Just a few things

Not too much has happened since our last update. Life is on a pretty steady track here in Grapevine. This past weekend we had some of Dave's friends stay with us. They were in town for a youth ministry conference at the seminary. It was nice to have some overnight guests, but I am ready for a weekend with no commitments. On Saturday we went looking around for dining room tables, courtesy of the tax return. We went to several places, not finding too much. This weekend we'll check out a few more. Hopefully by months end we can have a little dinner party on our new table.

Dave is administering the TAKS math test (TX standardized test for students) today. It's a big deal for him, since he mainly teaches math and science. He admitted to me this past weekend that he was burnt out on this group of students. Apparently, they just don't have the kind of drive or motivation to succeed that many of them need. He is concerned that several of them won't pass the test, which could ultimatley lead to them not passing fifth grade and making him look like he didn't do a good job teaching this year. In a few weeks, the TAKS science test comes, and then after that is a bunch of field trips, fun end of year projects, and then summer. He needs a nice break.

I am shooting to finish and defend my thesis prospectus by the last week of April. I have received some good feedback from my proff, and hopefully I can buckle down and get the last few parts written. I am looking forward to this summer when all I will have to do is data collection, and I can give the research and writting a rest for a while. My plan is to finish completely before Thanksgiving next fall. That will give me plenty to be thankful for.

On a different note, our pastor gave an wonderful, thought provoking, and couragous sermon on church discipline this past week. I have been thinking about it often since then. He talked about balance in the church, and while it may seem unfair, not everyone will be treated the same way when it comes to church discipline. He talked about balance, which made me think about balance in all areas of our lives. It was strong, supported, and really hit home.

I have been struggling alot lately with making "good choices" in my life, mainly with my health and what I eat. I have the exercise part down cold. I really do enjoy exercising, and lately have been doing so twice a day....a good hour at the gym in the morning, and a power walk with Dexter in the evening. But, with all that exercise, I can't seem to make the same good choices with what I eat. I always gave the excuse that "life happens and I just can't control it". For example, this past week at work I didn't get a break, so my meal became two big ole pieces of cheese pizza and a cranberry scone I snagged from the deli :>). When I stop at the gas station, I have a bad habit now of going in and grabbing a candy bar for the ride home. I always chocked up these decisions to my inability to control that particular situation. So that got me thinking....if so many situations arise that I can't control, what stopping me from making good decisions in the situations that I can? For example, I eat lunch at home most days. There is no reason for me not to eat a healthy,balanced and nutritious meal for both breakfast and lunch. I have never been blessed with the metabolism that will just burn off all the calories I eat simply by blinking, so my food choices matter significantly. So I have a new resolve. Not to diet, not to count calories or carbohydrates, but simply this: When I have the ability to be in control of what I eat, to pick and choose the foods that I will intake, I am going to make the best decisions possible, no excuses. Couple this with the good exercise I am getting, and hopefully I can continue to lead a healthy lifestyle for a long time.