Spring Break

We are on Spring Break this week. We traveled to Georgia to visit John's family and while John is in Atlanta with the youth group, we are staying in Shiloh. We love to visit here. The boys usually ride tractors, four wheelers, play outside all day with their cousins, and just about run themselves ragged. Unfortunately, it has been raining pretty much since we got here last week. The boys did get to go ride the tractor and four wheeler with Uncle Bill yesterday during the small break in rain. He also took them down to the creek and let them "play in the creek with our clothes on."
And they are still having a ball getting to play with all of their family here. Levi asked me last night if we lived with Nana and Papa now. So I think it's time to head home.

Marathon Madness

Most of you know that in January of this year, John did the Disney marathon. Amidst all of his health struggles of 2008, he thought a good way to celebrate his health would be to sign up a for marathon. Not a half, not a 5K, not a little bike ride, but instead a marathon. So last fall he started training and went from not running at all to running 26.2 miles. I was a little skeptical at first and really did try and convince him to just do the half. I'm so glad that, for this particular occasion, he didn't listen to me.

He listened to himself. To what he thought God wanted him to do and what he knew God wanted to teach him throughout this long and painful process. Through the months of training, of trying to stop losing weight, knee problems, stomach woes, and many other setbacks, he pressed on. And what a finish he had! He ran the whole marathon, stopping only for water, and finished 10 minutes under his goal time of 5 hours.

And although this blog is 3 months late, it doesn't make me any less proud of him. Now he's training for a triathalon!

Christmas Day

Here are a few more pictures from Christmas. I'll try to keep our blog a little more updated so our family can keep up with the boys. I know that's who everyone really cares about anyway. :-)

Christmas at the Heltons

We had a great Christmas this year. We stayed at our house so Santa would be able to find the boys. They got bikes, boots and sleeping bags from Santa this year. Lots of great toys and games that they enjoy from family. And Teague even wrapped up some of his toys to give away to other children.

One of our highlights of Christmas this year was waking up on Christmas morning and going down to the Coalition for the homeless. The hygiene kits that so many of you helped us make, were put into backpacks, and given out that morning to the men at the coalition. Several of our friends came with us to help that morning give out the backpacks along with coffee and donuts. What a great way to start Christmas day! Hopefully our boys will grow understanding the importance of giving to others and putting others needs before our own.