My First 5K

Mama and me

Some of you know that my Grandaddy passed away in August.

He had Colon Cancer.

He was the strongest and sweetest man I have ever known. I know these are interesting adjectives to put together. But, that was Grandaddy.

He loved God and his family.

In Birmingham, we have a 5K every year to raise money for Colon Cancer awareness.

The funds raised go to education, testing, and early detection of this horrible disease.

My cousins and I started talking about doing the run.

HA! HA! HA!

I have not ran anywhere since the 1 mile required in P.E. in 8th Grade.

YES...8th Grade!

Why would anybody run for fun?

I mean, do they not have anything better to do?

Well, so I decided to run...with my family...in memory of Grandaddy.

Cheryl, me, Lyn, & Kelly

*************

So, I realized that a 5K was ONLY 3.1 miles.

HA!

That is nothing!

I ran 1 whole mile in 8th Grade and that was...

HMMMMM...

a VERY LONG TIME ago.

My students (who run) recommended "Couch to 5k."

And I have to admit that it is a great way to get into running...

unless you start 3 weeks before the 5K...

and skip a week of training for Spring Break.

I did run MOST of the 5K.

Approximately 2.8 miles.

Finished in an UNBELIEVABLE time... for me. :)

Unfortunately, my knee is still hurting from the unaccustomed activity.

But, I believe that I am going to start back on the "Couch to 5K."

SHOCKING!

I know.

But there is something about seeing the finished line.

I thought about the references Paul makes in the Bible about finishing the race.

When I could see the finished line, I started thinking about my Mom and Grandaddy.

They both ran a good race.

So, it was more than physical and emotional...

it was a spiritual experience for me.

Keeping my eye on the finish line...

on the PURPOSE that God has called me to.

TEAM G.W.

Mama, Aunt Linda, & Aunt Judy

The BEST Cheerleaders!

We all wore blue handkerchiefs, because Grandaddy always had one in his pocket.

Charlie's First Camping Trip

Charlie SH

HG

Charlie's First Campfire with Daddy and the Bambergs

His FIRST s'more!

Having fun at the Japanese restaurant.

GO BULLDOGS!!!

HG TRAINING WHEEL FREE!!!

YIPPEE!

NO TRAINING WHEELS FOR SOAPIE!

Quick learners!

Only 30 minutes of Greg and Trent running beside them!

HG fell over one time and said,"I guess I am being wreckless like Mommy!"

For those who do not know, I have had a significantly negative experience with bicycles.

I will not bore you with the details.

Charlie riding his bicycle! He thinks he is as big as his sisters! He had a great time!

He did fall one time and had his first scraped knee.

Can you believe that?!?!?

My child was 3 years old before his first scraped knee.

In China, he was always bundled up in many layers of clothes.

He was protected against the scrapes and bruises. It was a bit traumatic for him.

But he is fearless, so he is now accustomed to scrapes.

HG's 6th Birthday

My first child turned 6!!!

TOO FAST FOR ME!

HG SH

Charlie

How long has it been?!?!?!

Too Stinking Long!!! :)

Some of my friends have mentioned that it has been a while since my last post.

I am very sorry!

I promise that I would much prefer blogging to writing papers and doctors appointments!

But, GRADUATION is only 5 weeks away!!!

HALLELUJAH!

I am very grateful to GOD and my family that I could go back to school for my Masters, but I am ready to be finished!!!

And I am sure they are MORE than ready!!!

Kelsey and the Kiddios

Pop's Birthday

Celebrating Pop's Birthday!
They loved the sombrero, so they each had to try it on!

Week of Doctor Appointments

Daddy and Charlie

This week has been so crazy!
All the kiddos have been sick and we have visited too many doctors!

Silly faces

It was only a matter of time...

before the Girls put Charlie in a baby stroller.

I thought it would of happened before tonight.

They are strolling him around the house, feeding him, giving him juice, and then they all 3 break out the play guns and start shooting.

Something is really wrong with this.

Happy 4th Gotcha Day, HG!!!

4 Years ago today...

the "Rising Sun" was placed in our arms.

She has added more sunshine to our lives everyday since!

This picture does not need to be rotated.
I was laying down and holding her in the air.

Such a beautiful smile!

My bundle of JOY!

HMMMMM...
someone attacked the pretty Gotcha Day cake before the picture.
HG really loves frosting! :)









Happy Gotcha Day, my sweet SUNSHINE!

Our Sunday

We had a wonderful Sunday at church today!
Charlie stayed in his class for 20 minutes without me.

Last Sunday, he lasted 10 minutes.

He is progressing well, but we don't want to push him.

He has had so many changes in the last few weeks.

The Girls are making adjustments.

A little bit of jealousy has surfaced, but that is totally normal. Their "Little Mama" instincts have kicked in. Sometimes they have to be reminded that Charlie has a "Big Mama," too. :)
I think this picture sums up Charlie's attitude about things.
He has come into this family with his arms and heart wide open.
He has embraced all of us.
He is absolutely amazing!!!



Silly Picture

Christmas with NaNa and PaPa

HMMMMM...

Something happened to the Auburn ornament on my parent's Christmas tree!

My Mom loved Auburn!

We were all Auburn fans at some point. She had a way of convincing us.;)

She passed away when I was 18.

Then the Lord blessed our family with my second Mother (aka NaNa).

She says she adopted me! :)

Well, NaNa is an Alabama fan.

As many of you know, Greg and the Girls are... well... let's just say they are completely committed to the University of Alabama.

In fact, the first phrase Charlie learned was, "Roll Tide!"

NaNa still puts the Auburn ornaments on the Christmas tree out of respect for my mom and PaPa.

Well, my Girls do not like it!

While we were in China, SH hid behind the Christmas tree and pealed the Auburn logo off the ornament.

Yep. That's my daughter.

Do you know how proud Greg is right now?

He is BEAMING with PRIDE and JOY!

Charlie in overalls.
The Girls decorating Jesus' Birthday cake.

Trey helping by eating the icing :)

SH is so proud of their creation!

HG and Mommy

Charlie and PaPa in matching overalls.

Charlie on his new bike!

One cute Big Al!

Jet Lag :)

I always make New Year's Resolutions.

One of my resolutions this year is to be more positive.

Focus on the positives rather than the negatives.

So, here it goes...

The Many Benefits of Jet Lag

*There are NO lines at the Wal-Mart register at 4:00 AM.

*The Matchbox Car Parking Garage is so much more fun than I remembered!

*1 AM is the perfect time to do laundry!

*Bacon tastes much better at 2:30 AM!

*Little Bear is on Noggin at 2 AM - 3 AM!!

*Listening to Ji Ji sing a song with all the English words he knows (his own composition, of course).

*I organized my calendar!

And my personal favorite benefit of Jet Lag:

**Lots of hugs and kisses from the most beautiful boy in the world!!**