Never let 'em see you when you're breaking
Never let 'em see you when you fall
That's how we live and that's how we try
Tell the world you've got it all together
Never let them see what's underneath
Cover it up with a crooked smile
But it only lasts for a little while
CHORUS:There's no such thing as perfect people
There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scared
Lift up your heart and be amazed
And be changed by a perfect God
Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted
When you hear the words that you are loved
He knows where you are and where you've been
And you never have to go there again
Hebrews 12:1 Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
On Friday evening our family headed to Indy in preparation for the One America Mini Marathon that I was to be a part of .
At the Expo on Friday evening
Saturday morning bright and early
Ready to enter my corral!
I've wanted to "run" a race for a long time and decided last fall to sign up for the Indy mini. A friend of mine has run and walked this mini over the past few years. She inspired me to at least try walking the 13.1 miles. It was pretty cool to be there and experience all the excitement and hype of the festival. Over 30,000 participated.The view from the starting line
A few firefighters did the whole race wearing full uniform
Julie and I walked at a pretty fast pace. I loved walking with her and chatting the whole way. It helped the race go by a lot quicker for sure. Around the 9th or 10th mile, I started with pain in my legs and wasn't sure how I was going to finish....I seriously was a bit worried. Via cell phone, Kevin kept me encouraged and motivated. Here we are just past the 13th mile...finish line in view! What a relief!
We made it!
I limped around the rest of the day and crashed that night and the next day...exhausted!!I was glad I did it.
Quote of the day:
As I was getting ready for the race in our hotel room, Kaiya asked me...
"Mommy, are you going to be the biggest loser?"
My sister-in-law Sarah and I had a day away together last Saturday. We both have a lot in common and shopping is one thing. We spent the day at the mall and kept saying how nice it was to have the time to freely look and take our time without worrying about anyone else. I loved having the one on one time with Sarah!
Back at home, our wonderful husbands took care of the kids, mowed the lawn, plowed the garden and had supper ready for us when we got home. What a day!
That night our little brother, Immanuel, spent the night and celebrated his 11th birthday with us on Sunday.
My sister planned a day out this week to go to the Vera Bradley outlet sale. My mother-in-law came and met us all for breakfast then stayed with my kids at our house while we went to the sale. Thanks Ruby for making the trip and helping me out! It was nice to have the break since Kevin was out of town a few days.
While at the sale, my nephew turned up missing. We texted him and found out that he was helping a couple of ladies out. They had collected more Vera Bradley than they could carry and needed some assistance making it through the long line for checkout. The limit for purchasing was $2500 and they had both maxed that amount out, so he had quite a load to carry. We waited for him in the van to finish helping them load their car and when he got to the van, he was grinning from ear to ear. They paid him 30 bucks for his services. That will come in handy for prom this weekend. 
God really worked out my week wonderfully...keeping me busy with fun things to do with family and friends while my hubby was away. That night I met these beautiful ladies for dinner to celebrate a couple birthdays.
Seriously, I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. I love these girls and feel blessed to call them friends. 
Chatting & laughing our heads off in the Target Garden Center
I've been talking with them about the amazing Easter story of Jesus' death and resurrection a couple weeks leading up to the big day. We got several Easter books from the library and read them over and over. I loved hearing them ask their little questions about death and heaven. What an amazing privilege to watch them learn!
This one was a little out of reach...
Uncle Curt had to use the fork lift for the rest.
Caedmon pulling a basket full of eggs from a tree branch with mommy hanging on tight. 
It will be pretty hard to top this Easter egg hunt. Wonder what Grandpa is gonna do next year.??
...it went fast and let me tell you, we each fought for as many bites as we could get....by the time it was all said and done, I had chocolate on my white coat and Caedmon had chocolate on his white sweater.
This past weekend, our family...including my parents, my sister's family and us...stayed at Pokagon for one night to do even more celebrating with the birthday girl.
Maci & Kaiya
sweet baby emmi
Daddy helping Caedmon paint his wooden whistle
Kaiya working on her bead chick
Kevin and Dad working on a puzzle overlooking Lake James
We walked to the nature center then stopped by the playground on the way back.
She sure doesn't act like she's 60!
Emmi Klair
relaxing back at the inn
Grandma passed out Easter baskets for the kids...
...and had her famous Easter egg hunt...golden eggs included $$. 
It's just like mom to turn a party that is supposed to be all about her into something where she gives to others...and that is exactly who she is...a giver! If I could only be half the woman she is, I would feel so richly blessed.
