A Biking Adventure

Ken and JP have been preparing to ride in the big bike race here in town. The race is really a big deal (100 miles), and it brings many, many people to our little city. Ken and JP are going to ride in the smallest version of the race (10K), so they have been taking many 10K practice runs in recent evenings. Tonight I needed a little exercise since I have not been doing my usual walking. So we set out on the city bike trail, headed for the lake. About 2.5 miles in, I noticed I was getting farther and farther away from the guys and it was getting harder to keep up. Then I noticed a weird rhythmic sound coming from somewhere beneath me. Well, I'm no biking expert, but I soon realized I had no air in my back tire! JP was disappointed because we were so close to the turnaround point which is a HUGE hill at the dam that he loves to ride down. So while Ken and I relaxed on a bench by the trail, JP took off on his adventure.

Upon his return, we decided the tire was too flat for anyone to ride on, but of course we were at the most deserted part of the trail, so we decided Ken would speed home, get the truck and come get us. I volunteered to push the bike up to the main road where there was an oasis (Sonic!) and JP decided to stay with me. I assumed he would ride his bike, even if he turned back around a few times to stay nearby. But, sweet JP said he would just push his bike with me since we hadn't got to visit much today (smiling Mom moment). So Ken took off and we pushed, and pushed, and pushed. Funny, it seemed like the main road was so much closer when we were riding:). We finally made it to the Sonic about dark, sat on a bench and waited about one minute until our rescuer came for us! Of course, we couldn't leave without a little refreshment! Whew, what a ride!

I Have Been Blessed

This week is a week of reflection for me. On August 6, 2007, I received the most devastating news of my life. I had lost my father in an accident. So, as you can imagine, I have been thinking about him a lot this week. I've shed a few tears, and I'm sure more will come, but the overwhelming emotion I am feeling is gratitude!

I have been so blessed in my life in many ways, one of which is the blessing of loving and nurturing parents. I think for many years I took this for granted, thinking all kids grew up the way I did. But I now realize that many, many people were not so blessed!

So this post is dedicated to my sweet daddy and my precious and beautiful mom, who has shown me what perseverance and faith really mean this year. I love you, Mom, and you are on my heart every day!

Love this pic of Mom and Dad on vacation a couple of years ago!

Sparkpeople

While perusing a health magazine (not typical for me), I came across a website listed that helps you make healthy changes to your lifestyle. So I thought, why not! What I found was a place that you can customize to your needs, whether is be losing weight, starting an exercise plan, or just eating healthier. It allows you to track whatever you choose. You can also set it up to remind you of things you want to accomplish or you can just log on to find out how many fat grams are in an oreo (like anyone really wants to know that!) Anyway, the site is called Sparkpeople, and the best part is it is FREE! Have a look.

Fun on the 4th!

JP and Ken relaxing on the water

JP's action shot!

Brent (pointing) with Parker and April

Ken taking a spin around the lake

Ken and JP are about to take off. It was quite a ride!

We were blessed with an invitation to the lake to spend the day with friends from our small group! It was so much fun! Of course, I didn't have anyone take a picture of me to prove that I was actually there. Oh well, I'll remember next time!

Spiritual ADD

I was recently in a conversation with a friend where we were discussing what we felt like needed to change in order for our relationship with God to move forward. I shared what I had been feeling very strongly from the Lord in the last weeks.

PAY ATTENTION!

I have felt like I have been seeking God's will for my life and my future almost constantly in the last few months, but have not had clear answers. It finally occured to me that when you ask, you have to listen for the answer. I'm afraid that I was so consumed in the asking that I forgot to stop to hear what I needed to hear. I jokingly told my friend that it was like I had "Spiritual ADD" or something. I could not focus long enough on the thoughts at hand to hear an answer. I have since tried to listen for God's voice in not only the "big" questions, but also in the everyday questions. It's amazing how much fretting has left and how much peace has taken its place. I pray that my hearing will improve every day!

Reflections

Today would have been my father-in-law's sixty-second birthday. Much has happened in the last 5 1/2 years since he went to heaven unexpectedly. I pause today as I think about all the people (grandparents and parents) we have lost in these years. And strangely enough my thoughts go to my husband and the godly man he is. He shoulders the responsibility of leading our home and family in good times and in bad. In times of blessing and in times of sadness. I know this is a difficult task, especially when you have lost your male role models at a young age. But I believe the only reason he has been able to carry us through these rough years has been his reliance on his Heavenly Father. I am so thankful for the blessing of a loving and leading Father and a loving and leading husband.

Washing Dishes

In our house, we have a rule. If you cook, you don't have to clean up. Since I usually cook, my husband takes on most of the cleaning duties. Today, he finally realized that we have two boys who are old enough to wash dishes. So while I am blogging, he is training them on the fine art of dishwashing!

Hee Hee Hee! Now he is telling stories about when we were first married and didn't have a dishwasher, so washing dishes was spending quality time together! I can just imagine the eyes rolling now! Raising kids is so fun!

Anyone have a good system for training the kids in doing chores? I'd love to hear them. My kids have too much free time this summer!