Poppy half marathon

On Sunday November 10th, I ran my four half marathon!  It was the Poppy Half Marathon in Bexhill-on-Sea.  The Poppy Campaign is in honor of Veterans here in the UK.  Being a veteran it was an honor to run in this race and think of all those that I served with and those I cared for during my time in the service. 

 

The weather here is always a little questionable.  I had done a lot of running in the rain so I was prepared for rain but what we had was a beautiful fall day!  The drive down to the coast was gorgeous.  A part from the bit where Ben got car sick!  Oh well, such is life with kids.  Glad we packed that extra set of clothes. 

 

This was my first race to run by myself, but I had the best coach out there, Allen!  I have started running with my iphone and RunKeeper.  So amazing!  I love knowing how fast I am running and how far I have gone.  This was a flat race and was a four lap race.  I have never done a looped race before so I wasn't sure how it would go.  I loved it!  Allen and the boys were there every time I came around which was so fun, as opposed to only seeing them at the end.  The boys gave me high fives as I ran by.  I had a PB for me at 2:02!  For a split second, I thought that maybe I could get a sub 2 but then I decided I wanted to be able to walk the next week. 

 

So, that finishes out my racing for this year!  I ran 1-5K, 2-10K's and 1 Half Marathon! Thankful for the gift of running and how it has been my time to process and remember all the gifts that God has given me.  However, if I continue to run like this, then the boys are going to have to get a dog!  They tell me after every race about the dogs they saw and how they want one SOOO badly. 



 

 

The boys found a friendly dog!  They even got to walk her. The owner talked to Allen about how good it is for little boys to have dogs!!! 

 

All done!!

 

A happy fall y'all party!

On Halloween, I had a little party for the boys and some of their friends!  I used the story from the Parable of the Pumpkin and made it a pumpkin themed party.  We had a great time and hopefully the kids learned a little more about their precious savior that wants to take away their sin, put a smile on their face and fill them with His light!


I had a bunch of great moms that helped a ton from taking pics to corralling kids in all their excitement.

 

Decorating bags for their treats!

Bobbing for apples

 

 

Sweet friend who dressed up so I wouldn't be the only adult dressed up!

Decorating pumpkins

We went out trick or treating at a few of our neighbors homes.
Mountain man and super man.

 

 

A Pumpkin Carving Party

Last Sunday night we had a Pumpkin Carving Party. I love to throw a party and since we don't have any birthdays in the fall, I "have" to throw a fall related party.  So, we invited a couple of families over to carve pumpkins and have chili together. 

I had seen a cute book about the Parable of the Pumpkin.  I bought the book but it didn't get here in time so the kids watched it on youtube.  It is a really sweet story about the farmer and how he carves the pumpkin.  I tells the story of God's amazing work in our lives to carve a smile on our faces and put His light in us for the world to see.  Definitely recommend it! 

I saw a cute pumpkin toss on Pinterest and this was our 10 minute reproduction of it!  
 

 

Nate was all about getting the guts out.  Ben wouldn't touch it.

 

 

 

 

A great night of fall fun!

Windsor Boat Trip

The day of the big Clemson/FSU game, we went on a boat trip near Windsor Castle. The boys with their friend who is from Florida!
 

 

 

 

 

The Castle 

 

A fun day on the river!

Wisely Gardens 10K

A couple of weekends ago, I ran the Wisely Gardens 10K.  This was my second 10K and my first trail run.  It had been really rainy the couple of days before the race but the day of the race was beautiful and sunny.  The course was really muddy but a lot of fun.  I really enjoyed the off road aspect of the run.  The landscape was gorgeous.  I have definitely decided that 10K's are a lot of fun!


Allen is such a champ!  He and the boys hunted for bears for the hour while I ran.  He did say after the run that it would have been a great place for a dog!  All of my guys would love a dog...Nate regularly asks about Cottton.

The boys off exploring

 

Blessed Beyond Measure!

Ben and Nate have been on fall break(it's called half term break) this week. I have loved the time with these sweet boys.  God has blessed and encouraged me this week through these sweet boys!! 

We would love to add to our family but unfortunately have had two miscarriages in the past year and a bit.  There are times when I get really sad and feel sorry for myself that what I desire has not been God's will for our family yet.  In those times, Allen generally encourages me to go for a run and God reminds me of the gifts that I have been given.  Yes, we would like more children but if these two sweet boys are the only children God gives us, I am a BLESSED woman!

Some pictures that remind me of the joy that I have in these little guys! 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Thankful for these two gifts and the reminder that even when my emotions are all over the place I have a God who never changes and gives good gifts to his children.  My heart and arms are full!