It feels good to feel good!

Today was the first day in a very long while that I wasn't longing for a nap by 9am.

I woke up, went for a run, got home and had some breakfast with my cutie pie. Had some coffee on the back porch. Made lunch and a smoothie for hubby. Made dinner, and lunch! (crock pot dinner, and egg salad for lunch) and cleaned, and I do mean CLEANED my kitchen. I did some play dough, and made a snow globe(thanks pinterest!) and had lunch with Anisten. All before she took a nap at 11:00.

I decided to take the time to rest as well.

So I got on my favorite website PINTEREST and got some DIY ideas for the upcoming holidays!

I then proceeded to clean the rest of my house after nap time. I know it seems silly to feel so victorious over such minor things - that most of us hate doing anyways!- But now, at the end of the day. I have a clean house, dinner is made, and a happy baby.

Saturday, I cleaned out my entire closet, and organized it. YOW! Along with deep cleaning the fridge! -- big chore in our house.

I think it's safe to say I'm nesting a little bit. I am getting in preparation mode. Or maybe just enjoying the fact that I can still every once in a while enjoy a clean house. Even if it's only for a day. :-)

Relaxation begins NOW!

By "relaxation" I mean more pinterest!

Growing up is work!

A little girl, around the age of nine, was getting her hair cut at the salon a few days ago, said something that just got me thinking.

Her mom told her that if she wants a feather in her hair, she has to work to earn money, save up, and buy her own feather. (Of course I love the idea!) She flat out said " I don't want to work." There ya have it! I believe for the first time in her little life, she felt the real burden of responsibility.

I am blessed that I have a job that I only have to attend 3-4 days a week-- and I love my job. But it's work. And sometimes, I don't want to work. I want to stay home and watch tv. Or, I want to play on the computer... Or do something that requires NO responsibility! --- Then I get a reality check.


I. am. GROWN. UP.

~*~*~*~ This is the part of life, some never reach*~*~*~*~*~*~

And it's sad. =( They have no pride in themselves. Nothing that they can call their own! They are forever indebted to someone. (Which is a burden they don't feel, because the feel "entitled") Let's be honest...... If they aren't working to pay their own bills, some one is. Whether it's parents, a rich husband, or the state. I call these people MOOCHES.

Ugh, I know, it sounds so harsh! I'm not above receiving help if I need it. (and trust me I have needed in the past!) It's one thing to need help, and then to return the favor(or money in my case). To constantly be dependant on someone other than yourself is terrible.

I am thankful that I live in a country where I can get government assistance if I ever need it! But I also feel it's being abused by people who refuse to GET A JOB! Come on. You're healthy, and you have no reason but sheer laziness, to not get a job.

On these days when I feel so exhausted after standing on my feet all day wanting nothing more to come home and veg out, I have to step back and think....... I'm so blessed to say that I can get in my own car that we pay for and COME HOME to a beautiful home. I have food in my refrigerator, we all have clothes to put on our back, and a computer to play on. I have a T.V. to veg out in front of when the time comes. For all of this I can say that my husband and I  proudly call our own.

Have we needed help and support from our families, and the state (school) getting here? Absolutely. But not with out the responsibility of paying it back. I don't expect hand outs! And no one should. Accept help if needed. But don't expect someone to DO IT FOR YOU.

This is something I'm pretty passionate about. I see full grown adults who are so delayed in life. They can't seem to figure out which way to go with their life plans. Making irresponsible choices that affect them for the rest of their life. They were never expected to make their own decisions, or to have to pay There's that word again the consequences.... I see someone who is constantly offended because they don't know how to take responsibility for their own feelings.  I know that we can't really control the way we feel, but we can certainly control the way we respond. These people, they usually act like a 2 year old when something isn't going their way. People around them are miserable, because they think that XX is going to explode. Why should I compromise how I feel about something, or walk on egg shells and sugar coat  something because the full grown toddler can't handle it? I shouldn't. The truth is the truth. (A WHOLE OTHER BLOG!) If the truth can't be handled, that's not my problem....

So there is my rant about adult sized toddlers. You know that all of you are thinking of someone you know like this!

Growing up is hard work.. But the benefits out weigh all that hard work! 

There is something to be said about a lazy person. It's sad, and crippling.

Counting my blessings.

Yesterday...

I spent the morning creating "dinner" with play dough while having my morning coffee.

I shared a late morning snack of blueberries, and strawberries.

I made sand animals.

I played in the water at the splash pad.

I made a pink and purple tinker bell bubble bath.

I had a tea party.

I did a puzzle.

I read winnie the pooh 3 times before prayers.

I ate an imaginary dinner.
I loved every second of it!

I realized yesterday while enjoying every single second of my day with my daughter how blessed I truly am! Not only am I able to spend 4 days off with my sweet girl, but I enjoy and look forward to those days. Thinking of fun ways to spend the day with a very brilliant, imaginative 2 year old!

While running around the splash pad yesterday, I quickly realized I was the only adult playing with my child.. I also realized that so many parents use events or places (or movies etc...) as a babysitter. How sad? Our kids are kids for such a short amount of time. Why waste that time? There was one mom sitting on her rump eating Mc Donald's and smoking her cigarette, while occasionally yelling demeaning commands to her children. Another set of women sat in the shade 30 feet away from the splash pad gossiping. 2 other parents read their books in the comfort of their air conditioned car.  REALLY???  And we wonder why our kids crave that connection and attention.

I was so saddened by this, that I haven't stopped thinking about it all day today. I truly just love playing and being with my daughter. I love to watch her learn, and grow. I've been able to spend the extra time in the floor with her doing a puzzle. Or getting messy with a ton of paint. I'm so thankful for that!

I love planning things to do on our days off  and vacations packed with fun filled activities that she will be thrilled with. Instead of shipping her off for a week, so that I can enjoy doing nothing. (Which can be nice in very very small doses,and very far in between!)

By all means, I don't spend every waking moment with my child. I have 4 hours of un-working/un-Anisten time each week. I can get in my shopping, appointments, cleaning, and workouts, all in this planned scheduled time off. Every Friday night she goes to "Me Maw"'s house to spend the night. So my husband and I have a night off once a week. I usually work or run Saturday mornings, and pick her up after.\Things like clean the house, and bills, and blog I still do,while she's home. She knows how to play independently very well. So please don't think I'm a full time entertainer. Lordy knows, no one has the energy for that!  --Nevermind the fact it's not healthy! Nor does it mean that every day is a perfect day. We have days with melt downs, and lots of tears. These are "grow" days. We're learning new boundaries, and acceptable behaviors on these days.



After seeing this, and hearing from other parents who always seem to be "getting rid of the kids" all the time, I just realize how blessed I am to enjoy my child so much! She's a ball of sweet energy. Perfect for our little family. =)

I just can't help but feel heart broken, knowing that this time will never come back and that I need to savor ever second of it.

love.my.girl.

Blogging, is for Bloggers....

I'm certainly not meeting that qualification!

I spent a lot of time keeping track of my training on my "running" blog that I kind of...well I just plain old ignored this one.

But that's okay! Now that I'm not training anymore, and just running like a normal person, I can spend more time over here where I actually have some readers!

It's been a busy spring (as always) for us! It seems like the first weekend in April starts and the flood gates open. Anisten's birthday. From there it just poored out graduation,prom,and weddings! Well, this is all part of my business. Aside from the business part, we did have 2 graduate from Scott's side of the family. We are so proud of Stephen-Who graduated from OSU! And Krista, who finished the dreaded highschool ;-)


I had a few weeks where I was working 10 hour days...this is A LOT in a hairdresser's world. I double book my clients. So it made for extremely busy days. I quit working Saturdays. And have yet to have one off! LOL. But it won't always be wedding season. In July I'll be twiddling my thumbs.

Anisten is amazing!!!! She is talking non-stop (just like "all girls" as uncle J says). She is full of joy. The temper tantrums have subsided for the most part. She is going full days wearing big girl underpants- NO DIAPERS! For about 2 weeks, this was trying, and challenging. But now she obviously has prooved that she has more control of her bladder. So, we haven't had any accidents in a while. It's awesome! It's not very convenient to have to find the bathroom as soon as you walk in, and remember to go before you leave a place, but it's getting better! We're pretty proud of our girl!  I'm still every day so thankful that I can spend so much time with her, to watch and teach her to grow. She's so brilliant. I know every parent says this about their kid. But she really is.....in a noticeable way. She puts things together that a lot of 2 year olds just wouldn't understand. Every day I'm shocked by something new. She is still a wiggle worm, and probably always will be..Who am I kidding? Her Mommy and Daddy are wiggle worms. We very rarely just "sit".

Our home life is just the right balance! We get to have Daddy home for dinner and bedtime every night. We wake up and eat breakfast together. We both manage to squeeze in our runs. The house is getting easier to keep up since I have been teaching her to keep her toys in the "toy room". This makes for a sane mama! I am able to cook 4-6 nights a week, and LOVE IT! When things get a little out of wack, which will always at some point happen, I really feel it.

So, we are just smooth sailing right now. We are enjoying every second  together! We find things to do as a family on our days off. We love the zoo, park,aquarium,splash pad,toddler gym,wagon rides....etc! (told you we're not a sedentary family!) So this may explain some of my absence on this bloggy thing!!

Until next time......

just stop.

Every time I get Anisten out of the car, she sees her stroller and wants to go in it. I tell her, " Mommy will take you for a walk later!" Later turns to a few days or even weeks.

I just need to stop.

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the cares of the world, that we just go go go go until we crash at night and start all over again at 6am.

Between juggling work, the house, Anisten, marathon training, bills... Sometimes just piles up and clutters my brain! I do get some endorphin mind erasing while running, but sometimes it's not enough. We just need to slow down and take time to think!

I decided that today, I wouldn't let the house or running errands keep me on the go. I wanted to just spend time with my girl, and take time for me. And I'm so glad I did.

We woke up, had some banana pancakes. Played out side for a little bit. Turned on some light/inspiring music, and went on a walk (finally!) We walk to the park and  played for about an hour. I don't know the last time that I just sat outside on the ground for an hour in (mostly) quiet. Afterward we just walked around the neighborhood. I had my music going, and she was singing and clapping. Obviously content.

Came home, took a bath ( wash off all that dirt she played in!) and down for a nap she went.

This leaves me with 2 hours of quiet time. What do I usually do with quiet time? I will catch up on bills, or clean the house. Shower, and get ready for the day------ Not today.

I had inquired about doing some Yoga for the purposes of stretching out some muscles and maybe a little strengthening to help me advance in my running!  I did the Jillian Michaels level 1 work out. Anyone who knows her knows she is INTENSE. She is kind of my hero! -- Anyways I popped in the dvd that I borrowed from a friend and pressed play. After the first 5 minutes, I thought, what am I doing, I'm so not flexible enough to do this! And she says " Ok, now that we're warmed up, let's begin!" ....... do whattttt?
 So, I kept doing it, and after my heart rate settled, and I was focusing on rhythmical breathing, I began to understand why one would like this. So 35 minutes later she says goodbye to me, and I wasn't dying like I thought I would.

She also said something that kind of caught my attention, b/c I think she was really talking to me! -- She says not to not do something b/c you think you can't or b/c it's something you've never done before. I've always had a reserved place for yoga in my mind. Like, " that's for so and so, that's not for me " Well, yoga or not, I want to be better about tearing down those mental blocks of " I can't ". So anyways, I was inspired today. I had 35 minutes of unplugged quite, nothing else going on, time to just think. I recommend it! Whatever it may be for you. A book, a bath, sitting on your porch swing, or something active that will throw in some endorphins ( which are the happy juices in our body created by working out!).. JUST STOP.

So do I have those bills to pay, and those dishes to wash? Will my child be up in a little bit working her tornadic skills in my house? Absolutely! But, I now have a fresh out and renewed outlook and motivation for tackling those!

I'm..... ME.

I'm a mother, a wife, a cook, a stylist, a housekeeper, a sister, a daughter, a friend.... Through out all of this, it's so easy to forget that I'm still    ME!

Being the observant person that I am, and from personal experience, I realize how easy it is to forget that you are you. You the same person that you were before you were married. Before that sweet baby arrived. Before that career that takes most of your time.  Before life went on and you grew up.

I can attest to the fact that having a kid will make you lose all identity. It's so easy to become so immersed in our day to day busy life, that we forget ourselves. We forget our needs, and our (gasps!) wants. Yes it's okay to want.

I just have to remind myself sometimes, that it is okay to take time for myself! I had to learn to find activities that I like to do for me. Not something I like to do because the baby likes it. There are PLENTY of activities that we will do that are kid friendly.

So just a little reminder to all you mommies out there ( or work-o-holics etc....) to take some YOU time. You deserve it. It's your chance to recharge and rejuvenate. Do the things that you enjoy to do, and are good at! We all have special talents and gifts that we were given.

I know that I don't want to be that mom who is always tired, grumpy, over-whelmed and unbearable to be around. I want to have the energy and excitement to do the things my daughter does and will want to do in the future. If this means just taking time to do something for me, like getting my nails done, or going to borders to get a coffee and blog, go shopping alone, or go for a run, then I will do it. I want to be the best ME  I can be for my loved ones!

There will be a time when my babies are out of the house, or I am retired and not working. What then? What will happen when I've spent my whole life placing my self-worth and entire existence in to being these things,and doing nothing for myself. I want to make sure I'm then healthy enough, and happy enough to move on to the next chapter of my life! I want to play ball with my grand-kids, and still be so in love with my husband that we can take 5 week vacations at a time, and still have so many things I love doing. I will then still be ME.

I know that when Anisten was very young, I just wanted to know that it was okay to take some time for myself. Even if it's just going to sit at starbucks with a book. I just wanted to hear that it's normal to want to be away from my baby, and that it's actually healthy.

Now.......... this blog may be misconstrued as " selfish " My child and husband are my #1 priorities! And they always will be. I'm not a neglectful mother or wife. I fulfill those duties to the best of my ability! But I am still working very hard to keep a sense of who I am. Who my core being is. Tapping in to those special talents, gifts, and desires that were placed in me. It's all about finding that healthy balance! Just like anything else.


What do (or have done) you do that helps with keeping your sanity, and your individuality as you balance all the aspects of life?

BIrthday Shoes/Love

In July, I celebrated my 25th birthday. I feel great about 25. I think it's the last birthday a girl is allowed to have. So I always say, " 25 forever!" 

But all kidding aside I had a wonderful birthday. We went to  IOWA to visit mom and dad the last week of June, and they came back with us.. So I was able to enjoy having everyone here for my birthday! We usually go to the lake but, we didn't this year. We went to the country, and did dinner and a few hours of fire works. Great time!

Yesterday, Jan, My mother in law, gave me a box that had come to her house. It was a belated birthday gift. I opened the box to find in it, the most gorgeous shoes i've ever put my foot in! I saw a picture of these shoes, but seeing them in real life makes them completely diferent! I got several pairs of shoes (my faves!) for my birthday this year. But this was icing on the birthday cake!


I'm so so so thankful to have such a wonderful family all around! 

Girl time!

As a mother of a small child, I'm find myself lucky to get free time, but very lucky to get some GIRL time!

Girl time, is not "alone" time..... it's very much the opposite! Its a non stop chatty time! I have some friends who I run with that have introduced me to some of their running friends! (( VERY ELITE runners I should say!)) And they like to get together every couple of weeks for a few hours of girl time!!

This is a time when  I am allowed to be me. I can be me with pretty fixed hair, heels, make up and a fabulous flower! - - I don't have anyone demanding my attention, or needing something done.

We got together at a friend's house a couple of weeks ago, and I realized home important this is to a women! We are talkers, and socializers by nature.. We don't sit and watch the game together, and occasionally say something in reference to the game... We talk JUST to talk...  Things that are of very little importance to anyone else *especially men* are the hot topics in a room full of girls!

So we dedicated this girls night to Jeanean. It was a early birthday party for her. She just got her ears pierced a couple of months ago, and needed a "stock the ear ring party!" So, we gave it to her. She walked out with many fabulous sets of jewels for her ears!!

This is the birthday girl showing off some gorgeous Jimmy Choo shoes! Look at those legs!! I'm not gonna tell on her or anything, but let me just say her daughters are close to my age! Amazing!

We decided that since Chera had a room full of (very fancy!) shoes that most of us wear, we should try them on!  Even those of us who have never worn heels before, had to dabble in the shoes.

Of course I happened to have a "few" extra flowers laying around in my car. I showed up wearing a flower (as always) and had one for the birthday girl, and by the end of the night everyone needed one! - - To go with their fancy shoes of course!

Chera likes flowers!

We then thought we should take pics of this flower and shoe party. Lots of laughs and flashes later, we called it a night. What a blast!!

Thanks Chera for letting us play in your shoes!

Some times its great to just remember... I'm me.. and while I'm Mommy, Wife, Sister, Daughter..... I'm still me. And that's ok.

couch potato babies

   

I get so many emails about the development of Anisten at each age she is at. So this week, I recieved an email from PAMPERS that has the mile markers and things we should do, or things that might be going on with her at each stage..

This particular article had several things in it that I  could relate to. Things we are dealing with, and some ways to deal with them.

One thing that caught my attention was a link to an article called "Empty Calories" I clicked on it thinking it was probably something related to healthy eating for toddlers or something. I read part of the article, and a few things really hit home with me.

This article talks about the effects of "eating meals while watching TV" 

Watching television during mealtimes is strongly related to obesity in both children and adults. So turn off the TV while you eat, and nip a potential bad habit in the bud. Meals are times for chatter, messy eating, and being part of a family. 

I couldn't agree more. It is part of being a family. It's something that has been taken away from our society all together. It's VERY important. It's their first experience with acceptance. Being part of a great family, and being surrounded by people who love them.

FYI: Not only do children who watch a lot of TV have a higher rate of obesity but they're also at risk for being in poor physical condition and having fewer friends. Now's the time to set things on a different path — no baby couch potatoes! 

Why would we want to increase their, already soaring high, chances of obesity, but also increase the chance that it may effect their social skills?

Now, I don't think there is anything wrong with a kid watching a movie with a healthy/portioned snack. But I think it's important to keep dinner time, family time.

I also think aside from that, it will create healthier eating habits. If we sit down and veg out, we are likely to eat more than we "need" since we are zoned out.

Something I've been trying to work on a little bit, is keeping food in the kitchen. We eat all of our meals at the table ( and in her high chair) and I try to keep snacks and drinks in the kitchen as well. Really so I wont have a huge mess to clean up. But I also don't want her walking around eating. I want her to have the discipline to sit down long enough to eat, and relax.

What are your thoughts on this article? Do you think it's still important to have dinner/family time with out the interuptions of the world? (( NO matter the size of your family, whether it be a single mother, or a family of 10)) Or is this a thing of the past, and it's "just not how things are done" anymore.

Thoughts......

Vacation does a marriage good.

About a week or so ago, my husband and I decided to take a vacay!.... with out our child.

We've done several small vacations, to Louisiana, Branson, Iowa, Kansas.. But we've taken the kiddo with us. We have had so many changes and loops in the past few weeks, that we took advantage of the opportunity to get away for a few days. Alone.  And did we EVER make the best of it!
We decided to do things that we wouldn't normally do, since we usually have the baby.

So. We did.
We had a BLAST! -- On a budget none the less --

We took of Thursday early morning and headed to Branson. We got a great deal with 2 nights stay, show tickets, and a nifty coupon book. We utilized that coupon book like no ones business! There were TONS of great deals in it. Along with great ideas for what to do.

We started out with a great lunch at a cute little cafe. And still had some time before check in, so we decided to stop by the winery for a tour and free tasting. This was a great experience. Just to see how all the wine is made.

We got some souvenir wine glasses from the Stone Hill Winery to take home. Had a lot of fun learning about the different kinds of wine.

We decided that same day that we wanted to go kayaking. We checked in our hotel, changed in to our swim suits and off we went. We got a double kayak and had a few hours out on the lake. It was so quiet and peaceful!

The next day we went for a VERY HILLY run! But again, it was a change of scenery and very peaceful.

We decided to dedicate this day to shopping, and relaxing by the pool...

We hit the outlets... and hit them hard! With our coupons we got tons of stuff for a great price!! With Scott starting a new job, he needed some new clothes. And since there was a nike outlet there, we decided to stock up on that stuff too. Especially winter running stuff. We found some things for the baby as well! We were sucessful at the shoe stores, Gap, Nike, Old Navy, Disney store, Rue 21, Reebok.... But not the coach store...I was a little dis-appointed at the selection. Of course all the things they have are gorgeous, but I didn't see anything I just absolutely LOVED for me. Except a diaper bag. Which I obviously do not need now! So I decided that it was worth it to just move on to another store and wait to get some coach things when there is something I really want!

We never made it to the pool. We literally shopped ALL day! When we got back to the hotel, we had to get ready for our show (and date!) that night. The Shanghai circus was amazing. We had great seats right in the front! But dinner first!!

Very entertaining acrobats... Very un-natural biologically... And our dinner at WASABI was wonderful of course.

Waiting for the show to start.

On our final day of Branson, we wanted to hit the Ripley's believe it or Not museum. That was awesome, I think I could walk through there a million times and see something new and interesting each time!

This was my favorite.

But before we did that... we HAD to go to the DUNKIN DONUTS coffee shop!!! MMMM...
It was pretty much as amazing as I thought it would be. It was big enough to hold 20 people. And packed full, to where we had to wait outside in line. But we had some yummy donuts and fabulous coffee!!

When we got ready to leave, we were truly ready to come home. We had a very fun filled vacation, but we were ready to come home to our princess! She skyped us while we were there. But it sounds like she had a wonderful and spoiled rotten time with grandma. Thanks to my mom who came down for 3 days to stay at the house and watch her!

Of course she missed us too!
She had fun digging through the disney store bag, and trying on her new NIKE gear!!

A few RANDOM (scott )pics...

Scott was very excited about this large gorilla...He says he's never seen it before! HOW DO YOU MISS THIS??

See the excitement?

had to make a pit stop by Michaels. Scott found this beautiful sun visor?--- And wanted me to take an "action" shot... He's looking at martha stewart stickers.. So much for action.

Look how happy a milky way can make this kid.

Anyways, I am grateful that we had the chance to do this! And it was perfect timing.

Catching up with the Campbells

Well, I've been informed that my daughter has been sitting on the washer for way too long. In other words.... I haven't updated enough this summer!

Mindi, you are correct!

Now, that it's 1 million degrees outside, I am forced to stay in and do things like clean, read and blog. Just as if it were winter. ( My best blogging months) Just a fair warning, when spring comes around - Well, you get my drift!

So what's new with us?

EVERYTHING!!


We have made some very significant changes to our life, and lifestyle. These have all been for the better of our future and family.


Scott has gotten a new job. This is such a blessing. There were too many things about his other job (and the people there) that we just needed to move away from. And not to mention it will be a HUGE raise for us. This is great, we are working on becoming debt free and will eventually be adding to our household. So more money is great! He will have a consistent schedule for the first 3 months (training) which is 8-5 Monday through Friday. and after that he will always ALWAYS have Sundays off. And the latest the building is open is 7, so even if he gets stuck with a stinker schedule, it would be like Sunday Monday's off, and he would work Tuesday-Saturday no later than 7. That is a DREAM for us!! Anyone who knows me personally, knows that this is a very very good thing for us!

So, having Sundays off together, were a thing of the past. While I was pregnant, Scott gave up Sundays for better hours, more pay, and a better position.... And ever since then it's been hard to have the genuine family time we have needed. We both agree that we want to raise our daughter in church just as we were. Not a question. We have visited several churches looking for a place big enough to reach out to our needs as a family... Such as a great nursery/childrens church program, womens ministry, mens ministry, and young married groups, and great music ministry. We have to have a place to fit.  We've been looking for something big enough to offer all of these things, but small enough to be involved in helping as well.  We still haven't found just the church yet. We have visited a church in Broken Arrow recently that we are interested in. Each time we've went we have been touched - So we are praying about it, and praying for direction in that area. We more than ever realize how important it is to not only have a family day, but to go to church and learn as a family. I'm very excited about this!!! And so is Scott.

Training. We have up'd our training  tremendously. We have decided to do our first half marathon (13.1 miles). Together. WE are training 3-4 days a week. Our marathon is in November. We have already started looking at other ones that we can travel and make little vacations out of. New Orleans mardi gras marathon is in February so we are considering that one, since I have so many resources for stay, babysitting, etc.. This will all depend on Scott's job  and vacation time/schedule. So in the next few weeks I will start blogging regularly on our training, really more so to be able to look back and see my progress. Right now we are up to 6.1 miles being the most we've run so far. This coming weekend we're doing the Route 66 Quarter marathon, which is to help raise money for the big one in November. Scott will continue is training through the winter months and run the OKC full marathon (26.2) in April!!!! So proud of him! Thanks to everyone who have been so supportive and encouraging to us though this major goal (soon to be accomplishment). So many people can be  critical and negative with the things they say and not even realize they are doing it! I would rather someone say nothing to me, than someone tell me running is bad for me, or I'm crazy for doing something. I am very good at listening to my body. If i'm tired, I sleep, if I'm hungry I eat, if I know that I need to slow down or drink something I do it. It takes a certain amount of discipline and respect for your self to do these things, and I have that. If I become injured (as I am now!) I wait....  So maybe that doesn't make me a true, and hardcore athlete, but I'm not a hurt one. Anyways, we love seeing you at the finish lines (especially in the bigger races) and commenting on our work outs and PR's that we post. It means more than you could know! We have started training with the Runner's World team. Right now, we are only doing the Saturday morning long runs with the group. It's broken up in to pace groups so we run with 20 other people who run the same pace we do. It's great to have that kind of support all around you. And we run down town which is always fun to see all the different things, parks and houses down there in detail. I encourage ANYONE who is looking to train for ANYTHING to check out this website, there is not a single reason you shouldn't join. It is FREE! They have other training runs during the week nights. I'm personally waiting for cooler weather before we hit those up!

 On July 4th my puppy Suki got out of the yard. We believe she was scared of the fire works and jumped the fence. We haven't found her. :-(

This was a huge hole in our family. Our other pup, Jackson, was very sad and depressed with out her. With in a few days of Suki's disappearance I got a call from a great friend who had found a young boxer out at her mom's house and knew that he would need a great home. She called me first, knowing our given situation... I told her I'd keep him for a while to see how he did with the baby and Jackson, if nothing else I could foster him until we found him a great home. He's sleeping at my feet right now 3 weeks later. See how that worked out..... He's a great dog, very relaxed and calm. Just what we need for our family. We're high strung enough as it is! We decided to name him Brooks. (Yes like the running shoe) He's a great runner, and I like to take him with me sometimes on our shorter runs. He will have to build some stamina, he gets tired about mile 2! But over all a great companion and added member to our family.

•  New Job
• Church
• Training
• Puppy

Those are all pretty big changes! SO needless to say we are definitely trying to find our GROOVE.

Make your self happy

Scott and I were talking the other day about how easy it is to rely on the other person to make you happy. By doing this, we are only going to continue to be dissapointed.

What am I saying? I'm saying that happiness comes from with in as well. We have to be happy with ourself first and foremost. And even with that, you will not always be happy.

I know that with an 11 month old child, it's my #1 priority to make sure she is happy, content, satisfied, fufilled. I work around the clock to try and provide this, but guess what? She won't always be happy. Sometimes she just has to be upset. Or she gets mad, or she just isn't happy. It's human nature. I feel like we are taught to depend on another person ( mostly your spouse ) for happiness. While they should make you happy, we shouldn't depend on them for that 100% fulfillment.

We, like my baby, will sometimes just go through "un-happy times".... Period..... This usually means we are not content, we are not fullfilled, we are searching for more. This is called CHANGE. Embrace it, it's a part of life. It's not easy, and it's not always a happy-go-lucky thing. We have to change. Some do change well, and come out of it fast... Some on the other hand, FIGHT IT too hard, and stay stuck in their rut way too long.

If we could change our mentality and way of thinking, to focus more on being happy with ourself, and content with who we are, I think that there would be alot let relational problems. A lot less divorce... etc... I think that it's so easy to be like " I'm unhappy  I want a divorce. " Who says that you will be happier single? B/c most of the single people I know, are searching for a mate, and person to share their life with. Only for what to be unhappy, and unsingle? It's seems to be a cycle.

So maybe take a few minutes to write down a few things that just make you happy. And then do them. If it's taking a walk in the sunset with your kids, your spouse, or alone. Then take 15 minutes of your day and do it!
If it's cooking. Take some time to bake more things and give them out for gifts. Who doesn't love food!? If it's singing, go buy a new sound track.. What ever makes you happy in life, enjoy it and work harder to make a place for it.

After having this realization, I feel like I've taken a ton of pressure off of myself, and my husband. Because sometimes we are just un happy, and it's not always because of something the other person did. It might just be time to make a change here and there.
Take a load off, quit worrying about things that are only wasting life, and be happy!!

Live, Laugh, and Love........ It's the only way to be!

 

 

Eighty Twenty.

 

This is how I try to live life. I feel like, no matter how hard we try, we are human. We fail. We can't be 100% all the time. We are not super-people! 

I originally heard this when Cindy Crawford was on Rachel Ray one day and she said that she eats 80% healthy, 80% of the time. I immediately found comfort in this! Like WOO HOO that's 20% of FREEDOM.

Well, I try to somewhat keep this in mind when making food, or going to eat or whatever. I feel like our lifestyle should be positive in most ways 80%, 80% of the time. I think that if we try to make it 100% all the time, we are only setting ourselves up for dissapointment. And I think that it's like we aren't giving our self any room to " rebel " at all. Like wearing pants that only allow you to stand. You'd get tired of standing pretty quick.

I was cleaning my house today and I walked in to my " craft " room, and was just over whelmed. I thought to myself, " I keep most of the house really clean, why can't I have a messy room" So there you have it. I have my " messy " room. I can't do it all ALL the time. 

So I'm learning a day at a time to just relax, and give myself some wiggle room!  Plus, the " craft " room is working on MULTIPLE crafts right now, and I wouldn't have anywhere to put them if it were clean. =)

Safe

To the one who's dreams are falling all apart
And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
but you're not all alone

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong He'll never let you go
oh you're not alone
 

You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms


Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you to rise
So hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone


These are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the seas
These are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me

These are hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free

This is one of my new favorite songs.  I could listen to it over and over and over. Isn't it great to know that when the whole world around us falls to pieces, we have someone to gather us up and wrap us up in his arms.  Take a moment and listen to the lyrics  and just be reminded that sometimes when we think that we have to do it all on our own, that we really don't. We have another source of strength..

To know that we will be SAFE is such a wonderful feeling.

  

Choices

If you know anything about me, or have spent any time around me, you know that I am constantly saying, you make your own choices- therefore to follow these choices are the consequences to your choice. Good and bad.
This seems to be such a foreign concept to so many. We all make choices, every single day of our lives.

This past week, because of some certain circumstances, I've really been telling myself certain things wouldn't be the way they are if certain choices weren't made. It doesn't mean that I'm heartless, or that I care less, it's just I have a harder time having an abundance of sympathy or compassion for someone who continues to make poor choices. I think you can be the most amazing person in the world with a heart of gold, but as long as you are making some of the child like, irresponsible, decisions, they are making their own bed to lay in. ( so to speak)

And my life lesson for the day is, teaching my child to make good decisions. They wont always be good, or right,but by letting her learn from the bad ones, she will know that she needs to make better ones. I was talking to my Mom the other day, and I told her I now know why people " baby " their kids for so long. Or too much. I now know why parents still have kids in their house for way too long! -- It's hard to see your kid fail. Especially if we can help it. It's extremely hard for me to let Anisten fall over something, or watch her face plant while she's learning to walk- But the truth is it's detrimental to her development. She has to develop that part of her brain that tells her, " pick foot up" - " don't climb over this and fall over " and so on. I feel like that doesn't stop after the age of 5. I feel like even as an adult, I have to learn certain things. If I am lazy and don't do the laundry, guess what? I have to wear dirty clothes ( just an example) but it's another of life's lessons that I have had to learn.

I think that it's great that we live in a country that we're allowed to make our own choices. We have that freedom. Now we just have to learn to teach. Our kids deserve that knowledge of  GOOD AND EVIL . Because it's out there whether we want to admit it or not, and they will come face to face with it. We wont always be able to protect them from it. At the age of 4, we can..... 24, we can't.... Lets start at young ages teaching our kids the difference. Logical thinking.

Since cutting this first tooth, it seems like Anisten has been spitting her food out more and more. Which we have never had issues with. I don't know if it's related to her teething, or if it's just something she goes through at a certain age. Either way it's not ok. So I've been teaching her "NO" and it just breaks her ( and my) heart when she hears me get on to her like  that and she begins to cry. Well this morning I watched her put her hand to her mouth, look at me, and it's like I could see the thought process in her mind, and she removed her hand and chose not to do it. I watched her with my own eyes realize " If i do this, then mommy will  be mad at me, and I will cry" ...... So she left the food in her mouth and continued to eat. This doesn't mean that she didn't forget and do it later! LOL. But the fact that she is learning already at such a young age to make choices, tells me that she is going to have to learn to make good choices.

Sometimes things are out of our control, and we didn't or don't have a choice. But not very many things are. More than anything since becoming a parent, I have learned so much about teaching the basic fundamentals of life.  I will constantly strive to learn as much as I can to pass on to my children. Where as I feel like a lot of what I know was passed on to me in my childhood.

What choices are you making?