C25k

I've never been a runner.

Never. In my whole life.

So thinking about taking up the Couch to 5k program kind of came out of nowhere. I'm still not sure what inspired me, besides the fact that I'm constantly looking at my life through the lens of What Am I Teaching My Children? and I was finding myself coming up sorely short in the Physical Fitness Example. I tell my kids that it's important to make their health a priority, but then I fail to make it a priority for myself.

Then I read about c25k and it caught my eye. Could it really make a Runner (term used loosely, of course) out of me?

The price was right: free. The time investment was right: 30 minutes 3x/week. The location was right: my neighborhood streets.

Still, I was hedging. I didn't think I would like it. This program said it would get me to a place where I could comfortably run for 30 minutes and, I'm not going to lie, that sounded awful to me.

(I know, I know... those of you who actually run are absolutely laughing your heads off at me. But you have to understand, I'm not an athlete. In any way, shape, or form. I don't do this kind of thing.)

My sister decided to do it with me. Without her, I doubt I would be writing about this from the middle of the program. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have gotten beyond the Imagining What Running Must Feel Like stage. She's stuck with me, even when those first few weeks were ridiculously easy and she was probably wondering why in the world we were doing this thing.

We're finishing week six out of nine. We had to take a week off back in the early stages to let my feet recover from terribly old and bad shoes, but other than that, we haven't skipped a beat. Without a doubt, the getting up and out the door first thing 3 mornings a week is the hardest part. And I know for certain that I look ridiculous: I don't run-- I jog, and I'm sure everybody who happens to get a glance at me immediately thinks to themselves, "That girl is not used to this."

But I love it.

I love that many of these mornings, I've woken up tired and with a headache, but after 30 minutes of fresh air and beautiful landscapes and getting my heart going, I feel refreshed and ready to take on the day. For real! I've done my video workouts and dance classes and walking and so forth over the years, but none of those things have ever left me feeling more energized than when I started. Running does.

I have my first official 5k planned for the last weekend in June. I've not yet run an actual 5k (I think about 2 miles in the most we've done so far), but I'm working my way there and I'm excited.

This is fun!

Who'da thunk???

Miss Pip

Aubrey is 100% abounding in personality. She is full of opinions, thoughts, wishes, and demands. She is a tease, a provoker, a director, and a nurturer all rolled into one. Sometimes she makes me wring my hands and shake my head. Sometimes I find myself almost doubled over in laughter at something she has said or done. But always, always, always she keeps me on my toes and is a delight to my heart.

Here is a taste of this crazy awesome girl's dialogue throughout the day:

(And, yes, this is all just from today.)

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Me: Why are you getting the stool out?

Aubrey: This is not the time to ask, "Why?" Mama. Just obey.

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Aubrey: *talking and jabbering at me as I do my work*

Me: *generally not paying attention to my constant companion*

Aubrey (completely exasperated and putting her hands on her hips): Are you jus' not understan'in' me, Mama, or are you ignorin' me?

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Me: Tell Jackson you're sorry and ask him to forgive you.

Aubrey: But I not sorry!

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Me: Don't you want to learn to use the potty and stop wearing diapers, Aubrey?

Aubrey: Nope, I will be a baby still.

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Aubrey: Kids! You are all not obeyin' me!

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Aubrey: I wanna bite, Mama! I wanna bite!

Me: Aubrey, you are whining at me.

Aubrey (sniffling and trying to regain composure): Mama, I please have a bite?

Me: No, Aubrey. You already had your lunch. This is Mama's lunch.

Aubrey: Mama! You must share with me!

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Aubrey (to Claire): Clai-re, Clai-re. You the prettiest baby, Clai-re!

Aubrey (to me): Claire is laughin' at me, Mama! She thinks I'm funny! She loves me, Mama! See? See?

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Of Rings and Running

My engagement ring is missing as of yesterday morning.

I removed it to mix up a pie crust with my hands and put both my wedding band and engagement ring in their normal Kitchen Duties That Are Too Messy To Leave Rings On My Finger location, right next to Daniel's espresso machine (this is not to say that, after my rings, the espresso machine is the next most important thing in the house). After all my baking (I also made a loaf of banana bread while I was at it) and consequent dish-washing, I normally slip the rings right back on, but yesterday I forgot. I was running out the door with my 3 little guys to spend some time with my big sister and her little guys while my 2 big guys were at Friday School and didn't notice that they were missing until we were all settled in Danica's family room.

Upon returning home 3 hours later, I immediately went to the counter to put my rings back on. There lay my wedding band, but no engagement ring. (Which, can I just say that it would be a lot less stressful to have lost the $65 wedding band???)

Now, almost 24 hours later, Daniel and I have turned the kitchen upside-down. He looked in the sink drain "trap" (or whatever it's called) and moved the oven for me. I went through the garbage twice, pawed through the 5lb bag of flour, looked under both small and large appliances, and a friend came over last night and reorganized my messiest kitchen drawer so that we could make sure it hadn't fallen in there.

I know there are much bigger things that happen in life. I know it was a ring-- a thing. It wasn't even an expensive ring, as far as engagement rings nowadays go.

But it was my engagement ring, and it represented a whole lot to me.

To say I've been kicking myself and that I haven't cried would be a gross understatement and lie.

I'm crushed.


On another note, I've been meaning to write about this new Running Thing I've taken up in the past month and a half.

But now that I'm thinking about my ring again, it just seems so dumb to write about running.

So I'll save that for another time.

our Rock

Today I woke up and drank my cup of coffee. I changed diapers, picked out clothes for my feisty spirited daughter and her smiley younger sister, reminded older children to stay on track with their morning chore routine even though we're all feeling sluggish after several late nights in a row, ate breakfast, loaded the dishwasher, worked on our family Scripture memorization, put the baby down for her morning nap, cracked open the school books with my school children.

Behind it all, though, I struggled. I don't always feel like I know how to align my emotions. There are high highs in life, and some very real lows. Managing them all, learning how to rejoice with one while yet weeping with another, can feel so conflicting. I struggle to know what to say, what to do, how to react to it all, how I can be glad with one and sorrow with another... not wanting anyone to be hurt or overlooked or undervalued in it all.

Last week, my heart broke for a dear family who lost their son in a tragic accident.

This week, my hearts soar with church members who are receiving encouraging and strengthening prophetic ministry.

I am close to tears as I think about a sister in the Lord who lays in a hospital bed weeks after her massive stroke, yet unresponsive.

I enjoyed the visit of a famous artist/producer who may very well be the launching pad for my sister's music.

I pray for the continued healing of a newborn baby who was airlifted to the NICU 140 miles away, my soul still remembering so clearly the turmoil of the days I spent there only 2-1/2 years ago with my miraculous Aubrey.

God is a very personal God. He is intimately acquainted with every single thing that goes on in each of our lives. He rejoices with us and over us. He shares our griefs.

Today, I am reminded that this thing called being His body doesn't need to be a struggle. I just need to look to Him. To lean into Him.

He's the Rock. Unchanging. Faithful. The Same yesterday, today, and forever.

I just need to ever point myself, my children, my friends, my family to Him.

Easter 2010

This was an amazing Easter.

I mean, they're all amazing.

But this one... there was just something about it. The weather was idyllic. The pace was enjoyable. The friends and family and church body nearby made it memorable. The children were adorable. The price tag was extremely manageable (lovely hand-me-downs = virtually no expenses for new spring clothes!).

And it's Easter: the day we celebrate the victory purchased on our behalf by an amazing and risen Savior.

What's not to love????

Claire's first Easter basket!



She liked the paper "grass" inside it best



Rather pulled-together looking, considering the fact that Jackson's outfit met with disaster before this photo was taken



You think my children like to eat? Hahaha



The gang at 1942

Growing in beauty

This was a busy weekend, and I didn't manage much any time for blogging or photo uploading or sorting. Even when I try to tell Time to stop so I can just get a few things done and catch up, it doesn't listen to me.

So, yes, somewhere in the midst of baking special breads and raking out gardens and overhauling dressers and closets and all the wonderful events of the past several days, Claire Evangeline turned another page in the book of her life. She's five months old now.

It's been a beautiful, sweet, breath-taking five months.