March Madness

What a whirlwind of a month it has been!!!  So much has happened in March and I'm just thankful to have made it through the chaos.

March brought new beginnings, new challenges, and new realizations.  It also brought completed chapters, experiences to check off the bucket list, and self-awareness.

These past couple weeks have been particularly busy.  They were long, exhausting, and even emotional.  It's so hard when people disappoint you, but it's always inevitable that it will happen.  You always want someone to consider your best interests and feelings like you do for them.  But when that does not happen, it's a hard pill to swallow.

So, as I bid farewell to the madness that March gave to us, I will welcome April with open arms and the cheeriness and newness that this month tends to bring.  April holds some interesting things and I will embrace each day and thank the Lord for giving it to me.

Fit and Fab: One Year Later

Exactly one year ago today I started my Fit and Fab journey.  The changes that have happened within a year have been amazing.  I could not have done any of it without the support of my family and close friends.

I joined a boot camp called Camp Gladiator and try my hardest to go at least 3 days a week.  It was definitely tough during the winter with those below freezing temps in the mornings.  But I have a some great friends that I get to work out with and an awesome trainer that is always so encouraging!

I completed the Couch Potato to 5K app and even started the Couch Potato to 10K app.  I did not finish that one because it was not challenging enough.

I ran my first race, a 5K, in August. On Saturday, I completed my biggest challenge yet-a half marathon (13.1 miles)!!!  I literally fought through blood, sweat, and tears to train for that one.  I do not see myself ever doing a long distance run again, but I am up for shorter races.  I was always one of those people that asked runners "why"?  Now I face that same question.  My answer:  because I can.  My legs may be short, but they are strong.  I do not take that for granted and am thankful my body still can function.

Am I content where I am?  No.

There is still more weight to lose, more muscle to gain, and more challenges to face.

The Adventures of Trevor: Welcome Trevor

After saying good-bye to our fur baby 3 months ago, we were finally ready for another one.  We actually still have all of Princess's stuff.  We just have not been ready to part with it.  But after having a dog (or two) for almost 14 years, we felt lonely and knew we were missing something.

We loved our shelties and have been fond of dogs from the herding group.  We did some research and came across All Border Collies Rescue.  There are sooo many border collies looking for a loving family to adopt them.  To adopt a border collie through them is a rigorous process:  application, phone interview, and home visit.  They want to make sure the dog is going to a good family that is just the right fit.

Welcome 2 year old Trevor!

He was named by his foster mom after a brilliant mathematician.  Trevor is smart indeed.  He knows over 20 commands, listens very well, and is so incredibly gentle.  When we brought him home, he was very unsure of us.  However, after a week together, he is part of the family.  He loves to go on walks/runs, loves his massages, and absolutely LOVES Kaitlyn and Preston.  He is especially fond of Kaitlyn.  If Trevor knows they are home but leave his sight, he whines and fidgets until he sees them again.

Falling asleep during a massage 

Watching Preston play with his toys

Trevor loves his new memory foam doggie bed (Craig's choice)

Trevor is a little unsure of Craig still but is warming up to him.  We do not know what kind of history Trevor has except he was found as a stray.  Obviously, he did not have some good experiences with the way he reacts to certain things.  Breaks my heart!

We do plan to get another Border Collie in a few months, once we know Trevor is completely comfortable with us.  For now, we will enjoy our time with just him.

Pigeon Forge

We just got home from a fabulous Spring Break spent in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.  Pigeon Forge to be exact. We enjoyed great shows, toured fabulous places, and explored God's majestic creations.  Driving through Tennessee is absolutely gorgeous.  Rolling hills, very green, lots of farms.  And I really loved to see all the old barns everywhere.

First, we drove to Memphis and stayed the night at the historic Peabody Hotel.

We arrived in time to see the ducks walk out of the fountain and into the elevator.  Definitely a unique experience.

We walked down the street, passed the famous Beale St, and had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe Memphis.  Always a cool place to dine.

We woke up bright and early Sunday morning, grabbed Starbucks for breakfast (of course!), passed the famous Orpheum Theater (where they were lining up to audition for So You Think You Can Dance),

the Lorraine Motel (where Dr. King was assassinated),

Sun Studio (where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis got their start),

and headed straight to Graceland.

Graceland, home of the King of Rock N Roll, Elvis Presley.  He has always been my favorite singer since my dad used to play his music when I was very little.  It has been a dream of mine to tour his home and I finally got the chance.  We actually got the Blue Suede Shoes Package included on our Peabody hotel reservation, so it was a great deal!  I was just in awe of the whole place.  The decor, the themed rooms, the beautiful land (Graceland sits on 13 acres).  Craig even said afterwards he did not realize just how big and famous Elvis was, and still is, until we saw the many, many awards he received.  I think my family finally understood my infatuation with him!

After arriving at our cabin for the week, we were amazed at how perfect it was.  It was spacious and cozy and included everything we needed.  Here is the link for all of the info to rent the cabin.

Waking up to beautiful scenery every morning was surreal.  Every morning I would grab a blanket, my coffee, and sit on the back porch and just soak it in.

Some mornings were rainy and most mornings had a beautiful fog surrounding the mountains.  So peaceful.

At night, we would have family foosball and pool tournaments.  The arcade was also fun with classic games of Frogger, Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and more.  Craig would take the kids to play miniature golf located in our resort so I could do my homework (yes, homework!).  We even enjoyed a couple great meals on the porch.

Driving through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was breathtaking.  I really miss seeing mountains every day.  We took a short hike and just over a mile up the mountain is a gorgeous water fall!  There was a rumor that a mama bear and her cubs were nearby but we never saw them.

We saw some fun and exciting dinner shows.  Lots of excellent food, great music, and comedy.  We absolutely love that type of family friendly entertainment. Preston and Kaitlyn were even asked to be volunteers for one of the shows and got to bring home a cool souvenir.

The week ended with another tour:  the Bush's Baked Beans factory! Haha!  Actually, we did not get to tour the actual plant.  Across the street is a general store where we watched a short video of the history of Bush's Baked Beans.  It was actually pretty interesting.  They even had a scavenger hunt for the kids throughout the museum.  Fun, free entertainment.

Overall, it was a fantastic trip.  It was so nice to get away and not worry about anything.  As always, it is nice to explore parts of this country that we have never seen and get some new experiences.  We are super thankful and feel so blessed that we are able to do this with our kids.  Hopefully, it is something they will always remember.

Live In The Moment

After a lengthy time of praying, waiting for answers, and seeking the Lord, we feel we have received the answers we need.  However, we feel what God is telling us to do is only a temporary thing.  God still has great things planned for our future!

A couple Sundays ago, Craig was working (as usual) so it was just the kids and I.  We had the most relaxing day shopping, having lunch together, and not feeling like we were in a rush to do anything.  It was absolutely peaceful and wonderful.  I found myself enjoying the moments and not worrying about the future and what may or may not lie ahead.

It was during that time when I realized we were stressing too much about what we cannot control.  By doing that, we were wasting time we could have been enjoying and we let beautiful moments pass without even a glance.  It was a heartbreaking moment and an eye opener.

Since then, we have embraced each day.  We've stopped worrying about things that will not be important in the long scheme of things.  We are living life and letting things simply be.  And it's been so gratifying.

While in my heart I feel a bigger answer will be revealed, I will enjoy one day at a time.  I will find the beauty each day brings and be content with what I have and who I have.  This Year of Positivity is finally becoming just that.

The Waiting Game

One month into the new year and God has given us lots to think about.  Trying to stay positive through it all has been HARD!!!

We have found ourselves at a fork in the road and desperately wanting to choose the right path.  One path will bring immediate change and one path will bring immediate unhappiness but possibly some hope down the way.  It may seem like this is a very easy decision, but it has been extremely tough.  We are still unsure what to do, which path to take.

I've been spending a lot of time in prayer, doing some reflecting, and listening to some worship music.  I'm hoping to receive a clear answer from God, but still can't hear it.  It's during these times when it seems God is the quietest, is when I also know He is simply telling me to just be patient.  He will give us an answer when it's just the right time.

We have also had lots to consider regarding careers, people in our lives, various frustrations, and what's best for our kids in different areas of their lives.  Sometimes being an adult is no fun at all!  But Craig and I had a very long conversation recently and I actually felt some peace at the end of it.  Eventually, things will all work out just as they should.

Not everything has been terrible for us.  We have certainly had some great moments and we've enjoyed every second of it.  We're going to try even harder to stay positive through this waiting game and completely trust what God is about to do.

The Year of Positivity

Positivity.   Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines positivity as the quality or state of being positive; something that is positive.  2015 is the Year of Positivity for the Kelley's.

I pray at the end of each year for God to give us a word to live by for the following year.  We've had the Year of Hope, Year of Family, Year of Lessons.  It's amazing how God reveals everything that goes along with that word throughout the year.  He truly never fails us.

As I was praying for 2015, and positivity kept coming to me, I did not want to accept it at first.  Surely, I was a more positive person in 2014.  And there has to be a better word for this new year.  But, God kept speaking to me and this was the word I kept hearing.

Everyone has room for improvement on their attitudes and feelings towards events in our lives.  Even though I felt I had a better attitude in 2014, there were still times I let the negativity creep in.  When I would let it creep in, so would the bitterness and anger and all those feelings that nobody likes to feel.  I really did not want to be the type of person that heard someone's name and immediately had a sour taste in my mouth.

This year, I am ready for all of that to change.  I want to find the good in ALL situations and see the glass half full.  I want to embrace each day and truly live in the moment.  I am going to take the time to stop and enjoy life before it all passes me by.  

I want to fully accept the person that I am and not ever conform or change just to please other people.  Other people's negative thoughts and feelings towards me will no longer affect who I am.  Nobody else is living my life and I only have to be pleasing to God.

I am human, so there will be days that are difficult and will be hard to stay positive.  But that is when I will have to pray harder and truly trust that God will give me peace.  With that being said, it's time to say good-bye to relationships, situations, and anything else that is not beneficial and uplifting for me and/or my family.

So, I look forward to a better, more positive year.  I will make new goals, accept new challenges, and take time to appreciate everything God has given me.