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)