Yesterday, I started the 30 Day Shred. Oh. My. Stars. And. Garters. When I was done, I could barely walk, I was wheezing a bit and dripping sweat.
I've actually been working out for the last 3 months or so. How am I still so out of shape??
I'll blame summer... no one wants to work out when it's day 10,000 of 105 degrees or more. Also, it's hard to work out consistently when you have a child in the house who DOESN'T nap and therefore wants to use the tv during prime sweatin' time. Yeesh. Kids. ;)
Anyway. Today was... let's see... yesterday was day 1... add the 1... carry the zero... Yes. Today was day 2. It wasn't NEARLY as hard as I anticipated and halfway through the third circuit, I found myself thinking "I thought there would be more to do?" So yay! Maybe yesterday was just a shock-day because I hadn't done these specific workouts before? I've been doing Jillian Michael's Upside Down Ab workout for the last 3-4 weeks. Maybe I'll see even quicker results if I do the upside down ab bits in the morning and the Shred at night? Hrm. Worth it?
Anywhoo... feeling good about myself, feeling good about life in general.
Also, I adore my husband. He is THE best thing that ever happened to me and I should tell him that every single day and twice on Sundays. e
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
August 1, 2011
Last month, we reached our 7 year anniversary. I find it hard to believe that it's actually been that long since our wedding day. It doesn't seem like it could have been that long ago. But here we are, a 10 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old later.
Some highlights of our 7 years:
Well, clearly, the honeymoon. Never having been to Mexico before, it was quite the experience. Mismaloya, the churches, the coast/bay... all fond memories and examples of the beauty of Mexico. We've daydreamed ever since about having a house there for vacations.
Buying our house. I don't recall it as particularly stressful, but it was certainly an adventure. Seeing all the houses we didn't want and then finding this one, that seemed so perfect... it all just happened gradually and it's sometimes hard to imagine we ever lived anywhere else. I remember the pastel Dr Seuss houses we saw in Mesquite before we found this one... I wonder to this day who lives there and if they are as weirded out as I was.
The girls. I didn't realize how big an impact they would have on our lives. Well, I knew it would change everything but I suppose I didn't realize how much I would change in response to them. I wouldn't say I'm more patient with people in general but I am certainly more understanding of human nature and maybe a bit more forgiving.
Ben. Well, he was 19 months or so when the boy and I started dating. He was 3 when we got married. His growth has been amazing to watch and he's becoming quite the young man. It helps that he's nearly as tall as me... hard to treat him like a child when he can look you square in the eye! He's had his ups and downs over the years. This summer was a really good one with him... we spent time on the water, going random places, hanging out with friends when we could. He's made new friends in the neighborhood and I think that helps him feel more at ease. Peers do wonders for your attitude and general well-being.
Trips to Oregon/Colorado. We've been to Oregon twice and Colorado (together) once. Road trips are still a bit of a struggle with small kids but definitely worth the effort. Oregon has beautiful scenery and where we've visited is wine country. If we could live there, we probably would. Colorado was on the chilly side when we visited my Grandparents. Izzy was just shy of 2 1/2 when we made the first trip and then was actually 2 1/2 when I took the girls up again with my parents and she still remembers my Grandfather, the layout of the house and the snow we saw. Hoping to make the trek again soon so she can cement those memories a bit more now that she's older.
Some highlights of our 7 years:
Well, clearly, the honeymoon. Never having been to Mexico before, it was quite the experience. Mismaloya, the churches, the coast/bay... all fond memories and examples of the beauty of Mexico. We've daydreamed ever since about having a house there for vacations.
Buying our house. I don't recall it as particularly stressful, but it was certainly an adventure. Seeing all the houses we didn't want and then finding this one, that seemed so perfect... it all just happened gradually and it's sometimes hard to imagine we ever lived anywhere else. I remember the pastel Dr Seuss houses we saw in Mesquite before we found this one... I wonder to this day who lives there and if they are as weirded out as I was.
The girls. I didn't realize how big an impact they would have on our lives. Well, I knew it would change everything but I suppose I didn't realize how much I would change in response to them. I wouldn't say I'm more patient with people in general but I am certainly more understanding of human nature and maybe a bit more forgiving.
Ben. Well, he was 19 months or so when the boy and I started dating. He was 3 when we got married. His growth has been amazing to watch and he's becoming quite the young man. It helps that he's nearly as tall as me... hard to treat him like a child when he can look you square in the eye! He's had his ups and downs over the years. This summer was a really good one with him... we spent time on the water, going random places, hanging out with friends when we could. He's made new friends in the neighborhood and I think that helps him feel more at ease. Peers do wonders for your attitude and general well-being.
Trips to Oregon/Colorado. We've been to Oregon twice and Colorado (together) once. Road trips are still a bit of a struggle with small kids but definitely worth the effort. Oregon has beautiful scenery and where we've visited is wine country. If we could live there, we probably would. Colorado was on the chilly side when we visited my Grandparents. Izzy was just shy of 2 1/2 when we made the first trip and then was actually 2 1/2 when I took the girls up again with my parents and she still remembers my Grandfather, the layout of the house and the snow we saw. Hoping to make the trek again soon so she can cement those memories a bit more now that she's older.
August 1, 2011
I'm trying to be patient and understanding but really, I cannot wait to have my husband back. So much of his time has been taken up by one of two things lately: work or legal issues. I try not to complain about work because it's not as though he can suddenly cut his workload in half and spend more time at home. What has to be done, has to be done, and largely by him. When it comes to the legal stuff, it's a bit harder to be patient. After 9 years, I still feel like that can monopolize his time and attention in a way with which I simply cannot compete. Maybe things are drawing to a close of some sort, maybe they're not. Regardless, it's frustrating to wait it out, hoping for calm, happy evenings.
Related: Ben went back to his mother's house on Saturday. It's a strange feeling, not having him here. The girls periodically look for him and I find myself waiting for him to come down to breakfast. He plays well with the girls and has been trying very hard to contribute around the house.
We introduced a chore/reward system and even though it's only been in effect for a week, he seemed to get the hang of it and was getting quite good at checking his progress himself. I have a hard time delegating certain tasks. The old saying "If you want it done right, do it yourself" is one that strikes home for me. As much as I might complain about doing certain chores around the house, it's very often easier?/less complicated? to do it myself than it is to tell someone else how/when/why to do it. However! if I want help with things, I have to ask, right? So some things are being handed off to the chilluns and they're stepping up admirably. Ben has been taking out trash, keeping their bathroom reasonably clean, making his own bed and the like. Izzy struggles with the concept of chores but likes to dust and help put clothes away so I'm taking advantage of that. Lily has only really mastered feeding the dogs so I can imagine that's gonna get heavy rotation in her chore list.
Related: Ben went back to his mother's house on Saturday. It's a strange feeling, not having him here. The girls periodically look for him and I find myself waiting for him to come down to breakfast. He plays well with the girls and has been trying very hard to contribute around the house.
We introduced a chore/reward system and even though it's only been in effect for a week, he seemed to get the hang of it and was getting quite good at checking his progress himself. I have a hard time delegating certain tasks. The old saying "If you want it done right, do it yourself" is one that strikes home for me. As much as I might complain about doing certain chores around the house, it's very often easier?/less complicated? to do it myself than it is to tell someone else how/when/why to do it. However! if I want help with things, I have to ask, right? So some things are being handed off to the chilluns and they're stepping up admirably. Ben has been taking out trash, keeping their bathroom reasonably clean, making his own bed and the like. Izzy struggles with the concept of chores but likes to dust and help put clothes away so I'm taking advantage of that. Lily has only really mastered feeding the dogs so I can imagine that's gonna get heavy rotation in her chore list.
Friday, July 29, 2011
July 29, 2011
This week has been rough. I don't know if it's the heat or their ages or simply my inability to spend all day entertaining but the kids have been driving me NUTS! The constant fighting over every little toy is really nerve wracking for me. We've also cut back MAJORLY on tv time so I'm sure that's part of it. In the long run, I know it does them a lot of good but can the benefits really outweigh the stress caused? Yikes. So much screaming over babies and toy wands and boxes.
We made it to the zoo last Friday but didn't do anything quite so adventurous this week. It's hard talking yourself into a day trip when you know you're going to be battling wills the entire time. Next week will be calmer... I keep telling myself that. Maybe the mantra will work and it will be a breeze.
I've been working on a school schedule for Izzy/Lily. I'm not sure how well it will work but I keep reminding myself that this first year, while important, won't define their entire scholastic career. 10-15 minute periods sprinkled through out the day should allow us to cover most subjects on an almost daily basis.
Izzy starts ballet classes next month. I didn't realize until a week ago that it will conflict right off the bat with our planned excursion with my parents but oh well. I don't know how a makeup class will work out but surely we can do something like that. After all, it's pre-ballet... surely they won't overload them in the first two weeks.
Fighting the green-eyed monster this week. From the peanut gallery comes all the "But I want it toooooooo" and from myself comes the "Why can't I have ________." The cute shoes, the nicer clothes, more nights out... you name it. I don't know what I'd do with any of those things, mind you. But it doesn't stop me from wanting. Working on that, though. Coveting never helped anyone.
Trying to remember to be thankful for the friends I have and the time with family. Having always struggled with feelings of exclusion, it's easy to feel slighted sometimes. Meh.
We made it to the zoo last Friday but didn't do anything quite so adventurous this week. It's hard talking yourself into a day trip when you know you're going to be battling wills the entire time. Next week will be calmer... I keep telling myself that. Maybe the mantra will work and it will be a breeze.
I've been working on a school schedule for Izzy/Lily. I'm not sure how well it will work but I keep reminding myself that this first year, while important, won't define their entire scholastic career. 10-15 minute periods sprinkled through out the day should allow us to cover most subjects on an almost daily basis.
Izzy starts ballet classes next month. I didn't realize until a week ago that it will conflict right off the bat with our planned excursion with my parents but oh well. I don't know how a makeup class will work out but surely we can do something like that. After all, it's pre-ballet... surely they won't overload them in the first two weeks.
Fighting the green-eyed monster this week. From the peanut gallery comes all the "But I want it toooooooo" and from myself comes the "Why can't I have ________." The cute shoes, the nicer clothes, more nights out... you name it. I don't know what I'd do with any of those things, mind you. But it doesn't stop me from wanting. Working on that, though. Coveting never helped anyone.
Trying to remember to be thankful for the friends I have and the time with family. Having always struggled with feelings of exclusion, it's easy to feel slighted sometimes. Meh.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
July 19, 2011
Thursday morning, I meet with Rabbi Dennis to iron out a few last details. Hebrew name(s), any requests for people attending the beit din, congregation membership. I was thinking to pick a Hebrew name that would have the same meaning as my English one but that's more complicated than I thought. I was thinking my name meant 'beloved' but I keep getting things like "from the fortress" or "pure" or "black," depending on the source (Gaelic or Welsh).
Meh. Maybe he has some suggestions....
Meh. Maybe he has some suggestions....
July 19, 2011 A
The boy's vacation time is over and it's back to the normal routine. Ish...
Last week, we spent most of our days on the water, which was great. It makes the 100+ degree weather almost bearable when you can rinse off the sweat. The girls are rapidly becoming far more comfortable in the water than mama is but that's a good thing. I don't want them to have my fear of drowning. Izzy is browner than brown while Lily, our little paleface, is still, well, lily-white. I don't know how that happens... I must reapply the sunscreen more to Lily. I thought I was slathering evenly but who knows!
Saturday morning started off well, with getting to service EARLY for once. I don't think that's happened before. Maybe we should go out for breakfast more often. ;) The Torah portion was Pinchas - I know I've read it before but I don't guess it stood out as much as it should have until now. During discussion, some new ideas were presented: the necessity of anger and passion, the dangers of inclusion and the awesome burden placed on those in positions of power and respect.
Isobel's birthday party was Saturday afternoon and was a lot of fun. Nicole came over early and gave us massages as part of her class 'home work.' I didn't realize how much stress that would remove from the day until it was all over and the headache kicked in. Better after the party than in the middle of it! :)
Back to the normal routine yesterday, with carting the kids around to the store to drop off cameras and then on to the mall to play in the air conditioning. It makes the day go by much faster when we have things to do... just wish it were possible to find things to do that are entertaining AND free. Seems money is always slipping through our fingers. :(
Last week, we spent most of our days on the water, which was great. It makes the 100+ degree weather almost bearable when you can rinse off the sweat. The girls are rapidly becoming far more comfortable in the water than mama is but that's a good thing. I don't want them to have my fear of drowning. Izzy is browner than brown while Lily, our little paleface, is still, well, lily-white. I don't know how that happens... I must reapply the sunscreen more to Lily. I thought I was slathering evenly but who knows!
Saturday morning started off well, with getting to service EARLY for once. I don't think that's happened before. Maybe we should go out for breakfast more often. ;) The Torah portion was Pinchas - I know I've read it before but I don't guess it stood out as much as it should have until now. During discussion, some new ideas were presented: the necessity of anger and passion, the dangers of inclusion and the awesome burden placed on those in positions of power and respect.
Isobel's birthday party was Saturday afternoon and was a lot of fun. Nicole came over early and gave us massages as part of her class 'home work.' I didn't realize how much stress that would remove from the day until it was all over and the headache kicked in. Better after the party than in the middle of it! :)
Back to the normal routine yesterday, with carting the kids around to the store to drop off cameras and then on to the mall to play in the air conditioning. It makes the day go by much faster when we have things to do... just wish it were possible to find things to do that are entertaining AND free. Seems money is always slipping through our fingers. :(
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