My favorite invention right now

One of Hayden's favorite things right now is probably the best gift ever. Hayden today received a book from his great grandpa and great grandma in the mail. The book was called, "Twas the night before Christmas." It is not just an ordinary book. This book is a recordable book soooo when we opened the book to read it Hayden got to hear his GGpa. We also got to hear GGma at the end. This is by far the best gift anyone could send to Hayden. It really means a lot to me that this is something we can always have and when Hayden wants to hear a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc...we can open a book. Hayden also had received a recordable book from Grandmommy Buck that she read for him for his Birthday. Thank you to whoever invented this. LOVE IT!!!

It started snowing this past Sunday. It snowed so much that afternoon that Dollywood closed down and we didn't have chapel. The snow did not let down through the night. Schools were closed Monday (as well as Hayden's dentist appt canceled) and also today (Tuesday; which means no Mother's Day Out for Hayden and I) and I heard on the radio that schools are already closed for Wednesday. Awanas has also been canceled for Wednesday evening. So it has been a crazy week for us. Nonetheless we are getting to use a new Christmas present we received this week: Netflix. Love it!!!
Enjoy some of our Winter Wonderland pictures!

It is finished!!!

The week I ran my half marathon has to be one I will not forget for a long long time. A little background on this....In 2003 I was training in hopes of doing a full marathon but due to medical problem I had to be all that on hold. Ever since I have wanted to run again. I finally had come to a time in my life I was capable of taking on the goal of a half marathon. With the help and huge encouragement from my husband this goal became a reality. I did it!! I completed my first ever half marathon!! My goal was to do the race in 2 1/2 hours. I finished the race at 2 hours and 37 minutes. I will take that!! I also got a medal for completing the race so I have that to always remember it by!! After doing the race I would love to do another one however, I am enjoying the flexibility in my workouts now and not stressing out if I don't make it 7 miles in one workout AND spending that time with my family. Believe it or not but it was a very time consuming hobby. I think the 2nd best part of the race day (behind finishing) is having my mom and dad be there to see it. Enjoy the pics!

Making sure the shoes were tied well!!Pretty sunrise starting to take place!

Still smiling at about 6 1/2 miles. One more lap to go!

Mile 13 and smile again!! I'm running so fast my hair was trying to keep up. Ha!

Here is the proof that I finished!! That is me and my time!

Half Marathon time!

Its been a long journey but its coming close to the end. About 7 months ago I made a goal for myself and that was to run a half marathon before the end of the year. Now I am happy to say that I am ready and will be running in my first half marathon in just over a week. I first started training on a treadmill at the gym but the past couple of months I have started running outside and since doing that I have gotten to see/experience some great things and not so great things and I want to share my experiences with you.
I've beome more in Awe of my Savior!
--One big thing that stands out was as I was running near some fields I was able to see 3 deer running (or whichever they do; it has a bounce to it) through the pasture on a cold early morning. Just me and the deer! It was my motivation to keep going!
---Another morning as I was running a shorter run I was just about half done with it started to sprinkle. I thought to myself I better pick up my pace so I don't get stuck outside in a downpour. Here is the awesome part of this....I got back to my car and was turning off my ipod and sat down in the car. As soon as I sat down it came a downpour. It was as if God made it sprinkle on me just to let me know the big rain is coming. He held it off til I was done!!
---Last weekend I had a very bad run that made me wonder if this is something I can really do. So as I went on a run yesterday morning was kind of the comeback run after a bad one. As I was running I saw there was another runner coming towards me. As we got really close the lady said, "Good morning! You are doing a great job!" WOW! The Lord knew I needed this encouragement during my run and sent this lady to encourage me!

Seeing, Feeling, Smelling
--Unfortunately on my run I have seen some not so fun things; dead animals, broken beer bottles, trash, lots of animal poop (which also smelled) Why would someone ever want to put this trash on our Earth?
--I've also the experience of running in sleet. At first I thought it was just rain but then it hurt. Never was able to say I ran in sleet til now.
--Since about October the mornings have been pretty chilly. Luckily I park behind the bank so I am able to see on their sign how cold it is. I have started many runs when it was only 29 degrees. I would wear shorts because I didn't want to get too hot. Therefore I ran pretty good because I couldn't feel my legs.
--One hard part of running is running by the restaurants that smell so yummy. Fuddruckers was the hardest. I believe after I finish this race I will be getting me a burger from there. It has sounded so good to me since I first ran by there and got a whiff.

Learning the concept of running
As I mentioned earlier....I do have some bad running days every now and then. Luckily I haven't had too many. At the beginning of my training experience I could run 6 or 7 miles one day and within the next couple of days I was not able to run hardly 2 1/2 miles. This past weekend it was time for my long run. The plan was to run just over 10 1/2 miles. As I got to 6 miles I was really struggling. It really got me discouraged because I just ran this course the weekend before and it made me think I could not do this. I am thankful to have the support that I do from friends and family in doing this especially during the rough runs. Yesterday I was doing almost the same course but added a couple of miles and I did it just fine! Praise the Lord! I'm learning that even though I want this so bad I cannot over do myself in the process.

Last week of training is about to approach and I'm sooo excited!! Wish me luck! November 21st @8am. (TN time) is when I'll be running and I'm soo excited to have my parents, Joey, and Hayden cheering me on!!!

My Plans vs. God's Plans

I would like to introduce to you Pat Summit. For those that don't know she has the most wins for a college coach in both girls and boys college basketball with over 1000 wins. She is and has been the only coach that the Tennessee Lady Vols have had. (starting there at age 22) You all know that I am a huge basketball fan and when I was younger one thing I had said was, "I would like to be the next Pat Summit." Did I give up on my dreams. Of course not but now my dreams have changed and those are the ones I am pursuing. In the course of the past 5 years God had different plans for my life than the ones I had for myself. This included getting married, having a son, staying at home. The Lord has given me a new passion and that is to be there for my family.
Being a coach takes time and commitment. Right now I am using that time and commitment to be a mommy and wife and I'm having a great time doing it. Do I miss being a coach? Of course I do but I know that if I were to do that right now I would miss something even more and that is precious time with my family. So is coaching in my future? I would love to one day be an elementary PE teacher or possibly a junior high coach. So for now I will stick to God's game plan and be the mommy and wife he has called me to be!

My Favorite Part of the Day

Since Hayden has turned 3 years old his vocabulary has increased. Sometimes I wonder where he has heard certain things. Something that has become my favorite part of the day is to see and hear the interaction that Joey and Hayden have. Just to hear their conversations is so sweet and yet sometimes funny. I like to be walking through the house and glance out the back window to see Joey and Hayden running through the backyard. (both acting the same age! Ha!) One game I was able to see them play was like finding Easter Eggs; except they were finding toys that were hidden in the tall grass. (Joey mowed the next day)
Joey has been a wonderful father. I'll be honest it didn't come natural for him when Hayden was a baby (he was still wonderful) but now to watch them together playing, interacting, and talking has become the best part of my days. Days like this are the days I cherish with my family. Time to enjoy a few pictures.

He likes to call himself Chaplain at Dollywood


First day at Mother's Day Out


Hiking Clingman's Dome; Hayden did the whole mile with very little help!

Something I am thankful for.....

I think back to when Hayden was just a very small baby....even before I had gone back to church with him. I literally read all the books that were on Hayden's shelf to him in just a couple of sittings. Then I think also back to the times he would play with books by himself as he bounced actively in his bouncer seat. Fast forward to now.....Hayden will sit in his room (during his playtime) and read books. We currently read a book (or 2) at naptime and also bedtime at night. We check out about 10 books each week from the library. Hayden also gets 1 new book each month (till age 5) through the Imagination Library Foundation. (google that or ask me about it) On the airplance this past week I had brought about 5 small books....we read them all. On the way to Longview from Fort Worth, my mom read books she had gotten from the library plus all the books we had already read while on the plane. (which last pretty much the whole trip) One evening while here in Longview my mom and Hayden had gone upstairs to get his PJ's......about 25 minutes later they come down the stairs. They were in the spare room (now Hayden calls "Book Room") reading books from the collection there. (which is a big collection) Hayden has been reading books in the car as we are driving somewhere, has Mamaw read him books, has NeNaw read him books, and papa and I of course too. So if there is something I am truly thankful for (along with some many other blessings) is that my son loves books!! He is hungry to learn and listen and point out what he sees. It took me a longer time in life to love reading but I'm soo thankful that he has caught on earlier. I truly believe it started from that one day that I read and read to him while he bounced away in his seat. So if you ever are having a hard time thinking of something for Hayden.....a book will do the trick.
I Love It!!!

Hayden is now 3!!!

Here are a few pictures from Hayden's Birthday party. We had a friend taking pictures as we helped move things along. We had about 15 people there. We did have some that had to leave early. We had a great time, especially Hayden. He just enjoyed playing with his friend that came and showing people his bedroom. Joey and I filled his room up with balloons when he was taking his nap that afternoon. While Hayden opened presents we were able to skype with Nenaw and Papa! There are also a couple of pictures as we were leaving for his first day at Mother's Day Out today. He had a great time. Enjoy the pictures!

Flashback

Today is Hayden's 3rd Birthday. It's crazy how much he has changed in just this past year! I thought for fun I would give some flash back pictures of our favorite little man....there is a party tonight so I will have pictures of that later on......



The moment we told my papa that he was going to be a Great Great Grandpa!! He was so excited..." I'm going to get to see one!!!" It was priceless!



We didn't know what we were having...besides a baby of course.



First time to hold him!



First family picture! I'm looking a little rough.



Coming home!!



Homecoming gang!!



During the first few days at home...Joey was working Lowe's 5-10am and would come home and sleep for a little bit.



About 6 weeks old I believe.



Not sure the exact age here but look at those eyes!!



Christmas 2007 picture!

WE LOVE YOU HAYDEN! HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY!! LOOKING FORWARD TO MANY MORE!

one more thing

I know each time I look at the blog the music on their is annoying....so my next project is to get it off there. In the meantime just turn your computer down. Sorry!

Back to Normalcy

This past July was loaded with lots of fun for the Buck Family!! Now I can say we are back to our "normal life." I started my workouts again and I am happy (believe it or not) to say that I am sore. A few miles on the treadmill Monday and Wednesday, family bike ride (totally about 6-7 miles) which included an extra 30 lbs (Hayden) and Smoky Mountain Hills. I am beat but I am glad I have the opportunity to workout. As most of you know I am training for a half marathon. If you do not know I am telling you now because this is my accountability. I want to tell people because I see it as an encouragement not to give up. Right now I am only running on a treadmill because it is ridiculously hot outside but when the fall comes I will try to do strictly outdoors to get the hills included in my runs. November 13th in Nashville is where the race is. Come cheer me on if you are in the area then.

The day of our anniversary (July 1st) Joey, Hayden and I were able to meet up with some wonderful Texas friends at the Biltmore Estates in Ashville. They even let us use their passes to go through the house and they volunteered to watch Hayden outside the house. What a nice anniversary present!!! They sendt us a Biltmore Estates photo album that had pictures of them and Hayden while they watched him!! Precious!





The beginning of July Joey's parents were able to come from San Antonio for the whole week. The plan was that Hayden would stay with them just one night so we had a date night but that ended up being just about all week which was nice. THANK YOU! Closer to the end of the week I surprised Joey with 3 great friends from Texas which was in the works since February. He was beyond shocked; he was speechless!!!





We were able to have lots of friends over for Joey's Birthday party which was a lot of fun!!! Something that also took place on Joey's Birthday was Cow Appreciation Day at Chickfila! So of course we dressed up and got our free meal!!


It was sad to see everyone go back to Texas but we know we will get to see them in the next few months again.

After they all left we had one short week to plan for my parents and grandparents arrival the following week. On top of their trip here was our family from Virginia who was also going to be coming and staying at the same place as my parents. We had a wonderful time with all of them and anxiously await the day we go to their place in VA since they are our closest family now. There was a total of 16 of us!!! Hayden and I were able to stay at my parents condo all week!! It was wonderful to be with the family the whole time. My parents even brought their Wii which we never even played (except for Harrison) because were just so excited about just being together and catching up!

My mom and Aunt Fay



My dad and Uncle Tom


I think Hayden's favorite part was getting to ride in a helicopter. My dad, cousin Kelly, and cousin Tom were with him and from the pictures and videos Hayden enjoyed every minute of it. This makes me feel better about our 2 hour plane ride to Texas in September.



My cousin Kelly who is a pilot of a KC 135 in the airforce took Hayden in her arms and really showed him what he was seeing. Thank you Kelly!!!

Here is the rest of our crew getting ready for their ride!!!



And last...we were able to make it to Cade's Cove. One of the stops to see an old cabin ended short when the Park Ranger informed us there was a bear on the trail. My family go to see it which was good.

Hayden and his great grandpa!


Hayden is patiently waiting!



Deer near Cade's Cove


Don't be jealous! This is what I get to see everyday!



After a week with my family, Joey, Hayden, and I moved into the dorm to be the houseparents for our Summer Staff. It was really pretty fun to be able to hang out with them and get to know them on a different level!
After 2 crazy weeks (yet great) we are officially living in our house again! It has been nice and I believe we have slept til close to 9 every morning. I actually had to wake Hayden up yesterday at 9:45.

Happy early birthday to Hayden! He will be 3 years old next week! Hard to believe he was this little!!!



Next on our agenda.....Hayden and I will be flying to Texas in September and spending 9 days there with family and friends! Then Joey's parents again in October!!!!

Love you all! Come see us!!

The Summer so far................

The summer is here! We wanted to give you a peek at what is going on this summer so far. We have about 13 summer staff in for the summer. Half of the staff does Summer Day Camps at area campgrounds for kids. On Sundays all of the staff lead Campground Worship Services for Campgrounds in the area. We had the chance to have them all over for Ice Cream one evening.

My parents were able to come in for a visit this past weekend and stay for about 4 days. We were able to show them around some, go to Dollywood, see the famous synchronized fireflies, do some shopping, and eat some pancakes! (you can google about the fireflies) It was a very quick trip and we are glad to know that it was their "practice run" for when they come in about 5 weeks to stay for a full week. My mom's side of the family will also be meeting here during that same week. In the middle of those 5 weeks we will have Joey's parents in from San Antonio to spend a week. We are just full of lots of summer fun and can't wait to see our family!

Please enjoy the pictures below of what has been going on with us so far! We love you all and can't wait to see YOU here in Tennessee!

Things we enjoy doing!

Well I have figured out how to get pictures from my phone to the computer so here are some things Hayden and I enjoying doing lately.


Riding the rides at Dollywood!!!




Playing outside at the SMRM Dorm. (Smoky Mountain Resort Ministries) The dorm is where the summer missionaries stay.




Playing at the community center so mommy can get a workout in. The teachers in there are awesome and really interact with the kids.




Watch daddy mow our big yard. (its about time for that again already)




Hayden and I enjoy going to the Pigeon Forge Library for Toddler storytime. The teacher for this is really good as well and Hayden does a great job at sitting, listening, and singing.



That's a little update on what Hayden and I have been up to!