join me :)

I have been seriously slacking. And I feel it :( Blah, yuck.  I want back that healthy feeling.  I will go running this afternoon when I get home. I will. I will.

I joined this Pile on the Miles challenge for the month of November. I set my goal at running 50 miles for the month.  According to my runtastic app I have only run 18.36 miles in October (not counting today of course).  And according to the daily mile widget on my side bar I have only run like 116 miles overall since I started in June.  So it maybe a bit of a challenge...but I think I can DO IT!



Join my, strive to get a little healthier this holiday season.  Pile on the miles instead of the pounds!

Along with continuing on my journey to being increasingly physically healthy, I am working towords being spritiually and emotional healthy.

Our church is engaged in a Thanksgiving Challenge to have everyone count 100 gifts before our Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday November 24.  

This morning I read a great blog entry over at even the sparrow.  She is starting a 30 day Thanksgiving Challenge.  She will have posts and prompts on her Facebook page.  I invite you to join me in this too.  There is always room to be more grateful.

Last night I broke out some of my Thanksgiving Decor.  My Thankful banner is having a little trouble staying up this year.  Not quite sure what to do about that. Short of staple gunning it to the mantel but pretty sure the mister wouldn't go for that! ;P

Be blessed :) Tonight is our Harvest Party at church.  I will post pictures later of that and the kiddies in their costumes.

its the little things

I am especially thankful for soup on this deliciously fally day.  I made a big pot of soup to take to my Mom's last night.

Yesterday was my sister's birthday, she is also in the midst of moving to a different apartment.  Last night my mister was helping to move a treadmill from her old apartment to my parents house, for the time being.  Mom called around lunch time asking what I had planned for supper.  Since I had neglected to take the meat out of the freezer and had just stumbled upon a delicious looking soup via pinterest, it was soup. Mom was planning soup too and asked if I wanted to make my soup, bring it by their place and we could have a little impromptu birthday supper.  And so we did. :D

I am happy that I made a large-ish pot and have a sizable amount left over.  I brought a bowl with me for lunch today, along with sweet potato chips and pumpkin bread. Yum! Yum!

Bacon Corn Chowder

You can see the original recipe here.  I roughly followed it, did a few things different, added a couple things, of course.

• 6 slices of bacon, cut in small pieces 
• 3 large potato, diced 
• 1/2 of a small onion, diced 
• 1 bag of frozen corn 
• 4 cups of chicken broth
•  4 cups of milk  
• 1 tsp. salt 
• 1/2 tsp. pepper 
• 1 tsp. parsley flakes
• 1/2 tsp. thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1(ish) cup cheddar cheese

  Cut bacon with kitchen scissors and fry until almost done. Add diced potatoes and onions. Saute until bacon is done.
Add chicken broth. Simmer until potatoes are tender Add milk, corn and seasonings. Stir in cheese.
Heat until warmed though and cheese is melted.
Mine simmered for quite awhile just because we were waiting a bit ;)  It was stupendous.  Adding it to my must make again file. ;-)

This morning I also reclaimed my dry sink/coffee bar.  I have grown increasingly weary of clutter piled here and there. I am going to work on one area (at least) each day, hopefully while maintaining the previously decluttered areas.  In an effort to make our home more restful and haven like.

Here is my freshly cleaned beverage station :D I feel so much better already...up next the piano. Yikes!

Victory!

This morning I was victorious! I conquered laziness, excuses and my "it's too cold" attitude. I went for a run.  It was hard at first.  But then it was glorious! I felt so good.  It was such a great morning, the sun bursting from behind the clouds.  It was chilly, my lower half was really cold.  Must get warmer pants ;) I almost wore my running capris underneath.  Now I wish I did ;P  But still it was good.  Left me feeling a little more confident that I won't go through the whole winter without running.

Running down to the creek is my favorite part.  I love the water.  Today I snapped this pic of myself standing on the bridge. Perfection. Bliss.

The trees in our yard.  They looked better in person.  The leaves golden, sunlight streaming through from behind the clouds.

Last night was Hannah's very first girl scout meeting. It was their Halloween party. I had to make a dash to Target to pick up an Ariel costume. The last one,over priced, not sure it would fit Ariel Costume.  All the while wishing I had time to sew her one. But her squeals of delight when she got homemade from school made it totally worth it. 

Here she is helping to wrap one of the  leaders like a T.P. mummy.

 

 She had so much fun. Pulling in the driveway at home she declared it to be, "The awesomest night of Girl Scouts!" She can hardly wait for next time.  She is also anxious for a trip to the girl scout store to get her "Brownie Vest", Mik too is in need of a new sash.

Blah

I feel so tired and discouraged tonight. Like a complete fraud. I am kicking myself for not getting out and running :( today or yesterday. I let the cold dissuade  me. And tomorrow it's supposed to snow! Yikes!

I don't like the cold. At all. Period.

I feel yucky. I can tell that I need to go out and run. I need a swift kick in the buns! Sigh. 

How do I motivate myself? Get myself to brave the chilly "brisk" fall air or worse the winter weather to come? Any tips for staying active through those long cold winter months. I miss running. I just need to bite the bullet, lace up and get out there!

A couple thoughts to get me going-

•run this virtual race

http://momsrunthistown.com/winter-virtual-race/

•do the chilly chili run in January -- if I can find my inner winter runner ;P

•go to tjmaxx and get some warmer running duds

 

what makes it home?

I love our Church, I really do.  I know I have said this before.

KCWC is more than a place.  It is more than a group of random people.  To me- it is family. My family.  And that is why I shall never leave it.  I know I shouldn't say never.  We never know what the future holds, we are not guaranteed even one more breath.  But as long as I have breath, and as long as this is where God has me, this is where I shall be.

But truly this Church is part of my heritage.  I love that we have 4 generations currently attending.  That last night we had 4 generations together in one pew. My family has been here from the very beginning. I hope in the future to come many more Nemitz generations will sit in these pews.  I am thankful for the legacy of loving Christ modeled to me by my parents and grandparents.

I am fiercely loyal.  This Church Body is a part of me, and I of it.  I could no sooner abandon it than I could one of my children, or lop off one of my hands. 

I know that there are legitimate reasons for leaving a church.  I know that there are other churches just as good as KCWC.  I also know that sometimes people leave for silly reasons.  Families aren't perfect and neither are churches.  They are made up of people.  People hurt each other, people make mistakes, people sometimes do dumb things, people can be down right mean.  But families seek forgiveness.  Forgive. Grow. Heal.

These last few days we have had Revival Services here.  They were phenomenal. It was such a time of refreshment, of joy, of encouragement, of laughter, of fellowship.  We had a guest speaker, Steve Wingfield.  He was marvelous.  His love for Jesus shining through above all else.

I feel renewed.  Excited about things to come.  I know God is doing wonderful things in this Church Family.  It's your choice if YOU want to be a part.  I am not foolish or prideful enough to think our church is the perfect one for everyone.  But being a true part of a Church Family is so important and such a blessing. :) I hope you will find your home.  The place God has for you to serve and fit perfectly.

Things that spoke to me this weekend:

• The importance of touch and encouraging words
• looking beyond appearances to see the potential
• the difference in preferences and conviction; conviction being something you are willing to die for
• becoming completely "under the influence" of Christ; just as you can tell if someone is under the influence of alcohol. So you should be able to see I am a Christian, by the way I walk, talk and live my everyday life
• Christ will see me through in Victory; He will see me safely to the other side (Mark 4:35-40)
• Little ones are watching, they will learn more by my example than my words

A few more gifts~

• being with my family
• the joy spilling over, bubbling out of everyone
• seeing men gathered to pray over one at the alter
• seeing Mikayla with her friends, beautiful girls inside and out, I treasure them
• hearing Ryan tell me about a friend at school he has been telling about Jesus
• the love, and joy, and peace of Christ
• the reluctance to leave on the last night, wanting to hold on
• the expectation of things to come
• knowing there is power in prayer

uphill

Its been kinda a hard week.  I am just tired.  Really, really tired. And I am seriously doubting my dedication to keep running throughout the winter.  It has been pretty cold the last couple mornings.  It has completely discouraged me from going out in the morning.  In fact it is Friday and my running shoes have been sadly neglected all week. :(

I joined a couple of fitness challenge groups on facebook in an effort to keep myself accountable. One is an ab challenge.  It started a week or so ago.  Today starts the other.  Basically a challenge to get moving 6 out of 7 days.  And give up one bad habit.  I have not decided what to let go, last night my sister suggested coffee.  That will not be happening. I am thinking late night snacks...especially nights I work. :/ For example I came home Tuesday night, had some dinner and then proceeded to eat half a bag of kettle chips while I watched Castle on my phone.

I am working hard to get my meal planning back on track.  It makes my life so much easier.  I loathe deciding what to cook each day.  Decision making is not my strong suit. :P But if I have it all planned out then it makes meal prep and the dreaded grocery shopping so much easier.  I started a new board on pinterest This week's Menu, this way I can easily find my recipes for dinner.  At times I don't even print it, I just pull up the site on my phone and use that.

Here are some keepers from the last week or so

• Bubble up Breakfast Bake- This was a huge hit, next time will probably double it ;)
• Cheesey Chicken and Rice Crockpot- the family loved this too, I was a little short on cheese so it wasn't too cheesy, next time I will load it up. Jess told me about this recipe shared this recipe with me.  Love swapping recipes with my buddies.
• For dessert I made these yummy Butterscotch Apple Blondies...they cut better if you allow them to cool completely.  Also the recipe called for caramel bits, I used butterscotch chips because that's what I had.
• Hush puppies- I actually found them a little bland but the family loved them! Ryan was goggling them up.  I think I will just ramp up the seasonings next time...

Today I will be working on the next weeks menu.

Also looking for a new Bible Study or Devo book.  I don't typically like devotionals, I have had few that are enough "meat" for me.  I want something a little more in depth than a fluffy verse and a little paragraph.  That is not enough to see me through the day.  Its sometimes a nice jumping off point.  But I like having further reading suggestions or questions to keep it going.  I really loved the devotions in my Bible, but have done them multiple times.  I think its time for something new... I don't really want a new devo Bible because I love my Bible, I like that it looks worn and loved, has coffee stains and scribbles from Hannah, as well as notes and prayers jotted in.  Do you have a devo or study you have done and loved.  Any tips to freshen up a stale quiet time.

Just read this devo in my email, "meal planning".  How funny :) Talks about the importance of getting into God's Word daily.  Also think I might do the study suggested at the end on 1 Peter.  God really does supply our needs if we just open our eyes and look!

Next week is going to be better.  Dig in the Word, get out and run.  I think the lack of both is contributing to my funk this week.  I am really looking forward to the weekend.  I actually have it off!   Tomorrow I have the privileged of going to a wedding of two lovely people from my Church. Congratulations to the future MR and MRS D. I love weddings ;)  Sunday I get to hang out with my fam and celebrate our plethora of fallish birthdays! Happy birthday to Rhett, Dad, Mikayla, Grandma, Pa, Mom, Rich, Ryan and Laura.  Not to mention Mom and Dad's anniversary, our anniversary and NEXT year  Laura and Rich's wedding day will make their anniversary in September as well.

Happy, happy Friday all :D

15 years

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary.  Craziness.

We have been through so much together.  I am thankful for my husband.  My best friend. My soul mate. I pray we have many, many years yet together.  I love him more everyday.  I am thankful for the grace and healing that God brought to our lives.

I saw a sign this weekend at Hobby Lobby I would like to get, it said it is never too late for happily ever after.  Which I truly believe.  With God ALL things are possible.

I am thankful for fresh starts, that each new day can be a fresh new beginning.  I am thankful that eight years ago God gave us the grace and courage to try again.  Not throw it all away but to rebuild anew.  Our life together now is so much better and richer than ever before.  There is always hope.  Don't give up.

Shortly we are headed out to dinner to celebrate! :D

Here is a little video I made last year for our anniversary.  A little montage of our life together ;)



It was also Pastor Appreciation Sunday at Church. It was a spectacular affair.  My heart is full.  I love our Pastor and his family so much.  I feel blessed to be part of such a loving, supportive church.

We had a dinner to appreciate our Pastoral Family after the church services.  I think it was the first time we have had a taco dinner at church.  It was wonderful and delicious!

Mikayla made an Apple Cheesecake for the dinner.  I only got one little bite, but it was divine.  I found the recipe on pinterest and we will definitely be making it again!

the overflow

Today my heart is full.  My soul is happy.

Today is actually my one year anniversary of working at OMX.  Why a year later I am I still struggling with the working mom thing.  I feel like maybe I should have it down.  I should be organized and have everything under control.  But I don't, probably never will.  I like my jobs.  I love the people I work with.  Most of the time things come together.  I am learning to not stress.  To depend on others, like my husband, realize I don't have to do it all myself.  In my heart of hearts I am still a "stay-at-home-mom", maybe I should say "full time mom", because I definitely do not stay at home. ;P  But my kids forever will be my first priority, my first "job".  It fills me with such anxiety when I feel like I can't do all for them that I wish I could.  But inspite of everything they seem pretty happy and healthy, and don't seem to hold my short comings against me too much.

It was such a relief to me on Friday to have my doctor acknowledge to me that yes, going from being a stay-at-home-mom to working almost full time is a big adjustment.  Its not easy.  Its never going to be easy.  There will always be struggles in this imperfect world.  I will just be thankful for all the good.  Keep on counting my gifts, my head held high, looking ahead not wistfully looking back.

This morning was one of those mornings that could have gone either way.  I choose the path of joy.  Ryan decided he did not need his saxophone today.  He was going on a field trip for most of the day.  Are you sure, I questioned, that you won't have your lesson before or after?  He was confident he would not.  Little more than half an hour later I got a call from the school.  I love how they always start out with "This is not an emergency but..."

I am thankful I was getting ready to head to my church job, that the school is pretty much right on my way.  That I could deliver his instrument with a smile and joy in my heart.  I love knowing I am nearby if they need me. That I could drop everything if I need to and be mom first.

I made my September video last night, such wonderful memories :) I started included my gifts again, I realized I have neglected that in the last couple videos.  I am over 900 and counting. I challenge you to start looking for your gifts, there are so many.  See how many you can number.

 

Yesterday was my parents 35 wedding anniversary. <3 <3<3 I am so blessed by my parents.  The older I get, the more people I meet, the more stories I hear, the more I know it.  I am blessed to have been raised, and loved by these two marvelous people.

Saturday a whole slew of us went apple picking.  It was glorious!  The weather was beautiful, the friendship and fellowship even better.

Here are a few of my favorite pics...

3 generations

Me and my Mister, oh how I love him.  We did get to go on our breakfast date.  It was wonderful.  So nice to just be together.  Hopefully we can do it more often.

My other favorite person in the whole world ;) My bestest and sister of my heart.


A few of the "Brasky Cousins" as I have affectionately come to think of them.  Ryan and Ashton almost look like brothers.  I hope this little group will be life long friends.


I stole this one from Jess. I love it, it shows almost the whole crew whilst we enjoyed our lunch. :)

We came home with roughly 40 lbs of apples. :D So far I have made applesauce, apple crisp, apple fritters and a very small batch of apple butter, later in the week I plan to make a bigger batch to share in my crockpot.  Loving the appley deliciousness of fall.