Big Dam Bridge 100

Before you think I rode 100 miles on my bike let me correct you now! I am not that crazy! I have been training 3x a week to riding my bike and increasing my mileage getting ready for the Big Dam Bridge Ride. My great buddy from Conway got me into biking while I got him and some others into running. I love to ride and never had anyone in Crossett who had a road bike. Then Brenda entered my life! She is a very strong rider who had done Big Dam before. So we set a goal to ride the 5o miler. I was very anxious and scared of the ride. So many folks, like over 2,ooo, were there. I was so nervous how we lined up all packed together. I am just so scared of a bike wreck. (even though I have fallen all the time off mine when clipped in ). The weather was perfect and God just was everywhere I looked Saturday. When we approached the Big Dam bridge, which I have never seen before, it knocked the breath out of me! The way the sun was on the water and the glow, I had to shout! PRASIE GOD! THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR BEAUTY. I think I prasied God all thru the ride. Brenda knows I prayed a lot when we hit the hill section. I cannot explain the experience of the ride itself, all I can say is that I am hooked, addicted, and loving to ride.

Reach In, Reach Up, Reach Out

We started reach groups last Wednesday night at church. Benny and I signed up for the parenting class. There is such a need in many churches to have Godly background and scripture that helps support us as parents. We have a small, intimate group of 4 couples. I love how every week we are in the same home and we get to eat and fellowship before getting into our studies. We are studying: "Parenting God's Way:A Biblical Look At Parenting your Children. Last week each parent shared concerns on their hearts and I just felt this closeness we all share wanting to raise our kids in healthy, loving, God-enriched environments. Our group has two wonderful leaders named John and Diane Wooten. They have children who are grown, so their mentoring is absolutely uplifting. Here are some of the scriptures we studied and meditated on this week in our quiet time:
Psalm 127:3
Mark 10:13-16
Proverbs 17:6
Proverbs 22:6
Proverbs 29:15

Our title this past week was. "Is your child a burden or a blessing?" I feel everyday that I fail my children in some area. Sometimes I don't have the very best day with them and everything falls apart. I feel like a failure. What I am learning is that yes, I am a failure if I try to do ANYTHING without God's help in parenting. I must daily seek His help and guidance. As Shannon pointed out in our group, they are only ours for a little while. They are a gift. God hand-picked me to be Kole and Kate's mommy. I must invest daily in prayer and opportunites to show my kids what it means to love God and obey His commandments. I am so thankful for our group! I know God is going to show us something new every week to apply in our hearts!

Kate's 1st Dance Class

Little Sally started dance last week. We got here all dressed up and she was ready to go. She only has one other little girl in her class. Kate was all about dancing for the first 3 minutes and then she refused to dance and instead wanted to investigate the huge "water bug" as Crossett people call them. I call them "ROACHES". After 30 minutes of encouraging her to dance, she finally did the "piggy dance". That girl has a mind of her own. Sounds so familiar! I can't wait to see what she does tonight!

Dallas Mania

On Thursday I headed to Dallas for "Dallas Mania" convention. This is a 3 day explosion of the newest fitness knowledge and training! It is so much fun! But also very exhausting!! This year Wanda went with me from Crossett. We had a great time! We met all my gals from Conway that I worked with while there.

The amazing thing about my trip this year was getting to see all my friends but also learning new things. I took 2 very helpful personal training classes. But the class that rocked my world was ZUMBA!!! Wanda and I danced so hard and we were so drenched! It was like a party. You just moved to the music. The lady leading it was just so much fun. The whole 1 1/2 was just learning the moves while having a ball! All these ladies, different shapes, sizes, ages, etc were having the time of their lives. I will be teaching Zumba starting next week here in Crossett at our gym. I can't wait!!

This year I also got to meet 2 famous instructors that I love. Julz Arney and Chris Freytag. They are just so unbelievable! I had such a great time and feel truly blessed to have shared this experience with such incredibly strong women. Can't wait till next year!

Kole and Kate's 1st Day of School

Tuesday Kate began her school career! She is now a Wee School attendee! She goes from 8:15-2:45 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We were a little nervous since she has never been away from me before. She did GREAT! She has the sweetest teacher. When I picked her up yesterday she was so excited. Her teacher told me she was such a sweet girl!

Kole started the head-start program today! I am so thrilled we got into this program. Being an educator, I am always very particular about the learning process for my kids. We went to an open house on Tuesday night and I was just so impressed with the standards set for Kole's program. Mrs. Ricks, Kole's teacher, is very polished and knows her stuff. When I went into the classroom, I was so impressed. It is just like kindergarten, with centers, a reading lounge, games, math manipulatives, etc. They follow all the Arkansas Frameworks and readiness standards. Kole was so excited this am and had to wear his "Tom and Jerry" shirt.

I am so proud of my sweet babies. (Note to self: They are not babies anymore) I pray God will guide them in their endeavors at school!

Time In Lexa

So my good friend Melissa could do my yoga class Thursday and I packed the kids and headed to my mom's for the weekend. I love going to Lexa b/c I feel so at ease and peaceful. We went straight to my Grandma Tolar's house. I wanted to go thru it b/c it is about to sell. I cried. Kate kept going thru the house calling out for her. Kole was right by my side telling me it was okay. What a sweet boy I have!

On a happier note, we played so much! My dad got my model-T car fixed for the kids! They LOVE riding in it. I thought I was "something else" when I got that car. We played in the yard, went swimming, and did the "slip and slide". Nana took us shopping on Saturday for school clothes.

The pics are so funny! The kids just love being outside! I had such a good time and I am ready to go back soon!

4th of july

Yes, I know I am late getting these on here. It just took this computer-challenging girl awhile to understand the downloading process. Here are a few pics of us cooking out all day w/ my parents. We swam all day! So nice!