Family Camp 2014

Our favorite family vacation is family camp! This list is long on all the reasons we love family camp (see older posts on family camp for more details). For now here are a few photos from this year. Already looking forward to next year!

Miracles of Mitch 2014 - Two Brothers One Goal

Two brothers with one goal. Raise $2000 for Miracles of Mitch Foundation racing for kids that cannot race themselves.This was Noah's second year racing and Jacobs first. It was a big goal. The results were better in so many ways than we could have ever predicted.

 Goldy was there to cheer!

 Fans are ready!

Transition spot is ready. Racing for Cody this year.

Time to get pumped up for the swim. Jacob was very nervous about his first tri. Big brother Noah showed us again just how compassionate he is. Noah volunteered to hang back and race with Jacob the entire race. I love his heart for others and I love the fact the boys could do this together. What a team. Praise God!

Let the swim begin....

On to the bike!

They finished the tri and exceeded their goal. Total raised $2140. Thank you to the many generous donations and the hearts of boys that love others and want to help them.

Believers Baptism

My heart is full and my cup overflows. July 2014 Jacob made the decision to be baptized. His favorite verse is one that he clings to as he walks this journey. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The door is open to all that put there trust in Christ Jesus, and all we have to do is ask. Praise God!

Church Blog Post

Local Paper Article Link

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.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (601-662)

601. Lunch with grandma and grandpa.

602. Kids joke books.

603. The way kids love to play with boxes.

604. Tomato plants ready to transplant.

605. Stop watches.

606. A good friends laughter.

607. Anniversary cards and encouragement.

608. 12 years of marriage to an amazing Godly man.

609. Hot soup on a cold day.

610.Flights that are on schedule.

611. Playdates at the park.

612. Christian friends.

613. Fishing floats.

 

 614. Fish on a hook.

615. Nets.

616. A day with an uncle we don't see nearly enough.

617. Bob of a line in the water.

618. Wood-ducks sitting on top the wood-duck house.

619.Documentary on Beavers and ducks! The love of nature!

620. The smell of lilacs.

621. Mazes made of tall shrubs.

622. Boardwalks through the bog.

623. The sound of water over the rocks.

624. The many colors of tulips.

625. My dad in uniform.

626. The National Anthem.

627. Bright pink flowering crabs.

628. Ropes courses.

629. Sleeping in.

630. Date nights.

631. Games at grandma and grandpas.

632. Tents in the back yard overlooking the pond.

633. Beaver tales.

634. Springs green grass.

635. Ambitious boys.

636. Gluten free salads.

637. Family bike rides.

638. Ripples on the water.

639. Morning song birds.

640. Bluebirds.

641. Riding bike to church.

642. 3 hard working happy helpers.

643. The smell of mulch.

644. Overalls.

645. Rain boots.

646. Crayfish.

647. Ponds.

648. The call of the loon.

649. Still lakes.

650. Praying together with friends.

651. Beaver wood.

652. Sunsets on the water.

653. Trail runs.

654. Family hikes.

655. Family breakfast parties.

656. Play dates at the swim pond.

657. Sandcastles.

658. Cannonballs.

659. Bacon.

660. Fire pits.

661. Wide open fields.

662.Velvet on a deer antler.

Cannonball Dive!

The boys cannot get enough of summer! Swimming, boating, biking, baseball, anything outside. I am so thankful for kids that love the outdoors and activity as much as Chris and I do.