Snuggle Time

Because I was home with a bum toe, I was able to hang out with my baby and just play a bit and have fun...mostly on the floor but it was all worth it! 

Slowing Down

I was not ready to slow down.  I was forced to slow down.  Stupid plantar's wart.  But...it is in the process of being terminated and in that process it is making my big toe the size of my wrist.  Ouch!  Am I thankful for this?  Yes because then it will be gone.  No because I am not our running.  Overall, I am forced to slow down and ponder and be restless and realize that sitting around is not as fun as it used to me. For that....I am grateful.

Family Friends

You know the people in your life that you are so close to that they should be family but you are glad that they are not family because then it just wouldn't be the same?  Well, today we attended the memorial service for a family friend. As someone mentioned during the service, "he was a quality human being".  I am so very proud to have known Jake.  I will continue to learn from him for the rest of my life.

Moving On

Today I found out that my doctor is moving on in a forward dirction.  I am so very happy for and I am very grateful for all her years of advice, support, help and care.  I wish her all the best.

Seeing Other Runners

It makes me happy to see others running when out and running myself.  It keeps me inpired. 

CJ

He is sensitive, kind, sweet, loving and so true.  I love him with all my heart. 

I am grateful for the day he came into our lives. 

I am truly blessed! 

One Year Ago Today

January 25, 2010
I was struggling to run for 60 seconds...

January 25, 2011
I ran 4 miles without stopping. 

I am very grateful for my inner strength, my support, family, friends and the will power to keep on keeping on!

I Wub You

I will never be tired of hearing his sweet voice...my baby, "Mama, I wub you"

I wub you too Zac! 

4 Miles

Today I ran the furthest I have ever ran...and that felt great.  I was not emotional about it (like I was last week when I ran 3.5 for the first time) but instead I reflected on the run...I loved running in the wide open spaces.  I looked up, down, around and noticed things from a new perspective...a road that I have driven many, many times suddenly looks differenct when you run it. 

After a year of running, why have I not noticed this before?

Room

I love that I am a part of a book club.  I used to think it was something old ladies did...but now I think it is something to do.

Father of My Children

I appreciate the way he loves them and cares for them.  And knows them.

Friend

I love that my husband is my friend.

Husband

I appreciate his patience.

A New Perspective

I have new way of looking at the gym.  It is better than before. 

I appreciate the words from someone that I never expected.

Jake

Last night a great man died so today this is for him.

Jake married our long time family friend, Joanne.  Joanne has lived on the Umpqua river for about 150 years...really.  She even says it herself.  Jake and Joanne-Joanne and Jake...either way it was their place. It was our place to visit.  It is a place to love.

 I have been on that river almost every year of my life...almost. Sometimes we go to the river more than once a year so...on an average I have been there almost every year of my life.  I love that river.  That river is what inspired me to start blogging.  My very first blog is about that river. 

Jake lived on that river.  Jake was a part of those visits.  Jake knew my family.  Jake knew my kids.  How can the river be without Jake? 

Jake was funny.  He liked telling dirty jokes.  Jake had a twinkle in his eye that was funny, sweet and kind.  Jake let me ride his four-wheeler (all the time) and was always helping out.  I would help him clean up his computer.  I think I got the better end of the deal.

Jake took Carlos fishing.  Jake took Carlos golfing.  Jake took CJ on four-wheeler rides.   Jake and Joanne gave Zac his first birthday present on his first birthday because we celebrated Zac's birthday at the river.  I will cherish that toy and picture for a lifetime. Jake could be counted on to have the right tool, know where the right thing was or go get it.  He was always getting stuff for us, for the campfires, for the river...from the house on his four-wheeler.  He was our go-to man.  He was a kind man.  He called Joanne...Joseph.  And that was sweet. 

Jake will be missed.  I will miss him.  My family will miss him. The river will miss him. 

Stormy Beach

I love a stormy beach; giant waves, sideways rain and high winds.  It makes it really exciting to watch but not to exciting to not be able to get out.  It is the Oregon coast.

My Peeps

Laughing at the beach with my peeps makes me so happy.  I love their candidness, point of view, their stories, their laughter and I am very grateful for their friendship.

Here is to another nine years of fun!

Brutal Facts

It is going to be a rough year financially for public schools.  I am not sure how it is all going to pan out, but it may just get really bad.  The brutal facts are that we, as a nation, have put more money into a war than we do into education.  I am grateful for our public education but I am annoyed with our nation working within an archaic system.  One of my favorite quotes is, "put a good teacher in a bad system and the system will win every time."

My Kids

I love them. I think they are fabulous. I appreciate them and am grateful for everything they teach me.

I am so blessed.

Glee

I love it!  I love that I watch it with my husband.  I love that he loves it. 

I appreciate that he does not want to watch it until we can watch it together. 

Awwww. 

Staff Meetings

I think they are necessary.  I am not necessarily grateful for them. but I do enjoy getting together and hearing what is going on, what others are doing and just being a part of the pack.  I like being involved on a team.  I miss that aspect of high school sports (never made it to the college level).  I am grateful that I enjoy where I work. 

It is 1-11-11 and that is really cool!

Compliments

People give me compliments about my oldest son and it is very appreciated.  I do believe them and I do think he is a great guy and I do love that others notice how wonderful he is! 

Lots of Posts

I have noticed that a lot of my posts lately have been about running.  I know that it is a part of my life now and something I enjoy doing with my friends and independently. But...I really think that I need to branch out and blog gratefully about some other people, places and things in my life.  I am very grateful for all the time spent, miles logged, strength gained...but I need to have balance this year.

Balance.

2011 is all about balance.

Not Taking Life for Granted

What a terrible trategy today in Arizona. 

Senseless.
Horrific.
Life-changing.

How do we start talking to each other's hearts?

Disagreeing and not seeing-eye-to eye with someone should not also include disrespecting that person and hatred.  It should include compassion and tolerance. 

Where is this hatred coming from?

How do resolve conflict without violence? 

Dinner with Family

Tonight we went to my sister's house for dinner...first time in her new house with her roomate and a sit-down dinner.  Yummy food, great conversationa and of course a very active Zac to entertain us all.  (CJ was at Mimi's house) 

I am grateful for my sister for a variety of reasons...but for today...she is a fabulous cook, lovely hostess and very fun auntie! 

Blame

Blaming the husband makes me feel better because well, clearly "it" is never my fault.  Right?
Well, after time passes and the situation has been assessed...well, I am to blame. 

I did apologize profusly.  I admitted it was totally my fault.  I was not happy.

What I am grateful for today?  How can a day where I blamed my husband be a good day?  How can I appreciate something from this situation?

This is what I have come up with...

I am grateful for realizing that I can be a dork, idiot, self-rightous and controling!  Not all the time and not in that order, but this one time, today at 5:25 PM, I was to blame.  100%

Snow

I am ready for it...but will it arrive?

I love the peace of snow.

I love the crunch of snow.

I love the white of snow.

I would be really grateful if it snowed!

Trio

Miranda, Hayley and I went for a run today.  It felt great to be back with the original trio.  Started this way and have missed running with them...both!

I appreciate Hayley and Miranda's willingness to come to my house and go for a run...again, again, again, again and again!

Back to Routine

It felt good to get back to work today, a routine, a bit of the same again.  I have to admit it makes me a bit frustrated when I hear things like "oh, back to the grind", "oh, I could use more of a vacation", "ugh!"...but at the same time I am thinking and sometimes even saying the same thing!  I am just wanting someone else to lift me up!  Oh well, can't always get what ya want...

I am thankful for being back to work, back to being around my friends and back to teaching.

I am very thankful for my career and paycheck this 2011!

Reruns

I might have some of the same posts as 2010, but just like any good rerun it will be a great time to see something new in the same. 

I am grateful for this blog, this time to reflect and the positive feedbacks it gives me. 

Happy New Year

1-1-11

2011 is here! 

If is full of possibilities; it has got potential!
I am ready for it!

Bring.  It.  On. 

I am grateful for the past and ready for the future. 
I am grateful for the history and ready to make a new history. 

Welcome 2011!