Grateful Monday

Happy Monday! Did everyone survive the Thanksgiving weekend? Did you go out on Black Friday? I enjoyed our Thanksgiving—it was low key and stress free! We enjoyed time with our extended family and stuffed our faces full of delicious food! Today, for Grateful Monday, I am grateful and thankful for my health. I haven’t always been the healthiest person. I remember being sick all the time as a child. And even in my early adult life, I recall getting everything anyone near me had—if someone had the flu, I was sure to get it. But over the last 5 years or so, I made some lifestyle changes. I lost about 50 lbs, started exercising on a regular basis and really watched the foods and beverages I consumed. I really believe these changes have helped me become a healthier adult.

This healthy habit has ultimately extended down to my children. They are accustomed to eating fruits and vegetables at our meals and snacks. They are also very active with sports.

Three years ago I was encouraged to run in a 5k—the Jingle Bell Run. I had never been a runner—walker, yes, but not run. I’m not fast and I didn’t think I had the stamina to last that long! I had just overcame a huge obstacle with three of my Sorority Sisters that summer by walking 39.1 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (that was amazing), so running a little over 3 miles seemed very doable! I trained for a bit just to prepare myself for the distance. I remember taking off when the gun fired off—it was such a rush! There were so many people, avid runners and newbies, just like me! I held my own. My goal was to finish before a walker—and I did! In fact, I had such an adrenaline rush, I wanted to keep running!

This year was my third Jingle Bell Run and my 7 year old son asked if he could run it with me. I was thrilled! He ran one other time in a Family Fun Run—he sprinted almost the entire mile! I had to prepare him that there would be no way he could sprint the 5k! Off we went! He did so good! He kept a good pace, stopped real quick to get a sip of water and kept on running. That little guy didn’t stop! At the very end, I told him we could sprint to the finish line—he did and came it at 32.09! Amazing! He told me that when he ran at the very end he couldn’t feel his legs. And once it was over, he said he was happy he didn’t throw up! (he’s been to a few of my races, always waiting for me at the finish line, so he’s seen a few people come to the end and then lose their cookies!) I was so proud of him. My daughter has walked in the Jingle Bell Run these last three years with her great friend, Abby, who has RHA. It’s a special event for them and she looks forward to supporting her friend each year. How awesome is that?

 

 

Back in October, my daughter and I ran together in a Breast Cancer 5k. I had done this race the previous year with a few other sorority sisters and after it was over, Hailey asked if she could run with me next year—so we did! Hailey hasn’t run any further than the 1 mile Family Fun Run we did in the fall, so this was all new to her too! I told her to just keep going, she could take breaks if she wanted to and I told her she was in control of our pace. We started out slow, mainly because there were so many walkers mixed in with the runners, but once we cleared them, she took off on a nice pace. We stopped a few times to rest her legs, but overall, she was amazing! She finished 31.29 with a pace of 10.08! That’s awesome for a girl that’s never trained and never ran further than a mile!

 

 

I hope we run together in more 5ks—it will be a great family experience and just another way we can remain healthy together! What fun things do your family do together?

Thanks for visiting! See you soon!

Cindy

Grateful Monday!

This is the week of Thanksgiving--a time to reflect on those things you are thankful for. I've seen it all over Facebook this month--each day you say what you are thankful for. I love the idea. I believe if we sit down and think about our lives, we can find several things we are thankful for. This week on Grateful Monday I am going to talk about my family. My parents, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law specifically.
My husband and I work crazy schedules, requiring us to work every other weekend. We rely heavily on my parents, mother-in-law and sister-in-law to help us out. I can't recall the last time we hired a teenager to watch the kids while we went out on a date or out with friends--our family is ready and willing to watch the kids. I realize we are lucky. Several of my close friends don't have parents alive, around the area or able to assist with watching the kids.
I'm also grateful to my family for being supportive of my crazy ideas. You are my cheerleaders on the sideline and for that I am grateful. I'm not able to celebrate Thanksgiving with my parents because they have already left for Florida (lucky snow birds!), but the rest of the family and I will enjoy a nice meal, great conversation and many laughs this Thanksgiving--and I'm grateful for that!
Here's a Grateful Subway Art printable I created for you this week. Thank you for checking in with me this week. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cindy

Grateful Monday

What a wonderful weekend I had! My college friends came into town Saturday evening! We haven't hung out together for probably 15 years or so! It was so refreshing and fulfilling. Sometimes, you don't realize how special some people are in your life. These two ladies are prime examples of that. After college, we all went our separate ways. It wasn't until Facebook that we reconnected! And after about 2 years on Facebook we finally were able to schedule a Girl's weekend! A lot has changed in our lives since college, but one thing remained--our friendship. We laughed a lot, ate a lot and shopped a lot! And we vowed to get together more often. Thank you Rina and Micki for spending the weekend at my place! I can't wait to do it again! Hope you enjoyed your "parting" gift and shared those apple cider donuts with your family! 

I created a FREE Printable again this week--reminding us to not take for granted our friendships or special people in our life. Here's to a great week ahead!

 

Cindy

Be Thankful

A lot has happened over the course of the week. There was tragedy out East, there is a local woman whose gone missing, there was another police shooting where the police officer is made out to be the bad guy, and many many more horrible happenings I'm sure. So as the beginning of November is here, I've decided to start Grateful Monday's. Why did I choose Monday? Well, I think Monday's are hard days. I mean, we have to get up and go to work, get the kids off to school...the weekend is over! So, why not choose that day to focus on all the good in life?

So today, Monday, November 5th, I am grateful for my husband. For one,  our relationship is more like a partnership--at home, with the kids, with our finances, with our hobbies. We listen, we give and take, there are compromises and sharing of responsibilities. He is active in our children's lives, he helps around the house (yes, he does laundry!), he works hard as a protector of our society and leader of his shift and he supports me in my crazy adventures. Our home wouldn't be a home without him. My life wouldn't be complete either.

I am also grateful for the ability to drive. Just a short while ago I had to renew my Drivers License and take a vision test. Boy, I didn't realize how nervous that would make me. But as I sat waiting for my turn, I thought about how much I drive and how much I would not be able to do if I didn't have a Drivers License, let alone a car! When I approached the counter to answer the standard questions about my health, I could feel my palms get sweaty! And then I had to take that vision test. I passed, but geez, you would have thought it was my first time there--I was a wreak!

So, share with me, today Monday, November 5th--what are your grateful for? Here's a free printable for you! Happy Monday! Make it a great week!

Cindy