snow days!

Yesterday was snow day #1 and also Jake's 33rd birthday. It was so fun that he was off of school & could be home for his birthday. What a treat! We didn't have any snow.  It started to rain mid-afternoon and then it turned into sleet.  By 5 pm the roads were starting to get icy.

Today is snow day #2. We woke up to this!

And yes, we were outside before 8am! Lily was so excited. I wish I would have video-ed her initial reaction when I had her come look out the window.

We don't really have snow clothes here.  They are hard to find and not worth purchasing when we only get snow once every few years.  Our last real snow was HERE.

We layered up (tights, socks, pants...shirt, sweatshirt, coat, raincoat...hats, gloves & boots).  It worked, plus the girls don't stay out super long. They get cold quickly.

We use beach toys for snow toys.  Jake even used our boogie board as a sled.

Our Mickey Mouse snowman, complete with seashell eyes & buttons.

Snow day #3 tomorrow (due to icy roads).

WDW Marathon Weekend - THE story

Well, here it is, THE WDW Marathon Weekend actual race story. I'm sure you've all been waiting anxiously for this post - ha! Or maybe some of you have already heard?

Let's start back a little ways....back in May of 2013 was when we all (Becky, LeAnn, Hannah & myself) decided to sign up for the WDW Marathon.  The full 26.2 miles. We did the same WDW weekend in January of 2013, but we didn't all run the same race. We decided 2014 was the year.  We would all run it together, not for time, but to do it together.

Leading up to this race, I completed three 20 mile runs.  Becky & Hannah were running the Marine Corp marathon in DC in October, so I did their two 20 mile runs with them.  Why not, right? I figured the more mileage I had under my belt, the better Disney would go. 

Now to the actual race on Sunday. We had hydrated well on Saturday & had a wonderful Saturday night meal to fuel up for Sunday.  Sunday morning we all were feeling good.  Unlike last year, I wasn't one bit nervous.  We left the the house at 4 am.  You were to be in your corrals by 5 am.  Official race start was 5:30 am, but our corral didn't start until 6:15 am.  And we were off, feeling good, enjoying ALL the runners & some of their costumes.  The costumes are crazy, especially to wear while running 26.2 miles.  Some of the costumes aren't so cute or enjoyable to look at. We entered the race track & my stomach was growling.  For the first time I started feeling sort of dizzy & light headed. I thought I just needed fuel.  I grabbed water & PowerAde at the next hydration stop.  It didn't seem to help.  I just kept feeling worse & worse. In hindsight I think I must have been dehydrated for how poorly I felt & what my body was doing.

Around mile 10 I started feeling badly.  I was light headed & nauseous.  I grabbed a banana at the fuel stop. I kept thinking it would help, but it never did.  By the halfway point I was feeling really bad.  I told Jake how bad I felt and he said, "you can do it, you'll be fine."  I think it was after the halfway point that I told Becky & LeAnn I needed to stop & walk.  We kept a fast pace while walking.  After that I tried to run/walk but every time I ran, I felt extremely nauseated.  Of course now I am struggling physically & mentally.  Half the battle to completing a marathon is the mental aspect of continuing when your body is screaming at you to quit!

We ended up run-walking and then walking most of the second half of the marathon.  I can't even remember what mile it was when I told Becky & LeAnn that I couldn't run any more and I was going to have to walk. I would try to run periodically but as soon as I did I was extremely nauseated. I took water at every stop but drinking water made me feel like I might lose it! I asked the girls if the medical stations would have ice that I could eat. Yes, they would for injuries.  Becky ran ahead of us & grabbed the bag of ice. I just kept moving & eating the ice. Towards the end, I didn't feel as sick, but by then my legs were so sore, tired & stiff I could barely run. 

After we hit mile 26, Becky said "okay let's run to the finish."  So we did, once again, I started feeling nauseous.  There I was, probably 10 feet from the finish line & I just couldn't hold it in any longer.  I was right in front of the cheer squad, basically TONS of bleachers FULL of fans. I dry heaved & then lost it.  It was bad.  Not just once, not even twice, but THREE times.  The announcers said, "What's this?  Someone is losing it at the finish line."  Mickey Mouse came over and grabbed my arm & helped me upright.  OH MY! It was bad. Did I say that already? I then crossed the finish with Becky's help & stopped my watch.  A lady on the medical staff was right there.  She had me sit down, in a wheelchair, and drink some water.  After that I got up & felt pretty good. Thankfully, Jake & the girls were waiting around the corner & did not see me in all my glory.  And in case you are wondering, YES the official marathon photographers captured my fine finish as well.  There are many perfect photos for blackmail (dry heaving, mickey mouse & all)!

My actual run is HERE with miles, splits, etc.

All this to say, this was NOT what I trained for.  
This was NOT the type of race I wanted to run. 
This was NOT how I planned my marathon to go, but in the end I FINISHED! 
And I have a story to tell.

I am so thankful for these girls in my running group.  It is so fun running with them multiple times I week, but I am most thankful for the iron sharpening iron relationship we have.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

1 Corinthians 9:24

WDW Marathon Weekend

This past weekend we went to WDW for the Marathon weekend.  We left Wilmington on Wednesday afternoon & drove to Statesboro, GA.  We spent the night at Jonathan house, Emily's fiance.  They are getting married March 1. It was fun to see them even though it was less than a 24 hour visit.

We arrived in Orlando on Thursday afternoon.  We stopped by the expo.

Lily signing the chalkboard wall at the expo.

We picked up our bibs for the race.

We went back to the expo on Friday morning with LeAnn & Chris. Ella has recently started putting her hands on her hips.  It is hilarious!

 Ella was tired & kept laying on top of Jake's head. It was cute.

Sunday morning was the marathon.  Official race start was 5:30 am, although our corral didn't start until after 6:15 am. It was an early morning as we left the house at 4 am.  Here is the group: 

Getting excited to start.

Jake got the girls up & to Magic Kingdom by just after 6 am.  They were waiting for us to run by.

My first sighting of Jake & the girls.  It's THE BEST seeing your family & friends while racing.

The girls loved riding the "train."

Just after the halfway mark.  We saw everyone again at Animal Kingdom.  This time I got hugs & kisses!

The finish line.

We did it...26.2!

 High fives.

Jake did our chalkboard at home a week before we headed out.  I added my bib & medal when we got home.

So there is an actual STORY about what happened during the race.  I'll have to save that for another post.  See THE story HERE.

pallet ceiling

Yes "we" did....Jake put a pallet ceiling up in the front porch this weekend and it is lovely.

Here is a in progress before picture of the exterior.  This picture was taken AFTER we took the dirty grey vinyl siding down & BEFORE we painted the wood siding grey.  This also shows the original front door, entry posts & entry light.

Jake first painted the ceiling brown since some of the ceiling will show in between the pallets. This paint was leftover from our hall bath at our old house. He then started installing.

All done and BEAUTIFUL! Jake also installed the recessed lighting last week.  We ditched the dated entry light. I can't wait for all of the brick to be painted!