Running Dirty

On Saturday, I crossed a magnifique item off my bucket list: a MUD RUN!

It was all that it was cracked up to be. And while I wasn't able to do every obstacle on my own without help on a few, I actually didn't find them as hard as I thought they might be. I was glad AND sad for that. But more importantly, I had a great time and got DIRTY! 

I think I have a fetish with wanting to keep sore, also. My arms got a serious beating with all the upper body work and they are still hurting nearly four days later. YOWSER. But what is not to love?

In doing this race, I realized that I used to be a really competitive person. I would KILL myself if I didn't complete an apparatus, or do it right. I would go back and do it over and over until I got it. Or I would train harder and do it again. It was in my nature to exceed at a challenge. 

Some of that is still in me. It is. But most of it I think is gone.

A few days after the race I think I realized, after all, what racing really means.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I adore fitness. I really and truly do. I feel that it is something God has placed on my heart to love, to nourish, and to help and inspire others with. And because it is a desire and a passion, He has called me all the more to nourish and flourish with it in the right way. 

Things can easily become idols. And I'm guilty of this. Sometimes I can get carried away too much with something I love. Fitness included. Losing too much weight, exercising too much, thinking about it too much, putting my hobbies ABOVE my real job that provides the real income. And the list goes on.

Sometimes it can become so ingrained in our lives that we don't even realize it's taken over.

And sometimes, it's good to take a step back.

I'm not always on point, but I believe that first and foremost above anything we do, the Lord comes first. Even before our spouses (WHAT?!). That's right.

Even though we love our fitness, our nutrition, our photography, our boutique, our gardening, baking, civil war reenacting or WHATEVER it is...HE. COMES. FIRST.

One of the reasons I love fitness and exercise so much is because we have the ability to transform our bodies into something we want them to be. We can narrow our waists, perfect our shoulders, tone our legs, and strengthen our cores. The human body is an amazing machine. And with Him in the center of all of this, placed before us, we will know that He is in control and He is above it all. We will know that the outcomes we seek and desire are those that He has fitted for us and not for ourselves.

As long as we are on this earth our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. So we must fill them with spiritual things and spiritual thoughts. EVEN in and through our passions! 

So, join me when I say, I run the races not for my own gain, but for the ultimate prize in looking to Him. 

May He be glorified in every squat, every burpee, every bicep curl, every yoga pose, and every last bit of dirt. 

Author. Finisher. King.

Preschool Dayz.

I have a preschooler. A full-on, running, chatting, YELLING, fighting, cute, hilarious, whimsical, smart, mind-of-his-own preschooler. WHERE HAS TIME GONE?

Levi's first day was on Monday. Surprisingly he hasn't talked much about it when we ask him, but we know he likes it because he "loves Ms. Gina."

"I love her," he says.

We crouch down and tilt our heads at the innocence. "Awe."

It's pretty much music to your ears when your child tells you he loves his teacher. Who knew?

Two days in, however, and we've got a running, stopped up, snot nose. I fear it is only the beginning for colds and viruses. Shall I say, let the games begin?

I prayed a hedge of protection around our household last night. That the Lord would keep stomach bugs and viruses at bay. Colds and snot I can handle, but throw up I don't deal with well. I'm not talking about the smell or the look, but the sheer sense of nausea and the physical act of vomiting literally scares me. I get fearful every fall, because I know we are heading into winter, which is primal season. Isn't it?

Anyway, last year I prayed that we would not get hit, and while I think Isaac had a one-day bout of a bug, Levi and I did not get sick. (Vitamins help people!) I was SO grateful. I have kept in mind, though, that he was not in school. But now he is.

It seems like just yesterday I was snapping photos of him smiling while passing gas in his sleep. We were there, on our red comfy couch in the condo, overlooking the balcony to the Manassas Park water tower in our "backyard." The cool air caught my heart as we listened to Osbourn's marching band while the football game carried on.

I'd give him a bottle, rock him to sleep, and slip his bink in just like that. Piece of cake!

Now we are teaching him to pull up his pants, sip from a cup, use a fork, AND have manners. This cannot be!

Though these sweet memories make me sad as I long for them again, my heart is so full.

3 Good Years.

Yesterday was Levi's preschool orientation. PRESCHOOL. Wasn't he just born yesterday?

We sat in the sanctuary and listened to the pastor welcome us into the church and community as our little ones all begin this new journey together...SCHOOL.

Isaac. Me. Levi. And Mimi.

Mimi has become a regular now with us most places we go. It's rather cute. She and Levi share a special bond and they've formed a great relationship these past several years as she has been his caretaker part-time practically since he has been born.

After the pastor's words we went to meet Ms. Gina, his teacher. Gina is a fairly young teacher with bright eyes and a really sweet spirit. She was very welcoming and loved on all the kids.

Each student had their name taped to their own desk area, where I assume will be there place to draw and color and make crafts, and learn throughout the year.

I was excited for him, and joyous for the experience. It was the start of a new chapter, a new venture, and a place that Levi has been looking forward to for weeks since he's known about it.

Instantly, he fell in love with Ms. Gina.

She led them in a short craft, gave us some paperwork, and said "See you Monday!"

He gave Ms. Gina a big, long, hug (he has become a bit of a snuggle bug lately), and we were off.

While I loved this experience and seeing Levi mesmerized by it all and excited and ready to go, I couldn't help but come home and be sad about all we've ever known the past three years.

They've been good years. GREAT years.

From the first time I held him in my arms after giving birth to his first bath, roll, crawl, word, and step it has been an amazing journey. Tiring and trying at times, yes, but wonderful nonetheless.

We have had three good years, the three of us. Laughing, crying, giggling. Going on adventures together like the Outer Banks and Sesame Place, spending the night at Keek's, going to the Farmer's Market and Yardsales, and even to his three favorite parks. Oh, and don't forget the MALL.

The Mall is my little man's top priority most days. :) (Right up there with the bookstore).

I love these past three years. Absolutely love them. And though we enter a new chapter, we will make many more memories with each other, with new friends, and with new adventures.