Bucket List Check Off

Well this is another blog that has been months in the making. I finally marked an item off my bucket list back in April. I completed my first (and probably only) half marathon. Not really sure why people get addicted to these things....it was only on my bucket list once and now it's done. I may change my mind but not before my toenails grow back. I liken the feeling to what women must feel like after child birth. I need time to get over the pain before I am willing do it again.

Yeah! No one tells you the downside to long distance running/walking. Aside from praying I would die for the two days that followed the race because I was so sore....the next week my toenails started falling off. When I began to ask my runner friends and google this phenomenon I was told repeatedly "oh that is normal". What the heck? Why did no one tell me this before? How is this normal? I seriously would have reconsidered the race. I have always taken great care of my feet....it's one of the few things that I have going for me. Not anymore. I had a blister the size of Texas (and ironically the shape of Africa) on the pad of my left foot and have now lost three toenails. #casuality

I will say this....I have honestly never felt that accomplished in my life. Around mile 11 I really wanted to give up and just sit down on the curb. About mile 12.5 I thought the only way I could finish was to crawl....but when Amy and I saw the finish line we just took off running as fast as we could. I have the missing toenails, the medal, the bib number and the ugly shirt and the 13.1 sticker on my car to prove that I have completed a half marathon.

For all of those people who said "now you're ready to do a full marathon".....you can take your 26.2 miles and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. You'll find me sitting on the beach somewhere with a diet coke and a good book in hand.

Here are some pics from the day....


this was the Biggest Loser Run/Walk race series so I got to meet one of the contestants from this past season, Gina.


My race buddies and I rocking our ugly green shirts. (Amy and Angie)


My fearless training partner, Amy, who logged over 150 miles training with me.
This picture was taken at the starting line.


The ring of shoes that we now all want to burn.


Amy and I at the finish line.


The whole crew: Amy, my sister Teri, me and Angie....we survived.


Before my car ever had a license plate it had this magnet....#accomplished #wellearned


A strong finish.


And I wasn't lying about the Africa shaped blister.


done and done.

Thanks for all the encouragement throughout the training process! I'm so glad I did it. I'm so glad it's over. And I will gladly cheer you on if you decide to tackle a race but don't ask me to do it with you :)

Unexpected Purchases

blah blah it's been a while since I've blogged....I know. Oddly enough a lot has happened between the last blog and now so here is my attempt to catch you up.

I made a quick trip to Alabama for a few days over my spring break and what a trip it turned out to be. I had some car trouble going home and before I knew it I was at the Ford dealership trading in the ole explorer. To say that was an unexpected purchase is an understatement. Between what the expenses were going to be to fix the explorer and the cost of the 100,000 mile service I would have to pay for at the end of the year it just wasn't worth sinking that kind of money into an old vehicle. So long story short...I have a new mom car. I downsized just a little bit from the explorer and I am realizing the pros and the cons of that decision every day. Overall I love the new car.


One last picture with ole girl.


And here is the new car....I call her Dixie because she was bought in the "heart of Dixie"


For the record I have been trying to update my blog for over a month and it wouldn't let me add pictures for some reason. So get ready....I'm about to blow this thing up with some updates today.

Counting Down the Days

I started to title this blog "it's the final count down" and immediately that song started blaring loudly in my head. Now I will have to find a song to replace that with. But I've been counting down the days and we are officially at....



Only 11 days until Angie, Amy and I walk in the Biggest Loser Half Marathon. That's crazy and exciting. I haven't uploaded my GPS watch in a while to see just how many miles I have logged in training BUT it's a whole lot.

There is also something else we have been counting down....the arrival of Stephen Charles Hunter and the wait is finally over. He arrived yesterday weighing in at 8lbs and 21 inches long. Bebe is excited to have another sweet boy to love on.

To Those Who Wait

Oh the joy of seasons where all we can do is wait...

The adoption process has been filled with moments of hurry up and get this done....and then....wait.

Work has been filled with lots of moments lately of waiting on others to make decisions that would have a significant impact on my life, my career, etc. I know worrying doesn't help and after a while I've felt helpless to even know how to pray. And so....I wait.

And at 35 do we even need to talk about how long my little heart has waited on the Lord to reveal who I might get to journey this life with...oh marriage....and so I wait.

Sometimes waiting is exhausting, if I am being honest. But there are times when in the waiting I realize just how near the Lord is and he allows me to run across a verse or a song or someone says something that just fits...it feels like a warm towel right out of the dryer to my weary soul. Well yesterday that came in the form of a song and so I wanted to share the lyrics with you.

This is a song called "To Those Who Wait" by Bethany Dillon....do yourself a favor and go listen to it on iTunes.

I am waiting on You,
I am waiting on You.
You say You're good to those who wait.

My heart's discouraged,
So I come to You expectant.
You say You're good to those who wait.

Lord, today You know what I need to do,
But You can do more in my waiting than in my doing I could do.
So I won't run anymore.
I'm waiting on You.

Oh, wretched man that I am!
Free me from my distractions.
You say You're good to those who wait.

Then confession and repentance
Fine me in the quiet.
You say You're good to those who wait.
Now I know You're good to those who wait.

Lord, today You know what I need to do,
But You can do more in my waiting than in my doing I could do.
So I won't run anymore.
I'm waiting on You.

Oh, my soul,
Wait upon the Lord.
Keep your lamp filled with oil.
Oh, my soul,
Be not deceived!
Wait for Him.
Don't be quick to leave.

Lord, today You know what I need to do,
But You can do more in my waiting than in my doing I could do.
So I won't run anymore.
I'm waiting on You.

Coming to America

This past week has been one of the highlights of the year for me. Geoffrey was in visiting from Uganda and was able to spend some time in Louisiana. It was wonderful having him at my house and showing him life in LA. Many of you don't even know what that means....but as SaraBeth described it "you guys are like your own country." We just do things a little different around here and in the last 10 years of living here I have fully embraced it. I know Geoffrey got tired of us taking his picture and putting his every move on social media but we just wanted to enjoy every moment of his time here.

He and SaraBeth arrived on Thursday after an unexpected stay in Washington DC because of weather. His first night in America he got to experience a blizzard and the airport shutting down. On Thursday we were able to pick them up in Alexandria to start our adventures.

It was so good to have this guy sitting in my living room for a change. I told Andrew on the way to the airport that I had known Geoffrey for four years and he had never seen me freshly showered with make up on....he might not recognize me. After catching our breath and settling in we had a dinner planned for the team that went to Uganda last year. It was a fun little reunion. We had fried fish, gumbo and red beans and rice to welcome our African friend to Louisiana. I do believe he liked what he tasted.

Unfortunately jet lag is not a kind friend...our African was worn out at his own party.
Among other things we got into a game of dominoes where I beat Parker Pearson yet again! It was a good night for Big Momma!


Friday we spent the day running some errands and experiencing some more new things. Months ago when SaraBeth visited I introduced her to the viva vegas roll at Sake Sushi so we decided to take Geoffrey there for lunch. I knew this would be a hit or miss but we had a winner....and he mastered eating with chopsticks.

After sushi there was only one more food to introduce this trip...crawfish. That's right...we had to introduce Geoffrey and SaraBeth both to the yummy goodness of a mudbug. They liked them but said it was a lot of work.


On Saturday we ventured to Winnfield, LA where Andrew's family lives. We wanted to show Geoffrey that not all of America lives like New York. So on Saturday we enjoyed country living....riding four wheelers on the farm, petting animals, fishing...you name it. I don't know who had more fun...Geoffrey or me.

He wouldn't ride the four wheeler but he got on for a picture.
SaraBeth and I would have played on the farm all day, however.


We did get him to finally drive the kabota and he loved it...

We only fished for a little while but Geoffrey and SaraBeth proved to be the fishermen of the group. The only thing I caught was crickets to use as bait. We all have a part to play and I took my role seriously. SaraBeth got the biggest catch of the day after I baited her hook...and Andrew took the fish off the hook so it was a team effort.



It wasn't all fun and games. Geoffrey preached at First Baptist Church Winnfield on Sunday and then we stayed that evening for Andrew's ordination service where Geoffrey prayed. It was a special thing to be part of and we had a great day.


Monday night we hosted an event at LC for students to hear Geoffrey and SaraBeth's stories and passion for caring for orphans and widows. The Lord blessed that event...students were generous in their giving and their interest in going. And it was so good to be back together with the team from last summer talking about Uganda and laughing over memories.


On Tuesday it was time to send them on their way....they have a busy month of traveling and speaking ahead of them. Loved having them though. We didn't send Geoffrey away empty handed. He got several new articles of clothing, the Daizy shirt in particular and a new pair of shoes that were donated by our local running store, Run Wild.

And Geoffrey even made a new friend during his stay....who would have ever imagined that he and Matti would hit it off so well??? There is hope for Matti girl that she will get to stay when Daizy arrives.

And then the airport farewells began....



Such a great week with such dear friends! Welcome to America Geoffrey!!

*sorry for the sideways pics....it's a pet peeve of mine but I can't get them turned and didn't want to exclude them

Girl's Gettaway 2013

Everyone needs a good group of girl friends who you can run away with for the weekend. Luckily I found mine this weekend. We planned this trip months ago and have been counting down the days until 4:30am Friday morning when we finally hit the road. I can honestly say I haven't laughed that hard in a long time....and that was just the car ride there. So thankful for a weekend away to relax, laugh, indulge in good food and just be.


Tylitha, Mandy, KB and Erin

My one request from the trip was to get some good seafood....specifically I wanted raw oysters and crab legs and was willing to pay whatever market price was for them. Mission accomplished!

I can't even begin to explain just how good this feast was. And just when I thought it couldn't be topped we ventured to LuLu's the next night and found a bread pudding on the dessert menu that was made from krispie kreme donuts. God only knows how many calories that bad boy had in it but it was soooooo good! That shouldn't even be legal.


Even though I fully enjoyed my dining experiences this weekend I didn't completely lose sight of my goal. I did something I have never done on vacation...exercised. I got up Saturday morning and did a 5k on the beach...in the rain I might add. It wasn't my best time by far but I felt quite accomplished. And then...I got up Sunday and did it again. Though I am sure the calories I burned in both walks combined didn't touch that bread pudding, I was proud of myself for putting in the miles.

and I took this pic just to use as a screen saver...I like to call it "motivation"


So thankful for these ladies and for a weekend filled with laughter...


...and though I fully enjoyed a weekend with the ladies I am still hoping and praying for a...

ha ha....couldn't resist sharing that picture and didn't know how to transition to it.

Happy Monday!

Training Update

So as the half marathon draws closer, training is in full swing. I have been walking/running consistently for three weeks now. I did two weeks of putting in 3.1 miles (5K) at least 4 days a week. This week it was time to step up my game and put in a few 6.2 mile days. I won't lie...I have been dreading this moment. Monday was the day. And then it rained. I was quite relieved and at the same time had another full day on Tuesday to dread the unknown. Well I can officially say that Amy and I put in 6.5 miles last night like champs. In fact when it was all said and done we both felt we had more in us. Maybe there is something to pushing past the wall. Dread has left the building and a spirit of "this is doable" is taking it's place.

So why a half marathon? Well for a year now I have steadily been chipping away at my weight loss goal of losing 100+ pounds. I have just hit a wall....not gaining, but not losing and that's frustrating. Something had to change. There needed to be a new motivation. I am surrounded by people in my church who are CrossFit crazy, marathon runners, etc. I love my little granola head community but they are living in a world I don't understand and can't compete in. I am so thankful that I have never felt left out because of it and in return a little fire has been lit inside of me that says....why not? Why not try it? Who says you can't do it?

When the Biggest Loser started incorporating a marathon as the final challenege for contestant years ago, it was something that I secretly put on my bucket list of things to do. So this was the year that I decided to prove to myself I could do it. I can be afraid to fail or afraid to try....OR I can conquer that fear and be proud of myself. It won't be easy....it won't be pretty...BUT IT'S POSSIBLE. And the added perk is that while my focus isn't on losing weight right now hopefully it will be a beautiful side note to this challenge.

NOTE: I felt great last night when I finished that 6.5 miles but today I can hardly move and I have been waddling when I walk. No pain. No gain.

Half marathon I am coming at you with a vengeance!!