Eating healthy has been a different experience for us. I have been uber cranky about it all. The first few days I was psycho chipper and constantly talking about how happy I felt and great everything tasted. But then I started bugging myself about being SOO spunky about it all, so I tried to calm down, but once I wasn't doing little cheers around the dining room table, I realized how much my body was craving sugar and cheese and comfort food. It is not easy changing your comfort food.
It wouldn't be so bad, but we are making this change a permanent thing, or at least trying to. So it isn't like, "for the next six weeks I can't have sugar and then I can splurge." Nope. I want to be healthy for the rest of my life, not just for a few weeks and then get worse than I was before. I am not saying I will never eat sugar again, cuz heaven knows that won't happen. But I want it to be a special thing, not my main course every meal. :)
Tyson is taking this all much better than I am. So he is seeing amazing results. He has already lost several pounds and he is looking much slimmer already. His self control has always been incredible. It is really only because of him that we were still virgins when we got married. But, you really don't need to know that do you?
So back to food. Our typical daily diet was like this BEFORE our eating habits changed:
Breakfast: bowl of sugary cereal and milk
Snack: crackers or toast or even candy
Lunch: 2 chili burritos with flour tortillas, occasionally part of an apple
Snack: same-ish as above
Dinner: tater tot casserole
Late night snack: ice cream or popcorn or some hidden candy we didn't want to share with the kids
Our typical diet this past week:
Breakfast: bowl of cut up cantaloupe sprinkled with flax seed
Snack: a few carrots and raisins
Lunch: salad with craisins and sliced almonds or a bowl of peas in Tyson's case
Dinner: black beans, red peppers in a whole wheat tortilla, salad or cut up veggies
Snack: apple or strawberries
This is more like what Tyson eats, I am doing better, but more often than not, I have granola and greek yogurt for breakfast because it is easier for me to feel like I am still starting off with cereal. But I am doing better and adding more fruits and veggies through out the day. If anyone has any great, easy recipes, PLEASE feel free to share.
It is a work in progress, but when I woke up this morning and was still cranky, I told myself, "self, this has got to stop. You made this decision, so life with it and stop whining about it. Enjoy it." I am trying to and much happier since then. Find joy in the journey, right?
Monday, May 12, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
I Like Being a Mom
Sometimes we get so caught up in all the things that need to be cleaned, and cooked, and cleaned again, and fed, and changed, and homework to be done and more things to be cleaned...that we forget to enjoy those little mess makers.
Little Andrew has been having such a hard time being happy. Like following me around as fast as he can crawl, just crying and crying. I pick him up and clean or cook one handed for as long as I can until I need to set him down and there he is crying again. So I researched it, because that is what I have learned to do from my liberal arts degree. (Research is amazingly very important) And I found this whole section in one of my books about the "needy" child.
Ah yes, I thought, this is my child. It listed all these symptoms "cries often, wants to be held, clingy, hates to be left alone, picky eater," and on and on. Yup. Check. Double check. Check, check. That is this one.
So then this book has the audacity me I need to hold my child more and I am thinking, are you KIDDING me?! How can I possibly hold my child more? I have four other kids to take care of, and a house, and a husband, and myself.
I continue reading.
Apparently they have done studies that the parents that held their child for at least three hours a day had children that cried less. I think, "no duh, why would they cry? They are being held."
It continues to explain they pick up their child BEFORE they start crying, never when they were crying (unless of course they were hurt). That way the child felt loved, comforted, but didn't think that crying would get them picked up.
Huh. Now that is an interesting concept. Now for application. Trial and error, right?
Today I tried it. I got down on the floor and played with him for awhile, I picked him up and carried him, but never when he was crying, I got him to stop and THEN I would pick him up.
Wow. What a difference it was.
Until of course Matthew peed on the floor and I had to clean it up and then he peed again and I had to clean up that one and Andrew was trying to suck on the dirty rags I was cleaning it with and I pulled him away....but you know, other than that. :)
It was so fun playing on the floor with my little ones. Caleb, Logan, Andrew and I just rolled a ball back and forth for about an hour and they were laughing hysterically and it was so fun. Who cared if dinner was made or the floor was vacuumed for like the millionth time. It was fun to just be a mom for awhile. I like being a mom.
Little Andrew has been having such a hard time being happy. Like following me around as fast as he can crawl, just crying and crying. I pick him up and clean or cook one handed for as long as I can until I need to set him down and there he is crying again. So I researched it, because that is what I have learned to do from my liberal arts degree. (Research is amazingly very important) And I found this whole section in one of my books about the "needy" child.
Ah yes, I thought, this is my child. It listed all these symptoms "cries often, wants to be held, clingy, hates to be left alone, picky eater," and on and on. Yup. Check. Double check. Check, check. That is this one.
So then this book has the audacity me I need to hold my child more and I am thinking, are you KIDDING me?! How can I possibly hold my child more? I have four other kids to take care of, and a house, and a husband, and myself.
I continue reading.
Apparently they have done studies that the parents that held their child for at least three hours a day had children that cried less. I think, "no duh, why would they cry? They are being held."
It continues to explain they pick up their child BEFORE they start crying, never when they were crying (unless of course they were hurt). That way the child felt loved, comforted, but didn't think that crying would get them picked up.
Huh. Now that is an interesting concept. Now for application. Trial and error, right?
Today I tried it. I got down on the floor and played with him for awhile, I picked him up and carried him, but never when he was crying, I got him to stop and THEN I would pick him up.
Wow. What a difference it was.
Until of course Matthew peed on the floor and I had to clean it up and then he peed again and I had to clean up that one and Andrew was trying to suck on the dirty rags I was cleaning it with and I pulled him away....but you know, other than that. :)
It was so fun playing on the floor with my little ones. Caleb, Logan, Andrew and I just rolled a ball back and forth for about an hour and they were laughing hysterically and it was so fun. Who cared if dinner was made or the floor was vacuumed for like the millionth time. It was fun to just be a mom for awhile. I like being a mom.
The Eating Journey Begins
Life is a continual process of trying to better ourselves. This weekend we took another pretty big step at trying to do just that. And it is a REALLY hard change for me.
Anyone who knows me knows that my "love language" is food. I love food. I love sugar, I love chocolates, I love donuts, I love burgers and fries, I love ice cream and cupcakes, I love cheese and cereal. Basically every junk food known to man, I LOOOOVE it.
But I really hate the feeling that my love of food has taken over my life and I am not feeling well, looking well or having healthy kids because of how we eat. But I hadn't really been thinking much about it, just occasionally I think, "I need to actually eat a fruit today," or "I should exercise." You know things like that.
Lucky for me, I am curvy, but still about the same size as I was when I got pregnant with Josh. Four kids later, that isn't too shabby. So I don't have a ton of motivation because I don't feel "huge" too often, because I've always looked this way and it isn't a horrible way to look, so I've been okay with it. However, having muscle would be nice and not jiggling in certain areas would be nice too. But along with my hair and lack of make up, I don't pay much attention to it. I have a wonderful husband that sees me and loves me and that is that. But his drive lately to live a healthier and better life has really got me thinking and inspired me. He even ran a 5k last week even though just months ago he hated running more than anything.
I saw someone post on Facebook a few weeks ago about wanting to get in shape and if anyone had any weight loss programs that worked well. One person commented something about a book called "Eat to Live." Don't know why, but the comment stuck with me.
So, what did I do? Went to Amazon and searched it. I started reading the "Look Inside" section and I was hooked. Could this be for real? The author, Dr. Fuhrman, talked a ton about eating healthy vegetables and fruits and not eating animal products and how he has been able to reverse Type II diabetes and helped to prevent heart attacks and cancer and on and on. Sounded crazy, but at the same time made SOOO much sense. I totally checked it out from my local library, but I recommend buying it if you can, there are so many things I wanted to highlight and keep. I did however buy another book he wrote called "Disease Proof Your Child." I have just started reading it and I LOVE it. Either of these affiliate links will take you right to them if you want to read snippets from them or read other reviews.
Anyone who knows me knows that my "love language" is food. I love food. I love sugar, I love chocolates, I love donuts, I love burgers and fries, I love ice cream and cupcakes, I love cheese and cereal. Basically every junk food known to man, I LOOOOVE it.
But I really hate the feeling that my love of food has taken over my life and I am not feeling well, looking well or having healthy kids because of how we eat. But I hadn't really been thinking much about it, just occasionally I think, "I need to actually eat a fruit today," or "I should exercise." You know things like that.
Lucky for me, I am curvy, but still about the same size as I was when I got pregnant with Josh. Four kids later, that isn't too shabby. So I don't have a ton of motivation because I don't feel "huge" too often, because I've always looked this way and it isn't a horrible way to look, so I've been okay with it. However, having muscle would be nice and not jiggling in certain areas would be nice too. But along with my hair and lack of make up, I don't pay much attention to it. I have a wonderful husband that sees me and loves me and that is that. But his drive lately to live a healthier and better life has really got me thinking and inspired me. He even ran a 5k last week even though just months ago he hated running more than anything.
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| Tys is the extremely attractive one on the right. Dallin is his brother-in-law and personal trainer and Cassie is his awesome marathon running sister. She has been trying to get us to eat healthier for a long time. :) |
So, what did I do? Went to Amazon and searched it. I started reading the "Look Inside" section and I was hooked. Could this be for real? The author, Dr. Fuhrman, talked a ton about eating healthy vegetables and fruits and not eating animal products and how he has been able to reverse Type II diabetes and helped to prevent heart attacks and cancer and on and on. Sounded crazy, but at the same time made SOOO much sense. I totally checked it out from my local library, but I recommend buying it if you can, there are so many things I wanted to highlight and keep. I did however buy another book he wrote called "Disease Proof Your Child." I have just started reading it and I LOVE it. Either of these affiliate links will take you right to them if you want to read snippets from them or read other reviews.
So as I was reading "Eat to Live," all the things I have been taught for years about how milk makes your bones strong, and meat is the best protein, were totally shattered. I almost had this feeling like I didn't know what to believe anymore. I couldn't put the book down and seriously, that NEVER happens to me. I love to read fiction and happy love stories. But never non-fiction, especially stuff telling me not to eat the food I love most in the world.
I kept telling Tyson all the info I was learning as I read it and was so excited about it, he couldn't help but learn and care. Believe me, he tried to ignore me, I would not shut up. I kept telling him about all the people that have lost a lot of weight on this new healthy eating habits and he said "might as well give it a try."
Well, if he was all for it, I had to stand my ground. We were going to do this.
Dr. Fuhrman suggests giving it a six week commitment and the results will speak for themselves. I looked through his recipes, but seriously, very little actually looked good that didn't take a long time to prepare. And anyone that has a nine month old, a two year old, a four year old, and a six year old, or even one of those, knows that making dinner has got to be quick, simple, needs to look good, taste good, smell good, etc. I hit a road block before we even began.
Being the wonderful husband that he is, as soon as Tyson heard my worries, he said, well forget to recipes, lets just buy tons of healthy stuff and we will just mix it together and make it work. Sounded good to me.
My wonderful mom and my crazy little sister, Carmel, went with me to the store and I bought more veggies than I think I ever have in my life, I got lots of beans and fruit and nuts. My mom helped me know how to cook certain veggies that I refused to even look at as a kid so I had no idea what to do with them, and Carmel provided the entertainment as she hopped on the front of my cart and waved to all the shoppers as I steered her carriage around. Got to love the teenage love for life and all things crazy.
I was so excited to live this new life, to have more energy, to lose weight (maybe I could actually look hot in a swimsuit), to not get sick all the time, to feel good about the things I was giving my kids. I unloaded those groceries with pride. And this is all I will tell you for now, this post is getting much too long. Keep checking for updates to see how this six week challenge is going!!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Bathroom Humor
So the boys are going through their bedtime routine, which by the way lasts forever because they talk and talk and sing instead of brushing. It is such a bother, but so funny. I happen to walk by the bathroom and Caleb says, "mom, I made up a new song!"
Me: "oh really? Let's hear it."
Caleb: (sung to the woke up at a quarter to one gotta brush my teeth tune) "I really got to pee in the toilet. Oh no actually on the counter."
Then they burst into a fit of giggles especially when I tell them that is disgusting. I tell Tyson expecting him to be grossed out too. But he just laughs too and says that is hilarious.
This is my life. I have accepted it and I do find it funny. I am grateful he was just singing and didn't actually act it out. Like for real.
Me: "oh really? Let's hear it."
Caleb: (sung to the woke up at a quarter to one gotta brush my teeth tune) "I really got to pee in the toilet. Oh no actually on the counter."
Then they burst into a fit of giggles especially when I tell them that is disgusting. I tell Tyson expecting him to be grossed out too. But he just laughs too and says that is hilarious.
This is my life. I have accepted it and I do find it funny. I am grateful he was just singing and didn't actually act it out. Like for real.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Picture Perfect
Yesterday evening we went to this gorgeous place about a 15 minute drive from our home to get our family pictures taken. We usually get our family pictures when we get a new kid and that kid is old enough to sit up. It is a pretty fun tradition. I don't know what we will do when we stop having kids. What will get me to get them taken?
The whole picture taking process is fun but frustrating to me. I am so not good at planning things and them turning out right. Usually things that happen spontaneously happen great, things that I work forever on and freak out about, usually only turn out okay, probably because I stress about it so much and my expectations are so high.
For the day or two before I kept wondering, "what should I have us all wear?" and the huge one "what should I do with my hair?" I have a mad ton of hair that I can never get to look just right. Grr. In my Pinterest world, I have mass amounts of things I can try. But the few I have, my hair is just too darn heavy to get anything to stay. Thus, my hair didn't work great and just kept getting stuck in the wee babes fingers.
I should have just sent us all in the clothes we normally wear, the ones that are stain covered and ripped holes in the knees. But oh well, I think we looked good, with blue tones because that is the most prevalent color in the home. They are all boys.
It was hilarious too, because while we were taking the pictures the children that I thought would be horrible and not look at the camera and throw a fit (Caleb and Andrew) were the REALLY good, cute, happy smiley ones. Josh was pretty good and his normal silly self. But Matthew, the ham of all hams, that is everywhere a camera is seriously his whole life. Nope. He was horrible. He kept wandering off, saying no, crying. Basically no fun at all. So, if we get any pictures that have all of us in it and smiling, it will be a miracle.
It reminded me of family pictures growing up. We would go to the studio and the photographer would set us all up just so, "tilt your head a little this way," "step just a little bit forward," "little brother look at me..no other brother," "let's change this lighting." And on and on and then finally one picture would get taken and you would hope beyond hope someone wasn't blinking. And there were NINE of us! How on Earth did my parents not lose their minds?
I am so thankful for technology. Our photographer, Jess, just had us pile together, and then she could take like hundreds of shots in seconds. And then look at them right there. How incredible. I am so thankful for the people that use their talents and learn and search for better ways to make our lives easier.
You should check out Jess's website http://jessdoesphotography.blogspot.com/ I will post some of our pictures here when she edits out the runny noses and makes us look stunning and happy. :) She really was awesome and so cute with the kids. They had zombie races and monster stomps and all kinds of other awesome things to get them to look at the camera. It takes talent to not loose your cool trying to get my four kids, and not to mention Tyson and I, to cooperate. She deserves a medal.
The whole picture taking process is fun but frustrating to me. I am so not good at planning things and them turning out right. Usually things that happen spontaneously happen great, things that I work forever on and freak out about, usually only turn out okay, probably because I stress about it so much and my expectations are so high.
For the day or two before I kept wondering, "what should I have us all wear?" and the huge one "what should I do with my hair?" I have a mad ton of hair that I can never get to look just right. Grr. In my Pinterest world, I have mass amounts of things I can try. But the few I have, my hair is just too darn heavy to get anything to stay. Thus, my hair didn't work great and just kept getting stuck in the wee babes fingers.
I should have just sent us all in the clothes we normally wear, the ones that are stain covered and ripped holes in the knees. But oh well, I think we looked good, with blue tones because that is the most prevalent color in the home. They are all boys.
It was hilarious too, because while we were taking the pictures the children that I thought would be horrible and not look at the camera and throw a fit (Caleb and Andrew) were the REALLY good, cute, happy smiley ones. Josh was pretty good and his normal silly self. But Matthew, the ham of all hams, that is everywhere a camera is seriously his whole life. Nope. He was horrible. He kept wandering off, saying no, crying. Basically no fun at all. So, if we get any pictures that have all of us in it and smiling, it will be a miracle.
It reminded me of family pictures growing up. We would go to the studio and the photographer would set us all up just so, "tilt your head a little this way," "step just a little bit forward," "little brother look at me..no other brother," "let's change this lighting." And on and on and then finally one picture would get taken and you would hope beyond hope someone wasn't blinking. And there were NINE of us! How on Earth did my parents not lose their minds?
I am so thankful for technology. Our photographer, Jess, just had us pile together, and then she could take like hundreds of shots in seconds. And then look at them right there. How incredible. I am so thankful for the people that use their talents and learn and search for better ways to make our lives easier.
You should check out Jess's website http://jessdoesphotography.blogspot.com/ I will post some of our pictures here when she edits out the runny noses and makes us look stunning and happy. :) She really was awesome and so cute with the kids. They had zombie races and monster stomps and all kinds of other awesome things to get them to look at the camera. It takes talent to not loose your cool trying to get my four kids, and not to mention Tyson and I, to cooperate. She deserves a medal.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Bums and Butts
It is crazy to think that I have gone through the potty training process with 3 little boys already (my 2 oldest and Logan). If I didn't have any more kids, I would be halfway done. However, I am sure we will have at least one more.
When Josh was potty training, we got these super cute sesame street underwear for him. One pair had a giant Elmo on the backside and so Josh called it his "Elmo Butt." It slowly digressed in Josh's language as all underwear being "butts." I'm not sure why it stuck, but I seriously have to remind myself often that is not what everyone calls them. It is funny too, because I don't even like the word "butt," I am cringing writing it. I always tell the boys to say "bum" instead, but in underwear terms, it just stuck and never really bothered me. Don't know why.
Matthew decided last week he didn't want to wear diapers, he wanted to wear "bums." I guess he doesn't like the word "butt" either. Lol. I really didn't want to potty train him, it is an exhausting process and I have a hard enough time dealing with all the boys and the chores that go along with being a mom in the first place. Not to mention, I (and of course Logan's parents) just potty trained Logan this past Fall. And it really hadn't been long enough for me to forget all the work involved.
But Matthew was insistent and when he makes up his mind, it is done, and he is not an easy one to be convinced otherwise. I caved, as I almost always do with that child. We began the potty training process full force on Monday officially. But of course, since I jumped on board, he decided he was no longer interested. But no way was I going to back down. I had committed and we were going to do this. I have learned, if you say something is going to happen and then you let it slide, the next time you really want it to happen, it will be a million times harder (that was my potty training process with Josh). I knew no matter how hard the fighting would be, it would only last a few days, and then it would be done for the most part and I would never have to fight the potty training process (with that child) again.
I stuck to my guns and for the past three days I have been cleaning up accident after accident. I would set him on the potty and he would just sit there with nothing happening. "Me all done."
"Um, no you are not, keep trying."
"Nope, me all done." And he would hop off.
Within five minutes there was a puddle somewhere. Luckily the weather has been nice, so most of those little puddles were outside and I am fine with that.
Let that be a caution to anyone visiting. The puddles in the yard or sidewalk...probably not from the rain. :) Kidding, kind of.
This morning, at last, there has been a ray of hope. I put Matthew on the toilet, totally set for frustration, and just left the bathroom. Matthew came walking out all smiles within 30 seconds. He is a very conniving child, so the all smiles can mean ANYTHING. I quickly turned him around and walked him and his naked little behind back to the bathroom.
me: "Buddy, you need to be on the potty."
Matthew: "Me did."
me: "Uh-huh, sure you did. Get back on there."
Matthew: "No, me did. Me pee out." He points to a little dribble on the toilet seat and on the floor.
me: (after proper inspecting. If you are a mom, you understand that you become like a detective. You know how to check if they actually peed or if they really brushed their teeth and other such things. It is an important skill in motherhood.) "Oh my gosh! You did!!! Way to go! You peed on the potty!"
Yup. Never in your wildest dreams did you ever think you would be cheering about urine on the bathroom floor, until you are a mother of a little guy. And yes, I understand that in a week I will be getting frustrated with him for "peeing out" of the toilet because I will expect him to have better aim by then. But for now, I am SUPER happy. I feel like I should put a sign on the door like they do at factories or trucking yards: "Days without accident: .25" What do you think?
When Josh was potty training, we got these super cute sesame street underwear for him. One pair had a giant Elmo on the backside and so Josh called it his "Elmo Butt." It slowly digressed in Josh's language as all underwear being "butts." I'm not sure why it stuck, but I seriously have to remind myself often that is not what everyone calls them. It is funny too, because I don't even like the word "butt," I am cringing writing it. I always tell the boys to say "bum" instead, but in underwear terms, it just stuck and never really bothered me. Don't know why.
Matthew decided last week he didn't want to wear diapers, he wanted to wear "bums." I guess he doesn't like the word "butt" either. Lol. I really didn't want to potty train him, it is an exhausting process and I have a hard enough time dealing with all the boys and the chores that go along with being a mom in the first place. Not to mention, I (and of course Logan's parents) just potty trained Logan this past Fall. And it really hadn't been long enough for me to forget all the work involved.
But Matthew was insistent and when he makes up his mind, it is done, and he is not an easy one to be convinced otherwise. I caved, as I almost always do with that child. We began the potty training process full force on Monday officially. But of course, since I jumped on board, he decided he was no longer interested. But no way was I going to back down. I had committed and we were going to do this. I have learned, if you say something is going to happen and then you let it slide, the next time you really want it to happen, it will be a million times harder (that was my potty training process with Josh). I knew no matter how hard the fighting would be, it would only last a few days, and then it would be done for the most part and I would never have to fight the potty training process (with that child) again.
I stuck to my guns and for the past three days I have been cleaning up accident after accident. I would set him on the potty and he would just sit there with nothing happening. "Me all done."
"Um, no you are not, keep trying."
"Nope, me all done." And he would hop off.
Within five minutes there was a puddle somewhere. Luckily the weather has been nice, so most of those little puddles were outside and I am fine with that.
Let that be a caution to anyone visiting. The puddles in the yard or sidewalk...probably not from the rain. :) Kidding, kind of.
This morning, at last, there has been a ray of hope. I put Matthew on the toilet, totally set for frustration, and just left the bathroom. Matthew came walking out all smiles within 30 seconds. He is a very conniving child, so the all smiles can mean ANYTHING. I quickly turned him around and walked him and his naked little behind back to the bathroom.
me: "Buddy, you need to be on the potty."
Matthew: "Me did."
me: "Uh-huh, sure you did. Get back on there."
Matthew: "No, me did. Me pee out." He points to a little dribble on the toilet seat and on the floor.
me: (after proper inspecting. If you are a mom, you understand that you become like a detective. You know how to check if they actually peed or if they really brushed their teeth and other such things. It is an important skill in motherhood.) "Oh my gosh! You did!!! Way to go! You peed on the potty!"
Yup. Never in your wildest dreams did you ever think you would be cheering about urine on the bathroom floor, until you are a mother of a little guy. And yes, I understand that in a week I will be getting frustrated with him for "peeing out" of the toilet because I will expect him to have better aim by then. But for now, I am SUPER happy. I feel like I should put a sign on the door like they do at factories or trucking yards: "Days without accident: .25" What do you think?
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Off Balance
We have this washing machine that has been driving me crazy. I mean, it gets the clothes clean, so I really shouldn't ever complain...but I am. I will put in a load of laundry and it will go for awhile just fine, but then it gets to the spin cycle and next thing I know "thump, thump, thump" comes from the basement. If I am not home or not listening for it, it will march right across the floor, pulling out the tube from the wall where the water is being sucked out through and said water no longer goes through the pipe, it goes all over the floor.
That stinks to clean up, especially since we have a couple living in our basement and then not only do I have to invade them to switch every load, I have to come down almost every spin cycle to move the clothes around inside until it is at the perfect balance. And if I don't make it down in time, I have a huge mess to clean up.
Seriously, no fun.
So what used to be just laundry day where I have a few extra chores and some trips up and down the stairs, has kind of become my least favorite day.
However, I am a naturally optimistic person, thank heavens, so I usually talk to the washer, give it a piece of my mind, laugh at myself, take a deep breath and hope it teaches me to be more grateful. And it has taught me to be eternally grateful for each load that doesn't get off balance, and for the awesome tenants we have that are so nice about and laugh about it too, for the cute way little Matthew says "clofs go bump bump bump" as he totters like the washer does. It is very entertaining, believe me.
But the real thing I have gained from this silly washer of mine is a comparison to my life. Laugh at me if you want okay, but this is how my brain thinks. There are so many things we have to do to keep our life in balance. And when our life gets off balance, thump thump, things start going crazy and out of control and then way out of place until it is just a big mess that we have to clean up. It is much easier to fix it before it goes crazy out of control.
For instance, I have never been much of an athletic individual. Give me a book and a box of chocolates and I am a happy woman. Working out just holds no appeal for me. But since Valentine's and with Easter (I am a sucker for all things sugar), all the baby weight I had lost has been sneaking back at a rather steady pace. And my cravings for sugar have been only getting more intense. The last week especially I have been feeling myself getting out of control. And there were several moments where I was embarrassed and felt awkward and gross. I totally don't want to be that way. I don't want to be way over weight and I can't go on walks with my kids and fit in my clothes, that kind of thing. So I need to get in control now.
I feel like I do when I quickly open the washer lid and sift the clothes around to get it back in balance. I have been trying to be better about not eating as much today and I went on a run. It was a small run, don't get shocked, and I felt like I would nigh unto die by the end, but man it felt so good at the same time. Like my body was just longing for those muscles to move and for my lungs to fully expand and my heart to race.
I will probably for the rest of my life be stopping and starting over and over again, trying to do things more perfectly than the day before. Drinking more water, reading scriptures more, putting down the vacuum to hug a child instead of just rolling my eyes at them, getting dressed instead of staying in my pjs all day, doing something productive in the evenings, you know that kind of stuff. There is no way I can do better on everything tomorrow, but we work on things slowly but consistently, doing our best and things will get better and better. Not to mention, as we keep the Savior as our center, it won't ever be too difficult to fix the other things to get back in balance.
These are my contemplations for the day. :)
That stinks to clean up, especially since we have a couple living in our basement and then not only do I have to invade them to switch every load, I have to come down almost every spin cycle to move the clothes around inside until it is at the perfect balance. And if I don't make it down in time, I have a huge mess to clean up.
Seriously, no fun.
So what used to be just laundry day where I have a few extra chores and some trips up and down the stairs, has kind of become my least favorite day.
However, I am a naturally optimistic person, thank heavens, so I usually talk to the washer, give it a piece of my mind, laugh at myself, take a deep breath and hope it teaches me to be more grateful. And it has taught me to be eternally grateful for each load that doesn't get off balance, and for the awesome tenants we have that are so nice about and laugh about it too, for the cute way little Matthew says "clofs go bump bump bump" as he totters like the washer does. It is very entertaining, believe me.
But the real thing I have gained from this silly washer of mine is a comparison to my life. Laugh at me if you want okay, but this is how my brain thinks. There are so many things we have to do to keep our life in balance. And when our life gets off balance, thump thump, things start going crazy and out of control and then way out of place until it is just a big mess that we have to clean up. It is much easier to fix it before it goes crazy out of control.
For instance, I have never been much of an athletic individual. Give me a book and a box of chocolates and I am a happy woman. Working out just holds no appeal for me. But since Valentine's and with Easter (I am a sucker for all things sugar), all the baby weight I had lost has been sneaking back at a rather steady pace. And my cravings for sugar have been only getting more intense. The last week especially I have been feeling myself getting out of control. And there were several moments where I was embarrassed and felt awkward and gross. I totally don't want to be that way. I don't want to be way over weight and I can't go on walks with my kids and fit in my clothes, that kind of thing. So I need to get in control now.
I feel like I do when I quickly open the washer lid and sift the clothes around to get it back in balance. I have been trying to be better about not eating as much today and I went on a run. It was a small run, don't get shocked, and I felt like I would nigh unto die by the end, but man it felt so good at the same time. Like my body was just longing for those muscles to move and for my lungs to fully expand and my heart to race.
I will probably for the rest of my life be stopping and starting over and over again, trying to do things more perfectly than the day before. Drinking more water, reading scriptures more, putting down the vacuum to hug a child instead of just rolling my eyes at them, getting dressed instead of staying in my pjs all day, doing something productive in the evenings, you know that kind of stuff. There is no way I can do better on everything tomorrow, but we work on things slowly but consistently, doing our best and things will get better and better. Not to mention, as we keep the Savior as our center, it won't ever be too difficult to fix the other things to get back in balance.
These are my contemplations for the day. :)
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