On Thursday, the weekly play group was planned for 10 am, as usual. The only thing different about this week was the birthday party I planned for Samantha. I made rainbow cupcakes and bowls of different topping to decorate them with, bought party favors for all her friends, and had beads and string so everyone could make a necklace. Cleaning the house and getting everything set up before 10 was a bit of a race against the clock.
I decided that Samantha should help out and clean the play room. She knows how to put the toys in the toy box, and it would take a little of the pressure off of me. Well, it should have taken a little pressure off of me. It didn't. I think trying to get your kids to clean is more stressful than just doing it yourself.
Now, as a parent, what do you do when your kids are not doing what they are supposed to? You threaten them. At one point I said, "Do you want to go put the toys away or sit on your bed while your friends are here?" Samantha responded, "Sit on my bed." And started up the stairs. When you threaten, kids are not supposed to be okay with it! So I came back with, "Fine, then I'm going to throw away all of the cupcakes!" "No!!!" And she rushed into the play room. Of course, she didn't stay long.
When the threats are just not working, then it might be time to reason with the child (even if they are three and have no idea what you are saying). So, I said, in a not so calm voice (probably not very effective for reasoning), "I have worked very hard and just want you to have a good birthday!!!" In stead of feeling like she should now help, she just gave me a look of confusion. It was like she was wondering if she should be offended, sad, or sorry. In the end, she decided to just stand there.
After the threats have failed and the reasoning goes over their head, its time to just get something done! I finished everything I needed to do then helped Samantha with the play room. It was as easy as that!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Great Timing
Right after I wrote the last post, about trying to remember how sweet my kids really are, I walked into the kitchen and found this!
I just had to remember what my sister-in-law once told me, you can get mad or you can take a picture. I took a picture!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
She Really IS a Sweet Girl!
Do you ever have days or weeks where your kids test your patience more than usual? I hope I'm not alone in this. Most of the time, I'm just fine. But every once in a while, I just can't take it any more. Those are the times that my husband gets a phone call on the way home from work, instructing him to stop at Arby's for dinner. On those days, Samantha gets to watch more television than usual. The house is not clean at the end of the day. I do not run errands unless I have no choice. You get the picture.
On the flip side, there are days when I just can't believe how wonderful my kids are. They will just do something to make me think, "I must be doing something right, at least once in a while."
I had one of those experiences this past weekend. On Friday, I subbed for a Kindergarten aide. So, of course, when I came home I started to feel sick. By Saturday morning, I didn't want to move. I just hurt everywhere! At one point in the day, I was laying on the couch with my eyes closed while Samantha was watching a movie. Out of no where, I feel two little hands move the hair off of my forehead and give me a kiss. It was the sweetest thing! I was so surprised, and my heart just melted all in the same moment.
As I've struggled with her this week (yes, I know I'm writing this on Tuesday), I keep trying to remember that moment. She really does like me. She really does care. She isn't here to make me go crazy. She really is a sweet girl. Telling myself this has helped a little, although Michael did pick up some dinner last night.
On the flip side, there are days when I just can't believe how wonderful my kids are. They will just do something to make me think, "I must be doing something right, at least once in a while."
I had one of those experiences this past weekend. On Friday, I subbed for a Kindergarten aide. So, of course, when I came home I started to feel sick. By Saturday morning, I didn't want to move. I just hurt everywhere! At one point in the day, I was laying on the couch with my eyes closed while Samantha was watching a movie. Out of no where, I feel two little hands move the hair off of my forehead and give me a kiss. It was the sweetest thing! I was so surprised, and my heart just melted all in the same moment.
As I've struggled with her this week (yes, I know I'm writing this on Tuesday), I keep trying to remember that moment. She really does like me. She really does care. She isn't here to make me go crazy. She really is a sweet girl. Telling myself this has helped a little, although Michael did pick up some dinner last night.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Enjoy the Rain
As I walked out of the Smith building, away from my last class of the day, I saw rain pouring from the sky. It had been nice out when I started classes that day, but now there was water everywhere. People had their heads tucked under jackets, coats wrapped around their books and assignments, faces down in an effort to keep them dry, and they were rushing as quickly as they could to class, work, home, or wherever they needed to be. As I looked at the rain, I made the decision that I was going to enjoy it. I walked down the steps of the Smith building, held out my arms, and looked at the sky. It was wonderful! Just then, some boy, hurrying by, said, "You are having way too much fun!" and rushed on. I couldn't help but smile. I didn't know if I was having TOO much fun, but I was having fun. I loved the rain. I went home and got a couple of roommates to come outside with me. We splashed in puddles like we were 5 years old. We danced in the rain. We had a great time in weather that no one else seemed to be enjoying. Afterwards, we were soaked and cold, but it didn't matter. We put on pajamas and drank hot chocolate.
I've been thinking about that experience a lot the last week or so. I've decided that I need to look at more situations in my life the way I looked at that rain. I remember making the decision, I was going to love that rainy day, and I did. I am making an effort to look at things in my life the same way. There are so many things that we get to experience. Often, others with similar experiences will try to hurry though, trying hard not to get their faces and books too wet. I don't want to have any time in my life rushed through. I only get so long here on this earth, why not love every minute that I can. I'm going to look up, hold out my arms, and have way too much fun; I'm going to splash in the puddles, and I'm going to try to bring my friends and family with me! We are going to get soaked. Every ounce of water that can possibly soak into our clothes, will. But in the end, it will be a great experience. A great memory. A great way to decide to look at the rainfalls of life!
I've been thinking about that experience a lot the last week or so. I've decided that I need to look at more situations in my life the way I looked at that rain. I remember making the decision, I was going to love that rainy day, and I did. I am making an effort to look at things in my life the same way. There are so many things that we get to experience. Often, others with similar experiences will try to hurry though, trying hard not to get their faces and books too wet. I don't want to have any time in my life rushed through. I only get so long here on this earth, why not love every minute that I can. I'm going to look up, hold out my arms, and have way too much fun; I'm going to splash in the puddles, and I'm going to try to bring my friends and family with me! We are going to get soaked. Every ounce of water that can possibly soak into our clothes, will. But in the end, it will be a great experience. A great memory. A great way to decide to look at the rainfalls of life!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Seatbelts and a Sticker
Its amazing the things I remember from childhood. Of all the things that my brain could store, it has chosen some odd memories at times. One such memory comes from Mrs. Newman's kindergarten class at Knowlton Elementary in Farmington, UT.
I don't remember anything about the day, other than the fact that Mrs. Newman talked to my class about wearing seat belts. She asked us to raise our hand if we promised to always wear a seat belt. Everyone, of course, raised their hand and in turn got a sticker for making that promise. I have no idea what kind of a sticker, but I do know I got one. I also remember kids asking her questions like, "What if we are just driving across the street?" or "What if the car doesn't have a seat belt?" etc... (You can imagine what a group of 5 year old kids would be like). She answered the barrage of unusual questions while handing out the stickers.
Now, every time I get in the car and don't put my seat belt on, I think of that day. Weird, I know. Its been over 20 years ago, but I can never seem to forget the promise I made to Mrs. Newman, I would always wear my seat belt (even if we are just driving across the street)! I mean, she gave me a sticker! How could I lie to her after such a great trade?!?
I don't remember anything about the day, other than the fact that Mrs. Newman talked to my class about wearing seat belts. She asked us to raise our hand if we promised to always wear a seat belt. Everyone, of course, raised their hand and in turn got a sticker for making that promise. I have no idea what kind of a sticker, but I do know I got one. I also remember kids asking her questions like, "What if we are just driving across the street?" or "What if the car doesn't have a seat belt?" etc... (You can imagine what a group of 5 year old kids would be like). She answered the barrage of unusual questions while handing out the stickers.
Now, every time I get in the car and don't put my seat belt on, I think of that day. Weird, I know. Its been over 20 years ago, but I can never seem to forget the promise I made to Mrs. Newman, I would always wear my seat belt (even if we are just driving across the street)! I mean, she gave me a sticker! How could I lie to her after such a great trade?!?
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Change in Plans
Often, when you are trying to follow the plan that Heavenly Father wants you to follow, things turn out way different than you expect them to. I know that this has been the case for me many times.
Not quite a year after I got married, I was at a general church meeting. To me, it seemed like every speaker was talking about have children and being a mother. After a lot of thought and prayer, Michael and I decided that is was time to have a family. This is not at all what I had planned. I was still in school, and if I had a baby 9 months from then, I would still have my student teaching to do. Student teaching with a new baby would be really hard. But, if this was the plan that I was supposed to follow, I would.
A couple months later I was pregnant. I was so excited! A baby! I had no idea what having a baby entailed, but it would be an adventure that I was willing to take on. Just a couple of weeks later, I thought I was having a miscarriage. False alarm! I went to my first doctor's appointment, had an ultrasound, and saw the baby and a strong heart beat. All of my fears about a miscarriage were set aside.
I was twelve weeks along when we went to Illinois to spend Christmas with Michael's family. We decided I was far enough along to make an announcement.
A couple of weeks later, school had started again. I was the assistant stage manager for a production on campus and, as such, had the duty to help cast the show. During call backs the thing I had feared most happened, I started bleeding. I tried to ignore it and get through the auditions. When I got home late that night, I was in tears. I knew I was having a miscarriage.
After a very long night, a trip to the hospital, a cranky and not very nice doctor, a partial D and C and a lot of tears, I went home. It was a Friday night, so at least I had the weekend at home. I didn't have to tell anyone for a couple of days at least. That was going to be the worst part of the entire ordeal.
At church on Sunday, I sat by a very pregnant woman. I hadn't really thought about it when I sat down. She was new. I wanted to make a new friend. Then the list of who was pregnant and when they were due came around. The leaders liked to keep track of who was having a baby and when so they could help out with meals for a couple days. The week before I had put my name on that list. When I got the list I started crying and crossed my name off. It was devastating for me. Then, out of no where, this amazing sister that didn't even know me put her arm around me. It was a very small act of kindness, but she will never know how much that helped me get through that moment and that day. It makes me cry, even now, to think about her kindness.
On Saturday or Sunday night, my sister-in-law stopped by with some dinner for us. When she was there she started to tell me about her miscarriage. At first, I didn't want to hear it. So many people had tried to tell me about their own miscarriages in order to comfort me. I didn't want to be comforted, I just wanted to be sad for a little while. But then she said something to me that put the entire situation into perspective. She said, if she wouldn't have had her miscarriage, she wouldn't have had her daughter. At that moment, I knew why this awful experience happened. I was being prepared for a different child to come into my home.
Three months later, I was pregnant with my beautiful daughter Samantha. She came just in time for me to be done with my student teaching.
Life doesn't always work out according to your plan, but it does work out according to our Father in Heaven's plan. That is such a comfort to know!
Not quite a year after I got married, I was at a general church meeting. To me, it seemed like every speaker was talking about have children and being a mother. After a lot of thought and prayer, Michael and I decided that is was time to have a family. This is not at all what I had planned. I was still in school, and if I had a baby 9 months from then, I would still have my student teaching to do. Student teaching with a new baby would be really hard. But, if this was the plan that I was supposed to follow, I would.
A couple months later I was pregnant. I was so excited! A baby! I had no idea what having a baby entailed, but it would be an adventure that I was willing to take on. Just a couple of weeks later, I thought I was having a miscarriage. False alarm! I went to my first doctor's appointment, had an ultrasound, and saw the baby and a strong heart beat. All of my fears about a miscarriage were set aside.
I was twelve weeks along when we went to Illinois to spend Christmas with Michael's family. We decided I was far enough along to make an announcement.
A couple of weeks later, school had started again. I was the assistant stage manager for a production on campus and, as such, had the duty to help cast the show. During call backs the thing I had feared most happened, I started bleeding. I tried to ignore it and get through the auditions. When I got home late that night, I was in tears. I knew I was having a miscarriage.
After a very long night, a trip to the hospital, a cranky and not very nice doctor, a partial D and C and a lot of tears, I went home. It was a Friday night, so at least I had the weekend at home. I didn't have to tell anyone for a couple of days at least. That was going to be the worst part of the entire ordeal.
At church on Sunday, I sat by a very pregnant woman. I hadn't really thought about it when I sat down. She was new. I wanted to make a new friend. Then the list of who was pregnant and when they were due came around. The leaders liked to keep track of who was having a baby and when so they could help out with meals for a couple days. The week before I had put my name on that list. When I got the list I started crying and crossed my name off. It was devastating for me. Then, out of no where, this amazing sister that didn't even know me put her arm around me. It was a very small act of kindness, but she will never know how much that helped me get through that moment and that day. It makes me cry, even now, to think about her kindness.
On Saturday or Sunday night, my sister-in-law stopped by with some dinner for us. When she was there she started to tell me about her miscarriage. At first, I didn't want to hear it. So many people had tried to tell me about their own miscarriages in order to comfort me. I didn't want to be comforted, I just wanted to be sad for a little while. But then she said something to me that put the entire situation into perspective. She said, if she wouldn't have had her miscarriage, she wouldn't have had her daughter. At that moment, I knew why this awful experience happened. I was being prepared for a different child to come into my home.
Three months later, I was pregnant with my beautiful daughter Samantha. She came just in time for me to be done with my student teaching.
Life doesn't always work out according to your plan, but it does work out according to our Father in Heaven's plan. That is such a comfort to know!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The Story Continues
The fall semester started. I was so excited! I had decided to just have fun, boys were not even on my radar. I had just moved in with some friends, I was working at the campus book store, and I had some great classes. And, best of all, my roommates and I had established Wednesdays as "Chick-Flick and Chocolate Night!" It was going to be a great semester, I just knew it!
A week or two into the semester, Michael appeared at the book store looking for a stapler. Since they were in my section of the store, I helped him find one. We talked for a while, and I eventually invited him to come watch a movie with my roommates and me (it was Wednesday). Unlike most boys we ever invited, he said he would come! Great! I was excited to have some guy friends to add to my fun semester.
We ended up becoming great friends fast. He was very interested in a girl that lived three doors down from me. She just led him on a lot, so he'd come to me for advice. Eventually I told him he just needed to move on and date someone else.
On day we went to the park with my roommates. We were just playing games and hanging out. The next thing I know, my roommates and know where to be found. They had ditched us! I was so embarrassed!!! I wasn't even sure if I liked him enough to date him, and now he was probably thinking I set the whole thing up! When I got home and saw all three girls, smiling to themselves, I let them know what I thought about their little plan. They kept telling me he was interested, but I would just rebuttal with, "No way! We are way to much alike. If I was a boy, I would be him!"
A week or two later, he asked me to hang out with him and a group of friends on Saturday. Sounded good to me! My brother and another guy I knew growing up were going to be there too. I showed up to the meeting point before Michael and was asked by my friend if I was Michael's date. Date? I had never heard the word date in context with this little outing. To say I was a little confused would be an understatement. I later found out, he asked me to come because he felt like he had to since I had invited him to so many things. Flattering!
We eventually started dating. And, of course, as soon as we were dating, the girl a few doors down decided she really wanted to date him too. Good thing she was a little slow on the uptake! It was a little weird for a while, but we were soon engaged (another great story for another time) and then married. I think marrying your best friend is really the way to go!
A week or two into the semester, Michael appeared at the book store looking for a stapler. Since they were in my section of the store, I helped him find one. We talked for a while, and I eventually invited him to come watch a movie with my roommates and me (it was Wednesday). Unlike most boys we ever invited, he said he would come! Great! I was excited to have some guy friends to add to my fun semester.
We ended up becoming great friends fast. He was very interested in a girl that lived three doors down from me. She just led him on a lot, so he'd come to me for advice. Eventually I told him he just needed to move on and date someone else.
On day we went to the park with my roommates. We were just playing games and hanging out. The next thing I know, my roommates and know where to be found. They had ditched us! I was so embarrassed!!! I wasn't even sure if I liked him enough to date him, and now he was probably thinking I set the whole thing up! When I got home and saw all three girls, smiling to themselves, I let them know what I thought about their little plan. They kept telling me he was interested, but I would just rebuttal with, "No way! We are way to much alike. If I was a boy, I would be him!"
A week or two later, he asked me to hang out with him and a group of friends on Saturday. Sounded good to me! My brother and another guy I knew growing up were going to be there too. I showed up to the meeting point before Michael and was asked by my friend if I was Michael's date. Date? I had never heard the word date in context with this little outing. To say I was a little confused would be an understatement. I later found out, he asked me to come because he felt like he had to since I had invited him to so many things. Flattering!
We eventually started dating. And, of course, as soon as we were dating, the girl a few doors down decided she really wanted to date him too. Good thing she was a little slow on the uptake! It was a little weird for a while, but we were soon engaged (another great story for another time) and then married. I think marrying your best friend is really the way to go!
Monday, January 9, 2012
How I Met Michael
So many people have this great story about the first time they met their spouse. They can tell about how cute they thought the other person was, maybe they even remember what they were wearing. Some people say that the moment they saw their spouse, they knew that was who they were going to marry. That is not even close to what my story is!
The first time I met Michael, I was with my friend, Lauran. I was out of school for the summer, but went in to town (my parents only lived 20 minutes from the school I attended) to go to a church event with Lauran. Before we left, she had to stop at her neighbor's house for a minute. I stood in the doorway. To my left, on the couch in his suit and tie with a plate of food on his lap (there was a party going on), was Michael. Lauran introduced us. We talked for just a minute while Lauren did whatever it was she needed to do, then I left.
Now, as exciting as this first meeting sounds, it was not at all memorable for Michael! A week or two later, we met on the porch of the house Lauren lived in. Another week after that, he met me, yet again, on Lauren's porch. I told him I had met him the past week, and he had no memory of it at all! It took three meetings for Micheal to even remember that he had met or seen me before. Needless to say, it was not love-at-first-sight!
Micheal and I ended up going to church together! We had no idea, but since he was obviously not interested, it didn't really make a difference weather I saw him or not. My brother started going to church with me and became friends with Micheal. I remember one Sunday, they were talking and I came over to them since my brother was my ride home. Some how the subject got around to the point that I had not been asked out on a date since I started college (just what I want my brother to tell his guy friends). Michael later told me, he remembers thinking that he didn't know why, I wasn't bad looking. But, it never crossed his mind to ask me out.
At the end of the summer, my brother and I decided to hold a little party at my grandparent's house, down by the Snake River. I invited my friends, he invited his (which included Michael). At the party, Michael and I started talking. We ended up sitting on a bench by the river just chatting about our families, school, and whatever else came up. It started getting cold, and he didn't have a jacket, but I had a jacket and a blanket. So, being the nice person I am, I offered him the blanket. Being the oblivious person he is, he took it!
After that, the semester ended, he went off to spend time with his family, and I got ready to start a new semester. He didn't even really cross my mind, until school started again....
The first time I met Michael, I was with my friend, Lauran. I was out of school for the summer, but went in to town (my parents only lived 20 minutes from the school I attended) to go to a church event with Lauran. Before we left, she had to stop at her neighbor's house for a minute. I stood in the doorway. To my left, on the couch in his suit and tie with a plate of food on his lap (there was a party going on), was Michael. Lauran introduced us. We talked for just a minute while Lauren did whatever it was she needed to do, then I left.
Now, as exciting as this first meeting sounds, it was not at all memorable for Michael! A week or two later, we met on the porch of the house Lauren lived in. Another week after that, he met me, yet again, on Lauren's porch. I told him I had met him the past week, and he had no memory of it at all! It took three meetings for Micheal to even remember that he had met or seen me before. Needless to say, it was not love-at-first-sight!
Micheal and I ended up going to church together! We had no idea, but since he was obviously not interested, it didn't really make a difference weather I saw him or not. My brother started going to church with me and became friends with Micheal. I remember one Sunday, they were talking and I came over to them since my brother was my ride home. Some how the subject got around to the point that I had not been asked out on a date since I started college (just what I want my brother to tell his guy friends). Michael later told me, he remembers thinking that he didn't know why, I wasn't bad looking. But, it never crossed his mind to ask me out.
At the end of the summer, my brother and I decided to hold a little party at my grandparent's house, down by the Snake River. I invited my friends, he invited his (which included Michael). At the party, Michael and I started talking. We ended up sitting on a bench by the river just chatting about our families, school, and whatever else came up. It started getting cold, and he didn't have a jacket, but I had a jacket and a blanket. So, being the nice person I am, I offered him the blanket. Being the oblivious person he is, he took it!
After that, the semester ended, he went off to spend time with his family, and I got ready to start a new semester. He didn't even really cross my mind, until school started again....
Saturday, January 7, 2012
What to do?
I'm am very lucky to have a husband that works four days a week, then has a three day weekend! I feel so lucky to have him home so much. He does work long days during the week, but its worth it to have him home. Since we have three days as a family, there is usually a "schedule" we follow. On Fridays I sub at a local school, and we clean the house. That means on Saturdays we can spend time as a family doing whatever we want!!! Sounds great, right?!? It is, except for the fact that we have a hard time thinking of something to do, especially when the weather is bad. That is what happened today.\
When we woke up this morning, there was snow on the ground and it was still coming down pretty hard. We spent the morning trying to decide what to do. We looked into going into Salt Lake City to a museum or the aquarium, but with the cost of gas, the snow, and the cost of admission, we decided against it. After a while of more sitting, we decided to watch Snow White. My daughter is a bit obsessed with Snow White the princess, but she has never seen the movie. After the movie was nap time. Michael and I watched a show and ate lunch while the kids slept. When everyone woke up, we went out and shoveled the snow. Samantha and Michael stayed outside a little longer to play. Now we are headed to Applebee's with a gift card we got for Christmas.
Today I have learned, that sometimes a day home with the family is enough. We all got to do something we enjoyed, we didn't spend any money (except on dinner). Its fun to leave the house and explore what is around us, but it is also fun to stay home and explore what we have with us every day!
When we woke up this morning, there was snow on the ground and it was still coming down pretty hard. We spent the morning trying to decide what to do. We looked into going into Salt Lake City to a museum or the aquarium, but with the cost of gas, the snow, and the cost of admission, we decided against it. After a while of more sitting, we decided to watch Snow White. My daughter is a bit obsessed with Snow White the princess, but she has never seen the movie. After the movie was nap time. Michael and I watched a show and ate lunch while the kids slept. When everyone woke up, we went out and shoveled the snow. Samantha and Michael stayed outside a little longer to play. Now we are headed to Applebee's with a gift card we got for Christmas.
Today I have learned, that sometimes a day home with the family is enough. We all got to do something we enjoyed, we didn't spend any money (except on dinner). Its fun to leave the house and explore what is around us, but it is also fun to stay home and explore what we have with us every day!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Who's Really In Charge?
Sometimes I wonder who is really in charge around the house. My husband in the head of the home. I am the mom, which means I take care of the kids all day so they should listen to me, right? Despite all of that, sometimes I think Samantha thinks she's in charge.
A little while back, Samantha woke up in the middle of the night crying. Michael went in to see what was wrong. He asked her if she wanted him to lay by her for a few minutes. She replied, "No, I sleep alone. Mommy lay on the floor!" It makes me laugh that she could even come up with such an idea on her own. It also makes me think that my almost 3 year old thinks she can order her parents around, when she really can't, well at least most of the time!
One morning I woke up to Samantha putting the large tub of strawberry milk mix on my bed and saying "I want strawberry milk!" It's not uncommon for her to go to the fridge, grab a gallon of milk, and bring it to me saying, "I want milk!" Or to go to the kitchen and bring back some snack and say, "I want a treat!" At least she hasn't figured out how to open them herself, that's when I'm going to be in real trouble! I often her the phrases in a very demanding voice, "Carry me!" "No nap!" "I want a treat!" "I watch a show!" "I hurt" (she uses that one to get out of whatever she doesn't want to do), "I go bye, bye!" etc...
I'm not so oblivious to think that this is abnormal. I know that is just what two and three year olds do. My mom always said its really the terrible threes, not the terrible twos. I'm about to have my first three year old, and I think my mom is right! So, there is nothing to do but push through. I'll just keep reminding her that saying please is the way to get things, that helping out is really not so bad, and that nap time is not only necessary for her, but it is also very necessary for me!
A little while back, Samantha woke up in the middle of the night crying. Michael went in to see what was wrong. He asked her if she wanted him to lay by her for a few minutes. She replied, "No, I sleep alone. Mommy lay on the floor!" It makes me laugh that she could even come up with such an idea on her own. It also makes me think that my almost 3 year old thinks she can order her parents around, when she really can't, well at least most of the time!
One morning I woke up to Samantha putting the large tub of strawberry milk mix on my bed and saying "I want strawberry milk!" It's not uncommon for her to go to the fridge, grab a gallon of milk, and bring it to me saying, "I want milk!" Or to go to the kitchen and bring back some snack and say, "I want a treat!" At least she hasn't figured out how to open them herself, that's when I'm going to be in real trouble! I often her the phrases in a very demanding voice, "Carry me!" "No nap!" "I want a treat!" "I watch a show!" "I hurt" (she uses that one to get out of whatever she doesn't want to do), "I go bye, bye!" etc...
I'm not so oblivious to think that this is abnormal. I know that is just what two and three year olds do. My mom always said its really the terrible threes, not the terrible twos. I'm about to have my first three year old, and I think my mom is right! So, there is nothing to do but push through. I'll just keep reminding her that saying please is the way to get things, that helping out is really not so bad, and that nap time is not only necessary for her, but it is also very necessary for me!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Couch to 5K
I'm back!!! After a few crazy weeks of holidays and families, life is getting back to normal (whatever that is)! That means it is time for me to start the balancing act which is my life. Part of that balancing act is deciding what is important to me and making it fit into my life.
I've never been that girl you see running along the side of the road with her IPOD on her arm, or that girl that is always looking for an excuse to play a sport, or that girl that loves to go to gym. Exercising is not what I would call "a fun time." I'm not sporty, I hate to run, I have no hand-eye coordination, etc... You know the type. Despite all of that, I've decided to make exercise a habit. I'm not doing this to get skinny (although that could be a great side effect I would not complain about); I'm doing this because I want to be healthy and I want to feel like I have become good at something I've never been good at. Heavenly Father has promised us that, if we are willing to work on it, the weak things in our life can become strong things.
So, here is my plan: I'm going to give up sugar for the month of January, maybe longer if I feel so inclined at the time. And, I'm going to do a program called "Couch to 5K." Here is a link to the program: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml When I lived in Arizona, I had a friend tell me about this program. I was going to try it, but instead found out that baby #2 was on the way. I used that as an excuse and never finished more than a couple runs. It is designed to take you from sittig on the couch to runnin a 5K in 8 weeks!!! Sounds a little crazy maybe, I really don't know. Like I said, I've never been a runner, so I may be getting in over my head. But, today was my first day and I was able to finish without feeling like I was going to die!!! You should try it if that is something you also want to work on. Who knows, we could all be ready to run a 5K in 8 weeks!
This post isn't supposed to make you feel like you need to run a 5K or stop eating sugar or loose weight, etc... It is supposed to get you thinking about what you want to make strong in your life. I know it is a cliche to say, "It's the beginning of a new year, time to make a resolution!" So, instead say, "It's a new day, I'm going to make it better than yesterday; I'm going to make myself better than I was yesterday."
Please feel free to share your resolutions for today in the comments!!!! I love to hear what others are working on. It inspires me to do better!
I've never been that girl you see running along the side of the road with her IPOD on her arm, or that girl that is always looking for an excuse to play a sport, or that girl that loves to go to gym. Exercising is not what I would call "a fun time." I'm not sporty, I hate to run, I have no hand-eye coordination, etc... You know the type. Despite all of that, I've decided to make exercise a habit. I'm not doing this to get skinny (although that could be a great side effect I would not complain about); I'm doing this because I want to be healthy and I want to feel like I have become good at something I've never been good at. Heavenly Father has promised us that, if we are willing to work on it, the weak things in our life can become strong things.
So, here is my plan: I'm going to give up sugar for the month of January, maybe longer if I feel so inclined at the time. And, I'm going to do a program called "Couch to 5K." Here is a link to the program: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml When I lived in Arizona, I had a friend tell me about this program. I was going to try it, but instead found out that baby #2 was on the way. I used that as an excuse and never finished more than a couple runs. It is designed to take you from sittig on the couch to runnin a 5K in 8 weeks!!! Sounds a little crazy maybe, I really don't know. Like I said, I've never been a runner, so I may be getting in over my head. But, today was my first day and I was able to finish without feeling like I was going to die!!! You should try it if that is something you also want to work on. Who knows, we could all be ready to run a 5K in 8 weeks!
This post isn't supposed to make you feel like you need to run a 5K or stop eating sugar or loose weight, etc... It is supposed to get you thinking about what you want to make strong in your life. I know it is a cliche to say, "It's the beginning of a new year, time to make a resolution!" So, instead say, "It's a new day, I'm going to make it better than yesterday; I'm going to make myself better than I was yesterday."
Please feel free to share your resolutions for today in the comments!!!! I love to hear what others are working on. It inspires me to do better!
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