attempt #2

Back in January, I decided that I wanted to run a marathon...but I was a little late in starting to train.  I had to jump in on week 3 of training.  And then by about weeks 6-7, my left knee let me know that it was not very happy about all the running.  I actually claimed in late February that I was "retiring" from long races (although I had never competed in a full).   Not to mention that a trip with my team came up to go to Orlando and that conveniently meant that I could not do a marathon in Nashville that same weekend. 

My husband has previously run 2 marathons....one in 2009 and one in 2010. His last marathon was not the most fun ever...as he had pain in his toes from about mile 14 through the end. He actually told me at the finish line that if he "acts like he wants to do this again next year, to not let him".

Well here we are in the middle of July, and we're training for a marathon! Oops. Was I supposed to not let him?  And what happened to my retirement?  Who am I, Brett Favre?  It's not even something on my bucket list.  Really, it's just my competitiveness/pride.  I watch the Biggest Loser and they have run marathons on several of the seasons.  Oprah, for crying out loud, ran a marathon.  "If they can do it, I can do it."  And Eric?  Well he actually volunteered because he knows that I'll probably never do it on my own and I don't have anyone in CG to do it with- [insert: because he loves me and is a wonderful husband].  We are now about 4 weeks into our training. 

So what is going to keep us motivated during our running?  Keeping up with Oprah will only work for so long!  We have actually decided to run for orphans.  Eric ran the Chicago Marathon with a World Vision team back in 2009, he ran the Bass Pro Marathon last year as a part of 'I Run for Orphans', and I ran the KC 1/2 marathon in 2009 for 'I Run for Orphans'.  We desire to raise money for His Voice Global, an organization that is raising money to build their 4th orphanage in Sudan.  We learned that it takes approximately $30,000 to build one orphanage, that houses around 15 children and 2 adults.  We decided to take on the goal of raising $1800-$2000 which would either cover the cost of one room in the orphanage or for one student's education, clothes, food, housing, and needs at the orphanage.  We've set up a giving page to make it easy for you to partner with us.  Please check it out here and at least read about His Voice and the work they are doing.

Thanks friends and family.  We love you and are so grateful for you!

Kelly

Before the Bass Pro Marathon

PS- Just a little update on our training...I'm having a little right knee pain this time- so I'd love your prayers that it would go away and I'd be diligent to stretch and care for my body.

pretty, pretty please...

I love contests.  I'm the person that calls in to the radio station even when I don't actually want the prize or know I won't be able to use it.  My family always claimed that I was lucky, but I think I'm probably the only person that is ever trying :)  Trying has paid off too: Miranda Lambert tickets & backstage passes, Brad Paisley tickets, Taylor Swift tickets (Abby actually won those...but I made her call), tshirts, cds, frozen custard gift cards, etc.

So I entered this contest and now Eric and I are in the running for $1000. 

It's kind of a random/funny way that it all came about.  We wrote our own vows for our wedding and I have been wanting to find a creative way to display those...maybe on a painting or something.  So I was just googling different things trying to find ideas or places that might sell such a thing.  I ran across this website Art Vows.  I was just looking around at their products and found out that they were having a contest.  Of course, I entered the contest.  They were picking a weekly winner for 10 weeks to get an art vow of their choice and the criteria was based on originality, creativity, etc.  AND WE WON!  And like many other times that I've won, I wouldn't be surprised if we were the only ones that entered that week.  But none the less....winners!  I've not only found a way to display our vows, but it's free! 

The ten weekly winners are now competing for $1000...based on originality, creativity, something with judges, and then getting votes.  So would you please take a second and vote for us?  It's an app thing on facebook and I think it only allows you to vote one time (in the 2 week deadline).  So super easy and you don't have to do it daily or anything.

VOTE HERE!

two months late(r)

...almost 2 months later...whoops!

I guess I should have a lot to share about since it has been two months! We've been some busy little Barbs too. I ended the last blog entry telling you that we were going a mini vacation. Well that vacation has come and gone and we enjoyed 5 days away visiting friends in East Tennessee. We got the chance to see several of my good friends from college.

We were excited to get on the road and our first stop was Knoxville. My friend Andy, from college, has lived out there for 5ish years and I have gotten the chance to visit him on several different occasions with friends. Andy was actually out of town, but Eric and I got to enjoy dinner, frozen yogurt, and hanging out at a fun/local coffee shop with his adorable wife Leslie. -insert my apologies and mistake that I didn't get any pictures from this part :(

We then ventured on towards Rogersville/Church Hill to see our friends Jeff and Emily.  Emily is one of my dearest friends and we loved getting to spend time exploring her area of East Tennessee.  This picture was taken when we went hiking at a conservation area. We also went to the Farmer's Market, explored Kingsport, ate at a local hot dog restaurant, and more!

Jeff wanted to make sure that we enjoyed Scratch, his new favorite pizza joint.  This place was a lot of fun...and a very relaxing (hippie) atmosphere.  Jeff even got the "trust" pizza- where you just trust the makers and let them put whatever they want on your pizza!  I went a little out of the box and got spinach, granny smith apples, and mandarin oranges added to my pizza.  If you're ever in Kingsport, TN, you should check out Scratch!

 After a few days with the Robertsons, we started our trek back to the west. We planned to stop and visit LuAnn who lives about 45 minutes west of Knoxville.  On our way from the Robertsons to LuAnn's, we took a little detour for a few hours in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.  Though our exploring was limited, we did take the time to ride the gondola to the top of Gatlinburg.  We definitely want to take some time to take a trip back to Gatlinburg and get to explore the Smoky Mountains and do some of the stuff in the area.

 We met LuAnn for dinner in Knoxville and then spent the rest of our time with her family at their home.  She had just finished her law school finals and had a two day break before having ankle surgery.  We were so glad that she took the time to fit us in!






In May, we also got to go to Cardinals game with some of our students and the Brizendines.

 We also went to Farmington for a couple of days with my family to see my cousin Andrew graduate from high school.

Andrew is heading off to Truman State

Grandpa, Chris, Kaylen & Kelly

....and then the crazy summer began!  We have had weekly bible studies, Summer Missions Orientation, Super Summer camps, and activities back in Cape Girardeau.  We have really only been home for maybe two weeks out of the last six!  And I failed in capturing any pictures from those weeks :(  Super Summer was so wonderful.  We are so privileged to get to serve alongside great friends and to get the opportunity to be a part of the next generation understanding more completely who Christ is and what the Gospel means.  This was my 11th year at Super Summer (5 years as a student and then 7 years as a small group leader or on staff).  That's pretty crazy!

Our last little road trip was up to see Eric's family for the 4th of July.  We also got to see my family at a wedding in Warrensburg (which I did take some pictures here).

(I don't know why KK looks so sad here...)

Kaylen is ready to be flower girl again...but she's out of aunts!

Only 7 weeks until classes start so we are busy preparing for ministry in the fall.  I'm excited to be down here for the start of the school year and excited to be a part of what the Lord is doing at SEMO.  I'll update soon....hopefully;)...with another update from our life!


Signing off from Cape Girardeau,
Kelly

love this picture of us from the wedding :)

[I'm going 'round and 'round with blogger...so don't mind the weird spacing and placement of things]