when you need a refresh...

I started this post once all ready- but it felt a little grumbly so I am starting again. Our run wasn't going to well-so Bruno and I stopped for a breather- drinking in the peace water brings.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

     He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

     He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

    for his name's sake.   ~Psalm 23:1-3 

 We moved mostly forward for 2 miles, that's about all the good I can say.  So we'll leave it at that.

The sunrise this morning was glorious. I wish I could have gotten a good picture, but there was always something blocking it. But it was beautiful and left me marveling the God who painted it across the sky.  Working on the attitude and adjusting my perspective today.

Long run, cinnamon rolls, new challenge

Saturday started off with my "long run"- training plan stated 4 miles. I walked the dogs and noted it looked pretty dark and ominous in the direction I was planning to run. 

Well, Bruno and I set off feeling optimistic. We enjoyed the jaunt down the hill and through the creekwalk. I noticed more dark clouds encroaching. 

About the time we hit the end of the creekwalk trail and were headed out into my old neighborhood the sky opened up. This gave me serious pause.  Mostly because I neglected putting my phone into a baggie and it was just in my flipbelt. Bruno also seemed taken back by the downpour, he kept trying to turn and dart into the bushes. We were a mile from home and I decided the best course of action was to head home. The whole mile home I debated on staying home or finishing up the 4 miles myself. 

I ended up toweling Bruno off, putting my phone into a baggie (even though the rain had stopped). I ate a couple bites of granola bar and had a few sips of water and walked back out the door. 

I am really proud of myself for not bailing, even though I really wanted too.

I was also listening to this AMR podcast with guest Lisa talking about her experience doing a 3 day trail run in the Rockies! THREE DAYS! So I guess I could suffer through 4 measly miles!

Saw this later on on instagram...seems accurate....

I read some great tips for getting started again on Hungry Runner Girl's blog this morning- just the inspiration I needed to hear. I am going to print it out for me journal to re-read when I am frustrated and discouraged.

*You can do hard things.  I am 100% sure about this, and nobody can change my mind about this.  One of my favorite mantras to repeat to myself throughout a run is, ‘I can and I will.’  Repeat that mantra to yourself and be stubborn with your goals.

*If you can, find people in your shoes to do it with you.  There is something so rewarding about doing this hard thing together.  The bonds made and the motivation I find from others in similar situations (coming back postpartum with other moms has helped me so much) make the experience truly the best.

*Forget the past.  There are times during a workout where I start thinking about how much faster I used to be and how I’ll never get back to where I once was but I tell myself that those thoughts are the BIGGEST WASTE OF ENERGY.  Reset your watch to have it tell you about the new milestones you are hitting.  Focus on the achievements you are having now.  Life is a lot more fun that way and it takes us so much farther when we do.  

 Much of Saturday was spent with my sister and the girls.  Shopping, having lunch and much laughter.  My sister recommended Trader Joe's lasagna to us- we had it for dinner that night and it did not disappoint!  The french baguette we also picked up at Trader Joe was divine!

Sunday- ah glorious rest day! I still walked to dogs. Then popped some cinnamon rolls into the oven.  I also made a cold brew variation of Half Baked Harvest's Brown Sugar Latte! It was soooo good!  Basically I used cold brew instead of espresso and just regular milk. In fact I used the simple syrup and milk in my regular coffee this morning too and it was delish!

I cleaned my dresser finally!!! It makes me feel so happy!

Next up is the kitchen buffet and mopping the kitchen floor!

We were pretty late coming home from House Church last night- the dogs (& Mikayla were not pleased).  They were in her bed...instead of mine until I did come home.

I signed up for yet another running challenge- 100 miles in September. It is a fundraiser to benefit Stop Soldier Suicide.  100 Miles will be a HUGE challenge for me- I have never run that many miles in one month.  Although I did notice- the challenge actually goes through Oct 7- which is good! I will probably need those extra days!

Today I am thinking of all the kids (& teachers) heading back to school in the next couple weeks! Hannah is starting high school and has orientation tomorrow.

Happy Monday! =)

FriYAY!

This week has felt so long! I am soooooooooo thankful it is FRIDAY! Looking forward to some quality sister time tomorrow! 💖💗💖

Today's run was positively disgusting. I found myself frustrated and irritated and wondering- WHY am I doing this again?

But maybe next week will be better!  I did not exactly follow through on my training plan this week.  I did not do strength training or yoga at all. (And I feel it). I did run 3 out of 5 week days.  So there's that.  My training plan is calling for some longer weekday runs and I am trying to figure out how to accomplish that.  Also need to take strength training and stretching more seriously.

I finished Young Jane Young yesterday. I read it because it was a back list book club pick on MMD Book Club Site.  It was pretty OK, I enjoyed it, didn't love it. 

A book I am loving these days is Until Unity by Francis Chan. I'm reading it slowly, every chapter at least twice and digging into the study on Christian Book. It is very good!

Happy Friday Friends! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! 💖

mid week...

Today's run felt better than yesterday, so there is that.

Followed by a super yummy breakfast sammie- toasted {homemade} sourdough english muffin, egg, cheese, turkey bacon, tomato also included avocado and everything but the bagel seasoning.

I am really enjoying the Through Jesus I am... Study with Love God Greatly- below excerpt from today's blog- Great Plans

"Trust God on those days you don’t understand what is happening. Trust Him when anxiety fills your heart when you think about the future. Go back to what you know about God’s character and lean into the truth of who He is. You are not alone. God has specifically equipped you for this day, for this special time in history. Make Him your anchor and hold on tight. You are exactly the woman He wants to use right now to further His kingdom. He has prepared in advance this incredible work, at this exact time, and He has generously given you exactly what you need to play your part in the amazing redemption story which He is writing through our lives. 

So stay in God’s Word, make Jesus your anchor, and walk forward in faith. God will place people along your path, like He did mine, to help you breathe when some battles get so fierce you can’t seem to catch your breath. Never forget that God has lovingly equipped you for the task at hand. He chose you for this amazing good work which will showcase His love and redemption to a watching world in desperate need of Jesus."

I finished our book club read last night- Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar.  It was much slower pace than the thriller we read last month! An enjoyable change of pace though, I thought.  This one is biblical fiction, the story of the woman who was healed after touching Jesus' robe.  I love reading Biblical fiction because it reminds me the people in the Bible were real people- same thoughts, feelings and struggles... just people.

My sourdough loaf turned out OK. Not great but still tasty. ;-)

running and sour dough

Two more miles today. It was kinda discouraging...I'm finding it hard to believe I can get back to half marathon shape. 

We were happy to see the creek receded quite a bit. 

I revived Betty and did some baking... I am very much looking forward to crisp fall baking weather.

This morning I made english muffins. 

I also mixed up a batch of sandwich bread- it is resting in the fridge to bake later tonight. New recipe. I am very excited to see how it turns out.

I can not believe September is nearly upon us. Tomorrow Mikayla starts her first full time job! Two weeks from today Hannah will have her first day of HIGH School! I can not wrap my brain around it. 

Because I am feeling a little bit sad and nostalgic...

ahhhhh weekend

Last week felt long... 

It was so nice to have a Saturday where I didn't have to do anything or be anywhere at a certain time.

I walked the dogs and took Bruno for a 3 mile run. It was raining when we started and then humid and gross.  But we did it.

I made myself eggs and a mountain of home fries for breakfast when we got back.

I went and got groceries and made a fancy cheese plate for lunch

Slightly random but Friday night we noticed a patch of driveway sinking in. Saturday Rhett poked through the black top to see what we were dealing with.... were NOT expecting this at all!

Turns out it is an old dry well. We are very much relieved to find out our house is not falling into some kind of massive sinkhole! We'll be filling it in the gravel this week and patching the hole. Very thankful it didn't actually fall in before we noticed that! That our pups, kids and vehicles all remained safe. 

Rhett also surprised me with the book I was wanting. 💖  It's the little things.

The sky was brilliant yesterday morning as we headed out for our walk.

Sunday afternoon, reading and puppy snuggles...

I am thankful for time chatting and catching up with a friend last night.

From facebook this morning....

Reminding myself again of God's marvelous power and grace.

4 days in...

It can stop raining anytime now.

I got this flood alert while I was out walking the dogs...

And then was surprised at how high the creek was when we got there!
 

See that little "island" in the middle...that bush is usually on the creekbank- right where I stand normally to let Bruno wade/ grab a drink.  Not today Buddy!

Last night was yoga and dog snuggling...

I laid on the floor for a while after finishing. 

The stretching felt really good though, especially on my left side. 

We had burrito bowls with the Salsa Chicken from the last Freezer Meal Workshop.

Bruce never disappoints me.  Also cooked rice in the ceramic pot over the chicken, stir fried some fajita veggies in my wok. There's a video over on my FB Page- Amy's Pampered Kitchen 😃

Delicious!