Beach 2011

Each year we head to the beach...and camping for a weekend of FUN!

1. There was plenty of sand burying

2.Teenagers hanging out.

3. Little Ashton being cute.

4.  Adults being even cuter (nice burn).

5. Jason sinking in the sand and getting extremely short.

6.  Cool Pre-teens.

7. Snacking galore.

8.  Friendship bracelet making.

9. More teenager hanging out.

10. Family and Friends!

A Day or Two in the Life

Thought I would post a few random picures:

 Sommer has the most amazing eyes...lucky.

 A day in DC...sitting on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.

 Garth contemplating life...

 Joey contemplating life...

 Ethan being his cool self.

 Water fun.

 More water fun.

Cool Sommer and Ethan.

Fighting the Fight...and Finishing Stong!

For the past few months it seems like running races was the main event around here.  And although I am no Matt Novakovich (who now holds the Skinny Mini Sub-5)...I do get my inspiration from my amazing brother!

It has been an amazing "run" the past few months.  This marathon go 'round was different with the added opportunity to raise money and run in honor of Brittany Leap who suffers from NBIA.   Running for someone who not only can't run but can't live without the constant care from her parents or nurses humbled me. 


We have had some challenges of our own at the Porter House.  And although there were days where life seemed a bit too hard to bear, I knew I was strong enough.  Seeing Brittany's mom with gloves on ready to fight the fight for her daughter...gave me strength.  Having my dear friend Erin see her young husband suffer from brain cancer while caring for a newborn gave me strength. BethAnn, who also suffers from brain cancer, running marathons, finishing Ironmans and raising tremendous amounts of money and awareness gave me strength. 

We all are given our challenges and expected to fight.  Are we ready with gloves on?  Do we have our friends and family in our corner giving us a last minute squeeze on the shoulder and bits of advice?  Have we prepared previously with faith planted solid in the ground that we can win the fight?  And when things get so hard that you might think you can't take another "punch," do you muster the strength to stand firm? 

I think you do.

Now that the marathon is over, I can simply run. And last weekend, our school sponsered a little 5k in our neighborhood. I was hoping to have a couple of my children run with me...but I couldn't seem to get anyone on board. But luckily the speedy neighbor boy, Jackson was planning on running and asked if I would run with him as a pacer. I thought that would be fun...to try to keep up with him that is.


So I ran another race...began another "fight."  This fight was completely voluntary but remarkably similiar to how life's battles seem to go.

Thankfully, each of our trials do come with a finish line.  It us up to us get ourselves there.  Sometimes it is a quick fight.  Other times they seem to drag on and on with no end in sight (kind of like a marathon).  But we all know there is an end to every race...a Finish Line!

When the race starts, everyone seems to be strong.  Some even feel so good they start out at a pace that is much too fast and can hurt them in the end.  It is important to run your race not someone else's.

Each step takes you closer to the finish.  Having someone to run with keeps you on track.

Our friends cheer and give us the final words of encouragement before we hit the final half mile.  At this point we are tired (especially after conquering a long uphill battle...sometimes our "race" has battles within the battle) and giving our race everything we have...or at least what we think we have.

I tell Jackson at this point to go on without me.  He is trying to catch a boy just yards ahead.  I don't need to catch him...it isn't necessary for my race.  And besides, I couldn't if I wanted to.  He has more to give in his race.

It is the final moments of the race before we see the finish line.  We all know exactly where it is. We are all tired.  We can hear the crowds cheering for us. They have been waiting (in this picture you can see finishers number 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6...I had no idea that girl and my competition was that close!).

One more crest to reach the finish.  The final push.  There is no way you will slow now...the finish is right there.  But it is at this point of the race, it where you hurt the most.

I am thinking, drive forward, be strong, finish the race...heck, win it!

Rounding the corner, I see the finish line.  I see Garth.  I see friends. 

My moment of pain is coming to an end.  I give the final seconds all I have, pushing my body even harder.

I finish.

And although Jackson and I do not finish together, we both finished the race we started.

It is a wonderful feeling knowing you pushed yourself as hard as it could be pushed.  It is an even better feeling knowing you won.  That is the main reason I love to run, everyone is a winner.  Whatever time you cross the finish, is your winning time!  Everyone is given the same race course, it is up to each of us to finish...and finish strong!

Boston Marathon Recap

To read all about my Boston for Brittany Maraton experience go here

Kids are Cool!

(Ashton being "cool")

You all know I think Brittany is the coolest kid around. My kids are pretty cool too. So are your kids...all rockin'! Kids really do amazing things.

I mean, just today I went to visit Brittany in the hospital (great excuse for me to have Chipotle with Sandy)...yes, she is hanging out there again (breathing issues). When I arrived she had just fallen asleep as her mother was reading to her...a tough night makes for a sleepy day.
As I was just about to leave, she awoke. She forced her tired little hand out from under her sheet and lifted it to mine. I squeezed it. I told her I was ready to run the Boston Marathon for her. The best fun was telling her all about my cool race outfit...complete with BOSTON FOR BRITTANY (in zebra letters) on the front and GOOGLE IT on the back! I think she approved!
So, you know I think the world of Brittany. I love hearing about other children that are "outta of this world" awesome. Can I share the story of Dayton's Legs with you?
Do enjoy this touching story!
We can all give...in so many ways...whether it is our time, our touch, our talents. Don't hold back on giving.
"Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve."
 
You can still donate to the Boston for Brittany NBIA fundraiser!

Going the Extra Mile...and Reaping the Reward

 You are all good people. You do good things. You do so much for your families, church groups, friends and neighbors, teachers...so many wonderful things are done by YOU! As I ran last Saturday and I contemplated stopping at mile 23 (truth be told, my husband was insisting...and really I agreed...I didn't want to disturb my actually Boston Marathon training by running my legs to the ground), but I kept thinking of going those "extra miles." There were only 3! I mean, after running 23, why not just keep going?

Before reaching 23, I knew from experience what usually happened around mile 20...total breakdown of body and mind. I didn't want that to happen BEFORE my actual marathon.


I remember with clarity, some 8 years ago when I ran my second marathon and first attempt at a Boston qualifying time. I was all smiles and high fives until a light switch went off at mile 18. It was like I had been hit over the head with a brick. And then my legs felt like bricks. I recall the pain being similar to child birth (minus the epidural)...seriously! I just wanted the blasted thing to be over. I remember seeing scores of runners pass me...feeling defeated, I almost quit. But I didn't. I kept saying, "Just put one foot in front of the other Heather." And I did. I guess what, I finished...and qualified for Boston.


So while running I thought to myself it was pretty awesome to run 23 miles. It was a good thing...pretty awesome feat if I say so myself. I mean, who runs 23 miles on a Saturday morning...not many people. It would be totally fine to hop in the car and be done with it. I would have accomplished my goal by working my body and mind for a longer distance.

But I kept thinking about what I would get if I finished the race...if I just ran those extra miles. Not only would I have accomplished something "good," I would receive a final reward from my effort.



1. The opportunity to run through the finish, where crowds would be cheering!

2. A medal would be placed around my neck.

3. A warm blanket would be set on my shoulders (something I couldn't wait to get...it was COLD).

4. Fuel for my body (bagels, apples, bananas, chips, yogurt, juice)

5. A massage.

I thought about the rewards of going the extra mile...and the joy it brought to me that morning. I thought about you...and what more can be accomplish if we all would just go the extra mile. If we take the good that we do now and commit to be better what amazing things would happen. Whether we decide to show more patience in our homes, write that card of appreciation we have neglected to send, give of our time, or donate the extra we have...the rewards are great!
And the greatest reward is the joy we will feel in our hearts when we truly give of ourselves.
I see Sandy and Rich running that extra mile each day as they care for their precious Brittany. I want to be just like them when I grow up.

You do so much good...thank you. I am now only $100 from my goal! Please consider joining us as we help raise money to find a cure for NBIA as I run the Boston Marathon...to learn more click here

Massanutten 2011

Another successful trip to Massanutten!  We all agree...this was the best year of skiing.  This assessment was given due to three lovely factors:

1.  All Porters can now ski (Ashton voiced his disdain of skiing...or any outdoor activity... by telling his instructor he wanted to quit after 2 hours.  Garth, Sommer, Calvin and I came and gave him a pep resulting in him sticking it out)! He was only willing to do 2 more runs after he completed his Slope Slider's course...but we will take that!  It was awesome to have all 7 of us able to do something like this together.

2.  The weather rocked!  Friday brought us crystal clear sky and freshly made snow.  Saturday threatened us with rain but blessed day...it kept away.

3.  We loved skiing with the Uhler Family!  They joined us on Friday night where each Porter kid matched perfectly with a Uhler kid.  Sommer skied and then switched to snowboarding with Kayla.  Calvin and Cole were MIA for two days somewhere on the slopes, tearing it up on their boards.  Ethan and Jake not only sped down the hills, they took many an adventure in the woods and surrounding areas.  Tate and Brett made plenty of noise and allowed Ashton to tag along.

And everyone seemed to be obsessed with "the arcade."  Thanks Garth for taking them (if anyone wants a cheapo bear from the "claw" game...give us a call...)

The adults were pretty cool too.  We especially enjoyed our "adult only" dinner and "adult only" outdoor hot tubbin'.  But mixed with skiing with all the kids, the Porter vs. Uhler basketball tournament and diving show down, we loved every minute of it.

 
Sommer was the epitome of a ski bunny...man she looked cool!

 The three boys went to ski school and had a blast (ok...two of them had a blast). I was amazed at how quickly Ethan and Tate learned the art of skiing.

 Ashton was too cute handling his mini skiis.

 Tate was a natural and was hitting the black diamond minutes after class ended.

 Calvin didn't leave the slope until 10 pm each night.  Stud.

 Here is Ashton getting on the lift for the first time...we were all hiding, hoping he wouldn't see us and ask to leave class...success.

 Garth and Sommer taking their first run.

 Here is Ashton coming down after his first try on the mountain.

 This is Calvin after two days of skiing.

 Here is Sommer and Kayla getting ready to give boarding a try.  They loved it...although they said it was painful.

 Here is Ian and Rae...top notch snowboarders!

We love our trips to Massanutten indeed!