Our Weekend

And, I'm back to being a normal person again... not freaking out quite as much about something as simplistic as a running injury. Maybe I'll be able to overcome this injury and get back on the horse for the race. If not, I'll just deal with it and go on. Thanks for reading my whining post from a few days ago. :)


In other news, Bailey got strep throat on Thursday night, spent nearly the entire day on Friday in bed or on the couch, and has come back to reality with fierce energy. I still don't know why I am surprised by how fast kids rebound.


So, this morning, after missing t-ball because she was contagious until she had had antibiotics in her system for 24 hours, she was ready to go. We spent our afternoon at the Kentucky Ballet Theatre's version of Peter Pan. Jake ended the ballet in true man form... asleep. :) Bailey loved it like any little girl would love it. She and the other hundreds of Girl Scouts there were on cloud 9 with the performance. I have to say I was pretty impressed, too, despite the sleepiness that I also had from the cozy dark seat and cuddly, warm little guy sitting on my lap.


And, now, we are off for a date. No, not a date night for me and Brad. A date night for me and Jake... and a date night for Brad and Bailey. Brad is taking Bailey to Princesses on Ice and I'm taking Jake to a movie that he's already seen, but is determined to see again... Rango. 


Yes, they lived a very charmed life. 


Oh... and Go Cats. Yes, I said it. They beat my team. They beat the hated OSU Buckeyes. I kind of have to root for them. Just a little. 


Pics coming soon. :)

Ugh

Defeat. Repeat. Defeat. Repeat.

I am going to complain. If you don't want to read the whining and pouting of a 30-year old woman, stop reading now, because this post is going to be full of negative whining. I promise to return to regular programming later. But, today, this is my therapy... and I need it.

I am officially having my own pity party... and I am going to let it last as long as I feel like it lasting... because this time I truly feel like I deserve it.

OK. I'm going overboard with the drama and the whining.

Ugh.

I have typed that word at least 50 times this week. As you read about last week, I am injured. Again.

How many posts does a person need to write about this? Really? Didn't I already blog about being injured when training for a race? TWICE?

Yep. Three times must be the charm.

I have a stress fracture in my left foot. It is "highly unlikely" that I will be able to run in the half marathon that I have spent the last three months training for. Three months... or 143 miles... or 22 hours... or 94.5 donuts burned (according to Dailymile). That's how much I have invested. That's how much I've worked to run in this one race... and now the possibility of me even being able to run part of it and walk part of it is only slight.

The sports medical doctor was great. He knew I was upset and tried to help me rationalize it all. He said that I could keep training with the bike and by swimming and even trying out the elliptical, but no running for at least 2-3 weeks. He scheduled me an appointment to come back on April 15 to re-evaluate. At that point, he said he hoped he could release me to run short distances and walk. I asked what would happen if I ran some still... just to see if I could keep up some distance. He said that the bone is basically weakened. If I keep pounding on it, even at small amounts, it will eventually break. So, I have to let it heal or risk breaking my foot.

UGH.

Again. Here I sit, completely ready to run the race I've been training for (almost completely ready), and I'm injured. I'm watching as my friends go on and keep their training up... just like I had to do with Rebecca last year. (Girls - know that I love that you are still training, so please don't feel like you have to shield or protect me. I just wish I was with you is all.). I have to know that every aspect of me is ready for a race and the celebration that we would have afterward, but instead I will likely be sitting on the side, cheering the girls on. Can I get two new feet and ankles, please? :) 

I told you this was going to be a pity party post. 

I'm so sad. So disappointed. So frustrated. So, so, so mad. Mad at myself because I somehow feel like I should have done something differently. Mad because it seems so unfair that I have to deal with this again. Mad because I am going to have to start all over again.

And yet, part of me is still hoping with all hope that by some miracle, I will pull through this and be able to race. I know it isn't rational... and I know that it isn't likely. But, it's not impossible, either. Still, even when I'm defeated, in the back of my mind, I'm thinking there is some way that I can do this.

On a sidenote, I sat in the Sports Medicine Clinic today with a room full of high school and college student athletes. There were knee injuries galore. I looked around and saw the faces of people who had their dreams squashed and they were young. I am 30. I have a wonderful life and a supportive family. I have a job. I have a home. I never meant to become a runner. It was never a dream. I love it with all of me... and I want to continue it, but I didn't plan for it. I looked around and thought about how sorry I was feeling for myself... and I remembered my brother, Colt. The last time I sat in that room was with him when he hurt his knee playing football. How depressed he must have been... his whole life he had played and prepared and worked to get to play football... and with one hit it was gone. Ugh. It's interesting how life works sometimes... how you think you get something, but you really don't get it at all.

That's it.

Ugh.

On the brighter side... today is baby girl's birthday. I will not let this keep us from enjoying it... and celebrating her. So, now that I'm done with my sad little party, I shall move on. It's just another day... and this too shall pass. 

Six Years Ago...

... I was starting a whole new journey. I was becoming a mother. And there is so much for me to say about it. Consider that fair warning. :)


Dear Bailey,


I cannot believe you are six. Is it possible that you have already surpassed the baby years, the toddler years, and are now nearing your teenage years? That's what it feels like to me. We moved to Lexington when you were only 5 months old. I remember us talking about schools and saying, "We have so much time to worry about that. It's definitely not a factor for a few more years." We blinked and you are already finishing your first year of kindergarten.

Ignore the date... it's wrong. :)

I could go on and on about the millions of things I love about you. Your sweetness, your thoughtfulness, your silly side. You remind me of your dad when you smile or laugh... you have his sense of humor and lighthearted smile. You remind me of me with your fiery personality and spunk. You never back down from a challenge - sometimes I wonder if I've let you be too aggressive. Then, I'm reminded of what one of my friends said about you one day. She said, "What I love about Bailey is that she is so confident. You can tell when she walks into any room or starts to try something new that she does not doubt herself at all." Gush. It's true. I've never met a more secure kid. You are so confident and strong. You walk into a room like you own it... and before we leave, you usually know everyone there and have made them smile.

You aren't perfect... of course. You are my child, after all. You have a temper. You get whiny when you are tired. You are a little on the sensitive side. I sometimes hurt your feelings just by looking at you the wrong way. But, that sensitivity is also part of what makes you so sweet. You tattle on your brother all the time, but you love him more than anything in the world. Your teacher is even impressed by how crazy you are about Jake. He is completely your best friend... and he really always will be. I hope you remember that later. 

The past year has been full of growth in so many ways. Not only are you growing physically - you are now in big girl sizes (7) - you are growing mentally. You can read. When I met with your teacher in October, she said you were already at a 1st grade level. I can't wait to our next conference so that I can hear about how well you are doing. You are a great student.


You were the first child in your class to get the student of the month. The reason you got it was because you were such a good friend to each person in your class. I believe that, too. You took $5 that your mamaw gave you a couple of weeks ago and went to the Dollar Store. Four of the children in your class are quadruplets and were having a birthday. You bought them each a $1 gift for their birthday and took it to school. You were so proud. You worry when one of your friends are not at school for any reason.


I love that you think so much about other people. You love your friends, even when they aren't always nice to you. I love that you still believe in people and that you are loyal. I worry that it will hurt you later, because of that sweet, sensitive side.

You are still young enough to believe in lots of things. I love that. You have lost two teeth. You loved that the tooth fairy came, but you were disappointed that your tooth fairy didn't leave you a note or anything like Emma's did. I told you that it was because your tooth fairy wasn't as cool. You thought maybe they'd switch out later. :) Again, because of your faith in things, Christmas was amazing with you. You were so excited to have Santa visit the house. You talk all the time about how we left out pumpkin pie because we didn't have any cookies and Santa ate every bite. We are pretty sure that he was sick of cookies anyway. :)


And, while you still believe in things, you are so rational. You think about things and whether or not they could really happen. You love to tell me about how the princesses at Disney on Ice were just skaters in costume last year. You love to talk about Miranda Cosgrove and the fact that she "acts" as Carly on iCarly, but that her real name is Miranda Cosgrove. I love that you have such good common sense. It makes me feel safer that you will make good choices when I'm not around to protect you.


Physically, you are developing, too. It's amazing to see how much you have grown over the years... how much of a little girl you are now in comparison to the baby or toddler that is forever etched in my mind. I can see myself watching you walk down the aisle to get married and envision you looking exactly like you do now... dressed in a dress up gown. :)


You have more energy than anyone, including me and your Mimi (my mom), if that's possible. I never thought it was, but I am being proved wrong. You want to sign up for everything. We want you to sign up for everything. It's a really tough balancing act. Since you turned 5, you have played spring t-ball, All-Stars on the all girls t-ball team, fall t-ball, Girl Scouts, ballet, basketball, and tennis. Yes. It's been a lot, but you have loved it all. That's what makes it tough. If you didn't like something, it would be easier to make cuts, but you enjoy it all. So, how do we pick? You have grown so much in each area. I see so much progress in how much you have matured in t-ball. We just started back to spring ball and it's incredible when I compare how well you play now to how you were when you played last year and the year before. I'm so proud of how tough you are and how you adjust to each sport and activity so well. I am just certain that you are going to be so diverse and you are going to have so much knowledge about a variety of different sports and activities when you get older.I am terrified that we have you in too much stuff, but when we have days off, you tell me you are bored or want to go some place. So, I think we are still OK. :)

This was in Bailey's first year of t-ball!

This was last summer in All-Stars (look how much she grew!!)

My ballerina

Rehearsing 

You are so active and such a tomboy on some days and then you turn around and put on a pile of make up, a frilly dress, and want to have a pedicure. Everything about that makes my heart melt. I love that you can be so many things tied up in one little perfect girl.

By far, my favorite thing about the past year is how much our relationship has developed. We are already buddies... good friends. I know that you get embarrassed by my silly sayings and my questions about your boyfriends and all that already. But, I love that you don't lie to me. I love that you laugh about these things with me and you tell me the truth, even when I can tell you aren't sure you want to. You always make me smile when you tell me that you are going to live with me forever or that you don't really want to grow up and leave. Of course, five minutes later, you are telling me about how you will marry Austin and have 3 kids, a cat, and I can be your full-time babysitter, because you just have to make money. :) I promise that I will always take you seriously, even when I know your problems are small in the grand scheme of things. To you, they will mean the world and I promise I'll do everything I can to remember that when you need a friend to talk to.

I wish that you had more girls to hang out with, because I see how much you love my friendship with Cilla. You ask me how long we have been best friends all the time. I can tell you are longing for a best friend and you just haven't found that one little girl who you really connect with. If I could tell you anything, it would be that I was just like you. I had so many friends as a young girl, but I never had that "best friend" that you see on TV sitcoms. I know it is tough feeling that way. But, it works out in the long run... and you will have so many good friends in your life that will shape you and make you stronger.


Your relationship with your dad is something I love to watch, too. Sometimes you treat him badly and it makes me really mad. You get very impatient with him when he doesn't do something on your time frame. It sounds really familiar. I'm sure that it is somehow my fault. :) By the same breath, though, you think he hung the moon. He can fix anything. He is the only one that you want to take you to a book fair (for some reason). You want him to coach you at everything, but you don't always listen to him the way you should (maybe that's why you want him to coach... hehehe). You have one day each week that he makes you milkshakes. It is your milkshake day. And I could make it the exact same way and it's never good enough. You also think he makes the best chocolate chip cookies (you know, the pre-made kind) and no one else in the house should even bother trying. I see you look at him some days and I know that you are going to always be that little daddy's girl that he wanted from the day you were born. But, then, you throw out something like a C-A-T-S cheer in the middle of a UK vs. WVU game and I remember that you love to taunt him, too. :) He thinks you are the most perfect little girl in the world... and he is so proud of the beautiful princess you are becoming.

Everything about life with you is fun. I look forward to your smiling face every morning, even when it comes way too early and way too happy. I'm not a morning person, so sometimes I really don't look forward to you waking me up. But, anyway... :) You always make me smile... your laughter is contagious. I hope you continue growing just like you are right now... I just know that the woman you will become will be amazing. You will be tough and sweet... strong and sensitive... and as beautiful as any woman could ever be. High maintenance is probably also a possibility. lol.


I love you, Bailey. Happy 6th Birthday!


Mom

Trying to be patient... or a good patient. :)

I haven't written much about running lately. Well, I haven't written much about much of anything on here lately. :) It isn't because I don't want to, but because I have been trying to juggle a few things.


I have had a few things on my mind lately... all of it being related to 100 different things. So, it's been a little more than difficult to sit down and write anything clearly. All of it is a jumbled up mess of ideas and tirades and thoughts that really are only connected by my consciousness. :)


But, today, I suppose, I feel compelled to write about running, especially since I have been wanting to run all day and can't. 


As most of you know by now, I'm training for a half marathon at the end of April in Nashville.


I've been working hard. Some days are better than others, but I've been dedicated... excited... and ready to make this all come together nicely.


Two weeks ago, I started having problems with my foot. My left foot... not the right ankle that was bothering me last year.


After running, then taking days off, then trying again, I hit a wall. I had refused to go to the doctor. I had refused because I had no desire at all to have a doctor tell me that I should stop running. But when I found that I couldn't run more than 1.5 miles, I caved.


Off to the doctor, I went after I attempted a 4 mile run on Thursday and only made it 1.5 miles in about 18 minutes (much, much slower than I usually run). I prepared myself for the conversation with the doctor, rehearsing what I would say if she/he told me that I should not run on my foot, "Well, I understand that it makes the most sense for me not to run, Dr. X, but I am just not going to be able to do that. Can you send me to someone else who can help me?" I had it down... I wasn't going to leave there with a "no-running" answer.


I have to say that I don't think I've ever really considered myself an athlete. Yes, I played tennis in high school, but I don't think I ever considered myself a "real" athlete. I can also say that, until Thursday, I have never really felt like someone was treating me like an athlete.


Dr. X was wonderful. She asked me what was going on. I told her I was training for a half marathon and explained my injury. She said, "Well, first things first, you need to see a sports medicine doctor. I know I can tell you to stay off your foot, but you are obviously not going to stop training and I don't blame you. I know you aren't going to listen if I tell you to not train, so I am going to make sure that we x-ray it and see what's going on, and then I'll refer you on to someone who will help you train with an injury."


Hallelujah. I sat in shock that I didn't have to beg or plead or make this lady understand this need. Most people would just tell me that there are other races and that there are other priorities. And, while I admit that those things sound completely rational and reasonable, those people haven't spent the last three months busting their butts in the snow or spending their time away from kids running so that they can be ready for a specific race. Those people have no idea how hard it can be to get into shape and how easy it can be to get out of it. It takes time to rebuild and time to train. And, I am not interested in having to start all over. At. All.


My mood, which had been completely dismal, shifted. Sure, my foot felt the same. The outcome could very well be the same. But, I felt hopeful that there is a doctor out there who understood my need to do this.


The x-ray came back looking good, but the doctor wanted confirmation from the radiologist. They called me on Friday morning. Funny thing is, the only thing they saw on the x-ray was a bone spur in my heel. No pain in my heel, but a bone spur there (even funnier, my heel on my RIGHT foot, not the one they x-rayed, bothers me a lot after a run, but not enough to keep me from running). :) The doctor said the radiologist suspected a stress fracture that really didn't show on the x-ray, perhaps because it had partially healed, etc. So, the doctor recommended I wait until Tuesday to actually run (meaning not running my long run or any short runs all weekend - ugh). Then, if I can't run on Tuesday, to go to the sports medicine clinic on Wednesday. Of course, a birthday weekend didn't make it easy to stay off of my foot, but I've iced it several times. I've taken ibuprofen. And, now, I'm hoping that tomorrow I can do a little test on it by jogging lightly down to the stop sign and back and seeing if I have any pain. If I do, I'll ice some more, try running on Tuesday, and pray for the best. 


I can't describe my disappointment right now, but I am staying focused and I am refusing to admit any kind of defeat. I feel like I'm in good shape and can stay that way until my foot feels better. But, I'm hoping and praying that it gets better soon. I don't have much time. I have worked so hard to get to this point. So, you know I've been down. It was probably a really good thing that I had a party to plan and all kinds of pink, frilly, and perfect little girls to be around. :)  I feel a bit dramatic asking for your prayers... especially when I have been reading blogs of people who are fighting major battles to save their children's lives or having legitimate life concerns. So, I won't do that... but send positive vibes my way. I really want to run this race and run it well. I can't afford time off! :) And we all know, patience is not my friend... :)

A Pink Party

Since I love all of you for following along our crazy journey for all this time (or if you are just joining, for starting to follow on this journey or ours), I want to share with you all first the details of the most fantabulous princess/dress up/tea party that a six year old girl could have. Okay, so I'm exaggerating a bit, but it was a really great party, even if I do say so myself. :) 


As I mentioned last week, I have been in the midst of pink everything for Bailey's party. 


It was supposed to be a small get together. 


It evolved. 


And evolved some more. 


It started as a make up and dress up party. Then, my princess said she needed it to be a princess party. And, then, she wanted to add a tea party to the mix. So, we just combined it all. Oh... and did I mention that it all had to be pink? Pink everything, she said. Pink everywhere. 


God blessed us with a beautiful spring day. I had hoped and even prayed a small prayer for good weather so that we could host the party outside. And God delivered. It was perfect. 


So, I transformed our back decks into a sea of pink for my special girl. Here are the photos of the day that was. :) 

Want to see all the photos? Visit my facebook page! :) 

And, Bailey was quite impressed. She told me this morning that she really loved her birthday. And, she made sure to thank me for working so hard on it all. I love my baby girl. Why does she have to grow up? 


More to come later this week about the actual planning of the party on Our Cups Runneth Over. 


I'm planning on doing a post about planning. Funny, huh? :) 

St. Patty's Day!

Everyday this week has come and gone in a rush, so much that I honestly wasn't sure if today was Thursday or Friday when I sat down to type this. :) 

Seriously... where has the week gone?!

I've been busy birthday planning. Bailey is turning six and this weekend, we are having a little party for her at the house. Well, it was supposed to be little, but it continued to grow, partially because of me and mostly because of Bailey. In any case, I've been running around like a crazy person, trying to make it all happen perfectly for Bailey. It is a princess party/dress up party/tea party, and every princess gets what they want, right? Riiiiggghhhht. :) 

What else have I been doing? 

Well, I marked a list item off in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. If you've been following Our Cups Runneth Over, then you already know that we had a mini-St. Patrick's Day party at home on Sunday to kick off our week of green. If you haven't been following (that's quite alright), I am including photos here. :) I drank a green beer. Yes, I did. It was an easy one to mark off and it was one that I enjoyed. It was nice to do something different, but for it to be simple enough to do without a big plan. We made it fun by turning apple juice green, too, and then toasting St. Patrick's Day together. The kids thought it was great to see the drinks turn green... and they were very relieved that the taste of the apple juice was not altered. :)

And, that is how we celebrated St. Patrick's Day. And, that is how I marked one more thing off the list. 

March...

It is already the middle of March. I think I've blogged twice this month. 

There are so many things that I love about this time of year. But here are the highlights for me: 

On March 13, 1999, Brad and I went on our first date. Yes. It has been 12 years. We have been together our entire adult lives. It is pretty insane when we think about that. I think it scares the hell out of both of us. :) For fun... this one takes me back... :) Hahaha! Happy Anniversary, babe. I love you so much more than I did on that first date... although, I am pretty sure that I knew without a doubt that we would be here one day. I hope you can tolerate me a little longer. lol. 

PROM 1999!

My firstborn, Bailey, was born in March. Oh, how that day will ever remain etched in my mind. Her little face, her hands, her feet... the fear, pain, and joy... all in one. I still can't believe it's been almost 6 years. It feels like yesterday. 

She was so teeny tiny. And she grew  is growing so fast. 

Basketball. I don't watch it (much) until March. And, when the Madness starts, I quickly become an expert. Haha! I love it... because there are upsets and slaughters... close ones and blow outs. You see who has heart. And, to me, that's what I enjoy seeing in sports more than anything else. Heart. Passion. A love for the game, pure and unaltered (that's also why I love youth sports - it's the innocence and passion for the sport that drives kids). Oh... and GO WVU! We really want to watch this again (although our view will be a little farther away).  

Then, there is the spring... Daylight Savings Time... and more sun. I need a tan. In a bad way. So, I really, really hope that the sun comes out and I can get that tan soon. Otherwise, I am going to have to breakdown and get a serious makeover to learn what foundation really works with my skin tone. :) 

Happy March... enjoy the Madness!