2011 - A YEAR OF HOLDING HANDS

2011 has been an amazing year for and me and my family. Here is a brief recap;
March : Mike and I ran our first half marathon together. We have ran half marathon's before, just never together. So we decided to stick with each other no matter what and we crossed the Sarasota Half Marathon finish line holding hands.
April: I crossed the finish line of the Iron Girl Half Marathon in St. Petersburg Florida holding hands with my best friend Denise Williams.

July 23 : Mike completes his first Sprint Triathlon on his 50th birthday on Siesta Key. I did this triathlon as a relay team with my boys Hayden and Noah. I swam, Noah biked and Hayden ran. We held hands as we were awarded 2nd place in our relay division and I have memories with my boys that I will cherish forever. 

This is also the month that we acquired a new family member...SURF!

August : Our 1st year anniversary at Siesta Key/Sarasota and I revel everyday in the beauty that surrounds me here and the wonderful people that God has brought into our lives.  This month my family and I had the most surreal experience. After a Siesta Key beach 5K, Me, Noah, Hayden and Mike swam in the azure waters of the Gulf and two manatee's joined us. They let us pet and swim with them for about a half hour during the beautiful sunset. I am now a bonafide Manatee lover.  Save the Manatees!!


September : Mike and I celebrated 9 married years together. It seems that we have had all the odds stacked against us and I have to say that this 9th year has been the best and favor is now on our side.  I can truly feel the blessings coming our way.

October : This was the month to make a decision to not conform and compromise my beliefs and morals.   I took  a drastic shift to realign my career with my priorities and step totally out in faith.  Mike and I also completed Siesta Key Sharks Triathlon. A freak cold spell had us shivering at the swim start.  Mike caught up with me on the run and smacked me on the rear. I finished just behind him and we both had the time of our lives.

November : Me and the boys traveled back to Missouri to visit my dad and while there I ran the Bass Pro 5K with my sister, brother-in-law and beautiful niece Roxy.  Great time with my family. On Thanksgiving weekend Mike and I ran the PAL Half Marathon in Sarasota. We decided since we had ran the Sarasota Half together that we would run this race on our own and simply try and do our best.  Half way through the race Mike and I managed to meet up and ended up running the race together and crossed the finish line holding hands. We both had a personal best time of 2:13:10.

November also held a special time for us. We got to meet our beautiful new soon to be daughter -in-law Annie and our beautiful soon to be granddaughter Ava. Me, Mike, Hayden, Noah, Jonathon, Annie, Ava, Chelsea and Jordan all went to Disney World together.

December : I finish this year sitting on the #1 beach in America (Siesta Key) writing this blog and reflecting on how blessed I've been.  My boys are healthy and happy.  Noah is doing great in school. He told me today that his New Year's Resolution was to make running a more regular part of his life.  This makes mom really happy. Hayden works at Chili's and is starting school in January.  I know that this is the beginning of great things in store for Hayden and pray that he will follow his heart and find fulfillment in his career choice.
2012 holds much promise for Mike to fulfill his calling as well. God has lined up connections which propelled him back into his calling, Pastoring.  He is starting a church on Siesta Key. I haven't seen him this passionate about his life in a long time.  God will bless him for heeding His call.
Mike is also starting sailing lessons.  We have always dreamed of owning a sail boat and experiencing the freedom that the open sea beckons to us.  Someday, he will sail me away!
As for me, I have decided to complete two of the things on my bucket list this new year.  I have signed up for Yoga Teacher Training Certification.  I start my classes in January.  I also want to complete a 70.3 Half Iron Man triathlon.  Rumor has it that Sarasota will be holding one in the fall this new year by a company called Rev3! Mike and I will be the first to sign up!
I am also trying to listen to God's calling in holistic medicine and letting Him open the doors for me.
I don't know all that God has in store for me and my family this coming year, but I do know this... as I look around me I am so very grateful for the blessings that have been bestowed upon me and my family.  I will continue forward with a grateful heart and remember to always hold hands with those that I love with each finish line that I cross.
Thank you God.
May you and your family have a blessed and happy New Year!
Namaste'

P.S. Never stop dreaming!