An old goal that I'm trying to make new!

For quite some time now I have really wanted to start training for some type of marathon. Well, I'm thinking like a 5K.....is that still considered a marathon? Obviously I haven't really done my research. The problem I have is 1. I am not a runner (like not even a little bit. Never have been) and 2. I never have the time nor energy to run (I am in school 16 hours and working two jobs right now). But today I am proud to say that I made the first step in my "training." I ran/walked for a distance that was not extremely short but not long either. But it was a start. And it was over a mile. That's all I'm saying in regards to the distance.


So I begin my run around our neighborhood and the one next to us. All of the "real" runners run on the main roads, but I am far from that. The weather was AMAZING! It seriously could not have been any better. The sun was down but it wasn't dark, it was around 75 degrees, and the wind was blowing just perfectly. (Well when I say I was running, I should really just say jogging. Because there was no running actually involved.) So I'm continuing my jog and I turn the corner at the end of the street. When I look up I see this man and his young son walking towards me. I really was praying that their house would come before I passed them so that they couldn't hear me breathing hard (these are not my finest moments). But of course it did not. So I turned my IPOD down (I had the volume up really loud. This helps you not be able to hear that you are breathing loud and therefore you aren't focused on it as much.....consider that a helpful tip!) and then I try to get control of my breathing so that the man didn't think I was going to pass out. Well I am slowly (key word) approaching this man and his son when the man grabs his son and pulls him in the grass. Leaving me the entire sidewalk to pass them. I guess I looked like I was struggling and the man felt the need to help me out a little by not making me take the steps to go around him and his son. I wanted to say thank you but didn't want to waste any breath, so I just smiled.

I also had this other little boy that kept following beside me on his motorized scooter. It made me feel awkward and I wanted to ask him to stop, but I didn't. By the end of it, I felt like I made a new friend.


Besides the whole getting in shape and "training" for my marathon, it is a really great time to just reflect on things. There are no distractions and plenty of time to just think. It was very peaceful. I had a really cool experience too, but it almost sounds crazy so I won't share it.

I also feel the need to thank Barlow Girl and Carrie Underwood. "Never Alone" and "So Small" were my last two songs playing when I got to the end. They kept me going!


I really wanted to write about my "training" on here, because I think it will hold me more accountable. Hopefully sometime this summer I can participate in some type of 5K.


Another goal I have....not to wait until the last minute to start packing my stuff up to move home. Anyone that knows me, knows I am a last minute packer. I have accumulated a lot more stuff since I moved out here. It's going to take a while to sort through and organize so that I can successfully get it from Dallas to Birmingham. I only have a month and a week left....that's so weird!

Ok, I'm off to bed. I am substitute teaching tomorrow and I have to be there at 7am! Which by the way..I love that job! The students are great!

Unexpected Getaway!

The Osborn's and I decided to take a last minute trip to Austin this weekend. We left Friday Morning and got back tonight. It was very needed and a lot of fun! Besides just getting away, one of the main reasons to go was to find Karley a prom dress. As many stores as Dallas has, there is not a whole lot to choose from in that area. Especially if you aren't willing to risk someone else wearing the same dress (and no girl ever wants that!). We were very successful! Austin has a lot of great shopping! Many of there stores are very unique (Austin is a unique city). In case you have never been there, it's a little out there. Very hippie and liberal. But so much fun! I think it would be fun to live there for a short while...not because I'm hippie and liberal, but because it's so different.


We know some people who live there so we got a head's up on the places to eat. They were all over Austin and it was a good thing we had a GPS or we would have NEVER found them or anything else. Keith decided to get a Magellan GPS system the night before we left. "Maggie" as we called her was a huge addition to the vacation! I want to invest in one of those sometime in the future and encourage anyone who travels to get one!


After arriving there on Friday afternoon we went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant that was recommended to us. It was very good! They gave all the ladies that ate there fresh long stem roses, which were beautiful! Once we finished eating, we went to the hotel and then out to shop.


We didn't really have plans for Friday night so Ann, Karley, and I decided that we would go and see a movie that we have been eager to see, Ms. Pettigrew Lives for a Day. We all thought it was great! I definitely recommend it!


Saturday we slept in (Because we were on vacation!) and then we went shopping some more.
We pretty much spent most of the day shopping and then had dinner Saturday night. It was a very fun and relaxed day.


It was very strange not being home for Easter this year. Plane tickets were so expensive that I just decided that I would stay out here. Especially since I will be going home for good in a couple of months. I will say that it ended up being a great day. We attended church at Austin Stone Community Church. This is the church where Chris Tomlin leads worship. So that was what initially caught our eye. But of course, he didn't lead worship this morning. (However, he did sit right behind us. It was a reminder that these people have real lives too.) The worship and message were both great! The church meets in a high school, which is very different than anything I have ever been a part of. All of the services meet in the gym. I have worked in two student ministries that meet in the gym on Wednesday nights. Both of my "bosses" were extremely gifted in set design and setting up for these services. Therefore, I know how much work it is to make this happen. The people at Austin Stone have to have some majorly dedicated people to pull off what they do every Sunday. Their setup was double anything I have ever done and I really felt I could see a piece of their staff's heart just by looking at the setup. Not just in the gym, but also in the hallways that were filled with tables full of information on how to get connected.

Because I worked under people who liked to focus on little details, I have now developed the habit. I can't walk into a room like that without really looking at everything they have done (thanks Tim and Jeff!). As I looked around I had to remind myself that it was a high school gym and not a church gym. I just kept thinking about how obvious it was that the Lord was so in that place, despite everything that goes on in that school during the week. Substitute teaching has shown me that Satan has put a lot of trash in our schools today. I don't believe this school is any different (especially since it was in Austin). That was just a thought I had about the experience. I loved the church though. It reminded me of the church I have been attending here in Dallas.


After church we had lunch at this Bistro. They had an "Easter" buffet, so it was the closest thing we would get to a real Easter meal. The food was great! The price....not so much!


Then we headed back to the hotel to get our stuff packed up. Once we were packed and loaded we were heading back home!


I was glad to be home, but could have stayed a few more days. I definitely want to go back to Austin if I get a chance!


I have a few pictures I will post later.

1st Mavs Game!

Well tonight I got to go to my first Mavericks Game. It was so much fun! Keith got tickets from a business friend and we got to sit in a suite! It was so great! They had food, drinks, and a large dessert cart. It was such a great night!

A copy of our tickets.

On the way to the game. We only had three tickets so Ann let us go. She was greatly missed!

Karley and I took tons of pics in the suite before the game started.

Time for the game to start!

Ok, so now for the best part! I was joking/being serious with Karley about a celebrity being at the game. They were playing the Lakers and it was a huge game, so I knew that there would have to be! Well, on the way I said "what if Jessica and Tony are there." And we laughed it off. I still didn't want to give up though, so I was scanning the crowd when I really spotted them! Karley and I freaked out a little bit. I know a lot of people don't like her, but I do. So here are the picture we took. We got a little obsessed with it.

P.S. I'm still working on how to post pictures. My formatting is way off! Sorry!

1st Timer!

So I was on Spring Break this week and decided I would treat myself to a Spring Break Facial. The nail salon I go to also offers the facial service (I love my nail place! The best one I have ever been to and they are not expensive at all! It's on the top ten things I will miss most about Dallas).

I was getting a pedicure the other day and read on their menu (not sure what it's called), that they offer facials. Well, since I have never had one before I decided I would treat myself.

Let me just say that it was one of the most painful experiences I have ever had in my life! I can't believe I volunteered myself for that! And not just volunteered, I paid for it! You had to pay a little extra if you wanted them to do the blackheads (haha! sorry for being a bit graphic). So I was like, "why not!" Well, I'll tell you why not....... It hurts! I seriously thought my teeth were going to fall out because I was grinding them so hard. I almost had tears!

But the good news is that the outcome was very good! I really could tell a big difference. And the lady says that the first time is always the worst! Not sure if she was being encouraging or just wanting more of my money! She also did a half hour massage once the torture was over. So now I'm not completely convinced I'll never get another one....

Time/Regret

I often make references to "the past three years of my life." This is because they have been very crucial years for me. Well really it's been the past four years, since December of my freshman year of college. There would be too much for me to write about in detail, but I have had many "ah ha!" moments (As Oprah would say---I do feel a little bad about putting oprah (I gave her a little "o." on purpose) and God in the same blog). God has moved in my life in ways that I didn't even know He could. I'm so grateful and pray that everyone has a time in their life like this. (I hope I still have a lot more to come though!)

The only regret I have during this time is that I didn't really embrace it for everything that it was. I had so much opportunity and I didn't really realize it until it was really just too late. I have learned that the freedom I have had during college will not always last. Unfortunately, the older I get the more responsibility I accumulate.

I will say that I have accomplished a WHOLE lot more than I ever thought I would. But....there was so much more I could have done. There were some days I was so focused on what was next that I missed the opportunities I had right then. Man I wish I wouldn't have done that! I've definitely lived and learned in this situation!

I am completely taking advantage of the next five months of my life!

Psalm 90:12
"Teach me to make the most of my time Oh Lord, so that I may grow in wisdom."

I'm a slacker!

So I have majorly been slacking on the blog. My excuse is because I have not had much of anything going on in my life lately......well until a few days ago.

Just a recap of everything that has been going on:

First let me say that I'm graduating in August. (A long story as to why I am waiting until August, but it makes a lot of sense). Ok, so on that note I will be taking a class online this summer. This means that I will be mobile from May until August (I don't have to be in Dallas because the classes are online).

Since I don't have to be in Dallas I decided that I would go ahead and look for a job. This will be my last summer before complete financial independence from my parents (well as much as it will ever be...not sure the "complete" part will ever happen), and I was determined not to get a "real job" just yet (By "real job" I mean 100% full time). I have realized that the freedoms I have right now, will not always be. I just wanted to take advantage of this time a little more. So...after a few weeks of not really having a clue as to what I would do, I got a great suggestion from a friend. "Why don't you try to get a job at Student Life?"

My response: "What a great idea!"

So I get online and print off their application. I also learned that application deadlines were Jan. 31 (It was around Jan. 25). So I was on a time crunch. And I had to have reference letters sent in.

Thankfully everything was in on time. I applied to work in the Birmingham office (Student Life is based out of Birmingham). So this would mean I could move back home and live with the parentals for awhile to save some money. It would also allow me to be a part of ministry in a different way than what I have in the past. Very exciting!
I went for an interview in the middle of February and then they told me that I would hear something starting on March 1st. Well March 1st came and went...still no word. Then it was like March 7th and I still hadn't heard anything. I did call just to make sure that I hadn't deleted the email (they said they would let you know something either way). But the guy said they were still notifying people, so I didn't get too worried. Well finally on March 12th, I got a call. The girl was curious as to why they hadn't heard anything in response to the email they sent (which I never got). She said some other stuff and then told me that they would like to offer me the job. I was so excited! We discussed it some more and determined I would start on May 12th.
I hung up the phone and it hit me that May 12th is not that far away! For some reason I was just overwhelmed with a lot of emotions. I was so excited for this next step in my life, but I quickly remembered that to start a new chapter you have to end another one.

I have loved living in Dallas. I have been blessed beyond what I ever thought with friends and family here. It's going to be hard to leave this. As much as Alabama is home, this has been my home for the past three years.

But I really am so pumped about everything that is going on! It's only for the summer but I'm praying that this opens up more doors!
*Thanks Linz for the suggestion!

It's been awhile....

Well it has been quite a while since I last posted anything on here.....over a year. I was at church on Sunday and I heard something that really spoke to me so I thought I would blog about it, mainly so I will remember it in the future.

The guy speaking was talking about the 1988 World Series game against the A's and the Dodgers. (I may not get everything exactly right...but you'll get the gist of it.)
Kirk Gibson was up to bat. The Dodgers were down by 1, so they needed him to hit a homerun because there was one guy on base. If he hit a homerun the Dodgers would win.
The bad part was that Gibson was hurt and actually limped to the plate. So there was no way he would be able to outrun anyone to any base. So basically he had to hit a homerun or the game was over.
Well, he gets up there and sure enough he hits a homerun. And of course the crowd and everyone goes CRAZY!
So the speaker Sunday morning tells us this story. And just when I thought that was the end of it, he said that as great as the homerun was, it was not the most interesting part of the story. He said that when he watched the video, you could see tons of red lights flashing in the backgroud outside of the stadium. The red lights were the brake lights from the cars of the people who had given up on the game and left early. They heard what had happened from the parking lot and were immediately trying to stop so that they could experience a little bit of what they had missed.
So then he wrapped it up by asking: When it comes to God, how many times do we give up and leave the ballpark before the game is ever really over?
That hit me pretty hard. It's so hard to wait on God's timing. And we all know that he truly does want to bless us...we just have to wait for him. I was thinking about Gibson hitting that homerun and how the timing of it is what made it such a memorable moment in baseball. If it would have been any earlier in the game, it would have been great, but not the way it was at the end of the game. It was all about the timing.

NEW CHAIR!

So this is my room with the new chair that the Osborn's gave me for my b-day. And there are some other things that are alittle different.

I love this chair!

The picture will be hanging rather than sitting on the bed like that.

Redecorating!

My redecorated room...

Em and Ty

This is part of her performance.


It's not Emma, she's a cat. This is just before she made me put a leash around her neck and lead her around inside and outside of the house.


His shirt is a little Polo...he looked so cute!

Six Flags

Tonight I met Sara, Emma, Ty, Richard, and Janice out at Six Flags. I had such a good time. I haven't seen them in so long and was quickly reminded how much I miss them!

Here are a few pictures of our Six Flags adventure.

Here is Ty waiting for someone to pass him a drink. This is just before we rode a real rollercoaster that Emma is finally tall enough for. So since she rode it she thought she was an expert!

Emma, trying to tell everyone where to go and drive the stroller at the same time!

Both of them on the swings.

Before it started

Both of their reactions!

So sweet!

Last ride is the log ride!

His reaction going up the hill......and going down it!

We couldn't leave without seeing a show. And of course they chose the cute kid on the front row to dance. Too bad that she didn't like it and started crying.

Finally we ended the night with the parade. But I must say it was kind of sad. It lasted all of 5 mins. So we watched the parade and ate "pink things."

Then it was time to go home and I miss them already! But luckily I get to see them again in just a few weeks!

Summer is coming to an end!

Well, I just got home yesterday afternoon from our last official youth trip. I am sad that summer is almost over, but sooo glad to be done with the traveling. Well, almost done....I leave Wednesday to go home. I AM SOOO EXCITED and so ready though! I haven't been home or seen my family (other than my dad for a total of like 10 mins.) since Easter. So it is definitely time!
So now to take a look back at this summer...

First Sis and I went to New York. We had an incredible time and I loved it up there!

Me and Sis when we first arrived. We didn't fly in together, we just met at the airport. We were so excited.









This is me at FAO Schwartz with a huge teddy bear.

This is us at one of our favorite places...
Serendipity. We went there twice. They are
famous for their frozen hot
chocolate.

We took over 800 pictures, so way too many to post on here!

Then I was home for about two weeks and we left for High School Camp. We went to Panama City, FL. It was so much fun, but so tiring.


This is Amber and I in our Morning Show attire. We had to dress in this every morning. I was Loula Mae, the extremely southern girl, and Amber was Bambie, or Barbie, I don't remember. Basically her character was a dumb blonde.
I got my dress at the thrift store and still have it if anyone wants to borrow it!






This is the rest of our crazy staff.

So then High School Camp was over and it was back to Carrollton for two weeks. One week we had a small break but we still went in to the office, and the next week we had VBS. The week of VBS we also had to get ready for Middle School Camp.
So then it was time to pack (which never fails that I always wait until the last minute, as in I get started about 12am the night before we leave at 5 in the morning. So basically I stay up all night because I have to get to the church at 4.)
It was about a 10 hour drive to South Padre. So we spent a week there and then we were back to Carrollton once again.
Once again I was home for two weeks before I left again. The first week was awesome! It was only Reid, Joey, and I in the office that week because everyone else was in Seattle. We missed them, but had fun! Then the next week I was home alone because Keith, Ann, and Karley were in Beverly Hills for Karley's birthday.
Then once again, it was time to pack and go to Houston for a week with Middle School. It was a long week and I was ready to come home, but it was lots of fun.
So all of that brings me to today. I'm here until Wednesday and then I'm home for a week and a half! YEA!