Summer Flops

So this is what I've been up to lately.....





I have been making book marks for the teachers at Luke's school for Teacher Appreciation Week that is coming up. And I've been mastering my skills at making summer flip flops. I am tired of paying large amounts of $$ to buy all the fun stuff I love so I figured I would set out and just make it. Turns out it isn't hard at all and I am loving the craft time to let me creative juices flow! So now that I've mastered jewelry making, book marks and flip flops my next task is to conquer the Danskin She Rox Triathlon on Mother's Day. Only a few weeks left!!!!

Princess Half Marathon COMPLETED

Princess HALF MARATHON
Clock Time 2:24:10
Chip Time 2:23:33
Overall Place 2248 / 6150
Gender Place 2150 / 5956
Division Place 481 / 1211
Age Grade 46.4%
5K 31:07
10K 1:04:05
15K 1:39:35

A NEW PR!!!! So there it is! I shaved off about 15 minutes from my previous Half Marathon time. I will admit I was hoping to have completed the race in 2:10, but I started having a cramping issue around mile 9 that was very painful. I pushed through the pain and completed the race and that's what matters I guess. This was an amazing race, and not only that it was the first of it's kind so that was even sweeter. I tell ya.. there ain't nothing like crossing the finish line and getting a big fat medal placed around your neck. I will have to share some pics of the medals in my stash. It's all about the medals... LOL Any takers for next years run? You can't get any better than sunny Florida, on the brink of spring and the running temps in the morning are cool with the sun shining. CHEERS! I'm off to celebrate!

God's Grace

I don't know about any of you but I have to be reminded (daily) of God's Grace in my life. Just when I think I've made it over a vast mountain, I feel like I am going up against another vast mountain. Life is full of twists and turns and I am beginning to think I don't like some of them. I love adventure and I am always up for a new one but when I don't see the map laid out ahead of me I get freaked out. I like to think that I am truly living my life to it's fullest each day at a time, however I have come to the realization that I am so very wrong. God has amazing things in store for us all, even in this crappy economy, I just need to focus on HIM and HIM alone. I can no longer rely on what the stock market says or what comes down the line in the corporate world. I am choosing to take a stand on scripture and what the Lord has set before me. Here are a couple of scriptures I've been praying.....

"Because I seek the Lord, I shall not lack any beneficial thing" Psalm 34:10

"My God will meet all my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19

I have been reminded today of how precious life really is. It's been almost a year ago that a friend of mine lost her battle with cancer. Her husband posted a blog today about his beautiful wife and how she chose to live her life, even in the last days. Here is a tidbit of what she wrote on her blog regarding her circumstance in the midst of fighting cancer:

"I’m still angry at God, but I know He is there with me. I am still learning to accept this. But, I’m going to stand up and take it like a child. Fearless, full of life, full of fun and talking all about it. The good stuff is right there in front of all of us. We are just too grown up to realize it or enjoy it. To all my little people out there, keep your parents on track! Remind them to play more, smile more, enjoy life and ROCK ON!"

I feel so guilty for feeling sorry for myself and what circumstances I may be facing. I have learned a valuable lesson today and it is to stop having a pity party and get up and live life. I need to stop and smell the roses more often than I do. I need to stop taking what I have for granted and most of all get off the speeding train that I am always on to get from one place to the next.
If you stop and think about it, life 30 years ago was so much simpler and laid back. Neighbors were friends, kids played outside with other kids, and families sat down to dinner together. I thank God today for shifting my focus from the material things I've been focusing to more focus on HIM. After all HE really is the one in control, not us. I will close this out with this:

GOD DOES NOT GIVE US GRACE FOR OUR IMAGINATION

I'm Diving In........

OH BOY..... so I am diving in feet and all.... can you guess what this means? I'm going to college! I must admit I'm a bit nervous and excited all in one. I have had a life long dream to go to dental hygiene school since I was 18, and as God would have it he had other plans for me. If I could go back 18 years I wouldn't change a thing! I have been so blessed to have been able to be a stay at home mom and raise my 3 adoring boys. I do however feel a tug at my heart regarding going to college. I have made this decision to better myself and personal growth, not to go out and make tons of money. I worked in a dental office as a dental assistant for 8 years before I had my first child and quite working full time, so I have the experience in the field. I told Steve I wanted to go get my degree and maybe work a couple days a week, and still feel like I'm at home with the boys. This endeavor of course will take several years to accomplish and that is if I go full time. I am going to start off slow and work from there, as I want to do well in each course and not bog myself down with too much. I love home schooling so this will all take place while I am home schooling all 3 boys next year! :-0 Am I crazy or what? HA! Never the less I am very excited and cannot wait to see how God steers my path. It has been in my thoughts and prayers for over a year now and I am finally ready to take that leap of faith! First step is making that appointment with the college advisor in the next couple of weeks to map everything out. Prayer has been my rock so when you think about it, please pray for God's plan in my life. I am SO NERVOUS!!!! :) I keep telling myself, With God ALL things are possible!

I'm In......

I cannot believe it.... I'm in!!!! Yesterday was THE DAY, and when 10 o'clock rolled around I was hot on the Danskin website making sure I got in for the Danskin Triathlon. To my surprise the distance has changed, which in a way is a good thing, I think! Last year the distance was shorter and so this year they have increased the distance. We will be swimming 1/2 mile, bike 13 miles then run 3.1 miles (5k) to the finish! This event closed last year with in 24 hours of opening so I was stoked that I was able to secure my spot. Now the REAL training begins! I am not much of a swimmer so I have opted to join a triathlon training group. My coach who trains me now for races is overseeing the triathlon training group so I should be well prepared. I just need to get over my fear of swimming in the FL lakes.... you know our lakes in FL have some very nasty creatures living in them! The race is planned for May 10Th, Mother's Day. Anyone else out in blog land competing in this? I'd love to hear from you!

Correction.....

Breaking News...... apparently in my oversight I have left someone out in one of my recent blogs. Not that I did this intentionally BUT so no ones feelings get hurt I need to clarify things. My step brother in law Chris and his wife Julie are due to have their baby in February. They were accidentally left out of one of my recent blogs regarding family members who are pregnant and will be having babies this year. Life with 3 boys and a husband, home school, sports activities, church, friends, and basically just life in general has kept my mind in overload. I'm sure most moms can relate and understand. Stay tuned for an update in the coming month on the impending birth of Chris and Julie's baby boy who will be arriving soon. Hopefully by then I will be able to find out this sweet prince's name as I have not been successful in doing so yet.

Prayers For Harper

I am NOT savvy in blog land BUT I did want to add this to my page. Another blogging mommy named Kelly has just given birth to a baby girl named Harper, last evening. Harper was immediately flown to Tulsa OK to the NICU as she has pneumonia. From what I know she has a strong heart but needs all the prayers she can get from all the prayer warrior mommies. I am not sure how to post the link to her blog so here is her address: Kellyskornerblog.com