The 'er' vs the 'ing'

So, it's done.

I just now, as in earlier this evening, completed the registration for my first-ever run-only race (I've done a few triathlons (swim, bike, run) but have never done a run-only race). 

I've never even done a 5k, so what business do I have signing up for a 10k straight out of the gate?

Turns out I can do what I want to do.

So there.

Now let's get something straight. When people ask if I'm a runner I like to clarify: I go runnING but I am not a runnER. 

What a HUGE difference those simple letters can make.

I've been toying with the idea of a blog post about this for a while, but I couldn't figure out how much I'd be willing to share.

Right now I'm feeling like "Whatevs.". 
Here's hoping I don't regret it in the morning.

So here goes....

Do I have a runners body?

Nope.

Do things jiggle when I run?

You better believe it.

Is my form all wrong?

Without a doubt.

But I'm doing it.

And it turns out I'm better than I thought I would be. Just yesterday I cranked out 5.44 miles with an average pace of 9 minutes 25 seconds per mile.

Who knew this gal, the one with the rubbing thighs, bubble butt, saggy chest and oatmeal belly had that in her?

Because I certainly didn't.

Here's the deal.....I've got rolls. And cellulite. And stretch marks. And those pesky little purple vein-things on my thighs.

Folks, it's not pretty.

Just the other day while doing a strength-training class I did a side bend and realized I could actually feel my rolls shifting around.

What was even more awesome was the way my tank-top got sucked right in so that it not only felt nasty, but showcased my imperfections.

Sexy kinda.

Between the tricep-curls and squats I imagined what it would be like to have things surgically tucked, tightened and lifted. I day-dreamed about what it would feel like to have perky little boobies, thighs that don't chaff and a belly that didn't resemble a bowl of tapioca pudding.

And then it hit me.

Well actually it was cramping brought on by fatigued butt-muscles, but it was an epiphany just the same.

I need to be PROUD of my body. A body that has given me good health for 32+ years. I need to be proud of a belly that carried 3 beautiful girls and a chest that breast-fed them. I should be thankful of the pooch that will likely never leave as it's a reminder of the work my body did as it grew my 3 girls. And if my boobs happen to sag to an impressive level, whats it matter? They nourished life for crying out loud.

So yeah, things are dimply. Things are squishy. Things aren't perfect. 

My body is a battle ground of markings not at all attractive to the eye.
So what.

I've got 3 girls that I need to consider. I can't have them growing up with a mother that is anything less than proud of herself and her body. They will never hear me complain about the annoying way shorts ride up from thigh-rub or how my muffin top will spill over if I don't have the waist-band of my pants set just right.

The way they see themselves starts with the way I see me.

So as I continue down my runnING trek I'm okay with the fact that I'll likely never be a runnER. 

And that's alright. 

I'm doing it. 9 minute miles. 15 minutes miles. 20 minute miles. 

Whatever.

I'm doing it. 

Jiggle and all. 

And I'll keep doing it.
Because as long as I have 3 beautiful girls looking to me for self-pride and self-acceptance, I *have* to be proud of myself and my body.
And as for the 10k looming in my near future? You better bet I'll be out there, giving it my all, sweat dripping off my nose, face bright as a tomato and certainly smelling like dirty socks. My rear will be jiggling, my chest bouncing and my form all sorts of wrong. But when I cross the finish line I'll dance a victory dance with my girls and show them that it doesn't matter how you look while you're doing it, but how you treat yourself and the way you wear your pride for the world to see.
I'll always wear my 'ing' proud.

Swwwwwwing!

Playing baseball at 7:30 in the evening when it's still 86 degrees outside is definitely not a good way to cool down. 
But playing baseball at 7:30 in the evening when it's still 86 degrees outside is definitely a good way to have a good laugh, make some lasting memories and gives a great excuse to eat ice cream in order to cool off!
PS Learned that Natty Kat prefers to hit left-handed. Of course it took Jake to realize that. Me? I stopped her mid set-up and had her switch sides. Never considered our righty would be a lefty in the batters-box! Truth is she hits even better left than right!

Ready...

...set...

...suuuuuuu-wing!

Swinging for the fences

Daddy showing his girls just how it's done

Jesus Christ is Lord - VBS day 5

On their final morning of VBS Ash and Natty were both excited and sad. Excited because they would be performing a few songs at closing but sad because it meant the end of mornings spent playing, crafting and singing with friends. 
VBS taught me this year that my biggest 2 minis are a pair to draw to. Boy are they ever manipulative!!! But more importantly, they always have the others 6. I know there's no need to worry when the 2 of them are together. They may battle each other, but ain't nobody gonna lay a hand on their sibling.

My soon-to-be VBS graduates

Morning selfie with my girls

I let them pick the backdrop for their morning photo shoot

Another photo-op, offering in hand

The final drop-off

Sisters

Don't mess with these 2

A weekend pullin'

What's even more exciting than truck pulls? Truck pulls with your team of minis! These girls have track dust and diesel pumping through their veins. Watching and listening as they cheer on Jake is all sorts of wonderful!
Saturday we were spectators and watched as Jeff pulled himself to a first-place win. After the pulls we headed to Uncle Mike and Aunt Marsha's for a BBQ and the girls got a chance to follow Aunt Marsha through her garden and pick all sorts of tasty garden-goodies. Thanks for the great evening, Uncle Mike and Aunt Marsha! Sure was good to see you and Brit, too! It's stupid we waited so long for such a fun night!!
Sunday Jake decided he'd had enough watching and threw his hat in the pulling ring.
And just like that he snapped the back axel.
If you ain't breaking, you ain't pulling.
Right?
Thanks to the Hill fam for following us home and making sure we arrived safely. Sorry about that whole root beer float debacle; hopefully the black-tie dinner and (unplanned) water fight that night made up for it. :)

Day #1 and here's what we walked up to....Mister Jeff looking mighty comfy on Son of Eliminator

Snuggles in-between pulls

Suddenly the one that never wants to look at the camera and smile is turning into a cheeseball!

Getting goofy 

"I can't take one more lawn tractor! Give me the trucks already!!!!"

Finally truck time! Go, Jeff, go!

Smoke!

Nice pull, Jeff! Too bad you'll never see how good you did on video

Snack time!

Irate Diesel fans, old and young

Keely Q's first pulls - she's officially one of the family now

Day #2 starting off right

Such a good-looking ride

BOOM

What I love most about this picture is Ashley in the bottom cheering Daddy on

About the time things started breaking - is it possible Jake's just too powerful?

Recruited a new driver to take us home

Surely this is just a fluke

God certainly would not give us *another* climber, would He?????

You turn away for 3 seconds only to find THIS:

VBS day 4 - Jesus is savior!

Today after VBS I asked Natty Kat what she learned. In true Natty form she looked at me, sighed and then exclaimed "The same as yesterday: God is good. He's the only god. And Baby Jesus is the son of God."
Well, regardless of her lack of enthusiasm, at least she's getting it. 
Right?
Part of their take-home lesson today was to point out/spot crosses in everyday life. When we walked into the house Ashley and Natalie had so much fun walking around pointing out the various decorative crosses we have in the house. At one point I heard Ashley explain to Natty "This isn't the  *exact* cross Jesus was on but I bet it's really, really close."
Hearing those two talking about Jesus does incredible things to my heart.

Day 4 and back at it with their baggies full of offerings (it's possible this is their favorite part of VBS!)

Patiently waiting for her pre-school pals to arrive 

Middle sisters

Go tell it on the mountain!

Sporting my new handmade cross/bead necklace handmade by Midget - check out that sassy face she's making!

Ash the artist

Check out the incredible drawing Ash did of her bear Peace. This kiddos's got an eye for the arts.

Impressive

VBS day 3 - Jesus is God's Son!

This morning Ashley and Natalie attended day #3 of VBS. The first 2 days they worked their teachers in a special way only those 2 know how and wrangled their way into the same classrooms, even though they should have been separated.

But not today!

When I picked them up afterward Ashley ran up and said "Mommy! Mommy! Natty and I stayed in our own classrooms and I actually had fun!"

Huh. Imagine that! I've only been telling you that for the last 72 hours!

On the drive home I asked both girls what they learned about and Ashley promptly told me "We can't tell you right now because we're both sucking our thumbs."

Well then.

Just before we got home Natty told me "Today I learned that Jesus is God's Son! You might not know that, Mommy."

Good grief I love these girls!

On another note, I'd sure love to know the songs they're learning. All afternoon those 2 have been singing "E-O powerful God! E-O powerful God!" I'd love to know what that's all about????

Starting the morning off making music with their music boxes they made during day 2 of VBS - I'm told the noise is the sound that the thunder made when Elijah was standing on Mount Carmel

So excited to be back and have their own baggies full of money for the offering

Natty's project for the day

Evergreen Easter

There are plenty of perks to having Aunt Katie working at Evergreen, one of which is being invited to special events like the Easter Bunny visit and egg hunt. Thanks, Aunt Katie. We always know we'll have a good time!

Wyatt and Aunt Katie picking up some eggs

We couldn't figure out why Natty Kat kept running over eggs instead of picking them up; when I walked out and I asked her she replied "I only want the pink ones!" Naturally. 

Ash throwing elbows and stealing eggs

Cousins!

Here comes the Easter Bunny!

This is the face you make when the helicopter lands in front of you and sprays rocks all over the place. It's pretty comical watching Easter baskets, plastic eggs, candy wrappers and even baby strollers (without babies in them) scatter across the grass.

The animal of the hour

Pretty impressive considering last year Ashley hid under the dining room table when the Easter Bunny showed up at the door

Pretty excited I managed to get a shot of all of the faces up and eyes open!

Love my bunnies!

Precious cargo