Getting the Swing of Things, or Are We?

The boys and I entered our second 5K this morning. This run/walk benefited the March of Dimes, sponsored by Millsaps. Kara and Kevin participated as well ~ Kara took some pictures that I'll have to add at a later time.

Matt was up at 5:00 this moring ready to run! He is so stinkin' funny! Drew was up at 6:00, a little slower, but wanting to beat Matt BAD! The big discussion at our house was if Matt was going to let Drew finish first or if Matt was going to cheat. Anyway, we get dressed for our run, hoping that we would have enough clothing on ... Drew in t-shirt and running pants, Matt in t-shirt and shorts, and myself in t-shirt and shorts. It was 50 outside before we left but we all felt like we could handle it. WRONG! Who knew that the wind would pick up and the temps would drop and our breath would show and I would expose my children to frostbite!!! My crew ended up wearing our race t-shirts over our other clothes to gain some heat.

As I trudged along, I had a lot of time to think and I've come to the decision that Drew is a long distance runner, he did GREAT on the 5K. In fact, I had to call Drew back several times just so I could keep him in my sights!
Then there's Matt. I think Matt would do well with short sprints. I literally had to pull and drag the poor boy down most of the road, that is until we would come to a group of Sorority Girls from Millsaps (I think today was one of their Service Projects). As soon as Matt got a glimpse of the gals at each station he would let go of my hand, get this HUGE smile on his face, and puff out his chest! It was too funny! Drew and I just shook our heads and said that's Matt for ya!

By the way ... the temp when we crossed the finish line was 45 with the wind chill at -18, no lie. Drew crossed first, I let Matt cross second (there were girls cheering him on, how could I not?) and coming in dead last was good ole Mom. Kevin finished the three miles in something like 30 seconds, or maybe 30 minutes. Kara finished in 35 seconds, minutes, whatever. Team Hill finished in 45 hours, minutes. Someone said that 250 raced and Team Hill came in 190-193, but don't quote me on that. I do know that we had a lot of fun and are already strategizing about our next 5K. Maybe we can get Meg on board with us!

New Job ~ New Outlook on Life

So without giving too many personal details, I've gotten a new job/replacement job/promotion...however you look at it, I'm there. My personal view, and that of many others at the elementary school where I work, is that I am considered a "SWEEPER". If there is a position that needs filling, short term or long, Keli's the gal. I honestly believe that I've been exposed to every single station in the school and now I'm in yet another one. Call it crazy, call it un-natural, but I've NEVER been an assistant in a regular classroom

in all the years that I've been associated with my school!

That changed Monday when I was placed in a 1st grade class and I absolutely LOVE it! I feel as if I've gone from being an aunt to the children at the school (knowing literally every child there but not really anything about them) to being a step-mom of one class. In the brief time that I've spent with "my kids", I've gotten to know their personalities - their inner workings so to speak.

Can I just say that I love my life? I am so honored that I have had the opportunities to work and get first hand knowledge of ALL the workings of a school. Answer phones and deal with parents in the office - check. Clean up puke and empty trash - check on being a janitor. Work with special ed children - check. Experience in a library - check. Start and maintain a computer lab - check. Heck, I've even dished out meals in the cafeteria - check.

Now I get to handle taking attendance and collecting lunch money and

Thursday Take Home Folders and I am on cloud nine, baby!

God has just blessed me with a great group of family at school. I know that my sister is one of my bosses, but sometimes family goes beyond blood ties. It stretches into heart ties and right now, my heart is tied to so many people at my school. I'm beating my mind trying to remember a special bible verse that comes to mind when I think of my school. Shoot.

I'll have to add that later.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my warm fuzzy feelings with ya!

Just Me and the Boys

This morning I spent some quality time with my boys participating in a 5K Walk in Jackson. I had initially signed the boys up for a 1 mile Fun Run and Meg up for a 5K Walk. I was going to go WATCH the boys and Meg was going to walk with her Aunt Kara, Uncle Kevin, and several faculty members from school (I'm so proud of all my gals who went today, you guys are the BEST!).

Weeelll, Meg bails on us in our driveway as we were leaving for the big event ... she had a bum ankle so I can't fault her for her decision. That leaves my twin towers of powers and me, I can handle it, right? Long story short, the boys did not run in their event but walked (and illegally jogged) in the 5K Walk WITH THEIR MOM (remember I was going to just watch them)! We had such a GREAT time together! I was a little worried because we were instructed SEVERAL times that the boys could not run, that they had to walk. Problem is that my walk is not that of my two boys. Being the mother of invention, I fudged a little on the rules and let the boys jog every now and then.

I can't wait until the next 5K ... I think we'll have to participate as a family!

So how do you entice two boys to forget about a one mile run

and encourage them towards a 3 mile walk?

Like this:

DISCLAIMER: No children were harmed during the taking of these pictures or the walking/jogging of the Marathon. There were, just briefly, two sets of pouty lips when made to properly dispose of the can before much was consumed.

And all God's people said, "Amen"

After many months, and many more beggings and pleadings, the Hill family FINALLY has the internet. Now, I understand my husband's reasonings as to why we had to hold out on "dialing in" but dag-nabit a girl can only go so long without blogging. And I don't think it's a TRUE blog without a few late night posts, so you can count out borrowing a sweet sister's computer for a quickie (how'd you like that one, Kara?)!

Seriously and all Christian-like, my mind is just a wondering at all the places I can go ... forget joing a gym, I'm joining CVS. And if you just thought you liked the songs played during our morning announcements at school, just you wait until I can O-FFICIALLY download some mind-blowing tunes. Forget about traveling to my husband's office after hours for kids' reports or travel info., or anything else. Why, I can sit in the comfort of my own home and let my fingers do the walking. And no one EVEN sees my pj's or glasses or no make-up or fuzzy slippers.

LIFE IS GRAND!

My, my, my, I can't WAIT to get my hands on my blog and get it updated ALL the way! What's that song? "I'm coming out, I want the world to know..." Thank you Brian Hill and God and technology and AT&T and electricity and probably Bill Gates but not in that order :) I love life!

Don't get too excited

I'm not really here yet.

Crazy, I know, but that's me all the way around.

We still don't have Internet at our house so I'm bumming off of my sweet sis.

I'm hopeful that February is not only the month of LOVE,

it's the month of Internet for my family!

CROSS YOUR FINGERS!

Connecting and hooking-up might have one meaning for some this month, but I can assure you that at the Hill House, it means the web and blogging and homework for the kids and downloading songs for the mom and getting sermon info. for the dad.

You name it, we've been missing it.

I promise, if my man doesn't get us the goods soon,

there's gonna be a revolt of history-making proportions!

No promises that I can update my blog soon, but when I do you'd best settle in for a long read. I'm talking novel here people!

Miss all of you and can't wait to join you permanently, I am ~Keli Hill!