Oh Ugh!

Okay, it is official.  I am in the worst physical shape of my entire life!  Yikes!  


Just got off the (dreaded) treadmill and thought I might not make it.  I cannot believe I actually completed a marathon, that's 26.2 miles for those of you who care, just 3 & 1/2 years ago!  Oye!  What a journey since that time.  
Hmmmm, I don't want to look back at that though.


I do want to be encouraged that if I could do it then, I can do it again.  This is definitely going to be a one-day-at-a-time venture.  Let's see.... why not make a list of all the positives that are going to come of this.  


Better sleep.  
Better energy. 
More stable internal temperature control.
Fat loss.   
More clothes that fit.  
More smiles, more laughter.  
Improved blood sugar control. 
Greater desire to eat for health.  
Maybe I will even get back on a waterski in this lifetime! ha!
Setting a good example for my little peeps.  


Okay, that's a good start.  
Go Amy!!!!

Weeping

This is my father-in-law, John.  With his lovely wife, Ann.  This picture is in their backyard, taken in the spring of 2009.  They are so beautiful!  John won't be long in the world much longer as his congestive heart failure has progressed to the point of beginning to shut down all the other systems in his body.  It hurts a lot to be so far away and not be able to be there and bring them some comfort as family.  John is 87 years old.  I will always remember that smile.  He sure is a great smiler!  Ann is such a sweet and simple woman.  It doesn't make sense in my mind or heart to think of her separately from him.  Although I would not have ever said I thought they were really close and intimate with each other, they are.  My husband is 46 years old and I am sure that John and Ann have been married at least 50 years.  My heart hurts for them.  For this place where they are.  I would love to be able to hold them.  These next months are going to be a whole new experience for all of us.  I will be looking to my Lord for guidance, wisdom and comfort, for his leading and love.  My own dad has been gone from this world for 14 years.  I guess this is bringing back some of that experience too.  Those people who touch our lives at the very formation of it.... they will be mourned for as long as we remain on this side of heaven.  I was so thankful to find this picture in my computer!

SNOW DAY!!!!!!

            We are having a snow day at the Shier Academy!  Unbelievable, I know.  My kids cannot believe it and I am sure Zack would say, so not fair!  He never got snow days at the Shier Academy.  Maybe I am mellowing with age.  haha!   The snow is beautiful of course and everything seems more quiet and restful and slow.  I love it!   I love the way it makes everything you see everyday look totally different.  I love that it makes me slow down and drive much more carefully and with extra caution.  I love that my kids run out to play in the snow and get all wet and miserable and then want to come in and drop their stuff everywhere and have some hot cocoa (which reminds me, I need to go get some more cocoa mix today :o)  I love it when they build snowmen.  Some of my favorite pictures from over the years are the ones of the snowy days!    

  so this is mom & me from 2008!  Lotta snow that time, too much for mom's liking!

                       I can't remember what year this was.... maybe '06?

               This was 2003, I know because Tessa couldn't walk yet!

                                      Our beautiful PiperJayne!

                                                      2005!

         Happy Tessa (before!) & sad Tessa (after & too cold & wet!)
         
              According to the weathermen and women, we will be getting the REAL snow tomorrow!  HA!  If all goes as they are predicting, it will be just right.... several days of rest and then~ back to schedules and routines.  Just enough and not too much for me.
            I think I am going to get all the ornaments off of our Christmas tree today oorrrrr maybe tomorrow.  The kids want to play board games today.  I am going to get some exercise and maybe move another bookcase today.  I am really liking this new arrangement for my computer desk.  Changes the whole perspective of the room.  I am still interrupted on average, every three minutes.  No wonder I go on strike from the computer so often these days.  I will just have to implement my signage idea.  I was telling my sister yesterday that I would make a reversible sign~  WORKING, do NOT interrupt / AVAILABLE, please talk to me
            We shall see.  Nevertheless, it is time to go be productive.  And so I shall!  Enjoy each breath!   Each one is a gift!!