Thursday, October 27, 2011

Random, because that's the way I roll.

My world is SO BUSY right now. Each school year I make a vow to slow down, simplify and not spread myself so thin. Once again, though, I have broken my vow. I think I am busier than I have EVER been. So, I will update with bullet points.
  • Last Monday I, with the help of Nancy, started a walking/running club every morning before school starts. Our thought was to have the kids get up and moving in the mornings instead of sitting in the gym. We workout in the mornings and feel so much better in the mornings, so we thought the kids at school could benefit from some morning activity. I didn't know exactly how to start a program like this (I tend to get hung up on the little details), so I found a program that is already established. It is called Mighty Milers and is sponsored by New York Road Runners. Since our school has a high percentage of kids on free and reduced lunch, it is doesn't cost us anything. The kids are trying to walk/run enough to earn a marathon medal. Each time they run/walk 26.2 miles they earn a medal. They can earn up to 4 in a school year. We weren't sure what the response would be, but we have been pleasantly surprised! So far, we have had 175 kids come out to run/walk in the mornings and they have run about 400 miles combined! We have two kids who are already about half-way to their first medal! It is amazing to see 100+ kids running, walking and getting their minds and bodies ready for the day. So far, it has exceeded my expectations. The only down side to it is all the data I have to input each week. Last Friday I stayed at school until after 5:30 just to get their names in the data base. I could only do 100 before I ran out of space. I have had to request more space in the data base and will probably have to stay until 5:00 or so again tomorrow. Once I get everyone entered, though, it shouldn't take that long each week. At least that is what I am hoping!
  • Drew is almost finished with football season. This time of year is always so hard for me, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Football takes up so much of his time, but I know he loves doing it. As long as he is happy I will do whatever I need to do. He does so much for me each day that I can atleast hold down the fort while he is off coaching and scouting.
  • This year I have a split conference period. That just adds to my already tight schedule. I only have 20-30 minutes of uninterrupted time and I just can't seem to get anything done. I also have crosswalk duty after school. It's only 10-15 minutes, but that's just one more thing to do. Oh well, it's a give and take. Give a little here, take a little there.
  • I am teaching a Boot Camp class after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for our parents/staff and whoever else wants to join us. At first I was scared to do this. I am NOT a certifed trainer or expert by any means. I just know what works or has worked for me. I was very self-conscious about it at first, but I am starting to gain some confidence. The ladies who come to the class are hard working and will do anything I ask them to do. I know what they hate to do (froggers and pushups), but they will still do them if I ask them to! I really hope they are getting something out of it and I am enjoying working with them each week.
  • I have been doing a Beth Moore study at church on Wednesdays. Drew's mom is one of the facilitators. It has been challenging to do the homework each week, but it has so been worth it. I am learning a lot about myself and my relationship with God. We have 3 weeks to go and I am hoping to finish strong! Bryson has been attending the youth group on Wednesday nights and Drew helps with that. Jackson and Addison go to their classes, too, and seem to be enjoying them.
  • Jackson has made a profession of faith (He actually did it last Spring, but never wanted to go to the front of the church to make it public.) and will be baptized soon. I am proud of the sweet boy he is and look forward to watching him grow in his faith.
  • Addison is still her crazy self! I have so much fun talking with her and spending time with her. I just love her at 4 years old! She is funny, quirky, sweet, spunky, sensitive, tough, girly and tomboyish. She is the perfect little girl for me!
  • Drew got Addie and I tickets to Casa Manana this season so we have some planned "Ladies Days." I love getting to take her out to lunch and to see a show. She loves going and is just the happiest little thing while we are together. I hope we get to do this for many more years. I know I will cherish our time together.
  • Bryson is loving middle school and is doing great. He made the "A" honor roll for the first six weeks and seems to have adjusted well. I was worried about how he was going to do in a new school where he didn't know anyone, but he has done just fine.

So, as you can see we are busy, but busy with good things. I can't believe how fast the year is going. It will be summer before I know it. And just in case you were wondering, there are 211 days until Summer 2012!!!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

I can feel God...

The other day I was getting ready for work when Addie wandered into my room. She put her hand on my chest and said, "Mommy, I can feel your heart. I can also feel God in your heart." That was just the sweetest thing. My prayer is that God will shine through me in my daily life. I pray that not only will God be IN my heart (which I KNOW He is), but that I will allow Him to shine THROUGH my heart.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

I am a quitter.

Today I officially stopped doing Weight Watchers. I cancelled my subscription. I quit. I didn't quit because anything happened or was wrong, I quit because I am ready to continue my journey on my own. I learned a lot while doing Weight Watchers. Now I want to see if I can put what I learned into practice without the accountability of tracking my points daily. I have been slowly weaning myself off of it for the last couple of weeks, so the transition shouldn't be too difficult. I just hope I can maintain my weight loss. Time will tell. If I start to gain and feel like I need the extra accountability tracking my points brings, then I will rejoin. I am not too proud to admit that I may need a little extra help. Judge me if you want.
This journey has been challenging. I started off three years ago over 50 pounds heavier than I am right now. I lost a little on my own before I subscribed to Weight Watchers. I lost about 30 on the plan. The weight didn't come off quickly or easily, but hopefully it will stay off. I have taken myself to new heights physically~ higher than I ever had the desire to go! I have learned that my body can do some amazing things and that it is my job to treat it well. My journey is not over, it is just taking a little turn, hopefully for the better. I am excited about where I am and how far I have come. I hope to be an inspiration to others who are on the same journey and an encouragement to those how may need some motivation. So, long Weight Watchers, you have taught me well!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Remembering

Seven years have passed since my mom's death. (I blogged about it here a few years ago. If you want to know how she died, you can read about it. I know I am always curious about how people die. Call me weird, but that's how I am.) I have thought about her every day since then. Every. Day. This year I decided to think about the good things about her and the good times we had. In the past I have thought about the things I missed about not having her here, about all the things she has missed experiencing with my kids and my family. This year I wanted things to be different~ happier. I know my mom is in a much better place than we are. I know this is not our home and my mom IS at her home. I know she is happy there and I know she is free of pain, discomfort and stress.
This year we are focusing on remembering her and telling the kids about her. Usually when they ask me questions about her, I get sad and start to cry. I don't want them to be afraid to talk to me about her and to ask questions about her for fear of me getting emotional. I want her memory to live on through me and through my kids. We decided to cook some of her favorite foods this year and to talk about some things she liked to do and would have liked to do with us and the kids. I admit that I shed some tears at dinner last night when Drew started talking about her, but they were happy tears, tears of rememberance. He talked about happy times and how she liked to have all the family around her that she could. She liked to be right smack in the middle of all the action! It was not out of character for her to drive 5 hours to Houston to attend a birthday party for one of my cousin's kids. She would drive up to Oklahoma City to dog sit her aunt and uncle's dog. She would drive to our house in Watauga after working all week just to see Bryson for a couple of hours. She would go out of her way for her family and friends. She was loved by many and showed her love through her actions.
Friday night we had egg and cheese sandwiches. She would make those for me and Jamie quite frequently for breakfast. She always put Miracle Whip on the bread. It gave it just the right amount of tang. It was yummy then and it is yummy now! You should try it! Yesterday we made a big breakfast. She would cook us a big breakfast on the weekends. She made the BEST hashbrowns! I made some yesterday, and I must say that they were pretty tasty! Today we made chocolate chip cookies. She just used the recipe on the package of chocolate chips, so I did the same. I haven't eaten one, yet, but I know they will remind me of when I was a little girl. I will have some milk with it, also, just like I used to. For dinner tonight, we made hamburger patties, rice and gravy. We threw in some mixed vegetables just so we wouldn't feel so bad about the gravy! My mom was known for cooking simple, yet tasty meals. She was also known for making meals that weren't the most healthy! That's probably the reason I battle my weight every day of my life! Thanks, Mom!
I miss my mom. I miss the way she kept everyone in the family informed about everyone else in the family. Sure she drove me crazy at times, but I would give anything to be driven crazy by her for just one more day. Since my mom has been gone, I have pretty much lost touch with most of her side of the family. My grandparents are the only ones who make an effort to see me (us) or have anything to do with me (us). I don't know why that is, but I do know this wouldn't have happened if my mom were still here. She was definitely the glue that held everyone together. I may never know why I have become an outcast, but I do know that my mom loved me and would not have let that happen if she were still here.
So, I will continue on with my little family and continue remembering her and the fun times we had together and the good food she made for us. I have learned that life is short and you cannot take one moment for granted. Tomorrow is not promised to us and every day we must try to be the best we can be. I know my mom was a Christian just like my sister was and I am. I have faith that I will see her one day and that all my questions will be answered. I do not know why things happen the way they do, but I do know that God's plan has purpose and that all things happen for a reason. I will continue to remember my mom and hope that her love for her grandkids will be passed on through me.