Let's Write.

Leigh Anne.  Thank you.  This is just the kick of encouragement that I needed to get going.  

Now.  If you need to, head on over to her blog.  She'll explain the Let's Write Challenge for 2019.

I've been thinking about my writing list.  It needs to be realistic, yet a bit of a challenge.  I think I did it as I dip back into writing.  

My writing list for 2019:

1.  Participate fully in the Slice of Life Challenge in March.  

2.  Keep a writer's notebook-some guided and some not.  Collect stories and thoughts here.  

3.  Post here 2-3 times a week.  Link to Slice of Life and What Are you Reading?

Also, add in one more post each week reflecting on life in education.  It might be connected to the classroom.  It might be on self care.  (I'm a big fan.)  It will just be the story of a teacher in the middle of the Midwest.  

Also.  My One Little Word?  Joy.  The hopeful kind that lets you see goodness even when it's messy.  I'm also learning how to letter and draw through Bible journaling.  

So.  Let's Write!  

Joy!

Kendra

Must Read in 2019

Thank you to Carrie from thereisabookforthat.com for continuing to share her space with us!  

So.  I'm aiming for 40 again.  Only this time I have a plan!  I've broken it down into 3-4 titles a month.  

This is my pile for January.  I'm aiming to finish Land of Stories so my 10 year old can start.  And Educated was a gift.  

 I didn't spend a lot of time on visuals this time, because a lot of these I have referenced before.  Here's to a Must Read in 2019! 

Joy!
Kendra

#mustreadin2018: Reading Goals or Bust

Thank you Carrie for continuing to graciously host our reading community. 

Okay.  So it wasn't a total bust.  I had set a goal for 40 books, because I turned 40 last year.  Actually, my 10 year old suggested it.  I thought it was brilliant, since in 2017 I read 30 books.  It seemed reasonable. 

And then some life happened.  I won't bore you with the details, since we are about the books here.  But we've made some great memories and had a lot of fun.  I've learned lessons along the way.  Even my Mr. stood in the kitchen last week and declared at 6:23 AM, "December is kicking our butts!"  But we take the good, the bad, and the ugly, and just keep moving forward. 

However, as of today, I've read 16 books. 
It's okay to giggle.  I did too a bit when I saw that. 

Here they are:



I loved all my reading for different reasons.  But I won't forget hopping behind my teenager as he finished Long Way Down, because I needed someone to talk to about this book!  Everybody Always was a timely read, and part of the reason why I didn't get to 40 books-more interruptions! 

Here is to 2019!  Happy Reading!
Joy!
Kendra

#mustreadin2018: An Update.

I'm so thankful for a reading community that encourages just that...reading!

It's been a busy year.  I've entered the sweet spot of parenting and don't want to miss a thing.  For me that means I have two boys almost 14 and almost 10. 

But yet, there is time to read.  It's part of our family's make-up.  I have blog posts set aside on how our youngest is developing his own identity as a reader. 

Now, let's get to the update. 
I have set a goal of 40 books.  I did that on a whim of my almost 10 year old telling me I should-because I turned 40. 
It's not looking great friends.  I'm at 15 books, currently reading 2.  But the year isn't over yet!



I'm currently reading:





Joy!
Kendra

Run Like a Pirate: On a Vegan Lifestyle and a Few Other Things.

Wow.  It was over 4 years ago that I wrote about becoming a Food Allergy Mama.  

What's funny about this link post is how I used running to get through that time in our lives and I remember it well.  

I've always watched vegans with curiosity.  Could we really do that?  Is that part of who we could be?  I always thought no, until I did a little research.  You see nut-allergies are among the list of foods that we avoid.  I never thought I could feed Tiny Guy a plant based diet until I did some research. 

With a little research, I'm learning that we can definitely eat more plant based foods than I thought we could. I've been studying this blog like crazy.  

I also have some questions:

Anyone reading this who is vegan with a nut-allergy?  What other resources do you use?

Also, are you a vegan with no nuts and no soy?  Again, do you have any resources?

Our journey with food is far from over.  But I loved getting this little nudge in reading this book.  

Have you picked it up yet?  

Joy!
Kendra

SOL: Run Like a Pirate Chapter 9: Day Three-My Husband

Have you purchased this book yet?

Do it.

After reading chapter 9, I couldn't help but think about how Mr. and I met.  

My favorite part of our meeting story, is our timing.  

As a junior in high school, I really thought I'd be headed out west to college.  A small college where my Mr. was in his Freshman year.  At this point, I have no idea he exists.  My mom and dad trekked out there with me.  The conversation with admissions went like this.  

A:  "Sometimes you have to have faith that the finances are going to work out."

My Dad:  "I have faith, but I also see the numbers.  This isn't going to work for us."  

(I didn't appreciate it then, but I Love my Dad.  And if you know him, you can hear him saying this.)

So.  Little did I know as I was making plans to attend a State U, Mr. was making plans to move back to attend the same State U.  (Remember, neither one of us knows the other one exists at this point.)

I absolutely believe in the timing of this.  

When we all landed at State U., I met him.  And I knew.  Even if it took another 12 months to get to the good stuff.  

My high school bestie, "You did not just find the guy you are going to marry."  Oh yes I did.

He just needed to date 1-2 more girls to figure it out.  

And I needed to date 1-2 more guys to figure it out.  

But the following summer, we figured it out.  

And we have been figuring it out for 21 years now.  

This picture is from the best birthday party I've been at in awhile.  

He's pensive.  But if you earn his trust and know what he's thinking about...wow!  

He's wise.  

He is a great running partner. 

He loves to read.

He's funny.  Don't blink or you might miss it.  

He loves his family in an unwavering way that let's us all take chances.  

Joy!

Kendra

Run Like A Pirate: Day Two

Alright Friends.  It's later in the day than when I usually write.  But we have to talk about chapter 7.  

The day before I read this chapter I was out on a run with my hubs.  

The kids were with the Grandparents.  

We had a Sunday morning to do what we wanted.  

Can you hear the angels singing?  I mean we went out for brunch that weekend!  

6 miles!  Yahoo!  I was on track to register for the half-marathon in October.  

(Need a flat, fast race?  The Des Moines Marathon/Half Marathon is that for you...just saying...)

But we only made it 4.5 miles before my foot had such a pain in it, I wasn't sure if we were even going to be able to walk home.  

It's rare/unheard of for me to cry about running, but I did that day.  Mr. didn't say much, he just held my hand and let me grumble for 2 seconds about the pain.  And walked home with me.

Monday afternoon I find myself in the doctor's office with my RunLAP book.  And I read chapter 7 before the Xray and before I knew what was really wrong.    

So, this pesky case of Plantar Fasciitis has nothing on me.  

These days, I wear sensible shoes all the time.  (If you know me, hearing that I shouldn't be barefoot all the time...well...that's just crazy.  I totally gave the doctor my teacher look.  Then went out and bought sensible shoes.)

I'm still running.  Not on my original plan.  It's flexible.  Because I'm not running as many miles, I noticed my splits were getting a Wee faster.  

I'm hiking more through our parks.  And biking more.  My oldest son got a new bike out of the deal!  

I'm doing my yoga and stretching.  For real now.  

I love this idea of running my own half, maybe in November.  And who knows?  Maybe I'll be ready by October.  But I'm at peace with being flexible about this.  

But You guys.  It was chapter 7 that allowed me to tackle this head on.  I'm not really accountable to that race, only to myself.  I can run my own half marathon when it's time.  

And who knows?  Maybe I'll win.  

Joy!
Kendra