goal reached. 3 days to go :)

I am using an email as double duty again -- I send this "email" to you, my blog readers, too. Thank you for your support! 

Hi, All! 

I humbly and proudly want to announce that I have, in fact, reached my goal of $2620! I've raised $2622.  Woo! I want to thank each of my 33 monetary supporters and all of my prayer supporters!! You did this. I am blessed that you are my family and friends. Really blessed. Really thankful. Really grateful for you.

If you still want to make a donation, just follow this link :D 28 more dollars will allow for our money to fund WCN centers for a full 10 days. Totally cool!!!

Race day fun stuff: If you'd like, you can sign up to receive my split times via text. If we are friends on facebookor twitter my times will be posted there, too.

 http://pittsburghmarathon.com/spectators  

Don't expect to see fast numbers though -- I am perfectly aware and at peace with the fact that my body won't carry me fast this year, and that I will not run the entire 13.1 miles. Months ago, I made a commitment to race for brave and courageous women and their families, and I will absolutely do this on Sunday.  I will remember them.  I will just do it slowly as I will probably walk a good deal ;)  My one and only goal is to finish in 3 hours. 

I'll wrap up here by asking you to please keep the 30,000 runners racing on Saturday and Sunday close in thought and prayer.  Remember that when you want to cuss about traffic patterns on Sunday that us crazyrunner folk really are SO GRATEFUL to the City of Pittsburgh for opening the streets for us, and that we are, in fact, sorry that you might be inconvienced.  Here's a link to the road closure map that might help you out ;)

Gosh, I really am so grateful for you. I really am humbled that you are my people.

I wish you so much joy and many blessings! 

My love to you,

nicole mArie

donate: http://www.crowdrise.com/teamwomenschoicenetwork/fundraiser/nicolepost

blessings.in this mess.

as i sit my my living room filled with toys that we dumped from their bins and never returned, my little girl is spinning on a zebra with sunglasses over her eyes trying her hardest to become dizzy.  dizzy doesn't seem to faze her, she enjoys it. she's the crazy one ;)   my little boys are here chewing their gum like cows in my ears, one in the left, one in the right, and i realized how blessed i am. in this moment. i am sure that in a few moments, someone will do something to cause another to cry -- but i know right now that we are here, and we are mostly not sick (the last 5 days have been rough with a stomach bug. the three of the kids. ughhh), and we are currently enjoy each other's company. and we are blessed. i know that we are blessed always, but my humanity doesn't always let me see the blessings through the tears or in the messy.

today, i do see messy. and i see beautiful. in this moment, we simply are being.messy.beautiful. and it is so good.

blessings! and joy!
nicole mArie

for you and your families, this:

(Picture taken at the Pittsburgh Oratory Chapel)

blessings and joy and so.much.grace for you and your families this new year.

nIcole mArie