Balloon for Forrest

The boys brought home a balloon from the 5k with the Fund logo on it.  All on their own they decided they wanted to release the balloon to Heaven for Forrest to receive it.  They waited until David and I made it home from finishing up the 5k to release it.

     


They both have the sweetest hearts about their brother.  That next Monday as I was driving the boys to school Austin said this to me in the car:

Austin: I stayed up later last night and the night of the race because I was thinking about Forrest.

Me: What were you thinking about with Forrest?

Austin: I was thinking how it would be fun if he was still here.  I would have liked having an older brother.  I miss him.

It warmed my heart while also breaking my heart.  He gets it...truly gets it.

7th Annual Forrest Spence 5k

My life has been consumed by the race so as I am come out of the race fog and back into reality. I wanted to just shout from the rooftops what a success the race was this year!  We had close to 1250 participants and raised over $85,000 with more money still coming in!  The morning ran so smoothly and besides being HOT it was perfect!  Truly a great morning.

Time to sign up!

Please sign up for the 7th Annual Forrest Spence 5k.  It's less than 2 weeks away.  If you live in the Memphis area than come join us on August 23rd at Overton Park.  If you don't live in the Memphis area than please sign up as a ghost runner and receive a t-shirt in the mail.  This is an easy way to give back to a great cause.

Click here to sign up.

Time to sign up!

It's time to sign up for the Forrest Spence 5k.

Click here to download a brochure if you want to mail it in or click here to sign up online.  Even those that live outside of the area can sign up as a ghost runner and receive an awesome shirt in the mail.

A little information about the 5k if you are new to the blog:
The 7th Annual Forrest Spence 5k will be held on August 23rd at Overton Park.  The 5k begins at 8:00 am with the 100 yard dash for kids 8 & under at 9:00 and 1 Mile Fun Run for kids 12 & under at 9:05 am. There will be games, bounce houses, slides, food, awards, door prizes, and more.  Bring the entire family for a fun filled morning at Overton Park.

It's that time of year...

Time to sign up for the best 5k in town!  If you live in the Memphis area than make plans to attend on August 23rd at Overton Park.  If you can't make it than you can register as a ghost runner and receive a great shirt in the mail (if you live outside of Shelby County) or pick it up at Fleet Feet in Memphis.

Click here to learn more and sign up.

Easter weekend

We started Easter weekend on Friday afternoon with some easter crafting.  I love having my mom in town and it especially comes in handy around the holidays because the old first grade teacher in her comes out.  She LOVES to do fun things with the kids around the holidays.  She brought over a ton of stuff for them to do and decorate Friday afternoon.  They started with putting glue and glitter on the hard boiled eggs.


And then we dyed a few eggs.  We tried to do the marble technique but they all turned out very similar.


Then my mom made white chocolate bunnies for the boys to eat.    
Saturday morning we woke up and headed out for our first family 5k.  It benefitted Miller's school, Special Kids and Families which we adore.  It was a great 5k and something we will definitely make a yearly tradition.  It was so family friendly and a lot of fun.  The boys each ran a ton throughout the race.   Austin ran/walked 1 mile without stopping and Miller probably did .7 miles before he fell and skinned his leg.  For over a mile David and I took turns pushing all 3 kids on the double bob.  It was not easy but I kept reminding myself that I was burning a lot of calories.  Then Austin jumped off with about a 1/2 mile left and Miller with about 1/4 mile left and they crossed the finish line.  We were so proud of them.

After the 5k there was an egg hunt, bounce house fun, and face painting. 
Maggie once again was a pro at the egg hunt and once she found some eggs she just plopped right down and started digging in.

The boys both wanted a bat painted on their face...very Easter like. =)
It was a great start to a wonderful Easter weekend.  We still have more to share!

Forrest Spence 5k

This is what I wrote to all the participants of the Forrest Spence 5k this year:

What an amazing race we had this year!  We are so proud to say that we had 1344 participants this year and raised approximately $69,000. 

The weather on August 24th was perfect in every way.  The sun was shining and it wasn’t too terribly hot.  Everyone was in good spirits and ready to start the morning full of fun and activities.  The day started with door prizes that were given out throughout the morning along with speeches from those that the Forrest Spence Fund has impacted.  

After the 5K we had a 100-yard dash for the young kids followed by a 1 mile fun run for kids 12 & under.  It was so neat to see so many children get involved for such a worthy cause and run their little hearts out. 

There were also plenty of yummy goodies to enjoy while watching the kids play at the Kids Corner on the Moon Bounce, Large Slide and get their faces painted. 

I wish I could truly put into words what this event is like but its so hard to explain something that is so meaningful to me.  To see over 1000 people participating in an event in your sons name is priceless.  I know I say it all the time but I am truly blown away by the support and love we have received the last 6 years from friends, family, and now even strangers.  This little dream David and I had almost 6 years ago has turned into something far more than we ever imagined.  We are so proud of this little fund and how it is making a big impact in the lives of others in the Midsouth.  

A few pictures I love from the event.

So thankful for these 2 dear friends! 
My little side kicks on race day.  
There were so many participants...it was truly amazing!
 
My big brother Matt came in town for the event.  He only slept 1.5 hours before he woke up at 4:45 am to come help me set up and then helped throughout the entire event and even clean up.  He was amazing!  So thankful he could make it!
 
Kacee, my room mate from college, has come from Nashville for 5 out of 6 years.  She too woke up at 4:45 to help me set up and run the event.  She stayed till the very end and helped me so much.  Sooo very thankful for her! 
I think my boys ate at least 50 bagel bites each.  They didn't even nap that day because they were so full of energy.
So thankful for this clan!  We missed our family members who couldn't be there though.  Especially David who was in Maine at his best friends wedding. 

Click here to see the entire 5k set on Flickr.

Tomorrow is the Last day

Tomorrow is the last day to register online for the Forrest Spence 5k.  If you aren't in Memphis or can't participate that day than sign up to be a ghost runner and receive a t-shirt in the mail.

The shirts look great! Truly the softest, most comfortable shirt I own.

Click here to sign up online!