"..they will run and not grow weary..." Isaiah 40:31

I did it. I ran my first half marathon. I had to gulp down the tears as I crossed the finish line in New Orleans. A finish line that 20,000 other runners would also cross. They probably felt the same raw emotion, as many were also first timers like me. The New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll Marathon was definitely the best first half I could have participated in. The crowds of runners, spectators, bands, gorgeous views along the run, and the fantastic treatment of the runners was like no other.

My bid number! 20250.. Oh yes, I was runner 20, 250.. among 22, 000, other runners!

13.1 miles in 2:05:40; Average pace per mile: 9:36! I beat my goal of 2:30! I can not wait until my next half! I did it! Another accomplishment checked off my LONG list.. NOW if I could just motivate myself enough to run 26 miles!

Some big 1/2 marathon stops and races I am looking forward to and WOULD LOVE to plan for.. we will see what Lance's schedule holds for us (as Residency is sort of unforgiving and never allows for planning ahead of time):

April 21, 2012: Tate and I competed in the Warrior Dash! We had such an awesome time!!!
http://warriordash.com/register2012_mississippi.php

Tate and me during the race..

Before the 50 degree weather  race.. clean! and not freezing.. yet!

Yes, it was 50 degrees.. and yes, we are in a lake swimming and jumping over logs. Pure fun!

After the race.. cold, muddy, but it was the best feeling! Brother and sister survived the Warrior Dash!

Now for the cold hose down after the race..

February 22-24, 2013: Disney's Princess Half Marathon http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/princess-half-marathon

I included websites for those of my friends that are interested in competing, too. I would also love if anyone else would like to compete along with me.. just let me know. The more training partners I have, the more excited I get about training! 

I have slacked off the past couple of months since the 1/2 on training. I just started training again about 2 weeks ago. I have made it to 5 miles, but kind of stuck in a rut once I reach that distance. But I should always remember the saying that kept me going during NOLA.. 

"I will run and not grow weary.." Isaiah 40:31

It is amazing how God gives us the capability to run and not get weary. Through him and his grace, we are able to compete in any competition, achieve any personal goal, and throw our arms in the air rejoicing once we cross that difficult finish line we all strive to pass. 

I owe it all to Christ.

God bless you all:)

Happy Easter from ALL of us:)

This Easter I worked a quick 12 hours on Good Friday, drove to Starkville when I got off, enjoyed a quick catch up @ Bin 612 with my great friends Marla Waldrop, Katie Brown, Morgan Self, and Rachel Waldrop, ran a quick 5 miles, then drove to Nanih Wayia to spend the night with my Mimmi, Pappa, Corbinator, Lauren, Aunt Regina, and Uncle William. WHEW! Sunday morning we woke up for breakfast and made it to Good Hope Baptist Church for our traditional Easter Sunday service with mom, dad, and Tate. I have to admit, it hurts walking into such a traditional time without Lance by my side, but I know being "on-call" is a "calling," and what a special call on such an amazing day. He rose again for us.. to provide us an opportunity to serve him, heal for him, and save for him. I need to keep reminding myself that (as I fight back the tears, now). One day the 2 of us will no longer have to work holidays, weekends, or greater than 12 hours at a time. Hallelujah! But until then, I have to remember how blessed we are to have the ability to physically and mentally complete Christ's work.

 Here are some quick pictures from Easter weekend..

Sweet Corbin and his "Ban Ban"

Marching to the next photo.. always an act of Congress to take a family Easter photo.

eventually we will get this photo done!

Always have two Easter photos of the grandparents, grandkids, and great grandkids. Love Corbin's face! and Pappaw's, too.

Corbin looks like he is saying, "Oh, no! Another Easter picture?!?!"

mom trying to get Corbin to smell the roses.

Uncle William, Sweet Aunt Regina, and Mom. Moody Siblings.

Corbin and Lee.. after Corbin opened his bug catching kit!

Corbin's potty chart stickers! Someone is excited to use them!

Sweet Corbin is excited to use his bug magnifying glass.

Te-hee.

ahhhh!!!!

Close your eyes, Corbin! Here comes more Easter bunny happies!

Haha.. one eye open:)

Corbin loves his Ban-Ban.

All he wants is "Edward" from Thomas the train!

Edward?

More Thomas the train and Edward toys!

My favorite picture of all Easter.. Tate modeling Corbin's awesome Cars hygiene products, and mom and dad looking so proud in the background. Priceless. 

Hunting bugs.

Corbin smashing bugs with the magnifying glass. Whoopsie.

Corbin showing off his treasure.. grass.

The most beautiful site.. my grandparents amazing place.

Can I live here?

Catching fish.. the cheap way. 

You throw out feed, then put the net in, and pull them out!

My sweet Corbinator. 

Oh how I love him!

Good catch!

a peaceful Easter!

Love Sunday afternoons..

Rosie and me.

Corbin, mom, and me. 

Happy Easter! Tater Tot, me, Corbinator, mom, Rosie, and Wuarney. 

Don't get me wrong, I tried my best to pay attention during the Easter service. But I was slightly distracted by the power point screens that were on the bilateral sides of the pulpit. As most of my close friends and family know, a year ago I forced myself to go to an optometrist and discovered the inevitable.. the world is not so blurry to everyone else. Just to me. Yes, glasses and contacts have performed a miracle for me. Well, Easter morning these amazing miracles to me were unfound. Hence, I starred at the power point screens trying to decipher to my hungry stomach what these items were, and what they had to do with Easter. I later explained this to my family at lunch. They laughed and said it was flowers and a cross.

I explained this to Lance as I retreated home to him Sunday night. I really thought it was either grapes and fruit? Fish and bread? Or was it stuffing and turkey? and I explained to Lance that I spent a large majority of the church service contemplating what the food items had to do with the Easter service (I got the fish and bread).. and that is when Lance broke out into this awesome song..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYqM9-Fj0Pg

*Now my rant for the night.. most of you know that we do not have cable. It is a great way to save money, allows me to dig deep into my inner creative being (drive Lance crazy, and possibly push him to purchase cable;), and MAKE us focus on our medical careers. Well, not so much me. I'll be honest, I just pull out my lap top, turn on some A&E TV and watch some 48 hours re-runs.. and the paranoia returns (hey, did I mention THAT was another reason Lance did away with cable? To do away with my paranoia episodes? Yeah, nice try. bud.). Anyways, SERIOUSLY. My mind rambles. Well, I WAS trying to watch American Idol, and one of my favorites just came on (Phillip Phillips) and the bunny ears on our TV decided to do a little skipping. Needless to stay my Dave sound a like sounded like a DJ's favorite scratched choice. sad. Youtube.. I'll be seeing you in 10 hours. or less. Skylar, you did amazing tonight! SO PROUD OF MY MISSISSIPPI GIRL!

Hope you all have a great week, Super Bulldog Weekend, and good luck to my friends competing in the Warrior Dash this weekend! I will be seeing you all after the finish line (hopefully I will not be on a stretcher;)

God Bless,
Dani