Before and After

Our house was built in the 1950's. We love the original hardwood floors, the mature trees, and the changes that all of our neighbors are constantly doing to their houses to highlight the character in each of them. So, we decided to make a big change of our own. Here it is and we love it!

Before

After

Also, since we have not yet lived in this house for a year, this our first spring. I was so excited this morning when we saw our first perennials blooms. Aren't they beautiful? I can't wait to see what else comes up.

He Shoots! He Scores!

Apparently, it's a big deal on the 4-year-old soccer team to just get out there and run the whole time without complaining. We were so proud of Joshua because he did just that. He ran around the whole time and loved it. He tried super-hard and even scored a goal. 

Game 1 = Domination.

A 4 Year Old Boy

If you don't spend much time around them, you may not at all understand this video. Joshua, like all 4 year old boys is trying to make everyone laugh. No matter how silly or crazy it may be. Enjoy! I know Joshua would want you to.

Soccer videos to come. The first game was cancelled due to the pouring rain. 

When an Owwee is a Good Thing...

I spent last week not running any miles. I have been running every other day for the last 3 months. That may explain why my knees and hip decided to make their voices heard on my last long run. I got through about 8 miles and decided I needed to stop the torture and just walk home. After talking to my Team In Training coach he told me I needed to take the week off and try again this weekend. 

As I wait for my go ahead to start the miles again, I have discovered several great things:

1. Being at home on a Saturday morning as a family is PRICELESS. Michael and I both enjoy our training, but having taken turns running for the last 2 years, I think we have come to appreciate a morning full of cartoons and cuddles on the couch.

2. The downtown YMCA in Nashville is newly remodeled and is amazing. I had to do some creative cross training in order to keep up my stamina and the downtown Y was my happy place this week.

3. Not running is kinda nice :-) I really hope that this mental and physical break will revamp my training and make the marathon an enjoyable idea again.

4. People, like my husband, that train for marathons over and over are CRAZY! This is the hardest thing I've ever done and I haven't even run the race yet!

This Saturday I am scheduled to run 18 miles. I'm not sure if my knees and hip will be up for it, but I will try my best. I am praying that I will be able to run this weekend with little pain and in the end, run the marathon (April 25) well. As I train, please still consider giving to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It is for them and for so many more reasons that I run. 

Let the Games Begin

As you may have read on Michael's blog, Joshua started soccer. His first practice was last week and it was a hit! Coaches Steve and Steven are great. They basically let the kids run around for an hour in controlled chaos. Joshua's favorite part was when Coach Steven pretended to miss Joshua's ball and let it go between his legs into the goal. The next practice is tonight and the first game is Saturday. 

Tomorrow Joshua goes back to the clinic to start his next round of chemo. I know it may be silly, but I can't help but be a little nervous that his first day as a soccer star will be during a crummy week. Who knows, maybe the 'roids will work in his favor this time.

The photos are pretty terrible, but I'll try to have better ones when they finally start playing outside. 

The Economy of God

I'm not one to talk about the economy much. So, I was surprised when I was so struck by a the phrase "the economy of God." It was used in a lesson commentary from my Community Bible Study. At first I thought, "Wow. Even CBS is jumping on the economy talk bandwagon," but when I checked the copyright date is was 1992. I decided to go back and read more carefully.

We are studying 2 Corinthians right now, specifically, the first chapter. The commentary states:

Our confidence is in "the God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3). As believers in Him, we know that nothing touches our lives unless He allows. Thanksgiving in the midst of troubles is possible because we trust Him. We realize that He knows what is best for us. We acknowledge that even a time of trouble can be used for our good in the economy of God.

Being thankful during our trials has not been easy for me and many days I have resented the notion. But what I do know is that our trials have made our marriage stronger, the love for my children deeper, the understanding of parents fuller, and the appreciation of sisters and their husbands greater. God is good and these present sufferings are an overflow in our lives of Christ's suffering, so also through Christ our comfort can overflow to others(2 Corinthians 1:5).

In the economy of God the weak are made strong, the first will be last, the poor are to be blessed, and the King of all Creation is our Great Comforter. Today, I pray that you will be the recipient of God's comfort in your life.

What Do You Do When It's Cold Outside?

We play with Legos. Here, Joshua is building a spaceship to match his PJ's.

You know you do it, too. Target is our playground.

Give in and get out in the snow!