I haven't talked much about it, but over the last few months I realized that I needed to make some changes in my lifestyle. After Easter I felt awful. Tired, lethargic, upset stomach, wasn't sleeping much, consuming way too much coffee and sweets....I've been going to Zumba, and I love it but I knew I needed to make a change in other aspects of my life.
For the month of June I did a detox and cleanse; a weight loss and exercise challenge to help me get back on track. I cut out caffeine and eliminated the majority of sweets and processed foods. Oh, I tell you I was an uber crank those first few days! It was horrible, and I'm not going to lie that I thought of quitting many times.
I also started to see a counsellor who has been amazing. My work atmosphere has had its toll on me and over the last few months I have been on a path of discernment. What should I do? What have I been called to? What is best for my family? What is best for me? Right now I haven't heard any words from heaven screaming down at me, but I have heard God's voice telling me to be still and wait. So in that time, I decided I needed a place where I could share and receive some guidance. Carl has been an invaluable support, but I realized that he can't be my counsellor.
After a few weeks of counselling and getting my food intake in check, I started to feel better. I was sleeping more soundly, feeling more alert and well and I was noticing a change in my body. I was excited that clothes that once didn't fit, or I was too self-conscious to wear because they were too tight, started to make an appearance in my regular wardrobe.
My co-worker loaned me a book that gave me some great inspiration on eating healthy and loving life. I'm feeling motivated like I haven't felt before. I want to be healthy, not just skinny, and I want to feel like my life is enjoyable and not about a long list of things I can't eat. I also wanted to be a in a place where life was a peaceful and joyful experience; not like things are perfect, gosh my children are still messy and screaming and there is always laundry to do. But I wanted to have a better outlook on life and be able to have joy regardless of what was swirling around me.
So in a month, I lost 9 pounds and 25 inches off my body. I'm pretty proud of myself and feeling like things are slowly getting into a healthier place.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
Gym Wind-Up and Goodbyes
Kezia trains many hours at the gym throughout the year and has made some fabulous friends. Every year they have a wind-up and this year they were saying goodbye to a team mate who was moving to B.C. Kezia is going to miss Ashley a great deal, but thanks to technology and the fact that Kezia has grown up saying goodbye to many dear friends, it may make it easier. But it's still hard. Glad that they could have an awesome, goofy time together!
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Jo-Jo Plays Football
Joel was looking for a spring sport and we thought he might enjoy American Football. Something different than soccer! We missed the deadline for flag football, so tackle it was. It was a 2 month camp set up to be preparation for pre-season or for those that hadn't played together.
He quite enjoyed it. Although it was hard to convince him to tackle and take down the other players. He learned well from our persistent lessons in his early years. When he was younger, we had to keep him from wrestling and pounding every playmate to the ground. Despite the change in mindset that yes, you can tackle other kids without hurting them, Joel learned a lot and we were proud of him.
He quite enjoyed it. Although it was hard to convince him to tackle and take down the other players. He learned well from our persistent lessons in his early years. When he was younger, we had to keep him from wrestling and pounding every playmate to the ground. Despite the change in mindset that yes, you can tackle other kids without hurting them, Joel learned a lot and we were proud of him.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Friday, July 18, 2014
Been a While
I haven't blogged for quite some time. June was a very busy month and as soon as all the wind-up activities were finished and school was out, I sort of crashed. Now that we have been on a summer schedule for the last few weeks, I feel my energy returning. Have you been curious to what we've been up to?
Stay tuned.......
Stay tuned.......
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Sunday, May 25, 2014
What I did on Mother's Day
No breakfast in bed for me on Mother's Day. I think I've taken a pretty laid back approach to the day because in Bolivia it was at the end of May and 1) my internal celebratory trigger hasn't been set off yet 2) May is all about celebrations for me that just meld into one glob of parties and 3) I feel it's more important to be honoured and honour throughout the year so I don't really worry about having that special day out of the year.
It's also not necessarily a happy day for every woman. It also doesn't include every mother in a family. So there's you, then your mom, then your mother in law and maybe even a step-mom. Then if you are blessed to have grandmas, they also deserve honour. Sorry, but being the youngest on the matriarchal totem pole means it will be years before you might get the pomp and circumstance society has hyped you up to feel like you deserve. So I ditch the expectations for the one glorious day, dole out love and affection to the mothers that may not be around forever and am glad to know my husband and children honour me in the little things throughout the year.
Okay, I'm totally off topic. This post has nothing to do with my view on Mother's Day and more about what I did on Mother's Day. I guess I got off topic because I talked to a number of mothers who felt ripped that a provincial gymnastics competition would be scheduled on Mother's Day. I felt a bit for them but really inside I didn't get all bothered about it. Just my change in perspective over the years.
I spent the morning getting 4 kids ready for church and preparing a gymnast for her last competition of the year. I almost didn't have enough time to brush my teeth or drink my coffee. We sat through church and then Carl took the other three to Sunday School while I headed off to the gym with Kezia. She was excited and I was too. I love watching her and marvel at how cool and collected she is under pressure.
Not going to lie, it wasn't her best competition. She fell off the beam twice and was mad at herself afterwards. And then she did this weird fall off the bars that she's never done before. With those three she went from being 2nd overall to 14th overall. No trophy for her but she did place 3rd on the vault and did get a medal, for which she was thrilled. Vault is hard for a flexi girl like her. That back always threatens to bend in half (perfect for floor but awful for straight and solid vault) and so she needs to be extra tight to do what most other girls can just do.
Well, it was a learning experience for her. She knows what she has to work on and is determined to get back her kip, stop falling off the beam and keep her vault in check. I had taco in a bag from the canteen for my Mother's Day lunch and didn't think it was that bad at all.
It's also not necessarily a happy day for every woman. It also doesn't include every mother in a family. So there's you, then your mom, then your mother in law and maybe even a step-mom. Then if you are blessed to have grandmas, they also deserve honour. Sorry, but being the youngest on the matriarchal totem pole means it will be years before you might get the pomp and circumstance society has hyped you up to feel like you deserve. So I ditch the expectations for the one glorious day, dole out love and affection to the mothers that may not be around forever and am glad to know my husband and children honour me in the little things throughout the year.
Okay, I'm totally off topic. This post has nothing to do with my view on Mother's Day and more about what I did on Mother's Day. I guess I got off topic because I talked to a number of mothers who felt ripped that a provincial gymnastics competition would be scheduled on Mother's Day. I felt a bit for them but really inside I didn't get all bothered about it. Just my change in perspective over the years.
I spent the morning getting 4 kids ready for church and preparing a gymnast for her last competition of the year. I almost didn't have enough time to brush my teeth or drink my coffee. We sat through church and then Carl took the other three to Sunday School while I headed off to the gym with Kezia. She was excited and I was too. I love watching her and marvel at how cool and collected she is under pressure.
Not going to lie, it wasn't her best competition. She fell off the beam twice and was mad at herself afterwards. And then she did this weird fall off the bars that she's never done before. With those three she went from being 2nd overall to 14th overall. No trophy for her but she did place 3rd on the vault and did get a medal, for which she was thrilled. Vault is hard for a flexi girl like her. That back always threatens to bend in half (perfect for floor but awful for straight and solid vault) and so she needs to be extra tight to do what most other girls can just do.
Well, it was a learning experience for her. She knows what she has to work on and is determined to get back her kip, stop falling off the beam and keep her vault in check. I had taco in a bag from the canteen for my Mother's Day lunch and didn't think it was that bad at all.
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