Addicted to Running

Dan and I attended a MarriedLife event in February at Buckhead Church that challenged couples to have a big dream they were working on together. Lets face it, married life has a way of drifting into just executing the mundane things of life (work, family, shuffling kiddos around, etc.) If we are not intentional, you can go into executing logistics together and forget to dream and plan together.

So, Dan and I decided our big thing would be something around getting physically fit. Dan suggested we climb Mount Everest which I assured him he would never want to do with me. I would complain WAY too much and I have a policy about not visiting places that have a "death zone." So, Everest was out.

Then we talked about getting bikes but that seemed like an expensive experiment. I knew Dan was not going to go to Jazzercize or Zumba with me. After giving it much thought, I proposed that we take up running. It has very little start up costs and we could fit into our tight schedules. It seemed like the perfect plan. As I told Dan my thoughts, he said, "I hate running!" And I said, "Me too! We can hate it together!" I'm super fun like that :)

So, we both downloaded C25K (Couch to 5K) onto our phones, signed up for a 5k, and started training at the end of February. Since the kiddos can't stay home by themselves, we couldn't train together but we committed to running our first 5k together. And we did just that in April. No walking...we ran the whole thing together. Yahoo!

The funny thing is we are now both addicted to running and love it. I've had some issues with one of my legs being weak. This isn't a running injury but an issue we discovered because I become more active. I've had an MRI done and I've gone to physical therapy so I could get back to running. My determination to keep running has shocked me. It is just a great form of exercise.

We ran another another 5k on October 27 with Dan's sisters. While my leg was still having issues, I had a ton of fun running with family!

Anna and I. Shh! Don't tell her I posted this pic...she will not be happy with me. But she looks so cute in her hat!

Dan and I all ready to go. 

Next, I'm hoping we'll run a 10k. So fun! We'll just have to see if these old bodies of ours will cooperate :)

Fall Fashion

Maddie started refusing to wear jeans at the end of last winter. She would only wear "jeggings." I had to convince her that leggings were jeggings. This took me by surprised last year, so I knew I needed to start consulting her a bit more regarding her clothing to avoid turning the mornings into an unnecessary battlefield. (Seriously, it's happening already?!?)

So, Maddie decided this fall she was all about the skirts and dresses (no jeans and only leggings on the weekend because I insist on it) and boots.

All her pre-K girlfriends have boots and she had to have a pair too. I must admit she does look pretty stylish. Stylish...that is her word not mine :)

NPM Family Day - The Zoo

North Point Ministries hosts a family day each year and the staff from all of the five churches come together and spend a day having fun with our families. Just as I look forward to attending this birthday party each year, I love the NPM Family Day. My kids have so much fun running around with the other staff kiddos and I love hanging out with my co-workers. How cool is that?!?!

This year it was Zoo Atlanta and the wonderful Joy Cannis took this super cute pics of my little peeps.

 

My kiddos with the Cannis boys.

Swim Lessons

This summer and fall Luke and Maddie took swim lessons. Luke really enjoyed his time at swim lessons. I think he spent more time talking to the other boys in his swim group then he did swimming.

As for Maddie... Well, she didn't enjoy it as much as Luke.

She hated going under the water and refused to get her face wet. 

If her instructor wasn't floating Maddie around the pool on her back, 

 then she was clinging to this rail. 

Then one smart instructor gave her "homework" and asked her to practice putting her face in the water when she was in the bathtub. So, with her goggles on...

 Maddie practiced during bath time.

Swim lessons came to an end and Maddie never really put her face in the water, but she continues to practice in the bathtub and has gotten braver and braver. It will be interesting to see what happens at the pool this year.

Bert's Pumpkin Farm

We once again decided to head up north to check out Bert's Pumpkin Farm... It's what you do when it's fall and you live in the ATL. Even if it's in the 70's :)

 The three of them go out to find the perfect pumpkins to carve.

 Maddie is pretty proud of this pumpkin.

 This one is a tad to big for Lukie to lift. 

 Dan's photo collage.

We went a little too early in the season (or it was still a little too warm) so the leaves really hadn't started to change yet. I do love how pretty it is in the Georgia mountains once the leaves change and I'll admit I was a little bummed. But really, spending time with the family in the country and experiencing the creativity of God is always time well spent in my book!