Hello February

Hard to believe it's already February! Here's what we've been up to...

Saturday morning we went to one of Chloe's friend's birthday party. She had so much fun playing with all her toys, eating and socializing. When I asked Chloe if she was ready to go she said "No!" 

Best shot we could get of the four of us. The girls were obviously not into it.

After the party I hopped into the car and drove up to Richmond for the night. I had dinner with the girls to celebrate Lori's birthday, and then breakfast with my mom in the morning. It was such a quick trip but worth the drive for some much needed girl time. Clarke was so great to watch Chloe, and she loved her special daddy time.

Sunday we went to a Super Bowl party at our neighbor's house. Of course Chloe didn't want to leave this party either at half time. I was so tried I was in bed when Chloe was and didn't see the end of the game, oh well.

And I'll end with something random, but lovely. 

I'm loving this song, especially the lyrics. 

Life Here

Here is a random post about life here in Winston-Salem, a brain dump if you will.

I really really really love Harris Teeter. Clarke keeps laughing at me when I talk about how great it is because, I know, it's just a grocery store. But they seriously have all my favorite foods in one place! In Richmond I would have to go to 2 or 3 different stores to find my favorite tea, hummus, Kashi bars and  yogurt. But Harris Teeter has them all, and more. The best part is it's not too expensive like a lot of nicer grocery stores in Richmond. 

I love that Clarke gets off work an hour earlier than he used to. We've been able to go do stuff when he gets home from work which is so nice. We love the greenways here, which are basically trails. My favorite so far is Muddy Creek Greenway. Something about the views reminds me of Harrisonburg, it's so relaxing. I can't wait to go run here.

Speaking of running, yesterday I signed up for a half marathon training program here! I was searching online for running stores and races here and found Fleet Feet. It's a local running store (like Road Runners for all my Richmond running friends) and they have so many different training programs. From a beginner 5k program to marathon training. I asked them about the program and it seems very similar to the marathon training program I did in Richmond back in 2011 and absolutely loved. I figured I don't have any excuses since Clarke already said he would watch Chloe Saturday mornings for me to train. Originally I had planned on doing the half training team in Richmond with my favorite running buddy (Hi Emily!) and since we learned we would be moving I didn't know if I would still be able to do it. I knew I couldn't train on my own after my brief hiatus from running during pregnancy and commuting to Richmond to train every Saturday just seems like too much. But, the best part of it all: I'm still going to run The Richmond Half Marathon on November 16th!! I couldn't believe this training team was for my hometown! I love that I'm so familiar with the course already! 

Here is a picture of our fireplace. I'll post more house pics soon (for you Rachel!)  It's my favorite part about our new home. I've always wanted a fireplace, not to actually use, although that will be nice in the fall, but just to decorate! I love walking in and seeing this focal point. I would love to buy a nice big mirror to put over it but I'm waiting until we actually buy a house. We signed a 6 month lease here so since we won't be here too long I'm hesitant to make a purchase not knowing if I can reuse it in the next place. 

I am loving the radio station K Love. It's a contemporary Christian station that I've heard great things about. I always wondered when people moved to Richmond why they would complain about not getting K Love there, now I get it. 

Chloe has her own bathroom in this new place! First I will say I am having so much fun finding towels and things for it. (I figure I can take everything with us to the next house, especially since having 2 full baths is a deal breaker for us now).  I love that we can just leave all her toys out too. She loves bath time now, she has come a long way from those first few months of hating it. 

I started using our cloth diapers again. I just had to stop when we started selling our house. I had no way of knowing when someone was coming to see the house, and couldn't have the diapers out drying. Then with moving it was just too much. But now that life has settled back down I am glad to be using them again. I really love how much money they save and they really are cute.

In an effort to be honest I must say not everything is roses and sunshine. While I do think I will enjoy living here it still doesn't feel like home, I know that just takes time. I still don't know many people and that's hard. We tried a new church Sunday morning that we both really liked, but it was so different walking into church and not having tons of people to talk to and catch up with. I keep getting emails from my old mom group and I long for that community here. 

And to end on a happy note, here is Chloe wearing her first t-shirt!! I remember when my friend (Hi Emily Lang!) brought this to me in the hospital after I had her, it looked so big. I can't believe it fits her now! Oh, and to go off on another tangent this girl has been sleeping so much better! I am starting to wonder if it was something about our old house, a noise or where the vent was, that was keeping her from sleeping so well. She still wakes up but hasn't nursed at night in over a week! This is a  HUGE milestone for us!! I am finally hopeful that she will sleep though the night sooner than later.

The Lion King

For Christmas this year Clarke and I bought our moms tickets to see the Broadway musical The Lion King when it came to the Landmark Theatre here in Richmond. Friday night we finally got to go.

We had such a great time, and the show was absolutely amazing. Of course the music was great, but the costumes were probably my favorite part. The detail on them, and the way they manipulated them to make the animals move/talk and sing was something to watch. My mom brought binoculars so we could see everything really good, such a great idea.

It was also really funny, which I wasn't expecting but it was. Rafiki was probably my favorite character for that reason!

Overall it was such a great show, so glad we got to enjoy it with our moms.

Lovin This

This might just be my new favorite mash up from Glee..................

The Night Before

So many times I have listened to the song defying gravity from the broadway musical Wicked. I just love the lyrics and they make me think about running this marathon.

something has changed within me

something is not the same

i'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game

too late for second guessing

too late to go back to sleep

it's time to trust my instincts

close my eyes and leap

it's time to try defying gravity

i think i'll try defying gravity

kiss me goodbye i'm defying gravity

and you can't pull me down

So ready to defy gravity tomorrow morning!

Weekend in Nova

Saturday afternoon me and Clarke headed up to Northern Virginia for a weekend I had planned around things he wanted to do. This was his birthday gift from me. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera. I was still thinking about my run earlier that day when we left and I don't know how I didn't think to pack it!

After checking into our hotel we went to dinner in D.C. There was this Mexican restaurant that Clarke had heard about and wanted to try for some time now. Rosa Mexicano was sooooo good! If you are ever in D.C. you should go, although it was expensive, but really good. We got fresh tableside guacamole, which I have never liked before, but this was amazing.

photo credit: google images

After dinner we headed to Middleburg, Va. which is about 45 minutes west of D.C. It was really funny because it was straight up country after just being in the big city. But we saw Toby Mac in concert. He is an amazing christian singer, and Clarke has always wanted to see him in concert. We absolutely loved the show, even though since it was an outdoor concert and they had gotten all this rain it was sooo muddy. Luckily we brought shoes just for that reason. Overall it was a great night.

Sunday on the way home we stopped at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Whenever we passed this on 95 going to Baltimore Clarke always wanted to stop by, so this was the last thing I had planned for our little trip. The museum was really neat, and it was free, which is always nice.

photo credit: trip advisor

It was so nice to getaway, just the two of us. Well, I'm off to bed soon......still dreaming about that guacamole....uummmm.

more glee love

I posted here about how Glee is my new favorite show. I finally downloaded some of their songs from itunes, and I can't take this play list off my ipod now.

Favorite Glee Songs:

1. Raise Your Glass originally sung by Pink

2. Teenage Dream originally sung by Katy Perry

3. Start Me Up/ Livin' On A Prayer originally sung by Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi

4. Loser Like Me originally sung by the cast of Glee

5. Defying Gravity originally from the broadway musical Wicked

6. Proud Mary originally sung by Tina Turner

7. Beautiful originally sung by Christina Aguilera

8. Forget You originally sung by Cee Lo Green

9. Don't Stop Believin' originally sung by Journey

10. Jump originally sung by Van Halen

11. I Feel Pretty/ Unpretty originally from the musical West Side Story and TLC

12. Somebody To Love originally sung by Queen

13. Sweet Caroline originally sung by Neil Diamond

14. Blackbird originally sung by The Beatles

15. Tik Tok originally sung by Kesha

16. Keep Holdin On originally sung by Avril Lavigne

17. Singing In The Rain/ Umbrella originally sung by Gene Kelly and Rihanna

Can I just say that I love these "mash ups" and the Glee version so much!

Stronger

I am loving this song right now.................

It speaks to my job search right now (more on that soon, I need to write a post about it.)

Until then enjoy...

It's been awhile since....

I've gone to a concert. I had such a great time Friday night at the Carbon Leaf concert! Of course now their CD is in my car, and I'll be listening to it for awhile.

I've done karaoke. Saturday night we had a cookout at the church for our young adult's ministry. Well it rained (luckily after we ate) so we moved inside the auditorium. My sister-in-law was playing around on the stage and somehow it turned into a fun night of karaoke. It was sooo much fun. Of course I was reminded that I can't sing, but I still had a blast.

I've been out past midnight. I know, I'm lame, but it's the truth. Friday night after the concert we went to New York Deli and got some appetizers and drinks. I had no clue that it turns into a dance party around 11, but it does. So we stayed and danced, Clarke really had a great time.

I've taken a nap. Friday at school was field day, which was great. But it was also exhausting. I went around and helped a little girl in my class do all her events, and it was really fun. (She did especially well on the rock climbing wall, and that was so neat to see.) But, when I got home I knew I needed a little nap to recover.

I've been to one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond, Stuzzi's. We went here for lunch with our mom's to celebrate Mother's Day. I forgot how good everything is. If you are a local reader and haven't been yet, you should go.

What a great weekend! I can't believe it's already Sunday night.

What I'm Loving Today

Happy Wednesday! Here is what I am loving today.....

My friend just posted this picture from the Monument Avenue 10k, I'm loving it.

Seeing this makes me excited for June 4, that's when marathon training starts. I'm really nervous, and sometimes I ask myself am I crazy? But mostly I'm just excited.

I'm loving my free trail of Netflix. I'm still not sure if I will continue it after my free month is up, mainly because it's too addicting. I've been watching way too many old episodes of Army Wives.

Since I recently started watching this show I feel the need to catch up on all the past ones I've missed. But I know I probably should be doing something more productive!

I'm loving this picture as well. It's from the bridal shower for my friend Rebecca we had last Saturday.

I love these girls, and the shower went great. So glad everything went smoothly on Saturday.

I'm loving that this Friday I get to see one of my favorite bands, Carbon Leaf.

It's been way too long since I've been to one of their concerts, and I can't wait.

I'm loving the new show on NBC, The Voice.

Anyone else watching this? I love the fact that the judges can't see what the singers look like.

And lastly I'm loving teacher appreciation week.

These are flowers that my students brought me. I've also recieved a bunch of cupcakes, cookies and other fun things from them. We got to wear jeans to school today, I'm loving this week!

And that is what I'm loving today!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Haven't linked up over at this kind of love for awhile, so thought I would today. I have a lot to be thankful for.......

 I am loving this blog: No Greater Joy. I stumbled upon it the other day and couldn't stop reading. This family has seven children, four of them adopted with special needs. Their story is amazing.

I am loving this tea.

My mom got it for me while I was sick and it saved me. I am still drinking like 4 cups a day.

As always I am loving Clarke and Betty. But even more these past few days.

Clarke has been taking care of me and Betty has kept me company on the couch.

I am loving this music video by David Crowder Band:

                                

I am loving that Friday the high is 74 degrees! I can't wait. I am also loving all the spring stuff out in the stores. I'm so ready!

(photo credit)

 And that is what I am loving today!!!

Piano Man

A couple weeks ago when we were in NYC at the moma we had the privilege of seeing a really neat performance. I videotaped some of it, so thought I would finally share:

He is actually moving the piano as he plays, this video doesn't do it justice.

To read/see more go here.

Half Way There!

Tonight I ran 3.2 miles, without stopping! I'm offically half way there (the 10k I am training for in April is 6.2 miles, so I guess technically I am a little over halfway).

As I was driving home I thought about one of my favorite songs by Bon Jovi, Livin' on a Prayer, where he says "Whooah, we're half way there, livin' on a prayer!" Love it, so here is the music video. Enjoy!

I think I need to add this song to my running playlist. Can't believe I am almost there!!!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! Here is what I am loving today.....

1. This Song......

by Brandon Heath. 

2. Our Christmas Lights......

Bright and so pretty.

3. Seven Days......
till Christmas break. Then two weeks off filled with lots of fun events and time to rest. I can't wait!

4. Betty and the Christmas Tree......

She loves it so much.

5. I am almost done......

with my Christmas shopping! It pays to start in October.

And that is what I am loving today. Happy Wednesday.

Loving This

Right now I am really loving Carbon Leaf's newest album, Nothing Rhymes With Woman.

I am also loving riding around with the windows down in my car and listening to this really loudly.

Just thought I would share! :)

Stay Strong

They played this song at my church this morning, and I just read the lyrics for the first time. Love it, so I thought I would share.

Stay Strong

by the Newsboys

You're in the moment now

A bitter root

A wandering eye and then

The ties that bind start wearing thin, within

You're in the moment now

When all that you've been blessed with

Is not enough

Here's where the ground gets loose

Here's where the devils call your bluff

Stay strong

You are not lost

Come on and fix your eyes ahead

There's a new dawn to light our day, our day

You've gotta stay strong

You and I run

For the prize that lies ahead

We've come too far to lose our way, our way

We've seen the tragic flaws

The tortured souls

The saints with feet of clay

Here's where sin becomes cliche'

We've come through wilderness and watched

The cloud by day

The burning sky into dawn

Have you forgotten who you are?

Did you forget whose trip you're on?

Stay strong

You are not lost

Come on and fix your eyes ahead

There's a new dawn to light our day, our day

We've gotta stay strong

You and I run

For the prize that lies ahead

We've come too far to lose our way, our way

Get up, there's further to go

Get up, there's more to be done

Get up, this witness is sure

Get up, this race can be won

This race can be won

We've gotta stay strong

You are not lost

Come on and fix your eyes ahead

Our Father's dawn will light our day, our day

Come on and stay strong

His grip is sure

And His patience still endures

There'll be no letting go today, no way

Come on, and stay strong

You and I run

For the prize that lies ahead

We've come too far to lose our way, our way

The Lost Get Found

I recently purchased Britt Nicole's newest cd because I absolutely love her song The Lost Get Found. When I was student teaching I think I listened to this song every morning on the way to school. It was inspiring, uplifting and I felt God really spoke to me through that song.

Hello my friend

I remember when you were

So alive with your wide eyes

Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen

Now you say that it ain't worth stayin'

You wanna run but you're hesitatin'

I'm talkin' to me

Don't let your lights go down

Don't let your fire burn out

somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe

Why don't you rise up now?

Don't be afraid to stand out

That's how the lost get found

The lost get found

I just love those lyrics, and her entire cd is great so far. I would definitely recommend it. Her other new song that they are playing on the radio, also on this cd, Walk on the Water is so inspiring as well. I think it really speaks to me about searching for a job, because honestly sometimes I do doubt if I will ever make it.

You look around

It's staring back at you

Another wave of doubt

Will it pull you under

You wonder

What if i'm overtaken

What if i never make it

What if no one's there?

Will you hear my prayer?

When you take that first step

Into the unknown

You know that he won't let you go

So what are you waiting for?

What do you have to lose?

Your insecurities try to alter you

You know you're made for more

So don't be afraid to move

Your faith is all

It takes in you

You can walk on the water too

Love it! I know with God I will find the perfect teaching job, and with God I will be successful at it.