Training Day 3

So day three of my 16 week half marathon training plan is complete and to be honest I am sore...not overly, but I'm feeling it. Not sure if it's the cross training I did yesterday...which by the way I AM feeling...mostly in my arms and neck. I can see this training isn't going to be a walk in the park...it's going to be a challenge for sure.

Today I did my second set of speed intervals. I decided to stay with a 400m distance the whole time...don't want to overdo it. I'm not sure if it was just the fact that I was tired and sore from yesterday, but this set I seemed to struggle a little more than last week's intervals. I did 7 sets of 400m like last week, though I only took one lap to recover instead of 2. On intervals 5 and 6 I was bottoming out for sure, but for some reason interval 7 I didn't feel too bad...maybe it was because I knew I was about done...lol. Regardless I did it and I was able to keep a pace (even with my walking recovery laps) of 9'54" which isn't too bad for a not so young thing. I'm hoping that this training will get me to where I need to be by May...completing my first half marathon. That's the goal and that's all that matters. Blood, sweat and tears are part of the package...but hopefully there will be sweet victory in the end.

My biggest challenge....pacing. Learning to pace myself properly. A 5K pace is far different than a half marathon pace. Learning that running a race is not just physical, but there are a lot of mental components that go into it as well. My biggest challenge is making sure not to give too much too soon. Learning that going slow at first will benefit me towards the end...saving some of that energy for when I'm at mile 12 where I'll be tempted to give up. That will be my biggest struggle I can see. Hopefully these next 16 weeks of training will help me work that out.

On another note...took my middle son Brennan to Freshman scheduling orientation last night. Honestly I'm in shock...how did this happen??? I struggled with Austin becoming a Freshman, but I knew for a while that was looming over the horizon. With Brennan I feel like it just snuck up on me. Where did my sweet big hearted Brennie Gene go?? Wasn't he that shy little kid I just took to Kindergarten?? Wow...when they said that once they start school it goes by fast, they weren't kidding...especially when they get to Jr and Sr. High. Geesh!! They all are growing up to fast and it make me incredibly sad. But so proud of what they are becoming.

So tonight I am taking another cooking class at The Village Pantry. If you have not taken a class there, you need too...they have great recipes and are so very gracious. The owners Chris and Jenny Wilson are great and work so well together. You can tell that this is their passion. Tonight's class also includes Ed Kiefer of Kiefer's Florist giving some great decorating tips. Took a class with him last week...very informative. I was relieved to know that I'm obviously on the right track with the redecorating of my house. Tonight Ed is going to talk about texture and more decorating tips. I'm not sure if tonight's class is sold out, (they usually sell out pretty quickly) but you can give The Village Pantry a call if you are interested.

Well I'm going to leave you today with a picture I put on my Facebook page for my 365 day photo challenge...today's photo was to do with a good habit. The best good habit I can say I have right now of course is running...best thing I've ever done for myself. But a good habit is even better when shared. This is a pic of my friends Lori Varns, Leslie Warner and Juanita Welch after our CCMH 5K this past October. It was a miserable rainy day that day, but despite that I think the majority of us beat our own PR's that day. A memorable day indeed.

Have a great day everyone!

Today I am...

...helping oldest with his first research paper...UGGHH!

...fighting a headache and my back and hip being out of place.

...organizing my bookmarked scrapbooking sites...too many of them and some of them just have to go...all a part of my year of organizing!

...looking through the Signature Homestyles catalog trying to see what I want to order. Another attempt at my year of organization!

...FREEZING!!! It's stinkin' cold in Ohio today.

...trying to be obedient and not eat too much sugar today since I kind of went a bit overboard with some tapioca pudding and a couple peanut butter cookies yesterday.

...wishing I was having another therapy lunch with my friend JoAnn...I love our new friendship and our bi-weekly therapy lunches!

...now finished with the February Church calendar! Woo-hoo!

...looking forward to a night in with my family...our usual Friday night ritual of movies. On tonights menu...Ice Age: The Meltdown and maybe No Greater Love for hubby and I later.

...tired and hoping that I can relax a bit tonight.

...going to be picking up my boys soon from school.

...despite my headache and feeling drained today, I am thankful for my God and Savior that gets me through each and every day!

...thankful for my wonderful family and friends.

What are you up to today??

On this note I leave you with a random (and maybe distrubing photo). I found this snowman in my yard after coming home from grocery shopping a couple weeks ago....I'm thinking maybe my boys have humungous imaginations or maybe they just need therapy. What do you think??? The Jedi Council may just be looking these boys up someday...LOL!

I hate this part...

First of all many apologies for the lack of writing here on my blog...the last few months have been hectic and stressful, but things are looking up and God I know is going to do great things in our lives for 2010!

The end of 2009 was very very stressful with me going to the emergency room twice (once was an overnight stay) and Hubby having a throat scope and biopsy done. First time I went to the ER was for a supposed ovarian cyst that burst (which hurt like the dickens and I say supposed because they never really could tell me for 100% sure that that was my problem). Second time was for a very bad pain on my right side...come to find out I have gall stones and they suggested that I have it removed. However, me being a rebel and not really wanting or feeling like going through surgery (after all I AM a mom...I don't have time for a stinkin' surgery...LOL!) After seeing my doctor, they determined not only was the gall bladder a problem but again my kidneys were again infected and I had an internal yeast infection (whatever that is)....so I was put on antibiotics...which in all honesty didn't make me feel much better...so again being the rebel that I am I decided to take my health into my own hands...I threw away the antibiotics and began reading things about health....come to find out that the antibiotics I was on were probably making my symptoms worse and that it actually killed off the good bacteria in my body making the bad bacteria thrive...so I began to take action. After some help (and coconut water from my sister) I decided it was time for a life chage and a more healthy lifestyle. After the holidays I began watching what I ate and doing things a bit differently...and right now I'd have to say I feel so much better...and God has been with me all the way. Ironically our church began a 21 day fast 2 1/2 weeks ago...which really helped kick in the new healthy lifestyle I was wanting to start. So for my fast I gave up all sugars and yeast based products. Right now I am on the last week of the fast and I haven't felt this good in a very long time. So far I have lost 8 pounds (not that I'm doing this to lose weight) and I feel much better. And let me tell you when you take sugar out of your diet (even natural sugar) boy does it ever limit you on what you can eat...hubby has been doing this fast alongside me and though it's had its rough moments God has helped us through. I'm hoping that after Sunday (which is the end of the fast) that I don't go overboard :-) But I think that now that after three weeks and I'm starting to feel so good will help motivate me to watch what I eat, watch my sugar intake and hopefully take better care of me. Funny thing since starting this fast I haven't had even a smidge of stomach problems like I had before going into the hospital. And hubby hasn't had a bit of acid reflux either...hmmm. It's been good and God is good!

So the boys have been growing...maybe the better word is maturing...and I'm hating it...hating it with a passion!! I mean I know they need to and I'm glad that they are, but I miss my little guys. Tonight was a "running into the brick wall" moment for me when Brennan tells me he was too old now to do our nightly ritual...ever since I can remember Brennan and I always said goodnight by giving each other a hug, a kiss and a nosey nosey....tonight he told me he's too old for it. Broke my heart. Colton let our new dog Milo use his blanket...the blanket he's had since he was a baby....I knew that day was coming soon, but man I didn't want to see it. Golly why do they have to grow up! Colton's top tooth is about to come out at any moment and I'm hating that too....it's like all of a sudden they are on microwave mode and growing up faster than I can keep up...ugghhh!

Now I've mentioned before that I don't do New Year's resolutions...but this year I have begun organizing my life a little better...in baby steps though. LOL! It's funny how after having three kids you turn around and see your life so disorganized that you can't even find yourself...so this year I'm determined to become more organized. So I've already begun in the living room, fridge and now working on my craft desk (again!) and shelves in the dining room and so far so good. Each day I'm picking an area to work on...baby steps. Hubby already worked on the basement a bit...I think the goal is obtainable! I'm feeling so good this year and about 2010...I know God has many great things in store!

So that's life so far in a nutshell at the moment...I was sick, hubby had throat scope, which by the way there are a few spots they want to keep an eye on and he has to go back in a year and be scoped again...I've taken a bit of control on my health and eating habits...and my boys are growing up way too fast. Such is life and life will keep going even though I want it to slow down. And I'm trying to organize my life. So there you go...

How is 2010 looking for you???

Time passes so quickly...

I have been so busy lately...and I've been missing being on here in blogger-land...but life and time passes so quickly...took some time this past weekend to take in some of the fall season during the annual area Fall Farm & Foliage Tour. What a beautiful weekend for it too! A bit nippy at first, but OK towards the end. However this year was a different year for me...it was just Colton and I this year. Austin...well....he just wasn't at all interested in going so ironically Papa stopped by that morning and saved him from my "evil plan of taking him out into nature". Brennan...well...my brave and amazing Brennan went on his first official Cub Scout camp out (and man was it ever cold the night they camped...I felt so sorry for him and every moment I was awake that night I prayed for those guys!) Hubby went camping with him too...in a tent I'll have you know....and if you know my hubby a tent is NOT how you camp...camping is pulling in with the motor home with satelite TV, air conditioning and the works (of course a heater this weekend would have been SUPER!) Needless to say they overall had a wonderful time...Brennan can't wait to do it again. Though I have to say I had the most terrible time dropping him off...I cried when I left him...I've never left him behind like that before...I mean he's been to Grandma & Papa's and the neighbor's house, but to leave him to go on a camp out with a bunch of other boys and I wouldn't be there....it bothered me a lot...I'm very protective of that little guy...it was rough and I'll just leave it at that.
That's when I realized how fast these boys are growing up...Austin is pushing those teen years (uck!) and Brennan is sprouting again and I can't get enough food in that kid at the moment...I swear I'm going to walk in the kitchen and all our food is going to be gone! And Colton...can I just say how much fun I had with Colton during the Farm Tours...we don't get a lot of mommy Coltie time anymore like we used to so it was kind of nice. He's growing up so fast too and boy is he ever sharp and smart! He has a way and a charm about him...which is his saving grace let me tell ya!
Well off to another week of busyness...I'm praying that at some point this all starts to slow down some, but I'm not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel yet...maybe someday.

Later~

Not much longer...

So the eternal question to mothers right about this time of year is, "So, are you ready to send your kids back to school?" Now if you would have asked me last week I would have said NO...I really do enjoy having my boys home and knowing that they are safe here...but if you were to ask me this week...I'd give you a resounding YES! Isn't it funny how life just cycles like that. Though I'm still scratching my head wondering where the summer went...I can tell that the boys are ready to go back to school because they are just SICK of each other and they are currently in that "I'm just enjoying picking on you and thus annoying mom to the fullest extent" stage. And so life goes...but honestly, though I've enjoyed the summer (again wherever it went) but I'm ready to go back to some sort of routine...summer is bunches of fun wuth the freedom of not having to be anywhere and all, but it's time to get back into a routine...I'm ready....not for the early mornings mind you, but a routine nonetheless.

Been busy with VBS this week. I was in charge of crafts again this year. And this year we took the VBS to the kids. We went to a local playground about 4 blocks from our church and held our VBS there. Overall it has been really good and thank God the weather has been really good...we were supposed to get rain Tuesday and yesterday, but God held it off and we have had a great time with the kids.

Now with VBS about over it's time to gear towards our next camping trip which will again be at the Brown Farm...we'll be staying up there 3 days next week and having the youngest one's birthday party up there. Hard to believe he's going to be six....he's, well they all are growing up so fast.

Well I better go for now...lots to do.

Out of the mouths of babes...

OK...I have to say...my boys just crack me up...Now my two older boys have been very busy taking their state tests the past two weeks....now yesterday before we left for school Brennan frantically tells me..."Mom, Mom...I think today is hat day at school." I look at him kind of funny because usually they tell parents when they are having these "special priviledges" at school. I'm like "really buddy??"...he's like..."yeah mom...my teacher told us that we needed to bring our brain hat."...I stood there and thought for a moment...brain hat?? Then it hit me..."You mean thinking cap buddy?"...."Yeah that's it mom...I need my thinking cap...can we get it?"

Hee-hee...gotta love 'em!

Also if you happen to be surfing the net and are a digi scrapper...check out these Freebeies at FaithSisters.

Hope you are having a good week.

So Let's Review...

OK...I just have to say how cute my boys are right now...last night we were getting the boys ready for bed...and hubby asks Colton if he got his card flipped at school (card flipping is our school's form of discipline for those who may not know)...and Colton unfortunately did yesterday...I guess him and another boy were hiding instead of going to the Art room. Of course his 5 year old (and very intelligent) brain tries to explain to his daddy why he got his card flipped...well daddy I wasn't really hiding I was just playing and I wasn'tready to go into the room yet. When hubby asked Colton to explain again what he did...he looks at his daddy plainly and tells him...OK daddy....Let's review...I lost it...I had to walk away...where does this little guy get this stuff...it's like the day at church when he wanted me to spell sun for him (he kept spelling it s i n...appropriate at church I guess)...and after I spell it for him he says, "That's very interesting Mom." He is such a trip!

Then there is Brennan who came home yesterday with bandages on his elbow and leg..his leg all skinned up...I asked him what happened...He tells me he caught the football and another boy pushed him to the ground to get the football. Now if you know Brennan he doesn't play much with the other kids...he says he has no friends and he usually plays alone on the playground...so I honestly was kind of excited to hear that he was playing football with other kids...after a long conversation...come to find out he wasn't actually playing the game...he was in the middle of the field and accidentally caught the football...he wasn't actually in the game, he was just in the wrong place and happened to catch the ball and caught dirt too in the process...I was upset to hear the boy who pushed him didn't apologize, but one of the big prayers I have had this year is that Brennan would have a friend. And the last couple months he's mentioned this boy that has been playing with him and befriending him. Well yesterday this boy saw that Brennan got hurt, personally took him to the office to get cleaned up and gave up his recess to help my Brennie...I was so touched by that...and the power of how God answers a mother's prayer. God is good! It's good to know that even amongst children there are those who truly care about others.

Hoping to watch Hans Christian Anderson with the boys this weekend (yes the 50's Danny Kaye movie)...hope they enjoy it like I did as a kid.

Oh...also...If you are a scrapper and well if you are obsessed with it as I am...you know next weekend is National Scrapbooking Weekend...well in honor of that Faith Sisters is having a celebration on their web-site...there will be prizes, scrapping and tons of fun....so stop on by...you know I'll be there ;-)

Have a super weekend!

Back to life....back to reality...and Lurker where are you? I've got a prize for you!

OK...now that I have that crazy song playing in your head...been extremely busy lately...busy at the school, busy doing things for the church, busy at home, busy trying to get things squared away...just lots going on....today it was another non-stop day. Had to go to the school for "Pastries for Parents" day...it's their finale for their Right to Read week...and they got to wear their pajamas to school today...it was great to go to the school and eat donuts with my babies! Then it was off running errands and grocery shopping (man is that ever getting expensive anymore!) and then hubby took me out to lunch at English Ivy...yummm...I had a bowl of their Mexican Cheese soup...oh my...so delicious...my favorite soup from there...so tasty and spicy! Then I was home for less than an hour and had to pick up the boys again...man these days just go faster and faster!

On to other things...I did get my movie that I mentioned in the previous post Dan In Real Life...so cute...may watch it again tonight...maybe while I'm working in the office that is. Oh also rented Indiana Jones first movie...can you believe I've never seen this movie all the way through?

OK...you may have noticed that I have this map on the right hand side of my screen...tells me where in the world people are reading my blog...I'm amazed as to where people are reading from...Montana, California...even Singapore?!?! (Jaz is that you???) So I want to prompt you out of your lurking...I know all who read may not be scrappers, but I'm going to make the assumption that you are...so if you post a comment to this post....just say Hi...(a name would be nice too, but I'm not picky) I will pick a name at random this Thursday evening and you will be the happy new owner of these foam stamps. So come on...quit lurking and talk to me ;-)

Have a great weekend all!

Whatcha doin'??

I'm sure that is what you all are wondering...been busy...truly...honestly it's been like a week since I've really been on this computer to play or anything. Check the occasional e-mail, but that's about it...I haven't even parused others blogs like I usually do....been busy doing other things.

First the boys had their birthday party this past Saturday. It's so hard to believe that my babies are 9 and soon to be 11 (March 13th). Where has the time gone? They really didn't have much of a theme to their party this year...sent out Transformers invitations and then Bren wanted Ratatouille...so I got a Ratatouille cake. Never thought I'd see the day where there would be a rat on my boys birthday cake ;-)

Dealing with sickness here noe too...Austin started with the Bronchitis late last week then Colton started with a cold yesterday. He's home right now enjying some Mommy time. Then I just got a call from the school..they are sending the kids home early today because of the weather. Supposed to get 8-10 inches more of the lovely white stuff by Saturday. Not fun! Spring just seems to keep alluding us. Oh Spring where art though?!?!?

Also I've started reading some more, which is pretty amazing for me because I'm truly not much of a reader...If I finish a book it's truly an amazing feat. I'm in the middle of reading Ricke Warren's "Purpose Driven Life" again...read it about 5 years ago, felt the need to re-read it again without the pressure of going through the church campaign...good stuff in there. Also finished (finally) a book I've been trying to get through for a while and never finished Stasi Eldredge's book "Captivating". Really good book. Explains a lot. I was in a Bible study with it once (never finished), tried reading it another time, again didn't finish, but this week I finally finished it. It felt good to finally finish something. Not sure what I'm going to read next...any suggestions??

Well other than that just keeping busy with the usual with homelife, snow days, sickness, scrapbooking (there are new challenges up at Faithsisters.com), and just trying to get past my sickness of CABIN FEVER.

Well got some things to take care of...boys will be home soon. Later~

From our house to yours...

Wishing everyone a very Happy Halloween!!

Still alive...still painting...almost done with Austin's room...hopefully by the weekend (cause I just want to be done with it!) Kitchen is still gutted...new electric for kitchen goes in Friday. Hopefully new countertop next week (really hoping). Still sick though feeling much better other than an irritating cough that won't go away. Boys went trick or treating tonight...Austin was a Jedi (of course), Brennan ended up being a cross between a vampire and a pirate...we called it a Vampirate....and Colton has for months said he was going to be the black spiderman...tonight he changed his mind and for the third year in a row...he went as the regular Spiderman...guess when you've got a good thing going you stick with it...he's wearing Brennan's old Spiderman outfit now...luckily there is always Austin's Spiderman outfit when outgrows Brennan's...who knows how long this Spiderman thing will last ;-) Will post pictures of the boys once I get them downloaded...right now I'm going to go take some cough medicine, hack up a lung and hit the hay. Happy Fall everyone!

Has it almost been a week already?!!?!?

Sorry about being gone...nothing like trying to get back into a routine to throw you for a loop. Needless to say we've been doing pretty well getting back into the swing of school. Here are a few Austin & Brennan first day pics...


Today was Colton's first day of school...he was so ready to go...he was ready way before his brothers were and couldn't seem to wait to be a "big boy" and go to school like his big brothers do. He did so well pretty much telling me and his daddy "see ya later" and have a good day, but I'm ready to move on with my life now...kind of thing. And no I didn't cry or blubber like a baby. ( I did get a little teary eyed when I pulled up to the light leaving the school, but that's all.) Honestly I was just so proud of him and how well he did and how well I know he's going to do. Just very very proud. Here are some pics from his first day:

He started with this outfit....but then wanted something like Austin was wearing today so he had to switch to his new Power Rangers outfit...which I initially was going to put him in in the first place...guess he knows best. Colton showing his attitude with his spikey hair!
Miss Cores asked Colton to find his seat and start kneading the clay into a ball for her. He had a nice brick of blue clay...of course in true Colton fashion..."I want the yellow one." To which Miss Cores replies "I need you to use the blue today please." To which he of course replied..."I like the yellow one better." Of course Miss Cores told him maybe another day he could have the yellow, but today he was to have the blue. Oh my little determined independent one. I hope Miss Cores knows what she's in for. Here is a pic of him leaving school today...he said he enjoyed kindergarten and liked school a lot.
Though (to no surprise to me) I guess I need to work on him not talking when someone else is talking because I guess he did get in a little trouble for speaking while Miss Cores was speaking. After school he of course in true Colton fashion tells me..."No, she was talking while I was talking." Oh my...I guess I need to go over a few of the "good manners" rules again.

Overall it was a good day. My neighbor took me out to lunch with her daughter Alaina who was home from school to our favorite restaurant The Yucatan. Very tasty! Chips and salsa!

Then hubby brought his mom's Endeavor over for me to clean and detail this afternoon...guess he didn't want me to be bored or depressed...as he said "I didn't want you being all depressed today so I thought I'd keep your mind busy." I thought the honey do list was supposed to work the other way around ;-) It really wasn't all that bad and yes it did keep my mind busy.

Well needless to say I'm tired...these getting up early in the mornings mean I can't seem to stay up as long, which I guess is a good thing.

Oh, BTW...looks like I'm going camping with my little sister and nephew this weekend....can't wait. My boys have never been "camping" before. Should be a cool trip!

He's Ready...

Can't believe this time is finally here...signed up my baby for kindergarten last night...he was SSSOOO excited...he actually thought that he was starting school and couldn't wait to get to the school....of course with his "Here I am" attitude. (grin)

Of course he was all excited about school until Brennan burst his bubble and told him he had to get shots before he started school...of course he's NOT excited about that...but he will be getting his shots May 8th...and I'm sure he'll be fine.

As each day goes by right now I feel like my babies are slowly slipping through my hands and first of all I thank God for blessing me with these little bundles of energy...I wouldn't change it for the world. I know there are days, but when I think about the whole package...it's really all worth it. Yet, it's sad...they are not meant to be here forever I know...(which is a good AND bad thing)...they are only here for me "teach them the way they should go" and then allow them to take what was taught them and make a life of their own. So I will cherish the moments I have on this journey...through memories, through my scrapbooks, through my journals...and hold them in my heart always.

May you take a moment today to cherish the life God has blessed you with.

So much to talk about....

So much to talk about since I was last on here...where to start...hmm..this may be like another one of my rambling posts so forgive me...

Well...went to a play on Friday night with my neighbors...met my neighbor's co-worker...he was really good in the play...impressed.

Saturday...had to clean my bathroom carpet because one of the girls had a little accident Friday night...so when I drag out my carpet machine I usually do as much as I can on a full tank of "cleaner". So I did my bathroom, the chairs in the dining room (which were going to get done next month anyway since the girls will be gone), and my back porch. I even had the boys helping me Saturday with my "spring cleaning" and they actually helped out cleaning the back porch for me, washing windows, cleaning walls...it tickled my heart and we were actually having a good time...it was nice. I also pulled weeds and mulched my back garden...by evening I was whipped.

Also my very good friend (we've been friends since 6th grade) came to visit for a couple hours on Saturday. It was nice.

Traveled to see Pastor Dean and Rachel and Pastor Lisa on Sunday at their church. It was so nice to see them again...and not only that, they invited me to sing on their praise team. It was like old times and though I don't think I did them any justice (they tend to sing a little low for me), I SOOO enjoyed doing it...and I know God smiled cause I was making a joyful noise anyway. They had a missionary speaking at their church and they were so awesome. My hubby was even moved to tears, which I won't even go on that dynamic...but they were really good...they are missionaries to the Indian Reservations in Arizona. Then we had a nice international lunch at the church and then went to a park to visit so the kids could play and we wouldn't get interrupted while we visited...was a great time.

Got home in enough time to go to my Praise Team practice...and I'll be honest....after traveling I really didn't want to go to practice...I was so tired and had a slight headache to boot, but I went...I was 15 minutes late, but I was there...and it was a good thing cause it was just Joann, Michelle and myself. And we practiced anyway and you could just feel the spirit of God while we practiced...it sounded so great (not that I'm bragging about myself...please), but it really did sound good. I was uplifted and I left with a smile on my face and I wasn't quite as tired.

Today I watched the girls of course and got my laundry done and got dinner and fed the kids and had the dishes washed before my 6:00 meeting...I was boogying. Right now I'm trying to get some e-Bay done so I can get some $$ for Disney (taking a break at the moment of course) and hoping to get a church calendar started, some minutes from my meetings typed up...we'll see how it goes.

My baby gets signed up for kindergarten tomorrow ....can't believe this is finally here...wow...also I'll probably sign him up for Safety City tomorrow too...it's a week long thing that teaches kids about dialing 911, stranger danger, fire safety, gun safety and respecting street signs, crossing the street properly...my other two boys went through it...can't believe that it's Colton's turn...suddenly I'm really starting to feel old.

Got our dinner reservations made for Disney....YIPEEE.





Well I better get back to work...

Ever have one of those weeks...

where you just can't help but shake your head and ask yourself...where did the week go??? Pretty much how this week has been. Kid's finally had a full week of school, meetings this week...hubby working LOTS of hours...just tons of little things really going on...glad it's Friday.

Hubby and I watched a really good movie last night...If Only. A nice romantic movie about a couple who after a tragedy, gets a second chance. I'm not much of a crier...this one made me cry for some reason. Check it out. Also if you know if there is a soundtrack or CD where I can find the song that Jennifer Love Hewitt sings in this movie...please let me know....gotta have it! Here's a video of the song from this movie:

Love Will Show You Everything

I don't know if it's been the books I've been reading and the movies I've been watching lately, but I've been thinking a lot about life, how fleeting it is, what my purpose is, about heaven and what's in store for me, and just all things on that tangent...like the Bible says...we are vapor...merely here for a moment...here one minute and gone the next. We are here for a purpose. I've heard all these things before, but for some reason it's finally hitting home into my blonde little brain. There's more to life than just me and my tiny little bubble I'm in. God is so amazing...He has an amazing plan for all of us and even if we may not be obedient to His plan He will fulfill His plan with or without us...how cool is it when we ARE obedient and become a part of that grand plan.

Like I told my hubby last night....several several months ago I really struggled with MY purpose. Couldn't quite see what my purpose was and why I was here...now I know that my purpose is to be the best Mom that I can and to raise my children the best way I can with God's help. And also to be my husband's best friend and complete him for lack of a better term. Once I came to terms with that, it made me feel better about me and what my job is in this life. Stay at home mom's get a bad rap in my opinion...we have one of the most important jobs in the world IMO.

On that tangent...I usually try to read the Bible to the boys before they leave for school in the morning. My middle son Brennan was in one of his moods the other day and told me...Mommy I don't know why you read that...I never remember what you read. Kind of broke my heart and made me wonder if I was wasting my time...after some prayer and reflection I will not stop reading to them even if it may seem that I'm wasting my time...The devil wants me to be discouraged...and yes maybe they won't remember what I read, but maybe just maybe a tiny seed will be planted and something will sprout from my efforts. It doen't have a chance if I quit now does it?!!? So devil...try all you want...I'm not stopping. I know that God is going to allow something to get through to them...and even so...hopefully when they look back on their lives they will remember the times that their Mommy read God's word to them. Just had to share that.

On a different note...another season of American Idol has begun...unfortunately because of a lengthy meeting I missed seeing the guys sing...but what I saw of them (recap after the show...I wasn't overly impressed...though I kinda liked Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh, and though I wasn't impressed with his performance Brandon Rogers was good during the auditions. As far as the ladies go...WOW...in fact hubby was impressed and even voted...he's never voted before. Our fav thus far...LaKisha Jones...blew everyone else away...and her story touches my heart...I really like her. Also two other favs were Stephanie Edwards and Melinda Doolittle. I think they will go far in this competition. So as far as those who got cut...didn't see that show either, but I'm surprised most that Antonella Barba made it through...I was surprised when she made it to the top 24 honestly. I thought her performance was karaoke at best. Maybe it's just her looks that are helping her through. Just my opinion. Don't get me wrong, she has a nice voice...the song was wrong and I'm just not sure that she's cut out to be a professional. Again my opinion. Also don't care for Sundance...another one that I was surprised to see make it through...and thought he should have gone.

I know this was a weird and rambly post, but I've got three 4 year olds running around me...that may be why ;-) But I just had to share my week...even if it wasn't the most opportune time.

Have a great weekend and may you never forget God's purpose for you!