1.

I’ve been busy this week cleaning, organizing, and party planning! My little ladybug turns ONE on Sunday. We are having her party on Saturday, though. If you couldn’t guess, it is a ladybug theme. We are very excited to celebrate with our family and friends. I don’t really go wild and crazy for birthday parties, but I do like to have some touches of a party theme. I’ll post pictures and a recap next week.

2.

Did I mention that I’m running a half marathon on Saturday? The same Saturday as Caroline’s party? Yeah. I like to do things like that to make myself extra crazy! I chose Saturday for a variety of reasons, but one I’m most excited about is that her Godparents will be in town! Her Godmother (Mike’s sister) is an AWESOME runner and is also running the Mini. She and Mike will run their crazy fast 8 minute miles and then will have to wait for me for like an hour (or more) at the finish line as I run my snail’s pace. But I digress.

3.

Today will be a busy day! I know I should be taking it easy before the race in the morning, but I still have some errands to run for the party. One of the few things I haven’t been able to find are party hats! Do stores not sell them anymore? I know I could have found some online, but I just assumed there was at least one store in this city that would have solid color party hats. I’ve found a few hats at various places, but they were all part of a birthday theme that did not in any way mesh with ladybugs. I realize party hats are not the most important thing in the world, but I just have this vision of Lucas in his party hat on his 1st birthday.

See what I mean?? The cuteness!

4.

Anyway, my sister is coming to the rescue. She has these party hats from when my niece turned one (almost 13 years ago) that we use for pretty much every birthday party at her house. These hats are none other than ladybug hats! I don’t know what they are made of that we are still able to use them so many years later, but I’ll take it! Thanks, sis! My other errands mostly include the grocery store and Sam’s for food I couldn’t buy too early.

My nephew, Sawyer, on his 2nd birthday (2009)

5.

After I finish up my errands for the day, I have to do one last sweep through cleaning. For once in my life I started getting the house ready early. I’ve already done most of the cleaning, I have some decorations up, I have everything else sitting out ready to go. After cleaning, we are heading up to the runner’s expo to pick up our packets. We are meeting up with Mike’s sister and her family and we might head to the chow wagon. If not, we are having a spaghetti dinner at Mike’s mom’s house. Fun!

6.

I am nervous to run this race for a few reasons. For one, my knees are still bothering me. I’m going to look ridiculous, but I’m wearing a knee brace on each knee. Also, after the 10 mile race, I hurt my foot. I think it has finally healed, but I slowed down on my training because of it. Also, when I ran my first half, I had my sister there with me. She encouraged me and didn’t allow me to give up. Without her, I’m afraid I’ll walk more and not give it my all. Finally, the weather can’t make up its mind. One day it says it is going to rain. The next it says it is going to be 70 degrees or hotter. Both of those are terrible conditions for my running. If given the choice, though, I’d probably take the rain. There is no way I can run 13.1 miles in the heat!

7.

I’m excited that two big events in my life are happening on the same day! Both are major accomplishments, in my opinion. I crossed the finish line of a half marathon AND I made it through my baby girl’s first year of life. Her party will be a real celebration! I can’t wait!

Life happens when we run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1).

For more quick takes, visit Jen over at Conversion Diary!

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