Well, I officially loved zumba tone. My arms are in major pain and I did most of the class without weights! That 45 minutes it took to scrape my car this morning didn't help any...talk about a Monday. Goodness. Today is my rest day and I really wanted to go to zumba again but I wasn't driving anywhere I didn't have to. (fingers still crossed for a snow day.) I'm still thinking about going to run in my workout room here but I should probably take the advised rest day. I can't believe I've worked up to the point where I hate missing my workouts! yessssss.

It so helps to have a workout buddy.
Except when they talk you into eating at Red Mango post-zumba.
At least it's healthy!
I saved half of it for "later" and I dropped it (face down, of course) on my driver's seat when getting in my car. Yeah, that was an extra cold drive home. Not to mention sad that I lost my dessert.

5k.

Just got done with today's workout and it felt great! Zumba Tone later tonight at the rec. In other news, I'm signing up for my very first 5k. I'm hoping my little brother can run it with me but he's not sure if his track coach will allow it. There's nobody I'd rather run with than my little brother. Funny how he's the younger one, and a typical high school boy at that, but he'll be the one pushing and supporting me. Love him.

randoms

This week has been a little less than productive. I'm being a complainer and blaming it on the fact that I can't breathe without coughing and I feel like I'm swallowing nails. I seriously sounded like a 13 year old boy going through puberty on Monday/Tuesday and yesterday/today I just sound more like a middle aged male chain smoker. Work has been really frustrating. Twelve 3 year olds and a teacher with no voice is a very, very bad combination.

Hoping this goes away quick so I can get back to running and enojying work!

Aside from the sickness, the week has been pretty good.
I'm really noticing how God is making everything fall together for me.
For example--Last semester and over Christmas there were really times that I wanted to quit leading my Bible study. I'd never really quit, but it was just so discouraging having two girls as regulars. The past few weeks the not-so-frequent attendees have been coming and we've really gotten closer and been doing things together outside of church now, and I'm so thankful for that.

Another perk to my day was getting letters from both Jordan and my lovely grandmother.
I should always know not to read a letter from my grandma right before going in public. They always make me cry. I love her so much. You, too, Jord!

Tomorrow, I get to see my camp-friend, Lindsey!
Very excited about that, but wishing I didn't have to work so I could see her for more than an hour over my lunch. Oh well.

That's all for updates on my week, but before I get back to my math homework.....

Our Bible study this week was over John 10. ..love the whole thing but these verses stuck out most to me.


10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish ; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all ; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

half marathon.

Well, tonight I decided there is a 51% chance that I'll register for the half marathon. I started the training about two weeks ago with the goal of just getting in shape and not actually running the race, (for fear of public humiliation and/or hospitalization) but I have a good friend running it who wants me to join her.

Time to get serious.
I've been doing all of my workouts but I've been taking too many walk breaks.
The kleenex breaks, I can't help. but the walking--I can try harder.

I also figure if I post this for people to see, I'm less likely to give up.

I've never been a runner. Ever. I huffed and puffed finishing the mile in p.e. for crying out loud.

I'm actually really enjoying the running, though.

It clears my sinuses, gives me more energy, and I am accomplishing something I never thought possible. (okay, okay so I'm only two weeks in..)

Anyway...time to go run.

Hasta luego!

P is for Paisley & Procrastination.

Right about now I wish I would have done more homework yesterday, but seeing my niece crawl for the first time was well worth the late night I'll have tonight.
Does it make me a sap if I teared up upon seeing this milestone?

Paisley has also recently discovered her tongue, it's quite hilarious.

And every time we try to get her to talk, she's quiet, yet she's always blabbering during church.
We're that family with the baby that makes everyone laugh and not pay attention to sermons. ooops.

seguir respirando

sleeping on this one more night.

even after thousands of edits and rewrites

how do you know when essays are perfected enough and ready to be sent?

they only hold my future.

dramatic pause.

deep breaths.

I can do this.

Thankful.

Today I am thankful for...

...inspiration from a friend to push through the last of these essays. & knowing that the final goal is way more important than the now.

...being able to sleep in, wake up to beautiful (yet dangerous) snow, coffee and a warm shower.
...that a dear friend made it back to Nebraska safely. barely. so Praising God today.

...my wonderful kids at work who I am so excited to finally see again.

...my awesome new work schedule: On Mondays, I get an hour and a half to myself before the kids wake up from their nap! This time will be used for working on my Bible study.

...my boss for so graciously working around my school schedule.
...all of the people who work snow removal, especially my friends James and Lance who had to go to work at midnight.
...my lovely neighbor, Sara, for helping me dig out my car. took 45 minutes!
...friends with young hearts who want to watch Christmas movies and go sledding on snow days. (wish I could join in, but we don't get snow days from work!)

...my wonderful dad, who put a shovel and de-icer in my trunk. What would I do without him?
...enthusiasm for a new beginning this semester, hoping my "resolutions" stick around.

************************************************************

I keep thinking of these verses today, I'm so thankful for the position I'm in right now.

"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for Him.
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him,
to the one who seeks Him;

it is good to wait quietly

for the salvation of the Lord.

It is good for a man to bear the yoke

while he is young.

Let him sit alone in silence,

for the Lord has laid it on him.
--Lamentations 3:22-28


Hope you all enjoy your snow day, or have safe travels if you have to go to work! :)

snow day.

I have a love/hate relationship with the snow.
Mostly love.
Except while driving, it turns into hate.

I never want to drive ever again.
Does anyone elses body seem to go into shock after starting to slide, or is it just mine?
My heart is pumping and my head is still pounding and I've been home for 15 minutes.

We have a snow day tomorrow, which is okay with me, but I was actually looking forward to starting this semester off. I just wish we got snow days from work, too. The worst of the weather is supposed to come tomorrow, so I'm hoping by noon it's good enough for me to get to work. A friend is having everyone over for breakfast and movies tomorrow which I am excited about, but I'll have to see how the roads are before I make that extra trek.

After that rant, I just realized that my drive was worth it. I drove to a "welcome back" worship service at church and had a great talk with a friend. It was just what I needed to kick off a new semester, a new year.

Now I'm going to go enjoy my second cup of candy cane dark hot chocolate and continue my (what seems like) millions of application essays.
I can't wait to get those babies sent off in the mail.

Christmas break recap, part 1.

Christmas was definitely different this year. Many of our holiday traditions were cut out due to the death of my wonderful grandpa. I have to say though, he had the neatest funeral I've ever been to and despite the circumstances, it was a really fun day with my extended family. We went through tons of old pictures of my dad, aunts and uncles. The cousins and I had to claim that we were not related to them after seeing a few too many. :)
On a lighter note, Christmas was also different because we had a baby there this year!
It was my niece's first Christmas and she made things so much fun. I can't wait until next year when she'll be able to open presents by herself.
I got to see my closest friends from high school again, and we had a blast. Hours of board games with some of my very favorite people. If you've got a bunch of goofy friends, try out Quelf. Hilarious.
I also nerded out for a few days and worked on a puzzle and some books. Relaxing at home always feels so good.

And this concludes Christmas break, part 1.