{Trail Running...Metaphor for Life?}

This morning I took off on a long trail run and had no idea how God would use that run to show me some things....not necessarily new things, but just a reminder.

I started around 9:15am and ran for an hour and a half....when I started I was confident, strong, excited about the journey ahead, but here are just a few things I learned along the way...

*Attitude is important. Believing in yourself is more than half the battle. Running is difficult on some days. Life is hard. Meeting the challenges with a smile and determined heart goes a long way in finding success.

*Be prepared. Half way through my run this morning, I realized I only brought one bottle of water and it was hot! I was able to make a pitstop at the Ranger Station and refill my bottle, but it cost me some time. 

*There will be obstacles. Life is full of obstacles (just as in trail running)....things put in your path to trip you up and slow you down. You can choose to allow that to derail you, or you can move right through it. I find that plowing through is empowering and gives you courage to keep going.

*There's help along the way :) In the form of a bridge...a friend...God's word. Don't be afraid to utilize the help that God puts out there for you.

*The easy way isn't always the best way. It's tempting to take shortcuts and look for easy outs, but God likes to teach us through the difficult circumstances. The journey may be hard, but it's so worth it.

*Don't miss the unexpected beauty. One thing I've learned is not to get so caught up in life that I forget to live. Beauty is everywhere if you just open your eyes.

*Don't quit. You will make it. It was at this point in my run that I was certain I might die. LOL. I wondered if I could even finish. I was so exhausted from the heat and the hills. I was tempted to just stop and wait to be rescued. But...there was that voice inside me that said keep going, you've got this...and so, I did.

...and I was met with this last challenge.

*Success is just around the corner...just past the challenge in front of you. If I had quit here, I wouldn't have finished...all I had to do was climb these stairs and I was there.

*Leave it all on the table. I finished. I gave everything I had and was spent physically and emotionally. I held nothing back. 

{Run With Perseverance}

Training is tough. There are days I don't feel like lacing up my tennis shoes...there are days that it's rainy...days where it's hot (& humid). But I keep going. I will not give up. I will reach my goals.

My favorite thing I endure...running bleachers!

No excuses....running in the rain...which I have to say, actually makes summer runs more enjoyable. Living in Arkansas, the humidity can be brutal, but usually a morning rain will keep the humidity down at least temporarily.

Even in the rain...this is a gorgeous track to run.

Sometimes I bring it inside and do a little elliptical training. I hear people say how they love this machine...I on the other hand, have a very strong love/hate relationship with it. I love that it burns mega calories and works my butt and legs like no other...but I hate how brutal it can be.

Sometimes you just need a friend to push you....Jen is the best at this! She always pushes me further than I think I can go and sometimes I hate her for it...LOL...but I love her for it :)

Keep going...Don't quit!

You won't get there sitting on the couch! 

{Currently In August}

Current Read: I've not been as disciplined with my reading over the Summer and actually kind of miss it. Hopefully, now that school is back in session, I will get back to reading on a daily basis. So...right now, I'm STILL reading "Second Wind" a memoir by Cami Ostman. I am stinking it up on trying to stay up to date on my Own It 365 daily Bible reading and I'm also reading Danielle Steele's newest book, First Sight, a story about what else...love.

Current Playlist: I have to say, I'm really enjoying Florida Georgia Line...I even tried to win tickets for their October show.

Current Color: Tan/Blue/Green...thinking of changing my living room to this color scheme :)

Current Drink: Water! Seriously...I think I'm floating!

Current Food: Ice Cold Grapes...fave snack right now.

Current Favorite Favorite: 

Current Addiction: Running...I'm really starting to enjoy running and hate when I miss a day.

Current Wish List: These CWX Running Shorts are still on my wish list and most likely will stay there until I buy them...but I'm also really liking the Zaggora pants. I kind of need them, but the price! Oh my.

Current Need: Money! Blake's senior year might just kill me...or at least my pocketbook.

Current Triumph: Actually blocking myself off from singing and taking a weekend off to go to the lake.

Current Annoyance: Instability

Current Indulgence: Me Time. I've learned that life is a little happier if momma takes time for herself and I've been doing a great job of making sure to carve out time for myself lately.

Current Mood: Exhausted. This has been a long day.

Current Blessing: My recent mini-vacation, courtesy of my BFF.

Current Outfit: Jean Capris, Pensacola Beach Tee (from Brandi), and bare feet!

Current Excitement: Getting back into a routine after the lazy days of summer.

Current Project: I still need to work on my scrapbook room...maybe I'll get it finished before Christmas.

Current plans for the day: The day is almost done...so...my plans are to fill out school paperwork, read, and sleep!!!

Current link: Runner's World...getting serious about this running thang!

{Eighteen}

Wow! Where is the time going? My baby turned 18 today! He's officially an adult.

This marks such a year of change for us...he will start his Senior year of high school in just a few short weeks and then off to college...he's my baby, the last one to leave the nest.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for Blake's life. He is so sensitive to God's leading and convictions that God places on him that sometimes it's just tough to watch him wrestle through things...but I know that with every battle won, God is pruning him to be a mighty man of God, and that God has a divine plan in the making.

We celebrated a few days early while Quentin was home....at Chili's of course :)

Blake and his dad...

Blake towers over all of us, even his dad, standing at nearly 6'6"...it's going to be an incredible year of basketball for this half of the "twin towers."

This little girl adores her Uncle B and a birthday celebration would not be complete without her smiling face...pretty sure Uncle B adores her too!

Happy Birthday Blake :)

{Twenty.One}

For twenty-one years now, someone has called me mom. It's hard to believe. I've kind of grew up with my first-born and now we're more than just mother & daughter...we are truly best friends.

I'm so proud of the incredible woman that Mallorye has become.

She is a faithful and devoted wife...a patient mother and advocate for her child...she is passionate about God and His plan for not only her life, but the lives of everyone...she is a successful student and will graduate this year with her BSN.

Happy Birthday Mallorye!!

You are LOVED!

Me & Mallorye

Can you see the resemblance? LOL.

We had dinner at Chili's to celebrate and ran into Adrienne :)

Sibling Love...these two have become so close over the past year. I'm so glad that they have each other to walk this life with. I know that they will always have each others back.

Mallorye & Micah...these two have been friends for almost forever and have often been mistaken for sisters.

Gotta love Matt's card to Mallorye....I'm certain this is one of the reasons Mal married him :)

The Birthday Girl :)

Twenty-One Wonderful Years!

{Currently...in June}

Taking my cue from Meredith, I decided to post a few things that are going on in my life...list style. So, mid-June, this is the happenings around my little corner of the world. Thanks Meredith for the inspiration!

Current Read: I'm horrible at having more than one book going at a time. So...right now, I'm reading "Second Wind" a memoir by Cami Ostman. This book is my fave on my nightstand right now and if you're a beginning runner, it's a must read. I'm also finishing up Jen Hatmaker's "Seven" and trying to stay up to date on my Own It 365 daily Bible reading.

Current Playlist: Bob Seger Greatest Hits is playing. It's great for rolling down the windows and cranking it up loud.

Current Color: Tan & Seafoam...lovin' this color combo for summer

Current Drink: I really want to answer Water...but {sigh}...it's Dr. Pepper. I'm trying to quit. Honestly.

Current Food: Kimono Rice & Shrimp Sauce...oh. my. word. I could eat this every day!!!

Current Favorite Favorite: Yellow Box flip flops...It's summer y'all! And I live in my flip flops.

Current Addiction: Candy Crush...and I swore I wouldn't download it and I did. Now. I'm addicted. UgH!

Current Wish List: CWX Running Shorts. I kind of need them, but the price! Oh my.

Current Need: A new sports bra. I cannot find one that I like and that fits anywhere. Very discouraging!

Current Triumph: Voicing what I want without being overbearing.

Current Annoyance: Not being able to sleep.

Current Indulgence: Orange Slices...the candy. Love these bits of orange sugar goodness. I actually have a bag in my car right this second.

Current Mood: Timid. There are some things going on in my life that are making me be a little shy in putting myself out there, so I'm approaching life with timidity and caution these days. I know its just a season, but I'm ready for it to be gone.

Current Blessing: The postponement of a decision. God knows this one.

Current Outfit: 20 Year Class Reunion Tee, Red Athletic Pants, & Tennis Shoes

Current Excitement: I know it sounds crazy, but I'm looking forward to Saturday and going for a LONG run. I'm going to push myself to see what I can do and I'm pretty pumped about it.

Current Project: I have 2 large summer projects that I need to get busy tackling. One, set up my craft room again and Two, sort through storage and have a Yard Sale. I really need to get busy on these!

Current plans for the day: Work, Dinner, Run.

Current link: This blog. (in)courage me ...has been such an encouragement and light in my circumstances lately.

{SURPRISE! Happy [EARLY] 18th Birthday Blake}

Blake has been patiently waiting for a vehicle of his own for almost 2 years. He has been driving whatever is available, which until recently, was his dad's 1987 Ford Ranger pickup. A few months ago, that little truck blew a head gasket, and ever since, Blake and I have been sharing the "mom mobile" aka Dodge Caravan. Not exactly the coolest ride for a Senior in High School.

I'm certain in light of the past few weeks, Blake was resigned to the fact he would probably never get a vehicle until he could pay for it himself.

Insert God.

With God all things are possible and He likes to surprise His children with good things....like new trucks :) This was definitely a God thing and I feel incredibly blessed that we were able to do this for Blake. The details of how this truck came to be aren't important....it was indeed, God showing out, just for us.

No gift is complete without a bow! Just waiting for Blake...

Me & Blake...he was so surprised! Probably the first time ever that we've managed to give him a gift and him not know about it. I think I even seen a tear when he realized what just happened.

2005 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab

Much better than mom or dad's ride...hmmmm...

Dad helping him put the license plate on...

I splurged and paid the extra for a DU license plate for my hunter.

Blake posing with his new ride....pretty sure this baby will get tons of miles as Blake repays his buddies for all the times they've had to pick him up and run him around.

Me, Blake, & Quentin

Truck Surprise = Success!

Lookin' good!

His first drive in his new ride...taking mom to work :)

Feeling so incredibly blessed that we could pull off this surprise.

Happy {Early} 18th Birthday Blake!