This is the face of a 44-year-old woman who ran her first 10K without stopping last Sunday.
I seriously and honestly cannot believe this.
And I’m sharing my running journey with you because I hope it inspires you to try something you’ve always told yourself was impossible.
What I did to prepare: I ate an extra 100 grams of carbs on Saturday. (I usually aim for 240 grams per day. On Saturday I ate nearly 340 grams.)
On Saturday, I had a complete rest day with extra water and electrolytes, no exercise, and plenty of downtime.
I slept well on Saturday night. I ate half an English muffin with peanut butter 45 minutes before my run. Then I hit the pavement and ran the first 4 miles in 12 minutes. I gradually increased my speed over the last two miles. I felt great during and after the run!
Kirsten and I went to Disney this week. It had been her dream for three years. It was exactly what she had hoped for, dreamed of, and more. And we did it on budget.
We didn’t watch TV or watch movies as kids, so we didn’t really understand Disney’s enthusiasm. But I’ll go with you @alliworthington That changed when I became an adult. This place does something for my mind and body. I feel like it’s helping me rediscover the wonder of my childhood. And being able to experience it through the eyes of a child was truly incredible.
I was so moved to see her squeal with incredible joy when she actually saw the character. She couldn’t contain her excitement and joy, and the experience was very moving. When I see myself being happy about something, I can’t help but wonder if Heavenly Father feels this way about me.
We didn’t spend any money on experiences or upsells other than tickets, but we ended up meeting 5 princesses. This was a big highlight. I went on a Tuesday in April, so I don’t think it was that crowded.
We highly recommend the princess encounter experience at Fairy Tale Hall. I waited about 20 minutes at two different times to satisfy two different processes at once. They spent a few minutes with each person and it felt very personal. The princesses were wonderful and very kind. And it was completely free!
You can bring food and drinks into the park. I always carry a backpack with snacks and a refillable water bottle. (Note: The water at the refill station doesn’t taste very good, so I recommend bringing electrolytes or something mixed with you, or asking for free ice water at the food service station.)
If you want to buy food, the best deal (I think) is to buy children’s meals. There are several healthy and delicious options that adults can purchase, all under $10. Most come with a drink and two sides.
With lots of upgrades and more, you can easily spend thousands of dollars on a Disney trip. But you can also easily travel for just a few hundred dollars (or less!) per person if you only buy tickets, bring your own food and drinks, don’t buy anything in the park, and stay in a budget hotel with a free shuttle to the park.
What Kirsten wanted was to have her face painted, so I told her I would do it as a special treat. It’s $28 (which is pricey), but if your face paint gets smudged, they offer free touch-ups throughout the day. There was a girl who came back because her face paint was almost completely removed and we re-did it all for free.
thank you my friend @adventurevising She gave us all her Disney tips, helped us plan our trip, and even saved us money on a hotel! It was a truly special experience that Kirsten and I will treasure for years to come.
(Note: A lot of you asked on Instagram for more information about going to Disney on a budget, so I’m planning a full post with more details next week!)
On Thursday night, Kathryn joined Beta Gamma Sigma and won a generous accounting scholarship (she is majoring in accounting).
Last night I watched her walk around talking to so many, many different people and I couldn’t help but be in awe of the person she has become. Little did I know that the fifth-grader was suffering from extreme social anxiety, too shy to even talk to anyone her age. And here she is today, leading so many things, juggling so many different responsibilities, energetically pursuing her dreams, so confident, and incredibly outgoing.
I’m really proud of her!
I also love her friends. I got to hang out with her roommate and best friend Emma all night and we had the best time, although we may have whispered a little too much and laughed a little too much during the ceremony. 
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This box contains 6-7 new beauty items just for you. Also perfect as a gift.
I just received the box and was so excited to see all the goodies inside!
Speaking of travel, one of my favorite travel items is: my folding backpack! I bought it last February and have taken it on many trips since then, and it has held up very well. Perfect to throw in your suitcase when you need a bag for walking around all day but don’t want to lug around a heavy backpack.
This girl turned 6 this week! And on the morning of her birthday, she ran to the mirror and said with great disappointment, “Mom! I haven’t changed at all! I thought I would be different when I was six!”
Caitlin, on the other hand, this great highlight this week. She’s so talented with hair and I’m so proud of her pursuing her lifelong dream of cosmetology school and nailing it. She’s already built a client base, which doesn’t surprise me since she’s doing such a great job. (If you’re looking for a new stylist and live in Nashville, Tennessee, I’m a little biased, but I think you should check her out. For more information on how to book with her, visit: @curledbykait!)
David has made great strides in dialogue and communication. He is now fist pumping and very excited.
My secret to packing a TON in my carry-on bag – tEkster vacuum sealed travel bag!!
If you travel regularly, I highly recommend these bags. These would make a great gift for someone who flies frequently.
Micah is 3 years old and we have been working on teaching him how to cook, how to clean up after himself, how to prioritize women and open doors for his sisters, other women, and me. He loves doing it and often rushes ahead to open the door.
He has watched his father model this since day one and is excited to follow his steps. Watch this cute video here. Let’s normalize men being gentlemen! And start educating your sons from an early age!
Yesterday was a bittersweet day. After playing baseball with this school’s team for five years, Silas played his final game with them.
As many of you may know, Cyrus came to us in December to ask about transferring next year (he will be a junior). He has been attending this school since 5th grade and we thought he would finish high school there. But he had a long list of very good reasons and we prayed and agreed that we felt it was a good choice. So for the past four months, we have prayed, looked, practiced, and trusted God to give us clear direction.
He has some very good friends and strong relationships with his coaches and teachers, so it will be hard to let him go. His baseball coach put a lot of effort into him and we are so grateful for the impact he had on him.
Jesse has been an assistant coach for the school’s baseball team for the past three years, so it’s especially bittersweet to see this era come to an end. We are so grateful for the many memories they have made together over the years. And I’m very happy that Silas wants Jesse to be a part of his coaching staff. What a gift for teens who want you to be involved in their lives and those of their friends.
what i am reading
Fog over the Channel Islands – This is my first Sarah Sandin novel and I am really enjoying it.
body teaches soul – I’m taking it slow because it’s so good.
Competent – We already know that every parent and everyone who works with children needs to read this book. wonderful!
depth – This book has been very helpful to me as I, along with others, have been through deep grief.
what i see
I’m still watching When your heart calls. Season 12 is almost over – can you believe it? I hope to finish the entire series within the next few weeks, but then I need to start a new series. Do you have any recommendations?
what i hear
There’s lots of worship music playing while you run! I love being out in nature, watching the sun rise, and listening to music that points me to Jesus. It’s very soul-fulfilling! One of my current favorites is You were rich.
In case you missed it
25 of my favorite things to buy at Aldi — If you’re looking to stretch your grocery budget, it’s important to know the best things to buy at ALDI. This is my personal comprehensive list of the best things to buy at ALDI. So these are all items that you can almost always find at the lowest prices at ALDI compared to other grocery stores.
Chicken Alfredo Pizza Recipe ($10 Dinner Idea)— This $10 family dinner was inspired by leftovers, but it quickly became a family favorite. You’ll love how easy, quick, and frugal it is.
Brigette’s $114 Grocery Trip — Check out what Bridget bought this week and her upcoming meals for meal planning inspiration.
misfits market discount code — Are you struggling to buy fresh food for your family? For solutions that can save you money on groceries, check out this honest review of Misfits Market. (And be sure to scroll to the bottom for the discount code for 30% off your first 4 boxes!)
Easy Lazy Monkey Bread Recipe — This easy, easy-to-assemble breakfast made with canned biscuits, cinnamon, and sugar is perfect for holidays or family gatherings.
Source: Money Saving Mom® – moneysavingmom.com
