Last January, I thought I had a case of the winter blues - making me feel exhausted and nauseated.

Turns out, I was pregnant!

A most wonderful surprise.

A gift I thought was not possible for me.

I spent the spring eating donuts and drinking Coke (as this was all I could stomach).

Even the thought of the sourdough bread I loved to bake made me feel sick!

Summer was full of camping and hiking, and I finally got a normal appetite again.

Madison Grace was born September 1st.

The hardest thing I have ever done in my life (To all the mamas: RESPECT.)

She has changed my life forever!

I honestly am still processing so much of it.

Truly, my heart now walks around outside my body.

Less importantly, I haven't run for almost an entire year. When I was pregnant, it just felt all kinds of “weird”, and postpartum, I struggled to recover and heal and honestly (irrationally) thought I would for sure never run again!

After 5 months, I am finally able to start building back into running again. Starting with a single 30 second interval - building now to 10 minute intervals.

All in all, I am more grateful than ever for this life and this community.

This place we call home and where I will now raise my baby girl.