Positives:

• Reasonable fees – Electric sites are $11 a night, which is very reasonable. 
• Clean and well kept campgrounds
• Modern & clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers
• Amazing Campground Hosts - Bonn & Erv are the campground host and hostess and they do an amazing job.  From organizing the camping sites, to picking up trash they have everything covered.  They have a stash of footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, discs & frisbees for the kids and families to use.  They also have extension cords, etc if the parents need anything.  Don’t forget Bonnie driving around in her golf cart on Saturday afternoon passing out candy to the kids and dog bones to the K-9 kind. 
• Ammenities:  Play ground, tether ball, basketball court, disc golf course, sand volleyball, & a soccer field for the kids to enjoy
• 2 Ponds for fishing and they are fully stocked
• Shuttle – Yes, the campground has a shuttle!  It’s an extended golf cart that is manned by a teenage girl and she will give you tours of the campgrounds, the town of Allison or run you into town for groceries and take you back…all for free!  It’s an amazing service and the kids loved it!
• Storm Shelters – thankfully we didn’t need them, but it is great that they offer storm shelters should there be nasty Iowa weather while camping!
• Entertainment Offered – Saturday night there was entertainment in the shelter house.  Bonnie and her ladies were there with their accordian, there was an open mic available, and a few DJ’d songs!  They also sold popcorn for $1 a bag.  It wasn’t professional by any means, but it did give the park a fun festive, family aura about it! 
• Connected to a bike path – the park is connected to a paved bike trail that takes you from Allison to Clarksville!  Very nice for a Saturday afternoon run!

Negatives:

• The advertised free Wi-Fi didn’t work!  I know that isn’t why some people go camping, but we would have liked to “check in” with some emails, etc.  Although, after it was all said and done I’m kind of glad that it didn’t work! 

Overall, it was a great weekend….we can’t wait to go back!  Way to go Allison, IA!

I’m not ready to go into details about said bump, but thankfully everyone in my world is healthy and happy, there has just been a reason to change my goal.  Now, I’m backing down from the races.  

When I skipped the first race almost 2 weeks ago, I was heartbroken.  I couldn’t believe that I wasn’t going to accomplish this goal I set for myself.  Thankfully, my fiance kept me plenty busy at home and I was able to keep my mind off it for awhile.  I can’t determine exactly why I am so heartbroken about this decision, but I know a lot of it has to do with missing the atmosphere of racing, along with the challenge to myself to place at every race. 

So, where to go from here??  I found some comfort in my heart realizing that even though I’m not racing, I go out every day to run and continue to push myself as well.  I guess this makes me a true “runner”.  As I headed out on my run the afternoon of the first skipped race it dawned on me that THIS was why I run, the run itself, the feeling I get when my legs are pounding the pavement and I’m sweating to my tunes.  THAT is why I run, not for the races.  Those are just a bonus. 

Then, the blessing came…God knew what I needed and the following week I was contacted by some fellow runners in my area saying that they were going to start group runs, last Saturday was the first one.  It was a cold, cloudy, humid day and had it not been for the group run, I don’t know if I would have gotten out there.  But, because of that group I did and it was a GREAT four miles.  I was pushed by them…similarly if I had been racing. 

Guess what?? We’re running again this weekend.  This time its a trail run, I love trail runs for the challenge that they pose and I’m looking forward to it even more in my new group!  Even though I’ve had to abandon my goals, I’ve been given such a blessing in my new running group and can’t wait to see what it brings the rest of the running season.

Negatives:

• No chip timing.  I know that not every race can have chip timing, but the longer I race, the more I wish that everyone did use it! 
• The miles weren’t marked.  I wear a watch and like to know my splits (it doesn’t do distance) and would have liked if they would have marked the miles out.
• There was no clock at the end of the race, nor was there anyone yelling out times.  If I hadn’t had my watch on, I would have not had any idea of where I finished.  I know that others in my group were frustrated because they didn’t know how they had done.
• There was quite a wait after the race to get finishing time along with the medal ceremony. 
• Refreshments were limited:  they had water, bananas, and Little Debbie snacks like oatmeal cream pie, nutty bars, and brownies.  I would have liked a bagel, granola bar or something in between a banana and a Little Debbie snack!  I would also like oranges…those are great post-race foods!

Positive’s:

• The atmosphere!  Because of the small community that it takes place in (and being close to home) there are quite a few people from the community that run or walk or both!  Its always great to see people at races throughout the summer!
• Registration was well-organized.  Those who were pre-registered got a goodie bag and those of us (I had dropped the ball this year) were quickly registered and still got a t-shirt!
• This race is the first in the Miles of Smiles series this year.  Miles of Smiles is a race “circuit” that one of the dentists in the area has put together to promote the support of local races and promote health and wellness.  There is a a whole break down of points given for each race you run, each time you place, etc.  Plus, if you run at least 3 of the races in the series, you get a commemorative t-shirt. (The dentist also is there with free toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss!)
• The snacks….yeah, I know what I put in the negatives, but come on….they had Little Debbie’s!!
• Great Course – it’s a trail run, but a pretty mild trail run…it involves hard packed dirt trails along with gravel and paved trails!  It’s a fun shaded, pretty flat course!

Overall, I love this race.  It’s not fancy, it’s not big and flashy, but it is so much fun!!!  It is definitely on next year’s agenda!

But, I do have a lot to be thankful though:

* Amazing parents and step-parents
* Great siblings and step-siblings
* The world’s best nephew
* An amazing guy who loves me regardless!
* 2 little boys who have brought so much joy to my life (and probably a few gray hairs, but you’ll never know it!)
* A job (and in today’s economy, that is something to be thankful for!)

* A wonderful home

* Great extended family & friends

* My health and the ability to do what I love (RUN!)

While all of this is great, nothing compare to my LORD who has given it all to me and blessed me beyond belief this year.  I can’t wait to see what he has in store for me from now until 31!

Negatives:

• Pre-race registration was in a location in downtown Council Bluffs.  It was a crowded area with limited parking!  (We were lucky and able to find a parking spot in a funeral home parking lot!)
• Post-race “party” had limited food.  By the time we finished the race and got to the refreshments we were left with a choice of an orange or apple.  I gotta level with ya….after I’ve run 13.1 miles and paid more than $50 to do so….I expect a cookie, a bagel, a muffin, granola bar, a banana…something more than an apple or an orange! 
• There was no bag check.  While parking was easily accessible, it would have been nice to have bag check so no one would have to run carrying a key or car remote. 
• The start was….odd.  They gathered the runners together and then “shuffled” us to the start, however, we didn’t really get there before they shot the gun, so it was more of an unorganized running start.  There was also no organization of the runners by pace or breaking up those running the half marathon and those running the 5K.  Very crowded!
• The timing chip was in our bib.  While its handy for the event because there is no chip or band to get back from the runners, it made the bibs kind of bulky and awkward for us runners. 
• The finish line was on an incline!

Positives:

• A great route.  While they described it as an out and back, it really wasn’t.  It was a combination of running on streets through an industrial part of town, streets through residential areas, trails along nature areas, and streets along a lake.  It had slight hills and was quite scenic. 
• The finish line was well “highlighted” and had a great crowd, announcers, people in costume handing out water bottles and the finishers medals.
• Water stops!  They were every mile and a half and included both gatorade and water with plenty of volunteers handing them out!
• Pre-race registration was easy and smooth and included a free pasta dinner for participants.
• Free Pasta Dinner – it was GOOD!  We were nervous considering the unknown, but they had plain spaghetti, marinara sauce, meatballs (which were amazing), bread sticks, salad, and ice cold water.  It was good food, well-staffed with volunteers cleaning tables and plates, and easily accessible at the same location as the pre-race registration
• Plenty of parking.  Harrah’s Hotel & Casino was the host of the race and thus, we had the whole casino parking lot for parking and prepping. 
• Post-race “party”.  While they didn’t have enough food for the runners, there were plenty of alcoholic beverages for the those of age, including samples (even though I didn’t partake!) and a great DJ. 
• Good shirts!!

Overall, it was a fun race with lots of support and fans, especially considering it was the first annual “edition” of this race.  If I had a desire to run a half marathon again, I would strongly consider running this one again and highly recommend to anyone else!

This was the “Run Like A Mother – 4 Mile” race in Cedar Falls.  It was put on by IWF (Iowa Women’s Foundation), so it benefited a great cause. 

Postives:

• The run started at 9AM, which was so nice for those of us that had to travel to get to the race…nothing worse than having to be at a race at 6:30AM. 
• Registration was very smooth.  I had pre-registered, which always helps, but the check-in was very smooth. 
• The t-shirts were rather basic, but nice.  The cool thing was that you could pick between a white or gray t-shirt when you registered.  I chose grey.

• The start time was spot-on!  9AM sharp!
• The path was paved and scenic
• The post-race refreshments were AWESOME!  There was glasses of water, lemonade, coffee, bananas, oranges, apples, and PANERA BAGELS!  The bagels….they were so divine!
• Free popcorn…you could take home free popcorn and you could choose between microwave or traditional. 

Negatives:

• Only one bathroom….I don’t mean only one bathroom building, I mean only one toilet for a couple hundred women, NOT COOL!
• Crowded…while the trail was scenic and paved, it was crowded because there was almost 400 people trying to run on a paved trail that was only wide enough for 4 adults.  It was very hard to get through and around the crowds and get a good pace set.  They would have been better off if they had started the runners in waves according to pace time. 
• The start….it was odd, I didn’t even really know that we had started (I couldn’t hear a gun or anything) until the people in front of me started moving. 
• Not chipped timed.  I know that smaller runs aren’t chipped time, but the longer I race the more I see the importance of having the race chipped time.  There was about a 45 second difference between the clock time and my time (hit my watch when I crossed the start line).  As a runner, those 45 seconds are BIG! 

Overall, the run was good, nothing spectacular, but good!  I don’t know if I’ll do it again, but its been added to my race list!

In a large fry-pan, combine 1 1/2 cup  rice, 1 stick margarine, and chopped chicken, cook till chicken done.

Add: 1/4c – 1/3c red wine vinegar, 10oz chicken broth, and shaved carrots.  Cook till rice done. 

Add frozen, chopped broccoli and cook till tender. 

Enjoy!

So, what is it that causes us to be crazy people and run in these conditions?  I’m not 100% sure that its die-hard dedication because if it had been a normal training day I wouldn’t have been out there.  I would have been inside on a treadmill for those 5 miles (and I HATE treadmills).  Maybe its the money we pay that forces us to get there and do it.  But, really….registration fees of $20 or $35 isn’t going to break us if we don’t race.  Perhaps it could be the loot that we race for.  The t-shirts, coupons, other trinkets that we get at races are great motivators, but…..

All of these are great possibilities, but I really think it is the atmosphere that surrounds a race that makes us do what we do.  If you’ve never raced or spent a lot of time around the “racing community” you don’t understand.  There is a special camaraderie that surrounds the racing community, there is an energy that our fans and supporters evoke and channel towards us to run our hearts out.  (On a side note, I have to say I have some of the greatest fans…my Mom and Step-Dad…they have stood in the cold & wind, rain, and gotten up at 2:30AM all to watch me run….and its not like I’m that good, I just love it).  Maybe it’s that push to get a medal whether its because you placed in your age category (I can’t wait to be rid of the college students and move up with the “older” ones) or going to finish a race for that finisher medal at a half or marathon, but getting the bling is a big part of it too!

It’s the satisfaction of knowing we pushed our bodies to accomplish something great and that others aren’t….knowing we are in good shape and physically fit.

I’m not 100% sure of what pushes us to do the crazy things we do (and it may be a combination of all of them), but it is WHAT WE RUNNER’S DO!

From the beginning it all seemed very well organized with signs directing traffic, along with people parking the traffic in the infield of the racetrack (you got drive through the tunnel and park near the garages.  Registration was inside the garages (very appreciated since it was 34 degrees and 30 miles per hour) and well organized and very smooth and quick check-in.  The loot was a nice long sleeved t-shirt.  There was also free pens, pads, stickers, and beer tasting (a small small cup) from the brewery in Newton.

Waiting for the start wasn’t so bad becuase we could be inside and use the flush toilets (no porta potties!)!  However, at 20 minutes till start time, they shuffled everyone outside.  Do I need to remind you of the weather conditions.  They moved us all out to the track and then we stood there for 20 minutes.  COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

The course itself was really cool and I’d love to go back where there isn’t gale-force winds and run it again.  You started with a lap on the track, out through the tunnel, around the grounds (hilly!) and back onto the track to finish a lap and cross the start/finish line.  The course really didn’t seem 5 miles long (Although, I wonder if it was the fact that I was more concerned about the wind than the distance). 

Post-race there was water bottles right there for runners.  Along with being able to take pictures with the Iowa Speedway pace car.  Once you went back inside the garage, there was more water, bananas, granola bars, and the beer tasting. 

Overall, it was a greatly organized race, cool course and good loot.  The only downfall was the having to wait outside for 20 minutes prior to the race in the cold and wind. 

Who’s going with me next year??

 and this new recipe, it was delish and I highly recommend!

Banana Bread

3-4 mashed bananas (I used 3 and it was plenty…I had 4, but wanted to eat one!)

1/3c. melted butter

1c. Sugar

1 egg

1t. vanilla

1t. baking soda

pinch of salt

1 1/2c. flour

Mix butter and bananas.  Add sugar, egg, and vanilla. Mix well.  Mix in rest well.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour. 

Very sweet and moist.

Some days you just feel more blessed than others. I can’t exactly explain what it is today that makes me feel more blessed than others, but I do. I have a wonderful life. I’ve surrounded myself with people who love me for me, support me 100%, and couldn’t be a better support system. You all know who you are and I want to thank you. You make me such a better person and make my life fuller than I could ever imagine!

The registration was smooth.  You could either mail in your registration or register online.  We received an email the day before the event stating that we should arrive early to get through the registration line in time  I arrived about an hour before the race was supposed to start, I got through the registration quickly and smoothly.  I received my glass (no t-shirt) and a few coupons for area businesses that I will definitely use.  Then, it was time to wait…..and wait…..and wait….and wait. 

The race was supposed to start at 10:00AM, but there were so many people there to register on the day of the race, that they had to push the start back until 10:30AM.  While I understand their need and desire to let everyone race that wants to, for those of us that registered early, it was kind of annoying that we were a half hour behind.  I had several errands to run and a day to get on with. 

The trail that the race was on was beautiful.  It was a paved, curving through trees and residential areas.  However, there were way too many people on the path.  They ended up starting us in waves because there were so many people, however the waves were too big for the 8ft wide path.  it took quite awhile to space ourselves out and actually set my own pace…although, I’m not sure I ever really did.  The race was an out and back, so the 8ft wide path became a 4ft wide path, which made passing other runners, if necessary, very difficult. 

The unique feature of this race was that there were 4 stations along the route with Krispy Kreme doughnuts at them.  You were supposed to eat as many doughnuts as you could.  For each doughnut eaten they would take time off your finish time.  I did not eat any doughnuts.  My stomach just wasn’t feeling up to it that morning. 

The race was chip timed, which was really nice considering there were so many people and the start was congested. 

The post-race food wasn’t too bad…they had orange quarters, bananas, bagels and cream cheese, cookies, and water. 

Overall, the race was pretty and a standard 5K, with a fun feature.  However, the late start and congested trail made it not so fun for me.  While I got to meet a new friend, which was great, I probably won’t be running this race again.

While Pastor was talking about our faith,  I think we can all take this advice in our day to day life.  How many of us worry about what we should be doing or could be doing if our lives were different or what we are missing out on?

I don’t know about you, but I am constantly worrying about how much time I have to spend with the people I love, my friends, and for my job. I worry about having enough money to pay all the bills andif I will have any left over to enjoy the luxuries of life.  I worry about if I’m missing something in my life or overlooking something that I should be doing or shouldn’t be doing. 

Why? What am I gaining from doing all this worrying?  Most improtantly, what am I missing out on becuase I’m too worried about the rest?  Sometime after Jon’s message I began to think about how the though of “just being” not only applies to our faith in God, but also to the rest of our life.  I don’t want to miss anything that I already have in my life or could become part of my life because I’m too worried about it.  So, my goal for the next couple months is to “just be” in my life.  Enjoy what I have and not sweat what I don’t or worry about what I might be missing out on.  From now on, its to just enjoy my life.

My goal for 2011 is to run 11 road races. Currently I have a 5K, 8K, a 4 mile, and a Half Marathon on my list. Official training started on March 6th, but I’m having to do some adjusting since my training schedule is one that starts me at mile 1 running and I’m above that already.   The great weather in Iowa isn’t helping either as I would rather be running outside than inside on a treadmill, but alas….

Stay tuned for reviews on the races…April 2nd will be my first 5K of the year and its bound to be an interesting one since it is titled, “Doughnut Run”.

God answers all prayers, not always necessarily how WE want, but how he (in his great plan) wants.  He always has our best interests at heart, whether we believe it or like his plan.  So, the best thing we can do is to pray.  To say you believe in God and that you trust in God are two totally different things.  You can believe in God, but do you trust him?  To trust him means to pray, pray, pray, and wait for His answer.  Again, I can’t claim to always do this all the time.  It’s easy to say I trust him, but it’s another to actually do it and I think this is something that several Christians struggle with on a regular basis.  We must pray and sit back.  While we may seem helpless because we aren’t doing anything, but we did the most powerful thing possible, we prayed.  Now, we must trust.  Oh so hard, but oh so true!

Taco Soup

2lbs. ground beef

1 can drained whole corn

1 can stewed tomatoes (I chopped mine up good in my Tupperware Quick Chef to make the bites of tomatoes smaller)

1 can Rotel

onion (I used dried minced onion)

1 packet taco seasoning

1 packet ranch dressing

Brown beef & drain.  Add veggies & seasoning.  Add water to your liking, bring to a boil & simmer.  Enjoy!  (Freezes well)

Just as Pastor Jon said this morning, I don’t know where (or if) you are on your walk with God…or what your “city” is right now.  (“city” being the problem or struggle you are facing right now), but I hope you can have the faith to put that struggle in Him.  I’m not even going to begin to stand up and say that I have the faith to do it 100% of the time, because I don’t.  Putting your life in someone else’s hands is tough, it’s a struggle and it takes an immense amount of FAITH!

Pastor Jon also urged us to take the march one day at a time.  Instead of trying to blow the walls of your city down in one day, march one day and rest, just like God urged Joshua & his peeps!  Maybe you think your struggle is too small for God to worry about or too big for anyone man to fix, but that’s the coolest thing about God, he can do it all, large or small!!  And to God, no request is too big or too small. 

My struggle right now is three fold.  Three things that are totally unrelated to each other and yet this morning, I felt the world (and still do right now honestly) on my shoulders.  I know that compared to what others are dealing with, this is nothing.  But, to me right now, they are big things and I know that means to God, they are big too!  While my mind wants to race and find ways to fix all three things RIGHT NOW!  I know that I don’t have that capacity nor the ability, so I’m going to keep marching around my “city” one day at a time and then I will rest and let God do his deal!  During my rests I will pray, pray, and pray some more.  Right now, that is all I can do.  The rest is in God’s hands and I have faith that no matter the outcome or when, it will be in the best interest of all involved.

If you’re a runner or not, you need to consider reading “Second Wind” by Cami Ostman.  It’s the story of Cami’s mid-life quest to run 7 marathons on all 7 continents.  While I don’t plan on running a full marathon anytime soon (or at all), but if you read this book you can’t help but be motivated to find something you love and put energy into it, knowing that there will be roadblocks, but to never give up.  Really, go get it and read it!  NOW!

My training has already started off differently than last year. I am trying to focus on all-over fitness than strictly running.  I’ve always been anti-strength training, but in my older wisdom (I think) I’ve come to realize the importance of strength training.  I’ve realized its importance not only to my HM training, but also to my general fitness and health.  *sigh* I’ve also come to realize (perhaps I’ve been hit upside the face) that I’m not getting any younger and that means my body isn’t quite what it used to be (not that it’s an amazing piece, but I like to think I’ve worked hard to keep it decent enough) and I’m going to have to work twice as hard to keep it in some form of its current state the older I get.

So, onto my new plan to “stay” physically fit.  I’ve enrolled in (and start tomorrow) a strength & conditioning class at 5;30AM.  I’m looking forward to it as it doesn’t use any weights or machines, just the human body so it will be quite interesting to see how I do! I’m looking forward to doing something like this in a group setting (which is also new to me) and seeing my body change through the 6 weeks!  Finally, I’m anxious to see how this affects my running and how it helps make the long Iowa winter’s go by faster!  Wish me luck!

Caramel Apple Crumb Pie

• 1-refrigerated pie crust
• canned apple pie filling

Place one refrigerated pie crust in a pie pan, fill will apple pie filling.

• 3/4 C. graham crumbs
• 3/4 C. white sugar
• 1/4 C. flour
• 1T. cinnamon
• 5T. melted butter

Mix all of the above and cover the pie filling. 

Bake @ 450 degrees for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for another 20 minutes. 

Drizzle caramel ice cream topping over the pie (depending on how much you like, it’s up to you).  Bake for another 10 minutes.  Cool & enjoy!

My recipe box was handmade for me by my Grandpa (Mom’s Dad).  On the bottom of the box is EWS (my grandfather’s initials) and 84.  This was the year he made it for me…3 years after I was born.  Inside I have a recipe card with my grandmother’s handwriting and the card is dated 1-10-1986 and reads as follows:

                  To Katy, Made by Grandpa in 1984 from walnut from a tree on the farm where your Mother was born.

I love that my recipe box was handmade by Grandpa, has Grandma’s handwriting in it, and came from my mom’s childhood home.  I also love the fact that my recipe box is FULL of my favorite recipes.  Most of them have been handed down to me from my grandmother’s, aunts, or mom.  Of course, there are my own in it as well, but my favorites that have been handed down to me are:

• Puppy Chow
• veggie bars
• butter fruit (this was a favorite treat/snack of mine when I was young)
• applesauce salad (a favorite of mine from G’ma P)
• chocolate salad (G’ma S’s most popular salad)
• orange salad (made with sherbet and one of G’ma P’s)
• mom’s meatloaf and spaghetti sauce
• hash brown quiche (one of my friends’ mom made this for our family and it is now a family favorite)
• cinnamon flop (my dad used to make this and send it with me and my friends to speech contests and music contests in high school)
• rice & raisins (my dad’s family is crazy about this and is one of my all time favorite foods)

I think I’ll begin sharing some of my favorite recipes with you, my friends, because I love a good recipe exchange and feel free to share your favorites with me!!

Yes, I recently changed jobs! I left my farmers at the elevator after 4 1/2 years! 

I have been looking for a new job for awhile.  I liked my work with the farmers, but there wasn’t anywhere for me to go within the company.  I enjoyed the work, but at the age of 29, I didn’t want to be a secretary for the rest of my life.  I had a degree and I wanted to do something that challenged me, that would help me grow as a person and as a professional.  Finding that right fit for that proved to be a little harder than I thought.  I needed to find something that not only appealed me, but could financially support me.  Yes, I have an education degree, but wasn’t sure teaching was what I wanted to do.  I also didn’t want to move, so I was restricted to jobs around my area. 

After much looking, several interviews, lots of applications, and one very weird turn of events (thanks to my dad) I was offered a position with a remedial service agency.  We teach skills to kids.  I get to work with kids, working on activities and talking about life, helping them build skills they need to survive in today’s world.  I help them learn how to handle life situations.  So far, it’s great!!  It’s flexible, fun, challenging (in a positive way)and it’s great to be working with kids again! 

I have no idea where this job will take me, but I can’t wait to see.

Sometimes he lets that boss get in his head.
He can’t see past that mountain
of deadlines on his desk.
5 o’clock, he’s the last one out of the gate
And he gets cut off, flipped off, ticked off
out on the interstate.
And he wonders why this world won’t leave him alone,
’til he hears that little voice holler “daddy’s home.”
Things that matter, things that don’t.

I’ve heard (and read) a lot of people saying things like, “2010 sucked” and “worst year ever”.  This really discourages me that society, as a whole, can’t find the positives anymore, that we only focus on the negatives.  We’ve all been through struggles and hardships and heartaches.  Maybe they were all this year, maybe they were last year, and maybe they were 15 years ago.  Life isn’t easy, life isn’t all about roses and sunshine.  Those hardships, heartaches, and struggles are the things that form us into the people we are.  Are they fun? NO!  But, unless you’ve lost every single family member, lost all your friends, had your house go back to the bank, lost your job, and found out you are termianlly ill all in one year, I have a hard time believing that 2010 was the “worst year EVER”! 

Yeah, it might have been a bit harder than you would have liked, but it might have been more blessed than you could have imagined too.  Maybe you had a baby, got married, found the love of your life, bought a new home, got a new job, or took an awesome trip.  Maybe the GREAT things in life are the things you have in your everyday life: husband, wife, child, parents, home, job, etc. 

I think we need to try and take time and focus on the things that matter and forget about the things that don’t.  So you aren’t ever going to be rich…there will never be enough money!  So, you don’t have your dream job at this exact moment…that means you can only go up, right?  Focus on the good things and forget the crappy because in the end, they probably won’t matter anyway! 

I think too often in today’s world, we adults get caught up in everything that surrounds Christmas: presents, entertaining, making it to every single party/get-together, which food to cook, etc. But, maybe we all need to step back for a couple minutes and remember the magic of Christmas.

In my world, the true reason for Christmas is to celebrate Christ’s birth. I won’t lie about my faith or deny that it is what drives (for me) the true reason for the season, however…I also can’t deny the magic that surrounds Christmas in the eyes of children.

If you’re feeling “caught up” in the hustle, bustle, and planning of the holidays, take an hour and spend some time with kids, talking about Christmas and let yourself get caught up in the magic of Christmas. See Christmas through their eyes….see their excitement as they look for Max the “Elf on the Shelf” every morning, see their excitement as they sit on Santa’s lap and tell them what they want to see under the tree, see the twinkling in their eyes as they go through the toy catalogs circling so many things they go through 3 ink pens!

My Christmas wish for each of you is that you remember the true meaning of Christmas and can get caught up in the magic that surrounds Christmas.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!