Friday, March 26, 2010

I'm waiting to feel like a runner...

I'm 4 weeks into my 10 week training for the Eugene 1/2 Marathon. After running a few races last year and my wonderful 216 mile relay with my Twisted Blister team, I took the winter off. I've been running for a month and waiting for it to get easy. I struggle every time I run. Saturdays are the long run of 4 each week and tomorrow I was supposed to run farther than I ever have in my life...10 miles. I have company in town so I decided tonight I'd tackle it. I ate what I needed to, stayed especially hydrated for an extra day but by mile 9 I was dizzy, foggy and ready to heave. However, I'm done right this second and so very tired. Oi Vey, 11 next Saturday and not sure if I can go through that again. Lord help me stay motivated, run the good race, the race marked for me...

I need to keep Paul's words in Hebrews and Corinthians at the forefront of my mind: ”So let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" and ”Run in such away to win the prize“. My prize will be great accomplishment for something I thought I could never do. For the last 20 years I've said I'm not a runner...I'm waiting to feel like a runner still but after my Eugene adventure, I hope I can finally believe it!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Spring Break in Squaw Valley with the SF 49ers


We LOVE our trips to Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics with our friends, the Annens. The weekend is full of outrageous blessings from the amazing food, incredible skiing, beautiful resort and 2 days living amongst Olympians and the San Francisco 49ers. This weekend is the annual "Celebrity Winter and Wine Fest" to raise money for the 49ers Foundation (a youth outreach organization). I was especially excited this year because one of my favorite Olympians, Dan Jansen - 1994 speed skating gold medalist, was around and I actually got to have a conversation with him...AND A PIC, thanks to my brave husband! Thank you thank you Annens for including us again this year!

Locks for my Lovlies

The 3 of us have been growing our hair out FOREVER and Sailor finally said, "ENOUGH, CUT IT OFF". We've all struggled having so much hair but all in the name of a good cause, "Locks for Love". The girls were motivated to donate their hair for wigs for children with cancer but that is all that motivated them. Their new do's are easy, fun and ADORABLE! My day is coming too but I wasn't ready to go as short as they did...coming this spring...

 
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Mary Mary Quite Contrary...

Today was conference day at school to kick off Spring Break. I thought I'd share my favorite part of our conferences today for the kiddos. Chase's first grade teacher shared with me a response she wrote to a prompting...a writing assignment they do often.

The prompt from Mrs. Gardener: Mary brought her pet skunk to school.
Chase's response (I'll translate afterwards): Maree had a babe. his name wase Jesus. he is the hale spirit. I love God. he tuk my sin o wae.

"Mary had a baby. His name was Jesus. He is the Holy Spirit. I love God. He took my sin away."


Um...not sure what to say about that except my heart is bursting with sweetness for my daughter. I love that when she hears the name Mary, there's only one thing she thinks of...not skunks or school but Jesus' momma...Amen! The comment on her report card from her teacher was, "I am enjoying Chase immensely and consider myself fortunate to be her teacher! She is a hard worker and willing to take on new and bigger things. I appreciate her deep sense of right and wrong. She is willing to take on the injustices of the world an be the champion to the underdog. She knows who she is and what she believes and willingly shares that with others. Thanks for sharing her with me!"

Now if that doesn't soften my heart for all those times she's being a stinky sister, nothing will! Thank you Jesus for speaking into my child...now please let it reflect on how she interacts with her siblings!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Chase's First Gymnastics Meet

Breakfast at Boulevard Coffee. Jane taught me how to sew yarn into Chase's braid buns to keep them tidy and stuck in place. Ahhh...the things you learn on first meet day. She lost her 2nd front tooth the night before so I'm sure the big gaping hole in her smile helped the judges with cuteness points!


FLOOR 8.25


VAULT 8.55


BARS 8.05 (turn volume off...I'm being loud! :)



BEAM 7.95


Rylie 3rd place All-Around and Chase 4th place All-Around! They both qualified to compete at the state tournament next month. Wahoo!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

How perfect are you?

A perfectionist mind-set can sap your strength. It’s endless. There is always another class to attend, project to start, project to finish, relationship to nurture, room to organize... No prison is as endless as the prison of perfection. Her inmates find work but they never find peace. How could they? They never know when they are finished.

We must remember that we were perfectly made...not made to be perfect. That's the greatest new...its not our job to be perfect, its someone else's. So relax, enjoy, check that measuring stick which you measure all your doings and make sure it's a realistic stick!

From my brain today...