Tony

Orange County Fair, Tony, Olivia & Josh
Anna & Tony

Anna came home from her second day of school and was crying because at lunch she said she ate alone. It absolutely broke my heart, she said the table her friends were at was full. Many of her friends left this year to the Charter school. So I heard Tony in the other room talking to her, telling her how when he was her age he moved to Australia and didn't know anyone. He told her he didn't even know where the playground was but within a few weeks he had friends and so will she. Anna just calmed right down it was so nice to see....so nice to see this side of my husband that most people don't know exist. He tries to keep it a secret but he is a fantastic Dad.

Oh, I hate seeing my kids go through tough times, just want to protect them.

1st & 2nd day at school

2nd day of school, Olivia is so excited about her skinny jeans to tuck in her shoes. Livy didn't want to kiss me goodbye with all of her friends around...my baby is moving on. Luckily Anna still loves to give kisses.

First day of school, so fun to walk as a family together. My sweet Anna said she played with a new boy at school because he didn't know anyone, she has the biggest heart.

Olivia is in dual-immersion, 1/2 day Spanish and 1/2 day English, she said she didn't understand anything her first day! Although she did call me crazy in Spanish when I picked her up at least she is learning something

Marathon

My first Marathon, what a great experience. I got emotional numerous times during the run, loved seeing my family along the way and loved feeling strong and accomplished during the run. I have been training for the past 8 months, loved having a goal to work towards, having some alone time and doing something just for me.


6:29 am waiting to start as they sing the national anthem!

Tony dropping me off, beautiful sunrise.

My cheering group Logan, Calli, Anna, Shay and Livy (Mile 15)

Tony making me laugh!

Can you see my pain....oh, ow!!

I wanted to write about my marathon before I forget:

Woke up 4:45 am, couldn't fall asleep until about 1 am was nervous and excited. Had my coffee, oatmeal and toast. Tony dropped me off at 6:10 am. Started at 6:30. Everyone started out so fast but I just held back and let everyone pass me, just kept looking at my watch so I would keep on my 11 1/2 - 12 min per mile pace. Didn't use my headphones for the first 5 miles, just enjoyed the morning and the beautiful sunrise. Did my routine of run 5 min, walk 1 min up until about 17 miles than the walks were a bit longer. At about 2 miles I could hear a bike behind me, think I was the last person but didn't want to look back because I was feeling so good. At 13 miles, Tony, Anna, Olivia, Marc, Shay, John, Calli and Logan all met me with a sign. I got choked up it really was incredible to see them. Then they met me at mile 15, 17, 20 & 22; then at 24 miles, Dale, Joy and Michelle were there. It really meant the world to me at that moment. At mile 18 my friends Cynthia and Annete cheered me on.

I felt very strong and on a high until about mile 23, could do my run walk at a good pace. Then the last 3 miles I thought I was going to die. Felt like I had little razor cuts on the ball of my foot and my toe on the other foot was cramping. It hurt just as much to walk as it did run, so I kept trying to run it just wouldn't last very long. Sweet Michelle walked with me for a few blocks at 24 1/2 miles, great words of encouragement from my sweet older sister.

Very sore the first 5 hours after the run, even laying down hurt. Took lots of baths and felt much better. Second day a bit sore but not more than any of my other long runs

I feel so content to have completed this and shared it with so many close family and friends. All the nice messages I received before the run were incredible.

Playing dress-up

Playing dress-up! Oh what fun.

Livy so wants to be tan....oh my poor little redhead.