God's Time

I finally feel as if I can officially cross at least one more thing off my list. I feel as I have officially accomplished Volunteer! I have become an active member of the youth group at my church - which means I am also very close to being able to cross off that Becoming a Regular at Church goal for myself as well. This weekend I went to DYC with the teenagers of St. Thomas Aquinas Youth Group. Hundreds of teenagers from the Charlotte Diocese spent quality time together growing and bonding in thier faith. Many years ago when I was in high school I attended a TEC retreat and I still remember my first time and the impact that it had on me spiritually. I went into this weekend expecting the same feeings again, but it was different. By no means am I saying that it was not a great experience, but there is a difference being a chaperone compared to my retreats as a teenager. I do have to give some amazing props to my youth group teens. They have amazing spirits and some serious SWAGG ;) I did have a moment of revelation while at Adoration. It happened when I looked to my right and saw a bracelet that said "Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. Ecclesiastes 3:1" I am going to get a little bit personal here. I have been struggling with my emotions in regards to our desire to start a family. Frankly, I am impatient. Reading this bracelet helped me to realize that it is going to happen, it just isn't time yet. I just need to have faith that He knows when the time is right and He will make it happen. In a way, I feel like a little bit of weight has been lifted. If only I could feel less stressed at work as well! I need to look for a scripture verse to help with that as well I guess. ;)

Paper

Not going to lie, it has been rough at work lately. I feel like I am being pulled in a million directions and as of last Thursday my work load doubled. I feel as if I have been frantically running around for the last few days attempting to keep my head above water. Yesterday I started carrying around a notebook and writing down notes after every conversation- yes, I am that old.  It seems to help though. I feel more productive – pretty sure that is just a psychological thing as it is not actually checking anything off my list. Oh well though, hopefully I only have to be at this level of panic for about three weeks before I get some help.

Needless to say I have not accomplished much of anything on my list since returning from Illinois. (Yes, I remember that I promised pictures of the cutest nephew in the world but this will come this weekend when I have more time) The Hubby did tune my guitar for me now I just need to pick it back up and practice. I managed to get one run in this week – far from the ten minute mile mark so still working on that goal. The Hubby and I also just had a conversation about our first anniversary and he asked what I wanted. I asked for cash, since the traditional gift is paper I thought that would make it easier. Truth is, I don’t really want anything specific so I just asked for help. I have come to the realization that some of the items on my list are going to get expensive (dance lessons, trip to New York, maybe some cake decorating classes) and I am not exactly rolling in the cash over here. We will have to see what he comes up with!

Pinkie Training

I am in desperate need of some strength training for my little finger- and possibly some stretching techniques as well. My Daddy was kind enough to arrange for me to have some guitar lessons during my time back in Illinois this week. I have had two lessons thus far and some practice in the middle - minor progress has been made. He told me that it "sounded better" tonight so I guess that is a plus. I have one more lesson tomorrow and plan to practice some more in the meantime. By no means so I expect to pick up the guitar tomorrow and be able to play "Wonderwall" by Oasis but I am much closer than I was two days ago. I consider the major accomplishment of the lessons is that I know understand the sheet music enough to know where my hands are supposed to be - Winning! :)

Now the real reason I am spending some quality time in Illinois is the arrival of my new little nephew, Payton James Carlson. I will be uploading pictures of the precious bundle later, but I am currently using my mom's work computer and I don't want to upload/download or anything fun like that. He is pretty much the cutest thing I have ever seen though and he is already desperately in love with his aunt. :) I went to his doctor appointment today and in his four days here in the "real world" he has lost and gained weight, found his fingers, worn at least 14 outfits, rode in car several times, been in an elevator, and came very close to rolling over (I swear he is a genius!). I am happy that I was able to be here for so many firsts in his life as I won't be able to see him but a couple times a year due to the distance in between us. In fact, I am going to go play with him now.

Complete!

I am finally able to cross something off the list! I completed the 10K.  I started out with a goal of getting it done in an hour and a half.  I beat the goal and finished in 1:23 – not too bad all things considered.  I have not been running much the last few weeks due to time commitments with work and a little bit of pain in my left leg.  I did manage to get 3.5 miles in last weekend and 2 miles on Thursday night and then it was time to travel to Charleston Friday night.  We got off work at lunch and began the drive with only minor traffic delays.  The hubby and I went right to the Expo Center to pick up the race pack and browse through the Expo center.  The vendors were giving out TONS of free stuff and I got my fair share, but not like some people I saw with huge boxes of yogurt, muscle milk, granola bars, hot sauce – you name it and they had it! After checking into the hotel, we traveled back down town and went for a walk.  I experimented some with the camera and the settings and got some pretty cool pictures of the bridge.  Apparently I have learned some about taking pictures in the manual setting! (#8)  The Hubby and I managed to find a piece of wrought iron fence that looked like an “e” and it will be added to the last name project. (#22) 

Race day arrived after a fitful night of sleep due to anxiety.  The Hubby and I got up at 4:30am.  The hotel was kind enough to provide a continental breakfast at 4am. J The Cooper River Bridge Run is a point to point race, so we drove into Charleston to catch the shuttle and ride across the bridge to Mount Pleasant, SC.  The Hubby graciously waited in line with me until I got on the bus but then I was on my own.  There was a lot of traffic (44,000 racers will do that) and due to the increased volume the race was not able to start on time so I had an extra hour and a half to stand in my assigned space and think – and get anxious.  By the time the race started I just wanted to get it over with because I was now hungry and tired! I cannot be certain as I was only glancing at my watch throughout, but I think I ran the first mile in 10 minutes – which would mean I could cross something else off the list, but due to uncertainty I am choosing to wait on that one.  I knew that I needed to slow down some at that point though or I was going to exhaust myself.  Unfortunately, my body decided it had another method to slow me down at the base of the bridge.  Some intense hip pain set in and I more or less limped through a slow jog up and across the bridge.  I did manage to hit the 5K mark at 39 minutes which made me feel better about making it in an hour and half.  There were “fans” along the route giving out high fives and various bands playing as well which made it a little easier.  Some people chose to wear costumes as well. Due to the hour plus delay in the start it was getting pretty hot near the end of the race and some people were not dealing with the heat well.  I did manage to see The Hubby near the end as he stood outside the bar he had been patiently waiting at all morning. J For most of the race I switched back and forth between a slow jog and a limp and after the race the limp was even worse, but I finished.  We hung around the after party for awhile and chatted with some friends that also completed the race.  I now understand how The Hubby feels after a mountain bike race when he does not want to eat or drink.  After a long hot shower and a rest back at the hotel room we went out on the town for a bit that evening with some fellow racers until we all were looking so tired it was back to the hotel room to pass out!