Like a sister to me...

The title of this post is how I always start out describing Christy to my other friends. She has been such a faithful friend to me for the last six years. She has cried, laughed and prayed with me more times than I can count. She has listened to my hopes and dreams and I have in return listened to hers. She prayed for us to get pregnant and rejoiced with us at the hospital when our miracle was born. I love her so much and she is indeed, like a sister to me.

What started out as a simple, introductory couples dinner has blossomed into a deep, spiritual bond. We might even get to do our first mission trip together in December. Oh how special that would be! We hope to travel to Haiti to work with an orphanage.  I cant think of any other girl I'd want my first overseas work to be with!

Several weeks ago, she began running. We now run together twice a week. I look forward to it every week. I am trying to convince her to do the half in November when I do the full. That would be really cool and just one more thing to chat about in our 80's when we sit around and recount our younger days.

Cheer her on and help me convince her by leaving a a comment!

New haircut...

Who doesnt like a change? I love change (if you cant tell) I originally wanted my hair cut this way but chickened out back in March. I finally went with it and I LOVE it!!

this was my inspiration....

2nd Annual Sister's weekend!

My sister, Rachel and I flew to Minneapolis/St. Paul for our second annual sister's trip. Last year, we went to Savannah and St. Simon Island. This year, we wanted to go hang with Melody in her territory. We had a great time and traveled to Stillwater one of the days. It was a short but great visit. We hit a lot of whole food markets and eaterys as well as the Farmers Market. We ate out a ton and visited every authentic restaurant we could find! I even got to run with Melody and her running group along the Mississippi. It was my first time leaving Chase but the time flew by. I cant wait until next year's trip and we are already beginning to plan where we will go!

her faces crack me up:)

what would my blog be without foods pics?:)

wheat grass shot:)

gotta love that name:)

Southern restaurant we ate at offered friend avacodo

ahh yea baby

nothing like tea time and Sense and Sensibility

cute boutique in Stillwater

Us after our Mississippi river run

Nothing spells happiness like....

O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N

So, after four years of planning to put pantry foods in containers and label them, I finally did! And boy does it bring me pure joy! Now that we dont eat many processed foods, there isnt much to do. But, I did put lentils, brown rice, brown rice pasta, raw cacao nibs, dried cranberries, granola, oatmeal, flax seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds and powders such as Vega Sport and Amazing grass superfood in their own jars with labels. I still need to get the big clear containers from Crate N Barrel for Tayler's cereal and chips and some of my flours that Abby gave me a while back.

On the second shelf, you see flour, powdered sugar and oil from Xmas when Brian made homemade sugar cookies...guess we are saving it for next year? And of course, I still need to move some other things around. But, I am well on my way, to order!

Cant wait to update later with even more organization bliss!

Ode to my Asics!

How I love you so

You and I first met in the cold winter months

You took me on a journey I didnt think possible

We made it through 7 degree temps, snow, pouring rain, and 93% humidity

We did short runs, tempo runs and long runs

We finished our first, second and third race together

We spread the love and even trained some people

Through it all, you were there for me

But all good things must come to an end

500 miles later, I must trade you in

for a younger, hotter model

You understand?

Its just the way it goes

But, I'll keep you forever

just like my medal from my first marathon

Memories-its what we have to hold onto

Summer Vacay!

We had an awesome, week long vacation with my side of the family in HIlton Head, South Carolina. On our way, we stayed in Asheville, NC. It was so nice to be in the mountains again! In Hilton Head, we stayed in a beautiful ocean front resort where 15 other family members stayed as well. It was such a joy to visit with my extended family! We spent lazy days on the beach, visited Harbor Town and ate dinner as a family most nights. We also took a day trip to Savannah with my dad. We've never had alone time with just him and it was pretty sweet. We ended the vacation with a run on the beach! It was a lovely week and we felt so blessed to experience it!