Race Day

On Saturday, I ran in Race 4 Their Lives--a four mile race through downtown Roanoke. The race money goes to support an organization that helps women get back on their feet who have been involved in human trafficking.

I ran the race with my friend Allison. I was a little nervous, as leading up to the race I had 2 weeks of lousy running. I generally get 3 good runs in every week. I just kept having bad runs; so I wasn't sure how the race would go.

It went great! I felt so energized the entire four miles (which is funny, considering I got up at 3:44 AM). My first mile was 9 minutes, and I kept thinking, "I'm so glad I ate all that peanut butter for breakfast!"

Allison and I ran into our friend Sam, and the three of us ran the first 3 miles together.

My guys skipped Nathan's soccer practice to come and cheer me on at the finish line. I was so glad they did! I felt motivated that last mile, knowing they were waiting for me!

It's incredible what eight months of running will do for you! I finished the race in 39:20, and we didn't have time chips, so it took me 30 seconds to get out of the gate. My actual running time was under 39 minutes. I am very happy with my time!

I love running. I am so glad that God has motivated me to stick with it. I was planning on competing in a 10K this fall, but there isn't one in Roanoke. So, that's my goal for the spring!

Strawberry White Chocolate Cookies

Y'all. 

I made these cookies last night for life group, and they were goooood. The hubbs was singin' my praises! Honestly, though, I'm not sure I've ever made cookies so moist and soft and yummy! I got the recipe from OMGChocolateDesserts.com.

You will need:

• 1 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp of baking powder
• 1/8 tsp of salt
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 4 oz. of cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup of chopped, fresh strawberries
• 2 tbs of lemon juice
• 1-2 tbs of flour
• 5 oz. of white chocolate, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line pans with parchment paper or foil and spray with Baker's Joy.

2. Chop strawberries and set in bowl. Pour lemon juice over strawberries, and let them soak for 10 minutes before straining.

3. Whisk together 1 1/4 cup of flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

4. Beat butter with sugar and cream cheese until it's light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.

5. Gradually add flour mixture and mix well. 

6. Stir in {chopped} white chocolate.

7. Sprinkle strawberries with 1-2 tbs of flour and toss. Gently stir them into the batter.

8. Drop tablespoons of batter onto pans.

9. Set the cookies in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking.

10. Bake at 350 for 13-15 minutes {until the edges become golden brown.}

11. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Enjoy!

The National Aquarium

I know I mentioned in a previous blog post (about our trip to Cape Cod) that we stopped in Baltimore to see the National Aquarium. Well, here is our photo! Fun, fun!

This And That

Water. My boys are drawn to it like fish. And, I can't think of a better way to soak up these last warm days. {And in case you are unaware, according to Nathan James, anytime you are around water you must--I repeat, must--wear your red goggles.}

I ordered these adorable monogrammed sailboat shirts for the boys for our trip to Cape Cod from Ella and Evelynns. They looked so precious!

Scott loves to take the boys to the high school, which is all of about five minutes from our house, so they can run around on the track. Nathan and Jack love it!

Do you know what starts tomorrow? Soccer practice! I can hardly believe it! We've got the shin guards, the soccer shorts, the cleats. We're ready! Nathan has been counting down the days!

I looked in the kitchen this morning and both of my children were watching Sesame Street, with their left arms tucked into their shirts. It was the funniest thing!

When Scott is able to go to church with us (which is rare--he's usually working), we go out to lunch at Firehouse Subs. The boys love it! And if I was Super Mom, and I possessed the energy after teaching Sunday school and attending church by myself, to take them every Sunday, I would! ;)

I love this guy. He's pretty awesome and selfless. When he's not saving people's lives, he's loving on his family. I hit the jackpot with this one. Date night on Sunday! Woop woop! Gotta' get some time in before he's gone for three weeks in another city doing transplant surgery and flying all over the east coast!

And let me share one more photo from Cape Cod, okay? Here's Nathan sailing. I love this picture so much. This boy--he owns my heart, and he knows it. :)

My babies. My guys. My boys. I love them more than words can say. I can't believe how big they're getting. Nathan got in the car from school today and was telling me all about his new friends and what they learned. And today, Jack put SIX WORDS together at breakfast! They're still my babies, they're still my babies, they're still my babies. . .

Nathan's First Day Back to Preschool

This morning was Nathan's first day back to preschool! I was so excited, and he was too! He broke my heart more than Jack did, though, because for the first time ever I could tell he was putting on a brave face. He was anxious, but he knew he needed to get in there and shake it off. I could have died! I'm used to him being nervous and wanting ME--not being nervous but still pushing through it. He's growing up. It's good and it's healthy; but it still threw me for a loop to see my baby say, through his actions, "I've got this one, Mom. I don't need you for this." Oh, be still my heart.

He hung up his backpack, found his name, and made his way over to the other kiddos.  He didn't even say, "Bye!" I'll take that as a good sign! :)

I've covered this not-so-little-anymore boy in prayer today. I've prayed that he would meet sweet friends and that he would enjoy his class this year. Here's to the start of a great school year!

Jack's First Day Back to MDO

This morning, my sweet Jack went to his first day back at Mother's Day Out! I absolutely love his teacher! His classroom was all set up, the kiddos were running around, and my precious baby did not want me to go. It broke my heart, but I knew he'd be okay once I left. The first few weeks are always hard.

I'm certain this smocked, pinchable, squeezable, kissable little baby of mine is the cutest thing on planet Earth.

His teacher, Mrs. Michele, said, "Jack, I've got trains for you!" as soon as we walked into the classroom. She knows he loves his choo choo trains. I'm sure this will be a wonderful school year.

This morning, I covered this sweet baby boy in prayer--prayers that he would feel safe and comfortable in his classroom and that he would learn and grow and have fun this year!

Cape Cod Vacation

Last week, we drove to Cape Cod for a wonderful family vacation! I can't put into words how relaxing and fun this vacation was. We spent precious time with family, ate amazing seafood, and saw a brand new part of the country.

On the drive up, we stopped in Baltimore so the boys could see the National Aquarium. It was incredible! They are both fascinated with sharks right now; of course we bought both of the boys matching hammerhead sharks. :)

In the span of 24 hours, we drove through West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York (and NYC!), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Whew! It was awesome!

We stopped in Providence, Rhode Island to check out their zoo. It was fantastic!

And then it was on to Cape Cod! We were pretty excited to see a good bit of Scott's family who we hadn't seen since our wedding day! Wow! Honestly, the entire trip was fabulous. I went running by myself every morning, doing 3-4 miles each day. The weather was crisp and cool; it felt like October! The seafood was mouthwateringly (I don't think that's a word) incredible. We ate at beautiful seaside restaurants, relaxed on the beach, and drank wine and laughed in the evenings. It was a little slice of heaven! (Okay, it was a big slice of heaven!) Scott and Nathan went sailing with Scott's grandfather on his sailboat one day. Nathan said, "Mom, it was AMAZING!" Scott's mom and I spent one day shopping in downtown Chatham. You want to talk about preppy kids clothes that you could drop some serious dough on!? Oh heavens, there was enough seersucker that I thought I might faint!

Overall, we had a great family vacation! I'm so thankful for my guys. Jesus has blessed me richly with them!