A Weekend of Running

It seems every weekend is a busy weekend of running from one place to another. This past weekend, we literally did run all weekend!! Gary Don, Kason and I ran our first 5K race together. We did the Susan G. Komen 5K race in Plano that supports the SGK Breast Cancer research foundation. This is an annual event and was the first race I ever did last year. It is such a fun race! There were 13,000 participants this year! Here we are before the race:
The boys:

I met up with my good friend Tracy before the race too. I love her! That is her daughter, Ashtyn who did the race as well. So proud of Tracy for doing it - way to go Trace!!

Then the race started and we were off! We weren't sure if Kason would run the whole 3.1 miles, but he did! He did stop at every water station, though! There were 9 water stations and he would race up to each station and either drink the water or pour it on his head. He loved hearing the volunteers at the water stations cheering for him. :) Here is Kason running - what a cutie!

Kason and GD finished strong and beat me to the finish line! Here is my little runner at the finish line:

After the race, there were tons of booths with all kinds of free goodies. Kason had so much he couldn't hold it all! In addition to the refreshing water and fruit, there were popsicles from Blue Bell, chocolate croissants and strawberries from Le Madeline's, candy - all kinds of stuff! We got free water bottles, bandanas, koozies, etc. Gotta love free stuff!! :)

They also had a Kids' 50 yard dash after the race. Of course, Kason wanted to do that! Not sure if you can spot him in this picture, he is right about in the middle of the picture. He did great, had lots of fun and even won a medal for participating!

On Sunday, I ran my first Half Marathon! I have been training for about 3 months for it. The race was the Wounded Warriors Half in Las Colinas. My friend from work, Natalie, her husband and Jamie's husband Shane all ran it as well. It was hot!! I didn't do as well as I had hoped and had to walk off and on the last 3 miles, but I am still proud of myself for finishing!! I am looking forward to runnin the Whiterock Half in December. Here is a pic of Shaney and I with our medals after the race. Go Team Shary Cane!! :)

13.1 miles! Yay Me!! :)

Grammie

Paula Hendricks, beloved Mom, Mother-in-Law and Grammie died on May 20th, 2010. Our hearts are broken but we hold on to the joy that God's promise gives us - we will see her again. She is no longer in pain. We will miss her always and our lives will never be the same now that she is gone. Sometimes the sadness wells up in our chest, other times we laugh as we remember something she said or did. We had her Memorial service and the funeral home was overflowing. She touched so many people's lives. I know that she couldn't see that before she died, but I hope that she can see it now. She did know that she was loved - she made that clear. She just couldn't feel it. She couldn't accept it. She couldn't see anything but the darkness. She really was sick and in pain.

She wasn't always like that though. She struggled with depression for many years, and she fought it valiantly. We remember the happy times - the jokes, the dancing, the laughter. Paula was the life of the party. She was full of love and laughter before the depression took over. She took such delight in her family, and especially in her grandchildren. Kason and Katie, I hope you two know how much Grammie loved you both. You were her pride and joy. Do not ever forget that. She spoiled you rotten! We called her Grammie Claus at Christmas because she would come over on Christmas morning with trash bags full of gifts for you both. She loved to spoil you! She loved being with her friends and visiting with her family. She cared so deeply about all of us.

We are still processing this loss. It is hard for us to believe that Paula is really gone. We love you Grammie and always will.