A running update!

I have absolutely slipped on updating on my running progress.  I've been running on the treadmill lately wth all this crazy rainy weather and Jeremy being out of town.  I'll be very interested tosee if I can  maintain what I've been doing when I get back outside. 

Anyway, I signed up for my first race!!!!!! Yay!!! It is Oct. 2 (a month away) and I think I'm ready!  I've been running well over the 3.1 miles I need and if I run for distance, I have gotten up to 5 miles (I'm aiming for atleast 6.2 which is a 10k) !  However, lately I've been running to increase my speed and shave a little off my time.  So, tonight I finally hit my "goal" I set for myself a while back.  I ran just under ten minute miles!!  I completed the 3.1 miles at 30 minutes and 45 seconds!  If I can just speed up just a hair, I'll be at thirty exactly! Now I want to get under the thirty minutes.  I am so proud of myself and am SO glad I did this!

My baby's growing up

 Monday was Madelyn's first dance class.  You all know I've been extremely excited about it for a while now.  We bought cute dance clothes, the bag, I made ribbons, and of course shoes!  My baby girl was decked out! 

Sweet girl

Anyway, she did really well! I have to remind myself that she is the youngest in the class so she may not "get it" as quickly as the other girls.  She was very attentative for a while but once one little girl started disrupting the class, she began to loose focus.  So, hopefully, she'll do better tomorrow!  I just have to chill myself out sometimes since I was raised in a fairly competitive family.  If I can just quit stressing over her being the best and take in the fact that she's having a blast, then we'll all be just fine!  And, even if she isn't the best in the class, at least she is the best dressed!! haha

Show off

After class

Tiny dancer!

Big girl walking into the studio :)

So, the time is quickly approaching where she will no longer be a baby :( Yes, she will always be MY baby, but she's growing up too fast and I don't like it not ONE BIT!  I can only imagine what I will be like on her first day of school!  I'll be sure to keep you all informed :)

Randoms

Just a bit of what we were up to last week (on top of the playdate)....

Swimming with Nana

Getting ready for dance (starts this week)!

Meeting daddy in Orlando- he was there on business.

We can't go to Orlando anymore  without going to Disney.  We went with friends while daddy was working!

It must have been a busy week for her to fall asleep during the parade!

Finished by a nice ride :)

Playdate: Success :)

Madelyn and I held our first playdate at our house last Thursday!  It turned out great if I do say so myself!  It was a little crowded and VERY messy with toys within 10 minutes of the kids getting here but there were no huge arguments or meltdowns so I consider that to be successful :)  We had a total of 7 adults and 11 children in our tiny little house.  One of Madelyn's good friends is highly allergic to several food products so I took that into account and had very little even available that she couldn't have.  It made for a much more relaxing time for both her mother and myself!  I'm so happy I decided to suck it up that our house we're in right now is so small and just do it!  I really enjoy hosting and planning things and, although this was a very casual event, it was fun to put together.  Unfortunately, I didn't think to get any pictures before or while the kids were here but I did snap a few of the aftermath.  Take these pics that are in Madelyn's playroom and picture the living and dining room looking the same way....That's what my house looked like. BUT, it was fun!

Notice the random toy car?  haha

Seriously, EVERY toy was out.

Crazy mess!

My top ten "buggers"

I recently stumbled upon a blog written by a high school teacher of mine.  I highly doubt she remembers me, but I, along with probably everyone else, adored her class. How often do you get to cook/eat in class almost every day and actually get graded on it? Anyway,  her blog is so well written and is so enjoyable to read that I thought I'd carry her most recent post over to my own.  Here's a link of the original post if you're interested.

Now, on to my own "buggers" or pet peeves which are in no particular order....

1) Wal-Mart and the people associated with it.  Jeremy "forces" me to go there since he swears it is cheaper but I loathe that place.  I cannot count the times I have left there in the worst mood possible.  It's always crowded with the most obnoxious and rude people imaginable, there are never enough clerks working the checkout stands, and the meat and produce is terrible there.  I'd gladly visit Publix and Target in order to obtain the items I need than step foot in Wal-Mart.

2) People talking down to me.  Just because I am young and do not have a "real" job, doesn't mean I'm in any way, shape or form less of an intellectual than you. I still remain informed with current events, I still prefer to read books over watching tv, I still do my research when needed, and I can still carry on an adult conversation. 

3) Being told I can't do something.  Want to get me to do something?  Tell me I can't.  Have I ever mentioned that I was raised in a fairly competitive family?  Well, that would be the reason I am this way.  I mean, obviously, I'm aware that I can't lift a car over my head and I'm even smart enough to know which areas are my weaknesses (i.e. math and science courses).  However, within reason, I'll give you a good run for your money!

4) Shopping for cars.  Ugh.  This could probably correlate with number two.  However, it deserves its very own number.  Look, I worked at a  dealership and I KNOW what you can and can't do for me.  I research the vehicles I am interested in extensively before I waste both your time and mine.  I know what I can/ am willing to afford, and, after visiting a few dealerships, I also know what my trade in is worth.  So don't BS me!  Got it?  I have plenty resources in the automotive industry who can tell me if I'm getting screwed.  I may look sweet and a litte clueless, but I'm your WORST nightmare.  I will tell you in the first five minutes of our conversation what I am looking for and will also tell you I don't want to waste your time or my own.  Take my advice, and trust me on this.

5) Sticking your two cents in where it doesn't belong.  If I don't ask for your opinion, don't give it to me.  I'm going to do what I feel is best for my family whether you agree with it or not.  Yes, I may make mistakes, but they're mine to make and I'm hard headed like that.  If it's a family matter, and you are not my husband, unless asked, but out please!

6) Putting things where they don't belong.  I have a place for almost everything.  (However, in the house we're currently in, there are things that are simply placed somewhere to be out of sight.) Things may not be perfect, but I can tell you where just about everything inside my house goes.  If you are not sure where something belongs, please ask.

7)Trash in my car.

8) People who deliberately harm children or animals. 

9) Telling small children to shut up.  I really just dislke that phrase.  (Yes, I admit, I've used it.  I'm not perfect.) 

10) Inconsiderate people.  You have common sense.  Use it.  If you see a woman with a large stroller walking toward a door, help her with the door.  If you see an elderly person headed to the door, open it for them.  If you see a small child wiggling around in the bathroom line and a mom who is in a shear state of panic that her child is about to pee on herself, please let them go before you. (I admit this one is in direct regards to myself.)  If you absolutely MUST smoke, please do so as far away from children and others as possible.  If you see that your waiter is swamped, don't dock their tip because they're taking too long.  If there's a line of cars behind you and you see a car trying to get over/out, let them.  I could go on and on with this one.  Seriously, just be a little compassionate to others not because you deserve something in return, but because it's just polite. 

Wow! That was refreshing!  You should try it!

Busy Busy week

Gosh...Sorry I'm slacking so much lately.  This summer has been super busy!  Just wanted to post some pics of this past week.  My best friend and her family came in to visit and we had a blast (about 450 pictures worth to be exact)!  Anyway, here are just a few and I'll be back into the groove of things soon....

PS- Lots of thoughts and prayers go out to our friends Lindsey and Alex this week!  They'll be meeting their sweet baby girl!!!!!! 

Sweet :)

Two very pretty princesses

Sweet Love

Uncle Russell won a "Harley" for Madelyn :)

2 generations of best friends!

Family "vacation"

Kisses before church!

Entering a new phase!

The time has come.  Madelyn is no longer a "baby" and is finally able to take fun classes like dance and tumbling!  She has shown a great interest in dancing and singing and I have really felt that she would truly enjoy lessons.  So...I hopped on the phone/internet and began my search!  As it seemed, most places I searched online would only take children 3 and up.  Well, I just couldn't take that as the final answer.  See, Madelyn may only be two, but she certainly acts more mature for her age and won't even give children her own age the time of day.  It's like she has a prequalification for her friends: you must be almost three or older!  So, I took to calling and almost ALL of the places I spoke to said they'd atleast give her a chance and see if she is able to take directions and fully thrive in the class. 

I gathered all the information from about four or five different places and finally decided on one!  So......we register on the sixteenth and she begins on the 30th!!  We're both SO excited :) 

We spent two days hanging with my mom and the three of us shopped for cute girly dance clothes.  My favorite purchase is the incredibly precious dance bag with her name monogrammed on it.  We pick it up tomorrow!  Madelyn's favorite purchases are her dancing shoes :) 

I can't believe my baby is such a big girl now.  I love making these memories with her and watching her experience all these fun new things!  It's so bittersweet....

The pic above is her dancing in her dress up ballerina clothes that a family friend sent her for her birthday.  She absolutely adores the Sleeping Beauty song and dances around to it all day :)