Miracles of Mitch 2013

Last summer Noah decided that he was interested in participating in his first triathlon. He has been an amazing fan through the years cheering mom and dad on in our various events and thought it was time he try one out for himself. He zeroed in on the Miracles of Mitch.  He has a tender heart for those in need and wanted to participate in something that would help another out. He set his fundraising goal at $1000. Pretty amazing sum for a 7 year old boy. He drafted and mailed letters, made phone calls, and began the process to raise money for a boy named Michael. To get things started he put in 6 months worth of his own allowance to donate for the cause. 

After a couple months of training and praying for Michael the night before the big day came. It was minutes before midnight and the total fundraising amount flipped over the $1000 mark (he ended up raising over $1100). The focus of the day was not on who came in first or what the participates time was. The focus of the day was the fundraising and the impact that it makes on the many families that need support.  

 

 

He is planning to participate again this summer and is counting the days. His goal is double last years. The excitement in giving is contagious. I will try to post a link to his fundraising page closer to summer if anyone is interested in donating to this amazing cause where hearts are changed and lives are positively impacted.

Another Round Of Birthdays!

You ever get to that place where you are behind and wonder if it is worth trying to catch up? I am there in so many areas, to much to do and to little time to get them done. The good news is we have been having a blast along the way and that is more important that getting everything on my list checked off each day, month, quarter and year.

We are nearly into Feb and each of the boys have had another birthday. I will start with October (yep October)......

Our spunky, quick witted, lovable, firecracker turned four. Can you believe it? My baby is already 4! His smile and personally have a way to brighten any room. His energy is contagious. I am so thankful each and everyday that God blessed our family with Jonah! He loves music, swimming, books, trains, running, biking, anything outside, AWANA, and anything active. He is doing well keeping up with his big brothers.

In December Jacob turned 6. I cannot get my head around the fact that he is 6. Jacob has eyes like no one else. They literally sparkle. He loves to help anyone and everyone with anything and everything. He has a gift for service and the heart and determination to see it carried out. He laughs easily and gives some of the best snuggles there are. Thank you Lord for Jacob. Our family would not be complete without him! Jacob loves the outdoors, swimming, piano, bike riding, archery, building with his hands, snowshoeing, skiing, AWANA and football.

 

Just a week ago we celebrated the 8th birthday of one of the most compassionate and encouraging people that I know. Noah loves and shows love. I find myself learning from him in many areas. He is a true example of compassion. My heart is full, my cups runs over. Thank you God for Noah. Noah loves to do anything that involves giving to others, camping, fishing, football, the outdoors, rock climbing, piano, school, swimming, triathlons, snowshoeing, skiing, AWANA and reading.

I pray that their love for learning, life and the Lord continue throughout their lives. I am so thankful for them and I feel so blessed to be their mom.

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!

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (700-731)

700. Family Camp!

701. Books, blankets and snuggles.

702.Butterflies emerging from their cocoons.

703. The bright green on a grasshopper.

704. The smell of tomato soup cooking.

705. Fresh green beans.

706. Apples right off the tree.

707. Cool breeze unexpected on a long run to give me energy.

708. Crow of a rooster in the early morning/

709. Thumbs up from a stranger while running.

710. The smell of hay in the barn.

711. Sunrise over the lake.

712. Deer (buck) drinking from the still pond.

713. Fog on the lake.

714. Geese flying overhead.

715.Encouraging words from those I love.

716. Geography songs.

717. Warm laughter from like minded moms during a meeting.

718. Hundreds of birds flying together in harmony.

719. Purple mums.

720. Tassels at the top of corn.

721. The smell of apples cooking into sauce.

722. Leaves crunching under foot.

723. The smell of the Teavana canister when opened. YUM!

724. Fresh maple syrup.

725. The smell of coconut oil.

726. Hard working boys.

727. New mowers.

728. Soil prepped for fall/winter.

729. Fuzzy caterpillars.

730.The jump of a frog.

731. Basil and Rosemary drying in the shop.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (663-699)

663. Baptism of my dear 7 year old.

664. Hot sunny days.

665. BWCA

666. Canoe rides.

667. A wink from across the room.

668. Sand between my toes.

669. The quack of a duck.

670. Fireflies.

671. Thousands of twinkling stars.

672. Big fluffy clouds.

673. The sound of jars sealing.

674. The smell of fresh dill.

675. Sailboats.

676. Whispers from the other room.

677. Song birds morning greeting.

678. Rain so soft you can hardly feel it.

679. Red reflecting through the house from a colorful sunset.

680. Cool summer nights.

681. BLT's.

682. Juicy peaches.

683. New shrubs with flowers.

684. Fresh cut garden flowers for the table.

685. Bubbles escaping from fermenting sauerkraut.

686. Hint of pink on the top of the sedum.

687. New school year beginning.

688. Happy dances that are close to requiring a helmet.

689. Super hero capes and masks.

690. Zucchini bread in the oven, filling the house with a wonderful aroma.

691. Cords on the piano in the other room.

692. Girlfriends.

693. Giant slides.

694. Evenings at the beach.

695. School in action at the park.

696.  Hiking and silly faces with number 3.

697. Ripe tomatoes.

698. Orange blossom honey.

699. Sun rays filtering through the clouds.