Where does time go?

Ugh...I'm behind! We just returned from Texas and visiting friends in San Diego and I am way behind! It's better today (Wednesday) because I had Sunday to stress about it (unfortunately that was Easter), Monday to shift back into work mode, and yesterday to really dig into the work that needs to be done. I will say that I was able to hold on and not totally freak out (Derek might tell you something different) because we did go to church in the morning. I will say that every time I do, I wonder why I waited to go back. The sermon at Applegate Christian Fellowship was exactly what we all needed. I am grateful.

The list...where to begin? We have received distribution for Season 2. I have a schedule mapped out to keep me on track, because it's just me, editing, gathering footage, putting together our story. At the same time I have to keep filming what is currently happening, manage my gear, film, and offload, archive, etc. Then there is just real life. I know we all have challenges but for some reason we've been dealt some intense ones lately. Haylee has been struggling with anxiety, I think we are on top of it now. Some shifts in friendships and standing up for what she believed in really helped. This is a story I'd love for her to tell you when she's ready. There are so many more pressures on kids these days. They might be similar to what we encountered but way more intense with social media and our society of selfishness that seems at times to be moving in a Godless direction. Let me just say how thankful I am for God. I have been praying like crazy for my girls to be in the world and not of it. I remind them daily that God loves them and that taking the high road and not giving in to all the temptation will lead them on a far better path than I took. I did learn from my mistakes and I am grateful for the lessons. I know they will make some too. I'm just hoping for less and less dramatic than some of mine!

Of course, on top of motherhood, Derek is striving. If you've been following our story (on Amazon Prime), you know that we are pushing and determined. This can produce strain on a marriage. When you both are maxed out, you are more irritable, impatient, stressed and maybe aren't at your best with each other. I think just life does that too but ours seems a little exaggerated lately. However, my love for him is more each day and I respect his abilities, talents, heart, and desires. I want him to keep growing. I read a quote by Brendon Burchard the other day it said, "People say "Easier said than done" and then shrug and stop. But isn't a better life worth some struggle? Who cares if it's easy or not? Ease is not the goal; growth is." There are moments when I wonder why I'm working so hard and why we are creating challenges that we wouldn't otherwise have. This quote hit me and reminded me exactly why. A better life, meaning a more fulfilled life, a life of growth, challenge, greatness earned, is so worth the struggle. The old adage, "No pain, no gain," is true! I would not trade the work and the struggle and the challenging moments in our family. Sometimes it's helpful to remember the other side-remember the fruits of your labor and reflect on it. We have many, many growth points in our life and if we stop and reflect on how we've gotten through things, it can be fuel to keep going and overcome that anxiety. I am speaking to myself as much as I am speaking to you now. Just the other day, Derek and I had a conversation where we actually said out loud-maybe we've always had all we needed, maybe we don't need to be doing this. We are tired. The sponsorship is a challenge. And the racing...well that's another story...so much to catch you up on! Verbalizing our stress helped but left us feeling a little bereft. The next day Derek got up and went off to work and within an hour or so, I see a post. A post about a gentleman that loved our show and wanted to share his coffee with us. He sent a package of his Alamance Kaffee Werks coffee complimenting the show and acknowledging our work. Two things are important here. I believe that this was an angel message sent to keep us going AND almost more importantly, a lesson in, if you see something good and think it, share it with the person you are thinking about. You never know how you can change someone's life path for the better with a few words of encouragement. We are designed to encourage each other to be our best! Have a blessed day and remember to encourage and love people today! Thank you for following our story.

COMING UP ON OUR NEXT BLOG: We raced in Texas just before Spring Break. I filmed and Derek raced, the kids and my parents were all there.

Stay tuned and thank you for your patience. We'll give you an overview of the action to keep you intrigued until you can watch it on the show. Derek races in Virginia next at the end of April. And the story continues...