Weekend LOVE of #2

Mother nature finally got off her high horse and gave us two really nice days OUTSIDE!  Baseball was able to get outside and practice. Let me tell you - it was WONDERFUL!  And, we really don't look that bad! The NCAA has a new bat regulation, and those bats do not have much pop.  Needless to say, we have a big yard, and I don't expect to see very many homeruns at USI this year.  A couple of the boys crushed the ball, and it barely went anywhere.  Could be an interesting year for the hitter!

I don't remember if I have mentioned a frequent visitor of the Athletic Training room here at USI or not, but here goes.  We have this man, Wildcat/James Wilhide/Romeo, who comes to USI and is majoring in theatre (this semester, it changes every few weeks depending on which person James is being).  But yeah, bless his heart, he is special.  I mean that nicely of course.  He was in here on Thursday telling us about his singing karaoke.  He sang one song, and I had NO clue what it was.  Then he sang "stroke it"...

Here it is.  And man, is it FUNNY!  Yes it was way funnier in person, but the video does give it justice.  Also, keep in mind that Kelsey is our graduate assistant athletic trainer, and very modest.  So her face turns bright red on several occasions due to James asking her questions!

Anyways, I hope your weekend was full of joy, love, and laughter.  I know mine was.  And now it is Monday, my favorite day of the week - Bible Study Night!! 

God first, baseball second...

Sooo, I have decided to journal/blog about my baseball team on it's own blog.  I'm sure parts will duplicate on both of my blogs, but I'm going to give it a try! HERE IT IS! check it out!!!

I got the most wonderful email yesterday from Aunt Nan.  She just has such great timing!  You know how you just get that random email and it makes your day, that was it.  The email didn't say that the world was changing and she wanted me to know, it simply stated how life was for her and her family and ended with a prayer request.  So if y'all can say a prayer for direction for her, I'd appreciate it and I'm sure she would also.

And guess what -- today is the day!!! the day we finally get to go outside!!  This morning we are starting inside for hitting, then team d outside this afternoon!! SWEEEEEET! I'm sooo excited!

Hazelnut Coffee - Gratitude Friday!

Gratitude Friday -- For me today, Hazelnut coffee... black!  YUMMMM.. Over break aunt Nan bought it for new years eve and as soon as I got back to e.ville, I bought some too!  And it continues to make my mornings just wonderful! Soooo wonderful, that I even brought my old coffee pot to work and can now make it any time I desire. Yep, it's that good.  I am just a lil Kent, drinking coffee all day every day.  He would be so proud.

Ya know that "Bling" I was talking about yesterday... welp, I have a pic for ya. 

HOW COOL!!! Mine is just the face of the ring.. Still super SWEET!! I love wearing it and telling people all about that wonderful team!

How about this... I finally realized something yesterday about the Bible.  I am not at all a good english person.  I always struggled with knowing what the author was trying to say.  My poor teachers must have thought I was a huge idiot.  And who knows, I just might be.  Anyways, I am HORRIBLE at trying to figure out what the author is trying to say.  I am literal, I take the words literally.  If the scripture says love one another, I believe it mean just that.  If it says do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good. Then that exactly what I think we should do.  I have been trying to read the Bible and understand what the author of the book is trying to say, but ughhh.. sometimes it just doesn't make sence!  It takes me back to Romeo and Juliet and how horrible that was, the story was good, but trying to dig deeper into forshadowing and all of that... well I am just not very good at that.  Give me a science book or a math problem and I'll look at it all day trying to figure it out. English, still, is just not my thing.  Can we pray that it just comes to me and one day I'll wake up and be like "Ahhhhh, I finally get it!"

ncaa.com -- BIG TIME.. haha

This week on the website ncaa.com -- the picture is T-rev!! Yep, from lil Southern Indiana... just a lil article about being the team to BEAT... go ahead and check it out.  Yesterday "Beans" told me about it and was just really excited.  I didn't share much excitement, until we started talking about the amount of people that probably go to that website a day.  And then it became "cool" to me... wow.. I know I know, we are defending national champions.  However, it's the start of a new year, and it really is just cool.  So is the "BLING" that I am lucky enough to wear around my neck - thanks men!

Another great thing -- Jackie Henderson (Squirrel #3) is the GLVC Scholar Athlete of the YEAR!!  So exciting!  She is pretty much amazing!!

...i'm in a cookie rut... i have been dreaming about them.. it's BAD!  Sooo, i made cookie dough -- didn't cook it and just put it in the fridge to eat.. sad right! I gotta keep working out so I can have a lil bit of greatness everyday!

snow..again!

Mother nature just really is out of control this year!  I wake up this morning to a lil more than an inch of snow on my car -- ugh!  I really thought that maybe, we could go outside for baseball today.  However, another day of being inside.  I need to get over it, I know. 

Afterall, it's not all bad being inside.. I can blog and make sure my injury reports and treatments are up-to-date.. ok so it does have it's plus'.

Yesterday afternoon while waiting around for practice, I was looking up some collegiate baseball information.  I came across this awesome quote from one of my all time favorite college baseball coaches. 

"I want my players to be aware of what is most valuable to them," Garrido said. "Is it a bat, a ball, a glove or the ability to use those things? Is that it? No. It's the players' minds and their ability to use them. That's what makes the use of a bat, a ball and a glove brilliant. It's my job to help players find balance in their lives. I want to help them help themselves become what they want to be through the fundamentals of baseball. Baseball is nothing more than another classroom in the educational process. Really, baseball is a metaphor for life"

Coach Garrido is the Texas Longhorn baseball coach.  And I think he just has it all figured out.  He wants his baseball players to be successful after college in life.  I love when coaches can admit that.  Yes coaches want to win and be successful that way, but it must be rewarding to have your athletes succeed in life as well. 

I WANNA GO OUTSIDE!!

So, I do not know how many of you are baseball fans... it really doesn't matter either - lol... what does matter, is that we all know that baseball is a game to be played OUTSIDE. And outside is where I wanna be.  However, MotherNature is not cooperating! I guess it's about this time of the year where I begin to BEG for nice(r) weather! Last year, I was pleading to get outside, and it's no different now.  I am an outside girl -- and this being in the office since November -- is wearing on my nerves. I just need/want/would prefer being outside!

ok..enough griping! lol.. can we all pray real fast -- t.man has lost (or so he believes) his two-seamer.. So quickly: Dear God, this is probably very unnormal, but can you please help t.man figure out his two-seamer. it's really important to him. Thank you. Amen

Now I know that isn't how we are supposed to ask God for help, but sometimes, we could all use a lil humor.  And believe me, t.man is looking all over for his darn fastball..

Soooo..today, well yesterday - intramural basketball started... which as an Athletic Trainer is dreaded.  This morning we already had one young lady who got "hurt" playing basketball.  It's real annoying for us, I just wish that coaches felt the same way.  Now, we have to help lil miss i think i'm a basketball player but i'm actually a collegiate athlete who does not play basketball, get better and healthy... all the while it could have been prevented if coach would have just said NO, NO intramural sports!

I LOVE MONDAY's...now.

This morning I had an awesome workout.  I downloaded a new app, Nike Training Club.  And I'm soooo excited to have that on my phone now.  It will make road trips and workout time, simple!  I'm so ready for Georgia, in just about 2 weeks!  Oh my goodness... only 2 weeks!  Geezzzz.. I can't believe it, the guys have only been outside ONE time to practice. Now I'm really nervous!   Ok..OK.. back on track.  Working out is going really well, I'm not really having much trouble with motivation - EXCEPT - for the weekends. Hopefully having Nike Training Club on my iphone will help me get over that. 
Oh and I LOVE MONDAY's, NOW because -- it is BIBLE study night!! It's my one night a week where it is me and my girlfriends (both old and new)! I'm so excited to see what my friends are learning about becoming more than a good bible study girl.  I got overly excited and read ahead. The book is just toooo good to put down sometimes!  Chaper 1 was about worldly possessions and how to overcome those. Chapter 2 is about reading God's word and learning what it says and why it says it.  It has opened my mind, I've learned I need to know the background of the book and who is writing.  Sometimes the verse can be taken out of context, I guess tho, I kinda like that.  I LOVE thinking to myself, I wonder what was going on in someones life that made them write this. I am learning so much about reading the bible and understanding it. By no means am I an expert, but it really is a great feeling learning and growing in God's word.
As for the weekend, it was great!  Basketball ladies lost in 3 overtimes and the men on a last second shot against Indy on Saturday night.  Both were some great basketball games.  It made me think, my whole job/life is sports.  I missed church because I would rather watch the game and of course I can listen to the sermon via podcast... what is my life coming to!  Thank goodness for Monday Bible study!!

Heaven receives another amazing woman

I might brag about my family a lot... sorry! hahah.. I just think they are so wonderful.
My mother just called and said Auntie Hazel passed last night.  No more suffering and No more pain.  I'm so thankful to have had this wonderful woman in my life.  Auntie Hazel is one of my grandfather's sisters.  She is the nicest, most wonderful, kind hearted woman I've ever known.  I have never, ever in my 29 years of life heard a bad thing about her, or from her.  She was an amazing woman.  I don't know about your family, but on my mother's side we are ALL close.  From my grandmother's siblings to my grandfathers siblings.  I remember going to her house as a child, playing and running around for hours.  She had one of those BEAUTIFUL old farm homes (it was actually a hallmark card!!) Hallmark must have known how special she was also.  She will be missed by all and we know we will see her again in heaven.  My mother and father would tell us stories about how she the cook at their school and how yummy their food always was.  So many precious memories to cherish forever.
My friend Jenn's blog just made sence to me this morning when I read it dead end day. As an athletic trainer you are ALWAYS on everyone elses time.  I honestly don't have a problem with it most of the time, I look at it as my calling, my serving of others and the Lord.  So I feel like my job is God's will for me.  Sometimes tho, my apartment has to suffer the consequences.  Last night I got home about 815pm and all I wanted to do was spend some time in a good book, learning about God, studying the word... that lasted a whole 30 minutes and I was asleep... therefore my apt looks like a pigs pen... hopefully tonight I will be home by 7 and can tackle the kitchen and bathroom.
Lysa Terkeurst - if you haven't read anything by her --- check her out, she is an amazing author!
If I can read half of these, I will be stoked!!

becoming more than a good bible study girl....

I LOVE my monday night bible study group... I know I know it's only week 2. But WOW, amazing women of faith in that group.  It really inspired me last night to be better.  I can't wait to get into God's word.  I can't wait to read and study to bring something to the table next week.
This week we talked about possessions and how worldly life can get.  We talked about how we survive in the possession world.  I discussed that for me, it's about whom I surround myself with.  I want to be around people that hold me accountable for my actions.  I truly believe that also, my friends are my rocks.  And not only my friends, but my family.  All the decisions I make, I try to make with others in mind.  I want to do the best not only for me, but for my friends and family. 
I can't wait to get home tonight to get back to the word and LEARN!!

One year ago...

Yesterday was a day I had dreaded...for a whole entire year. One year ago, one of the USI mens basketball players collapsed during a game and never woke up.  NOT something I ever need to experience again...ever. Since that day, I have learned a TON about myself and what I do for my job.  I love my job, like really really love my job. most days anyways... I have since tried to make every person feel welcome in the training room, no matter what sport they participate in and have smiled.  A smile goes a LONG way.  Jeron smiled often.. and I can see that huge smile on his face right now.  so yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and say I hope I can be remembered for my smile!  one year ago, this was my blog.

Today.. is just another day at the office! haha.. baseball practice and soccer camp. then church tonight!!

so much for the daily blog thing...

I seriously wanted to blog daily... however, it just didn't go as planned.. that's ok tho, right!
Anyways -  Monday was the BACK AT IT day... I woke up bright and early 5:15 to head to the gym to get in a good dose of cardio and weight lifting to get my week started. and it was REFRESHING! I really missed those early morning workouts (I really did, I LOVE mornings! evenings and staying up late are a completely different story) so yeah, it was wonderful.  Came to work by 745, worked with my lil rehabbers.  Lil Sprite (w.soccer) looks amazing after break, she did her workouts over break and has some mild swelling to prove it.  But all in all, I'm very impressed!! WHOOOO HOOO... finally someone did what I asked them to!! Her buddy Vandy (m.soccer) looked equally awesome.  Altho he is a lil bit further along post ACL surgery, they both are on the right track and are motivating themselves and doing GREAT.  Yep, I feel like a proud proud MOM!  I have another w.soccer kid who however is struggling...a couple bad surgeries and pity are not helping the kid out, however, I'm gonna keep on trying.  This is a task I'm not ready to give up on.  And baseball returned as well.  My lil shoulder kids are coming along.. MoneyMike had a lil hiccup over break but I think he has gotten over that and is back at it.. So yeah, busy morning... The afternoon was Day 1 of spring practice... DAY 1 -- Wanna repeat Nat'l Champs!  It was great seeing all the boys, and the hard work they were putting in.  This year's squad isn't much different from last, same pitching staff -- The Princess Golden Elbow is back.  and a few new arms as well.. MoBro.. is just one I'm sure I'll be blogging about.
The best part of the day was yet to come!!  A couple girlfriends and I joined a Girlfriends Unlimited bible study.. Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl.  I am so excited for this journey in faith with Janae and Lauren!!
Tuesday Morning was pretty much the same as Monday.. and the rest of the week will be the same..ugh... Tuesday Night I had class... I think it will be a good class. There are only 9 people enrolled, and I'm excited to have such a small group. 
Life is so great and God is the cause!!

Soooo sweeeeet!

I admit I love this life I live!! Not because of me of course, but because of God's plan for me!
Yesterday I signed up for a bible study at church on Monday nights (during the bachelor...what was I thinking!!) anyways... it's called Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl By Lysa Terkeurst.. oh gosh I just put this together -- Lysa Terkeurst is the author of Made to Crave and she has been on K.Love this week. I have no idea if you listen to K.Love http://www.klove.com/ or not but I do, I LOVE K.Love! Now I am even more excited about this study. And just one more reason to be excited about it is my friend Janae is going to join me in the study!!
Now I might really have taken on to much with this study (only time will tell)! As you know, Monday's are usually baseball's "off" day.. meaning the NCAA says that once every seven days a team must have an off day. For baseball that is usually Monday's. Baseball plays the majority of their games Friday, Saturday and Sunday's... so Mondays are their day of rest. I usually try to leave work by 4 on Mondays.. Hopefully this will be great for me this bible study.
Not only is the bible study exciting in my life right now, but I'm meeting with the FCA http://www.fca.org/ (fellowship of christian athletes) representative in our area to start a FCA here at USI. Talk about so much on my platter... I'm so nervous and excited all at the same time. I have thought about FCA for almost 3 years now, and just now I'm taking the plunge. HERE GOES!! I know I have the support of our mens soccer coach and his wife, and the mens basketball coach is on board (so I've heard, I still need to talk to him, add that to today's list!!). but yeah, what an incredible journey!

back to work... kinda.

University wide meetings this morning at 8.. how hard was it to get up for that!! geeez..
anyways.. it was a good meeting talking about the strategic plan and hopes for a bigger budget...
As for me personally, I'm still deciding on all my 2011 Goals... I have a few that are going well, but others need more work.. here is what I have so far.
. Read for pleasure 1 book a month
. Keep a Food and Exercise Journal
. Complete 6 bible studies
. Understand and memorize one bible verse a week
. develope a chore/house cleaning routine - and stick to it
. send 4 random cards a month
. Have people over once a month
. sell baked goods
. Do two 5K's and a half marathon
. Join a small group
. Start FCA chapter at USI
. Stay up until 1030 three nights a week
. Tithe
. work towards debt free
. get online CEU's
. BE MORE ORGANIZED
. use coupons
. daily devotional
. pray nightly
. thank you's as often as possible

1-1-11

What an awesome start to 2011!! I spent new years eve with the Pitts'. And it was a blast. Played just dance, last word and imagine if. Watched bsb and nkotb ring in the year and finally fell asleep at 2am. All to wake up and be at grandma's by 10 for coffee break and a full day of playing cards with 2 of my favorite aunts, wonderful grandmother and my mother. It was very relaxing and so much fun. Def a wonderful first day of 2011. I'm so looking forward to what the year will bring. A couple of my goals include running 2 half marathons, understanding more about the bible, being a better steward and living a healthier life. I'll be sure to keep you posted about how those goals are going. Hope y'all had a wonderful day and happy 2011!!


-- Post From My iPhone