Today is Baby Em's due date.
Emotions for everyone are raw and bittersweet.
Please continue to pray for Em's mom. (side note, seeing as she has not given birth, she is simply Em's mom) As she makes final preparations, both physically and emotionally for the birth of her daughter. Pray for peace and clarity for this mama. Pray for her family, friends and everyone supporting her. Please pray for every nurse and doctor she encounters at the hospital. That they treat her with kindness and respect and not dismiss her for placing her precious baby in another woman's arms to raise. Pray for Mike & I to respect boundaries and show nothing but love to her once we take placement. Pray for Nathan as he transitions from being an only child to big brother. Pray for Emmalise as she is surrounded by this new family, people who are total strangers to her. During her most vulnerable time, she will be losing the only thing she has ever known.
Adoption is beautiful, but like anything beautiful, it comes with a LOT of pain. Don't dismiss the pain. Respect it, embrace it, learn from it and grow because of it.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Monday, September 10, 2012
Working Out
Back in February when I started working out again, I decided to start walking around my block. I love our neighborhood and feel very fortunate that we live in a safe place.
Once around the block is about .62 of a mile. When I first started out, once around the block wore me out. By April I was able to go around twice, still tired but I did it. I decided to step it up a notch and start jogging.
When I first started out, I was not able to job very long. I am talking maybe 10 seconds out of every 2 minutes. I kept at it though, even with sweat literally dripping off my face. Twice around the block (1.2miles), I was worn out.
I have dealt with some aches and pains. Including my left knee giving me lots of problems. I now wear a brace most of the time and taken Joint Juice, a joint medication. Despite the setbacks, I knew that I could not give up.
This weekend I decided to start a Couch 2 5k program. The first week you do a 5 minute warm up, followed by intervals of jogging/walking. I have managed to do 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes. Today was day 2, and while the jogging for a full minute at a time was hard, I did it! I also noticed that I not sweating nearly as much. Big plus!
Another plus, when I started working out again I bought some pants in size XL. They were snug, putting it nicely. I didn't really need to use the drawstring keep them up. Today as I was running, even with the string tied tight, I had to keep pulling them up.
It feels great to meeting these goals!
Once around the block is about .62 of a mile. When I first started out, once around the block wore me out. By April I was able to go around twice, still tired but I did it. I decided to step it up a notch and start jogging.
When I first started out, I was not able to job very long. I am talking maybe 10 seconds out of every 2 minutes. I kept at it though, even with sweat literally dripping off my face. Twice around the block (1.2miles), I was worn out.
I have dealt with some aches and pains. Including my left knee giving me lots of problems. I now wear a brace most of the time and taken Joint Juice, a joint medication. Despite the setbacks, I knew that I could not give up.
This weekend I decided to start a Couch 2 5k program. The first week you do a 5 minute warm up, followed by intervals of jogging/walking. I have managed to do 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes. Today was day 2, and while the jogging for a full minute at a time was hard, I did it! I also noticed that I not sweating nearly as much. Big plus!
Another plus, when I started working out again I bought some pants in size XL. They were snug, putting it nicely. I didn't really need to use the drawstring keep them up. Today as I was running, even with the string tied tight, I had to keep pulling them up.
It feels great to meeting these goals!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
My weightloss journey
I have spent much of my adult life battling my weight. Though I love fresh fruits, I got sucked into the trap of convenience (which is a lie by the way, what's easier than an apple?? ) along with emotional eating. For the longest time I did not value myself enough to make the changes necessary to be healthy. I allowed the thoughts that those who were healthy, fit and/or
losing weight were somehow better than me control my actions.
Over the last couple years, I have begun to educate myself on foods and chemicals. My desire to learn, in all honesty was because of my sense of responsibility for Nathan. I have gradually cut most processed foods out of our diets. We eat mainly whole, fresh foods. Dairy is used sparingly and if it has chemicals it has no place in our mouths. Still though, I found myself eating either too much or the wrong things. Yes, even eating healthy ingredients can be bad. In the last 18 months, I have decided that I needed to do more. I need to watch just what I eat, how much and most importantly start moving my rear!
As I have been transparent about things, I have had people pull me aside and thank me for sharing. They have asked me to continue to share my journey because it helps them on theirs. Isn't that what this is all about? Helping each other along the way? I hope no one ever thinks that I post what I do (pictures, workouts, food) for my own vanity. It's to show that if I can do it, anyone can. Seriously. I have a bad knee, a lazy body and serious self image issues. I battle depression and talk more trash to myself than should be okay. But. BUT. All that can overcome. It can. Decide that you would rather be healthy than self medicated with food and tv.
Over the last couple years, I have begun to educate myself on foods and chemicals. My desire to learn, in all honesty was because of my sense of responsibility for Nathan. I have gradually cut most processed foods out of our diets. We eat mainly whole, fresh foods. Dairy is used sparingly and if it has chemicals it has no place in our mouths. Still though, I found myself eating either too much or the wrong things. Yes, even eating healthy ingredients can be bad. In the last 18 months, I have decided that I needed to do more. I need to watch just what I eat, how much and most importantly start moving my rear!
As I have been transparent about things, I have had people pull me aside and thank me for sharing. They have asked me to continue to share my journey because it helps them on theirs. Isn't that what this is all about? Helping each other along the way? I hope no one ever thinks that I post what I do (pictures, workouts, food) for my own vanity. It's to show that if I can do it, anyone can. Seriously. I have a bad knee, a lazy body and serious self image issues. I battle depression and talk more trash to myself than should be okay. But. BUT. All that can overcome. It can. Decide that you would rather be healthy than self medicated with food and tv.
I started a concerted effort to lose weight in February 2012. As of now, I have lost 18 pounds, 40 total since my heaviest in 2007.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Creation wrap up
I am starting to think that trying to sit and blog daily might not happen. Not in the beginning, anyhow. We'll see how the year progresses. Right now, I am trying hard to find my rhythm in the day. I am not a routine following person by nature, but I think I need to really get myself on a schedule.
Anyhow... here's a peek at the projects Nathan did for the Creation Unit.
We really enjoyed the Creation unit and even took a field trip to the zoo yesterday to see much of creation at once. Okay, really we wanted to meet friends there. But I did talk to him about what he saw and what God made on the way home.
Anyhow... here's a peek at the projects Nathan did for the Creation Unit.
| These are the pages to his creation book. |
| The days of creation poster. It's currently in his playroom. |
We really enjoyed the Creation unit and even took a field trip to the zoo yesterday to see much of creation at once. Okay, really we wanted to meet friends there. But I did talk to him about what he saw and what God made on the way home.
| Nathan is by far my favorite of all God's Creations. |
Friday, July 27, 2012
Voices
This morning we finished up our first week of homeschooling.
I am going to tell you, I love it! Granted we are simply doing a laid back version of kindergarten - have I mentioned that Nathan is only 4 1/2 and won't officially be in kindergarten until next year? I am not pushing him to learn anything, simply laying the ground work and helping his mind absorb what it can.
Some of my observations from this week.
He is better at art than I realized. I guess I have not really sat at the table with him while he does art. I mostly set it up and let him do his thing while I get stuff done.
I love hearing his mind work. The way he processes, talks, and answers questions.
Also, he is very hard on himself. This is the thrust of my post today, because it's the one I want to explore myself.
This morning I was dragging. I didn't get much sleep and my cup of coffee did little help me shake the sleepies. When I am tired, I tend to be impatient. A fault I am aware of and not please with. Anyhow, we started school with Nathan's normal joy and excitement for the tasks ahead. When we started the week he couldn't name the letters by sight. As of Wednesday he had learned a handful. So this morning we were doing review and he was being silly and not naming the letters. I got short with him and told him he knew better and to answer me correctly. Fast forward a few minutes and he was working his alphabet puzzle. He was having a hard time finding the correct place for a letter and tapped his head and said, "What is wrong with me??" My heart broke 1,000 times! Now, I have never used those words but the gist was the same.
It was such a reminder that he is absorbing much, much more than letters and numbers. He is listening carefully to my words, tone, attitude and views. The other day a friend posted a quote on Facebook and it has been with me since. It said, "How we speak to our children becomes their inner voice." Today was an illustration of that, without doubt.
Yes, as adults we do make mistakes. I believe it's important to allow our children to see us make mistakes and make them right. I also believe that we need to be as teachable as we expect them to be in daily situations like this.
So far, I am convinced that I have learned far more this week than he has.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Creation Day 3
What a great day!
When we started on Monday, Nathan could only recognize the letter N.
This week we have been reviewing the letters, emphasizing on the two at a time starting with A & B. I am proud to say that he can now identify A & B, along with E, I, M & N.
He wants to read so badly and is excited that he is learning letters and on the path to reading.
When we started on Monday, Nathan could only recognize the letter N.
This week we have been reviewing the letters, emphasizing on the two at a time starting with A & B. I am proud to say that he can now identify A & B, along with E, I, M & N.
He wants to read so badly and is excited that he is learning letters and on the path to reading.
| upside down 3 |
| coloring his 3 for the creation poster |
| We have begun charting the weather. |
| He pounds the paper when gluing, cracks me up. |
Coloring apples on his tree. |
| Watercolors! |
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
School Day 2, part 2
I realized that I didn't give much detail on our day in the last post. Pictures are awesome, but I need to get some words out.
School is going great and we are having so much fun! Our curriculum came with a classical music cd and I turn that on when we begin and just leave it as background music. I love it! Today Nathan painted as part of his school project for the day and then did 'free' painting. So much fun to watch him, one on one. The colors were white & blue and he had blast mixing the colors and creating shades.
Only being at the table for an hour is perfect. That hour includes him doing art after our 'work' is done.
When we sit at the table, we start by praying together. Right now it's very simple and short - thanking God for our day & asking Him to help us learn. (this includes both of us, since I have lots to learn each day.) Then we read our Bible passage. We say our Bible Verse & talk about what our story meant. From there we look at our numbers and letters. Then I have Nathan practice writing his name and the letter of the day. I am not pushing him and he gets no criticism right now. At this point, I want him to enjoy trying. He is making a lot of progress and putting in true effort. I am happy with that! Then we look at the calender, talk about the month, day and season.
After that he does his art project. Currently, he is putting together a Creation Book that illustrates the days of creation. I love that this is done this way and to set that as our foundation.
Once he is done with his project, we sing our songs. Yesterday he wanted to dance to the music and today he wanted to simply sit and listen to them.
At this point, we are done but I have him choose an art to extend the table time. He loves paint, so he asked to paint some more. I set out a few pages of construction paper him to use. He found the excitement of blending colors. He only had blue and white since that's what we used for our project today, but he was thrilled to watch dark blue become light. He swirled the colors together and marveled at the effects on the paper. Then came the fun of seeing what it looked like on different color paper.
The beauty of it, is that he has done all this before. Many times, yet he finds new joy in these simple things. Such a reminder to myself.
Today there is a nice breeze, so we played outside before lunch. Having fun chasing the new dog around the yard, then playing in the water from the hose. Yesterday we did exercise inside. He did yoga with me then we did Just Dance Kids on the Wii. haha! So much fun.
After lunch I have been reading a story from some of the classic children's books. Yesterday we read a couple short stories from Aesop's Fables and today we read a chapter from the Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh. I love the sweet moments cuddled up on the couch reading. Reading to him from the start has been such a help, because he knows to sit quietly and listen to the story. Quite a feat for my active boy.
I am glad we are choosing to homeschool, even for now. These early years will slip away so fast. I am glad I get to be here with him and experience it together.
School is going great and we are having so much fun! Our curriculum came with a classical music cd and I turn that on when we begin and just leave it as background music. I love it! Today Nathan painted as part of his school project for the day and then did 'free' painting. So much fun to watch him, one on one. The colors were white & blue and he had blast mixing the colors and creating shades.
Only being at the table for an hour is perfect. That hour includes him doing art after our 'work' is done.
When we sit at the table, we start by praying together. Right now it's very simple and short - thanking God for our day & asking Him to help us learn. (this includes both of us, since I have lots to learn each day.) Then we read our Bible passage. We say our Bible Verse & talk about what our story meant. From there we look at our numbers and letters. Then I have Nathan practice writing his name and the letter of the day. I am not pushing him and he gets no criticism right now. At this point, I want him to enjoy trying. He is making a lot of progress and putting in true effort. I am happy with that! Then we look at the calender, talk about the month, day and season.
After that he does his art project. Currently, he is putting together a Creation Book that illustrates the days of creation. I love that this is done this way and to set that as our foundation.
Once he is done with his project, we sing our songs. Yesterday he wanted to dance to the music and today he wanted to simply sit and listen to them.
At this point, we are done but I have him choose an art to extend the table time. He loves paint, so he asked to paint some more. I set out a few pages of construction paper him to use. He found the excitement of blending colors. He only had blue and white since that's what we used for our project today, but he was thrilled to watch dark blue become light. He swirled the colors together and marveled at the effects on the paper. Then came the fun of seeing what it looked like on different color paper.
The beauty of it, is that he has done all this before. Many times, yet he finds new joy in these simple things. Such a reminder to myself.
Today there is a nice breeze, so we played outside before lunch. Having fun chasing the new dog around the yard, then playing in the water from the hose. Yesterday we did exercise inside. He did yoga with me then we did Just Dance Kids on the Wii. haha! So much fun.
After lunch I have been reading a story from some of the classic children's books. Yesterday we read a couple short stories from Aesop's Fables and today we read a chapter from the Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh. I love the sweet moments cuddled up on the couch reading. Reading to him from the start has been such a help, because he knows to sit quietly and listen to the story. Quite a feat for my active boy.
I am glad we are choosing to homeschool, even for now. These early years will slip away so fast. I am glad I get to be here with him and experience it together.
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