First "real" haircut

Tropical Smoothie after her first haircut in a salon

She is so beautiful.

I cannot believe my little girl will be in 1st grade next week.

Marathon Training

T-minus 9 days until the big race.

Here's some snidbits from my training...

~I ran 10 miles in the rain on Monday.  It was crazy, yet beautiful.  I feel like this is the theme of my life right now.  I usually pour water on my head throughout my long runs, but God did it for me this day and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

 ~I ate skittles on my 10 mile run.  I tried those energy sport jellybeans...I ate 3 and thought I was going to vomit.  I figured the whole idea is to boost your sugar levels, so I switched them out for skittles.  Plus, what's more motivating than skittles?

~At least 6 regular marathon runners have told me that they will not run this race because of the conditions.  Sure wish someone would have told me that 4 months ago!  When a friend, who is a full marathon runner and triathlete, found out I was training for this race said, "if you are training through this heat and humidity, you're not a runner, you're a warrior."  That's right!  I am a warrior and I have definitely acclimated to running in hot conditions.

~I've been training primarily on the Windsor Castle Trial.  It's hilly and all gravel, but it's shaded and there's always a nice breeze.  When I've attempted runs through neighborhoods, the heat is unbearable.  My short run pace is about 8:30/mile and long run pace is about 9:30/mile.  I'm hoping that with a flat race course, my marathon pace will average out at 9:00, but I've been told that's a lofty goal for a first race.  Hey, I can dream, right?

~I couldn't have made it through training without Ben.  He's been there to encourage me when I've had a hard run and prayed with me when I wanted to quit.  He's finished dinner when I've hit a wall at the end of a long day and brought me tylenol when I can no longer move.  He showed the kids how far I ran in the car one day and took them to the trail to find my lost car key, all while teaching them how our great God provides and takes care of us.

~I've learned two lessons from training that I know my dad tried to teach me as a child.

       A.  Walk on the outsides of your feet:  he knew early on I needed to work on my form.  I struggled for about 3 weeks with blisters.  After the investment of special blister socks, wrapping my feet in high-tech tape and refining my "gate" I'm finally blister free.

      B.  If you don't think you can, you won't be able to do it:  running is 98% mental.  If you don't think you can do it, you won't.  If you don't want to do it, you won't.  If you for one minute think 10 miles is too long, it will be.

~I've had several mental road blocks to work through.  Running in rain was one.  Running on a treadmill is another, however I never conquered this one.  I just can't do it...I'd rather run in 100 degree weather for 20 miles than run on a treadmill.  I've had several runs that I spent the whole time thinking "This is so dumb!  Why in the world did I decide to do this?  If I wanted to do something for myself, why didn't I go get a pedicure?!?!  Is it really worth the sacrifice of time, energy and money?"

I now know why they make you pay $100 to run the race...because if I hadn't paid that much money, I for sure would have backed out.  

      

           ~On that note, running is an investment.  Running clothes, shoes, blister socks and tape, iphone holders and handheld water bottles.  But the best investment I've made over the last few months has been in Tide Sport with Febreeze.  I've always been a generic brand laundry detergent buyer, until now.  It's worth it and so nice to smell fresh and clean even when you're drenched in sweat.

           ~I've had to remind myself time and time again why I am doing this.  Yes, it's for me...it's a celebration of me.  For so many years I've wanted to do this and I'm celebrating finally being able to.  But more than that, I'm celebrating all of the blessings God has given me; a body that has carried and birthed 3 children, that has fought and conquered baby weight and now a body that can run 13.1 miles.  It's pretty amazing how God has designed and fashioned our bodies.  When a run is tough, I think back to being pregnant with Colin and how I felt like an alien in my own body.  I was screaming inside to run and be active and after he was born, I struggled immensely with not being immediately back to "normal" Jen.  And here I am.  I'm finally at the place I for so long longed to be.  And it's time to celebrate.

This is a shot from today's short 2.5 mile run...

 

And this is the hill that mentally gets me every time.  It doesn't look like much, but after the curve, there's another steep hill, and then another.  If I'm having a hard run, this is the spot I avoid at all costs. 

I cannot wait to be done, check it off my bucket list and slap that '13.1' sticker on my car.

What's next on my bucket list?

A getaway with my hubs to a vineyard to experience a real wine tasting.

Busch Gardens adventure

You can add on the list of things Shears' are not: 

amusement park people.

Big crowds, long lines and fast rides=not interested in the least.

However, Busch Garden's in Williamsburg has a Sesame Street section and military families can get in for free one day a year.  A fellow Y instructor has a son Eli's age and has been going to Busch Gardens her whole life.  So when she offered to escort me and the kids there, I decided I couldn't pass up the experience for the kids.

We rode the ferry across the river to get to Williamsburg.

Eli and his bff, Nash.

It was actually pretty chilly on the ferry and the wind was splashing water onto us.

 

I love how kids love the little things.
Just the ferry, trolley and train ride to get to the park was enough fun for them.

 

 We finally made it to Sesame Street!

We splashed and played until everyone's teeth were chattering and headed to look at the rides.

I was really proud of the kids.  They asked to ride several things and got on with no fear.

Eli and Nash on the Dragon Float

Alison riding the hot air balloons with Nash

Eli and Alison "flying" together

We said 'Hi!' to Elmo, Zoe and Big Bird...



And ate some purple cotton candy.

We only saw a fraction of the park, but the kids had a blast.  We're already looking forward to going back next year when maybe we'll have more time to play.

Riding the train back to the front of the park

The perfect afternoon

The weather has cooled slightly here, staying perfectly at 77.

Just cool enough to have your windows open, but still warm enough for shorts and fun afternoons in the sun.

This particular perfect day, the kids and I were playing on our chalk drawn track on the driveway, when Ben got home from work.  We loaded up the double stroller and took our first walk around our neighborhood and headed for the park.  We watched the ducks, looked for fish, played tag, swung high and ordered food from "chef Eliot" in his pretend jungle gym kitchen.  

It was definitely an afternoon I wished never had to end.

Music to my ears

Shear kids hate dogs, are afraid of water and do not sing.  All three traits are surprising to me, but the singing one I just don't understand.  There's music in our house daily and every night when we sing with them, they just smile at us and say "thank you for that concert", but will never participate.  When they go to children's church or story time and are asked to sing the fun songs, they act like a ferocious dog is chasing them toward the ocean.

Poppy gave us a kids' worship CD awhile ago and we've listened to it a few times in the car.  While we were "unplugging" at the beach, we got stuck in a major traffic jam, right at dinner time.  We were all about to melt down when I popped in this music.  And a miracle happened...the kids started singing!

It was one of those moments I will always remember.  How sweet to hear their little voices singing praise songs.

*of course the kids stopped singing when they knew I was recording them, but you can hear Eli sing a little bit in the beginning.

 

On the same note, Ben has been giving Alison piano lessons in the evening.  She's learned how to play 'Mary had a little lamb' and is working on 'Skit-a-merink-y-dink'.  Here's a glimpse of our Sunday afternoon around the piano...of course Eli's not wearing any pants :)

A whole lot of cuteness

Grandma sent the kids new Jayhawk outfits.  They were so super cute all day long, parading around in coordinating clothes.  However, my camera decided their cuteness was too much to handle and only took this one picture of Alison.  

Ben got the kids dressed for the Y and this is how they came downstairs...

I love how Eliot makes muscles.

Aunt Sophie Visits

 We had our very first visitor in our new house last week.

Aunt Sophie came to visit for a few days and we had a fabulous time.

Even after arriving late at night, Sophie came to my early morning class at the Y.  She's the first family member to ever attend-Ben hasn't even come, so she definitely won some points there :)

While she was here, we got Alison's school supply shopping done, went to the pool a couple of times, made some Sonic slushy runs and spent a relaxing afternoon getting pedicures.

Monday, while Ben was slaving away at work, we took the kids to a small beach at Fort Monroe.

It was perfect: short drive, little waves, lifegaurds, port-a-potties and only a few other people there.  

As we were playing we saw 6 huge ships and a whole fleet of little ships sail by.

Eliot was convinced Ben was on every ship and would shout "HI DADDY" each time he saw one.

 

The last night Sophie was here we had our first dinner in the real dining room.

We used the real dining room in our last house as a playroom, but I absolutely LOVE having this room.  I loved eating in there...it's clean and relaxing and I didn't have to stare at all the dishes I have to clean when we were done eating.  If Colin wasn't so messy we would eat in there every meal.

We were not ready for her to leave, but are so thankful for some specialized Aunt time.

And our house has officially been 'guest broken-in'...

don't you want to come visit us too?

Happy 6th Birthday Alison!

Isn't she the cutest birthday girl ever?

Alison had a full day of celebration.

We stopped by the donut shop on the way to the Y and she got a birthday cake donut, complete with sprinkles on top.  After my class, we picked up her friend Madelyn, dropped the boys by home with a sitter and headed for McDonalds.

We have a few Shear family birthday traditions...birthday shirts are one and Ben has been taking Alison to a movie since she was 3.  This was the first year that we thought Ben would be stuck at work, thus the babysitter was hired so I could fill his shoes.  But the amazing dad that he is, Ben took off work and surprised Alison at the movie.  It was perhaps the perfect birthday gift.

We went to Despicable Me 2.  Loved the movie!

After the movie we opened gifts.

The boys each got a dinosaur, but were just as excited about all the princess stuff.

We planned on a picnic dinner at the pool, but it started to rain shortly after we arrived.

 Plan B = luncheables and pizza at home.

We finished the day with ice cream cake.

You can never, ever go wrong with ice cream cake.

It was perfect day of time together, celebrating the sweet gift of Alison.

Thank you to all our family who showered her with gifts.

Happy Birthday Princess P!

We love you!

Unplugged

Ben and I have been talking this summer about how we can live more "unplugged".

We've purposefully left computers turned off and cell phones on silent.

We've hidden ipads and left messages unanswered.

Why?

Because sometimes it's easier to search for meaning and relationships in technology than it is to build true relationships with the people sitting right next to you.

The kids had been begging to go to the beach and we thought it might be the perfect place to really "unplug" for a couple of days.

We were right and it was fabulous!

We played games and read books.

She's turning into such a beautiful little girl.

There was lots of truck playing

Colin has the cutest truck noise he makes while playing

And long afternoons on the beach

"let me tell you how this trip is going to go"

The weather was perfect the entire time and the kids loved just playing in the sand.

Well, I think Colin may have liked eating the sand a little more than playing in it.

Ben scooped up sand flees for the kids to look at

And built them many, many, many sandcastles and pools.

Alison and Eliot froze when they saw the ocean, but Colin charged right for it.

He's a fearless little guy and he's the only one in our family who has this beautiful tan skin.  I put equal amounts of sunscreen on all kids...Eli is as white as a snowman, but Colin has a better tan than me.  I'm just a little jealous :)

I am so thankful for our "unplugged" time, but 

I'm more thankful for my beautiful family that I got to spend it with.

As a mommy, being constantly plugged in is a struggle for me.  It's easy for me to be taking pictures on Instagram and sharing them on Facebook while my kids are playing at the park.  It's easy to browse Pinterest while they eat lunch and check emails while they watch a show.  It makes me feel connected to an outside world, but perhaps at the heart of it, I'm selfishly looking for my own validation.  

Through the quietness, I heard God whisper to me "let it go".
Let go of expectations, desires and favor.
Let go of what I think should be or what I think I want, and just enjoy what I have.

All that to say; it's worth it, I promise.

Turn off your phone and soak up the people right in front of you.