"Momma, that's you toffee?"
"It hot?"

"I catch it Momma."

"I catch it!" (the steam)

So we went bowling for the first time!! We were celebrating Kirah's 10 birthday and we all went to the ally for some fun!

Reese got her finger smashed when one of the balls came up out of the shoot. Doesn't that always happen to someone?

Daddy helping Reese. The color of the ball was most important.

Of course, Rowyn used the green ball...her favorite color. It took her a while to warm up, she just wanted to watch everyone else until she saw how much fun it was.

Couldn't get over how cute Reeser's little shoes were.

My running partner

So as you have read before (or if you are new), I am in the process of training for my second marathon. It is the Inaugural Seattle Rock-n-Roll. I am excited but nervous. There is always self doubt all the way through to the finish line. My first marathon I ran in 2007. I trained by myself and ran the race by myself (never mind the other thousands of runners). When I say by myself I mean I wasn't running with one of my runner friends. Having that partner with you while you run provides an insurmountable amount of encouragement and confidence while running. Whether it be, the distance, the speed, or (up here) the weather there are many times that running just seems too daunting. But with the help of your pal you can do anything. Well my training program does 3 runs during the week 2 are shorter 3-5 miles and the middle one gets longer 4-10 miles. With a long run on the weekends building up to 22 miles. Well those weekend runs I (like many runners) seem to runner stronger with a running partner.

The weather up here has been so cold still. So running outside when it is cold and wet does not sound as great as it sometimes can. It takes a little more to push me out there. (Lots of talking to myself and telling myself how good it feels when it is done.) So this past Wednesday I head on out for a cold wet 5 miler.

While I run there are often multiple thoughts and conversations going on in my head at one time. "I am going to go home and...oh, focus on my form, strike on my forefoot...man I hope something comes through for Ben...I guess we can cut this out of the budget...don't forget to call them and ask..." All of that in complete thoughts within a 30 second time frame. Once I actually settle into my run (usually 2-3 miles in) my thoughts are often centered and more focused.

Over the past few months our family has had some struggles and some tough decisions. Some are still yet to be made. As we all know business for Ben has beyond slowed down. It is great to have him at home and the girls love it. But we would also love for him to be working! It has been very stressful, emotionally draining and down right hard. But every time it gets to that rib popping out moment, God provides. God provides a man driving through 2 fences, tearing out blueberry bushes and clematis just before our appraiser comes. God provides back business tax bills from the previous year that now want to levy us. God provides unexpected (uncovered) midnight runs to the emergency room...times 2. We have made small financial sacrifices, no more TV, this is Rowyn's last few weeks of gymnastics, this is my last month with the gym membership (which I use at least 6 times a week), and dance will be over in June, I have been cutting coupons like crazy (I average $50 a week on my grocery bill!!), not doing some the fertilizing and reseeding in the yard.

All of this to say that the man that ran through our fences and more importantly, my blueberry bush had insurance and we received a check that we paid some much needed to be paid bills with. We called about those business back taxes and they sent us refund checks for them. We did have two trips to the emergency room that we have to pay for...but we are all healthy and strong. The "sacrifices" we are making...some never get to enjoy the pleasures. My God is a loving God, our God is a caring God and it is my family he loves and cares about.

Back to my run...
As I run on Wednesday feeling scared, uncertain of how we will make it through the what looks like even tougher times ahead, I have a great conversation with my running partner. How much longer can He provide for us...it has been 5 months. Where will we be in 3 months? How can I support and encourage Ben as a wife. Letting him know that he has not failed (which is how he is often feeling). How can I shield and protect Rowyn and Reese from this monster stress that seems to have decided to sleep in our house? I have a GREAT running partner. You know what he said...
"...don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs...."
I know and I see that God has provided more than we could have imagined and we are so thankful, but what are we supposed to do now? Where will we live? How will we make it?

Our pace picks up, cresting over this huge hill I feel light, I feel strong. Nothing was said, just felt. Peace. Whew. Peace. Whew. Tears. Whew. Peace.

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done." Psalm 62:11-12.

I pray each of you can run with my running partner. He is a great pacer, an encouraging confidant, and a strong finisher.

Spring has Sprung

So we have a yard full of all kinds of plants. Flowers you have never heard of much less seen. It is so fun because we are still learning what we have and how to take care of it. Thought spring was here...but that snow just doesn't want to go away this year. I keep telling Ben God keeps making it snow because He knows I am not ready for all the work!!

This Iris is literally only 3 inches tall...crazy. (Or WAS only 3 inches, thank you snow).

My little ballerinas

My girls are pretty active. One of the things they are involved in is dance. Rowyn takes ballet/tap and Reese takes ballet. They love it when it is their day for class. Reese especially loves dance. (Rowyn likes gymnastics more).

This is Reese showing her spin. That is one of her favorites. She also likes head, shoulders, knees, and toes, and when they put little stuffed animals on their heads and have to balance while walking and spinning on their toes...cute.

Seriously?? Snow?

Sunday morning I hear Rowyn wake up and get her flip flops on and flip on in to our room. Thwap, thwap, thwap..."Guys." "It is snowing!" What???, yes she's right, snow. So we all cuddle and play for a bit and head on down stairs. The girls make their beds while I make breakfast and Ben is getting the fire going.

We all eat our eggs and bacon (Turkey no nitrates of course). Eat a few orange slices and toast. But what brought the biggest smile to Rowyn's face...oh what, the snow? the bacon? (she loves it and we have for a treat), oh no not these. She turns to me, "Daddy just staying here today." With her whole face aglow.

Time to get our play clothes on and play in the snow before it goes away!! (I have been saying that since November).So we got them out there. They tried to catch snow on their tongues. They just like to walk around and look at how the world is so different. Pretty sweet.

Running

So a couple years ago I picked up running. Not sure how it happened. I have ran in a couple relays (the over night kind...fun). I have ran smaller races and a few half marathons. There is a group of us (we call ourselves "Sole Mates"). We sometimes run with each other and a lot of time just plain ole' encourage each other.

In 2007 I delivered Reese in January, ran my first half marathon in October and ran my first full marathon in November!! Whew. Ever since that marathon I have felt a little drudgy about running, more of a chore.

Well, I have officially started training for the Seattle Rock-n-Roll marathon! It is an 18 week training program and I am on week 2. There are a few of the Sole Mates who are also planning on this race. I ran my first marathon by myself (along with a few thousand others). So far so good on this one. But like I said this is only week 2. I'm sure at some point there will be some struggling (later when the runs get longer).

So, settin' my sights for June 27!

Rowyn turned four!!

Well, Rowyn turned four March 3. I can't believe my baby is four!! She has grown so fast. Rowyn is such a sweet girl. Green is her favorite color, so she wanted a green, pink and blue cake. I was looking at some ideas and she decided on a topsy turvy style. So what my girls want, my girls get!

They both like to be in the kitchen with mom, so they got to help with the cake baking part (sometimes it is a three phase process: baking, construction, and decorating).

And the new thing in our house is posing...Reese is a great model working the apron she got from some friends for her birthday.

I like to bake on day one. Torte, fill and shape on day two. Decorate on late day two and finish on day three (birthday day). It makes me less stressed and much more pleasant for the celebration. We made a chocolate fudge cake with fudge filling (a new recipe...it was ok). Butter cream to crumb it and this one has fondant...still haven't figured out how to make this taste good. (Aunt Jennifer???) I figure there must be a trick to it due to the fact it is on so many wedding cakes.

Birthday morning Rowyn wanted a turkey sandwich for breakfast (ok by me!) and Dad made pancakes. Then she helped me finish rolling all of those little balls. Reese, well, hers just looked like little snakes.

She didn't want to blow out the candles, so she had Reese and dad do it.

She got some college money from Papa!!

And one her favorites was a pink helmet, bat, balls, glove and bag from Aunt Lisa!

(Reese likes it too)