Birthdays and Baseball

I love this time of year. ...Outside of the hideous pollen and allergies....The grass is green and the days get longer.  Also, both the kids celebrate their birthdays, baseball starts and school is almost out!  Avery had a great "Unicorn Party" at High Hopes Farm.  It was a beautiful day and everyone had fun.  John Parker started kid pitch baeball this year.  I thought it would be like watching paint dry, but I've been surprised by how good the kids are and how well they've adjusted.  He is sporting multiple brusies due to the fact that it's tough to pitch to a left-handed batter--but he's been a good sport. :)  This weekend we celebrate his 10th birthday with a Duck Dynasty theme (because I love a theme and I have to put up at least a few decorations!!)  I can't believe he will be 10...double digits.....Time passes too quickly, but I do enjoy seeing what each new phase brings.  I'll post pics of the "Quack Pack" party next week.  Enjoy your Spring/Summer (even though it stills feels like winter today!)

 

Easter and Renewal

I can't believe that Easter is here already!  Lent flew by this year.  I feel like I failed to reflect the way I should have.  Spending too much time worrying or doing some other unimportant task instead of studying the Word.  But at the same time I feel like this is the first Easter that Jesus' Passion really hit home for me and took priority over chocolate bunnies and Cadbury eggs.  I do think that the Bible mini-series on the History Channel helped with that.  I have read or heard so many of those stories my entire life--but seeing them come to life is WOW!  The scene where Abraham takes Isaac up to the mountain to sacrifice him had me in a pool of tears.  Think about it.  He literally took him up there knowing he was going to sacrifice him, and poor Isaac didn't have a clue.  When Abraham started tying his hands up and Isaac said, "Why are you doing this Father?"...I lost it.  And poor Sarah was helpless below.  And then everything started clicking.  This was a sign of what was to come with Jesus.  God sacrificed him for us.  But the kicker is unlike Isaac, Jesus knew what was going to happen and did it anyway.  "Even though we were sinners, Christ died for us."  That is the most awesome thing ever!!  And where and how he picks his disciples....amazing.  And Peter.....poor Peter.  I identify with him.  He wants to do the right thing by Christ and still screws up and doesn't even realize it until Jesus turns and looks at him.  The same problems that plagued the people back then, plague us now.....Jealousy and Greed.  So much is going on in our country and world right now--especially during this Holy Week (which I think was crafted by the media)....But, we should see the positive.....The Bible miniseries is being talked about everywhere, and the Catholic Church chose a Pope that encourages helping the poor and putting away materialistic pleasures.  There is something good in every bad situation!  It's a chance for renewal because He makes all things new.  "I have been crucified with Christ.  So that it is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me.  And the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave Himself for me."  Galations 2:20 

26.2 (and the .2 counts!)

Well, I ran my first full marathon this past weekend at the Mississippi River Marathon.....Actually, I ran, walked and thought about crawling the last few miles.  It was TOUGH!  We met at 5:45 in the morning to board school buses in Greenville.  They then bused us over to Chicot County state park in Lake Village, AR.  It was about 34 degrees at that point.  Thankfully they had a few bonfires and plenty of port-a-potties.  The gun went off at 8:00 a.m. out in the middle of nowhere in Lake Village.  About 440 folks took off all around the oxbow lake.  It was a beautiful start.  The people of Lake Village were so nice and happy to co-host the event.  The highlight was the mayor and City Council dancing and cheering everyone on around mile 6.  The first 10 miles went quickly.  At the halfway mark we reached the new Highway 82 bridge.  I welcomed the incline after all of the flat running, but I did not welcome the concrete or the wind in my face.  That lasted until the end of the race!  I kept saying if I could make it 20 miles, then I knew I could make it to the finish.  There were times that I couldn't even feel my legs and I prayed......ALOT!  I met so many nice people along the way who encouraged me and made me laugh.  It was a perfect day and I was so happy to see John Bret, John Parker and Avery at the finish line.  I started my running journey during Lent 2 years ago.  I never thought I would EVER run a marathon--but I am really glad that I did.  One of my bosses said, "I guess you can do anything that you set your mind to."  I guess he's right.  That's why I like running.  It's time for me to be alone with my thoughts--to pray, think through things and plan for the future.  (5 hours and 40 minutes gave me alot of time!!) It also makes me feel confident and strong.  One of my friends sent me the picture above with Psalm 26:2 a few days before the race.  I love it.  As we prepare for the upcoming Lenten season, I am reminded that nothing we go through remotely compares to what Jesus went through.  I hope we all enjoy our Lenten journey and remember His ultimate sacrifice. 

~Marshmallow World~

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It's been gloomy the past week or so and it has affected my mood.  Isn't it funny how God knows just what you need?  Snow and beautiful sunshine all in the same day!!  I love to go outside right after the snow.  I think there is never a more quiet or peaceful time.........The kids were up and raring to go outside at 5:45 this morning.  Since school had a late start, they had plenty of time to enjoy the snow.  Avery built a snow owl and John Parker built a snowman (mixed with a little pinestraw).  They had a great time, but were ready to come in for hot chocolate.  I think Buddy and Baxter had the best time running around and eating the snow.  I hope everyone enjoyed their "snow day"!