Time Flies!

I can’t believe that school starts in a month! I am not ready to go back to a routine! I had big plans for this summer, lots of painting!

I had planned on painting our kitchens cabinets. Of course that would be a joint project since the cabinet doors will have to be taken down, sanded, primed, and then painted. This is what happens  when you have 17 year old cabinets:

They will remain white. If we don’t start this project before Hunting Season begins, I will be out of luck until next year (I have a funny feeling this project will not happen this year)!

I also have planned to repaint my living room.  It has not been painted in at least 6 years and you can only imagine what two pairs of toddler hands did to my walls!

Why haven’t I started this project yet? I can’t decide what color. I would like to step away from the beige/neutral colors and may go with the color in the middle. But I haven’t decided yet – I may get a few more samples to try.

I also need to repaint the girls dresser. No more white! Maybe a soft green that matches their room.

So what have we been doing all summer? I don’t even know.

A little of this:

And everyone needs some good summer reads:

Marley has done a lot of this:

And Claudia still loves to play:

I have also been doing some craft projects:

Oh, I decided to start collecting white pitchers, but don’t tell Jason. I don’t think he has even noticed these:

(the good thing is that they all came from thrift stores)

At least we have had a relaxing summer so far!

The Peachtree Road Race – We Did It!

The Peachtree was awesome! I understand why so many people run it year after year. The spectators were cool! It was like a big tail gate party lining the streets! I am hooked!

After a restless night, we woke up at 5:00 am. We got to the start area around 7:30. Our start time was 8:22. Here we are before the race started:

During the run:

Jason and I ran the whole time! I didn’t once even think about walking. I was so proud. I felt good the entire run and only started to tire near the very end. I picked up my pace the last mile (even though I was tired, I knew it was mind over body) and pushed through to the end!

My goal was to finish the 6.2 miles in under 1 hour 15 minutes. I only checked my watch twice during the race. The first time I realized I was going too slow. The second time I checked, I was back on pace. As I approached the finish line, I realized that I was able to run the entire race and that I would make my goal and come in under 1 hr 15 min (my offical race time was 1 hr 12 min). I could not fight back the tears in my eyes, they were a product of hard work, commitment and pure satisfaction!

Post Race at Piedmont Park:

I will wear my T-Shirt with pride!

When Jason and I run together, he usually stays on my pace. Every time I run, I conserve a little energy so I can finish strong and fast. Jason and I usually have a sprint to the end and he always wins. But this time he let me cross the finish line first! Thanks babe!

I liked having a goal – something to works towards. Now I am contemplating my next goal!

After a long nap, we went to Jason’s parents for a cookout and fireworks. Here are a few pictures of the kids:

Our Week

I finally went to Barnes and Noble to use my last gift card. I got this cute Vera Bradley mug:

Kristin and I went to the Kani House for lunch on Monday. I got the Bento Box Lunch. It was too much food, but very good!

My new favorite drink this week. Pear with Apricots. It is so yummy!

 

I have seen these on a lot of blogs lately. Kale chips. You mix Kale leaves with EVOO and salt and then bake for 15 minutes. They were crispy and salty. I thought they were ok, not sure if I will make them again.

Jason bought a gadget to make Jalapeno poppers. I did not try any, he said they were hot!

Cindy, Issac and Addie came swimming. This is the best picture I could get:

We are getting ready for the race tomorrow! I even got a new running outfit. I think that we are both ready. Jason went ahead and ran 6.2 miles this week. My longest distance was 5 miles. I know that I will be able to run the whole thing, but I think that I will be sore when it is over!

Happy 4th of July!

Our Weekend

FRIDAY

We went to Lake Lanier Island Water Park (it is now called Chatahochee Rapids Water Park). It was a good family fun day.

I had not been since 9th grade, and Jason had not been since he worked there.

The girls loved the water slides and the wave pool. Claudia surprised us by showing no fear. She even went down the Intimadator and I think that her whole body came off of the slide ( Marley and I choose not go down that slide)!

 

SATURDAY

I made a juice using spinach, parsley, beet, carrots and lemon:

Yummy!

My refrigerator looked like this:

So we went to the farmers market and got all this (plus some fish, and other meat not shown). 

SUNDAY

I finally talked Jason into composting! We started our pile outside today.

I have been saving stuff for the pile all week and I was excited to pile it on!

I made a berry smoothie for a snack today.

It was yummy!

I froze the leftovers to eat another day.

Sunday evening we went to a church social at the park, Jason worked the snow cone machine:

When we got home, I made Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies, they turned out really good!

I even froze the leftover cookie dough!

Have a great week!

Bedroom

Here is our Master Bedroom:

Go to Kelly's Korner to see more bedrooms.

New Blogs

I have about 40 blogs in my favorites that I check weekly.

I have been doing a little blog hopping this week and came across a few more that I fell in love with:

1. Ikea Hacker this blog has ideas for transforming Ikea furniture.

2. This Young House this blog has some cute decorating ideas. I also looked at their Wedding Album and their wedding was adorable.

3. Fitnessista this blog is about food, right up my alley!

4. I found this blog a few weeks ago: Chic Runner it is all about running.

Our Day - Wednesday

I started the day with a wheatgrass shot and a banana:

Then I made Carrot/Zucchini Bread:

Yummy!

We worked on a project:

For dinner we had Mexican food. I even baked my own chips:

Here is the all the stuff to go in the burritos:

Dinner was yummy:

After dinner, Maya and I went for a run. Bruce gave me a running tip: he said to breath in through my mouth and my nose at the same time. Wow, what a difference. I was just breathing in through my nose and felt that I wasn’t getting enough air. Tonight I ran the fastest yet, 10 minutes and 30 seconds each mile and I felt really good! Thanks Bruce! Look out Peachtree Road Race, here I come!

While I ran, Jason took the girls to the pool.

He has been working a lot with the girls and now Claudia can swim in the deep end!

 

For dessert, I wanted this (red velvet cake):

But I juiced this instead:

Cheers!

Now it is time to watch some TV and go to bed.