Random

It's been far too long since I've posted.  I just don't have much time for blog posts.  Most of my spare computer time is used editing photos.

I spent 5 days earlier this month at my BFF's Wild West Themed wedding.  It was such a great time.  

We've been battling the heat.

The girls have been healthy for 6 weeks now.  Shocker!

Annie is sleeping much better at night, even night weaned and almost all the way through.  We're working on getting Audrey up easier in the morning so she can stay up a little later at night.

Andrew leaves for boot camp in 5 weeks.  

Kymi has band camp in a week.

Josh and I are continuing to run.  He's training for a marathon and I'm training for another half marathon to do with my neighbor.  

Late June my grandmother passed away.  I wrote the following memories in an email to my mom/sister and another one to Josh.

 I’ve spent the last 15 minutes reminiscing about all our summers at the cottage.  Washing off with the hose outside.  Running up and down the sand dunes.  Walking to the playground with Joel and Rachel.  Joel and I teaching the younger cousins how to play poker.  Grampa sorting endless baseball cards and giving the damaged cards to Chad. The old rusty swingset under the oak tree.  And speaking of the oak tree, those darn acorns.  Man those hurt when you stepped on them barefoot. Wandering the woods across the street, avoiding the poison ivy. Going to the Willoughbee’s (sp?) for some candy and visiting. Those bunk beds too close to the ceiling.  Hit my head almost every morning when I woke up. The carpet walkway to the beach that wasn’t ever long enough so we still had to endure the hot sand.  The sand all over the carpet, defeating the purpose of the carpet.  Gramma ALWAYS baking or cleaning or cooking in the kitchen.  She NEVER stopped. Doing puzzles at the kitchen table. Building card houses in the living room.  Gramma hanging our underwear on the clothes line.  I never understood why we couldn’t just use the dryer. 

There was a park about ½ mile from the cottage that we walked to a lot when we couldn’t go swimming.  And there were sand dunes.  We’d run up them as fast as we could and always run out of steam halfway up.  And then run down and fall and end up just sliding or rolling down the hill.  And come home covered in sand in our clothes.  In our pockes and undies.  There was a hose on the side of the house with a shower head type attachment and we’d all have to clean our feet (and the rest of ourselves) there.  All the little kids would get totally naked and wash off.  It was embarrassing when you reached a certain age.  Then we go inside.  The bathroom had a direct door to the outside so we would just go inside and shower without tracking water or sand throughout the cottage. One year in early July, I was marching in and out of the house.  I had found a small American Flag and was carrying it.  I think I was even wearing my blue shorts and red shirt, I don’t remember for sure.  Anyway, I was marching all over the place.  Grampa got so upset.  “Quit slamming the door.  In or out.”  Gramma said, “What are you doing Chris?”  “I’m marching in the 4^th of July parade Gramma.”  And she had a brilliant idea.  She decided that Nicole and Megan and I would get all decked out in our best patriotic clothes and grab flags and march in the parade that week.  As the parade came by our cottage (we were pretty early on the street I think) she just found a hole and shoved us in.  I think it was Megan who freaked out and refused to go in, so Nicole and I marched alone.  Or maybe they both did.  I don’t remember very well.  But I marched in the 4^th of July parade for the cottage.  My first ever parade. 

Fun Facts About Me

I just read a really fun blog over on babble, and I was inspired to do one of my own. 

According to google, I have a number of followers and I'm not sure you all know who I am.  So here are some fun facts about me.

• I'm a math and science geek.  To the core.  I love doing simple algebra or balancing chemical equations.  It passes the time, requires just the right amount of thinking, and keeps me out of trouble

• I drink my coffee black.  Cream and sugar are gross.  Although I love a good latte.

• I want to open a bakery.  I love baking.  But I don't do cakes.  I'm not a decorator, I'm a baker.  I do a mean pastry.  

• I love organizing.  Not cleaning.  Organizing.  Taking all the junk that gets thrown in a closet and making it pretty and easy to find.  However, my house lacks organization.  It's a cop out, but it's a lack of money.  To do what I want to do will require more money than we have.  So I do what I can.  I also have 2 teenagers and 2 toddlers who don't know how to put things away properly, so I've given up organizing.  When the house belongs to just me and my husband it will be organized.  And it will be awesome!

• In addition to math and science, I'm also a gigantic band geek.  Marched the tuba and everything.  I catch myself rolling my feet as I walk down hallways.  I miss it.  I would totally give trombone lessons if I had time.

• I am a horribly slow reader.  And my comprehension is ridiculously low.  I can't read anything too deep or I get lost and give up.  Really bad for my self esteem.  So I read fluff.  And I enjoy it.  If I need something more intellectual I read a scientific something or another.

• Poor grammar and spelling and using words that don't exist are huge pet peeves of mine.  I may not be a good reader, but I am good at grammar.  And if I know orientate, literately, and irregardless aren't words, then someone who writes for a living should too.  I also am a killer speller.  Not sure why I can spell and know all the grammar rules but am a horrid reader.  Maybe I'm too busy checking grammar to comprehend what it is I'm reading.

• I love Christmas.  Growing up we never "did" Santa.  Just wasn't important to my mom or dad, so it wasn't passed on.  And honestly, it's not important to me either.  But my husband loves it, so I play along.  

• I have curly hair.  At least I used to.  Then I got pregnant.  And it went bye-bye.  I miss it.  I keep trying to encourage the curls to come out.  But they are reluctant.  And I'm sad.  It's been almost four years since I had my pretty, bouncy curls.

• I'm a runner.  I hate running.  But I'm a runner.  I'm not a great runner.  But I run.  I'm training for a half marathon.  Only 19 days left.  EEEK!!!!!

Half Marathon Training

As of today, my half Marathon is a little over a month away. 39 days.


I'm really getting into the mindset of it. Thinking about running for 2+ hours. Thinking about water and energy. And sleep. Clothing. Bandaids for my foot where the shoes rub. I'm well into my training plan. I've done an official 5k and have extrapolated what my time will be based on my 5k time.


And most importantly music. I struggle running without music. I love music. It gives me a good tempo. Gives me the oomph to keep going. And slower songs force me to slow down so I don't burn out.


Normally when I run I just hit play on the playlist comprised of upbeat artists and albums. But not a whole lot of houht has gone into it. I want a really good playlist for my half. So when I hear a song during my runs that really gets me moving, I remember it and add it to my playlist later. When I hear one on the radio, I buy it.


I have a playlist of about 10 songs now. I figure I need 35 songs. I plan on ending with Boomin', by Toby Mac. And I want NY2LA by Push Play on my playlist. I'm normally not a fan of rap or hip hop, but these songs have killer energy and beat that will really help push me.


I also plan to include segments of Crowder's latest (and sadly last) album Requiem. This album has been my primary running music for about 2 months now.  I'm including some other Crowder, at least one or two Lincoln Brewster, probably Gateway Music's The Lord Reigns.  I'm not necessarily limiting myself to Christian music, this is just what I have right now that really gets me moving.  I was thinking maybe a few songs from Linkin' Park's Minutes to Midnight album would be good too.  Those are super high energy.


What do you like on your running playlists?

Corner of Cleanliness

I like to make the bed first thing in the morning. If I don't, it's not likely to get done until just before Josh gets home.


And then, when I walk around the house changing diapers, going to the bathroom, tripping over toys, slipping on a pile of fallen crayons, if I go into the bedroom I see a made bed. And I know that there's a tiny corner of cleanliness in the house.


And I can mentally escape the chaos of the house when I see the pretty, neat, tidy bed. Waiting for me to crawl in tonight, when the madness dies down.

Running...

http://bruterunningshoes.com/

I've been relatively quiet about it because, well, I didn't think it was who I am. I'm a mom, musician, wannabe photographer, wannabe baker, wife, etc. But I'm not .... Gasp ..... A runner. 


Runners are ultra thin. They think of nothing but running. They spends hundreds of dollars every year on shoes and appropriate attire and race entry fees. I'm not one of THOSE!


But .... I am. Maybe not an extreme runner, but I have become a runner.


It started 4 years ago when we moved from an apartment with a gym to a house. Lack of money meant we had to be creative with exercising. So we each took up running.


It started as a way to keep the weight off that we had both just spent 6 months losing. And that's all it was for me. Just fitness. I didn't run far, just enough to say I did my 20 min of cardio every day. Then I got pregnant. An excuse to stop running (i kept walking, though).


After Audrey was born I started running again, but had a hard time fitting it in my schedule. Then before I had a chance to get serious and make it a priority, I got pregnant again. Another fantastic excuse not to run.


After Annie was born I found myself uncomfortable with my body. I didn't like the size I was. I didn't like the way clothes fit. I didn't like how I looked. I didn't like how awkward I felt. The only solution was to start running again. No excuses.


Since I was breastfeeding and didn't want to lose too much too fast, I didn't go crazy. Just running for my cardio. Tried to do a Couch to 5K running program. Got almost finished with it and had to go back to work. The only time I could logistically fit in a run was during my lunch.


I never had any real ambitions, just to be able to run and perhaps complete a 5K (our town puts on a great St. Patrick's festival and hosts a 5K fun run as part of it).


So I brought my running gear to work and would go out and run a mile at lunch. That mile turned into 2. Then 2 1/2. Then 3. In October my husband challenged me to run 5 miles with him. I actually did it and continued to run 5 miles with him once a week or so. Then 2 months later he challenged me to run 9 miles when we visited his mom. We did that.


Suddenly it donned on me.

• I think about running all the time. 
• I worry about when I'm going to fit it in. 
• How far am I going to go? 
• What if it's too cold or windy or too hot?
• Did my clothes get clean?
• What am I going to eat to make sure I'm nourished for my run?
• What about strength training? What should I add?
• How am I going to afford new shoes?
• Did I charge my ipod?
• What about my Garmin?  Is that ready to go?

Yep ... I've officially become one of THOSE people.  But I told myself over and over again, I'm not a runner.  I'm not serious.  Shortly after running 9 miles a friend said that the three of us (me, Josh and friend) should run 13.1 together.  He's done it before, it would be great for Josh and me to add it to our running resume.  Yikes!  A half marathon?  OK.  Maybe come fall we can run one.  But I won't be ready for it before then.


Then again ..............


Perusing Active.com (which I do from time to time ... more evidence that I'm one of THOSE) I found a half marathon just 30 miles away in May.  May?  I could do that.  And it's a girls run.  Lots of hot pink.  Boas and tiaras.  Champagne when you cross the finish line.  Oh that is TOTALLY my cup of tea.  I found and printed a training program for beginners.  It only takes 9 weeks to up my mileage to be able to run a half marathon.


Deep in the back of my mind I don't think I can do it because, you see, I'm not a runner.


But I do run.


Beginning next week I shall begin training for a half marathon.

Pop Culture Reflection ...

So I saw this somewhat funny/satirical article posted and read it and was annoyed.  But couldn't put a finger on why.  Then my annoyance went to insulted and offended, but still couldn't put it into words.  It took me a little bit, but I finally figured it out:

Who’s to say that God didn’t intervene in the tornado, or other things that were listed.  We don’t know how God chose to act in each situation – maybe a single baby was saved; someone stayed late at work to finish something up and didn’t get in the tornado’s path; a family had just enough time to get to shelter; etc. 

Look at Job.  Job couldn’t hear the conversations that God and Satan were having.  He just knew that his family was gone, he was sick, his possessions were gone, etc.  But God was there the entire time.  God was protecting Job by talking with Satan first.  By giving Satan boundaries. 

Tebow is praising God and thanking God and recognizing that his athletic ability isn’t his own.  And while God may not have a part in a win or a touchdown, God did give Tebow the talent and he’s giving credit where credit is due.  Tebow is one man doing what God commanded His people to do, to go forth and multiply, baptizing nations.  To spread the word.  To not be ashamed of the gospel.  Tebow has done nothing wrong in his outspoken faith, and I'm constantly offended at the display the media has made of him.  

Hats off to you, Tim Tebow, for being more graceful and gracious and forgiving than I could be in your shoes.  Thank you for being the example of praising God for your gifts and turning the other cheek.

Mom ... an entry from the official Christine's Contemplations Dictionary

Mom: female adult "skilled" in the art and science of raising a child 

Synonyms: mommy, mother, mama, Madre (esp), handholder, couch cushion, cuddle partner, owie-kisser, lovie finder, cupholder, tv turner-onner, tissue/napkin/paper towel, jungle gym, trampoline, ladder, merry-go-round, cook, discipliner, bedtime tucker-inner, goodnight kisser, maid, chauffeur, cheerleader, mediator, hairdresser, organizer, prayer partner, accountability partner, teacher, book reader, ATM,  safety marshal, fashion coordinator, shoulder to cry on, safety net, confidante, unconditional friend. 


 Best job in the world.

Curse you, Marching Band....

 


Curse you, Marching Band! 
You've ruined me for running.


Forcing me to walk heel first, raising my toes. Rolling my feet.  You have forever ruined my running form, which is best achieved with a toe first gait.


Bless you, Marching Band!
You've prepped me for yoga.


Forcing me to stand up straight and take deep, full breaths.  Stretching my spine.  You have forever created balanced, focused and rhythmic nature.

Recycled Parental Statements

We all have horror stories of saying things our parents said that we swore we would never say.  Cliche lines such as, 

• "Clean your plate or no dessert." 
• "Because I said so, that's why"
• "Don't make me get the belt"

I had that moment last night.Audrey was asking me if she could go play at a friend's house.  Experience has taught me that she can't go to friends' houses during the week because she comes home grumpy, won't eat dinner, won't go to bed, etc.  So I've nixed it altogether.  At 2 1/2, she doesn't understand.  So last night when she asked me I said no.  She asked why and I said because it's a school night, Summer had homework, it's almost dinner time ... a whole host of reasons that were true and she should have comprehended.  But none of them satisfied her.  So finally, at my wits end, with nothing left to say and wanting to be done with the conversation, I spouted out without even thinking, "Because I'm mean and cruel and heartless.  But I love you very much."  She said, "Don't say your heartless mommy."  But she was satisfied with my answer finally and she didn't ask again.

My mom used that phrase all the time.  I don't know if she came up with it or if it's something she picked up from her parents.  But it was a staple in my house when we weren't satisfied with a reasoning.  We'd roll our eyes, accept that mom wasn't going to change her mind, and usually continue on in disappointment.  

Last night it just rolled off my tongue.  I didn't have to think of a witty reply or something that would satisfy her. I didn't wonder what my mom would say.  It just came out.  And when I was done I thought to myself, "Oh dear ... my mother used to say that."

What parental lines have you recycled on your kids that surprised you?

Black Friday

I did something this year that I've never officially done before.  I went Black Friday shopping.  I have mixed feelings about Black Friday shopping, but thought I'd give it a shot at least once before poo-pooing it for life.  The stores opening at midnight was what pushed me over the edge to go this year.  I'm not one for getting up at 3 am to shop, but I'll stay up a little later.


We opted for Target.  And we had a strategy.  And we were in and out of there in just about an hour.  Which is pretty good for a normal shopping trip.  We did so good at Target, we just had to go to Old Navy too.  Yeah.  That was a mistake.  Old Navy isn't designed the handle the number of customers that Target gets regularly.  And I bet there were almost as many people at Old Navy as there was at Target.  Old Navy was so full that they were literally at capacity and could only let people in as others left.


It was really odd going into Target and seeing dozens of TVs out on the floor.  40"+ LCD TVs for less than $500.  And SLR cameras.  And game systems.  It was an interesting sight.  


Target was brilliant.  They had all their "2-Day Sale" items in big specially marked cardboard displays all over the store.  They handed out maps to where things were located (because I don't normally shop for DVDs in the girls clothes).  The line to check out was insanely long.  You know, the people you stand in line with outside the store the same people you have to stand in line with inside the store when you want to pay.  They taped off a makeshift queue line that weaved in and out of cosmetics and toiletries.  


It was BRILLIANT!  You finish getting all the must have deals of the day and wait in line for 20 minutes and see all the household items that you need to have ... soap, lotion, medicines, etc.  And while you're at it, why not pick up that toy that someone before you left behind.  We had a short conversation with our cashier.  I say short not because we didn't have things to talk about, but because she was so super speedy that we didn't have time for a lengthy one.  As expected, the most experienced cashiers were staffed starting at midnight.


Old Navy.  Imagine shopping at Old Navy on a normal busy Saturday.  You have to wait in line about 20 minutes, and maybe wait 5-10 minutes to try on clothes.  The clothes are messed up and you have a hard time finding your size.  It's crowded.  But you make due.  Now take that same speed and sense of urgency and mentality and multiply it by 1000.  That was the Old Navy experience.  They just aren't equipped to handle the number of customers that come out for an event like this and I won't do that again.  We were in line to check out for over an hour.  And I didn't get anything that I could not have purchased later today or this weekend.  And since everyone went shopping at midnight (thank you Wal-Mart for starting this new trend last year), the Friday day shopping should be a dream ... unless you like the mall.  Yeah ... I'm not going there.


And here's what I learned ........ the Door Buster deals of the 90s and even early 00s are no more.  You remember, you get to K-Mart at 5 am and you get that extra 20% off the TV or movies you wanted.  Or there's a limited number of that "must have" toy and if you don't get in line at 3 am you won't get the toy.  Now, at least at Target and Old Navy, the sales last all weekend or the coupons are good all month.


We did not encounter anyone mean and vicious.  We didn't have to fight over any one item.  There were plenty stocked of everything.  It's a bit odd to see 46" TVs sitting in the makeup aisle at Target.   


I spent only the money I was given to spend and I got some great things.  I got some things I've been meaning to get for awhile.  I got some things I would not have purchased otherwise.  I got some things for me and I got some things as gifts.


I did not get anything that I could not live without.
And there were no sales that were so good they were worth losing that much sleep over.
I did have fun.


I wonder how many Black Friday shoppers are really shopping for Christmas presents and how many are shopping for themselves, or for the rush of getting a good deal.


I'd love to go as a photographer and just get shots of the chaos.  Organized chaos in some places, but chaos nonetheless.

Frozen Lunches - Part 2

Week 2 of making and taking frozen lunches is going well.


Week 1 I got up nice and early on Saturday and started cooking.  I had it bagged and ready to go in less than 2 hours (all the while doing other mom things).  I decided on chicken penne pasta that week.  It turned out well.  My portions were perfect for a lunch portion.  And I remembered to take extra cheese and sauce (cause the sauce always dries up a bit in the microwave) and it was yummy.  One thing to improve upon ... I made enough pasta to feed 4 people dinner, but only enough chicken for 1.  So I should increase the chicken and decrease the pasta to get a more even mixture in my meals.  More protein, less carbs.  I also need to remove it from the water a bit sooner.  I made it al dente, but not al dente enough ... it was still a little extra mushy.  I give myself a B+.


I had leftover lasagna I also froze.  That's been a leftover staple of mine for years and years, so that went off without a hitch.  A+ of course.


Week two I opted to make homemade frozen pizza.  I love homemade pizza, but I struggle to make it frequently because I can't find a dough recipe that I love and the dough takes so long, it's too much of a process for me with the babies around.  But Sprouts had pre-made frozen raw dough (not like Boboli or Pillsbury ... this stuff is good).  And it was only $1.99.  It made 3 frozen pizzas.  I place the raw pizzas on a cookie sheet and covered with plastic and froze.  I then removed the frozen raw pizzas and freezer saved them.  Brought it to work and put back in the freezer.  The plan was to cook in the toaster oven from frozen.  There is no tray in our toaster oven, just the rack, so I used a piece of foil for stability.  I cooked at 450* until it looked done.  The top cooked nicely.  Cheese was melted and the crust a golden brown.  The edges of the underneath crust looked good too.  I moved it to a cutting board and cut it open and the middle was still totally raw.  Like not even partially cooked.  To fix this, I think I need to partially pre-cook the dough and then top it and freeze.  In the meantime, I have 2 more left that I'll have to eat.  I'm thinking I'll cook at a lower temperature for longer, and maybe just right on the rack.  I fear the dough will fall through though.  I give myself a solid C.  Good effort, good plan, but it just didn't work right.  We'll see if I can raise this to a B next time.


This weekend time is going to be short so I want to do something quick that I know pretty well.  I'm thinking maybe enchiladas or chili.

Trying something new with my lunches

I am notorious for waiting until the last second to scramble to put something together for my lunch.  It usually makes us a couple minutes late and I often am disappointed with what I bring to work and am dissatisfied overall with my lunch.

I've allowed myself one luxury of one frozen meal a week so that I don't have to think about lunch one day.  And I can often get leftovers one time.  So then I only have to think about it 2 days.  But the frozen meals can be cost prohibitive, small and/or not very good or healthy.

In an attempt to make life easier, I'm trying something new.  I should really make and bring my lunch every day.  I should use fresh and healthy ingredients.  Avoid deep fried foods and lots of carbs.  So I'm going to pre-make several frozen lunches for myself.  I often hear of families making frozen dinners in preparation of a baby being born or surgery or mom being out of town.  But those are entire meals for the whole family to eat.  I want to try this with single portion lunches.

So here's my plan.

Have a menu of 5-6 entrees that I make and rotate through.  

Each week I make one entree and freeze single portions.  To freeze the best, use the food saver freezer system.  I should get at least 4 portions from one entree.

It will take about a month to 6 weeks to really get a good supply built up, but it will be worth it.  In the mean time I stick with sandwiches for the days I don't have a frozen option.  After I get my initial stash built up, I have plenty of variety in the freezer and am not stuck eating the same thing every day.

Entree Ideas I have:

• Chicken Pasta
• Tacos (cook and freeze the meat and veggies; take the other fixings fresh)
• Lasagna
• Homemade Pizza (I rock a homemade pizza and keep wanting to try it frozen)
• Sweet and Sour _______________ (insert meat here)
• Chicken Pot Pie

Any other entree ideas I could add?

How do you do your work or other take and go lunches?

Rules for using Speaker Phone

If your office is anything like mine, a lot of people use speaker phone. Whether its to be hands free to also type, or just easier for them or whatever, speaker phone is used a lot.  But what speaker phone users don't understand is that using speaker phone alienates many other coworkers.  I propose the following set of rules for speaker phone users.

1. You must be in an office, not out in cubicle land. If you don't have an office and must use speaker phone, go find a conference room. Or look into getting a handsfree headset.
2. Close the office door
3. If the person you are speaking with is close enough to hear you without the phone, go to his/her office and have an inperson conversation.
4. Do not yell. The microphone is plenty sensitive.
5. Turn the volume down low enough that the rest of the office cannot hear your conversation.
6. If you don't want the whole office to hear you, take it off speaker.

As a reminder ... using speaker phone does NOT make you appear smarter, cooler, or more powerful. Even chimps at the zoo can press a button to activate speaker phone.

You Version Bible App

I am a poor reader. I am slow, have really low comprehension, stumble over my words, am easily distracted, etc.


I want to be a reader, though.  So I go through periods of time where I pick up a book or two and try to read.  Given the right circumstances (the right book, the right family activity level, etc), I might read 2 or 3 books in a row.  But more often than not my laziness prevails and I just go back to my TV watching or my hobbies on my computer.  I desperately want Audrey and Annie to be readers, so I encourage reading whenever possible.  I'm  a horrible example, though, as I don't sit down and read very often.


One book I'm determined to read over and over and over again, however, is the bible.  Actually, I've never read it all the way through (9 more chapters and I will say that I have).  I am a huge proponent of daily bible reading and time with God.  Again, something I want to pass on to my children, and again, I'm not a great example.


Many things get in the way of my daily bible reading.  But primarily it's that I just can't sit down and focus; especially in the deep books with lots of big words and boring content.  I've tried reading at different times of the day; different versions (NIV, NKJV, NASB, Living, etc); reading outloud; shortening my time.  I just can't find something that really helps me stay committed.


I think I've found a solution.  I sit down and read during my forced breaks in a secluded room at work (these are also known as pumping breaks).  This is good for me.  Quiet.  Alone. But I still can't focus.


Enter the YouVersion bible app.  In and of itself it's pretty cool. Several translations available, you can highlight, make notes, add bookmarks, etc.  And it's GREAT in church when I'm wearing a baby and can't hold and thumb through a bible in my lap.  But it has even one more feature that has solidified my use of it.  Audio bible.  In multiple versions.  So I sit down, open up my paper bible and then hit play on the audio bible in the YouVersion App.  I follow along as the reader reads.  I can pause and make notes (on paper, in my journal, in my bible, or in the app itself).  I can rewind.  I can re-read myself.  It reads at a steady pace, so I'm not reading faster than I can comprehend.  It doesn't stumble over the words.  


I've been doing this for about 2 weeks now and I'm really enjoying it.  I am finding myself not dreading over how much I have to read, but rather just sitting back and taking it in.


If you have a smart phone or other handheld mobile device, check it out.  It's awesome.  Well worth it.  Oh ... and it's FREE.  Its available for iphone, android, blackberry, palm, and windows.  And your account is available both mobile and on the computer, so you can go back and re-read your notes if you want.  You can email a passage.  Or tweet it.  Or FB it.  It's an awesome way to share what you're reading with a friend ... perhaps a mentor or accountability partner.

Yoga - good for the soul, body, and lost items

We all know the benefits of yoga on stress.  We know it's benefits on weight loss.  And we all agree that yoga is great for toning and stretching the muscles.

But today I discovered a new benefit of yoga.  Finding things that the toddler lost.  Today, while doing my yoga, and lying on the floor, I glanced under the bookcase and found Josh's Road ID dogtag that Audrey lost.

Random Thoughts- 11/23/10

If you've heard me say this before, I'm sorry for repeating myself. But maybe someone else can provide some insight and answer this question for me.

It is very common to recommend that women walk around, A LOT, to get labor started, to help the baby move down, to help the contractions be more productive, etc. Walking is about all women who are 39+ weeks pregnant do. So why is it when a woman, who is to term, arrives at the hospital in labor, the first thing they do is put her in a wheelchair?

I refused my wheelchair when I was in labor with Audrey and the triage nurse couldn't fathom why.

Well ... all I had been doing the last 3 hours was walk and the first thing the L&D nurse is going to do is have me walk the halls. Why should I take NOW to sit?

A*C*T*S*

Years ago, in Sunday School, I learned a fairly common model of prayer.  


ACTS

• Adoration
• Confession
• Thanksgiving 
• Supplication

I still try to use it today for my morning prayers.  But I struggle with one thing.  Well, a few things, really.  But one that's really bothering me lately.


I sit down to pray at 5:30 in the morning when I finish my daily bible reading.  I find that I have a hard time confessing my sins when I'm sitting to pray.  Maybe it's because it's 5:30 in the morning and I just can't remember what sins I committed the day before.  I've been praying that God would show me my sins so that I can work on them.  And He has been.  And I have been. But still, at 5:30 when I sit to pray, I just can't list off my shopping list of sins and confess them.


I much prefer to confess my sins when they immediately become apparent to me.  I shout in anger at my husband.  I let a bad word out of my mouth when getting cut off by the driver in front of me.  Or when God reveals a big sin to me, I spend some time in reflection and prayer about that.


But on a daily basis, to have my sins at the tip of my tongue, that's just not me.


Scripture tells us that God hears our prayers after we confess our sins (forgive me for not having the reference here ...).  So if I'm not confessing my sins every morning when I sit to pray for my family and my day and all the other prayer requests around me, is God not hearing my prayers????


A couple other thoughts on the ACTS prayer model.
I find that I spend the day in constant reflection and prayer.  Either minor requests all day long:


"Lord, please remove this pain."
"Lord, be with Logan as he undergoes this treatment."
"Lord give me the strength to endure yet another day of work."


You get the idea.


I also find that I thank God when I see His blessings bestowed upon me.  


"Thank you Lord for the rain."
"Thank you Lord for my daughter's laughter."


Just quick one-liner prayers sent up to God.


I tend to adore God in the same way, but I think not quite as frequently as my thanksgivings and requests.


Is this what Paul means in 1 Thessalonians 5:17?


So this prayer model I learned years ago......
Do I use it?  Yeah.  I keep it as a guide of the things I need to address when I pray.  I try to touch on all 4 aspects in all my prayers throughout the day. Do I touch on all 4 every time I sit and pray?  No.  It's helpful, however, at 5:30 in the morning, to have a guide to follow so I can focus.  5:30 is early!!!


Thoughts?  Comments?

Hebrews 3:13

I read the following passage yesterday morning in my quiet time and was struck by it.  I've read it before, even memorized it in college.  But yesterday it made me stop in my tracks.

13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

How am I currently encouraging those around me?  Specifically, how am I encouraging my husband?  And how can I encourage him more/better?  


It's not uncommon to get irritated, annoyed, etc at a spouse's little quirks.  To be frustrated at the same ol' flaw.  To say, "How can you still do this even though you know it annoys me so much?"  But why not turn that irritation into encouragement.  Encouragement is so much more productive than irritation and nagging.


So I ask you ... are you encouraging those around you?  If not, why not?  If you are, can you encourage more?  Can you replace the nagging with encouragement?  Can you eliminate the frustration and substitute with prayer?


Just a quick thought for today.............

Facelift

Just spent some time giving my blog a facelift.  What do you think?  I also moved around my gadgets on the right, hoping to make some more visible than others, and making it a little more reader-friendly.

Check out the new gadget on the right ... "like" box to Diaper Parties Bay Area FB page.

King Josiah

In my reading plan with the church, we are currently in 2 Kings.  Right at the end.  Today I read about King Josiah and all he did for Israel.  He was a godly king and honored God.  You can read about him in 2 Kings 22-23.


I read the following verse and I just had to stop and ponder it.

25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses. 

What would this look like in my life?  To align my heart, soul and strength in accordance with God's will/plan?