Merinda Turns 16!

I can't believe my baby turned sixteen this year! But, once again, Merinda was sick on her birthday, so this was the best smile we could get.

 And once again she requested strawberry cake with homemade cream cheese frosting. Only this time I changed things up a bit and put strawberries and cream in the middle.

 All of my cake-decorating tips have mysteriously disappeared, so this was all I could do (not my best work).

 And to top it all off, I made her blow out the candles away from her cake so that she wouldn't contaminate it with sick germs.

 She invited her good friend Nikara over for pizza, cake, and ice cream, but unfortunately, her favorite ice cream, red velvet, was out, so she had to settle for cookie dough.

 So here it is, her crazy 'sweet sixteen' birthday party! (we Manwarings know how to do things right!!)

 At least she got her favorite purple Doritos,

a big hug from her Mamma, 

and Chick Filet gift cards from her grandma Heelis 

  (and it really doesn't get any better than that!).

  I personally enjoyed her card from grandma Heelis, whether it's your sixteenth birthday, or sixtieth, it's all the same (well, kind of)!

 

 The next day, on her actual birthday, our good friends the Holts, saved the day by taking her out to eat at her favorite restaurant (where else but Chick Filet!)

Merinda and Veronica

 

She also recieved a very nice card, her favorite chocolate, and balloons from the Holts.

 Brittney sent her a CTR bracelet and exercise clothes, and that night her friend Austin came over to watch a movie. So, all in all, I think it turned out to be a pretty okay sixteenth birthday.

Finley 5K

For the past five years I wanted to run the Finely 5K. The largest 5K in Georgetown started by the Ellison family (center of pic) who's son, Finley, died from SIDS. All proceeds are donated to SIDS awareness and research.

Finally this year was the year, not only because the weather was perfect, but because my friends from the gym were also running it. (Me and my friend Ruthie)

Me, Ruthie, and her husband and son.

Since the Ellisons are teachers and administrators for the school district, many of the main supporters are local teachers. Jennifer (above) is a special education teacher, and spin instructor at the gym.

Arial shot of the start of the race.

So not flattering picture of me running! I would rather run a half marathon any day over a 5K. I'm a 'slow and steady win's the race' type of gal, NOT a sprinter.

But, I'm happy to report that I survived, and even got my PR (those are tears of joy not torture...I'm turning into such a baby in my old age!).

I came in 110th place (out of 1104 runners), but it sounds better when I say I came in 20th out of  all the women!

My friend's from the gym: Barbara, Ruthie, and Jennifer.

Ruthie and her hubby.

Merinda and her good friend Heather, who also ran the race (Merinda was there to cheer us on!).

Live music downtown after the race.

The race took place at Georgetown Collage, steps away from downtown, which made for the perfect venue, and the perfect evening!! 

Morning Run in the Kentucky Horse Park

The last couple of weeks I've been running in and around the Kentucky Horse Park (where the World Equestrian Games took place several years ago).

I usually run just as the sun is rising, and it's so beautiful and serene that I wanted to capture it on film. 

Unfortunately, these photos were the best I could do while running a thirteen mile run.

I hope you enjoy them anyway, and one day I'll use a real camera to hopefully capture the exquisiteness of the Bluegrass landscape!

 

 

 

 

Solar Eclipse Day

 I'm not one for pomp and circumstance, and even less inclined to jump on bandwagons, so the day of the Solar Eclipse, I had no glasses and no plans, even though the sun's coverage in Georgetown would be 90 percent. As the day progressed I decided that some glasses would be nice, and sharing the experience with Merinda, would be nice too, so I said a little prayer (that I could find some glasses at such late notice, but totally understanding if I didn't) and called my friend Amy, who knows everything about everything. She informed me that there were no glasses to be found, unless I was willing to drive all over KY (which I wasn't). But I decided to check Merinda out of school anyway (many schools were closed that day, but not hers), and drive to the park to view some darkness, or something. Low and behold, on our way to the park I get a call from Amy saying that a nice man just gave her two extra pairs of glasses. So I turned around and drove the five minuets to the rest stop where she, and her kids, were watching the eclipse. When we arrived, I admit that I may have shed a little tear, not because those glasses were that important thing to me, but because my silly little prayer was answered. Thanks to God and Amy, Merinda and I were able to actually see a Solar Eclipse!

 I love Ethan! I can't believe that he and Merinda are Juniors in high school! I remember, like it was yesterday, visiting Amy in the hospital the day Ethan was born!

 The kids comparing hand sizes.

 The nice man who gave us the extra pairs of glasses.

 Merinda and I ready to watch the eclipse.

 

 The whole gang: Amy, Ryan, Brinley, Merinda, Ashton, and Ethan.

 Me having fun watching the kids, watching the solar eclipse.

 

 I promise this is not me taking a selfie, I was just trying to take a decent picture of the eclipse (because it was so cool looking!).

 

But unfortunately, this was the best I could do. 

 

Attempt number two with the solar glasses on my i-phone's lens (not real great either). I guess that's what TV is for - quality Solar Eclipse pictures!