Country Music Marathon 2009

Dusty ran the Country Music Marathon in Nashville yesterday. It was SOOOOO hot - 87 degrees during the race. There were ambulances & firetrucks everywhere assisting runners. I got to the course in time to see him cross the 20 mile mark - he got there in about 3 hours. Based on that, I figured he would finish in about 45 mins so I headed through the huge crowd to the finish line. I wasn't right on the rail, but I asked the people right in front of me to look for his number. Time kept passing & no Dusty. I made it to the rail so I had a better view. I started to think I had missed him but was afraid to leave. Finally I saw him coming - I could tell he was hurting. BUT HE FINISHED!!!! His time was 4 1/2 hours (the clock time isn't right b/c he started about 10 mins after the gun) - he was a little upset because he ran the Knoxville Marathon in 2008 in 3 hours 55 mins. He told me he started cramping at 22 miles - he even stopped & a man helped stretch his legs out. It was so hot that he kept cramping periodically. I'm so proud of him - especially because he didn't push himself to finish faster.

Sleepy Kids

Ivy's favorite place to sleep

Kenleigh with her "friends"

Easter 2009

We had a wonderful Easter! Busy, but wonderful. We started the morning with the annual Brandon Breakfast at Church, followed by the Church egg hunt & Church service. Then we headed to Papaw & Kay Kay's for lunch & another egg hunt. Home for a quick rest then to Aunt Lulie & Uncle Aaron's for dinner with them & the Trimbles - with yet another egg hunt! It was a beautiful day, shared with the ones we love!

Martinsville

Dusty wanted to get his dad tickets to the Martinsville race for Christmas & I decided to go, too! I have been to a race at Bristol 3 times, but never another track. It was really fun! I feel like such a redneck saying that, but the races are much more interesting in person. We had scanners - the headphones that you use to listen to the drivers communicate with their teams. That was really neat! It was super windy before the race started, but the wind died down & the weather held up for nice racing!

Updates

It's been a while since I've posted, so I thought I would give a few updates.

We are getting settled into life with two children & two dogs. Ivy & Wrigley are getting along better than we thought - there is still a little barking if Ivy gets close to Wrigley's food & Wrigley has decided that she now wants toys - Ivy's toys! We are having some training issues - potty training & crate training. She is getting much better with the potty training, only a few recent accidents, but she does not like the crate - & tinkles in there! I thought dogs weren't supposed to tinkle in their homes. We bought some spray recommended by the trainer at PetSmart & it is beginning to help. I keep telling myself this phase will pass - we just didn't have these issues with Wrigley.

Last Thursday (April 2) was 7 years since my Dad died. It still hurts every day - not the same type of hurt, but still hurts. He is in a better place & out of pain, but I still miss him terribly! I miss so many things about him, but mostly I miss his hugs, kisses & how he would always give me the "I Love You" sign whenever I left the house. I miss being able to call him for advice. I miss not knowing what kind of Poppy he would have been. When I was at Colton's first "real" baseball game (keeping score & 3 strikes, you're out) on Saturday, I couldn't help but think about how neat it would have been for Daddy, Papaw & Poppy to be out there on the field coaching Colton's team - my Dad loved to coach us.

Speaking of Colton's first baseball game of the season, he did great! He got on base two times & struck out once, but had so much fun. Their team is the Yankees (which Dusty isn't too happy about) & the team did really well for the first game - we have some great kids! They fell short by 2 runs, but had some really awesome defensive plays! It was much more exciting than the games last season - I'm so looking forward to the season!

Some recent Kenleigh funnies:

She told her teacher - "I need that like I need a hole in my head!"

The gym was closed a few weeks ago for the clothing sale at the Church & it was cold or rainy all week, so the kids went to the library to watch a movie a few days. The next week, Kenleigh asked Ms. Hazel if she could watch a movie. Ms. Hazel said that was only on special days. Kenleigh told her she would give her $100 if she could watch a movie!

Jumpity Jump

We had Kenleigh's birthday party at Jumpity Jump this morning. There were 10 friends from Kenleigh's preschool class that came to celebrate with us and the Trimbles, Aunt Lulie & Uncle Aaron. All the little kids had a great time. Kenleigh wants to go again!

Happy Birthday, Kenleigh!

One

Two

THREE!!

Today is my little girl's 3rd birthday. I can't believe it has already been three years! She is such a sweet girl, but does have her dramatic side. She has gotten so tall - I'm anxious to see how big she is at her 3 year checkup next week. Her new thing is to growl if you say something she doesn't like. She loves to sing, give hugs & kisses, read & be read to, help around the house & still loves her big brother. Her imagination is really starting to show, too.