Countdown to Halloween Link-up : Week 4

We're finally all on the mend. N appears to still be teething and G may be getting a cold but overall, this is the healthiest we've all been for the last 3 weeks. We finally got in some good fall fun.

On Saturday G and I met up with our friends to participate in our local pregnancy center's costume 5k. Not only was it awesome fun, but what a wonderful cause. The money we raised will go towards helping those facing pregnancy learn about options that will promote the health and life of their unborn child. We had a blast!

On Sunday we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary by going out to eat after church. We opted to try a restaurant that catered our friend's wedding. We were not disappointed.

We got in a fall craft and later that evening we went to a local church's Trunk or Treat. My computer is on the fritz so I'll have to post those pictures later. We have a few more things coming up this week that I'm looking forward to and will share next week. Until then I'll leave you with a swert little pic of sweet N enjoying the fall weather. Happy fall!

Linking up with the Countdown to Halloween Link-up

Opt Out October

Well, judging by the scale you could assume that I've given up. Not true. I've just not prioritized things the way I've needed...or maybe I have, but the balance is off. Whatever the case, I'm not happy with the last month and a half and I need to get things back together.

The same goes for our spending. I'm pretty saving savvy but this past month I've made some impromptu purchases and I need to reign it back in. These things have led me to choosing to do an "Opt Out October" personal challenge.

October will be the month that I get some things back on track.

::via::

To get healthier this month I will opt out of the following...
-excuses for not exercising. I have to get back to making my body move. I've signed up for the Glow Baby Glow 5k to get myself motivated.
-doubt. There have been moments over the last month that have made me question whether or not I can really do this. I can.
-complaining. If I don't like what I see or how I feel, I have no right to complain because it is within my control to change it.

::via::

 To make some savvy spending choices this month I will opt out of the following...
-buying coffee more than 1x a week.
-eating out more than 1x a week. We normally rarely eat out but this past month has been a bit crazier than most. It's just been so easy to grab a pizza or Chinese instead of making a healthy home cooked meal.
-buying clothing...I rarely buy clothes for myself, but for my little one...yes. I adore tiny human clothes and when I find a great deal I jump on it, especially since she is outgrowing all of the clothes we were given as gifts/have received as hand-me-downs. The one exception will be a pair of black tights.
-home décor purchases. Nope. None. We're working on getting our house ready to sell and that is where the money needs to go.
-things we don't use...need to be gone. I have big dreams to remove even more clutter from this house.

This month will hold a couple little treats. We're hoping to have some family pictures done this month or next. We're also planning on celebrating our 6th anniversary later this month. Those will be special items that I'll budget for. The only other things that I'm having to work out are the unexpected medical bills we have coming in. Suddenly my insurance is not covering some things that they've been covering in the recent past. Grrr.

So this is my plan. I'm hoping to see positive results in both areas. Wish me luck!

Linking up with Annie

Run Baby Run!

I thought I'd go ahead and share the results of this weekend's 5k. This coming week is slammed and it is unlikely that I'll have time to fit it in otherwise.

My day began at 5:30 4:00a.m. when G decided she was ready to greet the morning. We eventually made our way downstairs and began collecting everything we'd need for the day. Today was a big day. It was an important day. G was participating in her first 5k ever and I was participating for a very special cause.

I made this onesie for G

It was not just the important purpose behind The Baby Run 5k (that you can revisit here) but I was participating in honor of a very special family, the Dennis Family. Please read their story. Their lives are living testaments of God's goodness even in the most bitter and pain drenched moments of life.

G and I headed out about 7:00a.m. We drove about an hour to the registration site. Upon arriving, we made our way to the registration table where we were greeted by some very enthusiastic volunteers.

Side note: This race was dreamed up and facilitated by a local high school group as their end of year service project. This service project also included a couple of car washes and some other events to raise money for the BRPC. I was so impressed by their organization and attention to detail. The course was mapped out perfectly and their enthusiasm was contagious.

As I sifted through my packet, I found some great information, a handmade prayer bracelet, and...a voucher for a free t-shirt!!! I had planned on purchasing a t-shirt at the event, but I ended up being one of a lucky few who won a free one.

After hanging out with some of the participants, the race began. This was the first time I have ever pushed G in a race...and it may quite possibly be my last. The course was SO HILLY! It was quite a struggle to make it up some of those hills pushing my one year old...fortunately, around the 1.5 mile marker, one of the teens caught up with me and we chatted for the remainder of the race. She definitely helped me keep my momentum.

We finally made it across the finish line, grabbed a banana and rested in the grass as they presented the awards. This was definitely my worst time (about 51 minutes) on any given course, but considering the constant elevation increases and pushing a toddler, I haven't been too down on myself. I at least finished. I had hoped to stay within the 30ish minute range but pushing the stroller definitely added a good 5-6 minutes per mile to my time.

After leaving the race, G and I headed to town to grab some breakfast. She entertained guests nearby as she insisted on using her fork to eat. After breakfast, we dropped by the Strawberry Festival at a local elementary school. We were both so tired that we didn't stay long.

We came home...and napped.

We then headed out to the elementary school closest to our home for their Backyard BBQ event. We grabbed dinner, talked it up with some friends, and then returned home to call it a night. We were both exhausted...in a good way. I cherished every moment of the Mom and Me kind of day.

Watching the big kids play

Soaking up what was left of the evening...

Promise and Possibility

Today I, along with my rambunctious red-head and a borrowed jogging stroller, will venture forth on my second 5k of the Spring season. This will be the first one I've done with a stroller, and thanks to a good friend of mine, I have appropriate baby jogging equipment. Who knows, it may even inspire me to invest...

While all of this is super exciting, I don't want to overshadow the importance of this race. There are thousands of amazing causes that races help support. This particular race helps others give a voice to those who do not have one. I'll be participating with many others today for the sake of saving lives...the lives of God's most precious gifts. The proceeds will go to a local agency that provides support in a variety of ways for women (teens included) who find themselves facing unplanned pregnancy. While these little lives are no surprise to God and His purpose for their precious existence has been set into motion, the mother, finding herself with child may not always rejoice in all that comes with new life. The Pregnancy Center "offers hope and answers to women with unplanned pregnancies."

I'll not use this post to rant, bombard you with facts, or weigh your heart down with nauseating statistics. Instead, I hope you will see the good in all that is. I hope you will take events like this, as I do, as opportunities to shine for Christ.

::via::

I am so excited to share this time with my daughter. She was a promise. Through many trials, tears and prayers, God fulfilled the desire of my heart. He granted me the opportunity to add to this world in a way that I had only dreamed of being able to do.

::via::

Sure kids make life messy...but it is the most wonderful, beautiful mess I've ever known!

I also want to draw attention to an urgent matter laid upon my heart. Several months ago a friend of mine brought the Dennis family's situation to my attention. I have prayed and cried for this couple since first reading their story. Last September they delivered their first daughter who joined Jesus 10 short hours after birth due to a terminal condition called anencephaly. She was diagnosed early on, and without all the medical lingo, it basically means that her brain was not/would not develop. When they were faced with this news, they were given the option to end their pregnancy. Their faith carried them and they chose to follow through with the pregnancy. She writes a beautiful explanation of why they chose to do so. My life has been changed through their testimony and the life of their daughter Sophie.

Today she posted some wonderful news. They are once again expecting! However, as I read on, the joy quickly becomes weaved with sadness. At 13 weeks they have discovered that this child has a rare illness known as acrania. This illness will have the same terminal result, but is different in that the baby's skull is not developing as opposed to the brain. The fact that this second child has a similar rare terminal illness is almost unheard of. They have decided to continue with this pregnancy as well, all the while praying for a miraculous healing. God is good. All. The. Time. While I can't begin to guess what God's plan is for this family or how things will turn out, I do know that God has grown an amazing testimony through this couple. I also know that He has used Sophie's life and all that is her story to change the world for so many. There is no doubt that she has made an amazing contribution to the Kingdom...in fact I'd venture to say that she has served the Lord in greater ways in her short 10 hours of life than many Christians do in 100 years.

::via::

While I do very little justice in sharing just how loudly their faith, hope and joy resound, I do ask that you keep this beautiful family in your prayers. This September will mark 1 year since Sophie went to dance at the feet of Jesus and the emotions are still very raw...and now to add this to it...It's times like this that we as adults MUST revert to our child-like faith in order to not grow weary or bitter. His plan is greater than anything we could imagine or accomplish on our own.

As I draw this to a close, I put all of this out there to say that this race will be completed with all of my heart. G and I will be completing this race in memory of Sophie, in honor of her sibling and in honor of their parents who, along with God, have chosen to make their lives possible. Despite the length of life, these angels, my daughter and every other life included, are a promise. They are a possibility.

Promises and Possibilities

I look forward to sharing the day's events with you soon!!!

Five on Friday: More Odds and Ends

Fridays not only mean the blessing of another weekend, but they also mean escaping into the world of wonderful things captured and shared by myself and others for Five on Friday.

[one]
Temperatures have been well above normal for this time of year...I'm not a fan of heat and these summer like temps have me wanting to run through a sprinkler with reckless abandon...but instead, I'll spare my neighbors (in a small town rumors spread) and indulge in one of my favorite things...ice cream! I happened upon this delicious combination of two of my favorite flavors, chocolate and peanut butter. I strongly encourage you to treat your sweet tooth to Breyer's Blasts Reese's Peanut Butter Cups*. Yum!

[two]
On Tuesday I was gifted a wonderful surprise. My mom had sent me flowers! I was later informed that they were supposed to be delivered on Friday for Mother's Day and then again on Monday since the flower shopped was swamped on Saturday. Needless to say, these gorgeous flowers arrived a couple days late but no less appreciated. Star Gazer Lilies have always been my favorite flowers. They are currently filling my living room with their intoxicating fragrance.

[three]
We are in the midst of transitioning our office into a playroom. This has been quite an undertaking. Between moving multiple items, along with furniture, ridding our home of items we've not used or seen in a while and painting both the walls and ceiling, I have been worn out. I've had no trouble falling asleep this week. We're almost done and I'm looking forward to doing some decorating. I have the curtains to sew and I'm working on finding items to hang upon the walls. I'm also on the hunt for some kid friendly toy organizing ideas. This is one idea I'm considering thanks to DIY&Crafts. More to come on that soon...

[four]
Strawberries! Whipped cream and cheesecake, oh my! Fried cheesecake! I was supposed to make this dessert for Cinco de Mayo but schedule conflicts arose. This delicious dessert takes a little time to prepare...but it's so worth it!! (I did make my cheesecake from scratch...The whipped creamy boxed version won't work for this.)

Time saving tips: make and bread the cheesecake ahead of time and store in the freezer. Pull it out and fry when you're ready. To cut down on even more time, purchase pre-made cheesecake bites from your local grocer's freezer section.

Here are some of the palette pleasing nuggets of bliss. Now imagine them layered with fresh strawberries and whipped cream (since I forgot to snap a picture)...yum!

[five]
Tomorrow I'll be heading out early with G and my friend Terri for The Baby Run 5k! I'm really excited to be hitting the pavement for such a wonderful agency. This will be G's first 5k...run baby run!

*I was not compensated in any way to give my recommendation for this product.

Five on Friday:Dinos, Dining and Darlings

While the school year is winding down, we still have a lot to push through in the three remaining weeks we have left. While the weeks have been flying by, the days seem so long. Needless to say, I am grateful for Friday. I'd love it if you'd join me and others for this week's Five on Friday.

 

 

[one]

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. I am so blessed to work with the staff, administration and families that I do. Not only do we have an amazing staff, but we also have a phenomenal PTO. This week we were showered with all sorts of gratitude. The PTO brought in an Olive Garden lunch with desserts. The school board provided Pizza Hut for lunch one day, and this does not include the other delights that were delivered to us by various parents and partners from our school community.

 

The GOTR team made us posters for our doors

The PTO sent treat bags for all of the teachers

 

[two]

Our little red head has gained quite the independent streak as of late. She does not want Mommy to help her eat. She wants to do it on her own. While she's been eating finger foods for quite some time, she has only toyed with her utensils. Well...toy no more. She officially feeds herself with a fork. Where did my little baby go?!

 

[three]

At the beginning of April, my friend Shannon and I made it through the Hoos Heal 5k. You can catch the recap here. We had a blast! Races are a lot of fun even if I hate training for them. I'm still not sure how a person who hates to run/jog convinces herself to participate in races that center around the same activity. There's really no logic. So naturally I would be looking for another race. We've scoped out a couple that may pose possibility while we're in Georgia in June. We're just not sure if time will allow it. For now, I've convinced another friend of mine to participate in The Baby Run 5k. We're registered and ready to go. Proceeds from this race will benefit an agency that I've helped to sponsor in the past and hold in high esteem, the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center. If you're local, I hope you'll join us on May 17th!

[four]
This week we've been doing some extension activities in class. The focus? Dinosaurs! I've always been fascinated by these creatures and I love to share this interest with my students. During one of our discussions on fossils, trace fossils to be exact, I had the students create their own "trace fossils" out of salt dough. It's amazing how three simple ingredients and a few plastic dinosaurs could excite and educate at the same time.

 

To make the salt dough, you'll need three simple ingredients: 2c flour, 1c salt, and 1c water. Mix them together well so that the mixture forms a well worked dough. From there you can decide how you use it. To make our trace fossils, each student was provided with a ball of dough. They flattened it and "walked" their dinosaur toys through it, leaving impressions. Dry overnight, flip over the next day, and dry one more night...and ta-da!

 

 

[five]

Finally, I want to send a huge shout out to my mom friends. I have several friends expecting and some who will be celebrating their first Mother's Day. It has been such a blessing to see these dreams come to fruition and to watch them grow. May God continue to bless and keep you all.



 

::via::

 



 

Five on Friday: All Good Things

I hope you'll join me and some other very lovely ladies for this week's Five on Friday.

 

 

[one]

This Friday marks the beginning of Spring Break!!!

 

::via::

 

 

[two]

I celebrated my last birthday in my 20s. You can see the recap here. I can't thank everyone enough for the outpouring of love on my special day. (Major props go to my hubby. He always does an amazing job.)

The ice cream cake!!! I look forward to this every year!

Just a few of the sweet gifts I was given...

[three]
We took some family pictures on Sunday. We also had G's one year pictures taken. Shay always does an amazing job. If you are close to the Richmond area, look her up! (more pics coming soon!)

 

 

 

[four]

This past week I also managed to complete my first 5k in ages. I had such a good time finishing with one of my dearest friends. You can find the highlights here.

 

 

[five]

We're coming down to crunch time. G's first birthday is right around the corner. We have family coming in this week to celebrate (I can't wait!). I'm busy making decorations, planning food, checking my list and anxiously awaiting the day. Where did the time go?

 

36 week ultrasound

Admitted...6cm and going strong at 37 1/2 weeks

Our gorgeous miracle

Our precious family...finally home