Running: Week 3

I made it through Week 3 of the Couch to 5K training program.

The Week 3 workout routine started out with a 5 minute warm-up walk. Then, there were 2 sets of the following intervals:

• 90 seconds jogging
• 90 seconds walking
• 3 minutes jogging
• 3 minutes walking

I admit I was a bit nervous about actually jogging for 3 minutes. It turns out....much to my shock....that the 3 minutes were easier than the 90 seconds, somehow.

It seems that I am really awkward early on, but my body finds a stride eventually, so it is easier to continue jogging. I also notice that my leg muscles get tight from my hip to my ankles for the longer intervals, versus just my lower legs getting sore for the shorter intervals. This is all so new and fascinating to me. I do not know what to do with this information, yet. It is all just data. Observation and data collection are just my nature. I am a scientist.

I collected some other data this week during my workouts...

I am slow. The Referee completes 5 laps (approximately 2.5 miles) during the workouts. I complete 3 laps (approximately 1.5 miles). So, I am slow. It is a good thing we tag-team so that one of us is supervising the kids on the playground while the other one runs, because it seems we would not make good running partners. He would lap me in no time.

I am actually jogging faster than I walk though. I noticed that when I am in the jogging intervals, I am actually passing by other folks who are walking along the track. That is a relief to me, because I was seriously starting to question if I was hardly moving when I jog.

The second workout of the week is the hardest. The 3rd workout is the easiest.

I am glad I am doing this. I like "training."

Unfortunately, the scale was not my friend this week. The numbers refused to budge. So, no weight loss (and thankfully, no weight gain either). My sister dropped 7.5 pounds in 3 weeks by counting calories. I dropped 5.5 jogging. ???

Then, Jersey #1 commented to me yesterday that I was looking really skinny. I tried not to laugh, but I have NEVER been told that before. She meant well. I see now that she has no idea what defines "skinny." I tend to discuss body size with her in terms like slender, athletic, and healthy. I want her to have a positive body image. I thanked her for being so sweet, and told her I was glad that she could tell I was exercising my body into better shape.

I really do feel a fitness improvement, and that is awesome!

First Day of School

We started school this week.

One of the perks of homeschooling is that we get to set our own schedule, as long as we cover the required number of instructional days set by our state. Last Fall, when we learned that Jersey #2 would need heart surgery in May, we worked through most of the holidays in order to complete school by May, so that we would have school off our plate to focus on surgery and recovery. I actually liked being finished with school so early, and having the month of May as part of our summer vacation. So, this school year, I set up our schedule to start school in early August, so that we will be finished by next May. The kids did not seem to mind a bit.

Jersey #3 was very excited to start kindergarten. I am relieved, because he was so resistant to any attempt at preschool. It appears that giving him more time to mature before requiring him to focus on schoolwork, was a good thing. He is eager to learn to read, and has been very cooperative to sit with me and sound out letters. He also announced to me that he loves math. He also loves his new pencil holder that has contraptions for all of the gadgets.

Jersey #1 and Jersey #2 decided that they needed to color the folders that held their schoolwork before they could begin. Apparently, the manila look is out of fashion this year.

After their folders were prepared, they got right to work, and were very studious. Jersey #2 is in 2nd grade. She wants to be independent, and not have me explain the lessons to her. That is working out fine with this week of review. We will see how things go when new concepts arrive.

Jersey #1 is in 4th grade. The workload really increased in 4th grade, so I gave Jersey #1 a pep talk about how much more is expected of her this year.....and that she and her sister will not have the same quantity of work. She took the news rather well. Actually, she seemed mighty proud to be such a "big kid" now. To add to the status, her penmanship lessons are to be written on notebook paper, separate from the text. Consumable workbooks are not as common in 4th grade as they were in the younger grades. She took great care while writing out her lesson in her notebook.

The youngest 2 kids saw the first day of school as a great opportunity to get some computer time. With their older siblings busy with schoolwork, they had the Barbie fashion game all to themselves...

Jersey #4 later decided that she wanted to do schoolwork too. I was prepared for that. It fits her personality. She is certain that she is all grown up now. I had a preschool workbook ready for her. She happily climbed up to the table and colored her worksheets at the same time that Jersey #3 was working on his schoolwork.

I sat at the table watching them both, observing the way they wrote. We have two left-handers...

This is going to be a full school year for me. I thought I was adding an additional student, to have three children to school. With Jersey #4's demand for schoolwork too, I am leaping from two last year to FOUR students this year. My Mom jokes that I have my own one-room schoolhouse, just like in the old days.

Friends on the Move

One of the hardest parts of moving is having to say good-bye to friends.

This week we were visited by some friends who are preparing to move out of state. I knew it was coming. They had mentioned the timing of completing schooling and finding new job opportunities before. Even still, it is hard to say good-bye. They are sweet folks. I miss them already.

We have a special connection with these friends. We met at a support group for bereaved parents. They understand the pain of losing a child. We met the summer of 2000.

We met again in 2004. I took a chance on a local mommy group that had a message board on the internet. I attended one of the park events. This couple joined the event, with their daughter, and I invited them to share our blanket on the ground. As we chatted, about parenting our young girls, I could not help but feel I knew them. It turns out I did. It took me a few minutes, but I was eventually able to place them from my past.

What a blessed reunion that turned out to be! We had gone on in life to expand our families after battling grief. At the park, I introduced them to my two daughters, Jersey #1 and Jersey #2. They introduced me to their daughter....who was born on Jersey #1's 1st birthday!

We kept a birthday connection with them. Through the years, we visited at the kid's birthday parties.

They have added another daughter to their family. She was born the day we were leaving the hospital after having Jersey #5.

Dear friends, if you are reading this blog post, please know that we wish you the best in your big move. I will keep in touch. And if you plan any visits back to this town, be sure to schedule those trips around one of my kids' birthdays, so we can reunite over birthday cake!

Cheerleading

I am now a cheerleading coach.

I am not exactly sure how this happened. It was a series of comments and conversations. Then, suddenly, I was being handed a Coach's manual and a DVD about cheerleading.

Hold up! WAIT! How can this be?

I have never been a cheerleader before. I was never any good at gymnastics either. Actually, my gymnastics teacher said I had frog legs, and no upper arm strength.

I don't even fully understand the sport. Is it a sport? Or is it a complement to sports?

Is it even appropriate? I mean, I am trying to teach my daughters about modesty and respect for themselves. And, well, you know what cheerleader outfits look like. (And when I was in high school, there was a reputation attached to the outfit).

Oh dear. What have I gotten myself into?

Ok. Breathe.


What happened was that I decided to let my older girls sign up for cheerleading, when Jersey #3 wanted to sign up for flag football. When the girls asked to be cheerleaders during basketball season, I encouraged them to play basketball instead. They have developed a love for basketball.

Then, I saw the cute little cheerleaders, and I realized what the appeal was....the pompoms! There is just something about waving and twirling with pompoms.

My children are playing sports through the Upward sports program. Thankfully, since it is a Christian program, the uniforms are modest, including the cheerleading uniforms. So, when our daughters said they had no interest in flag football, we decided they could try out cheerleading. The program teaches the sport of cheerleading. Its primary focus is Christian faith. So, I felt comforted that this was a good outlet to try out cheerleading.

Then, I received word that enrollment was low, and the church hosting the program may have to cancel this season. I went to the meeting last night to learn more. The program director was explaining that there are only enough flag football players for 2 teams, and there are only 3 cheerleaders. They are short on football coaches, and absent any cheerleading coaches.

The other parents in attendance were in agreement that we should continue the season with only 2 football teams. No one seemed to mind playing the same team every week, since our boys were young and new to the sport anyway. Jersey #3 certainly fits that profile, because he has not played football before.

Then, the director came over to talk to me specifically, because I have 2 of the only 3 registered cheerleaders. He was pretty certain he was going to have to cancel the cheerleading program. He clearly felt bad about that. I explained to him that I had no cheerleading experience to be able to coach. He immediately perked up and said that he had a manual that laid out each week's skills....and a DVD that shows the routines. He assured me that Upward sets the program up so that coaches do not have to have experience. The director even explained that one year, his sister coached the cheerleaders, using a DVD to show the girls how to cheer, because she had no experience.

So, I agreed to fill the void. I volunteered to coach the cheerleaders.

As the director handed me the coaching materials, I assured him that IF he found a parent with experience or who wanted to coach that I would happily give it up! He laughed. Then, he asked me what evening I wanted to set up practice.

The first thing I noticed in the coaching manual is the comment that the coach should have an understanding of the sport of cheerleading, to be able to teach the skills.

Oh dear. I'm in trouble now.

I was not real sure how to break the news to my family, so I just blurted it out.

Jersey #2 was so excited that she ran up to me an gave me a hug.

The Referee, first acted a bit shocked, then shrugged as if he was not really that shocked that I got myself into another coaching responsibility.

Jersey #1 said she thought it was "really cool."

This could get interesting. I am coaching a sport I have never played. At a church I don't attend. With folks I don't know.

But, my kids are excited, so I am ready to take the plunge...

Life Update

Things have calmed down a lot since I posted this update about our combination of life stresses. We still have bumps and hurdles to cross, but our attitudes improve each step along the way.

The Referee spent this weekend tackling the kitchen sink that had a leaky drain that would not remove so he could replace it. I will not rant about how long this sink has been leaking, or the water damage that has been done to the cabinet below it, due to ignoring the problem for too long. Instead, I will celebrate that The Referee finally grew so frustrated with it that he called in a friend from church to help him demolish the drain. The friend has tools to cut through the part, so it could be removed. Demolition must be fun, because the guys were laughing throughout the process. Tough jobs always seem more fun with church friends. The Referee's attitude was dramatically improved and he was able to replace the drain with ease. I am amazed that a kitchen sink part that only costs $5 was causing us so much grief for so long. The leak is fixed and the sink looks great now.

An added bonus is that The Referee was able to find the flooring edges he needed to improve the look of the seam where the dining room and kitchen floors meet. He fixed that up over the weekend too, making our kitchen project look that much better.

The Referee was able to get his car to start. He had to get under it and kick the gas tank area, where the new fuel pump is located. That was the mechanic's strange advice, but it worked. It started running again. A few days later, it started over heating. Poor little car. It is about to turn 11 years old. It has been a good car, but I was really hoping it would hold on a little longer. It looks like we are going to have to get started on our car replacement savings now, because it does not look like that car will last until we are completely out of debt. So far, refilling the coolent every couple weeks is helping the overheating. There is a leak, but its true location is not yet known.

So far, we are keeping up with the incoming medical bills. The medical insurance company continues to send us error-filled benefits summaries. We continue to call and remind them that our contract with them has an out-of-pocket-maximum, and they are assigning more financial responsibility to us than they should. The calls are being tracked, so hopefully the right person will actually follow through and fix the error soon.

Jersey #4 did great with her dental work. Jersey #3 should do well too. I had a dental cleaning appointment with no further treatment needs, so dental stresses are reducing.

The announcement for which company won the contract has been delayed again. Now, it looks like news will arrive in two weeks. The Referee thinks his subcontract is covered through September, so he has a job until then at least. At this point, we are assuming that no news is good news, as long as the paychecks continue to arrive. Even if his current company does not win the contract, the company who does win may pick him up as an employee, so it could all work out smooth in the end. Time will tell. Now that Jersey #2's heart surgery is over, we do not carry the same stress we had before. We have more flexibility now.

The dog is still coughing. Poor old dog. Her arthritis is worsening too. She really has trouble with stiffness when she tries to get up to stand after laying down a while. She still enjoys pursuing dropped foods at each meal and snack, so she naps close to the dining room table most of the time. I plan to follow up more on her cough when it is time for her annual shots next month. At this point, I don't expect things to improve much. She turns 12 in October, which is a remarkable age for a bigger dog.

To add to our previous challenges, we received a letter from our state saying we may owe more taxes from 2007. Thankfully, there is an amnesty program running right now, so if it turns out we do owe the taxes, we may get out of the penalty fees and interest charges. The irritating part is that we knew that tax year was going to be complicated, so we paid H&R Block to file our taxes. We also paid to have their "Peace of Mind" service plan, where they would battle the IRS if there was an audit. Sure enough, every call I have made to them has been a bust. First, the call was dropped mid-way through. Second, the next rep claimed that the first rep was giving erroneous information. She told me to call a local office. The local office did not answer their phone during their business hours, and did not return my call after I left a message. I called again 2 days later and was told that they do not cover the specific state taxes, because they know nothing about that. Um, they suddenly knew enough to claim they did not cover it.....so why did they not know enough to advise us at the time? It all sounds fishy. The Referee looked up the info on their website, which claims they do cover such services. So, someone is lying. Many times over. It is all so frustrating. But, it is not the end of the world. If we owe the taxes, we will pay them. And, we will continue to pursue the H&R Block claim to see if their program really will reimburse us like it originally advertised. But, I think I will think twice before using their services in the future.

So, right now, the budget is tight, but maintaining our expenses. All of the appliances are currently working, and both vehicles are running. The water leak is fixed. The flooring is fixed. The Referee continues to be paid for his work. We have a home. We have our health. We have a great circle of friends and family. We have plenty of ways to serve at church and in our community. The new school year started. New activities are ramping up.

We continue to ride along the ups and downs in life...

Running: Week 2

Week 2 of the Couch to 5K training program was a bit adventurous, due to weather, but I am happy to report that I completed the 3 workout sessions.

The workout routine added a minute more of running this week. After a 5 minute warm-up walk, there were 6 intervals of 90 seconds of jogging followed by 2 minutes of walking. I ended with at least 5 minutes of a cool-down walk, followed by leg stretches.

I surprised myself by being able to jog for 90 seconds at a time. The 4th interval was the hardest one each time, but the others were good. I can tell that my leg muscles are getting stronger, because my knee is not nearly as sore after each workout. My lower legs still become quite tight by half-way through each session, so I keep wondering if I will ever learn how to run well.

This week, I learned that I am slow. In the 25 minute workout sessions, I am only covering 1.5 miles distance. Well, a 5K is 3.1 miles, so I am only near half the distance right now. I am hoping that my pace will improve the more I train. I took a peek at the future training schedule, and I started to panic about how I am ever going to get to the point of being able to run continuously. I calmed down after I convinced myself that I am just going to take it 1 week at a time, and see how it goes. I am seeing improvements in my strength and fitness every workout.

Thunderstorms threw off my run schedule this week. After not being able to run for 3 evenings in a row, I decided to get up early Sunday morning, and complete my last session for this week, before church. I am not sure if it was the extra rest between runs, the fact that I am now 5 1/2 pounds lighter, or if morning workouts are really that much better, but that 3rd workout session this week was the best! I am finally able to pick up my feet a little bit.

I dropped 1.5 pounds this week. That brings my total weight loss for July to 5.5 pounds. One of the nice things about focusing on the training program and learning to run, is that I am not letting the slow weight loss discourage me.

I am really loving the changes to my body already. My regular clothes are all loose. I had to tighten my bra to a new row of hooks this week, which made me laugh thinking about how many women have told me that is the first area where they lose weight. The other area I've noticed a difference is in my swimskirt. The built-in shorts are so baggy that I started wearing another swimsuit bottom underneath to keep from showing anything improper. I'm not sure how much running it takes to drop an entire clothing size, but I am looking forward to that day.

Baseball Season Ends

We hauled the entire family out to the baseball fields early this morning.

It was the final games of the season. The games actually occurred simultaneously on two separate fields. The Referee and I took turns watching an inning at each field.

Jersey #5 thought the games were captivating. I am sure he is calculating how long until he can put on a uniform and go out and play in the dirt like that too...

Each of our players were thrilled to be able to hit off the coach's pitch, and not need the tee. All three were able to score runs during their games too. It was good game day, for all.

There was a BBQ after the games. It was standard baseball food: hotdogs, chips, and soda. The only strange part is that we were eating such foods at 10 am! Did I mention the game were early Saturday morning? So, a BBQ afterward had to be early too.

Each coach gathered their team and called the players forward to receive a medal. The kids were mighty proud of their awards...

Overall, it was a good baseball season. Jersey #2 and Jersey #3 really enjoyed being on the same team. Jersey #1 had a fantastic coach...who also happens to be a friend of ours from high school/college. He helped bring out the fun of the sport for her. I was disappointed in the coach for Jersey #2/#3's team, but when he abandoned the team mid-season the parent who stepped up to fill the void was fantastic. I took down his name to request as the coach for next year (assuming he volunteers to coach).

The season finished well. The kids had fun. They made new friends. They were part of a team. Plus, they learned how to play baseball.

Wrapping Up Summer

We wrapped up this last week of summer vacation with a whirlwind of activities.

Picnic lunches and playing at the park....






Swim Lessons...



Visiting friends at their house....

Visiting friends at our house.

Visiting friends in their swimming pool.

And visiting friends at the aquarium...



We covered a lot of ground this week. We connected with many friends. We dropped into bed at night....

I think the kids should be ready to start school next week, just to get a break...

Which Way Do I Go?

I need direction.

I do not know which way I am suppose to go in many areas of my life right now.

And, I am no good at waiting on God's timing.

Instead, I am impulsive.

And undisciplined.

Some people are thinkers. Some people are feelers. I am a do-er. I want to DO something about it. Immediately.

I want to take action. I do not want to wait.

Yet, in all the areas that I am currently struggling, one thing is crystal clear: I am still waiting. Waiting for direction.

At first, I thought this was really nice, because I am not living in crisis mode anymore. All of those big challenges (like my 6-year old having open-heart surgery) are resolved. Life is good. I can stop and breathe. I can rest.

Well, I breathed and I rested and I re-organized the kids' bedrooms and painted the kitchen, and I completed those tasks I wanted to complete this summer. And then I started wondering where I should focus now? What path do I take?

Since the answers were not coming to me very quickly, I decided to take a step. It seemed like a big one. But, that road has not led anywhere yet. It hasn't exactly closed either. It froze.

So, I started considering another area of interest. I was met with an instantaneous closed door.

And, then, little nuisances started to pop up. I've been handling them one at a time, but my attitude has been bad. I don't want to deal with them. I want them to go away so that I can focus on something BIG!

I continue to ponder and pray.

Tonight, I broke out my Experiencing God, workbook from that Bible study our church did last Fall. It really opened my eyes to understanding direction from God, when we did the study, so I was hoping my notes might open my eyes tonight.

Well, sure enough, my book fell open to the pages where I had gone hog-wild with the highlighter and wrote a bunch of notes in the margins. The biggest note: "Wait for a direction from God."

The study goes on to explain that it is difficult for Christians to wait on the Lord. But, if we start doing before we have clear direction from God, then we are usually wrong. (Yep, that sounds like me. Wrong.)

And then my notes go on to explain that one of the reasons God has us wait, is to develop our character and our relationship with Him, in order to prepare us for our next assignment. (Yes, I am feeling quite embarrassed at my immaturity, now).

God will tell me what I need to know to make the necessary adjustments to take that first step of obedience.

And, the answer is: DISCIPLINE!

Ugh. I am not a very disciplined person. I fall behind in my studies. I don't eat, sleep, or exercise regularly. I haven't yet acquired that routine of completely washing 1 load of laundry per day, or washing up the dishes every night. I am often late....for just about everything.

I know we have to remain disciplined in our financial matters in order to eliminate debt, and fund our future goals. I know I need to be disciplined in household chores in order to manage my home and train my children. I know I need to go to bed on time, wake up on time, eat regular meals, exercise regularly, just to maintain health and fitness....and be able to arrive to appointments on time. I know I need to be in prayer and Bible study daily. I know that most of the clutter in my life is self-imposed by lack of discipline.

So, here I thought my problem was that I was stuck in the "hurry up and WAIT" mode.

Instead, I see that I am in the "Keep Moving Forward" mode. Day by day. One foot in front of the other. One step at a time. It is a slower pace than the chaos we have been living, in the recent past. It is more methodical. It is more like the tortoise, and less like the hare.

Well, that is not very exciting.

But, it works. I know this. All of the things that are on my heart that I just know I am suppose to accomplish with my life, can be achieved if I will learn discipline.

Of course, I would much rather just have everything fixed instantly with a strike of lightening.

It appears that my character is in need of some development. Financial freedom can be achieved through discipline. Fitness can be achieved through discipline. A clean house can be achieved through discipline. Spiritual growth improves with discipline. Holding my tongue can be achieved through discipline. Patience can be achieved through discipline.

It is time to set up some disciplined boundaries in my life and keep moving forward...

Week with Granny & PawPaw

Jersey #3 had a blast during his week at Granny & PawPaw's house. After raising daughters, it is quite different to have a boy around, but they really seem to enjoy it.

PawPaw set up a big train track, so Jersey #3 could play with the trains he brought...

New clothes and new toys accompany the visit. This time PawPaw got to teach Jersey #3 how to put together a Lego set....

A home-made tent...

Baking a cake with Granny...

Unlimited rides on the ride-on toys, when there were no siblings around to have to share...

Snacks galore...

Nana took him out for an evening....to dinner, and to buy a new game for the Wii. Jersey #3 is SO excited about his new Wii game. He is Wii obsessed...

Jersey #3 had the privelage of getting to ride home in PawPaw's truck. PawPaw can turn off the airbags on the passenger side, so that the grandbabies can ride "up front." Our children are convinced that PawPaw's truck is the coolest vehicle on the planet...

He had a blast with his grandparents. It is such a neat summer experience. But, I am happy to have him back home again.

Cousins

My sister and I have boys the same age. I think it is so cute that Jersey #3 has a friend who is also his cousin. Born the same year, just 3 months apart, these two were Granny & PawPaw's very first grandsons...

This summer, they over-lapped each of their week's with Granny & PawPaw, so that they could spend some of that time together. They had blast. It worked out so well, that Granny thinks the two of them should visit the same week next summer.

5-year old boys are a lot of work, so it was nice that they played well together and entertained each other to give Granny brief breaks between feeding them every 2 hours...

They like to dress alike. When they would go on outings dressed alike, Granny was often asked if they were twins...

Cousins and friends. I love it.