10 Years

On November 28th, Doug and I will have been married 10 years. (hopefully that is today if I have scheduled this to go up on the 28th....but I'm a bit blog challenged) That's a long time by today standards. It doesn't even put a dent in the years our grandparents or even parents have been together, but it's a great start. It has gone by so fast, but in so many ways, it feels like he has always been a part of my life. Our marriage is truly blessed and I am so grateful for it. So in honor of our 10 years, here or 2 list of ten. (surprise another list) These are written to Doug, so it is more on the intimate side, but I am proud of who he is and who we are so, I'm sharing it with everyone.







10 Reasons I feel in love with you:







1. Gorgeous. You have always been a looker. Beautiful eyes, beautiful build, nice hair......I could go on and on.




2. Confidence. You have always oozed confidence. Some people might say to a fault. But to me nothing is more attractive than someone who knows their capabilities.




3. Drive, ambition. From the moment I knew you, you knew what you wanted out of life and knew the steps to get there.




4. Funny. You have a great sense of humor and love to laugh. Who doesn't want to be around that?




5. Passion. You have always had a sense of passion and urgency about you. No matter what you were/are doing, you put your whole heart into it. Most people walk through life at distance, you step completely in.




6. Dreamer. When I met you, you were such a dreamer. Planed big, and usually got it.




7. Friendliness. You are absolutely one of the friendliest people I know. I remember when we were dating, you would go into a store, I would wait in the car and you would be in there forever, just chatting with the clerk.




8. Joyful - You are a truly happy person, and have a contagious smile.




9. Godly. Coming from different backgrounds, you opened my eyes to what it is and what it can be, the be a Godly person.




10. Athletic. You love sports and so do I so right off the bat we had something in common.

10 Reasons I fall more in love everyday

1. Man. You are a man, in every sense of the word. You take care of your family, you are faithful and loving to your wife, and at the same time you are sensitive and giving. Really, so many men could learn a thing or two from you.

2. More gorgeous than ever. You've still got it babe. Your hottie, what can I say?




3 Wonderful husband. You have become a great husband. Neither of us were to good at marriage in the beginning, but what we have is wonderful. You know (most of the time) what I need and what I mean. When my yes really means no and vice versa. You understand the importance of family time and couple time. I can honestly say you are my best friend and there is not an adult person in the world I would rather spend my days and nights with.




4. Wonderful dad. You are absolutely a gifted dad. You know exactly how to handle and love Lauren. It is obvious in the way that she looks at you how much she loves and looks up to you and that is a direct response of who you are.




5. Smart. You amaze my with your knowledge on so many things. I know that I am smart too, but not in the way you are.




6. Self sacrifice. You would do anything for your family. Wither it is not playing golf to spend time with your family are doing without something you want because it would take away from something else, you are always willing to sacrifice what you want.




7. Intense. You have a certain intensity about you. (Is it Intense Intensities or In tense in 10 cities?) You are focused on your goals and really put everything you have into everything you do.




8. Fun. You know how to have fun and just be a big goofball! I love your child like spirit and your ability to let loose.




9. Romantic. You are always doing romantic things for me and you may not always know it. From cleaning the Kitchen every night or planing a date for the two of us or bringing flowers home for no reason. You make me feel loved.




10. You love me. I know you have loved me since that day you first told me back in college. You knew before I did. You continue to show and prove your love over and over again and I am truly blessed to be loved by you.







I could list a million reasons why I love you, but these are the first 20 that came to mine. Here's to 10 great years and many more to come. I truly get a warm fuzzy, just thinking about the future that we get to share together. Thank you for loving me, thank you for choosing me and thank your for being you.







I love you always and forever!

13.1

This Sunday Doug and I ran in the San Antonio Rock n Roll half Marathon. This was our second half to do this year. We (or I, Doug is still undecided) will do it again in January. I really don't think this is something "normal" people get. But for me running has become a sort of addiction, definitely a passion. I started running before I was pregnant with Lauren to loose weight. Then I did it to compete. Not so much against other people but myself. Bettering myself, my time, my body, etc. Of course after I got pregnant I stopped. I picked it up again some time after she was born for the same reason I had done it before to loose weight. But there is just something about that keeps me coming back for more. Part of it that it is good quality me time. Another, I like the pain, the sweat and the sense of accomplishment. I always tell people, "there is nothing about me that is runner. I'm short, on the stocky side, I have asthma and bad knees." I guess it's the stubborn part of me that loves proving myself wrong, defying the odds. I ran on Sunday as hard as my little legs could. I finished in 2:21:23. 15 minutes faster than in Houston and 13 minutes faster than 6 weeks ago and 8 and half faster than my goal. Now I have my eyes set on Houston there, hoping to knock another 10 minutes off. If I don't, sure I will be upset, but it give me one more reason to run. Not that I need an excuse. I love it should I need any other reason? Maybe......so here are 13

1. It's good for you

2. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger

3. So many people can't, so I need to

4. Gives my daughter and husband something to proud of me about

5. Great people run and it's fun to meet them

6. When people ask what you did this weekend......you get to say I ran "X" amount of miles, no more saying "not much"

7. Gives me plenty of time to think

8. Great chance to pray (and that really takes the focus off what you are doing)

9. Honestly, makes be feel like a better person

10. Keeps me athletic and competitive

11. Runners just think differently about life, and I like that

12. I do it so I can call myself a runner........I'm a runner!

13. It's fun (yes I know I need help)

And for those are wondering.......13 thoughts that went through my head on Sunday

1. Here we go!

2. Yes, Doug I know what I'm doing

3. I know I said I would do the 5:1 starting at the second water stop, but I'm going to keep going

4 Pain is weakness leaving the body.

5. What is the quote on the back of my shirt? (people kept saying "nice quote")

6. Lauren, Lauren, Lauren where is Lauren, anticipating seeing her got me to each of the next miles. (Unfortunately, I didn't get to see her. Logistically not feasible, 30,000 runners, twice as many spectators. Thanks Mimi for trying)

7. It's much warmer than I thought it would be

8. Wonder how Doug is

9. Should have brought my ipod, not enough rock n roll in this rock n roll marathon

10. 3 more miles, I can do this, less than a 5k to go

11. Is it possible for your leg to just snap off at the knee

12. Who was the genius who made the last .2 straight up hill. I want names.

13. I see the finish line

and .1 I DID IT!

Fall Fun

Wow, it feels like we have been non-stop busy all of October and that some how fall is passing us by without our even knowing it. (After all it is 85 out today so, one might get the impression it is indeed still summer.) Anyway, here is an attempt to catch up......

October started as usual with fun birthday outings for me including: A trip to Houston where we stayed with our dear friends, The Heflins. We went to an all day country concert, before pooping out before the main act. (A casualty of turning 33 I guess. I am by the way, the youngest of the four of us.) Thanks to Mimi and Grandad for hanging with Lauren while we had adult time. Unfortunately, I was most of the the next week (plus) so my actual birthday was pretty low key. But Doug and I did find time to have a nice dinner out sans Lauren.

Next highlight.......The pumpkin patch. We had our annual playgroup pumpkin patch party. (Not so much a party but want one more "P" in there.) The kids had so much fun playing in the hay maze, story time, picking a pumpkin and getting their faces painted.

My timing may be all off on some of this, but Doug went to Paris and my parents came into town to keep us company. I always love when they come to town and I get to spend time with just them. (Selfish youngest sibling, I know.) Anyway, Lauren and I had a great time and were happy to not be on our own. As many of you know I am training for a half Marathon, on this weekend, we had our final bench mark race....... 13.1 miles. So yes, that was a half Marathon. It was a great run. It was beautiful outside and we ran downtown in the mission district, so the new scenery was wonderful. My time was close to where I want it to be on the big day. So considering I was sick for two weeks and only ran once during that time and optimistic come race day I will achieve my goal.

The following weekend we headed to the ranch. It was by 10 year Homecoming at ACU. We took advantage of the proximity of ACU to the ranch. Not only was it homecoming but it was Youth weekend, so my whole family was there. It is really fun when everyone is out there, not to mention free babysitting. (Older cousins are awesome!) So while I felt like Homecoming was a huge bust, the weekend itself was not and it did not end in Abilene. From Abilene we drove to Houston to celebrate Becky's birthday and Doug had a golf tournament on Monday. Another good time. Lauren had her first night in a big bed that was not mine. She slept with Reagan, they looked so cute all snug in bed. And she has not stopped talking about wanting a big girl bed. Not quite ready to go there yet.

This past week was equally as busy as all of the others have been this month. Why take a week "off"? On Wednesday we had our 3rd annual Playgroup Halloween Party. This was the most fun by far. The kids got the whole dressing up thing, which was cute. And I got into this year too. Went a little overboard on my Halloween themed food, but it was fun making it all. At the party we had tons of food, made footprint ghost, decorated cupcakes and did some trick or treat practicing. It was huge success, even if my little butterfly girl ate sprinkles by the spoonful and didn't nap that day.......

This weekend was the official opening weekend of deer season, so Doug head back to the ranch and Lauren and I head to Ft. Worth. We rode with her best buddy Caroline and her parents. While the ride was a a little snug it was worth it and I would do it again for sure. Beats driving by yourself! In Ft. Worth we did some trick or treating in my mom's neighborhood with cousin Morgan, Aunt Lisa, Aunt Debbie and Mom Mom. This the first Halloween I have gotten to go to at my parents house. It used to be a big deal, tons of kids and parents, a big meal and trick or treating. Not so much this year, but those of there had a blast. I'm sorry that Doug missed it. Lauren was very cute running up to the door, ringing the bell and yelling "Trick or tweet" and then "another house momma, another house". She really is too cute. While in Ft. Worth we got to hang out with my Aunt Jo a lot. Which was awesome because she is one of my favorites in this world and I don't get to see her enough to be reminded of that. Saturday night we went to the FWC for an auction. I score NASCAR tickets, 4 for $85, which is a really good price. I guess those FWC parents just aren't the NASCAR type....... Sunday we went to church at RHCC. It was packed, which is a good thing. But I was especially moved by the acapella singing, which I haven't heard in a long time. There is something so pure about the sound of tons of people singing sans instruments. It was beautiful. These days instruments are my preference, but it's nice to go back to the roots sometimes. After church, lunch and a very long car ride home. Why is to trip to escaping reality is always quicker than the one back to it? But both Lauren and were happy to get back to Doug. I hate it when he's not with us.

So that in a nutshell (a big one) was our October. But here is on more word.......Blessed!