Diet and Exercise

Everyone has been telling me how great I look, and I thank them. They also ask me what I have been doing. I tell them diet and exercise. I want to give you encouragement to seek healthy ways to live your life to the fullest in 2011. If I did not take the opportunity to dedicate time to my health and fitness, then I would not have had as active year as I have had. In 2011, I want to do more, accomplish greater deeds, and live my life to the fullest everyday. I want to live it up!

Here are some of my favorite 2010 photos.

Courtney and I found this little guy while biking in Tally. This was my birthday weekend. Chrissy and Tommy came to visit. We also found a friendly squirrel named Walter. Chrissy also found out how much she truly loves trees by allowing a tree to save her life. Haha! <3

Elliot, Sarah, Scott, Kelly, Matt, and I
We could not resist being goofy in the Golden, CO. Coors Factory gift shop.

These beautiful crocheted flowers are a symbolic representation of life in the midst of construction in down town Denver. While riding our bikes past this fence, a box that states positive affirmations stated, "You are beautiful!" What a cool way to spread happiness and lift people's spirits.

This little Guatemalan boy drew a tree. This year my favorite symbol became a tree. Trees are parallel to all life. One of my favorite books, The Giving Tree.

This is one of the many breath taking views of Guatemala. The country is extremely beautiful and scenic; however, right beyond this beauty is utter poverty and sadness because of land slides and natural disasters.

These are my yoga girls! We are doing one of our many "This is why I am single fish faces"!  Hawt!

I am slurping lemonade with my lemonade friend. I still do not need another straw, but hopefully one day I will. Mexico Beach, FL. My mom actually thought that I had gone to Mexico without telling her. Ha!

This is Joanna. She kicks my butt Tuesday through Friday at 7am. Thanks to her I have lost about 50lbs this year. It is not all her though, I am telling you the secret: Diet and Exercise.

I love this up close photograph of me. I am at Venice Beach, FL with Chrissy and Tommy on our walk about. We parked our cars five miles away from each other at two different beaches and explored the beautiful gulf coast of FL by foot.

I took this breath taking patriotic photo while in Washington, DC with Dr. Carroll. Together we went and talked to our state senators and house representatives about education in the state of FL. What a great trip. Dr. Carroll is such a light in my life and a great role model for all women.

Daniel and I at the Dreaming Cows Farm. In 2009 and 2010 we went on the New Leaf Farm Tour. This day is dedicated to local farms opening up their farms and educating the community about what exactly they do. We love this trip because we not only get to learn about local farm practices, but we get to play with the cows, taste samples, and enjoy some Florida sunshine.

This is a classic Matty and JTodd photo. This year we have gone on many great adventures and have explored many different springs and areas of Florida. Here are are dancing at Hammnknockers Oasis, in O Bay.

 

 

 

 

I will conclude by saying: Never stop exploring and letting your light shine!
Happy New Year!!
Much love!

The Light House

I know that I have not written in a long time. I have no honest excuses. Life has been happening!! Today has been a great day. This morning I had a great work out, then had a meeting with Dr. Meehan to discuss the possibility of applying for an English Teaching Full Bright fellowship for the 2012-2013 school year. I applied for graduation at the end of this spring semester, and I started studying for my comprehensive exams. Like I said, life is happening before my eyes. This morning I also started a morning devotional that will help me focus my attention on God and how His love and guidance will lead me to the next step in my life. On Sunday, Pastor Mark talked about how to live and ordinary life. He was being sneaky and trying to get us all to get excited about the new year and really want to live an extraordinary life. A life that is based on faith. A life that is unknown but exciting and always an adventure.

I wrote this prayer/ affirmation down:
"Dear Lord, I know that I am qualified. I have the authority. I have the credibility. I am good enough. I have confidence. Lord, please, send me!" What does this prayer actually mean? "I am walking blindly by faith. I have lost all sense of direction, but I trust that God will lead me, and take me where he needs me to go. When I was younger, I would pray for God to make me his servant, to use me to better serve society and His people".

Chuck and Marji created this beautiful allusion for me. The image of a light house shining its light for all to see. This image is symbolic of staying vertical and walking hand in hand with God. If I were to crumble and give in to the temptations of this life, then I would no longer be able to shine on. I am not good at being patient; however, I must lean on God and allow him to work in my life. The reward will be that much grater!

The picture is a beautiful photo of the St. Mark's light house. Chuck, Marji and I love to get up early on Sunday mornings and complete a 16 mile ride to the light house. This quiet time in the morning is our opportunity to reflect and really feel the presence of God through the use of Mother Nature.