Life's Not Always Rainbows

Something that I think we all need to remember is that life is not always going to be sunshine and rainbows. Although that's what we'd all like, challenges, struggles and difficult times hover over all of us at different stages. At times I find myself even thinking "when will the rainbow show itself?" 

Truthfully, it's partly my job to put those rainbows in my life, in my kids' lives, in my husband's day. It's partly my job to find the sliver lining during all those thunderstorms. 

The past school year has been difficult, yet joyously sweet. 


My sweet Maddie struggled so much in the beginning with her health, stress and anxieties. So much on her precious heart and mind. Though it seemed like we'd never get through it all, we did. 


Avery struggled off and on all year with various challenges. She didn't like coloring at preschool, though, popular belief says at this age that's just what they do. She struggled with change and understanding social interactions like why one girl wouldn't play with her or why she all of a sudden had a fascination with boys. (God help me. Already?) 


Jason struggled at work and as a manager trying to learn how to adapt to different personalities, work ethics, and the long hours he had to put in all of a sudden. He struggled the most with not getting to be home with us as much as he'd anticipated. Such is life. 


I struggled because for almost the whole school year, I was pregnant. While it was wonderful and we were so very happy, my body at 33 was much, much different than my body at 23 when I'd had Maddie. The days seemed longer, the work seemed harder, and juggling everyone's schedules was quite a challenge. Though, I know in the depths of my soul our life's purpose is to find joy during these times most of all. 


I admit there were days that I wasn't finding any rainbows at all. Thank goodness for a great husband to whip me back into shape. :) 


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"When it rains, it pours." 


While this is true I love remembering that without the rain, we cannot have the rainbows. 
Without a struggle, we cannot celebrate in full a victory. 
Without death, we would not have life. 
Without tears, those smiles would not be as sweet. 
Without sadness, we would not be able to experience pure joy. 


Without a good attitude, life can seem dark, cloudy, and as though it's flooding around us. 


"And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." Genesis 9:12 & 13


Today I celebrate my family, those who've fought for us away from their own families, my girls' and their struggles and victories, my husband and his loving dedication as a leader to all of us, my new son, Jace, as he grows and changes before our eyes. . . .


Today, I'm making the rainbow and remembering to celebrate the RAIN AND the RAINBOWS ...

Note - in the making of this fun rainbow cake, it all broke apart right before the icing. :) I guess it's just cake fate after writing this blog. :) 

Get Over It.

Go figure. The week I come up with a great blog is the week I go back to work. I think it's because I've been more disciplined to take time to spend with God, working out and taking some time alone. This time, I know, is imperative to my growth. Imperative. 


Last week, we were talking about our five year old and all the things she must learn. She's at a stage where she thinks everything revolves around her. I have to constantly remind her that it's not all about her. I make her repeat this to me often. Sometimes 5 times a day. 


We are also working on how to teach her that it's ok to ask for certain things, want certain things, but to not expect those things at the drop of a hat. We remind her that she must have patience for some things and must work for other things. 


When she gets the "thing" she wants, she quickly moves on to the next thing she wants. For example, she just HAD TO HAVE an ice skating party. Once that was over, the minute it was over, she started talking about what she wanted next year. *sigh* I had just hoped she would savor that moment and that day for a little longer than 5 minutes. 


This didn't impact me at all until I was running one very early morning this week. I like to listen to a variety of podcasts and in this particular podcast the speaker spoke these words: " If you ask God for something and then you get it, but very quickly move on to the next thing you are praying to Him for; the thing you "need" right now, what are the chances he'll give you anything else? 


It clicked. 


We, as adults, have lately been acting a lot like Avery. We have fallen into a stage where we are praying for this and that and this. There are specific things that we've both prayed for that we have now and it seems that instead of savoring the exact thing we prayed for and GOT - we have moved on to the next thing we think we "deserve." I had been looking at her with a magnifying glass, but looking at myself with rose-colored glasses. How many times do we do this with the people around us? Our kids? Our "friends?"


When I began to view my prayers in the same way that I view my conversations with Avery, I laughed out loud. 


Seriously. I need to stop being a "spoiled brat." Things aren't always going to go our way. Get over it. Move on. Instead of whining and asking for something more, we need to savor and sit right where we are at this moment -even if in that moment we are struggling or uncomfortable. 


After all, if we aren't going to take care of and enjoy the relationships we prayed for, the house we prayed for, the child we prayed for, the job we asked for. . . why in the world would we be given anything more? 


We have to get over this idea that we are "entitled" to whatever it is we pray for or think we "deserve" - it's not always about US. 

Weighing on my mind. . . .

*sigh* 


Have you ever looked in the mirror or a photo of yourself and thought " Hey! That's not me! Where did I go?" 


Pregnancy seems to have that affect on me. :) 


It has been 5 weeks since Jace has been born and about 2 good weeks since I've started working out. No, I didn't get the 6 weeks clearance from my dr yet. Who knew that was so freaking important?! No exercise until 6 weeks, no sex until 6 weeks, and yesterday they ALMOST didn't give me my massage because I technically had not been "released" at 6 weeks yet. 


I feel fine - great, actually. My body told me so. Do I really need her to tell me when I feel up to doing "STUFF?" 


Anyway - back to my point. Weight. I've never weighed this much in my life. Depressing. 


Weighing on my mind lately isn't so much what I weigh (I've never been a friend to the scale theory) but how I'm looking in pictures or most importantly how my jeans are fitting (or not fitting these days). 


It seems as a woman I've been on a never ending journey to find my perfect fit body. Usually once I have it, I have another baby. ;) 


Looking back, I recall many times in high school or college thinking I wasn't "thin" enough. 


HA, I say to myself! Who knew I'd now KILL to have that body back. 


So, here I am. Another journey to get back into shape. This time I'm hoping to be in the best shape ever since we will be having NO MORE babies. 


I'm doing everything I can, but like many I want results now, not later. Inside I feel "thin" and fit, but then I see myself and, well, I have to take many steps to keep myself positive. 


I am reminded each time that I'm at this point how hard the work is to get back, how disciplined I have to be with food and my choices, and this time as a breast feeding mom I know that all my choices are directly affecting baby as well as me. 


So my fitness journey this time entails at least 30 minutes of interval workout (sometimes 30 minutes of jogging at night) and eating great foods. 


Here are a few great tips I've used in the past and some new ones I've heard lately: 


If you buy it at the store, you will eat it at home. 


Shop on the outer wall of the store - fruits, veggies, fresh meats, etc. 


If it has a barcode, leave it at the store! 


Does the item have more than 10 ingredients? If so, you probably don't want to eat it. 


Good stuff in, good results on the outside. 


Portion control! 


Change just one or two habits and then when you have that down add a few more. (ex: using extra virgin olive oil instead of frying everything)


Make it at home. All your favorite foods that are take-out you can make - just find healthier versions. 


Take a bag of snacks with you: grape tomatoes, grapes, bananas, yogurt (not the sugary ones like TRIX), berries, carrots, celery with peanut butter, almonds, and lots of water! 


What is your tip for getting healthy and fit? 

Life in the Fast Lane

What is life in the fast lane?


When I typed this into google, wikiAnswers told me this: 

It means living racy, you know pushing the limits; making your life shorter and having it go fast. 

This made me laugh out loud. Yep, being sleep deprived definitely pushes my limit. My life is shorter, mainly b/c things are happening so fast around me that I don't realize how much time is actually passing until I pass out in bed. 


(Started blog @ 7:00 pm)


My life feels like The Fast and The Furious lately. 

My hats go off to full time stay at home moms. Seriously. It's a never ending job that by far is one of the hardest.


Don't get me wrong. I love being at home with the kids and spending some great quality time with them, but there are days like today when I have to take a shower in 4 minutes, go out of the house with semi wet hair and honestly cannot remember going to bathroom except for once. Then there was grocery shopping, bills to be paid, and children to be picked up. 
There was barely time to catch my breath. 


Being a mom. There's life in the fast lane. Period. 


I guess since I'm now the mom of 3, I seem to remember more often than not that "This too shall pass." I remember that I need to breathe in the moment even if the moment is literally a millisecond and even if the moment is stressful. 


I did manage to get a walking workout in and dinner on the table and even spent quality time with Jason during one of our "porch dates." 


Even when life is fast, busy, and shooting past us at a epic speed - even then we should savor the moments. 


Jace will never again be one month old. 
Avery will never again turn 5. 
Madison will never again always be so interested in talking to me. 


I know so many of my blogs seem to have the same theme lately, but I think we all need that daily reminder to savor the smallest things in life. 


No matter how stressful, those moments are the sweetest. 


(Finished blog @ 10:00) 

Joy

In everything find joy. . . .


A day in the life of me in the last 24 hours: 


Wednesday 4/7: 


Wake at 7:00 - brush teeth, hair, throw on cap - help Maddie get ready for school
7:30 load Avery in car in pajamas (this takes 10 minutes at least) 
7:40 load Jace in his carseat
7:45 drop Maddie off
8:00 back home - Avery breakfast, Jace feeds
9:00 Jace down for nap - Avery playing
ME - REST!! :) 
Wait. I wanted to, but didn't. :( 


Here's what I did instead: 
vacuumed, dishes, laundry, bills, facebook, blogging, check email


11:00 - Jace feeds again - Avery lunch
12:00 - Jace was suppose to go down for a nap - no such luck. 
1:00 - Jace is still awake - in and out, but not settled
2:00 - I feed Jace again and try to take a nap. 
2:30 - nap possibilties are fading fast. :( He's not interested in sleep. 
3:00 - I get ready again to go pick up Maddie
3:15 - load Jace and Avery
3:30 - get Maddie from school - Jace still awake and still fussy
3:45 - Jace sleeps for a minute so we take advantage and go to SONIC :) 
4:00 - I'm wiped. Why didn't I take that NAP EARLIER?!?
4:30 - make dinner - hotdogs - so much for that REVOLUTION
5:00 - dinner early means bed early. Feed Jace - again.
6:00 - Jace is still not really settled - might as well take girls to the park
7:00 - the wind drives us back home - ugh. Bathtime! 
7:30- Girls are in bed watching movies, lights are off, and Jace is still not settling. :( 
8:00 I head to bed, too, but Feed Jace once more. 
8:30 I'm crying now. I need SLEEP. :( :( :( 
9:00 Jason is finally home. Girls sleeping. Jace sleeping. 
9:15 Toss up between Sleeping or Shower....Sleep wins


4/8: 


12:00 AM Jace slept! YAY! Eating again. . . 
3:00 AM Jace eats again. . . 
5:30 AM You guessed it. . . .Sleeping again though...YAY! 
7:00 AM  I got that shower, girls up ready to go
7:50 AM Take Maddie to school
8:00 AM WE ARE OUT OF GROCERIES! Avery needs a drink for lunch - fast! 
8:15 Donut Shop - fast breakfast and a drink - Food Revolution, what? 
8:20 Feed Jace, do makeup, help Avery with shoes
8:50 Walk to preschool




I'm finally home sitting down, but that nap is still calling my name. 




Why did I share with you my day? 


Because no matter how stressful it is right now, no matter how sleep deprived I am, how long I go without a shower or a nap - I still manage to find joy. . .  


Jace will never again be this little. I will never again get time off to hold him. :) And no matter what - he IS sleeping well at night! :) 


Avery will never again be in preschool. She will always remember that we took time out to walk her to and from school. 


Maddie will not always want to talk to me about school, friends, and go to Sonic with me. 


Jason and I will not always share funny little moments, short sweet moments or rock/paper/scissors for diaper changes together at 2 AM & 5 AM. 




In everything find the joy. 


I'm pretty sure this is one of God's expectations for us during out life. No matter WHAT is going on. 


What's your joy right now?  

Worth the Wait

Introducing Jace Patrick: 

After a long ten months, Jace has finally arrived to complete our family! 


Life has been very busy to say the least, especially while still trying to keep up with 2 girls and a newborn! I have a new respect for moms with 2+ kids - getting older kids to school and still keeping baby on track is one of my newest art forms. :) 


Everyone has adjusted well to our newest member and by far he's one of the easiest babies ever - it might have something to do with me being more relaxed, more confident, and more patient than I was the first or second time. It might also have to do with the amount of help I have this time around. The girls and Jason have been A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! 


We are getting about 4-6 hours of broken sleep per night. He's great with baths, diaper changes, eating, and napping! Some of the things helping us are our rice pack (heated), swaddling blanket, Baby Whisperer and Happiest Baby on the Block techniques. 


For the most part we've taken up our normal routine - 


We've been walking everywhere! Love our jogging stroller (thanks, mom!) and our Sleepy Wrap. We're back at the park or track almost daily - sometimes twice in a day. Jace usually sleeps, but I know he is loving the fresh air! 


I've also started tracking my workout progress with my new Nike+ iPod. It tracks my runs/walks, lets me set goals, charts progress on the nike website and even makes me more accountable by uploading my runs and details to Twitter and Facebook! 


The good news is I've lost almost all of the weight I gained while pregnant, but I still have about 30 more lbs to lose, so we're following Jamie Oliver's trend and doing our own Food Revolution here. Last week, my family ate cauliflower. Wait. 


MY FAMILY ATE CAULIFLOWER! 


There. We never eat it, none of us like it, but adding some extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and throw in the oven and magically it all disappears. I also used the cauliflower to make a mashed potato substitute. YUM-O! Nothing left. :) 
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On a personal note, I love having my mobility back. I have never taken for granted the ability to move, walk, or run, so I do it enthusiastically! 


My recovery has been a lot faster this time around and I'm sure it has a lot to do with my mind being so determined to bounce back to my old self. 


Each moment of every day, my heart is abundantly filled with gratitude and love. I'm beyond blessed with an amazing and loving husband, two beautiful, helpful, joyous girls, and a healthy sweet baby boy. 


Looking back on my last 33 years, I realize that not everything worked out the way I'd planned; not everyone ended up being who I expected them to be; not everything comes easily, but always the things most worth being a part of my life have been worth waiting for; worth working for; worth the pain and struggle - worth the wait. 

March Madness

Remember way back when we found out Jace was coming? You know plans and all that? 


So, today is our last day before he arrives (and the 2nd day of spring I might add) and boy did we have a lot planned! 


This is what we woke up to just now: 

So much for PLANS! Looks like we will going to MINIMAL and NECESSARY places today - like to drop off the girls before the hospital in the morning. 

At least we will have a fun story to share with Jace about the day before he was born! 

Here are some more photos I took this morning: 

**thank you to Jason for my fun title this AM - by the way - WHAT HAPPENED TO KANSAS?!