26.2

'You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by my spirit -the Lord all powerful' - Zachariah 4:6

You guys...I did it!  In case you didn't see this on Instagram {back in October!} I finally ran a freaking marathon!  It had been on my bucket list for years and I finally buckled down and completed it!  

Just so you all know, I am not a runner.  In fact, I was the girl that got a doctor's note to get out of the mile in PE.  Yes, I refused to even run one mile in school.  I knew I wasn't going to be the fastest, so I didn't even want to try.  Sad, but true.  So if you aren't a runner but have hopes of completing a big running goal {a mile, 3k, half, full, ultra, ironman, or whatever it is!} I am here to tell you, YOU CAN DO IT!

This my my third attempt to complete a marathon.  I trained two different years, and got to the 12-17 mile training range and as soon as I got an injury I quit.  I think I was just mentally not in it & I was doing it for the wrong reasons.  I hadn't fully committed to myself at that point.  

But something clicked last July and I blocked out every single training run on my calendar for  the next12 weeks.  I made the time.  I put myself first.  I skipped out on outings with Adam & the kids, left events early, I didn't drink, went to bed early and I woke up early.  I knew I was going to finish the marathon.  I didn't care if I had to army crawl across the finish line!

It wasn't easy.  The training runs, listening to my body when I was injured, and definitely not the race.  I couldn't have done it without the support of all those people up there.  They gave up their Sunday to drive around and watch me, my sister made shirts and signs, and they all cheered me on when I was over.it.  

I couldn't have asked for better race day conditions!  For October in Iowa, it was perfect!  Unfortunately, I just couldn't get in the groove.  I had some really good runs {17 miles non without any walking} leading up to race day, so I was anticipating a good race.  Sadly, I walked more than I ran the last 13 miles, but I don't even care.  I DID IT!  Proof that you can do anything you put your mind to!

This kids running with me, listening to messages from friends & family on the Motigo app, and a whole lot of prayer helped me cross that finish line.  

Looking back I wish I could have done some cross training {I didn't do any!}  I said I wouldn't run another marathon again, but I know I could be convinced to do it {especially once the kids are old enough to stay home alone}.  I know I could beat my 6 hour 'race' time, but I'm just happy I finished. 

15 Minutes for ME

It's been two years since I committed to doing something for my sanity self each day, and I loved it so much I've been doing it ever since!  Some days it's just listening to my favorite podcast while folding laundry and other days it's sitting in the massage chair and catching up on a show, but each day I spend at least 15 minutes on something that makes my soul happy.  Now is the time to carve out 15 minutes each day for yourself.  To do whatever makes your heart happy.  Here is how...

If you don't make time for yourself, no one else will.  And we all know...if mama aint happy, no one's happy!  Use the fancy bubble bath, eat the chocolate, let the laundry fluff an extra day. ;)

15 Minutes of 'Me Time' Every Day

I work full time and commute 60 minutes to and from work each day, but I committed at the beginning of the year that I would do something for my sanity self each day.  Some days its bigger than others, but each day I spend at least 15 minutes on something that makes my soul happy.  Here is how.

If you don't make time for yourself, no one else will.  And we all know...if mama aint happy, no one's happy!  Use the fancy bubble bath, eat the chocolate, let the laundry fluff an extra day. ;)

WACO, TX [Magnolia Market]

This spring I had a work trip in Dalles, so my mama came with me.  She also accompanied me to Grapevine & Fort Worth in 2015, so it was fun to go back.  This time we stayed in Dallas for the conference, but rented a car and drove down to WACO the day before to see Magnolia Market of course!  If you go, you can't leave until you've eaten The Silo Cookie from the bakery!

My Birthday | 29

Yesterday was my dad's birthday & today is my mom's birthday {Happy Birthday!} which reminded me I never posted about my birthday!

The day of my birthday I photographed a wedding in Ames, so I ended up not seeing at of my family {if you remember, I spent last year driving to a wedding for photography} So the night before, Adam took me to Table128 for dinner and then out to Proof for dessert where a few friends surprised me by joining us. :)  We spent the day after my birthday, Sunday, out on the water with all of my in-laws floating and soaking up the hot, muggy 90* day.  To top it off, my MIL made me Better Than Anything any Angel Food cake {which she let the kids decorate}  So, my only request, to blow out candles with my kids on my lap, came true.  It was a beautiful day!

The following Friday I spent at the spa getting a massage, manicure, pedicure, facial, & wax.  With wine.  Heavenly!  

LaelSunriseJewelry gifted me with one of these, which I've hardly taken off since.  Any mom mama bought me two beautiful BCBG dresses similar in navy and coral.  I treated myself to a pair of these in black and these also in black.  Sole Studio on Etsy also sent me the most beautiful birthday gift!!

I am so blessed to live my life with some of the very best people.  

And totally excited to enjoy my last year in my 20's!

wishlist 2010 | 24th birthday recap 2010 | wishlist 2011 | 25th birthday recap 2011 | 26th birthday recap 2012 | 27th birthday recap 2013 | 28th Birthday Wishlist 2014 | 29th Birthday Wishlist 2015

Summer Reads | 2015

It's {unofficially} summer!  Which means I'm going to dream of reading while pool side, while actually just foregoing my weekend naps while the kids nap, just so I can lay in my hammock and devour as many books as possible!  #MomLife

Glitter And Glue | The Girl On The Train* | Still Alice*

American Wife | What Alice Forgot | The Husband's Secret*

The Life Changing Magic Of Tidying Up | Gone Girl* | Me Before You

What's on your nightstand this summer?

* means I've already read it.  I'm currently reading What Alice Forgot. :)

More reading ideas...
2011 Books | 2012 Books | 2013 Books | 2014 Books Winter, Spring, Summer, & Fall

March | Dates + Deeds

DATES

Family | We wen't skiing at Seven Oaks!  It was so much fun for the whole family.  I can't wait for next year!

Adam | We snuck in a lunch date and double date while kids are at Gram & Papas.  For the lunch date, we went to Saints Pub & Patio after our tax appointment {I know, nothing crazy!} Sadly, it was still a too little chilly to utilize the patio, but this was my first time to that location and the food was great!  Our double date started at our friends, Ross & Gen, downtown rooftop patio.  From there we went out for sushi at Sakuri {one of our favorite spots!}.  We ended the night playing skiball and having headstand competitions at a dive bar, Carls {they don't have a website!}.  We also went to Wobbly Boots this month. I guess I can't consider it a date because Adam's band was playing, but we did get a sitter and had a great time, so maybe it counts?! :)

Me | I redeemed a giftcard to Soleil Tan Spa that I receive for photographing a wedding.  I enjoyed a facial and massage and it was pure bliss!!!  Considering we were looking for a new nanny and my kids were gone for the week, I needed this me time to relax and refocus!

Kids | Before the kids left my Gram & Papa's, I took them out for donuts at Djonuts in downtown Des Moines.  It's really hipster, they sell 100 handmade, dense donuts each morning inside of a comic book store.  Once they sell out, they're gone for the day.  

Jordyn | I had a really hard time finding one on one time for Jordyn {between my work schedule, her preschool, & all the time they spent with grandparents during our sitter to nanny transition}, so on the last day of the month, I stopped home to take her to lunch.  Luckily she's easy to please, so she was happy with Chick Fil A and a trip at the park to feed the duckies! :)  I also took Jordyn for froyo {with Cullyn & our nanny} to celebrate her awesome job sleeping in her bed all by herself {without sneaking into our bed in the middle of the night} & we went shopping & out to lunch with my MIL, SIL, & oldest niece last week! 

Cullyn | We went out for breakfast and to the library when Jordyn was at preschool.  I know I say this every month, but it's so awesome to slow down and give Cullyn my one on one attention.  He is such a lover!  I had so much fun sitting down and coloring with him and then watching him play with the other toddlers at the train table.  I can't believe he will be TWO next month!!! 

DEEDS

This month we delivered snacks to the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Medical Center.  I hadn't really thought to do this until they offered their services to us when we were in the hospital with Cullyn.  They provide snacks, meals, housing, & other services {support, laundry, etc.} to families with children in the hospital.  It's such a wonderful program, and we were thrilled to learn more about the program.  

Did you do any dates or RAoK this month?  If so, share below...I love new ideas! :)

January D+D | February D+D

Texas [Grapevine & Fort Worth]

Anyone that knows me, knows I was dreading this trip.  I got the news I would be going to Texas, Grapevine, Texas, to be exact, and cringed!  

I have flown out of TX {usually Dallas/Fort Worth} many times, which were all fine--quick & uneventful, thankfully!  But, on our way to South Padre Island, TX with friends {when J was 8 months old}, we spent the night in San Antonio, and to be honest, the people of SA just kind of ruined Texas for me.  More than anything else, they were just plain rude!  

So, I did what all grown women do, I called my mom and told her to get a ticket because I needed someone to go with me & I know she's always a great time.  And?  I must say, this trip totally redeemed Texas in my book! :) 

{a mix of real camera & iPhone camera photos}

::the hotel::

The entrance from the road.  The hotel is actually 1 mile back from here.

The property overlooks Lake Grapevine

Night {iPhone photo}

A few {iPhone} panoramics.  It was like living inside of a botanical center.  So warm & lush!

view from the balcony of our 8th floor room

Our room

The patio -- so much stone & lush greenery!

::the weather::

It was 45-65* everyday.  We were loving it!  Texans were freezing.  :)

Pool at our hotel.  We didn't swim, but we sat in the hot tub one night. 

::the food::

Tolbert's was the first place we ate in Texas.  It's in Historic Grapevine, a few miles from our hotel. 

We split a Chicken Fried Chicken mean and we're so glad we did {this was HALF!} *They're known for their chili. 

H3 Ranch was our first dinner.  It's located in the Stockyards in Fort Worth.  I can't say enough about their Mop Steak--man I wish Adam were there--& their margaritas! :)

Terrible photo, but SO good!!!  I got the filet {w/ mop sauce} & some really good potatoes!

My mom & my dad's cousin, Danny.  He lives in Ft. Worth and took us out this night!

Note the saddles at the bar. :)

Hard Eight was a few {5?} miles the other direction of our hotel.  We ate there for lunch one day.  AWESOME BBQ!  Not fancy.  Lots of 'regulars' *I really wish Adam was with me!

Be prepared to wait in line--it goes pretty fast.

That is NOT water they're boiling the corn in! :)

Chicken | Turkey | Brisket | Mac & Cheese

Texas or not, we just LOVE our pizza.  So we found a really good brick oven pizza joint {Fireside Pies}!

Located just up the road from the boutiques in Historic Grapevine, so we got to do some shopping again this night. :)

We split a 12" pizza & it was perfect!

This was a quick lunch at our hotel one day.  I forget the name of the restaurant, but it's from the sports bar. 

We shared {1/2 of both} & they were both good. Chicken Club & Chicken Parmesan

We made a last minute decision to grab brunch at Old West Cafe before our flight.  This place is near Historic Grapevine as well.  They're only open from 6a-2p.  Go early, the wait starts early, but it goes fast.  So worth it.  The hashbrowns were almost as good as the ones my MIL served. :)

Again, we split a meal {4 chicken tenders} and it was PLENTY! {photo shows the full meal}

::the boots::

Before I left, I knew I needed to get a pair of cowboy boots.  I didn't know if they were really my 'thing' or not, so I didn't want to spend much.  I ended up finding a pair on sale for $60 at DSW, and had a $50 giftcard, so I ended up spending like $13.  I kid you not, I got over a dozen complements on them!  haha! 

The moment when you realize you didn't bring any appropriate shoes to wear down to the Jacuzzi!

::the shopping::

We shopped two places.  The boutiques at Historic Grapevine & Mills Mall.  Such cute boutiques & adorable finds!  Amazing deals at the mall!  win|win {except trying to pack it all for the flight home & my bank account!} :)

Cutest bag ever.  I had to buy this--I need this reminder every day!

I will be buying this for my babies! <3 td="">

::the entertainment::

My dad's cousin, Danny came at got us and brought us to the Stockyards in Fort Worth again, so that we could experience it on a Friday night {the first time we went it was Wednesday & not everything was open}

It was so fun to hear about the history of the Stockyards!  {the cattle drives, the business aspect, everything!}

We went directly to the rodeo, a first for me! :)

After the rodeo, Danny bought us tickets to see Brett Eldredge {Mean to Me :: Don't Ya} at Billy Bob's.  Billy Bob's is amazing.  It's the world's largest honky tonk {it's like a block by a block!} So much fun!  I've never seen more {good!} dancers in all my life.  And now?  I'm on a mission to learn how to really dance! :)

We had to borrow some cowboys hats for a photo! :)

BB's also had these stones made for TONS of famous people that have visited throughout the years.  Stix to Blake Shelton to Jonny Cash.  

We were late, so we were pretty far back! :)

On our way out the door after the concert, we saw this bull!  We had to get a photo on it! Such a fun memory!! :)

We left Billy Bob's and floated from bar to bar, until we landed back at Pearl's Dance Hall {where we went after dinner Wednesday night}.  I ended the night dancing with a 5 year old little boy.  My eyes were instantly filled, I was ready to get home to my family!

Actually, after dancing, we wanted to go to In & Out Burger {we don't have those in Iowa, so I've never been to one}, but had to settle on IHOP because it was the only thing open that late.  By the time we got back to our hotel, it was 4a.  We passed an older lady who chuckled at us, she was catching a ride to the airport to fly out. :)

We spent our last morning, riding horses at the Austin Ranch.  My mom and I agreed, it was the best way to spend our last morning in Texas!  We contemplated cancelling after our late night, the night before {hello, I never get the chance to sleep in!} but we're SO glad we didn't!

My horse, he was so sweet {with the exception of that one time he ran up the hill!!}

::the traveling::

The afternoon before I grabbed the kids from daycare early to spend the afternoon with them.  Shortly after, Cullyn ended up sick, so we went to Urgent Care {strep}.  As usual, with the exception of a pair of jeans, my laptop, & those boots, nothing was packed until the very last second!

Leaving Ankeny

Leaving Grapevine

I'm not the only person obsessed with plane-wing photos, right?!

Oh ya, and the conference! :)  On a serious note, they had the best keynote speakers I had ever heard!