In Love

He melts my heart. 

His eyes capture me.

His smile makes me feel like I can conquer the world. 

The touch of his hand is so gentle yet so strong.  

His voice makes my world stop. 

His love is never-ending without gain. 

Waking with him, Falling asleep with him

Laughing with him

Loving him

In Love

 

Shout Outs

I'm sure if you have ever blogged  or are a writer you understand that feeling that comes with a topic when it won't leave you. It eats at you until you get it down on paper or out in the "open." This blog has been that way for me this week. 


Many people have been on my mind and heart lately and I wanted to not only tell them in person "thank you" or "i love you," but I thought they deserved a blog shout out, even if they maybe don't see this right away. 

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MIL's get such a bad rap these days. (mother-in-law) 


On a simple google search of the term "mother in law," 99% of the results were negative. I was pretty surprised. I mean I knew that many people speak negatively about that relationship in their lives, but doesn't anyone have anything nice to say about them?


A few weeks ago as I was working with a lady I rarely get to see or spend time with, we happened upon the topic of mothers-in-law. She shared many treasures of knowledge as she always does regarding parenting boys, girls, and on being both a daughter-in-law as well as a mother-in-law. 


Here's what I took from that conversation: 


* The MIL/DIL relationship is a fragile one - No matter how hard each of them try to be great.  
* Many times MIL/DIL miscommunicate on things and those little things turn into big things. 
* MIL/DIL have different styles, like different things, and do almost everything a bit different than the other. 
* It's usually hard for your spouse (their son) to understand how delicate some of those miscommunications are for the both of you. 
*  Being the mom of a boy is an important role, so you should take time to teach your son now some of the things that were important to you as a DIL. 
* It's important to find the humor in all situations. 
* No matter how hard you try as a DIL/MIL, you're usually still going to feel they "don't like you" at some point or another. 
* Despite all of the above, you both love and adore the man that has become your common denominator. 


My shout out here goes to: 


1. My MIL - she recently spent 2 weeks with us helping while I went back to work. We cannot express our thanks enough for that care, time and the goodies she brought. She's a jewel and I'm so luck to call her my MIL. THANK YOU!  


2.  My ex-MIL. Yep, you read that right. She is a wonderful  grandmother to the girls. They've been able to spend the past 2 weekends with her and I would never not let them go, as I know they are all making great memories with each other. 
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It happens every summer, but I seem to always get homesick. Oddly enough, my parents don't live in my hometown anymore, but I will always consider that place home. Even if the place and people have forgotten me, I will always have a continual pulling to go visit and experience all the good things that I remember about it. 


I have a handful of friends still there or from there that I consider true, real, longtime friends. You know, the ones who even over time you can sit with and talk and it's like there was never a  great distance between the two of you or that 15 years have gone by. 


Not all small towns are created equal, as I've found out. I may be biased, but I think my small town is the best. 


Today I talked to one of those friends and discussed a possible visit in the next few months. 


This kudos is to all of my hometown peeps. You know who you are - I love you and love that even after such a long time, we are still part of each other's lives. 
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I love hard working, real, forgiving people. I think it's because I grew up with many people of that type. It's probably also because my dad (not a college graduate) was so successful, had a great group of friends, a very honest to goodness work ethic, and taught us that being a hard worker and being down to earth went a long way in life. 


This week I've come across a few of those types of people. They always warm my heart and I enjoy conversing with them because you always know what you see is what you get. There's no other motives. There's no "fair weathered-ness" with them. They aren't trying to use you to get ahead. They don't pretend to be perfect, they don't pretend to have perfect families, they aren't afraid for you to know the "real" parts of their life. 


So my next shout-out is to those great people. Because let's face it - the simple and real parts of life are sooooo refreshing. 
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This last shout out goes to a few people. These people have given great advice, lived humbly, and were not accidents in my life, I'm sure. 


1. My long time friend, S. Though I do not see her often, she still is teaching me so much about being professional. She's a mentor, for sure, and I know that I am where I am, in part, because of all I learned from her. 


2. My friend, K. She doesn't know that our week long visit was a "God thing" but like always, I take so many treasures of knowledge after talking with her. She will even talk with me about healthy food options! :) 


3. My DDC peeps. These ladies rock! They offer tons of advice, support, and humor! I'm so glad I "ran" into them! :) 


And here's a shout out for YOU, if you made it through all of that reading! :) 

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. :) 


   ******************* 


"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?