The Greatest Gifts of All

Gifts...one of my favorite things about Christmas.  Finding the perfect, each uniquely chosen, gift for the people who mean the most to me, and bringing joy to those who are less fortunate.  This year, during the Christmas season, I have spent time reflecting, particularly on the last year, and am overjoyed by all of the gifts I have been given.  Not gifts wrapped with bows, placed under the Christmas tree, but gifts from God. Gifts that continue to bless me beyond what I ever imagined, every day of my life. 

Allow me to unwrap and share my 5 favorite gifts from this year with you:

THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP: This year has been filled with new unexpected friendships; the real, genuine, feel like we have been friends forever, would-stop-and-do-anything-for-you kind of friendships.  I have also been overwhelmed by the love, support and genuine friendship from those whom I have known for years.  I am blessed to call so many wonderful people friends.

THE GIFT OF HOPE:  At the beginning of this year my first CASA case closed...a case that started with doubt and minimal hope for a positive outcome.  But I saw HOPE, and provided the mom and children with the vision of the HOPE & FAITH that they were not only capable, but worthy of so much more in life.  A story that started out with a little boy who spent hours a day in a padded isolated room while his mom struggled to navigate her way through parenting, sorting through anger and behavioral issues of her own, ended with a boy attending school on a full day schedule, forming lasting friendships with his peers and playing on a soccer team with other children, and a mom who is a mentor to several others and a testimony of success who shares her story at weekly rotary meetings.  I never imagined something so trying and difficult at times could also be so rewarding. 

THE GIFT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Have I mentioned what an amazing year this has been!? I didn't race cross country in high school or run in college; my running career started when I trained to run a local race with my dad, and then quickly signed up for a ½ marathon in Nashville {it was ALL about the country music every mile}, but has since taken me on journeys I never imagined possible and pushed to me places I never dreamed of.  This year consisted of 4 half marathons {one of which I finally broke the 2 hour mark}, a half ironman, 2 ULTRA relays, and 2 other relays, including running Hood-To-Coast with NUUN.  Along this journey, I have been beyond blessed by and thankful for two companies {NUUN & Oiselle}, who believe in me, and have challenged, encouraged and motivated me to continue to better myself while pursuing my goals and dreams.  As I accomplish one goal, I always have my eyes on the next, and now know more than ever that the only limitations we have are those we place on ourselves.

THE GIFT OF DANCING: To say I was excited when I was asked to be a “star” for Southern Oregon Dancing with The Rogue Valley Stars {benefitting Southern Oregon Sparrow Clubs} would be an understatement.  The entire experience, from our first practice to the finale as a Shining Star, far exceeded any expectations I had.  I was blessed with the most incredible partner and choreographers, overwhelmed by the generosity of friends, family and the amazing community I live in, and learned to dance while making the most out of every {triple} step along the way.  For eight weeks, I spent every day looking forward to dance practice, where I would laugh, de-stress from the day, overcome fear, anxiety & insecurities, all while doing something that I love.  Though I was giving of my time, energy and resources to a phenomenal cause, I personally received far more.  Numerous times I texted Matt, the director of Sparrow Club, thanking him for choosing me, as I was beyond blessed by the experience. 

THE GIFT OF STRUGGLES:  You might be asking why struggles are one of my favorite gifts from the year.  My struggles have reminded me to pray more, spend more time in The Word, and truly trust God, resulting in me growing closer to Him.  As this year comes to an end, and a new year begins, I meditate on the verse:

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give me a snake.  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  Matthew 6:9-11

Laura Story says it best, sometimes God’s blessings come through raindrops, sometimes His healing come through tears.   But that is how our lives get watered with hope and how we grow our accomplishments.  The year was blessed!  

Ragnar Tennessee...A Photographic Tour

A photographic tour of Ragnar Tennessee with little talk about actual running and an abundance of inside jokes...enjoy! 

For those of you who have ever read my blog, you know I LOVE relays...I love the memories, the friendships, the teamwork, the overcoming, the accomplishment, the dance parties, the power arch cheering, the peanut butter filled pretzels, the headlight & glow stick lit night runs, and the deep, one-of-a-kind relationships that are formed over the 30 hours in a team branded van. Back in October I traveled across the country to Nashvegas to join friends, some who I knew and some I couldn't wait to finally meet, to form team NUUNapalooza for Ragnar Tennessee.

A relay officially starts when the white van mysteriously becomes a blank canvas for the artists of the team to turn into a work of art: 

Kera, who is phenomenally talented and creative, led the van decorating party

Ellen took her role of incorporating Shittens into the van decorating very seriously!  

Team NUUNapalooza was ready to roll...

And yes, we brought a disco ball to the party! 

We were kind of a big deal in Tennessee, with people asking to take our picture everywhere we went.

A complete team {thanks to people being willing to join us last minute}, NUUN Trucker Hats,  tie-dye socks, and all the NUUN and Peanut Butter filled pretzels we could handle, and team NUUNapalooza was ready for a 200 mile adventure. 

Sisters...Best Friends

Instant BFFs

A lil cupid shuffle to get the party started!

Did I mentioned that relays are a 30-hour party, with some running thrown in!? A huge thanks to Ellen for her stellar photobooth props!

Relays are all about supporting and encouraging one another, and really making each person feel like a star while they are running! With that being said, it only seemed obvious that we would throw Ellen a {surprise} Shittens extravaganza party as she came into the exchange of her nighttime run!

I think the rookie relayer scored herself a roadkill on her first leg!

This is a picture of true determination....Kristi injured her ankle just two weeks prior to Ragnar, but was determined to at least get out there and give it her best effort! Unfortunately,  her injury prevented her from running the rest of her legs, but it didn't prevent her from being a team player, supporting and encouraging everyone the entire way. 

Who doesn't want a donut mid way through their run!? 

Always smiling! I wish I was able to spend more time with Kera! Following my first ultra relay, I cried {the #uglycry}, and remember Meghan giving me the biggest hug, congratulating me on accomplishing something so amazing! As Kera came running in on her last leg, I saw the tears...tears of joy, tears of accomplishment, and I loved being the one to take the "baton" from her and give her a big hug! I love seeing people experience the amazingness of running a relay. 

It appears that van 1 was powered by donuts...

Jon LOVES relays! And I can't wait to run a Ragnar Trail relay with him {It WILL happen, promise!}

Van 1:

SO happy to finally earn a trip to the Roadkill Tattoo Parlor  {it wasn't until my 3rd leg that I FINALLY earned myself a roadkill}

The tattoo artist hard at work in her office:

And THIS is what relays are all about...TEAMWORK!

Karen...who went from jogger to RUNNER, after 18 miles! She made the relay her oyster, and I am so thankful she did! Not knowing anyone in our van, and having little to no training, she agreed to join us for  this crazy epic adventure! I love her determination, her fun, go-with-the-flow attitude, her willingness to get outside of her comfort zone, and her kind/sincere heart.

Rooooooonnnnnnn!!! 

The BIG Burrito who had the swagger of an HVAC guy! At one point, we were concerned as it appeared that his butt cramp had turned his swagger into a shuffle...

This girl!!! Lesbihonest, I am so blessed to have finally met her! My Jesus loving, country singing, booty shaking friend and teammate...

 Ellen does push-ups for a living...

Best cowbeller in Tennessee...

After overcoming set-backs, creating new friendships, accomplishing the impossible, laughing at things that no one else would think is funny, tattooing arms with roadkill tattoos, stand-up spooning, dancing non-stop to Blurred Lines, rocking out {with synchronized hand motions} to and their hands go up, and they stay there, and they stay there and hashtagging, the birds flew us in to the finish!  

Speaking of flying, Shwings around: 

I think Kera summed up the experience best: 

66 hours later, new friends, the empty being filled again with old ones, little sleep & LOTS of pavement pounding from Chatt 2 Nashville, crying, laughing, fear, sweaty bodies packed into 2 vans, peanut butter pretzels, NUUN, cowbells, leapfrogging, one sock lost forever, cheering like no ones biz, road kills, disco balls, shwings, dancing, 25 degree temps, beanbags as beds, teamwork, 19 people sleeping in one house & on & on & on. But alas the fun had to end & NUUN-A-PALOOZA is all memories now. Despite those big nasty bags under my eyes this was a memory to last a lifetime!!

A HUGE Thank You to NUUN for not only keeping us hydrated over the 200 miles, but for providing us the opportunity to experience such an EPIC adventure!   

Letting Go Of Control and Embracing Vulnerability

The life of Holly...a look behind the scenes

If you would have told me back in 2005 when I was graduating from the University of Colorado, Boulder, that at the age of 30 I would be single, living in Medford, OR {which just so happens to be the 3rd worst place in the nation for singles, as well as having the 4th highest  divorce rate}, I probably would have laughed at you in disbelief.  Why!? Because I had my life perfectly planned out, and by the age of 30 I would be married, with 2, perhaps 3 children.  

I have gone through the season of weddings, where I have stood by my friends as they walked down the aisle to start a new journey with the love of their life.  Nothing brings me more joy than to celebrate this wonderful occasion, and happiness, with each of my friends.  I have also gone through the season of new parenthood, as my friends have welcomed precious lil ones into the world, giving me my most cherished title, auntie.  I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart, I love celebrating in the joy, happiness, and blessings of my friends, but recently I have been asking myself, "when is it my turn?" "Will this ever happen for me?"

My life is truly overflowing with blessings, but I have realized recently that this void is starting to {occasionally} rob me of joy on the inside.  Tears have been cried as I ask myself, "What is wrong with me?"  As my own toughest critic, I find myself chiseling away at my self-esteem, focusing on what I perceive to be my flaws and failures, losing sight of the fact that I was perfectly created {everything about me} in God's image.  The more time that passes, the more hopeless the situation appears. I find myself questioning if I am being too picky; instead of having it all, do I need to choose between attractive and fun, or nice and respectful, as though all 4 would be too many characteristic traits for one person to have?  I start questioning, "was he really that bad!? I mean, someone is better than no one, right!?"  I've reached the point where I have taken the situation into my own hands with the perfect fairy tail ending in site, rather than wanting to sit and wait for God's perfect plan, in his perfect timing.  I am {well working on being} willing to delay instant affirmation for a relationship that is full of life. 

God has blessed me with the desire of my heart to be a wife and mother, and I am working on letting go of control, embracing vulnerability and fully trusting the Lord, as I know His plans are far greater than and beyond anything I could imagine. I am not looking for my idea of perfection, rather for the  Lord's idea of perfection, and I do not want to settle for less than God's best for me.

With all of that being said, if you would have told me back in 2005 when I was graduating from the University of Colorado, Boulder, that at the age of 30 I would have a job that is one of the biggest blessings in my life working for the garbage company,  and I would be the President of 2 non-profit organizations, a CASA, a runner for two amazing companies {traveling the country running and making new, lifetime friendships through all of it}, a marathoner and a {half} Ironman Triathlete...all while being surrounded by the best friends and family a person could ask for,  I also probably wouldn't have believed you! My life is overflowing with blessings, and while somedays I find myself questioning and doubting things, I wholeheartedly strive to live each and everyday in the now, fully embracing & appreciating every opportunity that comes my way. As I live my life to the fullest, I pray I can touch and enhance the lives of others along the way as well.

I know that God is bigger than a statistic, has a truly amazing love story planned for me, and ensures all things work together for His good.  

So I wait, for God's best for me....

Love At First Spoonful

Calling all almond/peanut butter lovers...those of you, who like me, eat it by this spoonful...if you haven't already discovered Wild Friends Nut Butter you are missing out! When I discovered these all-natural nut butters,  with wild flavors and friendly ingredients {no additives, preservatives, or extra oil or sugar}, it was truly love at first spoonful! 

They had me at their Honey Pretzel Peanut Butter ...the perfect combo of sweet and salty! I mean, pretzel chunks IN the peanut butter...heavenly.  Make sure to check out all of their fun, one-of-a-kind flavors {like Vanilla Espresso Almond Butter, oh my!}

What's even more impressive than their product, is their story! And perhaps some of you remember them from Shark Tank? Two friends and college roommates, Erika and Keeley, whose dorm room experiment turned into a leap of faith and them pursuing their dream and love of nut butters.  

Now they need YOUR help to bring their SAVORY & SWEET combo to a store near you!

Check out how you can help:

Contribute today and score some pretty cool prizes!! 

Don't forget to check out all the amazing recipes on their site as well! 

Like these Vanilla Espresso Almond Butter Cups:

While you're contributing to their crowdfunding project, I am going to go enjoy a spoonful of Honey Pretzel PB! Catch you later! 

Pumpkin Palooza Scarf Exchange

FALL...my favorite season! I love the rich colors of the leaves, the cool crisp mornings, wearing a scarf and sunglasses at the same time, pulling out my puffer vests, football, and of course, anything and everything PUMPKIN! I also love any excuse to have a party/get together, so when I read about Shay's {yes, The Bachelor's sister} scarf exchange, I knew I had to do something similar! I spiced things up a little bit, and incorporated a pumpkin recipe exchange as well.

Everyone brought their favorite pumpkin dish, with recipes to share:

Pumpkin Pie Martinis

We enjoyed great conversation, fellowship, and yummy pumpkin treats! 

We are all busy, and while I do my best to make time for friends and meet for a cup of coffee or lunch, its always nice to take time out of our hectic schedules to get together. 

And who doesn't love a fun, new scarf to kick off the fall season!?  We did the exchange white elephant style, allowing people to steal a scarf if they wanted to! At first, everyone was so nice and sweet, opening a new scarf on their turn...but it didn't take long before the ruthless, heartbreaking stealing started.  

I picked based on the wrapping, and went with the cute box :)

A sea of scarves {or is it scarfs!?} 

I love to play hostess and any excuse to throw a party.  While I enjoy the smaller details, like the cute labels, decorations etc., I really don't have time in my schedule right now to play Hostess With The Mostess, but I don't want that to be an excuse to not entertain and have people over, because after all, what is most important is time with friends.  Don't wait for the perfect time, perfect situation to have friends over, because it will never happen! Invite people over, have them bring a dish or bottle of wine,  do a quick cleaning of your bathrooms, and voila, you have yourself a party! 

Life can get crazy, but it's important to stop and take the time to be with those nearest and dearest to you.

Make sure to stay up-to-date on all of my leaps of faith and follow me on bloglovin and feedly