Yesterday was the day of the long-trained, long-dreaded, long-anticipated half-marathon. That race I’ve been (half) training for since we signed up back in May, I think? Yep, that one was yesterday. I’ve stated before that I am not a runner, but I trained for this race because I do love a good challenge, and that’s exactly what I got. :)

My sis and brother-in-law (Lynette & Gary) signed up with us, and came down from their home in Missouri for the weekend to run it. It was a great experience for all, and I’m especially proud of them, as my sister just started running last January 2013 (like, her first mile ever).

I wouldn’t say this race was harder than the Spartan Beast, but it was a different kind of difficult. In the Spartan we had obstacles, which made it harder, but also gave us a break from running. This race was just pure cardio endurance. This was the farthest I (and both my sis and bro-in-law) have ever run at one time without stopping. I finished in 2:12:04, and I’m pretty proud of that time for my first one. Mile 10-12 was definitely the hardest and there was a point where all I could think about was how badly my right hip and left knee and right calf and ankle hurt (I have bad joints). But the cheering crowd was really amazing, and their hilarious signs kept my mind pressing forward (if you have ever cheered on the street for a race like this, know that you are so appreciated and part of the reason some people don’t quit).

Here are some pics of our weekend. Gary and Lynette used to live in Houston, so we hung out with some friends at Cedar Creek on Saturday afternoon. For all the pics, you can look on my Facebook page. Here are just a few highlights…

we almost look like we’re taller than 5ft here

is Lynette getting baby fever again?

(most of) our Downtown Team!

my dear friend, and coworker, Seresa! love this lady.

at the finish! excuse the photo… these were taken with the phone. :)

a Pappasito’s celebration

and a headband that sums up the weekend well

Gary and Lynette left this afternoon, back to Missouri. It was a short visit, but packed with lots of fun and excitement. It was such a fun thing to share this half-marathon first experience with them. They are already talking about doing it again next year (crazies)! I am just so grateful for gifts like this from the Lord. He is so good!

When was the last time you did something that at one point seemed completely impossible? If you can’t remember, I challenge you to change that! It’s never too late to take on something new. Do something fun! Try something crazy. Get off the couch and pull some people up with you. It’s always worth it.

Last week/weekend was filled with friendships we’ve not seen in far too long. After a full week of work (Ryan and I were both beat), we got to hang out with our friend, Steve, who is in from Australia. This is the second time we were able to see him on his visit, which is so awesome because we haven’t seen him in years (I’ve skyped with Steve a few times with my coworkers as he does team building work using MBTI & Strengths Finder… If you’d like to do some team building for your company or even personal consulting, I highly recommend reaching out to him. He is so good at identifying strengths of your individual team members and helping you understand each other and how your team functions best together.) God has used Steve greatly in both Ryan’s and my life, and it was so good to see him again. We also got to see our friend, Sterling, as we gathered at Gingerman to listen to our old friend, Tom play (I know him as “Tommy” but I will try really hard to refer to him as “Tom”). Ryan and Tom used to be roommates and Steve was our college minister years back (also where we know Sterling from), so it was a pretty surreal thing to reflect on God’s goodness to all of us over the past few years. Side note: we learned that Tom Lynch plays at Gingerman pretty consistently on Thursdays (6-9p). He’s pretty incredible musically, so if you ever want to go chill with some friends and hear some great local music, you should totally go check it out.

Good lookin’ crew, eh?

We also have some friends in Houston from Missouri for a mission trip. It’s ironic for me, because the trip they’re on is the very trip my brother-in-law came on like 15 some years ago and met my sister. He ended up moving down here after the trip, and worked with my sis as a youth minister to intercity students. They of course, ended up getting married and eventually moved back to MO. Just kinda funny to now see some high school friends taking the same trip.

Brock and I were in the student worship band at church when I was a senior in high school. He confirmed that I was good at telling everyone what to do (shocker.. it’s a spiritual gift). But he said it was a good thing, so I believe him. :) We got to meet his beautiful girlfriend, and showed them around some parts of Houston on their free-day.

Is it bad that I kind of enjoy taking pics of people when they don’t know what to do? Keeping it awkward.

Also saw this little guy as we were leaving. 

It was a lot of fun reconnecting with people and hearing what they’re up to and where they’re headed. God is so good to us, and it’s a great thing to be reminded of how far He has brought us. Gives me hope for where He’s leading us. :)

Today also happens to be my momma’s birthday! She seriously is one of the best people I know. Her love for the Lord is undeniable, and it’s clear that her one desire is to see more of God, and for as many people as she knows to see Him too. She also has a really dry sense of humor, and really enjoys giving people (especially my dad) a hard time. I TP’d my first house with my mother, and learned how to play pranks on people from her (sorry for outing you, mom). She loves people deeply, and cares for everyone she meets. Growing up, we always had people I’d never met before at our house for holidays just because they didn’t have anywhere else to go. She taught me how to study God’s word and showed me what it looks like to fall in love with Him through it. She is one of the most selfless and giving people I’ve ever known. I still look up to her and ask her questions about this scripture or that, knowing that the wisdom she has been gifted with has one goal: to magnify Christ. She’s lived some life for sure, and her life is a living testimony of God’s redemption and grace to us. Ask anyone who’s ever met her, and I can almost guarantee they’ll say the same. I’m so thankful for her life, and that God saw it fit for her to be my mom!

She’s also a really great cook, and a fabulous hair-dresser (yep, she cuts my hair), but that goes without saying. Oh, and she rocks the salt and pepper hair better than anyone I know.

I hope that you have someone (or someones) in your life that inspires you to fervently pursue the things of the Lord. I hope that you don’t take yourself too seriously, and allow yourself to do things just for fun! I hope that you are better because of the people God has brought into your life, and I hope that you intentionally thank the Lord for those people and experiences. They are a gift not to be taken for granted! Live well, live full, live in thanksgiving. And be that inspiration to those around you! 

Well, I do hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! This year was quite strange for me. I could never seem to get into the Christmas spirit, and kinda never wanted to listen to Christmas songs or watch any Christmas movies leading up to Christmas. Call me Scrooge, but Christmas seemed a little bit annoying at times. I honestly don’t know what has gotten into me, because I LOVE this time of the year. I was talking to a couple friends, and they said they were both in a funk, too. My theory is that since we had a late Thanksgiving we “lost” a week in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it was a little harder to not be completely stressed out. My mind was also very preoccupied with the Spartan Race we ran on the 15th, so after that I felt like Christmas kind of slapped me in the face. Regardless, I did end up having a very Merry Christmas, and I do love that we get some quality time with family. We stayed in Houston for Christmas this year, with Ryan’s side of the family. Though I miss my side of the family, it is nice to get some time with them and to really rest and slow down for a few days in our own home as we pray over the next coming year.

Note: you can read our Christmas Letter by clicking here or at the far right tab on the top of this page!

I just want to make it known that I didn’t have to step into a mall one time this year for Christmas shopping. I avoid malls anyway, and braving Houston malls in December is just a nightmare. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase everything on my list from Amazon, and the rest from Target (I feel like I should get an award). I managed to get my Christmas wreath up a whole 2 days before winter officially began. I told you I was in a funk! I have this problem where if I see something that I feel like I could make, I think it ridiculous to buy (cuz I could make it!). But given my limited free time, I have about a gazillion projects waiting to get done, so it would probably be better for me to just buy things. Hence, the wreath.

Last Saturday, Ryan and I rented Just Dance 2014 from Redbox because we didn’t want to spend $40 on it (that’s how we roll). Just want to throw it out there that I completely dominated that game. I’ve got one thing I can say I will always be better at than Ryan: dancing. Seriously, it was sad. ;) Ryan tried a song out by himself while I was taking a break (I was sweating guys… serious stuff), and watching him play this game was just about one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen in my life. We had great fun.

Sunday we got to attend a party thrown by Ryan’s boss at their home. It was so much fun, and these people know how to throw a party! We laughed a ton and played Christmas trivia games (Ryan and I are pretty knowledgable in the Christmas song department, just FYI). After the party we joined Ryan’s family in Christmas light… looking? There were at least 12 of us piled into the back of a pickup, and we snuggled up in blankets and sang Christmas songs on the top of our lungs. Good memories made. :)

Tuesday (Christmas Eve) we went to the candlelight service at our church. I always love seeing all the lit candles filling the room at the end of the service. Such a beautiful, still moment to reflect on Christ’s coming to us. Over the past few years I’ve become more sensitive and found a new thankfulness for Christ’s act of love in His meeting us on earth. I do love time with family and days off of work, but I’ve grown a deeper admiration for our Lord. I’m not really one to cry much, and have often even felt bad for never feeling as much emotion as I feel a woman should, haha. But God has given me a soft heart for His redemption, and I love times like this that we are reminded of His goodness to us. We are truly blessed by His grace.

(this is not my photo.. I stole it from my sis-in-law)

Later that evening we got to Skype with my family, and opened gifts “with” them. Just want to say that I’m really thankful for technology. It makes not being with loved ones a little easier around this time of year. Seriously thankful.

This Christmas, I was super surprised with my hubs and his gifting me with a super awesome camera! I’m so impressed. He said he’s been doing research and tracking that camera since July (what?!). He got some advice and input from friends of ours and got a great deal on this gift. I am so pumped, and really excited about the great adventures in store. I’m still working on a name for her. :)

He also made this Jar O’ Dates for me. It’s so cute, I’m leaving it out on display (again, very impressed – this time with his craftsy-ness). He wrote 12 date clues on popsicle sticks – one for each month – and I’m supposed to draw a different one at the beginning of every month this year for a date night. This man has caught onto quality time being my love language. Adore this!

Ryan definitely outdid me this year. It was easy to do, though. He begged everyone to just give him money so that he can go back to the MMA gym (poor guy quit when we got engaged to save money). We all complied, and gave him cash as he wished. He was pretty excited about it, though. Now he gets to enjoy a full year of being beat up, and I get to endure a full year of my husband coming home with war wounds.

In the afternoon, we went over to Ryan’s parents’ house and gathered with the family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas). You can see all our Christmas pics on Facebook. We had a lot of fun, and our cousin Kate taught us a new game (we are a very competitive family, so games are quite an adventure). We of course ate way too much, and I ate chocolate off and on from 8:30a – about midnight. Yes, I do remember that I have a half marathon to run in 25 days. You can pray for me.

That about sums up our Christmas adventures. Tomorrow Ryan unfortunately has to work, so I’m going to attempt to get started on a couple projects that have been waiting on me for a very long time. If I am successful, I’ll post some pics of the said projects.

I hope that you had a great Christmas, with lots of love and joy to tell of. Remember to pause and give thanks to such a gracious Savior, and reflect on His goodness in your life. I’m excited to start a new year, and I’m even more excited about all it holds for us to learn of the Lord. Be blessed!

So, the majority of this blog will ironically not be writing. I have a hard time writing anything without making it a straight up book, so I try to limit myself with words. I wanted to cut to the chase and start with a DIY or fitness tip, but my dear friend, Seresa advised me to write an intro entry (wise).

I’ll share with you what I’ve been up to this past week at work. First of all, I love that my co-workers are also some of the greatest friends. Our personalities are all so very different, and I seriously feel like we could be a sitcom at times. There is rarely a dull moment in our office. We started a Secret Santa and had our first gift exchange this past Thursday. Everyone (besides me) is already trying to figure out who has who, and I’m doing everything I can to preserve the surprise (naturally). Here’s a fun pic of our gifting experience.

Tonight we have our church Christmas Party (Houston’s First – Downtown), which is one of my favorite events of the year. We’ve got great food and a fun game in store, and I have a feeling Asian Santa will make an appearance.

Well friends, that’s all for now. I’ll be posting our Christmas letter here soon. Stay warm!

– Tiffany