Reaching New Heights

I really don't like growing up.  Adults have to do a lot of things that are intimidating to me.  If you know me, then you are aware that I am resistant to change.  The uncertainties that tag along with new changes can be scary.  Josh and I just bought a house and we are moving this Saturday.  Surprisingly enough, I'm okay with this big change.  It feels right.   (But I did tell Josh that I plan to live there for THE REST OF MY LIFE ! )   We are super excited to be home owners and a little nervous about the responsibilities that come along with it. We have boxed most of our things up, getting ready for the big day.  I insisted that Adriaan's board books will be the last thing to go.  We use them EVERY DAY.  Josh and I found a mutual love for children's books while we were dating, and we have been collecting them ever since.  Adriaan loves to sit on my lap and listen to the same books over and over again.  One day, he s...

A few years ago, Josh and I took a road trip to visit Capitol Reef National Park.  It is in the heart of red rock country.  We planned to camp at a primitive campsite with a pit toilet, but no water.  This campsite was far from the Visitors Center and main road.  We left our home much later than we should have.  We started to get anxious when we could not find our way to the campsite.  We were not even close and it became darker and darker.  We could not tell what road we were traveling on.  Even though we had a map, we were lost.  The lines on the map did not seem to tell us where we were, so we took a lot of guesses. I remember turning onto a dirt road.  It was dark, we were tired and in a hurry to find the right road to take us to our destination.  Josh was driving while I was still trying to figure out where we were on the map.  Because we were in the middle of nowhere and it was so dark, we relied on our headlights to s...

Now that school is out, I finally have some time to catch up.  On May 24th I ran the Alpine Half Marathon. A few Saturdays before the Half, I hurt my ankle during a run.  I had a swollen tendon and it was really sore.  I was nervous to run the race, fearing further injury.  But I said a prayer. I thanked Him for my body and for the amazing things that our bodies can do. And then I asked that my body could be free of injury. I was seriously blessed that day. Not only did I remain free of injury, but that is probably the best that I have felt while running 13.1 miles.  This race was different than any other race that I've run (besides the fact that the beginning only had 2 porta potties).  This was the first time that I've seen pacing runners.  Several different runners held up a sign showing their running pace and their finish time.  And they carried the sign for the entire run!  It was quite the visual to see your goal ahead of you, behind yo...

When I was in college I took a jogging class.  Somehow the course was not cancelled, even though only 3 of us registered for it.  I always looked forward to that class and I had such a blast each time.  I got to know the other two members in my class really well.  Meet Wendy... she was in her late 40's and had recently picked up running.  She had even run a few half marathons.  I was amazed by what she could do even though she had a busy family/schedule.  I remember asking her why she decided to pick up running as a 'hobby'.  Her response has stuck with me. She said, "It gives me a chance to do something for myself.  I get to be Wendy." Not the soccer mom, the carpool driver, the homework enforcer, or the dinner chef.  Just Wendy.  Simple as that. Things have finally settled down since Adriaan's birth (took me long enough, right?) I have had some time to reflect and I have realized that I need to do something for Sarah.  So l...

Sometimes I find myself caught up in a trap.  I waste away precious moments, because I'm too busy waiting for what I really want to come along a little faster.  And then I'm humbled each time that I realize how precious those moments truly were. I've learned how important it is to live in the now and to enjoy every single irreplaceable moment.  I was talking to a dear friend and she mentioned how overbearing the societal expectation to be perfect is.  Do you waste away minutes, hours, or even months wishing that your life could be different?  Is the pressure to be perfect the root of your worries? I have always wanted to be a mother and to stay at home with my babes.  I thought that being a stay-at-home mom was the perfect life that was in store for me.  So when I had to go back to work, I was crushed.  But,  I have learned two main lessons through this experience.  #1 This is actually where Heavenly Father wants/needs me to be right t...

It's kinda funny how your perspective on life, your family, your job and what truly matters can change in an instant.  A few nights ago, Josh and I worked on a really fun science unit for my kiddos.  I loved spending that time with him.  It took me back to the carefree days of dating.  The stressfree nights when we just spent our time getting to know each other.  We work really well together and we have ALWAYS been a great team.  The countless hours for this science unit paid off!  It was super engaging and if anything, I hope that my kiddos have grown a LOVE FOR LEARNING. I was probably more excited than the kids were to get going with our day. They walked in and I said, "We are NOT doing anything exciting today.  We are NOT going to have any fun today."  Well, they just know me too well.  "Uh-huh Mrs. Smith!  You always say that!  We ARE going to have fun today and you're just tricking us!"  Oh goodie...We pulled out...