What is your Resolution?

Okay, let's face it.  We all want to be healthy, lose weight, take more time for ourselves....those are the basic resolutions.  But if you stop and think, what is it that you really want out of the new year.  What do you want to accomplish?  What do you want to learn?  The new year is always a time for reflection on the past and hope for the future.  I am still thinking about my resolution for 2015.  There are so many things that I hope for.  Peace within myself, the ability to step away from situations that hurt me, stop doubting myself and my ability.  Hopefully,  I will be able to achieve most of these...along with the pesky 10 pounds that I want to lose, and the monthly spa day that I want.  Anyone want to share their hopes for the new year?

Happy Holidays

In case you haven't noticed, I have been out of the blogging scene for a few (by a few I mean a lot) months now.  There was a lot that happened in 2014.  Some good, some not so good - but I vow that this blog is not a place to harp on the negative, I look at the positive and think of what is to come.  I stopped writing at the end of march because life got to be a little too much.  As many of you know, I lost my dad to Pancreatic Cancer at the beginning of April.  Through that experience, I have learned that each day is a blessing.  Each moment is to be cherished.   The dishes will get done....at some point; the laundry will get folded....eventually.  But you'll never get back that moment with your child giggling for whatever reason.  Cherish those moments.  Live in the moment!

As we wind this year down, I promise to keep sharing my thoughts with you, my funny moments with you, and hopefully let you know that no one is ever in this crazy world alone!  There is always someone living the crazy....and it's probably me, so feel free to share.

To everyone, I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season, that you spend time with those you love, and you continue to make memories.  Always live life to the fullest, don't take anyone or anything for granted.  Tomorrow is never a promise, it's always a blessing!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Hakuna Matada

"It means no worries, for the rest of your days.  It's our problem free, philosophy, Hakuna Matada."   This is how we started our weekend a few weeks ago. All five of us have been under a lot of stress over the last few months... With work, school, family.  Not anything that others aren't experiencing too but it just seems to be catching up to us.  Foster and I drove home one night singing along with our Sesame Street channel on Pandora.  Right as we pulled in the driveway, the song from "Lion King" came on.  Aiden and Collin came out to help unpack the car and the next thing I knew all of our bags were dropped on the front lawn and we were dancing and singing "Hakuna Matada."  And for one moment, we had no worries. We were happy and carefree without a worry in the world.  I wish I could hold onto moments like this forever.  Let go and dance. Be carefree and worry free, even if it's only for a moment.

Let Go of Fear and Be ProActive

I wrote this a few weeks ago and then got so busy I haven't had time to post anything.  Hopefully, I will get back on track.  But if you don't read any other blog posts, please read this one.  It's so important to take charge of your health!

Okay, I’m not saying all fear – because some things I’m just not going to be able to get over, like my fear of heights, or my fear of spiders, or my fear of sitting next to stinky people in Jail overnight (don’t ask).  But, fear of going to the doctor.  Everyone has a bit of apprehension when they go to the doctor (I hope they don’t find anything, what if they tell me something is wrong, what if they tell me I need to change my diet, etc., etc., etc.)  I have a fear of needles – I don’t know why, I just do.  I DO NOT LIKE GETTING SHOTS.  How I made it through two pregnancies, I’ll never know, but I did and I am proud to say I got epidurals with both – AND SURVIVED!  But that still doesn’t mean I like needles.  And for two years my doctor has been telling me that I need to have my cholesterol checked.  Which means I have to go to a primary care physician and get a physical.  Not something that I am looking forward to, which is why I have been putting it off.  But this is my year of conquering things and letting go – so I am going to let go of my fear of needles, and physicals, and I am going to schedule my annual physical.  And from here on out, I am going to go every year and get one – EVERY YEAR!  Here’s to a healthy me!  Who’s with me?

2 Kids, a Husband and a Job: Relax, Release, Relate

2 Kids, a Husband and a Job: Relax, Release, Relate: Anyone remember Whitley saying this on "A Different World?" As funny as it was back then, it actually is so true.  Through the str...

Relax, Release, Relate

Anyone remember Whitley saying this on "A Different World?" As funny as it was back then, it actually is so true.  Through the stress of day to day life, plus any added things that God decides to throw my way, I feel my anxiety rising, I feel my patience wearing thin... and then I hear this monster, yelling at my kids, my husband, and anyone else that doesn't do what I ask them to do right when I ask them to do it.  I can also tell when stress is getting to me because things that don't bother me, all of a sudden are a big deal.  I actually took a week off from writing because things were getting to be too much.  I'm trying to teach myself to check out, to breathe, and to think about what's really important and what truly needs my attention.  It's so easy to let everything overwhelm you, but if you relax, release, and relate, your priorities fall into place.  Have a great week!

It Doesn't Matter if You Win or Lose, It's How You Play the Game

These words were said by my dad before every church league basketball game.  Go out and play your hardest, if you gave it your all, then that's all anyone can ask for.  And it's so true, and so relevant today with everything going on.  I realized this week, I don't always win, I don't always come out on top, as long as I give it my best shot.  Just one of the many life lessons taught to me by my dad.  I have to say, while I have a lot of my mom in me, I have learned so much from my dad, especially when it comes to being honest and ethical, helping others out, and giving it my all every time I do something.  I truly believe that's why I am where I am today (Thanks, Dad!) And that's why, even with setbacks, I am going to get where I need and want to go.  So, this week has been a week of reflection (as well as a week of cold, stomach bug, and stress).  Reflect on the things that you have, where you have been, and the lessons you have learned along the way.  Look forward to the future and all that is holds.  Live each day to the fullest and appreciate everything and everyone around you.  So, for everyone out there, in the game of life, remember these words, "It doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game."

Progress

As we enter into a new week, we reflect on the last week to see what we accomplished and what we need to improve upon.  I will say that the snow definitely helped me because it gave me a little more time to work out during the day, which I am proud to say happened 4 times last week!  (Woohoo!) but I was actually able to work it into my schedule at work one day too, which was a since of accomplishment.  I am slowly remembering why I used to work out 4 days a week before I was married.  It is a wonderful stress reliever.  And believe me when I say I have a lot of stress right now.  But I am realizing that just by being able to "sweat it out" a little, I already feel like I am in a better frame of mind.  I feel good.  And I even treated myself to some new workout gear over the weekend.  A few things happened this week that reminded me, though, that I still have a lot of work to do with letting things go.  I am still getting my feathers ruffled by what people say or what they do.  One thing that I have to remember:  If I am going though a lot, then I am sure other people are experiencing issues that are stressful to them.  I have to remember that the world does not stop if I have a bad day.  Other people are entitled to bad days too, right? So, things to remember for the week ahead....keep working exercise into the schedule and take the time to ask someone how they are doing.  It can mean so much to that someone.  Happy Week, everyone!

Baby Steps

This title is loaded with meaning...I am making strides to a better, more organized, more calm me in 2014.  I was able to work out (okay, maybe it was just once, but I did it!), the Cozi Family Calendar worked wonders for our meal planning this week (take out during the week is going to be a thing of the past).  So I am making baby steps towards my goals.  But I'm also realizing that baby steps is the reason I am not getting as much done.  I'm not saying I don't have the time, but when I do, I am so tired that I am ready for dreamland.  I came to the realization with everything we have going on that I need to modify my goals.  I still want to let go of the things that are holding me back.  But I also need to not worry so much everyday about meeting these goals and just relish in being in the moment and cherish being a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend.  With that said, I'm still going to work out today and try on those jeans I've been waiting 4 years to get back into....I'll let you know next week how close I am (or how far, depending on how you want to look at it).  Enjoy the week y'all and let your family know you love them!

Week One...FAIL!

Does anyone else go into the first week of a new year all revved up and ready to go?  I was so motivated to get to the gym, start eating right, etc.  Since this is the year of letting go, I was going to start with the physical stuff (easy first) and work towards the hard stuff....well, that didn't quite happen.  Hubby got an SOS call (literally) on Saturday night, a plea to please drive a boat down to Key West and it had to be there by the end of the week.  A stressful meeting was scheduled for Monday, and awaiting news pretty much took up the rest of my energy. Needless to say, my kids were fed, my husband made it there and back, and the news was good, but I was a little less patient with co-workers, kids, and the lady in the cafeteria.  So to everyone out there that came in contact with me between Monday and Thursday - a big "I'm sorry!" So, I am having a "do over" week.  I am going to practice patience (breathe in, breathe out) and get to the gym three days this week.  And I have already planned my menu for the week (love Cozi!!) to avoid take-out (tip:  take out does nothing for the waist line or bank account - not helping let go of two of my items).  How did everyone else do this week?  Did everyone stick to their resolutions?  I would love to hear your success (and failures).  Hopefully, this coming week will be just what I need to jump start my year!!

New Year, New Me....Maybe

So, 2013 brought lots of changes for me and my family.  Probably the biggest, and the one that is the catalyst for all of the other changes is we welcomed our baby girl in April.  And after adjusting to life with three kids, she is a perfect fit for our family.  She is beautiful, laid back, and definitely a welcome addition.  One thing that didn't change for me is the ability to let things go....wow, this is a loaded phrase, right?  There are so many things that I hold onto - material things (i.e. the baby's coming home outfit, notes from my best friend in high school), emotional things (will I ever let it go that my husband was mean to me on April 17, 2008 at exactly 8:02 pm?), and, of course, the extra pounds that for four years I liked to call my battle scars - it proved that I was a Mom!!

Making resolutions is so cliché, but I always get excited at the new year, and the prospects that it can bring.  The anticipation of what's to come.  So, this year I have goals.  I want to be able to let go of some of the things that I have been holding onto too tightly for the past however many years.  I want to get and stay healthy, and I want to teach my family healthy living habits.  I also want to write my blog more regular.  These are my goals.  What are yours?