Daily Habits

We all have daily habits, little routines we are accustomed to following. Even my little ones, 3 and 21 months have certain things that must occur every morning or the rest of the day just doesn't seem right or even can suffer because of it. For instance, every day after they hug and kiss their Daddy goodbye, Nicolaus watches out our back door to see when John pulls his truck out of the garage. He shouts, "He's driving!" to Carleigh and we all race to the front door, open it and wave at John as he passes by, honking and waving right back at us. Every once in a while Nicolaus will get preoccupied by a yummy breakfast or pretend play with his trucks and forget to keep his vigil by the door. When he realizes he has messed up his ritual, the little guy just falls apart. Even once he is cheered up, throughout the day he will remind me in the saddest toddler tone "We didn't wave at Daddy this morning."

Prayer is like that for me. When I devote a chunk of time to praise, worship and petition God, the day is just better. I feel lighter, like I can go through my day with purpose and worry free. On the days when I let life just happen and pile up without me giving it all to God, something is just off. So in this 2012 Season of Lent, instead of giving up something like chocolate, soda or pasta, I'm adding something to my life.  For the next 40 days I will seriously commit part of my day to prayer. I am embarassed to admit I already don't have a daily prayer habit, and most days I do say a little prayer here and there, and we always say a prayer at mealtime (Carleigh and Nicolaus don't let us forget that one). But I certainly do not have what one would call a daily prayer habit, or at least not one that will help me to know God and myself the way I need to.

Dear Heavenly Father, as I begin this journey to building a better prayer habit, help me to center my life around You and your purpose for me. Help me make the time every day to slow down and reflect on you, and remind myself that it is all about you, God. Help me to read the Bible with what it will take to truly know and understand You. Thank you for this life, your greatest sacrifice and all that is to come.

Amen

Things I'd Love to Blog About

...if I could only find the time!

1.  Grace Based Parenting. A book by Dr. Tim Kimmel and a class I am taking at WCOG. The class leader Jennifer Miller has a great Blog. Check it out!

2.  My tug-of-war with a certain 15 lbs

3.  All the knit and crochet projects I have planned

4.  Our visit to the pumpkin patch

5.  My Tuesday morning Bible Study. Oh what would I do without Women in the Word and their Little Hearts program which watches the kids during those three awesome hours?

6.  Toddler tantrums

7.  Making applesauce

8.  How I feel about the passing of my latest birthday

9.  My personal style...or lack thereof

10.  All the amazing things my kids are learning (and teaching me)

No Excuses

...well almost.

Now that I have what was the best yard-sale find EVER

A brand new pair of Adidas

and two willing participants

There is no reason for me to not get into the shape I want to be in...except for the fact I have to let this sucker heal

As soon as it does, we are hitting the road and I am losing the ten pounds I managed to put back on after working so hard last Winter.

Steppin Out Saturday - Oh Yes a New Dress!

Dress: Marshall's

Shoes: Famous Footwear (I think)

Saturday we headed to my Mom's house for her 60th birthday cookout. I thought it the perfect occasion to wear the dress I treated myself to when I went shopping in Charlottesville a month ago. For the last three years I haven't bought any new clothes except for maternity wear. Its the perfect summer dress--light and flowy, goes great with both sanals and flip-flops. I can even wear it as a bathing suit cover up. My only mistake: I should have worn those flip-flops. My feet were killing me after a couple of hours on my feet running around after the kiddos.



I'm Trying, Really I Am

I was so motivated last week to get back into my workout routine, but (there is always a but isn't there, which means my big BUTT will always be there too) John's back was still bothering him and both kids came down with yet another cold. Little Miss Carleigh is actually on an Albuterol inhaler four times a day right now. Ugh! Lets just say it is a two person (not including Carleigh) task to get her to take it (Thanks Amy!). I did manage to go on a 2 mile walk with the kiddos on Thursday. I guess that's something. I have a thyroid uptake scan and ultrasound tomorrow to figure out why my TSH levels are way too low. It is a fasting test so no eating after midnight until 11:00 am! Maybe that will help with some weight loss.

Back On It!

John and I have resolved to get back on our workout routine today. After being so good for a month (I have said goodbye to 2 dress sizes as proof) the whole family first got a stomach virus, then the flu and, to top it all off John hurt his back. He and I have now been off our routine for a month. It has been harder to get back into it than it was to start in the first place. But it all ends tonight! As soon as he gets home we head to the basement to lift some weights. I know it will be hard but I am really looking forward to it. Wish us luck!

No More Muffin Top!

I am so incredibly pleased to announce that I am no longer sporting a muffin top with my favorite pair of pre-pregnancy jeans. For those of you so blessed to not know what a muffin top is, well its that spill over the top of your pants of extra fluff. I have been known in the past to call it my innertube or lifesaver. I've sported a muffin top since about my third year in college. Anyhow, yesterday I put on my jeans and discovered I actually needed a belt. Then, low and behold, when I looked in the mirror, my sweater was smooth all the way down. No double lumps on either side!

How did I do it you ask? Well, John and I have been exercising when he gets home in the evenings instead of plopping down in front of the TV. It is great together time and is actually working to get us fit! I have lost all the baby weight from both pregnancies plus an additional 2 pounds. I know I've lost inches and gained muscle too, but I haven't had time to take my measurements. I guess this post is my own cyber pat on the back :-)

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Awesome haircut by Tara, owner of Hairspray Salon in Woodstock, VA 540-459-7274