WE DID IT

My best friend, Audra and I decided to run the St. Jude Half Marathon. For those of you who don't know...that is 13.1 miles. We signed up several months before the race with full intention of training like Jillean Micheals and kicking some A**. Well, we both also have handsome, but time consuming baby boys who proved to be hard to push in a jogging stroller. And as for me, if the sun isn't hanging just right in the sky, I will find an excuse not to run. It's a flaw, I know, but we all have to have one flaw.....right?. Basically, the farthest training run I hadwas 6 miles. There is a BIG difference between running 6miles and 13.1 miles. However, my bestie was flying in from Boston and despite our lackluster training, we decided to run the race. And by "we" I mean "Audra". I was up for Plan B: considering the race fee a donation and drinking wine at Jim's Place Grill. However, Audra is as good as gold. She insisted that we approach our near death with courage.

D-Day- Saturday December 4th. We woke up bright and early and headed towards downtown Memphis. As the 8am race time appraoched and the crowds lined up at the start line, I began to get excited. And a little after 8am, we were off! We were filled with the energy of all the runners and started off at a great pace. As we apprached mile 4, I saw my cute baby sitting on my husband's shoulders and Mimi standing beside them. Jude watching his mommy run gave be great inspiration to keep going! Then around Mile 5 another shot of adrenaline, we ran thru St. Jude campus. We were high-fiving survivors, kids who were still undergoing treatment, and employees. It was so awesome! As we were just about to leave St. Jude campus we saw my dad, my step-mom, and my step sister cheering us on. I felt great!

Running Thru St. Jude campus

Then came, "the pain", at around mile 8.5. My knee was killing me and I was running low on fuel. Audra and I picked up some Gu and water at mile 9, which I thought would help. But, I thought wrong. I kept telling myself....anyone can run 4 more miles? right? right? The rest of the race was a blur...as I was slipping in and out of consciousness. My hamstrings started cramping at mile 11 and my dear friend Audra pulled me thru to the finish!

Me & Audra at the finish

After the race, our families met us at the finish and our little boys were so proud of their mommies. Kelly parked in a parking garage with a 1o% incline, so the walk to the car was interesting. My foot really started to hurt, so I took off my shoe to find the biggest blister you have ever seen. Not joking, dead serious. I'm debating whether to post a pic becuase of the "ick" factor, so I think I will spare you. The funny thing is I didn't feel the blister the entire race because other parts of my body hurt worse. After the great blister discovery of 2010, it went Car>Milanos Pizza>Bath Tub>Bed.

Sebastian & Audra and Jude & me

In the end, I am so incredibly happy that we did it! I have ran several races before, but this was by far the best race I have ever completed. I was able to run with my best friend of 11 years, girl talking, laughing and encouraging each other. And, I was able to complete a long distance in honor of all the kids who despite their sickness...still manage to smile. This will definitely not be the last time I run the St. Jude Half Marathon. However, it will be the last time I do not attequately train. Lesson learned....the hard way. Love to all!- Anna

GIVING THANKS

Have you ever just wanted to press the pause button on your life? I find myself wishing I could "press pause" a lot lately. I just want to soak up every second of that precious time with my loved ones that always passes all too quickly.

Well, our 2010 Thanksgiving trip was definitely a "pause-able"moment. The entire Johnson gang spent Thanksgiving in the Florida Panhandle with the St. Laurent clan. Between the two families there were 8 kids...6 handsome boys and 2 beautiful girls! We stayed at the Gray's beach house in Seacrest, where we were able to walk to neighboring Alys and Rosemary. Let me side-track for a second and say, isn't it the greatest when you can step out your door and just stroll to a coffee shop, or a quaint lunch spot, park, or the beach? Heaven!

Cousins

My husband & his sis Carie

My absolute favorite part of the trip was just watching all the kids have the time of their lives together! (#2 fav part...Margaritas on the beach) Seriously, the kids had a blast....Riding bikes together, dancing in the living room, playing in the sand at the beach, throwing the football with their Dads. There is nothing that warms a mother's heart more than to see her baby grinning ear to ear! Growing up, I had a close knit group of girl cousins that I adored. I have always wished for the same wonderful childhood relationship for my kids. Cousins are awesome!

Rece & Paitten

Garrett& Jude

Kam & Kylie

I left Florida a little sad. Sad because I miss my step children every day. And, sad because I know how much Jude loves having his brothers and sister under one roof. But, even though I had that pang of sadness, I had an overwhelming since of thankfulness. Thankful that I am part of such a wonderful family. Thankful that I have a life filled with moments where I want to press pause. Love to all! ~ Anna

Jude holding his Daddy's hand

Jude with his big brother "Bice"

A FRESH START

Admittedly, I let my old blog fall off. Not because I didn't want to share the Johnson happenings, but because I have been just a little busy getting settled into our new home, holidays, and raising a spirited 19 month old baby boy who keeps me on my toes. I am sure you can relate.

So, I decided to start a new with the transfer of some old posts and a new title. "A BLENDED BLESSING"- which I just happen to L-O-V-E!

Why Blended? Well, I guess I have been blended since the day I was born. I can't even count how many times, during the course of my life, people have asked, "What are you?", "What is your ethnicity?", "What chu be?" etc. Well, I'm half Hispanic, half German. Okay people! Anyways, being a blended person, I guess I was destined to have a perfectly blended family.

And Blessing? Well, over the past year....a short time after my son was born, I have been filled with the overwhelming realization of just how blessed I am. I have such a beautiful and loving family. I can't imagine my life any other way. I am blissfully blessed!

THE NANAS EFFECT

I don't really care for the term stepmom. The name sounds cold and unimportant. And thanks to Sir Disney, when I hear stepmom, I automatically picture a large chin and an evil eye. NO.THANK.YOU.

My husband's children call me "Nanas". The wonder twins started it. They started off saying "Anna", but then it became "Nana" and somewhere along the way, for no apparent reason at all, the letter "s" was added. And well....the rest is history. I have been a proud "Nanas" ever since.

The most entertaining part of my "stepmom" name is when it is used in public places. So picture this, you are in Target and you see the cutest little curly haired girl running and screaming "Nanas...they have hello kitty shoes!" You turn around to take a glance at the little one's grandmother. But, much to your surprise, standing in Granny's space is a 28 year old girl with a big grin on her face. You, my friend, like many other innocent bystanders, have been hit by "The Nanas Effect." :)

But, now let's talk about that grin I have on my face as "Nanassss!" is echoing thru the hallway. I smile when they call me "Nanas" because it is a name that was created organically from the mouths of my sweet, precious stepchildren. It's the name they say when they greet me at the door and the name they scream when they need help in the bathroom. And although,"Nana" is commonly a grandmother name, "N-A-N-A-S" happens to be my name...and I absolutely love it!

THE DECISION

No decision has been as impactful, chaotic and wonderful as my choice to become a stepmother. I like to call the world of "stepmommy-hood" - beautiful chaos. The complexities of my role are infinite. I am a wife, mother, stepmother, referee, cheerleader and friend. Some days it is a form of multi-tasking, other days its a borderline case of schizophrenia.

When I married my amazing husband, Kelly, some people wondered why I wanted to marry a man with four children, an ex-wife and what they saw as "baggage". And because I come from the open-minded state of Tennessee (insert:sarcasm), folks back home often looked at me with the same tilted head look that a dog gives when it doesn't quite understand what you are saying. I admit, I would have probably had those same judgemental questions for my friends or family.

I know from the outside looking in, it seemed illogical and risky. Which is why many were confused, since I am obsessively logical and so risk-adverse that I have had a "back-up" savings account since I was 13. But for me...there was no actual decision. No weighing of the pros and cons. No wondering how my life could be different if I married the cookie-cutter person. There was a simple truth. I loved this man to my core, and I couldn't imagine a life without him by my side. And when I say I love my husband, I love all of him. My husband wouldn't be the man he is today without his previous marriage experience, his beautiful children, or his rocky road. He is who he is today because of his past. And I am so madly in love with who he is.

And, on the day we were married, I vowed to love and cherish his children til the day I die....and to me....that will be a very easy promise to keep.