Half Marathon #12

Half Marathon #12 is in the books. I went into today knowing this race would be just as tough physically as it would be mentally given my sub-par training. I had accepted my season and was just going to have fun with my running tribe. All things considered it was pretty great race mentally and physically I felt really good until about Mile 11. Mile 12 I realized I missed a nutrition intake, but at that point the damage was done. 

When things got hard I spent those miles thinking about Parker, Peyton and their brave momma. I thought about how sometime in the next 8 weeks 1 phone call will change our lives forever. And in a brief moment when I wanted to quit, I thought about the lessons I hope to one day teach our precious girls - not just through my words, but my actions. Recovery has been a little rough today, but I'm still smiling. I am thankful for the ability to run, for a crazy supportive husband, that I got to run along side some of my very best friends and watched as one of them set nearly a 20 minute PR! 5 years of distance running and can't wait to see what adventures are to come! 

A Goal Without A Plan Is Just A Wish

Well I had a plan when my training started. Having a plan and following it are two different things. So now that we are a week out I'm going to wish for an amazing race. But truth be told I just want to have a good time with my girlfriends and finish upright.

We've Been Matched!

With grateful and humble hearts, we are so excited to share some really big news. We have been matched with an expectant Momma who is expecting TWIN GIRLS!

While nothing with adoption is final until after birth, if all goes to plan Parker Mackenzie and Peyton Ann will be joining our family sometime in April. Please join us in praying for this precious Momma and her baby girls.

Adoption is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

A dear friend reminded me tonight that our adoption journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Tonight reminds me a lot of mile 16 of when I ran the full marathon at Cowtown. I was devastated because nothing was going my way that day. At that point I was crying so hard I could barely see through my salty tears. Yet I kept moving. It was slow. It was hard. It was painful. But it wasn't the end. It was also one of the most memorable,and in an odd way, cherished moments of that race.

So today didn't go as planned, but this not the end - it is just a little rain delay. And led to an unplanned date night with Mr. Martin. Choose joy always!

Miles for our Future Birth Mom

Snuggled up on the couch with Gulliver, the last thing I wanted to do today was run. Yet the Cowtown Half Marathon is inching closer and snuggling on the couch won't get my butt up and over the Main Street bridge. Today's miles were dedicated to our future Birth Mom. If she can make the most selfless decisions any woman could ever be faced with - I can run in the cold, wet mist. That might sound dramatic, but it pushed me. I spent over 6 miles thinking about about her and praying for her. And in turn it was the fastest pace I have run in almost a year. Good prayers and fast miles - I'll take it!

Blown Away

Stepping out in faith and being so open about our journey to parenthood has been really scary at times. But God and our village never fail to show up and wrap us in love and support. Today was no exception. In the first 24 hours our adoption profile has been shared over 100 times!

Thank you for loving us. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for praying for our future birth mother and us. And thank you for helping spread the word. My heart is bursting with joy and thanksgiving!
Keep sharing and keep praying that the right birth Momma see our profile at just the right time.

www.adoptionjourneytobabymartin.com

Dear Baby Martin: Aunts and Uncles

Dear Baby Martin:

We have no idea when we will meet you. We have no idea if you are already growing in your Mommy's tummy or not. One thing we do know, without a doubt, is that you are going hit the jackpot in the Aunt and Uncle department.

We think they are almost as excited as we are for the day they finally get to meet you. They have supported us in so many ways from hosting a fundraiser, to surprising your Momma with your crib for her birthday, to praying alongside us since we told them our plans to adopt. Just today your Aunt Amy W. surprised us with this sweet rocking unicorn for your room.

We can't wait till you are here and old enough to ride it. Your cousin, Bryn, is all ready to show you how to ride your own magical unicorn among many other things. (We are pretty sure she has running list of things she wants to teach you!) But until the day we meet your Mommy and ultimately get to meet you, we will all keep praying for you both.

All our love,

Momma and Daddy Martin