Deb's Blog

my daily mile year end results

tjwsmum — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:07:42 +0000

I love tracking my workouts and mileage on mydailymile. It keeps track of so many things! I thought some of this was information was funny so I thought I’d share it.

Total miles: 392.03

Total time: 43.08

10 lbs burned (if only!)

82 total workouts

0.02 around the world

506.55 TVs powered (!)

20.63 gas saved

205.25 donuts burned

Since I’m not running much these days thanks to my injuries, I’m at least logging my other workouts. I wonder how much I’ll burn in 2012?! Interesting, huh?

good riddance 2011

tjwsmum — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:20:00 +0000

Ever had one of those years where nothing seemed to go right? It was just one thing after another after another. It was a bad, bad year. The only good thing is, it’s over. Instead of rehashing all of those bad things, I’m going to wave them goodbye, and hope that all of those things did indeed make me a stronger person. Because surely, something good had to come out of that mess, right?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

what a great break! and the best part – it’s not over yet!

tjwsmum — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:38:57 +0000

I have really been enjoying this winter break. I have spent time with friends and family, cleaned and organized, caught up with stuff that I’ve been putting off, and enjoyed the fresh air and exercise either outside for walks or at the Y and even tried a couple of classes. I haven’t done one thing for work, although I have thought about it briefly, and for once I don’t feel guilty about it. And the good part? I still have 4 days left!

Buddy at the dog park. His first time - he had a blast!

merry christmas!

tjwsmum — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:07:46 +0000

It seems as if I’d hardly had time to get into the Christmas spirit with school being so crazy and schedules being so hectic. On my non-teaching duty day of doing grade cards, lesson plans, and reorganizing my classroom on the 22nd, that left 1 day to do some running around and then – bam! – Christmas was here! Somehow everything got done (and even if it didn’t, it obviously didn’t matter), and we celebrated a lovely Christmas Eve attending a NewSpring church service, then dinner and desserts like fudge (thanks, David!), trifle (thanks, Jane!) and our annual tradition of the kids decorating sugar cookies back at our house.

Christmas Day brought a rare opportunity for sleeping in. Jocelyn was the early riser and couldn’t sleep past 2 am. Fortunately, she kept herself occupied downstairs until a reasonable hour. Wesley was up shortly after 7 am and Taylor had to be woken up around 7:30 am. After opening presents and taking Buddy for a walk, we went to my parents’ house for a yummy Christmas meal and more presents. One thing was a little strange, though, as it was our first Christmas without everyone there. My older brother, Darren, and his family had moved to South Carolina in October. Over all, though, it was a lovely day with a chance to enjoy family and the many, many blessings God has provided.

Jocelyn & Katie wearing their new pajamas from Anne & Ian in England.

Wesley, Ken & Liam

Zach & Taylor

Nancy & David

Mum & Dad

Abbie really liked her new doll house!

Ken & I - Jocelyn made us matching pillow cases for Christmas

my beautiful children (but of course I’m biased!)

tjwsmum — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:32:59 +0000

Wesley (9), Jocelyn (12), and Taylor (14)

prairie fire 2011

tjwsmum — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:17:08 +0000

I’ve always been one for a challenge and I started training for this one back in March. I officially signed up for the Prairie Fire Half Marathon back in April. I’ve actually wanted to run a marathon back ever since I was in high school but there’s a big difference between the 2 mile cross country races I was running versus 26.2 miles. When Mum and I were WALKING 39.3 miles for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in 2009 the first day of 26.2 seemed incredibly long. So I opted for the 1/2 marathon. Baby steps, right?!

I trained all summer, getting up pre-dawn to beat the heat. At the end of July I joined a group at the Y who held me accountable for my runs and gave me something to look forward to on the weekends. It was tough. Once school started my stress level went up, schedules got crazy across the board, my allergies flared up resulting in a sinus infection and double ear infections, and the week prior to the race, I injured my knee. Talk about being discouraged. But I was bound and determined to run.

And I did. I wrapped my knee and successfully completed running the entire 13.1 miles. My time wasn’t as great as I would have liked – 2:07:56 – but considering I gave it everything I had and with the obstacles I’d been facing, it was a good first try. I finished 711th out of 1,559 participants. And for my age group 59th out of 192. Because you know I’m going to have to do it again now. And maybe I’ll get to that whole marathon after all.

Nearly to the end!

Ken (he ran the 5K) and I after the race.

Love the "Finisher" shirt and medal!

Back to School 2011

tjwsmum — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:49:29 +0000

I’m really not sure where the summer went. It seemed as though it was dragging on and then BOOM! all of a sudden it was over.

So on August 16th I put my oldest two on their respective buses as they headed to middle school and high school. Jocelyn’s bus pick up time was 6:16 AM and it was still dark outside when we first got there. Taylor’s bus was actually a few minutes early. The following day Wesley headed for his first day of 4th grade. They all came home with big smiles and lots to talk about. I will take that as a good sign.

Buddy came along with us to the bus stop. He loved his early morning walk and wasn't in the least bit bothered when she climbed on the bus.

Taylor's too cool for me to take pictures at the actual bus stop. I settled for in front of the house instead.

I usually take pictures at the school but Wesley just wanted the ones I take outside by the house. Oh well. I guess they're growing up! At least they let me TAKE the pictures!

chillin’ in colorado

tjwsmum — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:02:32 +0000

I love going to Colorado for many reasons but when it’s July and it’s hotter than heck in Kansas, there’s no better place to be than relaxing in the mountains. So I packed up the van with bikes and children and we set off on the 9 1/2 hour drive to Keystone, CO. As always, we ran out of time with the many things we like to do there. From mini golf to hiking to paddle boating to cycling to swimming to shopping to Farmer’s markets, we were busy, busy, busy. We even participated in a race that was new to Keystone, the 10K! Here are a few of my favorite pics from our trip.

Taylor, Jocelyn, and Wesley on a ride back from River Run. We also biked to Frisco and back - 19 miles for some, 26 for others!

Wesley, me and Jocelyn.

Feeding the chipmunks at Sapphire Point.

At the top of Dercum Mountain, my boys strike a pose.

Three generations!

My Dad with my boys at the top of Dercum Mountain.

On the paddle boats at Lakeside Village with my Dad and Wesley.

amtrak adventure

tjwsmum — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:06:50 +0000

This year we did something we had never tried before, vacationing with friends as well as taking a different mode of transportation, the train! All around I would say the trip was indeed a success!

We began by driving down to Oklahoma City to meet up with our friends. We left early in the morning, arrived in Ft. Worth around lunch time, and walked to our hotel with luggage in tow. I’m sure we were quite a sight, ten of us (4 adults and 6 children) wearing backpacks or pulling suitcases, traipsing across intersections of downtown! That afternoon we ate lunch at Potbelly’s, went through two museums and a Barnes & Noble, and swam in the hotel pool before the manager’s reception and heading out again for dinner in Sundance Square at Mi Cocina. After dinner we walked to the Water Gardens, which were beautiful. The following day we took the bus to the zoo, and although it was incredibly hot (triple digits) and very busy (Wednesdays were half-price days?!) we had a good time before returning to the Amtrak station and OKC.

The train was spacious with plenty of leg room and comfortable, except for my broken (rocking) chair on the way home. The children enjoyed partnering up with their friends for the ride and the adults could actually enjoy the commute talking, reading, or listening to our music. I would most definitely do it again!

Owen and Wesley on the train.

Jocelyn and Audrey at the Amtrak station in Ft. Worth shortly after we'd arrived.

Our group at the restaurant, Mi Cocina.

Our group of children at the gardens.

Our friends Rod and Malena.

Sunset from the train.

my little prairie girl

tjwsmum — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 02:22:13 +0000

Jocelyn participated in another year of Girl Scout camp this summer at our local living museum, Cowtown. She thoroughly enjoys stepping back into the 1870′s Wichita time, taking on a character for a week of day camp. On their final day, the girls put on a little social complete with songs, recitations, and dances. She plans to put her quilt square in the Cowtown County Fair this fall, too.

Jocelyn with Girl Scout friend, Cortney.

Jocelyn with her cousin, Katie.

A picture of her picture!