Top 10

Well, it's been about 10 weeks (okay, not that long) since I've blogged... so to catch up I'll do a top 10 list of moments in the past few weeks. I'm sure I'll leave out a few great moments as well, but that's okay. And, it's really not a TOP 10, because they're definitely not in order. I just needed something to "organize" my thoughts and update this thing... I need to get back on the blogging bandwagon--- I'll do better. I will.

10. We're running the San Diego marathon in 10 days. We've done a 20 mile run, twice. I cannot imagine running 6.2 more. Goodness gracious, I'm just ready for it to be over.

9. We've been invited to be on the Young Life Arusha committee with Zac and Hannah West. I met Zac and Hannah when we started Young Life in the Blue Ridge when I was at Western and have stayed in touch ever since. They're an incredible couple and are doing incredible things in Africa with the kids there. They love Jesus and are sharing his life and love with the kids there. Ahh, what a beautiful thing!

8. We had an awesome yard sale and made some money! We specifically planned the yard sale to use the cash for our California trip. We're doing it mostly on the cheap--- used FF miles to get there on Southwest and we're staying at the Naval Lodge for super cheap, and rented a car on priceline for $14 a day. Sweet!

7. I've started cooking more again--- and I love it. We fixed a super easy bbq chicken salad last night, just like the one at Famous Dave's. Delish. I also love that it's summer and we can grill out more! Thank goodness. And, I've started baking more (probably not a good thing for the waist line)... but it's been so great trying new recipes and yummy snacks:)

6. I was mildly, okay-totally, obsessed with Dancing with the Stars and American Idol. My thoughts: I was all for Erin Andrews and bummed she didn't win, although I knew Nicole would the whole time. I mean, duh... she's a dancer. Evan... he's interesting. Just not a big fan. And, does anyone know if Erin and Max are official yet? I mean, come on... isn't it obvious? Oh, and I loved Lee and Crystal-- I do think Crystal will go on and do well.

5. I completed a "Diversity Education" class online and should officially have my Nebraska Teaching License, finally. AND, I GOT A JOB! I'll be teaching middle school PE at Logan Fontenelle Elementary. I'm so stoked!

4. I've met new friends through the Air Force that I absolutely adore--- some who are brand new to the area and I can't wait to get to know more and others who are on the way to other places. I guess it's part of the life--- moving, loving and leaving. It will be a part of our life and I will cherish that. It's a beautiful cycle but it's never fun having to say goodbye!

3. We landscaped. Holy Cow. We landscaped. We had NOTHING in our front yard and now we have bushes, plants and trees. And rose bushes. I also tried to grow an herb garden but I think it's failing... and tomatoes, and they're failing too I believe. Oh well, we'll try again next year.

2. I've had really great conversations with some really great friends. Some of those have been here, in Omaha and others have been on the phone or on Skype. It's been really great catching up and just having some really special chats with some really awesome ladies. I am always so incredibly grateful for all of the wonderful women I have in my life.

1. I learned how to mow the lawn. Now, clearly, this is not in the right order for a top 10 list... however, I was really excited and I'm so glad that I know how to handle the yard now on my own.

Running

I'm struggling here lately. Well, I can't say that... I still enjoy it. I ran 7 miles with Ryan at the beach in just over a few seconds more than an hour--- didn't think I had that in me! However, as my miles increase in the marathon training program that I'm trying so hard to stick with, it gets harder and harder to run. I find too many excuses--- I know, they're excuses. BUT, I just wish Mother Nature would slow down the winds in Omaha until I'm done with this! I mean, seriously... every time it's a long run (and I'm now up to 16 miles)... it's like, a stinking tornado across the plains.

Ahh... I will stop complaining. I will end my excuses. One day.

I GET to run. I am thankful for that.

dance, dance, dance... okay, stop dancing.

It's definitely spring time and my reality show viewing pleasures are adding up, unfortunately. I don't know what I did with out a dvr for the 24 years of like previous to being married. I mean, I am obsessed with my shows once they get going and I love just being able to catch up and fast forward through commercials. Dancing with the Stars, The Bachelor and American Idol are the only three that I'm super addicted to, but I catch myself "dvr-ing" something just because I can! Silly, I know.

Anyway, DWTS last night was intense... it was like, "I can't wait to see the next person" because the cast is thebomb.com! Typical, I know... but they're fun people to watch. Okay, so Buzz has got to go... poor thing, he's just old and you can tell.

Kate... she struggled. Oh did she struggle. BUT, I totally give her props for getting out there and dancing. I will not bash her... just like the judges said, all of the other competitors have had some type of training or athletic ability, but she's just a mom. You go girl!

Neicy Nash. Eat your cheeseburger. Do it for the thick girls. I love it!

Pamela. Oh, Pamela... was she drunk, or high, or what??? I mean, she was over the top! I will give her props on her incredible legs though. They were smokin' hot! She was all over her innocent little dancer boy, too... he needs to get her under control!

Erin Andrews. I envy you. I would LOVE to have her job... and, she danced well too I believe. I think Maxim is a great partner for her and there's definitely some chemistry going on!;)

85-I liked you quite a bit more than I thought I would. I must say that when you legally changed your last name I thought you were such an idiot and you didn't even spell it right in Spanish. However, your cocky attitude is on FIRE and your so light on your feet. Your confidence won me over. And, I will also add that Cheryl Burke has got him on lock down--- she's the perfect teacher for him!

Evan the ice skater. I just don't know what I think about him... he looks like a puppet to me.

Every season while watching DWTS I always want to take ballroom dance lessons--- anyone want to join me???

Basic Crafts:)

I'm always looking for a craft project to complete... Jason and I did some major spring cleaning this weekend and he found (well, they were never lost. But he compiled them all together) all of his patches from the Air Force that he's collected thus far. He talked about wanting a "patch board" so I made a very simple one and we hung it in our laundry room. Looks good to me!

The best part of the weekend was getting so much of our basement organized and throwing out old "stuff." Our neighborhood does a big yard sale in May so for now, we have tons of our "junk" downstairs waiting to sell. If we don't sell it, we'll take it to Goodwill after the yard sale. One man's trash is another man's treasure, right???

Brewfest

The 2nd Annual "Brewfest" was held on base Friday night and we were a bit hesitant to attend. We didn't know if it would be any fun, if the beer would be any good or if it was even worth the $10 fee to enter. Luckily, we were very surprised! We had the best time with Jake and Kim and the beer was delicious! There were probably 10 or 12 "home brewed" beers, including a root beer that Kim must have filled up on 10 times. Although we didn't even like the "winning" beverage, we had such a fun evening with great friends!

St. Patty's Day 2010

Jason and I are always looking for fun new things to do around town. We're also always on the lookout for new runs or "active" things to do to keep working out exciting. We certainly found that on St. Patrick's Day with the Blarney Stone 5k run sponsored by a local running shop. It was such a nice evening--- a bit chilly but the sun was shining and there was no snow! The run didn't begin until 6pm and when you finished there was pizza and beer! I didn't run with my camera so all the pics are from after the race at the car... obviously, being silly.

It was nice to run on some of the paved trails around Omaha. There are more then 150 miles of paved trails around town. I'm excited to explore as the mileage for the marathon training begins to add up! The Blarney Stone 5k took place on part of the trail--another great reason to run!

Winter is ending.

I hope. Yesterday was beautiful-- 65 and sunny. Today, on the other hand, there's a chance of snow and the high is 43. Ouch.

Spring officially begins tomorrow and everyone around Omaha is just itching for sunshine and warmer temperatures. It was so fun yesterday to sit outside and watch all the kids play--- Marian, Lisa and I did just that for four hours yesterday. Just like summer time... it was delightful!

Jason and I are having our first official "spring cleaning" tomorrow and I'm definitely looking forward to getting some of our junk out of house and garage! It's ridiculous. You'd think we would have been married for five years with all of the stuff we've collected over the past ten months! Our closet is stuffed full, our drawers are overflowing!!! And our basement... wow. We have a LOT of work to do!