Running for MSYC

The weekend of Homecoming at FHU brings one of our favorite 5Ks of the year - the MSYC 5k.

The kids love seeing their favorite people from one of their favorite places on earth.

They really enjoyed this year's 5k again.

It's amazing that 5-6 years ago, she would not even go NEAR Steven.
Now she begins the race on his shoulders!

Carter did a great job running this year. Although he didn't place (because he was in a major

age group with college kids), he ran a personal best!

They did not run the whole race like this!

LB did a great job, too, a personal best gave her second place in her age group.

LB loves Leanna!

Got to LOVE MSYC!!!!

Color Splash 5K

The kids ran in an Color Splash for FHU's Nursing Program & March of Dimes.

It was a COLD day for the run, but they did it anyways...

Carter finished as the overall winner of the race...

LB had a personal best as well.

LB had a hard time warming up after the run, so she did not stay for the awards ceremony.

Carter had a great time getting all colorfied!

I am so glad they enjoy running and doing it for a great cause!

RACE for HOPE

Last year we began a 5K in honor of a lovely woman, Hope Shull, who was fighting cancer

and wanted to leave a legacy of feeding hungry children in Chester County.

This year we ran the 5K again, but without our dear Hope.

My kiddos ready to run!

and they're off!

Dear Mrs. Hope's family and friend finishing the race in her memory

Carter finishing the race strong!

LB took Mr. Tim to a race to the finish ...

Our running friends, the Allens!

and Darby

Both kids finished first in their division

Great friends for a great cause!

November 2013 Recap

November proved to be a little busier than we had thought it would be, but

we enjoyed ourselves none the less.

It started with the kids running in the GLOW Run for the Relay for Life.

They had a great time!

Many of LB's teammates from soccer and basketball were there to run and she had a great time!

The next day was our annual Ladies' Day at church.  LB helped me decorate some of the tables and

even participated in the devotional part of the program.  I was so proud of her!

The next weekend was FHU's Homecoming.

LB's book club (which I have been HORRIBLE about meeting with) read The Secret Garden 

and then went to see the musical.  They really loved it.

The next morning the kids ran a 5K for MSYC.  They were thrilled to see Steven there!

No, LB did NOT do the entire race on Steven's shoulders!

Both kids finished first in their age group! 

LB was so excited to see Brittany!

and even more excited to meet her "niece" Sydney!

Racing for Noah

The kids LOVE running 5Ks these days.  I really don't know where they get it. Both Damon and I really detest running.  However, they love it.  

Recently, the CCHS soccer team had a 5K to help raise money for the team, but also for Baby Noah Judd.  Baby Noah was born VERY early.  He was due June 2 but came into this world on February 18 weighing 1lb. 3oz.  Needless to say, this little man has had a fight and fight he has!!!!  His daddy is the head soccer coach for CCHS and part of the money raised from this 5K went to the family to help with expenses.

The kids gladly put on their "Playing for Noah" shirts and ran the 5K proudly for him!

The kids were glad to see Evan there as well.

Carter's teacher, Mrs. Stacey, is the assistant soccer coach.
He wore his Cubs hat just for her because she is a Cardinals fan!

They are off - notice Carter out in front!!!!

With their medals for a great race.

Evan came in first in the boys' age group.  Carter was not too far behind him coming in second with a time of 23:53.  LB won first in the girls' age group with a time of 33:34.  

Race for Hope

Today was a very special day where we got to honor a very special lady.

This lady, Mrs. Hope, has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old.

She directed girls' part of the church leadership camp I was able to attend from age 12-18.

Then, I was able to be a staff member and worked under her from the age 19-27 (with two years off).

Next, I was able to work beside her as a co-director from the age of 27-32.

She has always been a huge supporter of mine.

She has always shown love to me and my family.

She has always been there for me,

and today was our day to that for her.

For a few years now, Mrs. Hope has been battling cancer. 

We thought she had beat it, but news a few months ago was not good news.

In spite of all of this, she has continued to run.

She has continued to serve.

She has continued to look for ways to help others.

She has seen a need in the last few months in our community 

where children were leaving school and not having food to eat over the weekend.

So, with support from our church and the school health officer,

she and others have been filling bags of food for these children.

These bags are put into their backpacks on Friday.

This project needed money.

This project needed support.

So, some amazing people with such vision

decided we should all

RACE FOR HOPE.

All the money raised in her honor from this race would go towards

buying food for this project.

The goal was simple - $2000.

The goal was exceeded - $4500+.

Our family can't do much, 

but we figured we could run (or walk in my case).

We could be there.

We could be supportive.

We could show love.

LB, Mrs. Hope and Carter before the race began.

Good friends are the best people to run with!

We were blessed with a great day for January.

71 degrees.

A little overcast.

Mrs. Hope started the race for everyone.

and they were off . . . 

Now, LB and I were suppose to run/walk the One Mile Fun Run/Walk.

However, LB "left me in her dust."

That is ok - she warned me she would.

AC, Jessica and I started out together running.

Then, Jessica "left us in her dust."

She did not warn us.

We saw Carter passing us ON HIS WAY BACK!

This is when AC and I realized we had gone past the turn around for the mile people!

So we kept going a little further.

and on our way back . . . 

LB (who had decided to go ahead and run the 5K) passed us.

In this way she is NOT my daughter!

We all finished.

We all cried.

Some of the Horizons' girls who came to Race with Hope!

We all cheered.

We all celebrated!

LB won first in her age group! (ran in about 30 minutes)

Carter came in second in his age group (ran in under 26 minutes)

I hope they will always remember this day.

I hope they will always remember this lady.

How she loved them.

How she cheered for them - not just today, but every day.

How she looked for how she can help others.

How we and 200 others helped her achieve her dream

as we all

Race for Hope