5K

I feel like I need an exercise goal in my life. I have always wanted to do a half-marathon, but I am no where near in the shape to do one. My sister-in-law has become a runner lately and I envy her! I actually kinda like running, but I'm just not good at it. I am not sure how to really build up endurance or how to trick your mind to run through the tiredness and hotness that you feel while you are running. I love the feeling after a good run, though. It's almost just as good as a massage.

With that said, I have decided to start small. I want to train for a 5K. I am in the period where I can't really start running yet, though, so I'm patiently trying to wait. Any tips for someone who is just starting with running and who is wanting to do a 5K? Anyone want to run a measley 5K with me? Any training websites or articles or things that I should DEFINITELY read or adhere to?

Like I said, I know this is a minor thing, but I figure I gotta start somewhere. Why not start at the bottom?!

Our Newest Addition

As many of you know, we had our beautiful baby girl on June 29. She is absolutely beautiful and her big brother B absolutely loves her. We haven't had one bit of jealousy, thank goodness. Our tantrums have even lessened. Amazing! Many of my faithful readers, which amounts to probably one of you (just kidding!), have asked me to share my birth story, so I am copying down what I wrote in my journal for all to read or to skip if you'd like.

Okay, so now comes the fun part to write--Baby M's birth story. There is so much to say about this birth! It was truly an incredible birth and honestly, it was a lot of fun! I can't believe that I actually said those words in relationship to giving birth! In fact, right after I had her, I wanted to do it again! Am I a tad bit crazy?!

So back to the beginning of the story now that I've jumped ahead of myself. As you are well aware of, I had been in the first stages of labor for almost two weeks. On June 28, Daddy T had to go to K-town for work and was staying the night there. He had requested for my mom to come and stay the night with me just in case I went into labor. I kept insisting that I wouldn't need her, but he was adamant. Turns out, it was a good thing she was there! Around 3:00 a.m. the next morning, sharp pains woke me up. They took my breath away and I immediately knew these were the real contractions. However, they were still only 10 minutes apart. I decided that it would feel great to be in the water, so I climbed into our whirlpool tub and turned on the jacuzzi jets to see if it would help. It made me more comfortable, but the pain was still there. I decided to call Daddy T around 4:30 a.m. just to let him know that I thought I was in labor and that he might want to come home. About 5:30 a.m., I used my cell phone to call my mom, who was sleeping in Baby M's room. I asked her if she would bring me some Raisin Bran in the tub because I thought I was in labor. She did--and then fulfilled my request for a second bowl. Once I got out of the tub, she timed my contractions for me and took care of B for me when he woke up.

Daddy T got home about 9:00 a.m. and I begged him to go on a walk with me at the mall (it was hot outside and the mall was air-conditioned!). He said that he didn't want to go to the mall because he thought people would stare at me (and him) when I stopped every 10 minutes and began panting and groaning. (He later said that it was also because he was afraid I'd find something else that Baby M just had to have in her room. I informed him that I was in absolutely NO mood to shop at that time.) Anyway, he said it felt cooler (cool, as in still in the upper 80s) outside and suggested a little walk in the neighborhood--complete with the hills! (Those of you who have been in my area know what kind of hills I'm walking while in labor. It's hard enough when you're not pregnant, even harder when you are pregnant, and just plain hurts when you're in labor!) So that's what we did. When we got back home, the contractions were still strong and 10 minutes apart. I think Daddy T felt bad for me because he asked if I wanted to go to the mall to walk (after I had to have a 2nd shower and redo my hair because I was sweating so much from our first walk). I eagerly said "yes."

Daddy T suggested I bring my bags just in case we didn't come back. We asked Mom if she and B wanted to go with us and eat and go for a walk. She agreed, so we went to eat at Salsaritas. Nothing like eating Raisin Bran, Mexican food, and hot sauce right before you have to push out a baby! (Thankfully, none of those foods had an impact in my delivery, thank goodness!) Anyway, I survived Daddy T's driving--which sent me into a contraction EVERY time he started and stopped. By the time we got to Salsaritas, the contractions were strong enough that I had to pause when they came and really focus on the breathing. They hurt! Daddy T and Mom suggested that I call the doctor to see what she suggested that I do at this point in labor. I didn't want to because I was afraid they would tell me it was nothing or that I wasn't far enough along. I also hate putting people out and causing a problem, so I didn't want to interrupt their lunch break. (This thoughtfulness of mine helped MANY times during labor and after. Even Daddy T benefited from my consideration of the nurses and doctor! They snuck in food, snacks, drinks, pillows, and blankets for him AND tried not to wake him up at night!)

Back to the story...by the end of dinner, I decided to call--mostly to make them both happy and to make them stop telling me to call. But when I called, their phones were down. The one time I needed them to work, they didn't. Daddy T said he could just stop by the doctor's office (which is in the same place as the hospital) and let them check me or tell me what to do.

When I went in, my nurse that normally works with my doctor came to take me back (on her lunch break) and took me to another doctor in the group since mine was off. He was also on his lunch break and turned out to be super nice. He checked me and said that I was in active labor. Yea! He said he was sending me over to the hospital (and I got the last room). I went downstairs to check in and to tell my Mom and B goodbye. That was so hard! B looked so grown up and was holding his cup in one arm and waved by to me and said "bye bye." He got halfway to the door when he turned around and came running back to me. He gave me the biggest hug and kiss and was off to take his nap. I cried, of course! I kept thinking about how our lives were about to change completely--again. And my first baby was no longer a baby. He was a toddler. So many tears were shed downstairs!

We made it upstairs and they checked us in. I had a fabulous labor nurse. She kept my mind off of the pain as much as she could. I labored for about 3 hours when I started to feel heavier contractions. My mom went to get the labor nurse to have her check me since she was worried about me and I couldn't talk to her. She said I was at 8 cm. AS SOON, quite literally, as she took her fingers out, I couldn't stop saying "my butt, my butt!" It hurt so incredibly bad and I didn't want to sit on it. I had to keep lifting myself off of the bed to relieve any pressure. I just wanted my lower part of my body gone! The nurse said that was a sign to check me again and she said I was at 10. It took less than a minute to go those 2 cm.

By the end of my 5 or 6 sets of pushes (much shorter than with B's), we met our baby girl. My doctor was so wonderful and encouraging the whole time and aired on the side of caution after finding out that I had hemorrhaged after B's birth and that I required 2 blood transfusions and surgery. I was a bit nervous that this birth would be like that, but it wasn't. It was the perfect birth that I had wanted. Baby M was born at 5:18 pm on June 29. She weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. She was 21-1/2 inches long and was skinny and looked just like her big brother. Oh! and she had a good set of lungs!

We love our precious kids and are so thankful for our beautiful babies. And yes...they will always be my babies!

Book Review: Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent

I was hesitant to read this book at first because it didn't seem all that interesting. However, after I read the reviews given and how positive people were about it, I decided to give it a chance. I'm so glad that I did. This book is probably one of my top favorites and it's even better that it's a true story. The friendship formed between Ron and Denver was beautiful. I appreciated the truth and honesty that they both shared, even though some of it was a bit painful to read. I admire Deborah, Ron's wife, who took what could have been a relationship-destroyer and showed grace enough to change her marriage into something that pleased God. I loved seeing her relationship with God strengthen enough to change TWO lives...her husband's and Denver's.

I was shocked to learn that a form of slavery had occurred under so many people's noses and that not as many people either didn't know about it or didn't care. I like to think that they didn't know about it. It was great to see the power of God working in a life of someone that most people walk by and don't think twice about. I love that God used this man to do great things for Him. Everyone expects that God uses certain types of people, but He doesn't and this book is a great illustration of that. This is a book that I hope to buy more of and give as presents. It is a great reminder that even serving in something that we think is no big deal is actually a great big deal to God. If we're doing as He has called us to do, then He will definitely shower it with blessings. Trials will come, as evidenced with Deborah, but His grace is sufficient to see us through those as well.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Stay Tuned....

I know, the last thing you wanted to read was a book review when you know we've just welcomed a baby into the world! I promise I'll give full details and pictures...just not yet. I'm still trying to get all the pictures in one place and figure out what to say. So stay tuned...hopefully in the next few days I'll have lots of posts for you!

Book Review: A Girl's Guide to Life by Katie Meier

I found this book very interesting and wish that I had the privilege to have read it when I was going through my teen years. It answered a lot of questions that I had back then. I was glad that she talked about all of the issues teen girls face, from eating disorders to sexuality and guys. She doesn't try to sugar coat things and she uses the real name for various body parts. In the sexuality section, she doesn't give too much information. I thought that she did a good job explaining things without being too vague or giving too much detail. She highlights Scripture throughout the book to show what God's view is on the certain issues, including different religions. I am planning on giving a copy to several girls I know! I think it would be a good way for them to learn about so many things that seem abnormal when you're in the midst of those teen years.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”