Final Destination

This week has been a huge mortality reminder. And also a reminder to not take your loved ones for granted as well as the time we ourselves have on this earth. Last week my families former nanny lost her little baby after only being on the earth for 10 hours. He had what is known as Potter's Syndrome. Please google it to have a better understanding. 10 hours on this earth, was 10 hours more than some thought that he would have. And he changed so many lives in his short life. 
A day or so later I found out one of my former classmates that I graduated with, and was really good friends with back in Oklahoma passed away from a heart attack at 35. His funeral was at the same time as my friends baby and in another state. I have never had that happen before, 2 funerals at once.
This past weekend, another classmate from my graduating class and also one of my husband's groomsman at our wedding past away from an accident at his work. His funeral is later this week. 
What are the chances of 3 loved ones passing away within a week apart? Life is fragile, and I have been reminded before. But not on this scale. This week my thoughts have gone into deep thinking mode. As a Christian, I know where I go after I die. While I am sad when someone passes away, if they are Christian my heart hurts for the loved ones left behind. Not for that person, they aren't suffering or in pain. Only the loved ones are left to suffer and cope with the loss of their loved ones. And that is a tremendous pain. But knowing and resting in the thought that their final destination is where mine is, helps bring me comfort. 
A question we lose sight of throughout this life is, "do you know where your final destination is going to be?" Don't get so caught up in this daily life that you lose sight that it will eventually come to an end. And if you truly believe that nothing happens and you just no longer exist and there is nothing else, you better be 100% about that. Think of it this way, If I am wrong nothing happens. But if I am right, where does that leave you? 

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. 

Back on the Avon bandwagon!

I love their skincare line. I have used it since I was 19 years old. Something is working. I sold it way back in the day when we lived in Oklahoma. I just never got back into when we moved to Arkansas. I figured since  buy it a lot I need to just get back into it. Feel free to shop there if you need any. I don't make a good pushy sales person, but if you don't have a person you buy from, I will not at all be offended if you buy from me. And I won't be hassling anyone to be a distributor.  https://www.youravon.com/jessicakitchens

Soul on Fire

Each year I pick a song that has been my theme for that year. Some years I can't pick one until I am forced to do my yearly update at the end of the year. This year has consistently been Soul on Fire. It is the best running song (even brings me happy tears while running) and for other obvious reasons has been such a gift. Recently I have been dealing with some personal issues and this song has given me such peace during the situation. Since I am not one to beat around the bush I will say that my parents have made the decision after 35 years to divorce. Even as an adult this sucks. Yesterday was my 35th birthday. I will remember this year always as the year that my parents were no longer a couple. Trying to find the silver lining is often difficult. But I am managing with God's help. This song has been such a strength for me. It will be for you too!

Kieran and Ryker's first day of 6th and 3rd!

Kieran first day of 6th grade.

Ryker first day of 3rd grade.

It's the year of 3's. Gage started 9th on the 6th. He is loving Haas Hall and doing well thus far. Heston and Ridlee started back with their nanny today. Heston was excited. Ridlee not so much. 

Grape Festival 5k and Haas first day

Well 5k season has officially begun again in our house. Gage and I kicked it off at the Tontitown Grape Festival 5k this morning. This was my first official morning run and 5k. It took quite the adjustment for me. My goal was to run under 30 minutes and I did that with a few seconds to spare. I got 4th in my age division. Gage got 3rd but initially looked wrong and thought he got 7th. We went home and when Steven looked on RaceWizard he noticed Gage's error. This was 40 minutes later so we thought he lost out on his prize. They ran back up there and he got there just in time to get his wine glass.

The race itself was quite the challenge for me. I took off way too fast and was running just over a 6 minute pace until the first half mile. My app told me my pace and I freaked thinking I couldn't maintain and needed to slow it down big time. I admit because of that mistake I was challenged to keep going at times and wanted to walk at various points, but I didn't. Glad I didn't either, because I wouldn't have made my goal. 

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Gage officially started high school this week at Haas Hall in Bentonville at their new campus. He said he liked it. I got to admit, he looked rather spiffy in his new uniform.

Next week Steven starts back. I only work 2.5 days because the littles babysitter is on vacation. I officially signed up for a 10k next month, so my training will have to be upped a bit. The distance isn't so much an issue but learning to pace and keeping my shins in check. They actually did good today. I couldn't have been happier. I just have to stop myself from racing out too fast. It's the sprinter in me coming out. But I am not running sprints. Oy!

Shin recovery and back to school readiness prep

So this past week has been a stall in my training. After my last long run of 12+ miles on the 22nd I noticed an increase in my shin pain that wouldn't go away like normal. I was beginning to think it might be actual fractures. About the time I gave myself a date to go the Doctor they started feeling normal. Most of the week included mostly strength training and lots of walking. I did some gym time with a rower and step machine and even took a water running class that was really awesome. It got my heart rate up really good. A few nights ago I tried to run a couple of miles and my heel hurt, which is not a usual place of pain for me. I got really frustrated and wondered if my running was on the way out. I started putting physio tape on my legs and yesterday tried to run a decent run. I made sure I rolled them on my foam roller really good beforehand and miraculously I was able to feel normal. I almost cried the first mile... from happiness. I spit out 3.08 miles in less than 30 minutes and the walked with Steven for awhile. I ran another mile in 9 minutes 15 seconds and felt super happy about that. I have a 5k coming up this Saturday. I plan on just doing normal runs until then and no super long runs. 
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So August is here and with it comes school readiness. Gage starts back this Thursday to Haas Hall in Bentonville. We had to make some tweeks to his schedule as they had him in 2 sciences at the same time and no maths. All is fixed and he is ready to go. He has been training all summer with his cross country stuff and seems to be in top form there. Apparently there is several kids from his Junior High that was on the Cross Country team that will be going to Haas. I know this makes him super happy to know he will have friends there. The other two are still in the same school this year, so no big changes there. The littles will still be staying home with a nanny for part time while I work. I will be keeping the same hours I did last year. Tues-Fri morning and a couple of evenings. It's been an ideal schedule. 
My birthday is also this month as well as our 16th Anniversary. Steven calls it my Birthdaversary. Both being in August I never really get a chance to prepare for it. In hindsight I wish we would have married in June. September we are preparing for the older two boys birthdays but will have all of the boys party that month in one shot. Heston's is in October. It always seems the second half of the year goes by extremely fast because all of the birthdays and such are in that time. I am sure even more so this year when I include all my running stuff. Another sign that I have some insanity issues there. But apparently I don't like life being boring. And the things I do are healthy and legal. Both of which reduces stress. 
A good coping skill should have 4 components. 1. Good for you. 2. Good for others. 3. Easy to do. 4. Makes you feel good. 
My running fits into those categories when I am not injured. Does yours?