Catching Up & Falling Down

So much has been going on in my life.  Trying to get it all together.  Beside being extremely busy I managed to sprain my ankle pretty badly 3 weeks ago.  It wasn't even running related.  Nope, in my usual classy style I dove off my elderly neighbors front steps and landed in a heap on their concrete sidewalk.  The best part is it happened right in front of the school bus as it was dropping off my girls.  Totally smooth.  I've continued with my cross training and have done a few easy jogs.  Tomorrow is the big day.  I'm getting my run back on.  Watch for that update.  I promise it won't take me weeks this time :)

I've missed you all.  Looking forward to catching back up on all your blogs.

New Music Friday ~ Hands All Over

I have a new obsession besides running.  I've been a fan of Maroon 5 for awhile.  They have accompanied me on many runs.  Their lead singer is Adam Levine.  He's caught my eye a few times.  Kim also took note and discovered a few pics from a photo shoot he did to bring attention to prostate and testicular cancer.  It got my attention.  I feel it's my duty to share the link HERE. Warning ~ May not be appropriate for young viewers.

The group does lots of charity events.  Here they are at John Hopkins Children Center.

They also created a new Snapple drink, "Tea Will Be Loved."  It's a limited edition flavor that is available now.  Proceeds from the sale go to the hunger relief charity Feeding America.  More info HERE.

Plus, he owns a Golden Retriever, Frankie.  I thought Jess might think that's cool.

Needless to say, I love him.  If you've somehow missed any of these songs, they are a must have.

Maroon 5 ~ Moves Like Jagger This one is also my cell phone ringer :)

Moves Like Jagger Video

Maroon 5 ~ Never Gonna Leave This Bed

Maroon 5 ~ Misery

Gym Class Heroes ~ Stereo Hearts (Featuring Adam Levine)  I told you I was obsessed.

Adele ~ Set Fire To The Rain

Rihanna ~ We Found Love

Any Twilight Fans out there?  In case you missed it there is a slight craze with this series.  Part 1 of Breaking Dawn releases in theaters on November, 18th ~ New Movie Trailer HERE.  This is the first single from the movie.

Bruno Mars ~ It Will Rain

What are some of your favorites right now?  

Three Things Thursday

1.  Skirt Sports is having a Deal Of The Day all week.  I've already made one purchase.  They have had some great deals.  Today is their Happy Hour Skirt.  I have one and LOVE it.  All of the skirts stay in place and hold you in.  Very important for all of us Moms out there.  I feel great the minute I put one of their skirts on.  Click HERE for today's deal.

2.  I've been working on several posts.  J started his lineman apprenticeship, which is awesome.  It also means that my computer is now being taken over for his homework and quizzes each night.  I'm trying to rearrange my schedule so I can still get my computer time in.  The You Go Girl Race Report will be up shortly.

J way up a pole :)

3.  Soccer.  It has taken over our home.  Both girls are playing and the schedules are crazy.  We have games or practice almost every night.  My girls have improved so much this year.  Big M's team won every game last Saturday and took the championship at their tournament.  Little M has scored a goal in each game this week.  I love to watch them run and enjoy something so much.  All of this keeps them in shape for things like this.

RUN WILD

They have a 5K & 8K event.  I know that Tressa and her family usually go.  J will be in school so I'm trying to decide if I want to tackle this alone with my girls.  It would be super fun.  Big M has done several 5K's and a 10K before but Little M hasn't yet.  As long as we don't have a soccer game that day, I think we might be in.  Wish the entry wasn't $30 a person.  It makes running as a family a bit difficult.

What kind of events do you do as a family?  Any suggestions on keeping the cost down?

You Go Girl ~ Expo & Dinner

I started my day early in the morning working a booth at the Health and Wellness Roundup in Centralia. We were trying to time everything right so Kim, Tressa, and I could meet-up before the Expo.  I was on the freeway heading north when I got a text from Kim.  She wasn't far behind me so I waited for her at Exit 111.  We then zoomed up to Exit 129 where we met Track Coach & Tressa.  We got Tressa & Riley transferred over to my car and drove the last few miles to the Expo.  We weren't there long when Kerrie showed up and caught us at the Running Skirts booth :)  Where I ordered one of these.  We picked up our packets and shopped a little, and then Tressa came up with a great idea.

Tressa, Me, Kim, & Kerrie

She had discovered a place called, Hello Cupcake.  We needed to kill some time before dinner so we thought dessert first, sounded like a great idea.  It was just down the block, very convenient.

Being a nerd, I loved this.

The cupcakes were amazing.  Red velvet, chocolate peanut butter, and vanilla with chocolate.

The Spaghetti Factory was just up and around the same block.  We found this on our way up.  Kim & Kerrie had a little fun with it.

We decided to save some time and pack Riley up the stairs instead of using all the zig zag paths.  

 Kerrie & Kim

Tressa & Riley

 

 Carla & I

 Dinner was great.  The food was good and the company even better.  It was nice getting to know Carla.

 

After dinner, Tressa and I followed Kim to her parents house.  They were nice enough to let us crash there for the night.  We went through all the racing gear/skirts I brought to find the perfect race day outfits.  I also brought lots of polish to decorate our toes.

Can you guess who's toes belong to who?  

Baby Riley was amazing all day.  Isn't she cute?

I think we all headed to bed around 10PM.  I laid out my race outfit, set my alarm, and quickly fell asleep.  That never happens.  

Expo day was super fun.  It's wonderful hanging out with people who share something you enjoy so much. Stay tuned for my race report.

I'm Alive!!!!

I could go on and on about the reasons I've been missing.  I'm going to try and not bore anyone to death so I'm just going to do my best to catch myself and everyone else back up.

Here are a few pics.

 Do these Elvi make my butt look big?

 Death by pink.

 Apparently, I really love ice cream.

These don't begin to scratch the surface.  We didn't do anything huge but I swear we were running around non stop the entire Summer.  Now that school has started, I'm kinda glad for the routine to get started again.  Both girls are playing soccer which is usually 5-6 days a week.  On practice days, I've been trying to sneak in some miles around the fields.

My next adventure is this Sunday.  The fun begins tomorrow when Tressa, Kim, and I will all meet up at the Expo, then have a blogger dinner/meetup, have a SLUMBER PARTY, and then get up for the You Go Girl 1/2 Marathon.  I'll be running for the amazing and wonderful Chelsea.  Thank you Chelsea!!!!!!

Last year, Tressa and I made the last minute decision to jump in and run the 10K for a couple runners who couldn't make it.  It turned out to be an amazing experience with so many girls I admire and love hanging out with.  Looking forward to a much needed girl/running weekend.

Good Luck to all of the other runners this weekend!!!!  Can't wait to see all my running friends and make some memories.

Road Trip...Vegas Bound

Summer is kicking my rear.  J's cousin got married which involved getting up at 4AM and taking a 8+hour road trip last weekend.  After an amazing wedding we got a few hours sleep and hit the road the next day to get back home.  Since then I have been working like crazy to get everything accomplished to be prepared for my Las Vegas trip.  That includes getting the house in order for J to be in control while I'm gone, getting my girls taken care of until J gets them for the weekend, and about a million other things to make sure things go smoothly while I'm gone.  On top of all that I have been trying to get everything I need done for the trip.  BTW, 5 of us girls leave tomorrow at noon on an 18+ our trip to the city of lights.  A whole different type of marathon.

I just wanted to give all of you a heads up on why I'll be MIA.  We leave Sunday afternoon for the trip back.  So, hopefully if things go well you hear from me on Monday evening or early Tuesday.  I'm already having some major blog withdrawals.  I'll miss you guys.  Good luck to all of you who are running while I'm gone.  I'll look forward to getting home and catching back up.  I also have huge plans to get this booty of mine back in shape.  I've had it.  Fat, consider this your warning :)

I leave you with a few of my favorite pics from the weekend.

 Check out my FIL.  I have several classic shots :)

 Big M caught the bouquet.  I don't even want to think about it.