If you have tasted & you have seen...

Watch "Soulstice - Rise and Sing - Steve Fee" on YouTube

"Our God is risen and reigning and we're elevating
The glory of our God and King, everybody rise & sing!"

It's the day after the presidential election, and these results are permanent...
* God is my Provider
* Jesus is my Saviour
* The Holy Spirit is my Counselor

I am blessed to be a part of the greatest nation in this world. 
I have the freedom to worship, to marry, to education, and to vote. 
I have the freedom to follow the will of my Father for every step in my life and I have the freedom to share His grace and mercy with those who walk with and around me.

Josh 24:15
But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today who you will serve. 
Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? 
Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? 
But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."

Painting Birthday Party

Have you heard of Painting with a Twist ?

It's a painting class, whereby, you and a friend or two (or 10)

meet, paint a canvas, as instructed by a local artist,

share a bottle of wine (or 6... um, yea... )

and paint.

We met there this past week for my mother-in-law's birthday.

She's the one pictured in the middle.

...Dora, Dee, Linda, the birthday girl, Debi, & Sophie...

...Brenda, Sandy, Connie, Carmen...



... and Me... here with my Mamacita.

 

And talked my ashphalt-kicking-sister, Connie, into coming with me.

(it wasn't that hard to do, lol)

 We all look so involved in our creations...

But, it could have been the wine, or champagne, or even the relish tray!

We had a GREAT EVENING!

We all left with a beautiful canvas to place in our homes

(or give away as white elephant gifts - beware!), but mostly

we got together and created a fun-filled memory of a birthday-evening

of laughter, food, wine & treasured friendships!

I'm looking forward to doing this again!

Hubster Bday

Last week we celebrated Hubster's 40th bday... We went to dinner at Texas Land & Cattle and he had himself a man's steak! 

Of which, the boy ate almost 1/3 of... LOL

Then we had dessert at his mom's house - didn't get a pic of the carrot cake from J.Alexander's or the chocolate spice cake from Tiago's... trust me, they were unbelievable!

This past weekend we went to dinner to celebrate one of my BFF's birthday and I remembered to ask someone to take our picture, since I alway seem to forget to do that... lol

Happy Birthday to my wonderful hubster!

I Thank God Everday for creating you and for joining us together to get thru this life.  I love you!

Beautiful day

Exactly 10 days ago, I rolled my right foot stepping off a curb. It didn't swell as I expected it to and within a few days, it didn't hurt much at all. Four days later I went for a 2.5 mile run in my hood and it felt a little sore after that so I stayed off of it for the rest of the week.  One week later, on Saturday, it felt alright, so I decided to complete the shortest route of 5 miles that was open for our running group. Again, I finished feeling OK, not great, but OK. 

LQ & I spent a beautifully fine day with my oldest daughter in Austin and went hiking along one of the greenbelts. :)

We had a great day together - hiking, eating, swimming & even got to watch a movie at her apartment.  LQ and I got home pretty late but very blessed that we made the trip.  F was a spectacular hostess <3

*****

I woke up Sunday morning and my right foot was not doing the happy dance!  The greenbelt was a very rocky trail.  My foot hurt.  A.Lot!  I seriously need to rest it.  One week was not enough.  I've got a pretty busy marathon/half-marathon calendar for the Fall/Winter season and I would hate to miss any of it :(  First marathon is in 12 weeks...

Marathon/Half-Marathon Schedule

Oct 27 - Chosen Marathon

Nov 11 - San Antonio RnR Half-Marathon

Dec 31 & Jan 1 - New Years Double Marathons

Jan 13 - 3M Half-Marathon

Jan 27 - Miracle Match Marathon

Mar 24 - Alamo 13.1 Half-Marathon

So, for the next 2-4 weeks, I am going to rest my foot.  I will commit to a swim, bike and yoga schedule at the gym and resist the urge to put these asphalt-kickers on my feet...

Psa 16:8-10
"I have set the Lord always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay."

I must rest and trust that this desire to run marathons and half-marathons will not go unfulfilled.  This is not only a physical activity for me but an opportunity to show what He has physically done in me. 

I will rest...

New dining

Last summer we were supposed to get a new dining table but we had to use that money to fix the AC in my car. 

We were able to get that dining table today. This is my view tonight.

I am pleased :)  Thank you honey <3

Cool Kid : Blessed Mom

Yesterday my boy asked me, "Mom, are you running in the morning?"

"Yup."

Boy, "do you like these?" as he is holding the box of grape nuts.

Me, "Yes, but not by themselves. I mix them with other things."

Later in the day, boy said, "Mom, I have a surprise for you, tell me when you go to bed."

So I did and this morning I woke up to a cereal mix for me to munch on while I ran 10 miles.  He is such a cool kid and I am one blessed mom.

Banana Dance

This video cracks me up EVERY TIME!!!!



Have a Marvelous Monday!

Losing...

I love the message in this song... 

LOSING by TENTH AVENUE NORTH



I can't believe what she said
I can't believe what he did
Oh, don't they know it's wrong
Don't they know it's wrong, yeah
Maybe there's something I missed
But how could they treat me like this
It's wearing out my heart
The way they disregard

This is love, this is hate
We all have a choice to make

Oh, Father won't You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doing
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losing

It's only the dead that can live
But still I wrestle with this
To lose the pain that's mine
Seventy times seven times, yeah
Lord it doesn't feel right
For me to turn a blind eye
Though I guess it's not that much
When I think of what You've done

This is love, this is hate
We gotta a choice to make

Oh Father won't You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doing
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losing, oh no

Why do we think that hate's gonna change the heart
We're up in arms over wars that don't need to be fought
Pride won't let us lay weapons on the ground
We build our bridges up but just to burn them down
We think pain is owed an apology and then it'll stop
Truth be told it doesn't matter if we're sorry or not
Freedom comes when we surrender to the sound
Of Your mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down

Oh Father wont You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doing, oh no
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losing
Yeah, I feel like I've been losing

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losing
I feel like I've been losing

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losing

Praying a Song...

I'm preparing this week for a women's bible study...  This is my prayer...

Jesus, friend of sinners
We have strayed so far away
We cut down people in Your name
But the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners
The truth’s become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You
But they’re tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up
I’m so double minded
A plank-eyed saint with dirty hands
And a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world
At the end our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Break our hearts for what breaks Yours

Jesus, friend of sinners
The One whose writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away
And the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember
We are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy
Bring Your people to their knees

Nobody knows what we’re for
Only what we’re against
When we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs
Crossed over the lines
And loved like You did

You love every lost cause
You reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame
They’re the reason that You came
Lord, I was that lost cause
And I was the outcast
But You died for sinners just like me
A grateful leper at Your feet

‘Cause You are good
You are good
And Your love endures forever

And I was the lost cause
And I was the outcast
You died for sinners just like me
A grateful leper at Your feet

Running...

I'm behind in my personal training schedule for the upcoming marathon season...  I've got 4 marathons, including a back-to-back over New Years, & 3 half-marathons...  Marathon #1 is 10/28...  I should be at 22 miles per week and I'm squeaking by at 12... Eke...

Tuesday I went out for what was supposed to be a 5 mile run but I left the house later than I wanted to and had it in my head that I would run at an EZ pace... but once I got through the first mile, it hit me...  It's HOT outside!

And... YES... I know it's going to get HOTTER!  At the 2 mile mark, I decided to head back home... I wasn't carrying any water, and I really wasn't paying attention to my pace... Honestly I wasn't prepared.

Yesterday I hit the road again and had a much better time...  Got out early... Had my music with me... The pace alert was set on my garmin so I wouldn't speed up (so easy to do, especially if you're having a good time)... Had my waterbelt on...  I was prepared to have a purposeful run of 5 miles at a 12 min/mil EZ pace.

And... I had a good run... I was hot but didn't run out of water... My run had purpose and a plan... I finished 5 miles at an EZ pace... It was good.

1 Corinthians 9:24-26, NIV
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air."

Training is good... My heart and my legs become more efficient and learn to endure the distance... 

Training with my Father is good... A training plan purposely filled with praying, reading my bible, worshiping, & fellowship... My heart and my soul become more efficient and learn to endure the distance and guarantees me that I will win a crown that will last forever!

Now THAT'S good!

Singing the Phonebook...

The American Idol Finale was last night and I am thrilled about the results...

If you haven't watched the Finale and have managed to stay away from any news of the results, don't worry, I'm not going to ruin it for you...

Instead, I only want to make sure you watch this!  It was so funny!  The hubster & I were crazy laughing!



How fun was that?!!!

Hodgepodging with Joyce...

Linking up with Joyce today...
(http://joyce-fromthissideofthepond.blogspot.com/)

1. What's something you miss about the 1980's?

If you're too young to miss the 80's how about the 90's?

PRINCE, BIG HAIR & BIG EARRINGS

2. Do you have a library card? If so, how often do you visit?

I REDISCOVERED MY LIBRARY CARD ONLY TWO WEEKS AGO.

I CHECKED OUT A DIGITAL COPY OF THIS BOOK. 

SO FAR, SO GOOD :)

3. What's the secret to success?

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.

ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR

YOUR FEELINGS, YOUR CHOICES, & YOUR OUTCOMES.

4. This is National Backyard Games week...what's your favorite backyard game?

AS A KID, CAMPING OUT & CATCHING FIREFLIES.

AS AN ADULT, SITTING ON A PATIO WITH GOOD COMPANY.

5. If I dropped by today what would I find on your coffee table?

MAGAZINES, REMOTES, & CUPS

THAT HAVEN'T MADE IT TO THE KITCHEN SINK.

6. Do you own a bicycle?

When was the last time you rode a bicycle? Is that something you enjoy?

YES I HAVE ONE.  IT HAS THE "DR PEPPER" LOGO ALL OVER IT.

WE WENT ON A RIDE IN THE PARK EASTER WEEKEND.  I ENJOY BIKE RIDING, BUT I TEND TO GET NERVOUS WHEN RIDING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MY SON.  CARS DRIVE TOO FAST AND TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE DISTRACTED WHEN THEY'RE DRIVING.

7. What's your favorite cheese?

MUENSTER, AMERICAN, CHEDDAR & PROVOLONE.

OH, AND PEPPERJACK.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

MADE CHICKEN FOR DINNER LAST NIGHT.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH

ITALIAN SEASONING, BLACK PEPPER, SEA SALT & GARLIC.

FUSILLI PASTA IN A GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE

WITH ITALIAN SEASONINGS.

BROCCOLI NORMANDY MIX

WITH BUTTER, GARLIC & SALT.

**

HUBSTER ATE ALL THE PASTA

AND LEFT NONE FOR HIS LUNCH TODAY.

Birthday #8

It seems like only yesterday this little guy came into our life.

Instead - Yesterday - we celebrated this little guy's birthday #8...

This is what an 8 year old looks like... 

8 year olds have fangy teeth and they are always

making creepy faces...

Since we are having his party over the Memorial Day weekend...

We had a simple day celebrating...

We had cupcakes...

Big sister V & I took them to his class and the kids

sang "Happy Birthday"...

My son is a hoot...
I'm not quite sure who he takes after...


I asked him what he wanted for dinner...
His answer...
Egg tacos w/ketchup...

Like I said...

8 year olds make creepy faces...

We then went to basketball practice...

(sorry no picture)

Came home and ate strawberry shortcake for dessert...

I then asked him what are 8 things you have learned in your 8 years of life...

This is what he said...

"I learned how to walk."

"I learned how to stand."

"I learned how to put on a t-shirt."

"I learned how to go to the bathroom by myself."

"I learned how to take a shower by myself."

"There's nobody that can scare Dad."

"There's nobody that can tickle Dad."

"I know where my class is at school."

Awwe :)

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

White Rock & COLD Marathon 2011

I KNOW THIS IS SUPER LATE!

It's been sitting in my DRAFTS folder since the beginning of January... eke!

*****

Got to Dallas on Saturday afternoon and went straight to the Expo to pick up our race packets.

Me, Diane, Connie & Karen

This is marathon #2 for our Texas marathon series and officially marathon #1 for the Marathons of Texas Medal.

We checked into the new Omni hotel downtown - it had only been open 2 weeks.  The rooms were really nice - the carpet was new - the decor was very chic.  What really "wow-ed" us was the bathroom mirror...

A.TV.IN.THE.MIRROR!!!

C-O-O-L!!!

One thing that REALLY stressed us out all weekend, was the weather.  We start watching the weather forecast as soon as it shows up on all the weather apps - which is usually about 10 days out.  All forecasts showed rain & low temps.  For us Real Texans - cold is almost anything under 55.  add rain and/or wind and that's a freeze.  I'm just sayin' ...

The race started at 8 am and this is what we were looking at...

We got to the starting line and we were HAPPY and RELIEVED because 1) the race organizers were handing out rain ponchos and 2) it was cold but it wasn't raining.  We were hopeful for 'perfect' running weather.  MAYBE the rain would only be a drizzle.

Then Roger from my Saturday running group posted a "Go Coach Go" message & this pic to my Facebook page. 

WHAT THE...?

Within 1 mile of the starting line, the rain came down and it didn't quit...

"We been through every kind of rain there is.  Little bitty stingin' rain... and big ol' fat rain.  Rain that flew in sideways.  And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath."  ...Forrest Gump  (I love that movie-lol)

Connie & I paced the whole marathon together.  She was coming off an injury and I just wanted to finish strong.  I did not want to peeter out like I did 3 weeks ago at the 2011 San Antonio Rock 'n Roll marathon.  We kept to our nutrition and hydration plans.  When you're running in cold and rainy weather it can be a challenge to make yourself take in fluids so we held each other accountable.  We completed the marathon using a 5:1 minute intervals.  (Run 5 min: recover 1 min)  I've used this plan for the each of my marathons and it has worked well and, for the most part, been good to me.

The "wall" of this race was getting around the lake.  The rain came down hard and the wind was blowing across the surface of the lake so it was cold!  I believe the total route around the lake was almost 10 miles.  At about the halfway point around the lake, I was done with the lake.  No doubt that the scenery and the homes were beautiful but I was wet and I was cold and I was looking for the 19 mile marker so we could get to the finish line.  (I wonder how many times I can use the word "cold" in this post?)

When we trekked thru miles 19-23, we ran thru the Highland Park(?)

The houses were BEAUTIFUL and I'm convinced that the residents of this fine-china-residency made it a point to have their home fully decorated in their full holiday glory in time for race day!

I was very impressed!  I even forgot about being cold - for about a minute.

The rain did finally let up and was down to a drizzle and we caught a break at mile 22.  It remained cloudy & overcasted until we got to the last 1/2 mile - then it rained/drizzled again.  Connie & I revved up our pace when we saw the finish line... RATHER we thought it was the finish line and it was really the start line so then we choked back an "oh crap" and proceeded to hang a right turn and run another 100 yards to the real finish line. 

FINISH TIME

4:50:41

This was a hard race due to rain and cold weather but it was my personal-record-race for fastest finish time.

In fact we all PR'd that day!

Can you tell we were cold?

2 down - 2 to go

for 4 mothers in 4 months!

Hmmm...

Dear Blog,

I miss you...  I haven't written in so long...

I broke down this week and had my first ever Diet Coke.  You see, I don't drink soda.  I've never really cared for the flavor of carbonated drinks.  But I had an upset stomach - so I drank almost this whole bottle.  I don't think I will ever do it again...