So, as far as running goes, it kicked my butt last week.  Friday was the kicker.  Neil is home, and is going to be off for a little while, so he gave me the opportunity to run outside for a change, instead of on the treadmill.

I was supposed to do a 5 mile run.  1 warm-up mile at about a 12 min. pace, then run 3 miles at about a 10.5 min. pace, then cool down with another 12 min. mile.  Neil helped me map out my course online at this awesome website that tells you exactly how long you will be running (runningmap.com), so I was set.  BUT, I didn't leave the house until about 9:30 am to start this run.  already hot, and being humid is a given.  Then, for some reason, my body just couldn't understand the concept of SLOW.  so, instead of doing a warm-up mile, I ended up running the first 3.75 miles in 37 min!!  then, because I had about killed myself, I had to stop and walk a couple of times in that last 1.25 miles.  I didn't stop for long, and I kept trying to slow down, but I just couldn't after running so long at a faster pace.  I mean I would...for like 10 sec., then, I'd end up speeding up again.  I ended up running all 5 miles (plus walking some) in 54 min.  (it should have taken me more like 56 min. running the entire time) by the end of the run, I could feel the endorphines running like crazy through my body (I seriously felt like I was walking on a cloud) and I started getting goosebumps.  not good.  It may have just been because I was sweaty and there was a cool breeze, which made me cold.  I don't know.  anyway, I was proud of the run, because it means that I am back to running BETTER than I was before I got pregnant with Bella.  but at the same time, I wanted to do the run according to plan.  I'm just NOT good at pacing myself outside (even wearing a watch).  probably because I'm too used to a teadmill.

monday is my long run.  I'm going to attempt to do it outside again.  we'll see how it goes.  7 miles is much too long to run at a 10 min. mile pace right now....

I measured Bella today (she's 5 months old - wow!) and she's 27 inches long!!!  I wondered why she kept growing out of her jammies...  so that puts her ABOVE the 95% for height (length, whatever...).  she weighs about 17 lbs., which puts her at about 75% for weight.  she is just a growing girl!  Her daddy is not going to believe his eyes when he sees her.  even though it's only been a couple of weeks since he's seen her, there is so much that is different.  it's crazy how fast they grow and how fast they learn and do new things.  it changes from week to week - day to day really.  it's just crazy!

this is random, but I found a GINORMOUS, ugly-looking spider outside of my house today.  eek!  It was yellow and black and probably about 4inches in diameter, legs and all.  it was just horrid looking.  and everyone knows how much I hate spiders!  I tried to drown it, but it was a strong little sucker.  I even washed him into a hole, and tried to drown him with the water hose spraying in the hole to keep him down in there.  nope.  then, I went to go get the super-soaker that we have full of soapy water(neil uses it to destroy wasp nests, etc.)...but by the time I got back, he had gotten away!!  ugh!  I hate spiders, and they're everywhere!!  luckily, they aren't IN the house - just outside.  but there are some pretty scary ones here, in this area.  gross, I say.  Gross!

wow.  it's amazing how much you DON'T do when you have a baby.  like...write on your xanga page...yeah.  sorry about that.  I hate going months and months, then decide to come back and write...where do you start?

we made it to 39 weeks and one day for the pregnancy - how awesome is God!?

Isabella marie jones, born April 11, 2007, 6 lbs. 8 oz. 20 3/4 inches long.

now, she's going to be 5 months on Sept. 11, weighs about 16 lbs., and is about 26.5 inches long.  she rolls over, eats baby cereal, thinks she can sit up by herself (but can't yet), likes to use the full range of her vocal chords just because she can and it makes her happy, has beautiful blue eyes like her daddy, has a beautiful smile, and an oh-so-fun personality.

I have been playing on (and just recently starting leading...officially anyway) the praise band at church.  it's a pretty new (since easter) contemporary service, so I guess you can say we're still in a transitional period.  it's getting better and better though.  it's just difficult to try to TEACH a congregation about worship, when none of them have ever been a part of an experiential worship atmosphere.  I'm trying my hardest to create that atmosphere - to give people the freedom to let go - but it's easier said than done most of the time.  I know God will lead us where we need to go though..in His timing.  I just have to be open to it.

I'm also helping out with the Youth praise team for the church.  that's a whole other heap of difficulties, but we're working through the obsticles the best we can.  hopefully, the praise team will be ready to lead worship for the youth worship services within a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, I also joined the rec center here, in town.  It's the only way I'll be able to work out - especially in times Neil is gone.  Childcare is included, and any fitness classes I want to take are included.  awesome, huh?  So I've been taking pilates (a 1 hour class) 2 days a week, and I've been trying to run at least 2 days a week as well.  It's been an awesome outlet - and a way for me to get back into shape after having Bella.  I love running too much to give it up.  although I hate running on a treadmill (I feel like a gerble on one of those wheel-things in a cage), it's better than nothing.  and my mp3 player helps too.  I'm slowly working my way up to where I was, although I'm not even close to where I was before getting pregnant.  Before Bella, I was running about 4 miles, 3 days a week, averaging about a 9.5 min. mile.  a month or so after I got pregnant, I ran a 5k, and ran 3.1 miles in 30:44...already slowing down a bit at almost a 10 min. mile pace.  a couple of weeks later, I was told that I couldn't run anymore because of the pregnancy complications.

Monday, I ran 3.28 miles in 35 min.  so, I'm averaging a little over a 10.5 min. mile now.  I guess I can't be too upset with that.  It's been a long-haul trying just to get up to that.  I know it will get better as I keep pushing.  I was hoping to run in the same 5k I ran in last year, this year.  yeah, I was not EVEN ready for that.  but I do need to start setting goals.  but first, I just want to get back to where I was before I was pregnant.  then, I'll start looking at race goals. 5k? 10k?  13.1?  it all just seems so distant right now.  but I'll keep pushing.

In the meantime, I'm going to try to be better about writing on this thing....

I love my chub...