Mother's Day

These are the days I dreamed about as a little girl.  Having my own kids to share with, laugh with, and take care of.  Before my journey of motherhood began I never imagined that that I would learn some of the most important life lessons from my own children.  I thought of all the things I wanted to share with them, teach them, and show them.  I didn't know that they would be the ones to teach me, show me, and pour into me the love that only comes from a child.

I am blessed beyond measure.

These are the Mother's Day cards I made for all of the kids at church to give to their mom.(thanks to pinterest;))

Maddox

Sebastian

Tyler

Hope you all had a Mother's Day that was just as special as you are!

Grace and peace,

New Balance

It's been a while since my last post. 6 months to be exact. I could give you a plethora of reasons why... but I won't.  I will just tell you it's because of BALANCE.  Or rather, lack of balance.

At the end of 2011 I found myself in a place I hope to never be in again.

I was wrapped up in my training schedules, boys ball schedules, church schedules, work schedules, schedules, schedules, schedules.......It was awful.  My "smartphone" was constantly buzzing, binging, and ringing.  I was burning up the road driving an average of 450 miles a week and I only work 10 miles from home! I wasn't enjoying the journey at all. Not even a little bit.  In fact, I was very unhappy.

Then in late December I had a minor surgery that forced me to slow down for 5 weeks.  I was in heaven.  I took the time every morning to read my bible, pray, and just listen.  I realized I was not living my life the way God had intended me to. . .

I had put unrealistic expectations on myself to be this super-mom, wife, friend, blogger, runner, Christian.... I just got caught up in it all and trying to do it by myself.  I felt pride when someone would make a comment like "I don't know how you do it all!?"   To tell you the truth, I'm not sure how I did it all... In fact, I don't even remember most of it. I made trivial things my priority.  I lost sight of my number one. God.

So I decided to just STOP. COLLABORATE. and LISTEN(just like vanilla Ice).  Seriously.
I spent the first month of 2012 praying and listening.

I committed to getting up early every morning to have my quiet time with God. To read His word, pray, and just listen.

Then I stopped the schedules and I stopped the buzzing and binging by trading my "smartphone" in for a plain old fashion Zack Morris phone.  That is when things really slowed down.  I no longer had all of my schedules at my fingertips.  Facebook, twitter, blogs, words with friends, and emails were no longer a distraction. Suddenly, my time at home became more precious. valuable.  The boys haven't asked me to step away from my phone once this year.

Our schedules have resumed. The boys are playing baseball, I just ran my 5th marathon April 28th, I still work a full-time job, and schedules still get hairy.  But my focus has changed. My focus now, as a Christian, is to serve God and put him first no matter what.  I continue to meet with God every morning to read His word, pray, and listen.  I've committed my time to Him.
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed"~Proverbs 16:3 


This doesn't mean that I still don't have goals. I have many, many, many goals. All of which I am more confident now, than ever, that I will reach.


God has given my life balance. New balance.

Thank you to all of you who checked on me during my 6 month absence from the blogosphere!!

Grace and peace,

Words for your Wednesday..

 

Happy Wednesday!

This reminds me that I am who God says I am. 

  I am a winner.  I am a finisher.  I am Strong. Victorious. Beautiful.

 I can do all things. I am a leader. Courageous. 

I have been bought and paid for by the blood of Christ.

I am who God says I am.

Who are you?

Grace and peace,

Marathon PR and 2 winners......

First things first!!

The two winners of my Runner's Giveaway.....

The First Place Package goes to:

Jen@RunforAnna

The Second Place Package goes to:

Suz and Allen@CowsandLasersandEverythinginbetween

Congratulations ladies! Send me your contact information in an email to mommysfitfortheking@yahoo.com and I will get your swag to you!!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported me and the Fetal Hope Foundation. I have been touched and inspired by your generosity, selflessness, and encouragement!

I was able to raise $595.00 for the Fetal Hope Foundation. A little over half of my $1000.00 goal.  I am going to continue towards my goal and try to reach it by the end of the year.

Speaking of goals........

Saturday I took to the streets of beautiful Savannah Georgia for marathon #2......

If you remember, I set out with a 

Plan A: BQ with 3:34:00    

and a 

Plan B PR with 3:45

well turns out there was a Plan C......4:00:11  who knew!? NOT THIS GIRL!

It is a 14 minute PR and today I am happy with it....Saturday I was horribly disappointed.  I was spot on for a BQ until around mile 18.......and then.....

I will go into all of the gruesome details later this week in my full race report.

Savannah Expo with my 3 travel companions! And no...that is NOT Brett Favre...

Congratulations to Tonia@RacingwithBabes   and Molly@I'maSleeperBaker   

and everyone else who dashed the streets this past weekend on a great run in NYC!! 

Grace and Peace,

On The Road Again

I am currently on the road to Savannah, Georgia for the Rock 'n Roll Marathon!
I am riding down with my friends and fleet feet racers L & D , and my new friend M(who is also running her 2nd marathon!)
All posts this weekend will be from my phone,  so they will be short updates.
Shin Update
Saw the ortho again on Tuesday ..he ordered a bone scan for Monday.(after my race) he said he knew I would run regardless of what the scan showed..he's right.
It's still painful when I run, but my goal is to run through it.

Marathon Goal PLAN A- 3:34:00 BQ

PLAN B-  3:45:00 still a spectacular PR

PLAN C- there is no plan C. Those are the only two options in my mind.

My giveaway has ended.  The winners will be announced when I get back from Savannah.
Thank you to everyone who supported me and my efforts to raise money for the Fetal Hope Foundation! I am truly touched and encouraged by your generosity.

The giveaway has ended, however, you can still donate to The Fetal Hope Foundation and help me get closer to my fundraising goal!

I will keep you posted as this exciting marathon weekend unfolds!

GRACE AND PEACE,
April

Happy Marathon Week!!

We had a fantastic fall weekend!! 

Sebastian's Football team won the County championship, we celebrated Jayden's 18th Birthday(wait...how old am I? GEEZ!!)...and we had a blast at a pumpkin carving party!!

Perfect family weekend!

Today is the Fall Festival here at church.  We usually see around 5000+ people on our campus.  We have free rides, food, candy, and just a great time watching the kids! Needless to say, today WILL NOT be a rest day for me.

Tomorrow I go see the ortho....ran 13miles yesterday and it did not feel good.

6 days until the marathon....still believing it will be good!!!

Will post more tomorrow! 

Today is the last day to enter my GIVEAWAY!!!!! Please go check it out!!!!

Grace and peace,

Just Run.

 

LOVE THIS!