Awesome Weekend!!!

Yes, I had an awesome weekend!!! I went to college with some of the greatest people I know and joined a professional music fraternity called Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI). We are sisters through and through and have been there for each other through some awesome times and some sad ones too. One year ago, we lost one of our dear sisters to breast cancer. Her name was Laura and we all miss her dearly. One of the saddest things about her passing was that many of us didn't even realize she was sick until it was too late. We had lost touch, as many busy moms would understand. Laura understood. She too was a busy mom, wife, teacher, friend... life just runs away from you sometimes. Well, after her funeral those of us who had gathered to pay tribute to her decided that we could not let that happen. The losing touch thing. So many of us hadn't seen each other in over 10 or 15 years!!! That's too long for sisters and friends who care about each other. So we made a plan to get together more often. January and July at least. We can do this!!! July was a great family picnic where many of us brought our spouses and kids and even some other awesome WMU friends were there.. it was great!!!

So, fast forward to this past weekend. Since it's officially the anniversary of Laura's passing, we as sisters got together to just be sisters. It was great. We met at a lake house owned by a sister's parents (awesome!) and just sat around and visited, ate, drank wine, and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company!!! So wonderful to get hugs and talk and catch up! Then in the evening our lovely and talented hostess had planned for those of us who could to go out for an evening of Drag Queen Bingo!!! Yes, Bingo, hosted by a funny fabulous drag queen named September Murphy!!!! Hilarious!!! Now, if you know me, you know I very rarely win at anything. I'm just not lucky that way. So imagine my surprise when, at the end of like three rounds of bingo I actually won!!!! So fun!!! I received my prizes, a Glee calendar and a $25 gift card for the store that hosted the bingo (which of course is a 2 1/2 drive from my house). Since I wasn't likely to get back there any time soon, I went ahead and used my card right then on a cute glass pitcher/mug type thing that has great big hot pink polka dots on it!!! So me!!!! I'll have to see if I can post a pic. I haven't done this in a while!!!





Anyway, it was amazing to see my sisters, to spend a day without my kiddos and just being a girl! I can't wait to see them again, and plan to make plans to do that this summer (if not before)!!!! Now I need a fun twisty straw so I can drink something awesome out of my sweet new "mug"!!!!

Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes....

Sorry, couldn't help myself.... but things are changing. Changing in my attitude. Changing in my body. Changing in my faith. And it's exciting, and exhilarating, and downright frightening!!!!

I have been talking a lot lately about changing my body through fitness and exercise, and that's not going to stop, but for tonight that is not my focus.

I sing and play on the worship team at my church. I truly feel that my voice and musical ability are gifts from God that should be given back to Him whenever and wherever possible. We have quite a vibrant group and I'm honored and priveledged to lead worship with these wonderful people!!! We, of course, have a leader. Our fearless leader Jon. Tonight he called a meeting for us basically to challenge us to live out our faith in more ways than just playing a guitar and singing on Sunday mornings. Here's a quick synopsis of the "plan".

1. We are going to challenge ourselves to pray for the entire world.
It's easy to pray for ourselves and our families and even our churches, but when was the last time I prayed for the orphans in Rwanda??? Honestly??? Probably never.
2. Read the entire Bible.
This is something I've tried to do in the past by myself, but my enthusiasm usually wanes around Deutoronomy!!! I've read the entire New Testament, but the Old??? Nope. Never. But I'm gonna give it a try, and we are going to try to keep each other accountable for it even if we're not on the same exact page. No time limit, just read it through! Planning to start on Feb 1... if anyone else wants to join in, go right ahead!!!
3. Sacrifice your money to another purpose.
I am really struggling with this one, and will for a while. My husband and I don't make a ton of money as it is, and while I know that sacrificial giving is Biblical and important, it's hard to know how to give up things that seem so important... but they really aren't... this one is going to be difficult for me for sure.
4. Spend time in another context.
This one is something I've been trying to figure out how to do for a while. My time is precious, working full time, raising my boys, but there's something else out there that I'm supposed to be doing. I've felt that way for a long time. For a while I thought I was supposed to be in a band. That didn't work. But I still think it might have something to do with my music. That's partly why I started taking guitar lessons last year. My teacher has inspired me to start writing music. I've written a couple of songs so far, and of course, they happen to be worship songs. I know that's what I'm supposed to write, it just feels right!!! I love secular music too and listen to lots of different genres, but I truly think God has something for me up His sleeve and somehow I'm supposed to keep doing music... when/where/how/whatever I'm not sure, but I'll wait for God's nudging on that one. I'm ready for whatever He has for me!!!
5. Commit to multiplying...
I don't think I got the words right, but the jist of it is discipleship. Making disciples and spreading the Gospel. I have a hard time thinking of myself as a disciple, but my pastors are really focusin on that right now, so I've been thinking a lot about it anyway and am just convicted that I'm already one.. now I just need to act like it!!!

Ok, sorry if you're not into all that "church" stuff... I'm really not a preachy type person either, but I'm very spiritual. I always have been. It's something I'm passionate about especially when it comes to music and worship leading. So now comes my attitude change. It's coming, and I have to work some of the kinks out yet, but I feel it. Watch out world... there's changes coming from this little mama!!!!!

Oh. My. Gosh.....

A crazy thing happened at work today. I just had to share!!!

So a week or two ago we were tipped off that there have been several optical offices that have been shoplifted by a group of people, mainly a man and a woman, in several cities across West Michigan. One of the tipster offices sent along an email with several surveillance photos attached so we would be aware of the individuals if in fact they came into our office. We all took a good look at the photos and went about our daily lives... until today!

While I was at lunch, the other girls in the office noticed the man from the photo, along with a girl who looked like the one in the photo, and they were asking about some random eyewear line that we didn't carry. While one girl helped them and kept them talking, the other called the police. First the Zeeland Police came, and he took the story and called the Grand Rapids Detective who is running the case, who came out and arrested them. The man had three warrants in the state, at least one for home invasion, but the girl didn't have any warrants. Oh, and their driver took off when the cops came!

It was about the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me in our little town!!! I didn't have to talk to the police, they took them outside pretty soon after I got back from lunch, but we are so proud to have been the ones who helped bring these thieves to justice! I don't want them stealing from anyone!!!! Just wrong. And sad.

I went to Bible study tonight and realized just how much I need to pray for these individuals. There's got to be a reason for the thefts. I don't know if they are desperate due to a job loss, have grown up as criminals, have a drug habit, whatever. I'm sure there's a story there, and while I may never know about it, I can still pray for them. I can pray that they see what they've done is wrong. I can pray that someday they will repent and change their ways and will come to lean on Jesus instead of crime and deception. It's not much, but it is.

Like I said... Oh. My. Gosh....

State of the Mind...

Ok, I was playing on the state of the union address that is on tv like right now, and of course I'm not really paying attention. But I am writing my thoughts down in my usual rambling way just so I can keep track of my mind while I watch a couple of shows on Hulu.. that is the best new website I've found in a long time!!! Anyway, I digress... again. My kiddos are still doing their homework too, so it's not like I'm going to sleep any time soon.

Had a good day at work. Less stressful today which is amazing! We're coming to terms with the new computer system and working out the kinks, even if it means we have to change our way of thinking sometimes. We are nothing if not flexible, right??? As long as our patients are taken care of, we're happy. Or we're working on being happy... either way. It's all good, and less stress is a happy day any day! Plus, it was payday, which always makes for a great day!!!!

Worked out at the gym again tonight. I love that I'm getting stronger, and I really feel like what I'm doing now I can keep doing forever. It's really a change in my thinking, this complete lifestyle makeover I'm putting myself through. Completely necessary and worth every ounce of sweat! People are starting to notice, which is kinda nice, but feeling good like I am is the best reward!!! Like I said, it's a change of mind, a change of philosophy, and a change in life. I can't believe I am doing this, but I really want to be around someday for my future grandchildren!!! Yes, I have at least 20 years before that happens, but I'll wait. And I'll be there. That's what matters!! Plus, I want to be the kind of grandma that can take her kiddos to the beach, and for bike rides, and all that sort of stuff!!! Wow, won't that be neat!

So, it's a great day! Hope everyone out there in cyberland had a great day too!! And if you put your mind into it you can make anything happen... it's all in your State of Mind....

Life is Nuts...

My life is crazy. Seriously, I need to clone myself like three times to be able to keep up with all the stuff I'm supposed to do!! Of course, that won't happen, so some things are falling through the cracks. Like the bathrooms, and the kitchen floors, and my bedroom dustbunnies that are about to come alive and smother me while I sleep... but I'm mostly ok with that. Mostly, because I'm not a neat freak, I'm mostly a little sloppy anyway, but it's starting to get to me. Mostly, because my kids seem happy even if the kitchen's a mess and there's enough cobwebs on the walls to play 3on3 in the living room. Mostly. But it would be SO nice to have the time to clean. Instead, I work a full time office job and take care of my boys and myself the best I can. Did I mention that I wish I could quit my day job??? Oh yeah, big time. But I can't. So I'll deal with dirty floors and dust bunnies the size of my minivan.... ugh.

So I was at said office job today and I remembered that I thought I had a haircut appointment coming up, and when was that again??? So I checked the calendar in my phone and guess what... it's tonight! After work!!! And I didn't plan ahead and bring a change of clothes or my checkbook!!!! Ugh! I'm so overwhelmed half the time I can't remember what I have to do in two hours, for crying out loud. Anyway, I swung home, checked in on the boys, changed into my jeans, grabbed my checkbook and headed back out to the haircut appointment. Ah, the life of a woman never stops, huh? Good news, love the haircut!!! It's all about the end result after all!!!

Oh, and all the blue highlights we did in my son's hair yesterday??? We both forgot he had swimming for gym this week... they're pretty much washed out already!!! Oh well, it's not a big deal... we'll just do it again soon! Gotta love boys, well... I do!

What a Weekend!!!

Yes, it was quite a weekend. My husband was home for most of it which is always nice. We stayed in a kept warm on Friday night, so Saturday afternoon we took a little time for a "date". It was nice to be out with just my man! We hit Applebee's for lunch (yummy) and then a quick trip into Walmart (it's never that quick) and then we went to a movie. We saw the new Ashton Kutcher flick called "No Strings Attached" and it was really good! Ashton's such a hottie, and Natalie Portman is amazingly beautiful!!! So we laughed and held hands and it was really nice. The roads got pretty bad so we went home after that and watched tv and snuggled a little and basically had a relaxing afternoon at home!!! Thankfully he also snowblowed out the driveway after the snow stopped!!! It was pretty thick out there!

So this morning he left before the sun came up and it was just a nice Sunday with me and the kids. We went to church, lunch like always at BWW's, quick trip to the grocery store for a couple things and then football! I put my workout clothes on while I did laundry so I wouldn't have an excuse not to hit the gym later and that really helped me stay focused. Three loads of laundry are (almost) done and we're ready for another week! Worked out for almost two hours (that might hurt tomorrow!) and feel awesome! I lifted weights, pushed out 30 minutes on the Arc trainer and then ran a mile after that! Not to mention the 10 minutes of ab work I did... that might hurt a little tomorrow! I'm feeling good about it though, and I think I'll be ready to start training for my race in a few weeks!!! Still can't believe I'm doing this... I must be nuts!

My younger son (he's 11) has very very blonde hair which he likes to dye different colors sometimes. His friends were saying to him that he should dye it blue again.. and of course we have plenty of hair dye left... so we dyed it! Just little blue streaks like highlights this time. Usually we do his whole head, so this is different... and I like it! He's such a little rock star, very different fashion sense than most of the sixth graders I know and a big risk taker also. So now, he's a blond, with blue streaks! Very cool!!! (He won't let me take a pic! But if I get one, I'll try to post it soon.) Wish I could pull off some hot pink highlights.. not sure I'm there yet, but maybe I'll have to give it a try sometime!

Today is also kind of a strange day. One year ago today, I lost a friend to breast cancer. A whole year. Doesn't seem possible! She has missed a year in the life of her children, a year of sunrises and sunsets, a year of sunshine and thunderstorms and snowfalls... so much happens in a year. She was a college friend and sister in our music fraternity. At her funeral last year those of us who had gathered to celebrate her life promised in her honor to get together more often so that we would not just be meeting at funerals for the rest of our lives! We are holding to that promise. Next Saturday a bunch of us (whoever can make it) are meeting for the day at a friend's parent's cottage to play and eat and do silly things together.. just for a day.. a day to remember and celebrate that we are friends and sisters. A day Laura would have loved. Because we loved her. And we miss her. She never saw her 40th birthday. Part of my turning into a runner is to honor her. I want to live for her and run for her and let people know that there was this awesome friend and sister and Mom that died of this terrible disease.. but also that she lived. She lived life to the fullest and I know that running is my way of living. She would be proud of me. When I run I often think of her, and I smile. Because she would have smiled. She would have encouraged me to keep going, no matter what.. just keep going. So I'll run. I'll run for myself, and my kids, and my dear friend. She's singing with the angels now. Praises have never sounded sweeter. We miss you, sweet Laura.

I'm going to finish the laundry, finish watching the football game, and read a book. Right now I'm reading "The Friday Night Knitting Club" and am enjoying it! I'll tell you what I think when I'm finished... I should practice my guitar, but I probably won't... still slacking there, but it's the weekend after all, and I need to chill out before another long week begins!

Happy weekend!!!!

Happy Friday!!!

Yeah!! I made it through a pretty stressful week at work and still have most of my hair!!! Seriously, it's getting more normal, but the new computer system still stinks and I think it always will. Such is life! But I have a job, a job I enjoy, and I'm thankful. Hopefully as time goes on we'll forget about this whole fiasco and just go on with our new normal. Meanwhile I'll just be happy when the end of another week comes and I actually get to sleep in tomorrow! Yahoo!

Since it had been stressful at work I felt the need to work off some of the tension and decided to do that at the gym. I know, who is this new person in this chubby girl's body??? Well, I'm starting to realize how good it feels to exercise and if I'm going to run some races this year I really need to just keep moving! So I ran. I only ran about half an hour, and only a little under two miles, and I walked a bit too and stretched of course, but I ran. That is the new me! I'm liking this determined woman I'm becoming. She's pretty awesome and she's gonna kick some major butt this year!

Speaking of running, I think my first 10k will be at our local Tulip Time festival this May. The 7th of May to be exact. I have done lots of research online about training for this race and have come up with what I believe is a good training plan that will work really well for me and my schedule. Last night before I shut off my computer I picked up my calendar (I use the one in my phone since I always have it on me) and worked my way backwards entering the training runs I'll need to do. If I start just as it's planned out, my first official training run will be on March 15th, which is 1.5 miles. Until then I am going to continue with my workouts like I have been and add some running in until running 2 miles seems "easy". It's never easy, and I don't really enjoy it, but I'm so determined to do this now it's like a switch has been turned to "runner" and it's going full blast! I don't want to stop!!! And for the first time with one of my obsessions... this is actually a good thing! I can do this, and when I do it will be a good thing for my health, a good thing for my body and a good thing for my soul. After this, I'll decide for sure if I'm up for a 1/2 marathon. No decisions until the 10k is done!

I don't really see any changes in my body yet, but this week I've had several people notice that I'm trimmer... and I'm so happy!!! I know the scale hasn't shown it yet, and that's ok, I think it will come if I keep at it. Who knows, maybe by this summer I'll actually WANT to go bathing suit shopping... probably not, but I'll probably need to!!!!