Race Day and a Happy Birthday Party!

I heard a question asked this week: "When is the last time you did something for the first time?" I thought that was a fitting question especially for my weekend which I accomplished a few "firsts!" One of my "firsts" this weekend was racing in my FIRST half marathon!! I have run in several other races, but I have never run a half marathon!! I have been training since November for this race and finally this weekend was the race!

 I had an IT band injury about a year and a half ago, so when I started training for this 1/2 marathon, I had to be careful! Lots of prayer and stretching and strengthening exercises later, I was able to finish without further injury! I did stop and stretch my IT band out about 4 times during the race when I felt it tightening up! But, even with the stretching stops, I was happy with my time!!
I didn't get any pictures at the race, but my roommate took this one when I got home after the race:

 She had made this banner and hung it over my door the night before the race!

 The other "first" from the weekend was making a caramel cake for my mom's 60th birthday! She told me that was the kind of cake she wanted, but I had never made that kind of cake before, so I was a little nervous about how it would turn out!

 Thankfully, it turned out well! Not the prettiest thing to look at, but it tasted wonderful, and that's what counts, right?

 I went to my parent's house after my race and made a little display for my mom...I took an empty frame and strung some string through it and clipped pictures of my mom on it!

 Did a little arrangement of roses mixed with some greenery from my yard...

 When we asked my mom what she wanted for her birthday, she said she just wanted everyone to be together! Everyone managed to be there except for Nathan's wife, Laura, who had to work! We missed her!
A tired aunt RuRu with Elaine Mae:

 Auntie Tat:

Uncle Jon Jon:

Uncle Na Na:

 I really didn't do a good job getting pictures of everyone...Robby, Tom, and Aunt Marlene and Uncle David are all missing from the pics! So sorry!
Singing happy birthday!

 Thomas was really excited to help Grammie blow out her candles...

 Ivey and the birthday girl:

 Sweet parents!

My mother is an incredible woman of God and we are so thankful for her life and her example! How thankful we are for the 60 years of life God has given her! We have so many special memories together and look forward to many more! We love you!