ohhhhh the pain...

Yesterday was my first time getting out there and putting forth physical effort toward the 3 day walk. I wasn't very smart and don't know how long I walked (I meant to clock it somehow), but if I had to guess it was probably 2-3 miles. I met with my friends Nicole and Cara and their kids Noah and Maddux. It was fun walking with my friends, and Owen does so much better in the stroller when he has friends to look at and "chat" with.

The hard (and later painful) part was the just how hilly the walk was! In the midst of walking I surprised myself about how easy it seemed at times. There were a few times I was out of breath...but it wasn't until that night the pain kicked in! Now, I have been sore before from working out, and yeah it's sore, but this was pain!!! I don't know why I was in such but I just was. It was hard to explain to Joe as he was so kind and rubbed my shins and knees hurt so BAD, but I am just thankful the pain has gone away. Now it's just good ol' working out sore. That's a pain I can welcome, because I know I am working the proper muscles that need some work! I'm glad I got out there and did it. It feels good to be conditioning my body, and I'm excited to continue training!

On a Sunday Afternoon

Rock on Birthday Boy!

I CANNOT believe it has taken me so long to post these pictures and write about my sweet boy's birthday party! We had a great day celebrating Owen. We had a Rock Star party for our little man. We dyed our hair, put temporary tattoos on him and the kids, played Guitar Hero on the Wii, and ate some CAKE! We are so very blessed by all of our friends here in Atlanta. Owen is SO very loved, and that makes me so thankful and blessed by these friendships.

music time!

I have become one of those mom's. I never thought or wanted to be a mom who plays children's music all the time for their kid. Well, Owen loves music and for some reason is addicted to this one Bible CD we have. It's so funny watching him when the songs come on...he goes nuts! I swear those CD's are like crack for kids! Don't get me wrong he still gets his share of Joseph Arthur or Pedro the Lion, or sometimes even Justin Timberlake or whatever poppy fun music I'm into that week =) He just responds so much better to the kiddie music...hince why it is kiddie music I suppose!

3-day walk progess

I'm a little bummed this morning. I was supposed to go for a nice long walk at the river with my hard core friend Nicole. She is also a 3 day walker and a trainer for a boot camp program. So, I know it would have a been a great walk! BUT...Owen is sick. he has been sick since Friday. I'm sick, and Joe is sick too. I'm taking Owen in to see his doctor in just a little bit. Sometimes as a mommy your plans get put on hold =)

Anyway progress thus far for my 3-day walk:

-sent out first batch of fundraising letters (all that I had enough stamps for!)...check!

-fitted for the correct running shoes for my feet...check
(buying those shoes on FRIDAY!)

That's all I got so far! Please stay tuned for my progress in this amazing journey!

Oh, I also wanted to throw this out there. If you aren’t really feeling the financial donations, there are other ways to help! I am going to need: 2 pairs of new walking shoes, SEVERAL pairs of GOOD walking/running socks, athletic gear, and camping gear. So any and all donations are much appreciated!

Off and running...kinda!

Owen is walking!!! We were just practicing like usual and he took off! Normally while we practice he would stand long enough to clap or just be pretty dang proud of himself, and a few times he has taken a few steps. Tonight, he surprised me Joe. He basically took off running! No cautious slow steps for my boy-he walked just like he crawls...FAST! Here is showing off his mad skiils:

Owen's First Steps from jen braun on Vimeo.

Park time!

We took advantage of the gorgeous Georgia weather yesterday and packed a lunch and headed to the park! We played on the swings, played on the slide, and Owen got to have fun riding his John Deer tractor toy Luke and Reid gave him. Like I said the weather was gorgeous, perfect day to take a nap under the trees. Our friends Mike and Michelle met us there and we all had a great time. Life is good!

Veggies over fruit anyday...

My kid is a strange one. He loves his veggies over fruits! It cracks me up. I cooked up some butternut squash last week, and he gobbled it right up. And, he love love loves peas-he could he eat those at every meal if I let him. He likes pretty much any type of vegetable I offer him. Fruit on the other hand is another story! He still prefers baby food fruit. He will eat any type of that kind. But if it's real fruit he usually spits it right out. I think it's a texture thing. So, I have had to get creative in this area. The last few mornings I have been doing blueberry experiments. I got him to eat pancakes with fresh blueberries folded in. I also got him to eat oatmeal with some grounded blueberries in it. Here's Owen enjoying some blueberry pancakes!

A cup of Joe

A few weeks ago the church staff was assigned a task. They were each given another person's name on staff and were challenged to creatively edify that person. Alan got Joe's name, and commissioned his daughter Lauren to make a painting for Joe. As many know, Joe LOVES coffee! So Lauren's painting is named "a cup of Joe" it's a painting of a coffee shop type scenery and a big coffee mug. Inside the coffee mug are all the things good Alan thinks of Joe. AWESOME idea and a sweet piece of art to have! We are debating on if this piece should go in our kitchen, or in Joe's office... I really like it and want it in my kitchen, but I think it would be nice to have it in his office too! Some of the words in the mug are: thinker, cutting edge, out of the box, available, passionate, growing, heart for Africa. All words that are right on in describing my Husband. All characteristics that mold him into the man I love. I am just glad others can see it too! I hear Lauren is working on another piece... A painting of Owen!!! I can't wait to see how that turns out!

Walking to save the boobies!

I did it...I'm officially signed up for the 3 day Breast Cancer Walk in Atlanta!! I'm so excited to be apart of this amazing cause. I went to a "getting started meeting" last night and I'm pumped!

I want to to help be apart of the cure. I want my son to know a world where breast cancer doesn't exist. I want to walk with some amazing girls, and camp out with them for 2 nights...fun! I want to cross the finish line knowing that I did something BOLD and something so good. If you are in the Atlanta area and want to join me and my team, please let me know, we would love having you! And if you feel so led to come along side me and help with the cure...You can you can do that too! I have a section on my blog where you can just click the 3 day graphic, and it will lead you to a place to give a donation. I will keep you updated with more info about my progress with training and my fundraising. 60 miles in October here I come!!

Taking care of our building

A few weekends ago Cumberland did another Faith In Action Sunday. We usually go outside our walls and serve the community corporately. This time we gathered and took care of the building that God has blessed our church with. The building is BIG, and needed a lot of work, and updates. Since God is bringing so many new faces through our doors, we know how important it is to take care of the building for these new and old faces. We painted, cleaned and sanitized toys, cleaned out our HUGE basement, ripped seats out of the autorium and so on. We also had stations set up where we could pray, take communion, watch a video on validating one another, and worship. It was a great day! I once again feel blessed to be apart of this church and to serve along side it's members!



2009 01 Faith In Action Slideshow from Cumberland Community Church on Vimeo.