au·then·ti·cateVerb/ôˈTHentiˌkāt/

1. Prove or show (something, esp. a claim or an artistic work) to be true or genuine

I really, really enjoy my blog.  It's a wonderful place to share photos and ideas, but I have this real desire to have a place to be real, to have more of a real, journalistic style blog.  Just a day to day normal no-fluff blog.  Not that any part of me is fluffy, hopefully.

Matter of fact I've been running again.  For two whole days.  Ralph leaves for work just after six o'clock so I've been getting up earlier.  I don't need an alarm, I just wake up in the dark.  

Then I have this little conversation with myself about how good I'll feel all day if I just go out and do it.  How I really should run because one day maybe I won't be able to.  How I should go because it's beautiful out there to watch the sun think about coming up, and the hour is mine, all mine to whisper to God and think and just push my body.  

And twice this week I did it.  My coach pushes me hard, I run out of lungs but he doesn't.  He runs harder and I try to race him.  Then he really takes off and I laugh.  I could never race that doggy.

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This is my fifth year of beginning the school year.  I've been overcome with gratitude, first that  I can even homeschool, next that I get so much good support from Ralph and friends @ Classical Conversations.  

It occurs to me more and more that I really only do have today.  I know loss.  I know huge change.  I know getting the carpet pulled out from beneath my feet.  Mystically, God allows  and wills change and gradually I'm beginning to say yes to all of it.  

So I'm feeling so thankful for all that I just DO have today, another day to teach my boys, hold them and their little hearts.  It won't be forever.  So thankful for a husband who loves & laughs with me, a friend inside my own home.  

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Feeling inspired I'm planning to head to Goodwill soon to do some shopping for myself.  I doubt I'll get too far from my plain old self but I kind of have a new little desire to change things up and get a new look.  We'll see if I can get so brave.  

So now I'm off to hang out with my photos, get some editing in.  

We only have today, enjoy yours!

~Amanda