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how to break free from average (it might involve punching fear in the face)

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What is that one thing that you’ve always wanted to do?  Always wanted to accomplish or be “when you grow up”?  We all have something.

There is some dream that you think of every once in a while.  You bring out the dream, maybe a long-lost childhood desire, and look at it.  You turn that dream over and over in your mind, studying all sides of it, and you smile so tempted to bring it out in the open.  But then you remember.  You remember that you are now an adult with commitments, a family, a mortgage, and a job.  So, once again, you shove that dream way back into the recesses of your mind, determined not to think about it again. Continue reading “how to break free from average (it might involve punching fear in the face)” →

road trip

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To anyone who has gone on a road trip or longs to do so:

It’s dark out as you pull your car onto your street.  You pass by neighbor’s blackened windows wishing, for a second, that you too are still in bed fast asleep.  But then you think of what lies ahead.  You remember the road trip and all thoughts of sleep vanish.  You reach for your coffee and punch the gas. Continue reading “road trip” →

my rock ‘n’ roll half marathon recap

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This past weekend I raced in the half marathon that I had been training for since January 1st!  It was a great time!

Training went well.  I was worried about running in the winter but the weather cooperated for the most part.  There was only one day that I had to do my long run inside on a treadmill because there was no way I was going to run when it was in the single digits outside!  Other than that I, surprisingly, enjoyed getting outside and running in the winter!  I ran in snow, fog, dark (by accident!), with friends, alone, and always with music to push me through.  So, by last week I really felt prepared for the race. Continue reading “my rock ‘n’ roll half marathon recap” →

what winning really looks like

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Basketball season ended last week.  It was a great season all around for all of my kids, even my 4 year old.  She learned to dribble the ball while watching all of those practices from the sidelines!  I am proud of the improvements that they all made and joy they had in playing the sport.

I was one of the coaches for my 4th grade daughter’s team.  The term coach should be used very loosely here, but I did what I could (my husband and two other men were the main coaches!).  During the games I had the privilege of sitting on the bench with the girls and rotating them into the game.  It was so much fun!  Here, I had the opportunity to really get to know the girls.  Their true personalities came out as they played ball and watched their teammates compete. Continue reading “what winning really looks like” →

when are you happiest? (it might not be when you think it is!)

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When are you happiest? 

I am happy on a midwinter Sunday afternoon with the thought of a whole day of no commitments stretching out in front of me.  It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does I put on sweats, grab a book or magazine, and curl up on the couch under a blanket.  It’s such a luxury!

I am happy on a warm summer day when I have a few minutes to pull a lawn chair out into the middle of my yard and lay there, eyes closed, soaking up the sun.  (Yes, I know…skin cancer, but nothing feels as good as the sun shining down on you!)

Happy moments also come at a dinner with good friends, family parties, snuggling around a campfire with my kids, listening to what comes out of my 4 year old’s mouth, and racing in triathlons. Continue reading “when are you happiest? (it might not be when you think it is!)” →

forty days of water

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Today I started the day, as always, with a steaming cup of coffee.  There’s nothing better than that first sip of coffee early in the morning.  Clutching a hot cup of coffee just makes me happy!

Tomorrow I will not have my morning cup of coffee.  In fact, I will not have it again for 40 days!  That’s because tomorrow I am starting the Forty Days of Water.  It is a fundraiser during the Lenten season for blood:water mission, which will build clean water projects for communities in Uganda.  During this time I will drink only tap water and donate the money I save by not purchasing drinks to blood:water mission. Continue reading “forty days of water” →

how to make the winter pass quickly

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It’s cold in Northern New Jersey.  In fact, we are right in the middle of a snow storm as I write this!  This time of year can seemingly last forever.  Short days, snow and ice, dirty cars, steel grey skies, and fly away static-y hair (my own personal pet peeve) make it feel like winter will never end!  But there is a bright spot for our family.  It’s what makes the winter pass quickly…basketball!

Right now we are smack in the middle of basketball season.  Three of my four kids play it.  My 6th grade son plays for his school and my 4th grade daughter and Kindergartener son play for Upward, an excellent basketball program run by our church.  My husband coaches my daughter’s team.  I am also considered a coach but I basically hang out on the bench with the girls during the games.  We are often at basketball practices and games 4-5 times a week!  But, I love every minute of it!

So, in honor of our winter pastime, I created a Basketball Top Ten.  The top ten reasons why I like basketball… Continue reading “how to make the winter pass quickly” →

slow fade

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On a warm spring day this past year we went on a short hike to explore another forgotten building.  We hiked up an old rutted road that was slowly being reclaimed by the forest.   The road climbed and twisted and soon we found ourselves staring up at a whitewashed tree with a huge white owl on a branch!  Had we wandered into a magical wonderland?  No, we had found Outlook Lodge! Continue reading “slow fade” →

abandoned places: frontier town

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We had driven by the park many many times; flying by the exit on our way up north.  The sign, beckoning visitors to stop, faded more and more as the years passed.  Finally, one warm May day we decide to stop and look around.  We turned in to the large parking lot, now covered with potholes and weeds, and drove down a rutted road; heading back in time. Continue reading “abandoned places: frontier town” →

such an inspirational video: these are real athletes!

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This is such an inspirational video of two brothers, Conner and Cayden, who won the 2012 Sports Illustrated Kids of the Year.  They compete in triathlon’s together.

It is so moving!  These brothers demonstrate what a real athlete is; unlike what we have seen in the news this week.  If you have not seen this, I highly recommend that you watch it and share it with everyone you know!