I am going to run this year

My friend Jacque challenged me to log the miles that I run this year. Just to throw a number, I decided to attempt to run 1,500 miles this year. The I figured that I should make my running count toward something other than fitness so I have decided to donate 10 cents for each mile run in 2014 toward the Finesterre Vision team.

I will post my progress monthly.

Looking back at 2013

Domenica turned 6 years old (she grew 2 ¼ inches and gained a few pounds too) and moved on from princesses to mermaids, ponies and art. She graduated Kindergarten, made her debut in swim team and ran her first 5K. She is still learning music through play and figuring out sports. Mostly she likes art and crafts and has recently taken an interest in cheerleading. She is funny, cuddly and creative.

Gabriel is now 9 years old and is in fourth grade, he is a hard worker and very studious. This year he took turns at playing flag football, lacrosse, soccer and swim. He is an avid reader and enjoys Lego’s, science experiments and shooting rockets! Over the summer he also started running 5Ks and is enjoying it. He is helpful, loving and protective.

Cristina is still working, part time, at EAGLE College Prep as the Safe Routes to School Coordinator. She loves spending time where the kids are, and continues to train and compete and finished the running season injury free, praise God!

After taking some time off in the summer, she is back in the road and trails. Lord willing, she will run the El Paso marathon and hopes to attain a Boston qualifying time; she really enjoys the quietness of her training runs and also the friendships she has formed while running.

Mike is in his second year at Grand Canyon University. In his role as instructor and clinical coordinator, he is in direct contact with hundreds of young souls and loves speaking openly of our Savior. This job has brought countless blessings and challenges and it gives him enough flexibility to build Summit Athletics, LLC and spend summer at home. We are so thankful!

The Lord answered many prayers this year, particularly by allowing us to spend time with several families, who have blessed us immensely, each in their own season. The Petersons, the Reyes-Navarro, the Schofields, the Cavners , the Voss’, the Dessaignes, the Wetherbees, the Dannigers and the Ingrams were just some of the people , from out-of-state, that we were able to reconnect with. In May, we celebrated our 13^th anniversary by kayaking and having lunch at our favorite spot in La Jolla, CA. The kids enjoyed spending some time with Uncle Geoff and Aunt Sandy at Sea World.

Mike was off for the summer, so we took an extended vacation to Florida. There we spent time with his mom and his grandma. While in Florida, we spent a week at the beach, several days in Disney World and made lots of down-river trips by kayak. We also visited the manatees in Homosassa Springs, the mermaids at Weekee Wachee and ate shrimp and crab galore. God provided generously!

In all things, we continue to learn to trust and depend on God. As we look back, we can’t help but give Him the credit for it all. Him, who being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which he loved us, even when we were death in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ.

We pray that you are well and that in this season of celebrating the birth of Jesus, you have been shown the surpassing riches of His grace in Christ Jesus.

Ch, Ch, Changes : Looking back on 2012

At the onset of 2012, things were pretty much status quo for our family. Mike was working as an athletic therapist at Fischer’s PT, the same job he had had since we met back in 1998. I was still home full time and still running, the kids in school, etc. Although we had long been praying for change, the Lord had seen it fit to have us in waiting. And wait we did…

In January, Domenica turned 5 years old and formally entered big girlhood. She continued to fill our lives with laughter, silliness, song and lots of sparkle! Also Mike traveled to Nashville for the first of many interviews as he continued to pursue a new job/career.

In February, Cristina ran her first marathon. This filled our home with recovery shakes, sports massages and made her wonder how much faster she could run the next one.

In March, we visited Mike’s older brother Geoff in San Diego. We spent time hiking, biking and by the beach, also Gabriel became quite fond of Guitar Hero. This filled our life with new memories and our car with sand.

In April, Cristina hiked up and down the South rim of the Grand Canyon with a great group of women. She continued to fill our home with love, good food and a passion for fitness.

In May we celebrated our 12^th anniversary by spending a long weekend as a couple. Four days filled with biking, stand-up paddling and just-us dining. The kids enjoyed some time with Uncle Geoff and Aunt Sandy. This filled our hearts with a renewed thankfulness for one another and for this season of very involved parenting.

In June both kids took on swimming for the summer. They fill our home with energy, affection, Barbie’s, everything princess, spy and Lego. Also Mike established Summit Athletics, a small business, dedicated to the prevention and treatment of injuries in the sport of Lacrosse.  Late June, Mike had interviews with the Phoenix Fire Department, a high school in Peoria and a local university. This filled our home with prayers for wisdom, discernment and doors to open that no man could close.

In early July, Mike accepted a new position as full-time Faculty/Clinical Coordinator in the College of Nursing and Health Care at Grand Canyon University. This filled our hearts with praise!

In August Domenica started kindergarten, Gabriel 3^rd grade and Mike started his new job at the University. This filled our home with celebration and lots of visits from the tooth-fairy.

In September a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant which Cristina co-wrote was selected, awarding the kids school $120,000 to grow its SRTS program over the next three years.

in October Cristina visited some dear girlfriends in London and Munich and in November accepted a part-time job as SRTS Program Coordinator at the kids’ school. This filled our home with chaos, excitement, memories and launched us into a new season. In early December Cristina’s father moved-in with us transitionally.

In looking back at 2012, it impossible not to look up and recognize that both our trials and gifts are from the One who created all and who reigns over all. The One who was born to die the death our sins deserved so that we can be with Him forever. We are filled with joy and thanksgiving as we look forward to new jobs, new roles, and new possibilities.

We don’t know what 2013 will bring but we continue to rest in the hands of a loving and sovereign God, filled with grace, love and forgiveness. Happy New Year to all!!!

Boats, planes, trains and automobiles

I just came come from spending time in England and Germany. I went to visit two good friends. I am so thankful that my husband was willing to make a sacrifice and stay back taking care of the kids. The trip was truly wonderful. I got to spend time with both of my friends and to be part of their world for a few days.

I got to see them as wives and mothers, areas of their lives which  I had not had the privilege of witnessing, I fell in love with each of their children and came home 10 days richer in memories. To view the photos, you may click on this link and if you don't already have a Snapfish account, to sign in use travelswithmarx@yahoo.com and password 'bemyguest'.

Est. 2000

Do you remember when as newly weds we would run into old-married couples and wonder what the secret was to staying together for 40, 50 or more years?
We have now spent a third of our lives together and have listened to many a secret but have also listened to the stories of many couples who are stuck. Sometimes it is just the grind of life, little kids, sometimes poor judgment and bad choices.
So today I am wondering what is the true secret ?
Was I just lucky? Did I marry Mr. Perfect? Is it that you are a super nice guy, who never has a bad day, who never fights with me, never yells at the kids, or gets angry when someone cuts you off or get stuck in traffic? The truth is you are not perfect but you are perfect for me.
You are an ordinary man, flawed, normal… and you have a sin nature just like me! As I do life with you, I have been able to see your failures but also your great faith. I have seen you battle anger, temptation, humiliation, relationships, money and I have witnessed how in every challenge, there is within you someone larger than you.
You have modeled for me supernatural humility, you have separated yourself from world values and because you practice sobriety in your self-assessment you are able to serve me and the children in love. In the past 18 months, particularly, you have demonstrated patience and have responded to evil with good every time it was required of you. And wow, you have been given lots of practice!
As I reflect on what may come ahead, I am excited to discover how God will challenge your faith and leadership and how you will yield to the the Spirit , in order to respond in a manner worthy of your calling. Thank you for taking this calling seriously and for always putting us ahead of yourself but never ahead of your God, our God.
Thank you also for accepting me  as I am: ordinary, flawed, normal… and for encouraging me to take on my own challenges and to never quit. Thank you for knowing you are ordinary yet letting God do extraordinary things in you and through you.
Today, once again, I vow to love you irrevocably, unconditionally and imperfectly. Happy anniversary love!
Forever your bride,
Cristina

Domenica's 5th Birthday

Domenica turned 5 earlier this month! For her birthday we had a princess tea party. She is five and she loves all things fancy and princess. Everyone got dressed up to come to the party and we celebrated with high tea (finger sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, cupcakes, fruit, etc) 

 Marley is one of her very close friends from preschool. 

 Papa played the role of butler. He attended to the needs of our very special guests, serving tea, dancing, passing snacks and Gabriel (the palace guard) tended to the presents.

 Our home was fancily decorated in pink with bows and table cloths to match. Every little girl had a crown and wand to match. 

 Domenica really enjoys playing with the twins pictured above. I love that Kinsey is smelling the peppermint tea :)

 Here is Siena, also a close friend from preschool. She only started this year and Domenica has been showing her the ropes of the Montessori classroom. 

 Gabriel, as the palace guard/knight/ninja

 Belle (sorta) doing face painting on the girls

 M.J. taking charge of craft time. 

 We also had some live entertainment. Thanks Michelle for the beautiful concert! 

Opening presents with Tia Dolo and MJ

The party was so much fun. Domenica seems to really enjoyed every minute of it. I can't believe how fast these 5 years have gone by. Now it is almost time for Kindergarten! She is such a blessing, she brings joy to our family beyond measure and we know we don't deserve any of it but are thankful for each minute. She is loving, fun, caring and we love to witness the special relationship she has with her "mano". We love you baby girl!

Christmas Day