Running 101

It is a common misconception that all who work in the fitness industry love to run, walk or jog. WRONG! Not all of us have the 'running' gene. In fact, some of us HATE the thought of running. I happen to fall into that category. However, I do believe anyone can run and even potentially learn to love to run. Being motivated by a friend of mine who told me she trained and ran a 10 K last year with no running back ground, I decided this summer that after baby was born and after my six weeks postpartum was up I was going to start training for the River Bank. Not just the 5K or 10K either. Nope, I'm going for the big dawg. My theory on this one is 'go big or go home'. So the 25K it is! That would be 15.5 miles for you non runner people...I had to look it up too so don't feel bad.
The Internet is a wonderful thing. Reason #1 - I have found a training program to follow that is made for people like me without the runner gene. Making me feel good about not being the only one in the world to from non runner to 25 K-er. Reason #2 - My hope is that blogging about this will keep me honest and motivated to follow through to the end...the effectiveness of this is still to be determined. And Reason #3 - To motivate people to try it with me. You've heard "there is power in numbers." or maybe it is closer to "misery loves company" but either way I think it would be great to get a big group to train together. I may be crazy but I have already found other people to be crazy with me...thus the beauty of peer pressure. :)
Tomorrow is the big 'start conditioning day'...I found a conditioning program to help me get ready for training...it is 8 weeks long.
This is what the first week looks like:

Week 1 - run for 5 seconds/walk for 55 seconds on the run/walk days

Mon: 10 min run/walk

Tues: 15 min walk
Wed: 13 min run/walk
Thurs: 18 min walk
Fri: off
Sat: 1 mile run/walk
Sun: off/walk

Doesn't seem too difficult.
Let the fun begin!

Beautiful Fall Day

Yesterday was a gorgeous fall day here in H-town. It was only natural to want to spend some time outside. So I grabbed my camera and ran around with Payton snapping pictures as we went.

Carving Pumpkins

Fall is my favorite time of year. Summer is great and all but there is nothing like fall in Michigan. I enjoy it even more now that I have children too because there are endless activities for kids this time of year. One of those activities happens to be pumpkin carving. We didn't carve pumpkins last year because we felt Payton was just too young to enjoy it but this year we thought she would get a kick out of it. She really liked the idea of it but I don't know how much she actually enjoyed it. Her favorite part was definitely drawing on her pumpkin before the actual carving. Bryan & I however enjoyed ourselves but did say it was a lot more difficult then we remember from when we were kids. Our conclusion to this was, of course it was because our dads were doing all the real work.

The black pumpkin is one Payton painted a few weeks ago at a party

Family Photos

Go Blue!

If you know Bryan at all, you know how he is a die hard Michigan fan. So days like last Saturday when his Wolverines play a big rival (Michigan State...boo! I have to say that because my Sis-in-law is a MSU grad & I know she reads this:) we get decked out in our maze & blue gear. The game did not go our way last week...or this week for that matter...but we will continue to cheer them on & hope next season will be different.
GO BLUE!!

Down on the Farm

We have affectionately termed Mark's house 'The Farm' due to his location and the fact he seems to be accumulating animals. It was a beautiful day last Friday so we met Heather, Ava & my mom out at 'the farm' to play. It is a great place to play outside & get a little dirty. We hulled out Payton's rain boots, because that is what we do at the farm...wear boots, and prepared to get a little dirty. Chester even got to come along to play with the dogs. He loved every second of it.

Boots

Mittens the kitten

Gettin' dirty

2nd Annuel Heyride & Pumpkin Pickin'

The Slenk family was again nice enough to have all the 'Wednesday night kiddos' & their mommy's over for a hey ride and to pick their own pumpkins right out of the patch. Not to mention the yummy cookies & juice afterward. Payton really loved the hay ride and wanted to carry her pumpkin everywhere with her. Good thing it was just her size.

Thanks again for having us all, we really enjoy it! Payton & Mommy

With her pumpkin

All the Wednesday night Kiddos
Top Row: Ben (3), Lily (4), Ava (5), Payton (2), Nick (2)
Bottom Row: Vince (8 mos.), Griffin (2), Parker (5), Sophia (2), Cole (2), Addison (11 mos)
Not Pictured: Ella (1), Charley (1 mo)

Cookies & Juice

Charley all snug as a bug

1 Month

To our Little Mister -
The past month has just flown by and we can not believe you are one month old already. You are getting so big and have already out grown newborn diapers and newborn clothing is getting tight. It is so fun watching your personality come out more every day. You have began to smile back at us when we talk to you and you make us laugh when you giggle in your sleep, well, at least it sounds like giggles. You are a very good baby and seem to be very laid back which we are praying continues. Even your physical features are changing so much. We can't decide who you look like. Some days you look like Payton but some days you look very different.
We thank God for blessing us with you every day and can't wait to watch you grow.
We Love you Little Man
Mommy & Daddy
(Payton too)

Pickin' Apples

My wonderful hubby took this beautiful Saturday morning off from open houses & showings to take the kids & I to Cranes for some apple pickin' and donuts & cider. Although it wasn't really 'fall' weather outside...seeing at it was 70 + degrees before noon...we had a great time & got some cute pictures. Now all I have to do is learn how to make a good apple crisp and we're all set.

To Know or Not to Know

One of the questions I have gotten since Charley has been born is 'What did you like better, knowing gender or not knowing?". I have to say that I really liked both. I wouldn't change finding out Payton was a girl because it was a lot of fun with all the baby showers and nursery decorating and such but I wouldn't change not finding out Charley was a boy either because, although it drove me completely nuts at times, it was fun hearing everyone's thoughts on what 'it' was going to be and telling everyone after he was born. And in the end, seeing & hearing Bryan's reaction was well worth it!
If there is, which I hope there is, a Baby Myrick #3 I think we will let it be a surprise again. Mainly because now that we have one of each we already have all the cloths, bedding, blankets, etc.

October Prayer for my Children

There are times when I feel like I am being so redundant in my prayers for my children. Asking God to protect them, keep them healthy, that they will grow to love Him with all their hearts, that others will see Him through them, that they seek Him in all things, that they never stray from Him, etc. All these things are wonderful things to pray about don't get me wrong but when I started Bible Study Fellowship a few weeks ago and picked up the 'What Your Child Learned' paper and read the suggestions on what to pray for I was blessed and inspired. There were 12 things on the list and they suggested you pray one a month for a year so that is what I am going to do and thought I would share them with everyone as well just in case there are other parents out there needing some inspiration when it comes to praying for their children.

Lord, I pray Payton & Charley will enjoy Bible stories now and that, when old enough, they will make and keep a commitment to study the Bible every day of their lives.

Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
"⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."

Psalm 119:11 (NLT)
" ¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you."

3 John 4 (NLT)
"⁴ I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth."