Vacation

A few weeks ago Todd and I took our annual summer vacation. We usually take our vacation during our anniversary, however, we really wanted to go to our good friends' wedding so we just moved our trip up a week. It was a wonderful vacation. I forget how busy we get and it was so great to spend 5 days of uninterrupted time together. We went to Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee. We love camping and being in the outdoors.

Our first morning we decided to go to one of the planned camp activities. It was Rock Hopping and lets just say we will never do it again. It was an adventure and cool to say we did it but it was not that fun. We love to hike and are in fairly good shape, but we were not prepared for this. It was a 2.5-mile hike to the base of the falls and through the gorge, however there was no trail. The hike consisted of us hopping, climbing, and sliding over rocks and boulders in and around the creek that ran through the gorge. The ranger who led our trip even remarked that the conditions were tougher than usual due to some recent rain.

We hiked to different water falls, rode our bikes, played frisbee, read, played cards, ping-pong, Connect Four, and pool. Again, it was so relaxing and lots of fun quality time with Todd. Sunday morning, we saw two deer 30 feet from our campsite. I think they smelled our yummy breakfast. Todd got a little nervous after he yelled at them and they would not leave. He threw a stick near them and they still kept coming closer. They finally left after he hit one of them with a stick. That evening, a raccoon came to visit us. Todd had gone down to the car and I was reading in the tent. I saw a shadow go by my tent and thought it was Todd trying to scare me. So I called out his name, but he answered from the opposite direction so I got a little nervous. Come to find out it was a raccoon and he came back and visited us during the night and ate our graham crackers and marshmallows, which we obviously hadn't hidden away well enough. It also rained all night and was suppose to rain the rest of the day so we decided to pack up our stuff and go to one of our favorite places, Gatlinburg, TN. We stayed for two days and then came home.

It also was a lot of fun. We when to one of favorite restaurants, The Peddler. We also hiked our favorite mountain, Mt. Leconte, a 10-mile hike round-trip. We had a nice picnic lunch at the top. We were a little sad to see our trip come to an end, but we had a great time and are thankful for the chance to enjoy a getaway together.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Today Todd and I celebrated our 3rd year of marriage. It was a great day and I can't believe we have been married for 3 years. Some days it feels like more and others it feels like less. Hahaha!! The Lord has taught us so much and blessed us even more these 3 short years. We look forward to many more years of the Lord using us and our marriage to minister to others. It has not always been an easy 3 years but it has been full of adventure and I could not ask for a better partner to share life with. Here is a picture from our wedding.

Being Content

On Saturday, Todd and I went to the wedding of a really good family friend. It was a beautiful wedding and of course she was beautiful. It was also wonderful to see some of our close friends. It reminded me of how blessed we are. It also reminded me of how much I miss them and wish we all lived in the same town and could hang out more. However I realized something greater. We are all serving the Lord where He wants us. As much as I would love for all of us to serve in the same church that is not the Lord's plan. I know this may sound silly, but it reminds me to be content where I am and to be grateful for the new people God has put in our life.

1/2 Marathon Weekend!!

Headed to the finish line.
Kimberly was not able to get a picture of Todd during the race so we staged this one after the race. Haha!!

This weekend we traveled to Nashville, TN for the Country Music 1/2 Marathon. The weekend was so much fun. I took the day off on Friday so we could get to Nashville and pick up our packets. After that we got some lunch and then went to our hotel. We spent the whole afternoon relaxing and watching a movie. It was so wonderful just to lounge around with Todd. Then, that night we met Grace, EJ, Chelsea, Mindy, Emily, her mom, and her boys for a UTM "4-H" reunion at Macaroni Grill. It was so much fun to see everyone. I was really sad that the weather kept Brad and Kristen from being able to come. We missed you guys!!! After dinner, we went back to the hotel for an early nights rest. Too bad I was too excited to sleep!

Saturday, we woke up at 4:25 a.m. to get ready for the marathon. We left our hotel at 5:00 a.m. thinking we would have plenty of time to get to LP Field by 6:00 a.m. (our hotel was 15 minutes from downtown). However, it took us almost an hour because of a traffic jam. They race info said that the shuttle to the starting line would stop at 6:00 a.m., but, luckily, it really doesn't. After we finally got parked and on a shuttle to the starting line, we waited in the huge port-a-potty line. This was one time I wished I were a boy and could just go and use the bathroom in the bushes. After taking care of business, Todd and I did a quick warm up to the starting line and parted ways. I got to see Kimberly before the race started and so that was exciting. We took pictures with my cool poster (thanks Kimberly, you get “best sister-in-law of the year”; don't tell the other 2, hahaha!). I was a little anxious just because this was my first 1/2 marathon. Once our corral left the starting line, I just did what I trained to do. I did not run this race to win, only to meet a personal goal and get back in shape. I started out really strong and felt great. When I got a little past the first mile, I saw EJ and Grace (who get the “best friends of the year” award). I was so glad they were there. I got to see them 2 more times and each time I got more excited.

Todd and I got to see each other in passing around his 8-mile mark and the 5-mile mark for me, I think. It was so neat to see him. We did not train together, however, we would go at the same time and see each other and cheer each other on. He has been so encouraging and supportive through this whole process. I was glad I got to see him during the race. It was a sweet moment!!

So, around my 10 mile I was staring to feel pretty tired, but I knew I had to keep going. I was super excited to see the finish line. Once I got close enough, I gave it all I had and sprinted to the finish line. My goal was to finish the race in 2 hours and 45 minutes. I crossed the finish line in 2:45:42 seconds. I was really excited, but a little disappointed because I was only 42 seconds over. After I crossed the finish line, I saw Kimberly and freaked out because I wanted to make sure I was finished. Don't know what I was thinking!!! Then I saw my handsome husband!! I was so excited to see him but my legs were done and I was not thinking properly because I should have gone over and gave him a hug. I eventually did once we were on the same side of the fence. Right after I finished, it started to rain. I was very glad that I was able to finish before the rain came down.

After the race, we went to my brother's in-laws (he brought Adaline to Nashville to see me race but the weather kept them from coming) and took showers and then went to P.F. Chang’s with Robert, Adaline, Grace, and EJ. After lunch, we spent the afternoon with Grace and EJ. It was sooooooo wonderful to spend time with her. We went shopping and were trying to wait out the storms. After dinner, the weather finally cleared enough for us to head back to Portageville. I am very grateful for our trip and the time I got to spend with everyone. I was sad that I did not get to see Lauren because of the weather:(.

Overall, it was a great race and for only training for 3 months and no injuries I am very please with what I accomplished. However, without the Lord, my wonderful husband, and my iPod (thanks mom and dad) I would not have been able to do this. Oh, and I am looking forward to my next 1/2 marathon!!!!

Feeling Old!!!

Ok I realize that I am not that old, however lately I have started feeling that way. Here are the top reasons I feel old...(not in any order)

1. When I use to know lots of people that were engaged and now I know 16 people that are pregnant.

2. When my students are surprised that I know how to text.

3. When my students have no clue who Tom Hanks, Cindy Crawford, etc... are.

4. When the kids I use to baby-sit are graduating high school.

5. When the kids I use to teach at church are graduating.

6. When everyone calls me Mrs. Allison.

7. When I workout and my body does not bounce back like it use to.

8. When the food I eat all goes to my gut and thighs.

I know I am really not that old, but for the first time I don't feel young either.

Long Run

So today I did my longest run ever!!! It felt so great except for the three massive blisters on the sides of my feet. While I was running I could feel my shoes rubbing the side of my feet near my ankles, but did not stop to check. Even if I had, there was not much I could have done. It hurt, but I just kept going, and I did not realize that it was bad until I got home. When I took my shoes off, I had blood on my socks and my shoes. For shorter runs, my socks have been fine, but I guess over such a long distance it just rubbed too much. So we went to Hibbett Sports and bought me some new socks that cover better. I was going to post pictures, but since I have some friends (Grace and Kristen lol) that have weak stomachs I will refrain. Let's just say they are about the size of a quarter. The race is only two weeks away!!!

Video of Adaline playing ball