Epic Road Trip - Hits #35 Out of the Park!

In August we made an epic journey across the USA for our 2-week family vacation. This trip accomplished goal #35 in grand fashion. Among the new cities we visited: 

**Colonial Williamsburg

**Washington D.C.

**Pittsburgh, PA

**Hoboken, NJ

**Louisville, KY

**St. Louis, MO

We had an amazing time! It was the boys' first time to visit Memphis, New York City, and Hershey, PA as well. Definitely a trip to remember! 

There's Within My Heart a Melody... (#26 realized)

This past Christmas, I was blessed to play a role in the children's Christmas musical production. I played the role of "Miss Grace", a paralyzed woman with a sweet spirit who reads the Christmas story to the children. As part of this role, I sang a solo/duet. It was an incredible experience to both act and sing on stage. But the thing that made this role and this song so special is that it gave me the opportunity to share the story of Jesus and His power to transform lives. 

(I must confess I was scared to death to do this. Ironically, the singing made me more nervous than the speaking/acting roles!)

  

#12 Was Awesome!!!!

This post is WAY late...so I'm sorry about that! Last Christmas (2013), Jon and I surprised our kids with a Christmas Disney Cruise! It was amazing!! We were on the boat for 7 days and traveled from Houston to Key West,FL to Disney's Castaway Cay to Paradise Island, Bahamas, and finally back to Houston. Adam and Andrew were the perfect ages to appreciate the specialness of the cruise and still enjoy it's "magic"! 

Our favorite activity on board was the daily game shows. We participated as contestants in many of them! The boys felt "famous" when others around the ship recognized us after a "performance". 

The best part about the timing of this trip was that we skipped the awful winter storm that attacked back home in Ft Worth (nicknamed "Icemageddon" by the locals). Anticipating that the roads might get bad, we left town a day early. So grateful we did! 

We are still talking about it a year later and can't wait to go on our next cruise! 

What a Difference a Year Makes

Today, one year ago exactly, my life changed in a dramatic, painful, and all-encompassing way.  Every single truth I knew about my family, my husband, myself, and even my God was shaken to the core, scrutinized and questioned, and  in a sense...shattered. It's been a long, hard year of picking up the shattered remnant of my life. I've made so many choices this year....some successful...some desperately failing...all very hard. I am different now. My goals and my dreams have been altered. I have hit many of my 40x40 goals...and run away from even more. I have learned more about myself this year. So, I thought   I'd share what I've learned: 

*God's sovereignty isn't dependent on our obedience and reverence to Him

*God's plan for families is counterintuitive. When we want to run...He says stay. When we want happiness, He wants abundant life of joy despite sorrow. When we want to take matters into our own hands, He reminds us that He has (and always has had) the reigns.

*Children are a blessing from The Lord 

*Depression is a real, debilitating, physically painful and devastating condition

*We all need friends who love you even when you're broken. 

*How utterly undeserving am I to be called the daughter of God, to have been adopted with unconditional love and unmerited favor as a co-heir with Jesus.  How indescribably grateful I am that He didn't look at my sin and my pain and my brokenness and see a lost cause or a pile of trash, but instead pursues me and cherishes me and calls me His own. Thank you, Abba Father, for being what we can never be.

Today, I choose to be better. I choose to return to Him. I choose to trust Him for my healing. I choose Christ. 

#37...Cha-Ching!

Why just ONE shift of overtime, you might ask?  Well, namely because not once in my 5 1/2 year tenure at JPS have I worked a single hour of overtime.  That might not sound strange to you, but it totally is. All if the fantastic gals I get to call coworkers work crazy amounts of OT. When I began compiling my little list here, I got their input. One girl said she had a goal to go ONE week WITHOUT working overtime.  This gave me a great laugh! And so, I made an opposite goal. 

This morning officially marked my 1st (and only?) overtime shift! I already signed up for 3 shifts in one week and I got a call asking if I could "help" on Wednesday. I came in and worked an 8-hour shift that night. Those 8 hours combined with my 36 scheduled hours this week equals 44 hours!  Whooohooo!

Love being PRN so I have the flexibility to work as little or as much as I desire. I live this adventure!!!

A Brand New Day! (Let #4 officially begin!)

I love being a labor nurse...love it with all of my being. But, I love being a wife and mommy so much more. The Lord has put in my heart the desire to spend as much time as possible with my family. So, we have prayed and prayed for the time (and finances) to be right for me to reduce my hours at work.  And, I am abundantly grateful to announce that starting this week, that is a reality!!!  I am officially a "part time" employee!! And full time mom!

Of course, God in His sovereignty, knew the bigger picture before I did!  In January, we began the proccess of being licenced to adopt through the Texas foster system.  A few weeks ago, we found out about 2 precious boys who need a forever home, and last week we found out that He has chosen us to be that family. In perfect God-affirming timing, the approval for my PRN status at work came through literally days before the phone call came telling us about the boys. God is amazing!!  And here's the "kicker"...adoption wasn't really on my radar when "The List" was created. Going part-time was included just because I felt "called" to home. Boy, did God have a different vision for our "home" than I did!!

Bring on the new adventure!!!

Vicarious Living??? (#33, check!)

I must preface this post by admitting that I loved my college days! I loved every part of that time period and miss some of the freedoms I had (and probably tool for granted!). So when God knocked in my heart (and Jon's) and asked me to teach college aged students in a life group on Sunday...I was overjoyed! This past year as been an amazing time of growth for me personally. These "kids" inspire and challenge me and I am grateful for their acceptance if an "old lady" like me. Haha!!

April marked 1 year. Our next group of HS graduates will he coming soon. Can't wait to see what happens next!!

A Thespian, I'm Not! (#2...done!)

I finally did it! I worked up the courage (gumption?) to audition for a play. Stage Right Theater was holding an open audition for a dinner theater production called "A Little Piece if Heaven". I was able to squeeze in time to go audition between a crazy work week and a family Christmas party! As I was leaving Chili's to head for the audition, by sweet brother-in-law, Chris Bain, jumped on the band wagon and joined me.

The two of us didn't know what to expect. We actually got to read a scene together (as husband and wife...haha). Then we sat for a very, very, very long time while children's roles were auditioned. We finally decided that our family party was more important, so we left the audition to go "play" real life!

I glad for the opportunity to challenge myself with this audition. I did not get a part...but that was never the goal! I just wanted to "prove" to myself that I could put myself out there. And I did. So, we are calling this one a success. Perhaps I'll leave the acting to the actors and the living up to me!

Works In Progress

Lest you think I am not reaching my goals quick enough, I thought I'd share with you some of the works in progress.

#1 - God has placed a fantastic resource in my life. My BSF leader is the TCC instructor for ASL. So, when I get ready, I have instant access to ask questions, get info, etc. I'm just not quite ready to tackle this one!

#15 - It may not be for the whole weekend, but plans are being made for a spa DAY for my mom, Kandalynn, Brandy and me! Details to come after November 9th!!

#19 - Thank you for cheering me on in my weight loss effort. After my last blog post, I went to consult with my physician. She has been a tremendous help to me over the last 6 months. I am working through a program called Take Shape For Life. It's really been good for me. My total loss to date is 38.4 lbs. Yay! Keep the encouragement coming!

#20 - I have begun the possess of memorizing the Sermon on the Mount. I have Matt 5:1-20 memorized so far. If you see me, ask me about it!

#26 - Finally worked up the courage to ask our music minister about singing a solo. He had me come in to sing for him (like an audition) and will be looking for songs that match my voice. So, it's out of my hands for now. Praying that the right song comes along.

#33 - Jon and I have been teaching the College Life Group at Glenview since April. We have seen the group grow over the last few months and are excited about the future. We should have no problem finishing out this year (and God willing) many years to come! Love these guys!

So, that's what I'm working on these days! Hope to post more successes soon!

Kathryn

#3 Baked & Delivered

I feel like an explanation needs to be given for this particular goal. I realize baking a cake for a friend seems simplistic and decidedly not goal worthy! But let me tell you about my friend Sarah. She is like a sister to me. My kids call her "Aunt Sarah" and consider her kids their cousins. We talk, laugh, cry, yell, and play with each other.

All that being said, I am really a yucky friend. In all the years of our friendship, I have NEVER remembered her birthday or made her feel special on that day. So, when I made my master 40x40 list, she made the cut. She is so special to me. I hope she knows that!

The cake is scratch made Italian Cream Cake with Cream Cheese icing. I took it to her work this am so she could share with co-workers! Happy Birthday, Sarah!!! I love you! 💗🎁🎉🎈🎂

#8 down!!! (and counting?)

Well, it can officially be crossed off the list...I made it six full months with nothing to drink except water. And I have to say...it wasn't as hard as I expected. There were a few times in there where I thought I "needed" a coke, but it turns out I was strong enough to abstain. Yay, me!

The sad part is that this life-changing step had absolutely no bearing on my weight loss effort. In fact, I've actually gained 10 more pounds in the last 6 months. I have officially reached rock bottom...I am in crisis mode. It has gotten to the scary point of discussing surgical solutions with my family. After much prayer and council, I am going to make the strongest commitment I can to change my life. I've asked my family and God to help me. Will you be an encourager? Will you help me stay on track? I've learned through the years that I am so very weak. A friend openly shared with me this week and reminded me that my strength will fail me and have no power over the "tape recorder" in my head, but that the Lord is able to erase and rewrite the script. (thanks Marci!)

So begins an earnest effort to attack #19. I've done some prep work. I've got the body bugg on my arm. I've lined up people to commit to working out with me, and I'm studying God's Word and daily (minute-ly) praying for His guidance! Join my team! Help me beat this life-long addiction. Cheer me on. (Don't throw temptation at me!). I have 3 1/2 years to reach the goal...it will take me that whole time, I'm afraid. Thanks for listening!

To a healthier version of me!
Cheers!

PS-I've decided to steer clear of sodas still..at least for the next 6 months. I want the water "habit" to stick!

#40, Check!

So, despite some negative feedback regarding teeth whitening, I took the plunge & did it anyway. Zoom Whitening is a long process. Luckily, I took Tylenol & Aleve before I left home. It was VERY painful at times. I whimpered like a baby once, and screamed out loud once. Even childbirth didn't elicit that response from me! Am I glad I did it? Yes. Will I do it again? Prob not! The aftermath has been fine, so far. I'll let y'all be the judge...what do you think?

Game on!

Mark it down, folks! Today starts my 6 month challenge to drink NOTHING but water. No more Diet Coke w/Lime😢. No more large drinks from McDonalds. No more coffee. So #8 begins today. We'll see if I can keep it up til August. Yikes!! If I can, I imagine I'll also make some progress towards #19! If you see me, cheer me on...this is a big one!

It's Good to Have Goals, Right?

I was at work the other day and a friend was talking about the things she had on a list: 30 things she wanted to accomplish by the age of 30.  Some were "big" things and some were very simple. I was inspired (shout out to Sarah W!)  Since 30 is long since past, I have come up with 40 things I would like to accomplish before turning 40. That gives me approximately 4 years from today to work on "the list".

So, my plan is to blog about my progress! You can help by cheering me on! Who knows, maybe you'll even be inspired to try new things, stretch yourself, or make goals for yourself. I'm looking forward to the journey and hope to reach each of the 40 items on my list. If I don't, I guess you'll be seeing a 50 by 50 list in a few years ;o)

And so it begins! Shout out to Sharon E. for suggesting this blog as the first step!! It addresses #6 -- It's created....time will tell if I maintain it for a year!  Feedback welcomed!

-Kathryn