At the end of April, I was able to go on a trip with 5 girl friends to Florida. It was just what I needed! We had no agenda. We slept in, read books, talked, watched movies, and layed out at the pool. The weather was perfect. There was lots of laughter and lots of fun! I am so thankful for my husband, mother, and in-laws who helped take care of my kids for 7 days. And so thankful to have such dear friendships.

I wrote in January that I signed up for three running races this spring. I started adding mileage in February, and was really excited in March to start running outside. I felt good! Until…I developed plantar fascitis in my right foot. It didn’t hurt while I ran, but would be very tight in the evening and whenI woke up in the morning. It was frustrating, but I stretched, iced, and continued running. Unfortantely after a good run mid-March, my foot really really hurt and I knew I needed to take a break for a week. That week turned into a month. I started swimming to keep in shape, but I haven’t really run since March.

It’s been very frustrating. I was counting on the training for those races to help with my weight loss…which has been very slow. I was discouraged that I make goals that I knew I couldn’t accomplish. I was sad that I felt so much better running than I did last year…and I couldn’t run. It’s been hard. But I’m trying to be patient and take care of my foot. I am able to go on the elliptical at the gym and walk a bit. So, it ‘s slow progress.

The 5K I signed up for was April 24, and I decided it was the only race I could still do…even if I had to walk it. My sister and I made the trek down to Chicago and I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to run the whole thing. My foot did not let me down…although I couldn’t walk the rest of the day. So, I won’t be running the 10 mile race or the 1/2 marathon…but maybe I can next year!

I have made reading goals for myself before…one year I wanted to read 75 books…and I did! So this year I have made a list of nonfiction books that I would like to read this year…amongst all the fiction.

1. So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore

2. Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Timothy Lane

3. Gospel Powered Parenting by William Farley

4. Counterfeit Gods by Tiim Keller

5. Liberation of a Resentful Wife by Carol Arnold (no I’m not resentful, but I was told every Pastor’s wife should read this book!)

6. A Praying Life by Paul Miller

7. Love Walked Among Us by Paul Miller

8. Cast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God by Max Lucado

9. A Treasury of Praise: Enjoying God Anew by Ruth Myers

10: Becoming God’s True Woman by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and others

11. Your Girl: Raising a Godly Daughter in an Ungodly World by Vicki Courtney

I also plan to read throughout the year: The One Year Chronological Bible and Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Now…to just make time to read…

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Before seven years ago, Nate and I would spend our Friday nights staying up late watching movies, playing Zelda or Sims, and wake up on Saturday whenever we felt like it. I was a full-time 6th grade teacher, high school youth group leader, selfish wife, and lazy housewife. Nate and I were able to hang out with friends when we wanted, go to TGIFridays once a week (my favorite restaurant then), and make a lot of time for each other.

Seven years ago, the Lord blessed us with our firstborn daughter. And life changed…drastically. And I am such a better person because of it! The first year of parenthood was a huge transition…no more time alone, no more free date nights, no more late nights with sleeping in, no more time to read whenever I wanted. But none of that mattered as much anymore. I still wanted (and still want) those things. But Nate and I had to stop being selfish. Having a child strengthened our faith and our marriage, and humbled us more than anything else.

I am so so thankful to the Lord for making me a mother. For blessing me with a loving, faithful, sinful (just like me!), forgiving, repentant husband and three beautiful girls that challenge me every day. The past seven years have been the best of my life and I AM THANKFUL.

Here’s a look at Natalie these past 7 years!

Birth:

One year old:

Two years old:

Three years old:

Four years old:

Five years old:

Six years old:

Seven years old:

Happy Birthday, Natalie!

So, last year at this time I wanted to lose 75 pounds. I have lost 30 and ran a half-marathon! Two things I am very proud of, but still feel this “weight” of how much I have to go…

I am only 34 and I just feel “blah” all the time. So, although training for that half-marathon was HARD, it did wonderful things for my self-esteem, weight-loss, energy, and overall physical well-being.

Okay…so I just signed up for THREE running races. A 5K (where you run into Wrigley, how cool is that?) in April, a 10 mile race (that ends on the 50 yard line of Soldier Field!) in May, and the 1/2 marathon again in June. I feel all nervous doing them…but I know I CAN do it this time. AND I’m in better shape, weigh 30 pounds less, and can already run 4 miles comfortably (last year I couldn’t even run a half mile when I started training). It was hard to do it, but I sure liked the feeling when I accomplished it!  And hopefully it will help my well-being, my health, and my weigh loss.

Pray for endurance! Pray for no injuries! Just pray!

Oh…and anyone want to run with me??!!!

http://www.chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=105

http://www.fleetfeetchicago.com/htm/events_races_soldier.asp

Lindsey is almost walking, says “baby, dada, mama, night night, yum yum, bottle, no no, uh oh, hi, hello”, waves, claps, gives kisses…such a joy.

Here is look at the past year:

Very early in the morning on Nov. 19, 2008

Happy Birthday!

One month old

2 months old

3 months old

4 months old

5 months old

6 months old

7 months old

8 months old

9 months old

10 months old

11 months old

One year!

Here is a recent picture:

A year makes a big difference! Our little Lindsey continues to delight us. Most people have said she looks a lot like Amy. Well, as we have seen her grow, WE think she looks more and more like Natalie. She has Amy’s coloring but WOW she looks a lot like Natalie at this age. I’ll let you be the judge…

Natalie at 11 months (in red sweater)

Amy at 11 months (in pink striped shirt)

And Lindsey at 11 months!