Elena is ONE!

On December 18, 2009 Drew and I arrived at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital for my induction.  I was due on Christmas Day and neither of us wanted a Christmas Day baby.  So, we made the decision to speed up mother nature.  It was the easiest birth process I ever experienced.  Dr. Ritter delivered our baby at 2:37pm.  It was a 6 lb 13oz 20.5 in girl and we named her Elena Joy!

Her Birth Day

This past year has passed so quickly.  I feel like I treasured every moment of Elena's first year.  She has been such a joy to all of us.  Emma loves having a little sister.  Jonah thinks she is wonderful.  Samuel likes to "play" with her.  Drew and I just love all her smiles, kisses, and hugs!

Elena wore her birthday shirt and looked oh so cute!  She looked even extra cute wearing her homemade cupcake bow...thank you Aunt Kelsey!

She did not really understand the concept of opening presents.  She did like what the boxes held...toys!  She also received some darling clothing, but she did not think that was nearly as fun as toys.

Look at this fun box...she saw a baby on the box and she loves babies!

She was so so so happy to have a push stroller.  Her new bear fit perfectly in the seat.

Elena hesitating to open a present.

So happy and silly...again pushing her new stroller.

Look at me!

So cute I am!

We opened presents before dinner.  Her first birthday dinner was mini meatloafs, sweet potatoes, and peas.  Those are some of her favorite foods.  After dinner it was time for her cake.  I made a separate cake for her to enjoy all by herself.  When we put it in front of her to eat, she just looked at it.  She did not really know what to do it with and just played with the icing.  She did eat some icing, but was happier when we gave her a few pieces of the cake...it was all really quite funny!

white cake with pink cream cheese icing

Eating some of the icing

Elena, Emma, Jonah, and Samuel

I know Elena had no idea what December 18th was and why she got presents and cake.  Drew and I know what the day was about and it was great to celebrate our fourth blessing from God.

We love you Elena Joy...Happy 1st Birthday!!!

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father..."

Tis the Season

The past three days have been so busy.  To make it even worse, I have not been feeling well.  This is not the time for Momma to go down!

Our days and nights have been filled with Christmas Choir Camp, gymnastics, parties, choir practice, and the ELCP Christmas Program.  Of course, that does not even count all the in between fillers like meals, laundry, shopping, etc.

I am vowing to make this weekend calmer.  We will focus on the Advent Season as a family.  Our Jesse Tree Advent Devotion will not be rushed.  It will be thoughtful and purposeful.  Church will refresh us all.  We will celebrate the JOY of Elena's birthday.  We will enjoy being together as a family.  It is going to be a blessed weekend!

Look who's 38!

Thirty eight years ago today a wonderful man was born...Drew Alan Mann.  Raised by awesome, God-loving parents, he is now a great father and husband who honors them everyday with his actions and words. 

We had to celebrate Drew's birthday on Sunday because he had a busy schedule today....boo!  Sunday was great and Drew really liked his presents, his dinner, and his cake!

New jacket for biking...super cool because the hood fits over the helmet.

Daddy and his kiddos!

Yummy dinner...pork loin, broccoli, and sweet potato brulee.

Birthday cake!

Making his wish!

Drew's slice of chocolate cake with cream cheese peppermint icing.  The cake is topped with mint truffle Hershey kisses and candy canes...oh my goodness!

Happy Birthday Daddy/Drew...we love you lots!!!!

Redemption is Sweet

Three weeks ago I ran my first half-marathon and it was not good.  In fact, it was just total junk!  It was not the race I hoped it would be.  I left Galveston so disappointed and have thought about it so much since then. 

Thanksgiving week I registered for my second half.  This time the race was at a park in Humble.  This meant I could sleep at home...a definite plus.  The race was two loops through two parks...a definite plus.  I was hopeful it would be cooler...and it was...a definite plus.

Drew was very supportive of this race.  It meant I had to miss church.  That meant he had to get all four kids ready by himself and try to get to church on time for choir practice.  I really did not like missing church especially during Advent, but I really felt this was a race I need to do for me and my sanity.  Drew knew this and he did everything he could to help me feel prepared.  What an awesome husband!

So, today was race day.  I had a great night of sleep.  A cool front moved through last night and I got my wish for cold weather.  It was probably 40 degrees at the start and windy.  Did I mention it was windy?  Today windy was defined as 15-25 mph gusts.

See the white caps and waves on Lake Houston!

Today I ran my race plan.  I did not do that in Galveston.  A slow 10 minute mile one.  My feet were starting to thaw by this point.  A quicker 9:30 for miles 2-3.  My two marked the beginning of no frozen toes...yeah!  A slightly quicker 9:15/20 for miles 4-5. I was able to shed my outer layer at this point.  In Galveston I hit the wall at mile 5.  Today at mile 5 I said "TAKE THAT!"  "My Sweet One" starting playing and off I went.  I ran progressively faster for the last 8.1 miles and felt great doing it.  My last three miles were under 8:00 which is fantastic!

I remembered to look at the clock as I finished.  I remembered to listen to the announcer to hear my name as I finished.  I remembered to remember it all!

I finished in 1:57.26....a full 6:08 faster than my time in Galveston.  I crossed the finished line and was given a great finishers medal.  I walked a few feet, bent over, and cried.  I felt the sweet release of so much frustration and disappointment.  I felt the joy of accomplishing what I new I was capable of doing.

I texted Drew while he was at church with my time.  I got this reply, "Good job!  Sermon about joy.  You experienced it today.  I did too because I get to be proud of you."  I cried again because he is so awesome!

Taken by me with my phone after the race...again so windy!