Another Great Day

Life is great. I completed another class towards my doctorate. I have a week off from class to spend time with my family and four-legged children. I can run, bike or sleep this week ~ Woo Hoo.
Traveling to Texas this weekned to see my Dad -
I heard a bible verse this week:
To those with much - much is expected.
I guess that God is expecting much from me - as I feel blessed with all I have.

A Great Day

What is a Great Day - A 10 mile bike ride with your best friend who just happens to be your husband to Starbucks. A couple of hours in the pool followed by a nap and then a three mile run...and an evening of scrapbooking with friends. Call it a mini-vacation. I need a day like this every week.

Happy 4th of July.

Happy 4th of July
Every day we have a blessing. Here I sit on the couch a little dog on each side and my buddy - Sir Duke at my feet (picture).

We had friends to our house for lunch - it was fun to cook for others. Cooking is something I have not done for a while. It felt great to be in the kitchen.

I spent time on Thursday scrapbooking after having an emotional day with youngest son. Scrapbooking helps me see life from many views. I can look at a picture and see how much my family loves and supports each other. I can look at a picture and remember the issues going at that moment. No family is without issues at some time or the other - The secret is to focus on the positive and overlook the negative.

DH and I rode bikes this morning - what a great morning to ride the weather was perfect and not much traffic. DH legs were getting tired - I shared my secret for getting through a ride or a run when I feel like I can't finish - I am riding or running because someday I will not be able to - there are many who can not - push a little more and enjoy the pain while you can.... Still trying to talk DH into a 30 mile bike ride.

Refocusing

I start a journal but never find the time to journal everyday. I think about my blog only when I feel the need to journal but do not have the time. Life is unpredictable. I find myself not as driven at work and more focused on myself and family.

So why, is it as we age we realize that we have only a limited amount of redos? If so what would you redo? For me, I would redo only a few things in life. The first redo would be not to work as many hours as I have - until this week I have been a full time insturctor / director of an Associate Degree Nursing Program / part-time consultant online and most recently I accepted the position of director of a chariable health clinic all while working on a doctorate in education. The second would be make sure those you love know how much you love them.

What is important - my family, spending time with those I love. Doing the things that are important to me - running, trout fishing, scrapbooking, gardening and learning. The big yellow dog - is my running buddy. We should take lessons from our four-legged friends on life. He will run as far as I ask him and as hard as I do - simply to spend time with me.

Learning to balance life-
OK - as I am typing this whole balance life sentence - my youngest son calls - new grandbaby on the way. I guess I need to go so I can digest the fact that youngest son (24) was recently laid off and now he has new responsibilites.

Raising a Responsible Citizen

It is late I have been working on an assignment for a class on curriculum development. My grandsons are staying the weekend with us. As I am completing the assignment I can not help but think about the converstaion we had with our five year old grandson tonight -

On the way home from his birthday party (he will be six on Monday) we drove by a housefire. He asked Poppy (his grandfather) was he going home and put on his policemen uniform so he could help the people with the fire. Poppy said no - he was off duty so he could spend time with the boys.

This wonderful little boy said but Poppy - you are a policman you help people - agin Poppy explained there were other policeman at work tonight so he can spend time with his family.

After much thought this very responsible five year old said "but Poppy you are big and strong they might need you to kick the door open or carry someone out - Nanny will be ok with us and we want eat ice cream till you get home"

In his little heart he understands what it means to not be selfish and to be a responsible citizen - He also thinks Poppy walks on water - so does Nanny.

Remembering What is Important

My life is full ~ Teaching, working on a doctorate, working to help establish a charitable clinic, directing a running clinic and spending time with my family. Some people are amazed at how many activities I am involved in. There was a time in my life that I did not have the skills or the resources to accomplish any of the things I do today. I am blessed – and because I am blessed I find myself staying focused on what I can give or do for others.

Scrapbooking is one way to give to others

My scrapbooks give my children a record of their life - smiling faces, frowning faces and silly poses are often forgotten with time - but a quick tour of a family scrapbook reminds us of the strenght of family ties.

Becoming Committed to the Things I Enjoy

Life is short. As a nurse I often see how short life really is ~ In 2008 - I am comitted to doing some of the things I enjoy instead of working all the time. So, what do I enjoy ~ scrapbooking my memories, trout fishing, running, swimming, bike riding with my grandsons, playing fetch with my four-legged babies and every moment I spend with my husband.

You can see from my blog I have not been focused on me. It has been two years since I shared my thoughs on this blog. In the past year and half I have started to foucs on important things in life like my sprital growth and family. I know there are other women out there who have come to the realization that life is precious and short - for those I encourage you to share your thoughts with me and follow your heart to find happiness in the time God has given you.