It’s Complete! August 25, 2008

Yesterday I finished the couch to 5K running plan.  Today my legs are punishing me for it.  But who cares.  I finished it.  I can run 3 miles for the first time in my life.

So now what? 

I didn’t lose one pound in nine weeks of consistent working out by the way.  What does that tell ya?  I can really pack it down. 

 A little discouraging but I liked running so much I kept at it.  So that’s what I’ll continue to do.  Someday I’ll win the war on food but until then I’ll keep running and working out.  If I’m fat at least I’ll be in shape.

If there are any couch potatoes out there who want to drag their carcass off the couch and pound the pavement go to www.coolrunning.com.

I guess I spoke too soon August 22, 2008

In the last 2 days our plans have done a complete 180 in our household.  I’ll explain.

Let me back up.  Last Sunday at church a new friend asked me where my kids go to school.  I told her we were homeschooling this year.  We had made the decision a week or so earlier.  I told her how we’ve been praying about this for months and while I didn’t have a super clear leading homeschooling was what God wanted he hadn’t lead us to anything else and there were only 2 weeks till school started so we concluded this is where He was leading.  I told her I was excited and we were doing a lot of preparation at home, looking into curriculum and such.  Truly, I was excited to try this once again and conquer this challenge successfully another year.

Fast foward 2 days.  At about 9:15pm I get a call from an unknown number and I don’t answer.  They leave a message. It was the private school my kids attended last year and she said it was important that I call her back tonight or first thing in the morning.

I do and she says there’s a family that wants to give a scholarship to a family and If we’d be interested in that.  I was like, yah, but let me talk to my husband etc.  She then asked how much we can afford–like to contribute in case the family wasn’t supplying the whole 100%.  While I don’t want to get into specifics on this blog about money I will say that one reason we never applied for a scholarship was because we figured they didn’t give away as much as we need (and they don’t).

While this is amazing that someone would do this and they’d call us I was in an emotional tail spin.  What???  God am I deaf when it comes to your voice?  I thought you wanted us to homeschool?  And I’ve prayed for months for this exact thing why make it happen after you let me believe one thing?  I wan’t complaining about His provision but upset because I got it so wrong thinking I had it right.  I brought these concerns to my husband very frustrated.  I said how can I even make choices when I can’t even hear God.  I felt like I was facing forks in the road with no guidance as to which road to take.  I always seem to make a decision and then back track.  So he talked to me, calmed me down with his God given wisdom that’s been a constant in our marriage and then said we’re going to pray.  The only way we’ll accept this scholarship is if God provides for exactly what we need.  Not out of greed but out of getting this choice right.  We pray as we always do in these situations– God we want your will, open doors or close them and we’ll obey.  We pray very specifically on things so we can see the answer clearly.

For two anxiety filled days (and one coldsore for fun) calls and emails were exchanged between me, Jake, and very sweet lady at the school.  She called last night and said the family (not be confused with the school, this is not from their scholarship fund) wants to provide for exactly what we need (which trust me is a significant amount).

We said OK.  Today I registered my children at the school.  Do I believe I am finally on the right track and have taken the path that God has set for us.  I do.  We didn’t ask for this, we were picked, someone bent over backwards for us, God provided and answered our prayer specifically.  Unexpected?  Understatement of my year. 

I’m still talking to God about things but I’m a peace with once again a turn of events I’d never expected.  God’s working a plan in my life that I realize more every day that’s He’s in complete control of.  I’m thanking Him for working in my life and upsetting it just enough that I have let go again of everything and put it in His hands.   And praise Him for His provision.  What’s a boat load of money to us is so little to Him and if He wants us to have it…He’ll get it to us, despite what we do or path we think we’re going to take.

Week 9, Run 2 August 21, 2008

I decided to run outside today since the weather is much cooler than it has been.  I figured it’s been rainy, cloudy, windy all day so it must be a good day to run (for me anyways.)  My husband comes home and I prompty get dressed to go run.

Somehow I managed to run during the only sun break of the day.  It shined on me the whole time.  There was one stretch of the run that I could feel the sun bouncing off my glistening forehead and I’m sure I’m slightly sunburned.  

I looked up and realized I was surrounded by gray stormy looking cloudy except where I was running. There was literally a circle of sunshine.  How precious.  The moment I got home the circle closed and it became a little misty.  That is my life.  

If I were to describe this workout in one word I’d pick the word…. FreakingHard…that’s one word, really.  It was challenging to put it mildly.  My grandma could probably speed walk faster than I was running.  I once had to pause the iPod to get my breathing under control because I took a few deep breaths and realized I wanted to keep taking them.  Then I meditated on the word BEAUTIFUL and that helped me awhile. Specifically how beautiful discipline and hard work are.  Then I focused on my songs.  Then I focused on how pretty the concrete was for the last 3/4 miles or so.  BUT thank goodness for stoplights.  I was at first irritated after the first half mile I had to stop to cross the street.  But then, on the way back, and it was now 2 1/2 miles into it, I was praying for the stoplight to come quickly. 

The last half mile my head was on fire and I just concentrated on one foot forward at a time.  

But I did it.  Running is hard but I really like it.  One more run!  Then I’m on my own.

When God Doesn’t Answer A Prayer The Way You Want… August 19, 2008

My son has dead skin on his feet.  And he picks at it.  My daughter is understandably totally disgusted by this. 

I was minding my own business sitting at the computer *shocker* when she ran up to me the other evening and with a very frustrated voice and said,

“I asked God ‘Please don’t let me have this!”– but look– DEAD SKIN!! 

And then she proceeds to show me a toe that that has a flake of peeling skin on it and then sighs heavily and storms off. 

The life of a 5 year old.  Must be rough!

The Talk (Yes That One) August 19, 2008

So I have these books that explain “things” in an age appropriate way, you know–the birds and the bees…

I have two of these books one for 3-5 year olds which is very benign, no biggie.  The second one, for 5-8 year olds I believe, however goes a little further even using the s word (s3x) but in very good taste, Christian based.  

Two years ago when my kids were 6 and 4 I read book one…neither of them cared too much.  So two nights ago I thought why not.  “Hey kids want to learn about our bodies and how babies are made?”  ”Yeah!!”  We sat down on the couch and began to read.   

My almost six year old daughter paid little attention finding her bobble head toys much more interesting.  My son engaged me with some questions here and there.  Everything very matter of fact and a little interesting to him, while he picked at some dead skin on his feet.  Never embarrassed or anything. 

Their response when we were done?

“Can we play Club Penguin now?”

“Sure”

That’s all folks, it was that exciting…

I did it! (3 miles!) August 18, 2008

I started my final week of the Couch-to-5K running plan today and ran for 33 minutes, or as I like to say, 3 miles!!  I don’t think I’ve ever run 3 miles in my 32 years–not even in my highschool sports life.  I probably could’ve though back then but the most I think I ran then was 2 miles. 

Anyways I turned off the treadmill and felt RAD and wanted to yell “woooo hoooo” but I controlled myself.  So two more runs and I’ll have completed my running plan.  I’m so excited.  I won’t stop when I’m done.  When I’m done I plan on running this distance for awhile and get faster and try and start running outside more. 

I’m going to look for a 5K race in October, when it’s cooler.  And until then just keep running.  I’d like to run for sure 3 days a week and shoot for 4 with cross training in between.  We’ll see what life permits.

Anyways I’m so happy.  I felt soooo good after this run too.  I did have a little pain in my shin but not much and toward the end got a little pain in my lower back.  It almost felt like my sciatic nerve because it went down my right leg.  It wasn’t bad though.  If it’s not one thing it’s another with this out of shape, overweight body.  But I have lost about 4 pounds so I’m getting there.

Snippits of the Coast August 15, 2008

Me and My Babes

Caed and Sis playing in a hole someone else dug.  I thought this was cute because all you see in Caed’s head.

A crab in the tide pools.

Mom, Annie (the dog), and my babes.

 

Caed loved exploring and discovering in the tide pools.

Kenna loved playing in the water.

Good Times, Good Memories!

The Beautiful Oregon Coast August 14, 2008

Me, my kiddo’s, and my mom just got back from Lincoln City.  It was a nice restful time.  The kids played in the sand and explored the tide pools.  My son loved the tide pools.  My daughter loved the sand and the water.  It’s fun to see how my two kids are so different.

We were blessed with decent weather.  We even had some gorgeous blue sky today.  I will post pics tomorrow when I’m on my husband’s computer. 

I’m thankful for this little two day trip I just had.  I prayed for blessing on this trip because for a bit there I thought we weren’t going to be able to make it because my daughter and husband got sick right before.  But by God’s grace, my son and I stayed healthy and my daughter got better and we were able to go. 

So this will probably be our last little adventure for our summer vacation this year.  I’m glad to have had it. 

Enjoy the rest of the summer, time flies.

Homeschooling August 11, 2008

So it’s official, we ARE homeschooling this year.  This time around I’ve already started differently than the first time.  I’ve included my husband in the decision making. WOW what a concept!!!  Ha!  The first time I just decided we’re homeschooling.  This year after months and months of prayer I sat down with the kids and with Jake and we talked about it.

Since we have one year under our belt we talked about what we want to see happen this year and NOT happen.  Jake was understandably a little hesistant so I asked him what he’d like to see happen in order to give his blessing on this year of homeschool.  I wrote it all down and will do my best to make those things happen.

So…I’ve got a lot of work and organizing to do before now and September. 

If YOU homeschool and read this blog I have a fun request.  In my comment section list one thing you’ll do differently this upcoming year and one thing you’ll do the same.  I might even make this a regular thing–questions about homeschool–for all our benefit.  I think it’d be fun.

Enjoy what’s left of the summer.  It’s going fast.

P.S.  Is Homeschooling one word (Homeschool) or two words (Home School)?

Running Speed Bump August 11, 2008

So things were going well.  I’m up to 28 minutes and my second 28 minute run was GOOD!  After 4 grueling runs where every minute I wanted to quit having a good one felt good.  I good run consists of getting in a groove where I feel I could run for a long time and I feel good.  And I could’ve but there was this nagging pain again in my right shin. 

I haven’t been able to do much working out in between runs becuase our life’s been hectic so I haven’t been able to strengthen my legs and now my shins are paying for it again.  At least that’s my theory, along with a little too much fat (I’m working on that too).  So the pain continuted after the run and into the next day.  I knew it wasn’t going to be good.

So today I went in and after about 14 or so minutes of running I had to stop.  My leg was throbbing.   I got off and did a different workout the remaining time.  I’m so bummed!  I know if I give it some rest and do some different workout in between it’ll probably feel better in a few days BUT I’m so close.  I have 1 week of my plan left, ONE WEEK.  Which doesn’t mean I’m stopping but it means I’ll be at 3 miles.  I’ve worked two months on this and I want so bad to accomplish my goal.

So I’m headed to the coast for 3 days.  I get back on Wednesday and I’m hoping Wednesday I can run again.  We’ll see.  I’m probably pushing it but we’ll see.   A couple day break will be good though I think.