"On Your Mark" and a Sweet "I Do"

Last weekend, amid the unexpected chill, several of us from church set out on a 3 mile excursion entitled the Shoes For Kids 5K. We all did well and three miles, and some unmerciful hills later, we are all still alive! It was a really fun race through some older neighborhoods (there were quite a few yard sales going on, but it's hard to browse when you're running!)

The neat thing about this race was that for every participant that ran (and paid,) a child would receive a new pair of athletic shoes as to encourage health, wellness and fitness. I have always been relatively picky about what races I run because of the causes. Not every race benefits a cause that I would deem appropriate, but anything for the kids is good by me! I am certain that these proceeds will help so many kiddos in the area and that makes me happy!

Congratulations to all of our Westside Runner's Group participants! I am looking forward to training, as well as racing with you all in the future. Thank you also to our supporters! Thank you for coming out on such a chilly Saturday morning when you could have been at home, in bed.

Having run races for many years, I can tell you that there is nothing better than rounding the corner and seeing and hearing those you know hollering at you or simply smiling and clapping as you go by. To me, that's better than the finish line! Vaughn family, Jared and my Babies, Cade, thank you all so much! Now, let's recruit!

FYI! For those of you who may be interested, our very own Shane, has created the Westside Runners Group. We will be running every first and third Saturday of the month at various locations in the area, as well as running several races a year together. I am in the process of creating a blog dedicated to this awesome activity! I PROMISE that I will have it done rather soon. It will give details such as when, where, and things of that nature. Hopefully, we can recruit and bring some new runners to the surface, as well as bring veterans out of the woodwork (you know who you are.....)

I think I speak for all of us when I say, "Thank You, Shane," for making such an effort to get this going! It's been a long time coming!


Last Saturday night, By brother married the sweetest girl! Dusty, welcome to the fam! We love you and the boys, and we look forward to many wonderful years together! Hope you can tolerate us! We are many, and we are loud!

Cooper and Sara came to see us one day last week. We had the most wonderful day just talking and eating, and playing, and eating some more and talking even more! It was just like old times! We sure miss seeing you guys several days a week! It is amazing to me how quickly the Babies are growing up! When I see Cooper and Hayden together, it really makes me realize how quickly time is flying! They are so cute together, and even though they do not spend as much time together as they did, you can see an unspoken bond and closeness between them that is amazing and is hopefully forever.

Here are some pictures of the Babies from last week. You maybe wondering about the fifth picture down. Hayden was assisting me in some planting on the front porch. I had turned around for a split second, and turned back around just in time to see him bury his Woody doll (from Toy Story.) Woody is a favorite around here, and usually stays in the house. Somehow, he snuck outside while we were working that day, and ended up in his own grave. Well, he was resuscitated and revived, and still has dirt in his crevasses', but is still a favorite.

Have a good week.