woot!

Woot!

That is what I say when I'm excited about something.

Most of the time I say "Woot!" in text messages, but sometimes I just say it out loud.

Woot!

I have been saying Woot! a lot tonight.

The reason for that, is because I finished Couch to 5K!

I finished! I finished a 9 week program designed to train me to run 3 miles.

I followed the program, pretty much to the T, and it worked!

When I set out to do this, I decided my running days would be Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

And for the last 9 weeks, I have not missed a single Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday.

Oh... believe me! I have tried talking myself out of skipping a day, postponing a day, quitting early, etc.

But I didnt!!! I pressed on!!!

Woot!

I ran in the freezing cold, the gusting wind, some beautiful dewey mornings, and some warm humid evenings. Once during my run at the park, a rain storm came, and people ran to the their cars, but I kept running.

I ran at the river park mostly, but also around my neighborhood, and hotel treadmills. Last weekend I ran up to my church and back, and on the high school track a few times.

9 weeks ago I started the program, and I "wanted" to finish it. But I kinda told myself I probably wouldnt. I could barely run 1 minute.

I can run for 30 minutes now!

Woot!

What I have learned:

*I really can do things that I set my mind to
*I dont mind running alone
*I must have chapstick on, and lots of it
*I prefer to run in a baseball cap
*I rock a black Nike sweat suit
*I never get tired of the worship music playlist on my iPod
*It takes almost 10 minutes for me to get my shoes laced just right
*Stretching is absolutely necessary
*I think I actually "like" running
*Okay I am kinda obsessed with the idea of being a "runner"
*I need to do some strength training
*I have huge calves
*And the only reason I completed this "what i thought was impossible" program, was because I turned this over to The Lord. He gave me all I needed to keep moving along.

Woot!!!

What I have yet to learn:
*What to do with my car keys when I go to the park to run????

Thank you, friends, for all of your encouragement and support.

My next post will be about my experience at Bloomsday this weekend.

Spokane here I come!!!

WOOT!!!!!

I'll take Potpouri for $500, Alex!

Just potpouri of updates:

* Still doing the running thing. Last thursday was the end of week 5, and I ran for 20 minutes with out taking a break! Can you say milestone?? I had been dreading week 5 day 2 for, well... about 5 weeks! I knew that 20 minutes run was coming. I guess all along I just thought to myself that will be the day I quit the program. How could I possibly run for 20 minutes w/o stopping, when just 5 weeks ago I could barely run for 1 minute?! Well.... I did do it! I prayed a lot before my run. I always pray before my runs, but this particular day, I prayed extra. The strength I received that day... indescribable! And today, one week later, I ran for 25 minutes! I have completed 6 weeks of this 9 week program, and I dont see any sign of quitting now.

* Easter was great. My mom came down and stayed the weekend with us. This was huge! My mom hates Hermiston, and she hasnt been back here in about 9 years. She's going through some awful stuff right now, so it was nice for her to take a break and spend it with us. I sooo enjoyed having her here. I made her my special cinnamon rolls for breakfast. We cooked a big ham dinner together, and had fresh strawberry shortcake for dessert. We took her for a drive around town so she could see how much it has changed ( or not, lol ). After dinner we went down to the park where I run and took a nice walk. Her and Harley dyed Easter eggs, and we watched The Blindside. It was awesome quality family time. It was hard letting her go on Sunday. My mom needs a lot of prayers for some positive strength in her life right now. No one imagines they will have to start over at age 50. My mom is beautiful, intelligent, and talented, so I know she will be fine, but I still worry.

* Bubba has a birthday coming up! We are taking him out for ribs this weekend. Next weekend we will be staying a couple nights up in Kennewick at the Little People of America Convention. We love taking the kids to the conventions, they are totally stoked!!

* I have been roasting brusselsprouts for dinner, and they are the bomb! I ate a little too much "bad stuff" over Easter weekend, but I am back on track. I look forward to eating roasted brusselsprouts at night! lol! You must try them yourself! Get out there and get some fresh ones, chop the suckers in half lengthwise, toss in a bowl with EVOO and salt n pepper. Spread out on a cookie sheet and bake @ 350 for 15-20 minutes. Even if you "think" you dont like brusselprouts.. you gotta try them. Roasting them completely changes the flavor.

* I am having a yardsale on April 24th. My house is a little tore up right now, as I go room by room digging out treasures to sell. I love yardsale season! I need to make room for more treasures of my own.

Okay I am all out of potpouri for the night... smooches.

These Two

 

Brother and Sister.
Best Friends.
Worst Enemies.
Complete Opposites.

The probably spend more time together than any other brother/sister combo you've ever seen. They are 4-1/2 years apart, and most days, you would never know it.

These two have been through so much together. Well, with their mother being an alcoholic and pretty much non existent in their lives. But, they also understand each other. When no one else understands things from their {point of view}, they can turn to one another.

Sure they have their share of daily fighting, competing, tattling, and trickery.


HIM.....

 

A clone of his dad.
One of the sweetest boys you will ever meet.
Lover of music, wrestling, and horror movies.
Great sense of humor.
Will beat you at any video game at any time.
Would eat baby back ribs every day of the year.
Practices good personal hygeine.
Quite the entertainer.

This kid, he does some.....dumb stuff. He's so typically an almost 15 yr old young man. But he is so kind. He never raises his voice, or talks down to anyone. He says his "pleases" and more often.. his "thank yous."

I know I posted a couple months ago about Bubba, and his academics. He had a rough
1st semester of high school. He has really turned things around, and I am happy to report that the 3rd quarter is about to end, and he has held above a 3.0 GPA for the whole 9 weeks!!!

Proud of that kid.


HER.....

 

Yes, that is the look she is giving me most of the time. Its that "you cant be serious" look.

A clone of her mom (unfortunately... but we cant change that)
One of the loudest kids you will ever meet.
Lover of animals, flip flops, and any one who pays her attention.
Thinks she can beat you at anything, at anytime.
Eats her veggies.
Tetherball obessesd.
The phrase "mind your own business" means squat to her.
Quite the people pleaser.

This girl... hardly ever "finds trouble." Her trouble is rudeness and disrespect. Unlike Bubba, who finds trouble, but is really nice about it. Harley is little miss perfect, while being mean.

She's cute, and funny, and she knows it. She is a textbook Leo! She loves all attention on her. She will even go as far as doing something really nice for someone, to get their attention. (thats when I like her best). Because she really is a kind, sweet, person, with a ton of love to give. I often forget that she's only 10.


I am so blessed to have this family in my life. I know that we are together for a reason. They need me, and I need them. I have learned so much about love, respect, and patience.

Love these two.