My Mist: March 2011

3.20.2011

Goals

Have you ever had a strong desire to accomplish a mission, yet you didn't actually want to carry out the actions necessary in order to complete your goal? For instance, this house of mine took a beating. It's the usual...kitchen counter, shoes at the door, each room could use a five minute clean-up, a load of laundry, some dishes to put away. But I find myself continuing to type. So I guess I've made my choice.

Speaking of goals and accomplishments, back in January I wrote about New Beginnings. Here's the report. My five minutes of reading and exercising...it's worked! I can't believe it's mid March and I can say that setting a bare minimum goal as turned into something amazing. I actually set my kitchen timer after I dropped my kiddos off at school and read and prayed. (Crazy short time, but I had two little ones playing in the background...I was amazed on days when I had no interruptions.) God used that commitment in such a special way. Now, I set my alarm for 5:30am. Again, crazy, I know. But I have this regular quiet time alone with God. I can read and write and pray all I want! I even have time for a shower and to fold a load of laundry, all before I wake up the kids.

As for exercising, that didn't work out so well at first. Yes, I ran down my street a couple of times. But after a while the desire faded. Exercising was just plain old yucky. Billy and I have always wanted to get a treadmill. Lucky for us, I worked for a week straight in February...so we bought one. This giant contraption now resides in our bedroom. I am not one to make large purchases like that, but I'm glad I did! I have walked a mile (up-hill, kinda) each day since we bought it. (With few exceptions.) There's actually hope of muscle developing in my legs and hope of losing a couple of pounds. Although, I hear altering your diet helps with that too. So maybe the pancakes for breakfast, lasagna for lunch, and full ham dinner wasn't the best plan for losing weight. Okay, then there was the chocolate peanut butter heavenly somethings I consumed too.

Ella's updates: She's been out of the crib. She's been out of diapers (except while sleeping.) She even goes potty by herself! And she still sleeps with that paci. She sleeps...still not messing with that yet. She is an amazing little girl!

Very thankful, that God has allowed me to accomplish these goals. It is a struggle. I mean waking up early is nuts. Especially when my neighbor's roosters wake me up BEFORE my alarm. But I wouldn't trade that morning time for anything. Even if there are days when my prayers start out Dear Lord, I'm just so tired. And cranky. And out-of-it... I also wouldn't trade all that time I put into exercising. I use the treadmill whenever I can. Before everyone wakes up, or during the girls' rest time, or after the kids are in bed (the last is my least favorite.) I don't like sweating and taking time to cool off and then trying to find time to shower. I don't like intentionally putting my body through pain. But knowing that I am doing what I set out to do and liking the results, come on. It's been a long time since I felt this way. The one and only time in my life I walked this much, I was pregnant with Eric. I walked after school because I had no one else to take care of, but I just kept getting bigger!

God has blessed me this year. I want to continue to honor Him in setting goals. Here's a one more: make relationships become stronger (whoa...that's big!). Sharing more of the Lord with my husband and kids, actually letting family know I care and love them, strengthening bonds with those I know from church, making new friendships, and caring for people God has put in my life. There, I said it.

3.13.2011

Ella Turns Two

Spring Training

On the way to Clearwater we created our own Go Phillies! posters with hopes of having them signed by our favorites. Our wish came true! Somehow, someway, Eric left his shyness at home and let his desire for autographs take over. Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, Raul Ibanez, Mike Schmidt, Dominic Brown, Darren Daulton and more!

There was no stopping this boy! We met a man that had great seats. When most were kicked out of the "autograph section" he lent us his tickets so we could stay around and wait for the players to get on the field. Very thankful for that stranger...

Cailin,on the other hand, clung to mama. We snuggled a lot in the heat. Yes, there was sweat between us. I don't blame her though...lots of creepy old men trying to talk to her.

Alayna felt so special getting her autographs! She is always such a joy posing for pics! She is our feisty sweetheart. She loved sporting a real jersey! She gave her look to the old man behind us. He was singing along with Buffet and soon stopped after she gave him the look.

You can't tell by this picture...but 75 and sunny means sunburn.

My boys couldn't be happier! Hot dogs and ice cream. Great comeback (even though they didn't win.) Great seats. Beautiful weather. Palm trees swaying in the breeze in the outfield. Come on! Oh and all the autographs!

We tried for a quick photo. Next year it will be more complete...Ella will join us. She did have her turn last year and we are going to take the whole crew next time!. I might need to get our own seats on the berm with my ladies though, so they can play around.

Philly Phanatics through and through! They loved our walks around the stadium and playing at the playground. Though we miss Citizens Bank Park, we think our annual Clearwater day trip is pretty sweet.