Love of Running

I know that there are not many who care to read a post about running, but for the 2 of you that do, here goes.

I have always loved to run. Better stated, I have always loved the feeling of just completing a run. There are few exercises that give me the same level of workout and satisfaction. If you are a runner, you know what I am talking about.

I have had the desire to run a marathon for several years. Until this past summer, I could not get my head wrapped around the idea of physically being able to run 26.2 miles. Therefore, I had not taken the plunge. I have run 1/2 marathons, 10 milers, 10k's, 5k's etc... but still had the desire to run a full marathon (I know, call me crazy). This past spring I realized that I am not getting any younger. I decided that this was going to be the year. Run or bust!

I trained all summer. I loved training, the long runs, the early mornings, the sunrises, the quiet time with God, the improved fitness, and the list goes on and on. About a month and a half before the race I developed knee pain. Not just a little pain, but a bring tears to my eyes kind of pain. At first, it would not start until I hit 15 miles, then 13 miles, then 10. Needless to say, things were not getting better. I had PT help (thanks to my amazing sister) and increased my strength training. All of these things helped but the pain continued.  I pushed on, and was determined to run a marathon.

I took it easy several weeks leading up to the race, iced daily, and prayed a lot! Race day came and the weather was perfect. I had the best fans a gal could ask for and I felt ready.  Thank you to my sister Molly and her family, Chris and the boys, and Tammy for all your encouragement. I felt so blessed to have you there!

I was on track for the first 18 miles and praise God my knee felt pretty good.

 

By mile 21 the wheels were coming off and mile 23 the wheels were off.  I still had over 3 miles to go. I have always been able to dig deep and keep going, until I did a marathon. Hats off to those who have done one. I have a entirely new appreciating for all your determination, hard work and drive. With prayer (and Advil) I was able to gut out the last few miles. I finished (and could still stand tall). I missed my goal time, but I am so glad I took the journey.

At mile 21, I said I would never run another marathon again. By the time I got to the finish line I was already thinking through the changes I could make in training for the next one. Sound familiar runners?!

I read a couple ads the other day that made me smile. The first one was "IF YOUR RUN LASTS LONGER THAN FOUR HOURS, DON'T CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR, JUST KEEP RUNNING." the other was "5:30AM. THERE IS ONLY ONE PLACE TO BE, AND IT'S NOT IN BED." Amen! Run on friends, run on!

Summer Baseball

What do you do on a hot day mid summer? Watch baseball of course! With three active boys we love anything outdoors and/or any game that involves a ball. What could be better than a Sunday afternoon outside watching baseball? With tickets for our family and 2 extra we were blessed to have grandpa and grandma join us.

Of course the boys were delighted to get their photo taken with Madonna the team mascot!

 It was a hot day, but with the help of some shade from our trusty umbrella and a lot of water to keep us hydrated fun was had by all.

Post game the kids were able to go down on the field and run the bases (always a big hit for our crew)!

 

 

There is something extra special about being down on the field. 

What a great day! I am constantly reminded just how blessed we are to have opportunities to enjoy some family time. My heart is full.

Joy and Thankfulness!

Thanks to Ann Voskamp's book 1,000 gifts and her amazing blog I have started seeking joy/thanks in everything that I do, everywhere I am, and in everything I see. "If you want to be happy - give thanks." Ann Voskamp.  I am blogging my gifts occasionally as I have time to transfer from my journal to the blog.

I attended an amazing conference with some Christian friends to see Ann Voskamp speak. I was so excited, I also got to meet her. What a joy and blessing this wonderful woman is! She speaks like she writes, smooth, heartfelt, joy filled and loving. What a gift!

Pretty sure I was in the middle of saying something when the photo was taken (I know hard to believe).

The other main speaker at the conference was Liz Curtis Higgs. What an amazing woman! One moment I was laughing so hard my side hurt the next weeping. She has a unique gift for speaking truth and teaching straight out of the bible. Praise God for her, Ann, and the many other speakers that allowed God to speak through them to the over 1,000 women that were there.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (301-401)

Sorry that this one got a little long. I have been keeping my journal up, but have not had the time to post for a little while.

301. Hungry boys that eat well and appreciate their meals.

302. Duck calls.

303. Family game time.

304. Grateful hearts for birthday outings.

305. Excited cry as they reach the pinnacle.

306. Special breakfast.

307. Days off during the week.

308. The smell of toast in the toaster.

309. Zumbo Kiss peppermint.

310. Glow-sticks.

311. Bandages.

312. That He never gives up on me!

313. Waking up to the smell of chicken stock cooking.

314. Hot tea with honey.

315. Excitement for Awana verses.

316. Gifts brought for brothers with Awana bucks.

317. Creative play.

318. 3 boys doing school work in harmony.

319. Home wax kits.

320. Visits from old friends.

321. Coloring in the lines!

322. Thinking outside the box.

323. Cozy spaces with those you love.

324. Peaceful heart.

325. Friends confidence.

326. Working together in the kitchen.

327. Singing as a family.

328. Clock memory games.

329. The proud smile of the couple next to me as they watch their daughter swim.

330. One minute it is snow/wind/clouds and the next minute sunshine!

331. Cannon ball dives.

332. Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes.

333. Frosty whiskers on the dog on our morning run.

334. The smell of baking bread filling my nose as I walk into the house.

335. Fresh breath.

336. Ice cold water.

337. Eagerness for reading the bible.

338. Heavy snowfall on Sunday afternoons.

339. Upbeat music making the boys dance unprompted.

340. Clean uncluttered cabinets.

341. Talks into the night with the Mr.

342. The countdown before the rocket takes off.

343. The sound of boots running in the snow.

344. The smoke as the rocket takes off.

345. The smell of sugar free suckers.

346. Sounds of walkie-talkie fun.

347. Coffee brewing.

348. Memory work put to practice.

349. My boys reading to me.

350. Lunch with dear friends.

351. New library cards.

352. The pink only found in a sunset.

353. Walking into the warm house.

354. His smile from across the table.

355. Boys in aprons.

356. Spelling tests.

357. The hum of a kazoo.

358. Family diet changes.

359. Fresh page on the calendar.

360. Excitement of soccer with a friend this spring.

361. Smiles from strangers as we buzz through the store.

362. Smell of rotisserie chicken.

363. Candlelit meal time.

364. Juice out of wine glasses.

365. Hungry family well fed.

366. "I will help..." cards.

367. Cheerful attitudes.

368. Weekends.

369. Bible verses put to song and sung!

370. A warm oven baking on a cold day.

371. Snow tracks to keep me from slipping on my morning run.

372. My youngest taking off his socks to dance and totally rock out!

373. Mail from our sponsor child.

374. Dancing with such excitement you need a water break.

375. Looking at the snow falling to feel like we are in a beautiful snow globe.

376. Early run before the plows are out. so peaceful.

377. Matthew 18:15-20 out to action in the other room.

378. Play-doe.

379. Coconut oil.

380. The house creaking from the cold as I am snuggled in with hot tea.

381. The smell of peppermint.

382. The sound of wheels across the floor as derby cars are completed.

383. The "grit" in face scrub.

384. Honey!

385. The smell of the grill in the middle of winter.

386. Salty peanuts.

387. Eager helpers.

388. Realizing there are only 12 weeks left of the school year.

389. Anticipation of snow.

390. Watching big boy play 1/2 time basketball.

391. Awana derby cars.

392. The boys cheering their cars on as they race down the track.

393. Time with dad in the shop.

394. Singing praises into the night.

395. The sound of the washer cleaning our clothes.

396. The surprise of a made bed.

397. Completion of another Awana book.

398. Boy eager to read the bible to himself.

399. Splash made by big kicks on swim lessons.

400. The beauty of snow storms.

401. Unexpected nights at home.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (170-210)

170. Zerberts from boys! 3 year old, 5 year old and 6 year old that is ;)

171. The smell of bread in the oven.

172. Very large cardboard boxes made into fortresses.

173. Getting tasks checked off the list.

174. Calls from Nicaragua.

175. Photos from Kenya.

176. Mission work

177. Warm cookies and cold milk.

178. Hand written thank you notes from the heart.

179. A dust/salt free truck after a much needed car wash.

180. Frozen eyelashes on my running partners smiling face after a run.

181. The excitement of the 1st day of swimming lessons.

182. Birthday coupons!

183. Drums made of empty pales.

184. Fleece jackets mid winter.

185. Running into old friends.

186. Warm sunny winter days.

187. Steamers

188. Warm cornbread

189. Proverbs

190. Sleeping all night!

191. Early risers to do school work after taking over 2 weeks off.

192. Birds song

193. String of popcorn hung outside on the trees.

194. Longer daylight hours.

195. Friends to sled with.

196. Crockpot meals.

197. The smell of the roast cooking as we walk into the house.

198. Naps

199. Gift cards!

200. Ice cream with chocolate and peanuts

201. Anti bacterial wash cloths (love Norwex)!

202. Songs of a 3 year old!

203. Morning kisses

204. Being able to stay home with our kids.

205. Oreo's

206. Fresh air

207. New PJ's

208. Long talks with a dear friend.

209. Boys that can get their own winter gear on!

210. Snowpants.

I Am Extreme!

About a year ago I was in a discussion with a couple people when the bomb was dropped. They told me that I am extreme. WHAT? ME? I did not take it as a compliment, and I am sure that they did not mean it as one. I will not go into the details of why it came up but the words, "you are so extreme" have been rolling around in my head on and off since.  Today, for the first time I have a sense of peace about it and even an excitement. So friends, I tell you with a smile on my face, the cat is out of the bag, I am extreme and great with it!

I read the definition and find that extreme is 1. beyond the ordinary or average 2. farthest from the center or middle. Some of the synonyms are words like greatest, highest; ultimate, extravagant, uncompromising. Wow! Wish I would have looked at it in this light a year ago.

Let me bare my heart and tell you you some things that I am extreme about....

I am extremely greatful when I think about the fact that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

I am extremely humbled that Jesus died on the cross for a sinner like me.

I am extremely in love with my husband/best friend and thankful for all that he does and for our marriage.

I am extremely in in awe of our wonderful kids. I am thankful that God has trusted us to raise them and teach them. I am extreme about their education and feel so blessed that I get to teach them again this coming year.

I am extremely picky about what our kids eat. Especially after dealing with the trials of what food can do for our behavior, learning, fitness, energy level and general health.

I am extremely blessed to have such amazing sisters, parents, and family.

I am extremely thankful for dear friends. There are some amazing people in our lives and I am great full for each and every one of them.

I am extreme black and white or uncompromising with things like faith and human life. The farthest from center or middle.

I have extremely high standards.

My heart is extremely compassionate for orphans and children in need.

When I reflect on this I am not sure that I am extreme enough in the areas of life that really matter for eternity. You see it is a complement to be passionate and unwavering about things that really matter.

Are you extreme?

 

Mommy & Daddy went to Orlando!

There sure has been a lot going on in our lives recently. Mommy & Daddy went to Orlando, while Noah got to stay at Grandma & Grandpa's house. All the aunts, uncles, & cousins were around to play with as well.

Even though daddy had to work in Florida, he & mommy did find some time to have some fun!





Mommy & Daddy's friends Chris, Carrye, Joe, & Ashley went to Orlando as well. The whole crew spent most of Saturday at Disney-MGM Studios & had a great time. This was the first trip to Disney anywhere for both mommy & daddy.



It was very tough for us to leave Noah for an extended period. Daddy has had to travel for work once or twice, but mommy and Noah have hardley been separated for the past 8 months. There were a number of little kids at Disney, even though they wouldn't ever remember the trip. Every time we saw another little tyke, it reminded us of our Noah at home. Even though leaving Noah was especially emotional for mommy, she did manage to have a great time;)



Here's mommy & daddy sitting in front of the giant guitar at the Aerosmith rock & rollercoaster.



Here's the gang again ready for the muppets 3D. Looks like everyone is having a good time!