2012-The Year!!

2012-The Year!!!  What do I mean?  I mean this is the year I succeed in things.  I WILL run a half-marathon, I will find my purpose, and I will continue on my weight loss journey.  As I have thought about writing for 12 days, I have figured out that this year is the year I concentrate on me.  I am always the one who takes care of everyone else.  I am a giver.  I will give you my last dollar if you need it but I always seem to forget about me.  I love God, my family, my friends, but I also have to learn to love me.  I have to let go and let God.  This is the year!!! 

Okay, enough sappy stuff!!!  Caleb has started playing Upward at church plus performing with the Little Cats Dribbling Team at the high school.  He is improving everyday.  Ben is still plugging along as a 3rd grade teacher.  He is an AWESOME teacher.  My vinyl business has been on hold for the past month since we have been so busy with Christmas.  It is time to get started again. 

Signing off for now......

Life

It has been way over a month since my last post.  Life takes up so much time but it is all worth it.  My vinyl business has been going great.  Ben is trudging on with his 3rd grade class, and Caleb is doing GREAT in 3rd grade.  I have been teaching 5 aerobic classes a week plus working a part-time job.  It is funny how God decides what you should be doing.  I had wanted to quit teaching for many reasons but mainly because it was keeping me exhausted.  I just couldn't get up enough nerve to walk away from it.  Well.......I ruptured a tendon plus re-injured ligaments in my ankle Wednesday night.  I am out of commission for at least 3 weeks and maybe longer.  God DEFINITELY has a wonderful way of timing.  I know I am rambling but so many things are going on.  I have been in contact with yet another family that will be taking an adventure of kidney transplant.  I ABSOLUTELY love telling my story and helping people feel at ease.  Yes, it is a big deal but it is such an easy process.  When I am able to tell our story of organ donation and transplant adventure, I feel such a warm feeling in my heart.  Maybe this is my calling in life.  I pray God shows me the way to have this as my future.  I want everyone to learn about organ donation and our adventure.  I always relate organ donation to God "donating" Jesus.  He allowed Jesus to die on the cross to save us.  Organ donation is alot like this.  We are given an organ that is needed so we may live.  Hopefully, live forever as a child of God.  This story is my witnessing tool.  My Faith is what has kept me going through this whole adventure.  I hope everyone has a wonderful day!!!

Long Time No Write

It has been since January since I have posted anything.  WOW!  Lots have gone on since then.  Back in my last post it talked about applying to teach aerobics........Well, I am teaching 5 classes a week.  Talk about staying busy.  My vinyl business has also take a huge BOOM.  I am so thankful to know that when I pray, God hears my cries and my struggles and he provides.  Ben and I just finished The Warrior Dash in Manchester.  It was a 3.14 mile run with 12 obstacles.  IT WAS AWESOME.  I was so worried the days and weeks before it.  I didn't want to disappoint myself or Ben.  Let me tell you something......I did every one of those obstacles all by myself.  Even the 10 foot tall wall.  I had a great friend tell me that the wall was my Goliath.  I conquered that Goliath with ease.  I am so proud of myself for accomplishing what I did on Saturday.  I had Phil 4:13 written all over my arms.  Look it up....See what it says.  It was so true on Saturday for me.  So where do I go next.  I think it is half-marathon time.  The Music City Marathon in Nashville is in April.  They have a half-marathon so I do believe you will see me running in that.  I know my time will not be good but it is not the time but it is the finish.  I read somewhere that "No matter how slow you are, you WILL always be faster than the person on the couch".  That is TRUE!!!  I want to challenge everyone to get up off the couch and MOVE.  Remember if your not moving, your not losing (quoted from the Biggest Loser).  I have struggled the past 9 months to find my place in life.  I am still not sure I know what it is but I do know the biggest part is to be the best Christian and Witness for Christ I can be.  I also want to inspire others to get healthy.  Who know what you can accomplish....Maybe even The Warrior Dash.  Who knew I could do an event like that.  I have to say "Thank You" to Lisa Dudley for having faith in me and pushing me to my limits.  You were truly brought into my life to show me who I really am.  Well, I have rambled enough tonight.  Everyone have a blessed night.  Who can I inspire tomorrow?

A New Year!!!

The year 2010 was quite a ride.  So many memorable things happened during the year.  I can honestly say that it was a good year.  I began a new adventure in August.........Running. I am ready to continue with that adventure but step it up a little.  I want to train for a half marathon.  My goal is lose 20 more pounds during the training.  I have also applied to teach aerobics again.  I have not taught aerobics in over 9 years but I am ready to start back.  Hopefully, they will hire me.

Another goal is to be a Better Witness.  I want people to know that I LOVE JESUS with all of my heart.  I struggle with "letting my light shine".  I want to live my life the exact same way away from church as I do at church.

My last three goals are to be a better wife, better mom, and spend less money.

Better wife-I want Ben to know how much I love him.  I am so thankful that he is my husband and Caleb's dad.  He provides for us, leads us, and comforts us.  I appreciate him more than he will ever know.

Better Mom-I want Caleb to know that I love him unconditionally.  He is an amazing little boy.  God has blessed me beyond belief.  I want Caleb to know that I will get upset with him at times.  I may raise my voice.  I may discipline him but I love him, and I am only doing these things to make him a better child.

Spend Less Money-Coupons, Eating at Home, Cutting Out Trips to Town, Turning off Lights, Turning Down the Thermostat....etc!

Those are all of my goals for 2011.  I am hopeful that by December 2011, I can honestly say that I have accomplished all of these. 

Thankfulness!!!

I just watched "Biggest Loser-Where are they now" and was so moved.  It showed many past contestants doing 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, full marathons, and a triathlons. I cried hearing what they were saying.  They weren't necessarily concerned with winning a race but it was to FINISH the race.  I can joyfully say I have FINISHED two 5Ks.  I will be running my 3rd one on Saturday.  I will probably never be in the "race" for a trophy or medal but I will always be doing something that makes me proud of myself.  I can finally say I am so very proud of myself for accomplishing this in life.  I have so many things to be thankful for this year.  My salvation, husband, beautiful little boy, my family, my friends, my house.......I could go on forever.  But this year I can say I am thankful that I have been persistent in my journey of running and being healthier.  I am not dropping pounds right and left but I am slowly but surely "finishing" my race or losing weight.  I challenge all people who think it is not possible to regain your life back....Look at me!!!  I am a kidney transplant patient (4 yrs ago) who accomplished this.  Keep up the good work everyone!!

It has been awhile!

Since my last post I ran yet another 5K race.  My time did not improve at all but I finished.  Remember back when I said running the trail on Country Club Drive always intimidated me?  Well, I conquered it during the Robert E. Lee Great Pumpkin 5K.  I am very proud of myself.  Now, on to the next one on November 27th.  Training has been lacking lately due to crafts that I am making.  I will post pictures soon of the Ballerina Tutus, Leg Warmers, and Vinyl Lettering.

I FINSHED!!!!!

Today was the Cue for the Cure 5K run/walk in Lynchburg.  We left the house around 6:20 this morning heading to Lynchburg.  I cannot tell you how many emotions I was going through.  I was so nervous.  Once we arrived, my brother and nephew(who was also running) was there.  That was reassuring to see them.  I had many family members there.  Caleb was so encouraging all morning, except when he told me this was nuts because it was dark when we woke up.  LOL!!!  We started the run at 7:30 AM.  It was SO cold.  My hands and legs were freezing.  The first half mile was hard but then I seemed to get into a rhythm.  I wanted to walk so bad after the first 1 mile but I kept praying.  I could feel God pushing me the entire way.  Near the finish line, I looked up and my brother was standing there waiting on me.  He ran a short distance with me and said "Your running it in my yourself."  It was amazing to see him waiting on me.  When I topped the last hill the first people I could see was Ben and Caleb.  I started crying at that point finished the run in 45 minutes. The time is HORRIBLE but the amount of self-confidence I gained was AMAZING.  I am so proud of myself for doing this.  Yeah, my legs hurt now but the pain is so worth it.  I never thought I could say "I ran a 5K."  The past 9 weeks have been long and hurt but the end result was more than I could ever imagine.  I think I have the running bug now.  I am planning on running a 5K next weekend.  My ultimate goal is a half marathon.  Let the fun begin!!!