August 31

"Anything is Possible!"

Clay competed in the Louisville Ford Ironman on Sunday. It is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile marathon, for a total of 140.6 miles. He crossed the finish line around 11pm, completing it in just under 16 hours. The weather was 79 degrees at the start of the swim at 7am. By mid-afternoon it was 96 degrees with 90% humidity. Usually about 8-10% of the athletes do not finish an Ironman race. This year it was double that amount.

I have some video footage of the finish line, but we have to buy a cord to hook the camcorder into our computer. I plan to make a video that includes that, and more of the pictures I took. For now, here are some pictures of this HUGE accomplishment.

Finished with his swim, just starting on the bike.

This was around mile 9 of the marathon. By this point, he couldn't run anymore because he thought he would throw up. The heat and his stomach were getting to him. He kept up a brisk 17 minute per mile walk until the finish line!

Coming into the finish line. This was really awesome to see. The announcer said, "Clay C..., coming into the finish.... Welcome home, IRONMAN!"

He did it! He finished the "world's most challenging one-day endurance event" (from Ironman's website)

Not too many people in the world have one of these!

I have never been so proud of him, so thankful that he's safe, or so glad for something to be done! I think we're all ready for life to get back to normal now (although it's been so long since life has not revolved around this event that it may take us awhile to figure out what normal is!).

Stay tuned for the video...

August 28

Happy 1st Birthday Elliott!

Ironman is tomorrow!

August 27

Yesterday was my birthday. It was one I will never forget! I cut two of my fingers with the electric yard trimmers and had to get 7 stitches and a tetanus shot. On the upside, I get out of dishes for awhile and I am pretty sure I will never have to use the trimmers again!

This morning I woke up nauseous (I think it was because of the Vicodin I took before bedtime) and running a fever ( I hope it's because of the tetanus shot I got yesterday). Elliott's first birthday is tomorrow, and I have alot of things to get done before the party (like making his cake!).

Clay got Julia off to school, but she was throwing a fit. He ended up having to park the car and drag her in to the office screaming and crying. Good times at our house this morning!

We've got a big weekend with Elliott's birthday and Clay's Ironman Sunday. Pray that we all get plenty of rest, get healthy, and don't try to cut off any more limbs!

It would have almost been worth it if it got me out of doing laundry too!

August 25

We met Tracy and her boys at the fair yesterday.

Preach it Jules!

August 24

Happy Birthday Uncle Bob!

Sunday we went to Uncle Bob and Aunt Jessica's house to see 2 week old kittens. Guess what Julia wants now?

Julia had homework for the first time tonight. I asked her if she liked doing it. She said, "Not really". At least she's honest!

August 21

Julia went to school without any fits yesterday. She rode the bus home and did fine.

Today we went to the fair with Mamaw and Bapaw. Julia and Kat loved the animals (especially the baby chicks and cows).

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August 20

Not-So-funny Julia Story: Yesterday morning I had to wake Julia up for school (this is unusual because she is typically an early riser). She was super tired after 2 days of school plus Wed night at church. Anyways, she threw a couple of tantrums over her uniform and then when it was time to go to school, I had to peel her, kicking a screaming, off the couch. Not a pleasant way to start the day. She was hysterical over riding the bus home, so I promised to pick her up. She was fine by the time we got to school and walked herself up to the building. And she was fine after school when I picked her up. We had a talk and she went to bed early last night, so hopefully this morning goes better.

Kat, Elliott, and I met Jill and Mollie at the fair for a fun day.

August 19

10 days until the Ironman (not that I am ready for this to be over or anything)!!!

Day two of school went great for Julia again. This morning when I dropped her off at school I noticed other Kindergartners' parents were walking them to the building. I asked Julia if she wanted me to walk her in or drop her off. She wanted to be dropped off. She got out of the car, walked to the building, turned around and gave me a big smile and wave, then walked into the building all by herself! Little Miss Independent.

Funny Julia Story (I have a feeling this could be a daily occurrence): Julia took a sack lunch today. All her lunch was gone when she got home, so I asked her what she ate (I packed carrots, strawberries, crackers, a yogurt, and a fruit snack). She traded away that stuff for 2 fruit snacks and a candy bar. So the rule for today is that she is only allowed to eat the food she brings. Can't blame her for trying though!

Here's our routine so far:

• Kids wake up 7:30ish, eat breakfast, get dressed, make beds, fix hair/brush teeth,
  
• Morning devotional (today was our first day for this, but I am planning to start doing this every day before Julia goes to school)
• Leave at 8:30 to drive Julia to school
• Arrive at school by 9ish (it starts at 9:05)
• Kat, Elliott, and I find something to do with our day
• School is out at 3:45 and Julia rides the bus home. She has gotten home about 4:45 the first two days.
  

Tonight we had AWANA at church for the first time since summer. It was from 6:30 - 8pm. Kat is in the 4 year old Cubby class and Julia is in Sparks this year. I am one of the helpers in the Sparks room this year (otherwise I wouldn't get to spend any time with Julia on Wednesdays). Julia was exhausted by the end of the night.

We went to story time at the library today

August 18

Last Sunday, my friend Aimee did a photo shoot of Elliott. She took over 900 pictures! She gave me a cd with 300 pictures on it. I have narrowed it down to these pictures. Help me decide which ones to print (which ones to make wallets of, etc). My brain hurts and I can't decide!!!

I am thinking these are my favs (for printing):