well, here it is wednesday and i've been able to run 2 days this week already. woo hoo! it has been so nice. yesterday i ran 6 miles, which is amazing for me to get time to run that long on a weeknight. tonight, i ran 4.5 with a friend. we both agreed that it's harder to bounce back now that we're 35!

i don't think i've mentioned it, but school is going really well! this time last year i was already feeling burnout.

this year the kids are complaining less, and they have been motivated to get things done so they have time for other things in the afternoon. they also seem more excited about learning in general. i know God has been teaching me too. i have more patience, and i've figured out some of the things that work and don't work for us. i still have a lot to learn, of course, but i really love the changes we've made. some of the changes have been simple little things. for example, i started giving each child a checklist of what needs to be done for the day (their chores and their school work is on the list). i have been amazed at how motivating it has been for them to get everything checked off for the day! hopefully that will continue...

we're looking forward to a trip to the apple orchard this week.

163:365

weekends go so fast!
i got in a good 6 miles on saturday. i even conquered the big hill.
bryce got a touchdown and interception during his football game saturday morning!
saturday night we sat by our fire pit and made smores. it was such a good night.

it's going to be a challenge to get much running in this week. i'm hoping for 3-4 days this week.
i should probably think about running around 5:30 a.m. to get it done, but that's not likely. i wish i had a running
partner.

New Album!

My friend, Eric Schumacher, in collaboration with David Ward (and others) just released their latest album, Merciful to Me. It was co-produced by David Ward and Steve Cook (of Sovereign Grace Music). It contains the vocals of Devon Kauflin, Shannon Harris, Jake Armerding, Lucia Newell, and others, as well as a host of great instrumentalists from around the country. The 13 tracks are an eclectic mix of styles, including bluegrass, pop, classic jazz, driving rock, and orchestral arrangements.

I love that all of these songs are theologically rich and have gospel-saturated lyrics. I especially liked the song, Merciful to Me.

For more information about the project and song samples visit their website.

1/2

i did it! i registered for the 1/2 today, so i guess it's official.

162:365

the wall is slowly taking shape.
not the best picture, but you get the idea.

it was a good long weekend.
friday i ran 5 miles.
saturday i ran 5 miles.
sunday i ran 6 miles.
monday i ran 5 miles.
today was my best run in awhile. i even had positive thoughts about running the 1/2 next month.
i still haven't registered. i still haven't really trained either. oops!
i have 2 more weeks to register before the price increases. hmmm...

saturday i slept in until almost 9! it made me thankful that i'm not training for a marathon this year; getting up for those early morning long runs.

some things we (myself included) are working on as we go about our school days:

getting the day started right - greeting each other with a smile in the morning

A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

gentle answers to each other
building each other up
laughing together
encouraging each other
working hard and doing our best
remembering good manners
if someone is talking, remember to look them in the eye

this is going to be one of our key verses to memorize and put into practice this year:
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.