We've Been to Alaska and Back!

Hunter and I spent 5 glorious days in Ketchikan, Alaska. We basked in the 50 degree weather and the non-stop rain. Haha, sounds horrible, huh? Nah, we actually had a really good time!

I spend a summer working up in Ketchikan during college and this trip brought back a lot of good memories of that summer. It's beautiful! Hunter adored being able to see float planes fly overhead and see boats passing by constantly. I'm pretty sure he spend the entire five days saying "Airplane!!!" or "Big Boat" (what he called the cruise ships).

I'm going to tie this into a McFatty Monday post and link up with The Heir to Blair by telling you all about my eating and excercising on the trip. They were both moderate. Nothing great, but I didn't say "Hell with it, I'm on vacation!!" I went for a run one evening, spent a lot of time walking, and even got to do a two hour zip line tour! It was amazing!

Hunter Loves Summer

Hunter has really discovered a love for playing at parks. He didn't start walking until the end of July last year and so last summer he wasn't getting around real steadily. This year is a whole different story. He climbs, swings, and slides like a champ.

On Saturday, he actually got to go to two different parks. He had a great time playing with his buddy been earlier in the afternoon.












And there is your fix for the week of Hunter pictures :)

I Am NOT a Quitter!

So, remember how last week I called myself a quitter? Well, I think I was wrong. I had an amazing week after I “quit”. I didn’t feel so much stress or pressure to race to the gym after work every day. Instead, three days after work, I headed to the park with my mom and Hunter and picked up at week 5 of the C25K program.

And guess what… I loved it! It felt so good to just get outside and RUN! (After I capitalized all the letters in “run” I realized it made me sound super fast, if that’s how you took it too, think again, I am not fast.) It was so refreshing to push myself, enjoy the outdoors, and get lost in my own thoughts. I am not a “runner” by any means, but for once, I am starting to understand why people love it! I used to think runners were just sick in the head, I mean really, who really likes to torture themselves like that?! I can see myself really getting into it.

I won’t lie; part of my motivation to keep it up is the Warrior Dash, which is only a few short weeks away. I realized that I need to stick to my program and not skip any runs if I want to be ready for it by July 17th! I can’t really say I am looking forward to it by any means, but hey, it’s getting my booty off the couch, right? The dread I am feeling is just due to me being a little scared to be surrounded by a bunch of fit “runners” who will all stop and laugh at me when I have to stop and walk for a few minutes. And then after they laugh, the loud speakers will come on and announce that they have a “walker” on the Warrior course. A bit dramatic? Yeah, yeah, I know! :)

I Got Baptized!

I thought last night was going to be a normal Saturday night at church. But boy, did God have different plans for me! Pastor Dean greeted Hunter and I as we walked in church, I took Hunter to the nursery, and then my friend, Shyla and I found a place to sit.

The worship was moving. But it was Pastor Dean's message that spoke right to my heart. He talked about being baptized. That salvation was not dependent on it, but God does ask for us to do it. It's an outward sign of our commitment to serve Christ.

Let me back up... I was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran church. I have felt a desire to be baptized as an adult for a couple years now. I just have never done it. I never really pursued finding out when the next baptisms at church were and it always seemed like it would be hard to find a time when Jesse would be there as well. I even had a conversation with Jesse at one point asking him to get baptized with me, but he has already been baptized as a teenager and didn't have a need to do it again. Okay, I'll do it someday, just not now.

Okay, back to last night. Pastor Dean talked about Jesus people who still had not been baptized. He said that believing was the first assignment from God and baptism was the second. I took it as, I had not fulfilled my second assignment, which was preventing me from future assignments. My heart was on fire. I knew immediately that I was going to be baptized that night. He went on to talk about how he had seen people walk through the front door with their children that night with a heart for Jesus, but had not be baptized. Hey, that was me and Hunter!! Right?! How did he know I hadn't been baptized?!

In my head I was thinking, how can I get baptized tonight? Jesse isn't here. I am wearing white shorts! And then Pastor Dean said something to the affect of making excuses, such as not wearing the right clothing or family and friends not being there to witness the event. Straight to my heart. I already knew earlier in the service that I would get baptized, but now I knew without a doubt that God was pushing me, gently nudging me. It was time for me to obey.

Towards to end of the service, the Pastor asked people to bow their heads, close their eyes, and raise their hands if they wanted to give their life to God. I prayed for those people who were making that decision that night. And then he asked for those who were already Jesus people that hadn't been baptized to stand up. I felt a sense of boldness overcome me. There was no self consciousness or worry, I immediately stood up without hesitation. I raised my hands to the Lord and I gave him my whole self. With loving hands praying over me, I committed to not withhold any part of me from the Lord.

There was a baptism tank outside where people were directed to. That is where I was baptized and declared my love for Jesus. It could not of been more perfect. Not if it was planned, or Jesse was there, or I was wearing a swimsuit under my clothing. It was in God's time which was the perfect time.

What Would it Be Like...

If we gave God full control over our lives? What if we didn't worry about a thing because we had enough faith to believe in every word He has told us?

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

Would our lives be drastically different if we trusted the Lord with all of our heart? There would be very little stress, if any. We would pray about problems or future decisions instead of internalizing them and worrying ourselves sick about them. Our lives would be full of freedom and less of anxiety.

What if we gave God full control over our finances? Our society worries so much about having more and more money and objects. What if we consistently have God ten percent of what HE has given us in the first place and then gave even more when our hearts were pulled in that direction? Something tells me that we would have even more if we did this.

This is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. I have given God a lot of control in my life, but have I given Him complete control? Not so much. My prayers lately have revolved greatly around this. I want to be so faithful that at times it might look neglectful to the naked eye. I would love to not worry or to try to control my life myself. I would love to get to the point where I give when I have nothing left to give.

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22

Goodnight Hunter.

I think I have mentioned a couple times about how easy Hunter has been to put to bed. I just set him in his crib and he waves bye bye to me. That is it... he just reads a book or snuggles with his pal Scout until he's ready to fall asleep. Love it!

Tonight he wanted to bring his sippy cup with him, I said fine. He also wanted to bring his sleeping bag into the crib, that was fine as well. He laid right down and gave me the standard wave goodbye.

I am in absolutely no rush to move him to a toddler bed. He seems to like his little "cage" as I affectionately call it. And he shows no interest in trying to escape it. So, if that means that he's in a crib until he's eighteen, sounds pretty darn good to me! :)

Thankful Thursday

It's been a few weeks since I did a Thankful Thursday post, but I think it's so good to sit down every once in awhile and really think about what you are thankful in your life at that point in time. This week, I am linking up with Undeserving Grace.

Things I am especially grateful for this week:

1. Being able to Skype with my husband a few times

2. My amazing parents who have been so good to me this week. They made it possible for me to run three times this week by walking Hunter while I ran, took such great care of Hunter while I was at work this week, and they also had me over for a couple ah-mazing dinners!

3. My son who is growing into a polite little guy. He has been using his please and thank you's like a pro this week! Sometimes he gets a little confused and says "You're welcome" instead of "Thank you", but hey, the thought is there! Love it!

4. The C25K program. I started running again this week and was pleasantly surprised to find that I was able to pick up where I left off at Week 5. Not in running shape? Check out the program, it's great!

5. Being able to have a serious disagreement with Jesse over the phone today without either one of us raising our voices or getting defensive. We have some very serious decisions to make in the next six months about our future and even though as of right now we disagree, I know that we will be able to come to an agreement eventually without disrespecting each other.

6. Hearing Hunter begin to sing some of the lyrics to "Our God", whenever it comes on in the car, he shouts out "Our God" and has even said "Our God izzz stronger". Can't wait to see this little boy to grow into a man of God!