Free Throw

My brother-in-law recently requested, from the family mailing group, ideas on weight loss.

He says he doesn't need it now but he wants some ideas for later on when us "older ones" don't care as much or forget stuff.

Yeah, he's a gem.

Anyway, this was my response and I thought I'd just throw it out here. I guess I did go to college for something.

My Top 5 Healthy Eating Ideas

1. Eat smaller portions more often. (5-6 times a day)
2. Drink a glass of water before or after eating.
3. Eat the right kind of food. (you know what that is)
4. Don't do anything else while you're eating (no driving, watching, reading, etc.). Just focus on the food and tasting/savoring it.
5. Add more movement to your day.

For real weight loss: Keep a food journal (write down what/when you eat and why you're eating).

But, everyone knows this stuff, right? (It doesn't mean we do it.)

The Enemy

It is the enemy of all.

Especially mothers.

It moves too fast and I don't have enough of it.

And yet, I can't wait. To move to the next stage.

I need more.

There's too much until . . .

I feel like I'm serving it.

It changes everything.

Cracked

I crack myself up.

I actually say that a lot.

Here are the usual responses in my home:

"Mom, you're weird."

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" (really loud and obnoxious)

"Wait, what . . . oh I get it."

"Huh?"

"heeheehaa (not really sure why I'm laughing, but I don't want to miss out)"

"Nice one."

Sometimes I can keep laughing and smiling about something for a long time. Whether it's a show I watched (Community anyone?), something my child said, something I read or myself. For instance:

I built a snowman with my 2 year old yesterday in our driveway.
It was her first one and it was little and cute.
As the sun warmed up the head fell off.
Then I had to go run an errand.
With the car. (Remember where we built the snowman?)
Well, I drove over it.

Twice.

It felt good.

And I'm still laughing about it now. I know, I crack myself up.

Aaahhhh, shoot. (wipe tears)

Sometimes I think that this humor of mine is the only thing that is really holding me together.

Imagine

I'm a visual type of person. I love creating images that I can have in my mind to keep me going.

My husband starts school again today. I have had him home for a little over a month. And I've totally been relying on him for everything.

It's been fabulous.

But, now I'm nervous.

I've got to pick up the slack that I've let fall onto him. Now it's all on me. And I know I can't do it by myself. I can only make it through if I have someone else helping me. (I'm not afraid to admit this weakness.) And the only person I have to rely on is the Lord.

So here's the image:

I'm pulling a super heavy handcart.

It's overloaded and I'm going up hill.

It's hard.

But then I look over and I'm not pulling alone.

Christ is pulling with me and smiling.

And I know we can do this together.

Time to Commit

So, I have this huge pile of clothes next to my side of the bed.

Yes, some of them are clean and folded and ready to put away.

But, unfortunately, there's this pile of "other" stuff, too.

I think I just figured out what it is:

Seeing as I'm the one responsible for all the laundry in the house, I find it hard to commit to what is really dirty and what might be salvageable for one more day of wear.

So, it ends up in this pile of "other" stuff.

But, then I can't really remember what I thought about it - "mostly clean or mostly dirty?"

Therefore, my first new years resolution is to commit to putting the dirty stuff (that extra 3 feet away) into the hamper.

Just don't expect any other type of resolutions about laundry this year.

(Like emptying that hamper - ha!)

Grow Up

These are two words that, at times, I really want to say to my child.

But I'm also afraid of it happening.

This child is smart and hilarious and so unconcerned with what others think. Sometimes (often) it comes off as loud and obnoxious. But, because she doesn't care, she has a freedom I think most people would love to have.

She wears what she wants, cries when she's sad, and laughs really loud at jokes. She knows the answer to everything and will give the shirt off her back to anyone who needs it.

She still believes in Santa fiercely. She told me the other day that she can't believe that no one in her 6th grade class believes in Santa or the Tooth Fairy. "Can you believe I'm the only one? What's wrong with them?"

I love that innocence about her.

At the same time, I get worried because it would be nice for her to understand reality, recognize situations for what they are, and try to fit in.

But even as I write this I think, why do I want that?

I've probably spent too much of my life trying to fit in. Do I really want that for her? Not really.

But, I think that at some point it will happen. She will grow up and then all the hurtful things people say and do (especially in junior high) are going to matter.

I definitely don't want that to happen.

So I guess that I hope she stays just the way she is and everyone continues to love her and accept her for who she is.

We could use a few more grown-ups like her anyway.

Bring It On!

Yesterday I turned 40.

Today, I just am 40.

About 8 months before my daughter turned 4 she started talking about her birthday. She had it all planned and would come up with new ideas all the time. She was so excited about it for the whole 8 months leading up to it.

Well, 8 years ago I heard about some friends who had just celebrated their 40th birthday by having a sleepover and watching Pride and Prejudice. It sounded like so much fun. I wanted to celebrate my 40th the same way and make it fun instead of just being "old".

It didn't happen.

At first I was sad. What was the point of turning 40 if I couldn't make it a big deal?

So, I decided I needed a new focus.

I thought about my bucket list and all the things I still need to accomplish.

Then I figured out how old each of my kids would be when I turned 50.

And I realized, wow that is a lot of life left to happen.

So, now I say: Bring it on!