Easter with the Pipkins



Meme, just one more chocolate?  Please???




What Meme wont give...Papa will.  Chocolate Please...




Abigail's theme song should be "I want candy!"



And the sugar rush is here...

Who needs pants to find easter eggs?



I just found the money egg!




Riley's Beau Gray.




Counting the stash




Almost missed one.  Thanks Papa



Half Marathon -- I must be only Half Crazy

Saturday morning I woke at 5:00 am.  My only real day to sleep in and I was up with my coffee and my devotional preparing my heart and mind for the upcoming trip and the miles ahead of me that day.  I had never ran more than 10 miles and I was about to attempt something my body had never done.

I drove over to Greer, SC and parked the car.  It was still somewhat dark.  I opened a container of Biofreeze and slathered it on my hip flexors and my calves.  I felt pretty queezy.  I found my way to the start line and began my stretches.  I looked around at the few hundred folks running that day.  All of them stretching and preparing themselves mentally.  I had a true feeling of being alone.  How could someone feel so alone when surrounded by hundreds of people.

I took a deep sigh and shook that feeling out of my head.  I am not here for them.  I am here for those kids.  I am here for Uganda.  Could people so many miles away know that I think and pray for them daily?  Could they ever comprehend how much I long to be with them?

The gun went off and we were all struggling to find our place.  All along the route I could hear birds signing.  I could smell the sweet flowers and trees in bloom.  The worries and cares I had brought with me had completely melted.  I was focused on my miles.  I was focused on my trip.  I was focused on GOD.

My official time was 2:24.  So what if I rolled in the grass trying to catch my breath at the end of the race.  I had finished something I had put my mind to and I had ran it for Africa.

Official Time: 2:24



Cooper River Bridge Run

Check out the Shirt!

Brent and I ran the Cooper River Bridge Run on Saturday.  What a beautiful day for a run.  (I'm not used to Sunshine and Warm Temps.)  We set off at 8:00am along with 40,000 of our closest friends. :-)  When you run with that many people you have no idea you are even on a bridge that high above the water.  We all went back the next day and I couldn't believe we had crossed the bridge the day before. 

Mary Jane and I the day after the race.  We "Got Over It"

The trip to Uganda is less than 2 months away.  I have been running every chance I can get.  We have had little ones sick in the house which makes it quite difficult to to get away to run.  To date I have put in 63 miles.  Sounds like a lot, but when I say I have 52 to go before we leave it makes my head spin.  Anyone like to add to the miles?  I will gladly run for a few more donations. 

For more information on donating for the building fund click here: http://www.gofundme.com/ugandaschool

Reedy River Run – Are You Reedy?

A 10K in the rain. The wind picked up and the rain came down steady. When I passed the 4 mile mark I realized that I was REALLY wet and cold. As the rain dripped off the brim of my visor the thought passed through my mind…I must be crazy to be running in this mess. No one would have blamed me if I hadn’t attempted it in these conditions. Then a smile crossed my face because I realized I WAS crazy. I’m crazy in love with people a half a world away that I have never met. I can harldy wait to sit down and hold they hands and kiss their foreheads. I’m crazy to take a 2 hour boat ride across Lake Victoria in a skirt only to sleep on the ground once I get there. Crazy ready to pick up a hammer and climb on a roof so the children of Lolwe can have a school.



Crazy for running? Why, yes I am!

10K Finishing time 1:05  (Not bad for someone who didn’t own running shoes a year ago.)

So how can you help?  Log onto the follOwing website http://gofundme.com/ugandaschool and donate to help build the school.  For every $10 you donate I will run a mile.
 
We have raised $1070!!!  That's 107 miles.  We need $13000.  (I know that is 1300 miles)  I have gladly ran 22 so far.  My plan is to run 10-15 a week.  Can you help up my mileage with a donation? 

Abigail's School Pictures

My baby is getting big.  She truly eats more than her sister.  Normally she finishes her plate and looks to Riley's plate to get her leftovers.  Abigail is very vocal on her likes and dislikes.  Very quick to show you her muscles if she is not getting her way.  At the same time she is the best cuddle buddy and gives kisses freely.

Riley's School Pictures

Thought I would share pictures from Riley's preschool.  She loves her class and all of her friends.  She pretends to be the teacher at home.  We got a note the other day that she likes to play hide and seek when it is time to help clean up.  I asked where she hid and her teacher stated behind the play kitchen, but the kicker is she only hides her head.  Nice!

Trip to West Point