becoming a runner {good for my soul}

I must admit, I've always wanted to be a runner....

I've always been a little jealous of the people who can just walk out their front door and run a few miles.  That's never been me.  I never thought it could be me.  I've always loved getting out and walking but running- I could just never do it.  

I've tried and tried and tried but it never stuck. I just couldn't do it.  My best friend, Lauren, loves to run and to workout.  She's been trying for years to get me to tag along with her to a workout class or go for a run.  Finally this past fall, I decided to give it a go and I'm so glad I did.  It has literally changed my life.  I now love to work out, look forward to working out and I can now RUN!  

I finally ran 3 miles without stopping for the first time in my life.  Man, it was an awesome moment!!  I was laughing and smiling like an idiot that last mile, I was so pumped.  I know that since I've been actively working out {even though you cannot tell by looking at my still there baby pouch on my stomach!!!} I've gotten in such better shape.  This weekend, I was determined to get to 4 miles.. and you know what?!  I did it.  Each time I've ran, I've made sure to do at least 3 miles and on Saturday I hit four!!  I can now say that I have felt the 'runner's high'.  It's awesome!!   

I'm determined to keep running and to stay healthy and in shape.  Not just for me because it makes me feel better but because my kiddos are seeing me active and that's the most important thing.  I tried running with them the other day in the double stroller and after nearly having a heart attack after the first mile I stopped.  I let Asher out and he would run/walk with me.  I want my kiddos to see the importance and staying healthy and see me leading by example.

Running has become my little escape.  I get out there all alone just me and God, turn on some loud Justin Bieber {don't judge, he's my runners jam} and just go.  The first mile is always nearly impossible and for the first few minutes I'm thinking, "why am i doing this?  i cannot run much longer" but once the lady's voice talks in my ear and says, "time.... distance 1 mile...." something switches in my mind and I get freaking pumped and it's like ok!  Let's do it and I'm determined to see just how far I can go.  

{a few of my stat snapshots! i've been sending them to lauren like "oh my gosh!! look what i just did!"  she's been my biggest encourager and i'm so very thankful.}

Today I am thankful for two feet and two legs who are letting me run. And for my time running by the water and having little mini conversations with God.  {who says you cannot jam to Bieber while talking to the man upstairs?} 

family four-wheeling adventure

Trav and his Dad love to go on four-wheeling rides.  Now that Asher and Maeve are big enough to go along for a good ride, I think it will become something that we do often!  We have a four-wheeler at our house that we ride around the yard (real redneck like!) and they both love doing that.  But this was their first actual ride through the woods and splashing through the mud.

Asher and his Poppy ready to go!

{this girl wasn't so sure about riding through the mud.  daddy was nice and would slow down or go around the big puddles.}

{asher hopped on with us for a few minutes!}

{she loved riding with her poppy.  after a few minutes he said, "i think she wants back with y'all" and he put asher back on his.  he and asher took off splashing through the puddles.  those two boys had way too much fun.}

weekend in charleston {part three}

{our last night at the beach, we went for a little walk by the water.  it was perfect.  perfect weather, perfect scenery and no one {literally no one else} was out on the beach.  we had it all to ourselves.}

{my person. thanks for creating this crazy life with me.}

{showing maeve dolphins swimming in the water.}

{she's always by my side.  always.  sometimes it drives me insane but these moments will be forever some of my favorites.}

{the face we got when we said it was time to leave.}

Charleston, you were amazing!  Hope to see you again soon.

weekend in charleston {part two}

We didn't just spend time on the beach, we got out and explored a little.  Saturday we headed to Fort Moultrie and looked around.  Asher loved the canons and bunkers.

{on the beach side of the Fort was a gorgeous rocky beach area.}

{i tried to snap a family photo using self-timer but completely failed.  maeve had fallen about 100 times while we were at the fort and she was over it. and it's incredibly blurry.}

{such a cool bridge. it was huge!}

{saturday night we went to shem's creek and had a delicious dinner at RB's overlooking the water.}

{we saw no less than fifty boats coming in and out.}

{sunday after spending some time on the beach, we once again headed out to explore.  this time we went downtown charleston for a while.}

{we drove down the battery and rainbow row to check out a bunch of the houses.}

{we then headed to see the angel oak tree. it's the largest oak tree this side the mississippi and it was incredible.}

{i love this picture of maeve in front of the tree. shows just how big it really is.}

{the only downfall to this tree -- you cannot climb it, touch it, pull bark off of it, etc.  it was literally killing asher that he couldn't climb all over this thing.}

{i mean seriously, just look at it.  every angle had something awesome and different.}

{maeve wanted to take "cheese" of me.  she did pretty well!}

{that night we stayed close to isle of palms and just ate at a little pizza joint downtown.  pizza, the beach and ice cream dessert make this guy extremely happy.}

{not sure what my world would look like without these two!}

Our time in Charleston was so amazing.  Asher and Maeve did amazing and loved every single minute of it.  They are getting easier by the day and just so much fun!  I cannot wait to go on another trip and see new things with these two!!  Thanks Charleston for the best weekend!!  And thank you Nana for going with us!

weekend in charleston {part one}

We headed to Charleston last weekend for a little time away with our Nana.  We loaded up early Friday afternoon and made our way to the beach!  Trav went to Charleston about 10-12 years ago but Judy and myself had never been.  It's my mission to start exploring new places!  A HUGE bucket list item is to travel to all 50 states before our kiddos graduate high school.  I would love for them to be able to say "I've seen all of the United States!" So we are starting now!  South Carolina, check!

{excited about our trip!  here we come beach!}

{nana gave them new bags for the trip filled with crayons, goodies and a coloring book!}

{we woke up saturday morning at the beach and headed to the sand pretty early.}

{nana hadn't been to the ocean since the 90s so this was her first dip in the water. asher and maeve were so excited to be taking her to the beach with them.}

{sister was in her happy place.}

{nana and maeve jumping while this guy thinks he's cool.}

{she never stopped.}

{coolest kid around.}

{nana and her baby with his babies}

{all day, every day.}

{burying maeve's feet in the sand}

We loved the beach in Charleston!  We will definitely be going back!