Run, Jacqueline, Run!

So, I started running last week, and I think I'm addicted! How weird??? Several of my friends just ran the Houston Half Marathon, and I'm feeling our of the loop. On top of that, I need some good, FREE, exercise!

So, I talked my friend Tracy into running with me twice a week. We're going to start next week. So, until then, I thought it would be smart to get a head start since she's already TWO half-marathons ahead of me!!

So, the first day I ran 1.5 miles!! The second day, I ran an extra 2 minutes. A few days ago, I had a harder time breathing and ran a little over a mile, but today I ran over 2 miles!! That's about 6 miles this week!!

I am so proud of myself..but on to the addiction! I want to run more! I actually have a desire to run in the evenings after I've already run the same morning! I haven't been able to give in to the urge yet because of scheduling, but something inside of me is pushing for more!

I don't think I've ever experienced such a desire for exercise! I am thankful for the desire and praying that God will continue to give me the strength and ability to do it along with a continued desire!

Of course, half of the reason I like it is the beautiful place I live! I am so blessed to have such a beautiful neighborhood that was built for enjoying the outdoors!

So, I'm contemplating running the half-marathon with my friends next year!! But in order to get there, I would like to run some smaller races first! What an accomplishment to say I've done it!!

Mary Frances Turns 6!

We celebrated Mary Frances' 6th birthday last Saturday! I can't believe it! Her biggest gift was a much-needed new and bigger bike! It is actually a little too big, but she is doing great on it!!
This was my first year not making the cake! I was just too stressed out with everything else going on to be able to do it with a good attitude! So, with all my experience with the best bakers in Houston, we went to KROGER to pick out a cake! I should have planned a little better, but the cake was good and perfect for a 6 year old!!
We did a Fancy Nancy Princess Tea Party. Mary Frances got the Fancy Nancy Tea Parties book for Christmas. So, we decorated for the party according to "Nancy's" instructions! It was so cute...lollipop place cards stuck in marshmallows, butterfly-shaped placemats lined with glitter and adorned with jewels, plastic spoons "engraved" with the girls' first initials and also adorned with jewels, and finally tissue paper flowers to top it all off.
We used our china tea cups and some special plates I picked up for the party. Mary Frances' place was set with her own china tea cup that she LOVES to take tea in!!
Thomas and Chase dressed as servers, something they say they learned from "Polar Express". Thomas sat by the door to welcome guests as they entered! He was perfect gentleman!
We played some fun games. In this game, they had a relay race to dress up and say "Happy Birthday Mary Frances" before tagging the next person to do the same. It was a cute game.

We also played telephone and "I'm packing for Paris" - 2 quiet games we played in a circle!
We were so excited that so many of the girls in Mary Frances' class could come. A few of our neighbors were able to make it too!
What a fun day!! Happy 6th Birthday, Mary Princess!!

Bridal Show

I exhibited my Wedding Planning business at the Houston Bridal Show last week. It was an amazing experience! There were over 4000 brides that came over the two days we were there! It was absolutely exhausting, but it was so exciting to talk to each of the brides. We are hoping that more brides will know our name and call us when they need a planner!

We launched the new business name at the show. Check out my new website if you haven't already. It's www.thegrandevent.com! My amazing friend, Tracy, designed it for me!

Family Reunion

Here are more pictures that I neglected to post from the family reunion. We had such a great time!
Chase and Maggie enjoyed dancing together on New Year's Eve!
Well, Chase dances with several girls! This is Finley!

Ellen made a delicious and creative cake for Grandma and Grandpa the last night we were there! It was this chest which she designed after one they have in their home. It was filled with edible letters that all the great-grandchildren made earlier in the day! There were also a few replicas of old letters they had written to one another while dating and in their early married years. It was so unique!

Look at all those great-grandkids!
Aunt Barb and her grandson Sawyer!
Finley loved the beach - as long as mama didn't go to far away!
Look at my sweet son, Thomas! He wrote a message for me in the sand - "I love you!"
We tried over and over to get a good pyramid of ours and Heather's kids, but it was quite difficult! It did make for some funny pictures, though!

Kiernan and Regan did a great job playing the piano!
Mmmmm... gotta love Aunt Ruth's meatballs!
Check out Grayson's cool doo!