Tuscaloosa Half Marathon

It's Monday and I've decided that it's time I gave this little blog a little attention. So much has happened in the last month or so- we bought a camper, I ran my second half marathon, we celebrated Bob and MG's birthdays, I tackled my first big retreat as VBS director at church, we went on our first camping trip, started preparing for our move in May.... and so much more!  And that's just the tip of the iceberg! There is even more that I cannot wait to share with you- hopefully in a couple of weeks!

But on to the race. You may remember when I blogged about training to run the Tuscaloosa Half way back in January.

There was a time in my life when I thought it was physically impossible to run a 5K, let alone a half marathon. My sweet friend Libby Lou trained and encouraged me...and before long I was running 10Ks.

Still, it's crazy to think that I have run two half marathons so far.

My running partner, Brother J, and I had a great time running the Tuscaloosa half. The course was flat, scenic, and beautiful! I enjoyed this race much more than the Leo Run. We have already agreed that it's one we want to run each year!

Ready to run!

Finish line!

World's best running partner!

April's Verse

It's a brand new month, and you know what that means- a new verse to memorize!

Happy April!

First Night- This New Season

Ya'll, I just put my baby to sleep in her big girl bed. 

Heart, be still.

As hard as it was not to cry when I took down her crib earlier, I saved my sobs for later and put on a face of awe and excitement for my sweet girl. 

She asked me if I would lay with her and I wondered how anyone could pass up such a sweet moment as that. So I laid with her and enjoyed some whispers and giggles before I finally watched her drift off to sleep. 

I kept thinking this is wrong- she's not old enough for this. Surely time hasn't passed this quickly. It seems like only yesterday she was a newborn sleeping under this same headboard.

It seems like only yesterday....

But it wasn't.

 

It was almost three years ago. The looming birthday party reminds me that three years have already passed. Over half of my time with her during her little years are gone- years where she is my tiny girl and not a big girl going to school and growing up.

After she fell asleep I kissed her a hundred times and whispered prayers over her. At the same time I felt my Father whispering over me... My beloved, to everything there is a season. 

So although I am sobbing as I write this, my heart is embracing this new season, giving thanks for the ones that have passed, and looking forward to those that have yet to come.

Big Room For The Little Lady

Hi. My name is Sylvia. My daughter is almost three and still sleeps in her crib.

Please don't judge me.

Yes, my child will be three in less than a month and she still sleeps in her crib. To our defense, she has never tried climbing out until about a month ago. She is a tiny little thing, so we haven't had issues with her outgrowing her crib.

Plus, with our house selling and our big move approaching, I was hesitant to dive into this project. However, it just means we will have her big girl room ready to go when our house is built.

{Yes, big news! Our house is selling and we are excited about building our 'Forever Home'. More on this later.}

And truth be told, I just wasn't ready to take down her crib. After all, this will be the last crib I have in my home. Even with a possible adoption, we wouldn't need an infant crib.

Since sweet pea is turning three, we are bypassing the toddler bed and converting her crib into a full-size bed.

It's bittersweet. On one hand I'm so excited to see her enter these new chapters, but on the other it's said to see other chapters coming to a close.

Any who... enough with the sappy mommy-doesn't-want-her-baby-to-grow-up saga. Let's move on to the FUN part- decorating!


Her birthday party is a bunny theme to go along with Easter {we're having a fun little Easter egg hunt, complete with a special appearance by Mr. Easter Bunny himself}. I totally didn't plan it this way, but her bedding and big girl room goes along with her 'bunny' themed party.

I had been searching for months for the right bedding/decor. Her nursery is so sweet, soft, and elegant and I wanted it to stay soft and sweet. Most of the bedding I saw was way to kiddy- hot pink and lime green flowers galore. Not that there is anything wrong with those choices, they just aren't our style.

I finally settled on the Frank and Lulu Heartwood Forest Collection and am in L.O.V.E. The fact that it was on clearance sealed the deal. After purchasing all the cute accessories, the total was well over $475, but I only paid $201.89. Score! I also ordered a sweet little tulle canopy to hang above her headboard, a feather bed topper, mesh toddler bed rails to help her transition, and a mattress pad.

Big Girl Room by bsjames featuring a canopy bedding

I'm also currently working on two projects to hang on her walls. Since her bedding has a few hearts on it, I'm working on this fun idea via Pinterest. You cut hearts from your baby shower cards and frame them for fun little pops of color on the walls.

The second big project is a shadow box display for the gown I made and hand smocked for her. I'm also planning to frame her bonnet, shoes, and silver keepsakes. I'm also thinking of framing her first dance outfit/shoes.

I love the look of these from dear lillie blog.

I've been out of pocket from the blogging world lately. We've been busy, to say the least. I'm hoping to fill you in on the details of our happy news soon- as well as other amazing bits of happy! So, stay tuned!

March's Verse

Oh my, it's March! I was so excited when I flipped my planner to the next page and saw those glorious shades of green. So many things happening this month that just make my soul smile: Spring Break, the gorgeous green buds appearing on trees, the official start of Spring.....

Oh, happy day, indeed.

This month's verse is a simple verse you've probably heard quite often. It is part of one of my favorite hymnals and it's a great way to worship and acknowledge all the beauty that our Lord sends our way daily.

As the beauty of these early Spring days begin to unfold- rejoice. When you notice those gorgeous rays of Spring sunshine- thank Him for His creation. When you see those tiny greed buds appearing, remember the One who created them- and always rejoice!

Happy March, Lovelies!

Birthday Shenanigans

The little lady's birthday is on Easter Sunday this year and I am so excited about planning a fun Easter themed party! Let the fun times begin! Here are a few inspirations I've found on Pinterest.

Mary Grace's Birthday by bsjames on Polyvore

February's Verse

With February being the month of love, of course this month's verse centers on the nature of pure, Godly love.

Before we move on-- I hope you've memorized last month's verse!

February's Verse comes from 1 Corinthians 13- which is commonly known as the love chapter. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul outlines the true nature of love and gives us a measuring stick to examine our perceptions of  love. This is crucial, because worldly love is very, very different from Godly love! That's a whole other post in itself.

This is by far one of my favorite passages in Scripture. I actually memorized the entire chapter a few months after giving my life to Christ. And yes, I can still quote it verbatum!

Anytime I'm feeling frustrated or fear that I'm about to 'lose my cool' with someone-or something- I always recite this chapter to myself. Instead of just counting to ten, reciting this chapter refocuses my heart and mind on Jesus, His model for love, and how I can display love.

I challenge you to memorize 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. If you want to dig a little deeper, try memorizing the entire chapter!

Happy February!

Just In Case...

Just in case my husband {or anyone else} is wondering what to get for my special day, here are three things I'd just love! :)

Birthday Happies by bsjames on Polyvore

{One} Southern Shirt Company 'Kimmy' in Riviera Blue {size M}
{Two} Life Application Study Bible - Personal Size {NIV translation, in pink :)}
{Three} Gift cards are always welcome! I cannot wait to shop for Spring lovelies and pick up some new warm weather tops.

Not-So-Fun Flu

Even more than I hate being sick, I hate seeing my sweet baby and husband sick.

Our little family has officially been hit by the dreaded flu. The little one woke up at 2 am Thursday morning with a 103 fever. It was all down hill from there. The hubby took her in that morning and she indeed had the flu- along with strep throat. We got a whopping 4 hours of sleep Thursday night which made for one very cranky toddler {and Mommy}. Just when sweet pea was finally starting to make a turn for the better, my dear husband woke up sick Saturday morning.

Ya'll, I'm not sure what is worse: a sick baby, or a sick husband.

I came home Thursday and did not leave my house until this morning- I just had to get some fresh air and space. So, my partner and I did a short run this morning with the fun 5:02 group and that has done wonders for my mental state!

I looks like I will be doctoring my two sick loves again today. Please pray their fevers break and they finally start turning around.

And please pray that Mommy- aka Doctor/Nurse/Cook/Disinfecter- doesn't get sick, too.

Tuscaloosa Half 2015

Today marked day one of training for the Tuscaloosa Half Marathon. The fact that I didn't bail even though it was 35 degrees, 4:30 in the morning, a Monday morning, and I was on time speaks volumes of my dedication! Ha! My running partner was even blown away!

My dear running partner ran this marathon last Spring,right after our Leo Half, and highly recommends it. The course contains only one hill- huge change from the Leo which could win the hilliest route award.

We're back to our Mon-Wed-Fri schedule. We plan to run a shorter route on Sundays for the next few weeks until we start back on Saturday long runs. Excited!

Here's to another half!

I'm off to my first day back at work. I've been spoiled by sleeping late for over two weeks. Something tells me I'm really going to miss that afternoon nap today!

It's the first Monday of the New Year- make it a great one!

January's Verse

I've had so many people mention how much they have missed my blog. I'll admit, I've been a horrid blogger lately and my posts are sporadic.

I've been brainstorming things to blog about, and one thing I decided on was a verse for each month. I'm going to make a point of memorizing these, and I hope you'll join along with the fun!

And here it is, the verse for January. I thought it was fitting with the start of a new year. We all seem to love New Years- the idea of getting a fresh, clean start appeals to our imperfect selves. There is something that surpasses a fresh, clean start to a new year- a fresh, clean start to life. And this is possible through faith and an abiding relationship with Jesus. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul gives this amazing statement of how faith in Christ can truly change our lives. In Christ, we can become new creations, letting the old pass away and welcoming the new!

Happy New Year!

Twenty Fifteen

Of all the years in my life, 2014 has by far gone by the fastest. It doesn’t feel like 12 months since I wrote my 2013 Adieu post. When I read it back, I was excited for what I’ve achieved this year, humbled by the support I’ve received from all of you out there, and yes there’s a little disappointment for the things that I didn’t quite get right.

But life is a work in progress, so 2015 will be more of the same.

This time last year I was so excited for a fresh, new year. Odd years always seem to be the tougher years in my life, so I was excited to say goodbye to 2013.

2014 was am amazing year for myself and my little family. So many blessings were showered down upon us and I feel we grew leaps and bounds in so many way. I was a SAHM for most of the year and enjoyed soaking up those precious days at home with my little lovebug. We put our house on the market and began praying about adoption. I went on my first mission trip, which was life changing. God opened a door at an amazing school that puts Him first- a place that nourishes me professionally and spiritually. I was blessed with precious, new friendships. My best friend welcomed her sweet daughter into the world.

2014 is among my favorite years so far.

And although odd numbers haven't always been my best, I feel this electricity in the air and I know that 2015 will be an amazing year.

We have so many exciting 'happies' that are heading our way this year and I cannot wait to experience all that this year has to offer.

Happy New Year, Lovelies!

May 2015 be your best year yet!