always a follower...

In my youth, I was not much of a leader...more of a follower. I looked to others for the cool things to do, places to go and items to wear. Although I was smart enough not to follow so-and-so "if they jumped off a bridge" so to speak, you didn't see me taking center stage to lead the group anywhere.

When I entered the workforce, it wasn't much different. I shied away from positions described for independent, self-starters. I felt I needed a little more support than that to dive into new challenges.

So my first leadership role ever was the one of motherhood (Does that count?) I had no choice...I had two little people that desperately needed my guidance. I also joined a mom's group outside of my church where I made some fantastic friends for myself and my kids. Eventually, the group needed some organizers to plan play dates and host night's out. I stepped up for this role and for the first time people were looking to to me to make decisions (besides my children). These decisions, have not been monumental by any means (choosing places and times for meetups), but it has been a chance to get my feet wet.

Now, after 35 years of life, I have taken a real leap toward leadership. Holding the position of Spiritual Director for my church group CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish) team implores me to lead a group of women in something MOST important -- a spiritual journey -- and I am beyond privileged.

divine weekend!

Over the weekend, I attended the retreat that my CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish) team has been preparing for 6 months. Leading up to the event, although I was excited, I also had a lot of anxiety about witnessing my faith story in front of unfamiliar women, leading my table in discussion about religious topics and leading others in prayer (something I had never done before). It turns out that my apprehension was unwarranted. The weekend was filled with comfort, peace and camaraderie.

It was a fantastic experience to to watch these new women come in and indulge in the same special events of the weekend that meant so much to me 6 months ago and actually see them grow spiritually.

My team did a wonderful job of getting these women to open up and encourage them to continue their spiritual journey by choosing to be a part of the next formation team that prepares the same retreat for a future group of women just like them. We were all thrilled to find out that the entire group accepted the challenge. I, however, was especially delighted because I have been chosen to lead this new group in the task (the leader of each group chooses a member to lead the next). I am honored and humbled by this opportunity. And although I am nervous about the challenges ahead, I am excited to continue the process and happy that this CRHP experience isn't ending for me.

surprise!

Something happened over the weekend that I never thought possible. Something I never imagined could happen to me...

My husband threw me a surprise party and it worked! I did not suspect a thing. He plotted, planned and executed perfectly.

My birthday is this coming Wednesday and the day is jammed packed with activities that would not allow me to spend my normal Wednesday with my mom nor spend time with Brad and the kids in the evening. So I thought nothing of planning a casual birthday dinner at a restaurant up the street to celebrate.

I also had asked Brad not to get me anything this year -- I felt no need to spend the extra cash when there was nothing I really needed. So I was ecstatic (not suspicious) at the suggestion that he and the kids clean the entire house as a gift to me. They did this while I was out getting my hair did (my true present anyway...to myself). So due to the fresh highlights and skilled blow out by "my girl", even after a windy soccer game and a lax effort to get ready for dinner, I didn't actually look horrendous when I walked in my door to an unexpected kitchen full of people.

The funniest thing is meanwhile in the midst of his secret planning -- I was conjuring up my own birthday party at a bar for the following weekend with the same guest list. Boy, did I confuse some people!

It was a great party filled with the people I care about most. It warms my heart to know that Brad would go through all that trouble (because I am not easy to surprise) and that all of those people were there just for me. It has made turning the old 35 a lot more acceptable.

So kudos to Brad and thank you to everyone else!

That's A LOT of candles!

it's all about the kids...

Seems like lately, all things revolve around my kids. With Kindergarten starting, soccer coming to a head, ice skating continuing and Peyton's 1st day of preschool rapidly approaching, all time and thoughts go into what they are doing. If you'd like to see what they are doing, join us at My Ladybuggs. Hopefully when things start to settle in for them -- I can get back to normal...whatever that might be now!

wordless wednesday: 1st day of kindergarten

small victories

Something is happening with me. When I started this Weight Watchers thing, like every other diet I've been on, I treated it as just that...a diet. Something I would hurry up and try to do to lose weight so that I could go back to eating "normal." This mind set is the cause of all my past failures.

Yesterday, I wasn't eating very many of my points (which is really weird for me) because I was working on my very first scrapbook, which turns out to be very time-consuming. Anyway, because I had so many points remaining, I kind of pigged out a bit on the tacos/nachos that I made for dinner. Then, I felt awful about it. It's the 1st time I've been "overly full" in quite some time. So I ended up going for my second jog/walk of the day to make myself feel better. This is a victory for me.

Also, I started out, a couple of months ago, with a 30-minute walk every morning that I could. Now I jog fifteen minutes, walk fifteen minutes. I have worked up to this day by day. This may not sound like much of an accomplishment -- but for me it's huge -- I've never been a runner of any kind. This is a victory for me.

I am now 10 lbs down. I see it...I feel it...I like it! And I'm hoping it's only the beginning. I am finally feeling that, as long as I can falter once in a while...like all humans do, I could really do this. I could look at this as a "lifestyle" change instead of a temporary diet. This is a victory for me.

wordless wednesday...