SNOOZE

When my alarm went off at 6:50 this morning, I thought twice about hitting the snooze button. I was warm & cozy & definitely didn't want to get up. Especially to go to our 4 mile team training. But...I got up & got ready and went to team training anyway. And, I am so glad I did. I paced with the 14 minute group and our mile averaged at 14:17, yay! I made a choice this morning to get out of bed, and start my day on the right foot & as a result, my day has been great so far. After training I came home & made a yummy breakfast! Thankful I didn't snooze it today :-)

Happiness is...

...spending time with my roommate Gabi :-)  We met by happenstance last October, when Gabi moved to CA from TX & became my housemate. We had only facebook messaged eachother before we ever met, and that was very limited. After we got to know eachother more, we both revealed how apprehensive we were to be getting the other as a roommate. But as we continued to get to know eachother, we have developed a great friendship!! Whether it's something as simple as Hanging with Friends, just checking in on the other to say hi, a simple hug, roommate dinners, long talks, decorating for the upcoming holiday, going to church together @ Harvest's The Well, Cinnabon, or just being together...I'm thankful to have her in my life & roommate dates are always enjoyed!! Love you Gabi!



Training

Day #1, weighed in at 202, ran 1.5 miles, walked 1 mile. My raw time for a mile with no training or working out in God knows how long, 13 minutes.



Day #2, 30 minute easy walk, and did weight training for the 1st time in my life! Was probably comical to anyone watching Van train me! But, we all start somewhere. I have a love for my feet (call me crazy) & I'm bummed that I'm gonna have runners feet, which means not so pretty feet. They are already getting ugly & it's only day 2!!



Feel free to view my personal site for the Marathon at:
http://support.worldvision.org/site/TR/TeamWorldVision/General?px=1188105&pg=personal&fr_id=1510



...Like My Mother Does...

 

Lauren Alaina's version of "Like My Mother Does" reminds me (each time I hear it), how thankful I am to have my Mom! When I think of the times I have shared with my mom, like: the times we have laughed, the times we have cried, the times we have fought, the times we have played cards together, the down time on vacations, when we work together, the SYTYCD tours we have gone to, concerts we have been to together, special lunches or dinners we have done, everything we do, I enjoy with my Mom!!

She is a VERY special person in my life, and is such a great example of what true love is. Just as the song says, "She sees everybody for who they really are. I'm so thankful for her guidance, she helped me get this far...She's a rock, she is grace, she's an angel, she's my heart & soul. She does it all."

I love you, Mom, and hope you know how very thankful I am to have you in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can listen to the song here:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUKmuXXkhxE

I'm A Hero

My Hero - Jeni

"An important person in my life is Jeni. On reason she's my hero is because she cares tirelessly. Another reason I picked her is because she never gives up. Lastly, she helps a lot when we need her to.

One reason I picked Jeni as my hero is because she cares tirelessly. When my parents go out on dates she takes care of me. Also, if I get hurt she helps me get up. Another thing she does tirelessly is make dinner.

Another reason I chose her is because she never gives up. Jeni has many jobs and when we need her she never gives up on us. Also, she never misses parties or anything we need her for. Another thing she does is when she is hurt she still works.

The last reason I chose her as my hero is because she helps a lot. One thing Jeni does is help us cook dinner, or if we have small group she helps us with the snacks. Also, she helps me with my homework and signs my homework log. Lastly, she helps clean and wash dishes.

Clearly, Jeni is my hero in many ways because we love eachother and care for eachother. I picked her as my hero because she cares tirelessly, never gives up and helps a lot."

By: Jadyn Rose


I went to Jadyn's open house tonight & as usual, she was showing us around the classroom and I am always intrigued by the work she has done. We make it to one wall & the border title is "Our Hero's"  I asked Jadyn where hers was & she goes, it's right here. What I see is, My Hero- Jeni. And I read what she had written about me and why I'm her hero & it just made me cry tears and tears of joy. She was ready & waiting with tissues. Touching, truly touching! This will soon be in a frame & I will cherish it FOREVER!!!!!

Dear Ryan

Feeling compelled to share, pray for Dear Ryan (on left). Please pray for his safety & for all of our men and women of the Armed Forces.

I'm sure the Doc meant well!

I was greeted by the doctor in Urgent Care tonight with "No offense, Jeni, but you really do look awful!"

I don't remember the last time I have been sick like this! I guess the crazy-busy life of Jeni has caught up with me. On 3/24 & 3/25 I was down with a cold/allergies, by Tuesday 3/29, I was at the doctor because my throat had hurt worse than it ever has before. What do you know, I had strep throat. I wasn't able to return to work until Monday 4/4. I was on a week of antibiotics, and finished those yesterday. Then tonight, 4/6, I started feeling sick: my throat was killing me, AGAIN. So I decided the smart move was a trip to Urgent Care to get this sore throat thing DONE & OVER WITH! Well, strep is gone, but it left me with a sinus infection and ear infections in both ears, one worse than the other. My entire head feels like it's in a fog. Got 2 new meds and strict orders to REST. 

Praying these next couple days will bring healing and restoration. I'm over this sick stuff!!!! For those who know me, telling me to rest is the worst news ever, because I am the queen of GO GO GO!!!!!

He's cute, single & a good country boy :-)

I'd like to introduce you to my elligible bachelor friend, Nick Durick. We met in 2003 on a YouthWorks Mission Trip in San Francisco. Nick is from Rockford, Illinois. 8 years ago, Nick blew my girlfriends & I all away when he sang "You Remind Me of A Girl" by Usher. One of those school girl crushes, that's for sure!! I wish I had a picture of us together from 8 years ago, but I don't have one handy...here's some recent ones.

 

Now that you have a face to go with the name, I can continue. Nick & I have remained friends since that summer of 2003. We've kept in touch in a variety of ways. If you've ever heard me say "Holy Moses" you have Nick to thank for that. If you've ever heard me say "Chi-town" rather than Chicago, you have Nick to thank for that. There are many things that remind me of Nick, 5 that come to mind without any efforts: Abercrombie, Cubs, His Sister's Bday (we share it!), Field of Dreams and Quotes.

When asked what one of my favorite quotes is, often times I've quoted Nick. This is my ultimate favorite: "You don't make life happen, but the choices you make in life make you who you are."

On March 8, 2011, Nick made a very important decision. For lent, Nick chose to give up alcohol. So for 40 days he was committed to not consuming alcohol. I'm not sure Nick really knew what he was getting into when he made this decision, but I am so proud of him for the growth that has occurred over the past 21 days. Nick's eyes have been opened to the obsessiveness he had with alcohol and the power it had in his life. He recently shared with me how lost he'd get in the alcohol & how it could really ruin his life. Practically everything he did involved alcohol, and he was starting to realize the hindrance it was having, the problem it was becoming. On day 17 we had a pretty good conversation. In his own words, he says he feels like he has matured 5 years in just 7 days. What an awesome thing! And the maturity difference is VERY evident. I am so proud of Nick!!!!! He is being held accountable by his friends in his life group & also by his pastor. But nothing shows his determination better than how he put it: "No one said giving up is or would be easy. However moving forward, separating yourself, cutting things out, bettering myself, and moving forward with life is pretty motivating itself!"  This whole 40 day concept has turned into something life-changing for Nick. All because of ONE choice. How awesome is that!!  On day 17, he brought up the fact that Day 41 was a big game he'd be going to & how easy it'd be just to live it up and drink. Rather than giving in to that, Nick decided to extend his 40 days to 80 days. WHAT A CHAMP! He shared with me that on average, a night out would cost around $300 in alcohol alone. Shoot, that'd give me a heart attack, the heart attack would kill me long before the alcohol would. I keep telling him his whole life must be changing & I want to know what he's doing with all of the money he's saving! Plus, designated driver's get free soda's in bars, so he's not even spending money. It's a WIN WIN WIN situation. Nick is making awesome choices that are defining who he truly is.

So, I just wanted to brag on Nick, because I am so happy to see his life changing for the better. I am very proud of him for the choices he is making. He's a great guy & I know he's going somewhere in life! Excited to be a part of it and be here to encourage him along the way.

Nick, if you're reading this, you can send me flowers now for advertising you to all of the ladies! I know you can afford $20 ;-) Just kidding! I love you, hugs from Cali!

On my way to becoming DEBT FREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

For Christmas in 2009, my mom gave me the gift that would forever change my life. Actual cost of the gift $110, value of the gift: PRICELESS.

It was the Financial Peace University kit thru Dave Ramsey. This kit gave me all of the tools, plus lifetime membership to the classes (online or any location that the classes are being held). This was a 13 week course that our church offered. It truly has been LIFE CHANGING. This month, April 2011, I am able to begin my Debt Snowball. If you're not sure what Dave refers to as the Debt Snowball, please check it out here:  https://www.mytotalmoneymakeover.com/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&articleID=118512

I went ahead and calculated all of my total debts owed, and I currently owe $66, 613.00, to 7 different companies. I know it's alot, but roughly $9,000 is my car and $51,000 is my student loans. I am so excited to have begun my debt snowball, and this is why: I put it all down on paper (ok, on an Excel sheet!) and am now able to see what will be paid off when, if just sticking to the minimum payments for the snowball (meaning I'm not throwing in any add'l $ other than what I would've been paying in minimum payments). Comparing payoff times with the debt snowball to how long it would take me to pay off my debts without the snowball, I am AMAZED and so excited to see what I will be able to accomplish in the next 5 years (hopefully sooner!!)

Here's a short synopsis of the debts I have & when they will be paid off w/ the debt snowball vs. when they'd be paid off if I just did monthly payments on each of them without the debt snowball.

Dept. Store Card, will be paid off in July 2011, would be paid off in November 2011
Car Extended Warranty, will be paid off in July 2011, would be paid off in July 2011 (this one works out to be even)
Dept. Store Card, will be paid off in September 2011, would be paid off in December 2012
Credit Card, will be paid off in January 2012, would be paid off in December 2013
Credit Card, will be paid off in November 2012, would be paid off in May 2014
Car, will be paid off in June 2013, financed to be paid off in September 2014
Student Loans, will be paid off in October 2016, financed to be paid off in January 2024

I will post updates as to how the Debt Snowball continues to grow & pay off this debt. I am sooooooo excited (hence why I am still up at 12:25 a.m. to share this!!)

This is who I am!!

I'm not trying to hide anything, I wear it on my sleeve. I'm not trying to be something I'm not, this is all I've got. I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel, just trying to be real. I'm not trying to say follow me, I'm not the one who leads. Let me introduce myself to you, this is who I am: no more, no less. I am just a man who understands, because of You I'm blessed: no more, no less.  

I was listening to the MercyMe CD & this song, No More, No Less, came on and it really got me thinking. I like when things get me thinking! You can listen to the song here if you've never heard it, it's a great one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFQvlhhaYUw

I was reflecting today about who I am and where I'm at in life. Not only where I'm at now, but how the now is going to affect what is to come. This Sunday I taught my 5th/6th Graders about choices, how we choose everyday what we are going to do. We have a vast amount of choices that we make daily. I realize that every decision I have made leading up to this day has contributed to who I am. I am so excited how the present is unfolding and how the present is leading to my future.

Everyone thinks I'm crazy because I have so many jobs, or because I spread myself too thin, because I do this, because I do that...but you know what, all of these things make me who I am! I do appreciate the concern when people see I'm winding down and they recognize I need some rest, or I need a hug, or a word of encouragement. I definitely thrive once I am rested and restored, then I'm ready to serve some more. I am able to recognize that right now I am willing to "Live like no one else, so later I can live like no one else." (Dave Ramsey)

I have the 4 jobs (ABC, Church, Airport & Tutoring) to not only meet the financial needs, but to build up who I am, to help build up those I work with. I am not just working a shift to make money, I am working shifts to make a difference! It is so special to see children growing: their academics, their relationships, their personalities, their functioning, and so much more. I know I am where I am supposed to be. Working with kids (on many levels) has filled my heart with joy beyond what words can put forth. It means nothing more to me to know that I am at a place right now where I know I am fulfilling my life's purpose, and that is to make a difference in the lives of our children...THIS IS WHO I AM!

To Say I'm Busy Is An UNDERSTATEMENT!

Despite how busy I am, I am not too busy to pass by the daily joys that come my way. I am met with smiles each day & strive to make the best of every opportunity given to me. Sometimes pictures say it so much better than words, so here are a few pictures of what a typical day would be like for me, full of fun, love and determination!

 When the puppets won't stay on your hands, you can always make them dance w/ your feet!

                               Enjoying a community outing to Chuck-E-Cheese, where we say "CHEESE!"

                         ATS: Always Thinking Something: Deuces!   But really, Airport Terminal Services

Random Acts of Kindness! We Made Sugar Cookie Mix to hand out at church

Thou Shalt Not...

...TEXT WHILE DRIVING!!!! So, I admit it, I was one of those who, despite the law, would text while driving. I know my mother is furious as she's reading this, because time & time again she would tell me that I needed to stop, but for some reason I chose the opposite. I have Kathy Klein to thank. For 2 reasons I have CHOSEN to stop texting while driving. 1: I watched a video Kathy had shared with me, and it touched me deeply; and 2: Kathy said she'd find my mom in my friends on Facebook & tell her that I was texting while driving. I don't want the wrath of Kathy and I surely don't want the wrath of my mom, so I have CHOSEN to no longer, ever again, text while driving.

It goes so much deeper than this. Please take 10 minutes out of your day & watch the video that AT&T put together about Texting & Driving. You can view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs

When I watched this video, a lot of emotions were sparked within me. There are many things in my life that I am passionate about. Many of the things I'm passionate about are because I've had personal experience, or I really believe deeply about something. I began thinking about the things I am most passionate about, 2 of them being related to driving and laws that have been put in place. One is driving under the influence and the other is the seat belt law. I have seen the 1st hand effects of people not following these laws, and because of that, I care deeply about sharing their stories and trying to keep others from breaking these laws. A friend, Casey Goodwin, was killed in a head on collision caused by an 18 year old drunk driver as she was on her way home from college to surprise her mom for her birthday. She had talked to her mom on the phone just 12 minutes before she was killed. Casey was killed because someone made the decision to drink and drive. Both illegal actions, he was a minor & his blood alcohol content was outrageous! He CHOSE to do this. Within the same year, my friend Kyle Goodwin, Casey's younger brother, was killed in a solo car accident as he lost control of his car in the early morning hours, Kyle did not have his seatbelt on. His best friend was in the passenger seat and survived the accident without any issues, Kyle was ejected from the vehicle and killed. If Kyle had CHOSEN to wear his seatbelt, it's more than likely that he would still be with us today.

I questioned myself as I watched the The Last Text Message video. With the other tragedies I have seen the effects of, why would I ever want to have the potential of causing my own? By CHOOSING to pick up my phone and text someone, I am CHOOSING to potentially end my own life, or the life (or lives) of the innocent. When other people are texting and driving, they are CHOOSING to possibly end my life, or severely impact my life in ways I don't even want to imagine. I don't want to be responsible for your death either, so DON'T TEXT WHILE DRIVING. I'm not sure I could live with myself if investigators proved that you were texting while driving and I was the one you were texting.

Life is far more important than the need to text. We are so caught up in having to be immediate responders, but what can't possibly wait 5, 10, 30, 60, 90 minutes? I have a blue tooth, if someone needs me, they can call me. If you text me & I'm not responding, please, call me.

I WILL NO LONGER TEXT WHILE DRIVING....please join me and vow to do the same.

Why I'm Here

I recently have felt the need to write, but haven't found the time. By the time I finally got around to logging into my blog, Blogger informed me it had been so long since I had last logged in, that I must now start a new one. So here's to my new blog!! Hopefully new & improved :-)   Writing is very therapeutic for me, and I have no clue why I haven't posted anything since July of 2009. I'm excited to have a blog again, and I hope that those of you who follow enjoy the things I have to share.