5k completed!!

if someone would have asked me a 6 months ago if i was a runner, i'd have laughed at you.

me? a runner?? have you seen these thighs? have you seen how out of breath i am after running to my mailbox?? do you know me at all!!????

no, without a shadow of a doubt, i'm not a runner.

i hate running.

i hate walking long distances.

i like sitting.

i like walking the mall.

i like exercise free days.

so no, to answer your question,i don't like running. then, the craziest thing happened.

i was 'challenged' to do it.

this girl is not backing down on a challenge, even if it's something as insane as running a 5k.

hey, every marathon runner had to start somewhere! (fyi...i will not, i repeat, will not be running a marathon in this lifetime. don't bother 'challenging' me. i won't do it. that's a promise)

anywho, back in the fall, in a weak moment, i agreed to do this.

let me say, there were plenty of times between last fall and April 29 that i swore i would not live to tell my children about my adventures.

in hindsight, i would do it all over again!

for a gal who hated running, i turned into a girl who actually looked forward to doing it. (kind of)

this pushed me out of my comfort zone.

taught me discipline.

made me realize that if i put my mind to it, i can do just about anything. (except a marathon!)

i learned that a body can be pushed to do things you think it will never do.

i still would not consider myself a 'runner' but i did it.

i completed a 5k.

it was worth all the sweat, blood (ok, there was no blood.) and tears. (yes, there were tears).

thanks to my bff, (her hub & boy) and my hub for doing this crazy adventure with me!!

anyone care to join us next year??

the training starts now.

art

 

  i'm all about cute walls. cute art. a cute house. who isn't??

 so when i gave the boys a canvas & some paint & let them go to town on creating something magical for my walls, they did not disappoint!

there is nothing in my home more beautiful than the art these precious little hands created.

mercy me.

 

 

love

i love a good love story.

and really, a love story written by your parents??

that's a great love story!

since i can never remember all the little details, i had my mama write it out for ya.

so here she is, my guest columnist, my mom....

Well Traci........you asked so here is the story of dad and my dating and engagement.
Our first date came a long time after our relationship began. Our crushes began when our family moved next door to the DenBleykers in 1954. When we actually
began dating it was so good. As time went on, we both dated others and it became an on-again off-again relationship. This continued for several years.
On February 14th, 1966 he proposed and I accepted. However, I felt his heart was not really into getting married and maybe he had proposed just because it was time. Soon came to see, as you will, that was not the case. In May I broke our engagement and moved with Nancy Troupe to Denver where her Fiance' was stationed a Lowery Air Force Base.
We rented an apartment and had no telephone. Vern learned of our landlords phone # and called very late on May29th. Instead of taking the call there, I called him back from a pay phone down the street. He assured me he loved me and wanted to marry me. I loved him so very much and wanted to go home and marry him immediately! However, by this time I was no longer sure if this was God's plan for our lives.
After hanging up I walked back to the apartment very confused. I got down on my knees at my bedside and prayed for wisdom and guidance. I was on my knees for close to 3 hours. While still on my knees, at 3AM our doorbell rang. I looked out of the window and there stood my love! That sight is still vivid in my mind. He was wearing tan cords and a yellow polo shirt. God's answer was pretty clear! We spent the rest of the night talking and by morning we planned to move our wedding date, formerly set for December, up to July 22nd. (1966)
Vern went home and made the arrangements with the church and reception hall. I bought my wedding dress ($25) and Nancy made a bridesmaid dress for me to wear in her wedding. We sent the same fabric home and mom made the other dresses for our attendants.
Here we are 45 years later and continue to love each other more and more as time goes by. We have had some trying times. A good marriage takes love, understanding, forgiveness, and a close walk with our Lord. God has blessed us far beyond what we deserve (Ephesians 3:20). He is faithful. Our prayer has always been for our children and grandchildren to have strong, healthy and Godly marriages.

Love, Mom

P.S. We are extremely grateful for Ed, Lisa and Ryan!

mad man

this is my boy.