Baby Shower - Seuss Style

After planning for what seemed like forever... the time finally came for my Seuss-themed baby shower in honor of the Winston twins!

When I planned my Saturday, I clearly wasn't using my better judgement!! My alarm went off around 6am.  After some coffee and a peanut butter sandwich, I headed to Olive Branch to run the hilliest 9.3 miles I've ever experienced!! After about 1 hr and 40 minutes of near torture, I headed home to start getting ready.  Much to my dismay... I found my baked cupcakes in crumbles on the floor.
Thanks, Gus!! Add re-baking cupcakes to my to-do list!!  Good thing I already had many things done!!

Like these water bottles...

And these diaper cakes...

And these cake pops...

 

After a shower, it was time to clean, bake, cook and decorate!! Wesley got home around 2 and we headed to Collierville for a birthday party!! I was in charge of these Sock Monkey pops... So we really needed to be on time!! Considering, I had no gift, and needed a Target stop... There was no way that was happening!! Better late than never, right?

After booking it home from a lovely birthday party for lil Tyler... It was a whirl wind to tie up last minute things before the guests arrived! With lots of help from the Barham family and my wonderful husband... we were ready just in time!!

Here is the drink table... (punch, sweet tea, and water)

And the food table... (ham and cheese sliders (not pictured), buffalo chicken dip, mini pigs in a blanket (not pictured), fruit, veggies, cupcakes, and cakepops)

Everyone had enough food and plenty of fun!! We played a couple games, watched some football, Que and Nikiel opened some wonderful presents, and we laughed until our sides hurt!! I can only hope the Winstons were as blessed as I was!!

Ready or not...

When I decided to start seriously running in May, the idea of completing the St. Jude Half Marathon over half a year later seemed like a totally attainable goal! Then I attempted my first run... and the wind came rushing out of my sails!! How devastating to learn that I could barely make it one lap around the neighborhood without wanting to die! I was frustrated, disappointed, and completely discouraged.  However, I was also somewhat determined. I mean, for crying out loud... I've been an athlete relatively my entire life.  As my brother said before our 10k last summer to justify his lack of training... "I did sports in high school."

So... With this mantra in mind, I signed up for 5k after 5k only to discover that I was not only slow, but depending on the day, I couldn't really run very far!  I had to get better!!

Here is me at a 5k in May!! I'm smiling, because I know my picture is being taken, but I actually want to throw up right about now!! 

So as if my confidence wasn't shot enough... I tried a 10k.  As you can see from my casual stroll rather than run... that didn't go very well either!! Ha!

Not long after that, I joined the Women Walk/Run Memphis group.  We met on Monday nights and these ladies helped me beyond my wildest expectations!! I started the program with a sub 30 5k goal in mind...

After countless miles, speed and hill work, and constant encouragement from ladies like Ms. Caroline here...

 

I finally did it!!! 

So here we are... 6 months later.  The half marathon is a short 3 1/2 weeks away, and I can honestly say I'm SO excited!! In the last month of seriously adding mileage, the runs have gotten easier, and I've finally gained some confidence!! My husband has been my biggest fan and I never would have made it this far without his never ending support.  He lets me cry to him when I have a bad run! He lets me act like an Olympic champion when I have a great run!! He encourages me.  He motivates me. And most importantly, he loves me no matter what, and I couldn't be more grateful!! 

A couple more long runs, and I'll be putting my hero bib on to make the 13.1 mile jog around Memphis.  I'm excited.  I'm nervous.  I'm ready to say I did it!! Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me along the way!! 

Ready or not... Bring on the St. Jude Half!!