What an autumn we've had! Between all three girls being in classes or on teams through the rec department, a stomach bug for three of the five family members, trying to be able to volunteer in their schools, and a million appointments between the five of us, I'm way behind on here, I know.
We had a good halloween. The girls got monkey masks from their cousin's birthday party and we were brainstorming all together and came up with them being the five little monkeys jumping on the bed! S and A each carried a stuffed monkey so there'd be five of them, of course. They were cute little monkeys! They're always cute little monkeys! :) I do have a couple pictures so I'll post them soon. I hope.
Hubby started a new job. He really likes where he is right now and we're both happy with both the hours and the increase in pay... Overtime is a wonderful thing. Being able to actually get nearly 8 hours of sleep every night without having to go to bed at 8:00 is also really, really nice.
I fell off the wagon of disciplining myself both with my healthy eating and with getting up early for a little exercise. I had been trying to hold on to a little healthy thing by running 3 times a week still, but even that had to be put on a back burner this last two weeks so I could get over bronchitis. I was supposed to have a PET scan this week but we postponed it so the cold wouldn't mask the results. Anyway, I'm hoping my desire for all that comes back soon. I do feel considerably more rushed in the morning when I don't get up earlier than the kids. And I actually miss working out. I like that, that I actually miss running when I don't for too long.
This next week the kids have off school, and Hubby took off work. I hope to get at least a little relaxing in! The first part of the week will be nice, and I can't wait for the two get togethers we have on Thanksgiving. The rest of the weekend will be crazy! We are putting up our own tree and helping to decorate my parents' tree. I'm also hoping to get some black Friday shopping in, Hubby is going to our church to help decorate for Christmas, and we still have A's class and some other stuff. Crazy.
Here's where I end with a promise to do a better job of keeping up with this but that feels hokey. On the other hand, not finishing with some sort of ending feels like finishing a song on an unresolved chord. Guess we'll have to deal with it feeling unresolved. :)
Friday, November 19, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Improvement
...one of the most difficult things I try to do.
It started with getting fit. I lost 20 pounds last year by finally paying attention to what I ate and actually exercising once in a while (actually 3 times a week). Right now I'm looking more at my attitudes, and realizing that not only did my eating need more discipline, but my attitude does too. I have a volatile temper, and while I don't deny it's a learned action, now that I am an adult it is all on me to change my reactions to my life.
Wanting to get myself and my tongue under control has led to other improvements that I'd love to see popping out all over the place. I want to get up before my kids and get in some exercise and bible reading, and write out my to-do list for the day. I want to take better care of my house, keeping it cleaner and making sure it is that way before my husband is home. I want to be in better shape, controlling my tummy a bit and speeding up my 5K time. Next summer I'd like to do a sprint triathlon. I want to read my bible more, to 'pray without ceasing.' I want to make more of our meals from scratch, even my own loaf breads.
Maybe it's too much. Probably it's too much. I do this when I set out on something big a lot.
"Okay, self, we're going to clean the living room. Well, I just need to put this thing away in the bathroom, oh, the mirror needs to be windexed. And this belongs in the bedroom, oh the closet hasn't been organized in a while..." And before I know it the entire upstairs is cleaned and I don't know what happened (not that it's bad that it's clean, just an example of how I always turn a little idea into a huge project). Then the next day I'm so exhausted from all that I don't want to even get up off the couch. And then it's 3 weeks before such a blitz happens again.
I'm trying to do too much. Add to that the fact that my nature would much rather be the person who sits on the couch and lets the kids watch TV all day. My self does and does not want to improve. I'd love to be better, to be more of an example of Christ to my children. I want them to look at me, and me saying I have a relationship with God, and have that make them want to have a relationship with him too. I want them to have an example of self-control...of my temper and my time management and my care of my body. I just need to focus on one aspect of it at a time. And I'm not very good at focusing like that, naturally.
Tomorrow my one goal is to get up with my alarm. Not early; I was trying for 5:30. Tomorrow we're going for something more reasonable, 6:15. I'd love to see 5:30 on a regular basis someday, but tomorrow I'm going to slow back down and take baby steps.
It started with getting fit. I lost 20 pounds last year by finally paying attention to what I ate and actually exercising once in a while (actually 3 times a week). Right now I'm looking more at my attitudes, and realizing that not only did my eating need more discipline, but my attitude does too. I have a volatile temper, and while I don't deny it's a learned action, now that I am an adult it is all on me to change my reactions to my life.
Wanting to get myself and my tongue under control has led to other improvements that I'd love to see popping out all over the place. I want to get up before my kids and get in some exercise and bible reading, and write out my to-do list for the day. I want to take better care of my house, keeping it cleaner and making sure it is that way before my husband is home. I want to be in better shape, controlling my tummy a bit and speeding up my 5K time. Next summer I'd like to do a sprint triathlon. I want to read my bible more, to 'pray without ceasing.' I want to make more of our meals from scratch, even my own loaf breads.
Maybe it's too much. Probably it's too much. I do this when I set out on something big a lot.
"Okay, self, we're going to clean the living room. Well, I just need to put this thing away in the bathroom, oh, the mirror needs to be windexed. And this belongs in the bedroom, oh the closet hasn't been organized in a while..." And before I know it the entire upstairs is cleaned and I don't know what happened (not that it's bad that it's clean, just an example of how I always turn a little idea into a huge project). Then the next day I'm so exhausted from all that I don't want to even get up off the couch. And then it's 3 weeks before such a blitz happens again.
I'm trying to do too much. Add to that the fact that my nature would much rather be the person who sits on the couch and lets the kids watch TV all day. My self does and does not want to improve. I'd love to be better, to be more of an example of Christ to my children. I want them to look at me, and me saying I have a relationship with God, and have that make them want to have a relationship with him too. I want them to have an example of self-control...of my temper and my time management and my care of my body. I just need to focus on one aspect of it at a time. And I'm not very good at focusing like that, naturally.
Tomorrow my one goal is to get up with my alarm. Not early; I was trying for 5:30. Tomorrow we're going for something more reasonable, 6:15. I'd love to see 5:30 on a regular basis someday, but tomorrow I'm going to slow back down and take baby steps.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Day of Encouragement
"Life is hard sometimes- Crazy, mixed-up, messed-up. And there you are, in the middle of it all, just doing your thing... being strong and brave and beautiful like it's no big deal.
But let me tell you, girl, it is. Not everyone can do what you do. Not everyone can handle things the way you can. While you wonder sometimes if you're doing OK... The rest of us are just watching in WONDER."
"Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24 NASB
This the text from a card I got free from a blog that I follow. The ladies over at (in)courage held a giveaway where all you had to do was send them your address and be one of the first 500 to do it, and you got a free pack of cards! I sent in because the one they had advertised on the website is the one with the text and link you see above. I knew it was just perfect for a lady from my church.
Jodi had Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the blood. MM is a cancer without a cure, all the doctors are able to do is put the patients in a remission and then monitor the cancer and wait with baited breath. Jodi has been absolutely amazing in it all.
MM is similar to Hodgkin's, which I had, in the sense that it's a cancer of the fluids of the body, and is treated most frequently with an autologous bone marrow transplant. I went through this procedure myself.
Because of this shared experience, I've had some idea of what Jodi is going through, although her experience itself was rougher than mine. Anyway, one of the things that stuck out to me about how others rallied around me during my treatment was one friend of my mom's in particular who made sure to send me funny cards. When you're in the middle of it, nice, thoughtful cards are nice but they all say the same thing. The thought is what counts, of course, but I loved those funny cards most of all. The ones that managed to be funny AND poignant were amazing, of course.
So this card, funny AND poignant, is exactly what I've been trying hard to send to Jodi as she walks this most difficult road. I thank Dayspring and (in)courage for the opportunity to send it to her. It's written out, signed, and will, wonderfully, be in her church mailbox ON National Day of Encouragement! How great is that? What a great idea this was.
But let me tell you, girl, it is. Not everyone can do what you do. Not everyone can handle things the way you can. While you wonder sometimes if you're doing OK... The rest of us are just watching in WONDER."
"Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24 NASB
This the text from a card I got free from a blog that I follow. The ladies over at (in)courage held a giveaway where all you had to do was send them your address and be one of the first 500 to do it, and you got a free pack of cards! I sent in because the one they had advertised on the website is the one with the text and link you see above. I knew it was just perfect for a lady from my church.
Jodi had Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the blood. MM is a cancer without a cure, all the doctors are able to do is put the patients in a remission and then monitor the cancer and wait with baited breath. Jodi has been absolutely amazing in it all.
MM is similar to Hodgkin's, which I had, in the sense that it's a cancer of the fluids of the body, and is treated most frequently with an autologous bone marrow transplant. I went through this procedure myself.
Because of this shared experience, I've had some idea of what Jodi is going through, although her experience itself was rougher than mine. Anyway, one of the things that stuck out to me about how others rallied around me during my treatment was one friend of my mom's in particular who made sure to send me funny cards. When you're in the middle of it, nice, thoughtful cards are nice but they all say the same thing. The thought is what counts, of course, but I loved those funny cards most of all. The ones that managed to be funny AND poignant were amazing, of course.
So this card, funny AND poignant, is exactly what I've been trying hard to send to Jodi as she walks this most difficult road. I thank Dayspring and (in)courage for the opportunity to send it to her. It's written out, signed, and will, wonderfully, be in her church mailbox ON National Day of Encouragement! How great is that? What a great idea this was.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
I can't believe...
...That I just sent my 2nd baby off to Kindergarten.
I watched the bus pull away with a distinct sense of disbelief, even more so than when my oldest went.
A waved enthusiastically at me through the bus window, which made me profoundly happy, as I was fearing tears.
I know that Kindergarten will be good for her, she needs to learn to be independent of her sister. Her bus driver isn't letting S help her get to the bus she needs to switch to, and she'll spend the rest of the day by herself and it will be good for her, I know.
But I miss her! And the feeling is surprising me! Makes me wonder how I'm going to handle C's heading there next year.
She has the same teacher S had and she's such a great teacher for challenging the kids and helping them step into independence. I feel like this teacher is really what helped S know that she could handle school. I can't wait to see A get stretched and really start learning.
Of course, with only one at home I'm readjusting to the schedule. I'm going to need to start coming up with some bigger projects for myself to do during the days. Mostly with C, of course, but I'm thinking I can get some big stuff done too. Painting the hall and bathroom are pretty high on my list...
More about how school's going after we settle in for a couple days!
I watched the bus pull away with a distinct sense of disbelief, even more so than when my oldest went.
A waved enthusiastically at me through the bus window, which made me profoundly happy, as I was fearing tears.
I know that Kindergarten will be good for her, she needs to learn to be independent of her sister. Her bus driver isn't letting S help her get to the bus she needs to switch to, and she'll spend the rest of the day by herself and it will be good for her, I know.
But I miss her! And the feeling is surprising me! Makes me wonder how I'm going to handle C's heading there next year.
She has the same teacher S had and she's such a great teacher for challenging the kids and helping them step into independence. I feel like this teacher is really what helped S know that she could handle school. I can't wait to see A get stretched and really start learning.
Of course, with only one at home I'm readjusting to the schedule. I'm going to need to start coming up with some bigger projects for myself to do during the days. Mostly with C, of course, but I'm thinking I can get some big stuff done too. Painting the hall and bathroom are pretty high on my list...
More about how school's going after we settle in for a couple days!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
New Favorite Love Song
Again. The nice thing about being in love is you can really like the words to songs like this. Now, personally, I think whoever came up with the idea for the music video to this song is a dork. 'Cause it could have been so sweet, the words talk about staying together through everything, even when others said they wouldn't. And they TOTALLY RUINED IT with the video. Phew. Okay, I'm past it. For now.
I truly do love the words to this song, I feel like they speak for everyone who sticks out their marriage, to those of us who fall deeper and deeper in love with one person in a world that tells us it's okay to love many many of them. That and a 50% divorce rate has created this feeling like everyone will walk away from at least one marriage, and I love the thought of sticking it out even when everyone thought they wouldn't.
Stuck Like Glue
~Sugarland
Absolutely no one who knows me better
No one that can make me feel so good
How did we stay so long together
When everybody
Everybody said we never would
And just when I
I start to think they’re right
That love has died
No one that can make me feel so good
How did we stay so long together
When everybody
Everybody said we never would
And just when I
I start to think they’re right
That love has died
There you go making my heart beat again
Heart beat again, heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won’t you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in
Right back in, right back in
And I know I’m never letting this go
I’m stuck on you
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Heart beat again, heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won’t you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in
Right back in, right back in
And I know I’m never letting this go
I’m stuck on you
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Some days I don’t feel like trying
Some days you know I wanna just give up
When it doesn’t matter who’s right
Fight about it all night
Had enough
You give me that look
I’m sorry baby let’s make up
You do that thing that makes me laugh
And just like that
Some days you know I wanna just give up
When it doesn’t matter who’s right
Fight about it all night
Had enough
You give me that look
I’m sorry baby let’s make up
You do that thing that makes me laugh
And just like that
There you go making my heart beat again
Heart beat again, heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won’t you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in
Right back in, right back in
And I know I’m never letting this go
I’m stuck on you
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Heart beat again, heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won’t you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in
Right back in, right back in
And I know I’m never letting this go
I’m stuck on you
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
You almost stay out
Too stuck together from the ATL
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Feeling kinda sick
Just a spoon full of sugar make it better real quick
I say, whoa-oh, whoa-oh
What’cha gonna do with that
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Come on over here with that
Sugar sticky sweet stuff
Come on give me that stuff
Everybody want some
Melodies that get stuck
Up in your head
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Up in your head
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Up in your head
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Up in your head
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me together
Say it’s all I wanna do I said
You almost stay out
Too stuck together from the ATL
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Feeling kinda sick
Just a spoon full of sugar make it better real quick
I say, whoa-oh, whoa-oh
What’cha gonna do with that
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Come on over here with that
Sugar sticky sweet stuff
Come on give me that stuff
Everybody want some
Melodies that get stuck
Up in your head
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Up in your head
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Up in your head
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Up in your head
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me together
Say it’s all I wanna do I said
There you go making my heart beat again
Heart beat again, heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won’t you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in
Right back in, right back in
And I know
I’m never letting this go
There you go making my heart beat again
Heart beat again, heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won’t you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in
Right back in, right back in
And I know
I’m never letting this go
I’m stuck on you
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Heart beat again, heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won’t you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in
Right back in, right back in
And I know
I’m never letting this go
There you go making my heart beat again
Heart beat again, heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won’t you do it and do it one time
There you go pulling me right back in
Right back in, right back in
And I know
I’m never letting this go
I’m stuck on you
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We’re stuck like glue
Plus, it's an earworm. I hear it once and it's stuck in my head the rest of the day. Love it.
Edit: Earthworm?! Hahaha! Oops.
Edit: Earthworm?! Hahaha! Oops.
Yay!
Oh, cool weather! How I've missed you! At the end of the summer I start to realize that I've missed my jeans and wearing shoes that require socks and all my long sleeve shirts and not HAVING to dress in tank tops and shorts.
I love spring and fall weather when you can decide if you want to wear a tank top with jeans or long sleeves with a skirt... I get sick of flip-flops and being unable to wear jeans because I know I'll get way too hot even in air conditioning! I didn't even buy church sandals this year. I rebelled by wearing my ballet flats to church all summer. I can't wait to use my 'warm' shoes again.
Praise God for the fact that I live in a place that sees all 4 seasons. I love it when they change. I'm almost giddy getting out my jeans and all the shoes that have been tucked away all summer 'cause they look silly with shorts.
I think my kids will see it differently because even when I tell them it'll be 65 they ask if they can wear their tank tops! So maybe I'm the only one in my family who prefers this weather. That's okay. They can have their tank tops in the summer. I'll put up with it since swimming and going to the beach is fun, but I do look forward to 'my' seasons. I love spring and fall.
I love spring and fall weather when you can decide if you want to wear a tank top with jeans or long sleeves with a skirt... I get sick of flip-flops and being unable to wear jeans because I know I'll get way too hot even in air conditioning! I didn't even buy church sandals this year. I rebelled by wearing my ballet flats to church all summer. I can't wait to use my 'warm' shoes again.
Praise God for the fact that I live in a place that sees all 4 seasons. I love it when they change. I'm almost giddy getting out my jeans and all the shoes that have been tucked away all summer 'cause they look silly with shorts.
I think my kids will see it differently because even when I tell them it'll be 65 they ask if they can wear their tank tops! So maybe I'm the only one in my family who prefers this weather. That's okay. They can have their tank tops in the summer. I'll put up with it since swimming and going to the beach is fun, but I do look forward to 'my' seasons. I love spring and fall.
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