Pain is weakness leaving the body....right??

Yesterday, Josh and I ran the Spartan race. It's not your typical mud run. This is a 4.5 mile run that incorporates military style obstacles. This was the first run I've been able to do with Josh and we both had so much fun....although I came out feeling like I was just beat my an iron rod. The amount of bruises and scrapes I have on my body are a bit ridiculous. But we had so much fun and I loved having the hubby lift me over many of the obstacles! :)

We've also been trying to take the pups out more. A couple of weekends ago we took them up the Incline for their first time. They did great! Me...not so much. I get anxiety when I get nervous. Let's just say the pups were making me nervous. It's such a steep incline and my fear is that one of them will trip someone or start falling backwards. They did wonderful though and we made it to the top! We always try to run down the trail, but Zoey stopped half way down. She had had enough of running. She's kind of like me...stubborn.

Last weekend we made a trip up Gold Camp road (a frighting drive up the side of a mountain) and had a little picnic at the top. We let the pups run around while we ate lunch. I love my little family.

Things have been busy so we always try to do something fun on the weekends (especially now that the weather is getting nicer). I recently got a new job as a Communications Administrator so my hours are longer and I have less time to get things around the house done. It's been crazy...but a good kind of crazy.

Here are some pictures of our latest adventures:

Top of the Incline

Spartan Finish

 

Mountain picnic

Beautiful Lyrics

My sister told me to listen to this song. If you're ever struggling, questioning, or just trying to get past certain issues in your life, this is a great song to listen to.

Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we have faith to believe

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the achings of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

1/2 Marathon + Birthday = Great Sunday!

So yesterday was the first birthday I've been able to celebrate with Josh since we met. Crazy! Four years in a row, I've celebrated without that man! It was exciting to actually have a birthday with him home. We started the day off early. I had a half marathon in Denver that morning so we had to leave early enough to drive there and pick up our packets. Most people think I'm crazy for spending a good portion of my birthday running. I love it! Races are fun for me. And it was even better to have my husband waiting for me at the finish line this time! Again, he's been gone for most of my races too (thank you Army).

I also PR'd in this race! I'll be the first to admit...I'm a slow runner. The fastest I've ever run a half marathon is 2:30. I ran this one in 2:16! wahoo! It was a great feeling...especially knowing that the older I get, the faster I'm getting. Age is nothing folks! Why do so many people complain about it? Kidding...kidding.

We ate lunch on a rooftop patio in Denver. It was a gorgeous day! The rest of the afternoon we spent lounging (my choice). Cuddling on the couch with my husband is one of my all time favorite things to do. :)

Pre-Race

 Post-Race

One of those days

It's been one of those days...everytime I turn around I hear about someone else being pregnant. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for these people but it's still not easy to hear. Maybe I just need to get off facebook. That way I won't have to face reality on a daily basis.

This is a struggle that no one will understand unless they've been through it. It's the struggle with wanting to be truly happy for others but having a hard time because jealously gets in the way. It's a struggle with wanting to punch someone in the face every time they complain about being sick while pregnant. It's a struggle with adoring your friends' brand new babies but crying when no one is around to see.

Usually I'm ok with our situation...but every once in a while it seems to stab me a little harder. Today is that day.

As I promised...

....here are some before and after pictures of our house. It's so much fun owning a house because you can put your own personal touches on everything. Problem with this is that personal touches usually cost something. It's been tough wanting to make changes to the house, but only being able to make these changes slowly due to a budget.

So far, the yard has probably been the biggest issue. Jax is a digger and we can't seem to break him of it. We have dead grass right now and are curious to see what this tuns into as the summer approaches. Colorado Springs is also on a water restriction and we're only allowed to water two days a week, which won't help our vision of a luscious, green yard!

Here is what we have now. Expect many more changes in the future! I'm excited to be able to make updates to this house and have so many ideas.

Living Room Before

 Living Room After

 Kitchen Before

 Kitchen After

 Basement Before

 Basement After

Newness—Is that a word?

As I've said before, I'm not the best at trusting in God's timing. I definitely try...but I fail, a lot. It's hard for to not be able to plan my own future. I'm a huge planner and organizer. If things don't go my way, I get upset. Yes, I realize this is a problem and yes, I am constantly working on it.

LOTS of new things have been happening lately. Do I know why they all happened at once? Nope. But I do know there was a reason for it. New dog, new house, new church, and new job! It's insane to think that there are so many changes in my life right now. I'm excited for the future and mad at myself for doubting. I am so thankful that God's plan is best and that he is always watching over us.

Before and after house pictures will be in my next post. I promise!

Need vs. Want

I often think about how blessed I am. I have more than I need. I have the best husband out there, own a wonderful home that is more than big enough for us, have two adorable (and usually well-behaved boxers), have a job....and the list could go on and on.

BUT here is where I let my materialistic desires get the better of me. No matter how much I have, I always want more. I want better decorations for my house, a newer car, nicer clothes, etc. It's kind of funny....the more I get in life, the more I want. And I know I'm not the only one with these feelings. Unfortunately, it's an American mindset. Why do you think America is so far in debt? We spend more than we make because we are not content with what we have.

As someone who budgets religiously, I can say that I will never allow my desire for more to overcome my desire to be wise with money. I really respect those friends of mine who don't own a lot but seem so content. In a way, living minimally seems like it would give you a piece of mind.

So here's my question. What do I need and what do I want? I desire to live a content life without constantly comparing it to others. What makes me happiest?

Some things that make me feel truly rich:

My relationship with God
My wonderful husband
Sunshine
Long runs
A clean house
Coffee

It's funny...when you think about it, you really don't need much :).