Check THIS off my bucket list.

Well, as I have previously mentioned several times before, I committed to run in a half marathon.  I started training probably around the end of July (I had 13 weeks). But I was still so uncertain of my ability for at least the first 2 months of training that I would say "I'm thinking about doing it" Well, yesterday, I did it.  But actually, I went above and beyond and ran 14.2 instead of 13.1. On accident.  Here's what happened:

We ran the Route 66 race in downtown Tulsa.  The night before we stayed at one of the girls' aunt's houses about 20 min outside of town.  But we got lost on our way into town for the race.  We got there after the race started.  No one to follow.  As soon as we crossed the start line, the barriers for the crown were moved out of the way, so immediately I was stuck in the middle of a huge crowd (11,000 race participants, imagine how many supporters there were on the sidelines). I couldn't see the race course, made a wrong turn, and ran an extra mile before I found the course again.  It was really funny to me, until that last mile.  Then it just didn't seem funny any more.  But I finished! And boy am I sore today. 

Here are some pictures:

 That's me in the green- waving at my friends. It sure was nice to see them along the way.

And we are done! Sarah finished way before me, she didn't get lost either.  This is her 2nd half marathon, and she has done a whole one too. This was great feeling- being done with long runs for as long as I want! I drank 2 bottles of water and one bottle of gatorade with in the hour.  And didn't even have to go to the bathroom!

Weekend Plans

Here is the weekend run down:

Tonight: Olive Garden- for FREE.  Thanks Northstar Partnering Group for appreciating your employees.

Harry Potter 7. Woo hoo!

Tomorrow: Lunch with some dear friends at Hammontrees. yum! Then to Tulsa for the night for....

Sunday: Run a half marathon!  Then sleep for the rest of the day, probably with ice packs on my knee.

It'll be worth it though...I'm crossing something off of my bucket list this weekend. That's pretty significant.  

And such great timing- I will be able to guiltlessly indulge in any Thanksgiving food I want. 

Crazy

Sometimes I feel like a crazy person- running around from thing to thing-but always thinking about what else I need go get done.  Since I was unemployed for so long, I said yes to most fun or good opportunities that came my way, thinking "well I don't have a job, so I will definitely have time to do such and such."  Well you know where that gets you? Over committed.  Now, I do love everything I am doing, and some things are wrapping up soon with the holidays.  But for now, until things slow down, I will not be blogging as much- my goal is once or twice a week.  Want to know what all I am doing that is keeping me so busy? (if not, quit reading now)
-4 mornings a week I help home-school 3 boys ages 5-8.  Whew. Some days its wearing, but its also really rewarding.  And I am learning a ton about working with kids.  I have never been a "kid" person, but I am learning.
-Monday afternoons I volunteer at Loving Choices, a crisis pregnancy center.  I LOVE LOVE this, I wish I could do it more. It makes me think that if I ever go back to school, counseling might be an option. 
-I work a lot with Lightbearers Ministries (the organization we went overseas through) Discipleship program. I meet one on one with a girl once a week, we are studying Systematic Theology. Its good and challenging! I'm really learning to think outside the box.  I meet with a community group of discipleship students once a week.  I am in a Bible study on Wednesday mornings with all of the student community group leaders.  It is led by one of the wisest women I know. And  I am taking their New Testament class on Tuesday nights. This keeps my schedule full!
-Wednesday mornings at 6AM I eat breakfast with my former co-workers.  Our schedules are busy, so mornings it is.
-Did I mention that I am training for a half marathon? You'd be surprised (ok maybe not) at how much time this takes.  But this Sunday is the BIG DAY! Whew.
-We are in a community group with our church, it meets every other Sunday, its a great time to get to know people at our church I didn't know before.
-I currently have a contract position (meaning as they need me- for now, 6 weeks) at Northstar Partnering Group, where Michael works.  It is for about 20 hrs/ week.  Luckily, its all from home and I pick my hours.
- And then there is all the other stuff in life from marriage to cleaning the toilet that really is my top priority.

Point of the this story: I really LOVE being busy, just don't expect a blog too often.
I am also aware that most of you are equally busy, just thought I'd share my "mystery" schedule since I don't have a full time job, or kids.

White Chocolate Raspberry Bars

This is an extremely easy dessert that I first had at one of my wedding showers.  It always disappears quickly when I bring it to any gathering.  Its a nice change from the normal cookies and brownies for dessert, and its even easier to make;
Only 4 ingredients:
1 (18 oz) roll sugar cookie dough
1 (12 oz) jar raspberry jam or preserves
1 1/4 cup white chocolate chips or chunks, or white vanilla chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Press dough evenly into bottom of ungreased 9X 13 pan
Sprinkle 1 C of choc chips over crust, press into dough

 Bake for 16-20 minutes until golden brown (but only partially baked in middle)

 Spread jam evenly over crust

 Return to oven, bake additional 10 min.
Let cool.
In small ziplock combine remaining 1/4 c chips and oil
Microwave 30 seconds, squeeze bag until chunks are smooth.
Cut small hole in corner of bag and drizzle onto top of bars.
Refrigerate 20 min to harden

I added sprinkles and candles to this one to make it into Michael's bday cake.  I trouble with the drizzle on this particular batch.  Excuse the ugly blobs please.

Celebrate good times...

Here are some pictures of Michael's birthday festivities:

Michael with 6 day old Bennett.

Yum! White Chocolate Raspberry Bar "cake"

Michael lighting his own candles.  Not sure how that happened.

At Isaac and Lisa's wedding.  Michael was a groomsman.  

Happy Birthday To My Favorite Person In The Whole Wide World.

Today, if you didn't gather by the title, is Michael's birthday!! I LOVE birthdays,  I might be more excited than he is that today is his birthday.  Here is the birthday agenda:
Sleep in.
Eat powdered donuts.
Open birthday gift- video game
Play with birthday gift
Eat at our absolute favorite restaurant, Thai Diner, with his family
Then he is in a wedding tonight, so no more birthday fun, but still fun
But don't worry we had a dinner party for him on Thursday night.
Pics of that to come later.
For now here are some pics of my awesome, great, incredible, loving, fun, husband:

Enjoying Fall

If you have been out in public, just about anywhere really, you have noticed the quick transition from Halloween to Christmas.  I understand that it is a big marketing competition between all of the stores, but what about enjoying the fall that we were all so eagerly anticipating just about 6 weeks ago?  Slow down everyone, just because you CAN start getting ready for Christmas doesn't mean you should!  The fall is such a short season (in regards to nice weather and pretty leaves, not so much the actual set dates) enjoy the few more weeks we have the leaves before they are gone and it is dreary winter outside.
Here are some pictures I took today, trying to soak in the last of it.