Approaching the Finish Line of 2010

It is hard to believe we are at the end of 2010...... it has been a good year, full of change. i am so thankful for the year i have had. i passed a couple of math classes(miracle in itself)........ met some amazing friends,lost my dear granny, moved out of the house i raised my boys in, ran in several races, joined a group of amazing runners http://www.runnersinaction.com/. moved into a new work space http://www.phfs.org/. trained for 5 months and ran a half marathon at the OuterBanks, it was one of the best weekends of my life, some of the people that mean the most to me shared my moment , i couldn't have been happier or more proud to have them with me.

As i am crossing the finish line of 2010 and looking to the start line of 2011, i am reminded of the blessings and the gifts God has given me. i want to remember to run my race.

"i run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free" Ps.119:32

......"let us run the race with perserverance the race marked out for us...."Heb.12:1

your race might be... a slow jog, a waddle, a sprint or a crawl........ finish it laffing!

Gifts

Today when i was driving to see Clients, i was thinking about Christmas and the gifts i would be purchasing for my loved ones and then i started thinking about how every day people give me gifts. These are some of the gifts i receive, i might not get them ALL EVERYDAY but throughout the day i do receive some........

• Words of kindness


• a smile


• a hug


• encouragement


• a pat on the back


• consideration


• a wink


• a listening ear


• time


• gratitude

As i think about gift giving i am going to work on things that don't cost me anything first.....i might just need to be more in tune with those around me, looking for those who might need a free gift!

just remember ........ keep laughing!

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Top 22 for Jamie's 22nd

Birthday

1. 
   
   
   He is Loyal



2. 
   
   
   He loves God



3. 
   
   
   He is a HUGE fan of all Michigan sports



4. 
   
   
   He qoutes movie lines all the time



5. 
   
   
   He once sang a solo as "Melvin"



6. 
   
   
   He can be a tad "dingy" $72 profit



7. 
   
   
   He is a hard worker, yet hates manuel labor



8. 
   
   
   His friends call him mom or dad because he parents everyone



9. 
   
   
   He likes nice clothes and a little OCD about them



10. 
    
    
    He panics at the thought of being far from his phone..



11. 
    
    
    He doesn't like chocolate



12. 
    
    
    He took spanish 2 years in a row and failed both years



13. 
    
    
    He eats, talks and walks in his sleep



14. 
    
    
    His favorite book is, Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller



15. 
    
    
    He worked at Putt-Putt for 5 years



16. 
    
    
    He once threw up at the doctors office because he had to get a shot..... He was a freshmen in college



17. 
    
    
    He is a natural salesman.. he was a Real Estate agent at age 18



18. 
    
    
    He would love to travel all over America in an RV with his brother (they have actually priced RV's)



19. 
    
    
    He once dressed as the Easter Bunny and waved at people on the side of the road.. it was a payed gig!



20. 
    
    
    His brother calls him "the mayor" because he knows everyone and has never met a stranger



21. 
    
    
    He calls his mom everyday... somedays more than once..



22. 
    
    
    He is one of the sweetest guys... and i am very proud of him!!!!love you Jamie!

Change

well, it has been awhile since my last post, i have had a good summer... can you believe a new school year is right around the corner?? CRAZY!!

This summer was busy, i made a couple of trips to Kentucky, a trip to Michigan (spent time with a friend from middle school, her husband and 2 boys in the northern michigan). My Grandma "Granny" passed away this summer, she was a funny, sweet, and caring lady! she celebrated her 90th birthday on June 10th and she passed away on June 27th.

Granny was someone that made me laugh, i have many memories of her, one of my favorites is when Granny, my mom and i took a road trip to michigan a couple of years ago.... she was game for anything she was funny and she didn't even know she was funny. i loved to ask her questions about her life growing up and how she met my grandpa . One thing i loved about my Granny was she had a deep faith, i know she prayed for me. She also, ironed EVERYTHING!!!! her sheets, her P.J's, her jeans everything... She will be missed!!

Change......for the past 5 years i have worked at The Family Alliance, i love my job it is rewarding and challenging. On July 1st our agency merged with another great agency in our community The Presbyterian Home and Family Services (http://www.phfs.org/) we are moving onto the campus of PHFS on Tuesday!! what a huge task, it is good,exciting and a bit nerve wracking!!The campus is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Change...... Jamie and Andrew moved into a house with a couple of their friends, it is a great move and i know they will have a lot of good memories. Andrew is working for a Steel company and he has been traveling, he is gone monday through thursday... he has been learning alot!! i am so thankful for who my boys have become, they are kind, compassionate, funny, hardworking, and loving!! they make me very proud.

Change..... i have been running a lot lately! last saturday my long run was 9 miles! yeah right!! no, really!! i have learned that like life, running takes alot of dedication, patience and persistence. i am training to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) in november. i am soo excited about this, i can't wait..... that is a big change in my life. i have never wanted to run 13.1 miles... now that is what i have my sight set on!!!

Change is inevitable it is all around us, sometimes change is good, hard or sad. The one thing that will never is change is God's love for us.

livelaffing!!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Kathryn is an amazing Woman, she is God loving, kind, thoughtful, encouraging,hard working, intelligent, beautiful, she puts others first and she is my mom. She has taught me so much in my 42 years of life, but one thing she didn't teach me was how to drive a stick shift and how to make jello, she doesn't do either one of those very well, have you ever met someone who could not make jello? well, let me introduce you to my mom!!

a few years ago(almost 10) i bought a book for her to write her story about herself with one stipulation, when she was done i got it back! well, she did it, and it is a book i treasure, it is my mom's life story.

as i read my mom's life story there was a reoccurring theme that i read over and over, and that was God is faithful, and that has been so evident in my mom's life. She is the most encouraging person i have ever known, her faith is HUGE!! if i need someone to pray for me, the first person i call is my mom, i know she prays for me and my boys everyday.

one of the things my mom wrote in the book was, " I would like to leave a legacy that people would remember that i had a strong faith and that i treated others well, and that i was an encouragement to others and lived a life that was pleasing to the Lord, that i lived what i believed and i wasn't hypocritical or judgemental toward others." She is definitely leaving that legacy!! i have often told people my mom is my biggest cheerleader, i am so thankful for her!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

ONE YEAR!!!!!

I love roller coasters all of the twists turns, down hills and the jerky movement uphill and then the upside down.....WEEEEEEE!!! since April 09 i have been on a roller coaster that doesn't stop, it all started in March 09, i didn't feel comfortable in my own skin and i knew i had to do something. The something for me was join ...

this week marks the one year anniversary of the roller coaster ride, and it isn't over yet! i have lost 46 pounds and have about 30 to get to my goal. I have learned a lot in the past year about myself, others and weight loss. i have learned i can do this thing that has always been hanging over my head, ya know i have never been a "little girl" so losing weight is something that has always been nagging me. it has been great to be able to follow a plan and see results, sometimes very slow, but results nonetheless.

The exercise part of weight loss has been the easiest part for me, because i like to be active, and i have an incredibly faithful exercising partner. Lori and i have known each other for about 15 years, she was a freshmen in college when i met her. We have stayed in touch through the years. she is now married and has 2 adorable boys. Lori and started talking about getting together to exercise and decided the only time that would work for both of us was at 5:45am. We have been exercising together about 3-4 times a week in the wee hours of the day. i am so thankful for Lori, she is funny, kind, thoughtful and is always willing to do the crazy routes that i think up, whether it is flats, hills, intravals, or circuits she is always willing and just laughs her way through it all. One thing that i love about Lori is when she is not really enjoying herself and thinks i am not enjoying myself, she starts talking about food, not like fruits and veggies, i mean like mac and cheese, desserts and stuff. Thank you Lori for the many miles we have shared together!!

My boys don't particularly like to ride roller coasters sitting next to me, because most people yell on them, well, i laugh from the time the thing starts until the ride ends. i can't help it, i just laugh.enjoy your roller coaster ride and remember to live laffing!!

Spring has sprung!!

Virginia is beautiful all the time, but especially in the spring. i was beginning to think we would never see this season again. i think i have become spoiled with Virginia weather..... i am a Michigander, but i have realized i don't care for cold weather!!

This past weekend my sister and i went to visit my mom. we had such a great time together. we shopped, ate, cried, and laughed. my mom gave my sister and i each a photo album with pictures from when we were young. it was a lot of fun to look at those pictures and talk about the memories. it is funny how a picture can take you back in so many ways. when i was growing up we lived next door to an older couple, Mr and Mrs Frank.,they were from Germany, i used to love to go to their house and listen to their stories, they had the best accent! they had a big impact on my life, it was my first introduction to people who were different from me and my family. i am so thankful God put them in my life at such a young age. you never know who you are having an impact on, even when it is not intentional!!

PLATEAU

PLATEAU: little or no change.....

this has been my challenge the past 5 months..... count them FIVE!!! i started my weight loss journey in April 2009 and the goal set before me was to lose 75 pounds UGH!!!!! At the time it seemed IMPOSSIBLE, something that i hoped would happen, i dreamed would happen, thus, the journey begins. The first 30 pounds fell off, oh sure it was hard work, but, every week i was seeing a loss for all the sweat and calorie watching i was doing. In early September, i set a goal, i wanted to loss 45 pounds by Halloween. At the time it seemed doable, after all, i had successfully lost about 35 pounds. I was exercising about 5-6 days a week, i was careful about every thing i put into my mouth.Certainly i could lose 10 pounds in about 6 weeks. HA!

Well, lets fast forward to March 24,2010, i finally hit the 45 pound lost mark! yes, i will lose 45 pounds by Halloween, Halloween 2010! keeping a sense of humor hasn't always been the easiest thing to do the past 5 months. I hit a plateau and since November 11,2009 i didn't lose a pound!! sure i did lose and gain the same 1-2 pounds for 5 months. Last week at weight watchers, i was ready to quit, throw in the towel, i had enough of exercising and watching every morsel going into my mouth and showing up on Wednesday morning to weigh in and the scale showing NO results..... when someone has lost a lot of weight, very seldom do they talk about plateaus. It is the thing that makes someone want to quit. But i couldn't, i have come to far. Plus, if i quit i would have let myself and others down!! if i would have quit after last week i wouldn't have had the celebration yesterday!! i lost 5.8 pounds woo hooo!!! it made me cry, because, if i would have done what i wanted to do i wouldn't have been at weight watchers yesterday. I am soooo glad i didn't listen to my voice!!! lots of people go through plateaus, but until it happens to you, you can't appreciate the courage it takes to keep going when all you want to do is throw in the towel , or throw the scale out the window!!!

I have ordered a shirt from Team 413 , the back of the shirt is posted at the top of this blog....

Philippians 4:13

" I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength:"

Cracker Barrel Sundays

Sundays have become my favorite day of the week, not only do i go to church, but Sunday is the day i have lunch with Jamie and Andrew. Today on the way to church i realized how much i love this time with them. When they both were at home our day for our regulary scheduled family dinner was monday night, i cooked and they were both at home and of course jason was here too, (i am planning on dedicating a whole blog on jason). Well, they are not living at home anymore, so Sunday has become our day. We used to try to figure out where to go, it has become easier just to meet at Cracker Barrel. We discuss lots of issues around the lunch table, politics,religion,sports,sports,sports,girls,movies, music and much more. i value this time to connect with my boys, they have quickly become men and it is priceless to get to know them for who they are becoming and learning what makes them tick even if i don't always agree i always try to respect them.

i know when i receive a call and it has "jamie" or "andrew" on the caller i.d , it makes me happy and they can tell by the way i answer the phone i am glad they called me. I wonder if God feels the same way when i talk to him and try to get to know Him.

i will continue to enjoy my "Cracker Barrel Sundays"

Thank You...

The past 2 weeks i have gone to dinner or coffee with two different friends who are going through some tough issues in their life. As i listen to them tell their story, i feel like i have been kicked in the stomach. Why? because i can understand what they are going through, i can relate, i take myself back to that place i was when my world turned upside down. UGH!! As i look back, almost 10 years later, it amazes me, no, it OHmazes me to see God's hand on mine and my boys life. I never thought i would ever feel "normal" again. Actually i don't know what "normal" is, but i know i can say "Thank you" to God for carrying me when i couldn't carry myself,for loving me when i didn't feel lovable, bringing people into my life i can't imagine living without, and giving me a joy that i can't understand or explain.

Today in church the question was raised.... "Is there a purpose for your pain?" God doesn't waste a hurt, habit or hang up. i have to be willing to use them for His good. you might not know how God is going to use your life experience to encourage someone else...give someone a little bit of hope that they once again will feel "normal" again.

There is a song that i love, it was my theme song back in the day of the just barely making it through... it is called "If You Want Me To" by Ginny Owen.. ( i tried to post on this blog, but.... those who know me best know that i am a little challenged when it comes to technology) so, look it up on youtube.com!!! The words to that song are powerful!!!

My life verse is found in Acts 20:24

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

it has been God's grace that has carried and sustained me, for that i have a thankful heart.

Have a great week and live laffing!!!!

Top Twenty, for Andrew who turns "20"

Andrew's Twentieth birthday is March 3rd!!!!

Top 20 memories and things i love about Andrew.........

1. 
   
   He is compassionate


2. 
   
   He loves God


3. 
   
   He is funny(one of the funniest i know)


4. 
   
   He always quotes movie lines or lyrics


5. 
   
   He has the most beautiful eyes and smile


6. 
   
   He has a strong work ethic


7. 
   
   He loves his brother


8. 
   
   He is generous


9. 
   
   He is grouchy in the morning


10. 
    
    He thinks he can dance


11. 
    
    He fell out of the car when he was 4 years old, yes, it was moving.


12. 
    
    He is loyal


13. 
    
    He loooovveeeessss Michigan sports (even when they are losing, see #11)


14. 
    
    He hates to talk on the phone


15. 
    
    He once had a piece of NERF ball stuffed in his nose and it was lodged in the nasal cavity for about 2 months, before the doctor discovered it


16. 
    
    He once stopped on the side of the road to help an older lady fix a flat tire, because he said as Christians that is what it is all about


17. 
    
    He calls me at least once a week


18. 
    
    He almost cut his finger off his junior year of high school while in wood shop class


19. 
    
    He remodeled my bathroom when he was 18 and did an amazing job


20. 
    
    He has blessed my life more than he will ever know and i am proud to be his mom!

I am NOT a hair professional.....

I have always had this idea that i might like to be a hair stylist. I began my "career" a few summers ago, my first "Client" was Janet aka "true friend". It all began on a hot summer night and she wanted a new color.... so the adventure began, she had a box of Clairol, and we set up shop.The FIRST attempt didn't work out so well, off to wal-mart we went, i was kinda hoping she would just drop me off at the door, i wanted to save her the embarressment of seeing someone she knew..... Heck, i wanted to save her from the embarressment of seeing everyone!!!! Let's just say the color didn't look so good on her, it was kinda like sunflower yellow!!! In we went, to purchase a color that would work..... oh my, the hair stylist career wasn't working out so well for me.... we purchased another box of Clairol and headed back to janet's house.... so the process began all over again!This time the color turned out kinda like pumpkin orange.....she convinced me to stay the night.( because at this point it was very late)The next morning when i woke up she was on the phone with the kind folks at Clairol, they told her "do not color you hair again, because, it could fall out or turn green." OH SHOOT!!! Well, let's fast forward to last night.... i wanted to color my hair, i went to the store and purchased some Clairol....... (why did i do that?) i picked a color i thought would look good, came home and set up shop.....guess what??? when it was done and i washed and blew it dry... it looked nothing like the color on the box!!!!! DUH!!! I am so glad God is not like that...we never have to wonder what we are getting when it comes to Him. He does what he says He will do," I will never leave you nor, forsake you."
well, on my to do list for tomorrow... call a hair professional.....

Running......

running has become a huge part of my life.... i LOVE it when i get to go out for a run! I know, weird, right! The past week i have gotten some milage in, i ran saturday,sunday(4.2 miles w/o stopping, the farthest i have gone)monday was a walk/run 3.5 miles, Tuesday 2.5 miles. i often think about stuff while i am running.... lately i have been thinking about the analogy of running and life,in life we all endure difficult situations, we don't know what is around the next bend,or over the next hill.Maybe everything is going great and then we face a bump in the road or a mud puddle and we have to manuver through it, oh sure, we might get a little mud splattered on us, but the next pothole we come to we know how to get around it. so often we can easily get discouraged, just remember we have to keep running the race, you are the only one that can run your race.... speaking of races... i need to sign up for a few this spring!!

Oh,The Thoughts of Summer Time.....But we have 1000 feet of Snow!

I am very ready for summer time!!Last night i was talking to Andrew(my youngest son) we were talking about a vacation we took a few years ago. We went to Topsail Island N.C.My Niece Jessica, Jason, Andrew and I went for several days. Jamie (my oldest son) was working at a camp for the summer. We decided we wanted to go on a day trip to Bald Head Island. It was a beautiful place... it is an Island, we took a ferry to get there. Once we got there we either had to rent a golf cart, walk or ride bikes to see the island. SOOOOO, i had the great idea to ride bikes. It was a 12 mile ride around the island, ohhhhh that isn't so bad, i can do that, i love to ride bikes... well, the bikes looked like something you might see in a retirement community in Florida.i was fine with it, Andrew on the other hand.... not so much!!! he looked like a 75 year old man trapped in a 16 year old body riding his bike! We heard a lot of groaning and complaining, because after all it was about 100 degrees out..... so, as i sit in front of the window looking out at ALLLLLL the snow on the ground, i am dreaming of warmer days!!

What else do you do on Super Bowl Sunday? Start a Blog!

I am a "blog addict" i love to read blogs. i am right now reading several running blogs, they have been really inspiring. those running blogs are great! if i read them does it mean i have had my exercise for the day?
As the description says..... i am a middle age person who also happens to be an empty nester;however, i do have my second wind!! One of the ways i have expanded my horizons is by running, have you tried it? Well, let's just say the only running i have been doing in my 40 something years has been to the refrigerator.I thought i needed to start getting in shape and dropping the baby weight, after all my baby did turn 19 on his last birthday.anyway, i have always heard running is a great way to drop the pounds. HA! if you can only run to the kitchen and back you don't drop the pounds too quickly.... so began the process of building strength and endurance..... ok side note.... running also builds patience, especially when i could only run for 3 seconds at a time... i didn't get too far.So the journey begins!!! A friend told me she wanted to start running too! Great! misery loves company and there have been some miserable moments.... one of them was our first "race" if you want to call it that, everyone else was racing, i was trying to keep breathing and moving at the same time. She was a great sport, she stayed with me the WHOLE race. we only ran at the start of the race and when we saw the finish line.Yea! we finished...... dead LAST!!!
Keep Laughing!!!