A healthier Me

Last summer we drove by what used to be our local Albertson's grocery store.  A big banner was hanging from the building announcing it as the future home of a Gold's Gym Express.  A few months later, after weeks of pressuring, I caved to my friend's pleas to join and go with her.  We started frequenting the closest open Gold's Gym until our location finally opened.  By that point we had convinced 2 other friends to join us in early morning torture.  The four of us have braved unearthly morning hours,  wind, snow and single digit temperatures all in the name of good health.  

I can only speak for myself, but I'm seeing some differences.  For one, I am exceedingly tired.  All of the time.  I, who can boast of multiple insanely late movie nights with my BFF, cannot function waking up at 5 a.m. 4 times a week, even when I go to bed by 10 p.m.  I have heard my kids friends more than once whisper, "You're mom's asleep again?"  Increased appetite.  Exercise always does this to me.  The cold weather is not helping.  Weight loss-none.  Strength has improved.  I can now own up to being able to do 5 push ups.  You have no idea what kind of miracle this is. Sickness.  I only get half sick now.  It's almost annoying.  I feel the symptoms coming on, steel myself for being bedridden and then....nothing.  Wha?!  It goes away.  While I'm grateful I don't have to put my life on hold for something so blah, I'm starting to think a day in bed sounds kind of nice.  C'est la vie.  

Hooray for good health!

Life As It Is

I thought I'd take a minute from my life to record what it's like right now.  I have a journal that I fill with   things of gratitude.  I try to put a positive spin on some trials to help me be grateful, but sometimes I don't think it's enough to give an honest idea of what life is really like in this moment. There are lots of things I love, and several that I struggle with or just plain don't like.

What I love about life right now:

1.  A darling 11 year old daughter who is turning out to be more helpful then I ever could have imagined.  For example (and one that very nearly made me cry), she came in the other night to ask what she could do help with dinner.  I had just come home from picking up a few things at the grocery store and hadn't gotten everything put away.  I told her she could put the eggs and yogurt away.  She did, but while she was down in the depths of the fridge, she also cleaned out all the old food that had reached or past its expiration date.  Unasked.  Such a simple thing that left me full of gratitude and an increase of love for her.

2.  The kids and I can laugh at jokes together.  We quote movie lines all the time.  We speak with British accents randomly.  A few fun(ny) things I never anticipated being part of our fun.  (For one, I never even had the nerve to attempt a British accent until a couple of months ago.)

3.  Not having to take 4 kids on every single errand I run.

4.  Time in my day to read without guilt. Kids at school.  Baby napping.  Book?  Don't mind if I do.

5.  Consistent weekly date nights.  Partly due to #3.  I love date night.  I crave it.  I need it.  Our conversations really aren't much different than at home, but something about having my man all to myself is really nice.

Things I'm not liking:
1.  Adjusting to my neighborhood.  It's beautiful here.  The people are friendly.  Yet still I struggle finding a good friend where I'm at. I'm working on it.

2.  Learning to parent 4 very different personalities and there little struggles and challenges.

3.  The ever constant feeling that I should be doing something, but not really knowing what that something is.

4. Balancing my time.  Never been good at it.  Family.  Husband. Friends. Me.  Church.  It ends up that nothing is getting the time it needs or deserves.

5.  Cleaning the kitchen.  I hear this gets easier down the road.  That one day I may only need to sweep once a day instead of hourly.  (Let's be honest.  I count myself lucky when I sweep once a day. :P)

There are lots of things I could add to both lists.  Life is good. Life is hard.  And the world keep turning and I keep trying.

Love Potion #9

I was combing through McKay's backpack the other day looking for forgotten notes and calendars when I came upon this little gem.

Love Potion
By McKay Maynes

Ingredients
2 cups of water
2 drops of your blood in the water
1/2 cup of sugar
2 peppermints

Then put the lid on and heat it for 2 minutes.

So for all of you looking for a little extra lovin this Valentine's, you're welcome. :)