We did it! Kristin and I set up our first tent at Corinth's Green Market to sell our handmade items. And, it was super cute and quite successful! Unfortunately, we won't be able to make it to the next market. Maybe we'll see about July. We woke up early and were at the depot to set up at 6:30. We got a great spot with plenty of room behind us to hold larger items for shoppers and for our "moral support" to sit around and visit! Ha! Take a look in our tent...

Look at that huge summer wreath and beautiful hand crafted cross board!

Bright colored goods and unique items!

My aprons were a hit!

Loved these crosses! I bought one for a Mother's Day gift and one for the nursery!

Cute frames and glasses!

Canvases, shadow boxes, and my shirts in that wine rack...

Our tent

We set up an explanation for the t-shirts on our check-out table to tell our story. Lots of people purchased shirts without even knowing what it was for because they were so cute! Kristin did a great job on those! She even got a t-shirt design job for a local salon out of the deal! Ha!

Party of Two...

We are so thankful for all of our friends and family who came to help us set up and drum up business early! We had customers from 8:00 am until we closed up! Thank you so much Cynthia, Teri, Lee, Daddy, Kathryn, and Lizzie!

Lee, Kristin, me, Cynthia, and Teri

Sisters Smith

Daddy, Kathryn, and Lizzie offering moral support behind the tent! Ha!

Lizzie ended up helping at the check out table for the rest of the day. Thanks girl!

The Green Market was at the same time as the big Coke race. There were over 1,200 runners this year, and I was dying to see it. We couldn't be in two places at once, but I was so proud of Russ! He came by after he finished to lend a helping hand. He finished in 1 hour with no training. Great job, babe!

Me and Russ

We were also thankful for all those who wore their t-shirts to Green Market as walking advertisements! I stopped one lady and said, "I don't know you but you're wearing my shirt! Thank you!" It's awesome! I'm sure they helped us SELL OUT!!! That's right! We sold almost completely out! I had a handful of small sand shirts left, and that was it! I'm reordering this week, and I'm still taking orders! There is NO limit to how many you can buy or we will sell! We'll sell them until we raise all we need. Thank you! Thank you! Your support is overwhelming!

**My next favor I'm asking is for anyone who bought a t-shirt to send me a picture of you or you and your friends/family wearing the shirts. I'm keeping pictures of all those who supported and prayed for our baby so that he/she can see just how loved and wanted he/she already is! I'd be so grateful if you would send me those pictures! Thank you! You can email them to me, give them to me in person, or mail them to me.**

Jenny and Elle

It's just so fun watching people love things that you made with your very own hands! I was so nervous at first, but once we got going and saw everyone's faces...it was fun!

Judy shopping for an apron, and Teri helping her choose.

It started raining about 12:30, and we put sides on the tent and moved stuff inside. Of course, some people thought that meant playtime! Ha!

Daddy

Teri hanging out in the rain!

It was a great day! Thank you to all who stopped by, bought a piece of our handmade work, and for those of you who helped out!

Since I missed the 10K, Roan sent me some pictures as a recap of the morning.

Russ getting ready to walk to the starting line from his parents' house.

Approaching the finish line!

Russ and some of his friends: Cory, Cole, Russ, and John

The "other" Johnsons finished in great time as well! They all made personal records, and we are very proud of them! I'm sorry I missed it, but I'm glad I have the morning in pictures!

13.1...or 26.2 If You'd Rather

This weekend, some of our family and friends ran the annual St. Jude Marathon/Half-Marathon in Memphis. You may remember Russ running this last year, but he sadly had to work AGAIN! Some friends of ours from Corinth, Jennifer and Jake, made reservations at the new "Johnson Hotel" for the weekend. I went to the expo to pick up their packets and pasta dinner tickets for them before they got in town. To my delight, I ran into the whole Johnson crew and their running friends.

Me, Olivia, and Julie

We all got our complimentary princess crowns and browsed ALL the running goodies. I spent most of my time reading the funny sayings on the shirts, hats, and tags.

Johnson group and friends

Jennifer, Jake, me, and the Burns family met at the convention center again for the Hero pasta dinner. You see, "Team Corinth" raised over $500 for St. Jude and were invited to a pasta dinner to eat and hear an inspirational story from a St. Jude mom. Of course we all cried, and the runners had even more motivation to finish this race strong. You can still donate through Team Corinth by clicking here.

The next morning, we decided to leave the apartment at 6:40 in order to meet the Johnson group and the Burns family at the hotel at 7:00. Well, needless to say that didn't happen! Ha! We left the apartment at 7:00, headed to get Starbucks, noticed I was out of gas, and ran to the gas station...all before getting on the interstate. Did I mention the race started at 8?! I wasn't exactly sure where I was going, and seeing as how I drove us over the bridge into Arkansas on Friday night by accident, I was nervous about getting these runners to the starting line. I sighted a huge group of people and dropped the Jefcoats off before finding my own parking spot and sprinting to the starting line to take some pictures. I made it! On my way to Coral 12, I spotted the Johnson group.

Lynn, Stacee, Roan, Olivia, Leanna, and Mark

Then, I found Team Corinth. They were enjoying the excitement of Jennifer's first race EVER! Oh...and did I tell you that Jake decided to do the half on Friday when one of their friends backed out!? Yes he did! Absolutely NO training!

The Jefcoat and the Burns families

Once I found everyone and sent my well-wishes with them, I ran to see the starting line so that I could attempt to take a picture of them running...like a before and after! Ha! Now, at this point, I am sweating and completely out of breath! Thinking to myself..."Is Jake gonna be okay if I am like this now?" Ha! Obviously, I have no business in a half-marathon!

Each coral started about two minutes apart, so I had a while before I saw any of my friends or family. But finally, Coral 9 started. I heard Roan yelling my name and threw my camera up to take a picture. Not too focused, but the best I could do on such short notice.

Roan and Leanna

I crossed the street sometime between corals to get on the left side like I told my Corinth group to do. When Coral 12 began, it wasn't hard to spot this big group waving and whooping and hollering. Run, run, as fast as you can!

Jake, Jen, and Burns family

I yelled for all my runners before I ran my little booty over to mile 3 to meet them and take more pictures. We also weren't sure if Jake would need to peel off at this point and stick with me. Ha! Little did we know! I saw Roan at the water station and tried to take a picture, but my camera wasn't on! So, then I raced (like, literally, RACED) down the sidewalk while turning the camera on to try and catch her. No Roan in sight! She's a fast little runner! And I was dying! Ha!

Jen looks strong and happy at mile 3!

Jake - no explanation necessary

They shed a few layers for me to carry back to the car, and off they went again!

Jen and Jake

Once I saw everyone at mile 3, I headed in the direction of my car. Or so I thought! It took me forever! I just told myself if I kept walking, I would eventually end up on the street or a familiar street or something. I finally found my car and put the extra layers and my camera bag in the car. I took a deep breath and headed back toward the race. This time, I was looking for mile 13. You see, Roan and her family are fast. I had to hurry up so that I wouldn't miss them. And I was right! By the time I walked all over downtown Memphis, stopped at a marathon route thinking it was the half-marathon route, and found mile 13, it was about time for them to finish. I must have missed Julie finishing because I didn't see her at all! But I did spot a few of the group members.... Note that the time on the clock is not correct because each coral started at a different time. If you want official times for the Johnsons, you can look on their blog I'm sure.

Olivia at mile 13

Roan looks WAY too chipper to have been running 13 miles! Or maybe she was singing the "Hallelujah Chorus!"

Leanna and Stacee

The Burns family

Jennifer finishing her FIRST race ever! I was crying. She was crying.

And Jake was thrilled to be at the 13th mile! Wow! He showed us!

Jen and Jake crossed the finish line together and celebrated their first of more to come, I understand. I am so proud for them! Great job Jefcoats!

Once all my peeps crossed the 13th mile, I ran over to the last stretch of the marathon. See, Jimmy ran the whole marathon - 26.2! Yep! And, not too far behind these half-marathon friends! I'm so impressed!

Run, Jimmy, Run!

Once I spotted all my runners, I headed back to Autozone Park to find Jen and Jake and congratulate them. They were easy to spot and don't even look like they had run 13 miles in a little over 3 hours! In fact, they were looking great!

Congratulation Jen and Jake!

We decided to stop and eat at Firehouse Subs in Southaven, so they hobbled a good ways to the car. Just think of it as a cool down. But before loading into the car, I gave Jennifer her finishing crown and t-shirt.

This seemed like a good idea 3 months ago!

We had a great weekend with these two friends, and we can't wait until next year! They've already made reservations! Ha! So proud of all my running friends and family! Maybe one day, I 'll get back out there and try this run/walking thing again.

Just maybe....

Saltillo XC

Last weekend, Russ and I traveled a few minutes south to the big town of Saltillo to watch two of our nieces run in a cross country meet. It was apparently a big to-do....1200 runners I think Roan said. Of course, we were also in dire need of visiting with Russ's brother and sister-in-law. So, we woke up early. Yes, on a Saturday, we left the house a little after 8 to see the girls run.

Roan's mom, Russ's dad, and Russ

Roan's parents were there as they often are, and Russ and I enjoyed visiting with them as always. Russ's parents also drove up for the race. It was such a beautifully HOT day! Last year when the girls ran this race, it was so muddy that most of the runners had to crawl up the last hill to keep from sliding down it! So, we were thankful for the sunshine!

I, being a non-runner these days, enjoy two parts of these races (well...actually 3!). I love to watch them all line up as the race is getting ready to begin. The teams all stand together side by side with the next team. Some pray, chant, dance, etc. to get "hyped" up. Then, they all take off running when the race starts...funneling into a line of organized and paced runners. It's just fun to watch.

Of course, I also love to watch as our nieces or nephew run past us. We cheer them on and watch for the next one to come through.

Then, I really am entertained watching the finish line. Have you ever been to a cross country meet? If not, you should. If only to watch the finishers. There are a few fascinating parts of this finish line that I enjoy or find myself watching out of fascination. First of all, as pictured above, I love to watch when two runners are running side by side and sprint to the finish line to be sure to finish first. Catherine, the Spartan above, is sprinting with one of our Corinth girls to the finish. There is a picture to prove that the Spartan did in fact cross first, but there was quite the discussion and a bit of shoving after crossing the line. The Spartan was put in her appropriate place...in front. But, it was entertaining nonetheless. I also find it fascinating to watch the finish line, AKA the "puke shoot." I know. Gross! But, it's just so interesting to watch these runners who have given ALL they have and run their hardest finish with such a bang. Some are so limp they need assistance walking any further. Some fall down. And some just toss their cookies. Well...I'm sure it wasn't cookies they had for breakfast. But you get the picture. However, it should be noted that Olivia and Julie always look like they could run another race after they finish! They are so conditioned! Amazing to me! So, I believe Julie finished 8th and Olivia wasn't far behind out of 120 varsity runners in the "smaller schools" division. Great job girls!

Leah and Russ's dad

After the race, we all spent some time at the tent visiting and enjoying the remaining races.

Roan and Sam

Roan, who was standing in as coach, finally had a chance to sit and relax. Well, I'm not sure she ever gets to relax. But, she did get to sit!

Olivia, me, and Julie

We congratulated the girls, then put the chairs, coolers, food, and tents away before heading inside for the awards.

Jimmy and Russ

The Spartans were recognized at this particular race. That varies from race to race since they are "unattached" runners. The Spartan XC team is a group of homeschool families that organized this sport themselves. Some for the competition and some for the fitness. We watched as Julie went up front to receive her t-shirt for finishing in the top 20!

Congratulations Olivia and Julie for running such a great race! We are always proud of you!

Today's Gonna Be a Good Day!

Yes. Today is a wonderful day. For a few reasons...

First of all, this is a brand new day. Never been used before. God made this day just for us, and I plan to enjoy it! Second, today was Russ's LAST day of UMC House Medicine...FOREVER!!! For those of you that don't understand this, there is no way to try to explain it. Just know that we are SO happy! The light is getting brighter at the end of this intern year tunnel. Before we know it, it'll be radiology all the way. Well...at least it will for Russ. I still will know absolutely nothing about medical terminology. And that is just peachy with me!

It's also gonna be a good day because Russ and I are getting ready to take a walk...possibly a little jogging too...around the neighborhood to enjoy this sunshine! It's days like these when I wish I was back in North Mississippi closer to home, and living in a small town. I'm not sure if our hometown is where we'll land, but I do know that we hope to be closer. And, I hope to be back in a Small Town USA! There's just nothing like a beautiful day in a small town! Anyhoo... I spent yesterday being lazy, doing laundry, and watching a High School Reunion marathon. I have no idea why! It just happened. Needless to say, I was disappointed when the sun went down and I had not been out to enjoy it! So, today, I will!

My iPod is charging with a few new songs on it. What do you have on your iPod?

I've uploaded a few new songs.

I'm a big fan of Zac Brown Band. I'm not saying that I memorize all the words. In fact, I frequently embarrass myself trying to belt out words without knowing them all! But, I love listening to them. So, a few of my new additions are from this group. My latest, Where the Boat Leaves From, was one of those loud and fun songs from our road trip to Nashville with the Yayas.

I also found Run this Town, the pregame introduction to the Super Bowl this year. I do have the edited version. Haven't listed to the other version, but I'm sure I won't approve. Anything Rascal Flatts goes! Summer Nights is my upload of the moment. God Gave Me You by Dave Barnes is a recent favorite I heard on the radio this week. I do recommend you get that one and just listen to the words. Love it!

In addition to these new uploads, I run to a variety of upbeat and fun songs. Yes, my students have me listening to Soulja Boy...although I'm sure that is SO last year! Ha! I've got Sugarland, Mandisa, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Kate Voegele, Julianne Hough, Casey Donahew Band, and oldies like Spice Girls and Mmmm Bop.

I should probably stop there before I embarrass myself to death! I'm off to enjoy this day! You should too!