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Sunday, November 30, 2014

November: Turkey Trot


Nothing like a Turkey Trot to get you ready for the Thanksgiving feast!

This was my second year to run the Turkey Trot here in Houston, and I do believe this event is one of my favorites. It's a HUGE event - we're talking 15,000 people participating! The course is also through Uptown, which is just awesome. We run along streets that are usually jam-packed with traffic, so it's a cool feeling to be there on foot and in the middle of the road. Of course, 15,000 people just creates a different kind of traffic.


The Mister and I ran the 5k. One, because it's cheaper. Two, because it's shorter. And three, because there was a FEAST waiting! Can't have Turkey Trot time cutting into turkey time, can we?

I went into the run aiming to finish in under 35 minutes. I figured that was a realistic goal for the pace I'd been running while training, and I felt that it left enough wiggle room for stroller-dodging and human traffic jams. I'm happy to report that we crossed the finish line at 34:46! I am definitely proud of that time, and meeting a goal is such a good motivator.

The trot was festive, the crowd was lively, and the weather was beautiful. And best of all? Guilt free dessert!

Have you ever run a Turkey Trot?

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

rewinds

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REWINDS
<< My Mister had a birthday on Thursday! This weekend was chock-full of celebrations - soccer ganmes, a movie and sushi date, and Sunday lunch with the families. He doesn't like too much fanfare, so we kept it casual but definitely celebratory.

<< We had some sweet friends in town and got to meet their new baby! She's the cutest. I was too busy laughing and catching up to take any pictures, though. #bloggerfail

<< Golden Grill (our Houston grilled cheese food truck), has a sandwich that is made of brie and peach preserves. BRIE AND PEACH PRESERVES. Yum.

<< We found the greatest toy store ever in the Heights! So many unique and clever toys. 25 years old, sans kids, and I still spent an hour in there. :)

The weather was dreary, but we made the most of this weekend!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Mister 25

My amazing Mister is 25 today!

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He is sweet and strong. He is kind. He is always willing to help. He's funny. He's easygoing. He's dependable. He's all good things, and I am so proud and in love with this man.

He has all my heart. Forever.

Wishing him the happiest of birthdays!

Friday, November 7, 2014

Homecoming

This past weekend was Baylor's homecoming, so the Mister and I headed up to Waco to meet up with several of our old friends. We visited some of our old favorites and explored the new additions.

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Food for Thought - one of my favorites for Waco eats. And the crossword puzzle? The Mister and I used to do them together every day. Adorable, I know. New stadium! Exciting times for good ole Baylor.

Baylor has the oldest Homecoming in the nation, so there are lots of traditions! We have a bonfire Friday night, the parade Saturday morning, and the homecoming football game later Saturday. All the while there are events all over campus - reunions, Pigskin Review, tours, and just a whole lot of Baylor love.

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The best part of Homecoming this year is that we were there with a group of the old crew. There is something truly special about the friends you make in college. Even though I hadn't seen some of these ladies in years, it felt like we could pick up right where we left off. We reminisced about our college days, caught up on life lately, encouraged each other, and laughed a lot. We laughed all weekend long, the kind of laughter that is balm to the soul.

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"Homecoming" is such an accurate term for last weekend's festivities. Baylor and Waco are such a part of me now; my heart knew I was home when I walked onto campus. College was a time of such growth. I learned so much about myself and the woman I want to be. I met some of my dearest friends and experienced so many things for the first time. I grew so much during those years in Waco, and Baylor is part of who I am.

Then when the weekend is over, we packed up the car and came home to Houston. We stopped in Cypress to pick up the pupsqueak before driving into town to our apartment. That route takes me through the place I grew up, and lands me in the place I am now. Houston, of course, is home to me. I love this city. We have so many adventures here. I am learning to navigate this great big world, and Houston is such a big part of that journey.

My heart calls both places home. Both places are precious to me, and both places are part of who I am and who I am becoming. But loving both as home reminds me that I don't know what all God has in store for my life. There will be other places I call home. I want to be open to change, and I want to keep my heart open to every place I go.

After all, my true home is with Jesus.

"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."
-2 Corinthians 5:1


While I hold my home-places close to my heart, let me always be willing to go where called.

What places do you call home?
How have the places you have called home formed you?
How do you keep your heart open for the next adventure?

Thursday, November 6, 2014

rewinds

 fight song  jellyfish
 baylor bagel  stadium group

REWINDS
<< We were up in Waco for Baylor Homecoming all weekend and had the best time visiting old favorites and catching up with dear friends.

<< I was a jellyfish for Halloween. I was surprised and impressed that most people got it right away, though I was mistaken for Bubble Boy at some point. Close enough.

<< Einstein's Bagels has PUMPKIN SHMEAR! Go get some. Put it on a cinnamon bagel. It's delicous.

<< New Stadium! Sic 'em Bears!