here we go!

Apparently, I have taken the summer off from blogging.....

I share so much of my day on Instagram now, that I find blogging sometimes is redundant.

I am spending my last day finishing up things around the house.  Trying to get it in some kind of order so I'm not overwhelmed when I come home each evening.  This morning was a nice, slow morning.  And Ollie enjoyed a morning nap on my lap.  I think this little pup is going to miss us not being here with him all day.

I was able to get one last summer manicure yesterday.  This has become something I enjoy doing for myself.  I deserve a little pampering each month.

This was a sure sign that it's time to go back-- Carson's trip wire that he strung through the entire house on Friday.  He managed to do it as I took a quick shower.  I was only in there for about 8 minutes!

I did get some things organized this summer, but not much decorating that I had planned was finished.  I did get the front door painted!  It looks FAB!

I celebrated my birthday with the boys at Haruno's!  We had sushi and Carson loved it!  YAY!

Our vacation to North Carolina was super.  We stayed with Ang and Mindy and then on to the Mountains!!  We drove out with some of our favorite vacay buddies- the Scott and Kel family.

The cabin was great along with the above view.  And Kel kept us eating well!

Now, it's time to go back to work.

I won't lie.... I'm a little sad.

It will be good to get back into a schedule.  I do much better with a schedule.

And it will be great to see my teacher friends and all my students.

I just wish our schedule didn't get so stinking crazy during the school year.  

And I'm going to make sure to focus on my relationships with my parents and students and growth in learning and not get caught up in all the other stuff that isn't important and tends to stress us all out.

As a parent, I want my son to be liked by his teacher, have a great relationship with her, and learn and continue to grow from where he is currently.  THAT is what I need to remember as a teacher.  Those things have always been my focus, but many other distractions tend to stress us teachers out.  And I'm going to try to stay the course this year and not listen to all that NOISE.

To all the teachers, students, and parents------ Let's have a great year working TOGETHER for the benefit of our kids. 

13.one bad mother runner!

I did it!

I still can't believe it, but I completed my first half marathon on Saturday!  It was a Go Girl Event which meant it was all girls. I had pondered signing up for it last Thanksgiving when we did the Turkey Trot 5K, but I kept chickening out.   But something kept pulling at me to do it even though I hadn't been training religiously the past few months. 

I loved the idea of the whole marathon just being girls- celebrating girl power!

So, Kelly and I decided at the last minute to register! 

We got pics of signs the night before that Angie and Mindy had made for us.  They were hilarious.  We are so blessed to have them support us. 

We left by 6:00 am so we could be there and ready for the 7:00 start.  The morning air was cool and I was a bit chilled but I knew being cold wouldn't last for long.   

At mile 2, I was thinking... What in the h#&$ did I do?  How am I going to get thru this?
Even though the week before I had run 13.1 miles in 2 hrs and 47 min, I could feel my run wasn't as smooth and I was a bit concerned.

At mile 7, I was thinking.... My legs are killing me.  How am I going to finish this?  My legs did not do this the week before.... so I had to take more walk breaks than I had originally planned. 

I took a pic at one of my walk breaks on the course. It was a perfect day for a run and an even more perfect day for my first 1/2 marathon.

 



Carson and Eric met me at mile 10.  They had been tracking me on the "find my iphone" app and met up with me on Holland St.  I was so surprised to see them!  Carson gave me a hug and ran with me for a bit. ;)

The last few tenths before the finish line, I heard someone screaming at me.... It was Kel.  She had finished of course, and was running back yelling at me.  Apparently, she had gotten really hot, and she had on a sport bra, long sleeve shirt, and short sleeve shirt over that.  She had two girls she didn't know stand in front of her while she stripped off her two shirts, put the short sleeve shirt back on and then ran back for me.  When she got to me I was walking, me legs were still hurting and my feet were swollen.  She walked with me for a bit, and then said ok, we're going to run.  It doesn't have to be fast, but you're going to run across that finish line.  Then she ran with me through the streets and across the line. 

Words can not describe how thankful I am for her.  She has been my running buddy since we started last August.  And she keeps  me going and motivated.  I only hope I do the same for her.  She is so encouraging and she continues to run even thought her feet have been giving her trouble.  She just amazes me. 

It felt surreal to cross that line and get our pretty medals.  I am so overjoyed that we did it.
I have never been athletic.  I'm not good at sports.  Working out was not part of my life until a few years ago.  And running has been something that I always HATED.

When we decided to start the Couch to 5K program, I could barely run 30 seconds without feeling like I was going to die.  It just felt wonderful to be able to do it!

It was also very cool that Keri, our sis-in-law had signed up to do the race.  She began running last fall.  We all did our first half together.  I'm so proud of us!

As Kelly and I were crossing, the whole Sallee clan were waiting and cheering us on.  It was pretty neat.   

I'm loving the medal.  Just. so. pretty.

And I had to buy a shirt.  This one says it all. :)
The back says "finisher- Go Girl"

I am so thankful for all my friends and family who sent texts and words of encouragement.  This was such a huge goal for me.  It feels great to have accomplished it.  I never thought at age 41, I'd be completing a half marathon for the first time. 

When I finished the race, my thoughts were.... I don't ever want to do this again....

But, now that I've had some time to recover...There's another one locally in November. 

So, who knows....

maybe I'll try again!

buttprints in the sand

{Buttprints in the Sand}

One night I had a wondrous dream,

One set of footprints there was seen,

The footprints of my precious Lord,

But mine were not along the shore.

But then some strange prints appeared,

And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"

Those prints are large and round and neat,

"But Lord, they are too big for feet."

"My child," He said in somber tones,

"For miles I carried you along.

I challenged you to walk in faith,

But you refused and made me wait."

"You disobeyed, you would not grow,

The walk of faith, you would not know,

So I got tired, I got fed up,

And there I dropped you on your butt."

"Because in life, there comes a time,

When one must fight, and one must climb,

When one must rise and take a stand,

Or leave their butt prints in the sand."

 

 

Our principal shared this poem with us... It's quite a different take on the comforting other version of Footprints in the Sand.  But, I guess God knows when we need to be carried, and when we need a little tough love.  Either way, He never leaves us.  And I am so thankful for that.

{40} a few lessons along the way...

In my 40 years, I've learned a few things and have grown to believe a few things...

I have learned that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.  I will spend eternity with Him and all I had to do was ask him to save me and forgive me from my sins.

I used to sing this song by Evie growing up.  Beautiful.

Unfailing Love flows from His heart and heals my soul. 

In spite of who I am he loves and makes me whole.  

I almost can't believe it true, unfailing love and yet I know.  

He gave his life to give to me, 

unfailing love.

                                                                                                       ~Evie Torquist

I have learned unconditional love from my parents.  Growing up with that kind of love is such a blessing.  I realize more every year just how wonderful my parents are and how much that unconditional love has shaped me and helped me become the person I am today.  There is a special security and comfort that comes from that kind of upbringing.  I want to give that gift to Carson.

I've learned about choices... I do not believe in fate.  I think that God knows the path we will follow and all the choices we will make in our lives, but I do not believe it is predestined.  We are given free will, and it is up to us to choose our path.  I know God is with me every step of the way.  And when I make mistakes, I know he gently guides and reminds me of where I need to be.

I've learned to approach others in love and compassion even if I don't always agree with choices they may make. I have cherished loved ones who accept me- no matter what.

I. am. not. perfect.  I have and will make mistakes.  When I was younger, I thought I couldn't make mistakes.  That it was the end of the world if I did.  Of course, I try not to, but if it happens...It's important to learn from them, but not dwell on them.  Ask forgiveness and move forward.

I have learned that I am very impatient... one of my many flaws.  This is something I continue to work on.

I've learned... Some friends are friends for a season and some are friends for a lifetime.  A hard lesson for me to learn.  Sometimes, it's just better to let go of a close friendships if they are causing pain or stress or if you've just fought and fought for the friendship and there seems to be no other answer...

And I've learned... Great friends are hard to come by.  I have lots of wonderful friends and some cherished close friends that I know I can always rely on.  I'm not going to mention names, but I've told them and they know how much I love them.  I also have a small group that I can see after not seeing for awhile, and we pick right up where we left off.  I know I can trust them with anything and we laugh and have the best time.   Girlfriends who stick by you, even after going through rough patches together, are so special to me.   Or girlfriends with no rough patches that are just laid back, roll with it, and are so easy going.... are special friends also!!

I've learned...Marriage is HARDDDDDD!  I could go on forever here.  Just know, there is so much I learn and continue to discover on this journey.

I learned in my thirties.... It's okay to say no.  I don't have to do everything that everyone asks me to do.  I must do what is best for me.  And if others can't except your "no,"  stick to your guns.  They will eventually get that you mean it.

I've learned... Infertility SUCKS!  Sorry, but there's not a nicer way to put it.  Trying to conceive a child for 8 years was not the way I had planned to spend the last of my twenties and the first of my thirties.  The only way I survived that time was God's grace.  My family and friends who stuck by me were such a blessing.  I had some wonderful friends who were always there for me, and God sent an angel in the form of Kelly to carry me through some of the roughest times.  Looking back, I don't know if she realizes just how much I depended on her.  Thank you, Kel,  for helping me find joy through the rain during that time.

I've learned... being a mother is THE. Best. Thing. I'll. Ever. Do.   I'm not a perfect mom, but I love that little boy with all of my heart.  He is the cutest, smartest, wittiest, most fun little red headed boy EVER. (I may be biased, just a little.)  He brought true JOY into my life. The moment he was born, I just kept looking at him.  I was absolutely amazed that this little baby came out of my tummy.  He actually grew in there.  Something we had been trying to achieve for so long.  Just MIRACULOUS.  Words can not describe the amazing feeling after 8 LONG years of waiting.  I know it's a momentous time for everyone, but it's insane after an infertile journey.

I've learned... I'm a good teacher.  I have been at it professionally for 15 years.  (How can that be?)  Teaching has changed dramatically over the last 15 years, and I can't imagine how much it will change over the next 15.  I have learned that I have other interests, besides teaching.  Interests I am passionate about.   I might just pursue them over the next few years.  So, I've learned that being a teacher may not be my only professional title in this life.  (Something I didn't expect.)

I have learned that I have sooo much more to learn.  Wisdom does come with age.  I look forward to a long, happy life (hopefully) full of learning and growing.  I want to learn and do better.  I want my life to point more towards Him and His love.  I want to be content with His will for my life and BE STILL in Him.

waiting...

God seems to do most of his working on me while I'm waiting.  Maybe I don't listen as well until He has my full attention.  I am trying to learn from all that experience of waiting in my life and remember... 

His timing is perfect.  He knows what is best for me, and He is always with me.  

Wait for the Lord;  be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27:14

Psalm 119

43  And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I wait for Your ordinances.

74  May those who fear You see me and be glad, Because I wait for Your word.

81  My soul languishes for Your salvation:  I wait for Your word.

114  You are my hiding place and my shield;  I wait for Your word.

147  I rise before dawn and cry for help;  I wait for Your words.  

Just As I Am

This is my favorite hymn...

Just As I Am

Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;

Sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need in Thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

One of my favorite memories from church as a child is singing that song.  I love the melody, I love the words, and I love the message.  

So I changed my closing from "posted by" to "Just As I Am" because I'm so blessed that God loves me Just As I Am... completely flawed and broken.  And my blog is just that, my story- Just As I Am...