26.2

Well, this year has been a year of fitness. Mark and I both have realized we have a new found passion for running. Mark's goal for this year was to run a marathon, so his training started in early August. He trained like I have never seen him train before - waking up at 6:00 on SATURDAYS to meet a friend at a park to run at 7:00, running in the late evenings after the girls went to bed, running while on vacation, and he probably even ran in his dreams some too. He worked all the way up to a 20 mile run before his race and proved to himself that his goal was definitely attainable.
He found a marathon to do at the Chickamauga Battlefield National Park. Chattanooga, Tennessee is super close to the Battlefield, so we made it a little mini family vacation for the weekend. I couldn't let him go without his girls!
The girls on the dolly after Mark took the luggage off it. Loving every minute of their new freedoms!
This is Mark's wardrobe for the marathon all laid out the night before...#62!!!

Mark right before he left the hotel to go pick up his friend, Sean C, from his hotel who ran it with him. He walked out the door at 5:30 and the race started at 7:30, so I decided to bring the girls a little later in hopes of being able to find him along the way to cheer him on.
Here is the Farley Silly Bus with 5 kiddos strapped in tight! I stopped to pick up my friend, Mandy C, and her three kids from their hotel before we headed down to the battlefield. Mind you - Mandy - being the brave supportive wife and mother is bringing her 3 WEEK OLD baby along for the FUN!!! So we head off to the marathon to attempt to find a shuttle bus that in theory is suppose to allow us stop at 3 designated viewing/cheering areas. We arrived at 9:30, which meant we should have been able to catch the guys at mile 19, and then have time to ride another shuttle back to the finish line. However, the fact that the shuttle bus drivers "needed" potty breaks and gabbing breaks (You can tell there's more to that story!) it took the shuttles 45 minutes to an hour to come back around to pick the spectators up. Therefore, we decided it by the time we saw the guys run by mile 19, then we wouldn't have had enough time to get back to the finish line. Which is a good thing we didn't get off the bus, because Mandy's husband, Sean, called her while we were on the bus to tell her he had to stop running because of an ankle injury. They both were devastated, but Sean took it all in stride and completely swallowed his pride.
So, we rode the bus back around to the finish line where we met up with Sean. He immediately took the experience as a teaching opportunity for his boys to explain that when life knocks you down, you get up anyway, and that in everything all that really matters in life is the love and sacrifice of Jesus.
The girls and I waited at the finish line for at least 45 minutes. I felt extremely guilty for not being able to find him along the way to cheer him on, I was anxious about how he was doing, and I knew how much he had trained for this; therefore, I was filled with emotion.

Sarah and Hannah waited so patiently for their daddy to run across the finish line. Mandy was up on another corner waiting for Mark, and she called me when she saw him so I would be ready with the video and digital cameras.
"Sarah, here comes Daddy!!!" is what I was yelling as I was holding the cameras and fighting back tears!
Number 62 - Mark Farley approaching the finish line and coming in strong!!! He finished 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 20 minutes. He has a new PR (personal record)!!! He immediately looked at me and said, "I want to do another one!" WHAT???
We are so proud of our Daddy!!! Hannah even stayed awake long enough to see her Daddy finish, then she passed out for a much needed nap.
Once Mark finished, Sarah said, "Can I go do the jumpy thing now?" LOL!!! Kind of puts things into perspective from a 4 year old's vantage point.
Sarah having good time while Daddy recuperates and Hannah naps.

Hannah couldn't miss out on all of the fun!
Daddy and his girls, and Sarah wearing his medal!
We went back to the hotel for Mark to shower, then we headed out for some touristy things. Mark was willing to put his own pain aside to enjoy the day with his family, and he was in a lot of pain. Once again, reality is being a parent doesn't allow you to dwell on your own pain, you must put aside your desires to focus on the kiddos. I am reminded of that lesson on a daily basis.
We drove up to Park Point and enjoyed the beautiful view from a top the mountain of Chattanooga.
The next day, after a much better night sleep, we spent 5 hours at the Tennessee Aquarium. The girls enjoyed every minute of it. Mark sporting his marathon shirt! Lookin' good Baby!!!
The girls looking at the alligators swimming around.

Posing with the penguins.
All in all, we had a fabulous family vacation with lots of new memories made! We hope to return to Chattanooga one day to do the Ruby Falls tour when Hannah is a little more stable on her feet. I am proud of Mark for being the husband he is, the daddy he is, and a MARATHONER!!! He's already talking about which marathon he can do next, and it's "killing" him not running this week to allow his body to recover. We give God the glory for his success and determination!

A Texas Celebration

My parents made lifelong friends with a couple whom they met 50 years ago in Sylvania while they were dating. Mr. and Mrs. Lord used to chaperon my parents on dates before they married. The Lords moved to Texas many years ago and lived on a ranch where Mr. Lord was the ranch manager for the Holt family who owns the San Antonio Spurs team. As a child, we used to take family vacations to the Lord's in Blanco, Texas. We made many wonderful memories. Matt and I learned how to ride horses in Texas, swam in a natural spring water hole, chased armadillos, and had fantastic time living the "ranch" life.

Mr. Lord turned 90 years old last Sunday, Nov. 7, and Mrs. Lord was hosting a family birthday celebration for him. Mama and Daddy told Matt and I they were going to Texas to celebrate this special occasion. I immediately started feeling the heartstrings pulling and having this huge desire to go with them. I talked it over with Mark, and he said he would be Mr. Mom while I was away. I called my parents to tell them, and they were excited to hear I was going. Matt's wife Heather had given him her blessing to go as well. My parents generously gave the trip to Matt and I for our Christmas presents. So, off we go!!!
A memorable spot on the ranch where the road literally passes through the river. I remember flying through it as a child with the water spraying all over the car.
Mr. Lord buying breakfast burritos a local taco stand.
Michale Jackson lives, and he was in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday! ;)
This was my delicious breakfast waffle one morning at The Blanco Luxury Suites.
Mama, Daddy, myself, and brother standing under the 250 year old tree at the Lord's house. The last time we were here was in 1996. It was great to be back!

This is the family with Mr. and Mrs. Lord celebrating Mr. Lord's 90th birthday!
I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with the Lord's even though it was only 3 days, it was definitely worth every effort it took to get there. It was extremely difficult for me to say good-bye to them, but in my heart I know I will see them again.
We took a very short drive over to San Antonio on Saturday for a couple of hours to go shopping at the Mexican Market. I specifically wanted to find Mexican dresses for the girls. I had one as a child that I loved wearing. Mrs. Lord wears them all of the time, so they remind me of her as well.
I bought the girls two dresses each one green and one yellow. I also bought them each one maraca.
Sarah absolutely loved the dresses, which I knew she would. Since, Monday she has wanted to wear one whenever we are at home. She is even wearing one as a nightgown. She says, "Mommy, I love my Mexican dresses and being matchy-matchy with Hannah"!

I feel blessed to have been able to spend three days with two people who have meant so much to me over the years. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with older people. They have such a wealth of knowledge to share. Mr. Lord was in the army and served in WWII. I have such a great amount of respect for him and people who have served our country. Being 90 years old, he has seen and lived through so many life experiences.

The next time I go, which I do plan on going again soon, I plan to take Mark and the girls and make it a family vacation. Mrs. Lord took us to this adorable little place on Saturday where I am bringing my family back for a vacation. It is a little "settlement" in Blanco situated on a little river, with cabins, bed & breakfast, gift shop, camp site, and putting course. I instantly fell in love with this place, and I am excited about the thought of one day taking my family back. http://www.blancosettlement.com/