Happy Birthday, Ellie Grace!

Her actual birthday isn't for a couple of weeks, but we celebrated Ellie's 3rd birthday this weekend, and it was so much fun! 

Jennifer definitely channeled her inner craftiness for the whole party!  She did a fantastic job, and everything was just precious!  Lots of Ellie's friends from church and the neighborhood came, and they had plenty to play with!

Along with a bouncy house, plenty of riding toys, a wagon and side walk chalk, there was the Ring Toss Game....

and a Beanbag Toss Game...

But I think it's safe to say the best toy of all was Ellie's gift from her parents, Abby. 

Abby is a 12 week old shih tzu, and she is the most patient dog ever.  Ellie puts this poor dog in her baby doll stroller, in the high chair, wherever she can!  The kids definitely loved playing with Abby, and the big kids loved one her, too!

Ellie's friends gave her some great gifts, and Ellie had tons of fun opening them!  I'm not so such, though, she really appreciated the help of her friend!  Ellie's face makes me laugh!

Molly had a great time, too! I told y'all she's a Daddy's girl these days....

And everyone left with these fun favors to enjoy later!  What a great way to keep the party going!!



What a fun party!  Happy Birthday, Eleanor Grace!



Molly ~ 17 Months Old

Molly is 17 months old!  Time seems to be just flying by!  Again, this month was so much fun!  It seems day by day Molly learns new things.  She talks up a storm, and oftentimes we have no idea what she's saying.  But she definitely knows what she's saying! 

Molly loves loves loves to play with Ellie Grace!  She also plays really well by herself.  She loves animals, calling the "duck ducks" everytime we walk outside. 

A daddy's girl through and through, Molly has really learned to turn her Daddy's heart to mush!  Just this morning she realized he was heading to work, and she lifted her arms asking him to hold her, laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped her other hand around his neck.  She absolutely loves him and is convinced he's the best man on the planet!  I must say I agree!

Life continues to be a complete dream, and we are so very thankful to be Molly's parents!

Running with a Crew

There was just enough of a chill in the air to make my teeth chatter, had I not been running.  The wind was blowing pretty hard, too.  We were around mile 9 when I passed a couple of girls.  I heard one say to the other, "I could never run alone."  I'm not sure she was talking about me, but I did appear to be alone. 

"I'm not running alone, girl.  I've got a pack of folks running with me." 

See, while it may have appeared I was running 13.1 miles alone, that could not have been farther from the truth. 

• I had my friends at home who'd sent me texts and facebook messages and posts encouraging me, telling me they were praying for me and would be looking for me to text them when I crossed the finish line.
• My family had encouraged me all along, kept Molly when Tim and I ran our long runs together, kept Molly over the weekend while we ran this race.
• I had this star in my shoe that was a total God-send a few weeks before that reminded me my Daddy knows.

• I knew Tim was a mile or two ahead of me, and his words of encouragement and coaching all along the way echoed in my head over and over and over again. 
• I had my worship music blaring in my ears as I ran.  I'd prayed and prayed and prayed while I ran, and I knew my God was with me, too.  That was never more evident than when I crossed the finish line and the words, "oh no, you never let go" were singing in my ears. 

I crossed the finish line at 2:21, and I was pumped!  My goal was 2:30.  My pace was steady, and I felt great!  I was so esctatic!

Tim had crossed the finish line before me, with a time of 2:12.  Rockin' it!

I'm so very thankful for my family and friends who are my biggest cheerleaders and encouragers.  Y'all ran this half, too.  And I thank you!

I need you, too, 'cause this girl?  Is totally addicted!