Sunday, May 22, 2011

Running with the cows!!

This past weekend, our family headed west to run in our first half marathon and 5K.  For some crazy reason, I got in my head that I wanted to run a half marathon for my 40th birthday.  You know..challenge myself to do something I never thought I could do.  Not sure where the idea even came from...I hate running...I always have.  However, my wonderful hubby came along side me and said let's do this.  So we trained together and I found that I loved this time we had.  We could run all by ourselves and talk (yes at first I couldn't run and talk but I got to where I could).  Our running time became a time where we could check in with each other and share our hearts without interruptions.  That is a huge deal when you have 5 kids with 5 busy schedules.  My mom jumped on board too and started training for a 5K.  So last Saturday, Gary and I started our first half marathon; the race was called Running with the cows.  The race benefited a local school in the area.  They had all the milk you could drink after the race...my kids loved that!  Soon after our race began, the 3 big kids, my niece and my mom started their 5K.  It was a cloudy, cool morning which was great BUT it was windy.  Not just a light breeze but wind gusts that would blow you back.  The wind just about did me in but with Gary's support and encouragement I finished the race.  It was not done in blazing speed but I finished.  Every inch of my body hurt but I finished.  I still hate running but I finished!  Will I ever do a half marathon again?  Not likely..you know been there done that!!  I think 5Ks may be more my thing!
Getting my number before the race
 Feeling good...before
 Gary and I before the big race
 The 5K runners
 Claire and her cousin, Mia did gymnastics in the gym while they waited
 Claire
 Mia
 Nicholas did his 5K in 27 minutes
 Hunter
 Brianna
 Sierra (in blue)
 My mom in the white
 Claire and Mia ran in the kids fun run..which was about a mile
 Here Gary and I are coming in..the kids ran out and finished the race with us
 We did it!!
Crossing the finish line!
 Caleb and the cow...

Half marathon down...mission trip to Uganda next!!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day...5 reasons I have to celebrate!


 Brianna
 Nicholas
 Hunter
 Claire
Caleb

God has certainly blessed me beyond belief!!

Go ahead and tell me how cute my kids are..I can take it!!!
Here is a poem for all you moms out there.  This poem helps me to keep my focus when raising my kiddos.
 
Dear Lord, Your Word says ‘don’t complain’; I know that this is true.
But when it comes to housework or chores I don’t want to do,
It’s easy to resent the things to which I must give time.
“Taking up my cross” isn’t always what I have in mind.

But Lord, you have been teaching me to see the way You see,
To realize that my household tasks are blessings You gave me.
And so, I choose to give You thanks for all I have to do,
Knowing that the privilege of doing it’s from You.

Thank You for the laundry dropped in piles upon the floor,
And for the dirty pairs of shoes left right inside the door.
Thank You for the shirts and socks and coats flung everywhere,
For OxiClean and Shout and Tide—it means we’ve clothes to wear.

Dirty cups and dishes clutter countertops and sink.
I sure hope no one’s hungry; I hope no one needs a drink.
If it could all just wash itself, it would be such a treat.
But thanks for dirty dishes, too—it means we’ve food to eat.

Thank You for the sink and floor and toilet I must scrub,
And for my nice, hot shower; and I won’t leave out the tub.
Thank You for the mirror and wet towels I know are coming.
I’m grateful for this bathroom; it means we’ve indoor plumbing.

The messiness of games and toys and books covers our floors.
And did I mention dolls and blocks and drawings taped on doors?
Sometimes, I think I’ve seen my fill of Hot Wheels, Legos, bibs.
But thank You for this chaos—it means I have four kids.

My front yard isn’t landscaped. It isn’t even mown.
It’s filled with plastic toys and shovels—things that aren’t my own.
It sure won’t win “Yard of the Month”, but I don’t need that anyway.
I thank You for my lived-in yard—my kids have space to play.

There’s so much work I must get done. I do it all, and then
An hour later, it’s a mess, and must be done again.
But Lord, I thank You for the time that I can’t call my own,
The time spent serving others. It means I have a home.

Forgive me, Lord, for asking You for blessings great and small,
Then complaining when I have to clean or take care of them all.
Oh, Lord, the very fact that I always have much to do
Is not a cause for bitterness, but for giving thanks to You.

I see that every chore I have to do reflects Your grace
In blessing me with earthly things until I see Your face.
May I do my work with gratitude for the opportunity,
Seeing in it a chance for joy, and not mere drudgery.

My heart responds in thankfulness for all that You have given.
I’ll serve You by taking care of it ’til You call me to heaven.
Help me serve in such a way that the whole world sees Your dear Son
In my heart and hands and words and work, that to Him, they be won.

by Megan Breedlove - http://www.MannaForMoms.com