The Taming of the End of School Year Schedule

pixie shan familybringsjoy.comIt’s just me…with shorter hair.  Yep, I finally got up the nerve to try the pixie cut.  This is plenty short and don’t plan to go shorter.  But, I love it!  If you had as thick hair as I do you would too.  I’m grateful for people telling me I have the perfect face for short hair instead of exclaiming, “what did you do to your hair!?” lol ;)

first graduation card familybringsjoy.com

Her first graduation card

There’s only 23 days until the last day of school which is also graduation for our high school senior.  Her school prom is this Saturday.  We’ll be hosting 4 youth for a pre prom dinner in our home.  I’m happy to do this…even though in my mind I’m thinking of all the stuff I’d like to do in my dining room before Saturday and realistically know it’s not going to happen.  Between now and the last day of school we will also be attending graduations of our 8th grader and 4th grader too.  The schools here have 1st grade through 4th grade in one school, so when they finish 4th grade they have a “graduation” for them.  Our junior high is 7th and 8th grade so they also hold a “graduation” for those students.  This means 3 graduations for our family this year.  Geesh!  It’s not like one is not enough!  I can’t begin to list all the events we’ll be attending because I think the overwhelming monster might take up residence and I don’t have time for his visit.

new LG washer familybringsjoy.com

Our new red washer

Yesterday started out well, until the washer repairman shared the ill fated news {cost me $60 too} of our washer needing a new part, which would set us back a few hundred dollars.  We already had this part replaced once on this washer.  I didn’t want to sink more money into it.  This required me to shop for a new washer in hopes it could be delivered ASAP.  If I go too many days without doing laundry it begins to pile up.  Fortunately, Sears had the washer I chose on hand and they delivered it this morning.  I’m loving the red.  It has a sweet little chime when the load is finished washing.

baseball familybringsjoy.com

score!

Baseball is now over until the summer so I guess that will free up a little time.  Unfortunately, not enough but I’m trying to stay positive.

prom chaperones

chaperoning

A few weeks back we chaperoned our 2 oldest kids to church prom.  I was excited to meet my daughter’s new boyfriend.  He lives about an hour away.  He is very nice and polite.  It took a little getting used to him calling me mam.  I was grateful he decided to wear the boutonniere I made him even though it was somewhat embarrassing to my daughter.  She was a little timid with me taking formal pictures of them together. She’s regretting that decision now.  I sneaked a photo of them, yet he saw me and smiled:

new bf familybringsjoy.com

Aren’t they cute! Son is pictured to the right of her

sheet music boutonniere familybringsjoy.com

Boutonniere I made for her BF

My church prom dress familybringsjoy.com

My prom dress for chaperoning

Hubby and I danced to exactly 4 slow songs.  According to our son that was 4 too many.  He told us we weren’t allowed to chaperone any more dances because we embarrass him.  Whatever!  We enjoyed watching him dance to the YMCA…which reminds me…I have video of that!  Hmmmm…maybe I should share that?  I’m such a bad mom, huh?

Church Prom our princess familybringsjoy.com

Our princess

5k family

A family that runs together stays together

me at finish line

Finish line!

I’m still running.  In fact, our whole family just ran a 5K.  It was my first 5K in a couple of years.  I was grateful to finish 5th in my age group.  I haven’t been timing myself while running.  This is a strategy I use as to not sike myself out when I see how slow I’m running compared to how fast I used to run.  I am just trying to get where I run 3 miles without feeling as though I’m finishing the last 3 miles of a marathon.  I think it’s getting there.  Just a lot slower than I’d like.  Our 2 oldest kids and hubby received trophies for placing 3rd in their age groups.  I’m happy we all ran and feel it was a great family activity.

I’m very happy to report I lost 6 pounds while participating in a 21 day cleanse/detox made by Standard Process!  One habit I developed while on the cleanse I am keeping…I only drink water.  Except for the too frequent visits to the restroom I think it helps to lose weight and is much healthier than drinking diet drinks.

I’ll be teaching my second adult craft class this Saturday and my first kid’s craft class.  So happy my supplies just arrived via FedEx.  I can’t wait to share the tutorials for the crafts with you next week.

Well, glad I could catch up a bit with you.  I hope this finds you and your family doing well.  I truly mean that. :)

Enjoy the journey,

Right Frame of Mind

I’m up early this morning.  Youngest girl is going on a field trip.  She was so excited.  We pulled on her skinny jeans, slid on shoes and tied her scarf.  I should have taken a photo.  After preparing her sack lunch with a peanut butter sandwich, Cheetos, Oreos and G2, she was off.  DH took the kids to school on his way to work. Thank you hubby.

I’m going running this morning.  After scrounging up my layers of running clothes, including sliding on my compression socks and shoes, I decided to watch an inspirational video to get me in the right frame of mind.  This one was perfect.  I felt compelled to share it with you, my lovely readers today.

Doesn’t that put everything in perspective?
I think so.
Have a beautiful Friday my friends.

Sincerely,

Music For Your Love

Welcome back to the 4th day of the Anniversary Gifts Made With Love series.

If you are just joining us, click here to see what this is all about.

2 of the 8 anniversary gifts I made for my husband were CD’s.

Both discs have 18 songs for 18 years.

One disc has 18 love songs that are meaningful to us.

The other disc has 18 of my favorite running songs.

My husband had mentioned he needed some new running music to listen to.  Maybe your husband needs songs for his commute to work, fishing, working out, or whatever hobby he’s into.  This is the perfect gift!
Day 2: Couples Poster
Day 3: Framed With Love
Day 5: Last 3 Gifts

Simple but meaningful,

10 Reasons Why I Need To Go Running

1.

Source: better-faster-strongerr.tumblr.com via Shan@ on Pinterest

2.

Source: bit.ly via Shan@ on Pinterest

3.

Source: goo.gl via Shan@ on Pinterest

4.

Source: goo.gl via Shan@ on Pinterest

5.

Source: healthyfitandtoned.tumblr.com via Shan@ on Pinterest

6.

Source: slki.ru via Shan@ on Pinterest

7.

Source: Uploaded by user via Shan@ on Pinterest

8.

Source: ladieslovethis.com via Shan@ on Pinterest

9.

Source: 30.media.tumblr.com via Shan@ on Pinterest

10.  Blue Lily is taking our photograph THIS FRIDAY! {Squeal!}

Going running now,

Perseverance Can Lead to Accomplishment

Thank you very much for all the well wishes {& Prayers} everyone sent me via Family Brings Joy’s Facebook Page, my personal Facebook Page, Instagram, texts and comments written here.  I felt everyone’s love and encouragement.  It means the world to me!

All photos of me running & scenery are taken by PBC Sports Photography

 

We can persevere,

Running Dedications

On our way to the start line here in Hilton Head.  My friend, Monica, is running with me. I wanted to take a few minutes for dedications.

Every mile will be devoted to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The first 6.5 miles I’m dedicating to my family.  Not just my immediate family.  My whole family, present & past…extended…ancestors.

The second 6.5 miles, I’m dedicating to you, my friends/readership.

I could not do this without all of you.

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