Stay Strong - Run Long

Turbulent. That's how I would describe my 2018. Rocky. Unsettled. Raging. Rolling. That's what much of this year has felt like. I've been blessed with good health and a wonderful family, but my 2018 has been anything but healthy. From family health scares to my own personal demons. For the past 12 months, I have struggled with my identity. I would go to work every day feeling empty. Emotionless. Sad. Stressed. Numb. Running wasn't fun. Family time wasn't' fun. The things that brought me joy every day were a chore. Every day I would pray for God to give me happiness and every day was worse than the day before. I was questioning whether or not God truly loved me and wanted me to be happy. About 3 months ago, my trajectory changed. My world changed. My day-to-day was about to become even more turbulent...or so I thought. The saying goes, "God won't give you more than what you can handle" and I've always stuck by that notion, but the past

Welcome to December. The month that brings images of the family gathering around the fireplace to sip hot chocolate as we watch the snow fall. Or laying in bed with your favorite flannel sheets. Or wearing your favorite pajamas as you nuzzle with your loved ones...well...that's what we'd like to imagine December being... In our house, December definitely brings "fewer" activities for the kids, but not "less chaos". What it does bring is more excuses for staying inside and watching Netflix because...let's be honest...it's cold out and nobody wants to be outside. It means the kids wanting "just one more piece of candy". It means screaming, running around, fighting and the "I don't need to go to bed!!!!" which then forces mom and dad to search for that "perfect winter cocktail". Because we live in Iowa, we are typically subjected to one of three winters: TONS of heavy snow on the ground.  Bone-chil