...self control...

So, I have realized blogging every day is easier said than done!  Especially the last few days... hence the lack of posts. 

I would like to say its because I have 3 little angel-boys (5, 3 and 2) who have the energy of 200, combined with a crazy house, other family, exercise, making meals, etc etc.

But I do realize those are just EXCUSES!  I read the other day (probably on pinterest - I do love pinterest) that "if its important to you, you'll get it done" or something like that.  Its the truth though.

And I want to apply to it all over the place!  Choosing to live in JOY.  Choosing to eat well, exercise and feel good.  Choosing to act in LOVE.  Choosing not to stuff myself with Cadbury Mini-eggs! 

I don't want to live in a land of excuses or justification...  I would rather choose what I'm doing and choose what I'm NOT doing.  There is the perfect amount of time in life to get done exactly what you should be doing....  Its finding the balance, choosing the GREAT, and knowing how to say no.

Ok, so all things we've heard before.  But how to put into practice???  That's part of the journey I suppose...



 

...swwwwwwwwwwweet...

Sweet AND inspiring!!  This makes my heart full of joy.  First, to see a little guy who is so creative and supported.  And second, to see this man who takes some time out of his life to be such a huge encouragement!!

Makes me think...  what can I do today that encourages somebody???!!!!

Check out the story here!

Here is Caine and his arcade!

Creative Creative Creative

This smile says it all!  Awwww!!!!!

...A Very Special Sunday...

Happy Easter!!

Thank You, Jesus, for everything!

 For my family, for my life,

and that EVERY DAY I can hang out with You

and live life to fullest!!

http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/23090/A-Very-Special-Sunday

Ok, sniff sniff.  Click here or on the link under the pic for the sweetest Easter video ever:
 A Very Special Sunday

(but fair warning you may need a tissue.)


HAPPY EASTER!!

...spring has sprung...

...beautiful...

Yes, Spring has finally sprung!  Here in Oregon, Spring comes with mixed feelings.  We get our occasional lovely sunny day in between long, wet stretches of rain, rain, and more rain.  Today as one of those days!!

The pic above is from a tree in our front yard - so so beautiful!  One of my favorite things about Spring is the blossoming trees.  They only last for a week, so must be enjoyed!  And boy did we enjoy them today!  We loaded up all the boys in trailers we pull with our bikes (they are getting HEAVY and by next summer at least 1 or 2 of them will need to be riding their own bikes!)  and did a 15 mile bike ride all around the town, stopping to run and enjoy the sites.  So fun!!

What a great way to enjoy the sunny day!!!!!!!! 

...high 5 for Friday...

HIGH FIVE FOR FRIDAY!!!

Its Good Friday, and Easter is coming.  That in itself makes it a great Friday!

Here too, is my week in review....

1.  We redid our fish tank!  We have had it for about 6 years now, but every once in a while we give it a make-over and add some new fish (to replace the ones no longer with us!)  For the next few days the boys have their chairs pulled up to the tank and they watch the action for hours!  Pretty exciting!

...better than TV...


2.  Our pellet stove!  When we bought our house, it had a pellet stove but we've never used it.  Finally a few months ago my husband figured it all out and got it going.  It is WONDERFUL.  This coming from a girl who does not like to be cold.  Ahhhh this week its been a steady 70 degrees in our house!  I'm loving it!

...heat...

3.  Daffodils!!  Sure sign that Spring is here.  In Oregon, you never know what Spring will bring - often just a lotta rain!  But its still a signal that winter is wrapping up and yes, our 3 months of sunny weather are on the way!  Love too how my boys spot daffodils along our drive, getting as excited to see them as Christmas lights!

...daffodils...

4.  YUMM Sauce.  If you live in Oregon, you know about Yumm Sauce.  From a place called Cafe Yumm.  This is the yummiest stuff ever invented.  Good on a Yumm bowl (quinoa, beans, veggies all mixed together) as well a thousands of other things.  YUMMY!

...YUMM sauce...

5.  TABATA.  Have you heard of it yet?  The 4 minute workout that is the best/hardest/craziest thing you'll ever do!  Its high intensity intervals (full squats), 20 seconds on with a 10 second rest, for 4 minutes.  I am serious.  The first time you do it, you use muscles you never know you had.  You get so sore.  No joke.  For 3 days you can't really move anything.  But boy what a good workout!  At our gym, The Box, we take a 2 week break every quarter, with no classes.  The break is almost over - we start again on Monday.  YIKES!  I have mixed feelings.  It will be good to be back at it, but I only did tabata once on my own so its gonna kick my behind! 
(for more info see www.fmwtraining.com)

...tabata...



"High 5 For Friday" is linked in from Lauren over at "From My Grey Desk" - Check her blog out!!

...but first, coffee...

So today I was thinking of something I'm sure we've all heard...  the definition of insanity.  If you do the exact same thing but expect different results, your insane.  Or something along those lines.

I agree.  Its true.  And I am applying it my life and changes I would like to make.  Because I gotta say I am in a bit of a Season of Slump. 

Low energy, low motivation...  And its not that all the time and love spend with my kiddos is not phenomenal and I know worth more than gold!!  But I am feeling unconnected.

I think I am missing COMMUNITY.  With little ones and a busy schedule and the slump-i-ness I've been feeling, I realize I miss friends and hanging out and community.  Doing life together with others, that include others outside of the 5 of us. 

So what to do what to do?  The thing with little ones and a busy schedule is that days go by fast.  Heck, not just days.  Months go by fast.  Seriously.  Its April??  That in itself is a surprise!!

So taking the advice/motivation from the definition of insanity, what do I do differently?  What change to make that ensures I am seeing my friends, staying connected, doing community? 

I think it starts with a small goal.  Isn't that whats recommended?  Attainable goals!  Baby steps!

So my first goal - to plan something once a week with someone outside of my family. 

That is so do-able.  And if I set it up in advance, the week won't fly by.  And if its one thing, it won't be overwhelming.

Yay.  So I am off to set up my first plan, for next week.

But first, coffee! 

(That is ALWAYS a good first step!  Coffee = sanity!!)

...I like to move it, move it...

This is what I need in the mornings!!!  A coffee IV!!  Brilliant!!

Coffee is motivation!  We do a workout class called TABATA three mornings a week, and when its over we always stop at Starbucks on the way home.  Seriously, often its only the thought of that coffee stop that gets me through the workout!!

I have a couple other motivators... I am done have kiddos, I am learning more about natural health and how to cook/eat that way, and I want to be healthy and moving my whole life - not limited by being out of shape or unable to do things.

So for working out, I would say the top 2 things that get me "moving it" are:

1.  Work out with somebody!  If someone is waiting for me, I will go.  Even if I didn't get any sleep, I will drag myself there and do a workout.  If I am on my own, I will procrastinate and delay and often skip!

2.  Have a goal! Weddings at the end of the summer are a partial goal. Not that I am too worried about looking perfect or anything - they are my dear dear friends and love me for me.  But it is nice to fit in a dress and not have too many lumps and bumps to worry about!!

I should add #3, which is a new motivator I have found, that I mentioned in an earlier blog.  Its myfitnesspal.com!  You track your calories and exercise and the the more you work out, the more calories you get to eat!!

I am typing this as I am sitting here thinking about how I should be asleep! Meeting my friend bright and early, and I won't stand her up!  But I will feel so much better tomorrow afternoon if I get some shut eye!

Good night!!