Running history

So I started running again in 2011 after having five kids.  For almost 7 years I was either pregnant or nursing. Taking care of five kids five and under, homeschooling and just living life didn't leave much time for exercising.  So in 2011 after seeing my sis in law run in a half marathon I decided I wanted to run one to...just once! I ran my first one in April of 2011 in the Country Music half marathon in Nashville, TN.  I ran it in 2:27.  I pretty much hit a wall on mile 9, and I can't remember the last part of that race!;) I was not prepared or ready for it at all.  So I decided after that to do Insanity.  I did it for four weeks and hurt my knee pretty bad. So I took the next six months off and didn't do anything. I gained weight and felt horrible! So on January 1st, 2012. I got up at 6am and ran 6 miles.  It was the start of my training for the Mercedes half that was only a little over a month away.  I was able to run with a friend and ran it in 18 degree weather, and ran it in 2 hours and 16 minutes.  Much improved, but I still felt I could do better.  I kept up with my running, running by myself about 3-4 times a week whenver I could fit it in.  Mostly at night after the kids were in bed, which is never a good time to run or a safe time.  I ran the Nashville half again in April and came in at 2:13 despite the hills and heat.  After this, I heard about the Helena Endurance Running Group (HERG) that met together on Saturday mornings to run.  I started runnng with them, and it helped me so much to run with a group, and stay accountable and motivated.  Through this group I met Kasey, and we started running together during the week as well.  She gave me speed workouts to do and we met at the Y to do them on the treadmill once a week in the morning.  We then started meeting in the morning one day a week and running hills in her neighborhood. 
This fall I signed up for the Triple Crown Challenge which is running in three different half marathons, and after completing all three you get a special medal and t-shirt.  I was up for this challenge, so I signed up for it.  The first race was at the Talladega Superspeedway, which was awesome.  I beat my PR by 12 minutes and came in at 2:01.23.  I was very happy with this, but now had that itch to break that 2 hour mark! The second half marathon was the United Cerebal Palsey race in Florence, AL! I came in at 1:54.50.  I was shocked at the time.  I didn't feel really bad until the last mile, and kept up an 8:45 pace.  I have had a few nagging injuries.  One being my Achilles that has hurt me since the Nashville race in April.  It is getting better, but after this last race my heel has been bothering me feeling like a deep bruise in it.  I am going to start spinning with Kasey once a week as well and running four days a week! I have started the Hal Higdon Novice 1 marathon training for the Mercedes marathon in February! I am very excited for this journey, and am even thinking about trying out a small Triathalon next year.  Guess I need to buy a bike and learn how to swim better!;) Thanks for joining me in this journey and I hope some part of this inspires you as well! To God be the glory!

Giving it all for HIM!

This is our sponsored child from Compassion International.  He is from Brazil.  His name is Henrique.  Lately the Lord has put in my heart and in my path the tremendous need for orphans, for the poor and needy! It breaks my heart every time I read a post or a blog about the orphans (there are over 149 million of them) I want to do so many BIG things to help! But today I was reminded of the two sponsored children we help.  Most of the time all I see them as is a bill we pay each month that goes to Compassion or towards World Vision.  Today I was challenged by Ann Voskamp, she said, "I’m wildly angry that I want to forget the struggle of the poor so I can pin the next pretty idea on Pinterest."
I could say the same after reading this post.  I am angry at myself for caring more about my comfort, of having a nice home, going out to eat more often than I care to admit, having healthy kids and just taking for granted all the blessings I have! I need to do more.  I need to care more! I want my heart to break at the things that break the heart of God! So I was challenged today to do what I can now, do the small things.  Write to my sponsored children more often.  Talk about them with my kids more, pray for them more!

How am I loving? Am I loving God and loving others with all that I am and giving God all the glory for it? Am I stepping out of my comfort zone and giving all, am I willing to suffer for the cause of Christ? Just some things that have been in my heart lately...JESUS He is worth it ALL!

Summer 2012

Here is our family beach picture that we had taken this summer from our wonderful friend Sherry of Synergy Photography.  We had such a great time at this session, and I thought it was amazing that she got everyone to look and smile for this picture! We also had a great time playing on the beach with her family.  I am treasuring the moments and memories with my family this summer. 

We are now preparing for the new School year that is fast approaching.  I am so thankful for the Lords great blessings! To God be the glory!

What's on my heart.

James 1:27 says that "pure and undefiled religion is this, to visit widows and orphans in their distress".  -The Lord sure has put this on my heart lately! It doesn't get any clearer than that! The bible commands us to take care of widows, to take care of orphans.  My heart breaks for the orphans I see in pictures, that I read about in blogs.  I want to DO something! I don't want to just sit here and feel sorry for them! I keep asking the Lord how can I help, what can I do? I tell Him I am willing, I am ready.  Do I wait, or do I try to make things happen on my own.  I really want to get involved with foster care.  I am praying that the Lord would put this on Stan's heart too! I want to make a difference, I want to take care of the children who don't have parents, or parents who just can't take care of them right now.  So I wait, I pray and I hope that God would make it clear how I can be involved! I am willing, it is scary but I refuse to let fear stand in my way!
Psalm 86:11, "Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your Truth; unite my heart to fear your Name."

The kids in Florida!Caleb

Kimmy

Morgan

Joshy

Nathan

It's Christmas time.  Two weeks of no school work.  I have so many things I want to get done during that time.  Since homeschooling takes up so much of my time and energy I want to accomplish some things.  Some of those things are...
Making a scrapbook for my parents for Christmas.
Catching up on the laundry.
Cleaning this house from top to bottom.
Making Christmas shirts with the kids.
Baking with the kids, and
of course blogging!
I am terrible at blogging.  Mostly because I don't have time, but also because I think who really cares what I have to say.  I've never been good at journaling, but it is fun to read others blogs and they are always so inspirational to me. 
I do want to put up some new pictures of the kids that were taken this past August on a very HOT day! They were taken by my wonderful friend, Sherry of Synergy Photography!