Our Little Athletes

Here are some highlights of the older two in their recent athletic endeavors...

Karis perfecting her back handspring.  She has landed it, without help, a couple times at home.

Ethan kicking the game winning goal in the last 3 seconds of the game against his teams big "rival". 

Last week we ran in our church's Hustle for Haiti 5k.  We had every intent of getting some training in beforehand, but that didn't pan out with our crazy schedule and rainy weather.  We ran once the week before...at which point Karis decided she no longer wanted to do the full 5k.  The morning of the race, though, she changed her mind, so I pushed Natalie and Levi in the double jogger and ran with her. I was proud of her for running more than she walked and we came in in right around 37 minutes. Over 200 people participated and we were in the top 90!  Ethan took off after the first half mile and we cheered him on when we saw him around the half way point.  He finished in just over 28 minutes, for third place in the 12 and under age group!  

I have two more videos I want to upload, but I think I'm overloading this post.  If you care...look for Part II in the near future.

I did it!!

Well, I ran my half-marathon this past Sunday. Don't look at me funny, but...I really enjoyed it!! I know it sounds so weird to run 13 miles and say that you've enjoyed it, but I did. I think I might officially become a half-marathoner.

(my cheering squad...that's one of my high school track coaches in the yellow jacket :O))

Seriously, though, I had the "perfect" experience.

I could train while my hubby was home with the kids or they tagged along on bikes. {There were two times I left the kids with a neighbor friend for quick work-outs, and I managed to get over the guilt of that. I mean, how many times have you left your kids with a friend so you could get to your hair or doctor appointment or whaterver. I've convinced myself it's not any different...}

I experienced no injuries and never even got a blister until my 12 mile run.


All the kids started sleeping all night for about the last month, so I was well rested.


The training plan worked step by step. {I did alter the last week a bit since our schedule was crazy, I had that wonderful monthly visitor, and the mileage just seemed really high to me.}


I don't think I could have asked for a better race morning. The weather was overcast and cool. The crowd wasn't overwhelming. My nerves settled after my second "potty" stop before the start, and I didn't have to take any potty stops along the way. Everything went smoothly.


Once the horn blew, I just settled in and had almost two hours of "church". It was really an amazing feeling. I was doing what I feel like God created my body to do in a place that He created for me to enjoy while quietly singing prayers and praise to Him.


My goal was to cross the finish line in 2 hours or less, with no walking. At about 9 miles I knew that {unless something crazy happened} I was going to finish under 2 hours. At that point my goal became to get as close to 1:50 as possible. I finished in 1:51 and some seconds (official times haven't been posted yet)...and I didn't have to walk at all!
It felt good accomplishing this goal. I still think, at some point, I'll try a full marathon, but I'm waiting till the time is right...and I think I'll only put myself through one of those, just to say I did. But this half-marathon thing I could definitely see myself doing on a somewhat regular basis. That's okay with you, Mark, right? :O)

Poundin' the Pavement

Well, I'm 5 weeks into my half-marathon training, and I'd have to say, so far, I'm really enjoying it. Yes, I enjoy running. I'm a little weird like that.

In my first 5 weeks, I think my favorite run so far has been my 7 miler. It was a nice evening and I was able to keep a consistent, sub-10 minute pace. Although it was extremely hot, I enjoyed my 8 mile run, too. The big kids were at my parents' house for the weekend, so Mark joined me on his bike with Levi in the bike trailer. He was my travelling water station...how nice is that?? I tried my first energy gel pack on that run, too. Umm...that's some pretty gross stuff trying to taste good.

I have had two longer runs that have done weird things to my stomach/intestines, and I haven't been able to pinpoint whether I'm eating something that doesn't agree with running or if it's my pace. Both runs I've done with a friend and we've pushed the pace under 9 minute miles for 6 and 7 miles, which is a bit faster than I usually do long runs at. Hopefully, I'll get it figured out in the next couple weeks!

I love that I'm achieving a goal. {It's been years since I've had a specific goal to work towards, aside from just surviving with four small children and completing the typical motherly tasks of each day, all while maintaining sanity :O)} I love that there's purpose in my running. I love watching the training plan work. It's fascinating to me to see longer and longer runs get easier and faster. It's nice to see some more muscle tone in my legs, too!

I don't love that it usually requires time away from my family or that some days it costs us our relaxing dinner or bedtime schedule. I don't like that I feel like I'm being pushy with my need to "get my run in". Mark just had to reassure me last night that I'm doing okay. That I'm not being pushy. I'm still trying to convince myself that I'm not being selfish. I've got 7 more weeks to let go of that. Hopefully, I'll have time next month to keep you updated on how that's going.

Making my declaration

I'm making my "public" declaration...September 12th I'm running the Erie Half-Marathon. So, I have to do it now, right? ...crap...now I'm scared...

I've said for a long time that I'd like to run a marathon some day, and I still would, but there is no way I can invest the amount of time it would take to accomplish that goal right now. I'm having a hard enough time believing that I'm going to be okay with the amount of time it's going to take to prepare for a Half.

I love to run. I love the sense of accomplishment when I finish a few miles. I love how I feel when I'm in shape. I love having conversations with God while I'm pounding the pavement. I love feeling refreshed by the quiet.

But I'm so bad about spending time on myself! I rarely feel like I need time away and sometimes feel guilty when I take it. Seriously, I get out about once every two weeks without kids and it's to go grocery shopping. I go to a Bible Study once a month and about once every other month I might go out with some girlfriends for a couple hours, but that's about it. I don't get my hair or nails done, I don't soak in the bathtub, I don't have a TV show I watch every week, I hardly ever read anymore. I might get 20 minutes to read my Bible and journal on a good morning, and after the kids are in bed I'm grading my students' work.

I spend A LOT of time with my family, so why do I feel selfish for wanting to do this? I have a husband who is perfectly capable of taking care of the kids (sometimes I think he's better at it than me!) and enjoys opportunities to be with them on his own. I know plenty of moms, with 3-5 kids around the same age as mine are, who are training for half marathons and triathalons and I know, in my head, it's not bad to set this goal and go for it.

I just have problems letting go of the idea that since I asked to be a mom, I need to fully invest in that (especially in this season when our kids are young)...and that when I spend time on me, I'm being selfish. These years pass much too quickly. Before I know it they'll all be in school all day, and I'll have more than enough time for a goal like this. So, there are days where I have almost convinced myself that I should just wait.

But I can't. I need to do this this year. This is becoming an element in my process of learning to let go this year. I'm letting go of the idea that spending time on me = selfishness. This doesn't mean that my family is never going to see me anymore :O). It means that it's okay for me to set a goal and put in the time and work to accomplish it. I know there are probably plenty of people who probably think I'm crazy for choosing a half marathon to train myself in taking "me time", but for me, this is an investment in my mind, body, and soul.

The timing of the race is what is making this goal attainable and will make the letting go process less stressful. I've been asked to do several tris and halfs by friends, but I'm not willing to commit to them because of the timing. I picked Erie's half because it lets me do a majority of my training over the summer, while Mark is home, our obligations are limited, our schedule is pretty free, and I have a minimal amount of students. (The last couple weeks of the training plan might get a little hairy as Mark starts cross-country, the kids start soccer, and my students start their new school year, but I'll figure something out.)

I'm running a half-marathon.

This is why I run...

Pressing On

To me, it seems so early in the year to feel like I have to "press on". As runner, I don't usually have to take on the "just keep going" mentality until I'm a few miles in. I don't know that I expected this when I set out for this to be a year of change. But, you see, I'm a very impatient person. I think I expected to be a changed person by the end of January and then reap the effects of that change for the rest of the year. Ha Ha!! I am SO human!

I can't say that I really feel as though I'm trudging along. There is still a joy and fulfillment when I take my early morning moments and use them to learn more about my God and what He wants for me. It has not become something I'm doing out of duty. At the same time, I feel like with each moment or day where progress is evident, I also find another area I need to change or face another attack. I read something yesterday to the affect that when we move to a new level with God, we gain a new devil. Can I get an amen to that?

I love that this journey is bringing me out of my complacency. I love that it is bringing me into almost constant conversation with God. I love that when I find it difficult to focus on where to go or what to do next, or I'm questioning whether we are doing the right things, God has been right there. Maybe not at the moment I would like, but at His perfect time, He comes along side me and shows me "See this...this is what I have for you..." or "See this...this is what I'm doing with you and sometimes in spite of you..."

Example 1: I have had this thought in mind and on my heart for a while to get a group of moms together to pray for our kids and the local public school they attend. I know several Christian women whose children go there and I believe it is so important that we cover our children, the other students, the teachers, and the building in prayer. That said, my prayer life is not what it should be, so I've felt hesitant to lead a group of this nature. Yet, I feel like there is a reason God has put it on my heart, and I expect that God is bringing me to the place where I will be a part of seeing this happen.
So, on Sunday when I saw the note in our church bulletin that they are starting a group for moms who want to come before the Lord in prayer for their children, I almost thanked God out loud in the middle of the service. I am talking to God about using this group and me to do something similar at school.

Example 2: One area I have overanalyzed to death is schooling for our kids. Do we homeschool? Do we make the sacrifice and send them to Christian school, if at all possible? Do we send them to public school? Mark and I, as public educators see the reality, and sometimes horrors, of what the public school system looks like. It is so evident to us, that our public schools are mostly void of strong Christian examples, in teachers and students. The public schools are a mission field that need Christian families in them, and we believe that this is the mission field our family has been called to. At times, though, it is hard for me hold on to that. Like when I see my quiet little boy get on that bus. And when I ask him who he talked to today, he replies "Nobody except (insert names of kids he knows who are already from Christian homes)". I think who am I trying to kid, that I think this boy will have the boldness to share Christ? I wonder will his simple example be enough? I fear his silence will give way to peer pressure or ignoring those in need.
So, yesterday when we were in the van on the way to the bus stop and Ethan asked if it was his turn for show and tell, and I replied it will be next Monday, and he responded with, "I want to take my Bible", I thanked God that Ethan is His child before he's mine. That God will use Ethan to do His work. That He will make me the parent that will help make that possible, and, that in spite of my fear and worry that it won't happen, He can do it. I expect Him to do it.

A week (and then some) in review...

Well, last week passed in a blur. So much went on, and I can't believe I am just now getting around to posting! Some things that I wanted to be sure to get on here:

My baby boy has learned to really crawl, pull himself up, and cut his first tooth in a matter of days. It's killing me!! I imagine he could be walking by January...unless I can find a way to tie him down without being reported to children's services.

Tuesday night I was feeling the stress of trying to get everything ready to leave for Erie in the morning, so needless to say, I wasn't the easiest person to be around. While I was scrambling around getting dinner ready, Ethan came up to me and in the sweetest voice said, "Mommy, is there anything I can do to help you?" I love that boy.

Karis is becoming quite the artist. She's a girl after my own heart when it comes to stuff like this! She drew about 20 pictures of Christmas trees and snowmen at my parent's house. Here is one of her masterpieces.
And Natalie. The girl is a wild woman and she's very sharp! The nursery worker at church told us today that she knows all the kids names and who's sippy belongs to who...she's always on the ball and making sure everyone stays in line. Here is a picture of here playing in the snow we got last Tuesday. It's really the first time she's been able to move around in it...and of course she was very mad when it was time to go inside. I could hear her screaming in the house as I finished shoveling the drive!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent last Saturday with Mark's family (and actually got his parents to play pictionary with us...I haven't laughed that hard in a while!). We were in Erie for a few days with my family. Dad and I did the Turkey Trot 5K, which was very cold! And of course I have to throw it in here that I beat him - for the first time in my life!

I am so thankful for an amazing family. I am thankful for a wonderful church. I am thankful for my MOPS girlfriends. I am thankful that God chooses to bless me...even when I don't deserve it.

Beautiful Girls, Bird Feeders, and a Bitterly Cold Run...

After a busy couple of days it seemed like I finally had a chance to spend some time enjoying the kids. Natalie is totally obsessed with books right now. She will sit on any free lap and look through books, pointing and saying every word she knows...and even learning some new ones. Today she learned "jeweepish"... or jellyfish...and "ocopoof"...or octopus :O). Love it!

At Natalie's naptime it was Karis' day to pick what we played, so she wanted to play with some makeup and her vanity. We gave each other some pretty "hot" makeovers!

We also made some birdfeeders with some pinecones, "fat", peanut butter, oatmeal, cornmeal, and birdseed. It should be interesting to see what kind of birds we attract before the squirrels get to them!

When Mark got home he was nice enough to stay with the kids while I ventured out to the bike trail for a 3 mile run. I try to do most of my runs in the neighborhood so it doesn't take up as much time, but with all the hills it is hard for me to go much more than two miles. Since I'm running a 5k with my dad next Thursday, I wanted to get in a couple longer runs. Anyway...it was pretty freezing, but really refreshing. I got to do a lot of thinking, some of which maybe I'll share in the next few days. For now, it is definitely time for bed!