Run the Race

Izy turned 7 months this past week and I can hardly believe it. In some ways it seems like she has been here forever and yet others it feels like just yesterday I was pregnant. I am adjusting to the life of a stay at home mother of two. There are definitely days when I question whether God was mistaken in calling me to be a stay at home mom. Especially those mornings where they both whine incessantly and nothing seems to be going our way. Really? Me God? But there are also moments when there is no doubt in my mind! Something that God has continually been instilling in me through various ways is that I am called to "keep running with endurance the race set before me (Heb. 12:1)." I have a hard time feeling like I am changing the world when all I do is translate grunts and wipe butts. Like I need to be doing more for Him. But then I am reminded that this is the race I am in right now and I need to run as hard as I can...and make the most of every second of it! So, here are my two favorite little people making my two favorite faces...Jac and her serious face; Izy and her just being precious face. I hope they make you smile! Love you all!

Happy Halloween!

We had a super full, but super fun Halloween this year! It started and ended at the Barn where the girls, Becky (the birthday girl!), and I hosted our 1st annual Halloween Playdate. I think I counted about 85 people...with over half of those being kids under 4! Craziness to say the least, but it went so well and was so much fun! Izy was a precious lil' lion...
Here are all the kiddos and mommies during storytime with Farmer Jim aka my grandpa! We then had a little parade followed by crafts, lunch, and a hayride.
Jac the pirate in her costume that her and daddy picked out a few days ago. And believe it or not she actually kept the red headband on all day!
Becky was a spider this year and if you couldn't tell I am Miss Piggy....ha!
This is a view from the top of everyone working on their crafts that GG Ma (Nic's grandma) organized.
The girls and I went on a few of the hayrides...
We decided to join the parade in our neighborhood to trick or treat. There were so many people involved, but it was fun to walk with all of our neighbors.
Izy was pretty much over her costume and her face paint at this point...
Jac was so funny to watch trick or treat. She was 1st off holding her candy bucket for dear life. Then she would run to the next person/house and after they handed her candy she would just stand there and stare at them as if to say, "I am not sure why you are giving me candy, but I like it!"
There was a firetruck at the end of the parade route that Jac got to climb on with her cousin the butterfly!

After trick or treating, we headed back to the barn for a costume party and dancing. It was so fun to see everyone dressed up, but these where a few of my favorite costumes...
Where's Waldo?...
The Scarecrow and Dorothy...
A pregnant nun with her fairy-princess-ballerina granddaughter (I love the independence of a 3 year old!)...
Mr. and Mrs. Al Gebra...
The Tin Man, Adam, the Joker, a butterfly, and a pumpkin...
All in all it was a great day...and I am spent! I can't wait to do it all over again next year though! On a side note...Izy is CRAWLING! I can not believe it! A full 2 months earlier than Jac did...oh my! Get ready world cause here she comes! I just love holidays and milestones!

October...thus far!

Can I just say that fall is most definitely fun?! The 1st weekend in October we went on a family reunion to Southern Indiana. Cara came home and all of Nic's mom's side of the family headed to Magnet, IN. Never heard of it? Me neither! It actually does not even show up on weather.com, but it was right on the Ohio River and beautiful! We all (and by all I mean 24 adults and 6 kids under 3) snuggled up into 2 cabins...time of our lives! Here are 4 of the 6 girls waiting for Papa and Grammy!We found a new favorite animal...WORMS! Look closely cause she is holding it and wanted to show everyone!
The whole gang...it was an awesome time of re-uniting and enjoying one another. I am truly blessed to have married into such a great family in which everyone is striving to live for Jesus!
Sisters! The girls kept entertained by playing on rocks...
So, I wanted to take a family picture, and of course Nic decided to follow directions in his own way by climbing to the top of this rock. At first, I was annoyed...but it ended up being a really cute picture of the McCord family! Thanks baby!
Cara stayed an extra day so that we could hit up the pumpkin patch. Jac was a little unsure of the tunnel...she doesn't like mulch or hay on her hands!
Hay maze...

Aunt Cara showing the girls the goats and the llamas...
And then teaching Jac how to do cart wheels. Beautiful form Ca!
Later on that week, Jac's preschool went on a field trip to another pumpkin patch. Of course, I wanted to be a chaperone. It was so fun to have some bonding time with just her! They had "chores" set up for the kids to do. Gathering the eggs...
Doing something with corn...(wow, I payed great attention!)Picking out the perfect pumpkin...
I love my big baby girl!
At the fear of not visiting every pumpkin patch in the Indianapolis area, we stopped by yet another patch the next day with all kinds of family and friends!

Last week, my sister Steph came to visit from Colorado. We had so much fun! As soon as she arrived Jac wanted to show off her new boots! How precious?!
We frequented a few parks while she was here. And anyone that knows my sister Steph, knows that she is obssessed with push-ups and crunches (and quite good at them I might add). So she taught Jac...
Double the fun at bath time...with Aunt Steph's help!
We went up to IWU to visit my other sister and Steph's boyfriend. I love taking the girls there because most college students don't see kids on a regular basis...so they love seeing the Jac and Izy! Note: matching pants...thanks mom!
More park time...


To fully emerge in the fall spirit, we painted and carved pumpkins the other night at the barn. It was so fun and might be a new tradition!

Check out the new shoes courtesy of Nic's mom...gotta love 'em!

4th trip to the pumpkin patch took place last Friday with my siblings. It was good time! And a beautiful day! The weather has been amazing around here lately and I am loving it!

Aunt Jenni got the girls matching Halloween princess shirts that light up...so cool!

On Saturday, me, Jenni, Sarah, Steph, and Jason ran a mini marathon at Fort Ben...for Jenni, Sarah, and I it was a first. Wow! How to explain? I did not train as hard as I should/could have, but I made it at about an 11 min/mile pace. The first 9 miles I kicked butt, but had to take a few walking breaks the last 4. I am still pretty proud of myself and excited to do another! Thanks sisters for talking me into it!
And that brings you up to date...I know there are a lot of pictures, but I just had to share! Along with all of the fun, God has been teaching me so many things...I feel like this has just been an overall amazing couple of weeks! I am so thankful for the relationships in my life!