where oh where does the time go?

It seems as though all I post lately or EVER for that matter are catching up and then promises to catch up photos, etc. And I can't seem to get above water these days with blogging. I am good at lots, but not so great about blogging. Maybe if I got up at 4 AM when all was quiet and got online and posted...that would work....but all I can manage at 4 is to text my running buds, wait for anyone to reply so I am then accountable to get up and get dress and go running! I certainly don't see me getting up one second earlier and the days are already full and I go to bed with things left updone often, you know in order to get up..exercise...regain a little sanity and then get ready for the day.

I am certainly not complaining. I love my life. I don't always open-armed embrace the challenges and changes, but I love my life. I might enjoy like having a whole weekday off every now and then or hey, even weekly, but in reality that won't come until my child is grown and in college or soemthing like that! So for now, I just go with the flow, enjoy the moments and make promises about posting about it!

so what is going on now?

Weddings, weddings, oh yea, weddings, and then there are babies, babies, babies all around!

Some health scares with my daddy have had me all up in a tither for a while, but everything, THANK THE LORD, is checking out to be minor bumps and easy fixes....so please pray this is how they continue to be as we get more and more test results back and continue to thank God yourselves daily of just how he blesses you! I know I sure do!

Back to weddings....

So my great friend SH from Jackson is getting hitched and is doing it in the fast..oh I bet there is a baby kind of way....but she isn't with child....like the rest of my friends are it seems, but rather finally met him, they knew...and fast forward to me trying to keep up and catch up with her! And I will...a mere 7 hours from home at her wedding April 9th! Whew! SO excited for her and can't believe it is finally happening...so no matter the trip..not missing this one for anything on earth!

Then my baby sis-in-law is getting married on May 14th and there is SOOO much going on with that. Bachelorette party in Nashville this weekend, Lingerie shower at my house on april fools....or is it? JK...then church shower

then baby shower for our friends in Columbus but who are Cajun to the bone in mid-april...and what a joy it is to celebrate this precious baby's arrival!!

And somewhere in the mix, my newest nephew is going to make his arrival, mr Jack....something...A...and at the rate he is growing...well, he is in a hurry I am afraid, so it is a anytime game with this little man...

all the while...I am now on the mission to learn how to make a tutu flower girl dress, just in case, aunt jes decides to have a baby....and that has my feathers up in a tizz but I found a great site today with pics and I reserve the right to have fits, cry, and then ask for help if I can't do it alone....see I am NOT the creative one in any area I circulate...unless we like compare me to my husband and I think he might just me more creative than me! I am gene-less in that department!

not to mention it is supposed to look like this....sure hope Aunt jes is able to pull this one out for us!!!!!

and as I could seriously go on forever about all the joyful events that are upcoming and how the frequency adds a little stress...how can joyful such occassions make you sad or bring you down?

OR this for that matter?????

Laila loves to play dress up, and often times this just means...'summer clothes' which is fine and dandy when it isn't 12 degrees outside and she insists on wearing it to town or every other event....but especially interesting since she thinks that it is a great idea to wear last year's summer attire...and let's just say...it isn't one of those years were late summer's clothes will 'FIT' for this spring's wardrobe...she has grown fast and LOTS of it...no longer a baby...she is just a full out..KIDDO!

Anyway, hope you are all well and happy!

Rock and Roll Mardi Gras Half Marathon Feb 13, 2011

I DID IT!!!! WE DID IT!!!! I ran 13.1 MILES!!!!

With my trusted running partner in crime, Raven, by my side until she decided to 'smoke' me in the last 2 miles! that skinny girl can run! We finished it.

No walking.

No stopping.

I crossed the finish line in a respectable 2 hours 31 minutes and 6 seconds!!!

First half marathon done, and I am happy to say it was a great experience. My foot gave me a little trouble, but I made it without having to stop and stretch it. We had fun. There were bands all along the way and sunshining skies!

My stats:

Pace 11:32 min/miles

6793 out of 10,272 overall

783 out of 1,255 'for my age'

3,796 out of 6527 'for a girl'

Not too bad. Or at least I am proud just to say.

I trained smart. I trained when I didn't feel like it. I even trained in sub 20 degree weather.

I finished without any walking.

And I was injury FREE!!!!!

All my goals met, and smiles on our faces!

And a special thank you for my sweet husband at the finish line waiting patiently on me to cross the line!!! Who would not run 13.1 miles to get to this hottie?

And our friends The Weeks for joining us in New Orleans and celebrating the weekend with us! It is always great to get away with friends and just enjoy one another's company....even if it is only for a little while. Thanks for supporting me always! It was a great Valentine's weekend!!

Here is a link to pictures from the race! and even a quick video of me crossing the finish line!

http://www.asiorders.com/estf.asp?EVENTID=75429&PWD=&BIB=20488

A perfect day

While I have had lots of great days of recent and LOTS going on for that matter. AND I did say that I would post Christmas pictures and snow pictures and basically blog about all of the things that we have been up to. Well, I haven't! I have literally been on the road 95% of the time for the past 2-3 weeks and I am wiped. I did retrieve the recent pictures from my new camera from it and saved to the computer, but I also have installed PhotoShop on my computer, which I should be pleased about....but instead I JUST HATE THE WAY it opens picture for me to sift through. Actually there is NO sifting and I HATE it so I am boycotting it and just not posting photos...Boo for you, because I am only going to bore you to tears with words without photos!

But to save myself from blogging suicide....not that anyone reads my blog anyway, but still last week, Laila stayed with my sis-in-law and neice while we were gone on a trip and she posted some great pictures of the girls. so there you go, saved by Aunt Jes....stroll on over to her blog and read/see all about their fun time!

http://myhappily-ever-after.blogspot.com/2011/01/whew.html


But back to my perfect day. See we have been gone and despite the fact that this sounds all fun and restful! It ISN'T socializing is hard work and can wear you out! Granted we had a great time and visited with old friends and even made some new ones. I am wiped. So yesterday, we opted to head home a day early and got in last night. And since today was a scheduled day I was planning to be out and Laila had just gotten to Granna's yesterday afternoon, she wanted to stay with her after a visit with us. Soooo what does any working mama do with time off from work and child duty?????

You got it, I took a 40 minute bath last night. Read my book on my Kindle before bed. AND slept til 8:15. Got up, watched the Today show, which I love! And just laid around. I think I would have scratched the day and stayed home all day had Justin not been there asking? Are you not going in today? Are you going to wash some clothes while you sit? HOW on EARTH do you wash CLOTHES WHILE YOU SIT? Spoken like a man! Love him and he helps but seriously dude....when do I just sit. He finally backed off and I admitted that I should head on in and get ahead rather than stay behind from being gone so much....so at 10:15 I hit the shower and as I was ready to exit. He says, 'wanna go to lunch' Why husband....I believe that I will. So we met in town for lunch at the new Mexican restuarant and had fabulous childless meal with one another. Also tacked onto the childless supper that we had last night at the Grill in Starkville, where we both went to college and lived for many years. So two weeks of travel together and two alone dates in less than 24 hours.

That is how you have a great DAY!!!!

Hope yours was great as well! Plus I plan to run about 5 miles while Laila is at choir this afternoon and that should make for a complete fantastic day! Especially since my running shoes are likely thinking I am cheating on them....not a foot into them since Sunday's 12 MILER!

Half marathon update!

Training is going great...have made every long run. This past week was 12 miles, in 2 hours 23 minutes and few seconds....but who cares.... I RAN without STOPPING p.e.r.i.o.d... TWELVE miles! And I must brag and say that I ran the last mile...as in mile #12 in 10:43!!! which is great since my average pace has been around 11:30-11:45. On target to finish RnR New Orleans in around 2 1/2 hours. Anything under 2:45 and I will be proud of. Anything NEAR 2:15....I will SHOUT about! All very possible. With running, you just have to take it as it comes. Some days are great, some days you suffer through. right now is time to rest the legs some and beging the 'taper' I laugh at saying that because just a little over a month ago....I really didn't understand what that meant....I read about it....but didn't get the lingo! Now 6 weeks into training for first half marathon...and I get it....getting to taper was hard work and resting before the big day is also great!

All in all....I have enjoyed training for first half marathon and I actually feel ready. I have listened to my body and skipped out on some shorter runs due to body fatigue and family and life happenings....but feel very ready to get out there and sweat and work for 13.1 miles come February 13th! And with all the COLD, check that FREEZING insanity weather....short of rain...I can handle and be prepared for any weather that comes our way! Watch out NOLA...here I come!

What's new?

Well besides the fact that I have been a crummy blogger of recent and I am running in circles most of the time just to get it all done. Hence my last post was like Thanksgiving...what can I say, by the time I work and take care of my family and myself....I am spent and any online time has been for gifts or christmas cards or something recently.

Hope everyone that might read this is just as busy and it is like new years before you are even checking in on my wandering words.

So with that possibility in mind..I am only going to say....

My little angel is great and asking for everything that comes on between Dora(that is DVR'd, which means she asks for the SAME things over and over)!! So ready for Santa and in general lots of fun

Hubby is trying to do his level best at decreasing the delta's duck population and if time is any indicator....WATCH out ducks! Woe! he is hunting LOTS, but he is happy and he checks in and makes it a point to get home and see us, so I can't complain. If he was home..I would like be neglecting him with all my 'have tos'! Chirstmas gets busier and busier and less and less appealing as I age....oh AgE !!! nasty littel word!

ME, well so glad that you asked....I just committed to train for and run a half marathon on FEBRUARY 13th....yep, you heard it right! I am going to run 13.1 miles!!!! I have been saying that I would like to do that and my running buddy asked the question and made me put my money where my mouth is...see I had been planning to do this like...say...NEXT year. and well, guess what....2011 is NEXT year. So New Orleans Rock and Roll Half Marathon....here we come. Lots of miles to put in between now and then. But certainly I am nervous and excited all the same. Plus a weekend trip with hubby isn't ever a bad idea! I hope to complete in less than 3 hours but no matter the time...crossing the finish line will feel great!!! Looking forward to it.

OH and did I mention lots of upcoming travel, like 3 3-4 day trips in the next 8 weeks along with all this running and yea, my full time job! So you guessed it....those of you that know about running or just about not having time to get it all done...there are LOTS of EARLY morning runs coming up for me! But I am looking forward to it....

Putting it out there so I am now even more accountable to make it happen!

Hope santa is good to you and always remember...the reason for the season!

love to all

Just what all have we been doing?

well, it would take me a month to tell you in words so I will attempt in pictures and short narrative...

Basics....we have been busy around the Wade's house...who knew moving would be the slowest time of 2010 for us!!! Suppose we are just thankful to be able to be THIS busy always!!!

Go DAWGS!!! THE pose!!!!!

Famous JeeJee inspired pose! And fun with Jordan in the Junction this past weekend!

(thanks for machele for the pictures)

Laila won a Spirit Stick at the pep rally held at her school last month..

The must have pig hat from the farm!

The ...'I don't think I want to take anymore pictures, Mommy...face'!!!

a trip to Fiddlin Rooster Farm with our friends!

Fun i n the field while Daddy was working!!!

A birthday party for Kamri!!!

'inspecting' daddy's crop!!

Emma seriously LOL at Aunt JeeJee and Laila riding 'PeeWee' the horse...of course!

And Laila...AKA...Pig Pen for the day!!!! But she loved all that dust flying and running in the soft dirt of the field, can't you tell?






Obviously these are in no particular order....but hey, what can I say? We have been ont he go for weeks! Not to mention the fact that I was seriously sick for over a month and also in that time....we had my baby SIL Engagement party at my new house! Lots going on and lots to tell about....but the photo version will have to suffice...just no time for the details....but most of you already know them!

Hope your fall has been just as much fun!!

Discipline

Webster defines it as: Training that corrects, molds, or perfects mental faculties or moral character.

WordNet says discipline is: to train by instruction and practice; espeically to teach self-control.

Why am I 'studying' this? Well, this week, my daughter told a lie. She followed through with human nature...she didn't do her work during school today and was punished(disciplined) for this by having to stay in from her regular play time and one of her little friends, spilled the beans when I picked her up. I questioned her about this; she first said yes, I didn't do my work. I then began to explain that she was going to be punished and that she would not be able to watch her 'go-to' show---Dora! Not a few minutes later, she withdrew her confession and reported that she had in fact NOT, not done her work. Stating that she did go to the gym, and she did do her work....and with lots of other things going on..like on of her little friends pulling her glasses off and I thought that she could have possibly been removed from class for this reason, etc....so I explained what would happen and gave her a chance to tell me whatever the real truth was....so kept with her story that she did do her work, and she did go to the gym. So we proceeded and I knew that I would ask in the morning. She watched over an hour of Dora....I know that is bad...but she goes all day long too and this is her down time in the evenings and I was able to cook a healthy supper for us in that time. Anyway, at bathtime...she tells me that she actually didn't do her work and she missed gym time. At this point....I explained that she was in trouble and that she was going to have to face the music...so to speak. Having to go tell her daddy what she had done, that she lied, and that she understood what her punishment would be. She wasn't happy and she cried but overall she took it well. Justin explained that she needed a spanking for lying and I agreed but the way this whole thing unfolded....I felt like he needed to do it if it was to be done. Just didn't feel like the form of punishment to correct this, if you will. Sooo after a time, she was told that she would have to go to bed alone (without rocking, reading, or me laying down with her, etc) Then came the tears....the calculated 'What ifs' My favorite was....'What if something happens to me?' as if we were going to not check in on her. Anyway, he explained that she would be fine and to bed she went....as I was leaving her, she says: Mommy, "I said I was sorry for that" Break your heart but I knew that these are the battles that YOU HAVE TO WIN..but I do agree they are difficult to do. I took out to my bathtub and avoided the cries from her room and left her daddy to do the tough stuff. As this is where he excels much better than I.

So her punishment continues at the moment. She is not allowed to watch Dora until Friday. 3 days of punishment. 3 days of discipline! and I must say that she is handling it much better than I thought. I almost forgot that part of her discipline...is that she isn't allowed to cry when she is told no about watching Dora. This is usually what she wakes up asking and what she comes in from school asking, and what she wants just before bed....making it a good tool to teach discipline! I hope that she will learn from this that she should always tell the truth and as the week has gone, we have explained at different times that had she told the truth that it would have only been one day without Dora but that her lying about what happened made it THREE times worse. I realize that this is a difficult concept for her...but three days without your favorite thing...has to remind you that you don't want to repeat that act! I overheard her daddy asking her this morning as she was watching the NEWS with him...you do remember why you can't watch Dora, don't you? While this is like digging into a sore wound...I think with her short attention span, this is important. As much as reinforcing that telling the truth, that she has to follow the rules in all settings. If she is supposed to be doing work, that is what she needs to be doing.

Bottom line... I want her to learn early and fully....that life is full of rules; you don't have to like them...but you must respect them or be ready to suffer the consequence that follows if you choose break them.

Being trustworthy and dependable... is paramount to being successful.

That being honest has to be a part of who she is! This is a value I hope to instill in her character. After all, telling the truth in a loving way is very difficult to do.

so this week and always we are focused on being consistent in our training that corrects, molds, and perfects her mental faculties and moral character. What an important job! What an intimidating task. It is easy to see why the majority of the world is so mixed up. It is EASY to agree with and let things slide....it takes MUCH more discipline for Justin and I to do the RIGHT thing for Laila than to cave to what is easy. To correct her, to mold her, to perfect who she is...so that when we are not there..we can be confident that she WILL make the right decision 100% of the time! AND that she will be aware when she fails to and hopefully she will also know how to; as well as have the courage to...make it right!!


I could go on forever about how the moral compass of society is off. This past week in Sunday School the speaker made this point...we are not good people that occassionally make mistakes, but rather at the heart of our nature; we are in fact sinners that sometimes do good things! In arguing his point he posed the question of how often do you sit your children down and show them how to hit their sibling, or teach them to lie....it is in our nature...as we came from Adam. We are sinners...and it is a life long battle and struggle to be more like christ....he is the only perfect one, indeed!

So this week.......I am looking at discipline in a different light than I have taken time to before. Obviously these are not new concepts but when you have children, you become aware more and more each day that God has blessed you with one of his children; to have them as your own...but that with this blessing comes the job of shaping someone's moral character...if that doesn't scare the mess out of you....you might want to rethink it! Sure gives me that lump in my throat....you know...gosh I hope I don't mess this up! I sure don't want to mess this up. I don't think that everyone stresses over these 'little' things enough....If we did, there would likely be fewer problems in society. We all freak when they send us home from the hospital with these helpless creatures....but do we painstakingly obscess over all the details and daily corects as we did about those first bottles? Are they eating enough? What is that, a rash? Are they breathing? Do I? Am I missing opportunities to correct?