Overview of 2013

I never thought that in one year my life could change in so many ways. 

First and for most I need to thank God, because of him, I got my butt up off the couch, and my life totally changed! 

I've learned that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. 

My AMAZING church put together a RUN FOR GOD program and because of that one announcement one Sunday in February 2013, I can now call myself a runner! I can actually say, you can go from the couch to a HALF MARATHON!

I've learned that if you want to change your diet and eating habits, it takes a lot of will power, but it is possible, if you want it bad enough. But, you also need to reward and treat yourself every once in a while…. (Starbucks)  :)

I keep finding a little more of myself as the year came and went and like who I am becoming, as the fluff melts away, she is glowing more and more.

I also have come to the conclusion that a mom needs her time to escape and keep herself up. Not that I am saying I don't love spending time with my two amazing, loving boys, but mom needs her own time.

I also know that teaching our boys the right way to act and being a little hard on them at times will only make them great men one day. Having them help with chores, (YES, at age 4 and 19 months they have chores) teaches them responsibility and how to take care of things.

I've learned that messes are temporary and can be cleaned up. So if the kids want to help bake, cook, and clean… let them,  you can always go back and do your way. But it makes them feel like they are important and helping out in a huge way.

I am also so blessed to know I have the most supportive partner, loving husband for life and have been blessed two awesome little mini Aaron's.. wouldn't change anything for the world. 

September of this year reminded me of how short life can really be with the loss of a friend and classmate.  Live life to the fullest and don't sweat the small stuff. Love and spend time with your love ones and always tell them you love them.

Set goals and do whatever it takes to reach them…Don't give up and make 2014 your year to better yourself.

My goals for 2014: 

Lose 15-20 more pounds 

Tone by lifting weights

AND RUN……

Numerous 5K's (3.1 miles)

Indy Mini (13.1 miles)

Sunburst 10K (6.2 miles)

Fort 4 Fitness Half (13.1)

Indianapolis Monumental Full (26.2 miles)

Here are some pictures to sum up 2013

Happy New Year and 

Thank you for stopping by.

Christmas Recap

Instead of shopping the day after Thanksgiving with all you crazy people, we as a family, decorate our tree and put a few decorations out. (We are tight for space, but I like it like that).

Started the holiday kick off with breakfast with Santa which is a tradition for us. (See earlier post for pics).

Dewey had his preschool Christmas program. I thought he had nice enough clothes for the occasion, Aaron thought otherwise and off shopping the guys went. It brought tears to my eyes when he was all dressed and ready to go. He is growing up SO fast.

And Declan wanted a pic too...

They sang 4-5 songs and then we went down for cookies and punch. We checked out all the decorations the kids had made for Christmas and had a visit with Santa.

(Declan wanted no part of Santa)

Family photo op…

Aunt Susan and Andy drove through the nasty fog for the program, then back to the house for snacks and Yahtzee.

Stayed up WAY past bedtime and Dewey won the game!

Sunday before Christmas I dressed Declan with a white button up and red vest…. well Mr. Dewey wanted to dress the same. I didn't think he had a vest but thanks to whomever gave them to us. It was hiding in the back of his closet. Very festive!

T'was the night before Christmas…. We has dinner at the DeBolt's, had a very nice visit with my Aunt and Uncle and quite a few cousins. 

Dewey gets everything around for Santa…. Cookies & Milk along with two pictures for him. Carrots and cereal for the reindeer.

Mom and Dad enjoyed a nice quiet evening watching a movie…

Then Santa came…

G'ma and G'pa Lindsey usually come Christmas Day, watch the boys open gifts and graze of good food all day.

We had a GREAT holiday. Full of family, food and love.

A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called "Wonderful Counselor," "Mighty God," "Eternal Father," "Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Winter Slump!

I really didn't think that this feeling that I am feeling would come over me. I was feeling so amazing at the end of November. Ran that trail run that I actually enjoyed and then it seemed like this sluggish, lazy person reappeared, AND I HATE IT. 

Doesn't help it has been very cold here and 7+ inches of snow on the ground. If we only lived in Phoenix (missing you Jeff & Kim) I could run year around, comfortably! Well maybe not so comfortably in the dead of summer, but you know what I mean.

I've hit the treadmill a few times, have you been on a treadmill lately? I have it all out in the garage, thanks to my AWESOME husband…. it's warm, I have a TV and  music. it should be easy right.

Not only is it cold and snowy outside, the Christmas season is upon us and you know what means…

I know, I did to myself, and then Aaron brings home a huge container on goodies his Mother made us.

So that where I need to build strength and willpower get out of this slump.

Today I did a squat challenge and I planked twice for 1 min each. That's harder than it sounds, try it.

This is going to be my next challenge (thanks to Pinterest)

If I can just keep this up and hit that dreadmill a couple times a week, soon enough we will get a warm up (fingers crossed) and the roads will be a little safer. I will have no choice, training starts Jan 6th and I can get back on my schedule.

 I'm excited for 2014. 

I am going places I never thought I would ever go. 

I look forward to hearing any advice from my readers, post away.

Thanks for stopping by,

Libby

Gearing up for the holidays!

I've been kinda quite the past couple weeks with Thanksgiving, decorating our tree and the salon holiday open house. I thought I'd share some pictures with you.

Aaron's mom and dad hosted the Lindsey Thanksgiving this year. We had 20 family members come and were missing 20+ with quite a few that live out of state. Shirley out did herself with all the traditional food and everyone brought something to add to it. Everything was really tasty. 

The cousins and gma taught Dewey how to play "spoons".

Declan just hung out and played with the spoons.

And finished up the day with a family picture.

The day after we totally AVOID the crazy shopping and put up and decorate our tree and let Dewey set up his little nativity scene. 

I received a gift certificate for 10 years at the salon and I bought myself the Willow Tree nativity I've been wanting.

Now I can add to it each year.

The first Sat of December is a traditional trip to the Ligonier Fire Dept to have pancakes and sausage and of course to see Santa!! Last year Declan was only 7 months so he really wasn't sure what was going on and just sat on his lap. This year he did good, 

he looked at Santa like "who are you and why am I on your lap". 

Dewey on the other hand was THRILLED when he heard the siren and saw the fire truck pull in. He is a pro, got right up there in line, sat on his lap and rattled everything off my memory. I told Santa he would be very busy the next few weeks.

Last year....

This year, Declan has the same look.

After breakfast, I sent the boys off to enjoy their day and I was off to the salon for our annual holiday open house. 

This year we went simple on the food, which worked out perfect. We voted on dressing up (pretty) or ugly Christmad sweaters and the sweaters won!! 

We had the best and busiest open house in 11 years!! We finished the day by gathering at Hacienda to celebrate.

We are missing 5 of them.... What a great team of ladies! 

That sums up my last couple weeks. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and is gearing up to celebrate Jesus' Birthday. 

Thank you for stopping by and reading.

Call me CRAZY, but you knew it was coming

I sat down Sunday to map out some of the races I wanted to run in 2014. I ended up putting 6 on the calendar (I'm sure more will pop up), and I thought, what could I do this year to better my self and move forward with my running. Well I hope everyone is sitting down and I am still sitting after talking to Aaron and putting 2 HALF marathons, (Indy Mini & F4F) and drum roll please…...I will be running my first FULL marathon Nov 1st in Indianapolis. 

I have to thank Aaron for helping me make this decision and in backing me through this journey.

I am already nervous and it is a year away, but it gives me the mind set I need to get through these cold months and is going to keep me motivated throughout the year to come.

 If I can help anyone get started that is afraid, nervous, or have no idea where to start, I will.
I was there once and I am no pro, but together we can keep each other motivated and accountable. 

Starting Feb 18 - May 17 the North Webster Church of God will host the class that got me started. Run for God, it will meet on Tuesday nights from 6-7:30. If you are interested let me know. If you can not commit to Tuesday but still are interested,  I can help work your way to running your first 5K on May 17.

Last race of 2013

I knew I wanted to run a "turkey" race this year. With our holiday plans this year Nov 23, Turkey Lurkey, worked out the best for our family schedule. So as I got on the runkra website and found the date/website and just registered. I knew it was set to run in Winona, which I was very familiar with and that was it.

My routine was the same as usual, ate really well Thursday and Friday, went to bed early on Friday since I didn't sleep well AT ALL on Thursday. 

I was keeping an eye on the weather knowing it was going to be chilly but WOW!, heavy frost and 27 degrees. BRRR!

While eating my 2 eggs/toast and drinking my spark, I thought I'd look over the course map and see if the route was any different than what the Winona route usually is. UH, Hello, "challenging trail" run. I must have missed that part in registering. 

With it being so cold the boys ended up hanging with Dad this morning. I layered up and headed to Warsaw.

After arriving I checked in, got my bib and looked for my friends that I knew would be there. 

We had a runners meeting and a prayer (thank goodness). He mentioned again challenging route, be careful with the frost. O my! I thought. 

We took off, I felt great, headed towards familiar ground,then, BOOM, wooded bike trail, skinny, tree rooted, frosty leaves  trail. My first mile was good then....came hills, up and down, pretty rugged and for never running trails before, I kept my eye on the ground so I would stay up right. Trail went by the creek/river with a pretty good drop off, which made me a bit nervous. 

Here are my mile times:

I had a goal to finish out the year with a PR (personal record) for a 5K, but that didn't quite work out.  However, now I have a goal set for next years Turkey Lurkey, to beat 36:29.

My friends had a goal of finishing in 40:00 which they finished in 39:25!! Whooo!

Alyssa's turkey boxers took the cake! Too cute!! They enjoyed themselves and ran hard.

With December being so busy, this concludes my racing until next year. I'm already scheduled to run another half marathon May 3 (Indy) and maybe more than one. I want to run the F4F again and that would be either a 10K or a half. We will see.   

Remember just because it is cold out doesn't mean you have to workout inside. Dress for it and get out there!

Enjoy you Thankgiving! 

Thanks for reading.