Couch to 5k

Here is a picture of my new running shoes. Yes, Dad, I did say running shoes. I have always admired people who go out and run 3, 5 and 8 miles and even say they enjoy it. A couple of my friends have even done the whole marathon thing. It would have to be so empowering at the end of the race to have accomplished such a feat. Then of course there are all the other perks, like losing weight, getting in shape, stress relief . . . but where do I start.

Well, my sister, Tonya, had all the answers. She told me about “The Couch to 5k Running Plan" and how it is a great plan for new runners. So, we have decided to accept the challenge together and hold each other accountable to our goal along the way. Trust me; I am going to need that accountability!! I was even reluctant to share this new goal in fear that I would not see this to completion. Instead I am going to blog about this experience once a week as another way to keep myself focused on this goal. All right, I guess there is no time like the present to get started, so here I go!!!

Election Day

Well the election for next school year's PTA Board was held this morning and I was elected to be VP. I have waited many years to get more involved in my children's school and with Ethan being in preschool three mornings a week next year, it seemed liked a good time to step up my involvement. I am so excited about this opportunity, I just had to share it with you all!!

March 18th - A Day of Reflection

Well, another year has come and gone. I didn't know that it was possible but I think this year went by even faster than the last. In my daily routine it is often easy for me to get distracted by all the little things that irritate me instead of choosing to see all that I have to be thankful for. So on my birthday I decided to spend some time reflecting on my life in this present season and all the wonderful blessings that I have. Besides my relationship with the Lord, the four most important people in my life are my Husband and my three sons and I feel extremely honored that during this season of my life God has called me to be a stay at home mom to take care of these most precious treasures. In this time of reflection I have found a verse that I am going to memorize about complaining ("Do everything without complaining or arguing." Phillipians 2:14). Instead when I start to get frustrated I will remind myself of a verse I learned long ago but still packs quite a punch ("This is the day the Lord has made; let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it." Psalm 118:24). I am so excited about this new year in my life and I can't wait to see all of the blessings the Lord will bestow on me and my family through this next year!

Here are just a few pictures of my family at Rib Crib where we ate for dinner on my birthday.

Thanks for taking me out to eat boys --- it was a real treat not to have to cook!!

Birthday Lunch with Mom

My mom took me to Red Lobster today for a birthday lunch. It was really good and I totally enjoyed the time with her. I am so blessed to have all my family so close to me. I know that I often times take for granted that we are able to do things like this with each other.

Thanks for the great lunch, Mom!

SURPRISE!

While I was sitting at Garrett's basketball practice a complete SURPRISE walked in the door by the name of Stephanie Kurtz. I couldn't believe it! I had no idea that she was going to be in town and I wasn't expecting to see her at all. She had talked to Chris on Sunday and the plan to surprise me was born which they had pulled off without a hitch. Until I took Garrett to his Dad at Chase's baseball practice.

That is when I received my second SURPRISE! When I pulled into the parking lot I could see that Chris was bent over holding a shirt to his head. I went over to Stephanie's car and told her that I knew Chris was hurt and I didn't know if I could make myself walk over to see what exactly was wrong. After a few deep breaths I slowly made my way to within 10 feet of where he was standing and my fears were realized -- he was definitely hurt! He had been hit with a baseball bat right in the center of his forehead and was definitely going to need stitches. Stephanie took Garrett and Ethan to their Aunt Meme's house, Chase stayed at baseball practice in Coach Matt's care and Chris and I were off to urgent care.

A friend of ours is a doctor there and just happened to be working that night. He took great care of Chris and sent him on his way with a new "beauty mark" on his forehead in the form of 9 stitches. We then headed home where Stephanie was still waiting for our girls night out. The doctor did not want Chris to be alone in case of a concussion. So Stephanie, being the great friend that she is, agreed that we would just pick something up and bring it home so we could be with Chris. We had a great night eating Arby's, catching up with each other and watching the Biggest Loser. What a night!!

Birthday Dinner at Dad & Mom's

SCRUMPTIOUS! If I had to choose one word to describe the wonderful dinner that my Mom fixed for me and my family in honor of my birthday that would be it. She really out did herself fixing all of my personal favorites including her wonderful Coconut Cream Pie for dessert. It was a wonderful evening of dinner and conversation. It isn't very often that we actually have time to sit around a dinner table and take our time enjoying the moment. They (meaning my mom and sisters) also decided that even though it wasn't technically my birthday yet they would go ahead and let me open my gift. I am now the proud owner of a beautiful set of silver ware. (I must say that whoever picked it out has impeccable taste! LOL) I have had so much fun learning all the names of the serving pieces. I had no idea how deprived I had been all these years not having all these wonderful pieces in my silverware. I also received a special card from my Papa and Grandma with a very nice gift inside, and a phone call from my Grana who is in Texas right now. Thank you all for making this a very special evening. It is always good to feel loved!

"Take me out to the ballgame!"

Well, I now have not only one, not two, but three boys playing baseball this summer! Ethan and I went to a baseball meeting this morning so that he could be fitted for his uniform. He was so excited!! I am really glad that Chris and I agreed to let him play this year instead of making him wait another year. Ethan has spent every summer of his life watching one of his brothers play ball and I absolutely think that he has earned his own time out on the field. Once I knew for sure that Ethan would be playing ball too, I began to pray that God would work out all of their schedules. It was really important to me that at least one of their parents could be at their games cheering them on and with Chris' work schedule in the mix this looked like a giant request. Thankfully I serve a giant God!! I am happy to report that the boys all have their own night of the week to "Take me out to the ballgame!"