Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Country Music Marathon

Since my parents moved to Nashville, Joe's been talking about running in the Country Music Marathon. A few months ago, he decided that this would be the year. His training wasn't exactly up to par, so he decided to run the 1/2 Marathon instead.


I ran this marathon with Joe when we were first married. I seriously thought I was going to die during the race, but crossing the finish line made the pain of the previous 26.2 miles disappear. I started crying and felt like I'd just won $1,000,000. Seriously.


Joe has run in several marathons since, and for me this 1/2 marathon was no different--I always get choked up watching the runners cross that finish line. Especially the ones that look like they want to die. Kind of how I must have looked. I'm always a little jealous, wishing I were the one running. Not the one wanting to collapse, but the one crossing the finish line.


This has made me consider doing this to myself again. I have 5 days to decide. I'm leaving it to all of YOU to help me make up my mind. Am I crazy? Should I do it? Will I die? Should I be more like my husband? He doesn't look like he just ran 13.1 miles, but he feels pretty darn good! I probably won't win $1,000,000 anytime soon, but in October I can definitely feel like it! Help me out, people! And who's with me? I'll feel a lot better if others join the "fun"!

We Miss Daddy!

We're in Nashville visiting my parents. Joe left yesterday. We miss him! When Joe's around, there's a lot less of this, and a lot more of this....

See you in a week. We love you!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

I Want a Brownie!!!!

Can someone else be the mom today?

Who looks better?



YAY MARCI!!!!

Yesterday Joe's sister, Marci, ran her first 1/2 marathon! It was 70 degrees outside, but super windy! We were so excited to see her run by! Way to go, Marci! Almost there...
After 13.1 miles!
Now 4 out of 6 of Joe's siblings are full blown runners. Matt and Brian are next to be converted! We're so proud of you, Marci!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Hard Boiled Egg Penguin Salad Toppers and more...

When we heard that Deal or No Deal was coming to town, we knew that it was destiny! Joe HAD to try out! A week ago when we should have been planting a garden, going to the park, cleaning the house, etc., we were standing in line with thousands of other people! Actually Joe went by himself and we met him after Parker's nap. We had the option to make a five minute video instead of waiting for 10 hours, but Joe thought he could make a better impression in person. It worked for the Price is Right in 2005! So Joe showed up in his Elmo T-shirt...dressed to impress!

Joe made it past the first interviewer using his Elmo voice. He made it through the second interviewer singing the National Anthem like a chicken. He resorted back to Elmo for the third interview and was told to leave his application where it was, and "we'll call you!" So we're anxiously waiting by the phone for that call that will probably never come! Oh well! I'm proud of my husband for having no shame if it means he could possibly have a chance at winning some money! Which game show should he go for next?

As part of the process, we had to fill out a NINE page application! I actually learned some new things about my husband and thought I would share! Here are a few of the questions along with his answers:

1) If you were going to be in People magazine, what inside info about you would be put up next to your picture?

Elmo impersonator, has run 8 marathons, puts ketchup on French Toast, past member of a prestigious Men's Chorus, showcased "The Wave" hairstyle at age 11, and is a master baby swaddler.

2)Describe one of your most embarrassing moments:

When in the 4th grade, every student was asked to invent something and present it to the class. I struggled to think of something, so I went to my Grandma for help. She suggested a break-through idea--a "hard-boiled egg penguin salad topper!" I was desperate, so I went with it. When the big day to present our inventions arrived, I realized very quickly that my invention was hands-down the lamest! I was so embarrassed, that I destroyed any evidence of my hard-boiled egg masterpiece before any of my friends witnessed it.

3) What is the weirdest thing about you?

I can transform most any song into a chicken melody.

So there you have it...a taste of my husband. The hard-boiled egg penguin salad topper story had me crying, I was laughing so hard! Who would think of that? I've been trying to think of how I would answer these questions and more. Maybe I'll post my answers later! How about you???

Pink Daffodil Photography

I'm excited to inform all of you that my sister-in-law, Erin, is starting her own photography business! To check out some of her work, click here or here. Or check out her new blog!If you're wondering about the name, Pink is for Breast Cancer (Erin is an almost 6-year survivor!), and the Daffodil is the unofficial cancer flower. I love it!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Mr. Fix It

Several months ago, one of our iPods broke. Joe bought it in 2005 with his graduation money. It's one of the classic models....not as cool as all the new ones (video, touch, etc.), but GREAT for our needs. I don't REALLY know what 20GB means, but I know that it's enough to hold more music than we'll probably ever need. And WAY more than our 1GB nano. I don't know how it broke, but for the past several months, the only thing we've been able to see on the screen is a frowny face and a message to contact Apple Support. I tried everything they suggested, but to no avail. When I looked to see how much it would cost to fix it, I figured we might as well just buy a new one rather than pay $249! But we can't exactly fork up the money for a new one, either, so it's been sitting in the junk drawer for a while. Today Parker found it. I let him play with it...he couldn't possibly damage it more. He kept saying, "Music?" to which I responded, "It's broken. We can't play music right now." To which he responded, "I fix it." So he did his thing, pushing as many buttons as he could at once. A few minutes later he said, "Here" and handed me the iPod. I looked at it...the frowny face no longer appeared on the screen. Instead were ALL OF MY PLAYLISTS!!! I yelled, "Parker! You fixed it!" He got a really scared look on his face thinking he was in trouble, but got excited when I ran and turned on the music! So send your broken iPods Parker's way, along with $100...discount included!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Avery's Boyfriend

Last night we were driving home from dinner at Joe's parents' house and Joe gave me the BEST NEWS EVER!!!! This week is Employee Appreciation Week at work, and today just so happened to be "Bring your kids to work day." When he told me that he was going to take Parker, I had a hard time believing him. How would they get ANYTHING done? After some serious thought, he decided that he probably wouldn't last all day, but would take him for the morning. By the time I got there at noon to pick Parker up, Joe was pretty frazzled. But I had a glorious Parker-free morning! I'm sure the customers were questioning whether they'd entered the right place or not...it was a zoo! We stayed for a while, had some free pizza, Kandis came to rescue Carter, and Avery and her new boyfriend Brooks got a little friendly!

Finally Getting Along!

Yesterday was the FIRST time in a LOOOONG time that Parker and Jacob actually just played and had fun with each other instead of screaming and fighting with each other. I LOVED watching them run around and listening to them laugh. I'm always amazed at their caveman-like communication. They don't have conversations, but somehow they communicate.