My First 5K!

Warren and I began attending a Wednesday night Bible study called "Run for God" back in January. We were encouraged to attend by a guy who works with Warren at the hospital and who is also in our Sunday school class. He and his wife did the study during the fall quarter, and he told us about how he went from not being able to run much at all to doing 5Ks and beyond. It sounded great....a way for Warren and I to spend time together, a way to get in shape all while focusing on what is true and important....GOD!

Now, for those of you who know me, you may have heard me say on many occasions that the only way that I would ever run would be if I were being chased by a pack of wild animals or if my pants were on fire. Well, as you can tell, I have certainly changed my outlook. This is not to say that I will ever be able to outrun that pack of animals--I am painfully slow, so much that I am pretty sure I walk faster than I run, but I have found that running (and I mean, jogging) is not that bad of a chore, especially when I know that I am not doing it by myself.

I could never have been able to progress and set and make goals without the Good Lord's help. Not to mention the wonderfully fantastic support of my sweet hubby, my three fantastic little cheerleaders, other family and not to mention the leaders and members of our "Run for God" class. You all ROCK, and I couldn't have done any of this without each and every one of you! Thanks !!!

During our weekend trip to Cleveland, I ran my very first 5K. And bless my sweet family's heart, they were there the whole time cheering me on in the 45 degree weather. It was C-O-L-D that morning. I was good about watching the weather during the week, and a great weather forecast was predicted for Saturday. Well, needless to say, we didn't really pack accordingly. I did have enough forethought to pack the girls a long sleeve shirt and their jackets, but poor Warren only had short sleeves. He doesn't get cold, but he sure was during the race. 

Me and my sweet big girl before the race

My dear, sweet friend, and Phi Mu sister, Emily (above) arranged for us a place to stay, AND she came out at the start of the race to cheer me on!

 I managed a little wave at the start....and after being told by NUMEROUS folks to not start out too fast.....I did. I chalk it up to nerves and adrenaline. Hoping next race I can pace myself better. 

I was proud of myself for racing my way, but I did beat myself up a little when about 5 or more minutes in, I glanced back to make sure I wasn't last. I didn't look back after that because I re-focused myself on running MY race and no one else's. It didn't matter who was in front or who was behind me. I needed to do MY thing, and I did!

I got a little antsy when I hadn't even gone a mile when the 'pace car' golf cart and a runner passed me going the opposite direction. That guy was on fire and I think he finished in like 18 minutes or something. But I just kept going....

I managed to run a little over 2.6 miles without stopping, but due to the cooler temps, I needed to take a break to take care of a little nose issue (I'll spare you the details) :). I walked 1:20, so I didn't think that was too too bad. I mean, I wanted to cross the finish line under my own power and not be dragged across it! 

Me crossing the finish line!!!!  

My official time was 38:15 with a 12:21/mile. I was 69 of 109 in my gender class, 12 of 18 in age class and 134 of 202 overall. All in all I was very proud of myself...first for doing something SO unlike me and for finishing it! I had two goals....to cross the finish line regardless of time and to not be the last one to do it. So, I met my two goals, and now I have something to base future races on. I'm not gonna lie and say that it wouldn't be awesome to come in first and get a trophy or a medal, but for now, that's really not where my head is. I am just enjoying doing something for me and something unlike me. 

I had THE three cutest little cheerleaders waiting for me at the finish line! The best end ever!!!

Phi Mu Reunion!

I was so glad that the Crosstie 5K coincided with the Phi Mu reunion. I was able to run my race (an upcoming, separate post), AND walk around DSU's campus and see some folks I haven't seen since college.

 Phi Mu's philanthropy is CMN, Children's Miracle Network. And every year, we hold a Rock-A-Thon for them. The Phi Mus were a-rockin' at the Crosstie Festival. I remember rocking "back in the day," and I loved getting a couple of pics of two of my babies rockin' for CMN! A glimpse into the future.....maybe?

 Nanner didn't want to rock. I think she may have been a little shy around the college girls. But Reese (the fist photo) and Mags (above) wanted a turn.

During our visit, we learned that the Fugler-Hammett dorm is in the process of being demolished. For three of my four years in college, I, along with many other Phi Mus,  lived on the first floor of Hammett....mine room was the first one on the right. :) My big sister, Brandi, lived in the exact same room two years before me. When Emily told me about our dorm being torn down, I was so sad. I have so many memories, a lot good, some not so good, from my years on "the hall." It stinks getting older and losing things you remember. 

Due to the Phi Mu dorm being demolished, current Phi Mus have had no real chapter room to hold their weekly meetings. From what I learned, they've kinda been gypsies when it came to their meetings. Our new hall location is the second floor of Harkins, I believe, or is it Lawler? Anyway, the girls had their rooms all fixed up for us alums to peek in while 'touring' the new hall. The last stop was the soon to be chapter room. It is EMPTY, as you can see from above! They are accepting any and all donations, so if you are a Phi Mu (or anyone else) who would like to help, let me know and I'll send you the info on how to send in your donation. I know they will greatly appreciate it, and I will, too.

One of my bestest friends, Emily, (above) helped make our weekend fabulous. Her mom was out of town, and she graciously opened her house to me and my crew. What a blessing to have wonderful friends like this.  I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the above picture of Em, me, and my girls doing the "party picture pose." Do my girls look natural or what? They certainly got it goin' on! :)

A quick shot of my girls on the hall. It is PINK..Phi Mus' signature color! :) Maybe one day they'll follow in mama's and daddy's footsteps (not to mention BopBop, DamDam, BranBran, and Uncle Rich's) and be DSU grads....and maybe Phi Mus, too! 

 This was my favorite sign on the hall.

 The Lion is our mascot! 

It was a great, memory filled weekend. Can't wait for the next one!

Easter 2012

Easter Sunday was pretty quiet around here; it was just the five of us. We woke up Sunday morning, after a failed attempt the night before at making resurrection rolls. I say failed because my crescent rolls didn't cook correctly, but the marshmallow did 'disappear' like Jesus' body. I did read from the Bible the verses concerning Jesus' death and resurrection, so I hope that the girls at least got something out of our project.

Precious Reese kept saying over and over, "Jesus didn't do anything wrong. Why did they kill him?" Trying to teach her about other people's jealousy and the fact that they wanted to be king and ruler...well, I think that's gonna take some time. Oh the blessing of innocence.

No pictures of their Easter baskets, but they did get some nice things from the Easter Bunny.

Posing (and humoring Mama) for a picture before church. I love my grapevine cross on the door. I had grand plans of draping purple material on it up to Sunday and then changing to white, but as you can see, it is bare. Or I hope you can see; it sorta blends in, doesn't it? You certainly cannot see it from the street. Boo. I have thought about taking it down, but I don't think I'm going to. We should constantly remind ourselves and others of our Savior's tremendous sacrifice for us.

I cannot get over how big and grown up they look. The twins will be SEVEN this summer. Where has all that time gone? Wonder how much longer they'll let me dress them the same? Now, for school and everyday (even Sundays), they usually do dress differently, but hopefully for special occasions, we can still dress alike.

After five years or so of owning our camera, I finally figured out how to use the automatic timer about a year or so ago. I know.....DUH!!! But better late than never. Until then, Warren would take one of me and the girls, then I'd get one of him and the girls. We never had a family shot. Thankfully the battery held out on the camera for this shot. And I cannot be happier with the way it turned out. We do look pretty good if I do say so myself.

I am grateful for the blessings of health, family, and love. But most of all I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me so much, in spite of ALL of my flaws and mistakes, that he would send HIS one and only son to perish for someone as unworthy as me. And that Jesus conquered death and is RISEN...today and always! As a parent, I cannot imagine losing any of my children. What a gift! Thank you God!

Resurrection Egg Hunt

The week before Easter, our church's children's ministry hosted a Resurrection Egg Hunt, complete with door prizes, hot dogs, and lots of fun! We were all excited about attending, but the girls were most excited not only about the egg hunt but the fact that it was going to be in the DARK!

Leading up to the day, I was reminded daily that I needed to get them flashlights. Well, when you have three very different little girls with different likes, finding three flashlights to meet exact specifications is quite difficult....not to mention kinda expensive. So, this mama found a package of three lights....two the same size and one a bit bigger. Perfect...the twins got the same sized ones and big sissy, of course, got the larger one. Problem was they were all black...nothing to differentiate them from the other. Well, that wasn't gonna do, so what to do what to do....

COLORED DUCK TAPE TO THE RESCUE!!!!

Even though they were not exactly what the girls were wanting, they seemed pleased with the final results.

I managed to get them to sit still long enough for a sister picture!

Maggie and Anna had attended a Fancy Nancy glamour shop themed birthday party earlier that afternoon....hence the eye make up.

Warren doesn't get into the picture taking thing as much as I do, but do most dads get excited about living with picture crazy wives? Just a thought. But I do love this one of him and Nanner. So sweet!

And this one of me and my 'babies,' who aren't babies anymore. {sniff, sniff}

Our children's minister led a wonderful devotion prior to turning the kids loose for the hunt. I wish I had committed more to my brain, but I didn't. It was really good, and glow sticks and bracelets and necklaces were passed out to go along with a part of the devotion.

Big girl all fired up and rearin' to go......

Sweet Nanner...posing as always.

Maggie being, well, Maggie! :) We adore this child's spirit. There is definitely not another one like her in the world....even though she has a twin...

Hunting in the dark. It was hilarious watching the kids with their flashlights searching for treasure filled eggs.

The Manning girls really racked up. We take egg hunts seriously around here. Can't you tell?

Showing off their loot.

We have been blessed to be led to this church and its people. We really have made friendships that I pray will last forever.