Why I'm Running

As some of you may know, Jeremy and I have committed ourselves to running our first 5K in May.  We started "training" last week and have accomplished little goals.  I ran a little in college, but that was mainly because I knew when the boys basketball team was practicing/working out and that was when I would go. 

Sometimes I think people believe that the only reason a person would run or lift weights or exercise at all is to lose weight.  I'm a fan of "The Biggest Loser" but even that is focused more on losing weight, with a little eating right and lifestyle changes thrown in.  So, I thought it would be good for me to write about why I'm doing this so I can go back and read it later when things get tough.

1. My husband asked me to. - I know that doesn't seem like a good reason, but if he wouldn't have asked, I would never have considered it.  And, since his goals are to run this 5K, get in shape, and lose weight, I feel like this is the best way to support him.  I have found that this has been a good conversation topic as well.  Sometimes we exhaust the topics of work, kids, work, kids, bills, work, etc.  Running has become something we can talk about that builds our personal relationship.  The times we can go together are good too, but not a must.  He runs with music and I like quiet time so it works.

2.  Lose weight and tone. - Yes, I said it.  I would like to lose a few pounds.  If I'm running/walking 3-4 times a week, I think it's ok to have this as a goal. Yes, for all of you thinking it, I know I am NOT FAT!!  My body fat percentage (whatever it's called) is normal, etc, etc. I am not obsessed with the number.  I am 10 years and 2 kids past that!  I am more concerned with how my clothes fit.  Ok, now I'm done with that subject.

3. My kids need me. - I am blessed with two small children under the age of 2.  Langston has so much energy and is ALL boy, so he needs (both of us) to play with him and run around and be silly.  Lakyn will be that too, I'm sure.  And, even if their energy level decreases, the example I am setting will carry them throughout their life.  I don't expect either of my children to be super athletes (if they are, fine, if not, okay) but I do want them to know that their body is important and know how to take care of it. Anyone who knows me should not question that I value their spiritual body over the physical, but I don't want their physical body to hinder their spiritual work.  I feel like I am in charge of their spiritual, mental, emotional, AND physical well-being and staying active and healthy is a way to take care of their physical well-being.

4.  Finish a goal. - Sometimes I set a goal and never finish it.  This 5K is a good way for me to work on that.  The Bible compares our life to a spiritual race.  We are racing towards a goal, heaven, and only those who finish this life in a righteous state will receive the prize.  I think setting my mind on finishing this 5K will be practice for keeping my mind on the spiritual goal.

That's it.  That's the list.  I briefly mentioned that I liked walking/running in just silence.  That has been a side benefit to all of this, getting some time just for myself.  That makes me a better wife, mother, and teacher.  Now, if future Blythe is reading this because it's gotten "too hard" or "there's no time", I would tell you to "suck it up" and get out there!  "If it were easy, everyone would do it", etc, etc.  If you can't do it for yourself, do it for Jeremy, Langston, and Lakyn!

Langston + Lakyn



I have to admit, I was worried that we had not done an adequate job preparing Langston for the new baby.  But, I had no real idea of how to do that.  We read him a Little Critters book that showed the parents bringing home a new baby girl and the big brother helping.  When my tummy got big enough, he would point to it and we would say, "Baby Sister." Thankfully, he was more prepared than we expected!

Mamaw and Chief (Jeremy's parents) brought Langston to visit us in the hospital and, to a mother, the moment they met was "magical."  I was holding Lakyn and he came in, waved to everyone, and then noticed me and the baby in the bed.  He came over and wanted to sit with me, so he got up on the bed and just stared, in awe, of Lakyn.  He would point to her, rub her back, and even gave her a kiss on the head.  It was a moment I will never forget!

It's been 8 weeks since that first moment and Langston still loves "Baby" so, so much!  He HATES hearing her cry.  Sometimes if I can't get to her quickly, he will go over to where she is laying and put her pacifier back in or say, "No, no, baby. Shhhh."  Just the other day, Jeremy was holding her and she got hungry (so she got fussy) and Langston called out, "Mommy! Mommy!" because he knows it's my job to feed her.  When we go somewhere and people ask about his baby sister he will go over to the carseat and point to her.  He wants to sit by us and "hold" her.  When he enters a room he says, "Hey baby!" or leaves a room, "Bye baby!" If she's laying on the couch he will come over, lean in real close, and give and sweet hug or kiss.  Only a few times have I had to keep him from hugging too tightly.  I think it's the boy in him to just be a little rough, but it breaks his heart if he thinks he hurt her. 

And what does Lakyn think about Langston?  Well, from what we can tell, she adores him as well.  She perks up when she hears his voice.  She follows him with her eyes when he's close by.  I think she already knows he is there and will protect her.

I grew up with all girls so I don't know the dynamic of brothers and sisters.  From what I've seen so far, it is going to be a very special relationship.  I know they will argue and fight, but I have a feeling they will be best of friends.  He will protect her and she will tell him when he's not thinking straight!

I was anxious about them being so close in age, but for their relationship I think it will only make them closer.  Whatever we have to deal with as parents while they are little is worth the friendship they will have.

There have been many moments of just pure, sweet love and it makes my heart smile knowing he loves her and she loves him.

Stone and mortar

House: a building for human habitation; especially one meant for a family or small group of people.

 

This weekend I went to DeFuniak and gathered some belongings out of my Granny's house that I had left when I moved to Demopolis.  We (our family) refers to it as Granny B's house even though Granny moved to Geneva several years ago.  Now Granny has decided it's time to sell it.  So, the family is honoring that and getting things ready.  Of course, the person that I am, as I was walking through the house and looking back at old pictures, my mind overflowed with memories...

You see, I did a LOT of growing up in that house!  Since we lived in the same town, my family would eat many dinners with PawPaw and Granny B.  I remember spending holidays with my mom's family there.  I don't know when we started doing it, but the tradition was to spend New Years' Day at PawPaw and Granny's house eating black-eyed peas.  I still see PawPaw "sopping" up the juice with his cornbread or biscuit.

 

When I started school, the bus would drop me off at Granny's house and mom or dad would pick us up when they got off work.  Granny would always let us eat a snack, usually cake, and those of you who've had Granny's 7-layer chocolate cake, know what a treat that was!  But, if we wanted anything else, Granny would do the best she could to get it for us!  PawPaw was usually at the courthouse (he liked to just sit and watch cases) or going to get an ice cream cone from McDonald's or working in the garden.

 

I learned numerous lessons!  Not to run under the scuponon(sp?) vine, because that was barbed wire and it would scratch your back all up!  That when there's only one piece of cake left and you and your sister wanted it, the fair way to split it was for one to cut and the other chooses which piece they get! I also can tell you which "branch" of the bush hurts less when Granny tells you to "go pick a switch." 

 

PawPaw singing hymns....sleepovers....hide and seek....shelling peas and shucking corn....eating collard greens and fried cornbread...PawPaw feeding me hogs head cheese on crackers...seeing PawPaw in the hospital bed by the window...etc, etc, etc.

 

But, you see, the story of that house for me doesn't end with Granny and PawPaw living there.  After college, I moved back home.  I lived with my mom and dad for a few months, but then Granny B remarried and moved.  She graciously allowed me to make it my first "home."  I did a lot of growing up those almost five years as well.  I learned what it took to manage a home.  Started my teaching career. I grew as an adult, making adult choices (good or bad).  For a long time, I imagined buying the house and property and turning it into my family home....getting married, bringing home babies there, etc.  However, God had other plans for my life and for the house.

 

I may never walk into that house again.  That could be sad, but instead I am grateful. Grateful for the memories and the foundation for our family that my grandparents laid.  You see, they were and are deeply rooted in the Word of God and raised a family knowng that this world is not our home.  As the song says, we are just apassin' through and our treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.  So, losing the house or anything inside is not a sad occassion. 

 

For me, the house is not made up of stone and mortar anymore, it is made of memories and lessons I will take with me forever.