“We will call him the Ironman.”

“At a ceremony in Honolulu in 1977, a group of local athletes discussed the idea of an endurance triathlon that combined three events that already took place on the island.  John Collins came up with the idea that it would take place in a single day.  Collins later went on to say, “whoever finishes first, we will call him the ironman.”

Ironman.  What?!  The closest I’ve ever come to this race was knowing a girl in high school who actually qualified to compete.  Running 26.2 miles 2 years ago simply made me marvel that there are bodies that can complete that task after swimming for 2.4 miles, and biking 112 miles.  Unbelievable.  I began thinking about this life changing race again last weekend when watching the coverage of the 2008 Ironman on NBC Sports.  I was spellbound.  Literally.  Poor Abi, she had a momma who was trying to be engaging, but couldn’t peel her eyes from the television!  The stories were nothing short of amazing.  Identical twins finishing the race with locked arms, a woman being the oldest starter and finisher at 72, a man winning the 65-69 age group three years in a row, people crossing the finish line way into the wee hours of the night; but still to the same thunderous applause as the first finisher.  I think these races show a beautiful side of humanity.  It stirs something inside of me.  Now, I don’t think that I’ll ever run that Ironman.  I do hope to compete in a triathlon someday soon – but something that I can complete in closer to a few hours!  For those of you who are runners (I loosely associate myself with this group!) – you will agree that there is something uniquely spiritual and individual to this sport that both lifts up and tears down your body.  It makes sense only to another runner, I think.  My dear friend, Sarah, wrote these words recently after finishing a triathlon: be encouraged.  http://untilmorningcomes.blogspot.com/

Here’s to #7!

Happy Wedding Anniversary, Jenny & Brian!  Seven years – how wonderful!  I just love wedding anniversaries.  They are especially delightful when you can remember the day, remember beautiful moments, and see how the Lord has graciously guided the couple to the point where they are now.  I am feeling all of these things today over J&B’s special day!  Thanks to what I call a “wonderfully ironic occurrence” I was actually at Jenny and Brian’s wedding.  I say ironic because they were just being super kind to invite me, I didn’t know either of them terribly well (their wedding was after donald’s and my freshman year at A&M) – yet because I was completely infatuated with Donald – I timed my visit to see Caroline/other college friends around July 27th.  Special thanks to Kristian for being my “friend date” at the wedding so I didn’t feel completely silly, and had someone to sit next to.  However it all happened, I am thankful.  I am so happy to have had the shared memories with Jenny and Brian and the extended Wallace/McGown families long before I officially became part of the clan.  It was joyfully gracious.

So, now as I type as a sister and as an aunt to their little Joshua, I am happy to remember the memories in Dallas 7 years ago and offer praise for the work that has been done by the Lord through their union.  Congratulations and much love to you, Jenny and Brian!

Once again, we return to Michigan…

Well, back up to Michigan we went about 2 weeks ago!  The main reason we traveled was for my good friend, Lindsay’s, wedding.  Hooray for weddings!  Oh, I love them.  It was such a joy to share in her celebration.  She was so happy.  She and her husband Nick were just so in love with one another, and it was beautifully obvious.  What a pleasure to be a part of their special day.  Our sweet Abi was a dream during the wedding (contently munching on goldfish and seastars once the “talking part” started), and it was great to see some old friends from high school.  Oh, and Lindsay’s family has what some people might call a lovely house.  Oh wait – it’s amazing.  What an incredible site for a fantastic occasion!

The beautiful bride and her proud hubby:

Dear friends:

Abi and Doonald out on the deck of the boathouse:

Ahhhh, Michigan is nice in the summer:

We were thankful for such awesome weather – we were able to be outside ALL the time.  Windows open, afternoons reading on the screen porch, walking barefoot in the grass.  It was sweet time – insanely enjoyable and not taken for granted!

Donald rolling down the hill (obviously!)

In the land where dairy queen’s don’t serve food and aren’t disgusting.

At the lake close to my parent’s home

Baby girl in the sand

 

“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.”             Ansel Adams

(Not saying that any of these are great :), but hopefully our joy of just being on vacation and experiencing life will shine through)

Continuing on from the 2nd grade…

About 2 weeks ago, we were blessed by the presence of my dear friend Caroline.  She was visiting her family in Houston, and made Dallas her mid-point stop as she journeyed from  NYC.  It was a delight to see her with Abi (strangely surreal as Caroline and I cemented our friendship as co-barbie “players”) and I am ever-grateful for old, solid friendships.

In an effort to get our friendship featured on the Today’s Show “Best Friends Day” – this is what I wrote!  Sadly, we didn’t make it on, but it was a joy writing about my dear friend.

“Good Morning!  I am writing to tell you about my dear friendship with my best friend, Caroline.  We have been best friends since we were in 2nd grade (when Caroline was "forced" by our teacher to be my buddy, as I had moved to town halfway through the school year).  Since that day (20 years ago) we have "survived and thrived" moves, multiple stages of life, being pulled in opposite directions both geographically and life-callings.  However, throughout all of these things, our friendship has been marked by faithfulness and encouragement.  I never question Caroline's support of me (and now my family!), her love for what I love (simply because I'm interested in it), and her genuine hope that my life is full of passion and joy.  She is a blessing, and our friendship is rich.  Even though we now don't see each other frequently (she in NYC, myself in Dallas) we are confident of always having a best friend in the other person.  In a world where women often fail to have true, deep relationships; we have found something unique and special. “

Thank you, Caroline for the blessing you are to me!

My baby is turning one tomorrow…

Wow.  Even writing that sentence seems unbelievable.  It seems strange, but I have enjoyed this day of just anticipating tomorrow so much.  It has been a sweet day of remembering moments that have existed this past year and being thankful.  All throughout the day (haha, and yesterday!) I have thought about the process of laboring to bring Abi into the world.  Trust me, it was labor!  But what an experience.  It was defining.  It didn’t happen the way that we had envisioned; but we got Abi at the end of it – amazing.  And tomorrow she is turning one.  I have such vivid memories of  the moment I first held her, and now she can walk.  Tears are flowing as I write this.  She’s one.  One year of remarkable life change.  One year of rejoicing in the Lord’s grace in giving Abi to us to raise and love.  One year of being stretched and being sanctified through the process.  One year of getting to know this little life who is forever bonded to me.  My daughter.  What a celebration of life.

Happy Birthday, Ben!

Our sweet little nephew, Benjamin is turning one year old today!  We are grateful for his little life; and praise God for his family!  We hope that another year on earth brings in more joy and love for him, and that he realizes more and more the love of his heavenly father.  We love you, Benjamin!!

One year ago today:

 

Oh, how a year changes things:

Sanctification through Mommahood (Hopeful Part I)

Have thought about ideas surrounding this title throughout this past year quite often.  Having a child certainly reveals things about oneself.  Through reading various books, one thing has really stuck out to me.  Parenthood (so for me mommahood) brings about sanctification.  I realize that I constantly am craving for parts of me to be stripped away to reveal what I know Christ is working on in me.  Gentleness, Patience, Self-control, Patience, Self-control, Gentleness.  However, I am often so encouraged because I know the the Lord is graciously faithful and that there is in fact a process that is taking place within me!  An excerpt from a miraculous truth for me that was more eloquently written by Gary Thomas:

“I’ve been at this business of parenting for (in his case less than two decades – for me, insert less than one year!), but I think it’s fair to say that I have been stretched more in the past sixteen (one!) years spiritually, emotionally, and relationally – than perhaps in all the previous years combined.”

Mommahood – it is amazing.