How About Those Wild Cards?

Unbelievable.  That word barely describes the run to the World Series that the St. Louis Cardinals just completed.  Wow.
Lauren and I were fortunate enough to attend game 2 of the World Series at Busch Stadium.  It was a tough game though as we had to witness the Cardinals blow a 1-0 lead in the 9th inning and a chance to go up 2-0 in the series.  Lauren said that I took the loss like it was one of my basketball games.
The next week we traveled to Ft. Lauderdale, FL on my Birthday, October 27th.  Because of the rain Game 6 was pushed back to that day.  We had just landed in Atlanta when the game started.  I just followed Lauren's lead to our next gate as I kept watch on my phone at the gamecast on ESPN.com.  When we took off the Cardinals were struggling and mid flight we had to endure dropped fly balls and runners picked off as the Rangers took a 7-4 lead when we landed.
By the time we made it to the hotel to check in it was the bottom of the 8th and we arrived just in time to see the Cardinals strand 2 runners on base and the score was 7-5, thanks to an Allan Craig hr.


After we checked in we headed up to our room to watch the 9th inning.  In the elevator a Rangers fan had some prophetic words.  He said, "Hey kid, keep your head up.  I've seen the Rangers blow leads like this all the time.  The Rangers are real chokers."  I just shook my head and told him I hope so, trying to be a fan and hold onto what little hope was left.
Little did we know that when we entered our room that magic as about to happen in St. Louis.  After watching the top of the 9th we decided to get the Rally Squirrel out just for good measure.  I started chanting "Rally Squirrel" on every pitch and as the Cardinals began their comeback I danced around the room with the rally squirrel.  The people below our room were probably thinking that some monkeys moved in above them.  When David Freese hit the game winning walkoff hr following two comebacks in two innings from down two runs, the dancing was then mixed in with a few jumps on the bed.  I couldn't go to sleep for another hour or so because I was so excited.
The next day for game 7 we went to Duffy's.  Duffy's was a sports bar with about 17 large projector screens showing sports on all of them.  We were lucky enough to be sat next to 2 Rangers fans.  We tried to show good sportsmanship but we also rubbed in the amazing victory that our St. Louis Cardinals had just recorded.
Now a week later I'm still getting goosebumps everytime I see the Cardinals celebrating on the field at Busch Stadium after Allen Craig caught the last out.  Only thing that I keep saying is Unbelievable.  Wow.

They Did It For Torty      #11in11

Steven

District Champs!

Congrats to the Republic Girls Tennis Team for the first ever win at Districts! They now will play for sectionals on this Saturday at our brand new courts! What a great way to break in a new court!

21 Days is not THAT long!

Searching on pinterest the other night I found a post that was no junk food for 21 days. While reading this it included: no chips, white bread, peanut butter, ice cream, candy, other bad spreads, etc. Well some of my favorite things are on this list including peanut butter and ice cream. I eat ice cream everyday- No kidding! So talking to Steven we came up with a bet that if I did this challenge he would buy me a new lens to my camera. Now if I lost and gave in I would have to let him get the NFL Sports Zone (or whatever it is - for Sunday Football games). I am definitely not loosing because things have to get done around here besides watching every game on a Sunday afternoon!

I am on day 3 and it isn't that hard, but I know that cupcakes are being brought to school tomorrow for a birthday. Plus we are going on a float trip this weekend. The best thing on float trips are junk food!!!! I will let you know how it goes! Let me know if someone else wants to do it with me. Maybe he will buy you something too. Ha! Ha!

Training for Life

As we said earlier, Steven and I, are training for a half marathon. We are running 8 miles tomorrow, which will be our longest run to date. I ran a half back in April but this is Steven's first half. We are excited to be running this half together.
We have been doing good on our eating as well as our running. We are making our lunches to take to school with us and are also making majority of our dinners here at home. It has really helped out with our training ability as well as feeling better in general.
Steven is in the middle of Girls Tennis season right now and the girls are doing really good. There record is  7-1. He has a tennis match most M,T,R,F nights which leaves us Wednesday nights to spend together.
We enjoy these nights to be together and catch up more than just how the day went.
I have recently started back to school to get my education degree and masters to become an art teacher. I am very excited about this new adventure and clear vision of what I should be doing. Along with this I also have joined Pinterest which I am obsessed with. Steven says I spend too much time on it - but I think that it has paid off because I have started to redecorate our entry way, master bedroom, hallway, and just tonight went to Hobby Lobby and bought 3 Canvas that I am going to paint. I think that I am well on my way to redecorating the entire house! Ha Ha! I will post pictures when I get the projects complete!
Have a blessed week.

Half Marathon

For my 25th birthday my goal and present to myself was to run a 1/2 marathon ( I guess it was also my new years resolution too - so check!) This past weekend was by birthday and the day after on Saturday I, with Steven's Dad - Mac, Brittany Park - Friend, and Brittany Welton - Future Sister in Law all ran the 1/2 marathon. It was a beautiful day. We couldn't ask for a better day. Started at 7:30 and ran the entire thing. My time was 2 hrs and 45 minutes. For my first one not to shabby. They say the goal on the first 1/2 should be to finish and that was my goal. On my next one in the fall it will be to get a better time. Probably in 2:30. Plus Steven is going to run that one with me so I will have a constant training partner this time!

If anyone else wants to run the one in the fall let me know!! It is very rewarding and lots of fun. Not lying!

I guess I should also mention what a great husband I have... After the race he got us a couples massage for my birthday. I think that is the ticket to not being so sore so I told him I need one after every race. Not any surprise he just laughed.

An Abundant Life.

What does an abundant life mean to you? Our minister gave us an assignment yesterday to take pictures this week of things that make our life abundant. Not meaning material things but people or things that make each day better.

I know a few things that definitely make my life more abundant; which are my family, friends and pets. I know those are sound very cliche but they are very true in my life. For anyone that knows who I am a smile and laughter is what truly makes my life more abundant. It is hard to go on throughout the day without a smile on my face. 

I will look forward to hearing what makes your lives more abundant throughout the week. 

Look for my picture later this week!

Welcome to the Gum Family!

After a hard loss last night we our through the first season of basketball at Republic. Steven did a great job with the JV boys and they came out with 15 wins! What an accomplishment for his first year.
No time to rest though because Monday starts the first day of Boys Tennis, which will go through the end of the year.
I am continuing to learn lots at Firehouse Pottery. I just finished 2 pieces today that I will show soon.  They will be sample pieces so other people can copy my design. Another piece that I am currently working on is a present that will be given to the couple in April. I am most excited about this piece and have been working on it for a about a week now.