I DID IT!!!!

Well, I can't believe it's here and gone already. Weeks of training, being sick, and sore muscles all for one big day. I was so nervous about getting out there and running 13.1 miles for the first time. I had lots of people praying for me and I am convinced that's what got me through to the finish line. So, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. They were much needed and MUCH appreciated. HE DELIVERED!!! I had two goals for this race:

1. That I would run the whole race.

2. That I would finish in 2.5 hours or less.

I DID run the whole time and my finish time was 2:10:57!! God is SO good!! Here's some pics from the big race.

This is me in line for the port-o-potty before the race. You KNOW I had to go really, REALLY bad to have to use one of these things. Gross.

It was about 35 degrees when I started so the shirt had to stay on til about mile 6. This is me flashin my bib before I'm off!

I'm definitely crying in this picture. I was so excited and so tired and so happy all at the same time. I FINISHED!!

Question

Ok, so the race starts at 7:30 am on Saturday and Ft. Worth is like 45 minutes away (with no traffic). I'm not very familiar with the area, but I'm wondering if anyone know a decent hotel that won't cost a butt load of cash that would be near downtown? I would love to be able to just stay in Ft Worth Friday night that way I can get as much sleep as possible, but I can totally drive Saturday morning if I gotta. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Introductions

Well, I've been with the Painters for about 6 or 7 months now and I think it might be time for an introduction. I took them on an outing to the Dallas World Aquarium for their Christmas present. It was a lot of fun. I love these kiddos even when they drive me nuts! I'm so blessed to be a part of their lives and I'm grateful for every moment I get to spend with them. So, without further ado... Heeeeeeeere they are!!!

Jackson, acting "natural"

Marlee, aka Mar-Mar

Sam, my sweet little man.

the crew.

A Special Valentine's Day treat... for you!!!

So, there we are on Valentine's Day watching a movie cuddled on the couch when a scene which involved cat noises came on the screen. I wished I had a camera at that very moment, but I didn't. So, here is the reenactment... make sure you went to the bathroom already, i wouldn't want you to pee your pants. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmrUwOtTyFA

How to Tie a Balloon

Who knew that we as human beings would become so dependent on this thing... the internet. I am a little sad to say that I am one of those people who is EXTREMELY dependent on the World Wide Web. I look up everything. No, I don't think you understand...
EV-ERY-THING! If I need a recipe for low fat cornbread? Cooks.com. Need to figure out a way to map out my run that way I know just how many miles I'm running when I run around my neighborhood... mapmyrun.com -- amazing! And today? Well, as you all know Valentine's Day is... well, here, and I was trying to blow up (and tie) some balloons. If you know me at all you will note that this is a HUGE labor of love for me. I hate balloons. I like to get them and that's about it. I hate that they pop. I hate that you never have anywhere to put them. And I hate, I HATE tying them. So, after a good 10 minutes and I'm only on balloon numero dos, the thought hits me.... there must be a better way. And low and behold! SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND!!!! http://www.wikihow.com/Tie-a-Balloon.

I finished those 15 balloons in about 5 minutes. I never thought I'd say this, but.... Thanks, Al Gore!!

disclaimer: the last statement is a sarcastic one. This blogger does not actually think that Al Gore invented the internet. Thank you.

Back in the Saddle Again.

Well, I finally feel like I've got my runnin' legs (and lungs) back. I didn't realize how devastating an upper respiratory infection could be to your running (apparently you need your lungs in good shape, weird). Anyway, so I ran for a whole 60 minutes without stopping and although I was dang tired, I didn't feel like I was going to die. Which is a good thing, cuz there ain't no way I be runnin' this race in no hour! So, why am I writing about this... this is boring... I know what you're thinking. Well, I finished my run (on the treadmill) and as I was stretching I saw this commercial on NBC and all of a sudden I had some new motivation. I love the way God does little stuff like that, don't you. So, here it is. This is what I'll be doing Feb. 23rd. And like I said earlier, if you don't got anything to do that day, come down, do some shoppin and eatin and cheer me on while you're at it!!!!

Watch commercial Here!!!

Needing Motivation

So, I've got three weeks til the big race and I have to admit that my "training" hasn't been going well. I got sick last week with a upper respiratory infection and apparently it's very difficult to breath when strickin with such a thing (especially when you try to run... yes, i tried it). So, I am feeling a little discouraged, like I can't do this... and I REALLY want to. I'm notorious for starting things like this and then talking myself out of them. So, on one hand I'm like, "ya know, it's not the end of the world. I could just do a 5K or a 10K instead... but I WANT to do the half!"

Then on the other hand I think, "ya know what Lord, you made this body and you know exactly what it is capable of doing and you are MORE than capable to allow it to do ANYTHING! Because "nothing is too hard for Jesus," (learned that in kids branch today)."

So, maybe I'm just writing this to get some encouragement. I've got three weeks left and I know that God can do anything He wants to with me in those 3 weeks.

Lord, I pray for a supernatural strength and willingness to finish my training strong for these next 3 weeks. Give me restful sleep, an appetite for good and wholesome foods, and a hunger for Your Word to sustain me. Help me to remember to ask for my "daily bread" each day. Protect my body from injury and my mind from discouraging thoughts. I love you so much and am honored that You would allow me to do incredible things with this temple you have given me. Remind me to be respectful of it. Thank you for the people reading this. I pray you would bless their day tomorrow beyond any expectations they may or may not have. Love you.