Goodbye 2012....

Tomorrow is the last day of 2012.  It is amazing how fast a year can go!  I have really enjoyed this year, it has had its' ups and downs, but overall it has been really good.

I had set 3 New Years Resolutions for this year and was able to achieve some of them.....:)

1st....I accomplished my goal of 500 miles...in fact, I am at 560 miles with one more day to go.  :)

2nd....De-cluttering....well, I had my moments with this one and since we just packed up a bunch of things for Goodwill I have worked on this, to some extent.

3rd...my prayer journal....well, let's just say....I need to work harder on this one.

As I sit and reflect on this past year I can think of so many things that I did or tried to do....

I got to be a part of my brother's wedding which was a FABULOUS time with family!  I am so blessed that he found such a perfect match!

I went on my first cruise...which I LOVED!

I ran a 10k....which I LOVED..... when it was OVER!

I have lots of memories with my sweet girls, who are growing up WAY TOO fast.  I am so proud to be their mom!

I was spoiled another year by my wonderful husband, who loves me with all of my faults.

I tried to mend some relationships that I had not worked hard enough on and I tried to be the type of friend I would want others to be.  I know I let many people down at times and was not there for some when they needed me, but it wasn't because I wasn't trying.

I loved lots and laughed often.

I tried to be the type of person God would want me to be and though I fall short in so many areas, I will continue to try.

As this year ends and 2013 quickly approaches I am grateful for all that I have and will continue to try and be better.

I hope to be a better wife, mom, family member, friend, teacher, and person in 2013.

I also hope to run 750 miles in 2013 as I have realized running makes me feel better, both physically and mentally.

I hope to continue to work on "de-cluttering."

I will try again on my prayer journal and spending more quality time in prayer.  I will try not to ask...but to accept.

I hope 2013 is a GREAT year for everyone.  Unfortunately for so many 2012 isn't ending like they had hoped and it hurts me to see my friends sad or hurt.  I hope that the New Year brings happiness to all.

Have a fabulous and safe New Years Eve!

Dadgum it, exercise....

To start with, this post is more for me than anyone else.  I am admitting that exercise really does make a difference.  I am also admitting that to make true LASTING changes for yourself you have to make LIFE changes.

The proof....buying smaller size jeans!  Yay!

As most of you know I set a goal of running 500 miles this year.  So far I have run 520 miles.  My average was 10.6 miles a week.  Plus, I continued my other exercise routines.  And....it made a difference.

Now, number wise on the scale.....well, I wish it was a smaller number and at times the fact that it hasn't been a smaller number has been discouraging.  I didn't lose lots of weight all at once....but, over time the changes have occurred and that makes me super happy!

I will also say exercise has become a part of my life.  I am happier when I exercise regularly.  I feel better about myself after I have exercised.  I have more patience after I have exercised.

Now, I didn't write this to tell people what to do and running isn't for everyone, but running isn't all I have done.  But, what I did was change my lifestyle for a goal I wanted.....I didn't do anything for anyone else...this was all for me.  In turn, I am happy!  :)

I still have plenty of work to do, many miles to run, and many planks to hold....but I am happy about the changes I have made and will continue to set new goals.

Now, if I can just make it through the holidays!!!!  :)

Have a GREAT week and Happy Almost Thanksgiving!!!

Teaching.......What's my job?

Okay, before I really get going I want to preface this with I LOVE my job!  Love, love, love.  I think it is interesting to really look at what my job is though.  There is ALWAYS more to people's jobs than what we think or realize, so I definitely know that everyone is in the same boat.....lots to do, lots of expectations, and then we hope to make a difference as well.

I CHOSE to teach high school.  I write it like that because it was truly a choice.  I always knew I wanted to teach....it was just hard to decide what I wanted to teach....what grade, age, subject.....

Confession time....I love history, but I don't eat, sleep, and dream it....I LOVE teaching.  I love being in front of the class, I love trying to make my subject fun and meaningful for the students.  In fact, that is one reason I chose to teach history....my goal was to make it interesting and fun for my students.

So, we know that my job is to explain my subject matter to my students.  All teachers are work to teach reading, writing, and I even teach math at times.  :)

I also believe it is my job to teach life lessons.  My kids should learn responsibility, manners, and respect.  Some people make the comments that teachers should teach morals and character and to be honest with you....I am okay with that.  I really don't have a big problem with it.  The issue becomes if we teach it different from how a parent would want it taught.  :)  I have expectations....I expect for my students respect me, I expect my students to try hard, and I expect my students to be kind to others.  That is part of my job...to teach these things as well.  I find it funny when people think all the negative things kids learn come from school.  I have small kids and though they have picked up on some negative things at school, most of the negative things my kids have learned haven't been "at school."  My kids have seen things on TV, at  Wal-Mart, on the radio and in the neighborhood that I  wish they had never learned, so I would never just blame the school.

My job is to teach, to inspire, to create, to counsel, to make sure my kids have someone to talk to, someone on their side, someone to help.....but I also have to make sure they understand that respect towards adults should be given, that when others speak.....they should listen, and that we should respect  others even when we don't agree with them.

I love my job and am so appreciative of all the people who are doing all they can to provide these gifts and school to my girls.

I am lucky enough to have a job that I love and though there are days that don't go as planned, there is nothing I would rather do.  :)

I want cozy....but how?

My living room......I want it to be cozy....but how do you make it that way?  I've been in so many houses that are so warm and inviting, decorated so nicely, and look like they are well taken care of.  Unfortunately, that's not my living room.

So, my question is....how do you make your living room cozy...warm....inviting?  I have a few ideas and have talked to a few people.  But, I don't want to spend bunches of money and not have it how I want it.  

A few things about my living room....1st, it is rectangle.  Second, TV really only has one spot...at one end of the room.  My fireplace is down by the TV.  We had a picture above the mantle, but have moved it over the couch and that makes a WORLD of difference.  But, now I need something for my mantle....a mirror?  A large clock?  Hmmmm......

Now, it is getting close to Christmas and to be honest, I love my living room at Christmas....I feel it is warm, inviting, cozy....I just don't want to leave my decorations up all year.  :(  

So.......any suggestions anyone has would be greatly appreciated......oh....and any ideas on what to do with all the clutter?  :)

Happiness......let's think about this....

I saw a question posed and began thinking how I would answer it......so, I blogged it.  :)  I wonder how others would answer this?? 

 What’s a simple activity that consistently makes you happier?


Hmmmm......good question.  There are a couple of ways to look at this question and I could have several answers to this question.  

The first thing in addressing the question is can you include your kids, spouse, even friends in this answer? I say this because we often "lose" our own lives as we are part of our kids activities.  I know watching my girls do ANYTHING makes me happy.....seeing my girls succeed at ANYTHING makes me happy.....but then am I relying on them to make me happy?  I know that my husband is FABULOUS and being with him makes me happy...but then am I relying on someone else to make me happy?  I also truly enjoy spending time with my friends......once again....is someone else making me happy???

So, I am going to address this question looking at what I enjoy doing that consistently makes me happy.

  

1. They way I feel AFTER I have worked out.  (Note I said AFTER)  :)

2. Making something makes me happy.  Whether it is baking, creating, painting....I always enjoy doing those things.....however, I am not a fan of cleaning up.  :)

3. Reading......

4. Being on or near water makes me happy....examples could include...the beach, the lake, a pool...

5. Doing things to make other people happy...makes me happy.  (Not sure this one can count in this section.)  :)

6.  Sitting in my living room at Christmas time with only Christmas lights on and watching a Christmas movie while drinking hot cocoa.  That is a little piece of heaven.

However, all of this being said....I typically have more fun painting, baking, or creating if someone is helping me.  The beach, lake, pool is always a lot of fun when my family or friends are with me.  I love watching Christmas movies with my family.  

Happiness for me does involve other people.  As much as I like some "me" time.....I am a people person and am so happy when others are with me doing things that make both of us or all involved happy.

If you have time....feel free to share what makes you happy!  I hope you have a FANTASTIC week!

7....she can't be 7....

Allie was born just a few days after Hurricane Katrina hit, so this year as her birthday has approached,and Hurricane Isaac approached,  I have been even more so reminded of her birth day.

Allie was different from Autumn from the get go.  Perhaps it was because I wasn't as stressed this time around or she was just an easy baby.  :)

She has and is the type of girl who isn't afraid to do her own thing!  If Autumn is my mini-me, well, Allie would almost be my opposite.  She often plays by herself...even when her friends are around.  I always worry she is lonely...she isn't.  She just doesn't NEED others to be happy.  She is so independent.  She is a spit-fire.  She is smart.  She is beautiful.  She tells me I am the best mom every day...which melts my heart every day.  She loves bacon, pancakes, popcorn, peanut butter, pizza, and pigs in a blanket, oh and lasagna.  She loves puppy dogs and wants to be a vet.  She would help every animal, if she could.  :) She loves her family and friends.  She has an AMAZING imagination and I love to see all the fun things she creates.

I have been suggesting to her lately that she just turn 4 this year instead of 7...to which she replies..."No, Mom....I have to grow up."  The problem is...I'm not ready for that.  I love that she still crawls in my lap and hugs me when she sees me.  She will always be my baby....Happy Birthday Alliebug!!  I am so proud of you!  

Reasons I admire my daughter.....

Autumn turns 10 today...double digits.  YIKES!!!  The older she gets, the more I am impressed by her.  Some of the things that I admire the most about her could also be some of the things that make me or even other crazy....but when you think about the following qualities she has....they are admirable.

1. Autumn is extremely compassionate.  She is definitely a chatterbox, but she talks to everyone...not just the popular kids.  In fact one of my favorite compliments I have ever received about Autumn is how she talks and encourages the kids that don't have friends or that have differences, that others might make fun of them for.  Raising a child who doesn't acknowledge differences.....well, that makes me proud.

My sweet baby....I had expected blonde hair and blue eyes, instead....brown hair and brown eyes...PERFECT!!

2. Autumn is determined.  She does not like others being better at her at things.  Now, I think this can get on people's nerves.  By that I mean, if someone can climb a rock wall in 10 seconds, Autumn will say she can do it faster...sometimes she can, sometimes she can't...but she will continue to work at it until she does it.  To me, that is a sign that she will be successful in life.  She won't give up....she will always (hopefully) believe that she CAN do anything.

Sweet Girl!

3. Autumn is encouraging/complimentary.  I bet Autumn tells me every day how pretty I am or that I am a good mom and the best part is, she says it with sincerity.  Autumn loves to find reasons to make others feel good about themselves.  I love this quality.  I love the fact that Autumn is always looking for a reason to make other people smile and she doesn't do it to get a compliment back (though my child LOVES receiving them).  :)

4. Autumn doesn't have a lot of needs.  She has some wants...but for most of her wants she is okay with knowing she doesn't get everything she wants.  She would LOVE to have a phone (though in our situation I don't see a reason for her to have one).  Though she won't be getting a phone, she knows that when she turns around 16 she MIGHT get one, so she thinks she will start saving money now so that she will have money to pay the fees when she turns 16.  Sometimes her understanding of not receiving does make me want to give her what she wants....but, no to the phone.  :)

5. Autumn is an AMAZING big sister.  There is NOTHING she would not do for her sister.  She plays with her, takes care of her, helps her, encourages her, reads to her, she is just AWESOME.  Though sometimes this can be a negative....she is so willing to do for her sister that her sister doesn't always learn to do it for herself.  :)

6. Autumn is so well-rounded.  She is an absolutely beautiful girl (and no, I'm not bias).  :)  She loves to deer hunt.  She loves to dance.  She loves to wear make-up and she loves to play in the mud.  She loves to watch classic movies, like Bye Bye Birdie, John Wayne movies, and White Christmas, but she can't wait for the Breaking Dawn Part 2 to come out.  She loves all types of music and is willing to try anything.  She loves to dance with my grandmother, play with her cousins, and wear a St. Louis Cardinal hat to make her Papaw smile and the rest of us cringe.  :)  She is a little bit of everything and a whole lot of wonderful.

I am so proud of the beautiful young lady that my daughter is becoming and I love her so much!  :)

Me....the REAL me....

It may sound funny, but sometimes I wonder who I really am.  I mean, I know who I am, but am I the person I want to be or used to be?  A lot has changed in my 35 (yikes!!!) years.  I have moved away from home, gotten married, become a teacher, become a mother, made friends, kept friends, lost friends, made new friends, become a soccer mom, a fitness instructor....the list could go on and on....:)

This past week Mark and I went on a 7 day cruise.  It was our 1st ever to go on and we LOVED it!!  We went with some friends and had a FANTASTIC time.  We made some new friends, we climbed waterfalls, laid on beaches, visited Mayan Ruins (that's a whole other blog), enjoyed food whenever we wanted, watched shows, danced, ate, and ate some more...it was FABULOUS.  If you ever get the chance to go on a cruise, I highly recommend it.  I do think it was super fun going with friends.  We laughed so much and had such a GREAT time with them. I know cruising may not be for everyone....but it was perfect for Mark and I.

Us....just being us....:)

This cruise was possibly the most stress-free vacation I have ever had (since becoming an adult).  :)  It sure was nice when my parents used to take us on vacations as kids and they paid.  :)  I truly felt like me again...me as in, Darci.  Not a mom, or teacher, or house cleaner, or cook, or taxi driver...now all of those things I enjoy....but gosh it was fun being just me.  I enjoyed spending time with Mark...it was our time....we couldn't use cell phones on the ship, we never checked e-mails, it was just us time. It was so nice.  We dressed up for dinner, we slept in, we stayed up late, we laughed with friends, we played, we were just us.. and it was so nice.  I didn't feel any pressure, I felt like me.  

Fun with friends....:)

So often once we get married life consumes us, especially once you have kids.  Time with your spouse is priceless.  Time to be an adult and laugh with your spouse and friends is so good for your soul.  I can honestly say that after this vacation, I feel better.  I feel better about me as a wife, as a mom, and just as a person.  I hope that everyone can have those types of getaways.  I know sometimes we say there isn't time, there isn't money....but the truth is, these experiences can happen anywhere.  Mark and I watched the sun set one night over the water and we commented how we could sit and watch this every night, yet we don't take the time.  It was beautiful...the stillness, the colors, the fact we weren't doing anything, but watching the sun set.  I truly hope everyone can enjoy the same type of peace and relaxation I found.  I hope it can be found in the perfect place and perfect time for you....mine just happen to come at just the right time in the Caribbean.  :)

:)

Have a GREAT night!  

Strength.....

I have been having a super fun, but busy summer.  This week I have had a few opportunities to sit and watch what I want on TV and have been loving watching the Olympic Trials!!!  I am FASCINATED by the strength of these athletes!  I keep pointing out to the girls the muscles on each of the athletes.  I mean, like right now, I am watching the male gymnasts! The strength they have on the rings....WOW!!!    We've been watching the long distance runners.....the abs on the runners!  AWESOME!!!  The arm muscles on the swimmer...I'm JEALOUS!!!

The strength we see on athletes is amazing.....but we recognize it because we can SEE it.  What about the strength we don't actually see?  What about my former students who just had to bury their 4 month old baby girl, but can still find the strength to get up in the mornings?  What about the strength of a friend who just lost their mom and is handling all the preparations.  What about the strength of several of my friends who are going through divorces and are still smiling around their kids.  What about our everyday strength.....getting up and working out when we would rather sleep, cleaning our house when we would rather watch TV, smiling when we would rather cry.

My strength......<3

We all have days where we have to be stronger than people realize; because we are using our inner strength, not necessarily outer strength.  I think it's important to show/explain to our kids inner and outer strength.

We all LOVE to receive compliments....so why don't we hand them out more? Compliment people who are strong....let them know you can see it and how awesome it is!

For now....I will continue to watch the Olympic Trials and anxiously await the Olympics!  So awesome to see "regular" people representing us!!  I LOVE it!!!

The Truth About Me and Running.....

Okay...here is the truth...I don't love to run....until I have finished.  There are days that lacing up my tennis shoes is possibly the most dreaded thing on my to do list....but I do it.  As some of you know, I set a goal to run 500 miles this year.  So far (as of June 4th) I have run 258 miles, so I am over half way there.  I am super proud of this, but there are days I would rather do nothing.  

I truly believe that the best way to lose weight and be healthy involves eating healthy and exercising.  I know lots of people use a variety of things....but the truth of it is being healthy is a lifestyle change.  I am pretty good at the working out part. I would say I workout or run 5 times a week on average.  It is the eating part that gets me.  The truth...I LOVE food. 

When I workout it is mostly in a group setting...which I LOVE because I have other people going through it with me.  I have other people encouraging/motivating me.  I love the variety, the people, the fact I am completely exhausted and so is everyone else...it is AWESOME!

Running.....that is individual.  I mean yes, you can race the person next to you on the treadmill or sign up for various races, but running is all about you and what you can do.  Sometimes I feel pretty good about it...I feel like I could run miles and miles...other days, I am forcing myself to get on the treadmill, but the truth is I always feel GREAT when I am done and usually I question whether or not I could have gone further (which means...I could have gone further).  :)

I am so inspired by other runners...those that have NEVER ran in their lives starting the Couch 2 5K program, those that complete marathons with disabilities, those that wake up in the morning and immediately start logging those miles.....it's just impressive to me.

Running is not only exercise to me.  It is a time to think, I time to listen, a time for me.  I feel better after a run....I feel inspired after a run...I feel accomplished after a run.

I have just about 7 more months to accomplish my goal....only 242 more miles to go!!  I am excited about this goal and look forward to accomplishing and hopefully exceeding it.  

Summer.....ahhhhh......

It is Memorial Day 2012 and school is out.  I can not tell you the last time I was out of school before Memorial Day....it is very surreal.  I don't think it has hit me yet that summer is officially here.

This past school year was probably one of the BEST I have ever had.  It was just a GREAT year...GREAT kids, GREAT people to work with, less stress in my life than I have had in a long time....it was just a GREAT year.

The girls also had a FANTASTIC year.  I can't believe Autumn will be in 5th grade next year, and Allie will be in 2nd.  They are growing up so fast....and I love getting to be apart of it.  I loved getting to watch them perform in their school's talent show, seeing them receive their awards at the end of the year, and seeing their faces light up when they would spot me in the crowd.  These are the times it really hits me...how much I LOVE being a mom.....their mom.

Love it!!!

Awards time!!

There is so much to look forward to this summer.....time at the pool, time at the lake, sleeping in, being lazy, time with friends and family, a possible cruise....hmmmm....:) !

We only have one obstacle (you could say) to get past first.....Mark is having surgery tomorrow.  I am praying it goes quickly and that his recovery period goes well for him and we can enjoy lots of fun things this summer!!

I hope everyone had a GREAT weekend and has a FABULOUS week!!

Fulfilled.....

I am happy.  Do you ever have those moments, days, or weeks when you realize you truly have everything you could want?  I mean, the past few weeks I have felt really good about things.  There are so many things in my life that just make me happy.  :)

Here are some of my favorites....or things that make me happy...

1. My husband.  I am more in love with him EVERY day....and sometimes, I actually feel like I am a pretty good wife.....and when my husband is happy, well, that makes me happy.  :)

2. My sweet daughters.  I ADORE them and still tear up some mornings when I drop them off at school as I watch them walk in to school.  Sappy, I know, but they are my world.

3. My friends/family.  I love having friends/family who care about me and who are there for me. They can make my day seem so much better and that makes me happy!!

4.  My job.  I love my job and the fact that it is almost summer, well, that makes me SUPER happy!!

5. Running/working out.  I set my goal of running 500 miles by the end of the year and so far I have run over 200 miles!   I love how much better I feel after running and working out.  I also love that I am fitting into clothes that I haven't been able to wear in a while!  :)

It is nice to feel fulfilled.  That makes me happy.  :)

Have a GREAT weekend!

You can do it!!!

This past weekend I ran my first 10K.  6.2 miles of running.....if you had ever told me I would CHOOSE to do that, I would have said you were crazy.  Yet, I did it and was so happy.  Mark and I both ran and he was there to cheer me on at the finish line.

The definition of CHEER is to lighten spirits or mood; a source of joy or happiness; a comfort.


Running has become kind of therapeutic for me.  A time where I think about problems, try to come up with solutions, or just analyze life.  I feel better after a run.  My mood is better, my attitude on life is better, I feel like a better person.  We all have our outlets that we use to boost our moods or our attitudes and running has started to become that for me.

Now, back to the cheering part.  I can not even explain how awesome it was to pass people cheering me on as I ran.  Just the little comments of "you can do it," "you're almost there," "great job" all gave me inspiration and motivated me to continue.  These were STRANGERS....people who had no idea what my name was or even cared, but they cheered.....for me.

Mark and I after the 10k.....I am so lucky to have him as an encourager!!!

How do we motivate people in our daily life?  Do we cheer people on?  Do you feel like you cheer others, but no one cheers for you?  We all need encouragement and motivation, we all need our own cheerleaders.  But, we need to remember that people need us to be there for them.  Be an encourager, a motivator......sometimes people need us, more than we know.  Thank you to those who are always cheering me on.....I appreciate you!!!  :)

Confessions of a Bad Mom....Part 1

Okay.....I am about to be brutally honest.  I have given this blog a title of Confessions of a Bad Mom...Part 1, because I am SURE there are many other confessions to come, but today I will pick just one.

First, let me start by saying that I love my girls....they are the BEST and make my job of being a mom my favorite job in the whole world. That being said, they talk a LOT!!!  Now, those of you who know me know that they get this trait from their dad (yeah, right!)  UGH!!  It is a me trait!  Autumn is a visual talker...she talks constantly and uses lots of descriptives, hand motions, body movements, tumbling acts, dance moves, and well, her stories are L-O-N-G!  Nothing wrong with this, but I find myself multi-tasking through the stories.  This makes me sad at times, because I feel I should be giving her my full attention during these riveting stories....so, I will try to work on this.  (Maybe...)  :)

Allie....well, she talks a LOT, but she is more short and to the point, so I find myself listening to her conversation intently until I realize she is going to tell about 500 stories in a short period, and she randomly throws in things that don't make sense.  Things like....my day was great today, I had fun playing outside, I found a moon rock, I think I have ants in my pants, can I go out and play?  What?  Moon rock?  Ants?  Sure, honey....go on out!  What?  How come I'm not asking more questions?

Speaking of questions...just about every conversation in our house that will involve a question starts like this...."Mom, can I ask you a question?"  I tried the response..."You just did.." but it was just met with, "Can I ask another one?"  Sure.  :)

I never thought, key word being THOUGHT, I would be the kind of mom that smiled and nodded at their child and was thinking about a million other things....truth...I am.  :(

Now, I do LOVE our real conversations....the ones where they REALLY talk to me....about their friends, their day, the dreams, goals, etc.  I also, never want to miss out on any of the other conversations either.  I LOVE that they want to talk to me and I am so glad they have so much to say.

So, this mom will try to be a better listener.....a new goal.

Have a GREAT night!  Thanks for listening to me!  :)

Back To Reality.......

Spring Break is over.....I know that I am lucky, with a job that provides a Spring Break, but I felt like it was a NEED this year.  My classes are GREAT, things are going GREAT, but I just needed some down time and am extremely thankful that I got it.

Things I loved about this Spring Break....

1. Sleeping in.....the girls did not wake me until after 8 each day...which was WONDERFUL!!!

2. Having no place to be.....there was nothing that HAD to be done....and that was nice!

3. Being outside....for the most part, we had GREAT weather...which may be a reason it will be hard to go back to school/work....I love being outside in 70-80 degree/sunny days.

4. Reading books.....I read 3 books over the break....loved it.

5. Doing a few arts/crafts...I painted and made a few wreaths.  Such fun!!

6.  Running....I was able to run 25.7 miles over the break!  Yay!!!

7. Spending time with friends....mystery dinners, movies, eating at Cupcakes on Kavanaugh, playing dominoes, visiting, laughing, eating...the list goes on and on.

8. Spending time with my family....I LOVED being home with my girls.  They have been soooooo much fun over the break.  We've played, snuggled, watched TV, gone on picnics, and just spent QUALITY time together.  Mark was even able to take some time off this week which was FANTASTIC!  We were able to take the girls to the movies, go to Wye Mtn., and work in the yard.  We also got to do a few things without kids!  Woooo Hooo!!!

It has been a GREAT week....only 9 more weeks to go until summertime!!!  Yay!!!!  Have a GREAT week!

Rain.....

I don't mind a rainy day.  In fact. sometimes I am GLAD for a rainy day.  Rain, of course, is a need.

However, I think rain is a reminder to us as well.  It is a reminder that not everything about life will be happy and sunshiny all the time.  It is a reminder that sometimes we need to let the tears flow or have a gloomy day, or that we just need down time.

Now that Spring is here, I LOVE being outside.  I love to work in the flower beds, or sit outside and read a book, or play with the girls outside.  But, there are things that must be taken care of inside too.  The sunnier and nicer it is....the less I want to do inside.  Rainy days are the days I don't mind staying inside, I don't feel like I am going to miss out on something by not being outside.

Today worked out perfectly.....it's Spring Break and Mark stayed home with us today.  We went and saw a movie, The Lorax, then went and bought a tree that I have been wanting, a pink dogwood.  Then we came home and planted it.  As soon as it was in the ground and we had packed everything up...down came the rain.  It was perfect timing.  It was time to go in and just be.......:)

What I hope my tree will look like someday.  :)

Now, all this being said...several rainy days can be depressing, plus it can causing flooding, and all sorts of other problems.  So, with any luck this rain will be done soon and I can go back out and enjoy another pretty day.

Good friends.....

What is a good friend?  In church today, we heard the 3 traits that are traits of being a good friend.  The 3 traits aren't anything unexpected, or shocking.....but they did make me think.

1. A GOOD friend encourages us.

Now, let's think about this.  Who do you encourage?  Does that SAME person encourage you?  I have 557 friends on Facebook.  Other than if I have a motivational status that impacts someone, I know I am not encouraging 557 of my friends on a daily basis, or a weekly basis, or monthly basis for that matter.  I do know that I try to encourage my friends, but I don't encourage ALL of them.  However, I started thinking about those that encourage me.  This is an important thing.  It is GREAT that I might encourage some, but who is encouraging me?  I've realized that friends I have gotten upset with or, stopped encouraging is probably a result of the fact I don't feel they encourage me.  Now, please don't think I am asking for encouragement.  I'm not.  I'm just understanding that it is important for it to be a 2 way street.  I also realize that I have probably lost GOOD friends, ones that were encouraging me, when I didn't encourage them.  For that, I am sorry.

2. A GOOD friend keeps us on the right path.

This one is kind of interesting.  I believe it means to keep us going and doing what is right.  I also think it means helping us to be ourselves.  I have some friends who I can truly be myself around and I LOVE being with those people.  I have other friends, that when I am around them I find myself trying to be who they (as I feel) want me to be, and usually those times aren't as fun.  Now, that is silly.  I am who I am...and that should be enough for a GOOD friend.  I think this one is tough for kids in school.  Here is where we have to learn that it is okay to be ourselves and not act like others.

3. A GOOD friend complements us.  (Notice, it's not compliments...though that is always nice.)

A good friend helps us see our strengths and weaknesses.  They are there through the good and bad.  They are there when we need them, whether it be to just listen, or to just talk.  They are willing to support us and tell us the truth when it needs to be heard.  They remind us of our priorities and yet remind us of our free-spiritedness.

Friendship is tough.  You have to be there for the GOOD and the BAD days.  It's funny, there are some friends that I would NEVER tell I had a bad day.....why is that?  We all have them....the truth is I don't think they will really care, so, it is easier to just pretend that my life is great.

I am thankful for all of my friends, but I am especially grateful for my GOOD friends.  My encouragers, my friends who help me to be me and inspire me to have fun and live life to the fullest, my friends who complement me and help to make my life better.

I hope you are this type of friend to others and that you have friends that are this for you.

I loved this scene from Steel Magnolias...."Here, hit this!!!"

Have a WONDERFUL Sunday!  :)

Comfort Zone

I am a pretty safe person.  I am the type that pretty much eats the same thing every time I go to a restaurant. For example, one of my favorite restaurants is Carino's!!  I almost ALWAYS get the Bowtie Festival!  It is super yummy!  When I go to Chick Fil A, I almost always get either a deluxe or spicy deluxe sandwich...LOVE them!  I am the type of person, who if I find a shirt I like, I will buy the same shirt in 3 different colors.  It just works for me.

Lately, I have been stepping out of my comfort zone....living on the edge.  Okay, maybe not living on the edge, but definitely trying some new things.  Some of them I've really enjoyed....others have been, well, PAINFUL to say the least.  :)  Nonetheless, I have had fun trying new things.  Now, I do know that one of the reasons I have enjoyed some new things is because I have had friends/family with me as I have been trying them, and that always makes things better.  

I LOVE Spring and Summer....and am so excited the weather has been so nice lately.  I am excited about all the fun things that come along with warm weather; soccer, grilling out, shopping, lake time, vacation time, pedicures, all these and so much more!

I hope you had a GREAT weekend and have an AWESOME week!  If you feel inspired to try something new...take a friend along, it always makes it better!  :)

High School....

Who were you in high school?

Me....well, I was the good girl.  Seriously.  I didn't do much, if ANYTHING wrong.  I got good grades, played basketball, ran track, volunteered with clubs, and worked.  I was friends with as many people as I could possibly be.  I wasn't the most popular girl, by any stretch.  If anything, I was the goofy girl, who was nice to everyone.  I brought stickers and handed them out on holidays, I was the one who ALWAYS had gum to distribute, I was the one who brought her spaghetti in her thermos for lunch. I carried the massive Valentines' card around all day that wouldn't fit into my locker, so I wouldn't hurt a guys feelings.   I was very naive. I really had no idea that "bad" things went on at my high school.  In fact, at our 10 year reunion someone said they didn't want me to know the "bad" things that went on....they liked that I was clueless.  :)

Who am I now?  Well, pretty much the same person...I would like to think.  However, TEACHING high school has changed me.  I am nice...the majority of the time, but can't stand it when someone talks back to me.  I have found I am not quite the pushover I once was.  I can't just let things go....like I think I used to do.  I am very aware that "bad" things go on and do my best to "bust them."  I find myself encouraging people to talk to the ones who don't have lots of friends, or making sure I talk to them.  I have also realized that some of the people I am teaching will change.  Some will leave high school and become BETTER people, some will continue to be FANTASTIC, and some will probably struggle.

This weekend my brother got married...there are TONS of pics on my FB page...probably too many, but it was an AWESOME time.  One of the things that was surreal to me was seeing my brother's high school friends.  He had quite a few at the wedding and they have grown up to be some GREAT guys!  It is so weird, seeing people from high school and how they have changed.  I mean, these guys danced with my daughters out on the dance floor.  It was just fun to see and made me wonder how others have changed.  You see, in high school we all wanted to be certain people, and I find it fascinating to see the people we have become.  I still have some great friends from high school.  Some that I thought I would be close to, I'm not and some I keep up with more than I ever thought I would.  I loved high school, not saying I would want to go back....but I enjoyed my years of being naive and passing out stickers.  However, I am so impressed by how we turned out as adults.

My brother and my girls.  I am so proud of the guy he is today!  :)
(Cheesy of me, I know!)  :)

Have a GREAT night!

How do YOU handle it???

It seems, lately, that I have several friends who are hurting.  They have been hurt by people close to them.  It is hard to see people hurt, especially when there is nothing you can do to help them.  (Especially when it is having life changing effects.)

It has gotten me thinking about disappointment.  I think that is one of the hardest things for me.  I know how I would handle a situation and I get frustrated when others don't handle it the same way.  Now, that is not how it should be.  I should not expect others to do things the same as me because, well, they aren't me.

But, let's be honest.  People do disappoint us. Sometimes it is people close to us, other times it is people we don't know.  To me, it is tougher to deal with the disappointment of those closest to us.  So, how do YOU handle those that disappoint you?  I seem to want to let them know, but sometimes, they disagree or don't care, or don't want to try and fix it.  I know this is the point where I am supposed to hand it over to God, pray about it, listen to him....but to be real honest, I am not always good at that, especially if it is the same person over and over.  I think I USED to be the type of person who could let things go....but the older I've gotten the harder that is for me to do. (Isn't it supposed to be the opposite???)  So, I will continue to pray about it.

But, seriously....how do YOU handle disappointment????

Have a great day....and though this may sound like a down post, I promise....I'm really not, just one of those things I have been wondering.....:)

Anticipation....snow????

I love the anticipation of FUN things.  Tomorrow there is a possibility of snow, sleet, and ice.  Now, as to whether or not we have a snow day I am actually indifferent.  There are pros and cons to both sides.  However,  I love the anticipation of it.  I have been stalking the weather.  It is just fun.  Now, there is really no point in me being quite as obsessive as I am, since nothing is supposed to happen until tomorrow, but it is still fun.  

I love having fun things to look forward to....it just makes the days, weeks, and months, that much more fun.  So, whether or not there is snow, or ice, or sleet.....it will just be fun to see what happens.  

Enjoy!!!

Competition v. Acceptance

January 31, 2012...can you believe it?  I mean the month of January is over!  That is incredible to me.  It has been a busy, but fun month.

I had originally set 3 goals for 2012 and figured I would fill you in...

1. Declutter---hmmm....looks like I am WAY behind on this one.  I did clean out a drawer in my dresser, so we will count that.  :)

2. Start a prayer journal...this I have done and like.  It is nice to be able to glance at it and remember who I am praying for.


3.  Run (with some walking) a minimum of 500 miles in 2012 with the hope of getting in 750 miles.

Now, we need to talk about this goal.  This is the competitive part of me.  You see, I really want 750 miles.  To achieve 500 miles I need to run 41.6 miles a month.  To reach 750, I need to run 62.5 miles a month. I want to run daily.  I want be able to run for 10 miles at a time.  I want to run faster.  I want to run 62.5 miles a month.  It is at the point that I feel guilty if I'm not running daily.  Now all of this is good.  I am glad I am motivated to work towards this goal!

Here is the, what I would call, tough part.  You see, I teach a fitness class 1 night a week at a local gym and I try to attend classes at the gym at least 3 nights a week.  The classes are hour long and are GREAT!  I mean they kick my tail!  I am usually exhausted when I leave and physically worn out.  So, I am trying to fit running into a schedule that already wears me out physically and takes up over an hour 4 nights a week.  And, remember I am exhausted.  I work all day, try to spend time with my girls and husband, go to classes, and run.  I know my body needs a few days off to rest.....but it is so hard to do it because I WANT/NEED to achieve my goal.

January 2012...I have ran/walked just over 57 miles.  I am 15 miles above my minimum for the month and 5 1/2 below my "desired goal."  I feel like I am doing a good job.  I am just having to ACCEPT that I may not be able to do it ALL.  I am hoping as the year goes on that I will be able to run longer and faster and get in more miles, but until then I will be proud of the first 57 miles I have accomplished.

Have a GREAT night!!!

Looking around.....

Life definitely has its ups and downs.  Being an adult isn't fun sometimes.  There is that desire to do, be, achieve, provide, embrace, love, etc.  It can be overwhelming.  Lately, I have been TRYING to notice the little things, the blessings.

As I drive the girls to school, I LOVE to listen to the girls sing to the songs that are on the radio.  I tell myself they are a blessing (even if it is off key...which sometimes makes it that much better).  :)

As I've been running lately, I've been trying to look around or focus on the purpose.  I am excited about the fact I can actually go for a run.  I used to barely be able to make it to the end of the street without feeling like I was going to fall on the ground.  Now, I can run a good ways before I really want to quit. I feel healthier, stronger, and at times skinnier (which, I can't lie...makes me smile, until I eat Chick Fil A....but it is soooo good!)!!!  :)

I've been trying to let Mark know how much he means to me.  He does so many thoughtful things for me.  I am proud of the man he is and blessed that he is my husband.

I've been trying to have more patience lately...though I definitely struggle with that.

I've been trying to be a better friend lately.  I've been trying to encourage and let people know I care.  It is a work in progress, especially the busier life gets.

I've been trying to keep a cleaner house.  This one.....well, let's just say today...the house still looks descent which in my opinion, is an accomplishment since we cleaned it Sunday!  :)

Sometimes I get so busy with things I stop focusing on what is really important.  The truth is there are blessings everywhere...you have to stop and LOOK for them sometimes, but they are there.  They are in the crazy art things I have been trying to make, because it is fun times with friends that I am making them.  They are in the conversations I have with people, because we are talking and listening to each other.  The blessings are in the sunrises, sunsets, the cool crisp mornings, the smiles on my girls' faces, the love in my husbands eyes.....they are there.

Don't forget to stop and look around.....you can't wait for others to point them out to you.  Blessings are there......

How well do we really know each other??

There is a post from Huffington Post circulating on Facebook and it is really good.

  Don't Carpe Diem  If you haven't read this, it is really good.  It is about the reality of parenting and how others view it.  It made tons of sense to me...and yes, I love it when the girls go to bed and I get quiet time. :)

However, this post really got me thinking.  There is another side to this story.  How about when a stranger critiques our parenting skills?  I mean, when someone tells us how to do our job better.  All of the sudden we become defiant.  Our defense mechanism kicks in and we find ourselves thinking or saying that we know what is best and that these are our children, who we love and cherish and how dare someone think we don't do a good job!

Society is changing. I wonder when we were kids, how our parents communicated how parenting was going for them.  I mean, did my parents pretend they enjoyed every minute?  Did they anxiously wait for bedtime all the while pretending that they were embracing every minute when others were around?  Did they meet up with friends and talk about the hard times of parenting?

I think things are different for us.  So many people equate all of their relationships to Facebook or Twitter.  We let a status define us.

 Some people post how wonderful their kids are and what a wonderful day they had, how much they accomplished the entire time they had 2 sick children that were hanging off of them.  We see that and think...UGH!  Overachiever!!!  We end up comparing ourselves to them and often, we feel we come up short.

Then there is the other side.....the people who complain on Facebook constantly.  They are too busy with their kids stuff, their kids are always a problem, their kids are always sick and then we find ourselves thinking....UGH!!  So glad I'm not like that!

What kind of REAL conversations do we have with people?  Do you know how your friends lives are really going?  I know people don't want to hear lots of negative statuses, so most of the time, I post the positive.

But, what do you really know about me?  Do you know about the days I am sad?  Do you know about the days I am upset?  Do you really want to know?  Or would you rather hear the light hearted, fun things my family is involved in?  If you don't care about any of that...you may want to delete me as a friend, or stop following me on Twitter.  :)   I am a Mom, a wife, a teacher, a daughter, a friend, and a person....I have good days and bad days.  I try my best and want my family and friends to be happy.  I love the fact I have friends who DO know what is really going on in my life and know the ups and downs and don't judge me for the good and the bad.  Remember, there is more to us than what you see and yes....my girls are in bed!  :)

Look how sweet they can be...:)  

 

Have a GREAT night!