Back on the Running Wagon

After posting my 25 Things List, my friend Becca asked me if I was interested in running with her. Finally someone to run with again! Well, running, in and of itself takes some motivation. Then there is the whole getting out of bed and out the door component. There was the cold morning aspect as well, BUT I have never imagined I would ever run in THIS cold! We left at 6:30 this morning and it was -3 outside, thankfully no wind, but -3!!! I have to say it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was quite strange to find out that the inside of your nose can freeze, not to mention your hair, eyelashes, skin! I had Jake come out and take a picture of us. Hopefully Friday morning will bless us with a few more degrees!

25 Things

1. Books are my friends. I love to talk books with people.
2. I can be negative toward myself, I hate that about myself. See what I mean.
3. I care too much what others think.The “It takes a village” approach to life/parenting/faith is important to me. I need a village. My last village is way too far away.
4. I was a teacher for 8 years, and now I am trying to figure out what I want to do next. That changes daily right now.
5. I want to have a job that involves interaction with people, organization, and making a positive impact to individuals or families.
6. I thrive on conversations; I feel I haven’t had one in awhile with someone besides my husband face to face.
7. For someone who is so adept with directions, I feel lost WAY too often.
8. I wish I could dance, mostly contemporary-throw caution to the wind- type of dancing.
9. I am a social runner; otherwise I am not much of a runner at all, especially right now.
10. I can be considered an “open book”, an “over sharer” or a “chronic relater”.
11.
12. All of my family lives very far away.
13. I love informal dinners or get-togethers with friends.
14. Finding “small world” connections to people makes me happy. “Oh, you lived in Large City, USA, did you know….?”
15. Creating memories is something I am passionate about.
16. The “It takes a village” approach to life/parenting/faith is important to me. I need a village. My last village is way too far away.
17. I am a mom to two boys whom I love to pieces of course. I just wish I was one of those moms who was consistently calm, cool, and collected. I am not that.
18. Worry is my middle name, not really, it is Daurette- one of those generational family names.
19. My husband is extremely even-keel…me, not so much. I love him for that.
20. My favorite TV shows are The Office and So You Think You Can Dance. It is easy for me to get sucked into a show. That is why I need my books.
21. Music moves me, although I am clueless about it. I could easily be THAT person you would see running down the street listening to an ipod and leaping or thrusting a fist into the air.
22. I am clueless when it comes to gardening or growing anything. I plan to change that this year. Wish me luck.
23Laughing…I need to do that more, I love a good laugh.
24. Often, the magnitude of raising kids scares me. How do I raise strong, secure, compassionate, and kind boys when I fail in these areas all the time?
25. I love pictures…taking them and looking at them.

Ungrateful, I know

Today Jake got an email today from someone at Westmont College in Santa Barbara telling him they are going to have a position open. Now obviously he isn't going to apply. He has so much starting here in South Dakota and really loves his job. BUT, of course me being me, I was bummed. Maybe it is the snow, the lack of friends who really know me living close by, the distance from home...ok I will stop there ( I don't have to use correct grammar on my own blog do I?). I am really happy here for the most part, but just the thought that there could be an opportunity to be back near home...it does something to my head. Timing among other factors makes this not a possibility but oh the dream... The funny thing is I am not sure it matters where I am. There will always be the struggle of being new, having to make new friends, and create a way of life for us. I have realized that having kids makes this no easy task. In some ways, kids give you more opportunitis to meet new people but thay also make it tough to take the time to invest and build deeper relationships. One minute you try and start a conversation and the next you are running after a child who is bolting from the room. So all this to say, I am tiring of having to be patient. BUT patient I must be as I wait for opportunities to get to know people and not feel like the freak who is jumping into a deep converation in the spare 30 seconds I have at the library, grocery store, etc.

Disclaimer: I do love my children and I am so thankful for their added spice to life.