Archive for the ‘Life’ Category
Austin Color Run
Posted on: February 9, 2012
- In: Life
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This past weekend, I ran in the Color Run.
It rained, for days, before the race. Which left the grass track muddy and wet. And after a week of 70*, Saturday started off frigid.
Overall, the race was fun, but there were some definite set backs. Turns out, running in ankle deep thick mud is actually quite hard. I ran as much as possible, but ended up walking up one of the hills when it became nearly impossible to run without falling. And thanks to the mud, trucks weren’t able to get to the back half of the course, which meant that the color {the entire point} of the race ran out. That was a total bummer. But, there was plenty color waiting at the finish line. And that color produced a lot of crazy ::
While the set backs weren’t ideal, overall the Color Run was pretty fun. It’s the first year and I’m certain that by the end the Color Run will have all the kinks worked out and be a really fun race. I loved starting off my racing season with the Color Run and am getting pumped for my big race on the 19th.
Check out Color Run to see if there is a race near you!
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
Visit Jill at Diaper Diaries for more Things I Love Thursday.
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A few weeks back, my legs were killing me after a long run. My shins hurt, my calves were sore and I started looking for some relief. I started off with some good stretches, followed by ice packs to reduce any swelling. And then I took a big plunge. I bought compression socks {doesn’t that just make me sound like a old woman?}.
I splurged on a set of CEP socks last week. Compression socks work by squeezing the muscle, increasing blood flow and oxygen, while allowing the muscles to heal. They have proven to be worth every penny. They help my legs stay “fresh” while running and if I wear them for recovery, they make my legs feel super peppy. On Monday I put them on after a four mile run because my calves were killing me from a workout on Sunday. I sported my bright pink socks for a few hours and by the end of the night my legs felt great.
I’ve been fully converted to a compression sock lover. And I think the hot pink color helps balance out the granny feeling I get when I bust them out.
How do you keep your legs feeling good after runs or workouts?
I’m Not Different, I’m Special
Posted on: February 7, 2012
- In: Life
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Something I love about people is that everyone is unique. Even when we’re in that awkward middle school lemming phase of life, we still have an imprint all to ourselves. And those people who embrace their unique qualities are just beautiful. I wanted to share with you some uniqueness of my own.
1. I’m really obsessed with television and movies. We don’t have cable because I get a little too tv happy and never get actual work done with television as an option. Because of my obsession, I speak fluently in movie and television quotes. Daily, I quote some favorite movie and most situations I encounter remind me of a Seinfeld episode.
2. Growing up I split my time between my mom’s house and my dad’s house. They live about 3 hours apart and we would meet in the middle for a kid swap. The swap took place at Cookeville-Sparta Exit 287. I can’t even tell you my current exit number, but thanks to a song my dad and stepmom made up, I will forever remember Cookeville-Spark Exit 287 in Tennessee. {Even now the rhyme is in my head.}
3. I talk to myself. Often. And while I know that’s not at all weird, I talk to myself in different voices. Constantly. Which might be why I love Jess in New Girl so, so much.
4. Along with talking to myself, I sing to myself. Preferably opera style. And not typical, normal, everyone-knows-this-song songs. I make up my own songs. Like my grocery list. Yeah. I’m just that cool.
5. I get really obsessive compulsive about counting. Once I start counting, say, the number of cookies I baked, I have a really hard time stopping. I physically have to remove myself from the room in order to stop. It’s almost as if a switch has been turned on and I can’t help myself. It drives Jonathan a bit crazy.
6. I desperately want a half sleeve tattoo. Currently, saner minds are prevailing {i.e. Jonathan won’t agree} and I’m left with just researching tattoo ideas. But if given then chance, one day my left arm will be filled with color.
7. When I was a little girl, my grandfather planted a tree for me. It was a white dogwood. Since then, dogwood trees have always been my favorite trees. Perhaps a dogwood would make for a cool tattoo.
8. I find Weeping Willow trees to be wildly romantic. Despite the fact that I grew up calling weeping willows snot trees.
9. I love my wedding dress. It’s beautiful and exactly what I wanted. However, I really want to trash my wedding dress. It’s the concept of saying the dress will never been needed again, and is a super cool alternative to preserving it. I’d love to do a whole portrait session for our ten year anniversary.
10. I’m quick to judge products based on their commercials. I haven’t eaten at Quiznos in years because of their rodent commercials {I mean, really, rodents selling food, yuck}. Kia won my heart years ago with a funny commercial they had {and now I’m a proud Kia owner}. Mary at Giving Up on Perfect has her thoughts on Super Bowl commercials. And Kia just happens to make the list.
What are some of your quirks or what makes you unique?
Visit Amanda at Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
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This weekend, after nearly five years of service, we sold our minivan The Great White.
For the last year or so, we’ve been considering the possibility of retiring Great White for a newer model. Being 14 years old, Great White has seen better days and is starting to cost more than she’s worth.
Last summer, we received an offer on her from a family in South Texas. We called them this last weekend and sold them Great White. They plan to repair her and use her as their newest family car.
In Great White’s place, we bought a new to us Kia Sedona. A pretty blue color, the Sedona features some updated bells and whistles {automatic sliding doors and a sunroof to boot}. Admittedly, I’m not a minivan lover, but three kids and a big dog deep and you’re committed to a minivan {not that I haven’t tried fitting our family in other options, nothing else seems to work}.
Here’s to the next five+ years as a minivan driving mama!
Hannah’s First Day of Preschool
Posted on: February 2, 2012
- In: Life
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Yesterday was Hannah’s first day of preschool. She started the two-days a week program at the same church where Julia has been going since last fall. Since Julia started “school” Hannah has been talking about going non-stop. While we do educational things at home when Julia is gone, I’ve certainly dropped the teacher ball after Joseph’s birth. To have the opportunity for Hannah to learn in a play-based way is going to be so great for her.
This photo says so much about my sweet girls’ relationship. Hannah, despite her spit fire personality, really does look up to Julia a lot. And Julia, ever the comforter, really does a great job of watching of Hannah.
Once we got to school, Hannah was a little miffed that she wasn’t going to class with Julia. She kept insisting that she was also four years old and needed to be with Julia and her friends. But, her teachers helped distract her with all the fun toys and games they had. As I left the building, I sneaked a quick peek in her room and she was playing and all happy.
When she came home, she was a ball of excitement with all the wonderful things she’d learned and done. She just loves her teachers and is so excited to finally be at school with her big sister and two neighbor friends.
It’s a bittersweet time now. I love that Hannah is getting to participate in such a great program. I love that Hannah and Julia have another way to bond. And I love being just with Joseph. But it’s a bit sad to see my sweet little Hannah growing up so quickly. She’s turning 3 {THREE!!} in just a few more months. How in the world did that happen? :sigh:
What adventures have you, or your children, had this week?
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
When You Lose Your Running Mojo
Posted on: February 1, 2012
- In: Life
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For about two weeks, every time I ran I felt defeated. There wasn’t anything that went wrong necessarily, but by the end of each run I was either physically or mentally exhausted.
Having a bad run can throw off my mental game. And that can set me up for really not enjoying running like I want. When that happens, I have to throw in a few tricks to get my running mojo back.
How I keep running when I feel like I hate it ::
1. Short runs – I don’t want to face a long run on the heels of a bad training week. Instead I take a couple of short runs to give myself a mental boost. Giving yourself a shorting goal can help you feel accomplished and act as a cheerleader to help you refocus.
2. Fast runs – Just like short runs, having a fast run can really boost your confidence. Shorten your distance and run at just above your normal pace. It’ll get your heart rate up and allow feel good endorphins to kick in.
3. Fun runs – There are certain routes by my house that I dread taking. You’d immediately think they are hilly or extra long, but they aren’t. What I dislike is that they are flat and out of the hussle and bussle of everything, making it boring. While boring runs are inevitable, I try avoiding boring routes to keep running fun.
After combining those three tactics the last week and a half has made for some great training and given me back the joy of running.
How do you keep running fun? Running groups, new routes or upbeat music?
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Back in December, Heather reached out to me to share her harrowing story as a mesothelioma cancer survivor. As some of you may know, my sweet friend, Brittney, passed away from colon cancer 3.5 years ago. Since Brittney, cancer survivors and their families have been very near to my heart. In fact, one of the biggest reasons I run the Austin Half Marathon is because they partner with LiveStrong, The Lance Armstrong Foundation. Heather has graciously allowed me to share her story on my blog.
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These are the last words you want or expect to hear, especially when you’re celebrating the birth of your only child. But on November 21, 2005, I was told by my doctor, “You have cancer.” Those three words were spoken to me just three and a half months after the birth of my daughter, when I was 36 years old. That’s when I found out that I had malignant pleural mesothelioma.
I have always been an optimist, a person who sees the glass as half full, not half empty. That optimism served me well as I prepared for the greatest fight of my life, the fight to stay alive, to live to be a mother to my little girl.
Everyone who experiences cancer has a different story to tell. Yet there is one common claim that all cancer survivors share; going through a cancer diagnoses makes us stronger. The three words “you have cancer” may have changed my life forever, but they changed it for the better. As with any cancer survivor, I had to make the choice not to be the victim. I had to choose life, not death, and I had to learn how to mitigate my fears. That’s when I vowed to help others who were facing the same situation as I was; somehow, knowing that I could use my experience to the good gave me the strength to do whatever I needed to do to survive. I wanted to give others the same attitude of hope that I was naturally blessed with, because hope is the thing that you lose first of all when you get a mesothelioma diagnosis.
As part of my cancer journey, I searched until I found one of the leading mesothelioma doctors to help me win my victory over cancer. When I found out that I was scheduled to have my surgery to remove the cancerous tumor on Groundhog’s Day of 2006, I even gave my tumor a nickname, Punxsutawney Phil, to encourage myself to believe that the tumor would no longer cast the shadow of winter over my life. I also gave a new name to Groundhog Day: Lungleavin’ Day, the day I would be rid of the cancerous lung.
Now, I celebrate this day ever year, because it is the day that my life began again, the day that I conquered my fears and had the life-giving surgery that would give me back my very existence on this earth. This is a celebration of happiness, of hope and love, and I get to share it with my beautiful daughter.
Because of this terrible diagnosis of mesothelioma, I met some of the most compassionate, remarkable people I will ever know, warriors in the battle against mesothelioma who have the strength to conquer and win over this disease. Because of my own battle, I now have the opportunity to join with these people on the front lines in the war against mesothelioma, bringing a message of survival and life to the millions of family members and loved ones who are going through the same ordeal as I did. You can win against mesothelioma, and I am here, alive and well, to prove it.
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Heather is wife to Cameron, mama to 6 year old Lily Rose and a survivor of mesothelioma cancer. She blogs about her survival story, gives people encouragement as they are battling against their own cancer, and talks about how she is doing now over at Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog.
Tomato Bisque Soup
Posted on: January 19, 2012
- In: Life
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I don’t know why certain foods seem so complicated and difficult to make. Maybe it’s the fancy smancy name. Or the fact that I’m convinced I can’t make food better than a restaurant. Whatever the case may be, I’ve always wanted to make tomato bisque soup but have been too scared to try it.
Jonathan and I went for a date to La Madeleine a few weeks back. I ordered a side of tomato basil soup. It was divine. Over dinner I mentioned how I’ve always wanted to make tomato bisque but was too scared to try. So Jonathan challenged me – make it by the end of the week.
I did some research and found this delicious and easy number::
Tomato Bisque
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- salt and black pepper to taste
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic. Cook and stir until the vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute longer, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the tomato paste, chicken broth, tomatoes, sugar, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until the vegetables are very tender.
- Pour half to three-quarters of the soup into a blender-depending on how chunky you want it-filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it on to puree. Alternately, you can use a stick blender and puree the soup in the saucepan.
- Return the pureed soup to the saucepan and stir in the cream. Cook over medium heat until the soup is hot. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Aside from the very unusual, but thankfully short, protest of dislike from Julia, the meal was a hit. The recipe made enough that Jonathan and I both had seconds and there were still some leftovers. Double score!
Bon Appetit!
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
- In: Life
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Our family has been back in Austin for almost 14 months now. Each time we drive into downtown, I’m amazed at how much I still love living here. I loved it while I was in college, but I love it even more now that I have my four favorite people to share it with. I keep thinking that the love-struck feeling will wear off, but it doesn’t. And with each passing date night, trip out with the kids or chat with another Austinite, my love for this city grows.
Here are some of the things I love about Austin ::
1. Zilker Park
Being in Zilker brings a certain calm over me. I tend to feel closest to God when I’m out in nature, so having that closeness coupled with an amazing view of my city just impacts my love for Zilker even more.
2. Live Music –
You can’t walk downtown without hearing music. Whether it be from a bar, or a person on the street, the city is constantly filled with music. It brings an energy like nothing I’ve felt before.
3. Swimming –
Summers in Texas are hot. In fact, as I’m typing this, it’s 63*. In January. Swimming is a must from April through September {and even in October}. Which is why I love our community pool.
Technically, I’ve not taken the girls to the actual pool part of Barton Springs, but we’ve taken Jack swimming in the nearby reservoir several times. The water is cold and filled with tons of other dogs. It’s tons of fun for Jack and the girls.
5. The Style –
Austin is a laid back, easy paced city. With a few exceptions, the typical dress code is casual. Summer consists of dressed and flip-flops. Winter consists of jeans and lightweight jackets. Being a jeans and tshirt kinda gal, I love it.
6. The People –
You can’t have a laid back style without laid back people. Austinites know when to work, but know when to play. They are willing to chat for long hours, let you crash in their house, and are always up for running.
7. The Food –
We have a great book, Food Lover’s Guide to Austin. Packed full of great eats, sectioned off by areas of the city, we are slowly eating our way through the city. My personal favorites are Guero’s, Hopdoddy, Trudy’s, and Tarka, to name a few.
One of the hardest things about leaving Iowa, was leaving our friends and our church. I knew that God would grow us in new ways at the Austin Stone, but I never thought I’d love it like I loved Mars Hill. But I do. Completely. My church, or rather the people in it, have had great impact on my life.
9. Littlefield Fountain –
This fountain sits at the south end of the University. It stands out in my mind as one of my favorite spots on all of campus. Sitting on the south lawn {which is directly behind the fountain} looking off south to the Capitol Building {which is directly south of the fountain}. It is decidedly Austin to me.
10. Running Community –
While I didn’t run in when I lived here during college, I’ve thoroughly loved the running community since moving back. Because of the hot summers, spring and late fall are the best times to run here in Austin. And because of that, there are always great/fun runs to participate in during the cooler months. I’m racing in two next month and a third in March.
What is your favorite city? Why?
This post will be linked to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda and Things I Love Thursday at Diaper Diaries.
- In: Life
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With Joseph’s birth, it became so crystal clear to me just how big Julia has gotten. In the last year, she learned to swim, write her name, spell simple words, started school and countless other “firsts”. Daily I am reminded of how big she has gotten, how much of a help she is to our family.
And it makes me sad.
Makes me sad to see my baby girl turning into a big girl. Sad to have the last four years fly by and the fear of the next 14 years going even faster.
When I took this picture last week, one thing caught my eye above all else. Julia has chubby fingers. While so much of her body has become slender, her fingers still hold the resemblance of babyhood, the chunky goodness of days gone by.
Those chubby fingers gave my mama heart a smile. It helped me realize that my sweet Julia will grow older, but she will still be my baby. While she has chubby fingers, and even when her finger holds a wedding band, she will be my baby. Always.
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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