Dashing down Greenville

Another 5K in the books!  This one was a little frustrating because there wasn't a shorter race option for walkers, so we had to bob and weave past them in the beginning. That slowed us down, but I ended up finishing fairly close to my 5K time earlier this month, at 32:14.  I feel like they're becoming less and less difficult, so that's certainly an improvement, even if my time doesn't reflect it!  In fact, I ran another 5K today with my sister around my neighborhood, and we talked the whole way and didn't struggle.  It's so nice to be getting back into the groove.  I've signed up for another race next month, and I hope to do another in May.  I look forward to seeing what my time is by then.

 

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall...you need to be changed!  I previously spray painted the gold mirrors in our master bathroom to a silver color so that they would match the rest of the decor and fixtures, but I still wasn't happy with them.  They just seemed too old-fashioned and not modern.  Here's what my short-term fix looked like:

This is really x2 because we have separate vanities. The other mirror was more of a simple oval, though, without the extra angles and curves.  I decided it was time to scrap them completely and buy something new. I can't even tell you how many stores I visited before FINALLY finding a style and color I liked.  The bonus was that Meezy actually agreed!  We ended up getting two of these Ivory Mother of Pearl mirrors from Pier 1. Now they match, and they're gorgeous!

I also needed some kind of artwork or wall covering for the area above the tub.  While I prefer a modern design, I wanted to pay a little homage to the age of the home. I went with these antiqued framed windows.

The main reason I chose these is because the door to this bathroom is very unique and custom. It's an antique wooden door with an etched glass insert.  I used to think it was a little strange, but I've embraced it and feel like it gives the house some character.

More to come, as this house is always a work in progress!

Project costs:
Mirrors - $400
Frames - $70

Be The Match Walk Run

A couple Saturdays ago, my family and I participated in the Be The Match Walk Run at Lone Star Park. I love supporting this organization, because it has made a profound impact on my life. I donated bone marrow four years ago to a young boy with leukemia, and he's alive and well today, thanks to Be The Match.  I would not have known about donating bone marrow, and we would not have found each other, without this registry. Donating to help a stranger was a profound moment in my life, because it gave me purpose.  If I do nothing else in this world, I've done that.  I know I'm a broken record about this Nelson Henderson quote, but it guides me: "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."  I hope my posts about the process have at least prompted a few more people to sign up.  (If you haven't, do it here).  Another reason I try to promote BTM is in memory of my uncle Pete.  He died of leukemia before I was born, leaving behind a wife and three young boys.  It makes me sad when I think about my cousins having to grow up without a father, and I wonder if things could've turned out differently for him if there had been a registry back then.  I can't dwell on "what-ifs," but I can do my part to ensure fewer and fewer people have to grow up without family members. Last plea: Donate to Be The Match, join the bone marrow registry, and spread the word!

I created the team, Hup Holland, when I signed up for the 5K and encouraged family members to join. I was thrilled when my husband, my brother-in-law, both my sisters, my mom, my niece, and my nephew signed up too.  I planned to ask for monetary support from friends and family, but didn't realize just how generous everyone would be. My bone marrow recipient's mother actually made an amazing donation, and she is a big reason for our team's success!  I'm happy to announce that our team came in third overall for money raised, and I was second on the individual level.  What a wonderful support system we have around us.  THANK YOU!

When I signed up for the 5K, I wasn't sure I'd actually be running. I haven't run a 5K in more than a year, thanks to all my back problems. I had been walking a lot lately, though, and even attempted 1 mile runs twice in the previous month. My back wasn't horrible after those, so I figured I'd give it a shot.  I could always make it a walk/run, or just walk the whole thing completely.  I didn't have high hopes, because my fitness has definitely been lacking lately. Once I started running, though, my pride took over!  I decided to force myself to keep running, just to prove that I could.  To my pleasant surprise, I was able to run the whole thing without stopping. It really is a mental, more than physical, challenge! My time was 31:54, which is quite respectable for someone who hasn't run that distance in ages.

The more impressive results were the fact that my 23 year old niece had never participated in a 5K race before and finished in 30:29. My 14 year old nephew finished 10th overall and 1st in his age division, with a time of 22:55.  Kick ass!

Way to go, Michael!

Before the race, they called up all bone marrow donors, recipients, and patients waiting for donations, to take a picture.  

Happy to be a part of this group

Enjoy some more pictures from this fun day!

Hup Holland!

Can't go wrong with balloon animals!

Good talk

The 5K girls

Proud of my niece!

Dutch with his cousin and Dad

My mom walked the full 5K, pushing Dutch.  Thanks, Mom!

In Memory

We were up WAAAAAY early for Dutch!

Another 5K in the books for the sisters!

Happy Birthday, Dutch!

We had Dutch's second birthday party recently, and it was so much fun!  We decided that it should be a family party, instead of inviting friends too, because our family is quite large in itself! One of Meezy's sisters and her family were in town from Amarillo, so it was nice for them to be there too.  We made it a breakfast gathering so that we didn't have to compete with toddler nap times, and so that Meezy's family could hit the road at a decent hour after the party. The weather was beautiful, so we were able to set up Dutch's bounce house outside. All the kids in attendance got party favor buckets so that everyone could join in on the fun of receiving gifts. Dutch got a birthday cupcake and then I made cookies that resembled donuts, since it was breakfast time!  Enjoy the pictures from that weekend:

  Dutch, with cousins KC and Emma

What greeted guests when they entered

Cupcakes are yummy. (Yes, he got to wear his Thomas pajamas to his birthday party)

I was way too busy to have the whole party look like a pinterest party, but at least I could make some cute cookies!

The adorable poster Dutch's aunt Michal-ann made for him

I think this purchase will pay for itself a hundred times over!

The guests enjoying their favor buckets. I actually catered them to each child, so they were individualized. For instance, Lexie likes Hello Kitty, Bella likes Sophia the First, KC likes Cars, etc, so buckets were filled with stuff they actually liked and no one got the same thing!

Bella and KC enjoying cookies and toys

Olivia and her Monster High bucket

Dutch getting a learning laptop

Yep, it's Thomas!

Everybody loved the new Thomas train!

Olivia liked Dutch's new book