Mud Run!

This Saturday I participated in the most out-of-character event possible - The DFW Mud Run. It's a 10k (6.2 mile) run with 30 obstacles throughout the course. I say "out-of-character" because you crawl through the mud, climb up walls, up/in/out of cargo nets, swim across the Trinity River, wade through swamp lands and get, well, muddy. I did it with a group of my college girlfriends and it was BLAST. I tried my best to stay dry from the shoulders up but near the end I lost it on a mud slide. Down I went and up I came screaming "NOOOOOOO" because I did not want mud in my eyes! You can see some of our pictures through the link: http://www.theoriginalmudrunphotos.com/Dallas-FortWorth/DFW-Spring-2011 I will help you out so you aren't looking at 5000 photos! Team Pictures Saturday: Pg. 8 Low Crawl: Pg. 30 Slip and Slide: Pg. 27 I have more pictures but at this point I can't get them off Brent's phone. Lauren and I pre-mud with smiles! Just crossed the finish line at 1 hour 55 minutes. The top 3 competitive female times were around 1hr 15mins last year. I feel proud of our time! Our nasty muddy group! Brent and Eli met us up there to see us cross the finish line and enjoy the free food and drinks afterwards. This has also sparked a new competitiveness within me. I signed up for a Sprint Triathlon in August. It's a "sprint" triathlon so it's shorter and for beginners. We will see what comes of it!

Like Father Like Son

I think the title pretty much sums up the clip below. . .

Call Me Gideon

One year ago I left the only life I knew -- stressed, tired, anxious and trying to stay in control. March 23, 2010 is a huge spiritual marker in my life. That day I trusted God completely and walked out on my career. The thing that I used as a major identifier. (silly me!)

I had been with the company for almost 7 years. It was challenging professionally and personally. It was a "navigate your own way" type of place. I learned more there than I could have in a corporate environment. I want to take a few minutes to reflect and share my story with you.

At the beginning of the 2010 year I started praying "Please renew my desire and energy to complete the job at hand", "Please help FWT prosper" and "Lord, is it time for me to leave?". Well, He answered in a big way! It is so awesome when the Lord gives you a clear answer. Too bad I was like Gideon and kept asking for one more sign before I fully trusted Him. Let me show you how He worked in my life:

1. My thought - I'll stay because I get to work from home - Answer - Starting January I had to come in to the office 2 days a week and soon to be 3 days a week

2. My thought - Money -- Answer - my commissions were cut in 1/2. Then as soon as I thought I can make this work -- my commissions were cut to a base salary.

3. My thought - Potential Growth- Answer - Being pushed back into a role I have been trying to get out of for 2 years.

4. My thought- Friendship- How am I going to leave my best friend behind or tell her I'm leaving? Answer - God provided an easy way out. I always said if "____" comes back I'm leaving and she was rehired.

I could see God's hand working. Every time I thought "Well, maybe I could make this work . . ." He would slap it down. So I have learned the hard way that when God tells you to do something it's better to acquiesce than to keep fighting back. Everyone is much happier that way :)

So fast forward a year and the Lord is still providing abundantly more! A few weeks after my retirement Brent was promoted. His product is reaching new sales level than ever before and Brent is having more and more opportunities to expand his professional life. We were able to go on 2 vacations last year (more than years previous) and most importantly Eli is able to relax at home and not always be on the go.

Leaving the only life I knew was the scariest thing I had ever done, but when I think back there was no risk at all. I referred to Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Any time I start to think I can do it on my own or I need to forge my own way I think back to this day 2010. THANK YOU LORD!

Rites of Passage

It sure is tough being a boy. One of the major rites of passage into boyhood is skinned knees. As of today, Eli has passed that test. Poor little guy was running too fast and furious. I hope it doesn't burn too bad in the bath tonight!



Showing off his battle wounds!

His posed smile!

My work-out shirt was damaged as well. I had to jog back to the car with blood smears on the front. It looked like I killed a small animal -- eek!

February Wrap-up

I can't believe February has already come and gone. So here are a few highlights of our month:


Snow!! I think Eli has seen more snow in his short life then I have!














Of course you have to try a snowball!

Daddy and Eli! Yes, he has sock hands. Mittens were not bought this year.

Next, we hosted our friends for our first Valentine's Dinner Party. We had a color theme of red, white and pink, but next year we will need to be a little more creative.

My sweet little valentine. He's going to be a heartbreaker! That is of course at 30 -when he is allowed to have a serious girlfriend ;).

And cousin Colton has a zoo pass! I know where there will be frequent Fisher sightings!

Finally, Eli is not only a talented athlete, he also has a softer side. Here is a little clip of him playing the blues.

30 for 30

Hello - Brent here. If you watch ESPN you know about the documentary series they have been doing about star athletes - 30 documentaries by 30 different directors. When it's time for a director to make a documentary of Eli, this video will surely make the cut.

Sick Baby

We have a very sick baby. What we thought was a cold turned out to be much more! So we have breathing treatments every 4-6 hours.

Each treatment takes between 10-12 minutes. The first 3 or 4 times he SCREAMED through the entire process. He scared the nurses and other children at the doctor's office. So, as it comes to mind, please say a little prayer for Eli. We are ready for him to get back to his normal self.
Sweet little Eli still asleep at 9:30. This is very unusual. His normal wake-up time is 6:30.

On a positive note -- we are day 4 of no pacifier!

At first it was because he couldn't breath, but now he is asking for it again. We are all trying to stay strong and not give in. This would be a huge milestone! I was afraid he might be one of those kids that start kindergarten with one. Not really, but there was no end in sight.