Getting Real (Food)

Today I stepped on the scale and saw number that I haven't seen in 4 years - except for when I was pregnant. I generally don't let the number on the scale affect me -- after I focus on living a healthy lifestyle, as health is far more important that what I weigh. Bu the truth of the matter is, I am NOT living healthy these days. Too many diet cokes, too many candy bars at 3:00 p.m., too many meals that come out of boxes or bags -- has added up.

I feel sluggish, lethargic, uncomfortable in my own skin. Something has to change...that number was my wake up call to get real. And so I begin the journey of weeding out the processed junk that I had convinced myself was food, and replacing it with real food - proteins, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats.

And hopefully by getting real, I will get back to the best version of myself.

23 Months

 

Dear Joycie,

You are now 23 months old.  Can we take a moment and let that sink in….23 months old means you are almost 2?  How did that happen?  I still find myself looking for the tiny, snuggly baby that I brought home from the hospital….but instead I see a funny, spunky, loving little girl.

You are weighing between 28 and 29 pounds – Mama couldn’t get you to stand still on the scale to get more accurate numbers.  In terms of height you are 44 inches, and wear 2T and 3T clothing.

You continue to talk more and more in sentences – telling us what you want, where you want to do, what you want to do.  You love to tell everyone to “cry” or “laugh” on command – and if we don’t you show us how to do it.

Music is still your absolute favorite thing.  Last weekend, you went to a Father/Daughter dance with Daddy….and danced the entire time.

When you are not dancing to music, you love to play house – either tending to your babies or cooking meals for us on your kitchen set.  When you do watch television, you enjoy Chuggington, Phineas and Ferb, and Babar and the Adventures of Badou.

On a more serious note, you had another seizure this month. It only lasted 10 to 20 seconds….but it was the most terrifying 10 to 20 seconds of my life.  Thankfully, you recovered quickly – and we were able to really see what happens when you have one.  After consulting with your neurologist, you are now on your medication while we await your MRI and EEG.  The medicine seems to make you tire more easily but it has also increased your appetite.

Potty training is still on the back burner. You now what the potty is for, you like to sit on it, but actual use of it is still hit or miss.  However, you are telling us when you need a diaper change, and point out the big girl panties in stores, so we think potty training will go smoothly when we start.

You have a zest of life and tons of unbridled passion – which is wonderful. But sometimes your stubborn streak rears its head, and we have to reign you in.  There have been lots of time outs in our house lately….and tears (both ours and yours).   However, it never lasts very long.  You quickly become are sweet girl again.

And even on the most difficult days, we wouldn’t have life any other way!

Love,

Mama & Daddy   

Updated on my 30 Before 30

As you may remember, on my 29th birthday I posted a list of 30 things
I wanted to accomplish before my 30th birthday. Nearly 6 months in, I
thought it would be a godo time to evaluate what I have or have not
accomplished.

Here are the goals I have met:

Dance in the rain with Joycelen.

-- Joycie and I have danced in the rain several times over the last
few months. She loves it - tossing her head backing, laughing out loud
and shout "Rain go... We wet Mama".

Take dance lessons.
- Does an instructional DVD count?

Try at least 1 new recipe each month.
- This goal has been a smashing success. M and I have been cooking at
home a LOT, and trying lots of new recipes. I am enjoying learning to
prepare new dishes.

Start a children's choir at my church.
-My sister in law and I have laid the foundation for a children's
choir, when we led the children in a Christmas musical. The kids are
now interested in learning specials to sing before the congregation
and we are busy planning our next performance.

Chase lighting bugs with my nieces and nephews.
- Done – although we never managed to catch those little bugs.

There are a few goals that I have let go of:

Run a 5K race with Mikey.
Run a 5K race with my running group in each of the 4 seasons.
Run a 10K .
Complete a half marathon.
Run a 10 K race with my running group in each of the 4 seasons.

These goasl pertained to running. Due to life circumstances and some
medical issues, I have had to postpone a great deal of my running.
Therefore, it seems unrelastic that I will achieve this goals. But I
am okay with that - as my long term health and wellness is more
important. Hopefully, by spring I can train again, and will look to at
least run a 5k with Mikey and 1 to 2 5Ks with my running group.

Attend a professional football game.
- Almost happened, but then Joycie got sick. Family trumps football any day.

What's left to achieve:

Take a week day off from work, have M do the same, and spend the
entire day at home with Joycie. (Bonus points if we spend the whole
day in our p.j.s)
-- We have not done this yet. However, we did spent a few Saturdays in
our p.j.'s, cuddled in our bed, watching cartoons, having pillow
fights, and spending time together.
Attend a Nascar Race
Taking a cooking class with M.
Visit at least 2 states that I have never been to before.
Take a mission trip to another country. However, if this can not
happen a mission trip to another state will be fantastic.
Take an unplanned, uncharted, unknown roadtrip with M & Joycie. Just
load up in the car and go.
Spend an afternoon listening to my grandmother tell family stories.
Record these on video.
Treat my Mama to a spa day.
Spend a day fishing with my Daddy.
Treat my sister to a girl's day out - mani's, pedi's, a little
shopping, and a nice lunch. Complete a bike race.
Ride in a "poker run" with M.
Find something to be grateful for every day for the next year. Post a
picture of the item on my blog.
- I have started keeping a gratitude journal. It allows me to capture
the small moments of life that make me so grateful.
Practice random acts of kindness. The goal is at least one each month
for the next year.
- This goal is going well. I love finding ways to make people smile –
whether they are friends, family, coworkers or total strangers. Their
happiness has brought me immense joy.
Have something that I have written be published in a newspaper,
magazine or online.
Research, begin, and if possible earn my personal training certification.
Take a digital photography course.
Spend the day playing tourist in my tri-county area. Visit the
attractions that bring out of town folks to the area.
Read at least 1 new book each month. A new book can be defined as
either a newly published work or an old work that I have never read.
-I have managed to read 8 new books in the last 6 months. I have
fallen in love with reading again.

Not a bad start, here's to the next 6 months and all that it holds!

One Sentence Journal: 1/29/12

The perfect Sunday afternoon is a long nap underneath warm blankets
with Mikey and Joycie snuggled on either side of me.

One Sentence Journal: 1/26/12

I felt helpless tonight as I watched Joycie have another seizure.

(I will post full details later).

One Sentence Journal: 1/22/12

When Joycie saw me at church, she ran down the aisle shouting "Hi,
Mama, Love you, Mama"....I guess she had missed me.

One Word Journal: 1/21/2012

After the ladies retreat ended, I enjoyed heartfelt conversation with
several ladies and was amazed at how much we all had in common.