Summer Reading

Summer Dreams?  Visions of Books floating in their heads?  

Yup. That's what my kids envision. Well, not exactly like that, but they are eager to be off for the summer.  What child isn't? Homeschooled or not?  For the past 6 years Homeschooling, I stick to a rigorous schedule of lessons.  We even volunteer at our local library and teach art and love everything homeschool has to offer.  The last two years we have worked through summer, just leisurely, instead of doing workbooks or the Summer Bridge Program like most do (I highly recommend these books), we just do Math and Langauge and hope to be caught up by August or September.   

Most Homeschoolers are not "caught up" and they usually (like us) continue to go through the summer.  For those of you Super Moms out there who are done, Congratulations!!!

So, even though my children will still be working through the summer, we have one activity that we Love, Love, Love to do.  That is Reading!!! 

 We love to read!  All year long my children participate in a local library club where they read a book once a month and then collaborate with others on the book.  I used to dread having to pay $20.00 or more for two books, but the library offers some really cool books to lend the children, although they don't get to keep them.  Good Heavens!! My book shelf is overflowing so I count it as a blessing.  

Today, we kick off our Summer Reading.  We have a log I created, a sticker poster I will be putting up soon and numerous books we had laying around the house that the kids have not yet read.  I'm a stickler for books, so every time I head to my local education store, I always pick up a book for the kids.  Here are some books I recommend every child should read

• The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
• The Indian and the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
• Ghost Dog Secrets by Peg Kehret
• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson (Motion Picture Available)
• The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (Book Number 1 in the Series)
• Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (Newberry Honor Book)
• The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo (National Book Award Finalist)
• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (Motion Picture Available)
• The Barrier Reef by Carole Marsh (Includes 5 SAT words, Series of Books)
• All Kinds of Animals by Abeka Books (Reading Comprehension lessons included)

Emily closing her eyes , trying to pick out a book. 

Shes' a Hoot!!!

This is what our Log for the Summer Looks like. 

Free Reading Programs in the Austin/Leander Area

Half Price Books kicks off their Summer Reading Program June 02, 2013

Stop by and pick up a log, read for at least 15 minutes a day and get Bookworm Bucks

Barnes and Noble

Kids Earn a Free Book when they read any 8 books

Leander Public Library

Summer Reading Club 2013

Dig Into Reading Summer Program

Kid's Book Club & Junior High Book Club

Participate in a discussion about a different book each month!

E-mail Janki at jmakecha@leander.lib.tx.us for more details or to sign-up!

Cedar Park Public Library

Summer Reading Club 2013
June 10th to August 2nd!
The Cedar Park Public Library, in conjunction with the Texas State Library, is proud to present the 2013 Summer Reading Clubs: “Dig Into Reading” for kids, “Beneath the Surface” for teens, and “Groundbreaking Reads” for adults.

Summer Bridge Activity Program

Summer Bridge Program at Kaleidoscope Toys

        110 North IH35

          Ste 375

            Round Rock TX  78681 

 Mon-Sat: 10:00am -  7:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm

     

"Here’s the Deal"

1. Purchase the age appropriate Summer Bridge book at Kaleidoscope Toys for your child

2. After they finish their book cover to cover (excluding the bonus pages), they may pick any TOY up to a $50 value and get 50% off – WOW!

3. Completed cover to cover for a 50% discount. Miss one page and get a 25% discount.

4. The child must complete all the work in the book.

5. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Instock items only.

7. Your child must redeem the completed book by 8/24/13 

Be Sure to check out your Local Library and the area in which you live for great Summer Reading!!!

Until Next Time, 

Eat Organic!

Eat Gluten-Free!, 

Jennifer

My new found love for Lapbooks.

It's Saturday. Way too hot to take the kids out to play, but a perfect time to stay indoors.  Instead of having the kids sit in front of the TV all day, you can do something fun and educational.  My 16 year old is notorious for sitting in front of the TV all day watching football.  The little ones don't watch TV much because we spend the majority of our days doing school work.

For about $5.00, this covers the file folders, glue sticks and copies, you can make a lapbook.  The file folders I purchased were 50% off so I basically spend $3.49 on the 8 file folders.  I downloaded the free file online, sent it to my local fed-ex (they know me by name) and printed out one set.  I then made additional copies at a local print shop.  If you have a printer at home, you can print it out. Since I made more than 200 copies for my homeschool co-op, the copies came out to about 5 cents each. The Teacher one (mine) is in color, but you don't have to print it out in color. The kids copies were in black and white and although not as colorful, I had the kids color in the words and the flaps for the color tabs.  Below you will see what I used, the final lapbook and the file folders I purchased.
Before I ventured in this wonderful educational tool, I would look at lapbooks and think, "All that fancy work, that looks too hard, only skilled mother's could do this!  But, I found out that anyone can create a Lapbook.  What a great way for my kids to learn!

Here's the link for a free Lapbook

www.homeschoolshare.com/spanish.php

For our end of the year study on Rome, the kids created a Lapbook about Rome and it's History. 

Here's the link for Rome Lapbook

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/ancient_rome.php

Educational Warning: A Lapbook takes time. Don't be surprised if you spend 2 or more hours having fun creating these.  Weekends are the best for creating these. And Summer will be here soon!

Until Next Time, 

Eat Organic!

Eat Gluten-Free!

Jennifer

Send Me, I'll Go!!!

There's this one song on my play list that gets me going.  I'm sure everyone has that one song that just gets them pumped up to do something.

Music.  Music is MY LIFE.  

Music is more than my life, it is something that helps me enjoy my life.

I remember those Saturdays as a kid when our backyard was filled with Mexican music, barbecue and everyone just sitting around in the hot sun enjoying the day.  These are the days I miss. The fellowship.  The talking. The times where we would just be who God created us to be.  No judging. Well sometimes the occasional argument, but we Loved each other no matter what.  The kids would be getting into the kiddie pool thinking it was the greatest thing in the world.  Life was Simple.  We ate plenty on Saturday and Sunday and we were thankful for beans and rice Monday through Friday. 

We weren't Rich, neither Poor, we were Alright. 

 We enjoyed life. We enjoyed music. We enjoyed one another. 

 Times are a Changing and we need to make the most of them.  In fact in the Bible it states that our days are numbered. We toil on this earth and never truly get to see the fruits of our labor.  Do you just work and never rest?  Do you take a day off  to enjoy a good meal with a loved one?   What about time for others?  The other day I enjoyed a good cup of coffee with a friend that just needed some advice.  It wasn't for me, but I made time for her.  Do you make time to just make someone else happy?  It doesn't take much.  $2.00 is what I spent that day, but I created a friendship that is priceless.  

Make time for those who are dear to you.  Grandparents need extra love.  Husbands and wives need to go on dates every once in a while to ignite that spark again.  Don't just live your life doing!

Enjoy it!!  For God created it and it was GOOD.  Now, go enjoy your day!!!

Send Me, I'll Go! Send Me, I'll Go! Send Me, I'll Go! Let Me Go!!!

(Lecrae, Send Me. From the Album, After the Music Stops)


Until Next Time, 
Eat Organic!!
Eat Gluten Free!!
Jennifer

Second Degree Black Belt

Goodbyes are never welcomed. 

You feel happy for the person who is moving on to bigger and better things in life, but you feel as if they've let you down in some way because you won't get to learn from this person. You won't continue to see the goodness in their heart or the way that person makes you feel when they tell you how awesome you are at sparring or how great you are just because your you.  

"He said that I'm a good at sparring and that he said that everyone else he would tell them they needed to change or correct one thing, but for me, he said that there was nothing I needed to correct or work on."  I could see the excitement spewing out of Zachary's mouth as he was trying to get the words out.  Slow down, I always tell him. This doesn't come easy from a boy who is now 11 years old and sees all the wonders of this world and can't quite put them into words fast enough to hold the listener.  Even though he's has speech problems since he was 3, that hasn't stopped this little boy from becoming all that God wants him to be.  And I felt proud for him today. Proud that someone else sees the joy that he brings to my heart.

Zach and His Instructor Mr. Evans who is the
owner to the Leander Taekwondo Center 

Mr. Alamadi ( I hope I spelled it right)
Zachary said his goodbyes!

So, as we say Goodbye to one of his Instructors (Mr.Alamadi, Pictured on the left) who is going away to college, we say Hello to a new journey into Taekwondo, Olympic Sparring that will be lead by Mr. Evans at the center.  It sounds so awesome that I wish I was in Taekwondo myself.  Thank you Instructors, Mr. Evans and Mr. Alamadi for all you do.

Me and the Kiddos

Until Next Time,

Eat Organic!

Eat Gluten-Free!

Jennifer

No one is Immune.

No one is immune.
Now Let me say that with a gentle heart,

No one is immune to the trails and tribulations of life.

I was poked, inspected, examined from my head to my lungs.
I felt like a pin cushion. One IV on my right to push the Morphine and one on the left to get blood cultures.
Well I did have right side pain but Morphine was never discussed, by the time I knew it my chest felt heavy and my stomach turned.

No vomiting but a sense of relief that I was getting somewhere with this sickness. The cough just wouldn't go away. Day after day, until I couldn't breathe.

Take me to the emergency room I sternly told David, I'm sick, I think I have pneumonia and also, I can't breathe, my right side hurts."

Yes, he responded and off we went.
It was funny listening to the nurse and my husband converse about my symptoms and personal information as to how much I weigh, what was my social security, etc.
Uh , my husband says, not wanting to offend me if he said 130 or 140, not wanting to give me an extra 10-20 pounds. (these weights are fine for some, I'm short so 125 works fine for me).
Height?
Nope, he didn't know
Social Security? No, I used hand gestures to relay because I couldn't talk.
Ask me if I know his. And the answer would be yes! Weight? Yes. Height? Yes. Medications he takes? Yes. Every doctor, appointment or lab test he's had? Yes. I know everything about his diagnosis.

And it's okay. I wasn't mad or anything. Just funny.

So as I lay there on the stretcher, I prayed. I praised God for the doctor, the nurse and my husband. Then I began to think of my calling as a Nurse. I was proud at that moment. I was at that moment happy to have been called to become a nurse.
In those moments where you feel crummy, tired and the weight of the world on you, you are reminded that these people are here to take care of you. I needed them . I wanted them to make me feel better.
Fix me. Heal me. Jesus I would cry out throughout the day, Lord, just heal me, please!

Immune to sickness? Nope. Immune to hardships? Nope.
No matter how healthy I eat or how many miles I run, or how many times I pray, I am not immune.
Viruses exists and they want to invade anything and everything they can. Bacteria lingers around waiting for you to snatch it up. All these and those super bugs that are out there are ready to steal your joy, make you want to curl up and die.

But there is a Healer and His name is Jesus.
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. The sweetest name I know. So during these times, when we are tested, crushed and bruised we cry out,

Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Sweetest name I have ever known.


(as of 6pm today, I have slept. Writing helps me get me mind off being sick. So with a breathing mask on and a pen in my hand, a journaling I will go . Please continue to pray for healing)

Titles

It's 2 am, "Do you know where your children are?"

This question was usually asked around 10pm or 11pm as part of a public service announcement for parents on American television.  Nowadays it"s more like 2 am.  

Today, for me, it's like, "Sudafed, Why have you done this to me?"

Yup. Sudafed.  David remembers when this drug was so popular that now it has to be kept behind the pharmacy because so many people were abusing it. Now I know why.  I've never been a pill taker. I just moan, groan, roll over in bed and cry.  Seriously. I don't like being sick and when I get sick, I get Sick.  I'm the worst person to take care of while being sick because I just moan and cry and pray out loud for the sickness to leave me. But then again, Who want's to be sick?  No one I tell you, including me.  Which brings me to the realization that people out there suffer illnesses far greater and worse than anything I could be going through.  God then begins to show me that I'm not immune to Sickness.
Which then brings me to the question, "Who am I?"

Yup.  "Who am I?"  In society, we tend to define ourselves by the things we do, the things we say, the TITLES I should say  I moaned about how this week I am not a mom, a Teacher, a gluten free baker, a seamstress or a runner.  During that moment, I defined myself with TITLES.

Do You define yourself with TITLES?  I could definitely add more to the list, If I had to define everything I do it would look more like this,

Laundry Lady

Pooper Scooper for Nibbler (my little Shitzu)

Butt Cleaner
 (I'm a Nurse and have to help with this sometimes)

Med Dispenser 
(I've been referred to this several times at work, they actually call me the Med Aide)
Waitress
Taxi Driver 
 Teacher

Depressed/Angry Mom

Happy/Energetic Mom

Religious Lady/Jesus Freak 

Crazy Runner Girl/Yoga Girl

Jennie (The girl who makes JennieBands)

I bet I could think of 10 or more TITLES  to give myself, but out of self respect, I'll only leave you with these.  As I started to think more about these TITLES, I began to think about how God sees me and how he sees you.   

When he's up on his throne in Heaven, you know sipping on a cup of Java, what does he think about me?  Does he define me by my TITLES?  Does he love me according to the more TITLES I or the world gives?   

Well, to tell you the truth, NO. 

God does not define us by TITLES.  When God created Adam and Eve, he made us in His Image. Woman was created for man.  We, women are more than just the TITLES we have stuck to us. 

Hello, My Name is                                                                                         

(Fill in the blank)

Click Here for Video (Click Blank Spot, for some reason)

 We are cherished far greater than we can imagine. We are Daughters of the Most High. We are Redeemed.  We are Loved.  We are Magnificent. We are Cherished. We are Forgiven.

Mary, the Blessed one who birthed Jesus would have been given the Title of Sinner if Joseph didn't take her as his wife.  She would have been put to shame for birthing a child out of wedlock.

But God had called her differently.  She was and will be referred to as Blessed Mary. 

Indeed, Pure and Holy because she was without sin. She was Chosen. We are Chosen.  

Chosen to be made Perfect and Holy just like Mary.  We are chosen to behave in a Godly manner.  We are chosen to live by the TITLES given to us by our Lord, not the ones we or the world gives us.    

So, UNSTICK those TITLES you or the world gives, they mean nothing to the Lord.

Instead, think of all the wonderful things the Bible says about us, 

We are, 

Loved

Cherished

Holy
Wonderful
Fearful

Talented
Perfect

Righteous

Truth

Beautiful

Forgiven

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Romans 8:9 ESV / 

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

John 4:24 ESV /

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Until Next Time,

Eat Organic!

Eat Gluten-Free!

Jennifer

Stillness

Birds chirping. Singing to each other. Doves flying in the trees.  The sun coming up and making it's way into our beautiful world.
"Namaste."  In the Yoga world this means "I bow to you", and " thank you."  My Yoga instructor, Veronica will add in an interpretation of her own, such as "the light in me bows to the light in you."

Stillness.  Quietness.  Peacefulness.  Love.  These beautiful words are what described my morning salutations.  The Sun shone on my face as it was making it's way into this world.  God whispering in my ear, telling me his wonders. 

A new day.  

12 years today. 12 years of stillness. 12 years of His promises. 12 years of His Love.  12 years of Sickness. 12 years of Tears. 12 years of Joy.

12 years of Learning. 12 years of God holding my husband's hand and giving him the strength to make me who I am today.  

I will never forget that day at Wal-Mart where I lied to you, David, telling you I was looking for a backpack.  You always tell everyone that I saved your life, but to tell you the truth, You saved mine.  Thank you for bringing me to Christ.

I love You!

There will be Gluten-Free Cake Today!!!
Jennifer

Are you Listening?

Calls of frustration. Calls to ramble. Calls of Joy.  Calls to ask how the kids are doing in school. (Now we have Edmodo so the kids message me directly.)  Having a husband means you have the greatest friend that will listen to all your numerous complaints, and in my case, all the numerous times I call him  because I need to just talk.  He just hangs there on the other line, LISTENING.  There are times when I think he's hung up the phone but he's again, Just LISTENING.  Sometimes that's all I need.  Just someone to listen to me.  Are You LISTENING?

I began then to think about how we as humans have the choice to listen.  You see it's a choice.  No one forces you to sit in a college course and listen to the lecture, you invested your time and energy into that class so you will do your best to get the best grade possible.  Are You LISTENING?

At work, I interact with so many different personalities.  Co-workers can be difficult to get along with, especially if they don't like you or if they are unhappy with their job.  Many people tend to blame others for their unhappiness.  Jesus loves you and wants to give you eternal life with happiness.
Are You LISTENING?

Everyday I would wake up at 6am, go for a run, get back have my devotionals and then home-school the kids. My wake up time these days have been 9am lately.  I plan my runs along with each activity I'm doing either with the kids or my business.  Have you been listening to your body that tells you sometimes to GET UP and GO or just to SLOW DOWN AND BREATHE.

A view from one of my morning runs.

I incorporate Yoga into my weekly schedule.  These are my slow down and breathe through days. Exercise doesn't have to be complicated.  Grab a weighted 5 lb ball, a kettle bell and a mat and there's your workout for the day.  Twists, lunges and some simple Yoga moves 30 minutes a day.
Or hit the pavement and run a simple 2, 3 or 4 mile run or just simply walk.
Are You LISTENING?

Last night we started our series of The Bible on the History Channel. We prerecorded it and watched it as a family.  Emily loved it so much that last night she was searching through every Bible trying to match up the stories. 

She was listening.  

Are You? 

Until Next Time,
Eat Organic,
Eat Gluten-Free,
Jennifer

Moving Forward

Curious I was as I came upon the loop around the lake at Brushy Creek and saw a huge contraption that caught my eye.  It was round, bubbly and looked as if it was some neat Science experiment.  All I could see were a couple of kids surrounded by it and an adult ready to give whoever was waiting next in line, a ride in this neat eye catching bubble.  In my mind I was thinking about how I could approach this group and ask if I could bring my kids back to join in on the fun.

To my disappointment it was a Games 2 U party going on in the park and after research that big Science experiment is actually called a Hamster Ball.  

What in the World?  

                                

What if I could get inside that Hamster Ball and just roll, roll and roll and have so much fun that I forget about life and the worries of the world?  Kids can do it, so why can't I?  I can be 8 again or maybe even 10 or 11 and just live life trusting that my parents will take care of everything.  What if everyday I woke up and just trusted that I would get fed and that maybe one morning my parents would surprise me with a trip to IHOP?  What if I just woke up every morning with a smile on my face and thanked God that I'm alive? What if I just trusted God to feed not only myself but also my family and that we would be clothed not in expensive clothes, but clothed in Love?  What if I just trusted God with my health and that of my husband's?  And instead of hoping and praying that my job situation would get better, what if I just prayed that I would be a blessing to others instead of wanting all the blessings?

Those what if's can be turned into, Yes God, I trust you in every situation of my life. 

Yes see God cares and  in every situation that we're in, God just wants us

 JUST MOVE FORWARD.  

KEEP GOING. KEEP GIVING. KEEP LOVING.

TRUST. OBEY.

We can have that childlike faith that requires us to just trust in God.  So, Yes, we can be obedient and trusting in God just like our children trust us everyday that we are going to take care of them.

 Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Matthew 6:26

I'll be 34 years old this year, maybe it's not too late to rent a Hamster Ball for my Birthday.  

Until Next Time,

Eat Organic,

Eat Gluten-Free,

Jennifer

Tips for Getting through the Flu

Emily at the Doctors Office

Grandma always surprises the kid's with some awesome toy or book.  This time she gave the kids a stuffed rabbit along with the book, "The Velveteen Rabbit."  So, on our 4th day of dealing with the flu, the kid's were coherent enough to listen to me read this wonderful story.  We ended up taking the week off from school, but I let the kids listen to audio recordings of the Famous Men of Rome and we even watched a couple of videos about Germs, Viruses and Bacteria.  This helped the kids understand what was going on in their little bodies. Why they had fever and what was a virus.

We even learned about scarlet fever, a streptococcal bacteria, that was mentioned in the Velveteen Rabbit book.  The boy in the story became ill and was infected with this fatal bacteria.  It made me think about what the kids were going through.  Over the years, children have been plagued with scarlet fever, strep throat, chickenpox, measles and the mumps. And the list goes on.  We are on day 7 dealing with the flu, but we are blessed to live in a  time where Polio no longer exists and we don't have scarlet fever.  But, there will be a time that these once eradicated viral disease will make it's way back into the United States.


As a Nurse, I tell my patients that the single most important protection against these Germs, Viruses and Bacteria is HANDWASHING.

You don't have to be a medical professional to treat a sick child/adult.  I've listed a couple of tips/advice to help you just in case your child get sicks or comes down with the flu virus
The flu shot can provide some protection against some of the strains of flu.  Getting the flu shot doesn't guarantee that you won't get the flu.  If you are allergic to eggs then you should not receive the flu vaccination.

The most common is Type A. There are 3 types, A, B and C.  Type C causes mild respiratory illness.
Flu symptoms include, headache, body aches, fever, tiredness, sore throat and runny nose.
Symptoms may resemble those of a common cold but they are much worse than cold.  Children can have high fevers and difficulty breathing.  A fever is the body's way of recognizing that there is an invader and it is trying it's hardest to overcome this invader.

There is a 24-48 hour window which can determine if can take a medication called Tamiflu to help alleviate the symptoms. There is no cure for the flu. It is a virus. But, BEWARE, it can cause complications and even death.

• Go see your doctor right away.  Adults and children younger than three months old should see a doctor if they have a fever and a cough.
• If the doctor prescribes medication, take all of it until it is finished.  
• Drink plenty of fluids.  Gatorade. Water. Small sips. I had my kids use a straw. Buy the small Gatorade containers that way you can just throw them away after they are finished.  Do not share drinks, that is how the virus is spread.  
• Hot tea with honey and lemon.
• Chicken noodle soup.
• Medication to help loosen up the secretions  and help with congestion. Examples include Mucinex or Deylsum.  
• Use Face Masks and Gloves. The Flu virus is spread through droplets, example coughing/sneezing.  Gloves help with cleaning up vomit and diarrhea associated with the flu.
• Chest Percussion:  This technique was very helpful when Zachary was unable to bring up his secretions.  These secretions can sit in the lungs and cause pneumonia.  (You can google Chest Percussion and find several videos online to help you do this very effective technique)

Have your child sit hugging a pillow. Use the above hand position.  In a consistent, vigorous rhythm, clap the back. 

Do this to the upper lobes and the lower lobes to help loosen mucus and secretions.  

Give your child lots of praise. Prayers always help and avoid kissing and hugging your child.  You need to be well to take care of your sick child. And don't become weary, it can be overwhelming especially if you have more than one child sick.  God is with you. Always.  

We hope to get well soon, 

Until Next Time, 

Stay Healthy!!!!

And Wash, Wash, Wash your Hands!!!!

Jennifer

Pray for me Mommy, would you please?

Every Tuesday when I drop off my Taekwondo Warrior (AKA Black Belt), he always tells me, "Mom, can you please pray that I have a good class."  
"Yes." I respond and I say a prayer.  It's as if I know this little boy so well, I already know his request even before it is spoken. He's always been such a sweet child. Full of love. Full of kindness and compassion.  

As a homeschool child he's not shielded from the sickness and trails of this life. In fact, he's an example of God's love and it is clearly shown through Zachary.  

Born 4 weeks early, Zach was a miracle. His grandpa is a Pastor and many prayers were lifted up for this precious child.  

At the age of 3 he was diagnosed with a severe speech delayment with articulation disorder.  For 6 years Zach would attend weekly sessions with a Speech Pathologist.  At the age of 8, Taekwondo became his passion.  God's plan for Zachary still unfolds. And as he lays sick in his bed, he turns to his dad and me and asks, "Can you please pray for me?"

"Yes!" we respond.  Prayer is powerful. 

Let us pray for all the children who are sick. Those who are suffering a lifetime illness as well as those who are being affected by this flu.   

Until Next time, 
Eat Organic, 
Eat Gluten-Free,
Stay Healthy,

Jennifer

To Round Rock and Back Again.

Round Rock Barbecue

"I love you to the Moon and Back again."

"I love you to Round Rock and Back again."

The first saying is from Grandma Salas.  When the kids were very little, they would frequently visit her house where she would read wonderful stories to the kids.  Her famous quote as they departed her home was, "I love you to the Moon and Back again."  

The second quote was from my husband David who told this to me Saturday as I made my 10 mile mark in Round Rock.  And yes, I did have to go back another 10 miles.

End of the trail

At that point I wanted to call him to pick me up.  I looked at the text he sent me which said, "You're Crazy!!" and "You can do it!" As I ended the trail, I came across some unfamiliar surroundings.  The most miles I've ran have been around 14 miles, almost ran 15 miles on my birthday in August. 20 miles was always my goal.  It sounded crazy because I have no intention on running a marathon, or in fact a half marathon.  So, maybe all those years of running prepared me for this. Or did it?  When I came across the rail road tracks near the Gumbos in Round Rock, I was reminded of an old friend.  My friend Yoli who died in a murder-suicide.  I miss her dearly.  I prayed and asked God to seek me the rest of the way through.  With every foot that pounded that pavement, I was reminded of all the struggles I've faced in my life. There were times in my life when I didn't want to continue the journey, where all I wanted to do was just lay in bed and forget about the world.  There were times when I wanted to give up on David and his treatments.  And all the times I just wanted to quit everything.  I listened to the enemy who told me lies about my self-image. They cut to the core of me, they questioned everything the Lord had given me.  In those times when the enemy whispered lies to me in one ear, in the other ear, God would tell me how he loved me and that he was proud of me.  That is when I realized that I can overcome anything with God by my side. 

So, off I went, to run 20 miles because I knew the Lord would seek me through.  It reminded me that in life we will have struggles, we will have disappointments and times when we think we can go no longer. 

We are stronger than we think.  

John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

We can overcome the world too. 

End of the Trail path. 

Let this New Year bring you Many Blessings!!! Happy New Year to Yours from Mine. 

Until Next Time,

Eat Organic,

Eat Gluten-Free,

Run.

Jennifer

Tis the Season to be Jolly!!!

Our not so Perfect Christmas Picture

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Tis the season to be jolly, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Emily can just about hum every Christmas song that comes on Pandora.  For two whole months, beginning after Thanksgiving, we play a continous stream of Christmas music.  If you want to get in the Christmas mood, then come over to the Salas Family.  We sing, we dance, we are in the season of happiness.  But wait, aren't we suppose to be happy all the time?  Of course silly, happiness if a gift. It is to be cherished by the Giver.  He gives freely to those who ask of it.  What makes Christmas "extra" special is that we get to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus.  The Salas Family loves Birthdays.  We especially love birthdays because of the gifts we receive.  My birthdays in particular involve me running some crazy miles. 

So, are you enjoying this season of Jesus' Birthday or are you grumpy, stressed or just plain tired of all this Christmas business?  This weekend indeed will be crazy.  It will involve lots of heartaches and grumpiness but just think about the real reason why we celebrate Christmas.   

Jesus

Our Church service this past Sunday left me with a peace that showed this heart of mine why we make such a big deal about Christmas.  And even more so, the events that happened this past week has lead me to believe that Jesus is the solution to the world's problems.  You see, Jesus was born to a virgin, Mary, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born in a manger and later on was crucified for the sin of mankind.   

Mary

She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger. Luke 2:7

December 25th is coming soon, don't let this day be the only day you celebrate the "Christmas" season.  Rejoice in Jesus, our Savior who was God's gift to mankind.  If your only reason for celebrating Christmas is to receive or give gifts, then now is the time to read the Bible to find out who this baby who was born to a virgin meant to the world.  The story can be found in all the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  

Until Next Time, Merry Christmas, May the Love of Jesus fill your hearts forever.  

Jesus is the reason for the season.  

Since David wasn't in our Christmas picture,

I thought I'd share with you a little of his craziness.

Dancing  Beard

Love, 

The Salas Family