Go ahead, grab a Webster

I haven't looked up the definitions for insanity or madness lately in the dictionary, but I'm guessing waking up at 5am on a Saturday morning, during a thunderstorm, following two days of torrential rain down-pours, just to run a 5K probably falls somewhere between the two...

...it didn't stop me, but it definitely takes the cake in crazy. I'll be honest, until the anti-climatic start of the race, I wasn't thrilled to be there, but after my running partner Bobbie Sue and I crossed the finish line, all 3.1 dreary, chilly miles of our race was more than worth it.

Grace, Bobbie Sue (21st birthday girl!), and Yours Truly

We didn't come in first place. Actually, we didn't even come in close to first place, but we finished it. Even better, we're training for our next race and recruiting new members of our team along the way. I'd say that fits the definition of victory.

"Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other, a matter of time."
-Author Unknown

Someday, we'll be excellent runners, and I'll post blogs about all the first place ribbons we collect. In the mean time, here's to you, 2011 5K Rapha Run!

My brother, my best friend...

Last night I was being super studious (well, sort of) and every time I glanced up from my desk, I would see this plaque my brother gave me years ago. It reads:

"My sister was a playmate
I knew was always near
My sister was a protector
From every hurt or fear

We share a bond of closeness
We know will never end
We're here for one another
My sister, my best friend"

I've cherished this particular gift since the day he gave it to me. My brother is absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, my very best friend. When my parents brought him home from the hospital as a newborn, I wanted to send him back; it was either him or the dog, and my vote was certainly not for the dog!

Through the years, I suppose he grew on me. There was only one other girl in the neighborhood (which, for the record, was and is still one of my good friends), so more times than not, Ben had no other option than to dress up and play my larger-than-life make believe games. No matter what he says, I'm quite convinced he loved it!

As we got older, he went from being my playmate to my very best friend. Sure, we did and still do have our squabbles, but there is not a single thing this side of heaven that would change my love for him. When I'm happy, I want to share it with my brother. When I'm sad, I want my brother there to hug me. When I'm scared, I want my brother close to me. I think you get the drift.

Basically, if you looked "hero" up in the dictionary, my brother's name would be to the right of it. Period.

Double Whammy!

"Dear to the heart of a girl is her own beauty and charm." -Ovid

Not only is she beautiful 365 days a year, but the new purple bow really brings out the charmer in her! I absolutely love being this pretty girl's mommy (and, of course, I love being her sister's mommy too, though I'm not sure her hair will ever be long enough to put in bows and pretty hair frills!)

Kisses from Heaven

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if God Himself reached down and kissed you, or am I the only one?

I've come to a place in my life where I recognize God as personal, and I do believe He is intimately accquainted with all my ways (Psalm 139). From that place comes this longing to get up out of bed everyday and seek out what awesome things He has for me; not because I'm some spiritual superstar, but because I know His heart is about people- good, bad, or indifferent. He delights in us (let that sink in for a moment...)

So many times this last week I've enjoyed that delight: beautiful sunrises and breath-taking sunsets, vibrant flowers and blooming trees, two squaking blue jays in my backyard, the innocence of children's laughter, as well as a chance to re-live my own childhood, disruptions in monotony, the sweetness of friendship, the thrill of a job well done, and the opportunity to utilize my own creativity.

I've often been guilty of trying so hard to find God in the big things that I miss Him altogether in the small things, but this week that isn't so; I've redefined my approach, and I can't help but think, "So this is what it's like to be heaven-kissed!?"

I dare you to feel the breeze dart across your face today and recognize the intimacy of the Almighty. He yearns for you, my friends.

You don't say!

It's been a week since I've blogged, and I must say it is an odd feeling to not have much to say, even after seven days of "written silence."

I haven't been out saving the world, creating new cupcakes, or pulling brilliantly creative ideas out of my brain. At best, I've painted half my room, almost conquered a two mile run, and contemplated selling my left kidney on the black market to pay for the girls' vet bill. Exciting stuff, right?

I have never been a huge fan of silence, ever. I used to (and admittedly, still do sometimes) sleep with a radio or TV on, just so I wouldn't be left to ponder in the dead of night. I also used to be a seasoned pro at scheduling my life down to seconds to prevent hours upon end of being with myself. Granted, most days my life is still jam-packed and neatly outlined in my daytimer, but fear is no longer the motivation. Life is enjoyable now and I'm happy to rise and meet it... even if it means a slower-paced week and ample time for introspection.