Mud Run

Last Saturday I did LA Mud Run at the Rose Bowl. It was actually 4 miles and since there is an obstacle course I didn't keep up with running the whole thing. But I ran most of it. During the second half of the race I realized that the first half had a steady incline which is why I was getting tired so quickly. That and it was HOT! Plus I had to crawl through mud. I finished in a horrible time of 1hr 2 minutes. Oh well...

I really did enjoy myself though. A friend of mine had done a mud run when I was pregnant with Austyn. And seeing pictures of her doing the run made me want to take up running after I had given birth. Plus I knew of someone who with wild ambition had considered doing a marathon. Which sounded like such a nice goal. I have adapted doing one in my life to complete my marathon career. I need to strive my running goal a little harder. I need something that is going to push me. But until I find that perfect 10K, I'm probably going to be doing it not as faithfully. Oh well, next Disneyland 5K in September.

Austyn's baby dedication

We dedicated Austyn at our church, August 15th. It was really nice. It is always good to stand before your friends and family and remember that they truly belong to God.

I have been thinking lately about Proverbs 22:6 ("Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" NIV.) I have been doing the yearly reading plan with our church and am now in the section where the people of Isreal and Judah are being taken into captivity from King Nebuchadnezzer. It seems like all of God's chosen people can't pull themselves together for one minute to be, well, God's chosen people. Surely there must have been one family that trained their child right. Whether there was or there wasn't the bible makes it quite clear that we all have a free will. And my darling children let me know their free will all the time. When it comes to the important thing as living for eternity in heaven, I can not rest alone on my parenting skills to train up the child the right way. I need to rest in God. I need to always submit my children to God. Knock down heaven's door on their behalf. It doesn't mean that the scripture in proverbs isn't true. It is still very true. We should hold tight onto the promise from God. But also realize the constant need for a savior with our free will beings.

We picked out a life verse for Austyn: Psalms 18:32-36 NLT

32God arms me with strength;
he has made my way safe.
33He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
leading me safely along the mountain heights.
34He prepares me for battle;
he strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze.
35You have given me the shield of your salvation.
Your right hand supports me;
your gentleness has made me great.
36You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping

I am looking forward to seeing this life verse alive in Austyn, since I have been able to clearly see God's direction in the life verse that was chosen for Penelope. After the baby dedication we had everyone over for lunch. Overall, it was a really nice day.

VBS

Right when the family was departing, VBS started at our church. We had a great time. This was mine and Penelope's second year, and Austyn's first. Penelope really got into it this year. We even got her the t-shirt and the worship CD which she likes to sing in the car. I helped out as the nurse. This is the second year that they have had a nurse and boy was there a change. This year there was a lot more "activity" for the on duty nurse. Next year I am defiantly going to have to organize and make a real "first-aid kit".

The theme this year was about Joseph from the book of Genesis. Most of the crew dresses up in full outfits. Each year I jokingly pick out which outfit I would want to wear and which one I wouldn't so much. LOL. But I am perfectly fine in my VBS t-shirt.

4 years of bliss

Russell and I were finally able to celebrate our anniversary without our kids. Something that is fairly difficult because we had a 3 day old for our first anniversary and July is such an active time of the year for us. This year we went down to Newport Beach and ate at the Chart House and then went for a gondola ride along the harbor. Then we went out for a nice cup of coffee in Belmont Shores. Next year 5 years. Can't wait to celebrate!

p.s. one of the added bonuses, I was able to fit into the dress I wore for our wedding rehearsal! Yay for loosing weight!

Disneyland

We did acouple other days at disneyland with the family that was visiting. We had a great time. I hope uncle Tom doesn't mind if I post this. If you want to watch please pause the music on the lower right side.

Penelope's birthday Part 2

For Penelope's actual birthday we took her to disneyland and got her an annual pass along with the rest of us. It was a great time. She got a birthday button and dressed up like Tinkerbell for most of the day.

Russell's family reunion

Russell's family had a family reunion as part of the celebration for his Grandma turning 80. Almost everyone was there. For a little get together they had everyone at Calvary Assembly for a pizza party.

Penelope's 3rd birthday!

My baby girl turned 3! Wow does time go by fast. I'm glad to be out of the twos for sure. For the most part we have stopped with the tantrums. Every couple of weeks she will have a bad several days and she'll test her limits with the tantrums. But for the most part we are out of the woods. Which is so nice. We had her birthday party at Friendship park with about 40 people.

Independence day

After the race that I run the morning of 4th of July we went home to get the kids down for a nap and then back out we went to Redondo Beach to visit Travis and Sonya. It was really all about their view. LOL. We really had a great time.




We really just hung out and ate a steak dinner from the BBQ. Evan and Penelope played happily. And Russ and I had uninterrupted (for the most part) adult conversation, which is always nice.





We sat on their balcony and watched 2 sets of fireworks. Plus a guy who right in front of us was lighting some illegal fireworks. His demeanor was so funny because he would sneak over to light it and then walk away so causally like all he been doing was taking a stroll. At least until 2 motorcycle cops showed up. But he escaped with them none the wiser.