Shopping...

So today was shopping day. Moriah needed a couple pairs of shorts, Isaac needed jeans and shoes, and WE needed groceries! So to Nashville we went! We went to Trader Joe's first, unfortunately since it was our 1st stop, we couldn't get any perishable items. But we got some other things, including our favorite coffee! If you haven't been to this store, and you live close to one...GO! It is worth it. From there we headed to Franklin w/ a stop in Hobby Lobby to get fabric for 2 girls and 2 boys bags, just to have on hand!  :)  Then Goodwill. Moriah and Isaac don't like Goodwill, they don't like digging through their sizes, etc...Shiloh, Bethany, and I love it. We walked out of there with 3 pairs of pants for Jacob, 2 skirts for Moriah (long denim ones) 1 pair of Levi's for Isaac, a skirt for Shiloh, and a book, all for $23.00. Kohls was next...we ALL love Kohls! So armed with my 20% off EVERYTHING coupon and an additional 5.00 off your total we went shopping...Moriah got a cute long skirt with a matching shirt for an upcoming wedding, Isaac got 2 pair of Levi's for 9.60 a pair...brand new people, plus 20% off! I got a neon running jacket for fall for 20.00, plus some other odds and ends. The only thing we couldn't find is shoes for Isaac. He is in a strange place between boys and men's sizes and styles. Sam's Club then Kroger were next. 400.00 later we are home from a successful day in Nashville. All is quiet b/c the children are at VBS, and Steve is at a meeting, everything is put away, BLT makings are on the counter, and the washing machine is running. It was a good Monday!

Friday evening quietness!

This week is VBS at the Mennonite church, which happens to be just at the end of our driveway. The children are loving the interaction, the singing, the Bible memory verses, the games, you name it! It started on Wednesday, the day I work at the local Ambulance service. The 2nd night was Thursday, which I had to work as well b/c someone had to leave early. So tonight, Friday night, is the first night that I have gotten to sit and enjoy peace and quiet w/ my honey...guess what we are doing??? He is on one sofa with his iPad, and I am on the other sofa with my laptop (and a small bowl of Chocolate Chips, it was the only chocolate in the house...WAS) and playing Words with Friends!!! We love it! I guess this is what old married couples of 16 years do! Oh and another awesome thing is Pandora!!! We can listen to some amazing Christian music while playing!

Just being honest~

Sara

A day in the life...

Well Summer is here!!! Yippee Skippee!!! School is finished and the schedule for the last 9 1/2 months is relaxed. Today Bethany is at work with her daddy, Shiloh is spending the day with her friend Anne, and my other 3 are hard at a game of Monopoly! It is hard for me, who is very schedule minded, to spend a couple months relaxing...letting the children be CHILDREN, and not making them pick up a book to read or letters to write, or problems to solve. But, none the less, it is good for them and me. My house stays much cleaner in the summer, with "nothing else to do" the chore list gets done everyday, well not everyday...today it looks close to a tornado met earthquake in here, but by the time Steve Bailey comes home it will be picked up, cleaned, and smelling like fresh Zucchini bread, Sourdough bread, and the amazing supper Moriah is making!

Just a little musing and honestly from me!

Our life...

Well another year has come and gone...No, it isn't New Year, it is the end of our school year! YEAH!!! I just wrapped up 8th, 7th, 6th, 4th, and 2nd grades once again. Next year I will have a high schooler! Am I really old enough to have a child in high school? I have done Rod & Staff, an anabaptist, simple curriculum up until now. Next school year however brings on a change...ABEKA. I am kinda scared actually, but I know we can do it with the help of the Lord, my husband, and teachers manuals! Since Rod & Staff is limited in high school, we are starting Abeka for 9th grade. 9th GRADE...YIKES! She will be going off to college soon!  :(  So now, let's start our summer of reading, (we read A LOT during the summer months) swimming, piano (yes, we up our piano practice during the summer too) and relaxing!

Thought I would share with you the joy of home schooling and the joy of summer break!

Continually Blessed~

Running...

I am going to post on running...again! I know, I know, if you follow me on Facebook you must think that all my posts are about running, which is mostly true. I do lots of other things besides run...I cook, I school the children, I clean, do laundry, read, visit with friends, work 1 day a week, etc. But none-the-less, I want to share something with you....

As a teen-ager I was "in shape". We walked a lot, played volleyball a lot, I worked construction, etc...so I wasn't necessarily fat, or out of shape but I hated cardio. I despised running, swimming hard, 2 on 2 volleyball, etc...anything that caused my heart and lungs to overwork. Steve on the other hand is a runner. He ran all through high-school, competitively and for fun. At some point he even ran a 4.30 minute mile...crazy man! He ran before we were married, so then afterwards he ran as well. I tried running with him for a couple weeks...in Wisconsin...in the winter, it was horrible. It just confirmed that I was not a runner at all. Hated it actually...with a passion.  :)  Steve continued off and on through out 15+ years together.


6 months ago, my daughter Shiloh wanted to run in the Woman's Half Marathon 5K in Nashville for her birthday. You know that story. (if not, you can read my blog about that) And after 6 months I am still running. I wanted to write to encourage you, if you haven't run, if you hate running, or you're just a beginner, that you CAN run. In 6 shorts months I have worked up to running 7 miles, and after only running 8 months I plan on running my 1st 1/2 marathon. I can't believe it! Sometimes when I am out there running I can't believe it is even me...it is like 2 different people. I am the same person I was 6 months ago, but I am different too. For someone who hated running, to actually be out there enjoying it is amazing to me.

Because of our schedules Steve and I don't run together very often. He likes running early in the morning before work, in the dark. I usually wait until afternoon. But even though we don't run together it is a bond we share, and I am really enjoying that. Last Sunday was my "distance" day...I had to run at least 6 miles. So I mapped it out, it was warmer so Steve and I ran together. We ran 6.6 miles in 1:06 together...once in awhile he would get pretty far ahead of me, because I have to slow down going up hills and he doesn't, but he would then circle back and run with me. So, he probably ran closer to 7 miles that day. It was nice...very nice. As we were coming down the home stretch Steve said "I can't believe you are out here running for an hour at a time, I am proud of you." That made my sore legs worth it!  :)

Here is my story...You too can do it!!! I would GLADLY run with any of you, slow, fast, long, or short...it is nice to run with someone. I am still learning too. I am reading a great book called ChiRunning...very informative, a MUST read for any stage of runner, and I am also learning to pace myself. I tended to run too fast, then I couldn't compensate and I would have to walk. Now, I can run 4 miles without walking at all.

Hope this encouraged you, or at least entertained you!  :)