My Running Journey

I started running this year. Again. I've started running several times but seem to always get discouraged and quit. True Story. This year is different. This year, on January 2nd, arguably the worst time of year to start running, I ran. I hated every last second of it. I started with the Couch to 5K app. On this app, you run three times a week for 30 minutes. I ran a 5K in March and now I am starting on my 10K training.  Here I am 4 months in and finally starting to really love it.

Callie has started running with me. She's a natural. She doesn't like it yet but she can already lap me several times.

Heinous photo of me but this was after my long run one day. I couldn't believe I could run for an hour. I am excited to see where this journey takes me.

Turning 8 in Prague

As I was sorting through the overabundance of photos I took from Europe, I printed the ones specifically of Callie's birthday. We knew when we booked the trip that her actual birthday would fall during the course of the trip, but had no idea exactly what we would be doing on that day. EF is the company that plans and coordinates our trips with students, but the downside is that the planned stops are not flexible. It's actually not a downside...unless you'd like to change the entire groups plans for your child's birthday. Anyway, turned out, May 21st would be a travel day to Prague. This meant at least 5 hours in the bus. Matt and I were a little disappointed, but we started brainstorming ways to make the day really memorable. Matt started looking up fun stops we could visit once we arrived in Prague. We decided to surprise her with Hard Rock..because let's face it- the kid loves American food. Here is a picture tour of our day.

 

We stopped for lunch at a medieval hunting castle.  This was the most quaint and beautiful restaurant. This is one of the castles where former kings would stay during hunting trips.  Right next to our table was a large carriage used for hunting. All over the walls were animal skins. There is also a bed & breakfast that is connected to the restaurant. If I can find the brochure, I will link it!

We arrived at Prague. Prague is incredible. This large church is in the middle of Old Town Square. Old Town Square is also called Stare Mesto in Prague. This is just as how I imagined it- music playing, coffee shops, food vendors, street performers. Amazing place!

This is the famous astronomical clock found near Old Town Square. The clock is part of the Old Town Hall,  also called Staromestska Radnice.  The clock is beautiful and every hour a processional of apostles make their appearance. We had lunch right under the clock and masses of people gather around it at the top of every hour to see the show.

 There are 27 white cross at the base of Staromestska Radnice that are placed in memory of 27 Czech statesman who were killed in a mass murder after they stood up to authority. They were forced to jump out the window, falling to their deaths. The crosses were placed to remind the Czech if the dangers of standing up to authority. That was the end of Czech nobility as rule. Now, Old Town Hall is a major tourist spot.  



We had already planned to eat at the Prague Hard Rock Café for dinner. We all had giant, unhealthy hamburgers and Callie got a sundae! We are so thankful for the chance to spend her birthday this way. It was an awesome memory!

Enjoying Prague!

I love this picture. Matt and Callie play like this all the time. It's like a chase and hit game..not for me but I'm glad they enjoy it!

As we were walking through the narrow alleyways, we found this sewing shop nestled between two eateries. As someone who loves monograms and machine embroidery, I have only seen 2 people be able to freehand monogram. It is incredibly difficult and requires years of practice. This guy was amazing. He somehow kept the hat flat and stitched out Callie's name in 2 seconds. I have no idea how he does it. Needless to say, we bought the hat.

Stitching out Callie on her hat!

Pretty great day!!

 

It seems like when we are on the trip, the days and moments are flying by. It all happens so fast, that we blink and the trip is over. The sweetest part is looking back at the photos and remembering our time together in Europe. 

 

 



Summer Lovin'

It's been 3 months since I have blogged! My plan for the summer was the pack in the most family time that I could and then meant doing less of everything else. Callie started school this week and Matt and I are back at work. Our summer flew by and our family had one of the best summers ever. We started off in May with our annual Europe trip. Matt and Callie both had their birthday's on this trip. It was so special to celebrate these most important days under some of the most amazing scenery I've ever seen.  This trip peaked Matt's interests and covered several countries in Eastern Europe. I have to say, Eastern Europe is beautiful. If you ever have the chance to go..jump on it. We went to Budapest, Krakow, Prague, and Vienna.

Here are just a few (out of the 700 pictures I took) of the trip.

 

Sitting at a historic castle overlooking Budapest

 Traveling the world with Callie is awesome, but sometimes she gets tired. Matt ends up carrying her at some point on most days.

 Boat ride in front of the Parliament in Budapest. Isn't it magnificent?

This is the city square in Krakow. Krakow was my favorite place we went. It was quaint and the people there were so friendly. This rainbow appeared after dinner and everyone was amazed about the perfect placement over the church.

 

 

After we returned from Europe, we basically washed our clothes and flew to Arizona for a week packed with fun with my dad. We had a delayed connecting flight which created one of those lovely moments where you are sprinting through an international airport about to die. We barely made our flight!

 

 We toured the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This was my first time visiting the canyons. They were incredible. This is my dad and Callie wanting me to hurry up with my photos so they could play.

 Arizona is hot. Duh right? Well, I didn't realize how hot 113 degrees really was. Luckily, my dad's condo has a few pools and we pretty much lived in the pool. It felt great! Callie would rather swim than do just about anything. In fact, as we pulled up to the Grand Canyon and all its wonder she said, "It is just about time to go back home and swim yet?"

 Before we came to Arizona, I asked my dad if we could go to Alice Cooper's restaurant, Cooperstown.  I kind of love/am totally creeped out by Alice Cooper. ANYWAY..he has a hot dog on the menu called the Big Unit (I know, I know) and its $25. The restaurant was great, and all the other items on the menu looked really good. We will go back next time we are there. Oh, and the waitresses all have eye makeup like Alice Cooper used to wear. Hilarious.

I just love this picture. My parents are obsessed with Callie. She brings out this joy in them that I had never seen until she came into our lives. This is at a little picnic spot outside of Phoenix.

My family. The three of us have grown so much in the past 4 years. It's amazing really.

 

 

So, after the Arizona trip ended....we came home, washed our clothes again, and went to the beach with my mom! I had heard such great things about Folly Beach and wanted to check it out. It was the most relaxing trip. I read a few books, watched Callie play, had longs talks with mom, and Matt and I enjoyed walking a few miles each day with Jack.

 

 We brought a ton of games to the beach house. Apples to Apples is our family favorite. We also love Funglish!

 I snapped this picture really quickly at the Folly Pier. Let me say a word about Jack's first beach trip...he hates the ocean. In every photo I took of him, he looks as if we are abusing him.

 Callie and my mom bought these floats and played in the ocean for hours. I sat in my beach chair and read. Oh, how peaceful it was!

 This was at a great little restaurant right outside of Folly. We sat outside and caught up on life for a  while. I was so blessed to get a whole week by the sea!

Saying goodbye to the beach!

 

 

So, that was our summer. In between these trips, Matt and I researched seminary schools. God is working in our lives so much right now. We feel him leading Matt toward seminary and pastoral studies. We are still praying and waiting on that right at this moment. We were also blessed to be able to travel to Georgia to spend time with Matt's aunt and uncle. We traveled so much because when the semester begins, our lives are 100 miles an hour. We barely have time to catch up with each other about our days. In the blink of an eye, Callie is 8 years old and it is so important for us to build these memories with her.

7 Update, Life Update, Everything Update

Good Friday Morning Friends! Media month is officially over. For the entire month of May, I had zero media in my life. TV, Facebook, Instagram, etc..all gone. While food month just about killed me, media month was a refreshing month of productivity. I was able to change a lot of things in my daily life that previously wouldn't be done, because media takes up an enormous amount of time. Among these changes: journaling. I have always loved journaling. I had really slowed down the past couple years but now I feel like I am in full swing again. I started another gratitude journal. Before bed each night, I jot down 5 things I am thankful for that day. It takes less than a minute, but it is a simple practice that changes my mindset. There are blessings around us everyday that we just don't notice. I used a Moleskin Volante journal for this because it's slim and I can throw it in my purse really quickly. The other journal I have been working on is my health and fitness journal. I've been on Weight Watchers 3 months now and have lost a little over 20 pounds. My weight is glued to me at this point. I am working out, eating healthy, and yet the last 15 are still hanging on. Slow and Steady wins the race though! I have been writing down what I eat daily, amount of exercise and calories burned, and other health tidbits. I'm really starting to think I have a sugar addiction. My sweet tooth is out of control. Anyway, my food and health journal is amazing. I doing so much better actually writing down my activity and food. As we speak, I'm thinking about a giant sweet tea! haha!

In other news, we depart for Europe is 13 days!!! Eastern Europe here we come. Callie will turn 8 while we are overseas. I'm trying to plan some super fun activities that day for her. Turning 8 in Prague? Can't beat that! I'm also assembling my packing lists. My lifegroup at church thought my packing lists were pretty darn hilarious. I always had a sneaky suspicision that I overpack..it is now confirmed. I cannot wait for this trip. We are also going to Arizona and the beach this summer. It's going to be a full summer of travel for our family.

7- We are still thinking about the next 7 challenge. May is difficult because we are out of the country for 2 weeks. We know that June will be the clothing challenge- Only wearing  articles of clothing for 30 days!

Love to you all,
Have a Happy Friday!
Beth

Media Update

Hey friends! It's time for a media update! Disconnection from Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apps (except my Bible App, and WW App), Television, and so on has been, for the most part, a great experience so far. I know that Callie's baptism is on my Facebook though, and I am dying to watch it over and over again. It could never be as sweet as it was in person, but I still want to watch it. This break has made me so productive!!!

The Lord is doing so much is our midst right now. Personally, He is building patience and endurance in me as I struggle with some patience issues. I know He is using some our the trials we are experiencing to prepare us, and everyday I am more content with that. Matt and I continue to grow closer in our marriage and as parents. Blended families can often be a difficult transition but God has pulled us together and smoothed our rough edges. Speaking of blended families, Callie's dad, Stepmom Toree, Matt and I were all able to be together for Callie's baptism. It was a great day. We are so blessed to all be close friends and one giant family. All four of us have such strong commitments to keep Callie's family as one whole unit and not two separate families.  Maybe I should do a series on blended families? People ask me all the time how we get along so well. I don't always understand that question, but my answer is that we care about each others feelings, we understand our unique roles in Callie's life, and that we consider each other family. I can't imagine raising Callie any other way. Joy!

 Without media, I have started so major organization projects around our home. Productivity! All my toiletry items now fit inside of one bin..this is a miracle in and of itself.  I love bath and body products, but through the challenge of purging last month, I narrowed my collection down to only things I could use before they expired. I also discovered Fortune Cookie Soap..an all natural soap company with the best smelling soaps ever. I did some research about bath and body products and they go into our bodies just like food. Then I looked at the labels on some of my very popular brands of soaps and lotions and found that I couldn't pronounce half of the acids and other creepy things in them...so I chucked them! When I found Fortune Cookie Soap, I just started with the cuticle butter in marshmallow crème and fell in love with it. Then I bought the Krispy Creme Whipped Cream Body Butter...and the smell is amazing. I bought some of their Easter soap treats for Callie's Easter Basket because she never eats the candy. I'm thinking I may not do candy this year...hmmm that's a thought!

 

In other news, we depart for Europe in a little over a month. I'm finalizing my summer travel plans right now and we will be traveling...a lot. We also plan to spend the month of June working on a local mission. I am excited to share more about that when it's finalized. I am off work June and July, so I plan to soak up every last second with my loved ones. My family members are all very far apart(except for my mom, thank goodness) and I have a Prius..so that could only mean one thing- ROAD TRIPS!! We will be going to Europe, flying to Arizona, and going to Folly Beach. Maybe I could add a few more miles to the Prius and try to hit Pennsylvania, Huntsville, and Gatlinburg? Something tells me that Matt will not go for this. I run that car to death.  

 

Weight Watchers Update: As of last week, I am 20 lbs down! I am within 15 lbs of my goal and know this will be the most difficult stretch. I started going to Zumba and Barre with a friend and love it! I'm sore for days, but that is what I love about it. I also would love to try hot yoga. My stepmom raves about it. Sarah has talked me into running a half marathon with her in October. This should be interesting since I can currently run a mile. This winter has been awful for running. I bought the app to train for it and I am going to try. Can't make promises, but I will try. Matt is running 7 miles before I wake up... This is not inspiring me. It's making it harder for me to get up. But I know I can build back up and get some running momentum back in me. If it wasn't for chocolate covered raisins and cupcakes with whipped frosting I would be ok!

I am participating in DietBet this month. This website/concept is awesome! I really like it. Ok, so there is a bet to lose 4% of your body weight in 4 weeks. You pay $25 (as well as everyone else) and then if you make your goal, you split the pot with those that made their goal. There are official weigh-ins, pictures you post, scale photos, etc, on weight in day. This is just a motivational tool, but a great concept. You can also donate your winnings to charity, which I love. If you would like to join this challenge, just click on the picture below. We start this bet on April 12th. Everyone has been so welcoming and encouraging. The pot right now is $1675. That will be split among everyone who makes their weight loss goal. Fun!

I am really enjoying this month. I'm reading chronologically through my Bible with the YouVersion Bible plan for it. I love YouVersion. I wish I could hug the people that made it. It's making the Bible easier and more comfortable to read. I love that I can change versions a dozen times in a few seconds flat. Amazing program. Anyway, I am in the Old Testament in Joshua... and guess what? I actually know what's going on. It helps that my co-worker is a Bible scholar. She knows everything and is patient with me. Don't you love how God places you in specific places for specific moments? We have a specific God!

Love to you all,

Have a great day!

 

 



The End of Month 2- Possessions & Beginning Month 3

March is almost gone..along with over 1,000 items from our home. I have to be sooo honest here...it was pretty easy. And part of me hates that it was so easy. I detest that we have so much that it wasn't noticeable that we gave away 1,000 things from our home. As the items go, I feel like we have more because I can actually see things again. They no longer remain under piles. Scott and Debbie, an amazing couple at our church that Matt and I hope to be one day, took our items each week to GAP- God's Appalachian Partnership. GAP aids people in need in our community with resources, children's ministry, home repairs, etc. Scott and Debbie said that our items were taken immediately as they were set out. Instead of building ourselves up a little more, giving to lift others up has been so rewarding.

There's no denying that I like to buy specific items. I'd say most shoppers are this way. For example, I do not like buying shoes. I never do. Most of the shoes I own- my mom bought me (because she knows I never buy shoes). We need new pots and pans like crazy..but do we buy them? Nope..because who really wants to spend $100 on pots to cook? Not me. I'd rather buy 2,000 scented lotions. Ok, I don't actually have 2,000..but I have a lot. I also love to buy children's clothing for Callie, journals of any sort, and makeup....even though I wear makeup maybe twice a week. The point of all of this is to say..I don't need. And I've learned that this month. I actually have enjoyed having less. I purged every single nail polish except for 5. I own 5 different colors...and that's all I need. And when I sat down to paint my nails, it was an easy decision.

 I purged so many of Callie's things from her baby days..this was a difficult part. In a way, I held onto them, still holding on to the baby years as well.  I hope I am not the only mother who does this. Let me confess, I kept over 80 VHS Disney tapes. 80. I started collecting these at yard sales when Callie was tiny. And she enjoyed them...when she was a toddler. I just kept them. I don't know why. We haven't even owned a VCR in 3 years. They symbolized childhood to me. Memories of her dancing in her Sleeping Beauty dress as she watched them tug at my heart. But I cannot live in those days. They were sweet but the present time is sweeter.   As I gave it away, I felt sad but I also felt a new energy to embrace to child I have today. The amazing, almost 8 year old, who is filling our lives with so much joy.  A coworker has a new precious baby, and she said she had a VCR. I hope she enjoys them as much as Callie did. Our items can control us to leave us in the past. I don't want to live that way anymore. This is a wonderful time in my life..in Callie's life, in Matt's life..

So, those are my thoughts going out of month 2. Beginning tomorrow, we purge 7 types of media out of our lives. Mine are as follows (Matt's are the same): Facebook, Netflix, Amazon Prime, iPad Apps, Internet outside of work related, reading blogs (I will keep this one up a few times), Instagram.

The 7 Experiment: Month 2- Possessions

Now that month 1 is over, we are quickly transitioning into a new month of eliminating excess- possessions. The goal this month is simple- give away 7 things a day for a month. We are all doing this as a family this month, so for the three of us, that is 21 items per day. That's right- by the end of March, we will have given away 651 items as a family. There are a two ground rules- 1.whatever is given away will not just be repurchased, 2. we are hoping to give these items away to a person or family rather than goodwill, etc.

We are on day 5 and truthfully, compared to last month, this month is pretty easy. I know it will get tougher as the month goes on. I am leaving last month with so much gratitude. We take so much for granted. Matt and I had our first meal on Saturday, and we both felt really sick. I asked him how he felt, and he said that with every bite he takes, he thinks about millions of people who starve on a daily basis. Food will never be the same for us. Sarah said that last month taught her how weak the flesh is and that we need Jesus every second of every day. This is so true. Besides a horrible choice to have Japanese as our first meal, I felt at peace. Not with the Japanese food- oh my gosh- I felt horrible the whole day. I felt at peace knowing, truly knowing, that I can be filled with joy with basics. Last night, Matt told me that he missed the 7 choices of food. I can relate to that. After feeling sick for the weekend, I reverted back to apples and bananas and little food. I just feel better inside and out. So, here goes this next month. I will take some pictures of the piles of stuff in our spare bedroom.