QUOTES...

I'm a big quotes person. I always have been. I like any little nuggets of truth that might inspire or make you think. So, from time to time, I am going to start posting a few of my favorites. I hope that you see one that you havent ever heard before that might challenge or help you in some way!!


“It’s not the critic who counts, nor the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat”


“But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me” Gal 2:6


There’s discipline and there’s self-discipline. Discipline is listening to people tell you what to do, where to be, and how to do something. Self-discipline is knowing that you are responsible for everything that happens in your life; you are the only one who can take yourself to the desired heights.


A person of character finds a special attractiveness in difficulty since it is only by coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his untapped potentials.

A champion is one who gets up, even when they can't.

True friends don’t coddle your weaknesses, they encourage your strengths.

The more we fear to suffer, the more we need to do so.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY!!

Riley celebrated her FIRST BIRTHDAY last week!!! It was so much fun! So hard to believe that it has been a whole year...where has time gone??

Life has certainly changed, I've slept less this year than any other year of my life, I've been busier, have had less time for myself, had had alot less date-nights and time to hang out with friends, but its been the best and most enjoyable year of my life.

I have learned so much from Riley. I have learned what it means to love so much that it literally hurts you. I have learned what it means when people say that you can mess with me, but dont mess with my children!! Its a different level of emotion when your child is involved...things become more personal quicker. I have learned more patience (still working on that one ;) ). And I have learned how satisfying life can be when its simple....how the little things mean the most. I love watching Riley do something that she's never done before, or watching her dance or clap or seeing the look on her face when she sees something for the first time...those moments are priceless.

I have also fallen in love with Jeremy in a different way, because of Riley. We have always had, i think, a unique relationship. I dont know of anyone in the world that has a better marriage than us--that is not being cocky, its just the way i feel about how strong our relationship is and has been from the begining. We have a solid foundation, are brutally honest with each other, and leave nothing unsaid. He has always been patient with me and has loved me more than I deserve. And when we had riley, we made a commitment that family would always be first. First over career, first over finances, first over material possessions or friends or anything else that might be a distraction. In every decision we make, our family is first. Jeremy leads me with his example...he shows Riley and I every day that we mean more to him than anything else that he has going on in his world. He would stop anything, cancel any appointment, hang up any phone call if we needed him to. He is an amazing daddy, and that makes him an even better husband.

This year has not been EASY, but it has been WONDERFUL in every single way. Riley is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me...to both of us. She is HILARIOUS and outgoing...has never met a stranger, independent, strong physically and also incredibly strong-willed (i'm sure we'll bump heads with each other), her first word was baby, she loves bananas, cheese and big bird, hates broccoli and riding in the car, and likes to walk around with her hat on backwards. I could talk about her all day and would never tire of it. She is PERFECT. She's a little me, and i am MADLY in love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY!!!!

FINISHING

It's not how you start, its how you finish.

I have heard that quote said many times over the past couple of months. We've had a rough year. We have had a very abnormal year. Sub-par, you could say. Overall, just a lot of unexpected loss's and frustration. Definitely not for lack of talent. It's been one of those things that you just can't put your finger on.
Up until last week, it was the worst season in program history. But our coach and leader, remained positive. She continued to fight. She forced this team to continue to fight. To continue to push. Even when it didnt feel good. Even when it didnt feel like one thing would go our way, even when they failed, she forced them to fight. After each loss, we woke up the next day, and started again with a new resolve to make it right, a new resolve to fix whatever it was that was holding us back from all we could be. And yesterday, we won the SEC Championship. So, the season continues. But for all of these girls, this might be the most memorable championship they will ever win. Because no one thought they could do it...because there was so much adversity to fight through and many experienced failures. It didnt come easy...those things worth having never do. The conference season began with 2 losses, had a few more losses thrown in there, but ended in a championship...its not how you start...we finished with the trophy.

I believe this holds true for life as well. So many times we start things, with the best of intentions. Maybe its a new fitness plan or a career goal or even a new or renewed relationship with Christ. Whatever it is, we start and we think that it will go well, because thats how we plan it in our heads. We make plans for it to be easy and go well without considering that it may be hard-it may be very hard. So, when it does get hard...when our workouts in our new "get-fit plan" get harder, or its day 5 of working out and we are tired, we so readily make excuses...create new reasons why we cant follow through. When our relationship with Christ causes us to make decisions that others may not understand, or choices that leave us out of what is "cool" to do...we figure out a way to excuse ourselves and we turn our backs on Him. And what humans tend to do, after they resolve to do something, then fail at that thing, is they tend to beat themselves up...think they weren't made for that, and quit. Because quitting is easier than admitting mistakes, picking up the pieces, and starting again. People quit on themselves so much. And once you quit once, it becomes easier to quit the next time.

So, my challenge is this...don't quit. No matter what it is-dont quit. Realize that its not easy. Know that you arent perfect and that there will be setbacks. There will be times when you feel like a failure and you want to stop...but thats the exact time that you need to fight and push on. If you fail one day, the good news is, God will give you another day. What do you want to do with your life? What are you passionate about? What are your dreams and your goals?? What do you want to improve about yourself?? Whatever it is, make a decision to see it through-to not give up on yourself even when it gets hard and even when you fail. Dont expect failure, but when failure comes, be more eager to push forward again than reconciled to make an excuse and quit. Don't allow losses or temporary setbacks to stop you from being all that you can be. Always remember, that it is not how you start...its starting and continuing despite setbacks...to the finish. Its not about what you say you are going to do, its about WHAT YOU DO!! Dont be a person of words-be one of action. Words are meaningless. Challenge yourself every day, and NEVER quit on anything!!!

Sometimes the hardest things in life, become the most rewarding.

HILAR!

This video is about 20 seconds long. It is well worth the 20 seconds in my opinion :)

pretty funny girl we have...TONS of personality!! if you need a smile, this should do the trick!

costume time!!

I normally dont like halloween so much, but we had fun this year dressing riley up. Jeremy's mom made the costume. I had the idea to have Riley dressed as Beau, and then dress Beau in Riley's clothes. As you can tell from the look on Beau's face, he was not so happy about it :) But, it was absolutely HILAR!! The first time Beau saw Riley in her costume, he jumped and puffed his hair-so funny! Both of them were confused by it all :) Jer and I will keep this costume and continue to put it on her until she can no longer squeeze into it :) Pretty funny stuff!!