Here we go.....Again

So excited, can't you tell?

It has been too long. I got out the door this morning. It was hard, and I almost talked myself out of it a few times. I started out slow. I don't have great shoes right now, and that is something I will need to remedy soon. I ended up going 1.95 miles in 28:16. My average min/mile was 14:28. This is quite a bit slower than my previous runs, and considerably shorter too. I am currently at 210lbs as of today. It just keeps steadily going up, so I'm trying to do something about it.

So on today's run, I started out around 8am. It was warm and muggy. It's been raining a lot lately, so there were puddles to jump. It was a little bit humid as well. It was hard, and I wanted to quit. I didn't though. I saw some nice views out on my run, and I took some pictures as well. I saw a few lawn mowers on the road including this one, which is some kind of farm vehicle.

 

So, here's hoping I can keep my determination up at being healthy again! Let's see what happens tomorrow. 

And now an update.....

My last post letting you know about my super awesome life was in 2012! Are we still in 2015? Thank goodness! Lots of things have changed. I haven't been running at all. I do still teach Zumba, but I went from teaching 10 classes to teaching 2. I now work part time at a convenience store surrounded by horrible yummy food. I got down to a low weight of 168, but am now back to 200. Ridiculous how easy it comes back on. I surely don't dwell, but I think it is time to get back to it. I'm planning on trying to keep up with this blog, and tell you what I'm doing and succeeding at, in addition to eating better and exercising more. Maybe a run here and there?
My oldest, Kylah has graduated and joined the army. She is graduating basic this week actually. My next in line daughter, Elisabethe,  has moved out, hopefully will complete high school this year. Ashleigh has started working with me. She is a super hard worker and she has been dating someone for almost a year.   Amos is growing and still as ornery as ever. He has great sensitivity for the people around him. Erika is sassy. She knows her mind and will tell you about it. She loves glitter and ballet and make up. Me and my husband are still working on raising this crazy brood, and trying to make our dreams come true at the same time.

As you saw from my last post, I'm also going to college. It is stressful, and I have no doubt that I will be posting more about it. I also am homeschooling the two youngest. They are doing amazing. I love that I can be there and see the progression.

Would you like to know more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?

I know, it's a long church name. We can say LDS for short. Usually we as members, like to say the name of the church because there is so much misinformation. Yes, we do believe that Christ is our savior and that you can only get to the Father through him. Yes we believe in the Bible. We do also believe that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. If you have any honest questions, I will do my best to answer them.
Here is a link to the Book of Mormon online;Book of Mormon. If you have never read the BoM, and are curious, I'd start at the very beginning. The title page, introduction, and testimony of the witnesses are eye opening, in my opinion. 

I am a convert to the church. I am currently going to college at BYU-Idaho online. This first semester I do have a religion studies class. We are studying the Book of Mormon (BoM). This lesson was on Nephi chapters 1-5. It starts out with Lehi and Sariah and their family. Laman, Lemuel, Nephi, and Sam are all the brothers. They all live in Jerusalem, but the Lord warns Lehi to take his family and flee. He has been prophesying that the people need to repent of their iniquities, and they are going to try and kill him. They leave for the wilderness. They don't really know where the Lord is leading them.

Laman and Lemuel, even though they are the oldest of the brothers, complain constantly. They are mad that they had to leave the comfort of their home and also leave all of their riches behind. Nephi is like the golden child. He does what needs to be done, and honors his father. However he did have a moment in 1 Nephi 2:16. It says "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless bbeing large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers." He didn't just believe his father in blind faith, he asked Heavenly Father for a knowledge of his own.  In James 1:5 it says "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." That is what we all are asked to do. We are told to ask for wisdom in all things. Before I was baptized, I prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was the word of God. If I didn't believe it, I wouldn't have become a member of the LDS church. I pray when we are given guidance from our Prophet and apostles.

So Nephi has asked and recieved a knowledge that his father is following the Lord. Lehi tells his sons to go back to Jerusalem. Remember this is a 3 day journey one way. All to go to Laban, the wicked man, to get the brass plates which has a record of the genealogy of their family. So they do go back and get them. They go against insurmountable odds, large trials, and succeed. Nephi says to Lehi when he is told they have to do this, "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. " 

While I was studying this lesson, I realized how much I am like Laman and Lemuel. I like my comforts, I like things to go the easy way. How often do we murmur and complain when the Lord asks us to do something we don't really want to do? I know for myself it is very often. Every time I am prompted to bear my testimony at a meeting, I fight it. I give every excuse. When I don't follow that prompting I feel horrible. Like I let down my Heavenly Father. I want to be more like Nephi, and less like Laman and Lemuel. Nobody is all bad or all good, but I want to tip the scales more on the good side. I wish I could be perfect now, but I take comfort in knowing that I will be perfected in the Lord one day.

The tongue of angels, talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland- This is a very good talk. If you are having a hard time, feeling down and like you are complaining too much this is good to listen to. 

December Embrace the Craziness!!!

I quote this movie throughout the year!

 Well, again with the inconsistent blogging! Ugh!!!

crazy Zumba instructors!

 Anyway, So far, December has been great. I got to start off with a Charity Zumba Benefit class. All proceeds went to a local organization to help buy Christmas for the less fortunate. My fellow Zumba instructors are so awesome! We raised over $1500!



 It was awesome to see so many people have such a great time and enjoying making fitness a part of a celebration. Zumba is one of the only things I know of that people do to celebrate things. I mean, how many people do you know celebrate by exercising?


I also had a celebration class for my friend and sister in law, Billie Jo. She had met her first goal of 50lb lost! Sabrina and Tamela helped make the day special! I'm looking forward to the 100lb loss celebration~ We are totally going to rock it!

Sabrina, Billie Jo, and myself

We didn't intentionally match in this one!

On the home front, We've decorated the Christmas tree, and had horribly unhealthy polar express hot chocolate, and more homemade cookies than I can count! By the time Christmas rolls around, I may look like Santa (minus the beard hopefully). I love the music and movies this time of year. Also, I get to look forward to seeing my daughter, Kylah, for Christmas break! I can't wait, it has been a long 5 months!

Long time no blog

Wow, July. That's a long time! I quit doing the half training because I started teaching Zumba 4 times a week. I've been keeping busy as I can. I'm missing my oldest something fierce. She is living with her dad in VA for a year. I feel like she is slipping away from me. I know this is a short blip in the scheme of things. As a mother though, it is hard to be away from them. All of my children are just amazing. So smart and beautiful. Granted the babies are sometimes trying, but I love every moment with them as well. (Except when they are screaming, and then I deem it nap time and love them again all over!)

Me (far right) and some of my awesome Zumba instructor friends.

One of my students and me :)

More students and I, we were at the Party in Pink Zumbathon.

On the diet front. I haven't really lost a ton of weight, but I do feel like I am getting healthier. My biggest challenge on weight loss is definitely the diet. I know that you can't out exercise a bad diet. To be honest though, I'm pretty happy with myself most of the time. Comparison is the thief of joy. I read that somewhere. No idea who to credit for the quote, but it is true none the less. I am happy with my body as long as I don't compare myself to others.

Zumba is going great. I wish I could get more people coming, but improving the lives of whom ever I can is what I will keep doing. As long as my costs are covered, it's worth it. I at least get to exercise doing something I love, with great people.

your sweaty Zumba instructor

On another note, If I can change the title of this blog, I totally am doing it. I feel like a total poser, since I haven't run since July!!

Training week 5 with RunnersWorldTulsa (my week one)

Well I started a little late with the whole half training thing. I have been running, just not with the group. I ran a couple of 5ks and then my older girls left for VA last Saturday. I actually got out and ran the training run with the group. Since I haven't been running like a should, I decided to run with the 14+ min/mile group. I had a blast! I might run with the 13+ next time, but truly enjoyed today's run. It was nice and easy. I could breathe the whole time and didn't feel like I was struggling. It was wonderful. It was nice and breezy and cool (since we started early). Way better than running when it is 90-110 degrees! No pics today, but will try to make up for that on my next run!

First Steps Out of Door are the Hardest

Totally didn't want to run today, but I did it!!

seeing the beauty in everyday!

Today, I woke up knowing that I needed to get out there if I was going to keep up with my half marathon training. I haven't even gotten to do one group training run. I've done a couple of 5ks, and then this weekend had too much to do. This Saturday 2 of my teen girls are going to visit their dad. The oldest will be leaving for a year :'(. I'm sad about it, but I'm trying to not dwell on it. I am looking forward already to the 13 year old to return and she hasn't even left yet. The house feels empty when they are gone.

Anyway. Enough of that. I got out and thought I would go to the track at the high school. I walked over there, and a bunch of rowdy teenage boys were getting ready for football practice. I really don't need a bunch of young whippersnappers laughing at me while I wheeze and shuffle my way to better health. I decided to just take one of my regular routes.

Down a country road

Here is a bullet point recap:
It's hot.
Carrying a water bottle is awkward.
Sweat is dripping in my eyes- OWOWOWOW!
Crap, dead cat in the road, go to the house and let heavily tatooed man wearing a welding mask about it. (I was worried they may have kids who would see it), He assured me that it wasn't their cat and they didn't have kids.
Man I hope that guy wasn't a serial killer.
Another guy walking down the same country road, Rapist? no talk about the weather.
Dogs, Hopefully not aggressive. Nope.
More sweat in my eyes.
I can make it to that stop sign...maybe the shade....no I can do the stop sign.
Cars, get over a little!!
Another dog. one little bark
More sweat...Almost there!
Finally made it to my road. Ahhhhhh time to cool down.

Storing some hay in the Hay Capitol of the world!

Pretty much how it went. 45 min went about 3.5 miles. Under 13 min mile which was my goal.