Having fun with the team

Camping Fun

Tent Camping is so much fun!!!!!

Camping with friends

Hanging out

Happiness is hanging out with friends and family. I love spending time with my husband, he truly is my best friend. I also love hanging out with the girls. Whether it is  coffee at Starbucks laughing over stupid things, dinner with their families, or a BBQ, it is always fun.

Time with friends and family is so precious. We live in a world that is always moving at such a fast pace, that we forget to slow down. We need to  take time out to build lasting memories that will last a life time.

Taking this time is not only an investment in others lives, it is an investment in ours. When life is all said and done, and I am sitting in my rocking chair feeling the sun on my face, do I want to remember the To Do Lists that I have completed and the money I have made, or do I want to reflect back on the time so well spent with freinds and family.

Taking twenty athletes camping

This summer I took twenty athletes to camp. We tent camped at Barton Flats, in the S.B. National Forest. This was an experience of a life time!!!

Watching athletes that had never camped before, trying to set up a tent or cook over a outdoor stove was a sight to see. Just thinking about it now brings a smile to my face.

I remember thinking weeks before camp, what if I lose someone, or what if they don’t like it and want to go home. What if…..I had never taken any athletes to camp before. Thank God for good friends who were willing to go along and help.

 I wanted to make camp fun for the athletes, but also work. I wanted them to have an oportunity to run in the cool weather, but also a chance to get away, have fun, and do some team bonding. It seemed to be success.

I believe one of the most memorable times that week was playing a trust game. The object of this game was for each team to tell their partner where plastic balls were located, but the only words that could be said were right, left, forward or back. Each team was to collect as many balls as possible. It was great to see athletes that would not normally pair up, get together and work hard to get the job done.

During this week we took a thirteen mile hike into the S.B. national forest. Wow was that a workout. The best part of the hike was that we found a natural stream with freezing cold water. We all decided to get in. It was funny to watch them lay down in the steam and freeze, then tell others it wasn’t that bad.

When I think of this trip and the week I had with this team of cross country runners, it always bring a smile to my face. This will always be an experience that will forever be ingrained into my memory. It is one of those times when no matter what has gone on in a day, when I think about the event or the athletes involved, it bring happiness to my life and fills my heart with joy.

Getting Through It All

Wow! school is almost done!  I can’t wait!! It seems like a long time coming. I only have one quarter to go. The other day I was driving home from school, and it hit me, I am here, getting ready to graduate. I could see myself putting on the cap and gown, walking across the stage etc.. Then the thoughts started coming, like what am I going to do with my time, if I am not going to school. School has been such a big part of my life for so long. It started to make me apprehensive about graduating, thank goodness I am going right into the credential program once summer comes. So as I was driving home that night, I  experienced several emotions in such a short period; happy, sad, confused…..

I know my family will be happy when it is all over, but I am not so sure I will. School has become my comfort zone, it is what I do, who I am, who I have been for so long.

Who will I be now?

Being you

In our society we as individuals compare ourselves by what the media says is popular at the time. This makes it at times to be o.k. with who you are as an individual. What if you don’t meet the standard of society at that time? Does that mean you are worth nothing? When we as logical individuals stop and really think about that question, the answer would obviously be no. But the question is, are we always logical thinkers or more emotional thinkers. Especially women.

we as individuals need to remember we were made in the image and likeness of God. God created us all unique and as individuals. If we all fit the mold that society gave us, this would be one boring place. There needs to be diversity in life. We all have different gifts and talents. God planned it that way so we could all complement each other. If we had nothing to share there would be no need for relationships.

So remember …… happiness is being you! The you God created, not the one society created.

Hard work pays off

Happiness is when after months of coaching, the athletes come together and win!!!!!  Yeah!!! My team is now currently league champs for boys, and second in league for girls. Now it is on to the CIF semifinals.

Coaching at times can be very challenging, but for the most part it is so rewarding. I love to see the new athletes come in at the beginning of a season, hardly being able to make it through a mile, and then by the end of the season, they are one of the top ten runners. Seeing them grow and develop as an athlete and as a person can at times bring tears to my eyes.

Then there are those days where you want to pull your hair out. The days when the best runner decides they do not want to come to practice, like that is an option. Sometimes the athletes can get to full of themselves and act like they are the ones running things. The good thing is though, I have a very coach able team, so all it takes is a little reminder of who is the coach and they get right back on track.

Days like today, when we win, makes all the blood, sweat and lots of tears worth it.

YEAH, GO PHS WARRIORS!!!!!!

True Friendships

Many people will come and go in one persons life time, but only a few will stay. I have a core group of good friends. Each and everyone holds a different place in my life. I have the one who encouraged me to go to college. She helped me through many steps to get me where I am now. For that I am ever grateful. It was a dream I had never dreamed for my self, but she dreamt it for me. Now it is my dream, my reality.

The another friend who is my running buddy. She got me into running, and we have experienced our first race, marathon, and triathlon together. These were great accomplishments for us both. She is the friend with strong views and opinions, who will always have you look at the other side of issues. Strong, beautiful, and confident she is.

Some of the other special people in my life are my girls at PHS. Those two make me laugh, and laugh. The are very light hearted and fun. They take the seriousness out of me, and help me relax. They are there to play with, cry with, and enjoy the simple things in life.

Then I have those friends where I can share the word of God with. Those ones who will lift you up, according to the word. Those you can lift up with the word also. There is nothing more special than when you get a new revelation in the word of God and you can take it to those friends and share it with them and they become just as excited and encouraged about it as you.

That is why in life people may come and go, but thank god for those who stay!

Cherish those Special Moments

In ninth grade English the students are required to read The Scarlet Ibis. In this story the narrator tells about his little brother Doodle, who has a physical handicap. He shares how it impacts their relationship, and then in the end Doodle dies. The narrator then reflects on how he treated and felt about his brother. The life lesson that it to be learned here is never take life for granted, and enjoy those special moments with your loved ones.

I thought about this short story on Saturday, when my daughter was so excited we were going to spend the afternoon together.  I was rushing around all morning doing household chores, preparing for a Cross Country meet, and thinking about all the things I should be doing that afternoon, instead of shopping. I then thought about the fact that at nineteen she still wants to spend time with me, and it hurt me that she could tell I was somewhere else in thought, and that I might not have been as excited as she was about our day together. I wanted to spend time together, but I could not get my mind off all I had to do. 

I then realized that this is what life is made of. It is thespecial moments that strong relationships are built on. My daughter in years to come will not remember if the house was spotless, but she will remember all the fun we had that day.I was glad that the short story was brought to  my remembrance, because after that I really had a different outlook on the day, and we had so much fun. She is a great girl and there will be a day she will have a children of her own, and I want her to remember those special times so she can create them with her own children.

Being outdoors can be a great stress reliever

When I have a stressful day, I love to go out on a long or short run. Whether it is with my cross country team, or my running buddies, it is always rewarding in the end. There is something about starting out, with legs stiff and my head wondering why I am doing this, instead of eating a big bowl of ice cream or a chocolate bar, but ending up refreshed and rejuvenated that makes all the hard work worth it.

It seems to be that once I get going and feel the wind or sun against my face, and the relief I feel after about the second or third mile, that makes me realize why I love running. Once I have completed my run, most of the time, I feel relaxed and have a new perspective on things.

This is why I love being outdoors, whether it is running or walking, it always clears my mind .

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