Snowy day in Colorado

This morning I sit on my couch with a cup of coffee, my warm zebra fleece blanket, my little Mia cuddled on my lap, catching up on my DVR...Army Wives that is!  It has snowed about 3 inches as far as I can tell since last night and I'm just trying to stay warm!  It's quite depressing actually...it's April 23rd and there is 3 inches of snow on the ground (insert gun to head)!!!  However, I don't mind cuddle days with my little girl!!!

Catching up on a few things...

While I was in Kansas City for my half marathon we celebrated one of my friend's 30th birthday!!!  We had sushi, drinks, dancing, and laughter!  I went to college with these girls....so you can imagine the nights out we have had together...and I would say this night was a lot more low key than previous nights we have hit the town.  I think it's a sign that we are getting old!!!  UUGGGG!!!  I don't like that word!

Jenny wasn't brave enough to try sushi for the first time!!  Maybe next time!

Karisa and I split this plate of sushi...yum-o! Gotta love rainbow roll!

A little pomtini and sparkling sake...even more yum-o!

BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!

Fab Friends!

With the pretty birthday girl!

Something never change...this was so Jenny years ago in college!!!  Love it!

Love these girls!!  

These girls and I are sorority sisters from college....and you know when I look back on all my friendships...my sorority sisters and I have a unique bond!  There are times when we don't talk to each other for months at a time because of our busy lives, but when we get together it is like we talk everyday since graduation and for that I am grateful!!  I have the best friends in the world...and being with them in Kansas City recently has made me cherish them even more!  They didn't have to give up time with their husbands and children to come to KC, wake up at the butt crack of dawn to cheer me on or run with me in my first half marathon, but they didn't think twice and they were there, supporting me to the end and for that I am grateful!  I thank God for blessing my life with a group of women that I get to call me friends!  

Happy 30th Birthday Karisa!!!!

This week I went to the new Jackie Robinson movie "42", and it was good!!!  Like super good!!!  It was a long movie, but never really lost my interest!  For those of you that know me well, you know that I am not a movie person...if I'm watching a movie on my couch within 5 minutes I am watching the movie through my eyelids!  In fact, I cringe every time my nephew asks me to watch a movie with him because I know that I have to try so hard not to fall asleep, but I do....every time!  I pretend that I am not sleeping by quickly opening my eyes when it feels like someone it watching me, and he catches me....every time!  I have also been known to fall asleep in the movie theatre....talk about all time failure at watching a movie!  But, I didn't fall asleep during this movie!  Like I said it is good and worth going to see!!!  

Alright, now I am praying for warmer weather!!!  I have bought a couple cute dresses and shirts that are spring/summer clothing and I WANT TO WEAR THEM!!!  This weather is overrated and I am ready for some warm cycling weather!  I can't wait until I can cycle without looking at the weather first!  I rode 50 miles this last weekend, but now there is snow on the ground!  Can't wait for the warmer, sunny Colorado weather to arrive!!!  

I found this little saying a while back and I read it everyday...I cherish and look up to the greatness of Mother Teresa so much.  She did so many great things in her lifetime, and I know that if I can do just a quarter of what she did, I will make it in this world!  With this saying she reminds me how insecure, unloving, and judgmental some people can be, but I know that with reading this it reminds me that I can do good despite those people and someday they will be more acceptable to the people in this world that try to make it a better place all while expecting NOTHING in return.  I hope it touches your heart as much as it touches mine!

Happy April Snow Day!!!!

13 POINT FREAKING 1

As I sit down to write about my experience running my first half marathon, I don't even know how to start! It was an amazing weekend....a huge thing accomplished with the best friends ever...and I have so much to be proud of!

The weekend started with the race expo at the Overland Park convention center....Lexie and Mel. took off work early, picked me up at Lexie's house and off we went!  We got our packets, shirts, took some pictures and headed off the drive the race course!  We had a few wrong turns, but we got the idea of what we were in for!  

Rock the Parkway Expo

Driving the course route!

We are ready!!!  Bibs in hand!

Saturday morning the alarms started going off at 5 am...and I was over that damn alarm!!  I saw 11:28pm on the clock the night before while trying to fall asleep, I woke up at 2:22 am and had to pee (Damn you, Mel. for making me drink all that H2O), and then at 5 am that thing started none stop until my body was outta that bed!!!  I got ready and met Lexie in the kitchen for a pre-race breakfast that consisted of a hard boiled egg, toast, coffee, and my pre-workout energizer!  At 5:50am Mel showed up and we were loaded and backing out of Lexie's driveway at 6 am to meet her parents at their hotel!  We rolled up to the parking lot at 6:40ish and we were to find Mel a bathroom...that girl and her pre-race pee and poops!!!  Gotta love her!  

We ordered these 13 point freaking 1 tanks from Ruffles with Love!!!  They were quite cute!

Lexie, Mel, and I then headed to the starting line...we left behind Lexie's parents, and our friends Jenny and Karisa to find a place to cheer us on! The race started in waves...2 minutes apart...each wave had 600-1,000 runners in it...now you do the math....it was the same as starting everyone at once!  We ran together for the first couple of miles and then Lexie and I got barricaded in by a wall of people...we had to jump the curb and get around them on the grass...somehow Mel was able to get ahead of the barricade....once we were all together again, I decided it was time to set my own pace and whether that be faster or slower than Mel. and Lexie it was ok.  So my pace came...and I was finding that happy pace...but I could always see Mel. and Lexie ahead of me...until I hit mile 4...and they were gone...just vanished and I got a little anxious...I was ok when I could see them, but when I couldn't see them anymore I wasn't sure that I wanted to be running, I wanted to be with them, but they were gone...the crowd was massive, the street narrow, and I wasn't going to be able to catch up with them...and I knew that...but I still wanted to be with them!  As I was coming up on mile 5, I needed to see someone that I knew, someone that was there for me, someone that woke up at the butt crack of dawn to cheer us on...at 5.6 miles I saw a sign that said "Go Mel, Lexie, Allison, Chrisie", and I thought "Oh shit, those are my people!"...sure enough there stood Mel's husband, mom, mother-in-law, and daughter...they were there for us and only us...it was the boost that I needed!!!  At mile 5.76, Mel called me to give me some encouragement...and they were 0.3 mile ahead of me...so I knew that I could keep going!  When I hit mile 7, there was a hill...and it was the biggest hill of the run...and it was tough...I just kept telling myself..."You didn't train this long and this hard to walk this damn thing, keep those legs moving!"...and I did....but I hated it!  At mile 8.1 my phone rang again...and it was my friends Jenny and Karisa...but I just couldn't talk...my breathing was erractic and it wasn't happening...so I hung up on them!  When I rounded the corner at 8.6 miles, I knew that it was a straight shot...there were no more turns...I was staying on this road until the finish.  At mile 9.3...I saw that same sign again....and there was Mel's family again!!!  At mile 10...I saw Jenny, and Lexie's parents...it gave me the little boost I needed to make it 3.1 more miles. At this time I really wanted to catch up with Mel and Lexie so that we could finish together, but I couldn't find it me to kick it up a notch...and I was really getting mad at myself...and then something overcame me and this thought ran through my head..."No, stop it, stop being mad that you can't go any faster, this is your race, you trained for this and this is yours, screw those girls up there!" After that went through my head, I was ok with where I was...but I was struggling...I was tired, my legs hurt, my right foot was cramping, I had blisters, and I was just DONE!!!  It is true that if your body can make it 10 miles...the last 3.1 miles is completely mental because I would have been done had I not just seen people I knew cheering for me or stopped talking to myself about all the training I did and how hard I worked for this.  With that mental focus, I was able to kick it up a little bit.  When I hit mile 13....I just wanted that 0.1 mile to be a step in front of me, but when I looked up it appeared like it was another another freaking mile ahead...but it wasn't and it came sooner than it looked like it would!

 and I FINISHED...

Those 13.1 miles were mine...

ALL MINE!!! (without walking one step)

And I am PROUD!!!  

I accomplished something that I never thought I would ever accomplish in my life...I was never a runner...in fact, I hated it...with a passion....

But here I am...A RUNNER!!!  

Spectators go to races to cheer for people...running is one sport that there is no booing at, all you hear when you are breathing heavy, sweating like crazy, and wishing you were done is CHEERS...and they cheer for everyone...yes, they are a little louder when the person they know is coming up, but they still cheer...for a complete stranger with pain in their eyes, sweat running down their face, cramps in their legs...and those cheers....they keep you going...they keep the mental focus that you need...they keep the  thoughts of how hard you trained in your head...they make those blisters forming on your feet seem small...and you keep going...one foot in front of the other for 13.1 miles. 

                                     

Rock the Parkway stats:

Time: 2:17:30

Average Pace: 10:45/mile

Place in age group: 331/524

Place Overall: 3047/5500

Finisher medal!!!!

After the race, I just needed to walk...if I stood for too long my legs would cramp and that doesn't make for a happy runner...I enjoyed chocolate milk, a banana, and a bowl of mac & cheese. All yummy goodness...and just want I needed!!!  I was sore for a couple days, but recovered quite nicely!!!  

13.1 miles...CHECK!!!!

The signs that gave me that boost that I needed!

Our fabulous supporter that drug herself out of bed to cheer us on!!!  Love you Jenny!!!

DID IT!!

After it was all over, I couldn't stop saying..."I ran 13.1 miles today." I would say it over and over...never really getting emotional...until....

I was driving home...that long 5 hour drive back to Oakley to my parents...

I received this text...

"Just want to tell you again, that I am so proud of you, Jo! It takes balls to train solo and then rock 13 point freaking 1 miles!"

....and I cried.

No, I sobbed.

My friend's know how to get to me...and Mel. got to me with that text message.

I cried because....I was PROUD....proud of what this race and training has done to me, proud that I accomplished something I never thought I would ever do, proud that I didn't walk one time, not one, proud that I actually did it (last time I bailed), proud that my friends were proud of me, proud that I ROCKED THE PARKWAY!!!! 

So what does a person do when they completed their first half marathon, when they ran a distance they never thought was possible, when the aches and pains are gone...they sign up for the next half marathon!!!

Rock 'n Roll-Denver - 10/20/2013

Half Marathon Update: Week 11

Here I am, on the last week of my half marathon training...I can't believe that I started this training on January 21st....thinking that April 13th would never get here...and here I am a week away from the one event that I have spent countless hours training for, thinking about, planning, hating, yet loving, sweating, looking forward too!  I never thought in a million years that I would be less than a week away from on the biggest events in life that I never thought I would EVER do!  I have had great support as I have ran my heart out for the last 11 weeks...
*my mom: she is always asking me how it is going and how I am feeling!  When I got done running my 10 miles yesterday she met me at the door asking me if I was ok, what she could get me, and told me to sit down.  An hour later she was asking the same things!
*my baby sister:  she has been asking how my runs are, how far I had to run this week or that week, and I know that she wants to be in KC on Saturday cheering me on, but she just had a baby a week ago.
*my great friends, Lexie & Mel.:  these two girls are running the half with me and have kept me motivated all these weeks!  With all the facebook posts, keeks, texts, and phone calls, these girls have kept me going!!!  I can't wait to actually run beside them this weekend instead of hearing about their runs via keek!
*my fabulous friend Rosa:  she has kept me going by doing some of my runs with me!  She motivates me to keep going just by running herself!!  She has made great strides since she started running and I am so proud of her!

Week 10:
Monday: Strength & Stretching:  I ran my 5 miles that I was supposed to run on Tuesday
Tuesday: 5 miles:  I didn't do anything because I had an eye appt.
Wednesday: 3 miles
Thursday: 5 miles: I didn't run because I was busy doing laundry, cleaning, and packing for my trip to KS
Friday: REST
Saturday: 60 min. cross training....again I did nothing because all my family was at my mom and dad's and I didn't want to miss one minute of time with my older sister and her family!
Sunday: 10 miles....yup, I ran 10 miles in the wind...and it sucked!  But I did it and I was so proud of myself! yes, my legs were jello, my lips were wind burnt, my feet were on fire, my arms were sun burnt, but I DID IT!!!  When I was done I had this sense of accomplishment overcome and it was an amazing feeling!!!

My watching is proof that I finished the whole 10 miles!!!

I decided to run my 10 miles in the country...and well...it was BORING!!!  These 3 pictures where my view for 90% of the time!  Running on the gravel wasn't that bad, it was just that I didn't have anything to look at!

10 miles....D-O-N-E

True Story!!!

Owen Zachary

At  0526, on Tuesday April 2nd, I got a phone call from my baby sister's phone, and it was my brother-in-law telling me that my new nephew Owen Zachary had arrived in the early morning hours!  I was estacic!  Owen was born into this crazy world and made our family increase to 10 members!!  Even before little Owen was born, my sister asked me to be in Godmother, so I have a new Godson!  My second one little godson as I am my other nephew,  Hudson's Godmother.  Oh the joys of being a Godmother!  It wasn't something that I really thought about until I was asked to be Hudson's, and now I am Owen's and it is a role that I hold very dear to my heart!
It's something that:
*I want to be the best at.
*I can't wait until they understand what it means to have a Godmother.
*I will never let fall to the way side.
*I will work so hard at keeping them walking beside Jesus.
*I won't forget to remind them of the times when prayer is the one thing that settles the soul.
*I will forever be honored that I was asked to be an example of a good Christian and show my nephews the way when the fall off the path.

Friday, I got up at 0430 and headed back to KS to see this precious little fella!  We snuggled all day long and he has my heart!  I spent the whole weekend with little Owen and since I am on a two week vacation I will spend the rest of the week with him!  He is the most precious thing ever!!!

Little Owen and Auntie Alli

Love this little boy!

Easter Egg Tradition

My mom loves traditions...and even though the two grandkids weren't home for Easter...she still made us dye Easter eggs!  We even skyped the grandkids while we dyed them!  My mom was so funny...the eggs were boiling by 8:30 on Good Friday...and we were dying eggs by 10:30!  It was fun even though the boys weren't there!

My baby sister and I!!  Can't believe that she about to be a momma!

Seriously the best mom a girl could ask for!  Love her to the moon and back!

The finished project!

After dying the eggs, we headed to Good Friday service!  There is something about walking into church with dim lights, no holy water, the tabernacle empty, and little music through out the whole service...your mind falls and as the passion of Christ is being read you think about the sacrifice that was made so that I could stand in that church and celebrate Good Friday.  

Easter Sunday, we went to Mass to celebrate the risen Lord...and I have to say that as I get older this holiday becomes my favorite!  It really speaks to my heart...it gives me hope...

HOPE... that I will make it in this world

HOPE.. that even when it feels like no one loves me I know that one person does and always will

HOPE... that I was given this life for a reason

HOPE... that through Christ all things are possible!  

I cherish my faith as the most important thing in my life...when I was younger it was just a routine that I did because my mom and dad made us...I didn't fully understand the significant meaning of it all, until I grew up...and relied on it more than I ever thought possible!  When no one else seemed to understand He did...it has helped me through the times when I didn't want to get out of bed in the morning, through tears that were shed when the priest spoke to my heart, to forgive the people that hurt me the most, to love like Christ loves me....I can't begin to imagine where my life would be without Him in it!  Here's to a better year for you and for me!  

Half Marathon Update: week 10

Here we are...2 weeks until the big race that I have been preparing for since January!  It's coming so fast...and I have to say that I am READY!!!  I had a moment of weakness last week when I lost my motivation and was just about to throw in the towel...then I had a great run.  I felt great running and when I was done I was smiling...I was ready to keep running!  It doesn't help that I have been getting antsy to get on my bike and ride miles!

Week 10:
Monday: Strength & Stretching:  I didn't do anything this day...I was not in the mood and I had other things that I needed to do!
Tuesday: 5 miles...this was the day that I was COMPLETELY over this whole running deal....
Wednesday: 3 miles....I was still over it!
Thursday:  5 miles...I drove to KS and ran when I got home...I wasn't over it anymore...my run was great and I felt great!
Friday: REST...my pregnant sister that is about to pop wanted to go for a walk....so we walked...3 miles...but still had no baby!
Saturday: cross training:  I ran my long run of 9 miles instead because I didn't want to run it on Easter...and it wasn't bad!  I was dreading it, but I felt like I rocked it!  I could have ran faster...but I was getting kind of bored in my small home town!
Sunday...I did nothing....I mean nothing but a 3 hour nap!!!

Small town water tower!

I ran by my parent's house about 3 times...

9 miles...D-O-N-E

Smile of accomplishment.....

Week 10....D-O-N-E

I never though I would call myself a RUNNER...but that's who I am now!  And...I LOVE IT!!!

Pink and Brown: Madeline Grace

This weekend a couple of my high school friends and I threw a baby shower for another classmate!!  We had a great time!!  Madeline Grace is already here and it was fun to throw a shower with the baby in attendance!  She is such s cutie & looks like her daddy!!!

Friday afternoon Amanda, Kendra and I gathered at Kendra's house and made 100 cake pops for the shower!  We had a good time listening to music, chit chatting, and of course they had to make fun of my royal blue skinny jeans by calling me Mama Smurf!

Amanda and Kendra wrapping the cake pops!!!  They quickly became professionals!!!

Cake-pops finished!!!  I love these girls!!!

The day couldn't be complete without some time with this handsome little guy!!  Hunter enjoyed his fair share of cake pops!  

Saturday, we had the shower and went to set up!  I was the first one there and well I ended up in the lobby of the bank with alarms going off!  Here comes the police, another classmate of ours!  It was quite comical that of all the police, Neil showed up!!  We got the alarm situation under control and Neil helped us carried the boxes of decorations and food in!  Only in a small town would the police help us carry stuff in after we set off a bank alarm!  Gotta love that place!!!

Cake pops were the center pieces and all the kids loved them!!  I'm sure their mother's were not happy when they got home and had a hand full of cake pops!

Food table!  Amanda and her mom made some great eats!

The cake Amanda got was adorable and yummy!

The hostess' with momma Holly and baby Madeline

Momma Holly and baby Madeline!

I'm not gonna lie....I'm showered out...I have thrown too many showers to count!  I don't have any more planned right now (until someone announces they are getting married or pregnant!) and I am glad to have a little break!!  I love throwing them, but they are a lot of work!  Here's to a break....but don't be afraid to announce anything special!!!  Watch girl's are going to come out of the woodwork with a ring or a growing baby!!! :)