Looking Ahead

It's that time of year.  2013 is coming to an end and 2014 is ready to come in with a bang.  It's New Year's Resolution time!

Before I can look forward, I think it's important to look back.  2013 has been a wild and wonderful year.  I did something that I never, ever thought I would do...or could do.  In 2013, I ran my very first half-marathon.  Once I started, I couldn't stop.  The girl who swore that she would only run when being chased ran 8 (yep, that says 8) half marathons in 2013.  Not only did I qualify for Half Fanatics (#4455, thank you very much) with my first 3 races, 8 in 12 months helped me "moon up" this year.  It's such an amazing feeling to do something you never thought was possible.

2013 was also the year of school for me.  I started an endorsement in Library Science from Old Dominion University.  I'll finish in 2014, but the bulk of the program was finished in 2013.

I also got a job!  The second half of the year brought me back into a Kindergarten classroom at a private church preschool.  It's a DREAM job!

Finally, 2013 was the year of the doctor for our family as well.  I want to believe that God won't give you any more that you can handle.  This theory has been tested numerous times over the past year.  (And for a few years before this one.)  We have been asking a lot of questions and we have some answers and plans for our kiddos and we are starting to get some behaviors under control.  To me, a label means understanding and knowing what steps to take next to ensure success for the child.  We are a happier family now.

I am looking forward to 2014!  It's a big year for me.  My husband and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary with a cruise to Alaska.  I will finish my first year back in the classroom.  My babies will turn 7 and 3.  I will finish my endorsement in Library Science.  I will keep running my races.  

With that, goals need to be measurable.   So...here is my list.  Thank you for keeping me accountable.

1)  I will run at least 1 half marathon every month in 2014.

2)  I will incorporate the 100 Days of Real Food mini challenges.

3)  I will diligently write my monthly budget and use cash to keep our family on track.

4)  I will go to the gym for weights and cross training at least 2 days every week.

5)  I will run 3 days a week.  (2 short runs during the week and 1 long run on the weekends)

6)  I will tell my husband and children that I love them EVERY SINGLE DAY.

7)  I will start a New Year Jar with my family to remind us that there is a little bit of good in every single day!

There is a lot going on up there, but I don't think that any of the goals are unattainable.  I am going to print these out and put them on my fridge where I can see them every day.  I'll keep you posted on how things are going! 

2014 is going to be a wild ride!  I can't wait to see what happens.

Happy New Year! 

Back in the Saddle

Wow!   It's been a while.  73 school days, in fact.  Not to mention countless weekends.  It's been CRAZY at my house these past couple of months.  I haven't had time to do anything, let alone sit down and write.

But, it's time for New Year's Resolutions, so one of mine is to blog more.  Very few people read my little corner of the world, but I like the reminders of how far I have come and how much further I can go.  I'm not promising that I am going to write every day, but it will definitely be more than once a quarter.  I would like to get back to writing about every run like I did when I was training for the Princess Half Marathon.

But, you may have been wondering what has pulled me away from my reflections.

Well....there are these 3.....

We've been very busy with them.  The big boys are in 1st grade...in different classes.  They also played soccer in the fall, started Cub Scouts, and have both been to more doctors than I care to visit in my lifetime, let alone 3 months.

One has been diagnosed with ADHD - Inattentive type.  We were not surprised.  (I've been asking since he was 2).  He has also started Vision Therapy.  Apparently he cannot cross his midline and that is affecting his reading.  I don't mess around when it comes to reading.  He needed glasses to help relax his eyes to help them work together.   He is also facing some surgery in February for an unrelated issue, but there were doctor visits for that.

The second one has also been diagnosed with ADHD, but he has the Combined type.  He started medication just before Thanksgiving to help him control himself. It seems to be working.  He was also diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Delay - Not Otherwise Specified.  This is more commonly known as PDD-NOS and is a condition that is on the Autism Spectrum.  He spent hours going through evaluations to help us figure out what we need to do to help him.  We learned that he is even smarter than we thought and that he needs understanding more than anything else.  After all of those appointments, we have a better idea of what we need to do.

And then there is the little one.  He goes to school 5 days a week...at 2 different schools.  The pediatrician was concerned about his hearing, so we went to get that tested.  It was fine.  He was also concerned about his eyes, so we went to get that tested too.  They were not as fine.  His right eye is not as strong as his left, so we have to do patch therapy for 2 hours a day.

There is never a dull moment at my house.

But, there is also this....

A lot...I run 13.1 a lot.  I try to run one half marathon every month.  My BRF and I are trying to do the 50 state challenge - that is one half marathon in every state.  I am pretty good about getting my long runs in on the weekends, but another resolution for 2014 is to run more consistently during the week.  I think that is going to mean a 5am wake up call on running days, but I need to do something.  I will work on the race recaps that I have missed since September later this week....I've had some awesome adventures!

And, finally, there's this guy...

We all know that 

But, he is a trooper and has to settle with what is left when I am tired at the end of the day.  He has stuff going on too, but he holds down the fort when I go off to run, he changes his schedule to help take children places, and he is just an all around great guy.

I forgot to mention that I am working part-time, directing a children's choir, singing in the adult choir, taking classes at Old Dominion to get my school library certification, and serving on the PTA Board for the big boys' school.  

So, that's where I have been for the past 3 months.  Don't worry, I'm making a comeback!  2014 is my year!

Merry Christmas from the Meier family!  See you in 2014!