Feel the Burn!

After a long hiatus, I have decided to get back on the treadmill! Before Sunday, the last time I had been on was before I started Weight Watchers in April. What a difference 25 pounds makes! The intervals Sunday night felt good... it was an easy pace. Tonight I decided to up the challenge just a little. I can tell you a few things:
1. It sucks when you finish your 5 minute warm-up only to remember you didn't stretch before you took on your 40-minute endeavor
2. I am not smart enought to stop and stretch properly
3. I already had an injury from playing the Wii (don't judge me)
4. I was literally dripping sweat
5. I wanted to give up
6. I did not give up
7. I feel awesome now (ask me again tomorrow)

Really, it's nice to be exercising again. There are some fringe benefits, too. For instance, when you finish a workout, those greasy chips just don't sound as good anymore. I've been reaching for the fruit after my treadmill time (maybe I should run before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, too).

See you at the Race for the Cure in October!

A Community of Faith

This morning I found out that a good friend of mine was admitted to the ICU at a hospital in the city. She had her second of four reconstructive surgeries following breast cancer on Thursday and for whatever reason she came up with a condition that affected her liver and was causing internal bleeding. We received a phone call at the church office informing us of her condition and telling us that her husband was sitting alone at the hospital. Immediately two of our ministers were off to be with them. I called Todd and we both took off work and spent the first half of our day just sitting in the waiting room with her husand and her parents (who made it to the hospital just after our ministers). We were of no use, really, but I know it meant a lot to them that people would take off of work just to sit. That simple act, I have come to believe, is a powerful statement of our community of faith.

After I got home, I found I not only had email messages, but phone messages making sure I knew what was going on. There truly is no church family like the one we have found at Alameda! The connections we have made with people go deeper than the suface. These are relationships that share the highs and lows of life. I hope all of you have found a place like Alameda, and if you haven't... give us a try!

A final thought... My friend who is in the hospital has told us before that her dad is not a very "spiritual" man. I finally got a chance to visit with him while I was there today, and to see the way God is working on him through this is amazing! He said as soon as he learned of his daughter's condition, he hopped in the car for the 2 hour drive here and he "talked to the Lord" the whole way here. He could not remember the drive and said, "God was driving."

By the way, my friend seems to be doing much better now. Doctors say they don't know what happened, but "for no reason" her body is mending itself. I know it is the power of prayer.

Red Shoes

Payt is quite fond of his red shoes. These are the cheap shoes I bought for him just to play in the yard in and get nasty. These are the ONLY shoes Payt will wear now. Earlier today the boys and I went into town for lunch and to rent a movie. On our way home, Payt fell asleep in the van. When we got home, I took his shoes off and put him in bed. 3 1/2 hours later, Payt wakes up screaming...
"MY SHOES!!!"
"Payt, it's okay..."
"M'shoes! M'shoes are gone!!!"
The kid sleeps for hours and hours and literally the first thing he thinks when he wakes up is that his shoes are gone. As you can see, I returned the shoes and he was still mad at me! I think we might have a problem when the shoes no longer fit.

An Obsession

Not only am I counting down to football season, I'm already looking at all the TV network websites looking for dates of season premiers. Am I bad or what? This summer has been nice because none of my shows are on and I've been able to read several books, but I am ready for my shows to come back! Here are some of my favorites that I am looking forward to (in no particular order):

Lost (okay, it's a mid-season show and crazy, but a true obsession)
CSI
CSI:NY
CSI:Miami (I do NOT like David Caruso! Something better needs to come on Monday nights at 9!)
Without a Trace
Brothers and Sisters
Grey's Anatomy
Ugly Betty
ER (yes, still)
The Unit
Men In Trees
October Road
Law & Order SVU
Criminal Minds
The New Adventures of Old Christine
Two and a Half Men

Sad, I know! Surely there's something I forgot, too! I've only seen one new show that I think might be okay so far: it is a new show based on the Women's Murder Club books by James Patterson- it will be on Fridays.

You'll be proud, though. I have only been watching one show since the finale of Studio 60 (I'm so mad it got cancelled!), it is Traveler. Gotta watch something, right?!?

Now, don't think too badly of me... I try not to watch any TV (even in the Fall) when the boys are still awake. I LOVE my DVR. That's for me-time! Still bad, I know...

37 Days... and Counting

It's official. I have football fever. I am now counting down the days until the first OU game. Just 37 to go...

I was sitting on the porch a few minutes ago watching the kids play on the gator and "mow" the lawn. As I was watching them, I realized it's a really nice day. Unseasonably nice. It was actually nice, not hot, on the porch, and a light breeze to boot. I was taken to my favorite time of year... August through December. The newness of the school year, football, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Basketball and sweatshirt weather.

Summer's been fun and busy, but I'm ready for fall and football! Boomer Sooner!

What Happens When 4-Year-Olds Dress Themselves

Pictures

Payt can fly!

Okay, there were going to be more pics, but blogger keeps giving me errors! Maybe next time.

Miracles Do Happen

I got Todd a Wii for his 30th birthday! I started writing out the whole story about how long it took me to find the thing, but the story of all my adventures takes a while to tell. Long story short, after weeks of searching, I finally got a Wii at 4pm yesterday, his birthday. About an hour later I was giving him his gift. Miracles do happen (ask all my friends who I made crazy having them look for a Wii everywhere they went).

The next miracle will be when VBS is over and I get to sleep.

Another Year Older

Today is my birthday. This morning my sweet little Payt ran in the room and sang Happy Birthday to me. This is going to be a wonderful day.

"Mom! Payt pushed me!"
"Luke, you're bigger than him, you're okay."
"He's strong..."
"Don't touch each other."
"Mom..."
This is going to be a wonderful day.

Okay, so the morning is a little stressful, maybe they'll be better if I take them somewhere (this is the part where every parent reading shakes their head and knows better). So we load up and TRY to go finish a little birthday shopping for Todd (whose birthday is tomorrow).

"Payt, come back!"
"No, you may not get that."
"Why?"
"Because."
"Why?"
"Stop talking."
"Mom, Payt's trying to hug me!"
"HUG!"
"No, Payt!"
"HUG!"
"Hands to yourself!"
"HUG!"
"Payt, he doesn't want a hug..."
This is going to be a wonderful day.

A couple of spankings later, both boys are napping. This is a wonderful day!

Despite a rough start, I think there is hope for the rest of the day. Going to dinner with the fam at Saltgrass, then heading to Payt's swim lessons. Luke will get to swim, too, so we should all be happy and tired by day's end.

Then I can work on VBS.
This is going to be a wonderful day.

Everyone Needs a Shirley

Most of you know that I work at a church. I am so blessed to work with my dearest Shirley. Shirley is one of our "Classics" at church and she volunteers her time on Sundays and Mondays working at the church. You will not find a person her age more skilled on the computer. More impressive than the blessing of her computer gifts, Shirley has the ability to make you feel special. She's the one who asks you how you are doing and truly cares. If you are suffering, she suffers with you. She loves fun shoes and she has the most contagious laughter.

I admire my Shirley's quiet service. She works quietly behind the scenes doing the daily tasks that make our lives easier at the church. In fact, Shirley takes care of those things at the church that you never think about, but would notice if they weren't right. She never asks for recognition and is actually embarrassed when you praise her. You would never know she is uncomfortable in social settings because she has the sweetest, most genuine smile and will talk to or do anything for anyone.

It wasn't long ago that my sweet Shirley lost her son. I am embarrassed to say this is the first time I actually visited Shirley at her home. Even in her grief, Shirley made me feel special. I came to let her know I care, but I know I was the one blessed by the visit. I got to share a special moment outside with Shirley just being quiet and being together. I will never forget the time I share with her.

Friends, there are Shirleys all around us. Get out of your comfort zones and find those people like my Shirley who exude wisdom and the love of God. You will be blessed like I am every time I see my dear Shirley.

I Don't Know What I'm Doing

That's right. I know you don't hear it often, but I don't know what I'm doing. My friends (hmmmjennyhmmm) have been after me for a while to start blogging, so, here I go!

Just to catch you up if I haven't talked to you in a while: I've been married for 8 1/2 years now. I turn 28 next week and my husband turns 30!!! Yikes! To tell you the truth, I give him a hard time about being old, but 30 really doesn't bother me. Most of my friends are in their 30's. Of course, I'm not there yet and I might have a meltdown, but that's for future posts, I'm sure.

I also have two AMAZING boys. Luke is 4 and Payt is 2. They are so much fun now! They are the best of friends and it melts my heart to see them hugging each other and smiling and having so much fun together. Sometime (soon, I hope) I will figure out how to get pictures up and I will post some pics of the two cutest little guys!

Well, thus ends my first post. I hope I can do this right. Keep checking back, I'll have more interesting things to say later!