Liverpool Turkey Trot Recap

My first race with Mikayla! I was so excited about this!  Also I have been wanting to do this race for several years and finally just bit the bullet and signed up.  Before I always procrastinated and/or talked myself out of going because it was Thanksgiving Day, there was much to do, it was easier to just run at home.  I did a lot of my cooking prep work Wednesday night so I could go to the race without feeling stressed about cooking.

I rode with Becca to the race and we ended up getting there super early because we have parking anxiety- turns out for nothing. There was plenty of parking available. :P But that's how we roll. 

Packet pick up was effortless.  We hung out in the car to stay warm until closer to start time.

I was surprised by the number of people in this race.  In fact we all found it quite congested and a little frustrating- especially the first half or so. We may have started too far back which would have added to this problem.

My attempt at getting a picture of all the runners a head of us.

I ran the whole time with Mikayla, she did a great job and I am so proud of her!

I'm happy I did this race.  I had a fun time.  I wore my shirt the rest of the day and I love it! Mikayla thinks its ugly and is sad it was her first race shirt. 

I don't know if I'll do it again. I think my desire to do a turkey trot was satisfied. We'll see how I feel when next November rolls around.  One of my friends and several people from the running group were also there.  I saw my friend but didn't really see anyone else.  Not surprising I guess, given how crowded it was. But I was a little sad to have missed out being a part of the group. I was hoping to leave feeling connected and hyped up to join the winter session of Miles and Macros.  I have never really felt "apart" of the group other than a few brief moments.  A lot of that is my own fault. Making friends is not an easy thing.  Also so many of them are so much faster and have a completely different mentality about running. I'm not a "fast" runner, I'll never place at race or set any records.  I'd rather run with a friend or family member to encourage them or just enjoy the experience than chase my own PR.  I run because it makes me feel happy and strong. These are the things I need to remember. 

But I'm probably still going to sign up for the speed sessions. I really felt like they helped me, pushed me and proved I was stronger than I thought. Plus it'll help keep me running through the winter. Despite what I said above I am hoping to accomplish a PR on my birthday Syracuse Half this year!

That's not to say I was sad overall.  Running with Mikayla made me over the top happy.  That's the part I'm choosing to focus on. 

Back home I took the pups for a quick walk. Showered and changed into my race shirt.  Finished cooking to head to Mom and Dad's for our Thanksgiving dinner at 2.

I did not take many pictures the rest of the day but we had  a great dinner and then a rousing game of Dutch Blitz. So much fun!

Dad had a responsive reading prepared for before dinner.

Papa and Jacob played a game of chess.

No pictures from Dutch Blitz but it was loud and fun and much laughter was involved.

Home with the pup, tired but happy heart. 💙

Thanksgiving things

We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house.

Best Mom and Dad on the planet. 

Christmas lights!

The boys were quite anxious for their walk on Saturday!

I started reading this book on Thanksgiving and am very much enjoying it. It is about loving people like Jesus around your kitchen table...  Bri McKoy is one of my favorite people on the internet 💖

Tomorrow is December and I can hardly believe it!  Now I am thinking about Advent and all the Christmassy things.  Friday is our annual Christmas Shopping date- where the mister and I do the bulk of our Christmas shopping together. Saturday we are getting our tree.

New Challenge and Study! Making YOUR home a Haven

November is almost here and with it comes my favorite holiday- Thanksgiving! I love this season most of all.  Plans to get together with family and friends, cooking cozy and delicious foods, thinking about all the ways God has blessed me.  Something I try to be conscious of always but am not always successful.

November also brings one of my favorite annual Bible Studies and challenges- Making Your Home a Haven.  I have been doing this study for the last several years.  All the info can be found HERE- the journal/guide is available on amazon but not required.  The title this year is slowing down and it resonates with my very soul.  Think about joining me- I am starting a small private Facebook group, I will also be writing here.  Feel free to text or message me about it, leave your thoughts in the comments. Or even meet up in person. Studying God's Word and focusing on being a Homemaker- even tough I am not longer a "stay at home" Mom- is one of my favorite things.  I am still a Mom and and as a wife and mom you have the power to set the tone of your home. 

I am not officially affiliated with this study in anyway.  Its just one I love and believe in.

As you read this know that I am praying for you and the home where you dwell.  May you find refuge and strength in Him this season.

Quarantine week 1

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  Ours was all right- quiet and small- just the 5 of us. I'd be lying if I said I didn't shed more than a few tears over this... but the day itself was mostly good.

A week ago the mister tested positive for Covid so we have been under house arrest ever since. He is well- pretty much recovered at this point.  So far the kids and I have not had any symptoms.  Its been hard to not be really frustrated and discouraged.

I did my turkey nails-

I've done a bit of stress baking...

Sourdough Croissants

Triple Berry Scones

Beef Stew (in the Quick Cooker) and Sourdough Bread

For Thanksgiving...

Apple Pie

Texas Roadhouse Copycat Rolls

Stuffing

My turkey- took this pic to show off that glorious skin to my sister! :P

I also made mashed potatoes and gravy, brussels sprouts, green bean casserole, pumpkin log.

My brother and sis-in-law dropped off a yummy cheese tray, my dad dropped of Mom's cranberry relish and pumpkin snickerdoodles.

Friday I made kaiser rolls with everything but the bagel seasoning.

A lot of reading- finished 3 books so far, closing in on #4...

Played virtual scrabble with my sister... and Mikayla.

And of course lots of snuggles with the pups-

And so now we head into week 2- hoping and praying everyone else stays healthy.  

thanksgiving

This morning I was in a pretty grumpy mood. I knew it was wrong. I halfheartedly prayed for peace and joy.

Its starting to get better though. :-) Reading the final Beatitudes devo on SheReadsTruth helped snap me out of my funk and put things into perspective.

I'm really excited for the start of Advent.  I can't wait to start my study and I also got my new journaling kit in the mail! =) Love. I'm excited I actually got it ordered early enough to get the bonus stamp set. I believe its sold out now.

Tonight we are headed into the big city ;-) Mikayla is singing with the Select Choir. Mom and Dad are picking me up so we can go together. I am so relieved. I was stressing about driving into Syracuse and finding parking figuring out where I needed to be and all that stuff that gives me crippling anxiety.

Yesterday I was up bright and early... thanks to our critters.  Actually it was still dark so not so bright... But I took advantage of the early morning quiet to do my devotionals and some more journaling in my Gratitude Journal and Bible.

My sister and I texted each other pics of our respective stuffing's. She spent her thanksgiving with her in-laws, and I missed her a lot.  But I am happy and thankful she has a wonderful husband and son.

As the kids started watching the parade I headed out for a little run.  It felt so amazing. I have to find more time to get out there. I miss running.

When I got back I watched the rest of the parade with them.  While Chance played with his turkey football. Love the Barkbox ;-) Interested in one for your pooch? click HERE your first month will be FREE and Chancey will get an extra month. ;-)

We spent the afternoon at my parents house with my brother's family and my father in law and his wife. I later realized I didn't take a single picture. But sometimes its good to just enjoy the moments instead of trying to capture them.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope a lot of you are enjoying an extended holiday today as well.  

My verse for today:

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Girl Scout Turkey Trot?!?

OK so I have been wanting to do a Turkey Trot for the past two years since I started running.

This morning I saw a local Girl Scout event on Facebook and got ridiculously excited! It's the Great Girl Scout Turkey Trot!

 

I immediately had visions of running with my daughter and niece. The Daisy and Brownie level girls run a half mile course.  Its only $5.50 race fee for the girls, and they get a medal.  Hannah was recently coveting my long sleeve tech shirt from the Good Samaritan 5K this spring.  Stating she wanted to "earn" a shirt like that.  Perhaps this is a way to ease her back into the running thing ;)

Then I saw these DIY Turkey shirts...how fun!

 

The tail feathers on the back totally sold me on them! I am so making one with Hannah. :P

 

Also these socks or ones reasonably like them are a must.
 

Anybody want to do an Ugly Christmas Sweater Run the Saturday after Thanksgiving?
You get a Free Ugly Christmas Sweater at Packet Pick up. ;)