Happy 4th of July!!

Andrew reminded me that last 4th of July, we weren't together. He just started his 1st year of residency a year ago. Needless to say, my summer was spent working full time, planning a wedding, fostering 4 kittens, and spending times with family and friends before I moved. I sure did have a blast from cleaning up to making and creating all the finishing touches for our special day. Andrew however, had a harder time and his new friends/classmates even said I needed to hurry down, plus his apartment was so bare...he was missing me so much - how cute :) To compensate...he worked out hard for over 3 months. My girls and I were completely shocked once we saw the outcomes the day before the wedding!!! I was so proud of him!! I'll never forget when he showed up at my grandparents with a big bouquet of beautiful flowers...my MeeMaw sent me a picture of them this past week...I had almost forgotten, so it brought back wonderful memories of when we first saw each other after 3 months!!!!!

Even though we're opposites in many apects...he brought up this weekend that we work as a team and we encourage each other to succeed on many levels to accomplish our goals and dreams. We don't criticize each others' weaknesses but rather work together to strengthen each other. For instance...Andrew could never run 3 miles at a time before we got married. Once I moved down to Memphis, I was so impressed...he could run 3 miles by my side. When I was running races on a regular basis in Louisville, he would want to run with me...I was so worried he'd go into an Asthma attack after 1 mile and would encourage him to rest while I finish. Now, he can run 9-12 miles a week (indoors) and his goal is to run his first 5k with me this fall!!!!!!

Ironically, I started out the same way. I could never run a mile even though I played almost every sport. In fact, when I trained for soccer or track...I would complain about running distances (I was a sprinter). But growing up, watching my daddy run the marathons and triple crowns...I was determined to be like him some day. After college, soccer was over so I began training myself to run distances and ran 5ks, 10ks, 10 miles, a mini-marathon, and even a couple triathlons. Andrew and even my friends would come to run with me or just cheer me on . They are the only reason I could get through to the finish lines...but, I get strength and endurance through God. Running and training is like my quiet time :) I always carried my favorite verse with me to every game and competition: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" ~Phil. 4:13

This is my first race in Memphis, and I tend to get really anxious before my first or new type of race. Andrew kept me calm :)

I ran the St. Jude Firecracker run and ran for Shannon, a 13 year old with Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Andrew patiently waits with me...showing his support ;)

He takes me out to the start 15 'til race time.

He was so sweet!! Luckily, someone at work told me people hose you down while running (it's in the 90's after 7p) and there are sprinklers running. So I had to hand over my hearing aids to Andrew and he stood by me to tell me what the announcer was saying before we took off.

Andrew was just as excited as I was and he could hardly take pictures while I was running...

Andrew over-excitedly yells right when I ran by, "Over here, Honey!!! GREAT JOB!!" And, I said, "I'm right here...I can hear you!"

So stinky, sweaty, and wet...he wanted to kiss me and hug me...but I said, "you may want to wait!" Of course, he does anyway and in addition gives me fist bumps and keeps congratulating me!! Later he informed me a guy pushing a stroller...finished in the top at 17 minutes!!!!! We came to the conclusion, that the kid should get all the rewards - ha!! (FYI...kids in strollers have to be registered to race, too!)

WAHOO!!! I did it - despite trampling over a little boy and dodging the traffic in the crowd of 3,000!!!! And boy does all the mist feel good!!

After the race, the next night...we got ready for our first cookout and bought a charcoal grill with one of our wedding gift cards!

Andrew was having a little trouble at first...didn't realize he bought the non-pre-lit charcoal...but got it going with his Boy Scout skills ;)

Chris and Andrea (Andrew's brother and sister-n-law) come with us across the street to the park to watch the fireworks!

Needless to say, this 8-month, preggie momma suffered insomnia during the fireworks and made it back to crash on our couch!