Monday...

So I have made the decision/commitment/ promise to myself that it is time to get back into living a more active lifestyle. I have let this important part of my life go to the wayside over the last year and I am really beginning to feel the effects. And see them for that matter. ugghhh....

I am a person that really does enjoy working out. Gosh, I feel so much better when I have a consistent routine of physical activity. Whether it is running, walking, or biking. When I was in junior high and high school I ran track so that is pretty much the type of exercise I resort to. Running is really one of those things that you love or hate and I happen to love it. I want to consider myself a runner again. There is nothing like lacing up my running shoes, putting on my favorite Nike hat, and setting my watch to calculate my time.  

Why is getting started again so hard though?  I am dreading that part. Several years ago I trained for a marathon and at one point I could run 20 miles. 20 miles. I can't even run 3 now. I will be out of breath, I will have several days of aching muscles, and what I am looking forward to most of all is feeling all the untoned "muscle" jiggle. ugghh... sigh. 

I suppose with warm days just around the corner and knowing that I will be spending time at the pool is what is spurring me on. Swimsuit shopping.... ugghhh.... I wonder how many times I can say that in this post. Are you sensing my depth of dread? I need the motivation though. And I suppose that I am hoping that there is some sort of accountability once you type the words on a blog. 

I have decided to start working out again today. It's Monday. A new, fresh beginning. Time to make running or walking a part of my daily routine. Time to be watching more closely what I am eating and making wiser choices. Unfortunately that means giving up these... 

Oh, how I love these peanut butter eggs. Pure deliciousness. I suppose that if I am really good about my exercise routine, one of these little bits of chocolate heaven wouldn't hurt. And they do only come out once a year. I have to justify it somehow. 

Now off to this...

Happy Monday!

A Mother's Love...

There really is no place like home. I walked in the door several hours ago from spending the week with my sister, Sarah , Mike, and their new baby, Anna Claire. I was welcomed with hugs from my children and husband and kisses from our puppies. It is good to be home. We had an absolute wonderful week and it will be one that I always remember. Thank you again Sarah (and you too, Mike!) for allowing me to be there.

My sister and I are best friends. It's been like that since the day my parents brought her home from the hospital. Sure we had our moments but when it came down to it, best friends is what we were. I look out for her and she looks out for me. We share anything and everything. We can finish each other's sentences, know what the other one is thinking, and one of our favorite things to do is laugh. When we are together, everything just seems right.

We have been through a lot together and now we can walk the journey of motherhood together.

I think of where I've been (my children are ages 11, 12, and 18) and where she is. The cries in the wee hours of the night, the first words, first tooth, and all the other "firsts" that she soon will experience. The firsts in my children's lives are a whole lot different. The first time they didn't make the baseball team, first band concerts, and to top it off with firsts, we are sending our first-born off this Fall. A mother's love runs so deep no matter what the age of her children. I was reminded of that this week. As much as I would love for the days of my children being babies again, I want to embrace and celebrate where they are now. The time goes so fast and I want to make it all count.

One thing that I love about making the trip to Nashville is the time I have alone in the car. I can have quiet or I can turn the music up loud. A lot of the time though I end up praying and just thinking. It's a good time. Today, I found myself with a thankful heart. I am thankful for each of my children. For their uniqueness, their hugs, their gifts and talents, and their smiles. At times I feel so inadequate. I lack wisdom, patience, and understanding more than I would like to admit. It is then that I go back to what I believe. God HAS entrusted me to care, nurture, discipline, guide, and love them because He has found me able to be the very best mom for these children. Sometimes, that is something that I simply cannot wrap my mind around. I am humbled, grateful, and I think Him for the privilege He has given me. Lord, help me to mother the hearts of my children in a way that brings you glory. Help me to completely rely on your strength and the wisdom You give. When they look at me, let them see Jesus.

Now, I can't finish this post without sharing some pictures of this bundle of pure delight...