Chris Hartley ... You are an IRON MAN!!!

My hubby is an IRONMAN!  He has been training since January with the awesome TEAM in Training.  I began to feel that many of his teammates were apart of our family.  (I know they, as a TEAM they were a family).  After much training, we flew to Arizona the weekend before Thanksgiving.  The race was in the Tempe/Phoenix area.  The weather was BEAUTIFUL!  Such a great day!  Chris's parents went with us.  We luckily made it to the start to see everyone's flailing arms begin to swim.  I wasn't sure how the day would go but it went pretty well.  We ended up staying at the race site all day.  I wanted to see Chris every chance we could.  (The bike was a 3 loop course and so was the run).  Chris's goal was to complete the race in 12 hours... He crossed the finish line (He was second from his TEAM to cross) at 11:35!  AND he looked really good running around the corner to the line.  We were SOO proud!

We stayed the week in Arizona.  We drove up to Flagstaff on Tuesday so that we could go to the Grand Canyon and see some other sites.  It is definitely a beautiful country and so different than here in Georgia!

Year End Review

I've been thinking a lot about the past year today (and yesterday).  I even took the time to reread all of my posts from the past year (There were not as many as I hoped).  Here are some of my thoughts:

• We had a pretty great year, for the most part.  As Nancy Carolyn continues to grow and bloom, she just amazes us everyday.  We are so incredibly blessed by her.  She is quite a character (which I've mentioned on more than one occasion), with a very sweet soul.  She is a lot like me and a lot like Chris.  I hope all of our good qualities.  She definitely makes life SO.MUCH.FUN!

 

• The year has been a challenging one.  In fact, if you had talked to me a few weeks ago, I would've told you it was a horrible year.  But in reflection, it was not a horrible year.  It was challenging- a growing year.  Chris trained for his first IronMan, which took him away from us quite a lot... but it was SO worth it to see him cross the finish line (I need to post about our Arizona trip... that's coming up) I lost my beloved gifted position at my Minor home.  THAT was tough, but was snagged by a wonderful  principal.  I've moved back INTO the classroom which has been a growing experience.  I have mixed feelings about school, in general.  I feel that I need to make a change.  My new school, which I do like, is just SO.FAR.AWAY.  I feel that I spend time that could be spent with NC, or being a better teacher is spent in the car.  Also, this year was challenging in that we got pregnant and were so excited only to lose another baby in a miscarriage.  Honestly, I haven't quite recovered from that and have really struggled with being happy since that loss. 

• In reviewing my goals that I set for the year, I really haven't done well with achieving my goals.  When school started this fall, I stopped running.  I actually even signed up to do the Publix Half in March, but had to drop off the TEAM because I honestly could not find make the time to run.  I would like to think that I have been eating fairly healthy.  Not the greatest, but not horrible.  I gained weight with the pregnancy and have struggled to lose it.  (I think the depression played a little on that).  We have not found a church home... mainly due to Chris training on Sundays.  We attended church with my dad (NC and I) for the majority of the year.  BUT since the race, we did try Sunday school at the church we have been attending off and on for a few years.  I think we're both ready to get involved. (YAY!)  And time with God, honestly, it's been minimal too.  I'm SUPER excited that I have the Jesus Calling app and now book (thanks Sue!) to hopefully help me focus on spending some time with Him.  PLUS I just recently started reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, which I just love her daily emails that I get every afternoon.

 

• Thirty One has been really good to me.  I recently promoted to a director.  I've managed to set some goals and achieve them.  My current goals are to maintain 2 parties a month and to grow my little team.  I really LOVE the company, want to share how awesome it is, and just the amazing opportunity that can be found in it.  God is definitely at work in the company!  It's been a nice supplement to our income.  I'd love to see if I could make it a full time job, instead of something I do just for fun.  This is my motto for my 31 business.

 

So my goals for 2012...

• I hope to grow our family.
• I hope to be healthy and find some sort of routine to run or do SOMETHING.  I want to have an active lifestyle to set an example for my girl.
• I hope to find a church home (FOR REAL) and get involved. 
• I hope to find something that will make me happy (jobwise).
• I hope to grow my business.

What are your goals for the new year?  I wish you and yours a blessed New Year!

And another app

Trying another app with my iPad.

Testing

Just seeing what all I can do...

Love! .... And a fall recap.

I love being home with NC everyday. We are having lots of fun together. We are currently working on potty training. I can't believe my sweet girl is going to be 2 next month! She is growing up so fast.

This past fall was quite hectic and busy. My new school is very far and learning a new grade level has been challenging. The winter break has been much needed!

Chris finished his ironman in November, which also had us quite busy. His goal was 12 hours and he finished in 11:36. I was so proud of him. We spent the week out in Arizona and celebrated Thanksgiving there.

Nancy Carolyn is quite a character. She is very smart (I think). She has started speaking in some sentences. One of my favorite things she says is "NC doed it" (or whoever she wants to do something). She is quite active and has a sense of humor too. Just love her to death. :)

Hopefully...

Merry Christmas y'all!

I have been a horrible, slacker of a blogger...BUT hopefully that will change! My fantastic and very generous husband (Santa baby) gave me not only my first pair of diamond earrings today but also an iPad! Yay! So I'm hoping that I'll now how more time to blog on a regular basis...

Santa!

I

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