CDA Marathon!

We woke up early Sunday morning after sleeping on a leaky air mattress, left the children with Nana and Grandpa and cruised on over to start our hours worth of running! Today we are a bit achy, tired and sore, but we are finishers!  At the end of the day yesterday we were lying in bed thinking, "I just ran a half marathon today!" or for Brian, "I just ran a full marathon this morning!"  We felt like we really had accomplished something that day! What a nice feeing despite our tired bodies! :-)

 I ran the race with my bestie Johanna and we couldn't have had more fun (although the last 3 miles weren't quite as fun as the first 10! :-)  And did we run the whole way, why yes we did! (with 2 potty breaks in the middle :-)

Here's Brian, minutes after finishing the race

I'm so proud of Brian running his first marathon (26.2 miles!).  I'm not gonna lie, I was a bit nervous for him. During my race I'd hear a siren going off and secretly pray that it wasn't Brian who was needing to be carried off the course on a stretcher :-)  haha.  But like the champ he is, he did it and did it well.  He cruised through the first 21 miles no problem, it was those last 5 that became quite the physical and mental challenge for him :-)  

Boys will be Boys

And here's what we're up to on this cloudy cold Saturday! :-)

My Hubby is so cool

It started with a brand new horse shoe game found at a garage sale - an early gift for Father's Day for Brian.  Then a quick trip to home Depot - which turned into one of the funnest home depot excursions ever for Josiah! who knew daddy could push you while playing on a jungle gym?!

A couple 2x4's and some help from Rayan

 And we officially have horse shoe pits in our backyard (you can barely see the other pit on the left of the picture down by the garden in the corner)

I love how handy my hubby can be!

And here's Gracie and I at the park one cool morning!

Happy Birthday Grandad!!

Although we were far away from you today we thought about you alot and enjoyed skyping !!  We're sending you big Birthday Hugs Grandaddy!! We love you!!!


Some oldies, but goodies :-)

A Beautiful Weekend

"There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.  However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all.  Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth...So then banish anxiety from your heart...!"

Ecclesiastes

Brian and I were blessed by friends to spend the weekend with them at their cabin on Hayden Lake.  We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather and a fun, relaxing time of fellowship.  This getaway recharged us in a much needed way!

We were doubly blessed by Grandpa and Nana taking the kids for us this weekend. What a real blessing it is for us to have family so close and Josiah LOVES spending time with his Grandpa and Nana.  THANK YOU Larry and Marilyn!!!  The kids were worn out after leaving their house - I wonder how worn out Grandpa and Nana were? :-)

Videos

Josiah's favorite book has become the one that Grandad and Yiayia get to read to him any time he wants.  I love  that Grandad and Yiayia are part of our reading time during the day! :-)

Thankful People are Happy People

We returned from Kansas a little over a week ago and I'm not gonna lie it was HARD to come back to WA for several reasons. One the weather was still cold and rainy and it's MAY! two, I have gotten good at throwing myself pity parties about not being able to live closer to my immediate family members and on and on..... However, I managed to throw a Cinco de Mayo party upon my return and enjoyed a lovely Mother's Day celebrating with Brian's mom.  We had lunch and walked to the green house to pick up our summer flowers and then enjoyed a BBQ that evening with friends.  

The kids and I have been battling colds and we had to miss church on Sunday, but I was able to listen to the sermon online and found it very timely and definitely something the Lord wants to grow in me.  It was entitled "The Language of Humility"  found here if you're interested  (http://gcfonline.org/media.php?pageID=5)  It challenged my thinking of what I think I deserve vs. what I really deserve.  It forced me to realize how ungrateful I can be and an unthankful spirit was beginning to grow in my heart.  Self pity, grumbling, complaining are all fruits I was beginning to bear. We had our home group last night to discuss the sermon and I feel I am now just beginning to be able and lay all this sin at the foot of the cross and repent and PRAY that he will help me learn to be thankful and continue to uproot these seeds of ungratefulness in my heart!  I have much to be thankful for and I'll start with these two sweeties!

 

Why do I feel like he's already outgrowing his trike?

watering the plants on Mother's Day

Cinco de Mayo Celebration with the Soehner's and our friends from Saudi Arabia

The Ladies finishing up some margaritas and enchiladas!

I'll use any excuse to throw a party and eat cake!