Virtuous man

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Being Thankful

Feeling very thankful today. Happy to have been called to be Young Women President last week. Thankful to my Mother and my past YW leaders who have influenced my life for the better. I am learning and growing everyday as I prepare activities, lessons, ideas, ect...
Feeling very thankful for my family. Last night at Family Home Evening my daughter Becca(10) taught the lesson. The way she talks about how her family loves and supports her amazes me. Brings tears to my eyes knowing she will be a great leader one day. Teaching Family Home Evening helps me as a Mom know that they are learning and what they are learning at church, home, school....everywhere. Teaching FHE also helps my children as they get older and start scouting and YW. Hopefully we are teaching them what they need to know to help them through this world of craziness and find that through love and service to others they will be happy.

Today Scott and went out and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. If you have this organization available and have some spare time try to help them out. I cannot explain the fullness I feel in my heart while in service to others. "Jesus said, love everyone...treat them kindly to. When your heart is filled with love, others will love you."

First Day of School

August 1st was the first day of school for my little ones. Rebecca is going into 5th grade and Jonathan into 2nd grade. I love and hate the first day of school. Love it because the kids are back learning and seeing their friends and I have some me time....hate it because I am alone most of the day. I cried when I got into the car as I left them at school. They are two of my most favorite people in this world! They love school so far(but it's only been 4 days). I'm excited for them!!

Summer Week in Utah

We left for Utah on Wed. (the kids and I). Flew in and rented what else...a mini van. I am not a mini van Mom(No offense to those that are). Went to my Mom's house to stay for a nice long visit. I am happy to have a wonderful Mom that I enjoy being around and their is always something going on at her house. We had family dinner's, parties, fireworks(won't go there now),water fun, and enjoyed a lot of family time. I was lucky enough to get to talk to my youngest (littlest) brother. :) We don't usually get time to talk and he took me to the Red Iguana....I highly recommend it!! Had a great visit with him. His girlfriend too is THE BOMB! I love them both!
The kids loved Discovery Gateway! I enjoyed pushing them down between the HUGE domino's and them falling giggling. We had a great time in Utah. The only thing (person) missing was my love Scott.

Planning another cruise

Looking forward to next summer. We are planning a cruise in the Netherlands. Visiting 5 countries sounds like fun! Taking the kids will be fun. Hopefully this school year will bring about a few projects for us to go visit. Last year it was the Brooklyn Bridge and the Eiffel tower. We got to the Brooklyn Bridge and hopefully on this cruise we will get to the Eiffel tower. Dreaming of France....but first a Disney World trip for Thanksgiving.
I posted this picture from the last cruise we were on Nov. 2010.

Moon River - Breakfast at Tiffany's

Hollygolightly

"Moon river...."
Holly Golightly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?
Paul Varjak: The mean reds, you mean like the blues?
Holly Golightly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?
Paul Varjak: Sure.
Holly Golightly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!

One of the best characters created, Holly Golightly.

The MAN of My Dreams

Scott and I on a cruise in November 2010.

I don't know what I did to deserve such a wonderful husband as Scott. He is my BFE ( Best Friend for Eternity), the father to my children, the hand I hold hen I am scared, the one person who ALWAYS lifts me up. I cannot express all that he means to me or does for me. We have our differences....but that is what makes us great together.
We had a discussion a few weeks ago about going on a mission. I was so excited abut this!! Planning to go once this kids are grown and on their own. I look forward to being old, wrinkly, and holding the hand of the one I will spend the eternities with. I love you Scott!

Summer Beginning.....

The Summer has begun. Kids are all over the place....the boredom has been taken care of. Every time I am told 'I'm bored'...the child is handed a chore. I have also implemented one hour a day of reading/napping depending on what they would rather do. I LOVE THIS! It reminds me of when they were younger and they took naps in the afternoon.Keeping up with Jon and his Tiger cub program is fun. Scott is the cub scout master and he is having a great time each month planning the pack meetings. Soon to be having a rain gutter regatta.Rebecca is having a good time playing basketball again this year. Hopefully she will like it enough to stick with it. While Scott and Jon head off to day camp for a week Rebecca and I will be in Destin, Florida with Carly and Grandma Foskey.
Removing myself from facebook has turned out to be the best thing for me. I wasted a lot of time doing nothing there. We also got rid of all but basic cable and the T.V. is only on when we watch a movie or netflix. I love not having all the commercials every few minutes. It has changed the feeling in our house for the better. Family Home Evening has become a wonderful tool....the kids think it's the best day of the week. Hearing that makes me very happy. The little things the kids say also make life hilarious!

My first Half Marathon

On March 6, 2010 I ran my first (and not last) half marathon in Albany Georgia. The night before the race I drove 3 hours to my hotel and tried to enjoy a night alone and early bedtime. My mind wouldn't shut off to sleep....I was anxious, excited, happy,determined....so many feelings. Did the usual things....set the clothes,shoes,number....ect. out onto the bed and took a picture. This was a first for me and I was holding onto every minute as if it would disappear before it sunk in. Finally sleep arrived.

The next morning went smoothly 5am. up to eat. Laid back down for a bit. Then I was off with a grin that looked pasted on. On my way to the race I turned on my ipod to find a good uplifting tune to motivate me...and there it was U2 'Beautiful day'....I was blasting this the whole ride to the race.

When I got there it was 27 degrees....UGH! But not even the cold could wipe the silly grin from my face. The line up at the starting line felt awesome! The gun went off and in an instant I was running with hundreds of people who are in love with something much bigger than ourselves.

As I ran I couldn't believe I was doing it. Accomplishing the goal I had set, trained (ran my a$$ off literally), and sweated for the previous 4 months for.

The smell of Crispy Creme donuts was in the air the second and third miles. The whole time I was running my Garmin 305 was a constant companion telling me to speed up most of the run. The best part was it kept my time so that half-way through when nature was calling I knew how long it took me and could mentally subtract it for my own piece of mind. I ran 13.1 miles in 2:22 technically...but with the 3 minute 10 second stop 2:19. I am happy with my time. But had to laugh at mile 13 I was passed by the full marathon winner. HAHA! That is just a ridiculous speed....awesome....but ridiculous. (smile) Planning another half in October and a full next year. Running is my new habit.....Hard habit to break.

Halloween 2009 was quite fun. We took the monkey's trick-or-treating at Tanger outlets and then out to eat. It was raining on Halloween so the festival was moved to Sunday. The kids went trunk or treating and on a hay ride. We had a great Halloween. Scott did not dress up :( .

Good morning MONDAY! Ran 5 miles this morning. Not feeling quite myself today. Hopefully the next run on Wed. will be longer.

More mileage

Was on my wish list. But now I am wishing for a Garmin. Had a wonderful morning run at 8am 52 degrees F . I ran 7.48 miles, mostly on dirt roads. The gravel was a bit tricky to run through. Greeted some cows, horses, dogs, and a cat on my run. Haven't ran outside to much...just getting started with it. The treadmill is great but outside is where it's at!

On Saturday Oct. 24, 2009 I ran the race for the cure 5k in Macon, Georgia. The weather was a bit chilly in the beginning but warmed up quite nicely by 9am. I felt like I was dragging the whole race...so many people passing by me. I had to keep focused on my goal of beating my first time of 36:20. They had a parade and all kinds of fun thing for kids to do. Scott stayed with the kids at the in-laws house while I ran. Found out my time today...after stewing over it the past 24+ hours....30:51! SWEET! I am very proud of myself for sticking with it. This makes me want to go farther next time. The next one is in November. Training is always going on....hills here I come!

Before we started the AIDS/HIV Walk/5k run in Atlanta. Betty, Sheli and I. The quilts were out on display for the loved ones who had passed on. We walked for charity on this sunny and chilly Sunday afternoon. Planning on walking again next year and starting collecting donations sooner than I did. Had a great time!

Passed 5 miles

I ran 5.68 miles today in an hour. Felt awfully slow today. "Go to your edge. It's just outside your comfortability, but inside your capability."

First attempt at 5+ miles

Raining again this morning....so off to the treadmill I went. All the reading I have been doing on training for a race tells me to run outside. It will be nice to get back out there. This morning I ran 5 miles at a pace of 10:49 (54:09). I was cheering myself for making it 5 miles under 55 minutes. It wasn't that long ago I was at a 15 minute mile and the first 5k I ran was 36:20. The time is coming down and the distance is going up the longer I train. I found a new website called thedailymile.com where we support and motivate each other to keep going and set goals. I was asked by Scott(husband) why I would want to run a 1/2 marathon or full marathon. My first response is because I need a goal to work up to and secondly it sounds like fun. Yes, I must have a whacked out idea of fun. Since I stopped teaching at the local gym I find a goal helps me get out of the house and do something for me everyday.

Get out and do something for yourself today! Take care of your body and it will take care of you.

My new favorite thing!

"I stand in awe of my body." Henry David Thoreau

"Every man is the builder of a temple called his body." ~Thoreau~
If we all thought about our bodies in this manner we would be healthier and happier.
I am happy each day to be able to get up out of bed and do the daily activities I take for granted all to often.
When wanting my body to perform certain tasks sometimes my body whispers 'slow down' or screams 'STOP' . Listening to your body and knowing what you are feeling is key. Getting in touch with your feelings....well not as easy as eating that quarter pounder with cheese your head is telling you will make it all better.
Stop and sit in the quiet...thinking only of your breathing. Some call this meditation...I call it sanity in an insane world. Try it for a few nights 5-10 minutes a night for a week and see how you feel. Your body is talking to you....but what is it saying?

If you can't read the fine print here is what it states. "Obesity finds it hardest to catch up with those who are running." I had to share. I ran 4 miles this morning and feel great. I have tried to add in swimming on Friday's after I run. The treadmill has been my best friend for the past few months....since it seems to be raining every morning here in Georgia. I run outside when the weather permits. I see some others as examples to me and then I know when I turn around I am an example for other also. It's a circle....be the example you want someone to be for you.