13.1- still smiling

I ran 13.1 miles this morning.
I ran it in 2 hours, 19 minutes, 23 seconds.
That's a 10:39 mile, if you were wondering.
As I sprinted across the finish line,
hands held high in victory,
clutching tightly to my friends,
I laughed and I cried.
It was one of the most inspiring, difficult, beautiful experiences of my life.

Inspiring-
because seeing 18,000 people take off in memory of those whose lives takes your breath away.
At the very first turn of the marathon,
we were going up a hill
and in front of us was literally a sea of people.

because in those moments I felt so weak and tired
humble people sitting on their front steps cheered me on...
my 2 best friends came alongside me and pushed me to endure...
my Jesus whispered words into my heart....
and I knew I would make it.

Difficult-
because for the first 8 miles a driving north wind cut into my face,
a cold drizzle melted into my skin for several miles.

because around mile 10 my ankles were so weak
I was afraid they might break.

because 13.1 is quite a bit further than 10!!

Beautiful-
because God met me there,
revealing a little bit more of Who He is.
At mile 7 I took out my headphones and listened-
to the pounding of feet on the pavement,
to my own breathing,
to the prayers being whispered from my heart.

because this was more than a race...
this was my life story
strung out across 13.1 miles of pavement.
Parts were fun and easy,
a little bit like a party.
Other parts were so hard I wanted to cry.
But I had sweet friends running with me,
each step of the way.
Without them I wouldn't have made it-
today, and in every aspect of my life.

because crossing that finish line,
holding hands with Marcy and Kelly,
gave me hope-
that I will be able to make it,
no matter what life throws at me,
as long as I have my Jesus and the people He has given to me.

"I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

a friendly picnic

On Monday, Caroline came over to hang out with us while Jamie went to a meeting. We had a great time playing and coloring. That girl completely cracks me up. At one point she was singing the ABC's with so much passion her face was turning red and she was grunting.

Seriously- funniest girl ever!

Caroline calls me "stephie." She was running around the house saying things to me and the next thing I know, John Mark is running around saying "stephie, stephie." Fortunately he doesn't realize that "stephie" is "mommy."

I sat John Mark's coloring table in the middle of his playroom and gave them their lunch on it. They had so much fun eating their chicken nuggets and peaches. It was totally obvious that they really thought they were big kids for eating by themselves in the playroom.

It was a great Monday!! We love Caroline!

the perfect day

Today was the kind of day
that makes you want to stop-
to reflect on all the good,
the blessings.
To say "thank You"
to the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

We sang my favorite song in worship.

The wind was blowing just right,
causing the living room blinds to clap joyfully
as I sat on the floor reading.

I spent quality time with my Jesus-
studying for my breakout lesson
and running in spring air.

Children played in their yards,
daddys mowed,
mommys planted tulips and pansies
as I ran by.

I baked yummy fish,
with new potatoes and green beans for supper.

And the perfect end to my night?
Snow cones,
shared with John Mark
while sitting on the front porch.

"Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save...
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave."
--Mighty to Save, Hillsong

and in other news..

I have accepted a new job.
Starting in June, I will be the assistant to the children's director at HHBC.

It was a very serious, difficult decision.
We prayed, cried and discussed A LOT.

But after much seeking,
we felt that we couldn't deny that God had opened this door.

And so in June,
I will be leaving my baby for 32 hours each week.
If you think of me,
say a quick prayer!

rest

We moved last weekend
into a lovely house-
complete with a gorgeous kitchen,
clean bathrooms (YAY!)
and a PLAYROOM for all of little boys toys.

Our move did lose one thing-
our internet and cable.
2 streets from our old address
our internet package was not available.

So here i sit, in the dark
using wi-fi to post to this blog.
Random Micah music is playing through the speakers.
John Mark is sleeping in bed.

And for the first time in a long time,
I feel settled.
Peaceful.
My heart is at rest.

Listen, God,
I'm calling at the top of my lungs:
"Be good to me! Answer me!"
When my heart whispered,
"Seek God,"
my whole being replied,
"I'm seeking him!"
Don't hide from me now!
--psalm 27:7-9 (msg)

watering the flowers

Micah went out of town this weekend to visit a friend, so John Mark and I loaded up the car on Thursday evening and headed to mom & dad's. We had a great weekend full of playing, laughing, and of course- eating!! It was too cool to spend very much time outside (especially since I only packed shorts for JM- oops!) but on Saturday it finally warmed up enough for us to go outside. "Out" is one of John Mark's new favorite places to be and words to say. He loves to run to the window, pick up the blinds and stand behind them saying "out" over and over.

Because it was finally nice Saturday evening, we let John Mark play outside. He decided that mom needed help watering the plants she was putting out for spring. He had a great time pouring the "wa-ler" from his watering can into the flowers... on the sidewalk... on himself... you get the picture! He loves to do anything that we are doing!!

Last year at a garage sale, mom bought him an antique tricycle that she is planning on redoing for him to ride on. He found it in the garage and decided to take it for a spin. He doesn't quite get how to make it go, but he loved holding onto the handles and being pulled around the driveway!

When we got home this evening, John Mark ran in the house saying "daddy! daddy! daddy!" and running everywhere looking for Micah. I was very sad to tell him daddy wouldn't be home for a few more hours. But boy will John Mark be excited when he wakes up in the morning and daddy is home!

poppy's boy

When I was a little girl,
my parents always sang the same lullaby.
It was a simple song they made up
to the tune of "this is the day."

"This is daddy's (mommy) girl

This is daddy's girl

And her name is Stephanie..."

Over and over until my eyes,
finally heavy in sleep
would close for the night.

John Mark gets the same song.
Every night with them he hears

"This is poppy's boy

This is poppy's boy

And his name is John Mark..."

Over and over until his eyes,
finally heavy in sleep
close for the night.

Tonight was no different.
Dad had John Mark in his chair,
John Mark was laying there
when I noticed he was singing words:

"poppy's boy

poppy's boy

non-nart"

He was singing my dad's lullaby to himself.