Something I never thought would happen to me....

...and it was probably the best feeling in the world!!!

Since Steve and I decided to head back to Puerto Rico, we thought it would be good to do some fundraising to help us get there this time.  So, we started brainstorming, what can we do to help raise some extra money to help us get there???  Especially with as crazy as our schedules are and with two kids in tow...And then it dawned on me...why not run the Country Music 1/2 Marathon and have folks sponsor us.  There's a website, which I'm sure many of you know about, www.gofundme.org.  It allows you to set up an account/blog and folks can log on and donate funds via a secured website. 

So, we set it up and started training. My awesome friend, Holly, decided to train with me for some extra support. So, 16 weeks of running 3-4 times per week started in February. And on April 27th, we did it!

This is us on the shuttle to the start line at 5:00 AM!  We had been up since 3:00!!!  Steve and Sam said no pictures that early!



The start line was on West End, so the shuttle dropped us off right by the Parthenon.  Thought we would stop and get a shot before going to the start.



These pics are from our view at the start line.  There were people everywhere!!!!  35,000 people really looks like much, much more!

A picture of all four of us before we get started.

A couple pics of us during the run.  We had to have proof we actually were out there running!!

And a couple of after pcitures.  Do you notice Holly & I have our shoes off???  I couldn't wait to take them off!!!  The tips of my toes were blistered and nasty!!!

 And the day after - we proudly wore our medals!!!  We were so exhausted!  But Ronnie, our friend in the middle, is a beast!  He ran the full marathon!!!!  I think I'll stick to 13.1!!!



Big, Big New for Casa de Barrios....

Steve and I have had a little secret we've been holding in since we came back from Puerto Rico.

And it is going to change our lives for forever!

And no, I'm not pregnant!!!

(somehow everytime I make the announcement about our secret that's what everyone thinks!)

I'll give you a little background about the story, because it's pretty amazing, before I tell the secret. I know, I know, it's a pretty mean thing to do, but I like keeping the suspense going a little longer!

It's been pretty much since we were married, which has been almost 6 years, when I started praying for a career change for Steve. Before you start judging, let me explain. Steve has been in the car business for like 12 years. And as much as he, opps we, love the opportunites it has granted us, it really takes away A LOT of family time. On most nights, he doesn't get home until after the girls are in bed. And that's just not fair to him or the girls.

So, as we prepared for Puerto Rico, we both asked God to completely change us. Including our addiction to our material things and our financial stability. We asked Him to change our views and to open our eyes to how fortunate we are to be a family. And to show us ways we could change our day to day life in order to have a stronger family and more time to commit to His calling.

And wouldn't you know it - as soon as we turned it over to God - He made the change for us!!!

One of the guys who went on the trip with us, and was actually on our crew, was Jeff Haskins. We've known him and his family for awhile, but on this trip he and Steve got to know each other a lot better. So, when we came back, Jeff just mentioned to Steve about possibly coming into the HVAC sales industry. And through God's timing it is happening in a week!

PRAISE JESUS!!!!!

In one week, we will be able to sit down and have dinner together as a family!

In one week, Steve gets to sleep in on Saturdays and watch morning cartoons with the girls!

In one week, I just might be able to go to the grocery store with no kids!!!

In one week, Steve and I will be able to have date night at normal hours instead of 10 o'clock at night!!!

In one week, my family will be able to be a "normal" family!!! (what ever "normal" means)

So, this is just proof that when you put "stuff" in God's hands, He will take care of it!!!

Date Night...

As you married folks know, it's important to always take time out to date your spouse. No matter what's going on, you always need to take time away from everyday life and spend quality time with each other.

During Christmas break, Emily and Elaina spent lots of time with Grandparents. One of those nights, we decided to have a double date with Sam & Holly. It was even a "school" night and everything!

We met up at Chili's and ate dinner. Then the boys decided they wanted to go to Best Buy because they both had gift cards, and us girls went to Target to kill the time.

Then we went back to Sam & Holly's and hung out for a few minutes (actually only stayed long enough for Steve to open his new toy - it was really late for a school night).

It was so much fun to just get out and do something with the kids in tow! I think I'm going to make that a New Year's Resolution - to have more date nights with my husband!