From my title many of you may be saying to yourself, "yeah right, there is no way your sister is cuter than mine.."
Just watch the video and there will be no debate.
Thanks Mom for always sending pictures and videos of the little moments I miss!
I've been told by a few of my blog readers that they love Joshua and Jordyn Kate stories! They are pretty adorable. I'm making a trip home this weekend so I am sure they will give me some blog-worthy stories. They are mess but I wouldn't have it any other way!
I think I said I would post about Channapalooza 2 weeks ago but I am just now getting around to it.
After our 5k race, we let Chan pick the restaurant for lunch and she picked Panera Bread. What she didn't know was that I had been texting her dear friend Emily who was on her way to celebrate with us. While everyone else was ordering, Emily called to let me know she was there. Let's just say we made quite the scene in Panera! Here's a video to show just exactly what we down. It's pretty funny, the only problem --it's sideways and really shaky {it was on my phone-sorry!}
Chan claims she knew someone was coming in, she just thought it was Kelly--which was a good instinct on her part because Kelly did come as well--for the surprise party!
All week Channing had been pretty sad that everyone had plans on Saturday or was going to be out of town. So she thought her birthday plans were just a simple dinner with me and Kirt and now Emily! {which is what we do almost every night!} We somehow snuck around enough to plan this crazy party. Em and I talked Chan into dressing up in 80's clothes so she would be dressed with our theme "Party like it's 1987 and Chan's just been born!"
Channing had NO idea - she kept saying "you lied to me- you said you were going to be out of town!" I am so glad we were able to plan this fun night for her. We spent the night skating with a bunch of 13 year olds at Star Skate {who thought we were crazy!} We had a blast and woke up the next morning exhausted.
Who thought a 5k and skating in one day was a good idea?--oh yeah this girl! Never again!
So much has happened since I last posted on here, which is pretty much why I haven't posted anything all week. Life gets busy and getting on the computer to blog gets put on the last of my "to-do" list. There so much to post on but I will start with the 5k because I know many of you have been dying to know how my first 5K went so here goes -
The race day came and it was bitterly cold. Yep, that is right. It was probably around 20 degrees outside! Advanced runners are probably laughing and have run farther in colder weather but for this first-timer--it was not easy! People kept saying that adrenaline would carry you through the race but I am thinking my adrenaline called in sick because I had a hard time getting excited while freezing my booty off!
Trying to warm-up! It was so cold!
I ran the 3.1 miles in 32 minutes. Again many of you expert runners probably wouldn't consider this excellent time but I was very pleased with my results! I knew my cousin Stephanie was running the race and as I was reaching the last leg of the race I see this cute little red-head behind waving at me--it was Stephanie! Out of all the people there we actually finished the race together! It was the first 5K for both of us, so it was a great memory to share with her!
This picture is so blurry and terrible but it was the only of me and Stephanie!
I run for Chach! We ran the 5k for Chan's birthday.
Chan had no idea that after the race we were meeting her great friend Emily for lunch or that we were having a huge party for her that night! She had no idea just how sneaky I could be - she didn't see any of it coming!
If you have been following my blog you will remember one of my earlier blog posts - Couch to 5K. Well, the day has finally come!
Tomorrow, March 5, I will run my first 5K. I am really excited, I have trained and prepared mentally and it is finally here. Okay, maybe I should back track a second, I WAS excited and yes, I have trained physically and endured through knee pain and shin splints {still am a little bit actually!} but mentally I am not ready because well --look for yourself!
Yep, that is right a high of 48 degrees and crazy wind is predicted. So at race time it will be a shivering 32 degrees out. I am trying to be positive.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!
I am sure I will let you all know how it went Monday evening! Until then,
My last few posts have been "oh so serious" so I am going to fly to the other spectrum and post something somewhat frivolous! And since the Pioneer Women is talking about shellac, I want to endorse it too..because I know people cling to every word I post on my blog like they do PW's! HA.
I had to Google image search "shellac nails" because I couldn't get a picture of my nails! I'm not the best photographer! Anyways, this is the jest of what it is!
A few months ago I made a trip to the local nail salon where the lady introduced me to something incredible - shellac nails or a gel manicure. This nail polish is made so that it is more durable than your average nail polish. I can wear my nails for up to 3 weeks and they look freshly polished. The color doesn't fade. I was home over Christmas and my mom kept thinking I had just painted my nails because the polish was so shiny. It stays looking as shiny as day 1 the entire time! It doesn't chip and doesn't smudge.
I was skeptical but I wash my hands/use germ-x around 4,500 times a day {to prevent catching all the bugs around the pharmacy} and normal nail polish is chipping and wearing off by around day 3. I love this and it really is great for people on the go who hate the look of chipped nails. {Once my nails chip - all the color must be removed!} I hate the look of messy fingernails!
Anyways, like I mentioned this was a pretty silly post but I wanted to do a little review. I am a huge fan. I feel like every time I'm at the nail salon I talk someone into doing shellac. I have also talked numerous friends into trying it! You can keep your natural nails but get the "fake" nail look! I guess you should expect a sales pitch from a person with a degree in sales! {oops!}
So if you are looking for a little pampering or like me like the look of manicured hands - ask your salon for a shellac manicure. I don't think you will be disappointed!
After my blog yesterday about Making a Difference and Paying it Forward, I thought the best way to follow that up is to brag on a friend who has made "Making a Difference" her favorite past time! I am not sure how Ashley Hyde has time to eat or sleep with all the things she has accomplished in the last almost 5 years!
Ashley (in red) and myself in the Miss Altus pageant 2006. Ashley went on to be Miss Altus 2008!
Ashley is a pageant queen and down right genuinely sweet lady. I am going to probably get every single detail wrong but let me tell you the jest of what this amazing lady has been up to.
Ashley is the founder of an organization called "The Art of Encouragement," which sends Christmas cards to veterans all over the United States! Ashley basically gets to celebrate Christmas year-round as she collects cards and then signs/gets people to sign them! This year, she has her biggest goal yet! She plans to have 20,000 Christmas cards signed by November 1, 2011.
In 2010, I had the opportunity to help sign cards with a group of my friends. It is so easy and when you think about the impact it makes it almost brings tears to your eyes. Growing up in a military community and knowing so many people who willing sacrifice their time (and sometime their lives) to provide us freedoms we so often take for granted. When was the last time you told a veteran thank you?
Please take the time this year - There are so many ways you can help!
The Art of Encouragement is based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. If you are going to be in the OKC area on Saturday, stop by Quail Springs mall and sign a few cards at The Art of Encouragement's first public Card-A-Thon from 10-3!
If you are interested in hosting a Card-A-Thon, would like to find out how to help, or want to know more - feel free to ask me or email Ashley at theartofencouragement@yahoo.com!
By the way Ashley, I am so proud of your little dream that has become a big reality! You are a true inspiration!
I have to admit I am guilty of plagiarism right now. I stole this great idea from my dad. I just think its too great not to share!
During the month of March - Make ADifference in the life of another person by showing them the love of Christ through a tangible act of kindness.
Here are some ideas:
Replace burned out light bulbs for neighbors or senior adults.
Take your pet to a nursing home.
Make sandwiches for people
Offer babysitting services
Prepare welcome baskets for new neighbors (or just do something nice for your neighbors -- if you are like me take the chance to MEET THEM!)
Rake or blow leaves for a neighbor
Mow lawns for the elderly or single mothers
Take someone to an appointment that cannot drive
Cook a meal for someone in need
Have a special meal delivered to someone that had a hard day
Adopt a senior adult
Offer after-school tutoring for at-risk kids
Help someone move
Make homemade cookies and take to your neighbors
Beautify someone's flower bed or do a front yard makeover
Read to someone who can no longer see to read
Find ways to serve teachers in your child's school
Find a way to serve a school in your neighborhood
Serve public servants like firefighters or police officers
Do regular maintenance on a single mother's car
Serve a military family that has a family member deployed
Serve an international student at the local college
Help an elderly or handicapped person go shopping
Have a garage sale and donate the money to a local charity
Clean and repair a local park
Serve in an established and ongoing ministry
Mentor a person in a skill that you are good at
Replace batteries on some alarms for people in your neighborhoods
Have a snow shovel ready for a late season snow storm (See: Shovels of Gratitude)
Just be creative and let Jesus show you how to bless another person!
I think one of my favorite things to do is to purchase the person's food in line behind you. Another great idea that can really surprise people is to go to Sonic Happy Hour and give your car hop a generous tip!
My dad made up cards for him and his church - they say "I paid for your meal to demonstrate the Love of Jesus!" To discover more about the amazing Love of Jesus. Be my guest this Sunday at Martha Road Baptist church. I think that is so clever! {my dad is a smart guy!}
So go ahead--- Get MAD! ;) I'd love to hear about your madness - so please share with me!
