Advent Wreath Workshop

Austin is enjoying his pancakes!

Tod and Jackson LOVE pancakes!

The beginning of our wreath project

Working hard and having fun!

The finished product! Not perfect but it is OURS!

As many of you know, our family began attending a new church at the end of the summer. We are now so happy to call St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian our home church. One of our favorite things about the church is the AMAZING childrens program. Last night, we all attended the Advent Wreath Workshop and had so much fun. Our friends the Ervins and the Heffrons were also there, which made it extra fun. We began the evening by enjoying a yummy pancake supper (who doesn't like breakfast for dinner?). After we all had our bellies filled, we began working on our Advent Wreath. The whole family contributed and we think it turned out beautiful. We are excited to begin lighting the candles very soon! The kids went on to make ornaments and decorations. Some were a little complex even for the adults but they all turned out great. What a fun way to spend a Sunday Night with family and friends.

Battleship Half Marathon 2008

Well, as I am sure all of you are sick of hearing by now, Tod and I ran the Battleship Half Marathon here in Wilmington this morning. Tod has run it before, along with the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon 2008. I have never run the Battleship but I had an awesome experience in Myrtle Beach running their half marathon earlier this year. We have both trained really hard. Tod is a much better (faster) runner than I am but we were both pretty well prepared for the race. Anyway, we woke up to 45 degree and sunny weather, perfect running weather. Tod was injury free for this race and I was not. Along with a number of nagging injuries, I also have a chest cold. No amount of good weather could save me. Around mile 7, I knew my goal of 2 hours 15 minutes was no longer possible. My next step was to finish within 2 hours and 20 minutes. By mile 8, I knew that also was no longer a possibility. Finally by mile 10, I knew that beating my Myrtle Beach time of 2 hours and 25 minutes wasn't possible. The death march began and I struggled to even finish. With the help of my trainer who ran with me, I did manage to finish with a smile on my face. It was a lesson in humility. It was also a good lesson for this control freak that I am; I cannot control everything. My final time was 2:36. Considering the walking and talking and complaining and whining that my trainer (thanks Roxanne!!!!!!) had to endure for 13.1 miles, I was pleased with my time. It could have been much much worse.

The great news is that Tod set a new personal record with a time of 1 hour 50 minutes. He will go on to train for the full marathon in Myrtle Beach in February and I will take a week or two off from running and I will be sticking with 5k's and 10k's for a while! I need a break from running, physically and mentally.

We didn't capture any pictures but we both think they'd be pretty painful to see anyway!