Yes, I am well aware I said I would never run a half marathon. We have all had things we said we would never do and did them anyway. I conquered 13.1 miles and I feel pretty damn good about it. Will I ever do a half marathon again? Not in your dreams!

I would say my training was okay at best. This was not lack of drive, it was lack of time. John and I decided in January that we would sign up. We had roughly 16 weeks to prepare. Training started out great. I was following my plan and felt good. About a month before the race I got a new job and the boys started baseball. This combination sucked up my time. So unfortunately my training fell to about one day a week. Sometimes two days if I got lucky.

I started to get really down the week before. The weather was suppose to be rainy and freezing. I just was not in good spirits about it at all. I was completely dreading it. There was not one part of me that wanted to do this race. The only thing keeping me from quitting was knowing there was no way I could let John down.

Friday evening the weather forecast started to change! Thank the good Lord Baby Jesus. This gave me a glimmer of hope. If the weather cooperated I could totally do this race. John and I got everything ready for the next morning. I went to bed feeling very anxious. Could I actually do this?

We got up at 5:00AM ready to rock. From the forecast it looked like we would be getting a little wet but nothing crazy. Yes! We got ready and ate our breakfast. Our neighbor, Josh, was running it with us. He popped over at 5:45 and it was time to head downtown. Talk about nerves. I was nauseous the whole drive.

Race day excitement is indescribable. You have to experience it for yourself to truly understand the high. It definitely was kicking in full force as we made our way to the JW. We had plenty of time to get stretched out and ready. We went down and did a few laps down the street to warm up. Then it was finally time to line up.

And we’re off. I felt completely amazing for the first 6 miles. Shit! I just may be able to do this. The weather was little wet but it was not bad at all. Then we got to the track. Everyone says the 3 miles you are on the track are the worst and they were not joking. It’s tough to run on. It was cool to “kiss the bricks” but from there things went downhill quick. I started cramping up and really struggling.

The last 3 miles were horrible. I walked a lot. My knee kept giving out about every half mile. I was in pain. I was feeling defeated. I didn’t know how I would finish. We hit the last half mile and I could finally feel the finish line approaching. The crowd brought me back into it. Push through the pain. Then finally I crossed that line signaling it was over. Pure exhilaration! Of course coupled with exhaustion!

It felt amazing to accomplish this huge feat. I could never have done it without John. He stayed with me the entire time. He could have easily left me. This wasn’t his first rodeo and he was able to train much better than me. But he didn’t he continued to encourage me even when I didn’t deserve it. So thanks Stinky! I truly could not have finished without you by my side!

So I am super happy that I did this race. I have no desire to ever run a race that far again but it feels great to check it off the ol bucket list!

Thank you to Netflix for partnering with my family. I am a proud #StreamTeam member.

Do you talk to your kids about bullying? I know I do. I remember my mom talking to me about it when I was younger. Kids can be so mean. I think everyone battles bullying in some shape or form. And unfortunately it sticks with you forever. I never want my boys to be the cause for someone’s pain. 

Netflix has many great wholesome shows for kids. Different series teach different life lessons. Shows can help explain things in a way that maybe you cannot. I think it’s important for us as parents to take some responsibility. It’s our job at home to teach our kids right and wrong. We should be held accountable to an extent for our children’s actions.

I have this great info graphic if you are wondering what Netflix offers in this department.

We haven’t watched all of these series but they are on our list. What topics do you feel are most important to explore with your children?

Thank you to Netflix for partnering with my family. I am a proud #StreamTeam member.

I am a huge fan of letting kids be kids. They spend too much time indoors and not enough time playing outside. They spend too much time behind the screen and not using their imaginations. We have rule in our house that if it’s a nice day the boys have to play outside. They also only use electronics on the weekends. I want my kids to just play and not be so dependent on technology. 

Netflix sent us a really cool activity box. They wilds got to make their own sock puppets. Logan especially could not wait to get started. It was so much fun watching them get creative. I gave them the parts and told them to make them however they felt would be best. I love watching their creative juices flow. These boys are so smart! I am so proud of them. And they both love crafting.

We made Peri from Julie’s Greenroom, Walter from the Beat Bugs, and Kip from Word Party. The boys had so much fun having their puppet show. I was laughing the whole time watching them try to “hide” behind the ottoman. These boys seriously crack me up. It’s never dull around there. There’s always entertainment. 

This box was inspired by Julie’s Greenroom. Have you watched it yet? It’s a new Netflix series from the Jim Henson Company. Puppets stage their own musical under the guidance of the one and only Julie Andrews. It is super cute and definitely worth checking out. It will encourage your family to show your creatives sides.

Did you do anything fun for spring break? These two weeks went by so fast!

I thought I’d do a good ol fashion catch up post. I had good intentions of blogging consistently in February. Well that didn’t happen. But that’s ok. Things have been a bit busy around here. Life is always busy though, right? It keeps things interesting. If I didn’t have things to be busy with life would get boring.

The boys are starting baseball. Nathan tried it once several years ago. John wanted him to give it one more shot. He’s always been into soccer. John is a big believer in letting them try a little of everything. Nathan was really nervous about it at first. But now he’s excited. He had his first practice yesterday and left feeling really happy. Logan has not had a practice yet. I’m anxious to see how he likes it.

Spring break starts on Monday. I’m ready for a break with the boys. I feel like the past few months have just flown by. I’m looking forward to spending some good quality time with them. I am going to do my best to keep them busy. The only thing is the weather is suppose to be really rainy. I won’t let that stop the fun.

Our neighbor had her 30th birthday this past weekend. It was a blast. She rented a party bus. We all went downtown and had dinner. After dinner the bus took us to the Tin Roof. What a cool spot! A really good band was playing. We all danced and laughed the night away. A fun night out was just what the doctor ordered.

And last but certainly not least our niece was born this month! Lucie Mae :) She is such a doll. I cannot wait to meet her and give her a big squeeze. She looks just like her dad. I really can’t get over how much of a mini Tom she is. I have already sent her lots of goodies. I now have an excuse to buy cute baby girl stuff!

Thank you to Netflix for partnering with my family. I am a proud member of the #StreamTeam

We recently put a TV in Nathan’s room. I always said my children would never have a TV in their room. I’m eating my words. However, we did set limits and rules. He’s only allowed to watch it on the weekends and the time is very limited. We are trying to teach him responsibility.

Nathan and Logan have really been into a few series on Netflix lately. They enjoy watching Kong King of Apes and Dragons Race to Edge. I have been into the Originals lately. Ever since I binge watched The Vampire Diaries I just had to see the Originals. It took me about half of season 1 before I was really hooked. I am now into season 2.

We watched Finding Dory as a family last weekend. It was super cute. I had been wanting to see it for awhile. But oh man it was a tear jerker. I was crying like a baby at the end. John couldn’t believe I was crying over a children’s movie but it really pulled at the heart strings!

What are you currently binging on Netflix? I am always looking for a good show.