Refreshed

This has been one of my favorite weeks of vacation that Ben has had in a long time.  We haven't gone anywhere spectacular (except Sonic of course)  but it has been the perfect combination of just hanging out together and having fun while accomplishing nothing off my notorious to-do list.

Refreshing.

Here's the run-down of yesterday.  You thought you were off the hook, but of course you're not.  

• Billie and I ran 5 miles in the MORNING!  Did I mention it was at 5:30 in the morning?!?  Because generally, we're a little sluggish in the morning, but we're following a schedule now, and somehow, that piece of paper has magical powers over us that make us feel the need to obey it.  
• Then at about 9:30 AM I went for a four mile walk with another friend...and right now (today) I'm waiting for Billie to arrive for our 2 mile easy run.  Man, that sounds over-acheiverish.  I'll be whining the whole time about my sore legs, so I think that negates it.  
• All my favorite running clothes are wet because I left them in the washer over night.  I'm wearing all cotton...I hate running in cotton.  Boo.  What a terrible awful life I have ;)
• I'm starting over at season one of Gilmore Girls.  I think it is my favorite show of all time.
• I've gotta actually "do" something around the house today.  At least for awhile...
• There's a video of Julie on her blog today that just MADE my morning.  Three months from tomorrow she will officially join us here in tiny-town.  We're so excited to have her.  Heck, anyone who's spoken to me in the past 6 months is excited to meet her!
• Can't wait for tomorrow...May...it's one of my favorite months.  But it seems I blink, and then it's gone.  

Tomorrow I'll try to talk about something that does not involve food or running.  I'll make an effort anyways.

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Good Stuff...

I know you've all been on the edge of your seats since yesterdays post. *cough*

And I've gotta say...Sonic is a hit. A BIG hit.

Yep, I was the total loser taking pictures of us while eating. At least I'm sure that's what the people in the car next to us thought...until I showed them my t-shirt that reads Just Ignore Me, I'm a Blogger and I Have Readers That Want Pictures, So There. Or at least I would have done that had I actually had the t-shirt.

What constitutes a good burger? Grease running down your hand, of course. Oh, no need to thank me for that gem of a pic.

The only thing I'll do differently the next time...I want a Diet Coke in the absolute largest size possible...maybe two of them. De-lish.

God Bless America.

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Just Skip This One...

Mondays.  Generally not my favorite day of the week.  But today...

Ben is on vacation this week from his secular job.  *smile*  I had to throw that in there because it makes me laugh...I have no idea why it makes me laugh...just does.

I've compiled a lengthy list of to-do's that I'd like to get accomplished while he's here.  Exciting stuff, like clean the basement and re-caulk the tub/shower.  That's how fun I am.

Today though, it's raining (again.)  And I'm thinking it would be a good day to go visit our new Sonic.  Because we've never eaten at a Sonic.  

I just heard you all gasp in unison.

And, located near the new Sonic is a Christian Book Store that has this little book on sale.  I'd like to read it before my Julie comes to live here.  I've got three months to get it done. 

I'm off...

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To My Pretend Daughter

It is very warm and sunshiny in my neck of the woods...I can't even bear to be at the computer. 

Yard work is calling my name.  Jake and I hit WalMart this morning for all the supplies needed.  (Thank you Marlas for hauling the 10 bags of mulch home in her truck ;)

We also made a stop for a 44 ounce Diet Coke and some donuts...because it makes perfect logical sense to have a diet pop with doughnuts.  (I've been up since 5 AM thus the off combination) 

Anyways, before I blabber on too long and lose you, I wanted to say a big HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Julie!!!  She'll be seventeen tomorrow!  

Seventeen.  I remember seventeen.  Mine was filled with lots of drama about a boyfriend who went away to college and I was certain he'd find someone else.  Turns out he didn't find someone else.  Turns out I married him...and so began Life in the Parsonage ;)  

If you don't know who Julie is, then this is obviously your first time here.  I need to come up with a "term" for her.  Exchange student sounds to impersonal.  Pretend daughter makes it sound like I'm making her up.  Host daughter makes me think of going out to eat...as in hostess.  Maybe I'll just call  her my Norwegian daughter.  Or just daughter.  And then, people can say,  WOW you look so young to have a daughter that age, and I can say I know, right!?!?  

Either way, I adore her.  And the fact that I completely procrastinated mailing her birthday present so that she in fact will not even receive it until next Wednesday has no reflection on the value I place on her.  It reflects my really bad habit of putting things off until the very last minute while doing other things that do not really need to be done.  For example, her room is all ready for her to arrive...in AUGUST, yet I can't mail her birthday present out on time?!?!  Nice Sarah....niiiiice.

Julie, hope your day tomorrow is fantastic!!  You are completely loved by our family here in tiny-town USA...hurry up and get here already ;)

If you'd like to wish her a Happy Birthday (and you know you do) click HERE.  

YAY for Friday!  

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Oh How I Like Them...

Let's talk about ministry today.

One of my most favorite things about blogging never even makes it to the blog...it's the emails.  I love them.  I think, in part, it's because it means that something I've written actually made sense to someone.  It connected.    

They all usually start out the same.  Dear Sarah, my name is so and so, and I know you don't know who I am...or I hope I'm not bothering you....I know you're busy but...

I chuckle every time.  If they only knew how much I love getting their email...and how un-busy I can make myself ;)  

They almost always involve women who've been reading my blog but not commenting.  Generally, they're either in ministry or heading there, sometimes to a tiny town and they've found relief that there's someone else out there living it too...and actually enjoying it.   I think the fact that I'm a little quirky makes them feel  better too...if God can use me, then He can certainly use them!  

There's some things that I've shared with them, that I'd like to share with you. It's of course, a random list...and my "wisdom" is completely and utterly limited beyond measure.  Am I clear?  I still consider myself a "newbie"...I've only officially been a pastor's wife for 3 years and 7 months, it hardly qualifies me for anything, except to encourage.  It's also stuff I'm reminding myself of...constantly.

• Be who God wants you to be.  This is generally a better version of who we know we are and completely different than what people think we should be.  Don't fight Him on this one...He knows what He's doing.
• Love them.  Give them the benefit of the doubt.  Believe people like you and are happy with you unless and until they tell you differently.  It's easier to love on people you think like you.  If you're constantly paranoid of what they think, you'll resent them and make yourself miserable.
• Priorities.  God first, family, then ministry.  If things stay in that order our life works.  Whenever it gets mixed up, and it does, I end up resenting one...or more.  
• Find some good friends, and your closest confidants should be outside your church...for everyone's well being.
• Try not to be annoyed when people act as though you're waiting for a bigger church to come along.  As if you're biding your time, gaining experience so that when the time comes you can move "up."  As though a tiny church would surely not be your first choice.  Resist the urge to lecture them...and refrain from using the phrase let them wallow in their own stupidity, when referring to said people.  (Ok, so maybe this one's just for me ;)
• Smile and laugh.  A lot.  I like people who smile a lot.  Who doesn't?!?  Be friendly.
• Be comfortable knowing you are not all things to all people.  You are not supposed to be.
• Be in His Word.  Be filled with it.  Or you will run dry.  And when you have nothing left to give...resentment once again rears its ugly head, and you'll want to quit.  Because aside from Him, we have nothing to give in the first place.
• Remember it's not supposed to be easy.  
• Remember who you  serve.  Remember who called you to it.  
• Enjoy it.  It's what God has designed and planned for you to do.

Some other emails have been about running...more on that tomorrow :)

Did I mention I like emails?  Thought so.

 

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Eight

Does it make me  a total loser to steal a meme I wasn't even tagged for?  Thought so. ;)

8 Things I'm Looking Forward to...

1. Adding Julie to our family.  Having a girl around.  Listening to her talk :)   

2. Spending lazy summer days at the pool.  

3. Being able to run 6 miles at a stretch...and then 13.1.  Baby steps.

4. Ben's vacation next week.

5. Warm weather.

6. Watching the boys play T-ball.

7.  Mini donuts in July.

8.  No routine...for the summer...I'll be begging for routine again come fall.
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8 Things I did Yesterday...

1. Took two 3-year-old boys to Old Navy and the grocery store.

2. Watched 3 episodes of season 3 of 24.  (Ben was at a Bible conference and I put the boys to bed ;) 

3. Convinced Noah that our next dog will be a Basset Hound.

4. Made lists as follows:  Get done on vacation week, get done tomorrow, get done period.

5.  Ate almost an entire container of fresh salsa all by myself.

6.  Looked through my old weight watchers point booklets.  Still in denial about how many points I really eat.  Bleh.

7. Woke up at 5 AM to run with Billie.  Half way through the run I shut off the Garmin because it was that bad.  A measly 2.5 miles later I came home and crawled back in bed.

8. Felt guilty for being so crabby with the boys because they were being so loud and rambunctious...for acting like, well....boys.
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8 Things I Wish I Could Do...

1. Take a vacation with Ben to the east coast.  

2. Then take a vacation to a sunny island with just Ben.

3. Then take my kids on vacation with us ;)

4. Keep plants and flowers alive.

5. Make the weekends go slower and the week days faster.

6. Make losing weight as easy as gaining weight.

7. Make people change.  Including myself. 

8.  Be content in all circumstances.
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8 Shows I Enjoy...

1. 24 (I'm only on season 3)
3. The Office 
4. Gilmore Girls (on DVD)
5. When Dr. Oz is on Oprah.
6. Dateline.
7. American Idol (but only on DVR so I don't have to listen to them sing the entire song...ADD)
8. Biggest Loser (same as above, I have to be able to watch it in 20 minutes or its too boring)
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Happy Tuesday!

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Total Mom Post

I'm gonna warn ya right from the start....this is a total mom post.

Here's the deal.  Noah has a May birthday and Jake has a early June birthday.  

Every other word that proceeds from their mouths while either watching TV or meandering the aisles of Wal Mart seems to be "I WANT this for my birthday"

Rewind back to January.  Remember my organizing kick?  Yeah...well, it seems that no matter how many truckloads of stuff I haul outta here, they are quickly replaced by more truck loads of stuff.  It's like a law of physics or something...which I wouldn't really know anything about because I'm terrible at anything remotely related to science.

I need your help.  I need to pick your brains.  This morning I read this post at one of my favorite blogs.    She lists some gift ideas that are outside the box.  Movie tickets, gardening kits etc.  

What are some birthday gift ideas that I can give to family members that are not going to cause a truckload of stuff to come back into our home/teeny tiny garage?  

Or are there any toys that are WORTH the space?  

Last tid bit of info:  Noah will be 8 years old and Jake will be 4.  

Alright all you creative people out there, let me have it :)

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