It seems like it has been forever since I have written a personal post, so today seems like as good a day as any to share what has been going on in our lives over here in Michigan.
First, if you have been following me on Facebook you probably already know that I have taken up running.
My husband and I found ourselves pretty unhappy with the extra weight we took on over the winter, and we had 2 hours to spare 3 days a week while our son was taking driver’s training.
Let me just say I am still trying to process the fact that my baby is quickly becoming a man!
He is an excellent driver, in fact, the instructor thought he was doing so well that he gave him a special permit to drive with us for a couple of weeks before he actually gets a real driving permit.
This is his first time driving with us.
Back to running. I want to say that I don’t believe I have ever run in my life! I have made it a point that I will not run unless I am being chased by someone 😉
It was time for a change in my distorted thinking. Just because you’ve never done something, doesn’t mean you can’t!
We found a park that we love and made the decision to run. We have seen some strange things along the way.
I was fully convinced that these were some strange alien spiders from Men in Black.
Turns out it is strange, but not alien. It is a fungus that grows on Junipers and then releases spores that fly and live off Apple Trees. Interesting.
As I was running along I saw this bad boy on the side of the road!
It sure does resemble the snake in this caution sign just a few feet away doesn’t it?
Now I really didn’t like running, but I HATE snakes!! Especially the kind that can actually hurt you.
Somehow I have convinced myself that this is a freak thing and there really aren’t Michigan Rattlesnakes living along the path that we have chosen for our runs.
Still, I can’t help but be very aware of every single noise I hear. Remember I used to only think running was for if you were being chased, and a snake could motivate me to run really fast 😉
My goal is to run a 5K by the end of the year. I have a ways to go before I will feel confident enough to do so, but I can already see a difference.
The first day I walked and whined more than I ran, but I didn’t quit!
We are now running more than walking and my whining has subsided substantially.
Truth is I find that I am actually looking forward to it each day!
I ran a little over 3 miles in 40 minutes the last time we went running.
Yesterday I woke up and could barely bring myself to a sitting position. I must have pulled something in my lower back? I’m not sure, but I do feel a little better today and hope to get back to the park by tomorrow.
I love the way running makes me feel. I feel strong and like I can change things about myself if I decide to.
My attitude for one is noticeably different which explains the lack of whining. My husband and I are enjoying this time together and the fact that we are making a choice to get healthy instead of just growing old and stiff.
This past month has been filled with surprises.
I always wanted a lilac tree so I could smell its fragrance in my bedroom. I had planted one at my last house but never got to enjoy it because we moved before it was able to produce enough blooms to fill the air with its sweet smell.
When we bought our new house I noticed what I thought was a HUGE lilac bush growing in the front yard.
But I was disappointed last year when it did not get any flowers on it and assumed that I must have been mistaken and this was just an ordinary bush.
This year it did bloom, a LOT!
I can smell it while I am falling asleep at night, and it’s what I wake up to in the morning.
I feel like God has given it to me for two reasons:
1. He wants to fulfill even the simplest desires of my heart.
2. As a reminder that what we see is not always how things will remain. What looked like an ordinary bush turned into a little girl’s dream come true!
Do you have any stories to share with me about how God has shown you his love in the simplest things? I would love to hear them 🙂
We are making progress on the half bath. The floor is in and my husband removed some of the drywall to have a look at the pipes behind them to make sure everything is good. Thankfully it is, and he can put up some new drywall and paint soon.
We are choosing a deep stormy blue color for this room, and I can’t wait to see it!
We started working on this flower bed last fall. It needs a lot of dirt to fill it this year. My sweet hubby just called a couple of hours ago to let me know he ordered me some and it will be arriving sometime this afternoon!
So tell me what’s been going on in your world?
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