Oklahoma City "Run to Remember" Half Marathon

 My cousin and I moved our yearly half marathon from Topeka to Oklahoma City this year. It was the 25th running of the Oklahoma City, Run to Remember, Marathon and Half Marathon. It was the biggest race I've ever participated in and I'm so glad we did it. 

We had signed up to do a challenge of a 5K on Saturday and the Half on Sunday. However, there was rain and lightening on Saturday so the 5K was delayed to Sunday. Since we were already running, we only ran one race. That was ok by me, I don't like running in the rain. Once your feet are soaked, it's just not enjoyable. 

That did make for a very relaxing Saturday and I enjoyed just catching up with Kayleigh, watching some TV and exploring the Brickyard district of OKC. 

This was my slowest half but I was doing intervals for most of the race. I'm not crazy about my time of 2:26:58 but it is what it is. I didn't think the course would be as hilly as it was and the humidity didn't help either. The vibe on the course was top notch! The course was full of great signs, cheering spectators and snacks, I even had pancakes in one of the neighborhoods! (Not kidding, a nice lady had a plate full of dollar size pancakes for runners and I took two!) There were lots of places runners could get a Jell-O shot or a mimosa. While that made me chuckle, I did not partake. I stuck to the water and Gatorade. 

I'm trying to talk Kayleigh into the Salina race in November. She doesn't love the half marathon distance but she beat me this year!! 

Our after race photo! So glad to have this done! 

At the starting line, so many runners you can't even see the start line. 

It's hard to catch the lazer light show in a photo but it was very cool! 

The race expo was very good!

I earned my newest sticker! 

2nd at City Tennis!

This is awkward to say but Alex placed second in the second seat bracket of the Topeka City tennis tournament! Each school ranks their players and then those players with the same rank play each other. Alex was Robinson's #2 and he took home the second place medal. Not bad for his first year playing! He was tied with the student who took home first so it all came down to one point. It was so much fun to watch! 

And this was the first time I saw him play and the wind wasn't horrible! That was a big plus. He grew a lot through this season, not just in his skills but also in his mindset. I'm proud of how he did. I hope to get him into a summer tennis camp so he doesn't get rusty. 

It was also great to have grandma and aunt Sofia come and watch him too. He was so excited, I think he talked them into coming back for his May band concert. LOL 

Happy Ham and Cheesy Potatoes Day!

 A new family unit calls for some new family traditions. Growing up an Easter Basket was the reward for going to church ALL WEEK. Since we don't attend church Jeff and I decided to set a special table for our favorite part of the celebration. The ham, more specifically the ham and all the fixings! 

We had a great weekend running errands and resting and we ended with a nice family dinner. There weren't even any fights. Maybe ham and cheesy potatoes should become a quarterly celebration. LOL! 

Alex helped me set the table

The kids were so surprised when they saw their place settings! 

I don't know what we can't just smile...ugh 

And Lola got a pickle that squeaks

She loves it! 

A Busy Weekend!

 We had nice weather for the weekend so we had to take advantage of it! Started the day with a ten mile run. That's not a brag, but the longest run I have to do for my half marathon training plan. Glad to have it behind me.  Alex and I went to Lawrence for my haircut after my run and then we stopped at a few shops. When we got home we looked for a new tennis racquet but he finally decided he shouldn't switch racquets in the middle of the season. 

Anna had a home Roller Derby bought. The other team was from Oklahoma City and the Topeka team won! Anna did great and it was fun to watch her do her thing. 

On Sunday we spent so much time outside I was done by 6pm. We have been waiting for nice weather, we are not going to waste it now! 

Alex came with me to get my haircut, he had a nice nap!

Of course we had to hit up the Lawrence Joanns

Anna had a Roller Derby bought and they won! She is #7

We went for a hike at Burnett's mound. Joseph found a fun place to sit. LOL

Alex won all of his matches on Monday!

He might be good at Tennis but he is excellent at Pickleball!

Daryl is fun to play with until he gets competitive! 

The sewing room is up and going! So happy to have a place to sew again.

Alex Takes on Tennis

 Alex was back and forth all year if he would try Tennis this year. His middle school has a team but he hasn't played for a few years. He did one summer at the local tennis club and he liked it but didn't do it for another summer. 

Well, he is having a blast on his school's team. He has played a couple of other schools and he is winning some matches! He is even talking about going back to the tennis club for more experience. I am so glad he has found another thing that he likes to do, we can add this to band and video games. Tennis rounds out his extra curriculars nicely! His season is only the month of April so we are all looking forward to the city tournament at the end of the month. 

Grandma came up to watch us play and helped with the family puzzle!

March Goals

Progress was made towards the goals in March! It was a month of unpacking, settling into our new space and the world's longest spring break. With all of that I'm proud of the progress that was made. Everyday I just want to be a little bit better. We are starting to get sunny days and that helps my motivation too!    

Read 24 Books 4/24

Ok, I'm not freaking out about not finishing any books in March. The big reason is because I'm over halfway done with 3. So April could be a windfall. I say could, because yesterday I did treat myself to the Library book sale and my to be read pile grew by 5. LOL 

Run 650 Miles 110/650

I ran 50 miles in March. In race prep mode for the end of this month I did get long runs in. That is good but I'm not consistent with my work week runs yet. This is probably hurting my pace as I am still running intervals. I like intervals and I don't think I have to run without walking anytime soon. But even with my intervals I think I would be faster if I got some mid week runs in. 

Money Goals

Fund 3-6 month ER Fund- As of the end of March I am 88% of the way to my six month ER fund. Yay Tax refund! 

Pay off Car - Made my monthly car payment in March. I am hopeful that my house will sell at the end of April (It is under contract to close on the 24th). If that happens I will pay off my car with that sale and the rest will go towards the new house. I will be debt free except the mortgage! Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly to closing. 

UFOs (unfinished objects) that need Finished 

T-Shirt Quilt (have the shirts)

Alpaca Quilt (have the pattern) 

Placemats - In March I unpacked the sewing room. It is baby steps but I have to have my stuff out of boxes to be able to use it! 

Alex and Daryl Photo Books 2021, 2022, 2023

Now for a smattering of pictures I haven't posted elsewhere, you're welcome! 

Happy Birthday Lucas, now that you are 15 I will really have to think when I rattle off
all five of the kids' ages! 16, 15, 12, 12, 10

Batter up!

You need a drink before you go see Bob Dylan. You aren't going to understand him anyway!

Sewing room progress!

My best sushi date!

Checkers with grandma is the best!

Go Sports!

 Spring is in the air and that means, sportsball! Daryl has now had one game with the Topeka High JV baseball team and Alex has joined the middle school tennis team. I'm not the best sportsball mom but I do enjoy watching my boys be active and be with their peers. (I just wish they wanted to run in the mornings, but maybe some day!) 

Grandma Rosie came up for Daryl's first game and in true Grandma style she brought out the games. Joseph, Alex, Grandma and I played checkers, Rubiks Race and the boys played chess. It was a hoot and we need to do it more often. 

Lastly, I found out Daryl had a wrestling banquet Wednesday night at 9am on Wednesday morning. I got a text that Daryl needed to bring food to share. I didn't know exactly what happens at the wrestling banquet but I picked him up some snacks on my lunch break and he drove himself. (Yay for kids being able to drive!) He come home and he received a letter at his banquet! He was pretty happy and I asked him if parents were there. He said a few, note to self I want to be one of them next year. I hope I get more than 9 hours notice! 

Spring Break 2025!

 While our kids have the world's longest Spring Break, March 13-24th, we did a quick two days to Kansas City for a mini trip. On Saturday, we got day passes to Great Wolf Lodge. It was fun to swim all day and everyone left good and tired. 

We stayed in the Legends area so we went and saw the fish at Bass Pro Shop and looked at patio furniture at Nebraska Furniture Mart. I really can't believe the boys didn't get in trouble for sleeping in the living room furniture section for almost and hour while Jeff and I looked around. They must have been tired from the swimming! 

On Saturday night we went to K-Pot and the kids had their first Korean BBQ experience. They agreed it is pretty cool and they all had a favorite meat that they liked to cook. 

On Sunday we slept in and then went to the Negro Baseball League Museum. It is a very good museum and we all really enjoyed it. We had more BBQ for lunch, this time Q39 and I had the best BBQ mac and cheese I've ever tasted. I will be looking for excuses to go back and get more of that! 

After a little shopping at the mall, my boys are shoppers, we headed home. It was a quick trip but it was still nice to get away and spend time with the kids. We might need to rent a bigger car for our road trip this summer. There were definitely some complaints from the three that shared the back seat of the Traverse. LOL 

Goal Update (Better late than Never)

 I do have goals for 2025 and it feels like the year is finally starting to settle. I'm at a new address and still working on unpacking but am learning the best places to run and the coziest spots to read and stitch. I am very happy that my sewing desk will be coming (in pieces) this week. Hopefully this coming weekend I will have a space to sew again! 

There are three spots in the house that Jeff and I are working on that will set us up for some success. We have a screened in porch that needs some furniture. That will be a great spot to read and relax while watching the dogs and kids spend time outside. 

In the basement we have room for an in home gym! A treadmill for me and a bike for Jeff will eliminate all of our excuses about getting in some workout time. We already have the weights and a bench and the rest is on the way. 

Lastly, the aforementioned sewing room. Our house was marketed as having a formal living room and cozy living room. Since we don't meet guests in the parlor, I'm making the formal living room into a sewing room/office. It's a little unconventional but I'm ready to have a dedicated space to sew again!

So be on the lookout as we create these spots that are going to make our bustling household a little more workable for us. It will get there. 

2025 Goals   

Read 24 Books 4/24

For January and February I read 4 books. So I'm right on track there. 

Parable of the Sower I don't know why I keep reading these dystopian future books. They don't seem like fiction anymore. Published in 1993 it talks about a failed government, wild fires and drought all along the west coast and gangs of poverty stricken people that terrorize cities. It's a good book but getting a little too close to reality for my comfort. 

Community Board was the fun read that I needed. A woman in the monotony of everyday life has her whole world turned upside down. She returns to her childhood home and has a great story of aligning her past life and new life. It was a light read when I needed one! 

Year of Wonders great book I recommend about the plague in England and how one small village fights it. 

Too Good To Be True while I enjoyed reading it I didn't remember much about it just two weeks later. So it won't be earning a place on the bookshelf. It is a mystery book that jumps from a past story to present day until you see how the two are connected. A little predictable. 

Run 650 Miles 60/650

The running has been off to a slow start. Still doesn't change the fact that I sign up for a half marathon at the end of April. So ready or not here I go. 

January- 45 miles

February- 15 miles (I don't really want to talk about it. LOL) 

Money Goals

Fund 3-6 month ER Fund

Pay off Car 

UFOs (unfinished objects) that need Finished 

T-Shirt Quilt (have the shirts)

Alpaca Quilt (have the pattern) 

Placemats

Alex and Daryl Photo Books 2021, 2022, 2023

My year has been off to a slow start but it can only go up from here! 

Where the home gym is going. I wonder who put a piano there...

The sewing room/office is still full of boxes.
But my sewing table did arrive and is built!

The screened in porch just ready for some chairs. Can't wait!

Last week Anna was in her middle school musical. 
It was such a great show and all the kiddos put on a fun show!

Step One: Done

 All of our stuff is in our new house. You would think, yay you are moved! Technically yes, our stuff and our people and pets are moved. However, unpacked and old house dealt with; no. Moving had its surprises and was supposed to be done on Sunday. But Jeff was still with movers Monday afternoon and now they do have all of our stuff at the new address. So that is good. 

We had great weather this weekend, I even got to run outside and try to learn some of the streets. My sense of direction is terrible and I get turned around pretty easily. Must only run during the day right now. LOL! 

While there was nerves with moving, everyone is enjoying the new house. We have space, bathrooms and a bigger washer and dryer. With 5 kids, what more could you ask for. Once there are less boxes I'll show some pictures but for now you just get to see how tired we are. Lol

Being cool

When you need a place to draw!

Everyone is exhausted!