Run For Their Lives

Luke and I had the wonderful opportunity to run/ walk a 5K yesterday. This was my (Laura's) very first race ever. This particular race is not about winning. It costs $24 to enter the race. That's the exact amount that it costs to purchase a Thai girl's freedom for one day from sex trafficking. Basically what Freedom 4/24 does is pay for a girl's freedom for the day and then they take that day to show them that there's another way. They show them the love of Christ. I can't think of a better reason to run. Here's how our day went:

Brett and Jack having a little pre-race fun. Jack loved playing with the balloon, so someone ended up tying one to the stroller he was riding in.

Luke about to cross the finish line. I was SO proud of him! He hasn't run in a really long time (like since high school) and he ran the entire race! He finished 67th with a time of 27:37:00!! He did 8:55 miles. Needless to say, he's feeling it today :)
Now, I have NEVER been a runner. In fact, I dislike running...a lot. It hurts. But I did end up running some parts of the race. After the halfway turn around we were going slightly downhill, so I just let go of the stroller and ran behind it. It's amazing how much more momentum you have when you use your arms! :)

Jen came and helped me push Jack up the final (very steep) hill.

Almost to the finish line! Snagging a quick picture with Luke (who helped quite a few women push their strollers up this final hill).

That's me on the left. I decided to sprint the last straight away, passing a few people. Suckas!!! I finished in 511th place with a time of 45:20:00. Now, that sounds a little worse than it actually is because there were about 900 people running/ walking the 5K. I did 14:37 miles; which is better than I do when I walk around our neighborhood (I usually do about 20 minute miles...but hey, it's a hilly neighborhood!).
Luke with Jack by the finish line.

Please Pray

Please pray for my cousins (who will remain nameless). They are leaving tomorrow (Tuesday) to travel to the Middle East to be missionaries. They'll be traveling for 30+ hours. Please pray for safety in traveling and a smooth transition as they adjust to a new culture and learning a new language. And of course pray for the people they'll be in contact with :)

Growing Up...

While we were in Greenville this weekend, I went yard saleing with Luke's mom. I got a lot of great buys! I found one of those cars that kids can ride on or walk behind for 5 bucks! I was planning to give it to Jack for his first birthday, but we couldn't wait :) He loves it!! Here's a picture of his sitting on it and a video of him walking behind it (excuse the mess, we had just gotten home and dumped everything in the house).

We also upgraded Jack to his "big boy" tub. I know most people probably just bathe their kids in the bath tub, but I got this super cute ducky tub that'll use less water. Right after I put him in it, I made the duck quack by squeezing it's beak. He was NOT a fan of that!! He crawled right out of it into my lap! hahaha Hopefully our next experience with the ducky tub will go much better :) Here's a picture of him in the tub (not happy) complete with a new ducky faucet cover...

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!?!

Jack LOVES balls! We happen to think he's pretty coordinated for a 9 month old (although we have nothing to compare him to - just let us think, ok??). He was having fun playing football with Daddy while Daddy was watching football this Sunday afternoon. I love them both so much!!

Fun with Jack!

This is so funny!!

Quelf

Nick and Liz got this game called "Quelf" and they brought it over to play with us while Mom and Dad Nickels were in town. You have to do all kinds of crazy stuff. Here's a few videos of the fun! :)

Mom had to write a rap about herself and here's what she came up with:

Luke had to do a disco dance and try to get someone to dance with him. Nick did (of course, we didn't know what his card said):

Dad had to sing this same line is I think 5 different genres. Good luck figuring out what they are!! hahaha

If you're wondering about the snorting in some of the videos, I had to snort like a pig every time I laughed.

Updates

Jack has 4 teeth now! You can't see the 2 on top, but here's a pretty clear shot of the 2 on bottom.

We have been without a lawn mower for the majority of the summer. (Thanks Matt and Jen for letting us borrow yours all the time!!) Luke got a steal on a new one from Lowe's. And he can't to have Jack sit in his lap while he cuts the grass!!