In Which I Attempt to Write About Working Out

So I've been going to this workout class that incorporates, self-defense, core work, yoga, circuit training all kinds of crazy stuff. I really don't like to exercise at all but I love this class!!

As a matter of fact when I know I have to miss it, it saddens me. Sick- I know. Well, a group three of us from that class have decided to run a 5k on the 4th of July at the local YMCA. The YMCA has started some free training classes for this run and our assignment this week is to run 20 minutes 3 times. We're suppose to run 60 sec, walk 90, run 60, walk 90. My question is can I do this with a donut in my hand?

I don't like to run. Especially on my own. A friend of ours just ran the Boston Marathon and I think he's crazy. I just don't get it, although perhaps if I can run enough to get the runners high I've heard of, maybe that would keep me at it?

Back to the class. It rocks! I do much of the stuff at home at various times in the day and last night while doing some squats I noticed some definition in my thighs! Oh glory! I loved it. Let me say that again: I noticed definition in my thighs! Being a gymnast large thighs have haunted followed me around most of my life. Toning them takes work a bunch of work and while I've noticed slight changes in my arms and stomach since beginning this class my legs have remained in sad shape. Until last night! So, I'm hoping it wasn't just a shadow but in fact the beginning of slimmer, firmer thighs!

Here is what I believe the secret is. Kettlebells. Yes, these I am convinced, are a type of torture, but very much worth it. The things we do with them should be listed on my "Never Do This" list, yet somehow I show up to each class anticipating a kettlebell workout. So if you get a chance to pick one of these up and give it a try I highly suggested you do. They produce results.

So now I'm off to run or jog or whatever it is I'm not wanting suppose to do.

~Michelle

And oh yeah just try to grab my purse or my milk (it's probably more valuable), you're likely to be met by my fist or palm or foot or elbow. The group of women in this class can really kick some but*t!

I Choose

It's been almost a week since I've blogged.
It's been a busy week.
Busy, but relaxing.

Last Sunday through Wednesday was our churches annual missions conference. It was neat to hear from the missionaries we partner with in Senegal, West Africa. It would takes pages and pages for me to talk about all that's going on there and what the Lord is doing among the working professionals of that country; but I won't be doing that, sorry.

So after that craziness Thursday was our missions info meeting for the youth. I worked all day putting together the packets and the turnout was good. I'm excited to go and see who the Lord brings together for these trips. But I'm not blogging about that either.

The best part of the last week was attending the E-Women Conference in Orlando. See me here, sorry I was looking at my camera- bad idea. I got to travel over with a good friend and spend Friday night and all day Saturday listening to some extraordinary women share from their lives. The theme was "Discovering God's Dream". The Lord really touched my heart and challenged me.

Carol Kent was the last women to speak and she opened with a question similar to this,"Who here has felt like life is not what they dreamed it to be?"

I raised my hand.
See, it's what I've been struggling with lately.

Don't get me wrong I love my life, my husband, my children, my friends. It's just one day recently I realized that when I dreamed of my adult life it was not what it is now. Getting pregnant in high will do that to a girl. Choosing to stay at home and spend each day with my children did that to my dream. See, my original dream was something like this: I'd be an educated, professional.

I am pretty much the opposite of that dream.
But then again I'm not.

See, life's not what I dreamed but it is good. I love my life. I love my "different normal", my "new dream". While I didn't plan to stay at home and change diapers and clean up puke and spilled milk. I didn't plan on yearning to speak with an adult after days of nothing but toddlers. I certainly didn't plan on living in Florida.

Ya know what though, I didn't plan on loving a man so much that 5 minutes after he leaves for work I miss him like crazy. I didn't plan on incredible kids that challenge me and stretch me and love me. I didn't plan on such wonderful Christian friends who not only love me tangibly but spiritually as well. I didn't plan on loving my kids so much and having them as friends. I didn't plan on understanding God's love and grace and mercy to the point of being able to love people in my life who I have every reason to hate.

I am not living my dream, I'm living so much more.
And...
I have so much more of God's dream for me to live.

Ya know I'm not sure what that dream is. I mean I have some ideas in my head but until tomorrow comes I won't know what it holds. Until I step by step, day by day, seek God and follow His leading I don't know what tomorrow holds.
I do however know this...

It's perfect.
Maybe not in my eyes but with God it can't go wrong.
It. can't. go. wrong.

See, I have dreams and sometimes they come true. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes when they go "wrong" I need to accept them, embrace them, go with them, grow with them.

If I had stuck to my original dream 15 years ago I would have missed out on this dream of a life I'm living. Perfect, no. Totally rockin'- YES!!

So to wrap this up, Carol challenged us to choose life in a different type of normal, to choose relinquishment and praise. Choose gratitude, vulnerability and purposeful action. When we chose these things in God it changes something inside.

I don't always choose these things, but I have and I know they work. When, over the past 15 years I've chosen to be grateful I've been happy with barely anything in the fridge and no gas in the car. When I've chosen vulnerability I've connected with my friends to the point of true sisterhood. When I've chosen praise the craziness of life melts away and I have peace. true peace.

So when my struggle comes back again I will remember the words of the prophet Jeremiah in chapter 29, verse 11 " I (God) know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

I Can Say Something About Nothing

It's been a quiet Monday. I had breakfast with an old friend and then off to work.


Good day at home school, besides misplacing our states and capitals book... I always wonder when a book comes missing?? In this case I'm sure it's stuck in a pile of fabric or thread as I took apart the entire sewing studio yesterday and then decided half way through putting it back together I'd rather rip the carpet out of it! Maybe we'll put some hardwood down for our frequent Alaskan house guests So it's sitting half together and the other half on my dinning table. Just a side note on my sewing table- Slice, if you're reading this, it's your old dining table that I use for all things sewing and one of the benches is in the entry- both perfect fits!

Back to my uneventful Monday and all that I am saying about it.


Oh I did find my ipod, it had fallen out in the parking lot at the office. Praise the Lord- I thought it had been stolen, it was a tough weekend without it- although it rained so I wonder if it'll work??


Oh, in other news, it's our missions conference here at church this week. Being part of a Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, missions is huge for us. This year we have a couple from Senegal, West Africa visiting. Since many of you know Steve and I both have been called to some kind of missions work, this has been exciting! We have learned about many opportunities there are in that country, and maybe some for us!! So for those of you who pray for us, keep praying. With how I am I have a hundred different paths for us in mind, it's just taking the one God would have. Who knows it may be Kenya or Indonesia or Senegal or right here in the good ol USA.

Well there's dinner to be made!
~Michelle

Would someone please tell me they have eaten a half a jar of peanut butter for a snack. It happened here.
1- 18oz. jar
2 days
1 child
gone

This never ceases to amaze me. They are living, breathing, garbage disposals.

It reminds me of a time when Vaughan was a baby, we were at a friends house watching sports.

sidenote: we were teenagers and in high school at this time so our "friends house" was actually his parents house

back to the story: I'll never forget his mother making a huge plate of nachos with all the fixin's. I'm talking meat and all. I was sure we'd eaten lunch before we went and bowls of chips and snacks lined the table when we arrived, I figured all the eating was done and over with; however, I have a vivid memory of the plate of nachos disappearing... quickly.

What I witnessed that day 14 years ago has come full circle. Whether it be nachos or peanut butter the shelf life around teenagers is about 5 seconds.

Anyone know where I can get peanut butter on sale??

~Michelle