"the 26.2-mile victory lap"

So I claim to be a runner but I have never run a marathon.

... Checking the horizon ...

Nope, don't see any out there either.

Even after finishing my first half-marathon (actually we were right around mile 12 when Derek and I started talking about it), I had absolutely no desire to shoot for the mother of all races.

Source: runningtoescapethetruth.tumblr.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

The more I read about running, and the more I run, the less aversion I feel toward a marathon.

BUT

I still have no plans of running a marathon any time in the near future.

The reason?

Not because I am scared to death of it - that only makes me want to conquer it!
Not because I doubt my ability to do it - I know I could!

Source: workingonme.tk via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

No, the reason is because ((unless you are Derek!)) training for a marathon is basically a full time job. And my current full time job (wife and momma) is SO much more important.

"Like surviving labor, crossing the finish line of a 26.2-mile race is a testament to perseverance, discipline, dedication, and a few other multisyllabic words often found on inspirational posters hanging on office walls. The race is a huge accomplishment, of course, but it's really the months of training that change your life and perspective. During the no-glory, no-spectators training miles, you discover how hard you can push yourself, how persistent you need to be, and how to call forth motivation when you'd rather just call for a pizza." -Run Like A Mother

Obviously, I'm going to be running a marathon someday. 2, actually.

Source: goodbyebabylon.tumblr.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

When the kids are older, in school full time, or maybe totally out of the house, I will be training for and running a marathon. And then I'll do it again because I'll know what to expect and how to better prepare for it and race it.

Source: imagekind.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

So who's with me in 10... 15... 20 years??

(The title to this post was taken from Run Like A Mother)

My heart will sing no other name... Jesus.

My Mother-in-law gifted me with Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. It's taken me a couple of chapters to get used to her writing style, but it didn't take nearly that long for me to realize that reading this book was definitely in God's plan for my life this year.

I've linked up to the author's blog before but I am planning on being more committed to sharing a list of gifts God has given me every single Monday (here on the blog. Daily in my journal). It'll take different formats and be different lengths, but every Monday prepare to see God working in my life :)

• The sound of 3 babies breathing evenly during a silent nap time
• A huge pile of laundry
• White stuff covering our patiently waiting garden
• Only black numbers in our bank account
• A husband with a heart to give
• Our church family
• A pastor who isn't afraid to preach Truth
• Radical repentance
• Being overcome with thanksgiving for that repentance
• Worship with hands lifted high
• Singing this song next to the man of my dreams...

Linked up -

Beating the Blahs {Part 1}

We spent 10 days in PA thoroughly enjoying making memories and eating my MIL's amazing homemade yumminess. And even though we did nothing but eat, sleep, play games, and get spoiled I still need a few days to recover once we get home. Isn't that typical of any vacation? Add a huge bin full of amazing gifts from the inlaws, and I need a couple more days to figure out what to do with it all!

What a dilemma to have.

We are so spoiled.

Nope. Blessed.

So anyway, I'm getting back to normal. Got all the Christmas decor packed away once again, much to Marie's dismay. So now, what to do? To keep from feeling *blah*, I decided to scour the internet (read: Pinterest) for valentine crafts to do with the kids. Here's some ideas we plan to attempt. I'll document how it goes :)

Source: bhg.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

Source: holiday-crafts-and-creations.com via Barb on Pinterest

Source: handsonaswegrow.com via melissa on Pinterest

Source: lovefromtheoven.com via Chris on Pinterest

Source: bargerfam.blogspot.com via Chris on Pinterest

(The above idea is totally meant to be!)

The kids also got a craft book from their Honeygram that we will be getting ideas from. I've never been big on valentine's day, but my baby girl thinks all hearts represent her (hearts=love=MarieLove). I cannot wait to have my house adorned with MarieLove crafts!

For {Part 2} I'm going to Beat the Blahs by tackling random projects around the house that I never take the time to do. I know you can't wait to find out what I plan to do. I'll let ya know when I figure it out :)

2013 Goals: Running/Fitness Edition

We have a lot of goals related to finances, ministry, each of the kids, personal, etc. But those don't all necessarily need sharing. I want to share my running and fitness goals for the obvious reason of accountability, with a side of future bragging (on Christ) when I succeed (by God's grace)! And I'd love to connect with more runners to keep me motivated, learn new things, and just make new friends!

And since I love running so much, I just want to talk about it!

First for fitness:
- Reach pre-Marie weight (give or take 5lbs bc I'll still be nursing) by my birthday (April 22)
- Be able to lose/maintain without constant calorie counting
- Save for and purchase space-saving weights and chalean videos

Running
- Speed training
- Half marathon in June under 2 hours
- 500 miles by December 31

I received Run Like A Mother for Christmas from my MIL (she does an excellent job of keeping my library stocked!)...

and am loving it! I highly recommend it for new, seasoned, and in-betweener runners. If you know me on Facebook, you've seen lots of quotes from this book. It's motivational and entertaining. Read it!

Do you have any running goals for this year? I'd love to hear them! And I always love a little competition ;)

Pennsylvania hills in the snow don't scare me! Well, at least this one didn't.

Beautiful Christmas

We're thoroughly enjoying our extended PA visit! Right now I'm chilling next to Derek, watching Love it or List it while the babies sleep. Watching TV is a fun treat :)

We worked really hard to focus our Christmas on Christ and I think we were successful. The key: less busy-ness. More quiet-ness. Last year I literally was stressing about how to focus Christmas on Christ which totally took away from celebrating Christ. So this year, if I ever started getting overwhelmed or stressed, I just stopped. If it doesn't get done, it doesn't get done. Which resulted in being able to do a lot more Christ-centered activities with the babies.

We successfully read from the Jesus Storybook Bible and hung an ornament every single night of Advent! Go us! And we got treats to all the neighbors we planned to. French toast casserole on Christmas morning was a fail, but Jesus was okay with that :)

We didn't give our kids gifts (or each other) not only because we're totally broke, but also because they get plenty from the rest of the family, and we don't want them thinking Christmas is about getting gifts. It's about giving gifts. So when they are old enough to earn their own money (which will be this year for Marie and probably Jack through chores), they can buy each family member a gift and we'll buy them gifts.

That's our approach to Christmas in a nutshell. Since Christmas is over and I'm much more focused on bounding into the new year, I won't go into detail. Bottom line, we truly enjoyed celebrating Jesus and both the big kids seemed to, too!

Hope you all had an amazing Christmas! Leave me a link to your Christmas recap so I can catch up!