Greatness

There are so many things to love about the Olympics. The commercials that inspire greatness are just one of them.
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Passions

Note: Changes have been made as the post was originally made prior to completion. Oops.

Recently I was asked to identify what I was MOST passionate about. What are those things that really create a fire in your belly? Not just things you support or like, but beliefs that move you to action; characteristics you seek out in others or feel compelled to share with others.

*Love the Lord your God with all your heart * Love your neighbor as you love yourself * We all have it within ourselves to choose differently * Fight a good fight *  Be where you are * Fear is only a problem if you let it paralyze you * Women were designed to be pursued * Until a person begins accepting responsibility for the choices they have made, they will never feel empowered to make life altering changes * Love people; cook them tasty food * Men need an adventure * Motherhood is one of life's most amazing blessings * One cannot love themselves, until they understand and embrace grace and mercy * Mistakes are inevitable * Mean what you say; say what you mean * Horns are the most underused part of vehicles * A cheerful heart is good medicine; a crushed spirit dries up the soul * Ladies, we polish our nails but paint the walls and shampoo our hair but wash the dishes *

Happy Wednesday friends!

Pic Stich and Such

Photography aps are fun aren't they? When I use them (which is often, probably too often) I pretend that I know what I'm doing.

My newest ap is called Pic Stich. I love it because pictures are just more fun in collages. They remind me of the ten thousand collage picture frames hanging in my grandmothers house. 

Are there any cuter kids in the world?

Bingo night with the girls. Makes you want to join us, right?!

Morning run scenery in the old hometown.  

 I also use camera bag, instagram, and camera plus. What aps do you use and like?

A letter to my son

Dearest Griffin,

My sweet, sweet child.

First, let me say that I hope you are having the time of your life out there in Orange Beach, AL with those other 1,999 high schoolers.

Second, you should know that your frog care request and instructions are being followed to a T. Well almost. The frog is still alive and being fed, but I may have gotten his scheduled feeding times all off. Since he isn't dead yet, I can only guess I must be doing something right.

Third, your dog misses you!

And now, I have to  get to the point of this letter. You should know that all the work you do around here to help me out is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED! Since you've been gone I have:

• unloaded the dishwasher twice
• taken the garbage out on garbage day and brought the garbage can back in at the end of the day
• taken out the recycle bin on recycle day and rolled that sucker back in at the end of the day too
• watered the yard
• fed the dog
• walked the dog
• dusted the furniture
• vacuumed the floors
• cleaned up the after dinner dishes (although its pretty much limited to my cereal bowl for dinner) 

It's gonna be a looooooong summer without you here! Please come home soon.

Much Obliged,

Mom

Corporate Cup 2012 Recap

Saturday's events proved to be a blast! It was a field day for adults, complete with corn toss, tug of war, golf chipping, football toss, and so much more. I almost thought I was 12 years old again. And then my legs started aching and my energy level wained and all of the sudden I was reminded of my true age. 

Meet some the team, friends! This pic was post 5K, so excuse the sweaty faces. It was a hot and humid morning. But, we had two people place in the top  3 of their gender, age divisions. Woot woot!

And even though the humidity almost choked me on this run and my running has been sporatic and less than ideal over the last couple of months, I ended up with a new PR. 27:57.2. It's not fast by any means, but by golly I did it! 

After all of the morning fun with the 5K and skilled events, the serious competition began. Bring on the relays! Participating in the 4 x 400 relay had me a bundle of nerves already and then I saw my competition. This lovely athlete whose warm up lunges and thighs reminded me of Jackie Joiner and had me shaking in my running shoes.

But then someone said the nicest thing to me..."she's got nothing on you with your running skirt and pearl earrings." I decided to take my running skirt and pearl earrings out to the track and give it all I had and guess what?! Our team finished that relay in 5.00:19 and our friend up there, well...her team came up just short of our time at 5.06:64.

And the moral of the story is don't mess with girls in running skirts and pearl earrings!

Holy Smokes- Beach Retreat 2012 is here!

Tomorrow kicks off Beach Retreat 2012!! Knocks my socks off that he is going as a Sophomore this year. Oh my, how time flys!
Want to know more about beach retreat, check out the Beach Retreat blog or watch the daily live broadcasts at 8pm at beachretreat.tv, including this video of reflections from last year.


Please keep these guys in your prayers over the course of this week. Not just the kids, but all those involved in organizing, serving, and ministering to these kids. Last year over 1800 kids were in attendance and they have surpassed that number of registrants this year. Orange Beach, AL will never be the same! But, neither will the lives of these kids.

Keepin' it cool,

Channeling My Inner Athlete

Two things...

1. Saturday I am participating in this event. Help me Jesus! I'm running the 5K first thing on Saturday. Later in the day, the real nerves will kick in when the 400 meter relay comes around. I've never run a relay race before. I'm scared I will drop the baton. Eek!



2. Runners World Summer Run Streak 2012 has kicked off...a mile a day from Memorial Day to July 4th. It's not too late to join so get to running, peeps.

Today's run...slow and easy 10 minute treadmill mile. Saving up for my track debut on Saturday.

Happy Feet friends,