“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

I can not believe that I did it. I ran the St. Jude Half-Marathon race. I finished the course. I did it! It was the most mentally and physically challenging thing I have ever done.

To be completely honest, I didn’t even know if I was going to run the race until 10 pm on Friday night. I kept going back and forth. I just did not want to go. I lost all motivation about 3 weeks ago. I was sick and then Jim was out of town so my training just stopped. I didn’t enjoy running in the cold and I didn’t enjoy getting up early and running. I hit a wall. It wasn’t until the Monday before the race that I even got my running shoes out of the closet. I ran 3 miles on Monday and then 3 on Wednesday just in case I decided to run on Saturday.

Well, I got up Saturday morning and decided to go downtown Memphis. I knew that I would regret it if I did not go and at least attempt to run the race. My only goal was to run 9 miles without stopping since 8.6 was the farthest I ever ran during my training.

When I parked and walked to the start line the weather was 27 degrees and I was FREEZING. I was questioning why I was even out there. By the time the race started, my toes and fingers were completely frozen and I didn’t know if they would thaw out during the race. The first two miles were intense because I was running with frozen feet. (not something I would advise anyone to ever try). Once I reached the third mile I started to warm up and defrost but I was still not happy about running this race. (I told you I have been in a funky mood lately)

It wasn’t until the 4-5 miles that it all clicked. The course ran through the St. Jude Hospital grounds and a few of the kids and their families were outside. My eyes filled with tears and I almost stopped because I was so overwhelmed. I remembered that I could very easily be the parents to one of those children.

As I reached the ninth mile my knees started giving out on me. I could believe it. I began to pray asking God to help me make it to the 9 mile marker. I stopped for just a second to stretch my legs again and then I kept on running. I MADE IT! I crossed over the 9 mile marker then I decided I want to go to 10. “Can I make it to 10?”

I made it to 10, then 11. I must admit 11-13 were long, hard and painful. My knees, calves, ankles and feet started shutting down. They hurt so badly that they didn’t hurt anymore. The pain was numbing. As I was getting closer I realized that every time I started thinking, “I can do this,” my body would shut down but when I prayed and asked God to get me through one more mile I would make it. It was a journey!

“Just down the hill…you can see AutoZone Park!” This what I remember all of the fans saying as I approached the last half mile. I couldn’t see it but I just believed what they were saying. They were cheering us on and I just kept on going. I knew I was so close. I just prayed that God would let me finish.

I entered AutoZone Park and turned the corner and I saw the FINISH line. I kept thinking “I am almost there.” I crossed over it. I DID IT! I MADE IT! I RAN THE WHOLE WAY!I finished in 2 hours and 38 minutes.

God was so good to me to let me finish the race. He was with me the whole time and I know that I would not have made it without Him. It was an amazing experience, one that I am not eager to try again anytime soon.

This is the only picture that I have from the race. It was taken right after the race. Once I crossed the finish line they gave me the cover so that I would stay warm. I must say that it was still FREEZING cold after I finished. I was frozen again as I slowly walked back to the truck.

Another year has come and gone. It is truly amazing how quickly the past 7 years have come and gone. It was on this day 7 years ago that I said “I do” to the love of my life. The one who completes me. When I said those two words that day I imagined how wonderful our marriage would be and God continues to amaze me because it is so much better than I imagined.

The other day I was telling a neighbor that our anniversary was today and that we have been married 7 years, her response was “you have been busy.” This is so true. In 7 years we have moved four times, have three children, one dog, one fish and one cat. The biggest blessing is that each year gets sweeter and sweeter or gooder and gooder depending on where you live.

Jim, you are my best encourager. You know me so well yet you love me anyway. Thanks for making family such a priority in our lives. Thank you for how you cherish me like I am the greatest gift God’s ever given you. I love you! I respect you! I need you!
Happy Anniversary!

Here we are 7 years ago today:

I know this post is a little late.

This year we decided to do something fun in our house to welcome Fall. Since I don’t like Fall, merely for the fact that Winter follows, I knew that I needed to have a positive approach and at least do some fun activities with my children.

This year we carved a pumpkin. Can you believe that my husband has NEVER carved a pumpkin in his whole life? I thought it was quite humorous when he told me that small fact.

This year our church Fall Festival was on October 25.

Jake wanted to be a monkey this year. He used Judd’s outfit from last year. Judd decided to be a Georgia Football player this year. Last but not least. Baby girl was a Princess with Pigtails. The boys enjoyed to the festival. Anna Kate was really high maintenance. Jim and I were TIRED when we got home. She didn’t want to stay in the stroller and she didn’t want to walk WITH us when she was out. Needless to say, we were wiped.

Last Friday night we were invited to have dinner with a family that manages the ranch at the Double B Boys Ranch in Millington. It is a great ministry for that is “designed to build strong Christian character in youth from troubled family backgrounds.” Our church partners with them in various ways through out the year.

Our kids and family thoroughly enjoyed our time on the ranch. We were able to tour the ranch and enjoy dinner with some of the boys. It is a great place.

Here are a few pictures from our time on the Boys Ranch.

This morning Anna Kate woke up said “potty” and we sat on the potty and she WENT! No screaming, no crying! It was about 30 minutes later she said “potty” so I took her back and she went number 2. No screaming, no crying! All smiles and clapping hands!

As of Thursday night she has only had one accident today! I am counting it as a SUCCESS! We are almost there. Just a few more days!

Tuesday she woke up this morning with a wet diaper. I took her straight to the potty so that she could tinkle. No such luck…well here we go again.

1 full cup of milk+1 full cup of juice+fours hours of waiting+many trips to the potty=a crying baby tinkling on the potty.

When she woke up from her nap she went tinkle and number 2 without any problems. Way to Go Anna Kate.

I had some gals come over to help me decorate my dining room and within 15 minutes of them being here I have poop ALL over my playroom floor and she wet her pants. Dumb me to think I could get something done during the potty training boot camp.Friends over two mistakes in 15 minutes….

Wednesday was the hardest day. She would scream and holler the when I put her on the potty and she had to actually GO. Right before lunch she sat on the potty and screamed for at least 10 minutes and finally her body won and she had to eliminate the waste. It was not an enjoyable time for anyone in this house.

She also decided that she wasn’t going to take a nap today. She was miserable. I finally went and got her out of her bed and she was so sad. She started telling me that her ear was hurting. Long story short, I took the boys to a friends house and took Anna Kate to the doctor. The poor baby has a severe ear infection. I think maybe that is why she has been an ill pill this week. Hopefully, with some Motrin and Augmentin we will be doing better tomorrow.

She turned 19 months old today so we started potty training. Of course, I am using the 7 days and $75 method once again.

“The general idea is parents stay at home with the child for several days and allow the child to walk around the house naked all day long. The potty is put out so it is constantly available to the child. Parents regularly remind the child to use the potty when necessary. Rosemond argues that children won’t tolerate urine and feces running down their legs, and will quickly learn to go to the potty to avoid accidents. The $75 is for carpet cleaning.”

She woke up this morning with a dirty diaper and we let her run free with her pajamas on. Her first trip to the potty she didn’t go but she enjoyed sitting on the potty and reading books. I set the timer on the microwave for 20 minutes. When it beeped we ran to the bathroom. She sat and was not happy about staying on the potty again. Set the timer again…she went in her pants….timer beeped. Set timer….she wet all over the floor! She wet four time before her 2:00 nap time. However, she woke up dry from her nap. As soon as she woke up, I sat her on the potty and she tinkled. BUT she screamed the whole time. She wanted NO part of going on the potty. She then held her tinkle for 2 hours and THEN after much persuasion and a marshmallow she WENT!

This has been a very interesting day. I thought potty training girls was supposed to be easier. Yet, this has been so bizarre that she does not even want to go tinkle in the potty.

Lights are out and I am going to bed. I have to wake up and do this all over again.

I KNOW! We got stomped tonight but it was still fun to be at the game!

Jim and I were given the awesome opportunity to go to the UGA vs FL game today with his parents. I love to go to UGA games and we don’t get the chance now that we live in TN.

Actually we are in Florida because Jim was invited to preach at one of his good friend’s church right outside of Jacksonville. It worked out perfectly for us to come this weekend.

Georgia did get beat but we were here to watch Tebow break the career rushing touchdowns record. Here are a couple of pictures that Jim took at that moment.

It was a great day!

Today Jim and Jake went to their first Nascar race. They had a good time. However, Jake did get a little tired of watching the cars so Jim took him to the kids play area for a short time. I think it helped that Cooper was there to keep him company. I can’t believe that my boys are watching Nascar! This is a bit much.

My husband calls me crazy yet he is my biggest supporter. My mom wonders where I got the genes. My friends are encouraging or just think I am crazy also. Why?

If you would have asked me March 15, 2009 if I would have thought running was fun I would have called you CRAZY! I was only able to run for 5 minutes and walking for 2 minutes. I was completely exhausted after doing that for 20 minutes. My lungs hurt, my legs were tired and I just wasn’t having fun. BUT, I had a goal. I wanted to be able to run in the Peachtree Road Race on July 4. I knew that only way I could run 6.2 miles on that day meant I was going to have to get up 4 times a week and RUN.

I can remember racing the 2 mile mark and feeling that I had accomplished so much. I can remember running my first 5k and finally experiencing the fun run. There is fun in running. It takes discipline, consistency, training and a good friend that will get up and run with you.

I am training to run in the St. Jude Half-Marathon on December 5. I have officially ran 7.1 miles and this Saturday I will run 8.1 miles. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the idea of running 13.1 miles but I am very excited about reaching this goal. I just wish it was not going to be so cold. I am a warm weather runner.

Since losing the baby, I made the decision to register and run the race. Initially, I registered with hopes that training would keep my mind focused on another goal instead being pregnant. I have experienced a couple of down moments/days in recent weeks. Mainly, sadness with not being pregnant especially since I would be feeling that little bundle kicking and moving. God is good and knows me better than I know myself. He has allowed me to be encouraged this week and my thoughts and understanding have been restored to a sense of joy. The half-marathon has given me a great goal and great fun during this time of waiting.

Hopefully, by 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 5 I will be the proud owner of this sticker: