It Is Done

So, I wanted to post about the half marathon before my Swiss cheese brain forgets anymore of it.

The whole event was just so surreal to me.  My friends picked me up around 6:30 AM and we drove in darkness to the race spot.  The topic of conversation was all about the race.  The nerves, the anxiousness, the speculation of the outcome.  When we got there, people were everywhere.  And most of them looked like real runners!  I still felt like a poser.  Should I really be here??  We all went to the bathroom and took our "before race" picture.  Then it was off to find our starting spot.

They have all the runners placed from fastest pace in the front to slowest pace in the back.  And that is where we headed.  But, we were not alone.  There were tons of people in the back of the group and all different kinds of people too.  It really helped me relax to look around and see all the various types of people who came out to run a half or whole marathon.  People in all shapes and sizes and ages!

At 7:30 we were off and running together but we ended up kind of separating which we all knew would happen.  I stuck to my plan of walking the first 10 minutes, just to get my old bones, muscles, lungs and heart warmed up.  It had worked in the past so I didn't want to change a thing just because it was a race.  The downside of that was, though, most everyone was passing me from the very beginning.  It was hard not to start running but I knew I would have a much better chance of finishing "well" if I stuck to my plan.  I always have to have a plan.

When my 10 minutes were up, I just started to run.  Slow and steady.  Taking in the scenery and the people and soaking up the whole atmosphere.  I saw a number of people I knew from spectators to runners.  When I run I don't talk or listen to music.  I prefer to run alone.  I can barely run much less talk while I am doing it!!  But, I do find myself smiling a lot.  Maybe because I am just amazed at what I, and countless others are able to do.  Or delirium.  Who knows.

I knew I would be OK the first half.  I had asked hubby and the kids to be at the turn around, halfway point because I knew they would be some inspiration.  They actually were a little bit before it and they cheered as I ran by.  They might have left and found another place to wait but a little bit later, after my turn around point, I saw them again.

It started getting difficult on the way back.  Ankles hurt, knees hurt, hips hurt.  Thankfully not all at the same time.  My devotion Sunday was about just saying "help Jesus" when I need help. And so that is what I did. Running a long race is really like doing life.  There are good spots, spots in life where you do well and you can rejoice.  Then, there are spots in life where you struggle.  And at those times God if faithful to be there "a very present help in the time of need."

When I run long distances, I get into a zone.  I really don't notice much else.  Getting towards the 10 mile mark I did see hubby and the kids again, twice, kind of following me in the van.  Then, after mile 11, nothing.  I really didn't see or notice anything except maybe the occasional person to ask "How much longer?"  By that time I was talking to myself out loud.  So much so I was losing breath and had to stop talking out loud.  I was just being silly, trying to pass the time and keep myself motivated.  Just repeating out loud all the body parts that hurt and by this time they all hurt together.  But, I was determined.  I knew if I stopped running I would never start back up to cross the finish line running.

But, also at that time, I was reflecting on how much God loves me.  Loves all the runners.  How much He has blessed me, blessed me beyond measure.  I spend most of my time, while running, talking with God.  And towards the end it became a little emotional.

I was tired physically and mentally and emotionally.  This had all started as a celebration of life and health of a wonderful friend who had had brain surgery exactly a year ago.  Our crazy idea of running together to mark the one year anniversary turned into 6 months of love and prayers and encouragement of not only a physical nature but of a spiritual one as well.  A bunch of wonderful Godly women (our group has expanded to include 2 or 3 more) has been praying for families and children and all sorts of life's stuff along with the encouragement to keep exercising and training.

At the end, I was just so grateful and thankful to God for a life filled with love and family and friends and the trials that make us grow in faith.  I was also so focused on finishing that I never saw my family and my mom cheering me on the last 3/10 of the race.  I also never saw them at the finish line.  I was so singularly focused on crossing the finish line running with a smile on my face that I heard and saw nothing!  I was shocked that they were there!

Afterwards, I was a little sore because my legs were allowed to stop moving.  But it was doable.  I was one of the first of our group to finish so we had a plan to meet the rest of our runners at the last 3/10 of the race and run in with each one as they crossed the finish line.  No one cared how long it took for the others to run the race.  We were in it together and we were going to finish together!

There were tears as we all hugged.  We had accomplished something great!  Together!  Then we all went out for lunch!  All 20 of us (kids and husbands included.)

There has been talk, already, in our virtual running group, if we will do another 1/2.  I don't know.  I would have said last week "never!"  Now, I am not so sure.  We have decided one thing though, we are going to keep our little prayer and encouragement group going for both exercise and spiritual accountability.

As I read back over this, I wonder why on earth would I run when it can be so hard and painful.  The only thing I can think of is that many of the things that are worth doing are hard.  But, the end result is so worth it. I don't think accomplishing great things is ever easy.

Kind of crazy it is over.  Gotta figure out something else to stress about . . . (just kidding) . . .  (sort of) . . .

Dodgeball

Yup.  That's right.  Dodgeball.  Co-ed dodgeball no less!  In the early part of fall, our church youth group decided to participate in an area Dodgeball Competition.  At first I was like "no way."  We don't have time for this and it was dodgeball for goodness sake.

But, both girls were recruited along with all of the girlfriends (mostly because the boys needed at least two girls on a team) and the excitement started to grow.  After Sunday night youth they would get together and practice.  We would all go just to watch.  But, the next thing you know daddy was playing along with a handful of other men and it turned out to be a really great time!

It was so fun to watch the grown up men get really competitive.  They even let Boop practice with them and any other siblings who happened to be there.  The little girls would be ball getters and cheerleaders.

For all the practicing they did, unfortunately, they did not fair very well in the tournament.  I think we had the most teams present but didn't win a single trophy.  It was fun to watch, though, and the kids had a blast!

Just a great group of fun loving kids . . .

Boop's Birthday Continued

It isn't unusual in our house to celebrate a birthday for over a week.  

About a week before Boop's birthday, daddy arranged with his brother to take Boop and his two friends (and one other dad) out to fish.  The boys spent the night and had to get up at 6AM.  I went to wake them and they were already up!  Think they were just a little bit excited to go fishing!

They had a blast and stayed out most of the day.  Each boy caught at least one fish.  And one of Boop's friends actually caught a keeper!  They had big fun but were super exhausted when they got home.

We then had a family birthday on the actual night of his birthday.  Everyone was here.  Even a great aunt from Wisconsin!  Sissy bought him some football gear and we got him a football.  Isn't he adorable?!?!  I just love his smile.

He got a couple of gifts he really, really liked.  As evidenced on his face.  He got a great Lego toy and the Lego movie.

He is such a super sweet kid.  Thankful my little man . . . 

How We Spent Our Weekend, Part 1

One of the fun things about having the 4 youngest of 17 cousins is they get to be in the older cousins' weddings.  This is the second one in about a year and a half.  The little guys don't necessarily think it is all that great in the beginning.  But, by the time the festivities start they are all for it.

The wedding this past weekend was a good time had by all.  All of the older peeps in the wedding party were so awesome to EG and Boop.  The rehearsal was really laid back and everyone helped put all the wedding decorations together and decorate the reception area.  My niece made all of the decorations for the wedding.  Everything from the floating candle center pieces to the gigantic Jenga game she made out of wood.  The game was literally 2 1/2 feet tall.  Not sure why I didn't take a picture of it.

Wedding party waiting to be told what to do.  Boop was the ring bearer, EG was the flower girl and the two big girls handed out the programs that doubled as fans.

LM and NG were stand ins for the groomsmen who were not able to make it to the rehearsal.  All the groomsmen but one (and Boop) were Navy pilots.  So cool.  More about that later.

This picture is of hubby as a stand in for the officiator (not sure if that is the right word or even a word).  The groom, who we love (he is so great with kids), is next to him. Also a Navy pilot.  He proposed to my niece while taking her flying in an airplane.

The decorating and the rehearsal didn't take long at all.

The rehearsal dinner was at a local Italian restaurant.  All the girls in the wedding party were given matching, monogrammed dressing robes.  Including EG.  She slept in hers that night!

Because the groom is Navy and my niece has also enlisted, all of the decorations and the theme was in red, white and blue.  More about the weekend later . . .

A Visit

Back in the first week of April, we got to enjoy the company of Grandpa J and Nona K.  They came down to visit for a few days.  And we really enjoyed our time together!  One of the great things about having company is it makes you go and do and see things that when you live someplace you just kind of take for granted.

They got in on a Monday in time for dinner.  And we just sat and visited.  The next day we took a trip to the beach.  It was a beautiful day!  A little breezy and sunshiny.  A perfect day for a couple of folks from the Midwest!  We brought blankets and flipper and lunch and just hung out.

The water was cold.  At least too cold for me!  But, the kids couldn't care less so they got in.  Although rather slowly.  Nona K said she didn't come all this way NOT to get in the water.  So, she was much braver.

We really are blessed to live where we do.  Rolling hills in town and the beautiful, white sandy beaches within an hour and a half.  

We saw this Great Blue Heron just standing on the beach while we were hunting shells.  He/she never left.  Maybe she had a nest nearby.  They are such beautiful birds!

We also went to a local lake/park where there were some little shops.  We had homemade ice cream and the kids climbed the big tree.  We also went to a little artsy part of town that I had never been to before.  While hanging out at the house we played a bunch of games of Scrabble and the kids loved that!  (So did I!)

All in all, we had a great visit.  It is always fun when family comes to town . . .

Christmas, Finally!

We had a wonderful Christmas.  I feel it was laid back and full of family and food.  Little by little each year we are trying to do away with the trappings of the holidays.  Really trying to focus on the birth of Christ and all that it means for us as we celebrate.

Hubby had to work Christmas Day so we had our big meal with all the family at about 3 o'clock on Christmas Eve.  It was buffet style because we just can't fit everyone around a table anymore.  What a great problem to have!!  We ate early enough so the dishes were done and the kitchen cleaned so when we got home from church we could just relax and eat dessert.

Our church has a very simple service.  We sing hymns and families place ornaments on a Chrismon Tree.  So we participated in that.

We came home, built a fire, ate dessert, opened some presents (the traditional PJs, popcorn, hot chocolate and new movie).  And just hung out and visited and eventually turned on A Christmas Story.

The kids had a tough time sleeping.  Of course.  Hubby had to be in bed early so Sissy and I hung out on the couch waiting to be Santa's elves.  I think we were asleep by 1ish.  And morning came early.  Hubby was able to get home by 7:30AM in order to open presents.  And the kids had a blast.  It went by so quick though.

All the family was over and we hung out and played games and watched movies and ate when hubby got home around 5.  All in all, it was a successful Christmas Day.  Although, have I mentioned how fast it went by. . . .

Thanksgiving

We spend Thanksgiving with my husband's family.  This year my job was to bring dessert for all of us.  I baked my usual cookies but then decided to venture out a little bit and do something a little more festive.  Actually my sister-in-law gave me the idea.  I googled mini pies and came up with a crazy easy recipe for mini cherry and pumpkin pies.

The girls and I had fun making them.  And, if I do say so myself, they turned out pretty good! 

Thanksgiving was great!  All the cousins did their annual Thanksgiving day play with a little twist.  "Yo, let's eat."  Pretty sure the Pilgrims and Indians didn't phrase it quite like that.  During dinner my niece announced she was engaged.  We like the guy she is going to marry.  He likes our kids and loves to hang out with them.  As evidenced by the following pictures.  

Dinner prep.

Everyone gathered around the Thanksgiving table.

The kids, young and old acting silly with their place cards.

The oldest and youngest brother in the kitchen.

Like father, like son.

Girls and hair.

EG is in there.

Missing two of my husband's siblings and their families.  But, a good family picture none the less.

Always fun to get together . . .