Finally made it!

Wow, the first 2 1/2 months of 2009 have been hectic! We looked at a new house, made an offer, put our house on the market, sold it, closed on two houses, and moved all within the first 2 months. Then onto test #7 for me, which I passed despite not much time to devote to studying. Immediately on the heels of the test was a church event I committed to along with the Little Rock marathon! Jason and I competed as a part of Team Graney with Jack & Candace. I direct you to her amazing blog (http://www.chaneylife.blogspot.com/) because she has a great post and some great pictures of the event. It was such a good experience and certainly make me hungrey for some more running. Hopefully we'll get geared up to each do the 1/2 marathon in Dallas in December.
So, I kept telling myself if I could make it to March 16th, then life should slow down. Well, here we are on 3/16. I guess you could say that things are a little calmer, but each day, a new entry is logged onto my calendar and I have one more test that I have to study for and pass. I'm begging to think it may be a few decades before things actually slow down, but I'm going to try and enjoy these days as they really fade quickly.

Run On

Around Christmas time, the theme of joy kept popping into small facets of my life from a Sunday sermon, to a daily devotional and a Sunday school lesson. I found it interesting at the time and quite timely as the birthday of our Savior approached. Well, recently, another theme has been presenting itself in the same manner and that is training to run a race, spiritually and physically. The Chaneys got us encouraged to run in the Little Rock Marathon on March 15th as a team. As such, we'll each run a leg ranging from around 5 miles to 8 miles. I printed off the training schedule from the website and trying to achieve the daily goals. As much as I would like to think I can go out there that morning and run my 6.9 mile leg with no problems, I know that it will take alot of energy, effort, and training. Reinforcing that thought, I received a devotional (see link) regarding the same matter.
http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2009/01/running-prepared.html
I could continue to attempt to draw the connection between training for race with that of our daily lives and running for the Lord, I direct your attention to Candace's blog who perfectly sums up everything I would want to say, but can't. So read, enjoy and be in prayer for Team Graney as we race the hilly landscape of Little Rock early on that March morning.
http://www.chaneylife.blogspot.com/

Pumpkin Shine on Line

Despite a rough, I mean VERY rough, start to the morning, we were able to enjoy an absolutely wonderful evening at the Pumpkin Shine on Line with fun friends. The trio was content as long as they were not confined to the wagon or stroller!

sensational Saturday and Sunday

It was such a wonderful feeling Saturday morning waking up knowing that Jason didn't have to go to work!!! Besides the fun of having him around, he had to hang out with Sam while me and the girls went to two birthday parties. The first was our lovely little friend Anna Grace's Fancy Nancy party! Her mama went all out! The girls weren't real sure about their tutus and tiaras at first but they warmed up to their outfit and had a great time. After cupcakes, cookies and several hersey kisses, there was no napping to be had before heading out to our next shindig. This party was for Haley's BFF at school, Peyton. Peyton immediately took to the girls when they started at Noel. She would walk them around and tend to them like baby dolls. She and Haley remain extra close as they are still in the same class and Gracie is in the other room, but they all have a great time together. Peyton's mommy was so excited to see us because she said Peyton had been talking for days about Haley & Gracie coming to her party! It was at a new indoor inflatable jump house in Bossier and in the past, the girls have been reluctant to jump. But, wow...this was a new days. They jumped and slid down the biggest slides...some that frightened me a little! We had a great time. Come 4:00, with a day full of fun behind us and no naps, I just knew they would crash when we got home. No such luck! After lots of screaming and tears, Haley watched tv in the den and Gracie finally dozed off in our bed but not for long. Surely, they would be ready for bed. Again, false assumptions. Somehow, my sweet little girls who used to go to bed so early and so easily have turned into little demon children that are now scared of the dark, must have at least 3 books read to them and still holler loud enought to be heard down the street. Haley has even spent several nights falling asleep on the floor in front of the door. Anyway, I hope this stages passes. They finally quieted down about 10 minutes into the LSU game so Jason and I were able to enjoy the steak and chicken fajita dinner he made for me. It is great having my own personal chef!!

Not to forget about Sam, he went with daddy to get a much needed haircut. He was given very explicit instructions on how the haircut should look upon completetion with major threats made if they butchered my baby's hair! Everything went great and Sam can now see without his hair in his eyes. After that outing the boys had a little lunch at Chick Fil A. While the girls rested post party #2, we played outside and snapped a few shots of the new do!

Sunday was just as enjoyable as we got to enjoy more family time. Jason was able to mow the lawn, sweep off the roof and clean out the cutters.

We continue to be so thankful for the blessings God has given us and providing Jason with the job that enables him to be home with us. It was a wonderful week and we look forward to many more.

Oh as a p.s., looks like we're getting closer and closer to keeping puppy...he is getting very comfortable and doesn't even mind when Sam and Gracie pull is ears, his tale and anything else they can get their hands on!