Persevering

So, to say I've been having a really hard time dealing with life right now is a HUGE understatement. Because I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY having a hard time dealing with life!!! My days are spent at school while Jackson is at home. My afternoons are spent at basketball practice while Jackson is at home. Some of my nights are spent at basketball games...while Jackson is at home....get me? I am SO physically and mentally exhuasted! I know the Lord has me in this position as a Coach and Teacher right now for a reason...but to be honest...life just sucks! I don't feel that I am being a good coach b/c my heart is with my family. I don't feel like I am being a good wife b/c my time/energy is spent with my team.

It doesn't help that my team is not what I hoped it would be. I have never seen so much apethy in my life!!! I mean REALLY! I came to the conclusion that I think some of the girls on the team just tried out or are on the team so that they could get into games free and watch the boys play. I have about 2 that really care and want to be there. We have not won a game all season and as a matter of fact are getting STOMPED! It hurts to care more than the girls on the team do. It makes me physically sick to my stomach to watch our game and then sit on the bleachers for the boys game and listen to my team cheer their little heads off for the boys. So sick in fact, that I loaded up the bus after our game last night and headed home. We lost by 58 points...yes I said 58!!!! And they didn't even seem to care. I wasn't going to let them sit there and care more about the boys game than they did their own.

Anyway...all that to say that the Lord is teaching me perseverance. Even when things are not as I would have them, when I am tired, and when I would be elsewhere. I am persevering for the sake of Christ...so that these girls will hopefully see Him through me. So, pray that I can not just "get through" these last 5 games. But that I would stand strong and be encouraged that the Lord too had to persevere. Therefore, I'm not alone.

"Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1 Corinthians 16:58

Baby's First White Christmas

My sweet baby boy is getting so big! I can't believe he's already 6 months old! Christmas was SO much fun with him! His favorite present was the wrapping that anything came in. He loved to shake, pull and try to eat all of the wrapping paper. For me, my favorite present was a picture of Jackson that Chris drew. (pics to come) He is such a good artist. No one would ever know because he doesn't draw much. He took some lessons when he was young, but it is UNREAL how well he can draw. I mean...I can't even draw a stick figure!







I couldn't believe that it was a white Christmas! Everything was BEAUTIFUL!! We loved waking up to the snow falling! It began to stick around 11am and was so pretty all over the ground!



The next day we decided to make Jackson his first snowman. It was too cold for him to come out. So, he watched from the window. He wanted to come play too!







I love watching my little man! He's so curious about everything. He loves touching and looking at things. He is getting so big! I don't like the fact that he is growing up...but I love to watch him grow and learn new things!

Going back to school as been really rough on me. I didn't think it could get much worse...but then I started basketball. I love the girls that I coach but nothing compares to time with my baby! I have been so sad to leave him in the mornings and know that I won't see him until at least 6:30 every night...game nights it's around 9! I don't like it one bit! I know that the Lord has me in this position for a reason and I want to make the most of it. But oh how I miss my little man!

It has been so rough on me that I have decided to take next year off and be at home with him. I won't get this time with him back. 88 more days of school!...But who's counting? :-)

Oh So Thankful!

Life has changed SO much in the past year. My life has TOTALLY changed. I have this new life that I am responsible for. To love and nurture. That is such a huge responsibility! I am so thankful that the Lord has chosen to bless me in this way!
I am thankful for an amazing family. The one I was born into as well as the one I married into. I am thankful that I have good health. I am thanful that I have a job. The thing that I a most thankful for but many times take for granted is my salvation. I am so thankful for such a loving God that cares for us and forgives us!

I am so thankful for my sweet sweet husband! He is such a wonderful husband and father! I am so thankful for the sweet sweet gift the Lord has given us---our sweet baby boy! I am thankful that he is such a good baby, that he is healthy, and that he sleeps through the night!

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!" Psalm 107:1

Life since Feb. 4....WOW!!

Was Feb. really the last time I wrote an entry? Uh....my bad :( WOW how life has changed! Baby Jackson was born on June 27th. 7lbs 14oz! Since then my world has been turned upside down! I never knew how much I could love someone! He is such a sweet baby! Always happy!! I couldn't have asked for more! God is so good!!!

I was able to enjoy 10 weeks with my sweet baby before I had to go back to work. It was and is still so hard leaving him every morning. I want to be here with him every second. Chris' mom keeps him during the day and for that I am very thankful...But I just wish it was me staying with him. Not too much longer and I'll be able to!

Jackson is now 4 1/2 months old and changing every day. He laughs and smiles all the time and just rolled over for the first time last week. Lately his new thing is reaching for my cup if I am drinking something. If it's water I give him a little sip and those little gums just chomp on the rim of my cup.

Well, that's all for now...but I promise to be a better blogger...no really...I'm gonna try a lot harder this time! I leave you with some pics of my sweet boy!

DONE!!!

Dont get me wrong...I LOVE LOVE LOVE my basketball girls! However...I am EXHAUSTED!!! I have not really had a break since October...and that was only a 3 day break between softball and basketball. So, with this pregnancy and being so busy I am so tired and ready for a break.

I've been thinking about baby Jackson a lot! Wondering what he's going to look like, if he will be smart, if he will be athletic, and so many others. I have had dreams about him lately and I cant wait for the day that I will hold him in my arms and kiss those cheeks! Now that I have some time on my hands I can start planning for how to decorate his room along with getting the whole house organized. Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed when I think about it all! My mom is supposed to come back in a few weeks to help me paint and decorate. Chris is overwhelmed with the prices of baby furniture lol. But we will be purchasing some VERY soon! But he is getting excited to decorate too!

Now that we know we are having a boy, it makes things even more exciting and real for us! We cant wait!!

Thankful

As Thanksgiving is fastly approaching, I am thankful for so much. Things that I don't give thanks for on a daily basis. First, I am thankful for my sweet sweet husband! He has always been sweet...but through the first part of the pregnancy...he's been the BEST. Caring for me when I feel sick, rubbing my back, fixing my dinner, sending me flowers/cards, cleaning the house, doing laundry...I could go on and on! I am also thankful for my wonderful family! They are the best! Thankful for the gift of a child! Oh how sweet this gift is! I am thankful I have a job. I complain about it a lot but I truly am thankful for it. Thankful for my church and our wonderful pastor and his wife. They are truly a blessing to us! Thankful for my sweet freinds that I have made here in Thomson. I thought I'd never have friends here...but the Lord has blessed me with some great ones! And SO thankful for my old friends. Although I dont get the time I used to with them...they still hold a very special place in my heart!
Most of all, I am thankful for my God! He is SO good to me and brings ALL the blessings I could ever ask for! He has send the greatest blessing of Jesus...who I am FOREVER thankful for!
I hope everyone will take time to reflect what they are truly thankful for this year. Let's not take the Lord's blessings for granted!

So long!!

Has it really been this long since I've blogged? WOW!!! Didn't expect to be such a slacker with this. However...my life has been VERY busy! I coached softball and basketball all summer and also worked with the youth of our church. We ended up giving the youth up because it was just way too much. We loved it...it just consumed our summers (along with coaching) and 2 days each week and almost every weekend. We were not getting enough time with each other and we knew we had to give something up.

My softball team made it to the playoffs again this year! We didn't make it past the first round but it was good just to be there again!

Probably the biggest news in our lives right now is that we are going to have a little thiglet!!! We are so excited and so thankful that the Lord has blessed us with a child! I am around 8 weeks right now and the baby is due on June 24....yes, one day after our anniversary! So, the story is...I have been wanting a baby for a while now. Chris...not so much. Not that he didn't want one...I think he was just nervous about having one. So, I had talked to lots of people and many of them said it could take a long time to get pregnant....you just don't ever know. So, I told Chris what I had heard and expressed all my "what ifs" to him and we decided in September to come off of birth control. Little did I know that he was dealing with Fertile Myrtle here! ONE MONTH!!! That's it....all it took! Chris was SO excited....when I saw the "pregnant" on the test...I started hyperventilating!! lol I just had so many emotions running through me and didn't know how to respond. I am ECSTATIC! I can't wait to start fixing the nursery and finding out what it is! We went to the first Dr. appointment the other day (thought I would die waiting on the day) We saw the lil peanut and heard the heartbeat! Such a neat experience! And such a learning experience for Chris! Haha! But he was so excited! I go back December 10th and I hope to post pics and blog more between now and then!

So, I'm thinking of getting a new summer "do"! As in drastic! Right now, my hair is a little longer than shoulder length. I am a little hesitant to cut it all off, but at the same time, I think I might like it! I'm going to let you all see a few cuts I'm thinking of and allow you to give me some advice. The Hubs says I should do what I want and he likes all 3. So, I've alread sought advice from the one that really matters...now its your turn!

Style 1

Style 2

Front

Left Side

Back (without the tatoos of course) :-)

Style 3

So, let me know what you think!

So...I'm not so good at this blogging thing! I never find the time to do it...however, I do LOVE reading the blogs of all my sweet friends!

Probably the biggest thing that has happened since my last post, is running the 1/2 marathon. I have never been a runner...and for all who know us, Chris is a very big runner! I decided to take on the challenge not knowing what all it would include. I trained for 12 weeks...and hated most of the training. Towards the end I actually started to like running. Then it was time for the big day! I was SO nervous. I wasnt trying to pull out an amazing time or anything...I just hoped to finish! and I DID!! I absolutely had a BLAST running! All of the people running beside you, the beautiful city, and all the bands along the way were so motivating and so much fun! I never thought I could run that far! Now...I think I'm addicted! I finished in 2:47 which was a lot better than I expected to do! And I am also SO proud of my sweet husband! He ran the full marathon in 3:44!

I dont have any of the pictures yet, but here's one I found off of the internet...31,000 people!

Catch the fever...go for a run!!

I haven't posted anything in a while...mainly because I have been SO busy! and since I've been so busy this post may be a long one!

I took the Sr. High youth on a retreat 2 weeks ago. We had a BLAST...However, I have been exhausted ever since. My house is a wreck, piles of laundry to do, trying to run every day, etc. Lately I've just been trying to keep my head above water! This past week we had the missions conference at church. It was really good but really tiring because it was 5 days straight! The speaker, Bill Harding, was great to challenge us as a church to have a wider vision of our town and the world. I mean, I have been taught that...through Campus Outreach we were constantly around the lost and ministering to them or praying for people around the world to know the Lord. And I think I have lost sight of that. Bill was telling a story about when he lived in Ethiopia and said something about people living in a hut. I could not help but to cry. I have in my mind that my world is work, Chris, and Church or whatever else that is here....and there are people across the world living in HUTS!!! WOW! It really opened my eyes again to the bigger picture of the world and all the people that do not know that sweet name of Jesus! I have begun to pray more for the missionaries overseas and to pray for the people of Brazil, who are so near and dear to my heart!

One quote that Bill said was that we should not be fearful in failure, but instead, be fearful of success in the things that have no purpose. I hope that is what I can learn to be fearful of....winning games has no purpose, practicing harder to win has no purpose, spending more time in the weight room to win has no purpose....but the time that I invest into those girls with the love of Jesus does! That's what I have to remember.

This weekend, Chris and I have to take the Jr High kids on a retreat....translation....more laundry, house even more messy, and being even more tired. But, I know that there are some kids going that really need love and attention...so, I'll put on my big girl pants and do it!

ITS OFFICIAL!!! I have just been named HEAD COACH Varsity basketball team!!!! The school board voted on it and its now official!

And last but not least...I want to give a big shout out to my friend Catherine! I have enjoyed getting to know you more and more over the last couple months and I absolutely adore your kids! Thanks for being such a sweet friend!!

Crazy Week...Fun Weekend!!

Some of you may have noticed that my little running mini is not so energetic...that's because I haven't been running! I have had a sinus infection for about 2 weeks now. I went to the Dr on Tuesday and some meds so by Thursday I was feeling like taking a short run. It was a BEAUTIFUL warm day and I couldn't resist....but oh how I wish I would have! So when I run outside I run around my street and try not to venture off too far and there is always some dogs that bark at me...run after me a little...no big deal...until this day. This brown lab always runs out into his yard and sometimes into the street barking at me but has never gotten so close for me to be scared. When I was running past his house the first time he didn't come out...so I figured he was out and about...no big deal. So, I decided to loop around and come up the other street that he lived on...since he wasn't there and all... But when I got to his house he came a runnin outta the bushes toward me!! I slowed to a walk so that he wouldn't feel like he had to chase me...and yelled at him and waved for him to "GIT" Bout that time the owner was pulling up and the dog lunged at me and bit my calf! I was HYSTERICAL! The owner jumped out of his truck and started beating the dog....at that time it was just little puncture wounds and I was shaken up...but I was fine...I just PRAISE THE LORD that the owner came when he did because it could have been REALLY bad! I have not been running outside since...gotta get me some mace first!

This pic was taken on Sunday after...on Friday it looked worse than this!

Soooo, off to J'ville Chris and I went this weekend! I was SO excited! I miss my family! So, on Sunday we all loaded up to go to Trade Day...its a REALLY big flea market! Fun times! We drove over an hour to get there and it was closed! So we decided to go to a furniture store instead....CLOSED....so we then decided to go up to Little River Canyon. I had been to the falls but never the canyon....it was BEAUTIFUL!!

Loaded up ready for some Trade Day!

What we got instead...and SO worth the drive!

my daredevil husband!

FAMILY PIC!

Mom soaking it all in

YAY!!! Fun day even with no trade day! There were TONS of trails for hiking....Chris and I are going to come back to hike them one day soon!

We ended the day at Little River Falls. It was so good to spend quality time with the family!

"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows" 2Corinthians 1:5

I just read this out of my Morning and Evening devotion book by Charles Spurgeon and thought it was really good and I wanted to share it.

Here is a blessed proportion. The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales--on one side He puts His people's trials, and on the other He puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy. When the black clouds gather most, the light is more brightly revealed to us. When the night lowers and the tempest is coming on, the Heavenly Captain is always closest to His crew. It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down, then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the spirit. One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart--He finds it full--He begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace. The more humble we are, the more comfort we will always get, because we will be more fitted to receive it. another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles is this---then we have the closest dealings with God. When the barn is full, we can live without God: When the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer. But once our gourds are taken away we want our God; Once our household idols are purified, then we are compelled to honor Jehovah. "Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord." There is not cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer, don't brood over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.

So...after all those days of me complaining about my job and how I wanted to chance to elementary school...I have decided to stay another year where I am. I LOVE my co-workers...and thats really important. And when we do have a little one I want to stay at home...at least for the first couple years. So, a move may put me in a hard position to leave. Also, they offered me the varsity basketball job...WHAT?! The athletic director and my pricipal told me that they know that I am not very experienced with coaching basketball but they said that they have been very impressed with what I have done with the softball team and want me to go ahead and get my feet wet with basketball too! This has been really exciting for me! They have also told me that they are going to give me a female weightlifting class. So my hardest and most stressful class (my advanced PE class) will be changed out with the weightlifing class! The Lord is teaching me more and more not to worry but to truly trust Him and He will provide! Praise Him!!

Well, thats about all...nothing too big going on around here...I'm going to J'ville this weekend...so, maybe something fun and exciting will happen and I can post it!

The BIG 25!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! My sweet husband made my day super special! He woke up early and cooked cinnimon rolls and grits for breakfast, gave me a sweet card, sent me the BEAUTIFUL flowers at school, and took me out to eat some good ol steak to celebrate! HE IS THE BEST! My parents came to visit and not too long after we got home from eating they were at my house with an AWESOME cheesecake that mom made! Appearently Nelly thought it was pretty good too because when we were outside unloading the car, she jumped up on the table and took a big chunck out of it!!! TOO FUNNY!!

Ok...so maybe this wasnt the nicest thing to do...but I was really pretty upset...My Nana sent by birthday present by my parents...I got a card and some battery powered candles (???)...which makes me think...doesnt it defeat the purpose of a candle if its battery powered??! Anyway, from a grandparent you grow up getting money or at least some type of "good" gift. So, I was expecting at least a little bit of money to go with the "candle". When I opened the card there was no money...so I was trying to shake the money out of it. I mean...you go 24 years getting gifts and then all of a sudden one year without any warning BAM...no money! I mean...what the heck?!

My sweet brother surprised me and came with mom and dad! This was the first time he has been to our house. I was SO excited to see him! GREAT visit!

Me and Mom cheesin and Dad lookin goofy in the background

Ok...next pictures...mom is taking a picture of me and Chris...however, mom doesnt like to count or wait on us to get set...so it made for some pretty funny pics.

No I was not drunk, nor had I been drinking.... Finally a good one!

Mom and I went shopping the next day and had a BLAST! We went to the outlets in Commerce and ate some REALLY good Mexican food! This gorilla was outside of a pet store and Mom pretended like he was taking her away...lol..fun times! Times like this make me realize just how much I am thankful for my family! They are wonderful and made my birthday very special!

Belated Christmas Wishes

Meant to post this earlier...but I couldn't find my camera over Christmas...but Merry Christmas from the Thigpens! This was our family Christmas card pic. Kitty wouldn't cooperate so we booted her out of the pic. Chris has shaved his beard now. He started "No shave November" and carried it through December 26. He shaved everything but his mustache and looked like a child molester. That lasted not even a whole day...I couldn't bear to kiss him with that stache! Hope all of you are doing well in this new year! Courtesy of a church sign in Thomson..."Let Jesus Shine in 2009!" Yes folks...that is real!

Time WITH Him not FOR Him

Lately I have still continuously struggled with spending time with the Lord...I talk about how much I need it and want it but still fail miserably with following through with actually DOING it! Chris said "we're about to go Campus Outreach on this issue" (accountability for spending time with the Lord). Chris and I spend time with the Lord together but we also need the personal time with Him. But, I don't want to make it like a chore, something I check off of my list. And I don't want it to be something that I do to please someone else or something I pat myself on the back for "doing something good". Doing things for the Lord are not enough, I miss the relationship with Him and I hope that is what I begin to truly desire! I'm tired of talking about it and not following through with it and I NEED accountability. I think I've been living to "free" in my walk with the Lord and now I see my "freedom" leading into me being more liberal in my thoughts, speech and actions.
I am beginning studying Ephesians with the women's group at church and I think this is going to be a good start for me to study and want more of Him in my daily life! This is my new year's resolution...to spend more time WITH Him instead of DOING THINGS for Him! In a world that is so far from the Lord, Christians must pull together in growing in Him and also praying for the lost. Will you join me?

BOO SCHOOL!!!

It seems like the breaks go by so fast! I didnt have enough time to do the things I wanted to do, not enough time to rest, not enough time to play, and certainly not enough time to recover from a very stressful semester! I was really depressed today at school...eventhough it was inservice. I just do not want to go back. My next teaching job will definately be with the youngins! These older chaps will eat you alive! I mean really...when I was that age I would have NEVER even thought about talking to a teacher the way these kids talk to me! I just dont understand it! I have to be just flat out mean every day and I hate being that way! I want the little ones who will run up to you and hug you and are happy to see you...not the ones who walk away from you when you walk into the room or roll their eyes when they make eye contact with you or call you a bitch under their breath. Where did these kids come from anyway?! I mean, surely they were sweet little kids at one time or another............right? Maybe that sweetness will come out of most of them this semester!

Happy New Year!

Well, not so happy for the two of us. We went to see Georgia Tech play in the Chick-fil-a bowl and before the game started I didn't feel so hot. By the end of the first quarter we were headed home. I felt terrible because I knew Chris was looking forward to this. By 2 am we were both sick. I dont know if it was food poisoning or a virus but it was NOT fun! Chris has bounced back quickly but as for me, until today I have been a pitiful little baby and my sweet husband has been taking care of me! Still feeling a little weak but hope to bounce back soon!
I had started my training for my 1/2 marathon and was doing well until Wednesday. But...check out my little running mini in the next few days and I should be a runnin again!
This year has gone by so fast! It seems the older I get the faster the days, weeks, months, and years go by. My mom was right after all! This year I hope to spend more time with family and friends (old and new) and savor every moment that the Lord gives me. I hope to have many oportunities to serve people in need and for my life to be a tool for Christ to be glorified!

My first race!!!

So, this was my first race! It was a 5K in Thomson and I had only started training a good 5 days before lol. I have been so busy with school and sports I never had time to run when I got home. I've decided to pick it back up and this was to kick it off! I normally run in the gym on the treadmill because it has been SO cold! Unfortunatley the race time was 9am and it was about 32 degrees. FREEZING! Why did I wear shorts again?

Me, Chris and Ben

Walley (Chris' dad), Chris and Ben

OK....funny story about Walley in this race last year. He signed up (not the most athletic man) and said that he would do it with Chris and walk it. Well...It took him like an hour to do 3.1 miles and he came in dead last...even a woman pushing a stroller beat him!! HA! But he was a trooper and signed up again this year to try to beat his time...and other people!

I had this shirt made for Chris last Christmas. When he started doing races he said that he wanted to race for his Papa that passed away August of last year. So, the front says for Papa and the back has "God bless the little man" (from a song) and his birth and death date.
THERE'S CHRIS!!! He won 1st in his age group and 3rd over all. His time was 18:24...Flying!

Me?..... not so much! I was doing good until coming up on the last mile and everything was numb! But my sweet husband came to my rescue and ran back to find me and ran the last little bit with me!

Matt (kid on Chris' team), Me, Chris, and Ben

Turns out I did better than I thought I would do! I got 2nd in my age group! How many were in my age group?....none of your business!!