Half-marathon, baby!

I'm so super proud of Christian for completing his first half marathon in 4 years. That's after battling strep that came on with flu like symptoms a mere 3 days ago. You see, Christian doesn't love running but desires to try and understand my passion so puts himself through pain to connect with me. That's true love. And watching his kiddos congratulate him, heart melting. Congrats babe! We are so proud! Can't wait til Chicago in the fall 👊.

Marathon #25 and State #19 - Arizona!

The marathon journey continues, and next up was Arizona. I'm so thankful to have a friend who has adopted this quest with me as it's super nice to have company on these quick trips. This trip was so great and tiring and fast. We were able to stay with friends who lived outside of Phoenix and meet up with some of Noelle's family. We then busted our butts through a 26.2 mile race, came back to shower, grab some In 'N Out and head back to the airport to meet up with our supportive families.

"Oh sweet marathon, how I have a love/hate relationship with you sometimes! But PUSHING through, when it's tough. When you want to walk...for a long time. When you start doing the math to figure out 'if I walked the next 10 miles at a 15 min pace, what could I finish in.' And then you don't. You keep running that race, knowing there is sweet glorious victory on the other side and you WILL complete another race. It is well worth the pain and takes mental as well as physical endurance. Marathon #25 and state #19 in 3:41:06. Top 5, baby!"

Gemma and Kate, bffs :)

Gemma has become good friends with Kate Myatt thanks to the boys having sporting practices or being in the same class. It's been so sweet to watch their little friendship develop and I'm working hard to convince Sara (Kate's mom) that they should be in the same preschool class next year! Gemma's always just been along for the ride with whoever mom and/or her brothers want to play with, so watching this grow on their own is heartwarming.

 

 

 

Seattle Marathon, baby!

Another marathon and state in the books! State #18 and marathon #24 completed last Sunday! Christian is a gem of a husband and sent me off solo to Seattle on Thanksgiving weekend, no less, to complete a new state. I'm so blessed to have such a supportive husband! I was able to stay at the race headquarters (never done that before!) relax of my own, meet up with my friend Noelle and her family for dinner the night before the race, and then run the race with Noelle! I've also never run a marathon with someone else for the entirety of the race, and it was a really fun experience. Noelle was 2 weeks off of marathon #2, and ended up running only 1 minute behind her Las Vegas time (🙌👊) because she is ah-mazing! I've always wondered what it might be like to pace a marathon, and this gave me a good idea of what it might be like and I'm excited about the possibility of that being part of my future racing plans.

I was supposed to meet up with my west coast college roomie, but unfortunately her family all came down with crazy kinds of sickness and she was unable to get away. It was a bummer for sure, but I enjoyed my time in Seattle nonetheless and came back refreshed and homesick for my babies (all 4 of them 😉). Next up? Arizona in January!!

 

  

 

 

  

 

Run the Race

Just your typical Tuesday...getting inked for the first time. This tattoo has been in the works for awhile now, and I can't believe the day has actually come and gone and I have my first tattoo! I have been thinking about this for a few months, and then literally "ran into" a girl in Utah while I was out for the Young Living convention last June who wanted the same type of tattoo which motivated me even more. A few months go by and then my friend Noelle gets her first tat (along with this girl Ashley I met in Utah within days of Noelle) and the motivation became real! Christian and I sat down one Sunday afternoon and designed what I wanted. Originally I was planning for it to be on my foot (appropriate, yes, for the symbolism) but three days before my appointment I looked up the pain of foot tattoos and read. Mistake...or not! I ended up making a pro/con list for my foot and forearm, and the arm won out. And let's just say, I'm in love. I am so happy with how it came out, with the design that Christian created, and the tattoo artist who basically copied it exactly as we wanted. He had one modification (which is great!) and said he had to add something to Christian's creation, hahaha. The artists at the shop were very impressed with Christian's work and I told him I think he has another career waiting for him on the side ;). My artist was also impressed with the size and location of my choice since it was my first...ha, I told him go big or go home, right?!

So, for the meaning behind my tattoo: the five dots at the beginning of the "r" are for my family. The abstract runner girl at the end, obviously ;) And the "run the race" from Hebrews 12:1 is so symbolic of my life, both in marathoning and everyday activity. We are only given one life and I want to live a life pleasing to Jesus, running the race He has given me with endurance. My kids know the meaning, Reid in particular has grown quite attached to it, and Gemma has asked Christian to draw a tattoo on her arm (as they saw him practicing on me before the appointment to make sure I would like it). I am looking forward to having the visual reminder on my arm, for the rest of my life, and also to let it be one more piece in my story and witness for Christ. Without further ado, here are the pictures of this very big deal in my life!