The Three S's

During my senior year of high school (yes, a few years ago), I spent most of my time with two very special friends. Sarah, Shelley and I were inseparable.... and I mean inseparable. We seemed to go everywhere together... and quickly became the Three S's. Now, my younger years were not the picture perfect time at home, and I often felt like I did not have a home, and didn't really belong anywhere. These two girls (now women) changed that. With them, I felt like I belonged. We laughed, cried, and dreamed together. They were there for me during a time when I didn't really know who I was... well, none of us really did, did we? These were the years of figuring it out.. of testing waters and seeing if we sink or float. Well, often, when waters were tested, I floated because of their support and love!!!


After our senior year, we all three went our separate ways to college and our adventures; continuing the journey of finding out who we are, what we want out of life, and where our paths will lead us... And it took all three of us in very different places. At first, we reunited as often as possible.. then like many of you, the years and other life commitments took their tole, and we found ourselves seeing each other only once a year or two (sometimes longer and longer).

However, part of God's plan I believe, we have all found ourselves in the Pacific Northwest. We all have become so many things; women, professionals, mothers, aunties, wives.... We have each spent the better part of the past 15 years defining who we are, and I must say: we are amazing.

Even after all these years, I still feel like these ladies can see right through me to my truest core. They bring out the best in me, and make me smile just being with them. I am so blessed in my life now, and I feel blessed to be surrounded in my community by wonderful friends, yet there is something about those who have known you before you knew who you were... those who loved you and grew with you. Those who knew me before, during and now.... While we have spent many years apart, I look forward to the many years ahead... of continuing this special bond and friendship that began so long ago...

I love you, my friends!

MIA

Where did April go? I realized that I have been gone since Easter... well, not gone, but away from blogging. I have thought about it, but this month has just flown by and I find myself wondering where it went? Did I sit down and enjoy it? Did it go by because I was moving at a pace that was too fast? Were our days filled with busy activities that in the end we will not remember?

I sure hope not. I will just chalk it up to being a busy month, filled with time spent enjoying my girls... and waiting for summer. yes, I am waiting for summer.... is it here yet?? Let me know..

I will update my mileage soon... I have continued to run, though slowed down for a couple weeks due to visitors, just when I should have been picking it up!!!!

In times of tribulation...

As Easter is drawing near, and as we reflect on what today means, I cannot help but become a bit overwhelmed. Perhaps my hormones are off (no, not pregnant.. just tired and crampy), but I have spent the day getting teary over simple and complex issues. It began early when I was preparing for my MOPS meeting. Due to a friend's family emergency, I was working on a scripture reflection to share with the group.. and the scripture, John 16:33 was really about how God is there in all times, especially in times of trial. And that there will be times of trial. Fact. God will be there. Fact. As I was reading this, and my friends outline of the reflection, I was thinking about all the trials I have encountered.. and yet here I am, feeling so very blessed. But quickly I thought of others, like my siblings, who have faced similar trials and tribulations (and some very different), yet have ended up in different places. A times they do not seem to overcome their trials as easily as I feel I have... why? Am I better? Am I stronger? Am I smarter? Well, perhaps this is all true.. but seriously, I know the reason is because of Him. My faith confirms that I am able to move forward and to face trials because He gives me strength. He has blessed me with a family that is supportive, loving and amazing. My sisters have many blessings, but I an not sure that they have the faith to lean on Him and to follow Him towards true happiness.

I have spent a lot of my life worrying about my siblings, feeling a sense of responsibility for them... for their happiness. I feel compelled to ensure they are happy, that they are well. And, I so badly want each of my siblings to experience true happiness, which will only come when they let God into their hearts, know Him, love HIm and accept his Grace and Forgiveness... then move forward living for Him. Then all the superficial, yet powerful distractions and trials in life will seem so unimportant...

Clearly, I am rambling... perhaps I need to gather my thoughts some more.. but this is where I am right now. I think where I need to be is in bed.. :)

Catching Up...

We have been so busy lately, I have not blogged at all. It is hard to believe it is Good Friday, and that Easter is around the corner.

As for my running.. the past two weeks have been low mileage. It seems we have had visitors straight for two weeks, so it has been a challenge to get in long runs. In addition, our beautiful spring like weather has disappeared... Oh, I am so ready to run in the sun.. But this week, it is back on!! I did update my mileage on the sidebar... and will update Kyle's soon..

I love brussel sprouts!!!!

Yep, I do. I never thought I would say this... up until about 6 months ago, I would have told you I did not like them, in fact. But you know, the funny thing is, up until about 6 months ago I don't think I had ever really eaten them.. well, atleast not made well!!!

here they are...


Then I chop off the end pieces, cut them in half, and sprinkle a little seasoning salt ( I use Penzey's Smoky 4 S), add a couple tablespoons of olive oil and they are ready to saute up. Oh, but wait... First, I cook up this....

See, now those of you who were saying they didn't like brussel sprouts are thinking.. "but I LOVE bacon". I am not a huge lover of bacon, but I know many folks are (especially men.. why is that??).. so, I cook up 2-3 pieces of bacon, then use the drippings to add more flavor when I cook up the brussel sprouts. I add about 1/4 chopped onion and saute on high for about 5 mins... Then I add the bacon back to the pan (crumbled, of course), add about 4 table spoons of chicken broth (just enough to add some liquid), then I cover and steam for a few more minutes.

And then, I get to enjoy!!


Truthfully, it is still yummy without the bacon, I just thought more of you would try it with bacon... :)

Goodbye Friend....

So, I have decided it is time to give up coffee and creamer. I never really drank coffee until I had the girls, and now I find myself drinking 3-5 cups a day, with my lovely flavored creamer. I love my coffee, with lots of cream... but it does not love me. My tummy is starting to have issues, and when I don't have it, I get headaches... and I don't even drink full caff (we use half decaf, half reg)... so, for now.. I am switching over to tea....

Goodbye for now....

Shamrock Run and Mileage

I did it. I ran the 15k Challenge Shamrock Run yesterday. It was a 9.3 mile run up a long hill, then back down. It was not too bad, though I never seemed to get my second wind so my time was not as good as I would have liked.. though I did finish under 90 mins which was my main goal (88 mins 34 seconds, to be exact). This run was fun, though there were a lot of people there!!! I got a cool medal/bottle opener for finishing, thanks to the sponsor Widmer...

So, for the week, my mileage was low, as I cut back gearing up for the race! .. check out my mileage update on the side.... :)