Boot camp has begun

This week my marathon training group started Boot Camp. It is kind of a pre-marathon conditioning sessions that is 4 days a week for 6 weeks. Monday was our assessment (which we will do every 3 weeks) and we had to time a 1-mile run/walk, and then do as many sit-ups, seated dips, crunches, and mountain climbers as we could in 1 minute. It was tough! Tonight we started the training and I think tomorrow I will hurt in places I did not know I had. I know that I will be much better off when I am done, but the only thing I kept thinking was that people actually pay for this (and I am glad ours is free)! I was a little worried about it because since I ran the half marathon in January, I have had severe plantar fasciaitis and have not been able to run. But I went to the sports medicine doctor yesterday and they said it was not broken (which I worried about since it really has not felt any better). Then today I went and had my feet casted for custom orthotics, so hopefully that will help too. I am so ready to get back to running. Not running has made me realize how much it is a way for me to spend time to myself, away from the hectic life, and I feel so lost without that. My running shoes miss me! I am so amazed at how much running has gotten in my blood. I certainly never thought I would ever say such a thing!

We finally went camping!

This weekend we finally got to go camping. I know it is hard to believe it, but we have not been in almost a year, since our 10-year anniversary trip to Colorado last May. We went to Hill Country State Natural Area, which is on the other side of San Antonio. It is a beautiful park with great hiking. It only has composting toilets and no running water, but our rules anyway are "no showers," so that was ok with us. They are some of the cleanest composting toilets I have ever seen! We had to cross a creek to get to our campsite, which was sooo much fun when we got there at 11:30 Friday night! :) Actually, it was awesome and very secluded. It was Rolo's first camping trip and I think he loved it. We went on only a 3-mile hike on Saturday because Shane was not feeling well. Here are some pics. Check out the hilarious picture of Shane when his chair broke! He had only used it in Colorado! I guess you get what you pay for.

My birthday

Well, today was my birthday and it was a fun day. We spent part of the day at Courtney and Tommy's (friends from church, if you don't know them) house celebrating their son Isaac's one-year birthday. (it is so cool that we share the same birthday!). And then we picked up Shane's parents at the airport as they came back from their trip to NY city. That night I had ice cream and girl talk with Tara and that was a nice way to end my birthday. But I have to tell you about my birthday present. It is not a conventional gift, but it is so me (I am not that hard to please)! I got Guitar Hero 3 for Wii! I know that may seem like a strange gift for a girl, but you have to realize that I am a child of the 80s, and I was into (still am!) the rock bands with the long hair and awesome guitar solos! So for me, this is my way to be that rock star I always wanted to be! I can't wait to nail those solos and beat the game. I may end up better than Slash (Guns 'n Roses guitarist, just in case your not into that)!

My faith journey

So here it is, my new blog. I must admit, it is a little strange to be writing this, not knowing who exactly will be reading it. But I think it will be a great way to share my journey with others who may not know what my life has been like the past few years.

Shane and I have been married almost 11 years now (it does not seem possible that it has been that long!), and it seems that it gets better everyday. In Sept 2007, we adopted another Boxer, Rolo, who is 9 months old now. Bailey (now 6 years old) and Rolo get along so well! It has been so fun watching them play together and love on each other. In Nov 2007, Shane took a new woodworking job in La Marque and is working many hours of overtime. He is getting the opportunity to travel across the nation in this new job, and that is exciting for him. In the past year, we have really felt God's call to become debt free and are working very hard toward this goal. Shane's job is a blessing to our finances and we are making great progress with our debt. We have been attending a community church in League City and are enjoying our small group bible study.

I have been working for a home health agency for the past 3.5 years and it has been a rocky ride. In the beginning, I was happy seeing patients and trying to provide the best quality care that I could. But after awhile, I became burned out and was also becoming increasingly frustrated with my management team. I contemplated leaving for several months, and then everything changed. My manger resigned and my days became much less stressful. And then I got a promotion to manager just last week! It has been quite a transition, but I am feeling a renewed vision for the agnecy and my career. It was exactly what I needed.

Last year, I starting running. Yes, I said running, and it is fun! It gives me a way to clear my head and reflect on my life. It is time that is only for me and I love it! I ran my first half marathon in Houston in January. I had hurt my foot 2 months before that, so it was hard, but I did it! My foot is still giving me problems, and I have not run consistently since then, but hopefully soon I will be back running. I can't believe it, but I miss it so much!

And now for the question most of you are asking: what about kids? Well, many of you know my struggles with infertility and it has been a long road. We did many tests and procedures over the past 4 years, including in vitro fertilizaiton, all of which have failed. Through this heartbreaking time, I continue to be reminded that my timing is not perfect, but God's is. I have come to have a peace about it and I know that He will give me this desire of my heart when He is ready. That is why I named my blog Keeping the Faith. That is exactly what my journey is all about and I have to be reminded of that daily. I still have one embryo frozen from the procedures and I am praying for God to make it known when the time is right to use it. We are also considering adoption and are praying about that as well.

Well, enough about me for one day! I hope you keep up with my blog and let me know how you are doing as well!