1. Softball- the girls played softball on the same team this year. Very competitive but FUN. Their coaches, Brian Zinn and Chad Mortenson, made it a very memorable season and not only taught them tenique and skills for working as a team, but life skills as well. It was so fun to go and hear these men invest in these girls and see how they challenged them and each game, they grew and got better. Very proud of my girls and all they did on their softball team. Becca was on of the catchers and worked her butt off! And Abby did amazing in outfield by 3rd base. She even caught a pop up ball out in the field and it totally charged her up and lifted her spirits. We started out wondering if this was really a fit for Abby, and learned that she was up for the challenge.
2. Small group camping- our Small Group went camping at School Section Lake in Mecosta County June 22-24th. Abby took a friend with her and it made her time camping even more special. Jaelle did awesome camping and our whole family was able to really enjoy eachother and enjoy the time with friends in a new environment. Stephen, our pastor, preached Sunday morning and it was so wonderful to have the kids involved and engaged in the service. Chris Shebester and I lead worship together and there's just something about worshiping outside in God's creation.
3. I sang at a Women's Tea Event at First Baptist Church in Vestaburg- The same weekend of the camping trip I sang a few songs at this tea. It was fabulous event. The church did a wonderful job of making us feel so special, so spoiled and probably one of the neatest things was that we had tea and were served tea just as if it was "high tea". The food was scrumptious and beautiful. Each table was decorated by the hostess of that table. And every lady received some gift. What made this event special was that I was able to minister with Cheryl Engle, who is not only my friend but mentor. Cheryl did a tremendous job teaching and sharing from God's Word to these ladies and I know that she impacted women there.
4. Father's Day and Birthday party- June 16th we were at a birthday party for a young gal at our church, Ashleigh, who turned 14. First time with Jaelle at the pool with a bunch of people and she loved it. Then On Father's Day we went to my sister's new house and had a great time with her family and my dad. We swam in the pool and the kids played and played. We didn't leave until 10:30pm. It was a very busy weekend but again, summer is about enjoying the outdoors and making memories with family and friends.
5. First 5K for Cornelius- Today, June 30th, my husband ran his first 5K. I couldn't be prouder of him and his accomplishment. What was so awesome was that he took first place in his age group of 30-39 year olds. He ran it in 29 minutes and 17 seconds which wasn't even his best time. The girls were so impressed and impacted by their dad. It was very special to see him cross the finish line. This evening we went walking as a family for the first time. Ive been walking and jogging with Cornelius and the girls would ride their bikes. Often they would ride along with their dad when he started running. (Cornelius is much faster than me) Tonight after supper, we went and Abby totally surprised me. She ran longer and quicker. Becca kept in stride with me. She got tired but kept pushing herself. Abby did it in 45 minutes flat and Becca and I finished in 46 minutes and 36 seconds. We cheered them on and I noticed that I felt more excitement while doing it with them. It was so rewarding and so fulfilling to do it with my girls. Jaelle was content in her stroller and watched everyone working hard. I told the girls that Jaelle is going to grow up seeing us exercising and she will naturally want to exercise too.
AND I continue to work at being a good steward of my body with how I eat and exercise. I face challenges and temptations, but it keeps getting easier day by day. Sometimes I worry if I don't exercise as often as I think I should or if I eat something sweet or fatty, but then I tell myself that it's not about being legalistic and a drill sargent, but about making intentional choices to surrender my addiction and unhealthy lifestyle to God and find that He's there to encourage me and give me strength and wisdom. At the close of this month, I can say that I have lost a total of 25 pounds since I started this journey April 19th, 2012. YEAH!!!
Here are a few pictures from JUNE 2012
Yep, we got goats and we even milk them too. Becca's just too cute with her hat!
