Happy Valentine's Day

C25K

**I'll forewarn you that because I haven't blogged consistently in awhile, there may be extra thoughts meshed into what could multiple blogs but I'm shoving it all into one, unorganized blog, sorry!**

About three weeks ago it hit, finally.  The mojo to get fit and healthy hit me hard. BANG!  The very next day I was eating right, counting calories and I went to the gym - yep, even added the gym to the mix!  We joined a small gym way back in June of 2011 and I was going 3-4 days a week until I went to the beach and then I left my energy to work out back on the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks.  

But here I was (and am) at the gym again!  I started going back to the gym on the days Hannah has school.  I use the time she is there to workout, shower and study at the library.  It saves me a lot of running around and am able to finally get some school work done!

So I like to run - I think I may even love to run.  I feel awesome during and after a good run, but because I'm way out of shape I can only run but for so fast and for so long and so after running/walking a mile I have only burned 100 calories - what a major disappointment!  So the first two weeks at the gym I took up the elliptical trainer and boy can you sweat on that thing!  I love it - I can burn 250+ calories in just a 30 minute "run".  Plus I can really get my heart rate up and sweat - which makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something! I thought I could get my endurance up and then switch over to the treadmill, but my sister asked me if I wanted to do a 5K for her church to raise money for their mission trip.  Needing the inspiration and knowing the importance of fundraising for missions, I said sure!  I'm committed now and will be RUNNING the 5K in April!  

Using the Couch to 5K app on my phone (which I'm not a huge fan of, so if you have one to share, let me know!) I started "training" last week.  I have to say I was quite shocked at how easy it went!  I was running in one minute intervals with a 90 second walk in between.  There were 8 intervals, so I ran for a total of 8 minutes - yay!  I could have actually kept going but didn't want to overdo it.  I didn't burn as nearly calories but I'm trying to remember that I'll get to the point where I can run longer and faster and can actually burn some calories.  The second day I had some "tummy trouble" and had to keep getting off the treadmill so I gave it up, took a shower and headed to the library!  The third day I had to be at work so I missed out on the gym completely that day, bummer!

So now I'm in week 2!  Today it was 90 seconds of running and 2 minutes of walking.  The 90 seconds were actually just perfect. I could have probably gone a bit longer and completed more intervals but I didn't push it.  I was disappointed that it was only 6 intervals, but I won't complain!  I'm sure the time will come soon when I'm ready for it to be over!  But I was quite surprised that I was able to pick it up easy and that I wasn't that out of shape.  

9 weeks not including the rest of this week until my first 5K - here's to hoping I can keep it up! 

Emma's Birthday Interview - Age 8

Emma turned 8 years old on January 11th.  I'm not exaggerating or kidding when I say the time has flown by.  I feel like she should be 5 or 6 tops.  She is halfway through the second grade and no longer needs to ride with a booster seat in the car.  WOW!!  We had a small birthday celebration with some of her friends from church at an indoor pool in town the Saturday before her actual birthday!  On her birthday, Matt and I brought her lunch from chick-fil-a and spent her lunch with her at school.  I brought cupcakes for her to pass around too.  Hannah had dance class that evening so after dance, I made her whatever she wanted for dinner, which she chose chicken nuggets of course.  Then we took her out to her favorite dessert place, Sweet Frog, for dessert.  We got her Just Dance 3 for the wii, a bed for her American Girl doll, a pedicure set and money to pick out legos.  After dessert, she reluctantly let me interview her:

What is your name: Emma? (she answered me like I was crazy)

How old are you: 8? (again, she was confused)

What grade are you in: 2nd grade

What school do you go to: Framington

Who is/are your best friend(s): Abby Rae

What do you want to be when you grow up: a teacher

What was the best part of being 7: nothing (again, she was very reluctant to even answer my questions)

What are you looking forward to about being 8: getting out of a car seat

What activities do you do: Horse riding lessons, girl scouts

Favorites:

Food: chick-fil-a

Drink: tea

Color: all of them except brown

Book: horse books

Show: anything on Animal Planet

Movie: Black Beauty

Game: Nothing (I'm gonna answer for her and say Just Dance for the wii)

Toy: Julie (her American Girl Doll) and legos

Animal: Horses

Restaurant: chick-fil-a

Happy Birthday Emma!

Compassion International

While Matt and I were at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, Georgia we both felt called to sponsor a child from a reputable sponsorship program called Compassion International.  We knew we didn't have the extra money from our budget from the paper point of view, but knew that if God is calling us then He will provide the money.  And sure enough, each month we haven't felt a difference! 

So we adopted a 9 year old boy from Ecuador named Ariel Giovanny Lopez Tapuy.  His info card says the following:  Ariel lives with his father and his mother.  His duties at home include caring for children, running errands and cleaning.  There are 3 children in the family.  His father is sometimes employed and his mother is sometimes employed.  Playing with cars, swimming and playing ball games are Ariel's favorite activities. In primary school his performance is average and he also regularly attends church activities.  Because of your sponsorship, Ariel will have new opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Thank you for your concerns and prayers. 

We sent him our first letter asking him lots of questions and telling him a little bit about the girls and they each drew him a picture.  I should have sent him another one by now but have gotten behind between Christmas and moving during the holidays.  I was just thinking the other day I needed to send him another letter when a letter he wrote us arrived in the mail today!  We were super excited to open it and read what he had to say!  The girls were fascinated that he wrote his letter in Spanish (it was translated for us!) I loved how he opened the letter the same way many of the epistles are written in the New Testament!  And he answered many of the questions I asked him!!

Dear Heather Elliott.  I greet you in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Thank you for your support.  I am 9 years old.  I study in the Enrique Fabragat School.  I have 2 siblings.  My mother's name is Narcisa Grefa.  My stepfather is named Hector Morales.  My favorite food is chicken soup.  I like playing soccer.  I live in the Lucian neighborhood.  My dogs name is Princesa.  My favorite school subject is mathematics.  When I am adult, I want to become a cop.  My teacher's nam eis Miriam Elena Rubio.  I have many friends but my best friend is named Jose Arias.  Does it snow there in your country? Please pray for my family.  I pray for you.  Take good care of yourself. Bye. Your friend, Arield Giovanny Lopez Tapuy.

On the back of the letter was a picture he drew for us that looks like a cottage and mountains and the sun rising.

From now on, I think I'll keep a copy of the letters we send him to go with what he sends back and of course keep it in some sort of scrapbook!  We are super excited to be able to sponsor him and who knows, maybe one day we will be able to meet him!