Catch Up

Well, I've had several thoughts/experiences that have been runnin' around my brain for the past week and I'm just now getting the time to write. Also, I lost my tethering again! Grrrr... it messed up my voicemail and I wasn't getting any. So, I had to uninstall the setting. Should have known since it's kind of a sneaky thing. Anyways, I'm on a mission to find it another way and NOT let it mess up my vmail.

First of all, as a lot of you know I'm on my journey to running the Nashville Half Marathon. Yea... treacherous journey at that. I was SOO proud of myself for running 4 miles on Saturday-the longest I've EVER ran. I did it with my uncle, the ultimate running machine, and I couldn't believe I did it. Then, I went to run 3 miles yesterday and literally stopped almost in tears because I thought I was going to die! Running with people changes everything for me so I'm going to have to start to do that more. I'm DETERMINED to do this! Soo.. I think I'm going to run again today and force myself through that terrible "wall".

Secondly, this is just for some laughs. Last week my kids had to complete a formal writing assessment on who they consider their role model. So, of course, I walked around and wanted to see who everyone put. I feared they would all put their mom or something, but I was actually enlightened to see that there was quite an array of role models. They ranged from Taylor Swift, to Peyton Manning, to Amelia Earhart, to a grandmother, an aunt, a sister,a few other athletes I didn't know about, Jesus, God... and I saved the best two for last: Superman and Kesha. Yes, Kesha being the new somewhat trashy singer who sings "I wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy" and "I brush my teeth with a bottle of Gin". (I think that's right?) Anyways, all that matters is that she supported her idea with 3 main reasons and she did! So go easy on the girl when deciding whether or not her role model is really a role model!

And lastly, I realized that since November, an ABUNDANCE of babies have entered this world-and babies that will probably be apart of my life forever, or at least close to it. So.. I want to give a shout out to the new babies, mommies and daddies.

1-My NEWEST nephew: Gabriel Lorenzo Colonna born on November 11 to my sister Sarah and alex. I LOVE him. He's so great and I hate he had to go back to NC this week. =(
2-Graham Charleston Sluder born in December to Lindsay and Craig Sluder. This is their number 2 and I love hearing how Ben interacts with him.
3-Rader Jackson Brose born to Courtney and John Brose. The time I held him I never saw his eyes because he was out cold, but maybe next time he'll be awake!
4-Jodie Ann Baldwin born to Hannah and Brandon Baldwin. I get to meet her in March when I go to Virginia and I'm so excited!
5-Emory Jaye Thompson born to Arhmin and Steve Thompson. The hair on this girl is out of this world! Last week we laid her on the bed and just stared at her.
6-and last week, Cola Leese Hood born to Megan and Mario Hood. She is so tiny and I love it. I can hold her with one hand. The best is that her big bro is allll about her!

WOW! 6 babies and they never get old to me! And glad to announce my cousin is expecting in September so add another Jones baby to the crew. That makes 7 great grandchildren for my grandparents. These babies have the magic of brightening a gloomy day.

Oh the weather outside is frightful

Here in Cleveland we pray, long for, and desire any type of "inclement weather" or "snow" day. The wind can blow the wrong way and school will be out. In defense of our somewhat wimpy handling of bad weather, our back roads in Bradley Cty. get slick and icy in a heartbeat, and you know you wouldn't want your baby riding on a school bus on those roads!

So with that being said, yesterday, no student came to school even asking about snow... none of the teachers were even really concerned mainly because our weather forecasters are usually wrong and we never know what's going to happen. They said we would get some icy rain and mayyyyybe sleet and snow.

Well geesh! It came POURING in and I give props to the school system for dismissing school so soon. By 3 o'clock it was snowing hard and mom and I were watching trucks go sliding down her hill. It would have been TERRIBLE had buses been on the road then.

Anywho-we stayed safe in mom's house all night and I wasn't even going to attempt going anywhere considering the last batch of ice we got I almost wrecked 2 times. I haven't gotten out of my PJs today and I've helped feed, bathe, and put to sleep a number of babies. I'm going to attempt to venture home tomorrow and pray my hill isn't still icy.

"It means no worries! For the rest of our days!"

I bought my house 8 months ago. It has probably been one of the best decisions EVER for me. I had a few concerns before I made this big (and expensive!) decision, but I'm glad to say that honestly, I believe the Lord answered my prayers on some of those concerns.

I wasn't afraid of paying all the bills or even taking care of everything, but I was concerned that...

#1-I would get terribly lonely.
and
#2-I would get terribly scared.

Sooo... dealing with #1. I honestly have not had one moment of loneliness. Because of that, it has also made me realize that loneliness has nothing to do with being around people, but rather how you view your life and circumstances. So I'm thankful to the good Lord that I've never felt lonely, and if anything, sometimes I crave to go home. It's warm, smells good, and if there's a mess-I know it's mine, and no one elses.

In regard to #2, I honestly haven't been scared. I've had maybe 2 times where I've heard weird noises, but then I realize where they are coming from. I did ask for mace (and got some) for Christmas, just in case someone did "enter" my home unexpectedly. So don't try to pull any pranks on this girl!!

It hit me all of a sudden that I am THRILLED and unbelievably THANKFUL that I feel peace in these areas. I can TOTALLY understand that if you're used to having a man live with you... and especially sleep in the same bed with you, that it can feel unsafe or lonely when they aren't there. I'm sure when I have that in my life I'll be the same way... but until then, I give total appreciation to the Lord for helping me out with this. Hakuna matata.

I can finally breathe

Tonight was my last ball game, and proud to say that both the Lady Bruins and Bruins won the SETAC championship! YAY! I have most of those ball players in class and they are fabulous kids. And honestly, Lake Forest has come a long way in this town and I still think some people are surprised when we do well at something. If you're not from our small little town then you may no understand the dynamics of the school systems, but there are definitely some heavy rivals. So I give all the credit to the great kids we have.

My student teacher has been teaching 2 classes a day and will slowly add until she teaches 2 full weeks. It's SO weird to not teach all day, and not to mention, actually be listening to someone else teach what I normally teach. It's been great though and I hope I am helping her as well. I can tell that I'm not nearly as exhausted each evening!

So with b'ball ending... and not teaching all day... I honestly feel as if this is my chance to rest. And I mean "rest" in every sense of the word-physically, mentally, and emotionally. My sister comes into town next week and my other sister is having surgery so I hope to spend a lot of time helping the family. Life is good.

Things I'm Looking Forward To...

Here is the list that is keeping me going:

Things I'm Looking Forward To...

1. Basketball season being over... in less than 2 weeks. Praise the Lord!

2. Having my student teacher teach 2 full weeks. What will I do all day? Ohh wait... everything else that seems to still take up my time at school.

3. The new Valentine's Day Movie. (shallow, huh?)

4. Spring Break in NYC with family and then visiting my BFF in Virginia! SO EXCITED!

5. Actually running the half marathon-HUGE goal!

6. The last day of school.

7. Disney in June!!!

Yes... you can note all of the traveling being done, thus why I'm a little tight on the funds, but it will all work out somehow! =) Might as well live it up while I can!

Just keep running... Just keep running...

My knees and shins have taken a killing. I am in week three of attempting to train for my lofty goal of running the Nashville half marathon.

I am VERY determined to do it, and I figured if I announce it on here then it will keep me accountable. I started right after Christmas even though the regular training plans don't start until February. uhhh, you have to be able to run 3 miles when you start in February. Seriously?! Thus why I started a month early.

I'm running 3-4 times a week and I am starting to look forward to it. But, today, I did 2 miles and I felt like I hit a wall. I'm not quite sure what the next step is in getting me through it... I've only ran on a treadmill because it's been insanely cold outside but I know I need to get out and enjoy the scenery a little bit. I have earphones in and TVs in front of me, and I still can't seem to stay distracted enough. Not to mention, I accidentally pulled that stupid red emergency string off TWICE which totally messed me up.

Anywho-I will gladly take any advice and encouragement in this area, because it's all new to me. My next need is to get new shoes and some outdoor running clothing-when the bank account permits. =)

Picture recap

Finally... some recent photos!
1. Harper at Thanksgiving
2. New Years fun at the Maddens
3.Precious Gabriel
4. First snow in my house (early December)
5.Harper's birthday party
6. UK game
7. Me and mom at UK game (BTW, mom got to meet Jeff Sheppard, MVP of the 1998 NCAA tournament and also the last time UK won the tourney and you would have thought it was George Bush!)
8.Gabriel
9. Cousins Gabriel and Jones