Saturday, January 21, 2017

Gage Homecoming 2017

Gage was chosen to represent his class again this year for Homecoming,














With his XC buddy.



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Thursday, January 05, 2017

Cake and presents

She loves her new Inside Out characters.



Anger shared her cake.






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Happy 3rd birthday Ridlee!

Well 3 years seem to have flown by again! Hard to believe she will probably be my last 3 year old. She has one of the most interesting personalities. She has a speech delay, which has been a new road for us. But what she lacks in speech she makes up for in lots of other areas. She has a MacGyver mind and problem solves like crazy. She does better head stands than I can even attempt to do. She is a crazy sensory seeker who lacks that bit of fear she probably should have. Too bad they don't have surfing for toddlers class around here. She would own it. I look forward to what the years bring us with her. There is literally no telling with her. Happy Birthday Ridlee. We love you!














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Sunday, January 01, 2017

2016 A year in review

2016 A year in review

12th annual year in review.

What did you do in 2016 that you've never done before?
* Placed in several races even got 1st in my age division in one. I even got under 2:10 for my half marathons and have had 4 of my 5 under that. My PR was 2:04. 

* Went to Silver Dollar City. Yes, sadly I have never gone before this year. 
* Got my RPT and MAC. 2 licenses in one year. One I have waited 3 years for. 





Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions. I make goals all year and usually keep them. If they're from God they will happen. 

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Several friends. An explosion of them.

Did anyone close to you die?
One of the things 2016 will always be known for is the year many died. Celebrities died from the start. We even lost Carrie Fisher recently. But on a personal note it has also been another bad year. I lost another 2 classmates. That's 4 in the two years. Steven's only surviving grandparent, his Grandma Joyce also recently passed away. I also lost my first uncle. Uncle Jess died in a motorcycle accident. But out of this tragedy his brother came to know God. This was huge blessing! 

What countries did you visit?
One of these days I might get to answer this. One day...

What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
Less personal pressure on myself. I have found that I generally put a lot of pressure on myself in many things. I believe to some degree it has helped me be successful in my goals. But at times I lose focus of the point and it's the pressure itself that is controlling. 
What date from 2016 will remain etched in your memory and why?
My kids birthday's are about all that stand out. Gage turned 16 this year. That was a hard adjustment. 

We did get some new additions to the family in the summer. Harley and Jax joined us, with Harley coming about 6 weeks sooner than Jax. Because of this we had to bite the bullet and invest in a large fence. Harley was a runner and after several attempts at escaping her leash and running around the neighborhood and even crossing the highway, my nerves would not settle unless I got one. It has been a good decision. Harley loves her new yard and freedom and loved getting her new buddy to play with.




What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My MAC and RPT were awesome. My races in general were pretty uplifting. I had no idea I would get a PR of 2:04 for a half marathon. My PR for a 5k is around 25 minutes. That's 6 minutes off my first one.  

Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a batch of runner knee issues after my first half of the year. It took awhile to work through, but it didn't side line me. I even completed a very difficult half in Branson 6 weeks later. 

What was the best thing you bought?
Probably the new pups and the fence. Absolutely the fence! 

Where did most of your money go?
Kids. Races. Coffee. Dogs. Recently new upgrades and furniture for my office. 

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Running goals. MAC and RPT. Gage and Kieran's XC season was pretty fun and exciting. 

What scripture is a theme of 2016?
All of Ephesians 6:10-17. I have been studying putting on the full armor of God. There was some spiritual attacks occurring here and there and this was what I needed the most. 

Compared to this time last year are you:
a. Happier or sadder? I am not sure. Definitely not unhappier. I like where things have been. 
b. Thinner or fatter? I don't thing I have weighed myself much this year. It has been nice. Running has kept things consistent. Clothes fit about the same. 
c. Richer or poorer? Guess I can say a little richer but not rolling in it. Same as last year. My practice continues to do better each year. It's been a huge blessing. I have even been able to get an additional office with some great ladies in Bentonville. I am there one day a week now. 

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Reading, crafting, resting, and just more days off. It's really always the same. But small kiddos will put a damper on that for awhile. 

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Less pressure on myself. Towards the second half I already started doing that. 

How did you spend Christmas?
At home, again. Granny and Pops came that day. Going to my parents this next weekend. Exact same as last year. 

Did you fall in love in 2016?
With two new pups. 

What was your favorite TV show?
Longmire. But I have binge watched several.  

What was the best book you read?
I have actually picked up reading a bit more this past year. I started utilizing my kindle on my phone. Adam by Ted Dekker was a good one. Another one called A Dark Lure, was good. This next year I am going to also start listening to audio books on my long runs. 

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2016?
I can't really think of any at the moment. 

What did you want and get?
New licenses. Better balance. New pups. Fence. Updated bedroom from last January. 

What did you want and not get?
Sleep, well as much as I wanted anyways. 

What was your favorite film this year?
Rogue one. 

What did you do on your birthday?
Laid back as usual. Went to eat somewhere or got take out. 

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Less deaths. More sleeping. Same as last year.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
Took advantage of lots of tunics and leggings. Love me some leggings.

What kept you sane?
Prayer. Running. Chocolate. Massages. Church. Family. Dogs.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None. 

What political issue stirred you the most?
The election. Oh the election. That would have made things more satisfying if there were just better options. 

Who did you miss?
I miss seeing my grandpa in Oklahoma. He is about 5 hours away and I wish I could go see him more. 

Who was the best new person you met?
Do dogs count? 

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.
One that I was already aware of ... fortitude. It pays off to be patient and stubborn. Like I said it took 3 years for my RPT. But I got it. And I kept working on improving my running times. It pays off. 

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I really get worked up listening to the Superheroes song by the Script. I love the part of the song talking about her being stronger than she knows, a heart of steel starts to grow. The chorus hits it too. 

What is something shocking that happened this year?
PR's and surviving 2016! And despite all the chaos I haven't cracked yet!
Oh and Trump won the Presidency... I still don't believe it, nor want to. 
Until next year!
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