Good evening, viewers!

Hello one and all,

I hope all is well with you and yours. :) Last night I was inspired to make more baby burp clothes out of the fabric I have laying around here. I now have six blue burp clothes completed and waiting for a baby boy to be born. Who's on that? And for all of you that just had, YOU, pop into your head--no.

My children are the most spectacular kids on the planet, in my mind, and I know my capacity to love another would grow if there was another. However, I just don't think that my sanity could take it. I love to dote on my children and spend time on one on with them and it's a juggling act with two. The Lord has certainly gifted those of you who have more than one or two.

Let's not even discuss the baby weight issue. At least I've lost, and maintained the loss!, of Mr. Chaos Little Man's pregnancy.

I set of new goal of losing fifteen pounds by the end of the MOPS year (May). I had a difficult time breaking and staying under the 180 mark this last year. So, we are currently at 185 and ready for the 170 mark. And then the 160 mark by July. I have long-term goals people!!! I have a plan and I am thinking I should probably write down an outline of my plan to share with you and keep me accountable once again.

How are you doing on your journey? Because everyone is on a journey, even if you are standing still.
Blessings,
R

Not perfect

I am not a perfect mommy,
but I am perfect for my children.

My children are not perfect,
but they are perfect for me.

My husband is not a perfect person,
but he is perfect for me.

We were given as God's gifts to each other,
and He is perfect.
He knows our needs perfectly.

R

Working out the kinks

Hi friends!

After a month off I have made another return to the gym! Does it seem to you too that I make a lot of returns? Ok, just wanted to make sure I was not entirely crazy. The sickness merry-go-round in our house seems to be over (Please, God, let it be over!!!) and now my goal is to get back to the gym consistently three-four times a week like I had been doing. Two down for the week!

I have been reading an extremely good book lately. In it the author is talking about your relationship with your husband. One of the points she made was what are you doing to make yourself attractive to your husband? Um, isn't that kind of personal, lady? The reality is that half of all marriages in this country end in divorce and, depending on the source, it is 70% of marriages in Maricopa County end in divorce. Yikes! So, that is a fair question. Remember when you used to make a huge effort to look like a knock-out for a date? Do you remember going on dates?! Some of you are thinking, yes, before kids and jobs took over our lives. I get it--I really do. My husband's hours change daily depending on the economy and that is incredibly hard on family life, but I digress.

This got me thinking. What have I been doing to make myself attractive to my husband? Well, my husband thinks I am the most beautiful woman in the world and has always (yes, I said always) made me feel that way when he looks at me. I am truly blessed. However, when I feel good about myself and how I look it does a lot for me in every aspect of my life, not just the personal part (vague enough there, parents?).

One other point the author made was that not taking care of yourself is selfish. Um, what? Go with me. If you haven't bathed in a week you are not as likely to want to go outside your house and take your children to the park or on a date with the hubs. Tell me I'm wrong. You have less energy to give of yourself generously in all your relationships when you do not work out. I am on that crazy train that likes to work out because of the energy boost and good endorphins you get.

So, not taking care of myself and my health is detrimental to my relationships and it is selfish. That is not the person I want to be. Chalk up another reason to work out and eat right!

Love and blessings on your journey today!
R

Therapeutic projects

Hi all,

One of the things I keep in my project closet is hand towels that need to have tops crocheted on them so that they can hang from the refrigerator, the stove, or a drawer handle. I have a hard time sitting still to watch a movie or on a car ride. I know this is hard to believe with all my complaining about not being able to work out lately (insert sarcastic tone here). I have done so many of these at this point that it is very easy for me to do and I don't really have to think about it anymore. I really enjoy making them and giving them as gifts, as anyone who has gotten married in the last year and gotten a gift from me can attest to. :) They all tell me they love them. They could all be lying to make me feel good. They are my friends and family after all and are obligated to love them...

Want to see some of the work I have been going on about? Well, good! I am going to pretend you are all very interested. ;)

A wonderful friend gave me an excellent idea for my future gifts. She suggested I collect hand towels for the different holidays and then give them as a gift set. So, when people get married they have a decoration to put out during the different holidays (think Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentine's, St. Patrick's Day, 4th of July, etc.). I am going to try to get a set of 12 so they have one for each month. It might be a "winter" or "summer" theme instead of a specific holiday (sorry, they do not make hand towels for President's Day as far as I am aware). Awesome idea, right?! So, I will be collecting them over this next year and hopefully have them for the next year. I am thinking housewarming gift too, though, I do not think I could give them as a baby shower gifts. Guess I will have to come up with something else there...

Blessings,
R

Mommy advice

Hi friends,

So, I just wanted to share with you my mommy mantras when things go awry at our house.

I have to be consistent. It will pay off eventually. (I have seen this come true! Be encouraged!)

Parenting (and discipline) is not always fun, nor easy, but it is good.

And this was the most encouraging word that I have received and love to remind myself of: The mom you are five (and ten) years from now is going to want to hug the mom you are being right now for making the hard choices and being consistent and disciplining and investing in your children.

I have to remember I'm shaping little people and it is not ok to be a lazy mommy because I am responsible for instilling good values and morals in my children--no one else has the privilege or responsibility. It is not the school's, the government's, the church's, the workplace's, or anyone else's task. It is mine. I take it seriously and am so blessed to be able to shape these little people into who they will be later in life. I love my children immeasurably and my prayer is that their father and I raise them to be confident in themselves and their calling in life. We want to encourage and empower them to be the best versions of themselves. And we just pray that along the way we do not irreversibly screw them up. My constant prayer is that they continue to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. What a great blessing and challenge is laid at parents' feet!! I know it is a cliche, however, parenting is the most important job you will ever do. Not to mention the most rewarding as well.

It's the end of the week, mommies. What have you learned this week? What are your "mommy mantras" that get you through the trying times?

Blessings on you today and be encouraged!
R

'Tis the season

Hello friends!

Some of you may be wondering is this girl off her rocker? Christmas was a month ago. Well, not the season I am referring to, y'all. Cold and flu season is upon us and has been harassing my family on and off for the past two months.

Friends, it is very difficult to go work out when you feel sick and lightheaded and nauseated every time you start to get active and bouncy (think Zumba and running). It makes my life very frustrating. I sleep better when I am active. I have a little wiggle room in what I choose to eat (I have a weakness for licorice and pasta). My overall sense of well being is better. I am a better mother (it's true)! I have more energy for life and the things it throws at me every day. I am finding this sickness very, very bothersome and irritating. And I have gained back 10 pounds, that is right 10!, of what I lost. :( This makes me mad. I know what to do about it and am willing to do it, however, my body is not cooperating.

I have coerced recruited a friend to start doing interval running with me... once I'm not sick. I have been wanting to do this for about two months, but that is when the busyness of travel, holidays, and sickness started in. She is still game, but I want to start now and my body is preventing me. I have tried resting, sweating it out, vitamins, doctors visits, chiropractor visits, and so on. It seems as if we just cannot kick this bug. I would really appreciate your prayers for health for me and my family.

What do you do to kick a hanger on bug?

Blessings, and health, is my wish for you this week!
R

Hello one and all!

Hello to everyone who still may be following me!

I apologize for the long absence in my posting. I honestly have thought many times about what I would post and been at a loss. I have been bouncing on and off the work out train as my health has allowed. The ankle does not give me trouble most days. The only problem it seems is that as soon as I start to get back in to a routine I or the kids get sick, like really sick.

Last week I went to Zumba on Wednesday and got 35 minutes in to it and had to leave. My stomach and digestive track were not happy with all the movement and neither was the lightheadedness helping my situation. I have been very sick all week. While one of my best friend visited I had to stay in bed a lot because I was so unwell. I am mommy. I do not get sick days. They are not allowed. I certainly do not want to have sick days when my wonderful husband has zero time off to cover it. I clearly do not want to be sick when one of my best friends flies across the country to spend a few short days with me. I absolutely want to continue working out because I have put back on *gasp* 10 pounds that I lost since the ankle injury. And I really do not want to whine or complain about my situation, however, I feel I owe anyone still checking up on me an explanation.

So, you will be getting the occasional post about my eating/working out, however, there is going to be a lot more about what is going on in my head and my family. And now Mr. Chaos Little Man has decided to go play with electronics that would make daddy unhappy so I am off.

Blessings,
R