It's Still All About Jesus

 See that height difference there? That's a whopping 12 inch difference.

I'd like to blame the 12 (okay, 11) inches in height, the double my stride length, and the male vs. female running for my slow poke pace, the cause of a slower time, and the reason for being the weakest link.

But it's really just because I overestimated myself and underestimated my brother.

Hey, just because I'm a Personal Trainer and know how, why, what, where, and how much to train doesn't mean I'll actually do it. Okay??

This all started because last year one of my brothers signed up to run with me and then bailed, causing my other brother to run with me.

Yes, it was illegal. Yes, they both should have been disqualified for running. Yes, we did it anyway. Yes, I was 6 months pregnant.

PSA #1: Don't run a half marathon when you're 6 months pregnant.
PSA #2: Don't run a half marathon when you haven't trained.

But if you do either of those, it's best to do it with your brothers. Who always have and who always will stick by your side, pick you up, push you, and love you - all while giving you a hard time about it.

See how we're all in step, too??

So this year, we made a weekend out of it, celebrated the Reformation, and filled our post-race bellies with carbs and beer like any good German Lutheran would.

On the Menu:

• Crockpot Beer Brats
• I will be make these again, even when it's not Reformation. They were easy and delicious! I cooked them with a bottle of Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest beer. And don't even think about skimping on the onions and garlic cloves.
• Saurkraut
• Haha. Just kidding. Definitely bought canned.
• Pretzels and Beer Cheese Dip
• I fully intended to make my own pretzels. Then, I thought better and bought soft pretzels from Hy-Vee's bakery and pretzel thins.
• Bonus! This dip can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until ready to bake.
• Roasted Veggies
• My pan was too small, so I ended up using mushrooms, zucchini from my SIL's overflowing zucchini garden, yellow squash, and red onion. I also didn't really have the recipe's seasonings, so I just poured on olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and parsley flakes. 
• Potato Pancakes
• I bought a frozen bag of hashbrowns instead of shredding my own potatoes.
• Apple Kuchen
• I used Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and only 2 apples. And by "I," I actually mean "my mom." Because she let me go rest and take a long hot shower while she made this and my SIL made the beer cheese dip. (THANK YOU!)
• Beer.

Did I mention we stuffed ourselves?

We followed up dinner with more beer and a rousing game of Reformation Jeopardy (thanks to the Lutheran Reformation site) where we used baby rattles as buzzers and the winning prize was 5 chocolate gold coins to buy your indulgences.

Oh, wait. Was that not Luther's point?

It's still all about Jesus. We are saved by grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone (no indulgences needed...or wanted!).

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.  

 This is most certainly true.

  -Martin Luther, explanation to the 3rd Article in the Apostle's Creed