Life's Learning Lesson

In life, we learn many lessons. As we grow up they are from parents. Then we enter school days and teachers begin to teach us and friends enter the picture. As adults we are being taught too. We still learn from parents and friends, but God teaches the life lessons that are valuable and bring character. Since attending The Village Church, God has used the messages there to open the eyes of my heart to the lessons of God and his desires. Life is not about me. Never had been, never will be. It is about the glory of God and making his name known. This teaches me that selfishness has no place. I pray boldly now for God to strip me of that. The Lord may ask me to wait. That is my season of life. Waiting on God to answer my many questions such as where should Abbie be next year for daycare? Do we have another baby? Do we try to make it with me working part-time? What is our next move? The waiting period is rough when you are like me and want answers now. I wouldn't have it any other way though. It brings me closer to God, keeps me dependent on him, and makes me seek his face. During this season of waiting, I am also learning about the heart of God and his never ending love and his faithfulness. I will continue to wait and may he find me faithful. My dad sent me this verse so if you too, find yourself trying to answer questions, seek God and he will speak over you, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Praise God for life lessons.

Too Long

I was looking at the last date I wrote and realized it's been about two months. A lot goes on in two months and I guess that explains why I haven't written or perhaps it's on the bottom of my list. Brian and I are attending covenant class for our new church to become members. We do enjoy our new chuch a lot and just love what they are about and where their focus is and where their vision is. Abs is still doing just great. I am finding life a bit difficult with the demands of a full time job, full time kid, full time husband, and full time household to run. I get tired and run down and just have to ask God to extend to me a bit more grace and tolerance (that's the other word I use for patience. I'm scared to pray for it!)This week is super busy. We have Little Gym, Covenant Class, TAKS Writing, field trip to Austin (yes, down and back in one day! not my idea), and I have class for school on Saturday. Yikes. I am not use to this kind of schedule. May God just help me to keep my head up, trust him, and let him help me through. Grace and peace to you as well through this week.

Updates

Time sure does fly and I am not sure if anyone really reads this. For those who do, here is a bit about what is going on. Abbie had her first little Christmas play she was in. Her little Children's Day Out class "sang" Jingle Bells and I do use the word sang loosely. She was so cute! We have been so enjoying our holiday break and getting to reconnect as a family. I just forget how precious, smart, and fun she is. Thank goodness I am reminded of that. I pray over my daughter daily that God will continue to watch her and help her grow and development. Christmas was very nice and she got lots of goodies. So did Brian and I. We are working on her playroom and getting it to look cuter. So far so good.
Tonight we had a little fiasco. We apparently have (had) a little birdie who spent the night in our wreath on the door. I went out to check the mail and the little birdie decided to fly into the house. I hit the floor screaming my head off out of fear and my eyes being pecked. Brian comes running carrying Abbie to see what was going on. The bird made its way to the back of the house into the living room. We tried turning off lights in the house and outside lights on. Needless to say, Landry got the little birdie and it well, is now in our neighbors yard. Brian "helped" it over the fence if you know what I mean. I feel pretty bad for that little birdie. He was just trying to sleep. :(
We have also found a new church that we just love and hope to attend their class in January to learn more about the church but I feel a peace about where we are at. His sermons are just amazing and so applicable. Abbie likes it too.

Turkey Days

Turkey days are coming and I glad for the break from school. We are lucky and have to go to school the week of Thanksgiving. I only work on Monday since I will be having a student teacher sub on Tuesday. That will be nice. Brian is also going to be off so we will take little monster to school on Tuesday and a have some time to just hang out and be together which we have not done in a long time. My friend and I are planning on doing the Turkey Trot but I got to thinking, why drive to Dallas to run 8 miles when we could do that here in town? So, I am going to talk to her and see what she thinks about that new idea.
Brian and I are going to join a gym. LA Fitness. It is brand new and very nice. They even have free child care there which is a bonus plus an indoor pool. It's out front though where you walk in. I am thinking that is a poor layout idea. Most people don't want to show their "swimming body" to each and every member of the gym. It's their own fault if they look. I am excited though about getting to swim laps. Something I have not done since pregnancy. (Which I truly believe helped me have only 5 1/2 hours of labor from beginning to end!) I hope that my new enthusiasm continues because a couple of days a week I will be heading out at 5 am!! Don't worry, I won't be like the Biggest Loser and post my before and after picture. That can't be good for anyone! :)

Retirement

I am now in retirement. I thought I could train for a half marathon but was not correct in that assumption. It takes way too much time and my knees can't take much more. I ran 6 miles today (the most ever!) and my knees hurt so bad I had to limp around. Probably not the best for my body. I am doing the 8 mile Turkey Trot though and am working on training for that.
This weekend we took Abbie to the Dallas Aquariam at Fair Park. It was ok but probably won't go back. We were suppose to go to the zoo but it was so windy and cold that we postponed it until today and it was beautiful weather. Abbie loved all the animals and seeing everything. She discovered something very fascinating. Acrons. As many as you can possibly hold in your 15 month old hand and if you run out of room, try picking them up with your mouth. Silly girl. We had such a good time and tonight was Treat Night at the Ranch where we live. She dressed up in her pumpking costume and got to go on a hayride and get in a bounce house and do a cake walk. She has had a very busy weekend! She is just so precious!

Today

Today was a good day. It was beautiful outside. My friend came over this morning and we ran 5 miles. It was great! Full moon shining down on us, cool breezes. Loved it. We picked up Abbie's halloween costume. She's going to be a pumpkin. Can't wait to try it on. Then we went to......SUPER TARGET! Yes, in Denton. It was wonderful. We went grocery shopping. We got home and Abs went to sleep. I fixed her some bracelets and necklaces with some beads we had bought there. I am hoping she likes these better than mine. We will find out when she wakes up. It is just a nice relaxing day, TX/OU is playing. I just love the fall.
AND, on Thursday I took the day off and I went to the pumpkin patch with Abbie and her school. It was fun. She had a blast. I have added a couple of pictures for you to see. I sure did enjoy our special day.

In the words of...

In the words of Black-Eyed Peas...running, running, running
yup, that is what I am doing. Today I did a 5 mile run. I again, was dreading it and just about turned around and headed home. But Erwin was on the Ipod and my shoes were on the feet and my legs were already in motion, so I kept on. I am so glad I did. I got to see the sun peak over the horizon, feel the cool breeze, and see and hear a flock of geese in the early morning. I felt great! There is something that I keep thinking of though...I am training for a race I have not entered. That would be bad to miss it! Perhaps I should stop blogging and go register.

Weather

The weather has been so nice around here. Abbie and I enjoy going to the park on these crisp evenings. It is almost like we will actually have fall this year! I went running tonight and it felt great. Much better than Saturday morning in the humidity. It felt as though I was running in a shower. There are days I like running and days I don't. I often think about not continuing on this journey and I have to sit and ask what is keeping me from it? Probably selfishness. Maybe fear of not being able to pull this thing off. After all, if you quit then you don't have to worry about not crossing the finish line. But then I run, get home, and feel fabulous that I did it. I continue to pray that God will bless this journey and that I will be committed to it. Even when I just don't feel like it.

Rockstar Supernova

For those who watch this, I must say, poor Toby. I liked him. Bunches. But I guess Lucas is an ok choice.

Ahhh

I have to say that this new weather is quite lovely. We have so loved taking Abbie to the park each evening. She loves to swing and slide. She likes falling down into the woodchips to come up with a handful. We stroll around in the wagon and head back home. I just love having a park within walking distance. It is great to see neighbors out walking, riding bikes, and hanging out at the park. When we moved here I just thought, nice, a park. Now that we have a little one I have come to appreciate having it. The walking trails are fabulous and we have one that goes into a wooded section and one way leads you to a pond. What a great place to live and raise a family. God knew in advance that this is just what we needed.

Strength

Tonight I ran. Again. Every day I dread going but every time I am done, I am so happy with myself. I pray before every run that God would keep me safe, bless the run, and give me endurance. Tonight though I got specific. I prayed over my legs, lungs, heart, and anything else I could think of. I prayed for his strength to carry me and that he run through me. Sound weird? God has put running in my heart for a reason. If I am going to do something that is so outside of who I am, I am going to pray over everything I can think of. I don't have the strength to run, but God does!

PS. Doing a 5K on September 23 if anyone wants to join me. You know who you are :)

Fall

I have been teaching elaboration in writing at school and our topic was a critical setting: fall. We used the 5 senses to come up with things associated with fall. I look out at these 100+ days and I dream of fall. So I had to do it. Light a candle. A fall candle. It is to make me think it's cooler than 102 outside and the sun is not beaming down on me taunting me. So far, the house smells super good. As long as I don't walk outside, I can almost see those falling leaves (not because they're dying), feel the cool crisp autumn air sweep my hair back and see Abbie sticking out her tongue to catch the breeze. Ahhhh....fall.

Ugh

It is the second week of school therefore I survived the first. Today I really got to teach and it went so much better than last week. There is hope for this year after all!
I ran again tonight and am quite sure one of the these days I am going to disintegrate since it is so hot out. Pretty much like running inside the core of the earth. When I run on weekends it feels so much better probably because it's morning and I seem to go so much further. On nights, I just beg to make it home before someone finds me in the middle of the road. Yet, I shall press on. I looked at my training schedule and it doesn't look that bad. The week is pretty light but that long run on Saturday, that will be the true test of if I make it or not.
Ladies, in case you have not noticed at your house, you might find your husband a bit more giddy, happy, joyful. One word: football. Yup, it's back and my husband can finally stop his countdown. (He started in February after the Super Bowl). Our Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays shall be filled with men chasing one another, throwing and pouncing on a ball thus pouncing on each other. And dare I go to fantasy football? The one thing I love about football is that it means fall is just around the corner. Oh yeah, I am in Texas, it'll be in about 3 more months.

First Day

Today was the first day of school. It felt like the 100th. I have a sweet class who love to talk. A lot. I told them that tomorrow consequences would come for talking. I have to get this under control before it gets worse.
This evening I went running. And I made it 3 miles! Yeah rah! I think that is the most I have every been in my life! My friend said, get through the second mile and its easy. You know what, that was true tonight. I would like to run in the morning, as I was going to today, but I got a bit scared. Out at 5 in the morning by myself makes me a bit uneasy. If I had only gone 10 more miles, it would have been a 1/2 marathon! :)

Run On

Today we went and got some good running shoes for me. The folks there at Run On know their stuff. Before, I would buy tennis shoes that were cute. After all, who wants to wear an ugly one? At this store though, the shoe picks you. They watch you walk and look at how your foot moves and measure it on the neat little scale (the last time I used that was grade school I think!). They are very knowledgeable because they either walk or run. Of course, with new shoes come socks and shirts. Dry fit my friend, we live in Texas! I bought their logo shirts for $10 each. Not a bad deal I'm thinking. With my new stuff comes a new love. Running. I never though those words would ever come out. Check back in a couple of weeks though and see if I still have this passion!

Walking

I thought little monster would walk at 10 months. Needless to say, it didn't happen. Today though, she took 13 steps on her own! A huge improvement on 2. Good job Abs! Keep it up.

Running

The other night (Friday) I went out and ran 1.25 miles, give or take. I felt really good. Tonight I decided to run like the wind. It was humid and super nasty out but I was on a mission especially after having a big mac for lunch and Red, Hot 'n Blue for dinner. After nearly collapsing and getting in my car, sipping gatorade, I was off to measure my long distance run. A whopping 2.1 miles. That's it?! I am not even sure I ran enough to work off the bun of the big mac! I sure am feeling it and it's only been 2 hours since the run. Again, I go back to the last blog, what was I thinking? I live in Texas! It's too hot to run in August. It doesn't cool off till mid-November! As a reader noted in her comment, I hope all this running gets me the body of a life time. Guess I need to lay off McDonalds too.

Thinking?

What was I thinking? I told my friend that I would train for a half marathon. I am now locked in because there is no way she will let me get away with not being in it now! We will be running in the White Rock Lake marathon on December 10. We begin actual training September 10. She says by then I need to be able to run at least 3 miles. The way I see it, training starts now. I did have a chat with God about this. That I would do it, stick to it, and that he would bless and annoint this committment. If any of you other readers are interested in training with us, we would love to have you aboard! (By the way, I just looked at the map and again I ask myself, What was I thinking?)

Shots

Today was Abbie's first year check up and everything is great! 31 inches and 22 pounds. She got 5 shots though. I have been praying about them that God would make them as pain free as possible considering the situation. She was such a good girl. She cried just a bit, took her pacifier, and was done. I think she cried maybe 30 seconds. Thank you God for answering prayers! She is happy and playing but I am keeping the tylenol in her...just to be sure.
Brian got to spend some time at home this morning which was really nice. I left her with him to get ready and this is what I found. Silly kids!

Getting Close

It's getting closer. Me going to work. I am excited about this year but am a bit sad to leave the monster behind. She went with me to the school today to work. She mainly crawled around eating things off the floor. Staples were her favorite. (I did take them away). I hung my curtains up and they look great. I grabbed a writing book to begin working on lesson plans. Yes, already trying to get ahead. I do hope, by the grace of God, this is my last year for a while. I feel a complete peace about going to work again and will continue to ask God to shower that on me. Plus, this year I get 10 days off! Wow, I can actually take days off this year! How fun will that be!