T is for Tball

Trace officially started t-ball this week. JP and Blaine (our neighbor and husband to my running buddy, Sonja) are coaching the team that the kids named the Sharks. Trace has about 9 other young boys he'll be starting his baseball career with and he is really excited. They've only had one practice and we're up to have another one tomorrow morning. I think JP was a little nervous about coaching, but sounds like he's done well and will survive the madness of 10 young boys. The funniest thing from their first practice that I can remember is JP said one boy just kept telling him, "I don't like ants." Good to know I guess, but just funny on what they feel we adults should know.

We'll keep you posted on how the season goes. It's fall ball which is supposed to be really low key and just a good way to get kids introduced, so we'll see...

Happy Belated Birthday

To my own son...what a mess I am. Trace turned 5 on Saturday and we had a busy day. He donned his "Birthday Boy" pin and got to start his day with breakfast at Chick-Fil-A so he could play on the play scape. Then JP had his pig sale in the morning so we hung there until lunch time. He got to play with a real crawfish that somehow had gotten into the barn and was ticked, but kept Trace happy. Then after nap time we got the whole family to Gattitown! Games, pizza, and cheap dinosaur toys that he just "had to have" with his points, who wouldn't be happy?

AND, I didn't cry on the big day which was amazing for me, but I think it was because he was too funny about it. He woke up Saturday and tossed out some good manners with a few "yes ma'am's" and then told me, "Mom, see, I am older, I have manners!" Well, they didn't last long, but my baby is definitely growing up. Maybe now I'll cry...

Birthday boy with sister hanging on during motorcycle ride at Gattitown

Camo, Camo, Camo

We celebrated Trace's birthday last weekend and he picked a camo hunting theme. He really wanted everyone to wear camo, so you can tell how many people love this boy because it was a huge success. It was great fun and I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

The whole clan showing off their camo

(not an easy task to get this many people to stop and take a picture)

Michaela, Trace and Tenley

Trace and my attempt at a camo cake
(when I showed Trace he said, "It's a good try momma." Gotta love his honesty)

Trace in his real hunting blind from Nanny (my mom)

that was a hit with all the kiddos

Hard to believe that JP and I made such a looker, huh?

Can you tell which one of us Trace looks like?

I always say that Trace is proof that I have never been unfaithful!

4 miles

Yup...I ran 4 miles without stopping. I had to do it late tonight so here it is almost 10PM and I just finished about 50 minutes of running (I didn't say it was fast by any means) and now I am on to making camo cupcakes. The life of a momma.

I have to say thanks to JP though for this accomplishment. The kids and I took dinner out to the field tonight. I was telling him I still had 4 miles to run/walk and he was like, "Don't say that...just run it all." I got a little fussy at him, but when I got started tonight, I just kept thinking about it and it gave me some motivation.

So, now let's pray that these cupcakes come out looking like camo for Trace's big 5th birthday party tomorrow...maybe I'll have to try one just to be sure they are yummy, but I deserve it, right?

Jansen girls FIRSTS

Today was a day of firsts for me and Elizabeth...

First off-Today was my baby's first day at mother's morning out. She was super excited and was adorable with her backpack in tow. She didn't shed one single tear, and actually, I had to get her to just tell me bye. She was running between all the toys in her room. I guess she'll be my independent one.

Elizabeth and Trace all ready to go

(sorry picture is hazy - it was crazy humid today and my camera fogged up)

I mean really - isn't she adorable?!?

(She is also crashed as I type and was in bed at 7PM - play hard-sleep hard.)

Second - Mommy here ran the full TWO laps around our neighborhood this morning which is right over 3 miles. Yup, that was me, jogging (I don't think it would officially count as running, but I am patting myself on the back none the less). I was and still am pretty proud of myself, just still a little scared since I am only in week 2 of a 12 week training program. I'll keep you posted.

8 Questions

I was going to update my blog, but I always start by checking out Allena's. Today I found that I was tagged to answer 8 questions, so I guess I will do that instead:

Questions:1. If you could go on a trip right now, where would you go? Canada - JP and I have always wanted to go there. As long as there is a hot tub, I'd be in heaven.

2. What is your favorite baby name? (and you can't name your own children) No idea - I try to avoid the thought of new borns. I love mine now, but I am the kind that wishes they just came out about 6 months old.

3. What is your favorite website? Don't know, the only ones I regularly visit are my email and my bank, but neither seems to have much for me.

4. What is one thing you're embarrassed that you bought? Not really embarrassed of anything I have bought lately.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? With a 10 and 7 1/2 year old wondering how in the world time flew by so fast.

6. Are you a wine or beer drinker? Neither really, I do like my homemade Sangria though so I guess that is considered wine.

7. If you didn't have to work, what would you do? Go to the movies or read. (My answer should probably be stay at home with the kids, but I'll assume they are in school.)

8. What is your favorite blog? Allena's or mine.

Yes, that was me, walking

Today is day two of our half marathon training program and it's our first run. Sonja (neighbor/running partner) and I met at 6AM to do our first 3 mile run. I had my music, my new running shoes, and was ready to go. We made it through the first mile in really good time. But that was about as far as this little girl's running feet were going to go. Sonja has crazy long legs, has run a half marathon before and seemed to have decided to sprint her way through the neighborhood. I was keeping up but we were booking it as far as I was concerned and I had to give in and walk most of the second lap around our neighborhood. I finished the entire distance just not in a run.

Since I had some time by myself it actually turned into a little one on one with God, which was nice. The sermon this last week was about margin and making room in your life for what really matters and not always pushing ourselves to the limits of time, money, energy, etc.. It seemed to fit perfectly. I realized that I wasn't at all embarrassed by walking, I was pretty darn proud to have gotten up at 5:30AM to exercise. I realized that this training is a great way for me to try and remain fit and I'll just do my best. I won't beat myself up or kill myself in attempts to keep up with my friend because for me, it is all about finishing.

So, tomorrow is 2 miles. I will pray that my body cooperates and I get my head in it and just finish, in my own time, and for no one other than me.