Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Love this phrase

These days, through Pinterest and Facebook, I come across a lot of quotes.

One day as I was listening to talk radio, Dr. Laura said to a caller "don't let others' behaviors dictate your character". I was so struck by this powerful phrase that I quickly jotted it down.

Many times I've drilled this concept home to my kids especially to not blame or follow others when you know better.

However, I feel hypocritical because I've made compromising/unhealthy decisions fueled by others' behaviors. 

It might have been something small like what color I liked, what clothes to wear (even when I knew it looked terrible on me), or when someone takes their bad day out on me-I would try to fix it.

As I'm well into the age of forty, I find I don't run around trying to change other people's behaviors or what they think of me.  I know who I am.  I know my character.  I know I am still learning and evolving as a mom.

Recently, the boys have gone back to school and of course the questions/comments of what am I going to do with my time has come up.  I know folks are curious-envious even.  Old me would down play my importance and reach out to find work to find myself worthy of staying at home for  six hours without my kids.

What my goal is while my children are at school is to get what I need done so when they come home, I am theirs. Undivided attention.  Yesterday, we sprawled out on the couch reading out loud then going for a walk because I discovered a ripe plum tree (all picked by the time we got there). 

I am always re-evaluating my choices but I have come to learn that the best choice for me is the one that allows me to take care of my family and foster relationships. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Life's a marathon...NOT a sprint

I was reminded of this phrase by my friend Cee the other day.

We were chatting on the phone and I was reeling from the news that I can't run my marathon in October because of plantar fasciitis.  I have been going to physical therapy for two weeks and I tried to run during this time and I was in a lot of pain.

As someone who likes to have 100% completion on tasks/goals not because I think I'm awesome but I hate to let anyone down.  However, realizing my limitations and doing the best thing for me right now does not make me a failure.

It just means life happens. So I don't run a marathon when I'm forty.  I want to be able to walk without hobbling the other 19 hours of the day so I just am not going to sweat it.

I've been given the go ahead to bike.  I am not a strong biker. I am always afraid I'll crash in front of an intersection with everyone looking on and then getting run over.

Weird huh?

Well, I loaded up my 20 year-old bike in the back of our truck and went to our city's trail and biked for 12 miles.  Peaceful with the exception that I didn't check the air pressure on the tires beforehand so I road it with a flat tire.  Oh well I did it and I'm going to do it today but start from my house.

This is scary for me but I keep thinking of something my sister told me "life happens when you leave your comfort zone".

Monday, August 20, 2012

While driving dad to work this morning, I mentioned to the boys how lonely it will be at lunchtime because both the boys will be at school.

I asked if parents are allowed to come eat lunch with the students.

S.E. pipes up "Yes mom.  But I don't want you to come sit with me. I want to sit with my friends."

Crack.  The sound of my widdle heart breaking.

Koo immediately said he would sit with me.  Thank you Koo.

A few minutes later, S.E. adds..."I love you Mom but I am still going to sit with my friends."

That's okay because for the first six years of their lives, I got to eat lunch with them, be with them to witness their progression from infant to independent, sweet, boys.  I can let them go have lunch by themselves. 

What do they want for lunch for the first day? Fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce.  They will have this in their lunches and as for me, I will cherish every hug, hang on every word, and sniff and love on them from the moment they get off the bus 'til the moment they have to get back on the next day.

But of course I will be dropping in at school to volunteer so I can still see them...

Sunday, August 19, 2012

French Toast Bake

I found a really good recipe for overnight french toast.  I usually am not organized enough at night to prepare anything at night to be cooked the following day, but I love this recipe.

I made this while we were on vacation with the lovely's family because we had two loaves of white bread left by mid-week and I knew we were not going to go through these in three days.

Great way to wow your family on vacay folks. 

Of course I must give credit...http://sheldonrachel.blogspot.com/2009/03/french-toast-bake.html.

But in case you don't want to click on this gal's blog, here's the recipe:

French Toast Bake
1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar
1 loaf Texas toast
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Directions
1. Melt butter in microwave & add brown sugar....stir till mixed.
2. Pour butter/sugar mix into bottom of 9 x 13 pan....spread around
3. Beat eggs, milk, & vanilla
4. Lay single layer of Texas Toast in pan
5. Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture on bread layer
6. Add 2nd layer of Texas Toast
7. Spoon on remaining egg mixture
8. Cover & chill in fridge overnight
9. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes (covered for the first 30 minutes)
10. Sprinkle with powdered sugar
11. Serve with warm maple syrup (I don't do the syrup part)

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Have we talked about this before?

There's been a concept that has been on my mind the past few months.  In this day and time, if something isn't going right in your life...or you're just stuck (i.e. weight, keep getting into the same type of weird relationships, or just repeating mishaps)...

It seems there's got to be something behind why we do grow out of the problem even when we've identified and may even come to terms with it. 

For  me, it's my weight.  I am an emotional eater.  It's not hunger.  I'm using this example because it feels like I have spent the majority of this blog killing this subject to death.

Here's the biggie:  regardless of why, what, when I eat...THE RESULT WILL STILL HAVE TO BE THE SAME...portion control and to move my body.

I have been yo-yoing a lot this summer.  I've gained and lost the same four pounds and as I am barely breathing in my size 8's, I am frustrated with thoughts of why I put myself through this cycle over and over. 

Time to just get over myself and just do it. Portion control and exercise.
So simple, yet I stumble time and time again.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Life has been happenin' y'all and I almost forgot I had a little blog. We've had just a busy summer and with taking kids to the pool everyday for swim practice, play dates with buddies to make the summer festive, and all those family vacations.

Let me tell you, growing up our summers were spent in a small, little apartment or later on a very, very small house and watching my sisters and brother.  When I was around twelve, I had to take a bus at 5:30am to work in the strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry fields.  I did this every summer until I turned sixteen and could get a job inside (thank you Lord!).

Now with my children, it's so different with me being home.  I've been able to let them be kids. Just let them play.  Being able to go from a barely able-to swimmer to taking on Lake Chelan with speed and confidence was worth every minute I spent taking them to swim practice. 

Their endurance and confidence has skyrocketed.  I am grateful for the difference in my childhood vs. my children because of my being able to stay home with them and for a terrific hubby who works hard in order to make it possible.

I still can't believe my kids have to go back to school next week.  Not being able to see my kids for six hours straight is stressing me out.