Bridge Run

Saturday was the 33rd annual Cooper River Bridge Run. Stephen and I started training for it 10 weeks ago. (Well actually I started training, Stephen could run a 10k with just a day's notice). We found a schedule online that tells you what to do everyday for 8 weeks. We were doing really well. We were even running the actual bridge on Sundays (the distance days). We were up to about 4.5 miles in week 5 when I injured my knee. Ever since then I haven't been able to run more than 10 minutes without it giving out on me and being in extreme pain. For the past couple weeks I have been icing it, taking Aleve, and doing lots of strengthening exercises, but it hasn't gotten any better. Needless to say, we didn't get to run the bridge. We ran the first mile and had to walk the rest. My wonderful husband was so sweet and walked with me even though he could have kept going. I was really disappointed that I had to stop running after the first mile, especially since I had been working really hard to get ready for it. I swam competitively for 10 years, but I am not and never have been a runner. It took a lot of "pushing through" for me to get to the point where I actually got the runner's high. (Swimming is great by the way- your joints don't hurt and you can't feel yourself sweat since you are in the water.) Hopefully when my knee heals we can find another 10k to do together.

Chad Hewett, one of Stephen's good friends, came up from Georgia to run the bridge. He did great and finished in under an hour. Chad stayed with us for the weekend and we had a great time!

 This guy actually has his dog in his backpack!

 I don't even know what to say about this!Weird!

Fun in the Sun

Last weekend was the first beautiful weekend we have had in Charleston. On Saturday our small group gathered for some fun in the sun. We took our cornhole boards outside and had a tournament. We also had some football and a home run derby. It was great to be out enjoying God's creation. Here are some pics.

Ski Weekend

This past weekend, Stephen and I were invited up to the mountains of North Carolina to enjoy some skiing and great fellowship. Brad's family has a house on Beech Mountain and he and Mandy were kind enough to invite us to spend the weekend with them there.

Stephen and I spent the whole day Saturday skiing. He is a wonderful skier. Sometimes I get nervous because he likes to do the double black diamonds and crazy slopes. This is the first time we ever went together. We had to stop in Columbia to get some ski pants for me. I ended up getting a purple pair. I figured it would be easier for him to find me when I crashed! Also, Stephen's ski jacket is orange so as a couple we supported Clemson well.

The first half an hour we spent on the bunny slopes and he taught me how to slow down, stop, turn, and fall correctly. Then we moved on the the green circles and eventually the blue squares. He skied in front of me backwards the whole time helping me and giving me instruction. Stephen was so patient and encouraging. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. Although there were a few times that my self esteem took a hit, like when I looked up from extreme concentration to see him skiing backwards in front of me eating a pack of crackers. Here I am trying to stay calm and get down the mountain in one piece, and he is having a little snack! Haha. We had a great time though. After lunch I braved some slopes on my own and he took off to do the more difficult ones. Then, we met back up and skied together some more. I was really anxious about the whole day since I had no idea what I was doing, but he made it so enjoyable. I felt so safe with him and I think I fell in love with him all over again.

Our skis while riding the lift

 On the ski lift

On the slopes, check out my purple pants!

 Stephen in speed position!

 After lunch

 View from the top

Stephen at the bottom of the mountain

When we got back to the house, Brad, Mandy, and Rob (Brad's brother) had made a little ramp on the steep snow covered driveway. We played in the snow, sledded, and the guys had a pretty intense snowball fight. It was a blast.

Mandy in the snow!

Sledding down the driveway

These steps led down the the house we stayed at

Brad and his brother, Rob

Stephen after a sledding crash

On our way home Sunday we stopped in Greenville to visit Stephen's parents. We played horseshoes on the court Stephen and his dad built over Christmas break. They completely destroyed us. I think we won one game out of like 6 or 7. Haha. We are going to have to do some serious practicing before we challenge them again! Afterward we watched the Clemson game (kind of a bummer) and then headed home. It was a wonderful weekend!

 Stephen and his dad throwing horseshoes

Valentine's Day

Every year on Valentine's Day our Sunday School teachers have a romantic dinner for the Newlywed class. This year was our second year attending and we had a blast. On Saturday, the Caldwell's set up their house just like a romantic restaurant with tables seating from 2-6 people. Then they cook us an amazing four course meal. It is such as blessing to have friends like these. It is so selfless for them to spend their V-day serving us. What is even more impressive is that the power was out all day from the snow and they pulled off the whole event without electricity. It was very romantic to eat by only candlelight. We sat with Ryan, Anna, Matt, and Alyssa and we had a great time.

On Sunday we usually spend the evening with our Community group at someone's house. Since it was Valentine's Day our Community group decided to go out to eat together. We went to the Ruby Tuesdays on Folly Road. We love our community group and were very excited to spend V-Day with them!

 

  

 

Snow in Charleston!

On Feb 12th it actually snowed in Charleston. We were having sushi in Mt. P with some friends when it started. We had to drive over the Cooper River Bridge in the civic to get home. It was a little scary and it took about 45 minutes but we made it! When we got home we met Matt and Alyssa to go play in the snow! We used the skim board and a plastic lid to go sledding. (That's how we do it in the south). Even Tiger, their chocolate lab, was getting into it. He would grab the sled in his mouth and run down the hill. He had the general idea, just not the right technique. Next time we will try to get him on the sled : ) We stayed up late enjoying the snow. We even built a snowman right at The Retreat entrance to welcome people in. He was a big hit. We caught several people getting out of their cars to take his picture. Afterwards we wanted Marcus to enjoy the snow too. We brought some up and put it on the porch for him to play in. Turns out, he really wasn't a fan.



Outside our building


Me and Stephen


Tiger holding the sled and watching his mom attempt to keep sledding even after the skim board had stopped.


Stephen and I going down together.


Tiger watching Stephen crash


Tiger watching Stephen not crash


The next morning we still had snow!


Our snowman


Marcus not enjoying the snow and running away after we threw him in it

Finley Family Chick-fil-a campout # 2

On January 28th a chick-fil-a in West Ashley opened. Last year Stephen and some friends camped out at the chick-fil-a opening in Goose Creek. The top 100 get 52 free value meal coupons and he was lucky #99. This year Alyssa, Mandy, Jordan, Will, Ben, Ben, and I all went.


Alyssa, Mandy, and I showed up at five am to secure our spot. However, we didn't know the policy had changed and they didn't take the first 100 anymore. Instead, whoever is there at 6am gets put into a raffle and 100 numbers get called. Well, about 130 some people showed up. After waiting around for an hour they lined us up and asked for our IDs to start issuing raffle tickets. Of course I had left mine in the car. I had to sprint to where we were parked and back and I barely made it. Then about 10 minutes later Alyssa yells "Emma! Your ticket is on the ground!" I had almost lost it. Ugh! So slowly but surely they start calling out numbers. One by one I watch my friends go in and start filling out forms. Finally, there are only 2 spots left and over 30 people waiting to get called. At this point I am thinking it just isn't meant to be. However, to my surprise they call my number. Yep, I was number 99!


#99!!

We spent the whole day just hanging out and playing games. Ben A. taught me to play poker. We also won a "smart people game" the chick-fil-a people held, where each person on a 7 person team has a number. The worker calls out a 7 digit number and you have to be the first team to put yourself in the right order. Our team actually won and they deemed us the smartest people at the camp out. It was quite an honor. We also made Valentines day cards for the MUSC children's hospital. It has been a while since I made a card from construction paper.


This is one of our Sunday School leaders, Greg, taking a little nap


Us holding up our prizes (plastic cups) like we held up our numbers!



Mandy with her Valentine's card


Making the cards


Lounging around



Stephen got to stop by for a short bit after work!

After the last roll call we decided to hit the hay. Mandy, Alyssa, and I shared a tent. The air mattress we brought was bigger than the tent but somehow we got it in. Despite being really cold and waking up to an ice covered tent, it was a pretty decent night. I had so much fun and I met a lot of really great new friends. I hope that one day Stephen and I can do one together!


Little tent, large air mattress


Writing little notes before bed..


Eat more chicken, this is the chick fil a cow, #99, and #100


The next morning... we made it!!!!