off and running

I used to run a lot.  And I loved it.  To me, there is no better form of stress relief.  I cannot pinpoint the exact day I stopped running,  however I do know that it happened during, what I like to call, Our Great Depression: Adoption. 

International adoption is NOT for the weak at heart.  And it is not for everyone.  Looking back, I can honestly say that there is no part of the process I wouldn't do over.  The trials , flips, twists and turns of the trip is what made us into the family we are.  And when I say family, I am referring to ANYONE who knows/loves and supports my sweet child!  The point is, adoption is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life.

Up until now.


I am currently facing a much larger giant.  And I would be deceiving you if I wasn't honest by saying that over the past week I can actually feel myself slipping into a depression.  I am so good at:

• Keeping busy
• Taking JP to the park and wearing a hat so that no one can tell that I am crying.
• Putting on the "happy" mask around everyone and crying myself to sleep at night.

This list could go on.  I have mastered them all.  Trust me.  Well,  I made a decision tonight!  Satan has already won ONE victory through this rain.  I REFUSE TO LET HIM TAKE MY JOY ANY MY IDENTITY AWAY FROM ME!  So, rather than crawling in the bed, covering my head or watching Netflix ALL THE LIVE LONG DAY, I am going to reinvent myself.  I'm breaking out my sweat clothes and my old running shoes!  I am so excited! 

Please don't misunderstand me.  I'm gonna have bad days, for sure.  I cannot change that.  It's part of this ugly process.  What I can, and will, change is how I react to the bad days.  For now, I'm gonna run until I cannot run any more.  And I'm thankful I have friends who are willing to push me towards this new goal.  I plan on being very successful over time.  And I will gratefully accept any prayer support you can offer.  I also have a wish list for my millionaire friends who, I'm sure read this site....

1. A small IPod with headphones for running
2. New running shoes/socks
3. Runner's wrist watch

Donations are welcome! (J/k)    Well, I will keep you all informed from time to time of how this goes.  With updates and pictures!  For now just pray for my success.  As I said before I am in definite need of stress relief.  Now.

movie review

I have to first express my frustration with the weekend/nighttime price of the movie ticket.  $10.50!!!  Are you kidding me?!  I'm sure that most of you know this and are not surprised by it, but it made me just a little sick.  Now, you know that I rarely go to the movies.  And when I do, I go in the middle of the day.  Sad, huh?  I actually LOVE going to see a movie.  I guess I am just not fond of paying for them!

House at the End of the Street is a MUST see.  Especially if you enjoy psychological thrillers!  I honestly cannot say too much about the actual story because it would give it away.  Below is a list of what you will NOT find:

• There is little to no foul language
• No blood/gore and "Nightmare on Elm Street" type goofiness
• No sex scenes (there was one make-out scene that I must admit was pretty good! LOL)

Bottom line...see the movie.  In my opinion, for what it's worth, you will not regret it. 

Now, was it worth $10.50?   I'll let you be the judge of that.

where have i been?

While most of you probably think I have fallen off the face of the Earth, it is NOT true!!!  I have not been able to post on blogger from my laptop.  The icons do not appear.  I am not sure what is happening, but I continue to try.  It's been so hard for me!  Those of you who know me, know that blogging serves as an outlet for me.  A journal. 

And I have missed it.

There is a LOT taking place in our lives right now.  God is teaching me lots of new things that I hope to share with you in the future.  There are a few really exciting things that have helped to push me through my week lately.

1. NCIS begins tonight!!!  I am so excited!  I know, I know.  It's a little corny, but while waiting on the new season of Burn Notice to come back on in November, this show will serve as my obsession.  And tonight we find out who survived the EXPLOSION in the season finale!!  Yay for Tuesday nights!
2. Our trip to Disney!  As October approaches I get more and more excited about taking JP to Disney World.  And he has NO idea!  Be still my heart!
3. Thanksgiving!  Growing up, my family camped during the Thanksgiving holiday.  We began camping at Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach when I was a little girl.  We moved from there to Stone Mountain Park and then to James Island in Charleston.  This year, we are heading back to Myrtle with our extended "family."  It will be just like old times and I am beside myself excited.  Macaroni and Cheese just tastes better outside on a picnic table!

Well, that's about it for now.  I promise to figure out what the HECK is going on with blogger vs my laptop so that I can begin posting more frequently again.  BTW, for the time being, I am probably going to combine my two blogs.  Due to the crazy circumstances in life, there is NO way I can post on two separate blogs.  So, those of you who follow my devotional site will have to settle for this one!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

me & jp havin' fun in the (not so much) sun