Being pulled and stretched with each step

Recently I've been pulled in a couple different directions. I feel like God has given me this passion in life, this goal, to know Him more deeply and there are times where I sometimes feel that barriers come up that make it harder for that to happen-but then I realize that God put the barrier there to help me trust Him more.

Funny.

I struggle with taking leaps of faith and trusting that God will catch me.

Even though I know He will. He has before. So why do I become anxious still?

TJ and I are feeling pulled. It's so great. It's so exciting because our lives are about to drastically change very soon.

So we're starting to take the next step.

I've learned that if we take just one step.

...and it doesn't feel so huge.

Little boys and weddings

This weekend we are off to my brother-in-law's wedding. Fabulous! I love weddings! Ben and Collin are both in the wedding party as ring-bearers. If this is any hint to how the weekend is going to go, then I think we are in for a big long ride!

Ben, of course, is always so debonair and suave in his suit. He's always been one to love dressing up.

..and being kissed by girls...well, it doesn't seem to bother him either.....

...I think we will have to do some workin' on Collin..........

My C is 3!!!

Happy Birthday to my big brown-eyed Collin. Wow, are you 3 yrs old already? My does the time fly.

Are you really 3 yrs old? It seemed like just yesterday your face was consumed with your pacifier and you were just learning to walk. We love you, Collin, and are so thankful God has entrusted us with you. It is a privilege to be your Mom and I'm so excited to see you grow into the man God has designed you to be.

Frosty Father's Day!!

And no, I'm not speaking of Fargo's upcoming weather....

Take the dad in your life out for a frosty at Wendy’s this weekend and $.50 will be donated to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA).

Also, make a father’s day card at www.frostycard.com and $.25 is donated. Happy Father’s Day to everyone!

Saturday, June 20 – Sunday, June 21 (Father’s Day Weekend), Bring the Family to Wendy’s for a Frosty and Together We Can Help Foster Children Find Loving Homes This Father’s Day treat dad to a Frosty at Wendy’s and $.50 for every Frosty sold will be donated to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA). The DTFA is dedicated to finding permanent, loving homes for 150,000 children waiting in Foster Care. There are two other ways you can support this cause. Create a unique Father’s Day card on this site and $.25 will be donated to the DTFA. You can also buy a Frosty Pinup for $1 at your local Wendy’s to be hung on the wall. 100% of Frosty Pinup Sales will benefit the DTFA. So… Give Dad a treat he’ll love, spend some time with the family and help children in North America’s foster care system this Father’s Day! Father’s Day fun and giving back – that’s what Wendy’s Father’s Day Frosty Weekend is all about. Happy Father’s Day!

Monkey bread for your monkeys

I have to say. My hubby lives up to his word. I was sent out of the house swiftly this morning after I made monkey bread for breakfast so he could clean the house.

Now, I made my lists for what I wanted done to the various rooms. Wow. He did above and beyond. Thank you honey and I love you beyond words!!

So now I will sit back in the freshly uncluttered, clean smelling nook I call home.

Some of you requested my "Monkey Bread" recipe. I used to follow measurements, but have now learned that a dash of this and a whole lot of that works best :)

Here is a general outline of what goes in:

1-4 tubes of refrigerated biscuits

Sugar

Cinnamon

Butter

Brown Sugar

Spray a bundt pan with non stick spray.

Cut the biscuits into quarters and role in cinnamon sugar mixture. Some prefer to put cinnamon sugar mixture in a big Ziploc and add all the biscuit pieces and shake (great kid-helper part).

Dump the sugar coated pieces into the bundt pan and spread evenly.

Melt together butter and brown sugar. I use about 1 stick of butter for 2 tubes of biscuits and about a 3/4 cup of brown sugar.

Pour butter/brn sugar mixture evenly over biscuit pieces.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

I am owed a clean house.

I'm so glad many of you are joining in this fun FREE thing called getting your FICs out and running!

I think we need a name. Any suggestions?

Tonight, I did it. With my marathon husband, 5 yr old running beside, and 3 yr old in the stroller, I did it...we did it!

I successfully completed the one mile loop around our neighborhood. Did it feel great????

No.

But sitting here, my thighs twitching, cheeks burning and my ears ringing (June is NOT balmy in this Great White North) it feels good that I did a complete mile without stopping.

I think the hint for me it to go with people. My marathon man was awesome at encouraging me along the way...even as my 5 yr old was screaming "can we stop yet". I feel less like a herd of flying limbs and flapping cab than if I was by myself.

So now, I will head to the warm shower, grab a cup of something hot and enjoy my family for the rest of the night.

Oh, and maybe I'll start my list of household cleaning I would like done now that my husband owes me a clean house. Wow, do I have a star marthon man or what!?!?!

So Lindz....Did you run that mile?

.....what? you talking to me?

er.....

oh my. I need a consequence. I didn't run last night.

I thought about it. Does that count?

and tonight? well....

There is this fresh newborn my friend had yesterday that I had to get my hands on. So I'm smelling my hands and enjoying it.

I KNOW I KNOW! I will get this mile in. TOMORROW!!!

I agree, I think I may be classified as one of those women that only will run if the house is on fire...or if we're flooding. Because one of the two is bound to happen (probably the latter).

Running partners is what I need. Thanks for the offers! I think I will take you up on that. I've heard it's much easier to run in a herd.

My marathon man is sitting across the living room looking at me over his glasses...tsk tsk tsk. He said he will give me another chance.

I'm thankful for grace.

Maybe I feel like I have some anxiety over this. I feel like I run like Jennifer Aniston on that one Friends episode. You know the one, right? Where she's "ch-ing" along and arms and feet are flying everywhere.

That's me.

I'll have marathon man take a photo. Tomorrow.

Feeling the burn of accountability baby

Okay my fellow blog readers....here it goes.

THIS girl needs some real accountability. Are you in? Yes. I am giving you full permission to ride my hiney (because, believe me, I have enough for you to ride on at the moment) to get myself back into shape.

How did this all come about? I'm glad you asked.

I've been on the hunt for the perfect dress for my bro-in-law's wedding at the end of the month. I have had limited time to do so and the time that I have had, I've had no luck in finding anything worth stepping out in, or it looked like something a 13 yr old would wear or it was way out of my price range.

One of the many reasons I hate shopping. I used to love it! But, two babies later and it's kept me a bit more "window browsing".

Anyways, so during this process yesterday, I happen to get a glance of my hiney in the dressing room. I was able to hold in my shriek of horror and become completely motivated to get this "flab in the cab" back into shape.

I figured my backside doesn't qualify for "junk in the trunk" but almost.

Thank goodness I found a very cute dress at one of my favorite retail therapy shops and felt like this entire trip was a success.

Good things do come from those who wait.

So, my fellow bloggers, I am telling you that I will be getting my "FIC" outdoors to do some major running. I have an offer from my hot husband to clean the entire house from top to bottom (using my "list" mind you-because I'm so laid back) if I can make it the entire "mile loop" without stopping.

I know. You're asking me why I haven't done that already. Well, my sweet friend, it's because this girl can't make it around the block without wheezing for 3 days afterwards.

So, excuse me. Ahem. I think I am going to get over myself and head outside. But for real...kick my FIC. I'll post about my dietary changes tomorrow.

My hot husband is so proud. Sheesh. Being married to a therapist is one thing. Now, being married to a therapist who runs marathons and now over-saw me type this entry is really going to be an issue. :)

The Sweetest things come

if we just wait.....


"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day." Habakkuk 2:3

This random verse is on my heart today. I opened my Bible, and read this. Why? I don't know. But it has sat with me all day.

Do you have a hard time waiting for things like I do? This verse has anchored me. I pray I can rest in the contentment God has given me so far.

And wait.

I can wait for God's plan for my life. I know I am living it today. But I know there is more to come. So, I will rest with knowing that "surely it will take place".

What journey is God leading you on right now?