I’m a runner. So I run.

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Runner
If you know me at all or have been reading my blog for awhile then you know I am a runner. (If you are new to my blog, then welcome! and yes I am a runner.) Nothing stellar, no records being broke but it’s “my thing”. It’s what I do to keep in shape, to eat what I want, to relieve stress and to keep discipline in my life. I have a competitive side in me that comes out when I run. I’ve been known to throw an elbow or two to edge out that one girl I’ve been keeping my eye on the whole race right at the finish line. Oh yes, true. So I’m a runner. And it’s a good thing.

I often find myself running through life though. Rushing here and there, sometimes for no reason at all. Just to get done I guess. To then move on to the next thing…and rush some more. I have a tendency to push things along faster than they should go. Whether it be people, relationships, decisions. I’m often thinking “we should be here not way back here. So let’s speed things up and start running to get to where we should be.” Notice the use of the word “should”. It’s a word that can cause a lot of guilt, heart felt tension and trouble. A wise friend once told me “Don’t ‘should’ yourself”! Yes, it’s not a good thing. I often find myself running to talk to someone else about a difficult situation or a frustration before I take time to talk to Him about it. I don’t wait on Him to listen or instill wisdom in me. I don’t know why I am running, rushing. Maybe it’s the lie I’m believing if I get there first then I’ll know how to handle it, what to do, I’ll be in control. Maybe it’s the fear of slowing down and waiting. Will it all fall apart if I slow down, if I stop? Will I fall apart? Maybe.

And then I read this…

Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

What I love about this verse is that it states it twice, just in case we didn’t get it the first time…WAIT! Wait on who? The Lord. Not on someone or something else. But wait on Him. Secondly, I love that it says be strong and take heart. Because gosh friends, it’s hard to wait! It takes strength and heart to wait when we don’t want to, when we don’t know how long we will be waiting or even what we are waiting for. He knows that, He gets it and so He reminds us to be strong and take heart…and wait for Him.

I’m thankful He has shown me this but it is hard to swallow. Because like I said I am runner and I just want to think through it quickly, figure it out what this means, run with it and be done. Race over. Oh, I am a runner but I can be a slow learner.

I want to wait on Him. I want to walk humbly before Him. Show me. Show me what this means in my everyday “running around like a crazy girl” world. My confidence is in Him. Yes, He has gone before me. But I find more comfort in knowing He is walking with me and will wait with me even when I need to stop.

a little valentines inspiration for you.

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So you know all those craft projects you have laying around that your kids do? The ones they are so proud of but you can only have so many of them hanging up and you just can’t bring yourself to throw them away (at least not right away). Well I have an idea for you that can transpire into some Valentines Day decor for your home. And make your kiddos proud that you used their artwork.
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Last week the girls did some paintings. You know like five paintings each within 10 minutes. Well after they dried and sat on our kitchen counter for a couple of days I cut all different size shapes of hearts out of the paintings. Then I taped the hearts on some twigs I collected from our backyard. Do these look familiar? These are the same twigs I collected back in September for Fall decor, painted them silver for Christmas and we are still using them! Long live the twigs! Don’t be surprised if you see shamrocks taped on them in March. Anywho… tape those little puppies on your twigs, stick them in a jar, glass bottle or whatever you fancy and call it done! You have decorated for Valentines Day, your kids are happy because they have provided the original materials and you don’t have a stack of craft projects on your counter. Win. Win. Win.

I’m out.

Today I linked up with Skip to my Lou.

5 on friday.

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the number 5

1. This week I had the opportunity to go into Mason’s classroom twice. Once, with Brian for a parent teacher conference and the second time to volunteer during “center time”. Both times I left the school with a big smile on my face and feeling very proud of our boy. It is so fun to hear about or see Mason’s personality in a different setting other than at home with us. It’s encouraging to hear that he is putting into practice the things we are teaching at home like kindness, respect and responsibility. Yes, I am bragging at bit but you know as a parent sometimes you just wonder “Am I really do anything right here?” And then you get some affirmation and it just feels good. The end.

2. Every now and then the girls will ask about getting their ears pierced. It kind of comes and goes quickly and I haven’t pushed it much because I don’t really want to deal it. But lately it has become a daily hourly request. A couple of their friends have them done so they see the prettiness that could be on their ears. This has led to conversations about acting like a “big girls” because only “big girls” get to have their ears pierced. And wouldn’t you know it, this little reminder has curbed the drama in the house a bit. We haven’t decided when/if we will be piercing any ears for sure but for now I’m going to enjoy the lack drama throughout the day.

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3. This week I did a little decorating for Valentines Day. I don’t normally do anything but I could not pass up some cute ideas I saw on Pinterest. Here is something simple for a our mantel. Love the red and aqua together. I’m thinking of adding some heart garland. Maybe a weekend project?

4. So we live in Indy and there is this big event that is coming up next week that is in our city. You may have heard of it? The Superbowl. So I have heard from a reliable source (the husband) people start arriving this weekend for a week of festivities leading up to the big game next weekend. The city has been preparing for a while as you can imagine. A whole “village” has been built downtown, tons of free concerts and many more activities. We haven’t quite decided if we are going to brave it and venture downtown to check it out but it is a once in a lifetime thing so maybe. I have also heard that Indianapolis Colts fans DO NOT like the Patriots and are NOT happy about all these New Englanders invading our city. So I’m just gonna go with it. Go Giants!

5. Last night Mase prayed the sweetest, most honest prayer:

Jesus I pray that my sisters would ask you into their hearts before you come back. And I pray you don’t come back any time soon because I want my sisters to be in heaven with me and they have to pray to you first. Thank Jesus for my two sisters. It is a lot of hard work. But it is worth it. Amen.

So sweet. So honest.

On that note, happy Friday!

filled up to overflowing.

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overflowing
photo credit 

Have you ever had that feeling of overwhelming thankfulness for something that you get to have and be a part of everyday? Like your family? Sure, I’m always thankful for these people that God has given me to do life with. But it’s not everyday that I am filled up and over flowing with thankfulness for them. There are days that go by that thankfulness is not the first thing off the top of my head when I am experiencing them.

But today I woke up with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for my family. We are not perfect by any means. But we are a well oil machined in our own way. We have figured out what works for us. We laugh a lot, we cry some, we hug and wrestle, we listen and encourage one another. We mess up and hurt each others feelings. We forgive each other.  We are free to be ourselves around each other.

I love these 4 people that God has chosen to be my family. Today I am filled up and over flowing with thankfulness. It’s a real good feeling.

 

What are you fighting for?

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Spinning bikes
On Wednesday mornings I go to a 5:30 am spin class. It kicks my butt and I love it. It is a fight all the way. But I do it.

It’s a fight to get up in the morning, especially if I didn’t get to bed at a decent time or I was up with the kids for whatever reason. It’s fight to get a bike. It is a popular class and a limited amount of bikes. I have to get there a good 20 min early to get on a bike. That’s a good chunk of time when we are talkin the wee hours of the morning. I know, craziness. The instructor pushes us from the moment we start riding until the big hand finally reaches the 6:20 mark. He says “Just because you added resistance doesn’t mean you slow down your pace. You keep moving.” That was good enough for me this morning when I was on my bike to keep me going but I got to thinking (while I my lungs were burning and my legs felt like noodles) “Do I do the same thing in my relationship with Jesus?” Do I fight just as much to keep my relationship going with Him? When life gets hard or busy or I just don’t feel like it. Do I fight to be close to Him, surrendering all to Him? I would like to say yes! of course! But I don’t. The honest truth is sometimes I fight harder to get a good work out in than I do in my relationship with Jesus. I instantly see the results of my physical workout. I’m sweating, it gives me energy, the endorphins are flowing and I’m feeling pretty good when I leave the gym. But I don’t always “see” the results of spending time with God. I don’t always “feel” better when I give my all to Him and surrender my day. Sometimes it is really hard to surrender all, to put Him first, to fight through the resistance.  And so I let it slide at times. The effects quickly show up in my attitude, my choices, my motivations, my thought life. Not pretty.

Reality: I just don’t fight for complete obedience like I do to get a good bike in my spin class. Ugh. That’s some honesty for you.

I don’t want that to be true. I want Him to be what I fight for most. Because He is worth more than anything I can feel or see. He fought for me. He gave His life for me. He gives more than I ask for, He loves, He is eternal.

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy! Psalm 4:6-7

And so I ask, “What are you fighting for most each day?”

 

 

that’s what they said.

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Christmas Kids
Almost everyday one of the kids will say something that cracks me up. I’m sure they do not intend on being so funny but it sure does make their mama laugh. And each time I tell myself “Don’t forget that. Write that one down.” And you know. I don’t. And I forget it, within .2 seconds.

But…

Last week I was intentional about writing down their funny, little comments. For me to remember and to keep laughing and to now share with you.

Mason- After talking about bears hibernating “So where do they keep their food? In their bottoms, their belly, their legs?”

Theia- After reading a Star Wars book that says R2D2 knows every language she asks if he knows Amish.

Kaia- Out of nowhere she asks me “Do you like sitting in chairs?” I answer with a simple “yes” and off she goes.

Theia- “Even though Daddy sometimes spanks me I still love him infinity.”

Kaia- “I’m hungry. I’m hungry. This is the time I get hungry: 97 38 4 miles.” Do you know that time? Yeah, me either but apparently that’s when Kaia gets hungry.

Kaia- After we told her she cannot blow bubbles in car she said ” But we can’t do it outside. It’s so cold out. Winter will burst our bubbles!”

Mason- After praying at bedtime I told him I’m thankful for him he replied “Me too. I am thankful for me too.”

Oh I love my kidders!

Happy Monday!

 

5 on friday.

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number 5
Ice Skating

1. On Monday, MLK day Mason’s school rented out the ice rink for all families to go skating. It was a first for the Barela family. Although my back is still seizing up (gosh, I feel old!) we had a great time. I think Miss Theia might have some hidden ice skating talent. By the end she was skating on her own and can’t wait to go back. Kaia on the other hand, not so much which is mainly the reason my back is hurting so much. We basically held her up the entire time. Mason looked like such big boy “skating” around the rink with his 3 little buds from school. Ahhhh! Hold back the tears. We laughed a lot, fell some and really enjoyed our time together!

2. Have you watched America’s Funniest Videos as a family? It’s our family fave to watch most nights before bed. It’s mindless TV that everyone enjoys and has us all laughing before bed. It makes those last dreadful minutes before bedtime go that much quicker. It’s a good way to end the night.

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I got some new running shoes. Nike Lunar Swift 3. I haven’t ran in Nikes for a long time but was wanting to try something new. I have a lot of miles to log in with the start of my marathon training. New shoes are a good way to get motivated. Let the fun begin!

4. New artwork in our home with our verse this month. I have 3 of these hanging up. Looking good:)

New artwork we have hanging up with our verse of the month. I have 3 of these hanging up. Look at those little feetsies! Love.

5.ShakeItPhoto Photo

A picture of the latest creations being made. Mason did a work of symmetry (his new word that he uses very well) on his battleship board and a little lego house built by the girls for Ni Hao Kai Lan. I love that are kids like to create, build and think outside of the box. Some of the most peaceful times in our home is when the music is on in the background and everyone is quietly building. Yes, I cherish these moments.

Have a great weekend!

All in the name of love.

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Have you ever met someone that just click with? From the moment you meet you just kinda get the feeling that your going to be good friends for the long haul? It’s a good feeling, isn’t it?  Yes, one of the best blessings from God I think. Especially for a girl transplanted from California to Indiana not knowing anyone. I had that “feeling” when I met my friend Jenni not even a year ago. She was one of the very first people I met when we moved to Indy. Our husbands met through Twitter (isn’t that cute?) and she quickly became more than an acquaintance, but my first true friend in Indy. We share many similarities: mommies of twins, runners, love to bake and craft and most importantly a love for Jesus and our families. Jenni is one of the most passionate people I know and I love that about her. This passion of hers is leading her and her husband to South Africa this Spring to care for children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Jenni and Andy wanted to celebrate their 10th anniversary in a memorable, meaningful way and this is how they are doing it. Pretty cool, huh? To help fund their trip Jenni is selling up-cycled tshirt scarves. Read more about their story here and how you can help them. I am so excited for Jenni and thankful I get to be a small part in this amazing opportunity!

C’mon you know want to be sporting a super cute tshirt scarf. Confession: I wear one like everyday. It just makes you feel little cuter and that you have some style even when you haven’t showered. In fact I’m wearing one now with my comfy pants. So go right now and buy a scarf or two or more. They would be great gifts for any reason or occasion with a special meaning behind it. All in the name of love.

Run2Him.

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This week I’ve started a new bible study along with my “get up and get some time with God before the little people wake up” group. For the next 13 weeks I will be diving into the Psalms. A new one each week. I’m liking this. It will balance me out as I make my way through the early part of the OT. Still keeping on track for my goal in reading through the bible in a year. Sure it’s only the third week in January but this is where I usually start to sputter out. I’m not gonna lie, I don’t get everything I am reading in Exodus and sure the details of family lines and plagues of flies and gnats don’t apply to my everyday life. But I know that God will use my time in His word for His glory. It’s not going to waste. His Word fills me up, it pushes me through.

I am reminded of this truth this week in Run2Him. We are looking at Psalm 1. It talks about delighting in the word, meditating on it day and night. If so, we are strong, fruitful and do not wither. We prosper and He blesses us!

Good stuff friends. Good stuff!