RACE DAY!

Today I ran in the Knoxville Marathon Race. I ran the relay.... 4 of us as a team completed the entire Marathon course.

MEET MY TEAM! Me, Becky F., Lindsay and Chelsea!


Becky ran the first leg of the race, Chelsea ran the second, Lindsay ran the third (and longest leg), and I ran the fourth!
Becky came in averaging a 9 min mile! We waited for her at the relay tent (this is where we are in the picture above). We took a quick picture together because Becky had to leave us (she needed to get home). Then Chelsea took off. She averaged a 10 min (maybe a little less) mile. I heard from other runners that she had the HARDEST part of the race. Lots of hills! YOU GO GIRL!
Lindsay ran the third leg of the race. She ran 8 miles. She averaged 8 1/2 min miles! I was SO PROUD OF HER! She thought it would take her an hour and a half. WRONG... I was in the porta potty and then chllin' with Abel on my hip and there she was... waiting for me (OOPS... Sorry, we lost a few minutes there).
Then I ran the last leg of the race. It was a RUSH! I averaged a 10 min mile. I slowed down after about 3 1/2 miles to drink water and was having a hard time getting going again. Then I met a girl named Katherine. She was struggling as well so we finished the race together... encouraging each other to keep running.
I LOVED MY RUN... I got to run over the Gay Street bridge and then run right through Market Square. I finished my run with my team mates waiting outside of Neyland Stadium for me. We all ran in to cross the finish line together.
We ran the ENTIRE MARATHON (with 4 fresh set of legs!) in 4 hours and 18 minutes! WOOT WOOT!
(Above) - that's us running through Neyland Stadium. The finish line was on the 50 yard line.

Crossing the finsih line! BEST FEELING!!!!

It was celebrate the race day! We ate out with the Crenshaws for dinner. My friend Becky is the one who challenged me to do this on January 1st of this year. I am so glad she did! What a huge blessing!

Becky ran the half. She completed it in 2 hrs 13 minutes! Her husband Brent ran it as well. I am so proud of the Crenshaws!

My Talented Children....

I just videoed my kids... I got a kick out of the second video... and I LOVE the seriousness of Aidan's face in the first video...

So here is my Samurai and my Dancer :-) ENJOY

"hi, this is Addie... I am gonna show you some of my dance moves..."

Notice... the Samurai is still going in the background

Of course we have the dramatic ending... she hurt herself so she laid out like that. I love this kid!

One thing I realize is that the kids talk A LOT to each other. When the older two kids aren't around, Addie talks my head off! I LOVE IT. Tonight, her and Abel went with me to the gym. On the way home, Addie started her talking. She said "Sometimes people are mean to me." I said "Really? Like who?" She said "You.".... I said "What?" and she said "Like when you send me to my room... when I get in trouble". So I said "Addie, I am not being mean, I am disciplining you because you've disobeyed." She said "But mom... when I throw a pillow at Aidan's head, it's sometime a little hes fault". (I love the way she mixes up her pronouns). We went on with our conversation and then she started talking about her "love" Bruce (little Bruce Randall). She talked about how sometimes he hurts her feelings and I said "but you still want to marry him don't you?" She said "Mom... Let's not talk about that marry thing right now."

TO KNOW THIS CHILD IS TO LOVE HER! I wish you could hear her voice when she talks (oh you can on the videos above). She's five but she still has that baby tone when she talks. I want to pause this age. I LOVE IT.

DAFFODILS

In Texas it was Blue Bonnets... In TN it's Daffodils...

They are all over the sides of the Highway. I know in TX it is against the law to pick a bluebonnet. Don't know if it against the law to pick the Daffodils but they were pickin' before I could say NO DON'T ... ITS AGAINST THE LAW!

www.anceletphotography.wordpress.com

SPRING IS IN THE AIR ... and so is Lysol!

We have been SICK over here and I think I've sprayed my weight in Lysol around the house! Today the "germs have left the building!" ... or the house!
We were so happy to get out ... so happy Addie has to give Aidan a kiss!

These kids are best buds! Or partners in CRIME.

Our trees have bloomed. It is beautiful and stinky all at the same time! We have 3 huge Bradford Pair trees in our front yard and a Cherry Blossom. Can't wait for the Cherry Blossom tree to bloom... it is BEAUTIFUL!

Here's Aidan... hanging from the tree. YES... we went to Wal-mart today!

We got a pizza and headed to the park! We needed the fresh air and play ground.

Abel was laughing at Aidan. He always has a show going on in front of him from one of the kids.

It is Spring Break over here. We've spent the first half sick... I am not sure what the second half brings. I think we might try a trip to the Mts for the day! FUN STUFF. I'll keep you "posted".

FIRST LOVE...

The chase started like this....

Then it went like this....

How beautiful is Abel's little love ....

Precious Babies...

Yesterday I got to do one of my favorite things! TAKE PICTURES! Spring is around the corner and I am THRILLED to be back in business :-)

Head over to
http://www.anceletphotography.wordpress.com/
and check out the precious TWINS I got to take pictures of yesterday. I also got to take pictures of one of my dear friends little boy.

Just wanted to share!
Guess who I am photographing tomorrow??? MAYA woot woot!

and I am SO SHOCKED that my friend, Sondra, put me on her blog...
http://lebenphotography.typepad.com/blog/
I did a trash the dress session for Sondra. I got married 13 years ago so it was a HOOT to go out in a wedding dress. She bought a dress at David's for like $99 and it was my size so she asked if I would let her practice on me! HOW FUN! This was done back in August. I was so surprised to check out her blog a while back and see that picture. HOW CRAZY! Sondra is an AMAZING photographer and has been SO GRACIOUS to me. She's my photographer idol :-)

Singing in the Rain...

I have been on a bit of a vacation over at Ancelet Photography
Today I was itching to get out with my camera so we went out in a little rain. It was fun! The girls were so willing to be little models.
I have some shoots coming up so I am trying to get geared up! I am excited for the SPRING!

Kids say the darndest things...

Addie says "I AM STARVING" (dramatic as always)
Aidan says "No you aren't starving because people who are starving haven't eaten in a VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY long time and they are about to die!"
Addie says "I AM ABOUT TO DIE!" (again... with the drama!)

I know this is so wrong but I asked Addie "Who do you love more me or Daddy?" She said "I love you both the same" (I was totally prepared for her to say Daddy). I said "GOOD answer!" then I asked her "Who do you think we love more... Avery, Aidan, you or Abel?" with out even BLINKING... she said "me!"

Last night we were watching American Idol and I decided to start singing. I was acting like I was on the show. Avery said "Mom... you would not get past Simon... infact, you wouldn't get past any of the judges... except for Paula". haha! Does she know that show OR WHAT?

Happy Birthday "Party" Addie!

Tonight we celebrated Addie's birthday. It was a fun night. I am worn out!!
Addie went back and forth between wanting to have a Walle birthday party or a Tinkerbell Birthday party... she went with Tinkerbell. I am glad because I am not sure what we would have done for Walle.
We decided to have the girls who came dress up like princesses. Addie didn't have a Tinkerbell costume so her sister Avery created one for her! Thank you AVERY! Here is the outfit as a whole... It's the only picture I got of the entire outfit!

She has on a skirt (dress up clothes), one of her shirts (that goes with leggins) and some wings. Put it all together and BAM you have Tinkerbell (Ted said she looks like a tree fairy). She's cute ... anyway you look at it.

Here are some more pictures of my princess!

We ordered the cake from Emile's Edibles! YUMMY! HOW CUTE!

Just a cute picture that pretty much sums up our days. I say "Who rolled out all of the toilet paper?" and they all point to Abel. I say "Who peed on the floor?" and they all point to Abel. I say "Who smells?" ... You get my "POINT"... ha.

Abel knows how to enjoy a party! He finds the candy... and sits in the middle of the action so he won't get caught!

What a treat! Mr. Cliff surprised us with "story time". It was quite a story. All I heard was something about lint in someone's belly button... The girls were cracking up! Too cute! Thanks Cliff!

Addie opening her gifts. She wasted no time tearing into each one of them!

Penguin pillow from Aunt Charli!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ADDIE... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Has anyone seen Abel? OH... There he is!

Addison... we are CRAZY about you. Your dad and I adore you so very much. Here are 5 things that we LOVE about you!

1. Your JOY! The giggle that comes out of you is contagious!

2. Your humor. You make us all laugh with the funny things you say.

3. Your obedient heart. We appreciate the way you always want to help us.

4. Your imagination. We enjoy seeing the way you set up Polly Pocket world in your room and play for hours.

5. Your relationship with your siblings. It blesses our heart to see you love them so well. (yes, you love hard and fight hard... but we love the way you love them!).

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY!

IT IS ABEL DAY!

Happy Abel day to you... Happy Abel day to you... Happy Abel day dear ABEL... Happy Abel day to you!

A year ago today we walked through this gate...


and this is what we saw....




We were already in LOVE but we got to see and hold our SON FOR THE FIRST TIME!


It was a dream come true!

and ALL of our LIVES were forever changed... FOR THE BETTER!!!!

We adore you Abel...

You can read about that day .... http://anceletadoption.blogspot.com/2008/02/we-are-here.html

TO CELEBRATE ABEL DAY we went to Chic Fil A and let Abel have his very own ICE CREAM CONE! ARE WE NUTS???

Abel... you put your ice cream down?? WHY?

OH... You got a phone call... You crazy TODDLER YOU!

What is that Abel?... you want some of my coke?... SURE! It's Abel day... drink up. (Every day must be Abel day because I always give this kid a sip of my coke!)

So Abel... how do you feel about being in our lives for ONE YEAR TODAY?

That's how we feel too! We are SO GRATEFUL and we APPLAUD OUR GOD IN HEAVEN who blessed us with you! We love you SO MUCH!

Long Time... No Post (SEE POST BELOW ABOUT ADDIE'S BIRTHDAY)... I posted these in the wrong order

I have not posted in a while. Just been busy. I really do want to post more. I am going to try to.

I haven't been taking many pictures lately. Here are a few things that have been going on....

Abel loves to strip off his diaper. There are many days where I see cute little brown buns running across the living room. I love it! I just don't love it when I sit in pee. YEP... you heard me right. We didn't realize he was diaperless... Normally we can tell but this day he had on overalls that were not buttoned on the legs (that makes sense if you are a mom of a baby who wears overalls)... anywho... We didn't know he was bare bottomed. I sat down at the kitchen table (which is Abel's FAVORITE place to hang out... he is ALWAYS climbing on chairs) and I sat in "water". I was putting on my shoes to run out the door because we were late headed to a birthday party. I asked Ted if he could button Abel's overalls before we left. He said "He doesn't have on a diaper!!". THAT WAS NOT WATER I SAT IN.

Abel also feels very relaxed when he takes a bath... how do I know? He POOPS! YEP... we've had a few of those episodes lately.

One more cute Abel story. I realized the other day that he was trying to sing something. He was make two grunt noises and then he would sit down. I thought... I bet he is singing Ring Around the Rosie. So I started singing it. IT WAS! Someone must have taught him that. I am guessing he learned it at Thursday school (where I teach). It is so cute to see him do it. I have to get it on video. When I do I will post it.

Avery had a science fair this week. She did a project on levers. It was so cute to see her present her project. I am so proud of her! She is doing great in school and went to her first slumber party a week ago. Right now she is really into the books that her daddy reads to her (he is reading Ink Heart to them) and she loves to change her earrings. She bought her first pair of earrings today (with her own money).

Aidan is learning to read. I am so proud of him. We are making it through our phonics lessons and he is catching on so well. He really understands math and loves to make up his own problems. It's cute to listen to him. He is always skip counting. He is also coaching Addie on her math skills (she struggles in the math department). Aidan is all about Ted's old Game Boy. He plays old games on it. He wants a Nintendo DS but is so content to have his dad's older model.

Addie turned 5 TODAY. I'm gonna do another post tonight about our day. She would just giggle when you would mention her birthday was coming up. She is such a love. She is so obedient right now. She has been that child that has always kept us on our parenting toes. WELL... She is in a phase right now where she wants to please us. She is always offering help and loves to do chores. I am SO THANKFUL for this phase!
Here are a few fun pictures...

This is so typical. Abel loves to sit on top of the kitchen table. Ted is good about telling him not to. I just think it's so cute how proud he is of himself. Here he is eating a muffin. It was Aidan's muffin. Smile with your eyes... (cause you ALWAYS have that passie in your mouth). In fact, he walks around with a few in hand.

My black scarf. Just thought it was a cute picture.

This has become a bad habit. She loves to sleep in OUR BED! Just call me a BIG FAT ENABLER... because I love to snuggle with her. I am so thankful for Avery because Avery has started sleeping in bed with her so she won't come in our room at night! What a great big sister. YES... they both sleep in a twin bed.

another sleeping picture

This kid LOVES to eat. He grunts... and NOW HE IS SAYING "MAMA... MAMA"... until he is fed. He does not lack in persistence! AT ALL

SISTERS! although Abel loves to put things on his head. It is very normal for me to see him walk out with something on his head. Yesterday, it was TED'S UNDERWEAR... (they were clean!)