Exclamation Point

I realize that I'm one of those people who always uses exclamation points. I use them all the time. In fact, the exclamation point is more like a period and when I want to convey excitement or any sort of emotion, I'll use multiple exclamation points. I'm not sure why - I honestly find it hard to communicate with the written word - i'd rather just talk to you face to face. That being said, if I have to type, I want to make sure I communicate to someone my voice inflection and therefore I use (or should I say overuse) the exclamation point. It's odd b/c I find it a little annoying when I read e-mails or blogs with lots of them in there, I just can't seem to help myself. In fact, I had a hard time not using one in the previous sentence. I guess I'm just excited to be blogging again.(!)

Why am I running?

Ok - first off, let me state the obvious. I'm not a blogger. I don't update my blog. I don't read the blogs of others. I'm really not that tech-saavy. I like to read books, magazines and other things that are paper related. Not sure if that will ever change. Ok - got that off my chest.

I've recently taken up running. Let me re-phrase that. I've recently decided to train to run the 1/2 marathon in Nashville due the the heavy pressure I've received from my husband and sister. They ran it together last year and decided to talk the rest of the family (my sister's husband Joel, me and my other sister, Holli, and her husband Brent) into running it with them this year. I'm actually pretty excited about my progress thus far. When I started I literally couldn't run a quarter of a mile w/o feeling like my lungs were going to cave in. Now, my longest run to date is just under 6 miles. I even went running by myself today in Enterprise, Alabama where it was a balmy (and beautiful) 60 degrees. That being said, I still don't feel like a runner. My knees hurt, I NEVER look forward to it and I still can't talk to anyone while I'm running. The race is in April. I think the only reason I'm running is to get the prize. Hopefully I'll start liking it in the process. We'll see.

My CG

I absolutely LOVE my Community Group. We're a group of people that our church put together based on where we live. We meet together three times a month and it's always great. From the outside, most would think we might not have a lot in common. Carl and I are the only "regulars" with kids. We all have different jobs, all in different seasons of life. Regardless, I LOVE them all to the core. Every person in my group loves Jesus and is always digging deeper. Tonight we just had a time of worship in our home where we sang, read scripture and prayed for each other. I know that the Lord knew that I needed this group of people at this season of my life. They make me want to be a better Christian! (Disclaimer - the picture is NOTHING spiritual at all!! We were all curious about "ear candles" one night and made Josh - one of our leaders - try it out!!)

Wives Tales

I guess I'm in shock. I've always been told you can't get prenant when you're nursing. NOT TRUE!!! Apparently I'm not only pregnant now but have been pregnant for 13 weeks. Odd, since I only quit nursing my 9 month old about 6 weeks ago. HMMMM. . . . something just doesn't add up.
Oh well, I could go through the list of "gripes" right now: I'm not ready, my body needs a break, how am I going to travel, sing, and run my business with three kids ages 3 and under. Bottom line - this is a blessing from Lord. I actually even think I felt the little bean move tonight. Maybe it's all in my head. Anyway, I've had my emotional "come-apart" and now I'm ready to move on and make my house ready for baby #3 - my hearts already there!

Final Tribute to my Girlfriends - Winona Hamrick

Winona Hamrick is my husband's grandmother and my hero. She is hands down the person I know who is most like Jesus. She is truly an example of someone who has given her life away. She's a prayer warrior and has a servants heart. She is an example of someone who is finishing well. We always stop by and visit Carl's grandparents when we're in town and this past weekend we were able to see them again. She's always so excited when we're there and in spite of her immense physical pain, she took time to get down in the floor and play with Ezra. She writes to people in prison, plays the piano at her church and sends my husband a birthday card every year with $10 bill! She's the best hugger on planet earth and I'm so proud that she's my grandmother-in-law!!

Tribute to my Girlfriends - Sallie Wallace

Sallie Wallace is my mentor. She's a mother of two and a grandmother of four. She's spent countless hours pouring into me at Panera. She loves God and is a student of His Word. She is wise beyond her years. She prays for me . . . often and consistently. She loves me and I will be eternally grateful for the sacrifice she's made for me and the investment she's made into the kingdom. Thank you Sallie! I love you so much . .. thanks for teaching me how to be a wife, mom and follower of Christ!

Tribute to my Girlfriends - Leslie Bates

Leslie is one of my Mary Kay girlfriends. She lives in Ohio so we only get to see each other 2-3 times a year, so we always room together at MK events. We have the same National Sales Director so we're "related" in Mary Kay but didn't meet until we both became directors. I admire Leslie because she's the most phsically fit person I know. She works out every day!! When I say every day, I mean EVERY DAY. At our yearly conference we have a grueling schedule, not to mention the fact that we're in hose, heels and business suits in Dallas, TX when it's over 100 degrees. Needless to say, we don't have troule sleeping at night and usually fall into bed exahausted and savor every minute of sleep we get! We need to be up by 6am everyday to get ready and don't get in bed most nights until midnight. Leslie was up every morning at 4:50 so she could be in the gym at 5am and work out until 6am. That, my friends, is dedication! (as a side note, in my mind, 4:50 is not early, it's still the middle of the night!) She not only works out, she also eats really well too! She lives an extremely balanced life and I truly admire her for her discipline!! She's a mom of two and has abs of steel!! Way to go Les!! (The photo if of me, Kari, our other roomate and Leslie on our awards night. Leslie is the blonde).