What's Your Word

So the last week or so I have found myself listening to KLOVE on my way to and from school because my favorite local personalities have been out of town.  Lisa and Eric are on in the morning and they have been talking about finding your word for the year.  At first I thought, na I have my fitness goals and that is enough for me.  I loved the idea and just thought that I would do it next year.  But, of course, God had other plans.  On Thursday I was driving home from coffee with a friend and a word popped into my mind. It was a word that spoke to my heart and something that I think I was unconciosuly working towards already.

What's the word?!  My word for this year is balanced.  I really feel that it is something I often struggle with.  I think that all too often I let my life get out of balance.  I feel it is a word that will carry into every area of my life.  I am going to live life balanced in my work, my work ethic for grad school, eating, exercising, my walk with God, time for others, time for my husband, time for myself, etc.

I know that it is going to be a challenge, but I think that I am already off to a great start.  I will keep you posted.

It's a MIRACLE

No I did not win the lottery or find $100 and NO I am not pregnant, or anything close to a real miracle, I just thought I would get more of your attention with that title, did it work?!  I have been gone way to long to write about everything that has happened over the last few months, and I know that you really don't want to read about it all.  I will post some pictures of things happening around here over the last few months to catch you up.

I thought I would start my return to blogging by telling you about what I hope 2011 holds for me and some highlights that re to come. Here are a few things that I hope to complete by the end of 2011.

• Run the Olathe Wickedly Fast 1/2 Marathon in April (just started training, let's just say I wasn't as horribly out of shape as I orginally thought)
• Run the Hospital Hill 1/2 Marathon in June
• Train and compete in my first triathlon in July
• Run the Kansas City full marathon in October
• Eat healthy throughout the year to keep my body well fueled for all of this training
• Help my baby sister have the wedding of her dreams
• Be better at reconnecting with old friends
• Be open to the ways in which God will begin directing Stinson and I's path and future
• Finish my masters degree
• Continue to find new ways to connect with my students as well was way to support them
• Cherish time spent with family throughout the year
• Get back to blogging at least a couple of times a month

Well, I think that is enough writing for now.  I will let you enjoy some pictures!   If you still read this thing,  thanks!

My mom came to Kansas City for my birthday and go me my first pair of Uggs!  Love them both, but obviously I love my mom more.

At the beginning of December I headed to Detroit for a weekend to see my dear friend and college roommate Angie and her husband John.  Here is Ang and I in Ann Arbor in front of the University of Michigan student union

We spent Christmas in Seattle with my family.  Jennifer came to spend some time with the Fosters and enjoy the Nutcracker in downtown Seattle.

We spent New Year's Eve in downtown Seattle with my family.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with a view of the Space Needle and got to enjoy the fireworks show that they set off.  Here were are ready to start the new year.  We had a blast in Seattle.  I have tons more pictures, but you'll have to check my facebook to see them!

I promise from here on out to put more effort into this blog and keeping you up to date!  I am off to snuggle with the dogs!

Do you ever...

Do you ever say things like" This week I am going to work out every day." or  "From now on I am going to eat healthy."  or even something like "Wow, look at her. She looks so great, and she has everything together!  I need to get my life together like that."  These phrases are ones I find myself repeating nearly every week, yet nothing really ever changes.  The first two are the ones that really frustrate me.  I am not an "inactive" person, yet in the busyness of my life I have a hard time motivating myself to do these simple things.  Every week I say these things, and every week when nothing has changed I feel frustrated at myself, and find myself asking why I couldn't have just done it!!!

Lately, I feel as though I have been so wrapped up in what those around me are doing and bring the judgment hammer down hard on myself.  I know deep down this is not the right attitude, but it is the one I currently have.  In the midst of learning how to believe God, I feel God also tugging at my heart that I need to believe in me too.  I am trying to let go of the desire to do things right all the time, to embrace the life that God wants to offer me, a life that is free of worldly worries and full of grace.  I am trying to get there, but still feel like I have a ways to go. 

This week I am going to love me, love who God made me, do my very best to workout most days this week, to give the best of me to each of my students this week, be the wife Stinson needs me to be, and continue to seek the love of my Savior to lift these burdens I've been carrying.