Bite me Duct Tape....

Today I RAN....Ran 2.6+ miles and didn't stop.  No cramps, no duct tape, just me (in my regular running clothes) and the cool crisp air; it was delightful and as I finished my course I SMILED ear to ear because I RAN THE WHOLE WAY.  (In my non pregnant days, this was a normal run 2x a week and was not much of a problem).

Thanks Katie, Melissa, and Alison for your laughs and kind words, I thought of all three of you on my run today....

I am going to sign up for a 5K with Sarah (Don't worry, I am not planning to run WITH Sarah, she is carrying child too, but I know that she could kill me in any race, any day, any time, and under any circumstance).  My goal is to finish...I think doing a race at 28 weeks pregnant is pretty awesome and I want to mark that off my bucket list.  So, next weekend it is!

Things not to do....

Yesterday I learned something....when you forget a sports bra to work out in....Duct tape might seem like a good idea...But it isn't.

It does the job to support you (a really good job), but doesn't always let you breathe.  I got severe cramps while running and officially had to stop and walk (and this time it wasn't just because I was tired).  I cried while on my "run."

Steve told me it was the duct tape...But also said, "You know Carey, you might be at a point where you can't run anymore, and that is OK, you are 27 weeks pregnant."

I hope it was the duct tape.....I really don't always enjoy running, but I love it that I can do it.  It is a little smack in the face when your body says "no" but your mind says "yes."  And, right now I have to follow what my body says, not my mind. We will see, I try running again tomorrow.....

Valerie, Suzanne and I had a great laugh looking at the turquoise duct tape over my t-shirt.....I wouldn't allow pictures.

Thankful

I am thankful for a few things today:
1. A husband who is humble, hard working, and who puts others before himself.
2. A school "family" that lifts me up even on tough days
3. Friends that work hard to understand the difficulties of military life and realize the sacrifices that are made
4. A different, better, higher paying job for my brother

The last few days have been pretty good...

Work is wonderful - I feel fulfilled and satisfied there.  I work with some great friends where we laugh, exercise and cry together...I have great kids in my class with parents that want to work together with me to see their child excel.

My friends are incredible and call me on a daily basis just to see how I am doing, even if we don't have anything to talk about.

My mom and I talk almost every day and if I don't talk to her for one day, she says, "Well, you haven't called me lately, and I am worried about you..."  She lets me talk about anything and everything whether it is important or not.

My brother called with great news and I am so happy for his family and their new adventures.

All in all, it has been a pretty good week...

Veteran's Day was today and three of the kids in my class had parents step up to talk to our entire school about how they serve in the military.  I am proud of what they do and I was thrilled that they would take time out of their busy lives to come to an elementary school and talk to 600+ kids.  I love my job and I love the kids and parents I work with on a daily basis.

Several of my friends wrote on Steve's facebook wall today and it was so nice to see that they appreciate him and take the time to write on his wall even though they know he can't always check it while deployed...Some even wrote about him on their blogs and that really meant a lot to me (Jen, Jennifer, and Cathy).

And with snow comes CHRISTMAS CARDS

My friend, Melissa, blogged about these Christmas cards.

What a great way to spread the word about great cards and a great deal.

I have made our cards on paper the past two years and sent them out with pictures printed on the back....It is hard to get those all together and I am thinking that when BK arrives, I will need to limit my writing time and do something a little less time consuming.

I would love to have a place where I could document all of our Christmas Cards as the year goes on and maybe make a small photo book out of it.  

I'm thinking this year I may go with one of these:

I love the idea of lots of pictures, but I feel like I have to write something on the card!  It is so fun to read Christmas cards, I figured everyone would want to read about us, right?  For the rest of the Shutterfly Christmas Card collection go here.

Another thing I love to make for the holidays are calendars. Look here for some great templates.  I LOVE to give these as Christmas gifts and whenever Steve leaves for a deployment I make him one.

Steve and I are all for decorating with pictures rather than buying expensive wall art....This is a great way to transform some of our favorite pictures into wall art.

Bloggers, go here to see the deal!

It Snowed....Which means.....

Two years ago (when Steve was gone last time)....I got a little excited for Christmas and needed some joy around the house, so I decorated early (and, as in early....I mean early.....Before Halloween!)  This year I decided to take it a little easier and wait till the first snow fall....Which happened today!

Thankfully, mother nature waited till after the 3:30 bell rang to make her grand entrance.  But, by the time I left school at 4:30 today there was snow on the grass!  And now there is even more!  It is already dark outside, but I figured a "not so great" picture was better than no picture at all.

So...Snow means....

...The Christmas decorations come out! 

I haven't put up the tree yet, but I did pull out some of my favorites: a snowman given to me by one of my students with a card that said, "It's tall....Like you"  and some classic Christmas CD's and DVD's.  I think Elf will be playing on my computer as I grade papers tonight.  I will
save A Christmas Story for when I set up the tree.

And, yes, those are stockings on the fireplace in the basement.  I am enjoying my hot chocolate and roasted pumpkin seeds....And can't wait for the Christmas season!

26 Weeks

25 Weeks

Yeah!  Only 15 to go!  That means Steve comes home after baby Abigail comes! 

(I think I look bigger in picture #1)...

But, I had to put two pictures here to let you know that I am still a fan of MSU even though Iowa creamed them today....