A Pretty Glass of Water

I really like water and don't usually have a hard time drinking the daily recommended amounts, BUT sometimes I need something fresh to change things up a bit!  I do find it much easier during the week when I'm at the office.  Weekends are definitely a bit more of a challenge for me.  This morning while I was fixing breakfast for my family I decided to slice up some fruit to infuse in my water throughout the weekend.  My favorite fruits to put in my water are oranges, lemons and strawberries!

It literally only took about 5 minutes to wash and slice the fruit.  Then I put some of the sliced fruit in a jar and then into the fridge to make it easier to grab a slice or two to put into my glass (or water bottle) throughout the day.

Drink your water today and make it fun, fresh and healthy!!!

Blessings,

Krystal

Pray & Run for Boston

When you become a runner you immediately become part of a community, a family.  When a dear family member or friend becomes a runner, you also become part of a community and larger family.  Like so many around the world Monday, my heart sank when I heard of the news of the bomb explosions at the Boston Marathon.  

Thanks to the inspiration of 'Through Heather's Looking Glass'  and so many other bloggers and runners across the country, I was inspired to also run 4.09 miles yesterday in honor of Boston and all of those affected.  This was the time on the race clock when the first bomb went off.  

I spent this time praying for the city of Boston, the runners and spectators at the Boston Marathon, the families, the entire running community and for our country.  As I prayed for Boston, I also reflected on my own journey and was reminded that we cannot live in fear!  I was also reminded of Psalm 27:1.  "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"  It was an emotional run just thinking what must have been going through the minds of the runners, spectators, families, emergency personnel etc. that were there.  And then I began thinking about how hard it's going to be for these runners to run their next race.  Will they be able to?  What will it feel like to cross the next finish line?  What will their next training run feel like?  What I do know is that no matter what, God is our light and salvation and we should not fear!  There are so many things that we cannot control and we must allow Him to be in control.

Runners Unite and Do Not Fear!

We live in a fallen world and this is just another reminder that we need Jesus!

Blessings,

Krystal

The Best and the Hardest!

Since I've started seriously training for a half marathon I've been doing my long runs on Saturday mornings as it's just too hard to do that many miles before getting ready for work and taking my little girl to school.  When I woke up this morning I got the biggest surprise!  Joshua asked if he could go run with me.  I was completely surprised, excited and nervous at the same time.  Like me when I started running, Joshua hasn't done any sort of running since high school but let me just say this guy is in incredible shape!

I had 9 miles on the training schedule.  It was about 35 degrees this morning when we headed out and just a slight breeze to begin with.  After we got past 1 mile I kept expecting Joshua to turn around and head back.  At mile 3 I thought for sure he would head back and finish 6 total miles but NO he wasn't about to let a girl beat him.  He ran with me the ENTIRE 9 miles.  I absolutely loved having him beside me.  He kept pushing me, making me smile and even made sure to protect me from the traffic :)

After we hit the half way point to turn around we had a terrible head wind and a few hills to climb again.  I'm not sure I could have finished this tough run without him!  Did I mention this was a REALLY hard run?  Joshua has always been incredibly supportive, but nothing beats struggling through a long run together.  God is so good to bless me with such an incredible man!

We were both FULL of smiles (and hungry) after we finished!!!

Blessings,

Krystal

Throw Back Thursday

It's that time of the week again!  This throw back picture means a lot to me.  This picture was taken for work as a part of the May/June 2012 edition of the C Magazine to help promote careers in Agriculture and CHS.  I was so honored to be a part of this magazine and share a little about my journey in Agriculture.  I just recently celebrated 10 years at M&M Cooperative and although my job doesn't define who I am, it has been an honor to be a part of the M&M Cooperative/CHS family and I really enjoy what I do and the people I work with!

The other reason this picture is so important to me is that it was taken just a few weeks before I started running and has been a great reminder of how this last year has been such a blessing.  It still had it's struggles (which they all do), 

but God has been faithful to help me restore my health and for that I am grateful!

Progress may be slow, BUT it's still progress!!!

Blessings,

Krystal

A Quick Dinner Date!

Earlier last week my boss asked if him and his wife could take my kids to a movie.  They don't have grandkids yet and love to borrow grandkids!  The last time they took them, my kids talked about it for days so needless to say they were so incredibly excited to go again.  I'm not sure if they were more excited about the movie or the popcorn.  Those of you who know me well, know that I have major issues with the smell of popcorn and therefore my poor kids don't ever get to have it at home and needless to say don't get to go to the movies very often.  

Look at the smiles on these four!

The timing for them to bless us was just wonderful.  Josh and several other guys went to ride in some sand dunes in Oklahoma and he was getting home Sunday evening while the kids were at the movie.    So that meant we got a quick dinner date!

I greeted my husband with my new t-shirt on that I got from Union 28 that says "My Husband ROCKS." I love their shirts and they're ministry to encourage marriages.  We only had an hour to eat and catch up after being apart for several days before we needed to pick up our babies, but the time was so wonderful.  This was such an incredible blessing.  

My piece of advise with this post... don't EVER turn down someone who wants to bless you!  

It's these little moments that are so precious!

Blessings,

Krystal

Gentle Mothering

After running 8 miles this morning my body has been a little tired today.  The kids and I have been picking up the house, doing laundry and other fun things that we needed to do on a Saturday.  With that being said though, we all enjoyed a nap and then enjoyed some time outside.  This beautiful spring day couldn't be wasted by spending it inside!  

I decided to take my bible reading outside.  There's nothing sweeter than a peaceful afternoon, God's word, the giggles of my kids playing and of course a nice glass of cold water!  

Here's the view of the kids playing while I spent time in prayer and reading God's word.

Several year's ago my Mom gave me a new Bible, it's called the 'Mom's Bible.'  I really enjoy it as the notes are written for and to mothers.  I spent some time this afternoon reading in the book of Matthew.  God uses Chapter 11 to speak to us about finding rest in Him by learning to be gentle and humble!  I was reminded this afternoon that God speaks to us in such gentle ways through a gentle tug in our hearts or a quiet nudge.  This was a gentle tug reminding me that I should speak to my children in the same way that God speaks to me.  After I finished my time in God's word, I immediately got up and joined my kids on the trampoline.  I love the excitement they have when Mommy comes to play with them.  

 Yes, I even joined Kylee in some cartwheels!

Thank you God, for using a peaceful and beautiful afternoon to speak to my heart!

May you find rest in Jesus today!

Blessings,

Krystal

My Own Birth Story

As a Mom who's given birth to two beautiful blessings I can recall how EVERYONE shared with me about their birth stories when they saw I was expecting.  Everything from the joys, the pain, the details of the absolute miracle it is that God orchestrates with each and every birth.  I always loved hearing about the experiences others had, both through birth and adoptions and experienced so much joy listening to others.  I too have enjoyed sharing about the birth story of my precious babies.  But as I'm sure others have experienced, as an expecting mom I was ready to experience my own birth story.  One that is special to just my husband and I.  One that I would someday share with my child.  It's quite amazing to go through such an amazing experience and I praise God for every day I went past my due dates, every painful contraction, every sleepless night, the first cries I heard of these precious babies and the overwhelming love you experience as parents.

Here's a picture of Miss Kylee and I right after she was born.

Here's a picture of Mr. Jayce with Daddy soon after he was born.

As I prepare for my very first half marathon, I find myself relating it to birth stories (although NOTHING compares to that experience).  I enjoy reading and hearing about the experiences others have had both training and racing for a half marathon.  I appreciate their wisdom, their joys, their struggles and the common bond runners have!  BUT... I'm getting to where I'm ready for my own half marathon story, my own training struggles, my own race experience, my own rush of emotions when I cross the finish line.  I'm ready for it ALL!  

I've registered for the Slacker Half Marathon in Georgetown, CO on June 22, 2013 which is just 11 weeks away!  I'm excited, nervous and blessed to know that my amazing husband and sweet kids will be there to cheer me on!

Blessings,

Krystal

 

Our First Family Picture

It's throw back Thursday time!  Here's our first family picture 6 weeks after Miss Kylee was born, 6 1/2 years ago (and 30+ pounds ago).  Next to receiving Jesus as my savior and marrying my best friend, becoming a mom was definitely the next best day of my life.  Looking back at these pictures reminds me of the incredible journey this has been both physically, spiritually and emotionally!  

God is SO good!!!

Blessings,

Krystal