Retired

I am retiring this site....I have started a new blog at http://www.joyfulmusings.com/.  Please visit me there.  Also, understand there will be a construction period while I get the kinks worked out.

Thanks!
Joy

C25K...Couch To 5K Day One Week One

I love to reconnect with old friends on Facebook. You know those friends you more than likely would have only seen at reunions, because your lives are so busy that keeping up with one another is just another ticker on the "to do" list? Yet Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with these friends.  This is the ultimate reason I love Facebook.  Lynsey Jones is a perfect example of one of those friendships that has been reconnected through Facebook.  She and I spent several years hanging out in middle & high school, we ran together in a group of girls that spent time lots of time together before after & during school.  We labeled our clique the "Sigma Alphas."  Oh those were the days. 

Recently Lynsey had begun blogging and facebooking about her desire and motivation to be healthy.  I always have a desire to exercise, but do I  actually get out there an exercise?? Not as much as I would like.  Her daily reminder of her new journey has inspired me to really become dedicated to being fit as well.  She selected C25k to begin her exercise routine. C25k is an acronym for Couch To 5K. Its a 9 week running program that works your way to being able to complete a 5k.

I have always wanted to run in a 5k. I have always had that small voice in my head say "Wouldn't it be neat to do that?" We have several 5k runs in Jacksonville and there are also some in Pensacola that have peaked my interest. Several years back I downloaded an very similar itune exercise to get me prepared for a 5k. But the music was bum and didn't help inspire me, plus each time that I would head out to run my heart wasn't in it. I couldn't complete past week one.

The weather was GORGEOUS today, cool, crisp and sunny.  It screamed "you can run today! Come on out here and at least try."  I tackled my work to do list, downloaded the app for my android, got dressed, stretched and then out I went out to run.  Since I downloaded the C25k pro version (for a mere $1.99) I was able to listen to my Pandora radio while receiving the commands to shift from walking to running.  I fired up my Newsboys station to get my ears pumping full of uplifting and upbeat music, started Day One Week One.  I must say the 5 minute walking warm up was great and the amount of time spent between walking and running was great for me.  I don't believe I could have done any more today.  It did push me harder than I have pushed myself running, but it was not too much.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Really did I just say that I thoroughly enjoyed it? I did and I am very proud of myself. It was exactly what I needed today.

Tomorrow the boys have soccer practice and there is a perfect loop there for running.  I will definitely be completing Day Two, Week One.  I can't wait to let you know how it goes!

All is well!

I received this wonderful fortune in my cookie at the chinese restaurant today and must say it really fits my life well right now. It is quite gratifying when you've worked really hard & your goals are accomplished. We are still waiting on the closing of Sanders road but I am certain that all things come in due time.

Trever is really excelling in the second grade. We received his report card last week and he made A/B honor roll. I know he has worked hard at the new school and its quite gratifiying to him to see his hard work pay off in his grades. He continues to be a wonderful big brother to Tyler and allows him to tag along with him where ever he goes. If you've ever been a younger sibling you know how great it is to be included by the older one.

Tyler is growing so much socially this school year. He is really learning how to appropriately get along with other children and have fun at the same time. Its hard for 4 year old boys to have fun AND keep their hands to themselves!! He recently learned about penguins at school and impressed me so much with all of the information he took in on this subject. If I hadn't seen the March of the Penguins documentary I wouldn't have a clue about some of what learned.

Soccer practice starts again next week, so our schedule is about to really get full. We have also begun attending Grace Lutheran church each Sunday since December & recently decided to join. We started membership classes this past Wednesday. There was a time in my life where I would have thought being away from the house 3 nights a week was too much. But I am not in that place anymore, actually I am really excited about it. The boys are older now and the need for nightly structure isn't as great as it used to be, so the opportunity to get the children out of the house & interacting with others at church & soccer is a welcomed change of pace.

2011 is shaping up to be a great year for us! I am looking forward to all the new memories we will be making.

Fabrics for baby Dallyon!

Baby Dallyon will be arriving in March! My sister in law, Amyee, brother in law, Eric & newphew, Dayton couldn't be more excited for their new addition! I have been making these really nifty car seat blankets for those that are expecting the past couple months. This is the fabrics I chose to make baby Dallyon's blanket. I can't wait to take a picture of him using it in his seat! I will have to get Sarah & Trin to snap some pictures of Wesley & Delaney using their blankets to show off on the blog. They are so easy to make and quite handy to use.

Sanders has a contract!

I am sooooooooo excited to announce that our second "flip", 5316 Sanders Rd, has a contract on it.  I have wanted to post this since the contract was executed but afraid to get to excited.  However, we have cleared home inspection and the first appraisal came back good.  Now we must await second appraisal and underwriting but the outlook is good.  I really have to admit that this house is amazing, but in this market was incredibly nerve wracking.  I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that Troy and I's persistence at reminding one another to give it to God when we can't handle the stress any more and to be more than willing to pick each other up on the days that seem beyond stressful have gotten us to this point.  The Lord blesses us in more ways they we can imagine.  We are blessed to have a strong marriage and two amazing children. I am so happy to know that our family business venture is blooming.  Its still a young seed with lots of growing, but its growing and to me that says alot.  2011 will prove to be a new and different year from years past, this is true.  It will have lots of challenges and exciting times, but I am certain if we continue to work on ourselves and our family, especially in the way of spiritual growth we will continue to see the blessings.

Christmas 2010 In Pictures

Christmas 2010 was a sucess!  The children had a great time & Troy & I enjoyed our fellowship with family!
I could go on & on about it but instead let me show you the pictures.

The Christmas Decor on the Fireplace

The Christmas Tree

Hot Coco & Cookies

Apple Cider & Cookies

The Jolly Couple!

The William's Family Christmas

Wesley at Christmas with my Sister & Mom

Tyler & his new bike, helmet, pads, etc

Trever & his new cell phone

Happy New Year

Getting back in to the new year has been BUSY!  We have been getting back on schedule, getting organized and they boys & I made their new sticker charts too!

This week has been very easy around the house with these charts.  I request that we get our teeth brushed before we leave for school and if I am met with any resistance I simply tell them they won't receive their sticker.  The promptly run to the bathroom and brush their teeth.  Its been a great way to dissolve fights as well, reminding them they are expected to have happy behavior to earn stickers as well.  Lets just hope that I can stay committed to the chart because often I start them and then am the first to stop using them a couple weeks in to the process.  :( Oh well this is a new year!!

My new years resolution is to have more daily reflection on the blessings I have been given.  I am at a place in my life where I would like to press pause, go on cruise control, I don't want the children to get bigger, I don't want any life changing catastrophe's, I want to absorb all of my wonderful life while I am living it.  I need to remember we are making the "good ole days" right now.  I am going to work hard at living for the day not living for what needs to be done tomorrow.

Look at these faces, would you want to press fast forward on them??? I don't in anyway, I want to cherish where we are right now. I love the family we have created so much! Thank you Troy for everything.

Happy New Years to Everyone!

Please Come with Me today!

Tyler was adamant to stay home with Daddy & Trever today. However, Daddy needed to finishing up work at the neighbors house & wouldn't be able to keep him at home with him. So to coax him out of the house I made him a scavengar hunt. He had to find a police car, a mcdonalds, teddy bear, & more! He loved it! It helped me avoid major meltdown so Daddy could work!

Snowman Chocolate Bars

My girlfriend from high school, Jillian (Nettles) Davis, is quite a crafty woman and has started her own blog to show case her crafts.  Last week she posted this tutorial on how to make a chocolate bar festive.  I found Ghirardelli chocolate packs on sale at Walgreens for $1.50 & had the rest of the supplies to complete the project here at the house.  I will be giving these to the Trever & Tyler's teachers & teachers assistants.  However, I will slip Starbucks gift cards under the scarfs for the teacher. Thanks Jillian for the idea!

Family Photos 2010

Here are our favorite family photos taken by our photographer Amanda S Long of http://www.amandalongart.blogspot.com/!

Breath of Fresh Air

I went home to Gulf Breeze, FL this past weekend to visit my Grandparents.  Shortly after we arrived I stepped out on the dock & was greeted with this site.

What a breath of fresh air for me to see Pensacola Bay & the sky airbrushed in colors.  Its always nice to remember where you come from.  I have been there atleast 3 times a year for the past 10 years, but haven't taken time to see the sunset.  It was a welcomed calm for me.

No Matter What, Kerrie Roberts

The end of 2010 has come with many challenges, from a sinking real estate market, learning emotional boundries, having a very sick Grandmother, and more.  Somedays are so mentally challenging for me that it feels like getting out of bed is a HUGE chore.  But I know that once I am out of bed and force myself into routine I find I feel better. I heard this song as I probably do every day on The Promise today and it really hit me.  I need to remember to continue to "Let God & Let God" .. no matter what the circumstance maybe presenting itself at that time. I know the Lord presents all of its challenges in my life because I can handle them.  I need to remember to trust in Him, NO MATTER WHAT!

I’m running back to your promises one more time, Lord that’s all I can hold on to, I gotta say this has taken me by surprise, but nothing surprises you. Before a heartache can ever touch my life, it has to go through Your hands, and even though I keep asking why, I keep asking why.
No matter what, I’m gonna love You, no matter what I’m gonna need You, I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not, I’ll trust you, no matter what, no matter what.
When I’m stuck and there’s nothing else by myself, I’m just sitting in silence, there’s no way I can make it without Your help, I won’t even try it. I know You have Your reasons for everything, so I will keep believing, whatever I might be feeling, God you are my hope, and you will be my strength,
No matter what, I’m gonna love You, no matter what I’m gonna need You, I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not, I’ll trust you, no matter what, no matter what.
Anything I don’t have You can give it to me, but it’s OK if You don’t, I’m not here for those things, the touch of Your love is enough on its own, no matter what I still love You and I’m gonna need You
No matter what I’m gonna love you, no matter what I’m gonna need you, I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not , I’ll trust You, no matter what, no matter what. I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain, but if not, I’ll trust you, no matter what no matter what no matter no matter what

5316 Sanders Completed Photos

Here is a link to the web album of the completed property!

MLS Listing

Here is the link to the BEFORE pictures of the property!  Troy (or should I say Eric & Sean..since they did 90% of the labor on the property) did an amazing job at rehabing this house.  I am so proud of everyone!

5316 Sanders The Beginning

5316 Sanders is Complete!

We have listed our property at Militarybyowner.com! Check out this link to see some pictures!
Real Estate Listings

*Over this holiday weekend I intend to do the before & after's like I did with buttontree so keep you eye open for those soon! & Wish us luck trying to sell this house in the recession!

Modeling Session!

Back in August the boys decided it would be fun to do a modeling session!  Fun for me, as I love to use my camera taking pictures of the boys.  Here are some of the shots we took!

They are both so handsome and growing so big!  Time flies when you having fun.  I should also note that Trever has grown out of the jeans he is wearing in this pictures.  He has shot up an inch in the last month and has also gained about 15lbs over the past 6 months!  Woowzers no wonder we go through so much milk a week!

Diaper Bags & Acessories

Its baby central around these parts!  It seems as if I am always aware of 5 or more people having or just had babies between this past summer and next summer.  One of my girlfriends from when I worked at David's Bridal, Wendy Douglass, and I have kept in touch through facebook, email, texts, lunches over the years.  When I found out she was expecting a baby girl, I was elated!  Wendy is a wonderful woman and I value her friendship so much.  I couldn't wait to sew her something.  She sent me a message and requested the Folklore bag.  So I got to work gathering supplies, cutting patterns and making her the diaper bag & accessories.  The accessories are the diaper changing pad, wipes case & 2 burp cloths.

Wendy's mother, Joyce, will be the sitter when Wendy returns to work.  So I thought it would be neat to make her her own diaper bag and accessories.  I used a different bag pattern, than the one used for Wendy, but made her all the same accessories.

Pumpkins are carved!

Here are the pumpkins the boys carved! They did get a good amount of help from us but they picked the templates and cut until their hands hurt. :) Tyler's is the frog and Trever's is the mummy!

Tyler Pre-K 4 School Photo

Tyler is getting so big!  This is a great picture this year!



Spooktacular

The Jacksonville Zoo throws a wonderful event each Halloween called "Spooktacular!"  We had a very enjoyable outing with the family there last night.

Pumpkin Patch Fall 2010

We spent Sunday with Aunt Sarah & baby Wesley!  Here are our pictures from the outing.