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!

I tried for that ten minute mile again this week- fail. 10:25. I would rather it took me 47 minutes than to be this close to the ten minute mark and not be able to do it! Grrrr. Anyway, I did accomplish a 5 MILE RUN! That is the longest I have ever run in my entire life! Next weekend is 5.5 miles and the weekend after that is the 10K and I will FINALLY officially be able to cross something off my list! Yeah!

 My dad asked me this week how he was supposed to know what I had completed on the list.  That answer was simple – “Nothing.”  There are several things that I could consider completed at this time, but I guess I don’t feel as if they are done yet.  Internally, I still feel like there is more for me to do before I can cross Volunteer (#20) off the list.  I have been working with the High School Youth Group at the church for several weeks now and am enjoying my time there. (Shameless plug time: order Papa John’s (University) on Tuesday March 20^th and 10% of the profit for the night goes to the youth group and their trip to the regional youth conference in April) I have been looking for some wine tasting courses online, but they are expensive! I am not sure how far I want to go with that goal either. I want to be able to learn more about mine and the different types and tastes.  Right now I just go to the store and pick a pretty bottle. J I am going to look for some dance lessons or even a cake class to take in the near future.  I have been spending so much time running that I have not had much time to do anything other than that.  I will have to see if the Hubby is interested in some dance lessons.  I have a feeling that my dad might have something up his sleeve to help me with crossing some of the other items off my list as well. 

The Hubby and I have been working very hard to finish our basement project.  When we first moved in the basement was framed, but there wasn’t any insulation or drywall.  I would compare it to hanging out in a tree house as it was pretty darn cold in the winter! A few years ago we did put up drywall and insulation, but we only did an “okay” job.  The problem is that he wants to get projects done quickly and I am a perfectionist and we were not able to find a balance.  It was good enough though and there was now a comfortable temperature reached.  This time we decided to go all out and frame out the doors and windows, paint the walls, and we added bead board around the walls…. and, drumroll please, WE ARE GETTING NEW FURNITURE.  Apparently, as disclosed to me during the Hubby’s Bachelor Party, our couch was very “busy” during college and as we have been out of college for 7 years I thought it might be time to send it to couch heaven.  We should be getting the new furniture by the end of the week or early next week when the painting is complete - J So excited!

I want to cross it off...

This week I came really close to being able to cross one thing off my list (#7 – run a ten minute mile).  I ran .95 miles in ten minutes – and that was after 50 minutes on the elliptical.  I probably could have pushed myself a little bit harder and got the full mile in, but I was so tired already! I am planning on trying again this week.  I just really want to be able to cross something off the list – I want to feel a sense of accomplishment.  I feel like I will be more motivated to finish more of the tasks when I am able to cross one off.  The Hubby asked me yesterday what I plan to do when I stop running.  The truth is, I don’t plan to stop running. I will be “cutting back” and not going to the gym everyday as has become my habit because it is kind of time consuming.  I still plan to go to the gym two to three times a week and allow more time to get some of my other goals completed. 

I think the next major task I am going to take on is catching up on my scrapbook (#14).  I have not touched it since I had surgery a few years ago and had a lot of sitting time on my hands.  I have continued to print pictures and keep them organized – it is just a matter of putting it all together.  I am also still trying to figure out how I want to organize all of the wedding pictures and mementos from those events.  I am thinking about just making one book with all of the bachelor/bachelorette events, the showers, and the BIG DAY! J It has been almost a year… probably about time to get it organized. Ha ha. 

I also think I have convinced the Hubby to take a trip to New York in the Fall (#1) so that it can be crossed off my list as well! We don’t have any major trips planned this year, no weddings at this point.  We are going back to Illinois for a Baptism in May for little Owen and I am very excited to meet the little guy. I also plan on being in Illinois sometime around Easter, depends on when my new little nephew decides to make his appearance.  Well, on the baby note – I need to get some things done around here before leaving for a Gender Reveal Party for the newest member of our group or friends that will be joining us in August.  I am wearing pink to the party, but honestly I don’t care if it is a boy or a girl, I just want to hold the baby! J

Balance

Training, training, training.  I feel that I have spent A LOT of time in training the last several months.  I enjoy training because I love being able to expand my knowledge base and hopefully learn something that can help my foster parents to be better foster parents.  The current issue is I don’t have the time to teach the foster parents any of the knowledge that I am holding in my head.  I won’t bore you with the details of my job.  We have over forty foster children in placement with our agency, thirty foster families, and five staff – I supervise the department meaning I supervise all of the above.  I am also currently training two families to become foster parents as well as transferring several families into the agency.  To put it mildly, I am busy.  The most frustrating thing to me is that I feel like I can do better.  There are so many changes and improvements that I would like to see made within the department and I simply don’t have the time to do it! It really bothers me because I know I am not maximizing the potential of the department.  I need to find a balance with all of my job responsibilities SOON!

I took a week off running due to the job responsibilities, time commitments, and just being otherwise exhausted at the end of the day.  I ran again on Monday night and was only able to complete 2 miles in 25 minutes.  The training schedule called for 3 miles, but that wasn’t going to happen.  I did 45 minutes on the elliptical the next night and nothing tonight due to teaching class at work.  I will be back at the gym tomorrow because MARCH 31 IS ALMOST HERE! I am not worried about my ability to finish the race because I will finish it – I just don’t want to spend all day running 6 miles! I know that the important thing is going to be to continue running after the race as well.  I should probably just sign up for another one so I have another goal in mind… I work better with a plan. J

The positive of it almost being March 31 is that I will officially be able to cross something off my list (#17)! Yeah! I have made tremendous progress on some of the other goals I set for myself.  I think it is safe to say that I am well on my way to becoming a regular at church (#28) as people now know my name.  I have become a volunteer (#20) with the High School Youth Group.  This Friday night I will be participating in a Famine with the Youth Group as well – more about that one later.  The Hubby and I continue or never ending chess game (#16), but I am still learning how to move the pieces.  I found out there are tons of YouTube videos to help you learn how to crochet (#18) so I will be looking into those.  I really want to get caught up on my scrapbook (#14) and I think that is going to be my next accomplishment.  Maybe I can use the crochet practice to decompress?!?!?