The Johnston Family: A big day!

Or a big weekend may be a better title to this post but that is how I explained to Deven why momma was running around all crazy like this last Sunday. I think I can honestly say I don't think we have been busier as a family than this last week. The summer and all the BBQs and parties have begun - regardless of the sun being here or not. Don't get me wrong, I love this time of year but this was a pretty intense week even for us 'about towners.' Forgive this play-by-play blog post. I am using this one both as evidence that we survived and as a sort of detox from the mania that was our life.

Monday - My back was still in recovery so I worked from home. I only put about an hour total of pressure on my lower back this day hoping, hoping it would heal fast for reasons described below. The evening was all Backyardigans all the time. By this day Deven was pretty much done with my back being "broken." Our routine was completely off and all our house rules had been out the window for three straight days which is NOT good for a little boy that relies on all of these things to feel safe in our insane world.

Tuesday - A blear - I know I went to work but I think all the ibuprofen and icing made my brain freeze. I think we actually made dinner that night and Deven was starting to get used to me not being able to hold him...sadness.

Wednesday - Our first official normal day in 5 days and Nick and I started thinking that our week/end plans just might come to fruition. I was finally able to get to my to do list from the prior weekend which mainly consisted of weeding and cleaning various areas of our yard and house. For those of you that stopped by for the festivities, I'm hoping you didn't notice the many areas that didn't make my "must do" cut.

Thursday - We enlisted my sister Jessica to hang out with Deven while we went to celebrate a friends 31st birthday at a rope climbing/swing course. I decided to sit the course out since my back was still really sensitive but I got some fun pictures of the gang. I was able to stand for a couple of hours - though still medicated with only a little pain. We had a great time kicking off the weekend festivities.

Friday - Nick and I took the day off. Yes, we dropped Deven off at school in order to get some business done. So...a while back I think it was late January or early February, I definitely got peer pressured into signing up for a run, not just any run, a freakin' half marathon. It just so happened the run was this weekend, the only weekend that we could have Deven's birthday party and the weekend that one of our good friends was having his bachelor party. Silly me, in March when we figured that all these things would be on the same weekend I thought it would be sort of difficult but totally doable.

My to do list for Friday was to get down to Quest Field Event Center to finish up the registration process for the run and get all the groceries we could possibly need for the rest of the weekend. No easy task. Thankfully Nick's bachelor party departure time was moved back and we were able to go down town together. It was the most relaxing time of the weekend - the calm before the storm. Deven and I survived the grocery trip but a cake pop a la Starbucks may have been involved - don't judge. I knocked a few other things off my list, packed for my morning run (aka 13.1 miles), tucked Grandma Bodle into the guest room and crashed about 11pm.

Saturday - My alarm went off at 3:45am, too early, even for me! After having to explain to Sam that he and I weren't going running together no matter how many times or how loud he beat his tail against the walls I was out the door and on my way down town. I caught a shuttle at the Weston and was at the starting line by 5:45. As I walked up to it I couldn't quite tell if I was shaking from the cold or from pure nerves. It was one of those moments in life where thoughts like, "what in the hell have I gotten myself into?" start racing through your mind. A nice lady I met near my corral took pity on me and gave me a hug with big sweatshirt until I was warm again...I know that sounds weird but I was really freakin' cold and I would have taken anything at that point.

I started in the 7th corral which was about 7 minutes after the official start time. It was so exciting and I was so pumped to do my best for my friend Shannon aka the peer who pressured me back in February. Shan was forced to sit this one out due to a stress fracture, not to worry though she will be back with a vengeance asap! I still can't believe there were 26,000 people there that morning to run...at least I wasn't the only crazy person. Most memorable moments include:

1. Crossing the starting line with some seriously athletic people - I felt humbled

2. Realizing that my phone app wasn't working and I was not going to get updates on my mileage and speed. I had been training without it for a couple of weeks so it only made me anxious for a bit when I realized they had clocks and mile postings up ever couple of miles or so.

3. Seeing the first clock and knowing I was hitting my time goals.

4. A sign a spectator had around the 4th mile that said, "it's not too late to turn back" and consciously acknowledging that this was in fact true...then consciously deciding that I would not be turning back!

5. Seeing the I-90 bridge in the distance and cursing at myself internally.

6. Reading a cheerleaders sign that said, "Pain is temporary but pride is forever," and using this a couple of miles later when my knee started screaming at me. I told it to be quiet.

7. Getting to see the tribute to our US troops and feeling American.

8. Running through the I-90 tunnel. I know 26,000 other people do this every year but I felt pretty cool being apart of that crowd.

9. Seeing my sisters and my Aunt excited to see me around 12 miles. It was just want I needed to pump me up for that last bit.

10. Getting the thank you for participating meddle at the end - I actually had NO idea they did this and was honestly as kiddy as a 5 year old to get it! My sister had my time engraved on it and I will never ever get rid of it!!

11. Seeing my ladies (Codie, Shannon, Jeannie, Jaymie and Jessica) after the race and having them so proud of me.

12. Showing Deven my meddle, telling him that it said 'momma' on the back and having him whisper, "woooowwww!"

The rest of the day consisted of nap time, a last minute Target fun for some bday party supplies and watching for air planes in the back yard with Deven. A great end to a great day. My official chip time and such can be found here.

Before:

After - I will spare you the pic Codie took of my poor toe!!

Sunday - The big day was finally here. Deven's HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY!! We started the morning off running with a list of little things I had forgotten to pic up at the grocery store Friday afternoon (there was more but I didn't figure that out until mid party!! :). Then we met up with Great Nana and Bubba Bodle for coffee which is one of Deven's favorite things to do. There was chocolate milk, oat meal, balloons and presents over flowing. For the past week when ever we are near a Starbucks Deven says, "meet up with Bubba? balloon??"

We ran home just in time to have the cup cakes delivered. Yes, I had cup cakes made...and delivered to my house. I feel a little lazy about this but they were pretty darn fancy and way more delicious than anything I was capable of doing with the amount of effort that I had available!! Deven was super excited to see his favorite cartoon faces on his 'happy birthday cakes.'

Then it was nap time and the real work began: four salads, beer battered brats, home made hamburgers and pb&j sandwiches. Thank goodness the Blocks and Harringtons showed up extra early to help us divide and conquer. Nick was back and visibly exhausted from his Boys weekend but he pulled it together like the best fathers do and took one for the team. The yard looked better than it had that morning (I know hard to beleive) and the brawts and burgers a la Codie and Alex were awesome.

When our last guest left that night and Deven had gone to bed, nick and I finally collapsed on the couch. A very successful week/end but I can honestly say I could NOT have fit anything else in and my body could NOT move a single inch more.

Here are some memorable moments from the party:

Cupcakes!!