Saturday, December 31, 2011

New Year = New You!

And so it begins...the writing of resolutions that we seem to forget about 2 weeks into the new year.  I don't think I have ever kept my resolutions for more than a couple of weeks...heck I don't think I have ever remembered them for more than a week or so!  But each year we strive to better ourselves, our environments, our choices, our relationships.  So here goes...
-In no particular order-
  1. Pray more often; read my bible; spend time with God.  This one is self explanatory.
  2. Feed my family better foods.  First of all you should watch Food Inc. and wake up about where and how our food gets in the grocery store...YUCK-O!  I am determined to feed my family better this year by limiting processed foods and buying organic or locally grown meats.  For example, instead of buying a box of granola bars I am determined to make my own!
  3. Continue with running and going to the gym.  In 2011 I completed 4 5K's!!  In 2012 I am registered for a half-marathon and a 10K.  I would love to run a race a month, but don't want to get burnt out.  My husband and I have a good schedule with the gym and we plan on continuing with it!
  4. Limit my time at work.  News flash people...teachers do not work 8:00-3:00!!!!  There are many, many more long hours put into teaching.  I love my job, however I am tired of pulling out of the school parking lot at 4:30 or later every day.  I hate that my kids and husband get what I have left at the end of the day.  I am determined in 2012 to leave after I get my students on the bus everyday (except faculty meeting days of course!).
  5. Schedule, schedule, schedule our time.  This comes as a direct result of #4.  Since I plan on leaving and will be able to pick my boys up from school, I want to have a good schedule, or flow, of what our afternoons will look like.  I want to incorporate a healthy snack, free play time outside, homework time, reading time, dinner, gym, and some DSI time.    
  6. Be aware of my relationships with other people.  Face it folks, we are all super busy!  And having and sustaining relationships with other people takes time and effort.  Sometimes I get upset because I feel like I am pulling more "weight" in the relationship, but I need to realize if it is a truly important relationship to me, then it shouldn't matter.  I should be willing to go the extra step, make the phone call/text/email to connect with them.  I am also going to pray over my relationships more in 2012.
      7. Be financially responsible.  My husband and I have made some STUPID financial choices in the   past!  And we are reaping those consequences today still!  I want to get out of the cycle and become responsible with our money.  I know that it's going to be hard...we are really going to have to change how we think. 


Whew!  That's a lot...but I think they are all realistic for me and my family.  Honestly I think numbers 7, 2, and unfortunately 1 will be the hardest.   #7-Money is just a hard thing for me...I want to spend it foolishly instead of making the responsible choices.  #2- I am going to try soooooo hard on this one.  I just hope our busy lives don't make this too hard.  And I know it's going to be more expensive which ties in to #7.  #1-This should be the easiest of all, but I know how life sneaks up on you and after skipping a day or two with God it just falls by the wayside.  I am determined to start and end each day with prayer and the reading of His word.

So, what do you think?  What are some things you are going to commit to working on in 2012?

Sunday, December 25, 2011







What a great Christmas! Words cannot describe my feelings of gratitude for my life right now. On my run this morning I was giving thanks for everything in my life right now...healthy kids, a family that loves and supports me, a relationship with Christ, restored relationships, friendships...etc. My heart is just full today, and it has been all Christmas break.

The boys' baptisms this morning were beyond amazing! I remind myself daily that these are not my kids. They are God's and he has chosen me and Kevin to raise them. I pray daily that we are guiding them correctly and I pray for their lives. I am so proud of them for being soooo excited about their baptisms this morning! They went from one adrenaline high-baptisms-to another-Christmas presents!

They hit the jack-pot this year!!!! Two DSis and a Nook Tablet...plus DSi games and legos and MUCH more!!! They didn't want to go to bed tonight obviously.

I got one of the best presents I have ever received. My mom gave my dad a red leather bible Christmas of 1983. I have fond memories of my dad and this bible. Every Sunday after Sunday school I would put one of my stickers in the front of the bible and then watch him underline, make notes, etc. I always told him that I wanted him to pass the bible down to me when the time came. Well, he chose this Christmas, and I couldn't have been happier! There were definitely tears of joy coming down my face!!! What a special gift with so much sentimental value.

Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Treadmill=like???

So yesterday morning my alarm goes off (like every Thursday morning) at 4:45. Usually my body springs out of bed and shouts, "LET'S RUN!!!". Only this time I also heard the pitter-patter of rain drops. UGH! I'm all about running in some rain-I did a 7 miler in the cold stinging rain. I can totally dominate that wet stuff. But something about rain and running yesterday morning wasn't jiving with me (ok, it might be due to the fact that I had flat ironed my hair and didn't really want to mess it up). So, I promised myself that I would bang out 4 miles on the dreadmill that night at the gym...YUCK!

I'll be honest, my day was a little thrown off because of no run. I like my run schedule, heck I like a schedule period!!! So throughout the day doubts crept into my mind about my run on the treadmill that night. I went back and forth...ok, just run 2 miles-you can run 2 miles on a treadmill; no, run all 4. It will be fine; ok maybe don't run on the treadmill at all. Save it for Friday. I felt like I had split personalities of something!!!! Also, I was a little concerned about my knee. One of the main reasons I run in the morning is to alleviate some knee pain since I am on my feet all day at work. So basically I had myself talked into how horrible and painful it was going to be.

Ha, ha for me because it WASN'T!! My hubby got on the treadmill beside me with the intentions of some light jogging mostly walking and I liked having him beside me. And plus I might be a little competitive when it comes to sports, so the adrenaline of having him beside me and multiple other people on the treadmill kinda kicked in! Soon my NIKE lady was saying how speedy fast I was running and a mile was already over!!!! Wooo to the Hooo!!!! My average pace started out at 8:30-which I knew I couldn't sustain for 4 miles- and dipped to 9:00 minutes by mile 4. Still I was pumped. I had all kinds of crazy energy!!! Where the heck did it come from????? I'm still curious????

Today is our last day of school before Christmas break!!!!!! That means a couple things for my running schedule... 1. It will be out of whack. My alarm no longer needs to go off at 4:45. I don't have to be at school at 7:30 for 2 weeks!!! 2. When will I run?????? 3. I'd like to add another day of running to my schedule too. Lots of things for me to ponder. Have a good one y'all!



Friday, December 9, 2011

Thinking in the early morning...

Ok, you've heard it a 1,000 times-we have lost the true meaning of Christmas. It isn't about the gifts under the tree, it's about Jesus. And yes, that is correct! But when are we going to start really believing that and acting upon it? Why do I feel the need to try and fulfill my boys Christmas wants? Why are we still talking about Santa...he's not real! Jesus is real! He supplies all our needs and loves us!

My Christmas list seems to grow every year, and this year it is really growing...ON MY NERVES! I am determined to be finished with Christmas shopping this weekend. I am also determined that we do things a little different next Christmas. Someone on Facebook posted a link to this blog. You need to read it...what great ideas! Imagine if everyone adopted this thought process...we would live in a different world that's for sure. And I think that would be the best Christmas present we could give our kids.



Friday, December 2, 2011

I Signed Up for TWO Races In ONE Day!!

Howdy blog friends! Today has been an exciting day (for me and my bank account...). This morning before getting my wild yahoos up-I mean boys-I decided to register for my half marathon I am training for. YIPPEE!! Go me! Super pumped about that one.

Wwwweeeeellllll...one night when I was talking to my sister-in-law, she mentioned The Flying Pig Marathon-a race in Cincinnati that I should look into. I did and it looks WWWAAAYYY fun! So after debating about what to register for (I opted for the 10K) I registered this afternoon. How fun is that to have two races already planned and registered for for the new year...whoop whoop! I know you all are way pumped...thanks :-)
Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon

Now we are off to get our Christmas tree (if my husband will MOVE) and pick up some lights and food. Merry, merry friends!!!