Marietta 5K

It has been a very long time since I blogged and I have so much to share but I will have to share in pieces over the next week to make sure that I tell everything. The week has been a fast blast! Lets start with May 15th. After much packing and preparing and plans changing, Joey, the kids and I headed to Pell City to meet with my parents and then head to Marietta, Georgia. We left Pell City on our way to Marietta around 6:30. We stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel on the way and then headed toward Marietta for what we thought would be an uneventful drive to a Marriott Hotel close to where the 5K would take place. The 5K for Tuberous Sclerosis was to begin early in the morning and so we decided two nights before that it would be better to drive over Friday instead of 4am on Saturday morning. This was perfect because Dad had many Marriott reward points making our stay free! Around Carrolton, Georgia it began to rain. Soon after it began to really come down. Within a matter of moments visibility was zero and there was much wind that had begun to accompany the hard rain. We began to slow down, with everyone else on I-20 and frantically search the Internet capable phones for the weather report. The weather worsened to the point that we were forced to pull off the interstate underneath an overpass. Everyone else in the cars around us followed suit and there we were in a severe thunderstorm wedged under the overpass with every one else. Finally, it began to hail! It is very hard to keep your cool in front of your children when faced with the unknown but we managed. My mind began to race. Is this a tornado? It sure seemed like the right conditions! They were terrified and secretly, I was also. Alora, while laying down in the floorboard in the backseat with the hail pounding the car, asked if we could pray. My sweet, sweet girl. We huddled and prayed. Meanwhile, Joey was trying to figure out how we could make it to the nearest ditch. After moments, that seemed like forever, the rain let up enough for us to, at least, make out the lines on the interstate and we traveled forward at about 25-30mph until we finally out ran the storm. It turned out to be a big severe thunderstorm; no tornado. I am thankful to God for protecting us as we traveled.

We met good friends Shannon and Craig at Marietta Square. I feel so fortunate to have been able to hang out with Shannon twice in one months time! Yeah! It was very good to see them and run with them.My dad also ran the 5K! He is my running hero and after watching him throughout the years participate in the Ironman Triathlon, Marine Marathon and other events, it was a blast to be able to run with him. I look forward to more opportunities to do so.And here is the reason for the occasion. This is my friend Amy and her son Grant. Grant has tuberous sclerosis and it was my great joy to participate in the 5K in support of him.

Family and friends came out to support the Parkers and we all had a blast hanging out. This is our team and all the kids.

I wasn't hard to pick out during the race. I am the one waving and flailing my arms in lime green!And here I am approaching the finish line. When this picture is zoomed, you can actually see a giant grin plastered on my face! I run with my thumbs up (something I also inherited from my dad) and I was just so happy. I must have looked ridiculous! But it really was fun.Craig and Shannon stuck together and finished strong! It was so fun running with them.There were stations for the kids and free food for everyone. Andrew and Alora really enjoyed the spinning art station and the water guns.I had forgotten that Mom is from this area and so we were able to go to her favorite local restaurant the Marietta Diner. It is the home of the biggest cakes and pies I have ever seen! I, however, did not partake and only had a Greek gyro. It was delicious!

We had a great time and loved seeing the Parkers and the Baughns. It was a fabulous beginning to a fun-filled week catching up with old friends and being reminded of God's goodness in all of our lives.