how are you.

"how are you?"

how many times do we ask this question a day?

"how are you?"

"oh, i'm fine."

how many times is asking the question "how are you?" an automatic thing when we come in contact with an individual?

do we really care?

truly care

about what is going on in the person's life that we just addressed with the question?

how many times do we accept the "i'm fine" answer and just carry on or walk away when we have the feeling that the person is not truly "fine"?

a few days ago, i was at an event and i saw someone that i knew.

we approached each other and happily greeted one another.

i had already begun the automatic routine of asking her, "how are you?" when she also ask the same question at the same time.

and we both, also at almost the exact time, answered, "i'm fine."

after walking away from the lady, it occurred to me:

i am in the habit of asking the famous question:

"how are you?"

and not. even. listening.

i asked the question with the mindset of it just being "routine" in the greeting process.

what if that lady was just searching for a person to pour her heart out to?

what if she was yearning for some "girl time" to be able to just talk?

via

this was a huge eye opener for me.

it made me think:

how many people in the world answer the typical "how are you" question with a typical "i'm fine" when really they're not?

what if they're really and truly hurting inside?

what if they are experiencing heartache and sorrow?

i know for me, it made me want to really look out for the feelings of the individual who answers, 

"oh, i'm fine."

i want to stop and really listen to their answer instead of asking the question and hardly slowing my pace.

i want to be the kind of person who will be there...i want that person to know, truly know, that they can truthfully answer me in the way that they are really feeling.

i want to be able to be available.

to be able to comfort.

to be able to pray for.

to be able to laugh with.

to be able to rejoice with.

so truly, how are you?

remember,

you are loved and you are treasured.


xoxoxo.

it's a...

remember this post?

the one that i shouted to the world that i would be an aunt TWICE in the month of july?

welll...

the results are in:

sister and bro-in-law are having a 

BOY.

the name:

colt {no middle name chosen at this time}

and

brother and sis-in-law are having a 

GIRL.

the name:

joanna claire

picture taken at their gender reveal party.

this is one beyond happy aunt.

let the shopping begin.

critter crawl.

last weekend i donned my running shoes and mom and i set off for the trail run.

she was my choffer and cheerleader for this trip.

the 10k began and the trails were well marked.

as i began the last three miles, i began to dig into my reservoir of energy.

later, my running app lady told me i had just clocked 6 miles.

"whew, i'm almost done."

a few feet ahead she started talking to me again and said that i had just clocked 11 miles.

yeah, even she was going bonkers.

approaching the next person directing the runners, i ask,

"are we almost there?"

"almost," he replies.

the runner-guy that was just ahead of me turned around, while still running, and also made the observation that this 6.2-mile-run seemed just a tad longer than it was supposed to be.

(it was around 6.4 miles--just really hard to get exactly 6.2 when you're marking for a trail run. :)

coming into the clearing and seeing the cars of the runners that were parked in the field at lanark up ahead was a very welcomed sight.

the finish line was crossed.

i did it.

being able to run with God's beauty and majesty all around was a blessing.

having the health and strength to carry through was a blessing.

the coolness and warm sun made for such amazing running weather....that was a huge blessing

the crossing the creek, woods, gravel, mud and wood mulch all made for an adventurous run that everybody needs to run at least once in their life.

oh, and winning third in your age group isn't so bad either.

Stats for Critter Crawl 10k:
Chip Time: 1:13:21
Gun Time: 1:13:24
Age Division: 19-24
Place: 3rd out of the 4 in my age division
Overall Place: 43 out of 61 runners
Pace: 11:48

it's a family affair :: part four.

the last day of our vacation was relaxing and pretty slow-paced.

after our next-to-the-last-breakfast in our house away from home, we set out to explore downtown.

oh yeah, and not to forget the matching shirts...

sis-in-law, mom, me, and sister.

stop one:

the wildflower cafe.

the evening before, we had come across this amazingly adorable restaurant. we had a small tour of the quaint place and decided that it was mandatory we come back to the restaurant that was famous for its tomato pies. 

so, the next day for lunch we feasted in the "twinkle light room"

(lovingly dubbed the "twinkle light room" by mom).

stop two: 

cloudmont ski resort.

the brother was ready.

he had bought his "snowboarding getup" the week before and was ready to hit the slopes.

when we arrived, his hopes were bashed when we found out that the slopes were closed due to all the rain that had fallen the night before. the ski lift was stuck and the skis and boards stayed in their place.

oh well.
maybe next time, bro.

at least i got a picture with the cool dude out of it.

stop three:

thrift shopping.

after finding out the devastating news about the ski resort, we decided to go visit some thrift stores/flea markets to boost our spirits.

a chair was bought for the sister and matching shoes were bought for the sisters.

after the preggo ladies had reached the point of exhaustion, it was back to the house we went.

getting into our pj's and curling up in front of the gas log fireplace, we talked about the adventures that were had that day and had family devotions.

then, some of us went upstairs to pack for the journey home the next day....

(to be continued.)

a snow day.

last week, after not seeing the beautiful white dust for four years, we southern people were quite excited to receive our winter wonderland.


day one:

brother and sis-in-law came over and played in the snow with me.

day two:

kicked it in 4x4, and headed out to perform county commissioner duties--checking on a house that had burned the night before and also pulling a guy's truck out of the ditch with ratchet straps
(that's all that was available in the truck to work with--we had no rope).

the deepest snow drift i have seen in my whole life.

church at the house since wednesday night Bible class was canceled due to the dangerous, icy roads.

day three:

the ice i was able to break and dig out of the water trough on the last snow day.

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