Counting Blessings

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought;

and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

~G.K. Chesterton

I have been consumed by thankfulness this week. Thankfulness for small things like a slight temperature drop that gave me the energy to double my run time last night; thankfulness for fresh food, for the sunrise, for meaningful conversation with new friends. I've been reminded of grace and second chances and that even when we make foolish decisions, the Lord is eager to reach out His hand to help us back up.

Last week's losses reminded me of the brevity of life and inspired me to truly live the days we are given. For each one is a blessing. Looking through pictures, I was reminded of some of the people who bring me such joy.

My "namesake" Marlene who is absolutely beautiful. She makes me laugh, writes me letters, and has lived out a true love story with my grandfather. I called her this morning because she is in excruciating pain; I'm praying the neurologist can give her some relief Thursday morning.

My precious family

I'm so excited the holidays are on the horizon so that we will all be together again.

I'm also thankful for my "chosen" family - my sister-friends

With the tiny miracles they bring...

Who have weathered all the seasons with me (break-ups, deaths, marriages, births) and with whom I plant "hope gardens."

Who are my faithful lunch buddies.

And still want to know how my day went even if I spilled fruit punch Powerade all over their white carpet, and it's going to cost a fortune to clean up!

Who share adventures, road trips, craft show booths, music and best of all, their time.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are you thankful for?

With A Little Help From My Friends (and Family)

This past weekend was bittersweet. Emotions ran the gamut of sheer bliss at crossing the triathlon finish to sorrow and fervent prayerfulness for the Masseys as they watch their husband/dad/friend/brother/coach Ronny prepare to pass away. I also learned Saturday evening that one of my co-workers, DeWayne, was admitted to the emergency room that morning with blood clots in his lungs. He was coded three times and is currently in intensive care. Many prayers are needed around here!

Mom sent me off to Huntsville Friday a.m. with a true breakfast of champions: French toast, fruit and coffee from Another Broken Egg Café.

When I made it to the Massey’s in the early afternoon, I was surprised at how calm the house was. It seemed like Katie’s brother Matt, mom Ace and aunt and uncle were steadying themselves by focusing on what they could do: eat, talk with the nurse, and make Mr. Ronny as comfortable as possible. I’m amazed at how deeply this family loves one another, and how they trust the Lord. To give Katie a break, I took her to the movies to see Eat, Pray, Love. A call from the nurse had us rushing back to the house before the movie ended because he thought it was Mr. Ronny’s time. Please pray for this precious family. This is a sweet, somewhat recent picture of Katie with her dad.

I spent Friday evening with the Reynolds. Cat and Jon are newlyweds who moved to Huntsville a couple months ago to start their new life together. Although I miss seeing Cat every day at work, our lunch outings and her precious friendship, I’m happy that she’s doing well. Cat made a delicious spaghetti casserole, homemade bread and sautéed zucchini for dinner. Afterwards, Jon refreshed me on the game o f Backgammon and then I headed off to bed pretty early to prepare for my 4:50 a.m. wake-up call.

Fresh-baked sour dough bread. YUM!

The race was great, but I was honestly preoccupied with thoughts of the Masseys. I knocked time off my swim and overall time finishing at 1:49:21. For next year I’ll continue focusing on the swim, but add in some cycling. I only got to ride once on Blake’s bike and maybe rode a total of five times total in preparation for the race. My rear end is feeling it! :)

Here's Mandi, me (changed into race T-shirt), Suzanne, Karen, Heidi and her 3-month-old Lilly

I hauled back to the Murphrees’ in Huntsville, showered, went with Lmac to see Eat, Pray, Love for the second time (this time I saw the ending), and then took a long nap.

Here’s me and Miss Kylie after our naps.

And the Murphrees: Precious friends since college days!

The Tews celebrated my race finish Sunday evening with loads of gourmet food. I'm serious, these people know how to cook! Uncle Steve and Aunt Lisa were supposed to run in a 5K in Birmngham Satuday a.m., but the race (a Godsend) washed them out.

My uncle, the grill master.

Lis and Emme.

Me, Daisy and Elizabeth.

Grilled Filet Mignon,

Roasted potatoes,

Garlic bread, Caprese salad,

and a delicious yogurt parfait.

This weekend, I was reminded more than ever the value and gift of friends and family. Hope you have a blessed week and are able to enjoy some quality time with your own!

Sweet Rewards

I forgot to mention my reward for completing the tri this Saturday a.m....

time with this little angel:

I'll hop in the Silver Princess after finishing pics and snack time with the gang and haul back to Huntsville to spend the day/evening with one of my favorite families, the Murphrees. These pics of Kylie were taken almost five months ago. I can't wait to see how much she's changed and grown since then.

And Kyle - I'll make good on my promise to bake buttermilk pie for you this time!

Tri Fever

600 yd swim / 16.2 mi bike / 3 mi run

I'm headed up to north Alabama this weekend to catch up with dear friends and compete in the Guntersville Mountain Lakeshore Triathlon Saturday a.m. With a mainly flat course encircling beautiful Lake Guntersville, this was the perfect first triathlon two years ago. I'm looking forward to a (hopefully faster) redo this weekend. Below is a pic taken after 2008's finish; this year our group will feature a bevy of beauties including my buds Cat, Karen, Suzanne and Rebecca.

I've been filling up on fresh veggies, fruits, lots of water and whole grains. This tuna salad was last night's dinner and featured delicious cherry tomatoes from my co-worker Beth's backyard.

I've also discovered a new favorite protein bar: Luna! The Lemon Zest flavor is my favorite followed closely by Nutz over Chocolate. Yum!

Two years ago, I was just a prayer away from drowning in Lake Guntersville. Between the weeds, flailing arms and legs kicking me in the head, the blinding sunshine and my HORRIBLE form, I came extremely close to going to see my Maker. This year, I've had a wonderful swimming coach to get me in gear.

Dan Kamber has worked at Lakeshore Foundation for almost 10 years in aquatics and administration. Not only is he an incredibly patient coach (I'll be sporting a somewhat efficient freestyle Saturday instead of a dogpaddle/breast stroke), he's also an unbelievable swimmer. In just a few weeks, Dan will be moving to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO for a 2-year residency program which will hopefully get him ready for gold in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. I'm so proud of him but will miss my work buddy!

I'll be streaking around Guntersville in this sweet ride that I affectionately call "the highlighter." My own Trek fell ill with gear shift problems so Blake has offered to loan me her wheels for the weekend. Thanks Blake!

And, I would be remiss to not thank my friend Kelly for her support in the form of apparel. She's offered up her biking shorts and shirt so I don't have to purchase new ones.

On a separate note, I'll be thinking of Ronnie Massey, the father of my dear friend Katie, while I'm racing Saturday. About two months ago, Mr. Massey woke up with a sharp pain in his femur. Following a series of tests, he learned that he has Stage 4 bone cancer. The Massey family has opted for hospice over chemo and are enjoying each day they have together. Please pray for the them as they go through this difficult time. I'm excited to share part of Friday with Katie and hope our time together will be an encouragement to her.

That Which Satisfies

"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live."

Isaiah 55:1-3