I've written and subsequently deleted about 3 posts within the last week or so. Once I write them they always seem dumb. SO here we go.

Its quite possible that I'll be running two 5ks in the next three weeks. I really need that kind of challenge right now. I am feeling so lazy lately. I'm not sure if its lazy as much as its tiredness. I start field experience for my music education next tuesday. Its pretty scary. Its nice that the education department tries to make things easy on us to a certain degree. There is this huge application you have to fill out to be approved for student teaching. Its 6 pages long. There is a whole lot you have to do on the application too. You have to make a resume, get copies of your transcript, and find a copy of your school of education acceptance letter, find your filed experience log from field experience 1(thats freshman year, folks), and a whole bunch of other stuff you have to fill out. We have until October 1. Next semester I student teach, then graduate! I'm also trying to plan a wedding in the middle of it all. This will be a busy year. Very exciting and rewarding though.

The 5k that I'm running on the 12th (Route 66 CPA Run) is going to be really exciting. Its actually at TU. The finish line is going to be on the football field. I'm so excited about it. The one the week after that, the 19th is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (breast cancer research). It starts at city plex towers. Should be fun, you get to wear pink! Mmm, I'm really excited about these races. They'll be my 4th and 5th. Very nice.

I need to finish some homework for tomorrow, then watch Seinfeld and King of Queens. What a lovely night.

Doing a lot better today than I was yesterday. I got out Physical Geology - just some advice: don't take a 3000 level science class with a lab if you're a music education major. So now, I'm taking Plagues and Pestilance. Its gonna be awesome. I went from taking 16 hours to 13 hours and that made it possible for me to take piano lessons still.

Also, (little back story) Nathan and I are doing a music ministry internship type thing at First Christian in Owasso. Rehearsals are Wednesday nights when Nathan usually plays softball. So we finally decided that we really wanted to do this music ministry thing, so softball is out for now. WELL, today we found out that softball has changed to Thursday nights so Nathan can still play.

Also, I THINK we've found a place for our wedding reception FINALLY. Nathan and I have an appointment to look at the McBirney Mansion next Tuesday. Its beautiful. I'm just hoping that everything works out and both dates are free because its amazing and a really great price. Everything is looking great so far though!

All of this, the classes and softball and the mansion are really and truly answers to our prayers. Its so cool so see what God will do when his people pray and then trust Him.

Something to add to the list:

4. Ride tandem bike with Nathan.

School is way more stressful than I remember. Maybe its because this is my last semester before student teaching. Probably. I'm on overload. I almost can't wait to go back to work this weekend. It'll be like a little mini-summer vacation all over again. Except without all of the fun and care-free things. Hmm.

I'm trying to start a new list. But so far I can only think of like 3 things I could put on it. Here they are.

1. Tulsa Run

2. Set a wedding date (We're thinking June 12, 2010)

3. Run 6 miles at once

The hard thing about it is, I have to be willing to really push myself to do these things. The last two lists that I've made pretty much summed up everything I've wanted to do my whole life, and I haven't even thought past those things. There have to be a lot more things I could do.

I need to take a couple deep breaths. I'm getting flustered.

Well, hi. I'm babysitting today. Easy day though. The 2 older girls are gone so I just have the younger 2. We went to Chik-fil-a for lunch. They loved that. Now they're taking naps. So I'm on here. The other day I typed up a really long post on here and just now realized that I never published it. Awesome. It had pictures and everything.

So, Nathan and I are getting married next summer! I went to Tulsa Wedding Show last Sunday with my mom and sisters and 2 friends who'll probably be bridesmaids. It was fun, but pretty overwhelming. Advice about planning a minimally stressful wedding would be appreciated. We'll probably get engaged sometime around Thanksgiving or Christmas. However, since we're planning on getting married in less than a year, we decided that there might be some things we need to start planning now.

Its an exciting time. But, the more I think about all the things I've always wanted my wedding to be, the more I realize that none of that really matters - I just want to be his wife. I want our wedding to be a tribute to all of the people that have loved us our whole lives. I want people to leave having experienced love for family and friends and love for Christ. Thats my perfect wedding. And that doesn't even have a price tag. When I think about that, I know it will be perfect.

I'm excited.

All you need is love.

Oh man. I feel too grown up today. I kind of like it though. I've spent the first part of the day planning my budget for when I go back to school. I actually enjoy knowing where all of my money will go. There's security in that. Mmm.

I got a new camera yesterday! Its amazing (the pictures above are some I took last night) Nikon - Thats the only kind of camera I've ever had and I wouldn't have it any other way. Such great pictures. I use my camera almost more than I use my phone. Wonderful.

I'm very excited about going back to school. I can't believe its my last year of college. Very sobering thought. I try not to dwell on it for too long. I feel so unprepaired a lot of the time, but slowly and surely I think God is making me more and more ready for a new kind of life. It will be totally different. Oh dear, thinking about it for too long....

I've been so unmotivated to run lately. Its horrible. I think that doing 2 5ks 2 weeks apart burnt me out a little bit. Not a very smart idea. For about a month there, I ran 3 miles almost every single day. These days, I run 3 miles, MAYBE twice a week. Fail. I need some moderation there. And I am pining for TU fitness center. I've never wanted to work out so badly. Running was so much easier on my body when all of my body was in shape. I can't wait to lift and do abs again. I just wish I had an amazing gym here at home. Oh well. In due time.

I love this summer so much. I have to pinch myself every now and then to make sure its real. I have a beautiful and blessed life. All the stressful things are so worth the blessings. Mmmmm.

Going for a run now.

Just some pictures from the firecracker 5k. It was really fun. My time was 32.54. Not my best, not my worst. I was pretty happy with it. In the second picture, I'm the one with the coral colored shorts and the white top.

So 4th of July was awesome. I always love it so much. Now its back to the daily grind. I don't mind it at all. This weekend is the Hearn trip to Branson! Its going to be so much fun! There are 18 of us going. Very excited about it.

I like working at QT alright. Mostly, I just always dread going until I'm there. The time goes by really fast because there's always something to do. And we get paid every week. Thats pretty convenient.

I'm getting really close to having my credit card paid off. Its very exciting.

Almost 4th of July!

This weekend I'm running in the Firecracker 5K! I'm pretty excited about that whole day. My favorite day of the year: 4th of July!

Also, I've been french braiding a lot. Its pretty fun. Mostly on the little girls I babysit on Wednesdays. They love it, and its good practice. Today I did 5 LC* braids (*LC = Lauren Conrad, from The Hills, braids that go from ear to ear like a headband). They were so cute. Also, I can do pretty much any kind on myself now too. Its pretty great.

Nathan and I are going to Big Splash Friday! I'm very excited. Its on the list. I've been wanting to go for so long. Should be fun.

I've been bringing my lunch to work so I don't eat all the nasty quiktrip food all the time. Its pretty gross after about....2 days. Haha. My body hated me after eating all that. So bringing my lunch is actually crucial to my health. I'm also trying to stay away from red meats for the time being. I've figured out that I feel better when I run when I'm not eating so much red meat. Probably good for me anyway.

I've got go to bed. 7:00 run in the morning!

G