Saturday, March 20, 2010
the worst one yet
So, here we are at the first day of spring. Considering all the beautiful weather we have been having, one would think we would be starting off with one of those 65-70 degree days. But no...it rained all night and has snowed all day. I walked out into the snow at 9:30am to several inches of the white stuff. It would have been beautiful if the falling snow wasn't whipping right into my face, thanks to the 20mph winds. So, that's how I started off my 35 minute run this morning. I started out running, mostly because I wanted to warm my body quickly. And I just kept running...the whole 35 minutes. To say that it felt great would be a lie. It hurt. Raising my legs up out of the snow during my stride was more work than the sand/gravel I had to endure at my parent's house a few weeks back. I ended up running 3.28 miles in just under 33 minutes for a 9:55 minute mile average. I was shocked, but happy that my misery was rewarded with that. During the last 15 minutes of my run, I was in constant prayer. I prayed mostly that I would just make it through the rest of my workout...run OR walk. But I also prayed for the Lord to release me from my own pride, especially if that was what was driving me to be out on such a frigid morning. My time with God seemed to make the time go faster, and I ended my run exhausted but peaceful. I laugh now because I no longer have an excuse not to get out of bed to run in the morning. Perhaps I should have just skipped this one. ;)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
run update
So, the Saturday workout wasn't as bad as I built it up in my mind to be. I wasn't terribly impressed with my final results, but I ran a continuous 20 minutes without stopping! With my walking, I went a total of 3.52 miles and had a time of 14'11" per mile. There were steeper uphill climbs than I am used to...I joined the Running Buddies group in town instead of making my usual trek through the neighborhood. It was nice to experience some new scenery.
It was hard to get out of bed for this morning's run. I had a sweet snuggly five month old baby laying next to me, and she totally wanted me to stay with her. I know...she told me. ;) But I obediently put her back in her bed, where she smiled big as day at me, and then went back to sleep. So, it's dark again for our early run. :( I was getting very used to being able to see everything around me. It's a good thing I have running partners...I'm totally afraid of the dark! Today, we warmed up for a brisk 5 minute walk, ran 5 minutes, walked 3 minutes, ran 8 minutes, walked 3 minutes, ran 5 minutes, and cooled down for 5 minutes. With all that walking, you'd think we would have had a slower mile time, but we were at 13'09". It was awesome! I was stiff in the beginning, but loosened up and felt great for the last half. I came home and forced myself to do some sit-ups. My ab muscles are so weak from the C-section still. :(
It was hard to get out of bed for this morning's run. I had a sweet snuggly five month old baby laying next to me, and she totally wanted me to stay with her. I know...she told me. ;) But I obediently put her back in her bed, where she smiled big as day at me, and then went back to sleep. So, it's dark again for our early run. :( I was getting very used to being able to see everything around me. It's a good thing I have running partners...I'm totally afraid of the dark! Today, we warmed up for a brisk 5 minute walk, ran 5 minutes, walked 3 minutes, ran 8 minutes, walked 3 minutes, ran 5 minutes, and cooled down for 5 minutes. With all that walking, you'd think we would have had a slower mile time, but we were at 13'09". It was awesome! I was stiff in the beginning, but loosened up and felt great for the last half. I came home and forced myself to do some sit-ups. My ab muscles are so weak from the C-section still. :(
Thursday, March 11, 2010
a new love affair
Okay, so I haven't gotten much better at blogging. It's been nearly two months. The time really does fly! Perhaps now that I have a new computer it will get easier?? Who knows...with 6 kids, spare time is sparse. ;)
So I'm here today to tell you about my new love affair. Yes, that's right. A love affair. I might be addicted to running, and it's only been two weeks! I haven't confessed this to too many people, but I hated running. No big deal, many great and advanced runners hate running. No shocker. But I really, really, truly LOATHED it. I avoided it at all costs. I tried only to do it in emergency situations. You know the ones where your kid is running away from you in a packed parking lot and you catch her just before she crosses paths with an oncoming car? I have truly viewed running as some sort of punishment and that anyone who chose to do it for "fun" must really didn't like themselves that much. I tried in college to make myself love it, but I injured my knee...yes, running...and I never did it again. At least not until one of those aforementioned emergency situations. So a couple of months ago, I started walking with some neighborhood girlfriends. Mostly, I just loved the company and the time away, even if it was at ungodly hours of the morning and in the freezing cold of winter. We would chat about how we could never run like the other group that was out at the same time as us, and how we had no real desire to do so. But then it came up...what if? Surprisingly, it was me who brought it up. What if we started running? That was it...that week, we started running. Since we seemed to be in the same place fitness wise, we started the couch to 5k. We are finishing up week 5 on Saturday. Here's the real issue though...I LOVE IT! I look forward to it. I am no longer trying to make up excuses as to why I can't get up and go. I can't say I don't dread a new workout, like the 20 minute constant run we are doing on Saturday...but I am enjoying pushing myself...and relishing in my success once I have achieved my goal. I never knew before why it was I hated running so much. I do now...it has been my asthma. I have never been able to get my breathing under control enough to push myself through the pain. That just makes the pain worse. It is only by the Lord's hand that I now have a handle on my breathing. Running feels good...even when I am not doing it. I can feel the effects all day long! I have never felt so healthy even though I am far from my time, distance, or weight loss goals! God is so good!
So I'm here today to tell you about my new love affair. Yes, that's right. A love affair. I might be addicted to running, and it's only been two weeks! I haven't confessed this to too many people, but I hated running. No big deal, many great and advanced runners hate running. No shocker. But I really, really, truly LOATHED it. I avoided it at all costs. I tried only to do it in emergency situations. You know the ones where your kid is running away from you in a packed parking lot and you catch her just before she crosses paths with an oncoming car? I have truly viewed running as some sort of punishment and that anyone who chose to do it for "fun" must really didn't like themselves that much. I tried in college to make myself love it, but I injured my knee...yes, running...and I never did it again. At least not until one of those aforementioned emergency situations. So a couple of months ago, I started walking with some neighborhood girlfriends. Mostly, I just loved the company and the time away, even if it was at ungodly hours of the morning and in the freezing cold of winter. We would chat about how we could never run like the other group that was out at the same time as us, and how we had no real desire to do so. But then it came up...what if? Surprisingly, it was me who brought it up. What if we started running? That was it...that week, we started running. Since we seemed to be in the same place fitness wise, we started the couch to 5k. We are finishing up week 5 on Saturday. Here's the real issue though...I LOVE IT! I look forward to it. I am no longer trying to make up excuses as to why I can't get up and go. I can't say I don't dread a new workout, like the 20 minute constant run we are doing on Saturday...but I am enjoying pushing myself...and relishing in my success once I have achieved my goal. I never knew before why it was I hated running so much. I do now...it has been my asthma. I have never been able to get my breathing under control enough to push myself through the pain. That just makes the pain worse. It is only by the Lord's hand that I now have a handle on my breathing. Running feels good...even when I am not doing it. I can feel the effects all day long! I have never felt so healthy even though I am far from my time, distance, or weight loss goals! God is so good!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
better blogger
Seriously? It's been 8 months since I last blogged? Okay, so I am not so great at this blogging thing! Life has gotten me sidetracked, and I have neglected many things over the course of the past year that really feed my soul. This is one of them. Much has changed over the past 8 months...the most important of which is a new addition to our family. Bayleigh Joy Pruett was born on October 22, 2009. She is as sweet a blessing as her brothers and sisters! I can hardly believe that she will hit 3 months this week! Time sure is a-flying! Now...to get a new picture of our clan posted up top! ;)
Monday, May 11, 2009
living blessed
Those two words standing together take on new meaning. I am truly blessed. I have a wonderful husband, happy healthy kids, a roof over my head, food to eat whenever I am hungry, a God who loves me even though I am undeserving.
I am living (for certain).
I am blessed.
But I am LIVING BLESSED? Am I living my life as if I am blessed? Am I radiating the joy that is evident in one who is truly living blessed? No...most definitely not. I still manage to find something wrong with my life or myself. I often harbor bitterness and envy over these things. Right now, it's like a stain I can't get out of my favorite shirt. No matter how hard I try or how many times I wash it, treat it, pre-treat it, scrub it, it remains...even appears to be getting BIGGER sometimes. It was only today that I realized why it is growing instead of shrinking under my efforts. I am using the WRONG kind of treatments. I am trying to work it out alone. I haven't once asked for advice or help, not truly. So here I am, with my big stain that I just know everyone can see, wanting so badly to seek wisdom and guidance. How does one live blessed? How can I live blessed?
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4
I am living (for certain).
I am blessed.
But I am LIVING BLESSED? Am I living my life as if I am blessed? Am I radiating the joy that is evident in one who is truly living blessed? No...most definitely not. I still manage to find something wrong with my life or myself. I often harbor bitterness and envy over these things. Right now, it's like a stain I can't get out of my favorite shirt. No matter how hard I try or how many times I wash it, treat it, pre-treat it, scrub it, it remains...even appears to be getting BIGGER sometimes. It was only today that I realized why it is growing instead of shrinking under my efforts. I am using the WRONG kind of treatments. I am trying to work it out alone. I haven't once asked for advice or help, not truly. So here I am, with my big stain that I just know everyone can see, wanting so badly to seek wisdom and guidance. How does one live blessed? How can I live blessed?
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4
Monday, May 4, 2009
changes
So I stink at keeping up in the blog world! Since the spring semester began, I hit the ground running. Now, here I am in finals week...already looking to what next fall will bring. I was all enrolled in summer classes, only to decide in the past few days not to attend. I am wiped out. Mentally, physically, spiritually, you name it! But I love school, and I love where I am headed! But I am also welcoming the break and the time I am going to get to spend with my little people this summer!
Speaking of little people...As many of you know, we are expecting little person #6! We are very excited, even though the timing is a little sooner than we had originally planned. (We all know how PLANS work out, right? Ha.) But with two years of nursing school on the very near horizon, we felt we should stop trying to control it all and just see what happens. So, two months later...you guessed it! 6 is due October 30th. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are all anxiously awaiting (they still don't understand just how long it takes to GROW a baby!) 5 really doesn't comprehend any of it, but she most certainly will once 6 arrives! They are divided...3 and 4 want a sister. 1 and 2 want a brother and have requested that God take her back if it is another sister. I have to remind them how much they love the sisters they already have and that they will feel the same about another sister. They are still in disagreement, but we shall see.
The pregnancy got off to a rough start...I was sick and very tired until just recently. It is nice to be able to eat again! But that period of time gave way to a case of shingles (think chicken pox)! Fortunately, I am on the downhill side of that one, but it was NOT fun.
Everyone has had a relatively healthy winter...a few minor bugs here and there. Bri was finally rid of her ear troubles when she had tubes put in a few months ago. She began walking and talking within weeks! Praise God!
We are all anxious for summer...especially hanging out with friends and family!
Love to all!
Speaking of little people...As many of you know, we are expecting little person #6! We are very excited, even though the timing is a little sooner than we had originally planned. (We all know how PLANS work out, right? Ha.) But with two years of nursing school on the very near horizon, we felt we should stop trying to control it all and just see what happens. So, two months later...you guessed it! 6 is due October 30th. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are all anxiously awaiting (they still don't understand just how long it takes to GROW a baby!) 5 really doesn't comprehend any of it, but she most certainly will once 6 arrives! They are divided...3 and 4 want a sister. 1 and 2 want a brother and have requested that God take her back if it is another sister. I have to remind them how much they love the sisters they already have and that they will feel the same about another sister. They are still in disagreement, but we shall see.
The pregnancy got off to a rough start...I was sick and very tired until just recently. It is nice to be able to eat again! But that period of time gave way to a case of shingles (think chicken pox)! Fortunately, I am on the downhill side of that one, but it was NOT fun.
Everyone has had a relatively healthy winter...a few minor bugs here and there. Bri was finally rid of her ear troubles when she had tubes put in a few months ago. She began walking and talking within weeks! Praise God!
We are all anxious for summer...especially hanging out with friends and family!
Love to all!
Monday, January 12, 2009
the new year
resolutions...i don't usually make them. the word itself makes me cringe. just a reminder of one more promise that i can't keep. so this year, i didn't make any resolutions. but i set a goal. it's a lofty one, but one that i must reach if i am to keep peace (or create) in my home. what is this goal, this all-encompassing goal, you ask?
DO NOT OPERATE IN EMERGENCY MODE ANY LONGER!
this means many things for me. first and foremost, it means that my priorities have to line up with my family values. prior to 2009, they haven't. i have shifted my mind (and my heart) to make time for what is important to me. mostly, that means i am saying no to my little people less and saying yes to opportunities to teach them, to play with them, to grow with them. that also means i am saying no to my husband less (we all know what that means ladies...sorry honey!) it means i am saying yes to Jesus more. saying yes to His purpose and plan for me. saying yes to time alone with Him. it's been less than two weeks, and i have found great reward in making time for the three most important things in my life. that reward shows in them and it shows in me.
second, this means that i will be prepared. i will not have a sky-high stack of papers on my desk that should have been addressed yesterday. i will keep up with my laundry and not let it pile up in the laundry room (even if I CAN shut the door and hide it!) i will keep my house tidy. no, this doesn't mean it will be spotlessly clean everyday, but i will avoid the clutter that keeps me operating in emergency mode day after day. i have been a prisoner to this way of life for far too long!
i read a series of books about leadership a while back, and creating habits was frequently discussed. do something for 30 days, and it is habit, the authors said. that is my plan...to create habits of the things that power the wheels of my family vision!
what are YOUR goals for this year?
DO NOT OPERATE IN EMERGENCY MODE ANY LONGER!
this means many things for me. first and foremost, it means that my priorities have to line up with my family values. prior to 2009, they haven't. i have shifted my mind (and my heart) to make time for what is important to me. mostly, that means i am saying no to my little people less and saying yes to opportunities to teach them, to play with them, to grow with them. that also means i am saying no to my husband less (we all know what that means ladies...sorry honey!) it means i am saying yes to Jesus more. saying yes to His purpose and plan for me. saying yes to time alone with Him. it's been less than two weeks, and i have found great reward in making time for the three most important things in my life. that reward shows in them and it shows in me.
second, this means that i will be prepared. i will not have a sky-high stack of papers on my desk that should have been addressed yesterday. i will keep up with my laundry and not let it pile up in the laundry room (even if I CAN shut the door and hide it!) i will keep my house tidy. no, this doesn't mean it will be spotlessly clean everyday, but i will avoid the clutter that keeps me operating in emergency mode day after day. i have been a prisoner to this way of life for far too long!
i read a series of books about leadership a while back, and creating habits was frequently discussed. do something for 30 days, and it is habit, the authors said. that is my plan...to create habits of the things that power the wheels of my family vision!
what are YOUR goals for this year?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
