The Happiest 5K On The Planet!

Today was the day!  My return to The Color Run!!!

I had a great time with my hubby last year at this event, but this year, I wanted to share the experience with Beth. And a few of our friends...

Before the race... before the color...

Things started off well.  We got our shirts and racing bibs, and we went back to the car to thaw out - it was a chilly start to the day.  After a little while, we got out of the car as the start of the race was approaching, and that's when my child turned into a little SNOT!

Cue the complaining that it was too cold!  I tried to tell her to do some jumping jacks and she would warm up; however, she wouldn't listen.  And just about the time I began swearing in my head to the good Lord that I would never bring this child to another 5k - EVER, the sun warmed things up and her attitude changed as the music began to get us all excited for the coming run...

 

FINALLY she took a "before" picture with me!

This really is a fun run!  We had a GREAT time...

We just went through the PINK station!

 

Sportin my PINK!

By the time everything was said and done, we were filthy!

 

The future of running!



Dirty but happy!

This race is a keeper on my list of yearly MUST DO races.  I think it will become a mommy and Beth regular.  The only bad thing about this race is the clean up...

After two baths and four head scrubs, there are still traces of green in this child's hair!

But, it's no matter.  The memories made with my big girl are priceless! 

We ran/walked this one, and we rocked it!

Today's forget-me-not: Never pass up an opportunity to make a memory!

Embrace the Mess

Perfection.

It isn't attainable - in anything. We can agree on that, right?

Yet, we expect it - in everything. Don't we?

Let me present some observations I've made of late...

First, there's the expectation of the perfect marriage. Everyone believes this will be his or her reality. Don't we? However, when the truth hits, it hurts. Check out the divorce rate. Need I say more?

Then, there's the expectation of having the perfect children.

Everyone that is reading this and has kids is taking a minute to LOL right now. It's okay; have a moment.

I mean, shortly after they pop out of the womb and don't sleep through the night and aren't instantly potty trained, we are crushed! Right!?

Despite what the pictures in the Babies-r-Us advertisements convey, our children have flaws.  Disobedience? Bad attitudes? Learning disabilities? Special needs?  They come to us imperfect - each with his or her own issues.  Yet, moms spend hours upon hours, every day, beating themselves up because their children don't measure up.  And measure up to what?  Perfection...

We expect our overall lives to be perfect too - with every hour productively scheduled and each day ending with the family enjoying a meal around the table together.

We expect perfection in everything! We EXPECT it. And at times, we DEMAND it!

In our churches. In our schools. In our government. Do I need to go on?

I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with all this.  It's just an epiphany I've had of late.  And I guess, at least from where I'm sitting, I think we'd have a lot less heartbreak and frustration in this life if we'd just stop expecting and demanding perfection.  That's not to say we shouldn't strive for the best - for the utmost.  We should.  However, we need to stop being so surprised when what we end up with isn't perfect. 

So, I guess what I'm saying is this: Live. Give your all. And embrace the mess.

Okay. I think that's it. It's not a perfect blog post, but it'll have to do. ;-)

Today's forget-me-not: Live. Give your all. Embrace the mess.