2019 Top Nine

Some good run, some bad runs, muddy runs, chased down new PRs, supported others in their run goals but all with the backing of my beautiful family. That's a wrap {Insta}2019! #itsarunderfullife #topnine #runcltrun #runclt #nuunlife #teamnuun #hshive #stingorbeestung #withoutlimitz #onhermarques

Ironically what I consider my biggest race accomplishment this year, (see WC50 race recap), was not included because realize I never posted it to my Instagram feed. I must have been more tired then I even realized. Looks like I now have worthy material for my first ever Throwback Thursday post.

L to R: shaving even more to set my current PR at The Boston Marathon, the finish line of the Boston Marathon, volunteering at Charlotte Marathon's expo, enjoing a beer post crashing during the OrthoCarolina 10k, flat runner before pacing Craft Beer Half Marathon, family picture, Steve's Trail, winning the Massacre Marathon and setting my first marathon PR, inaugural Around The Crown 10k and a new PR

#2018bestnine

Like me, you have surely seen the collages all over your Instagram feed. Well I caved to peer pressure and followed the masses and here is the result:

Surprised at some of the most liked pictures but overall it looks like a pretty accurate and balanced life to me. There was family time, "I've got cute kids" posts, lots of running and even a day date with the hubs. That about sums it up! Here is to more of all of that in 2019!

Show some LOVE for Alzheimer's

You don't need to know me long to know two things... I love my family and I love to run! This fall I will once again start training for a marathon but this time with an entirely new depth of motivation. I originally signed up to participate in The Chicago Marathon after achieving a qualifying time this past November in Richmond, VA. Chicago is an iconic race and a bucket list event for me but I was extra excited because I guaranteed my own entry and did so at a special time in my life. The previous year had been filled with a lot, to say the least! Knee surgery, Jim's terrible leg break, having a baby, changing careers and just surviving on little sleep! So while I am proud of my accomplishment and would be looking forward to the race no matter what I just started to feel there was more I could be doing with the opportunity.

 

I lost my beloved grandmother, Nonnie, in January and the loss left me more shaken then I care to admit. We all handle grief in different ways and I am channeling my sorrow into fuel to do something that makes me extremely uncomfortable... admitting I need help and asking for money. I have joined up with the Alzheimer’s Association ALZ Stars® program to help advance the fight against Alzheimer's disease. The funds raised will directly benefit the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

 

I wish I could tell her I am doing this for her but honestly she would have blown right past any focus on her and made me feel like an Olympian. That is just who she was, a true light in the world with a heart of gold. You would be hard pressed to find someone out there that could make you feel more special, beautiful, adored and LOVED! It is no coincidence she came into this world on February 14! Today was the first Valentine's Day I did not call to wish her a Happy Birthday and that sucks. Instead I am reaching out to each of you seeking your help for this worthy cause! Who has a little LOVE left to share?!

 

Please help me honor the life of a remarkable women and consider helping me in this journey... prayers, high fives, company on long runs and especially monetary donations are all appreciated! To those who took it upon themselves to donate before I even made a pitch I am especially grateful! A link to my fundraising page is below.

 

PS - I will be missing Addie's actual birthday for this race so please help make that worth it!

 

http://act.alz.org/goto/AshleyMarques

 

We will miss you Nonnie

Today we celebrated and wept as we laid to rest our beloved Nonnie. {Please read her obituary.} The services at the cemetery and at the church were both wonderful. From the table her urn was placed on in the mausoleum, the Hymn of Promise Taylor Rankin sang, to the gorgeous flower arrangements and happy pictures that filled the Asbury Room, everything was done so well. The only thing missing was her, and she forever will be missed.

Afterwards we all headed to Nonnie & Jerry's house and I didn't want to be anywhere else. Being the fabulous hostess Betty Ann was, she had one last party at her amazing home. It was filled with loved ones and lots of food, which is just how she preferred it. Her house is one of my favorite places on this earth. The property is something out of a garden magazine but it's best attribute is the love you feel the moment you walk inside. I found myself laughing and crying over so many wonderful memories that revolve around her and I made one more watching the little girls run around that yard playing hide-n-seek. The only reason we forced ourselves to leave was due to the winter weather. The huge snowflakes were beautiful and serene but Molly made an excellent point saying how Heaven needed all the sunshine it could get to welcome her. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone that makes you feel more beautiful and special then Nonnie. I am thankful for all the years I was able to have her but it truly warms my heart that she was able to meet both of my girls. I will never forget telling her I was pregnant the first time and making her a great-grandmother.

I believe this is the last picture I have of her, ooo-ing over baby Nina at Easter. Who else can still hear her sweet voice, "Hey there darling"?! Oh, how I love you!!!

She's here!

Look who decided to join us exactly on her due date! No name yet but we are absolutely smitten with our littlest blessing. Welcome "Baby Girl Marques"!

Our first picture

Promoted

We finally told Addie the big news! She is very excited and already asking if she can hold the baby, can they share a room, etc! She immediately put on her new shirt and wore it proudly the entire weekend. She literally didn't take it off for 2 days including sleeping in it!

Happy Birthday AR!

Jim and I have loved our subscription to Broadway Lights Series and are new fans of The Children's Theatre. So in the spirit of making memories and doing fun things we decided to celebrate one our other favorite little people's 4th birthday we would go see The Cat in the Hat! We made a whole day of it and they had a great time. #cousinlove

Our trip to The Happiest Place on Earth

SATURDAY, FEB 28

Someone could hardly wait to get there! We didn't fly out til 1pm but she and Minnie were dressed at 7am and ready to go. Disney World here we come!!! It was a bit rainy when we first arrived but the rest of the week turned out to be amazing and sunny!

 

SUNDAY, MAR 1

We started our park adventures in Hollywood Studios. This park had all the Disney Junior characters plus tons of neat shows. We got to see Jake, Sofia, Daisy, Woody & Buzz up close but also sang along with Elsa & Anna, enjoyed what ended up being the group favorite ride, Toy Story Midway Mania!, I was an extra in the Indiana Jones stunt show, then ended our night with Fantasmic!, a fun water/light show. It was a perfect first day and we felt much more prepared for the beast that would be Magic Kingdom!

MONDAY, MAR 2
I went ahead and scheduled a free day for us right in the beginning which gave us the opportunity to reorganize all we thought we knew about Disney World. We also hit the pool at our resort. It was going to be hard to keep her out of it much longer anyway. That night we took a boat ride over to the Wilderness Lodge to see one of the longest running shows, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Addie still talks about it and how she tried fried chicken for the first time!

 

TUESDAY, MAR 3
MAGIC KINGDOM DAY!!! There was not much we did not do. Rides, Fantasy Parade, lunch at Lady & The Tramp's Italian restaurant, roller-coasters, shows, more rides, more shows, Electrical Parade & fireworks show. She was such a trooper and really pushed herself outside her comfort zone discovering things she really liked (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train) and things she did not care for at all (Splash Mountain). We went hard and strong from 9am to 11pm and it showed as Jim carried a 5 year old sack of potatoes out of the park.

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY, MAR 4

Our last park day we went to Animal Kingdom, which was the smallest park, so we allowed ourselves to sleep in after the LONG day before. Lidia & Joe went to see a Cirque show while my little family enjoyed a meal at Tusker House with Mickey, Donald, Daisy & Goofy. Everyone is a kid at Disney World, right?! So Mom and Dad each jumped up for a picture with our favorite character there.

 

THURSDAY, MAR 5
We scheduled a late breakfast to give us a chance to recharge if needed which was great. We were able to take our time getting to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and enjoy the monorail ride and its views. The Supercalifragilistic Breakfast was major! The location was fancier then anywhere we had been so far, the food was fantastic and the highlight was of course the character's table visits. We saw Mary Poppins, Alice & The Mad Hatter and Tigger! That afternoon we went miniature golfing and Jim and I got to have a date night at Downtown Disney! We ate at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant then closed down the joint at Paradiso 37 with new friends we made (another couple taking advantage of grandparents with young kids).

 

 

 

 

 FRIDAY, MAR 6

Thank you Grammy & VoVo for an absolutely wonderful trip that we will never forget! We really did not want to go home but were also exhausted and looking forward to our own beds.

 

 

By the way munchkin keeps asking when we are going back. ha!

New Tradition?

Once again we kicked off the new year with a family hike and I certainly am ready for a HEALTHY one. Jim & I were in bed the earliest we have probably ever been on new year's eve only to be woken up by a sick little girl in the middle of the night. The next morning we were a bit slower moving but the little "party animal" still wanted to go hiking so off we went to McDowell Nature Preserve. She did fall asleep on the way but fresh air was great medicine and we had a great day!

#familyselfie

#mooremillertime

The official celebrating has begun! So excited for these adorable people - we love you!

The Future Mr & Mrs Miller!

Getting a call from Molly at 9pm on a Friday night is not normal... so I held my breathe and sure enough had fantastic news to share! These two beautiful people are engaged! We could not be more thrilled and cannot wait to celebrate you. Love you both!

Feliz Navidad

Christmas morning highlights!

 

Happy Holidays

Just approved the proof of this year's Christmas Card... well, with an estimated delivery date of December 27 I think it is safe to call it a New Year's Card! (I did change Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays to help cover my bases.)

Didn't realize there was a week less between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year until recently. We just had these pictures taken this past weekend. Then, never found time to do my favorite standing holiday tradition of decorating Nonnie's tree or the new tradition-in-the-making of doing cookies with the little cousins.

{Photo Credit: Emily Barnes} 

Happy Thanksgiving from The Marques

Before the Greensboro Gobbler. They changed the 5k course this year so you only went around the hilly park once but still couldn't convince anyone else to join us this cold morning. Thanks dad for chauffeuring us! :-)

A good attempt at a full family photo. Teva was not sure about getting up on that sofa with us.

The next generation of  "The Kids' Table"! I think it is safe to say the girls liked it.