Blessed with Full hands: February 2012

Still counting even when it is hard

Counting the gifts is not always easy. They may be under my nose, but there are days that I cannot see them. Days when I am living the hard eucharisteo and it is hard to feel the love. Everything is grace. Everything is a gift. But, it does not always feel like that. So, today, I make a conscious effort to find the gifts and write them down. To look at my list and type it here. A reminder of the gifts that surround me. The blessings all around.

Feb

An Open Letter to Jeff Galloway

Dear Jeff,

I am writing you today to tell you thank you for developing the run/walk method.

I started running in 2009 and have been plagued with injuries. Last April I ran my first marathon. Fearful of another stress fracture, I thought the Jeff Galloway method would be the only way I could get to the start, and finish line, uninjured. And, although I had some IT band issues while training, I was able to complete my first marathon with no injuries other than being sore.

Feb

Lenten Plans

Lent is my favorite Liturgical season. I really like to set specific traditions for each season for the family. This year, our plans are very similar to what we did last year. I loved the prayers we prayed and the books we read last year, so I want to continue with that.

- Prayer: At the start of the school day the boys and I will light the Way of Light Wreath that is pictured above and can been seen at Ann Voskamp's blog.

Feb

The Never Ending Derby

This past Sunday was the Pinewood Derby. J is a Bear Cub Scout and this was his second derby. Last year, his car did, surprisingly, well. And this year, J was really hoping to place.

We got to the Derby about 30 min early to get the cars checked in (K and A had made cars to enter into the Open class). We got the cars cheked in and anxiously waited for the derby to start.

Feb

7 Quick Takes

1. My strong desire to give up on the marathon has subsided. I had a great long run last weekend and I am looking forward to another good one this weekend. Next weekend is my 20 miler and then TAPER!! So hard to believe it is only 29 more days till the Shamrock Marathon!

2. And, I have never been one that wants to stand out.

Feb

Wordless Wednesday: It is Almost Derby Time!!!

Not quite done! But there are 3 boys in our house that cannot wait until this weekend!

Feb

Law of Diminishing Returns

I remember learning about the Law of Diminishing Returns in a high school economics class. Want to know what it is?

In economics, diminishing returns (also called diminishing marginal returns) is the decrease in the marginal (per-unit) output of a production process as the amount of a single factor of production is increased, while the amounts of all other factors of production stay constant. (from Wikipedia)

And, as much as I would like it not to, it applies to my running as well.

Feb

Join the Mamma Support Swap at The Big White Farm House

Such a great idea! Click on image below to find out more information!

Feb

Our trip to Patuxent Wild Life Refuge and the list that keeps on growing

Last week Tuesday was incredible. The Sun was shining. The temperature was in the 60s. So, I took J and A to the Patuxent Wild Life Refuge (K was sick and stayed home with my hubby, who was also sick!). We had a great time walking the trails and taking in nature's beauty. God's gifts abound there and it is not difficult to see all His gifts displayed in a place like that . .

521. Capturing beauty so close, while trying to capture the beauty that is far

522.

Feb

High Cloud Snapple Half Marathon Race Recap

This past Sunday I ran the High Cloud Snapple Half Marathon. It took place along the Carderock towpath which is an old canal towpath next to the Potomac river.

I have wanted to do this race for the last two years, since it started, but have not. I love winter running and running a half in January seemed like perfect sense to me.

If you had read my 7 Quick Takes from last week, you would know that I was no really "feeling it" for this race. I had no goal in mind.