So this is me: April 2018

Friday, April 27, 2018

Friday!

I woke up pretty grumpy and frustrated. I sat at the table with my morning coffee. I took a few sips, read Jesus Calling. Was texting with my sister-in-law. Eyeing the disheveled house around me- feeling my frustration rise.

I let the devotional and scripture sink into my soul- deciding a run would also help my mood. So I changed, called Chance and off we went.

Then of course a little Dunkin' is always a mood booster ;-)

I'm have joined my friend's team for the Out of the Darkness Walk this Fall. Feel like supporting me- Click HERE.

Can you believe April is almost over???

April Goal check in-

Choose J O Y! a work in progress ;-) This week the thought- "I love my life" spontaneously flitted through my mind. I can not tell you how longs its been since that happened. So maybe I am making progress. =)
meal plan This is so hard so me right now! I don't know why. I am thinking this week I may do several from this list
Run 2-3 x's a week Part of what got me out the door this morning. As long as I run tomorrow I will have run 2 times this week- plus our hike at the Falls on Monday.
clean kitchen before bed It will be spic and span before I go to bed tonight, lets leave it at that. ;-)
read at least on marriage and/or otherwise edifying book currently: Sacred Marriage
book an April Pampered Chef party to stay active sigh. This one is going to be a big fat fail it looks like.
Date <3 We went out again Saturday night. Feeling a little spoiled! ;-)
read at least as many books as March (7) 6 finished... 28 this year thus far and I have already surpassed the number of books I read last year,
run MORE miles (20ish I think in March) currently: 24+

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Tuesday ramblings...

Do I dare say spring is finally here???

As I sat at work yesterday, staring out at the sunshine I began to dream about going up to the Falls. We took Chance once last summer and he LOVED it. The weather was gorgeous. It would be good to get out for a little hike. So after dinner we excitedly piled the dishes in the sink and headed out to enjoy the sunshine.

It was beautiful! A lot of others had the same idea. Its been a long winter around here.

We made it to the bottom of the falls without too much trouble. There was one slick spot on the path- still covered in ice. I ended up on my butt- unhurt, slightly muddy, laughing at myself.

The trek back up though, we encountered two dogs. <Sigh> The whole experience made us feel like horrible dog people. The first one we were still at the bottom and just moved off the trail by the creek while Chance barked and jumped like a maniac. Embarrassed by his display we headed back up the trail. Where on a particularly narrow stretch- just before the ice patch we met a couple with a smallish dog (not on leash I might add). Chance of course went ballistic. Barking, yipping, pulling, trying to jump. Ryan and I both holding him to try and let them pass us. Now we knew he was just excited, a big sweet heart and just wanted to play. He came off looking obnoxious and aggressive. The small dog would not pass, the owner saying, "Are you sure he's friendly?" ended up picking up his little dog to walk by.

Clearly Chance needs to work on his manners. The trip ended up being frustrating and embarrassing. We went home feeling dejected instead of refreshed. I was sad. Chance was sad. I felt like a bad dog owner. Ryan was just mad. Oh well.

Tonight I hope to go to the library. It has been ages since we have actually gone to the library. Lately I have just put books on hold and popped in to pick them up. But to go and browse and be. Its been a long time and I am getting giddy at the mere thought. Also I can pick up some dog training books and learn how to transform Chance into a well mannered pooch. Here's hoping anyway.

Last nights dinner- I have another vegetarian on my hands. She picked out this recipe Enchilada Pasta. So we had a Meatless Monday meal last night. I may see if I can maintain it though the summer. Especially with Mikayla coming home in a couple weeks. We'll see.

Monday, April 23, 2018

4.23

This weekend was beautiful. Chance and I went on a little 3 mile run on Saturday.

So nice to see blue skies and sunshine again! Boy has it been a long winter.

Saturday evening the mister and I visited a local brewery. It was fantastic. We also had spicy pork pizza that was phenomenal.

Sunday afternoon Hannah and I took Chance for a little walk. Then I sat out on the deck to read our chapter for Mom's Connect. I just can't get over how good it is to see the sun again!

I also made Chocolate Pull Apart Bread to take to Mom's Connect. It was delicious. Below is the link to the LIVE video we did.

https://www.facebook.com/amyspamperedkitchen/videos/1675886585859218/

Be a masterpiece & a work in progress! www.foodmatters.com #FMquotes #foodmatters #inspiration

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

4.17

For Today {April 17, 2018}

Looking out my window more snow!

I am thinking
It's been a long time since I have done one of these entries.
It's been awhile since I have done a lot of things.
Working to rediscover who I am and do the things that make me feel good about me.

I am wondering if Ryan's meet is going to happen tomorrow or if snow...

I am thankful. I am thankful. I am working on this. I have this tendency to get lost in my head- focusing on all the things that are wrong. I am making a conscious effort to be more grateful. Here's a few...

Paint event with Jess
Good Samaritan Run with Laura and Becca
Joanne's Shower
amazing friends God has brought into my life
being at my Church
My wild and crazy class of little boys
Date with my mister
morning yoga
Run with Chance

One of my favorite things Running! How could I have forgotten? The race on Saturday was a tad discouraging. But I did it and I finished.

I'm happy Chance encouraged me to get out the door this morning and get in a couple miles. It felt wonderful.

I am wearing my winter coat UGH! Come on Spring!

I am reading

Perennials by Julie Cantrell
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Enough: Silencing the Lies That Steal Your Confidence by Sharon Jaynes (This one is audiobook I'm listening to in the car)
Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton

I am learning I. Am. Enough.

In my garden daffodils and tulips are up. I'm hoping the weather this week doesn't kill them :-/

Board room

Pinned: For Today...

Post Script
I just signed up for the Honor and Remember Run next month.

Shared Quote

A moment from my day
Saturday I was able to run a 10K with these lovely ladies I also get to call my sisters <3

Chance was not happy, he didn't get to go. I did take him out for a quick mile too though.

Closing Notes: Give thanks. Let go. Enjoy the ride.

April Goals- check in-

Choose J O Y! a work in progress ;-) we're getting there
meal plan ugh not so much... guess I need to sit down with my cookbooks and pinterest tonight
Run 2-3 x's a week yes!
clean kitchen before bed mostly fail :-( I will give my sad kitchen some attention tonight
read at least on marriage and/or otherwise edifying book currently: Sacred Marriage
book an April Pampered Chef party to stay active not yet, boo.
Date <3 We went out Saturday night. Also had a breakfast date the week before =D
read at least as many books as March (7) 1 finished so far... 5 in progress
run MORE miles (20ish I think in March) currently: 18.5

Friday, April 6, 2018

April

Monday I realized it was April. April. As in a quarter of the year has already passed me by. Sigh. I thought back to the awesome list of goals I made with all the best of intentions at the beginning of March...All excited to be headed into my 38th year. Well- I have had a hard time pulling myself out of my funk. I had some good days, some mostly good days and a whole lotta days where I wallowed far more than I should have.

My mantra as of late has been Oh, well. Tomorrow's another day. Which it is but it also has become an excuse to eat all the jelly beans, not exercise and basically blow off anything I should be doing that's too overwhelming in the moment.

My new mantra... Little things. Little things add up to big things. One little step at a time. Just keep moving forward.

So my goal for Monday was simply get back to drinking more water. Which I did. Yay me. Adding fruits to my water this week helped a lot.

I also dusted off my bullet journal, which has been neglected since February. I penned in my goals and my habit tracker.

I ordered new running shoes with my birthday money. =D And earbuds, 2 pair actually since I can't seem to keep my kids from swiping them, or they broken or lost... today's run was quiet :P

This- from the Loving God Greatly study on Fear and Anxiety. I am not happy with some of the circumstances of my life ie my job a lot of the time. But right now its where I am and where I need to be. Yes, I want to make strides to be happier, and better over all. But I also need to learn to be content with those things I can not change right now.

I am working to be content and to commit all my work to the Lord. For whatever reason he has me here...and to do it cheerfully 😊

Yesterday I was bemoaning how I was feel physically and my own lack of motivation. This popped up in my facebook memories. Reminding me that my body is the Lord's temple. I should be taking better care of it. Yes, I am worth it.

This morning we went for a run. It was plan B not plan A... but also turns out probably the better one anyway. ;-)

Chance making sure I don't leave without him.

I was super proud of him when we encountered a loose little dog. Her tie out had come loose from the ground she ran out into the road when we got close. He was the perfect gentleman, even when she snarled at him. (How rude!) We went up to the house to let the owner know her pup was loose.