Refuge

For Today {August 31} Its the last day of August.  The last day! It feels like summer is over.  Tomorrow is September. One week from today my kids head back to school.

Looking out my window looks like rain.

I am thinking about this weekend. My husband and I are going (without kids!!) to a wedding in North Carolina.  I can not wait!

I am thankful for reminders of how good life is. I have not been counting my gifts lately. I need to. To help me remember.

One of my favorite things summer...I'm sad its ending. I wish there had been more beach, more picnics, more fires. But thankful for what we did have.  I am also looking forward to fallish things like hoodies and crisp weather. Apples and pumpkins. Leaves changing.

I am creating hoping to get some more of Mik's graduation quilt blocks trimmed tonight.

I am reading finishing up The Resolution for Women. I have about a chapter and half left, just about perfect timing to start the new book for Moms Connect, Becoming a Vessel God Can Use.

I am hoping for a fantastic weekend with my mister <3

I am learning God is my refuge.  Be content where I am.  Be thankful for the place He has me.  Keep looking for the good.

In my kitchen lots of healthy eating this week. Which I am loving and hating...depending on the moment.

Board room been pinning a lot of 21 day fix recipes.


Post Script Woke up with this song in my head thins morning.

Shared Quote 


A moment from my day

Link up today with Peggy from the Simple Woman's Daybook

another day...a little healthier... maybe

Last night's dinner was a winner! Artichoke chicken. Mikayla and I enjoyed it, Ryan and Hannah scrapped off the artichoke on top-- but with minimal complaining. So there's that.

Breakfast today was pretty good.  My first time trying overnight oats. I'd eat it again.

 


Today's lunch was good and struggle all at once. Over all it was good. It was a black bean chicken wrap. I was surprised how good the greek yogurt was on it. Looking forward to making chicken salad with greek yogurt for tomorrow. The struggle was all I could think was how much better it would be with cheese...and CHIPS and maybe a pickle .

For my morning snack I tried a Plexas 96 shake. It was all right. Not sure I am crazy about it.  I keep hearing rave reviews of Shakeology. Not gonna lie the cost is holding me back a little.

I made smoothies last week with greek yogurt and frozen fruit which Hannah and I enjoyed immensely. Maybe I'm wrong but

Got admit I am kinda over all these fad gimmicks. Can't I just buy real food at a real store and be healthy.

Mmmm- dinner was really good. Feeling a bit more optimistic. Roasted pork tenderloin with sweet potato, quinoa, spinach and dried cranberries.

After dinner I took chance for a little run. Hannah said to me, "mommy why don't you go for a run now and when you get back I will be done with the dishes and we can watch Worst Cooks in America". So we did. She was sitting in the step waiting for us when we got back with my water bottle filled with ice water. Favorite kid ;) ;) haha.

the weekend~

Do you ever have a day where you just wake up grumpy and still tired. So me today. :(

Started another 5-day clean eating challenge...finding myself asking WHY?? It feels so not worth it.

This was posted in the group this morning.  Working on the attitude.

Sitting at the kitchen table I felt the clutter left from the weekend starting to close in on me.  I got up, got a bit of it cleared away.  Not 100%.  But enough to make me feel better, and enough that I know I can take care of the rest tonight. :)

Made my breakfast-- UGH. So not a breakfast person... usually just my coffee while reading my Bible.  This morning's menu was a whole grain waffle with peanut butter and banana. (I don't care for banana).  But it wasn't that bad.  Especially since I was distracted making my lunch and washing last nights dishes :-/

Prepped lunch and snacks... another salad.  But one I hadn't had in a while and I recall rather liking... side not, coconut oil smells amazing!

I am pretty excited about the artichoke chicken we are supposed to have for dinner.  I was also pretty stoked to see it was adapted from a Pampered Chef recipe ;-).

Lunch and snacks all prepped

The Half marathon is looming dangerously close. I am starting to feel like signing up was the dumbest thing I have ever done. Saturday I was supposed to do at least 10 miles per my "you're totally screwed" training plan.  I wasn't sure how I was going to squeeze it in.  Especially when I had a little trouble getting out of bed an squandered close to an hour of my supposed running time. But finally I convinced myself to get out there. Any run was going to be better than no run at this point.  So off I went, trying to determine in my head how far I could go in the allotted time and which route to take.  I ran by the library and took a selfie, thinking of my sister and how much I wished she was with me.

I don't often run through town, but oh I love my town <3

As I running it suddenly occurred to me that while I couldn't get my whole run at once-- I could drop off Mikayla, come home and put in a few more miles.  Which is what I did. 4 more miles to make 10! It was hard, I walked a lot. I am not optimistic about the run on September 10th.

This picture makes me happy =)

I spent the rest of the day feeling rather sore and tired.  Hannah and I went grocery shopping and watched half a season of Worst Cooks in America (which we completed yesterday).  We spent the evening at a cookout with friends and sitting around a fire.

For Today {Thursday, August 25} or the week, started Tuesday and not done yet...

Linked up with The Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window the sky captivates me. I love it.

I am thinking I got a peek at the race medal-- two weeks from Saturday this lovely will be hanging on my wall-- TWO WEEKS?!? Yikes.

I am thankful for time with each of my children this week. Tonight will be Ryan's turn...

One of my favorite things Panera, only recently Mikayla and I have started going there. Last night we had soup and sandwiches, sooo good. The bread <3 <3 <3 We decided- it's our place.

I am reading The Resolution for Women (yes still!) I just have a couple chapters to go. Want to finish it up before we start up Mom's Connect in a couple weeks.  Its really good though. I highly recommend.

I am hoping to be DONE with the school shopping tonight!  Ryan will either be the easiest or the hardest... we shall see.

I am learning to treat my body like the temple that it is.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20New International Version (NIV)   Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

In my kitchen trying to be more healthy, salad for lunch. Made a smoothie with Greek yogurt for breakfast/snack at work... but then I had chinese at the mall with Hannah for dinner so... #TheStruggleIsReal

Hannah has been loving the smoothies as well.

Love my egg cooker! This morning I cooked turkey bacon in the other well for my egg sammie.  Perfection.

Board room I want a make over :-/

Pinned: My style pinboard
Source: Polyvore

Post Script THIS-- my best friend texted it to me last night- pretty much yes, yup, all of it...

http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/2014/02/dear-lonely-mom-of-older-kids.html

Shared Quote

"Remember that these kids are your gifts, and you are theirs. There is no one who can do this better than you can, because you know them better than anyone, and you love them harder and stronger and deeper than anyone else."

--from the above mentioned blog post by

Rachel Ann Ridge

A moment from my day
My 15 minute declutter mission Monday, my bedside....littered with books, magazines and stray papers.

after: =)

Saw this mama and little one on my run this morning. They were so close!  She watched my every move and then flitted across the path once I was well on down the trail.

Closing Notes: Enjoy the day.  Be present. Collect the moments, which turn to treasured memories. 

New week!

Last week was kinda rough. Rhett was on vacation. I wasn't. They all went to Darien Lake. I didn't. My van broke. Rhett fixed it. It took two days and more money than it should have. Plus I felt rotten that he had to spend his vacation fixing my car.  But she's fixed now because my mister is awesome like that.

Mikayla and I went on our first college visit on Friday. We had a great time. We loved it! It is my dad's Alma mater. The school he tried to get me to go to. Which I resisted for simply that reason. Which I now regret, sorry Dad. I found myself envious of my daughter and all the possibilities before her as we walked around that college campus. She and I, we talked about that. She shrugged and said she would have done the same thing. If daddy had been pushing her to go to a school she would have rejected it as well. Normal I guess for teen girls to not want to do what their dads want. Oh well.  Who knows where life might have taken me if I had gone to college. But you can't go back.  Only forward. If my life was different, I wouldn't have Mikayla at all, or her siblings.  So- no regrets.

I'm working on being content where I am.  Being fully present. Enjoying the moments. Not getting caught up in the what-ifs or jealousy.  Letting go of my insecurities and being proud of who God created me to be.

Yesterday church was fantastic.  I had a great time in Sunday School with my K-1 girlies. We are treasuring these last few weeks before classes move up and I lose some of my girls.  Whenever it comes up we laugh and say I- "We're not talking about moving up and you leaving me!" They think its hysterical.  Its so bitter sweet watching them grow up <3 One of the girls from my very first SS class is heading into YOUTH GROUP this fall! Time flies.

Its a new week and I am once again resolving to work hard on my goals.  Some of them are going strong.  Others are a struggle.

I am kinda sorta working on the 21 day fix.  I have not fully committed to this. I have not purchased the official program.  But I have spent oodles of time researching it via pinterest.  Also I found this handy coloring tracker- this was my attempt last week.  As you can see I fell of the bandwagon mid week.

But I printed a fresh page this morning and am giving it another go.  My goal is to follow the plan at least for breakfast, snacks and lunch.  As well as work on healthier options and definite portion control at dinner time....while easing my children into healthier, clean(er) dinner options. I'm still toying with the idea of purchasing the 21 day fix program and maybe giving the whole shakeology thing a try as well. Especially for breakfast... my breakfast is usually just coffee, then when I get to work I end up being super hungry. I usually have an apple or granola bar for a snack...



Tonight is my First Glance, Last Chance Fall Reveal on FB.  Interested in seeing what Pampered Chef has to offer this fall? Send me a facebook message and I will add you. ;-)

I plan to do better at blogging this week. =) Sorry about last week. I started a couple entries but like I said at the beginning- it was kinda a rough week. This week will be better. ;-)

8 mile training run

Spoiler alert: I DID IT! 

Yesterday I awoke to the tip tap of Chancey feet alerting me he had to go out. 5 am still dark I stepped outside into the hot, humid air. Ugh. It wasn't even light out and didn't feel cool at all. I checked the weather of course it was calling for scattered thunderstorms.

I laid on the couch for a while dozing off, waiting for it to get light. Somewhere around 7 I dragged myself off the couch. I needed to get going before the temperatures rose even more. 

I got dressed, filled my camelbak and Chance and I set off. He didn't last long maybe half a mile. I took him home and continued on. It was hot and gross already but I had my water. I had some craisins for fuel. 😉 I can do this. I passed a neighbor from down the street. We smiled and said hello. A little bit later I saw her again, "You are doing great!" She said, "Keep it up!" I smiled at her encouremant. A bit later wondering if I looked so rough not even two miles into my long run :-P But encouraged I was. As I plodded on I thought about her, thankful to hear her kind words.

Then I saw this- 

In the storms this week a tree fell in the park blocking the path. I opted to go back and do another route.

The first four miles I stuck to the neighborhood close to home. Wanting to be able to head home quickly in the event of a storm. Then heading back to do the circuit again. Nearing the end of my road it looked like the threat of immediate thunder  storms had passed and I opted to run through town instead.

I found the second half better than the first. Perhaps the change of scenery. Perhaps because I started counting down instead of up. ...You're halfway done! Just 2 more miles... Just another mile and a half no sweat! Less than one! Almost done!

It was hard- I kept thinking about my running buddies. Thinking about texting them when I was done that I actually did it. 8 whole miles! By myself! My longest run in well over a year. My longest run ever totally on my own.

Not gonna lie it's slower than I would have liked. I walked more than I would have liked. But I did it and I am ridiculously proud!

The day's steps completed before breakfast! 

As I was running I was struggling again with being back of the pack runner but let's face it that's probably where I will always be. I will never be one of those girls who can run 7-8 minute miles and certainly not on long runs. I guess I am ok with that. I won't win races. And that's ok. I don't need to compare myself with the bloggers I read and so admire. I can be content knowing I am doing my best. Knowing today I am better than I was last year. Just yesterday morning I wasn't sure I could run 8 miles by myself... But I did!

Crap.

So this morning I decided I needed to step up my game. I searched out the training plan my sister made me last year for Pittsburgh and tried to revamp it for the Dunkin run looming dangerously close. It was then I realized I am completely screwed. Totally. It is now less than a month away. My longest run to date is 6 miles. Less than half the total distance.  I'm mildly concerned about getting an injury from trying to do too much too fast in this final month before the race.

But I paid my money and I intend to get my race shirt and medal. I have sorta a gritty {delusional} determination that I am going to do this thing.  So tomorrow I will be headed out early for 8 (probably solo) long miles-baring thunderstorms, before the rest of the days festivities.

Check back the 2nd week of September to see if I survive the race.

Friday

Frustration is high this morning. I feel like time is slipping away. I haven't been doing so great on my goals. 😏

 I'm grouchy and on edge. Dreading going to work. 

I didn't exercise yesterday. At all. Not a run. Or a bike ride. Or even the squats challenge exercises. I squandered the day. I'm struggling with "clean eating" wondering what's the point anyway. I think I am ending the challenge feeling worse than when I began.

I spent last night at a local lake. Soaking up summer. Picnicking with my children. Listening to a live band while we swam and floated with my best friend and her family. Laughing. These nights are needed too, right? These are the nights that make up our summer. Our summer that is slipping by far too quickly.

My kids are practically grown I have only been a working mom since my youngest went to kindergarten and only worked full time since the end of January.  But it's still so, so hard.

I'm grateful for my job. That it's close to home. That it allows me to help take some of the burden off my mister. That it enables me to do things like take my kids out for lunch in my day off. Generally buy groceries without stress, panic and anxiety every single time. But still it's hard. Maybe I'm still in the adjustment phase. It has gotten {a little} easier. I remind myself all the time that I am still mommy first. It's ok to have time off when they need me- like to take them to dentist appointments.

This week especially- I have been missing my old job.

8.9

For Today {August 9}

Looking out my window sun shining bright!

I am thinking about our new washer! The mister is installing it this morning.  I'm pretty excited to do laundry tonight! :P

I am feeling slightly icky. I woke up parched and headachy. Its gotten better, just annoying. Hoping it does away entirely soon.

I am thankful for sore muscles. {I think}

I am creating this was not me, but my daughter. She made her little sister a lunch bag.  She didn't have a pattern just made it up as she went along.

In my kitchen  more salads.... today is Chicken and Pear

In my garden there are some flowers blooming. They make me happy. Also a lot of weeds. I should do something about that.

 A moment from my day we went to a double feature at the Drive In on Friday night, with the best friend and family <3 We saw The Secret Life of Pets and Ghostbusters.

Linked up with The Simple Woman's Daybook. =)

the weekend~

Content. Happy. Whole. Peaceful. Words I would not have used to describe myself lately. But the whole weekend and two thirds of the way through my Monday... Feeling good and going strong.

I made a goal tracker for August to help me stay on track.

Saturday morning coffee and devo on the deck after 5.5 mile run.

Saturday night the girls and I went to see our community's performance of Into the Woods.  It was fantastic!

Sunday afternoon I went for a short run with my sister-in-law at the lake. It was hot and slow and crowded. But we were both really happy we went.

At the end, getting ready to head to the car I saw this little library. I got really excited and had to take a library selfie to add to my collection and sent it to my sister. 

Kitchen Counter and Table Clean {check} =)

Starting a Salads & Squats challenge with my mom and sister-in-law.  Got my salad all prepped last night... Here's to a week of better eating and exercise.

After a brief moment of panic, when I couldn't get the jar open {again}- I enjoyed my salad for lunch.  (The "problem" being with my jar, the cap unscrews to store the dressing.  Only the top portion was opening, not the whole cap.  But I got it, eventually.)

It was delicious =)

Also got started on Mikayla's graduation quilt this weekend. As well as got fabric to start another {secret} project. ;-)

All in all it was a very productive, enjoyable weekend.  Hoping the rest of the week will be the same.