Well, we did it! Mark & I ran our first race, well, at least together. Sunday, Mark & I ran the GW Parkway Classic 10-mile run. It was a gorgeous day, the parkway is always lovely and there were thousands of people there, including a couple of our friends- the formula for a wonderful time.

We have no pics to share because we couldn't take a picture of ourselves while running and the professional didn't get a picture of us. You apparently need to tip the guy. ;) We are so disappointed! However, we can share with you how fun, hard and exciting it was to run.

We were up at 6:00AM to get ready, left at 6:30 to drive into Old Town Alexandria, made a CVS pit stop because I forgot to bring my Ibuprofen along and were parked at 6:45. We waited in line to board a bus for 20 minutes in 50-ish degree weather in our shorts! We were in lots of good company, though. After a 10-minute ride to Mount Vernon, we were off to get our timing chips, bagging our extra clothes and going to the port-a-potty. Along the way, we saw men peeing in the woods, which I couldn't believe because there were tons of port-a-potties. However, after waiting in line about 10 minutes to pee, I completely understood why they went in the woods.

We were able to catch up with our 2 friends and off we went. I was amazed to see how running races is a lot like car races: lots of pit stops in both. However, there was no oil/tire changing going on here, though, just peeing and pooping.

Mark runs quite a bit faster than me, but chose to run slower for the race so he could run with me. With adrenaline coursing through me and a competitive spirit, I managed to run under 9 minute miles, a bit closer to Mark's training pace. At the 8-mile mark, I started praying: "God, get me through this. I can't do it. It's up to you." Somehow, we finished under an hour and a half! Thank you, Lord! Mark, on the other hand, felt like he took a 10-mile jog. Stinker!

At the end, we had even more excitement because I started gasping for air and asking for an ambulance. As soon as I thought I couldn't breathe anymore and would surely pass out, I started getting some air in and within a few more breaths, I was fine. Crazy! Poor Mark said it's at least the third time since being married to me that he thought he should be a trained paramedic. I've gotta keep the man on his toes; right?!

After this race, Mark is finally ready to do IT- the BIG ONE! He wants to run the Marine Corps Marathon! (Mom & Dad Wright, you're going to have to come up for this one!) For now, we are considering running a 10k in May. We're hooked.

I feel like I am going to a priest for confession when I say: Please forgive me. It's been 2 weeks since my last blog (or so). Having Mark home for almost 2 weeks was wondeful! We were able to have almost every meal together, do some work around the house, go see a move and go out on a couple adventures. I had even planned on taking several bike rides together as a family. However, while Mark was off, the high for the 2 week period was probably upper 50s. There was no biking to be had. Oh well.

As I promised, here are some pics of Hunter the weekend he stayed with Kamber, Jonathan and Sara Grace (We joke that she's the one we would love to pre-arrange a marriage with for Hunter. We can dream; right?). :)

The kids must have been cooking up something smelly in the kitchen.

How cute! Remember- they're still babies.

See- they look like a married couple already!

I never thought I would ever see the day when... Mark would leave SunTrust. Monday, I was proven wrong. Of course I knew it was coming, as did our dear friends and prayer warriors. We thank you for your prayers and asking how Mark is doing with his job search. So, it is finally done. Mark severed the cord after 20 years of attachment and the mindset that he would retire with the same company and he told them to take this job and ------. No, he politely said, "I'm resigning." Wow!

Thank you for praying for us. We are so humbled and feel so loved. God answered our prayers, for which we are thankful, and provided Mark with a new job. He starts the 23rd of April. Mark is so excited and so am I! Mark will now be working for a bank in Springfield.

He has almost 2 weeks OFF! Yeah! I made him a long list of tasks to be done around the house. I'm happy to report he has already almost accomplished one- our taxes! Plus, we can't have all work and no play, so we will have to be creative to come up with fun things to do in this cool weather. We started with going to the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale today. It is a small facility but packed full of neat things for preschoolers (and the parents) to find interesting: costumes to try on- check out our little scientist, frogs, turtles, snakes, fish, birds, books, puzzles, things to play on, in and with! Loads of fun!

Happy Belated Easter- He is Risen!

(Not the best picture of us- Mark looks like he has a grill and my hair is *&^%!)

For a fourth year, we spent Easter with friends at the Fannings home in Fairfax. So, after church, we head over for some yummy food, fellowship and hunting! It was wonderful, as usual even though the weather was much to be desired. Winter coats in April? You must be kidding!

None the less, we couldn't help but have fun while hanging out with dear friends. It's especially nice to see all the husbands and kids together romping around and all acting like children! Let me explain. We all partake in a fabulous meal- the Fannings provide a delicious spiral ham, sit around and catch up, making sure our children eat something besides jelly beans. After lunch, the Great Hunt begins! This hunt actually started before any children were made. The husbands hide eggs and the women go on a hunt, then the women get their turn. This year was the first time we started with hiding for the children. It was so sweet! Hunter and a couple other little ones missed out because of naptime. I have no idea who won but I'm sure we added a couple of years to our lives, though, from all the fun we had! Even a camera was broken in the big hunt!

The amazing part of our group who gathered is that there was only 1 child 4 years ago. Now look! (Plus, 2 baby girls and a 1.5 year old boy were sleeping.) Fruitful; aren't we?! I can't wait to find out how our families look next year! Plus, if the Fannings move, we will just have to make a trip to Alabama for Easter! :)

I just have one question: Why do we hunt for eggs on Easter and what does it have to do with Jesus? Just curious!

This week, I took a meal to a friend, Lora Lynn, for her and her family. We thought it would be fun to let Hunter and her three boys play together. Indeed, it was with two three-year olds, a 22-month old and a 20-month old. They didn't really play together, of course, but parallel play is still fun to watch. Lunch was the best part! They sat around the big dining table, mimicking each other and giggling. I wish I could have captured that on camera. Lora Lynn and I were too busy eating home-made cornbread- yum! Oh, and I did put sunscreen on Hunter but his cheeks are still red from the hot weather we had earlier this week.

Mark and I discussed the idea of him traveling two weekends in a row to his parents house in Bedford, VA to go to a NASCAR race with his brother and then participate in the opening day of trout season the following weekend, again with his brother. He didn't think I would go for it, but I was willing to compromise. He had to leave as late as possible and return as early as possible. Our family time is just too precious. Mark was thrilled to be able to participate in two fun guy activities.

He left Saturday late afternoon and returned Monday before 1:00 to meet me and Hunter at the lovely park in McLean, Clemyjontri. It was a wonderful, hot day, where mostly moms and their toddlers ran around the playground. I was able to snap a few pics of my guys while I sat and read the paper for a few minutes. (This is a picture of Hunter walking on a balance beam.)

We compromised again to allow him the pleasure of trout fishing "on opening day" (Ladies, this is apparently equivalent to attending the first day of a consignment sale) on Easter weekend. He will leave town Friday to get up super early to catch some good fish, then return home late Saturday night and spend Easter with his family. What a good man! Oh yeah, and I get points for being willing to go along. :)

My friend, Lora Lynn, announced a contest on her blog to win a new Slim Dyson vac (www.dyson.com)- Wow! You just have to visit "5 Minutes for Moms" at (http://www.5minutesformom.com/1343/dyson/), read the directions, scroll to the bottom and enter your info. (LL, if this is incorrect, will you let me know?)

Our 11-year old vacuum leaves a yucky odor when you use it. It smells like smelly feet! I would love a new vac. :)