Erie Marathon

So it's been a while.  A little over 3 months to be exact.  Nothing crazy or time consuming has kept me from posting.  I just honestly forget about this space sometimes.  Even if I set myself up for the next post I forget (Notice there was never a part II to my Vacationing Part I post.)  But lately I've been wanting to get on my little corner of the internet world and document something that I worked months and months for.

On the 15th of September I woke up in Erie, Pennsylvania prepared to complete my very first marathon.  I literally woke up with butterflies already in my stomach.  I had been training all summer for this one race.  I would be running 6.2 more miles than I had ever run in my training and in my life.  Thankfully I was not running alone.  I had the privilege of running with a dear friend, and sister in Christ.  This was her second marathon and I was so thankful to have her during training.  She kept me going when I wanted to stop.  When I would have rather stayed in bed to sleep in, I knew I couldn't because I needed to meet her on the trail at 7am to beat the summer heat.  So to you my friend....THANK YOU!

Picking up our bibs!

After eating my pre-run breakfast of a bagel, peanut butter and honey we were off!  It was A LOT cooler out than we were used to.  I was thankful I packed some leggings and longs sleeves!

Cinda and I waiting to line up!

We had some amazing views during our run.

I have no idea what we are looking at here, but I believe this is around mile 18.  Once we hit mile 19 we decided to dedicate each mile to someone or a group of people to get us to the next mile.  I'm so glad we did that.  Every time my leg started to cramp or I wanted to walk just for a few seconds I could think about who we were dedicating that mile to and power through.  

After 4 hours and 33 minuets we finally finished!

I look like a dork, but that was by far the best chocolate milk I think I've ever had in my life!

Off our feet and resting for a bit.

After the Marathon with our medals!!

Getting to see Brett every 5 to 6 miles really helped me power through.  He was such a big supporter!  If Cinda and I couldn't run together during the week he would run with me.  If I need some advice on food or training tips, he was there.  Training for a Marathon is VERY time consuming and he allowed me to take the time to train.  During the race he would pass off more energy beans and take my empty packs.  After the first 5 miles he was there to take my long sleeve shirt.  I'm so thankful for him and the amazing support he gave!

Proof I finished :)  My bib and my medal!

A year ago if you told me I was going to run a marathon I would have laughed in your face and thought you were crazy.  But this has turned out to be one of the coolest experience of my life so far.

Vacationing (Part I)

Summer has really gotten busy this month.  We went on two awesome vacations pretty much back to back.  So get ready because I'm about to bog this post down with lots of photos!

Our first vacation was a cruise to the Bahamas!  I've never been on a cruise before and was pretty scared since I'm terrified of the ocean and boats (great combo right??).  But to be honest I LOVED the cruise!  It was so fun and you really couldn't tell you were on a boat!

                                      Tomorrow we'll be visiting Davis, West Virginia!!

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

A few months ago my sister found out she needed to go Gluten Free.  I can't even imagine having to give up foods with gluten in them.  I love bread.  I love bagels.  I love biscuits.  I love pasta.  I love cookies and brownies....ect.

So I feel pretty bad for her to be honest.

But these cookies do  not taste gluten free AT ALL!  They are so yummy and so easy!  I made them for Fathers Day and nobody knew they were gluten free...until I told them :)

I bet you have the ingredients in your kitchen right now and could make a batch this second!

Ingredients

1 cup Peanut Butter
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 egg

Directions

-Mix Peanut Butter and Sugar
-Add Baking Soda and Egg
-(Add Chocolate Chips too if you want!)
-Roll into balls and place on ungreased baking sheet
-Press fork into cookies twice each way
-Bake for 8-10 min at 350 degrees

Enjoy!

High 5 4 Friday

1.  Sunday afternoon bike ride with some church family!

Picture taken from FB

2.  Tuesday I met up with some ladies to pick strawberries!  YUM!

3.  I've started a Bible Study of Esther by Beth Moore with some ladies from church. It's gonna be good!

4.  This tape has saved my running life! 

5.  Of course this girl :)

Happy Weekend!

In A Month

So we've been pretty busy since I last posted....a month ago...

My sisters hubby graduated from college....

We went to a Five Iron Frenzy concert, which I don't have a picture of, but this band was one of Brett's favorites back in the day.  Seriously his email was Five Iron Frenzy something or other.

My other brother-in-law graduated (Brett's bro) from college and the Air Force...

I've started training for a Marathon in September, which is more time consuming than I thought it would be.  But since school is out for the summer I have a lot of extra time on my hands to train!

Brett ran a Tough Mudder with people from out church.  I'm so upset I didn't do it, but we are pre-registered for next year and I can't wait!  To get a little taste of what it will be like (for me) we signed up for a Warrior Dash in August with my sister and brother-in-law.  Should be a good time.

Have you ever done an obstacle race before??

Umm?

Because this is a normal place for a dog to chew her bone...

In my shoe bin.  

Silly dog.

Happy Mothers Day!

I know it's the end of the day, so I'm kind of late posting this I suppose but....

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!

I truly have the best mom!  She has been such an amazing example to me.

She has taught me how to love, forgive, work hard, sacrifice and be a 

good wife (and some day a good mom haha)

H54F

Man this week went by fast!  The mornings were slow, but our days/evenings are always so packed with things it makes the week fly!  Anyone else have really slow parts of their day, but because another part of the day is so busy it makes the week go by in a blur?  Or is that just me?






1)  Of course the highlight of this past week for me
 would be last weekend when I completed my first
 Half Marathon.  It was just a big accomplishment for me!

2)  We normally have a puppy play date on Wednesday with good friends of ours.  This we week got them together 2 days in a row!  This was the result of that.  I nice long nap with her stuffed animal "Sonic".

3) A dear friend from church is throwing her soon to be sister-in-law a Bridal Shower tomorrow with little to no help from this girls family.  So I offered my limited baking services and made these cute cupcakes decorated with sand (graham crackers), flip flops (gummies) and an umbrella!  I hope she likes them!

4)  Our bible study group meets on Monday's and this week took our group to some really yummy Sweet Frog!  It's frozen yogurt and tons of fantastic toppings!

5)  See those pink toes??  I took a mid week break with my sister and mom to get some pedicures :)  My feet have needed some help ever since I started running regularly!  I love how bright they are!  Makes me smile!

Have a lovely weekend all!!

My First Half!

Friday night we took Lydia out to my mom and step-dads house to spend the night and day so we could get some sleep and head out bright and early Saturday morning for the race!  She had such a great time.  By the time we got her home she had a new toy and passed out around 8pm for the night!

Anyways...

Saturday morning we had our bags packed and headed out the door at 6am for our 2hr drive.

It was a beautiful day!

When we arrived we honestly had no idea where to go or where anything was.  It was a bit nerve racking.  But after a freakishly slow bus ride and never ending line for our numbers and chips we were on our way to starting the race!  

Trying to get the chips on our shoe laces.

About 15 minuets before the race began we ran into some familiar faces.  My dad and step-mom drove all the way out to support us while we ran! 

Next thing I knew we were getting in line and starting our run!  It was a challenge to keep my pace and not want to go faster at the start.  We did pretty well and every time I started getting caught up with the flow Brett would guide me and tell me to slow down a bit.  

I'm in pink and Brett's in orange.

For the most part I felt pretty good.  But between mile 8 and mile 10 I started feeling pretty sick to my stomach.  Brett helped me stay focused and kept me moving and by mile 10 I was feeling better again.  I'm so thankful to have had him there with me.  Next thing I knew we were done!

Waiting in line for our medals :)

It was such a great experience.  Something I NEVER thought I could do!  I had so much fun and learned a lot.  I learned things I need to do more of or change during training and learned that I really want to work towards a full Marathon!

After the race!

There was a big street fair with a lot of vendors to check out after the race.  We enjoyed some awesome homemade Peanut Butter Ice Cream.  Hit the spot!

Brett's younger sister goes to school near where we raced and so we washed up and all went out for burgers and beer (for Brett anyways).  It was such a great day!  And what better way to end it than with some half priced Starbucks Fraps!!

  

HF4F

1.  Breakfast for Dinner on Sunday's Tradition! (Waffles and Ice Cream)

2.  Spring FINALLY arrived here!  And the nasty tree in our backyard has started to bloom!

3.  Brett baked me a birthday cake this year all by himself!  It was sweet :)

4.  Starbucks Happy Hour begins today!!!  Half priced Fraps from 3-5pm!

5.  Lydia is FINALLY on the mend from her surgery!  She had some complications so we have had to wait 14 days until she is aloud to play and romp around again.  Two more days to go!!

Have a great weekend all!!!

Papa

My Meme and Papa

Yesterday marked 4 years since my Papa (my Grandpa) passed away.  I don't talk about his death, or him, very often because I very quickly well up with tears (as I am now and I'm only two sentences in). 

I cry not because of fear of where he is.  No.  I know he is with our Lord.  He is happy.  He is healthy.  He is free from this world.  He is dancing and singing praises to our sweet Savior.

I cry because I miss him of course.  I miss his whole wheat pancakes he would make for breakfast.  I miss his weird dinner concoctions that we now call "The Papa Meal".  I miss working on projects with him.  I miss his voice.  I miss him at family get togethers. 

 I just miss him.

He was such a wonderful man.  He loved his family so much.  He was a hard worker (a perfectionist).  He was generous and kind.  He was funny and sweet.

I wish I could thank him for being these things.  For spiritually leading my family and caring for us.  For watching my sister and I so often.  For coming to watch me cheer (even though I'm sure he wasn't a fan).  For dropping whatever he was doing to come pick me up from school because my car wouldn't start.  For helping me with school projects.  For playing such a big role in my life.  I wish I had another shot.  Another chance to thank him and tell him how much he meant means to me.   

I love him and miss him.  He was the best Papa a girl could ask for.