Meet the Dog!

Marathon Memories

Thank you for those of you who were thinking about me and/or praying for me during this Marathon this past weekend. I am very sore today, more and more so as the day wears on. I am very burnt-out and mindless (I planned two suppers for tonight without realizing it...ummmmm.....snap with it Emily!!). The kids had today off of school so I had to parent--that did not go well for me today! Anyhow, recovery will be another whole journey...right!! I was very happy with how my training and run went. I am very thankful for people put in my path these past couple of months to encourage me and give me training advice...such as the carb load up and eating Skittles during my runs. I am very happy to finish strong, with sore legs but no pains that hindered me from finishing...I ran a steady 4:42:42...I even made a friend along the way and enjoyed the scenery. It was fun and well worth the past few months of discipline.
Enjoy my pictures!

Excited! Maybe even a little giddy!

OK-Josh caught me getting a little nervous....

My brother and his wife surprised me at mile 20 by being spectators...and they ran with me for a little bit--so much fun!

Almost done...and even smiling!

The real deal....DONE! NOT SMILING!

Whew! I got to my husband and he can hold me up!!



Heat sheet...a life saver for my tired bones!
That kiss was a life saver for my tired bones too!! hehe!


I think my new motto is NEVER SAY NEVER!

I studied on several "run" verses up to this weekend, but one I read before I left the hotel room--then was on a girls shirt in front of me at the start line--then came to my mind at mile 18 when I settled into the "tough" running was this:
Isaiah 40:31
"those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint."

The kids were cheering me on from my parents house in Keota. Along with hanging out with Papa Trent, they managed to find his sucker stash in the combine!

Spoke to me this morning....

On my drive to work this morning, this song (of course, turned up really loud in my car) spoke to my heart. Sometimes my light gets burned out...busyness, stress, giving to my family constantly, just life in general has got my light barely burning--this song reminds me to rely on HIM-Lord Jesus! Oh yes, the SPARK, the SHOT TO THE HEART...that is what I want from HIM! Thank you Lord, I pray your love shine down and you put your light in me! Amen!

One and a half weeks till I run my first Marathon...praying for healing to some of my aching body from 5 months of training and a strong run for HIM! Message me if you need prayer--I am devoting 4-5 hours Oct. 16th 8 AM to praying-YOU will be in the midst of my run if you have a need-I will pray!

His First Squirrel!

Hunting season has officially begun...it started out strong with a boys Sunday afternoon squirrel hunt. Caden killed his first three squirrels! So now there are skinned squirrels in the fridge awaiting the frying pan...I'm a little hesitant!!

I love this picture!

Forever PANTHERS!

Last weekend we made our annual trip to the UNI Panther Dome. We have gone on Family weekend to watch a football game for the past three years, and it makes for a great family getaway! Josh and I are both UNI grads and we love that place--so we want our kids to love visiting there too! Purple & gold ice cream, McDonalds happy meals, and a night at a hotel can't go wrong, right! We also hooked up with some old friends for church and lunch on Sunday. What a great time! We look forward to doing it again next year!