For Today... {June 30, 2015}

Outside my window... its another gloomy day, wondering what happened to the sunshine.

I am thinking... I can't believe tomorrow will be July!




I am thankful...for Saturday, for running with my mom and aunt.  That my mister could come with me to the race.  The recap is in the previous entry if you missed it.

Posting this picture again because it makes me happy...

I am going... to enjoy each day as it comes.  Not get caught up in worrying about things that have yet to happen and may not...

^"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:34 niv

I am wondering... how this afternoon will go.

I am hoping... it goes well.  If you think of me this afternoon, I could use prayer...especially around 3ish...hopefully... maybe soon I will be able to elaborate...

I am reading... still finishing up The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks.  But after reading a few "daybooks", I now have a list of holds at my library! Love seeing what everyone is reading! :D

I am learning...


In my garden... are weeds.  I need to spend some time out there.

A favorite quote for today...


I am sick of being told my opinions and convictions are wrong.  We can disagree and still LOVE.  Yes, Jesus said LOVE your neighbor...He also said Go and sin no more.  People always seem to forget that part and just stick with Jesus loves me and this is just the way I am.  Not that I am prefect.  FAR from it, I know I screw up on a daily basis.  But I am striving each day to do better. To be better.  To let Him mold me and make me into the person He has for me to be.

A peek into one of my days... Hannah's buddy Riley slept over one day last week.  Last night Hannah went there. I had barely stepped through the door last night and she was hounding me to go to Riley's.

One of my favorite things... summer.  Looking forward to the beach and a cookout on Thursday. ;-)

A few plans for the rest of the week: survive today...then I will worry about the rest of the week.

 From the board room {Pinterest}... * Cake possiblity for my son's 13 birthday this fall {Ugh! I can't believe my little Ryan is turning 13!!}

Pinned: Ryan
Source: http://www.shellyhomemaker.com/2012/04/sculpted-cakes-for-all-occasions.html

Post Script * My sister posted this on my facebook yesterday.  How to Walk Your Cat on a Leash, and Why You Should.  It kinda cracked me up.  And yes, I actually did "walk" my cat as a kid.  He was my baby and I adored him.

Linked up with Peggy
 

Yellow Brick Road Run

Saturday's run was great! I was really excited Rhett came with. He decided to at the last minute. It made me really happy.

The start...

Mom had decided to try the run/walk method. It seemed to work really well. I stayed with mom and aunt sue for most if the race. I was so much cooler than last year. I felt so much better.

My finishing time was 58:52. Slightly faster than last year. :) 

I thought it was pretty funny that my high school math teacher showed up in my finishing pics again. If you remember last year we finished the race together. This year she didn't run but just happened to be in the background of the pic my dad snapped.

Post race:

It was fun running with my mom and aunt. I can hardly wait for our next Snyder Run in September. I think every Snyder runner will be there for that one.

Pre race jitters

I am nervous. Sitting here drinking my coffee as I am about to get ready for the Yellow Brick Road Run. Last year this race killed me. It was hot and awful and I hated almost every minute of it. I came in 135 out of 146 in just over 1 hour. Right after my high school math teacher.

I just want to do good today. I am planing to run with my mom. Her goal the same as mine to try and squeak in under an hour.  I am hoping maybe this year a few more people will be behind me.  But that doesn't really matter, does it??

I should just go out there and enjoy the day! Enjoy the run. Enjoy my town, the town I was raised in. Enjoy the time with my mom and aunt. It's not about the time.... It's not about the pace.

We shall see.... Check back for my race recap later... :-/

Survey Says...

 
 Today's run.  Oh it made me happy.  There used to be a Christmas tree farm near our house, this morning I snapped this pic for my best friend.   #ThisOnesForYOU #HappyBelatedLEONday #seenonmyrun #negativesplits #ohyes #morningrun 

Hungry Runner Girl had this survey as part of her blog post this morning. I thought it would be fun to post here.

1.  Would you rather run along a beach path or on a mountain trail?
      I have yet to do either, but would love either one...if I had to choose I think it would be the beach
2.  If you could choose the flavor of Gatorade at your next race’s aid stations, what would it be?
     Fierce Blue Cherry
3.  If I gave you a $100 gift card to a running store, what would be the first thing that you would purchase with it?
    I think I would probably be on the hunt for a super cute outfit and/or a good sports bra
4.  Do you prefer to follow a training plan or wake up and decide then how far and how fast you want to run?
     I need the accountability of a training plan to tell me what to do...otherwise I tend to start making excuses.
5.  Would you rather start your run with the uphill and end on the downhill or start your run with the downhill and end with the uphill?
     Definitely start with the uphill
6.  When you can’t run, what type of cross-training do you choose to do?
     Usually Yoga, wanting to start riding my bike more.  Ryan is asking for me to do a bike race with him.
7.  What is your preference—>  Out and back, point to point or loop runs?
     I don't think  I have a preference, depends  on the day and my mood.  Sometimes a loop is better because I have to keep going.
8.  If you could recommend ANY running related item to a new runner, it would be a—>
     Good shoes, the right shoes for your feet! My previous pair hurt my feet...what a difference new  shoes made.
9.  Do you ever see any wild animals while out on your runs?
     Often deer, turkeys and bunnies....this week I saw a skunk :-/
10.  Ever gotten lost while out on a run?
       Nope.    
11.  If you could have one meal waiting and ready for you each time you got home from a run for the next 30 days… what would that meal be?
     Right now it'd be a breakfast sandwich and maybe hashbrowns...ooooh or breakfast pizza... I wish I had one now! :P
12.  Capris or shorts… what do you run in most often?
      Lately shorts
13.  At what mile (or how many minutes) into your run does your body start to feel like it is warming up and ready to go?
     Probably after the first one...
14.  What do you do with your key when you run?
      I usually just run near my house so I don't need to carry my keys, but am thinking about getting a flip belt, for my phone and potentially keys if need be
15.  If you could relive any race that you have done in the past, which one what it be?
       My first half marathon, it was the most fun race I have ever done.  PGH 2014
16.  What type of run is your least favorite type of run?
       Running on the treadmill, this winter I successfully ran outside the whole winter. ;)
17.  What has been your biggest motivation lately to get out the door to get your run on?
      Thinking about my upcoming races
18.  When you go for a run, do you leave right from your front door or do you drive somewhere to start?
      Almost always my front door unless I am going to run with my sister or mom
19.  When running in daylight—>  are sunglasses a must or an annoyance?
    I have yet to wear sunglasses on a run because I remember how much it annoyed me to wear my regular glasses once my face got sweaty
20.  When you get tired, what keeps you from quitting?  
       I think about races.  How far I have come in the last two years and my Snyder Runners :)

Thinking Out Loud...the one with the beach...

~ I have been enjoying the studies by both SheReadsTruth on the Women of the Bible and Love God Greatly, on Psalm 119.

This morning's talked about Hannah and her worshipful attitude.

"Oh, Lord, please forgive me for giving my worshipful glances and prayerful pleas to anyone and anything other than you!
Sisters, we serve a powerful, loving, and good God—the God who is like no other.
When our lives ache with need, may we bring them to the throne. When our hearts break, may we pour them out to God. When we rise in the morning, may we rise in worship.

“There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one besides You!”
- 1 Samuel 2:2"

 The verses today in Psalms talked about God's unfailing love.  Reminding me again of His promises.  That if I am walking in his ways, I can always walk in freedom and confidence. Trying to remember that now as worries and discouragement threaten to take over...

~ This morning was my first run of summer vacation.  I was excited to have extra time since I didn't have to wait on the school bus. The sunshine felt magnificent.  Looking forward to morning summer running and running on Saturday with my mom and aunt in the Yellow Brick Road Run.

~ Yesterday was the last day of school...we celebrated it by meeting up with one of my best friends at the beach.  The day dawn gloomy and chilly. But by mid afternoon it was sunny and glorious.

Here's hoping for lots more beach afternoons before the summer is out.

Ryan apparently happened upon them again today while he was out bike riding...

I received a txt saying some weird kid was trying to steal Ashton from the park...along with this picture :P

the one with Father's day...

For Today... {June 23, 2015}

Outside my window...it stormed early this morning, but stopped soon enough for me get in a run.  Now I am enjoying the cool breeze blowing in my window :)

I am thinking... this would be fun, who's in??? :D

I am thankful... For this guy, I love him so

this was last night at my parents house, more pictures below...

I am wondering... if tonight will go by quickly :P  I am certainly hoping so...

I am reading... I am still trying to finish The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks....Haven't had much time for reading lately. :/

I am learning...

In my kitchen... this week I made over 9 dozen sugar cookies for a graduation party.  I hear they were a hit :)

Sunday I grilled steak and shrimp for my mister for Father's Day.

I also made Strawberry & Cream Poke Cake to take to my in-laws Saturday night....so very good! And easy ;)

A favorite quote for today...

A peek into one of my days...last night we went to my mom and dad's for dinner, we celebrated my brother's 30th birthday and father's day.

Mikayla wrapped all my dad's gifts in Christmas paper

Owen

Hannah, Dad and Grandma

One of my favorite things... nights like this ^^^^ hangin' out with the Fam

A few plans for the rest of the week: Mikayla starts back at taking piano lessons this week. Tomorrow night in fact.  She is pretty excited.  Friday--we'll probably go to Family Night at our church (cookout and softball game).  Saturday is the Yellow Brick Road Run in good ole Chittenango.  My mom is running this year and my aunt is coming up from PA to run with us. =)

From the board room {Pinterest}... *


Pinned to Sweet Summertime
Source: simplykellydesigns.com

Post Script * my eldest just posted this video on FB. She finished her last final this morning and is officially on Summer Vacation! Her siblings are done tomorrow.

Linked up with Peggy...

 

wedding and a 5K...

Linked up with...

I mailed our RSVP to my cousin's wedding this morning!

...and since we will all be in PA for the weekend... 

A bunch of Snyder Runners are signed up for the Steelers 5K....

The Snyder side of the family is all pretty much HUGE Steeler Fans.  I am not because 1- I really couldn't care less about football.  2- My mister is a Green Bay Packers fan (& takes his football very seriously), thus I am a Packers Fan more or less to keep my marriage a happy one. 

But I love running with my family. So in spite of the fact its a "Steelers" race I can't pass it up. This will be the most Snyders we have had in one race to date. :~D Nine thus far....anyone else want to join us?

I just passed the 2nd anniversary of being a runner.  Yet sometimes it feels like I always have been.  Last year I made this little video of my first year running... it makes me smile to think how far I have come.  I am thankful for my cousins who first inspired me to run. Who have been some of my greatest encouragers.



I have been struggling a bit lately. Its so easy to get caught up in the worries and cares. To look at the problems and frustrations and just want to throw up your hands up and head back to bed. Thinking-- its just not worth it. But today my heart is full.  Overflowing.  I have been working hard on maintaining my focus.  Keeping my eyes not on my worries but on God.  Monday I started a study on Psalm 119 from Love God Greatly.  Its all about focusing on God's Word.  Meditating on it until it becomes a part of your very being.  So that it becomes a part of who you are.


SheReadsTruth this morning was on Rahab, and how she was Redeemed.  She gave her life to God and he saved her.  Made her new.

I love it when devotionals seem to mesh and go together. It makes me feel like God orchestrated it just for me.  I keep reminding myself of the good things.  To focus on the good things.  That I am enough. I am redeemed.  Each day I am alive, breathing and spending time in the Word.  Its a good day.