2015: 11th Annual year in review

2015 A year in review

11th annual year in review.

What did you do in 2015 that you've never done before?
Ran in several races including; 5k's, 10k's, 15k, trail run, and a half marathon! And I had zero intention to do any at the beginning of the year. I even placed right outside of the top 3 in my age division in several. Not bad for my first year.

Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions. I find I accomplish a lot more when I just try to go for it. This year was a great example of that, with my running. 

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Several friends. 

Did anyone close to you die?
This has been a awful year for deaths. Lost several good friends, including 3 classmates, 2 of which were close friends. One was one of Steven's best men in our wedding. One of my childhood church families lost a daughter near the beginning from a car accident. She was my niece's babysitter. She was missing for a couple of days before they found her under a bridge. It was so sad. 

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

What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?
Play therapy certification. Good news is everything is done and all I need to do is send in my application and payment. Waiting until after the holidays. I just renewed my LADAC one and that took a lot to pay for that. 

 Also, more time off. 

What date from 2015 will remain etched in your memory and why?
Honestly I can't even remember when the dates of my races were, but the races themselves are memorable. Unless it's a birth of my child, I am bad at remembering dates for things. Ridlee did turn a year old in January and we are already prepping for her 2nd birthday. That is really hard to believe. 

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing my half marathon and a 10k trail run. And finishing up all my Play Therapy classes. 

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Some shin splints that I worked through while running. Nothing major. My oldest broke his hand and had to have surgery. That's something pretty memorable, He broke it while running and falling. Here are his after surgery pics.

What was the best thing you bought?
My new farm table! Also my Christmas presents. One of Steven's buddies from high school builds them and delivered it. He did a great job. I have wanted one for years. Here is their website. http://www.perryloop.com/

Where did most of your money go?
Kids. Races. Coffee. Running gear. In no particular order.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My half marathon.

What scripture is a theme of 2015?
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 believe about the same. Proud I accomplished a lot, but last year I had Ridlee and that usually makes the year hard to top. 
b. Thinner or fatter? About the same. I put the scale away months ago. I still fit the same in all my clothes. Running helps. 
c. Richer or poorer? Guess I can say a little richer but not rolling in it.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Reading, crafting, resting, and just more days off. 

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Work. I don't work 40 hours, but even working part time running my own business, it takes its toll. Worrying would have been another one. 

How did you spend Christmas?
At home, again. Granny and Pops came that day. Going to my parents this weekend. 

Did you fall in love in 2015?
With running maybe. It's a love/hate relationship. 

What was your favorite TV show?
No real new ones. 

What was the best book you read?
Full Armor of God devotional by Priscilla Shirer. She was in the War Room. 

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2015?
No huge developments here sadly. Although Adele's 'Hello' is one for the books. 

What did you want and get?
Endurance!

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

What was your favorite film this year?
War Room was a good one. I highly recommend it. Of course the new Star Wars came out and I got to go see it in Branson at the Imax. It was my first Imax experience and it was awesome!

What did you do on your birthday?
I really don't remember. Dinner take out I believe. 

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

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?
More boho. Very comfy. Long skirts and tanks. 

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

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Adele's voice. It's a celeb on its own.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Terrorism.

Who did you miss?
Those who passed away.

Who was the best new person you met?
Several new running peeps.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.
There is a lot of spiritual warfare happening all around us. And they will strike you when and how you least expect it. My parents went through a rough patch this year and were on the verge of a divorce. Only by the grace of God, lots of prayer, and submitting to God were they able to overcome this and have chosen not to. 

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

A song that has been my mantra most of the year, especially since I started running has been 'Soul on Fire' by Third Day. 

God, I'm running for your heart
I'm running for your heart
Till I am a soul on fire
Lord, I'm longing for your ways
I'm waiting for the day
When I am a soul on fire
Till I am a soul on fire
(x2)

[Verse 1]
Lord, restore the joy I had
And I have one to bring me back
In this darkness, lead me through
Until all I see is you

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
Lord, let me burn for you again
Let me return to you again
And lord, let me burn for you again
Let me return to you again

[Chorus]

[Outro]
God, I'm running for your heart
I'm running for your heart
Till I am a soul on fire
I want to be
Till I am a soul on fire
Till I am a soul on fire

What is something shocking that happened this year?

Gas got as low as $1.50. I ran long distance and survived! Raising 5 kids hasn't killed me yet! 

Until next year!

Gage's medal holder

Sorry for the crooked pic. We got Gage's put up with the medal's on it. I plan on making me a more rustic looking one soon. 

Kitchens Christmas 2015

Another great Christmas in the books in the Kitchens' household. Here are some photos from our busy day.
Ms. just waking up and seeing what Santa brought her. She wasn't sure what to think. 

My new running kicks. He did good. I wasn't expecting anything else besides my table. 

Her haul. She loves wooden toys. We didn't get anything this year that we had to put together and I really appreciated that. 

But of course she loves the boxes still. 

Gage's medal holder that Steven and I made, with some edging help from a friend. 

Oh boy! What were we thinking?

Granny and Pops came and enjoyed Christmas with us as well. 

Ryker and Kieran opening their haul. 

Feeding her baby that her Granny got her.

Gage's running mask. Santa got me a purple one. Now we can face the cold. 

Granny got him a drone. Looks like we will have to register with the FAA in January. 

It's been a great day! Still very appreciative of the greatest gift of all and the reason for the season. This year Jesus' birthday cake was a awesome Anded mint chocolate poke cake. It was amazing. 

My new farm table!

For years I have wanted a handmade farm table. Recently one of Steven's old buddies from high school sent me a link to like his facebook page for his new business of building them. They were absolutely gorgeous. I asked for one for Christmas and they had one done and delivered in 2 weeks. I got mine today and couldn't be more excited about it. 

I highly recommend them. PerryLoop Custom Built Farm tables. They are very reasonably priced. The best I have seen anywhere. 

Gage's hand

Gage had a fall during a run a couple of weeks ago and hurt his hand. We thought originally that it was sprained. After a few days it wasn't looking any better and thought maybe even dislocated. After it was looked at by a trainer who referred to the ortho immediately, we found out it was broken completely and needed a plate to fuse it back together. We found this out all last Monday and by Friday he was in surgery. He felt horrible with the pain meds they gave him the day of the surgery and by the next day he refused to take anymore. He is just like me, I can't stand that stuff. 
He still has one week left of school before his break. His hand affected is his writing and drawing hand. He had a project that required him to make a poster, so I got an idea to let him create his scene using my sandtray at work. It was ideal and he did a good job on it. 
Here are his bionic hand X-Rays after the surgery,

And his project of a made of World War Z scene.

Happy 12th birthday Kieran!

12 years ago today this vivacious, spirited, highly intelligent child was born. I have not known boredom since. She keeps both her Father and I on our toes. Steven definitely got his pay back with this one. And the teen years haven't even started. Happy birthday Kieran Avery Rayne. We love you!

Family pics 2015

During one of my races this year I entered a contest for a half off family portrait session. I never expect to win them, but got lucky this time. I admit, had I not won, we wouldn't have done them this year because of the difficulty with the littles. Heston didn't disappoint and made it difficult. I told myself beforehand that if I could just get one good one, I would be happy. I got way more than one. Cindy Boehm did an excellent job, Click the link for more of them.