Monday, February 22, 2016

Some Princesses Wear Running Shoes....



So. I try to plan my runs in the middle-ish parts of my days most days. I'm kinda like a kid whose mind is more alert and sharp in the morning, so that's when I like to get my think-hard work done....but then I hit a point where I need a recess or PE break to shake some of it off, and then refocus for the rest of my day after. It works for me. Don't criticize. wink emoticon
Sometimes, depending on the time I'm able to schedule my PE time & the route I choose, I'm often at the end of my run at just when a nearby elementary school gets out. Today was one of those days. Just as I got to the school and pick-up car line, I switched my runkeeper to walk for the rest of the route home. As I was walking away from the school, I got behind a mom pushing a stroller and a couple of kids walking beside her. She was going pretty s-l-o-w pushing that stroller, so I increased my walk to run past her. As I did, her little girl appeared on the other side. Crazy, wild brown curls going all kinds of which-ways on her cute little head. Disney princess dress with play clothes underneath. Sneakers, or "running shoes". Normally, kids just move away or back up, closer to their moms when I pass them while running. This cutie, however, was in her own little world, bouncing along....and when she saw me, instead of getting that shy little look I'm used to seeing and backing closer to her mama....she grinned and those twinkly eyes lit up. She turned that bounce into a run and started running with me!! As we "ran" together, her smile got bigger and she kept looking at me. We were "racing"!!! We got to the crossroad and of course, she got there first. wink emoticon She was so excited that she won..."I won!!" she said and then looked at me...."We were racing!! Did I win???" I told her "of course you did" and gushed over what a good...and fast... runner she was. As she ran back to her mom, I heard her say, "I won!! I knew I would win!! Because I'm a princess"!!
I love kids and the way they see things. <3heart emoticon
May she always have sparkly eyes with a zest for living each moment to its fullest potential. And let her brown curls get crazy messy, because fun things happen when you let your hair get messy. And may she never doubt herself....not for a second, that she can do things....and and do them well....and even win.
Because princesses like pretty things. Like sparkles & flowers ....& princess dresses....they like to look and be pretty. That's how they're created. And they should be sweet & kind....& loving & gentle. But they should also be strong & smart & capable. And courageous & adventurous. If life doesn't make them forget or convince them otherwise....and if it does that to her....may she find her running shoes again. To help her remember.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Singles Awareness Day???



‪#‎singlesawarenessday‬ ??? Whatever. I'm over here like, Happy Free to be Me Day!!! There's more than one source of love in my life....and in yours:: love God, love others...& embrace all the loves He's placed in your life!! 

 Learn to love the life you're in RIGHT NOW....and you'll be stronger, happier & better prepared for what's to come.  Really...you will.  <3 

Friday, February 12, 2016

I've Got Sunshine on a February Day



Florida, you are beautiful & awesome & amazing & wonderful & I am madly in love with you....even though you've had bipolar tendencies lately. I don't even care that the crazy wind & a blister slowed me down. Because today, you let the sunshine in & I got to run outside. And Soak. It. Up.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Choose Happy....It's a Choice!!



....because I'm a quiz addict....Interesting that over half of these photos are from the most difficult and painful parts of my life thus far....my divorce and losing the dream home I had waited so long for, my baby's cancer battle....starting over in the kind of life I never wanted to have to embrace, all happening at the same time. Finding the happy moments in everything is a choice, and one that's worth making!!
My biggest happy has been my kids since the day I found out I was going to be a mom.  I recently had someone tell me I was too good of a mom, meant as a criticism. That my kids were too much of a priority in my life, etc, etc, etc. Someone criticizes that part of me, and I instantly don't like them and they quickly find that there's no place for them in all of my happy moments to come...
Mama Bear. That's one of the very BEST parts of me.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Wonder Woman....is a Bear?!?!

Just made a quick pit stop at home before having to go pick up my football-player-in-training & found a box at my door.....look what it is!!! An early Valentines Day surprise!!!
I needed that surprise....and the laughs that accompany it....so much

Dressed to impress and ready to conquer the world!!!


Sunday, February 7, 2016

Trust, Faith, and a Daily Devotion

When your daily devotion hits you right upside the head & right where you are...from Streams in the Desert....

Surely, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20)

"Never look ahead to the changes and challenges of this life in fear. Instead, as they arise look at them with the full assurance that God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. Hasn't He kept you safe up to now? So hold His loving hand tightly, and He will lead you safely through all things. And when you cannot stand, He will carry you in His arms.

Do not look ahead to what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you His unwavering strength that you may bear it. Be at peace, then, and set aside all anxious thoughts and worries". ~Frances de Sales

He will silently plan for you,
His object of omniscient care;
God Himself undertakes to be
Your pilot through each subtle snare.,

He WILL silently plan for you,
So certainly, He cannot fail!
Rest on the faithfulness of God,
In Him you will surely prevail.

He will SILENTLY plan for you
Some wonderful surprise of love.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
But it is kept for you above.

He will silently PLAN for you,
His purpose will all unfold;
Your tangled life will shine at last,
A masterpiece of skill untold.

He will silently plan FOR YOU,
Happy child of a Father's care,
As if no other claimed His love,
But you alone to Him were dear.
~ E. Mary Grames

Friday, February 5, 2016

Smart Runners Strength Train ;)

....when your Instagram feed is full of ppl posting for Flex Friday & you've been working on those arms, you decide to join in....grow li'l muscle grow!!!💪😉!! 
Not wanting a body builder look, but toned, tight & femininely strong is good..

Hey.  Are you on instagram???  You should look for me there. ;)

SweetDivaMJ



Thursday, February 4, 2016

In Training...

When you're chomping at the bit for a change, for forward momentum....do you stay in your safe comfort zone that feels like a chore....or, do you take a leap of faith on a new adventure that you know will challenge you, stretch you, grow you.....excites & inspires you??  I choose the
adventure of new beginnings.  Personal trainer....in training.  ;)

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

I'm Gonna Sweat

Not gonna lie. Once in a while, I need a little motivation to get to the gym.
Gonna work this headache off in my new workout tank!!!

Runner wardrobe LOVE.  It makes a difference.  Really, it does.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

I Ran A Mile....


Watching my 14 year old at baseball tryouts & thinking about our after school convo from yesterday....
Him:: "Mom, I ran a mile at school today"
This, from the kid who hates running...and, in the past, was not shy about letting me know it when he was forced to.
Me:: "You did?!?! Was it awful & horrible for you???". wink emoticon
Him:: "No.... All those other kids were complaining so much and I thought, 'you shouldn't complain.. This is nothing! My mom ran 28!!!'. I even said it out loud to one kid. Because I'm really proud of you, Mom". 
Maybe their thing isn't running. Maybe YOUR thing isn't running. But taking care of yourself, pushing to achieve goals...it's not selfish. It's being an example....you're teaching those you care for that they can achieve hard things too. They're always watching & always learning from you, whether you think they are or not.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Feed the Right Wolf

As Christians, we might use different terminologies,
but the lesson is the same.

What you feed, you will grow.
What you choose, you will sow.