So, training normally isn't that bad of a deal, except when life surprises you with thinks like walking pneumonia. Every time I get sick or take a few days off it feels like such a setback. Well the marathon is in about 7 weeks so we are just gonna keep doing what we can do and enjoy the experience. I'm looking forward to being able to say that I have ran a marathon but it seems like a long way off...
Tonight's run was one hour on the treadmill. I used to be able to run around 7 miles in that time but tonight was just over 6 but I'll be ok with that. I will just keep taking it one step at a time and push myself a little harder each day :)
So I am putting myself out there and trying something new. I have joined Under Armour Women which basically is a place to do a video blog of workouts, progresses and challenges you are doing. I'm gonna try this and see if it helps me stay motivated. I was doing really good when I was running with Michael but his work schedule is so random and I have gotten into the habit of slacking when he can't go with me. Anyway, I'm gonna see if I can keep up with this and continue getting fitter and feeling better about myself :)
So, when the guys are home they are never really home, home but they are always getting ready for what ever their next job may be. What does that mean? That means packing and repacking. Leaving for the field or range for three, four, five days at a time. The closer it gets to deployment the more often they go and the longer they stay.
Michael headed out this past week for a 7-8 week field problem. It is always hard to be apart but I am thankful that thus far he has been able to call me. He is enjoying being on the mainland, west coast even, but it does make him a little home sick. We both miss Southern Oregon in the fall.
Anyway, I am much looking forward to November when I get my man back. Trying to keep my chin up though because I know there will be a lot more training in the coming months.
His name is Lux and we adopted him this past weekend. He is around seven months old and is a lab/golden mix. He is absolutely adorable and has way more energy that one puppy should.
Marley loves having a playmate and I don't think they ever stop playing!
I think we are going to have many great adventures together :)
Happy birthday to the most wonderful man out there! So happy we have had 12 months with him stateside and I don't have to worry about his safety right now. I love this man more than he will ever know!
So in case you didn't know, I am in search of the perfect me :) What does that mean? Well....
A lot of this....
And a lot of this...
And if you want to know the best workout video....
Needless to say, two workouts a day are starting to work and I'm feeling pretty good about all of that. My fabulous running partner, aka Michael, has been pushing and motivating me along the way and we are scheduled to run our first marathon in December!
If there is one thing this lifestyle of ours has taught me it is that everything in life is unpredictable. Every time I start to plan something for the future I can just picture my God sitting up there giggling and say, "So, that is what you think you are going to do..." This has helped me understand that is is ok for me to have a plan but to know that God may have something very different in mind for me. God has been reminding me of his perfect plan these past few weeks as I feel like my plan has be picked up and tossed about in between crazy training schedules, my work, and day-to-day life.
Michael and I moved to Oahu eight months ago around which time I started actively searching for a job. Through all my training and education I have told everyone, including my God, that I want to serve and make a difference with my life. I put myself out there in different ministries and organization and said I would help out where ever I was needed. Well... Where ever... Just not with people with disabilities. I told myself that I was not called to that area and was not blessed with the personality and patience that job would take. Well, now I know that God was giggling at my plans. The job opportunity that God decided to make available to me was working with kids 0-21 with disabilities, specifically ASD.
What do I do? I teach them skills to help them be functional and independent in mainstream society.
Is it difficult? Very much so.
Do I love it? Absolutely.
In only six months on the job my agency has recognized me as someone who is passionate and caring about the kids I work with and has started pulling specialty cases just for me. I have started doing short term intensive cases with children under the age of 3 working on skills such as communication, peer play, and appropriate behavior. I am also working with a teen who is using CARD (The Center for Autism Related Disorders) programs. What this means is that we test newly developed programs and methods for children with Autism.
This week I was thinking about how God has placed me on this career path for a reason. As I was dealing with some of the less than glamorous parts of my job - teaching personal hygiene skills - I was thinking about how I hesitated taking this opportunity and wondering where I would be if I hadn't . But I am now learning that God had a perfect plan for my life that needed me to deal with some uncomfortable situations first. Everyday I am reminded to love harder and be patient longer and to live to fullest of every opportunity God send my way....
I can't believe Michael and I have been in Hawaii for almost eight months! I didn't fully appreciate how much this place has become home until I visited Oregon last week. I love going back to the place where I grew up, the place Michael and I fell in love, and the place where so many of my friends and family live. While I was there though I had time to think about my life now. How blessed I feel to have my little family together, living in this beautiful place!
