My first 5k

So I'm officially a crazy person.

About a year and a half ago I got this hair brained idea that I would start running.  I convinced Paulie that I would use a treadmill if we bought it.  He was pumped and we spent ridiculous money on one and had it delivered to my bedroom. 

Ha.

You all know how THAT went.  We used it for a month or two and then I fell off and then so did he.

I had ALL sorts of excuses, time, boring, etc.  They were bad excuses. 

We had the opportunity to add a DVR in the bedroom and I told Paulie that I sure would use that treadmill if he got us one.

mmhmmm.

I have also gotten an iphone by this point.  There were no excuses left.

I heard about this program called couch to 5k and thought, I can do that.  I downloaded one and printed it and hit the treadmill.  It was awful.  I had to keep track of the time and pay attention and I hated it.  I quit.

Then, over Christmas I had this desire to get in shape but had no idea where to start.  I explored the apps on itunes and found one that did all the timing for you and let you play your own music in the background.  NO excuses left.  I bought it, and downloaded it to my phone, my new best friend.

The first few runs, I was hooked.  I couldn't believe I could do it.  Then, with my DVRd shows, the time was flying.  Pretty soon, I was logging 4 miles a week on the treadmill.

And then it got better.

One of the hardest runs was 10 minutes and then a break and then another 10 minutes.  But I did it.  I kept going.

I had a met this sweet, sweet lady who noticed on facebook that I had started running.  Like a fool she said she'd run a 5k with me.  Silly, silly woman!  I took her up on it and really took my training to heart.

Dad had a few really rough weeks right at the end and I had a hard time getting all my runs in, but I was pleasantly surprised that I could still pick up and get going.  My first 25 minute run was heaven.  Then it was 28 minutes.  Last week I did 3.3 miles, and 44 minutes.  The furthest I had ever run in my life.  I did it.

We ran the race yesterday.  This hills of Highland Shores are ridonkulous!  We got to the 2 mile mark and I was shocked at our time, but had to walk a few minutes.  I was really dissappointed.  We crossed the finish line running and then we saw our time.  38 minutes.  Never in my life have I run that fast.  Even as a kid, I was a 15 minute miler for ever.  WOW.

So, what did I lose?

9 lbs.
a few inches here and there...
a little bit of time
some sweat.  ok, a lot of sweat. 
my shoes, time for new ones.

What did I gain?
courage, I can DO this.
stamina, I am no longer a couch potato.
strength
optomism
muscle ;)
all around, I'm in better shape and feel better than ever.

I don't think I'm a marathon runner, nor do I know how long I will keep this up.  But I played the mind game, and WON and that is all that matters.

I AM STRONG.

First Day of First grade...

First of all, on the FIRST day of FIRST grade... God greeted me with this on the way to work this morning...

Pretty hard to have a bad day when you get to enjoy some great alone time with Him on the way, all the while He's showing his majesty.

So... how did it go?

FABULOUS.

To be honest, I'm less tired today then I have been any other first day.  I don't know why that is.  I was certainly more nervous, but also more prepared.  But also, my expectations were low as far as what they could/should really do.  This way, I wasn't really frustrated.

What a precious group...  Sweet sweet angels who still love being at school.  They still are trying REALLY hard to make a good impression.  And, if they don't really know something, it's not that big a deal, I'll go ahead and try anyway.

After lots of practice for recess and lunch, they both went smoothly (honestly, not much happened before that.)  After that, we went back, read a story and talked about rules.  They find the NO, DAVID series quite hilarious ;)  Fine Arts went off without a hitch and then back to class for another story and end our day.  Gee, did I actually DO anything?

I'm sure I did, although it didn't feel like today.

Highlight/quote of the day:  "Mrs. Sandefer, can I give you a hug???"  I know it seems silly, but third graders would NEVER say that, on a good day, nor would they offer to give me one.  It kind of suprised me at the sweetness, wanting to GIVE me a hug instead of "I NEED a hug."  I know, simple difference but it meant the world to me.

So, tomorrow is day TWO of FIRST Grade and I can't wait to see what they can do.  Their little writing is all at different levels, but yet all the same.  Pretty amazing day if you ask me.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful day in light of all the other things going on right now. I know You have a special plan and I'm honored to be a part of it...

It's coming to a close...

Summer is winding down.  Tomorrow is the boys last day at home before we head back to full time care on Monday.  We've been doing two days a week this summer and it has been kinda hard on the boys.  I hope that drop offs become more joyful by the end of next week.

Updates:

The boys spent three days at Granny's, but Eli came home sick.  He ran fever over 101 for 6 DAYS.  crazy bug I guess, but he's fine now. 

Owen is jabbering more and communicating better.  He'll be two in a week or two :)  We're all excited for that!!!  He's very excited (nOT) about going back to school.

I have my room about ready, but I still have a long way to go.  I think I might be behind!  ack!  I'll survey the damage Monday and see if that's really true.

We have JP here for a few days.  Eli sure loves Megan and JP.  they pretty much do whatever he wants, much more fun then Mom and Dad!!!!!

Ok, boring update, hope to get some pics up soon :)

Summer's ending...NOOOOOO!

I have to admit that I have truly enjoyed this summer, more so than any other summer off.  This is for lots of reasons!!

#1 reason, my kids.  We haven't had a summer off together yet.  This summer we made lots of memories and had a ton of fun.  The kids and I spent lots of quality time together and took lots of naps.  Our summer vacation was great and I can't wait to do it again.

#2.  I actually GOT a summer, for the first time since Eli was about 7 months old.  This has been really fun to just relax and not work.

#3.  I actually did think too much about school, ok,  at least less then I have other summers.  That's not to say that I didn't go to many trainings, but I actually took some off my plate and I haven't been to my room ONCE since school was out.  That is truly a record!!

But after all the fun we've had, I think it's time to get back to thinking about school.  I get the great opportunity to teach first grade this fall.  Ok at first, I wasn't sure I would think it was a great oopportunity LOL.  But after some time to digest, I'm really SO excited.  I'm ready for a new adventure.  I do, however, keep getting warned that this is the hardest grade I'll ever teach.  Like, over and over I hear that.  But I have  a great and generous team and I'm glad to work with them. 

Most of all, it's time to get us on a schedule I think.  I do enjoy the lazy days, but Eli has missed school SO much and Owen hardly remembers it LOL.  So, we need to get them back in the swing of things soon.

So, these last few weeks of official summer will be spent getting things put together for school, getting a schedule in place and getting my brain ready to start 10 minutes earlier.  Here's hoping it'll all fall into place!

Photographs

I've been working at my photographs and here are a few that I'm proud of...  yes, some were edited :)

Steak Nights

For the last two weeks we've had Saturday Steak night. Paul has great enjoyed this as steak has not traditionally been my first choice. But since I was preganant with Owen, I truly enjoy them! And Paul does grill the best steak around... Here are a few pics from last night...

The Bread....

The dinner

The dog... yes she got some steak too!

Eli getting goofy before bed...

Mommy loving Eli...

wow!

I kept thinking I needed to blog and then I would try to log in and it had been so long I forgot my passoword LOL. So... I finally remembered, thank goodness

I have a goal that I'll be better at this. We'll see.

Goings on...

Me: TAKS is now over and I'm wrapping my mind around teaching first grade in the fall. I know I'm capable, I just don't have the stuff! Guess I'll be going to lots of garage sales this summer! I have started really getting into taking pics with my camera and I'm getting some great tips from a wonderful colleague at work who knows her stuff. Hopefully, this summer will mean some great progress in my photos. I'm also doing project 365 on FB where I'm taking one pic a day for 365. We'll see :)

Paul: Still working like crazy! I'm so thankful that he's doing what he does. He's making impacts in people's lives. Not many people get that chance. Pretty amazing.

Eli: Well! He is amazing! We have been throught the most difficult season of sickness, but he's such a trooper. He's doing great at school and his teachers enjoy him almost as much as I do. He's so smart and he LOVEs Owen. We're very lucky in that respect... 4.5 is a very cool age and I kinda wish he would freeze at this stage for a while. It's only a year and half til kindergarten. Oh my, I'm not ready for that!!

Owen: Our little goofball. For whatever reason I refuse to cut his hair and it's everywhere! I've got to get it cut soon. The whole school knows Owen with his charming personality and he loves everybody. He's not shy and he's such a hoot!! When my kids are well, they are amazing!!!!!