Summer adventures...

 Today we went to the Catoctin Creek Park.  It is actually my husband's favorite park and is soon becoming my favorite spot too...

 

Beautiful butterfly

Love this one

Checking out the water

Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you all are enjoying your Mother's Day with your families. We had our second annual Mother's Day tea at my house. Here are some pictures...

Sophia making a funny face

Showing off her pretty dress

Love her smile!

Last year for the tea Sophia was only 7 weeks old. Time flies! I can't believe she's now 13 months walking everywhere! Thanks for a great tea, family!

What did you do for Mother's Day? 

Frederick Half Marathon

         Yesterday was the Frederick Half Marathon. It was a beautiful day for a great race.

         Since I had to be at the race so early I drove myself to the race and Pat and Sophia came later and met me at the finish line. I have to say I was highly impressed that he was able to get Sophia up, fed, dressed and out the door quickly. He has never gotten her up early in the morning, give her breakfast and get out the door. He did an amazing job and I’m very thankful.

         The race was crowded! There were over 4,000 runners. I love that it was a local race. There were so many people cheering throughout the entire race which made the time go by fast. I also could not believe the amount of people I saw while I was running the course. It was nice seeing my friends at mile 3 who were volunteering at the water station. At mile 7 they surprised me and ran about a half a mile with me. They were actually running home after volunteering at the water station but decided to run with me a bit. It was so nice!

        When I finally reached mile 10 I felt so relieved because I knew there were only 3 miles left until the finish line where I could hug Sophia and Pat. Mile 10 and 11 were probably the longest. I started thinking how hard this race was but then I realized that it’s nothing compared to childbirth! I have heard so many moms say to me, “I don’t know how I could run a half marathon?”  I’m telling you - if you’re a mom, you can handle running a half marathon.

       By mile 12 I picked up speed because the end was really close. I finally got to see Pat and Sophia at mile 12.5 and then again close to the finish line.

Here are some pictures of us after the race:

Checking out my medal

Love this pic of her watching the race and me running in the background

        Did you know the Nike Women’s Half Marathon came to D.C. last month? I didn’t realize it until after the event. This would be an awesome race to do. You get a beautiful Tifanny’s necklace at the finish line. Who’s in for next year? 

 

        Later in the day we went to the South Mountain Creamery to get some ice cream and visit the animals because Sophia loves them so much. 

Here is a picture of her playing on a big pile of rocks making her daddy proud.

"To be born at such a time like this"

       I was really inspired and encouraged today. I love how God can encourage you just when you need it the most. I was finding myself asking a lot of questions like, “Am I doing the right thing?” I always try to pray about what God wants me to do in my life. I know He has a plan and purpose for my life. I also know I need to ask Him what he wants me to do and how He wants me to serve. He has the best plans for our life. We just have to obey and listen to what the holy spirit is leading us to do. I usually know it’s the holy spirit when I feel the right answer in my gut and it doesn’t go away. It usually starts out like a small whisper in my heart and eventually gets louder. However, sometimes the voice doesn’t get louder but when I obey that voice I usually get a confirmation that I did what I was supposed to do.

      I was watching Joni Lamb table talk today. They were interviewing John Paul Jackson http://www.streamsministries.com/. The whole program was about “To be born at such a time like this.” They referred to Esther 4:14 

¹⁴ For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

     Esther is one of my favorite books in the old testament. If you haven’t read it before-start reading it-you won’t want to stop.  John Paul Jackson shared, “Everyone of us is born for such a time like this. God positioned us for this time. God gave us our personality, physical appearance, interests, etc. and in this you’re going to have the greatest influence. The key word is to ‘surrender’ to God-submit to Him. If you don’t submit to Him you won’t come close to your destiny.”

     I hope this message encourages you too. God has a plan for you. He loves you.

One of my favorite verses:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

The pictures below were taken on the George Washington walking path near Mt. Vernon. Just beautiful!

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