Updates

Thought I would update the blog with what we've been up to these past few weeks in Winston. 

Me and Chloe have been going to the Children's Museum once a week. It's so cold outside and we need to get out of the house, so our passes are definitely being used! 

I've been getting back into the gym. Since doing the mistletoe run in early December I was totally slacking. I've decided I'm not going to try and run outside during the winter months, but just do some classes at the Y, which I'm loving. 

Chloe absolutely loves taking care of her babies. She is all about giving them their bottles and tucking them in, it's adorable. 

Aunt Melanie came this past weekend to visit. We loved having her. We all watched Frozen, Chloe's first time and she actually watched all of it. 

This past weekend our church celebrated it's first birthday. They talked a lot about the church being a home and I could totally relate to wanting that. Moving to a new state can be tough and our church has made Winston-Salem feel like home. I love that we're apart of what God is doing in this city through our church. I know when God called us here helping to start this church was part of God's purpose in it all. 

And I'll end with a picture of Chloe wearing this hat. She will randomly want to wear it around the house. Love her. :)

The Y

So this morning I finally joined the YMCA! 

Ever since I became a stay at home mom I have wanted to join the Y. The idea of someone watching my baby while I get to go run or workout seemed great, and exactly what I need. We were going to join in Richmond, then we moved. So I finally decided it was time to join down here. 

My biggest fear was leaving Chloe in Child Watch. In my mind I knew she would be fine and that everyone who works there is screened, trained, etc. But my mommy heart was so nervous! I figured I should do it while she is younger so she just gets used to going while I workout. And this morning when I brought her she didn't even shed one tear! She did so well and I got a great workout in. 

I am so excited about this, just had to share!

Lately

Around here lately..................

I've been busy preparing for our new arrival! I finally washed all her clothes, blankets, sheets, everything she will be using. The swing is set up, car seat installed and pack n' play is ready to go. I am waiting for one more thing for the nursery then I will post pictures. 

Betty is loving the new changing pad and cover. When I put the changing pad up on the dresser she wasn't too interested in it. I finally got the cover for it, and this is def. her new favorite place. It's really funny how much time she spends up there, but I'm thinking when baby comes she won't be enjoying it as much. Ha!

I've been enjoying the leaves changing colors. I wish we could have made it up to Carter's Mountain to pick apples or go hiking around the blue ridge but I'm afraid to go too far now. It's still beautiful here in Richmond though. I love the fall. 

We've been going on lots of long walks. I am determined to stay active up until I go into labor. I know this will make it so much easier and quicker. I am slowing down, but we've still been going around 2.5 miles each time, so I'm happy with that. 

Waiting for signs of labor! Every cramp or braxton hick contraction I get I wonder if it's really time. So far it hasn't been labor, but I think I am finally ready for it soon. My mom went a week early with all 3 of us so I'm hoping she will come early too. 

Me and Clarke have enjoyed a lot of time together just the two of us. Dinner dates out and watching movies at home. I know when she comes this will be harder so we are trying to soak up as much of it now as we can.

I've been enjoying lunch dates with friends and my mom a lot these past few weeks. Once again, when she comes this won't be as easy so I'm all about enjoying it while I can!

my first marathon!!!!

well, today i ran a marathon. it seemed surreal. amazing. hard. beautiful. painful. did i say amazing? yeah it was freakin awesome!

the day started off really good. clarke was so great to wake up with me at 4:30 and drive me down to his office downtown. i ate breakfast, got on facebook (of course) and waited till it was time to walk down to the suntrust building. then i met up with my team, took lots of pics and enjoyed the beautiful morning. we all walked down to the finish line, i kept saying "i can't believe it's here!"

when the race started i wanted to run 100 miles an hour, i felt awesome. coach mark took a video of us running the first couple miles (can't wait to see that!) it was awesome, the perfect start. coach elise paced me the first five to make sure i didn't start out too fast and before i knew it we were at mile 5 on grove avenue with all the mtt coaches cheering us on.

i remember hitting the first 10k and felt great. off to river road shopping center for party zone #1 and to see my mom and clarke cheering me on. then across the hugenot bridge to riverside drive. this was so beautiful! the james river was right there and it was just peaceful. i met up with garrett, a teammate, and we ran together. although looking back i probably ran too fast right here. down forest hill avenue and i was at the half way mark still feeling pretty good.

i finally made it to the lee bridge. about half way across i felt a tap on my shoulder, it was susan my good friend who i've run lots of training runs with. i was so happy to see her. and that junk food stop at mile 16 after the bridge. but i must say, the lee bridge wasn't that bad. neways, i stuffed my face with gummy bears and finally saw my mom, clarke and his whole family cheering me on. really needed that.

me and susan ran up main street and around mile 18 is where i remember it getting tough. we turned onto broad and my good friend emily cheered me on. at this point i really needed any kind of encouragement! i remember when i saw monuement avenue, for some reason this was the point i knew i would finish this marathon. i don't know why it was here. but i remember me and susan saw everyone from the half and 8k with their medals and we said "we want one, lets go get it!"

then there was the hill up the boulevard. that dreaded hill i've run up. every. single. saturday morning. once i got up it was through the pope arch and mile 20. miles 18-22 were hard. but the last 4 were tough. really tough. somewhere around 22 or 23 i met up with coach elise and she ran with us for a bit. somewhere around 23 or 24 i found coach mark. honestly i was so happy to see him because my legs were really hurting at this point and he is always so encouraging. i saw my friend emily who ran the half, she cheered for me and ran with me some. i remember asking her about her race because i didn't want to talk about the pain! ha!

somewhere along the way coach chelle started to run with me. she started counting the people i was passing as we hit mile 25. i ended up passing 13 people at the end. pretty awesome. well i really needed to blow my nose, so i asked coach chelle if she had a tissue, and she didn't. but being the amazing coach she is she let me blow my nose on her jacket! that's real love!

we finally turned off of grace and then finally cary. the finish line was in sight. i was heaving so hard, not because i was out of breath but because i was so emotional. 5.5 months of hard core training, so much dedication had gone into this moment, and it was finally here. right before the finish line i saw my dad. he surprised me and came from baltimore to see me finish. it was great.

when i crossed the finish line it was surreal. like nothing i have ever experienced in my life. it's hard to describe, but it's something beyond a runner's high. it's just simply amazing. they called out my name which was neat and when they put that huge medal around my neck i started to cry. i just couldn't help it.

my official time was 5:28:22, although i really didn't care. i achieved my goal. to finish. although my legs hurt, and they still do, i felt awesome. and i still do because this is something i will always remember. my first marathon. simply nothing else like it.

(check back soon for pics, i'm just too tired to post right now. and for capitalization!)

Shameless Plug

I don't normally do this on here, but this is a good cause, so here we go...............

My husband and sister-in-law both suffer from ulcerative colitis. (It's a digestive disease that effects mainly the colon.) It's very painful, and they don't know much about it. They don't know what causes it, what makes it flair up and most importantly what cures it. I've witnessed first hand how hard it can be to live with this disease from my husband.

So this Saturday we are participating in The Chron's and Colitis Foundation's Take Steps Walk. We did it last year for the first time after my husband had a bad attack. I'm excited to be participating in it again.

CLICK HERE
if you want to donate to this cause and help me reach my goal. (If you click and see, I'm not doing too well on the fundraising part of this!)

Thank you so much for your support, as we help to find a cure for this awful disease!

The Monument Avenue 10k

This past Saturday was the Monument Avenue 10k here in Richmond. If you are a regular follower, or know me in "real life", then you know that running this has been a personal goal of mine for awhile now. Back in November I started running (for the first time since high school) and in December I posted  about it.

Me and Emily being silly before the race. We used to be on swim team together when we were in elementary school and now we run together every Monday. I wouldn't have started running if it wasn't for this girl!

Here's an action shot! I look so into it, lol.

(photo credit)

I have found that I really do enjoy running. I enjoy setting goals for myself. And since I have accomplished my first running goal, I am setting a new one for myself. On November 12 I want to run the Richmond Marathon. I had already decided to train for the Half Marathon, and my good friend Rachel talked me into just doing the whole thing. I am really excited about joining a training team (since I have no clue what I am doing) and I am ready to push myself.

So here's to a lot more running in my future!

A March Milestone

This March marks my 5 year anniversary of my last anxiety attack. It's a pretty big deal for me.

5 years ago I had taken yet another semester off of college to stay home and try to overcome my anxiety. I didn't know if I would ever get back to JMU and finish my degree, I didn't know if there would ever be a time in my life without the panic, chaos and sadness that those attacks brought.

But, it's been 5 years this month. 5 years! Back then I would have never believed that I could go so long without an attack. I'm not even taking any anti-anxiety medication, and haven't in a couple years. I finished my degree from JMU, I have a great job and I'm happily married. I've come a long way from being that girl so afraid of her future.

And I have Jesus to thank. I know it's only because of him that I am free from anxiety attacks. It is still a part of my life today. I struggle with not knowing what comes next for my life, I struggle with insecurities and I struggle with fear. But, I have a new found hope which keeps me going. I know God has a plan for my life, and has created me for a purpose. Although there are things that are out of my control and things I wish I could change, I know ultimately He is in control, and that is good

5 years, that's half a decade! Thank you Jesus for getting me here.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Haven't linked up over at this kind of love for awhile, so thought I would today. I have a lot to be thankful for.......

 I am loving this blog: No Greater Joy. I stumbled upon it the other day and couldn't stop reading. This family has seven children, four of them adopted with special needs. Their story is amazing.

I am loving this tea.

My mom got it for me while I was sick and it saved me. I am still drinking like 4 cups a day.

As always I am loving Clarke and Betty. But even more these past few days.

Clarke has been taking care of me and Betty has kept me company on the couch.

I am loving this music video by David Crowder Band:

                                

I am loving that Friday the high is 74 degrees! I can't wait. I am also loving all the spring stuff out in the stores. I'm so ready!

(photo credit)

 And that is what I am loving today!!!

Healthy Favorites

With the new year, and so many people thinking about being healthy, I thought I would share some of my favorite healthy foods. Last year I really learned how to incorporate more foods that are better for me into my lifestyle, that taste good as well (besides the regular fruits and vegetables). So here goes....

Kashi Cereal

I eat this most mornings for breakfast. It's really good for you (has as much protein as an egg!) and yummy as well. There are lots of different flavors, but the berry crumble is my favorite.

100 Calorie Packs

These are basically just crackers that are prepackaged into 100 calorie servings. I love them because they are easy, and if left with the whole bag I would eat it all.

Crystal Light

I love Crystal Light! Most of the flavors taste good, this one and the tea are my favorite.

Kashi Bars

Another Kashi product, can you tell I am a fan of Kashi? The peanut peanut butter bars are so yummy!

Sugar Free Pudding

This pudding is great when you want something sweet, without the calories and fat. Still pretty tasty.

Sandwich Thins

These are great for sandwiches, but also to make little pizzas out of as well. They are only 1 weight watcher point too!

There you go! I hope this helps for anyone who is looking for some yummy healthy food.

On Running...

They say it takes about a month for something to become a habit. Well, it's been about 5 weeks since I started running so I am hoping it has really become a new habit.

I started running because some friends of mine would go running on Monday nights. I thought this is a great way to get some exercise in and catch up with them all at the same time. Well, I decided to keep running on my own so I would be able to keep up with them! This then led to a conversation about running the Monument Avenue 10k. This led to more motivation on my part. So, for a little over a month now I have been running to get ready for this race. Our goal is to run the entire thing.

It is amazing what some motivation will do for ya. Since graduating from college I have wanted to be more active. I would always start out strong, vowing to go to the gym more, but it would never stick. Yes I started playing golf, which is good exercise, but not at the same intensity as running.

This time I think it will last. At least until the race in April. Me and my dear friend are determined! And now that I have posted this for everyone to see I must do it. Ha! So wish me luck, and stay posted for updates. I am gonna run that race come April 2!

Pumpkin Love

So October is here and fall is in full swing. That means one thing when it comes to food.....Pumpkin!! And halloween candy soon, but it's not as healthy for you, so I can't justify dedicating a whole post to it. But I digress, back to pumpkin, I love it.

I made pumpkin chili last week, here is the recipe: Pumpkin Chili.

It was so good. I used ground turkey instead of ground beef to make it a little healthier.

I am really looking forward to making some pumpkin pies soon! Okay, that is about all I have to say about pumpkin. Stay tuned for a post about pumpkin pie, I have a secret that my mom gave me and it makes the pies so creamy and extra yummy (if that is possible).