Cotton Row 5K & Fun Run

I started going to our Run for God program at church at the beginning of March. It is a 12 week training plan with a Christian focus! It was so great to have God in the center of training. Being a swimmer growing up I really, Really, REALLY disliked running, so I needed to be reminded that I could finish this program with His strength and not of my own!

So on Memorial Day I set out to run my first 5K at the Cotton Row. My goal was to run it in under 35 mins.

This is a BIG event with a 10K, 5K, and 1 mile fun run for the kids. There were about 5,000 people there!

Tyler and Kalen did a great job cheering for me at the start! I actually heard them saying, “Go Brianna, Go Brianna!” It worked out great that I heard them, I forgot to take off my wedding ring and was able to give it to Mike as we started!

It was such a HOT day and was probably in the upper 80’s - low 90’s when we started at 9am! Mike and Tyler went to a couple points where they thought they would be able to cheer for me!

It was nice to have friends to run with and be able to encourage each other!

Almost there!

I did it! Woo Hoo!!! When I crossed the finish line my time said 34:15 and later looking online at the results of my k-tag (which records when you actually cross the start and finish lines) it was 33:33! I was so excited that I finished and under my goal!

Woo Hoo! Love my girls!

Family picture. Kalen didn’t want to be in it, she said, “My not running!”

Then Tyler had to get ready for his 1 mile! He was talking for days and days before about the “big” race! So cute! Daddy ran with him!

I couldn’t find him at the start (he must have been too fast) so these are at the finish line!

We were so proud of him! Mike said he did a great job and really liked it when the people were cheering for him! When I asked Tyler what his favorite part about the race was he said, “Winning!” I think he got his parent’s competitive genes!

So I think we all have the running bug now! Mike wants to do the next race and I think I want to try a sprint triathlon! (Yikes, did I just say that!!)

School’s out for Summer!

Tyler had his last day of school on Friday!

He did so well in Pre-K and is ready for Kindergarten next year! Here is a picture from his first day and his last day.

He looks a little happier on his first day, ha! Mrs. Cox was a great teacher for Tyler and we can tell how he has grown through this year!

Way to go Tyler on your first year of school!

Sweet Peach–May Reveal

The Sweet Peach kits for May are just beautiful! I received the Sweet kit this month!

I couldn’t wait to dive into this kit and use all those beautiful papers!

I created 4 layouts! This first one is my favorite! The colors went perfect with these Flamingo pictures.

The little chipboard butterflies included in the kit are perfect for inking/painting your favorite color. I had to make mine pink

I printed some pictures from the splash pad last year since this kit went perfectly!

And one last one using the Sweet Peach sketch this month!

These pictures of Kalen are just too cute!

You have until June 7th to play along with this sketch and Corrie is offering a $25 gift certificate to one person! So go here and check it out!

A Strawberry Shortcake Party

Kalen asked for a Strawberry Shortcake party this year! Since that is one of my favorite desserts I was so excited!  

We had a few simple decorations,

Little strawberry shortcakes for the children,

and a big strawberry shortcake trifle for the adults!

Kalen was so excited to have all her friends over!

She loved it when we all sang to her!

Then she opened some gifts from her friends!

It was such a fun party! I can’t wait to see what kind of party she wants next year!

The Birthday Girl!

How can it be? Is my baby girl really 3 years old?

Kalen has gotten so grown up.

She has a fun and carefree personality!

I wanted to get a few pictures in her birthday outfit before her guest started arriving for the party.

She was such a good model and I got quite a few!

I just love these of her in the grass.

Such a sweet girl.

Big brother had to get in a couple!

He’s a cutie too!

So now I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old! Man, how the years fly by!

Happy Mother’s Day

A few pictures of the kids and I after church on Mother’s day.

Tyler and Kalen told me, “Happy Mother’s Day” right away that morning.

And they were saying it to every Mother they could find at church too!

I got lots of hugs,

and kisses!

I love these two so much!

We spent the rest of the day on the boat and had dinner at Grandpa & Grandma’s! It was a great day!