FIVE Years at COWTOWN!

 

I am so incredibly proud of my husband. Five years ago, he and his best friend began a running journey. This path lead them through many different race locations, events, medals and memories. This year marks his fifth year at Cowtown in Fort Worth. With a final medal in hand as well as a new and exciting PR of 4 hours and 30 minutes, Ray has completed his STAR as each medal makes a point. Before the race, Ray printed pieces of scripture for each mile as a reminder that... We can do all things through Him! Philippians 4:13.

So enjoy a picture post of our Cowtown experience over the past five years!

Mile 1: Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of age. Matthew 28:20
Mile 2: The Lord will work out his plan for my life. Psalm 138:8

Mile: 3: I tell you the turh, if you had faith even as small as the mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. Matthew 17:20

Mile 4: To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. Luk3 19:26

Mile 5: I can do everthing through Christ, who gives me stregth. Philippians 4:13

 

Mile 6: Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see. Hebrews 11:1

Mile 7: I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Mile 8: Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12  

 

Mile 9: We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Mile 10: Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Mile 11: Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5

 

 Mile 12: With God's help we will do mighty things. Psalm 60:12
Mile 13: We can rejoice, too, when we run into prolems and trials, for we know that they help us develope endurance. Romans 5:3
Mile 14: We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:9

Mile 15: The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Mile 16: Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10



Mile 17: It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5
Mile 18: Be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded. Chronicles 15:7

His power is made perfect in our weakness.

 

Mile 19: Whatever you do, do well. Ecclesiastes 9:10
Mile 20: He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. Psalm 91:11

 

Mile 21: Anything is possible if a person believes. Mark 9:23
Mile 22: The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Luke 6:38

Mile 23: I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize... Philippians 3:13
Mile 24: Our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for the us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17

Mile 25: I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Mile 26: Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

Mile 26.2 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Ray found these 26 scripture pieces here. Thank you MilePosts for the inspiration. 

February 2013

Our February has not always looked like this. While this is a favorite past time of ours lately... the concept of sitting and vegging on the couch with the pups, I would have to say that our February has been pretty fly by the seat of your pants sort of month. Of course in between we definitely do our fare share of resting and couch potato sitting. Sometimes that's all I want to do. School has been a whirlwind as well as everything in between.

Here are some of our exciting activities that we've shared in this month...
... Chuy's happy hour celebration for a co-worker. You gotta love free chips and queso
... Celebrated Jacob's 2nd birthday party in Bubble Guppie gladness.
... ABF Bible Study Ladies Night
... Boys camping trip in Tyler, TX
... ELC dinner date at Zios
...Got my hair did at my favorite salon in McKinney
... ABF Bowling at Splitsville in Allen

... Heart day celebrations
... Pedi with the husband
... Zellner Cafe: Dessert Edition
... Celebrate the birth of the Fant twins

What did your February look like? Looking forward to many more to do's and all that March will bring!

Bryson Playdate and the Twins Arrival!

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

 

Those words never spoke more truth than this past Wednesday. Wednesday afternoon I received a call from Michael that asked if we could watch Bryson as Kristin was going into the hospital to be monitored. I tried to hide the excitement from my voice as I knew what this meant. Her scheduled date was over a week and a day away, but at 37 almost 38 weeks, I new that it could be at any moment. We picked up this cutie from daycare. He was at first a bit confused but within seconds was running at marathon speeds to us and gave big hugs. From the moment we were in the car, we discussed changing into his jersey and then playing lots of different sport games including basketball, hockey, golf, and baseball.

 

We played puzzles, pop up pirate, and play dough. We sure had a blast. He made every minute of the night full of excitement. I love the way his brain works. Plus he just LOVES Ray. Talk about melt your heart moments. We had found out that it was go time. We couldn't wait to hear the news of the twin's birth. We sent love and prayers to our Fant friends and continued to love on little man. :)

 

For dinner he enjoyed chicken nuggets and some gummies with a side showing of Cars 2. I love how he named all the different car characters. After dinner he told us that his Thingamajig was sleepy and he quickly tucked him in for the night.



 

It was about that time for little man to get his own jammies on. We bribed him a bit by explaining that Ray would be Superman and I would wear Super Mario Brothers if he could show us Mr. Incredible. As you can see he was super excited to show us his Mr. Incredible jammies. Then he sang us the B-I-B-L-E song and repeated several stories from the bible in bed. I told him I was getting sleepy (hoping he would start getting tired). He asked that the lights be turned off and gave me a pillow. He then tucked me in. Another melt your heart moment for sure. The night ended in wonderful excitement. We had a super fun playdate with little man, Bryson and two very sweet twins had arrived. God is good!

 

The next day, we couldn't wait to stop by the hospital to visit Kristin and Michael. Mom and babies were doing amazing! Sweet Emily and Madelynn were absolutely perfect.  



We are so thankful for these two blessings to our Fant friends. We know that God made them perfectly and wonderfully. I'm so excited to watch them grow and know that they have such wonderful parents to set forth the example. Sending love and wishes to our friends! Happy birthday sweet girls!

February Zellner Cafe: Dessert Edition

On this Tuesday, we hosted a very unconventional Zellner Cafe. Due to busy schedules, Ray and I decided to make this monthly cafe a dessert edition. From ice cream sundaes with toppings, cookies, candy, and raspberry champagne, our night sure was sweet!

We love having the opportunity to gather with our college crew,
To catch up on all things old and new,
And even with some crazy friends too.

Thank you Michael for your background nose picking;) lol. I sure do love these ladies and gents. I was sad to miss a few of our besties, but do know that this tradition will continue and will look forward to all of the monthly cafes to come. Here's to great friends, great food, and great conversation. We love you all! Come back again next month to see whats in store for our next Zellner Cafe!

Our Heart Week Fun!

Happy Love Day!

from the Zellners

 

This week, we have enjoyed many special love day sweets and treats. Each Wednesday, we meet with our ABF bible study group. This week, our sweet friends Anna and Matt made these absolutely delicious Valentine's themed desserts. I will be honest and say I had to sample a few. They were that good! And aren't they just so darn cute?!?! 

 

This week my first graders enjoyed a sweet Friendship Party. From crafts, goodies, and games, my kids sure enjoyed a super sweet and enjoyable afternoon.

Our Valentine's Day was exactly what I wanted. It was a night of pure relaxation. After a long week, all I wanted was a low key night of pjs, Papa Murphy's pizza, and a movie. I'm definitely thankful for my sweet hubby and for amazing and perfect weeks... just like this:)

 

ABF Men's Camping Trip!

After weeks of planning and preparation, google docs, emails, and short-phrased texts, the men of our ABF bible study set out for a men's camping retreat in Tyler, Tx. With gear and food in hand, they spent two nights and three days at Tyler State Park. The nights were cold, and days absolutely beautiful. It sure was a great weekend of male bonding in God's gorgeous creation.

 

 

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3

 



The men left on Friday afternoon to arrive and set up late at night. The men enjoyed afternoons of cooking, fishing, hiking, sports, and great spiritual conversation. I know Ray and I are extremely greatful for these relationships.

 



 

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. ² Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. ³ They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. ⁴ Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4

 

Enjoy pictures of the Men's camping retreat!

 breakfast of champions...
While the boys did catch a few fish, they went with Plan B... steaks!

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

 

ABF Men's Camping Trip 2013

Thank you to all the ladies for sharing these pictures. I know it was a truly special weekend for our bible study group. We are so thankful to continue our growing, serving, and sharing with you!

Weekend Fam-tivities

 Welcome to our weekend fam-tivities.

It was sure a weekend filled with fun dinner dates and relaxing afternoons with the pups. I'm thankful for these lazy weekends. Our weekend fam-tivities included:

 

....Friday, Ray helped with Chi Alpha.

... I visited my favorite preggo mama of twins. She continues to amaze me. I am so proud of this lady as she sets such a wonderful example of motherhood. At 36 weeks, the little ladies should be coming soon!

... Ray and I enjoyed a dinner date night at Buca di Beppo.

 

 

... I got a necessary haircut on Saturday afternoon.

... We picked up a few redbox movies and cuddled with these cuties.

 

... We used a Chick-fil-a gift certificate for a delicious morning breakfast.



 ... Ray and I searched for a few new reads at Half Priced Books.
... Ray ran 14 miles on Sunday to prepare for his marathon at the end of the month.

 I sure do love lazy! I love recouping my energy for the week ahead. It is amazing to think that within a few weeks we will be enjoying Spring Break. Boy this year sure is flying and I'm enjoying the moments... even the lazy ones:)