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?

Too much

The past two days while reading the news, I can't help but feel that we take things way too serious nowadays and we as Americans can't just take things for what they are and let some things go.  First, it was the principal that threatened the valedictorian with his future because the student didn't use the speech that was edited for him by school officials and, here is the kicker, he mentioned God and Jesus in the speech. Having read the speech, I personally didn't think that the mention of God and Jesus was appropriate for the commencement speech, but I certainly didn't think it was worth taking the student's appointment to the Naval Academy away.  And the beauty of living in this country is that everyone can have their own opinion. 

Today, I read the news and see that there as in issue now with the Zesty Italian commercial.  Again, everyone has their own opinion and I personally find the ad quite amusing.  But I can see where some people wouldn't like it, but, yet again, is it worth making a stink about it?

I feel like too many times we focus on the frivolous and we have lost our sense of humor.  We have also lost our ability  to be tolerant of others and their beliefs.  Let's stop taking everything so seriously, focus on the issues that are truly important, and let other people express themselves too!  Be tolerant of others and let things go!

Welcome Summer, Welcome Baby, Welcome Change

It's hard to adjust to change.  Just when I think that I have the hang of things, I get what I want and welcome another member in my family.  In April, we welcomed our baby girl and, after six weeks and many sleepless nights, we still haven't gotten the hang of things.  I don't remember my first crying so much or not sleeping as much, but this little one seems to always want to know what's going on.  As hard as I work on getting her to sleep for longer periods during the night, she seems to sleep less and less.  Maybe it's because she senses that this will be my last baby and she knows that I need to spend as much time enjoying it as possible.  And in my quest to make things "perfect," I won't take the time to cherish it unless forced to (hence the many sleepless nights).

Change is everywhere.  Just the other day, my husband and I were talking about how, now that I am no longer "with child," we need to take more time for us....which is a big change because for the past four years, I have dedicated myself to my family and sort of lost myself in (and to) that.  I don't regret my decisions, but I realize that there is time for just me and my husband to.

I am also determined to make a change to myself, both physically and emotionally.  For my own happiness (and hopefully my husband's) I need to get myself back into shape.  Not just losing the baby weight, but losing the weight I gained before my son was born almost 4 years ago and getting healthy again.  My goal is to get to where I was when I got married (fingers crossed).  Emotionally I need to change too.  My patience has certainly been tested while I have been home on leave.  I realize that I do need to take more time to enjoy the little things and not worry so much about the laundry or the groceries.  I need to feel good about myself again and really find where I belong outside of being a mom and a wife.

I dedicate this summer to change and I hope that you will follow me as I embark on this journey.  There will be some highs and there will be some lows, but it won't be boring.  It's time to embrace change!!!