Is it worth it?

I'm training to run a marathon in the fall. I ran a half back in March, and it really was fun. And so far the training has been fun. I've got a group of girls that I run with on Saturdays for the long runs...and despite getting up as early as 4:30 to beat the heat, I've enjoyed it. That is until last weekend after a 14-miler. I think my feet (i.e. toenails) are beginning to get tired of the running.

I'm gonna stick it out. I've come too far to stop now..and I'm so excited about getting to run the marahon with one of my dear friends, Leah, and meeting her 2 (or 3) sweet kids and seeing her hubby. Hopefully, I won't lose every toenail between now and then.

Our little dolphin!

Emma has been taking swimming lessons for the first time this week. She's been "swimming" and diving off the diving board for a while..but we figured she should take some lessons just to be sure she knew what she was doing.

She has loved it! Other kids are screaming as soon as they get there. They do not want to get in the water, and they definitely do not want to go off the diving board. Emma starts crying the second I tell her that it is time to go home. She'd stay all day if she could.

The funny thing is that the swimming instructor is named Duster. She's got a scruffy voice and kind of looks like Gary Bussey. She's known around town as the swim nazi. Kids are terrified of her. Parents tell stories of her throwing kids off of diving boards and pushing them under the water. I haven't seen any of this. She has been wonderful. Yes, some parents have had to do a little pushing..but not Emma. She has no fear.

I think instead of swimming lessons that we should have signed up for "waiting your turn lessons". While the other kids are crying and avoiding the diving board, Emma just keeps on jumping in front of everyone and diving off. She jumps in constantly whether it's her turn or not. So, we've got the swimming thing down. Now, we just need to learn how to wait in line.

Who knows..maybe we've got an Olympic swimmer on our hands.

A week to remember...

I just got back from a 10 day trip to Frontier Ranch. All I can say is "Wow!" There's just something about Frontier to me...maybe it's because I went there as a camper in 1994 or because I did Summer Staff there in 1999. Or maybe it's because of the many trips I've taken there with high schoolers. Whatever the reason, I love Frontier Ranch.
God is so evident when I'm there. Not that he's not here when I'm at home in Albany, GA, but there's just something about getting out of your hometown, leaving behind your cell phone and laptop and going to a place that is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and God's amazing creation.
All of the high schoolers we took had a blast and of course said "it was the best week of their lives." I would have to agree. Watching them hear for the first time about Christ's amazing love and how He is constantly pursuing them is a true gift for me...I feel so blessed to be a part of it.
Here's hoping that you will have some time this summer to "get-away" and sit at the feet of Jesus.
Thought I'd throw in a pic of me in highschool at Frontier...just for fun.

Finally Done!

Before

In progress

After

6 long weeks and 2 extra slow contractors...and our kitchen is finally done!

Summer is here!

Popsicles, slip&slides, home-made ice cream, grilling hamburgers and hotdogs, hanging out on warm summer nights with friends...summer has officially begun. Emma's last day of school was last week. All of our YL seniors have graduated. We're anxiously awaiting summer church programs to begin. Going swimming at friends' houses. Getting ready to take our first swimming lessons. Realizing that 90 degree days are getting here much quicker than we hoped. Summer is here!

A Weekend Without Kids!

For the first time in over a year, Brad and I went out of town without kids. It was only for one night, but it was great to just get away and be together. We went to a Braves game, went out in Buckhead, ate a good meal, spent hours at IKEA and spent some good time with good friends.
As hard as it is to leave kids at home, it was much needed..and we have to do it again soon!

Our little monkey

Over a week ago Liam fell out of the buggy at Lowe's onto the concrete floor. It happened in a matter of seconds. I leaned over to get the diaper bag and stood up just in time to see him flipping out of the buggy. I grabbed him immediately and checked everywhere to make sure he was OK. He cried for a few minutes, but once I got him outside and sat him on a riding lawnmower he was fine.
Then last Monday I felt a strange squishy spot on his head. I took him to the doctor and was told that it was a large hematoma that had developed from the fall. We were then sent to the hospital for some x-rays and found out that Liam has a skull fracture.
Friday we went for a CT Scan to see if anything else had happened. Thankfully, the doctor called Friday night to tell us that there is no internal bleeding. He just has a skull fracture.
It feels very strange to say that our 1 year old "just has a skull fracture". But I am thankful that that is all that it is. The doctor says that it should heal itself and we will have more x-rays done in 4-6 weeks to make sure it is healing properly.
Needless to say it was a fairly stressful week. It is always so scary to think about something happening to your children. And you realize how little control you have over all of it. Our only peace came from just knowing that the Lord was in complete control and that He would take care of us...and Liam.
Now we've just got to keep Liam from having any more big falls...which feels a little impossible with a 1 year old that has just learned to walk. He falls at least 20 times a day. So, once again, we are trusting that the Lord will take care of Liam and everything will heal exactly the way it is supposed to....and hopefully Liam will lose his desire to climb on everything in sight, as well.