5K highlights

On Saturday May 16th I ran in my first 5K since high school cross country! It was the 1st Annual South Fulton 5K race and 1M fun run, and I have to tell you I was so nervous. Nervous as in 5 trips to the bathroom to rid of every ounce of water I had taken in that morning and the night before, uncontrollable shaking, dry heaving half-way through mile 3...it was ridiculous.

Despite the nerves, I accomplished my goals: to finish without stopping, and to not come in last place. The race was probably 3/4 hills, which I wasn't prepared for, but I finished first in my age group and second overall female runner! I am running in two more races this month (I think I have a mild addiction now) - Saturday 5/23 in Piedmont Park for Childhood Obesity, and Saturday 5/30 in N Druid Hills for Special Olympics.

Shawn, thanks for cheering me on during that last hill (a.k.a. mountain) mid-dry heave. You're the greatest man I know!

Light Green Thumb

I worked on our yard and garden over the weekend...perfect weather for it. Despite the opinions of my family I actually love gardening...as an adult. What kid do you know that likes picking vegetables in a swarm of gnats, Mom and Dad?

Oh, and we have a porch swing now!
Shawn, thanks so much for installing our porch swing...without a ladder...on our kitchen stool...with only me holding your ankles...in the most dangerous effort imaginable...

I love it so much, and I can't wait to spend warm evenings swinging with you to the sounds of our wind chimes.

Views of the porch and swing...

Plants and bird houses...

View of the porches...

Wheelbarrow garden...

Earth Day

There are so many things we can do to help our planet!

Check it out: 101 Ways to Help Planet Earth

I challenge everyone to take care of our "Big Momma"...

We live in such a beautiful world!

Saddled up

Shawn and I had yet another "break" from school (poor us, right?) this past week. As a surprise, Shawn took me (us) to a place called Barnsley Gardens, which is about an hour north of the city in Adairsville, GA. Shawn knows how much I love horses and how I talk about having a horse one day. Of course that one day isn't tomorrow, but it's coming I know. I swear I feel like a natural, free, country-gal when I'm on a horse, so this surprise was totally breathtaking and liberating from all the stresses of school and work.


Sorry about the detour...back to the point.


The gardens were gorgeous, and fortunately it wasn't too busy so we felt like we had the resort all to ourselves! We rode our bikes around, played tennis on clay courts (which changed the game up quite a bit), played bocce ball and croquet on the grounds, and of course went horseback riding at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The greatest part was that our guide let them run in the woods! I've been on walking, trotting, and swimming horses before on other vacations, but I've never been on a horse in a full gallop. Wow! I'm sure many of you reading this have already experienced this many times, or were raised by horses, so the thrill is probably gone for you.


For me? I just know that I need to find me a horse and a lot of land!

HIGH hopes

On Saturday, we spent time in downtown Atlanta with our good friends Rachel and Anthony. We have all wanted to explore the High Museum of Art for quite some time, and we knew that time was running out to see The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army. (The exhibit ends on April 19 in case you're interested in going).

*Oh, and I can't believe we haven't taken advantage of this until now, but every first Saturday of the month is free admission for Fulton County residents.* I've never been more proud to be a Fulton County resident!

Unfortunately, when we arrived to the museum we were greeted by an hour-long line for tickets. I guess every other Fulton County resident and their relatives decided to go on the same day. So, instead, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful, sunny day. Shawn and I spent some time walking downtown and through Atlantic Station. Sometimes we forget how pretty the city is that we live in. I guess we'll see the "emperor" another day...

Sculpture next to Woodruff Arts Center

We saw this really pretty tree & had to take pictures with it.

City trolley

We love this building, and the tree in front made it so much prettier.

15th Street fountain

Pansies...true signs of Spring.

Sculpture next to the High Museum.

The High Museum of Atlanta

SEA the WORLD

This is one of our many riding experiences that recently surfaced from this spring break in Orlando. It's funny how things work, but it ended up leading us to some of our close friends from Woodward, the St. Amands! What are the chances? We had to take advantage of it, so we hit up the Kracken.

Nicole (not much of a roller coaster rider) took this awesome shot of us riding in the front row.

Left to right: Single rider in camo shorts, Alisha, Shawn, Jason St. Amand

We can't tell you how much we miss being in warm, sunny Florida! Did you hear it was supposed to be freezing again next week? I'm talking lows in the 20s at night....brrrr! Why?!

Spring Break Orlando 2009

BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.


It's been oh..., about a month since I've last updated this thing. Shawn and I have been super busy lately, so Spring Break couldn't have come at a better time. We spent an entire week in Orlando with sunny skies and highs in the upper 80s. Thank the Lord! We had an awesome time park hopping from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure to Sea World back to the City Walk. Of course we had to catch a Braves game while we were there at the Wide World of Sports. We went to church our first Sunday there and I saw the Orlando temple for the first time - absolutely breathtaking. On our way back home, we stopped by Daytona Beach and walked a few miles. Lovely.

Summary: Orlando temple, hot weather, lots of sun, good eating, great shows, roller coasters, incredible sea animals, NO SCHOOL...need we say more?