this and that

Well, it has been a while since I have posted.  Mainly because life has just been busy and pretty tough these past few weeks.  I didn't even get around to posting about Kyle's surprise birthday party that I threw back in December?? I'll try to throw in some pictures from that in this post. I think there were around 45 people that ended up showing up and driving into Charlotte.  Sarah and John Chidester hosted us all weekend at their home and boy was Sarah such a great help to me!  John did a stellar job as well in getting Kyle to red rocks and occupying him all day with a little It's always sunny and beer :)  The party was a "mustache bash" which was just a silly theme but was fun to carry throughout the decorations.  I even had koozies made because everybody knows that it's not a party for kyle without a koozie!  Anyways, he was definitely touched at the many people that came and showed love to him for his birthday.

There's been so many changes lately, some good some bad.  I lost my aunt two weeks ago to stage IV cancer. My mom's only sister and my only aunt on my mom's side. It was pretty hard especially considering that we just lost my pawpaw to cancer not too many months ago.  My aunt was diagnosed not too long ago and there wasn't much they could do.  They started some radiation but that was causing her not to eat so they had to discontinue that.  Then she was so weak that my uncle started questioning any treatment in the hopes that she would enjoy her last bit of life on this earth.  Well not many weeks after that she passed.  It was a pretty surreal experience for me because I have had experience in the medical field with death, etc. but it's always a wake up call when you are the one on the other side of the bed.  We were able to honor and celebrate her life last thursday and I was able to say a few words about how wonderful she was.

Our small group has had some changes as well!  Of course, i am still recovering from losing one of my best friends that I was so blessed to meet in small group to the great state of Alabama.  Josef and Em have been gone for a little over 2 months now and things definitely aren't the same but I know they are great "heart" friends and will be in our lives for a long time, just a little farther away!  We have added two new couples to our married small group and I am definitely excited to see the new dynamics and love on the new members.

My church, PC3 always does "my one word" series at the beginning of the year because our Pastor Mike started a long time ago picking one word to focus on and be changed rather than picking the always failing "new years resolutions".  My one word for this year is image.  I want to be radically changed by knowing and believing that I am created in His image, making better health choices for myself including discipline to stick to a routine of working out and eating right and just having a healthier self image of myself where I am not so hard on myself and can release the pressures of having everything "just right and put together".  I don't eat that unhealthy as it is but I want to continue to pick foods that make me feel better and not carbs because everyone knows I love a good carb.  I also have started training for a half marathon.  I have always been active and worked out pretty regularly but never pushed myself out of my comfort zone when it comes to exercise.  I know that jan, feb and march tend to be pretty difficult and stressful months for me workwise, etc so I thought giving myself a goal would be helpful.  I am hoping to run the Nashville Rock n roll half in April.  I have gotten up to around 4.5-5 miles so far so I still have a little ways to go!  I know my new pair of brooks are just the thing to keep me motivated :)

I am soo looking forward to this weekend.  We are headed to Charleston to spend a night downtown, eat some delicious food and see the Avett Bros concert on Sunday night (kyle's 30th bday present from me).  I know it is going to be a wonderful weekend of much needed time together and rest!