6 month catch up

No pictures, no recipes. Just a 6 month update since January, more for myself than anyone else.

• Started running again and think I've found my thang. I love Saturday morning runs at Hills and Dales Metropark. Lovely, just lovely. I've officially gone farther in the last month than I have in 3 years. 
• Running a half marathon this weekend in Canton, OH. I've legitimately trained and feel ready to show this race who's boss. And by boss, I mean, finish with a moderately successful finish time of 2:20.
• Wrapped up my 7th year in Christian education. I feel that I've seen the good, bad, and ugly sides of Christian ed, been burned a few many times, seen great and not so great administration, have now sat on both sides of the spectrum (admin, and classroom), and have to say that there are pros/cons to both.
• Pros of administration-I love that I have a more flexible schedule. Not that I have to be at work more/less, but it's a different kind of work flow. There is much more independent, self paced work projects, and things that can be done remotely (ie, via email/phone or anywhere with internet access). I keep regular office hours during the school year, (7:30-4pm) and have an insane season during IEP conferences which require much longer hours. However, I love that I can go to lunch and not be obsessively checking the time, I can work a doctor/dentist appointment during my morning. I can work from home. I get to travel between two schools during the year, and get a break from the four walls. This sounds cliche, but my Iphone really makes my work accessible "on-the-go" with the Outlook app, dropbox, email, etc...
• Cons of administration- meetings, meetings, meetings, meetings. Kudos to the powers that be who truly keep us no longer than necessary during our twice a month corporate admin sessions. Also, I feel like I'm in customer service when dealing with parents. Some of them are really a piece of work. I love that they are receiving full blown tuition assistance and have the audacity to throw temper tantrums over minutia. The other con of admin is paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. Enough said.
•  Gotten really plugged into a FAB church. I love it. Love my pastors, shepherding elders, the women who've surrounded me, the ministry I'm able to serve, the teaching, the guidance and accountability.
• I've delved SO much into reading the past few months, more than ever. And I LOVE it. I'm diggin' the biblical theology (Graeme Goldsworthy), and books on marriage, the family, relationships (Lane, Tripp). 
• Enjoying a season of growth, and renewal.
• I'm gardening and DIY-ing as much as can be done with a rental.
• Wishlist:
• Bike (for trails)