Workout # 2

So, in keeping with my quest to go from couch to 5k, I ventured out on workout #2 this afternoon. My driveway was way too snowy and icy, however, so I decided to ignore the looks and jog in town while I waited for Dan to be done with preschool. I parked at the Presbyterian church and started my brisk 5 minute walk. A minute later, I had slipped on some ice and pulled a groin muscle (is that too much information?) I couldn't even make it through the brisk walk without injuring myself! I decided not too let that stop me, though, and continued on with the 60 seconds of jogging and the 90 seconds of walking for a full 20 minutes. Just in case you are left with this glorious image of runner with hair streaming in the wind and perfect form, I will tell you I'm sure I look more like I'm pounding the pavement than jogging. It is just barely a jog, more like hop-walking, but a girl's gotta start somewhere, right? I do feel great, now that it's done, and I really like the workout for a couple reasons:
1. I'm so concentrated on keeping track of the 60 sec jog/90 sec walk, that 20 minutes flies by
2. Each week is a more difficult challenge, so it keeps it more like a sport and less like monotonous exercise.
3. I always work harder when there is a goal to meet (get the soccer ball, run to home plate, run the race). It's the competitive side of me.
4. It leaves room to workout every other day, so I can recover from stretched muscles in between. :>)

From couch to 5k

On Sunday afternoon me and 6 other moms took on our 9-10 year olds in a game of indoor soccer. It was the most fun I 've had in years, in spite of the puffing and wheezing that occured. I knew the next day would be a painful reminder of the fun of the previous day, so I was not surprised when my body protested as I got out of bed the next morning. And it was great for me, in many ways, to push myself to play despite my insecurities about the physical shape I am in, and with disregard to the fear that I might hurt myself. I realized that I am capable of much more than I gave myself credit for, and I want to keep pushing myself to do more. So I asked P.Ben about how he started running and he sent me the link for a "couch to 5k" running program. And today I completed Week one, Workout one. When I think of how inconsistent I have been about exercising, I feel a bit embarassed. But today I remembered there is a verse in the Bible that talks about a good man who falls 7 times but always gets up (anybody know where that is?) So, I'm up, and going again. Call me crazy, just don't hate me. :>) Yes, I see you sticking your tongue out at me...yeah, you, I see you! You won't see me running on the road, however. No, jogging, for me, must be a private affair for a while. But I just may run in a race when all is said and done. From barely moving to running a race. How's that for a turn around? And all because my son is on a soccer team. Thank God for our kids--they quite literally keep us moving!

This Day

Finding joy in:
** Happy, successful ventures to the potty with Matthew who went most of the day with no diaper!!
** Letters and pics from family in the mail
** A peaceful husband who enjoyed his day at work
** The giggles of a little girl having fun with her older brother
** Watching Jon play his heart out at indoor soccer
** A little guy who makes sure to tell me at least 5 times a day and more, "I love you Mama. You're the best."
** Watching my oldest grow into the capable young man who took care of putting dinner on the table for me in my absence tonight!
** Friends to laugh and celebrate with (or cry and commiserate with, whatever the case may be!)

Praying for:
**Oma, who is in the hospital undergoing tests after experiencing chest pain and difficulty breathing. She is feeling better, and we hope she will be going home tomorrow.
**God's hand of provision for loved ones with needs, as well as ourselves
** Loved ones who need the Lord
** Wisdom

Meditating on:
** "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
He's close enough to hear me whisper, to hear my heart beat, and I'm enjoying His presence in a greater way these days.

Hoping to:
** Be hired as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. I applied last week and I'm waiting to hear.
** Play more indoor soccer after having so much fun scrimmaging Jonathan's team on Sunday.
** Set some personal reading goals and develop my own reading list after seeing one posted on a blog.

Needing to:
** Buy a new refrigerator. Ken went to dish out ice cream tonight and found soup instead.
** Put laundry away.
** End this blog, or I will just go on and on!

A new business venture

After some encouragement from Aunt Lori, Andrew has begun a new business venture. Today he brought some note cards he made to the local gift shop and asked if they would be interested in selling them. On the front of each card is one of the beautiful pictures he has taken of things in nature that caught his eye. The owner of the gift shop agreed to give them a try, and was very helpful with some constructive criticism and information about selling. I'm excited for him, and confident that, whatever the outcome, this is a great learning experience. Here are some of the pictures he used:

Each card is made from white card stock (what we had available at the time). He printed his info on the back of each page, then folded it in half and pasted the picture on. The inside is blank. We bought colored envelopes to increase the eye appeal. I'm probably biased, but I would most definitely buy these cards if I were to see them in a store. Nice work, Andrew!

4th photo

The rules:
1) Choose the 4th photo folder

2)Choose the 4th photo in the folder

3) Post pic and explain

4) Tag 4 more people



We had a bumper crop of zuchini this summer, and to show the size of this one we let Matthew hold it. I think this is the one the boys named "Bean". This zuchini sat on a shelf in my pantry and was subjected to all sorts of escapades. He actually took on a personality and hung around for about a month, escaping the looming doom of whatever boy was chanting, "kill bean"! For whoever chanted that would be met by the cavalry (everyone else, including Emma), ready to defend their friend, "Bean". Many a time throughout the day I would send the rambunctious boys and "Bean" outside..what a troublemaker ..."Bean", that is! He met his demise in the compost pile behind the house. May he rest in peace.
And now I tag anyone else who reads this post who has not already been tagged!

Robins?

As I sat and looked out my window this morning, I witnessed about 30 robins....yes, robins....land in the little tree in my side yard. They don't stand still for long, probably to keep themselves from freezing solid! They fly to the tree, then fly away. Some brave souls actually hop around under the tree, searching the snow for something to eat. I think they are eating the little crab apples. How bizarre, in these, the coldest days of the winter, to see the symbol of Spring that warms my heart so in the long, drawn out days of February or March. Fly away, friends! Come back when Spring is really just around the corner!

All work and no play makes Mama a dull Mama

This is a most challenging season of life for me. There's just no getting around that fact. The need for me to be diligent with discipline and housework and schoolwork is at a crescendo right now. I'm reminded of a poem dear Oma wrote about the pull on a mother in so many directions that little seems to be left of herself at the end of the day. I can relate. And I have to fight the "I wish" syndrome. The "if only" syndrome. To be content in all things, in every circumstance, is a worthy goal I am working toward. And I find myself there these days, content to face a new day of discipline, and housework and schoolwork. And allowing myself some creature comforts along the way....some time in the Word, a cup of hot cocoa, a chapter in the latest book on my nighttable, time to write a few thoughts on my blog, a phone call, a visit, time outside with the kids, a sit in a comfy chair to watch the snowflakes fall. Sometimes it's 5 minutes, and other times a bit longer, but these are the things that help me enjoy the day. Like the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
And Mama a dull Mama.

Excuse me, my 5 minutes are up and back to discipline I must go!

And so...

another year has passed. I love the holidays, but this year I'm excited to move on. The new year promises a new perspective, some new challenges, new ideas, and renewed motivation to carry on with the tasks already begun...I brought out the school planner this afternoon, After a much needed hiatus we will resume where we left off in earnest starting Monday. The kids don't realize it, but they crave the routine that comes with study as much as I do. It's time to put in some serious study time while the weather is less condusive for outside play. Ken has begun a new project...he will be making a heated workshop and office in the barn! We started the process of relocation and removal of "stuff" this afternoon. We are both excited about this new project. His office now is in a dark corner of the basement. No windows, no walls, and no way to get away from the pitter patter (actually, more like pounding!) of little feet on the floor above. He deserves a fabulous office, and with some inspiration from his brother in Florida, and some cool old things found in the barn, it promises to be so. 2009 is off to a great start.