Today

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

Running

Well, I've been running now consistently since this past June.  I don't run far and I certainly don't run fast.  I averaged about one race a month since June and that seemed to work well to keep me motivated.  Having a running partner has also been a big help.  I finally am ready to make a commitment to train for a marathon.  It's one of the 'things' on my bucket list that I have always kind of wanted to do.  I know that this is not going to be a little undertaking and that it is going to take a lot of time.  I picked this particular marathon because I wouldn't have to train through out the hot summer months.  I also chose this marathon because it is fairly close to home..  only about a three hour drive.  I will start my official marathon training the week of February 7th.  I am following the 16 week training program from the book, "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer".

This is me running in the Coe Homecoming 5k.  I didn't do as well as I would have liked.  I felt good when I started out...  although I was having a wardrobe malfunction.  The running pants that I chose to wear that day did not have a draw string and since I had been running for about four months at that point, my pants were starting to fit looser and I was having a hard time keeping them up.  I think that took away from my time.  I was looking pretty good here coming into the track to finish the race.  Once I got on the track Hunter, who had finished several minutes earlier had come back to run with me to the end...  as I rounded the last turn on the track I started getting sick.  I wanted this race to be my best time, but unfortunately I had to keep stopping off to the side to throw up.  I'm not quite sure what was going on.  I did finish but not the time that I had hoped for.  Oh Well.

I've got all these cool little widgets on my blog now and I'm going to be very faithful logging all of my miles and any other training that I do. Wish me luck!

Happy New Year!!

Resolution #1 - Post weekly
Resolution #2 - Complete a marathon in 2011
Resolution #3 - Read more; watch t.v. less
Resolution #4 - Spend more time with family and friends


Not in any specific order......

Christmas 2010

Had a wonderful Christmas break home with the family.  My employer gave us two full weeks off with pay this year!  It was awesome!  Christmas Eve we went to church.  Each one of us had a role in the service.  Mike, Hunter, and I read and Blake and Mordecai did the candle lighting.  It was a nice service but didn't seem as full as normal do to all of the snow that we received.  I think it was at least 10 inches in all!

This is a picture looking out my back door. 

I think everyone was very happy with the gifts that they received this year.

Hunter received a new 42" t.v.

Mordecai was excited when he opened up his present to find a soccer jersey with the name and number of his favorite player, Lionel Messi.  He also got a Hawkeye t-shirt, a Barcelona stocking hat, a snowman blanket and a pillow in the shape of a soccer ball. This was a Christmas like he has never experienced before. I think he had an enjoyable 1st Christmas in the United States.

Blake was happy with his personalized Ipod Touch. He also received some pretty cool accessories to go along with it.

And Mike got Gold Truck Nuts. The boys thought that it would be funny to get them for him for a joke. I was very happy that they took them back to the store. I hate those things. ICK!

Later that day my sisters and parents came up for our family Christmas.  We had some really awesome food, soups, fruit, snacks, and pie!  We opened gifts and started from the youngest and went to the oldest.  I think the twins really enjoyed opening all of their presents.  Grandma and Grandpa Hickey bought them a trampoline but were only able to wrap a picture of it.  I don't think the twins really realize that they will have a trampoline in their backyard this spring.  It will be a nice surprise for them again come spring!

Karly

                                                                     

Grandpa

                                                                    

Grandma

                                                                    

Kasey

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and you were able to spend it with the ones you love!  I know I did.

Help Support Cushing's Disease

Hunter is selling bands to help raise money to donate to Cushing's Disease Research. His goal is $1000. If you would like to purchase a band, please email amulnix@coe.edu or hmulnix@gmail.com. with your name and mailing address. They are selling for $3 each or $4.50 and we will send by USPS. Donations are also being accepted. Click on the link under Support Cushing's Disease.

Read it once before... but worth reading again

By Regina Brett The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught
me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer
rolls over this week, so here's an update:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. [WITH RED]
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dYing young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
"Those who matter don't judge me....those who judge me don't matter." AMEN.

Growing Up Way too Fast

Hunter and Alaina before the Homecoming Dance 2010