Our Little Flip Flopper!

For the past year, Avery has been taking gymnastics at Flip Flops and loving it! Yesterday afternoon, she got to show off some of her skills. I guess you could call it a recital, but it was more like a demonstration. All four teachers were there and each led the girls through their different events or exercises. They were all so adorable! Avery was beaming from ear to ear the entire time and couldn't keep her eyes off the audience! She is a little ham! Avery did a great job, and we are so proud of her!

Showing her balance on the beam!

Flipping over the bar!

This is one of her favorites!

Strong arms

Straddle roll

Being silly in the mirror!

She is looking at us in the audience!

Gold Medal Winner!

Our Olympian Champ!

(future Shawn Johnson?)

Daddy gave her beautiful pink roses!

Avery is a daddy's girl!

Avery with Ms. Misty, one of her favorite teachers!

Thanks Flip Flops for making this a fun and exciting 1st year for Avery!

She had a wonderful time and can't wait until next year!

Tie-Dye 5K

This morning Kelly, John Parker and Carson ran the Tie Dye Invitational 5K Cross Country Run. The race was hosted by our newly opened children's museum, Health Works. This was John Parker and Carson's first 5K, and I was very nervous and excited for them! They did great, and I am so proud of them! Way to go boys!

Clay ran with them and coached and encouraged them to the finish!!!!!

Silly girls!

Carson, Clay & Ben right before the start

Mark (I think-can't keep those Chunn boys straight!), John Parker & Ryan

Rachel, Leah, Avery, Sarah, Sam & Jared waiting to cheer the runners completing their first lap!

Kelly nearing the finish!

John Parker's adrenaline kicking in at the sight of the finish line!

Carson almost there, too!

First 5K complete!

I am loving Avery's sweet little blonde curls!

Julie was crowned the Tie-Dye Queen!



Today turned out so much better than I had expected! I enjoyed being a spectator for a change, taking pictures, visiting with friends and meeting new ones, too!
Our family is really enjoying this new hobby of running together! A big thanks to the Johnsons for being such an encouragement to us!

Thankful

What a blessed life I have, and I am so truly grateful to my creator!

I am thankful for...................

God and his salvation through his son, Jesus.

Kelly, my lifetime partner and friend. He is such a devoted husband and father. He provides for us day in and day out, tirelessly working so that I can be home with our children.

my beautiful children and the joy they bring to my life.

love and support from my family and friends.

for my health and the health of my children.

the comfort I get from a prayer, scripture or encouraging words given by others.

forgiveness.

the quiet moments and the not so quiet moments.

the example of others.

unconditional love.

troubling times and the strength I gain from them.

for the home of Heaven one day!

Gum Tree 10K

Yesterday my entire family participated, for the first time ever, in the Gum Tree 2K and 10K runs! We were joined by lots of good friends and fun times were had by all, even in the torrential downpours & occasional lightening! John Parker and Carson ran their first 2K and did an awesome job! I am so proud of them! Emily was very sweet to watch my children while Kelly and I ran. Thanks Emily! I did beat my time from last week's race by a minute, but this race was much harder for me! I am pretty sure that the downpour had something to do with it! My shoes felt like bricks were weighing them down! Even though it was tough, I am so glad I did it! I am addicted, I think! I am hoping to make this a new tradition for us! Next year we are going to be joined by John Parker and Carson running the 10K!!!!

Me, Stacee & Roan before the race

Kelly & me getting our ipods ready!

So proud of Kelly for running his first 10K, even though he did run off and leave me!

John Parker heading towards the finish!

Kelly & me after our 1st race together!


Our rain drenched children!
Some were not such happy campers, mostly Sam B!

Leah & Avery lovin' on the cow!

Notice the Kenyan runners in the backgound. They were the overall winners, finishing around 30 minutes, I was almost halfway there!!!

Emily, Roan & Sam (he is getting a good whiff of his mama's hair!)

Jimmy & Stacee

Kim, Gracie & Jimmy

Congrats to Kim for her 1st race!

Buddies!

Congrats to John Parker, Carson, Ryan & Ben for their first 2K and Clay for placing 4th in his age division in the 10K! Way to go boys!

At the law office waiting to go over to the festival!

Gracie .... so sweet!

Coke Classic 10K

I am happy to report that I ran my first 10K yesterday! My daddy, John Parker and I got up early and traveled north to Corinth. Unfortunately, Kelly had drill in Birmingham and wasn't able to go! After arriving at the Johnson's, Daddy walked on over to register for the race, and this was the last time that I saw him until afterwards. The race was so much fun, way more enjoyable than I could have imagined! The course was really nice, with lots of spectators sitting out on their lawns cheering the runners on. I was very thankful for cloudy skies and cooler temperatures! John Parker hung out with Megan, who was watching the little ones, during the race. Thanks again, Megan!

Sam, Leah, Grace & John Parker waiting for everyone to finish


John Parker is very eager to train and be able to run next year! Every one did great, and several even set personal records! Check out Roan's blog.

Me nearing the finish! I know I look like a big ole' nerd, but I was so excited to be almost finished!


Right after crossing the finish line, I saw Daddy standing on the side grinning at me. He finished in 1:01 and I finished in 1:07! I can't wait until next year and hope that Kelly, John Parker and Carson run it as well!

Roan & me right after the race

Calling Kelly to tell him my results

John Parker & Clay hanging out eating fudge-sickles!

I had a great time and am very thankful to have great family and friends supporting and encouraging me!!!