Running on a Prayer

I am completely out of my mind, but this week I am starting to train for a half marathon. With God's help, because only he can help me stick this thing out, I will be running a half marathon on March 1, 2009. The thought of it all scares the be-geeb-bers out of me! I don't want to bore all of you with boring training talk, so I created another blog for training purposes.

Running on a Prayer

I will also keep up with this blog to clue you in on all of the fun things in our lives! I would love for you to check out both blogs, if you have the time. I need lots of prayers and lots of encouragement. This is going to be a hard journey, but maybe in the end I will be able to say "What was all of the fuss about Bethy?"

Ironman Lana!

I just want to take a moment and praise our friend Lana. This past weekend, Lana completed an Ironman Triathlon. For those of you who are not sure what this is:

it is...
2.4 miles swim
112 miles bike
26.2 miles run
Ford Ironman Florida

All back to back, all in one day! And she completed the Tri in 11:58. We are so proud of her. She has put long, hard hours into training and now she is an Iron woMan! She will be posting her race report as soon as she is recovered and if you want some inspiration, be sure to check it out!

Lana's Blog

Way to go Lana!!!

Tennessee White Trash

I use this title loosely... I love my state, my town, my home, but when you go to Wal-Mart and come out to find that your windshield has been shot, it makes you think twice about the people around you.

True story. Some jerk went around shooting windshields at Wal-Mart Saturday morning and mine was one of the lucky ones chosen! Talk about ruining your day. Then on top of that I have to pay $100 to get it fixed, my deductible. Life is not fair...

I got a phone call yesterday from a Manchester City Policeman and he needed me to take pictures of my windshield for evidence. They have the suspect and are almost certain he is the guy. So I ask him "Will I be able to get my $100 out of this guy?" Chances are no! He is a 30 year old male, with out a J.O.B. and it wouldn't be likely that I would get anything any time soon. Here I am busting my butt to support my family, my husband works multiple side jobs and we barely have enough to keep our heads above water. But then there is this guy, who is putting me out $100 and all that will happen to him is a felony behind his name...you know where I'm going with this... It's not fair and frankly it just hurts my feelings!

But that's Life! Right? God help us all...

Here are some pictures:

Fun Halloween Stuff

Halloween is Halloween...

Here are some pictures of most of our kiddos this year. We started the holiday at WOC the Sunday before Halloween at the Hoedown. Then on Halloween day I met Heather, Melissa and the kids on the square for trick or treating, lots of cute kids, lots of fun! That evening we went to Moms, it was like Thanksgiving, we had mounds of food, I guess that is a great thing about a big family! Enjoy the pictures :)

This sweet dress was made by Karen Crawford, my mothers friend!
Isn't it gorgeous!

Nana made this adorable pumpkin for EJ

Reagan and Campbell

Campbell, Ella and Carson

Rylee

Maggie

Dylan!

Jeramy and I went to our first Halloween party, together, on Saturday evening. Our costume was silly and a little risky, but it was all done in good fun.

GGW Mtsu Co-eds and Joe Francis

Christmas Cards and Photography

My girlfriend Lindsay has lots of new things happening in her life, she is starting up her own photography business and she is also designing cards, i.e.) Christmas Cards, Invitations, Birth Announcements...

Please send her a message if you are interested in any of her services. She is an extremely creative person and I wish her the best in this new venture!

Check it out here:
http://lindsayreneephoto.blogspot.com/

There is a light...

at the end of my tunnel. It all began with a bad day at work and let's just say since then I have been struggling. I have been struggling with that fact that I spend 5 days a week behind a desk, away from our daughter and yet I still have no money? I enjoy the first two weeks after pay day and then it's no life till the next payday... I will tell on myself here, I'm not the best with managing my money! So with the bad day at work and the fact that I have no money left to spend freely on I have had pondering thoughts as to why I am even working? Ok, I know there are many great reasons why I work and probably the most important reason is because my income is needed to pay the bills. I am going somewhere with all of this...

So after a long, boring day at work I come up with a plan, a goal, a life changing matter! I immediately get home to talk to Jeramy about my goal:

"I want to be able to stay home in a years time, therefore I think we need to rearrange how things are being done and do a mock run on our finances over the next twelve months!"

This one sentenced turned into a night long discussion, lots of quiet moments, almost tears and a lot of stress...And that is all of Jeramy's emotions! ;) hehehe

The final result of the conversation is this: My new car, that I got in August, has to be paid off before I even think about being a SAHM! So I am going to continue to pay our normal bills and I will also pay $1,000 a month towards my car... Jeramy is going to continue his normal expenses and pick up grocery money and gas money. This whole thing will be putting a strain on him and I am very grateful to him for being so open to the situation! As a result of this 99% of our leisure activities will be no more. This is a sacrifice we are going to have to make eventually, so why not start now and get ahead as much as we can. Now doing this in a year will be hard so our goal is to pay off my car, then ultimately we will have to save money for our next child, once that is done the light at the end of the tunnel is that much closer!!!

We are so fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family and I know each and every one of you will be so supportive to us and will understand why this is so important to us. Starting this in November is going to be a huge challenge because of the Holidays. Jeramy and I are not going to be able to give as much as we would like and as much as we are used to giving! (This will be very emotional for me, as well as stressing) The Holidays are about spending time with your family and friends and we are going to have to take that to a whole new level, but I know you will all understand why...

I am open to any wonderful ideas you may have as to how I can make extra $$ and please feel free to give us any support you can offer up! With all of our strength and with the power of prayer I know we can accomplish this. Please keep us in your prayers too :)

Tinsely Brooke Pippenger Is Here!!!

** Before I go on, I promise I was given for permission from Jill to post pictures of Tinsley! ;)


Let me just start by saying, I have been so excited for this baby girl to get here! I consider Tinsley and Cade and Kent and Jill, family. Those two kids have the most wonderful, compassionate Father and the most devoted, loving Mother. What a blessed family they are!

Tinsley Brooke came into this world just after 2pm on Wednesday October 8, 2008. She weighed 7lbs 4oz and she was just over 19 inches long almost exactly the same as Cade.

For me emotions were high. It just brought back so many precious memories that were soon forgotten. Tinsley is absolutely beautiful! She has this sweet little peach fuzz hair and cute little button nose, like her brother. She is a peaceful little girl, who is eating and sleeping so well. I am so anxious to watch her grow into a beautiful young lady inside and out!

Jeramy and Tinsley

Me & Tinsley

Sweet Tinsley Brooke!

Me & Jill

Judy and Tinsley

Kent and Jeramy