She Runs By Faith

Week 8 down. Only 4 weeks to go! This week in training was a mileage cutback/recovery week and it couldn't have come at a better time. The little ones and I all have some sort of cold or allergy thing going on and the extra rest was very needed. I was very tempted to sleep in on Sunday morning with the rest of the family but talked myself into just getting up. The long run scheduled was a 13.1 mile time-trial and I knew I couldn't keep a quick pace while sick. Well, I made it! The sunset was worth the early wake-up and I covered 14 miles at a comfortable pace. I never regret waking up for an early run — and I almost always regret sleeping through one. My motivation tanks later in the day! This month I had the privilege of trying more of Swanson Health's natural health products . They have something for everyone plus they deliver all over the States — and International, too. Check out their website for more details and to browse their products! My Swanson ...

Let me start by setting the scene... ........... Big toddler is running around the house in his "fast shoes", taking the occasional break to jump off the couch. Little toddler chases me into the kitchen, latches on to my legs and screams the entire time I am trying to get supper finished. Finally I sat down on the floor and zoned out staring at the cupboard doors, thinking "How am I supposed to get anything done! I give up."  (while little toddler is climbing me like a mountain) Fast-forward to later that evening. Supper in the field was followed by the usual bedtime routine and then lights out for the kiddos. Big toddler went willingly and the little one took some coercing.  With likely a dramatic sigh, I sat down in bed and opened up Facebook. ( Mistake #1: Looking at Facebook while emotionally drained.)  The first post on the feed was by a new mom and it portrayed a Pinterest-worthy scene of orderliness, peace and control. Ugh! My mouth didn'...

Harvest is rolling by one day at a time and praise the Lord for this beautiful weather! Life lately feels like the "Groundhog Day" movie where the same day keeps playing over and over and over. The days are really long and everyone is worn down. Lately I haven't been able to fall asleep until my husband comes home around 10 or 11 pm and it's making the whole 5:30-wake-up-thing a whole lot less appealing! I really need to get my sleeping figured out before sugar beet harvest starts... Sometimes I wish my husband could predictably come home in time for supper every night but that's just not the farming life. Growing up on a farm myself has helped as my dad was rarely in for supper time and there was (still is) always work to do. But, you know, having a normal family schedule does sound appealing on the long days! Farming has been part of my life from the beginning and I do love it. I am thankful that my husband works for a very family-oriented farm tha...

Since dedicating my life to the Lord five years ago, prayer has been something that leaves me awestruck. To think that the Almighty God wants to talk with me, one on one, is mind-blowing and also a bit confusing. I have had many questions about prayer over the years, some I have asked and some seem so silly I didn't dare ask anyone. Why does God want to talk to me ? Do my prayers really matter? Does He answer our prayers? Do I ask God for too much or do I not ask enough? Do my prayers make a difference?  Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets has helped to grow my understanding of prayer and the necessity of a prayer life. He has a way with words that explains deep theological concepts without totally losing a non-theologian like me. "The real question is: Does a sovereign, all-powerful God need our involvement or not? Is prayer really necessary? If so, why? I believe it is necessary. Our prayers can bring revival. They can bring healing. We can change a nation. Stro...

Disclaimer: I am sharing my thoughts and my personal experiences to encourage those in need of encouraging and celebrate this journey in my life. This is not in any way meant to ignite a "mommy war". Three years ago, I left my position as a corporate graphic designer to stay at home with our son full-time. That was one of the most stressful and pivotal decisions of my life. It was a leap of faith and many doubts and fears crossed my mind. Fast forward to three years later and here I am, alive and well! I am still working as a full-time mom with two busy boys in tow and part-time as a graphic designer and blogger. Huh, yeah, I really didn't think my "hobby blog" would grow into a part-time sorta thing! Reflecting on my journey as a full-time mom, here are the fears and doubts that tried to paralyze me and then  what really happened : Will I be bored staying at home? Nope. Nunca. Boredom has never been a problem because there is always something to d...

This week we enjoyed our last camping trip of the year! Because harvest is in full swing, the little ones and I snuck away with Grandma. It was a special trip — a Mother/Daughter + Sons Camping Adventure. Despite stormy weather in the forecast, we went on a group bike ride/run, splashed in the Mississippi Headwaters and put those rolling hill bike paths to good use. We ate a lot of amazing campfire food prepared by my mom like ham & cheese pockets and "spider" hot dogs. My favorite was easily the wild blueberry turnovers topped with powdered sugar. Wild blueberries are delicious ! On one of the more gloomy weather days, we drove to a small local "zoo" called Animal Land. The little ones really got a kick out of the animals. They had quite an assortment for such a small place, from the "Tortoise and the Hare" to lions and camels. And we climbed a 100 ft. firetower... with the 3- and 1-year-old. Yikes. That was a big feat for me,...

I mean, they're kind of similar, right? Running after toddlers... Running the miles... Except marathon training includes a rest day or two and toddlers just don't get that! My approach to marathon training with small children at home is what I call "minimalist". Minimal mileage with minimal time spent training usually on minimal recovery. Running 30-45 miles a week sounds like a lot to the average person but to a marathoner, that is low, wayyy low . It's not that I don't enjoy running higher mileage; this is just a realistic number for my life right now. Running for me needs to stay fun rather than becoming another item on the "to-do list". Keeping expectations realistic for your current life season makes everything more enjoyable. Even marathoning. Those days when we go out for a family run... 😄❤️👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 #familyof4 #easyrun #familyrun #wildhogmarathon #myheartisfull #motherrunner #momofboys #futurerunner #sweatpink A pho...

There are so many resources out there for parents and teachers these days! How do you decide what resources are right for your family? Reviewing educational resources and reading the reviews from other parents and teachers has helped me to sift through the endless abyss of options! Today I'm sharing with you my review, as an Academics' Choice Advocate and reviewer, of the books Time for a Story , Learning is in Bloom , and the Lorax app. We have a lot to cover, so lets get started! Time for a Story: Sharing Books with Infants and Toddlers Time for a Story by Amy Read and Saroj Ghoting explores fun and engaging ways to talk, sing, read, write, and play with infants and toddlers. The authors note that the most important item or tool that a teacher or parent has in preparing children for later reading success is a book. Because story time can be complicated with impatient babies or active toddlers, this book provides the thought and preparation to help you can ma...

I am a doodler, always have been and hopefully always will be. There are notebooks upon notebooks full of my drawings of horses, cartoon people, imaginary creatures and faraway places! It's my way of getting creativity out of my head and on to paper. Even better, doodling is very relaxing. Our three-year-old and I have been dabbling in Doodletopia: Cartoons over the past couple weeks and we have had so much fun! He scribbles cartoons that mostly resemble tornadoes and requests that I draw superheroes for him. Lots and lots of superheros. Doodletopia author  Christopher Hart  has filled this instructional book with cartooning prompts and creative inspiration. He gives helpful tips and tricks and then leaves the creative door open for his readers. I really enjoy Hart's sense of humor. My favorite page spread instructs you to draw your "coolest-of-the-uncool"  clothes for a hipster. Yes,we have to poke a little fun at the hipsters! This book is an excel...

Summer!!! It's wonderful, decently chaotic and fast-moving. The kids have cute little farmer's tans, veggies are being eaten straight out of the garden, and I saw a couple combines in the field already today. Saturday brought my first long-long run (18-miler) for Wild Hog Marathon training and only 2 months remain between now and my last race of the year! Speaking of running, I have had the privilege of reviewing some amazing products from Swanson Health while training for my 8th marathon coming up in September and I would love to share my experience with you. Swanson Health Products , located in Fargo, North Dakota, sells natural health and wellness products from their website Swansonvitamins.com  and they happen to be the United States' largest privately held vitamin catalog retailer! Let me introduce you to a few of my favorite Swanson Health products: Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen The Hawaiian Sunscreen smells great, like lotion rather than sunscreen,...