MIA

I’ve had a bit of a rough week. Nothing major, just one of those times when several things come to a head at once. I’m taking two classes right now for my teaching certification, and that has added the equivalent of two college class loads to my plate. Homework is an adjustment. Not to mention school is winding down and so my students seem to be on crack. I can’t get them to settle down, and so my work days are long, exhausting days right now. Add in a few personal disappointments and frustrations, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a week.  Just about the only ray of sunshine has been this barrel of monkeys.  Nothing like a toddler telling you to “chillax” when you’re really stressed out…

But as of 10:30 this morning, all of that is behind me because we’re packing up and getting the heck out of dodge for a while. We are going to Atlanta this weekend to spend some time with my sister and her husband. Originally, we planned to leave after work today, but I’m running a 5k up there at 8:30am tomorrow, and it dawned on me late yesterday afternoon that there was no way I could roll into town around 3:00am, and then get up and run the next morning. Plus, Gracie’s daycare called yesterday and said she was crying all day and pulling on her ears (naturally, right before vacation…) and so we are taking her to the ENT this morning before we head out of town, just to make sure we don’t get stuck somewhere with an ear infection. So, we’re leaving this morning and I don’t think I could be more ready.

I’m super excited about the 5k tomorrow. I’ve been training for a 10k in November (I’m doing two full training sessions to prepare and this is the first), so I’m running 5k’s on most mornings when I go now. I’m excited about this one because I set a goal for myself that I won’t stop running until I finish. No walking. Even though I can run that distance pretty easily now, I usually have to stop about every mile and walk for a minute. But I’m getting better and better, and I really think that walking is a mental thing now and that I don’t physically have to do it. I’m hoping that with the excitement of a race, I’ll be able to push through. The only thing that makes me concerned is that Atlanta is super hilly and Orlando is super flat. I’ve been running a route the past two weeks that has one small hill in it because it was the only hill I could find in my area! I’m hoping that one little hill will have at least prepped my body so it doesn’t go into shock. Again, I’m really counting on the adrenaline rush of a race to help me through. I’ll keep you posted.

Other than the race, we’re going to a Braves game in Atlanta, and to a laser light show in Stone Mountain (which is the town I was born in). I’m really excited and I know the kids are going to have fun. Gracie is finally at the age where she can really have fun when we’re out and about, so I can’t wait to see how she does. Let’s hope the seven hour drive today doesn’t wipe both of them out. Keep us in your prayers – the kids for rest and relaxation, and Chris and I for sanity!!!

Normal blogging will resume next week, but thanks for hanging in there with me occasionally when life beckons me away. It’s nice to know my imaginary friends are always there when I come back. Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!