Glad to be healthy...

It is great for us all to be feeing better.  I ran my longest run this week of 5 miles.  I have heard that once you get to 5, it is easier to keep adding the miles.  I plan to do at least 6 Thanksgiving weekend.  I learned an important lesson about hydration.  It was amazing how easy the 5 miles was when I had had over 100 oz water that day.  What a difference.  I have had harder runs at 2 miles than I did with the 5.  Last night, I ran 4 and felt great again.  I am excited to start getting into some longer runs in the coming weeks.

I am also starting to see the donations trickle in!  My letters are going out this week also.  I am praying over those!!

And so it goes...

Well, with the stomach flu and cold going through the house, I had a slight set back in training. After 5 days of not training and a few more of "easy" training, I am back on schedule. I had a great 3 1/2 mile run today. However...the best part...the run was done in my new running shoes! I went to the Running store and was specially fitted for the right pair of shoes. I can't believe the difference a great pair of shoes makes!

I plan to get in a nice long run tomorrow evening! The weather is beautiful for running right now!

I am kicking things up for my fundraising now! That part is making me nervous! If you haven't donated...please help!

I am really going to do it...

Two weeks ago, I registered to participate in the Miami Half Marathon! Some may say I am nuts, which I may be! However, this is a decision that I did not take lightly. I am enjoying my training! I will be raising money for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease.

I have decided that for the next 3 months, this blog will become a "training" blog. It will allow all of you to know how things are going. However, it will also serve as an accountability tool and sort of a reward system for myself! It will be exciting to share with everyone how things are going! I will be motivated to get myself out there knowing that I will have many to report to. (Well, at least a blog to report to if no one is reading!)

I am currently running 3 - 4 miles when I go out. Some days, I will take it easy and just do 2.
This is what I have accomplished since Saturday:
Saturday - 4 mile run
Monday - 30 minutes
Tuesday - 3 mile run
Wednesday - I plan to do 3 miles this evening!
That is over 12 miles in 5 days! Rock on!

Math or Recess???

I think the last few weeks have flown by more than the last seven. We always we hear people talking about how quickly children grow. However, to experience it first hand is a whole different story!

Cassie in 2nd grade - I don't think I was prepared for how grown up 2nd graders are. It's not just Cassie, it's all of them. Most of her class has been together since kindergarten. They are just grown so up and are becoming more independent everyday! I am so proud of Cassie and how she is attacking the new challenges of 2nd grade. She even told me the other day that math is better than recess!! She is becoming a little math whiz! I am proud!

Brianna is becoming a little lady. I wondered how she would handle kindergarten. She is doing amazing. The little girl has so much energy and is learning when and how to control it! I am so proud of her. For her, sitting still or walking in a straight, quiet line presents major challenges. (However, reading or fractions she can conquer with no problems.)

I am so proud of my precious girls and the wonderful young ladies they are becoming. I realize more everyday how I need to treasure every moment!

Just In Time...

Just in time for the first day of school, Cassie sprained her ankle. We are glad it's not broken though. The first picture is from her birthday party this past year. This "climby thing", as we call it, was what she was on. She was at the top and trying to get down and fell. She is alright. However, I do think she likes the attention and the crutches a little too much.

My Daytimer From God...

I remember being in college and telling a friend of mine that I wanted a day timer from God. This day timer would give me a full glance at the path God has for me to follow. Wouldn't that make life much easier? I guess it wouldn't be as interesting. As so many of us are, I am constantly looking for what God has in store next. I will get to a point where I think I have it all figured out and then God throws a curve ball. If God allowed me the day timer, I could just open it and see what my tasks are for the day. Where should my children go to school, to church? Should I go back to school? Where will my next job be? Where is Laz's next job? Even the minor day to day tasks laid out before me would be so nice. I just pray I make the right decisions and that God blesses my family no matter what silly things I may decide to do.

Everyone else is doing it...

So, I decided to blog. I think I will enjoy it. However, I can't imagine anyone wanting to read my blog and actually finding my life interesting. Don't get me wrong, it most certainly has its moments. In fact, I am sure the coming weeks will bring some memorable moments.

The girls start school next week. It's hard to believe that Cassie will be starting 2nd grade on Monday. She is growing up way too fast. Brianna will start kindergarten next Thursday. I have such mixed emotions about it all. They are such wonderful little girls. I was reminded today by a friend of the day we put Cassie in her crib for the first night. We were moving her out of the bassinet in our room and I hated leaving her alone all the way across the hall! I stood over her crib praying for her, afraid to leave. I heard God more clearly that night than ever before (or since). He said, "Go rest, my daughter. I will watch over her." I have carried that with me always. I can not be with my children every minute. I cover them in prayer and send them out confident that God is always there beside them. I guess I write this more to remind myself that God has made promises to me, in regards to my children, that are as true today and tomorrow as they were 7 years ago.

My new favorite verse...
"Look at the nations and watch---and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. " ---Habakkuk 1:5

I claim that verse and look forward to whatever it is that God has planned for our family.

Thanks for reading. I am off to watch the Olympics!