A Race, Moving, and the Zoo x 2

Here are some highlights from the past month:

On March 28th Brian and I were able to run in the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k. This is the third time Brian has run and the second time for me (I took a sabatical last year as I was pregnant). The race is a big event in Richmond, and while neither Brian or I would consider ourselves "runners," we have a lot of fun doing it and appreciate the motivation to get in shape. This year we ran together which made it especially fun. I am grateful for the health the Lord has granted us to be able to run. If you'd like to see me sweat (yes, I was running hard) you can go to this link: http://www.brightroom.com/estf.asp?EVENTID=48019&PWD=&BIB=10219

As we waited to start the race a man beside me had a shirt with the reference 2 Timothy 4:7 written on it. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." I thought of this verse as I ran and since then it seems to have taken on even deeper meaning for me. Keeping the faith is not something that is just going to happen. It's no walk in the park or Sunday stroll. Like running a race, it's going to take discipline, motivation and a lot of effort. But, in the end, when we receive the crown and can lay it down at our Savior's feet, wow. Praise the Lord that, through him, we can keep the faith.

Another big event recently was a trip to the National Zoo in Washington D.C. During Grant's spring break week we ventured up to D.C. (along with everyone else we found out) to go to the zoo. Aunt Susannah was able to go with us and Aunt Tara joined up with us at the zoo. Davis stayed home to get some one-on-one attention from Gramma (a rare treat for the 4th child), giving us the best adult to kid ratio we've had in a long time! The kids had a blast and we all enjoyed the day.

I was able to go with Grant's class on a field trip to the Richmond Zoo the following week. Grant, in particular, loves animals so two trips to the zoo in a week was a real treat for him. His favorite part was when the zookeeper brought out a python for the class to see.

Carter liked the elephants.

"Grant's stag beetle"

Daddy and Aunt Tara carrying worn out little boys.

Grant, Carter, Susannah and Bryce

On April 18th we moved into our "summer house." The day went smoothly and we are very grateful for all of the help we received from family and friends. We are now functional (mostly unpacked) in the new living quarters. So far it's been a fairly easy transition and the boys are enjoying the fun backyard. Soon after we moved in they discovered a rabbit's burrow (I'm sorry to say it is now destroyed--but no bunnies were harmed in the process!), they've found a few golf balls in the backyard (the yard backs up to a golf course), have enjoyed the play set, and have turned over about 50 landscape pavers collecting roly-polies, caterpillars and worms.

The night we took the boys to "say goodbye" to the house there was a beautiful rainbow. Amazing!