Life and Times of the Sharp Family

Two great things happened today:  1) Colby fulfilled his 2013 goal of running 1006 miles. We woke up early together and ran along the beach, finishing right at the Hermosa Beach Pier.  I am so blessed to have a husband who it interested in being healthy and who is dedicated to making goals. I am so happy that he was able to complete such a challenging and fulfilling task.  2) I got a new tattoo. I can just imagine some of you rolling your eyes right now, but let me explain. I have been thinking about this tattoo for some time, and I wanted it to be a part of my New Year's Resolution. "When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind." - Dr Wayne W. Dyer In the hours that I have had this, it has already done an amazing job of reminding me to choose a kind word or response over what I might otherwise say or do. I hope that it will serve as a daily reminder to honor my father by working hard to show love.  Thank God for 1006 and C...

We spent a ton of time today on the beach.  Even though the water was freezing, we Michiganders don't let a little thing like that keep us away from soaking up the sun as we lay in the soft sand reading a good book. Colby and I had ample time to talk, relax, and laugh as the sound of the surf broke just in front of our feet. Later, we headed to the pier, where we enjoyed a drink on a balcony overlooking the ocean. It was an amazing day, and I felt so blessed to be spending it with my husband in this gorgeous place. Thank God for the beach! Lord, thank you for a beautiful day in a beautiful place with a beautiful person.  Thank you for the gift of this trip.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Colby and I rented a tandem bike today, which is something I have wanted to do for a VERY long time. Here's a picture of us we begged our salesgirl to take of us right as we left the shop. We cruised the bike path from Hermosa Beach to Santa Monica, which is about 15 miles in length.  It hugs the ocean pretty much the entire way, so needless to say, it was breathtaking. It was also fun to learn to master the art of tandem bike-riding.  It took just a couple of minutes to get the hang of pedaling and steering together, but once we got the hang of it, we just kept getting better and better. One of the best thing about tandem bike-riding is that you really get to talk and spend time with the person you are biking with.  Instead of figuring out a way to ride side-by-side on the path or go around slower bikers, or try not to hit runners, walkers, roller-skaters, or skateboarders, you just weave together.  You get to talk a ton since you are right next to each othe...

I love to travel, but not traveling. Travel means seeing places you have never been before. Traveling means going through security checkpoints. Travel means exploring new neighborhoods. Traveling means being squished in a middle seat next to an obese chew-user for a 3 and a half hour flight. Travel means sitting with your feet in the sand of the Pacific Ocean as the sun hits your face. Traveling means waiting with 300 other anxious travelers at the gate while the perky attendant notifies you that your flight has been delayed. Travel means eating in new restaurants that are vegan friendly and close to the beach. Traveling means waiting for a giant shuttle bus to pick you up from the airport with enough other people to wonder if you'll actually make it on. Travel means a hotel room with a view of the ocean and a giant flat-screen TV. Traveling means riding in the very back of a stinky, crowded bus for 45 minutes. Travel means strolling hand in hand down the pier...

Tonight as I ran, it seemed that almost one in every 5 houses I ran by was doing laundry. I could smell the fragrant combo of laundry detergent and fabric softener in the chilly winter air. It made me smile. What made me smile even bigger, however, was when I walked in the door and noticed that my husband had completely finished our laundry as well. There's something welcoming and comforting about fresh, clean clothes. I'm glad I got to experience that in a couple of different ways tonight. Thank God for laundry! Lord, thank you for a good run tonight and for my husband, who finished out laundry. In your name I pray, Amen.

One thing that I have missed since becoming vegan-ish is the inability to make something that my children like to eat. They aren't really too thrilled about the options that I create in the kitchen, and I guess I don't blame them.  Not only do they look a bit sketchy, but they lack many of the things that kids love, like cheese, butter, milk, and eggs. So, yesterday, when I made a vegan-ish friendly breakfast casserole, I wasn't expecting my kids to even try it, let alone like it. They LOVED it.  Even Breslin, who is the most skeptical of all of my new dietary habits wolfed down two huge pieces.  As a group, they named the dish "Broccoli Monster" while they sat around the kitchen table eating it.   I was so grateful to spend this time with my kids and for the blessing of being able to cook something the enjoyed eating.  I missed that. Thank God for the broccoli monster! Lord, thank you for good food and the chance to hang out together as a...

AJ and I love singing Christmas music together.  All this season we have loved belting out Faith Hill's "A Baby Changes Everything." I am grateful for the ability to sing with my youngest daughter.  I am blessed to have a little one who loves to sing, love Jesus, and LOVES Christmas. Today I am thankful for Christmas.  I am thankful that a baby did change everything.   I am overwhelmed with a sense of God's love for me today.  From sending his son to the Earth for me, to surrounding me with amazing family and friends, to providing me with everything I need, to surprising me with every day blessings, it is obvious that he loves me much more than I could ever hope for or deserve. Thank you God, for your son, who changed everything! Dear Lord, thank you for giving us this day of the year to remember your greatest gift to us.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Today we went to see the movie Frozen as a family. We don't get out to the movies all together often, so it was a treat to eat popcorn lined up five  in a row. The movie was amazing and I felt truly blessed to enjoying it with my kids cracking up on either side of me. Thank God for Frozen ! Lord thank you for the treat of seeing a movie wih my family. Thank you for all of the laughs and snuggles.

Tonight we are staying in the Golden Eagles Suite at the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel in Mount Pleasant. We owe this amazing experience entirely to my Grandpa and Grandma Stuart and Colby's Grandpa and Grandma Back.  You see, just recently, both of them sent us a check for on the same day and asked us to use it for our family at Christmas. Colby and I had been talking about making another trip to an indoor water park, but we were quickly outgrowing Surfari Joes, which had been our destination the last two year. We are so incredibly grateful for the fun and excitement we have had since we got here this afternoon.  The kids swam, slid, and climbed like maniacs in the expansive water park.  Tonight, we are resting in comfort in a ridiculously nice suite. Breslin summed it up best when he looked from the waterpark to me and said in a hushed voice, "Mom, this is the best Christmas break ever." It's true. I am thankful for our grandparents, whose generosity...

We made it to great-grandmommies yesterday, despite the snow and ice.  I guess one thing I could say that I am thankful for right off the bat would be that we made it safely.  Although the Weather Channel made it sound like we would be battling treacherous roads all the way, it wasn't really too bad. It was incredibly relaxing, as it normally is, to hang out in my grandparents comfortable and cozy living room.  Before we knew it, the kids were opening an assortment of Christmas presents from underneath the tree.  The girls shrieked in delight as they opened up stuffed kitty cats, princess dresses, and glittery skirts.  But there was one more gift in the garage that they were especially excited about.  Wrapped up and standing like three sentries against the wall of the garage were three brand new sleds. Not ones to stand on ceremony, the kids immediately donned their snow stuff and trucked out into several inches of fresh snow.   We laughed ...

I'm not sure why exactly, but I rarely find myself with Dharia, my middle child, one on one. Maybe it's because she's usually so well behaved that I don't have to single her out for talks about situations at school or home. Or maybe it's because she is usually up for anything so if we have to take one of the other two somewhere, she goes too. Whatever the reason, she was the only kid awake after about nine tonight. And I invited her into my bed to snuggle, only to find myself awed, entertained, and amused by all if the things she had to say. My favorite part of the conversation was when she explained that she and Breslin had been talking about who would and would not be on Santa's "nice" list year. Sadly, she admitted that they had mutually decided that AJ did not make the list. When we pressed her as to why she thought AJ deserved to be on the naughty list, she laughed, and with a flip of her hand told us, "She is on the CRAZY list, n...

My favorite Christmas movie is Elf  with Will Ferrell.  This  year, we decided to try letting the kids watch it with us.  We snuggled up with blankets, started a fire in the fireplace, and popped some kettle corn.  Then, Colby and I watched as the kids fell in love with some of our favorite characters. Breslin, especially, became quite emotionally involved during one of the climactic scenes in Central Park -- you know, the one where Santa's sleigh won't fly because there's not enough Christmas spirit? I was so thankful to be share one of my favorite things with my kids on this, the first evening of Christmas break. Thank God for Elf ! Lord, thank you for the time we had tonight to be together.  Thank you for the opportunity to share special things as a family.  Thank you for the time we'll be able to spend with each other over these next two weeks.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Even on nights when I get home late, I still get the joy of kissing my sleeping kids goodnight.  It's blessing even just to sneak stealthily into their rooms, kiss them softly on the cheek, carefully adjust their covers, and breathe in their sleepy scents.  I am so thankful for a good, solid, warm home fully of sleeping children on these cold, dark winter nights. Thank God for kisses goodnight! Lord, thank you for healthy, sleepy kids.  Thank you that there is always something warm and beautiful to come home to.  In your name I pray, Amen.

This may win an award for most shallow post in the world.  But, it doesn't matter, because today I was really and truly, genuinely thankful for my sweatpants. Let me give you a little of the back story.  I was thrilled to find that I had a massage scheduled today for 3 pm.  This is right after school, meaning I have to truck out of school and haul to get to Albion on time.  But, since it's a massage, it's totally worth it. The last few times I have had massage appointments, they have been wonderful.  One downfall, however, is that I have to put my school clothes back on afterwards.  Imagine being totally relaxed, slathered with lemon-scented lotion, only to be ripped out of your reverie by putting on heels and smelly tights. Not today, my friends.  When I saw the appointment pop up on my phone, I put together a bag.  So, when I walked out of my massage this afternoon, I was able to pull on comfy, clean sweatpants. It was awesome. Thank G...

My cat is nuts at night. I flopped on the couch at about 10:30 tonight after a long day of teaching and judging.  I was awestruck by the energy and spastic play of my cat.  He would sprint across the room, doing random jumps and lunging at imaginary prey.  It was pretty entertaining.  I was thankful that someone had some energy tonight. I am thankful for my kitty cat, who is nice to me and my kids, loves to snuggle, and makes me laugh. Thank God for my crazy Diddy! Lord, thank you for my funny cat who can make me smile at the end of an insanely long day.  In your name I pray, Amen.

The drive home from the gymnastics meet tonight in Saline was...mmmmm....questionable. Ever since I flipped my truck on my way to Alma College almost 12 years ago, I have been apprehensive driving on the highway in the midst of blowing snow. Despite accumulating snow, however, I made it home safe to a cozy living room and my jammies. And for that I am grateful. Thank God I am home safe! Lord, thank you for seeing me home safe tonight. In your name I pray, Amen.

Yesterday, I did something that I have never done before.  I braved the treacherous roads and headed to Tecumseh to judge middle school students. I was apprehensive about this for a couple of reasons.  First, it made me nervous to be judging middle schoolers using high school rules.  Would I make them cry?  Would I be giving them false hope?  It seemed like a lot of pressure. Secondly, there were only two judges contracted for the event.  This meant that I would be judging just two events -- but completely by myself.  There would be no one to point out that I was making a mistake or to temper me if my execution deductions got a little harsh. I was pleased to find, however, that after arriving in Tecumseh, the entire experience was delightful.  The gymnasts and coaches were fabulous and I realized halfway through judging bars that I was having a wonderful time.  Being by myself was nerve-wracking, but also strangely affirming. I feel b...

I have a student who I have grown to like very much over the past semester.  He's quirky, opinionated, and interesting.  He also comes from a very difficult home life.  He's passionate about music, so we've found some common ground discussing various bands and genres, although his knowledge far exceeds my own.  He humors me with friendly banter anyway. He's been giving me some grief about my Christmas music choices, which I often play while the students work on things in class.  It's all good natured, but today he gave me a gift. It was a burnt CD, titled "I'm Dreaming of an Alt Christmas."  He handed it to me with a smile.  It was accompanied by a list of the songs and artists on the album.  He excitedly explained who the bands were and which ones of the songs were his "absolute favorites". There are days when my job is hard, stressful, and thankless. But there are so many moments that are full of promise, blessing, and joy.  I am so...

Tonight before AJ's concert we met my mom and Colby's mom at Slice of Spice in Spring Arbor. It was super neat to hang out and eat pizza with my family plus two grandmas. Afterwards we all sat together at AJ's concert and had fun laughing at the preschoolers' antics from the bleachers. I felt so blessed to have two such amazing women in my life and thankful to be able to spend some time with them.. Thank God for dinner with the moms! Lord thank you for blessing us with two incredible women and for giving us time to spend with them tonight. Amen.

My friend Courtney greeted me with a Christmas present!  It was a t-shirt that says "Run Tull it Hertz" and has a little runner climbing up a hill of an electromagnetic wave.  I love it! It cracks me up! I am so thankful for my friend, who totally gets me on so many levels.  Thank God for my new "Run Till it Hertz" shirt! And for my awesome friend. Lord thank you for my friend. Thank you for the joy she brings to my life in so many ways. Amen.

AJ and I hit Upscale Resale this afternoon in search of a Christmas Concert dress for her to wear. Her ideal outfit was "A sparkly dress with legglings".  Translation: legglings = tights It brought me great joy to see her walk up and down the racks of clothes, so excited about every dress she saw.  We ended up trying on four.  She loved all of them but finally settled on one that was very red and very sparkly --- exactly what she was looking for. After checking out, we found some black tights at Target to complete the look. It was a fun outing and I am grateful to have had the time one on one with my youngest. Thank God for shopping with AJ! Lord, thank you for giving AJ and I some time together to go shopping tonight.  Thank you for the joy she brings to my life.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Tonight, Colby and I emerged from the Toy House in downtown Jackson feeling victorious. Triumphantly, we placed each and every one of our final Christmas gifts into the back of our Saturn. You see, we didn't just finish Christmas shopping, we were able to buy every single Christmas gift from a small, family-owned business this year. We found it appropriate that our final destination for our shopping challenge was one of the biggest family-owned independent toy stores in the United States -- a store that has been bringing joy to children since 1949. Colby and I are thankful to have crossed everyone off our collective lists.  And as an added bonus, we are thankful that, as patrons of the Toy House, all of our kids' gifts are already wrapped.  The Toy House offers free gift-wrapping of all its toys and has since I was a kid.  It's amazing how seeing that perfectly-wrapped Toy House paper could bring an instant smile to your face.  I'm hoping it has the same effe...

Today I got to spend most of the day with my friend Courtney.  I was thrilled.  It's been way too long since I've been able to bask in her sunshine.  So, I'm grateful just that I was able to be around her. What's more, however, is that Courtney was able to fulfill a long time dream of hers today, when she got herself a tattoo at Splash of Color.  It's simple, small, and a wise reminder: it says, "Be Happy." I am thankful for my friend, who chooses happiness daily.  In doing so, she spreads joy to all those around her. Thank God for "Be Happy!" Lord, thank you for my friend.  Thank you for her joy and the way she so willingly shares it with others.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Today, I participated in the WHS "Pies for Patients and Peace" fundraiser to benefit the Allegiance Hospice programs. Yeah, that means that I got pied in the face. Twice. By students. It was actually really fun though, mostly because the students were so geeked about it.  There were five of us teachers who the kids had paid to pie, and the anticipation in the air before the pies flew made the cafeteria electric. You can read about the story from the Jackson Citizen Patriot here. Even though I smelled like whipped cream the rest of the day, and found myself picking it out of my hair and eyebrows at the most unlikely times, I am thankful that I got to be a part of it.  It was incredibly refreshing to see the students contributing to to a good cause -- even more so to see their energy and enthusiasm as they did. Thank God for a pie in the face! Lord, thank you for a fun way to raise money for a good cause.  Thank you for a chance to see my students in an enco...

AJ and I watched one of my all-time Disney favorites this afternoon --  Robin Hood .  I sat next to her on my bike trainer in the living room and pedaled while she took in the movie for the first time from the couch.  I was so thankful to be a part of her first  Robin Hood  viewing experience.  I loved seeing the many looks on her face during different parts of the movie, answering her many questions, and addressing/affirming her many comments.  Not only that, but I was grateful to be able to get in one of my workouts while watching one of my favorite movies and while hanging out with one of my favorite people. Thank God for  Robin Hood ! Lord, thank you for this time spent with my daughter tonight.  In your name I pray, Amen.

I teach with an amazing guy.  His name is Jeff, and this is the 5th year we've taught chemistry together at Western.  He is an incredible person, but today I am thankful for the fantastic colleague that he is as well. Yesterday, we had to attend a session after school on how to best help our students who are struggling in a specific subject area.  Every week, students who are failing a core subject area are required to attend a "boost" with a teacher from that subject area.  The idea is that the teacher will be able to re-teach specific concepts or skills that students has not yet mastered or help with missing/incomplete assignments in that subject. It dawned on me that Jeff and I have a much easier time of this because we work so well together.  We agree on all of our objectives that we will teach before hand, all of our assessments are the same so that we can compare data, and we meet daily to discuss lesson plans so that we can assure our students are all...

Evan graduated from the Mid-Michigan Police Academy yesterday. I am so proud of him and so thankful that this period of stress and business is now behind him.  I truly hope with all my heart that he can take a few moments to truly enjoy his accomplishments. Thank God!  And congratulations, Evan! Lord, thank you for giving the strength and courage to pursue his dream.  Thank you for the success he enjoyed while training at the police academy.  Please give him some time to enjoy this hard-earned reward.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Dharia has been excited about her Christmas Concert all week. I was excited too, primarily because I remember how awesome Breslin's was last year.  The woman who teaches these children music at the Western Elementary Schools is nothing short of amazing.  The things she gets these little ones to do is impressive on a jaw-dropping scale. Nothing prepared me however, for the moment when my little Dharia calmly and confidently strode up to the giant microphone at the front of the stage.  She took a great deep breath, then clearly and loudly sang all of the words to Jingle Bells. I felt like I wore a smile 4 feet wide the entire song. Afterwards, upon giving her a great big hug and telling her how proud I was, she told me that she knew all along that she was going to be one of the "jingle bell girls" but didn't want to ruin the surprise. I am so proud of my jingle bell girl and so thankful that she was able to be a part of this special concert. Thank God for my j...

I had a very long run to do this afternoon, so I decided to take Goose with me for some company. Now Goose is an excellent running dog.  Even though she is only 8 months old, she is learning to heel and to pace herself. Normally I would take her for about 1/2 of my long run, so that she doesn't do more than about 7.5 miles, but she seemed especially rambunctious today, so I decided to see how far she could go. The answer was well over 15 miles. She made it the whole run and had energy to spend, still bounding around like a bunny at the end. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, however.  At one point during the run, she caught sight of another runner before I did, and jerked the leash out of my hands before I even knew what had happened.  Goose in her often-misdirected friendliness made a beeline for the other runner, hoping to say hi and get a few pats.  I yelled for her to come back and she stopped -- just feet away from the other runner. I sprinted up t...

Tonight, I did a "double swim".  That is, I did tonight and tomorrow's swim workouts for Ironman training all in one. It started because I was feeling so great at the end of my first workout that I knew that I could knock out another one.  And then, as I thought about it, I sort of like the idea of not having to go back to the pool after a long day back to school tomorrow.  I already have a very long run scheduled for tomorrow, so now I don't have to also worry about fitting my own swim workout between school, running, and swim lessons. I came home happy and tired...but mostly happy. Thank God for a long swim! Lord, thank you for giving me the strength to swim tonight.  Thank you for the ability to set myself up well for the rest of the week.  In your name I pray, Amen.