Resolution Run 2014

Another year has come to pass. It seems as though time is passing so quickly. The older I get the faster it goes. This year, like the last, I set out with some running goals. Last year I vowed to run a race every month in 2013 and succeeded! So, this year I made my goal to run one half marathon every. single. month. For the entire year of 2014. You can read about last year and my goal here: 

http://thehawkinsfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/resolution-race.html

This proved to way more challenging than I thought. Not physically, but challenging in other ways. Let me explain... First, Half Marathons are hard to come by. What I mean by this is that I had to travel. And travel some more... 2 of the 12 were close to home. The rest required hotel stays or leaving at 4:30 in the morning.  7 of my races required a hotel stay. Secondly, for those of you who don't run or participate in races, half marathons are expensive! I lucked out on my first half and got to do it for free! But I paid the price for the other 11. Anywhere from $50 to $90 a race. (And let's don't forget the hotels and food!) 

Now, I am not saying that I didn't love every minute of this challenge, because I totally did! It was just a little more trying than I had expected.  I most definitely could not have done it without some special running buddies though. I want to take a minute to tell these gals thanks. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for all your support and help and encouragement! Elaine Mangham- who I ran my first AND last half with, My mom, who came along for the adventure on a race or two, Ashley Green, who ran in two of these races with me, Stacy Morris who I not only suckered into running one, but THREE half marathons with me and countless miles weekend after weekend, and last my wonderful sister who I had the privilege of dragging across the finish line of her FIRST half marathon and even managed to talk her into a second one! I really can't tell you how awesome it is to have friends who are there for you when you need them the most.

Okay, I have posted a picture from each race below. Under each pic is a little bit about the race and all the details of date and location. Okay, here we go:

Red Nose Half Marathon

January 4, Columbus GA

My first half of the year! This was not only the coldest race of the year- 22 degrees, but this was also my fastest half of the year. I managed to finish this one in 1:58 despite the numbing cold..

                                       

Run the Reagan Half Marathon

February 15, Snellville GA

This race was another cold one. It had just snowed also, so there were piles of snow in the parking lots! I had a great race- finished in 1:58 and won 2nd place in my age group!

                                      

Publix Half Marathon

March 23, Downtown Atlanta, GA

I ran this one last year as well and it is one of my favorites! I did this one with my best running friend. It was her first half marathon! We finished up in the rain, but had a fun night out in Atlanta and ate a HUGE sundae at Hard Rock Cafe.

Georgia Peach Jam Half Marathon

April 19, Big Creek Greenway, Cumming GA

Thank the Lord for running buddies! Ashley and I stayed in a hotel for the Peach Jam Half. I loved this course. It was through a beautiful park and most of the path was on wood plank boardwalk! This one I finished in 2 hours.

Pre-Memorial Day Half Marathon

May 25, Tribble Mill Park, Lawrenville GA

This was a nice little race. Not too many people and located in a nice park. I found this racing outfit online and it worked well with my schedule so I signed up. This race ran several laps through the park, unlike most races.

                                       

Bootlegger Half Marathon

June 7, Dawsonville GA

I took the whole family on this one. This race started and finished at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. Not to interesting of a course, but the museum was pretty awesome! This was a hot race, and I finished in 2:05

Rockin' the LP Half Marathon

July 6, Lenora Park- Snellville GA

Unfortunately, half marathons in the Georgia summer are hard to come by. This was another race with the small outfitter called Deborah Montgomery Racing, like the May race. It was very small as well and done in a park where we made multiple laps. Finished in 2:07

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The Hotlanta Half Marathon

August 24, Underground Atlanta GA

Talk about HOT. This was the hottest race of the year. I think it was 85 degrees by the 3rd mile. This was an awesome route! This was the inaugural year for this race. I hope to run it again next summer. Several miles of the course was ran on the Atlanta Beltline, which I had never seen! Despite the heat, hills and humidity, I finished in 2:04

The Diva's Half Marathon

September 6, Peachtree City GA

The Diva race was awesome! It took place on the golf cart paths of Peachtree City.At the finish line we were greeted with hot, shirtless fire fighters, feather boas, crowns, roses and champagne! We were treated like true queens! My friend Stacy ran this one with me. Unfortunately, the humidity got the best of this race and both were pooped by the finish. And due to my marathon training, I had to run 2 miles BEFORE the race to get my 15 miles in!

Michelob Ultra Half Marathon

October 4, Cumming GA

This was the second part of the Publix half. I suckered my sister into this one. She runs a little slower than me, but I wanted to stay with her and help her across the finish line! We had a great time and managed to finish.. even though she was DONE at mile 12.. ;)

Race For This City, Benefiting Impact Racing Ministries

November 27, Griffin GA

Who is that I see in that picture?? Yes, my sister! I got her on board to do another one! This was a local race. It benefited Impact Racing which is a running ministry that caters to inner city kids. They run every weekend and get the kids in the local neighborhoods involved in something physically active and keeps them off the streets!

Hope For Orphans Half Marathon 

December 6, Griffin GA

My last half was also a local race. This time benefiting Hope for Orphans. The proceeds from this race went to the adoption of a precious little boy from South America who has cancer. He is now with his new family here in Griffin receiving cancer treatments! Lots of my friends were at this race! We all got yummy BBQ plates at the finish line too! Although this wasn't a cold race , it was a WET one! It was pouring the last mile on us!

And there you have it. My running resolution year in review. I managed to complete my second year of running goals! Now, looking into 2015... what do I have up my sleeve for this year? Well, I still plan on doing at least one race a month.. after all I am on a 24 month straight race streak! But this year, I plan on branching out. I am looking forward to dualthons, triathlons, a tough mudder and a Spartan race. I want to mix it up this year! 

I encourage you all to set your own fitness goals for 2015! Whether it be to walk three times a week, or maybe do your first 5K! Get out there and get moving! Your body will thank you.

Also, if anyone is interested in running FOR someone with special needs (I run for Erica), please see this post: 

http://thehawkinsfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/i-run-4.html

Christmas 2014... Meet Betty

Another Christmas has come and gone. Each one a little different than the last. And this year was no different (as I described in my last post). But I do want to take a minute to reminisce on this Christmas and write it down so I will not forget those special memories.

Patiently waiting to head downstairs!

Jada wanted an ipod touch and a waffle chair for Christmas. That is all she asked for. Santa brought her both of those things! As well as a fashion design kit, a case for her ipod, a lava lamp and some beautiful new dresses! When we moved, we had to leave our in ground basketball goal.. so Santa brought a new ball goal for her and Carter as well.

Carter had asked for a new iphone . And he wanted some very expensive, very hard to find Jordan basketball shoes. Luckily, for this Mama, I found them on eBay last minute for half the price! He also got Jordan pants, a Jordan jacket and a Jordan jersey. His stocking was filled with jerky and trading cards. His favorites.

Kennedy is really understanding Christmas and presents and Santa this year. So cute! She asked Santa at Six Flags for a unicorn. I think she wanted a real unicorn. She mostly got My Little Pony stuff. She also got a new big girl bike!

Maggie has wanted a pig for almost 2 years now. She has asked time and time again about getting one. I always said NO. A resounding no. We had no where to keep a pig, I knew nothing about them, and I was not ready to deal with an animal. Well, when she asked for a pig for Christmas, I thought a little bit about it. You see, we have a new house and lots of land. We even have a barn and three nice kennels/pens for animals. So I had to really think about it. Long and hard...  She also asked for an iPhone for Christmas. Santa most definitely brought her an iphone! She also got a new soccer ball, a cute chevron straightener, some clothes, and a lava lamp. Maggie was actually about half way through opening her presents from Santa before she even noticed that he had also brought her a pig! She had not seen the kennel in the chair! She had skipped right over it. She screamed!

Before she had even noticed the pig...

This was right after she screamed and saw the kennel with her piggie!

Her first time holding her.

She named her Betty. Betty is a two week old mini pot-belly. She was the runt of the litter. She is being bottle fed pig formula, but she does NOT like it. She is sleeping with Maggie in her room (in her kennel). She has become very attached to us and cries if she can't find us or we walk out of the room without her. We LOVE Betty! She has quickly become a part of the family! Now Jada wants a pig for Christmas next year.. ;)

Merry Christmas?

            

      Well, it's that time of year again. The season to be jolly, and merry and bright... or so they say. I will have to say that this year has NOT felt like Christmas. Not even a little. Actually, the entire "holiday season" has been out of sorts. For starters, we were living with a house full of boxes during Thanksgiving. I could not decorate for Christmas on Thanksgiving night, like I ALWAYS do. I didn't get to watch the Lighting of the Macy's tree and listen to Christmas carols with the kids while we drink hot cocoa and decorate our Christmas tree. These are always my favorite memories. I didn't get to hang the stockings or string the lights. Well, at least not when I normally do it. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for moving and our new home. I just didn't get to do it the way I like to.
I have not sent our Christmas cards, or even had a chance to THINK about them! And as many of you know, I put a lot of time and effort into those! I am pretty bummed about that. (Look foward to New Year's cards though). I have rushed and hustled around to try and get Christmas gifts bought- also unlike me... I prefer to be done by Thanksgiving with shopping and things all perfectly planned and in order. Not this year though. No way. I was too caught up in boxes and packing tape. Which brings me to my next thought...

What is Christmas really? What is it truly about? I had quite a moment last Saturday while I was out rushing about buying gifts. The kids were scattered about and Kevin was off work and at home with Kennedy, so I took the rare moment to leave and head to Hampton to shop. I chose the center off Highway 20 which includes Hobby Lobby, Toys R Us, TJ Maxx and Acadamey... all the stores I needed in one parking lot. Bam. When I was done, my trunk was full of bags and boxes. I was backing out of my parking spot and headed out when I noticed the car in front of me. The car was so full of toys, boxes and bags, I could not see the driver. Or anything for that matter. Just boxes. It hit me. Like a ton of bricks. The Lord lifted the blinders off my eyes and I remembered what a selfish country we live in. I rememered how we spend $1000's of dollars on uneccesary items for each other every Christmas, when so many live without even food or fresh drinking water. We pile our homes and garages full of junk year after year and don't even think twice about 3rd world countries full of sickness and children with no shoes on there feet. We send a shoebox or two to Operation Christmas Child and pat ourselves on the back- "we have done a great thing for Christmas." We live so selfishly. Myself included. We get caught up in our own little world, our own people and places and things. But oh how WRONG we are!! How far away from walking like Jesus could we be! Especially at Christmas! I had all these thoughts in a split moment in that parking lot. I wanted to turn right back around and return every single thing I just bought. I couldn't believe how selfish I was being. So many others in need and my family wants for nothing. Yet there I sat in that parking lot with hundreds of others needing nothing and buying everything.

The parable of the rich young man comes to mind. "Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.…" Matthew 19:21-22 
Oh Lord may I not be that young man! May I not hang my head and walk away grieving because I own too much! 

I have seen true poverty. Not only here in the United States, but in Uganda too. In some of the most remote villages in the world. Places with holes in the ground for bathrooms. Places with mud huts to live in. Children and adults who had never even SEEN a white person. Women with no shirts or shoes. What a life changing experience to see how others in this world live. I think if you could visit a place like this you would see. You would understand. I left many of my belongings there for those people. My shirts and shoes and dresses. They had so little, and I had so much! I pray for my heart to remember. To remember how much others have and how much I have to give! I pray that for you too. 

We just bought a new house. Our old house was fine. It was paid for. It was far more than many others have. We could use more space, but we were making do. I find myself feeling a little guilty for this new house. It's so nice and has so much land. I feel greedy sometimes for buying it. But I am reminded that the Lord will use my home and my family for His kingdom. We have so many more opportunities to have others in our home now. So many ways we can love on others in our community here!

So what is Christmas? It is definitely not what I thought. Not this year. This year, Christmas is not only about the birth of our Savior, but it's about giving. It's about giving of ourselves, our time and our money. Giving to those who are truly in need. Those who need to feel God's love. I want nothing more than to be the servant of my Lord who reaches out and touches those who are poor. Poor in spirit or in wealth. Those who need love. Lord, may I have this spirit, the spirit of giving the whole year through! 

Change

Change is good. Well, sometimes.  And sometimes change is scary. Or hurts. Or makes no sense.  Change is a word of many emotions.  If I were to ask every person I know to define the word change with one emotion, I would end up with 185 different definitions. I don't necessarily think I could even use one emotion word right now to describe it. It seems as though change has been on the horizon lately in my life and I don't think I have just one feeling about it.

The Lord has said :
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

I try to take comfort in the fact that change is good. A new season.  A new start. The Lord has a time for each season of our life and the only way to get to that next season is to make a change. Rather to accept a change. Allow the change to happen. After all, no good will come from fighting it. The new season will go on with or without your acceptance. 

Sometimes we initiate change and other times it seems forced upon us. Sometimes it comes out of no where,  and other times we see it coming for miles. Sometimes it is out of our control or brought on by another.  No matter how change arrives, it sparks a feeling.  

I have too many changes to think about.  A new season heading my way. And I have to decide to allow it. To let it come.
 The Lord reminds me : "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11

So as my list of change has grown, I choose to be content in knowing that the change is part of the plan. Plans to prosper me. Not for evil. To give me a future and a hope. 

So many things are different this year for me. We made a huge leap of faith as a family and left our church. This is the only church my children have ever known. They grew up there. Their friends , since birth and toddler days were there. People I, myself, grew up in front of. A church I have been a part of for over 20 years. A church my family is still a part of. The church I wed my husband in and dedicated my children in. What a scary, difficult journey that was. God told us it was time. We had to go. So we did. We jumped out on faith and left our comfortable home. I can't say that it was easy. I felt alone and afraid at times. I lost some very special people and friends in the process.  But, it was part of His plan. It was and still is such an amazing change! We found a new church home instantly. One that God ordained and orchestrated!  We have since bonded with so many new brothers and sisters in Christ. The Lord is using our family at our new church in amazing ways. I just don't even have the words to describe it. Change. A new season.  Plans to prosper.  

As my children started school this year, I realized quickly that I have 4 more years with my son. He will be in high school next year and our time together with him as our little boy is slowing down. All our children are becoming so independent.  Kennedy will start school next fall. It dawned on me that my time as a mommy isn't what it used to be. I hang on to every little hug and giggle from my baby. I was pushed into a new season this school year. I am no longer needed at home like I was before.  I saw the "change" on the horizon. I saw it coming.  And the Lord laid it all out for me. I had prayed about adding to our family but the Lord opened another door. He brought me a job teaching at the school Kennedy is attending.  A new season.  A change. Plans to prosper. 

I recently lost several special friends in my life. Not to cancer or sickness. Not to death or tragedy.  But to words and actions.  I lost them to hurt. People will always come and go. New friends are made and old ones are forgotten.  Changes in "your people" are a part of life. But I have learned the hard way that words are powerful.  And so are your actions.  Friendship is hard sometimes.  Every person is different.  Some friends are more sensitive. Some friends are stubborn.  Some are near impossible to understand. But I have learned that sometimes change is something you initiate.  Sometimes your words cause hurt. Your actions cause hurt. And inevitably, cause friendships to break. Although there is nothing that can be said or done to repair some friendships, you can ask for forgiveness and move forward.  A new season.  A change. A plan to prosper.

Change is inevitable.  There is no stopping it.  It's not always fun, it's not always what you want.  But if you put your trust in the Lord, change is something you will accept and if given the chance.. the Lord will use it for His glory.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 
Romans 12:2

Fall Break 2014

We had a great week! I started the week off last weekend with a half marathon. This was my 10th half for the year, however this was my sisters FIRST half marathon! I never though I would see the day! She did amazing! She ran non-stop a 12:30 mile for the fist 10 miles. She was awesome. She slowed down the last 3 and had to walk a good bit, which is very typical for a first half marathon. But she finished!! I remember 3 years ago when she first mentioned that we (Momma, Denise and myself) should walk a half marathon. I thought she was nuts. It was her idea first though and she started making it a reality back then. She never gave up and slowly added miles over the months. She worked up to RUNNING! And she did it! She finished all 13.1 miles, and got the sticker and the medal to prove it. 

                                                                                                                                                                     After the amazing race, I headed back home to pack up and take the kids camping at High Falls with my Aunt and Uncle and cousins. We had a nice relaxing weekend at High Falls State Park. 

We came home Monday from our High Falls camping trip and washed up and got ready for our next camping trip. But first, we hit up the Griffin fair. It's just one of those fall things I can't not do. The carnies are creepy, the food is greasy and the smoke is ridiculous... but it's just a part of my fall! We hit up $1 ride night, so the kids rode rides all night! I also got my yearly dose of artery clogging Kiwanis "Corn Dawgs" and funnel cake. I even got to ride my favorite, the ferris wheel.

The next day I took the girls to see Frozen on Ice! We scored $12 through a friend and I couldn't pass it up! It was amazing! I have never been to a Disney show on ice so I was not sure what to expect. They played out the entire movie (well almost)! They sang all the songs and had amazing props and costumes. Here are a few pics from the show.

We finished up the week with another camping trip. We headed to Lake Hartwell on Thursday morning. We spent 4 days camping at Tugaloo State Park. My sister and her family came up on Friday to join us. This was a beautiful place! Our campsite was gorgeous and so were the trails and scenery. This trip was mostly about resting. We enjoyed kayaking and fishing, napping in the hammocks and sleeping in. We also found our 8th state park geocache! It rained during the night but stayed clear during the day. It was perfect. Not too hot or too cold.  

We enjoyed our little trips throughout our fall break! I'm so thankful and blessed to be able spend time with my children!

I Run 4

I have been wanting to share with everyone about a very special person in my life. I should of done this before now, but I have not had the time to really talk about this in detail. This person is really important to me and so is her family. Meet Erica...

Here is Erica's story:

On April 3, 2002 Erica was born 5 weeks early. She weighed 4lb 14 oz and was 19 inches long. When Erica was born she had a mottled look to her skin and when we asked the doctor about it and we were told that babies get this when they are cold. 9 years later Erica still has the mottled look to her skin especially on her arms and chest. Erica spent most of the first year of her life in and out of the hospital. Erica was diagnosed with severe reflux at 5 days old. This led us to several Endoscopies’ and Colonoscopy’s which came back with high Eosinophil levels and Mast Cells. Between the biopsies, blood work and 24 hour urine test Erica was diagnosed with Systemic Mastocytosis. Erica has been treated by Dr Castells since she was 8 months old.

At Erica’s 7yr old physical I told our pediatrician how Erica seemed to be spacing out a lot. He had told me it goes along with the age and can also be caused by her Mastocytosis. He said to keep an eye on it but he didn’t seem too worried. A few months later these spacing out episodes changed and Erica would get a huge frown on her face that could last up to a minute. The doctor sent us the next day for an EEG which showed Erica was having Left Temporal Lobe Seizures. We then saw a neurologist who  tried several medications to stop the seizures but they were not working well. This is when they sent us to Children’s Hospital Boston.  Dr Theoharides has become a great friend of our family over the years of dealing with Mastocytosis. Dr Theo meet us at Children’s Hospital Boston for Erica’s first appointment in hopes to help this new doctor understand the mast cells and some of the issues they can cause.

In the beginning of 2011 Erica started sleeping 15 plus hours a day. Our neurologist at Children’s suggested that we let Erica sleep as long as she needs and to not wake her up. He was hoping that Erica’s body would catch up on the sleep. This didn’t happen. Erica started sleeping 20 hours a day. After about a week of sleeping this long the doctor set up a spinal tap and a 24 hour sleep study. Dr Theo also received a sample of Erica’s spinal fluid. Erica was diagnosed with a sleep disorder called Narcolepsy and the test that Dr Theo had can came back showing severely elevated Mast Cells and Eosinophil  in Erica’s Spinal fluid.

Erica has several triggers, there are also days that we have no idea what could be causing Erica’s allergic reaction and those are the hardest reactions to deal with. Erica is like a car with a bad thermostat, her body has a hard time adjusting to temperature change and she doesn’t sweat like a normal child which causes her to overheat even when the temperature isn’t hot. Spending  small amounts of time (minutes) in the sun even while riding in the car in the winter can cause Erica to not feel well. Smells are a huge trigger. Something  so simple as hand lotion, perfume, cleaning supplies, other people wearing after shave, deodorant, fresh cut trees, and the list can go on and on.

Stress is the number one trigger for Erica. People think of stress as being overwhelmed. They forgot that stress can be good or bad like emotions, even if they are happy emotions. There are days when clothing is a stress on Erica’s body which can lead into an allergic reaction. The hardest part is not knowing what is going to trigger Erica from hour by hour. Today she could react to something that she was able to do yesterday and then what she reacts to today she might not react to tomorrow. One of the hardest parts dealing with Erica’s Mastocytosis is we are told time and time again by some of the top doctors we are not sure what this or that means. Erica has a lot of the issues that are more common with adults with Mastocytosis then with children. We are currently waiting for some test results to come back from Stanford in California. These results will give us the answers that will lead us to our next road that we shall be traveling down.

Now, here is how I met Eric. I Run 4. What is I Run 4? It is an amazing non-profit that matches runners up with kids (and even older special needs people) who can't run. Here is how it works, you sign up yourself as a runner or as a parent of a child with special needs (physical, mental, sickness). The I Run 4 peeps then match up a runner and a child together. And so begins an amazing friendship! As a runner, I dedicate every run to praying for Erica and her mother and her family. I send her "goodies". I check on her and her family. I help promote her need for a cure for Mastocytosis. I dedicate every mile I run to the sweetest, most deserving kid I know.. Erica! 

We keep in touch via facebook. You can either communicate on the I Run 4 facebook page or on personal pages. I usually take a pic making a goofy face and add the mileage in and put it on her mom's facebook wall for her to see. 

I am currently running to Erica's house. Well, virtually... we are 1,067 miles apart. Erica lives near Boston, Massachusetts. I live near Atlanta. So every run this year has come off our total. I have 541 miles left to go before I get to her house! Erica really wants me to run that last mile right up to her front door! I am going to see what I can do about that ;)

I get lots of race goodies from all the races I take part in. Bracelets, headbands, backpacks... all sorts of things. I also win medals and certificates. I love to send Erica my race swag! She loves it too :)

Race swag on her wall!

Opening one of her packages from me!

I like to spoil her a little too and send her other fun stuff in the mail, like her favorite.. One Direction and drawing stuff. This next pic was for her birthday... her mom made her wait for the actual day before she opened it. As you can see she was not happy!!

I put Erica's name ALL OVER me for races! I also take pictures of all the things I see while I am running.... horses, deer, goats...

Another special person I have met through this is Erica's mother- Kolleen. Words can't describe what an amazing woman this is. She spends every day taking care of this awesome daughter, as well as two other daughters! One of Erica's sisters also has medical issues and I don't know how Kolleen does all she does. Kolleen herself has been battling major health problems as well as a host of other trails and tribulations. I spend just as much time praying for Erica's precious mother as I do her. 

The I Run 4 community is amazing. I encourage you visit their website and think about signing up yourself or your child. The website is: www.whoirun4.com/

The facebook page for I Run 4 can be found here: www.facebook.com/groups/irunformichael

Erica has her own special website as well: www.ericaswalkforacure.com/