Feeling Better

Last week in my post A Bit Disconnected, I talked about how I was not feeling as though I was doing a good job at anything and not feeling as though I could pull myself out of the "funk" that I was in. Well, thanks to prayers from many friends and some very encouraging words from a few family and friends, I am much better. Thank you Mom, Steph, Kathy, Buffy, Kiki, and my Bible Study Divas for your prayers and precious words of encouragement. You guys are the BESTEST! (as Junie B. Jones would put it), and I appreciate your prayers and friendship more than these words can express. I love you all, and I am so thankful that God has placed each and every one of you in my life.

A Bit Disconnected

I am feeling a bit disconnected these days. Generally, I feel as though I am doing a fairly good job at most things in my life. If I wasn't so "gold" and so critical of myself, I would probably think that I was doing a rather good job at most things in my life most of the time. But, for now, and for the past couple of weeks, I just don't feel as though I am measuring up.

"Measuring up to what?" you ask. I guess that is part of the problem. Measuring up to the high standards that I impose upon myself, the high expectations that those who know me expect of me (or so I "believe" they expect of me, maybe? probably?). I don't know. I just don't feel like I am doing my best at anything, yet I just can't seem to do or give anything more right now to get closer to my perceived best.

I know that I am frustrated with myself right now because I am not eating right, not exercising, because I have gained 6 lbs., and because I can't remember everything about everything like I used to be able to in the past. I have managed to make a bit dent in my laundry pile and to keep my house 95% picked up and orderly, and that is a huge improvement over the last several months. I also know (in my head) that I just need to pray, stay focused - maybe refocus - stop beating myself up, pray, stop being so critical of myself, pray, stopping worrying so much about what I am "not" doing/doing well and focus on what I "am" doing/doing well, and pray that God will show me very clearly and simply where I need to place my focus and the path that He has for my life.

Like I said, I "know" all of these things in my head, but there is a disconnection between my head and my heart that I need to get reconnected. Tomorrow is another day. Another opportunity for me to start again, and I pray that I will feel more confident, more connected.

I heard this song earlier today, and it has been on my mind ever since.

Nationals Win Round One of Tournament

Our little guys pulled out a win tonight! They beat a team that beat them 4-2 early in the season. The final score was 7-6. They hung in there until the very end and never gave up. It was a great game and a great win! They play the #1 team in the league on Thursday night, so pray that our boys are focused and ready to give 110%!

Way to Go Nationals!

Our little Nationals played the Rangers yesterday and won their game 10-4. Connor was the third baseman for the 3-inning game, was walked both times he was up-to-bat, and scored one run for his team. Kathy's son, Jacob, pitched for the second time yesterday, and did a great job. He struck-out two batters.

Our end-of-season tournament begins on Monday night. If the boys win on Monday, it looks as though they will play game number two on Thursday night. If you would like to join us for a game, please let me know, and I will get all of the information to you.

Tornados Soccer

What a game! The boys played a terrific game. The game was exciting to the very last minute and the boys continued to take shots on the other team's goal and to defend their own goal right up to the final whistle. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. Connor was named DEFENSIVE Player of the game! He stopped several goals throughout the game, came up from his defensive position to attack the ball and send it back to his forwards, and made a HUGE defensive play just in front of his own goal, protecting his goalie and preventing the other team from scoring. Their last game is next Saturday morning at 8:00am. We would love for you to join us.

Halloween

What a great night! We joined our neighbors in the cul-de-sac to pass out candy, eat, and visit. The evening started with just the neighbors but ended with neighbors from around the neighborhood. At one time, we must have had 100 people in our cul-de-sac visiting and enjoying the cool night air.

The kids trick-or-treated, ate candy, played football, did gymnastics, ran around, and just had a great time. Some of the parents trick-or-treated, as well, but most just enjoyed hanging out in the cul-de-sac. A couple of us made chili, another tortilla soup and queso, and others ordered pizza. Everyone enjoyed eating and visiting, passing out candy, and looking at all of the cute costumes.

We saw lots of rag dolls, genies, ladybugs, scary creatures, Indiana Joneses, Bat men & Bat women, witches, and believe it or not, three young boys dressed as Elvis. Yes, our little Z-Man was a precious Elvis (Little "e" as Blake's called him), and our little drama queen was a modern day Raggedy Ann doll. (For those of you who are wondering why Connor's nickname is "Z" man rather than "C" man ... when we was little, he had a hard time saying "C" and he always said that his name was spelled "Z"onnor. Hence, Blake and my dad started calling him "Z" man, and it stuck!)

Here are some pictures from Halloween 2008.

I've Been Tagged

My friend Buffy tagged me. I am supposed to write 6 quirky things about myself and then tag 6 other bloggers. I got this a bit later than all of my blogger friends, so I think that they have already tagged all of the bloggers that I know, so ... I am not sure who I am going to tag, but here are 6 quirky things about me ...

1. I don't eat chocolate! I know, I know. Many of you are saying, "You don't eat chocolate? Really? How can you NOT each chocolate?" I just don't. I do eat brownies and the occassional chocolate cake, but I don't eat candy bars, M&M's, or any other chocolate candies.
2. I don't eat peanut butter. Just about everyone I know loves peanut butter, but not me. Growing up, I was the only one in my family who did not eat peanut butter.
3. I hate dusting. Growing up, my sister always dusted, and I always folded clothes. I would do just about any chore growing up to get out of dusting. I still hate dusting today. My house only gets dusted when the maid or one of my kids does it.
4. I'm addicted to technology. I love my cell phone, my computer, my email, etc. I can't stand to be "out-of-touch", and I end pretty much every day by crawling in bed, logging in to my laptop, and checking my email.
5. I wear the same earrings everyday. My precious husband gave me diamond stud earrings for Christmas 11 or so years ago, and I have worn them everyday (with very few exceptions) since then. I have received some FAITH jewelry earrings in the past few years, but I bet I have not worn each pair more than once. I just love my diamond studs and put them on every day.
6. I am addicted to Usana Wild Strawberry Protein Shakes. My sister-in-law, Amy, a nutrition therapist, encouraged Blake and I try them last winter to boost our metabolism and help with weight loss. Now, I can't go a day without them, and I have one for breakfast every morning and sometimes a second one for lunch or dinner. I even took my little personal blender and shake mix to St. Lucia this summer and made shakes for breakfast every morning.

Well, as I said before, I don't think that I have anyone left to tag - anyone who blogs, that is - so I am going to tag some of my new FaceBook friends instead.