Amazing Reactions!

I have had so many amazing reactions to my "40 for 40"!  My heart is overjoyed with the outpouring of love I feel from my friends and family.  It is going to be one FABULOUS year!!!

Jen had already been planning on a hot air balloon ride!  Woot, woot!!!!  She and Kellye are planning a special trip to a festival and I can't wait.  We are going to have so much fun.

Check this out!  I am beyond excited!!!!

I have some great friends who have committed to walking with me - some for the half marathon and others for some 5K's.  I've already registered for one - The Run or Dye in Nashville in June.  Training begins next week if you want to join us. :)

One of my dear friends called and said, "Wouldn't going for a drive with the top down be better than just the windows down?"  Why, yes, it would!  Can't wait for a warm day this summer to drive some country roads and enjoy the wind in my hair!

Mr. Randy Cline is VERY concerned about the hang gliding event.  Please don't worry, Mr. Randy!  I promise I will be just fine.  Does this make you feel better?   http://www.hanglide.com  

I am loving this year and it is just getting started.  Yes, my friends, I am blessed!!!

40 for 40

I will be turning 40 this year!  40!   This is how I want to spend my year - celebrating the life that I've been given.  I could choose to sulk and complain about being 'old', but I think I will choose to be happy and enjoy the ride instead.  I've wasted too much time being sad!  Life is what we make of it, right?  God has blessed me in so many ways and I am grateful.  Let's celebrate (all year long)!! :) 

1. Walk another half marathon with my friends!
2. Participate in 4 5k's
3. Work on a Habitat for Humanity house
4. Serve lunch at a soup kitchen
5. Girls trip to the cabin
6. Ride my bicycle down a country road
7. Take a friend flying
8. Hang-glide!
9. Go to Disney World :)
10. Read a book on the beach - an entire book!
11. Hike some Tennessee trails
12. Write a letter to Andy for him to read when he is 40
13. Go canoeing 
14. 40 Random acts of kindness
15. Go to the symphony
16. Dance in the rain and jump in the puddles
17. Write the first chapter of my memoir for my grandchildren to have
18. Pack a lunch and go on a picnic
19. Go on an hot air ballon ride
20. Spend a night at a bed and breakfast
21. Camp at the pond at watch the stars
22. Go fishing
23. Make a quilt
24. Take a friend dancing
25. Blog about my 40th year once a week all year long
26. Keep a "Thankful Journal" counting my blessings all year long
27. Visit 4 museums 
28. Take the Behind the Scenes Tour of the Biltmore
29. Go to a concert
30. Fly a kite
31. Wade in the creek
32. Go ice skating
33. Make home-made ice cream and enjoy it with my friends
34. Pick strawberries
35. Go to a baseball game
36. Take a drive through the country with the windows down
37. Make a meal for a family in need
38. Make a picture book of my favorite places
39. Write a short story and self publish it
40. Document this "40 for 40" with a picture book!

A New Year!

I simply cannot believe that another year has come and gone.  How do I count my blessings of the past year?  How do I thank God for keeping his hand on me and Andyman for yet another year?  I wish there were words to properly thank him for all he has done for me.

In 2013 lessons were learned, hearts were hurt, memories were made, and new hopes arrived.  I treasure them all.  I know that YHWH saw each tear that hit my pillow and every smile that crossed my face.  I know that even when I couldn't see the good, he did!  I know he showed grace and mercy in my foolishness and showed his great love and compassion when I had hard decisions to make. I know that he is still working on me (and, yes, I sang that song in my head as I typed that!) and I am ever so thankful!!

I thought it was tuff raising a little boy all alone . . . geesh - teenagers!  Thankfully, Andy is such a good boy.  I am thankful for his big heart and good conscience.  It is such a joy to hear him playing his instruments and singing.  His favorite thing to do is to plug the cd player to his amp, turn on our favorite church music cd, and play along.  Talk about my heart melting!!!!!  I mean, you just can't get upset when you hear your child using his talent to the glory of God, right?


I can't help but to wonder what might be in store for 2014.  My hearts desire is to put God first and do all I can to be a good solider for him.