The end of summer, my new love for RUNNING, my fears for the future, preparing for fall....

There is so much I want to say.....I think it would take several posts, but I am going to try and condense into one so that I can spend the remaining hours of summer break preparing for the next school year.....

We have had such a GREAT summer and I am so sad to see it go, but there is a smidgen of excitement to think about Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, 2015, etc....I am so thankful for the time that I have had to make memories with my babies. The days of doing nothing were very limited.....from the beach, swimming, soccer camp, preparing for the royal celebration, Carowinds, Discovery Place, free movies......

Discovery Place

We celebrated our sweet (not a baby anymore) Britan turning 3 (tree, in her words). It was a magical day and she's still talking about how Sofia came to her house with her horse. There is no way possible we could have pulled off such a celebration without the help of our family. My goal in life is to create memories that will last forever and my crazy imagination could not come to life without the small army it takes to pull off a party at the Derting's....not to mention the Derting Inn maxed out in vacancy the weekend of her celebration hosting 14....all my brothers, their girlfriends, nephews (almost niece), and our Gayes. I still can't believe my baby is 3 and such a grown, independent girl already! She is very excited to start school again, too!!

Princesses for a Royal Celebration 

I decided that I needed to run tonight to start the WORK week out right...it was raining a little, but I decided I was running 3 miles regardless of the weather. I did a little speed training the first 15 minutes....run a minute, walk a minute....then I ran a little....did 3 miles in 35 minutes (yes, slow, I know) and decided I would walk to 40....well got to minute 37 and said I am wasting time, lets run to 39 and then walk the last minute, by that point, I was at 3.30....so I went for 4.....a few SHORT months ago, all I could do and wanted to do was 1....I did 4 tonight and would have gone longer, but my phone was at 1%....I think the passion for exercise is starting to set in, it has been an uphill fight the whole time, but I feel the need each day to do something for me....to get a little mental break from the everyday life of running for the house, the kids, the errands....I really think I am "starting" to love running, I accomplished 7 miles last week, which was something that would have never been possible 6 months ago...or even 6 years ago....I promise if I can do it, any one can!! 

As I prepare myself for the 6 am alarm for the next 5 days.....I am very worried and honestly terrified about being able to keep up with everything that is coming our way.....work 40 hours a week, soccer practice, Britan is going to take dance, working out/running as close to daily as possible, the 20 minute chores, dinner, packing lunches, baths, homework, my word...I am terrified typing it all out and I am sure I am forgetting something.....and as Brooks and I were thinking about the weekends over the next few weeks we quickly realized there is not a free weekend between now and Thanksgiving.....but I am not sure I would want it any other way.....

So as I am preparing my body and mind for all the changes coming.....I am excited to pick pumpkins, plan Thanksgiving, decorate for Christmas.....so with the sadness that summer is almost over there is joy in knowing there are still many fun and exciting things for the future....its all with the changing of the seasons :)

Much love, Alysha 

My relationship with running....

Running has never been my friend, never been something I LONG to do....honestly it annoys me greatly...I saw a girl at a 5k with a shirt that said, "I hate running".....I laughed and thought how perfect that shirt would be for me!

I registered for the Disney 1/2 marathon for January.....I saw several people running 1/2s and full marathons several months back and it gave me the urge to want to set that as a goal....I have only, EVER, run 5ks and I don't do those very well. I have learned through this running journey that when it comes to exercise I am mentally WEAK! I decided that if I was going to torture myself with one of the top 5 ranked goals of my life thus far....it was going to be in a place worth a celebration in the end....so I searched tropical locations and Disney....I soon learned races are way more pricey than local 5ks and if I was going to commit I wanted the kids to get some fun out of it too....so I pondered and waited until registration opened in April for Disney....I sat patiently on the computer during Spring Break at the beach from about 11:30...until Noon when it opened....and then I couldnt get in....the site was so slow and I started to think maybe this is not meant to be....maybe I can't do this...and this is my crystal clear sign....so I called the 1-800 number and the lady gave me an alternate site, so by 12:30 it finally worked....I DID IT!!!

Like most things in my life I am a bit of a procrastinator....my best work usually shines through at the end....BUT I am thinking with 13.1 miles between my legs and my mind....I probably shouldn't wait till December to start training....so I started taking this scary task seriously in May....the weekend of Mother's Day I started counting calories, running more at home....and trying to breakdown my mental roadblocks.....Calorie counting has been eye opening and some days very annoying...but pretty manageable b/c its like something to mark of the daily to do list...and a way to honestly think about if that yummy doughnut is really worth all my meals for the day! Then the running.....its slow, its awful, I dread it....it annoys me....BUT then for the few minutes after I finish.....its SO worth it!! I started doing a mile....then 2 some days....then 3.....a couple of weeks ago I ran 4...which was a milestone....then yesterday I set the goal of 5.....I feel like if I tell myself I have to do it, then I do it, but I have to prepare my mind days in advance...I have to map out how many I am going to do days prior or I wont do it....so I spent all day yesterday waiting for Brooks to get home b/c I knew it was going to take a long time to push through another (ridiculous) mile! I was so dreading it all day....and then I started....I knew once I started I couldnt stop till it was done....so I ran a realllllly good 1st mile, probably way too much for the other 4 I still had to do....but it was good....then mile 2 was decent...and mile 3 is where I wanted to give up, come in the house, never run again....annoyed, down on myself, just plain frustrated.....it took way too long and I hated every step.....and then mile 4 was a little better....my legs were getting tired, but there was no way I was stopping with only a mile left.....I finished 5.10 miles in 65 mins....where I want to be, no....near where I need to be, no.....but its closer than I was in May....and closer then I have ever been.....


                                                    Here is my screenshot of my latest MILEstone!!

And here is my OH MY GOSH face, I just ran (walked some) 5 miles! 

As I have been running lately....I kept thinking I want to blog about this experience, so maybe one day I will love running or be decent at it and have something to look back on....but by the time its over, I am just thankful to be done.....so since I had a long run last night, I am taking the day off from running today and only completing my 30 day challenge routine (another piece of training I added about a month ago) I am now on the 2nd 30 day challenge....something else I thought I could never do.....200 crunches....oh how fun is that!!!!

So my relationship with running is definitely a love, hate relationship, with way more hate than love!! I am hoping that I can continue to push aside the mental challenges that I face with every run.....

If I can do it, anyone can!!! Set a goal and strive to achieve it!!

Much Love, The Slow Runner Alysha

Day 180...already????

It seems surreal....is tomorrow really day 180?

Not being in the classroom has changed my perception of the last day of school just a little....the excitement has not set in yet...hopefully by morning I will feel the summer break excitement....

I feel like I have run around for weeks trying to accomplish everything that needs to be "accomplished" before this BIG day tomorrow....and I did encounter a few minor road blocks along the way....you know like hitting a parked car in the WIMS parking lot on Friday and having an absolute meltdown before the day was complete......BUT THEN

Today as I was rushing around with the hustle and bustle of it all.....I walked into WIMS and there was that smell that hits me every time I walk in the commons area....the smell of 8th grade and how life has changed and grown immensely since 8th grade, but yet the smell is still the exact same....

And then onto WIHS.....and the screen out front reads LAST DAY JUNE 11TH.....this place and that date are a complete circle for me....tomorrow is our 9th wedding anniversary....and WIHS is where is all began.....

And then onto Scotts....and although Monticello is not one of schools (my former elementary school)....Scotts has a special place too....I played softball on the fields behind the school for years....I made a little time in my insane schedule to sit with Bryson's class this afternoon...and be a 2nd grader again!! All the kids had excitement beaming from their faces...the energy is unstoppable...to be a kid again and tomorrow be the last day of school and Thursday the first day of summer!!!

So although I have been in a complete fog....and not all things are completely tied up at the moment....today was a jump start day to all the excitement ahead...the summer adventures, the late nights of useless tv, the sleeping in (you know past 7am), the fun and memories that are straight ahead....and yet it all comes back to the small circle that I traveled today....on the west side!!

I hope everyone has an excellent, exciting, fantastic LAST day of school....ENJOY....time flies

Much Love, Alysha

My Grammy Award Acceptance Speech........

It is hard to imagine that it has been almost a year since my career path changed without my approval....but looking back and seeing how far that day last June has taken me was worth every tear I shed!

I never knew I could learn so much more about EC than I have this school year, I never knew that I would love working with and coaching amazing teachers as much I do!

The challenges that have come with this new role were ones I never knew existed, but with each one I have learned to take it and make the best of it!

There are so many people that have supported me, let me in their classrooms with trust, listened to my advice, told me to chill out when I am being a little too dramatic (perhaps that's where B gets it), but at the end of the day there have been friendships built that will never be broken!

I am thankful that another successful year is behind me and happy that it exceeded any expectation I ever had.

I love my schools, my teachers, and my admin!

Thank you to my husband for the cute new dress I wore today and for watching me work many nights away!
Thank you to my babies for the happiness they bring every day and making work, worth it to see the joy we are able to provide them with through life experiences that would not be possible without a job (I would love to be home with them...but this job gives flexibility to see them on special school days)!
Thank you to my mama and daddy.....you have a pretty amazing 32 year old.....Just kidding (perhaps I am going overboard on this speech)!
Thank you to my brothers for pretty much calling or texting me 100 times a day.....something would be wrong if I didnt hear from you on a daily basis!
Thank you to my friends and family it makes each day a little easier knowing you are always there for me!
Thank you to my EC girls....Friday afternoons are fun with each of you!
Thank you to my Schools....without you ALL there would not be a need for me!
Thank you to ISS for giving me a chance and the opportunity to become a better advocate for EC students!
Thank you to the Country Club for hosting the luncheon and the AMAZING chicken salad (I need the recipe)!!
Thank you to the blessings that were bestowed upon me this time last year, at the time I thought my life was crumbling, but today is proof that there were bigger and better places for me!

I am sure I am forgetting many, many people because there are 20 individual, EC teachers alone that I could call out for making me feel needed and appreciated daily!

At the end of every day, everything happens for a reason, the reason may not be clear today or tomorrow, but eventually the reason will reveal its self and it will be worth it!!!!

Much love to each of you!!! Enjoy the long weekend...do something fun, Alysha

#westisbest #timetosetsomenewgoals

How 20 minute chores save my sanity!

I have been needing a positive topic to blog about...so I decided since I have a little time today, I would share how I survive weekly by these little things called "20 minute chores".....I have posted before but its been awhile.....

Monday: Dust the whole house!

Tuesday: clean the bathrooms...wash sinks, scrub toilets, sweep and mop (my least favorite and hardest every week)

Wednesday: fold and put away clean clothes that have been patiently waiting on the living room couch since Saturday and/or Sunday & make a grocery list because Thursday is grocery day! Plan the meals for the upcoming week....... Friday night-Thursday night...breakfast, lunch and dinner included!

Thursday: ALWAYS grocery day.....cram it in wherever I can! Then sweep and mop the hardwoods and mop the kitchen. 

Friday: Vacuum the whole house!

Some Saturdays: wash sheets, do some laundry, fold and put away, and marvel in the fact that the rest of the house has been cleaned the week prior!

Sunday: I have started cleaning the laundry room/bathroom on this night, it is really quick much less than 10 minutes, but it has made it a little easier than doing 3 bathrooms on Tuesday night.....and the kitchen often needs another mop to start the week!

I set the timer on the stove and go at it for 20 minutes...no interruptions!!! 

This has become a way of life for us for the past couple of years....it is the only way that I am able to maintain keeping up with the house, working, soccer, the kids, Brooks, etc....

Also, if I miss a day...I usually just leave it till the next week, no sense in squeezing in 2 a night....it will get done the following week....

My daily routine consists of every bed being made in the mornings, Bryson is really good at this and Britan is starting to practice more often....I also make sure the kitchen is cleaned nightly...no dishes left in the sink and the counters and table are wiped down.....the kids also know when something comes out, it must go up....

Just another piece of my OCD!!

Happy Cleaning, Alysha

Reflections & Resolutions!

Happy 2014!

Hard to believe another year has come and gone and from the looks of FB friends.....we are getting "old"...I saw that many opted to stay home and go to bed early instead of looking for something fun to do till way past midnight...although I was a little sad we missed the Tanglewood run!

2013 brought many changes for us as a family....Bryson turned 7 and Britan turned 2....and Brooks and I both grew another year wiser ;)

Bryson celebrated on a Disney Cruise!








                    Britan celebrated with Hello Kitty :)

My career took a surprising (now I realize much needed) turn......I am grateful everyday for the opportunity that I was presented with way back on July 11th.....I gave up the job at West High to "see" where this new opportunity would lead me.....and I am thankful that there are no regrets! I have met many new friends and learned lots of new things over the past few months and I am excited for what the future holds next......

Bryson started 2nd grade at a new school...it wasn't the perfect start that I had envisioned, but it continues to get better everyday! He loves his teacher and he is adjusting to not having mom there everyday.....but he and I both definitely look forward to Wednesdays....we like to have Wednesday afternoon "dates"...just the 2 of us :) He continues to amaze me with how smart he is....I do believe he will be an engineer one day....considering he put together his 1200 pieces lego technics car in less than 15 hours the other day!! He has also continued his focus on soccer...he has played in some way or another since last February....doing some foot skills training's this winter....I do believe he is starting to love the game as his daddy had hoped would happen!!

Brooks is working on his 13th (I think thats right) year for the county! He became one of the WISA Directors in August and has really focused on building the soccer program for young kids in the West Iredell area....along with helping with the high school teams and coaching Bryson's team to an undefeated season :)

And then there is "sassy pants".....I have this amazing 2 year old that makes me laugh a million times a day! This little firecracker is full of herself and full of life! She started preschool this year and has adjusted VERY well to the school routine and made several new friends along the way. Her hair is finally starting to GROW...it is still thin and fine (sadly this comes from her mother), but it is able to go into a pony or pig tails...whenever she "allows" me to do so. Her language as emerged over the past month or so...and there is NO stopping her now! She is a little priss that loves to dress, wear bows and play with babies....and she likes her brother's boy toys too!!!

Our house had a major impact on our life this past year as well....I do recall the 1st week of summer break when the tree fell in the front yard and we had no power for a few days in the 90 degree heat...and then there is the major reno that just took place in my FABULOUS new kitchen...most know this, but the old kitchen was the one that my grandparents built in the 70s and it was the last room in the house that we hadnt touched since we bought it from my dad in 08...it was a long time coming, but staring at it now, it was well worth the wait....and thankfully my husband has the same drive as I do and we successfully gutted, reconstructed walls, and installed everything brand new in 21 days! AND we are both still alive to tell about it :)

Over all we had a GREAT year.....many memories made and lots of changes that turned out great in the end...So as we look ahead for the new year and pondering some resolutions....we will keep them simple and mostly the same....

1) As a family we will continue to make priceless, precious memories and take lots of pics to be able to reflect on the fun we have....

2) We just rejoined the Y, so perhaps I can run again considering its been awhile....but most importantly we have already been in the pool this weekend!

3) Continue the 20 minute chores to maintain organization and a "tiddy" house....I have missed these during the kitchen process and look forward to setting the timer Monday night and dusting!

4) Stay on the budget track that we began almost 2 years ago...which means cooking at home more than I have lately!!!

5) I will make a point to blog more than last year....13 posts shouldnt be too hard to beat!

6) We will continue to live by and strive for this motto: "the harder you work, the more you earn"

7) We will continue to attend the Cove Church weekly and grow spiritually!

We are a very blessed family and we are grateful everyday for the opportunities that we have to give our kids a great, safe, happy, (mostly sheltered) life!!  

We are very thankful for our loving families and our close friends that share this Derting Life with us!!

Much love, Alysha