Against the Wind

I ran my first half-marathon yesterday! Talk about tough, everything was going against me. The weather was mean (40 degrees with a 15 mph wind that gusted even higher at times), but I felt fine once I got moving around and what not. I went to program my iPod with my list of awesome music I compiled just for this event, and despite the fact that I had charged it, it was DEAD. I still have NO clue how that happened, so for the entire 13.1 miles I was forced to entertain myself...scary, I know. To top it all off, at the turnaround point, my plantar faciitis in my left foot came screaming back despite the fact that we taped my feet for extra support. SO for at least 6 1/2 miles I had to slow down and even hobble a bit. Pitiful. I'm not totally happy with the whole experience, but hey, I DID IT! That's the longest distance I've ever run, and I'm pretty proud of it. I trained intensely for 10 weeks, which for dumpy little me isn't all that long. Now I need a new goal, and a new pair of running shoes...I think these have about had it! ;)

With many thanks

This Thanksgiving was definitely one we'll never forget. Last Monday started out like any other, Kerry getting up and going to school, me tending to Otis and doing some chores. We got the call from home close to lunchtime that things were taking a turn for the worse with Kerry's papa, so the split decision was made to pack hurriedly and zoom up to Andalusia/Red Level. We made it in time to say our goodbyes and hold hands with papa for a few more hours before he was gone, and we are so thankful. Close to 9pm, it was finished. It was a tearful week, but a joyful one at the same time. We were with family and friends laughing and crying together, and eating way too much as usual ;). We will miss him terribly, but everything is going to be ok. We know who holds tomorrow.



Kerry and Austin even went running with me Thursday morning! It was great to have company on the run. I'm getting nervous because it's crunch time! My half marathon is this coming Saturday morning. I sure hope I can at least cross the finish line. I've trained pretty hard for this, and I'm looking forward to it...that and the many pasta meals we'll have this week ;)



Please continue to remember us at this time. God bless.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Ok so I caved in and put up our trees. But ONLY a week early. My excuse is that we don't know what the plans are for the coming days, so we went ahead with things, and who knows, maybe I'll get to help my mom with hers next week. I'm very excited about one of mine! It's a beach tree in honor of our move to PCB. Blue ornaments, sand dollars, starfish, etc. SO pretty to me. The other tree is our classic red and gold that we've had since our first Christmas, plus our extra ornaments we've been given as gifts over the years (Auburn, Alabama, etc.) That should do it for trees since our space and funds are limited ;)

Take a peek! Check out my favorite ornament, too. Looks just like my little O!

A year after...

A year ago today we lost my dear, sweet Grandaddy. I say lost...he passed away. He had a far better place to be. It was tough, and I miss him so much still, but I'm confident that I'll see him again.

What's strange is that at this time Kerry and I are dealing with a very similar situation with his Papa. He has pancreatic cancer, and will most likely not be with us for very much longer. It's a heartbreaking time for us, so please remember us in your prayers. This is putting a strain on Kerry as well because he's juggling his studies and trips home to spend some time with his Papa before it's too late.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner! 2009 is almost in the books. I have nothing more profound to say about it just yet, isn't that sad? Today I only wanted to focus on Grandaddy and the things he taught me, and the things I still strive to glean from my relationship with him. That should be enough. =)

Happy Halloweenie :)

October is here, and as of Friday evening fall is finally in the air! Brr! We love cuddle weather around here though, and were well past ready to get rid of the humidity. Here's hoping it stays away awhile.

What a busy month it has been! Kerry is still working hard in school and doing quite well, so the prayers are working! We need more though, so keep 'em coming. We were able to go home this weekend for the first time since he started classes, and it was awesome to see everyone. I made him get up early with me on Saturday morning to go running, of course. I made it 6 miles this time. Not a personal best, but getting there. This half marathon will be here before I want it to! My only goal is to cross the finish line in a respectable amount of time...so that leaves me plenty of flexibility right? Homecoming at Mt. Zion was also this weekend, so we were able to see some of our church family and my extended family as well. It was a great day!

Please keep praying for Kerry, his grandfather (who is going through some serious testing), and for me! I've made the startling decision to switch careers. Sounds crazy, I know, but I really do believe that God is leading me elsewhere. My struggle is with faith in His plan and guidance right now. Things will fall into place, I'm sure, because they always do when I let go of what I think is best.

Happy Halloweenie! Like my Doxie pumpkin? I'm still a little creative right? haha ;)

2 and 8

Today is a great day!

Today, 2 years ago at 4pm, I married the man of my dreams, my best friend, and the most handsome man alive. Two years have flown by! I'm happy to report we're right on track for our plans, but then again, how can we ever really plan anything? We're achieving our goals right and left, and sometimes it helps (me at least) to step back and realize that!

ALSO 8 years ago today, Kerry took me out on our first date ;)

We celebrated this weekend with a big dinner that I (gasp) cooked. I recreated some of the menu from our reception with a few changes...pork roast, twice baked sweet potatoes, asparagus salad, and a tiramisu for dessert! Not bad if I do say so myself! Nothing burned, and the house and kitchen are still intact, so I call it a success! We went out for dinner at our favorite restaurant tonight for our actual anniversary and reminisced on the last 8 years. It was fun to remember football games, Kerry's old truck, movies, college, and all sorts of memories we have already made.

Kerry is doing extremely well with his classes, I'm happy to report! All A's so far! Keep praying him through this! It'll only get tougher. He's loving it, and that's very important. Work is work for me. Training is never fun, and it takes time and effort (whine, sob, cry, boohoo). I'm secretly counting down the days until I can go back and get a second degree, or a post-grad...haven't made up my mind yet.

No pictures from today to post, but I may have some family photos to post soon!

Life is Good =)

It's been a while since I posted a blog, but things have been a little mundane, so I thought it would be a pretty boring read unless I waited around a little bit ;)

Kerry started school today! He came home with a smile on his face and a pretty good bit of reading to do, but that's pretty much expected. He's super excited to get started, and I'm glad it's finally here as well. We've waited for this for a long time. 28 months seems like forever and not very long at the same time. Now we can get on with the show!

I've started working, as well. Right now, I've got 2 jobs (yikes)...I'm training at Gulf Coast Medical Center for a PRN (as needed) position, and have been for the last 3 weeks. Next week I will start training for my full time job in Sandestin at Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast. Unless something changes, I'll be keeping both jobs...but with the way things have been changing around, you never know! GCMC is a great place so far, and I love my co-workers. I hope SHEC treats me just as well.

Otis is still loving the lazy beach life! Every now and then I get on a kick of wanting to adopt another dog to keep him company, but when I look at the vet bills, that pretty much cures me of that ;)

We've committed to attending Woodlawn UMC here in Panama City Beach, and we're so excited about that! We've really enjoyed the 9forty contemporary worship service and our newlywed small group that meets every Sunday. It's good to have the support of these folks during this potentially stressful time.

Nothing new to report on the headache situation as of now. I'm up to taking 4 Topamax a day, and should be contacting my neurologist soon for a consult on where to go from here. My next UAB appointment isn't until December. Then we'll do another MRI and re-evaluate with the neurosurgeon to see if our current care plan is good. The pain management isn't really working out for me too well, but then that's to be expected.

Remember to pray for Kerry as he adjusts to his new schedule, and me as I adjust to mine!