Getting Back to Basics

Changes. I have decided that I like the idea of writing. I used to despise it-like when the teacher gave a writing assignment I secretly hyperventilated. (Anxiety wasn't a thing when I was growing up-or at least it wasn't something we ever talked about and it definitely wasn't a word we ever used.) As I am getting older it's a great way to have my thoughts out of my head. I have recently deleted facebook and instagram-any of you do that? I'm so over social media and all that it brings with it. It reminds us that we want things we either can't afford or that we don't need and for what? So we can appear to be like everyone else? It also gives a false sense of life. We tend to only post the happy stuff, the good times, etc. I have also decided that when I take a picture of my kids doing something they tend to say "are you going to post that on facebook?" Which tells me-I'm on there way too much. In addition to the fact that my oldest is constantly asking for some form of social media-and she's not legally old enough according to those outlets terms. So, the easiest thing for me to do was to just cut those out of my life. I'm on day 3 of the detox-so far-turns out-I'm not missing much, or at least I don't know that I am, and that's ok with me. I'm going to write in this little corner of my world and one person may read or none and I am OK with that because I'm writing and documenting here for me.  So, it's back to old school for me, with the exception of Pinterest and texting of course.  What about you? Have you cut things out lately that others deem "normal" or "necessary"? 

Sleep. Apparently is overrated. You would think that once you no longer have a newborn your sleep patterns would go back to pre-baby sleeping. Nope. Here it is 5:00am, the one day that I don't have set time to be somewhere, the one day I can sleep in and what am I doing? Writing-because well, I got tired of tossing and turning and having all these words jumbled in my head.  So, I got up, made myself some coffee and sat down to write the thoughts I had been thinking for weeks actually.  All the professionals suggest at least 8 hours of sleep for an adult-I would like to know who these people are, where they are getting their data and HOW they are managing to get that 8 hours of sleep? Do they not think? Have children? Have a life? I can't figure it out. Nothing I do usually lets me get 8 hours of sleep. 6 hours seems to be the longest for me. Do you have something that works for you? Do you have a trick to getting 8 hours of "suggested" sleep?

School.  We are homeschooling this year-this is going to be our new norm.  The catch is, mama is also in school.  Turns out-that combo is HARD.  It's the end of September and I am still trying to find a balance for everyone. It stresses me out. It gives me anxiety. (I'm using that word because it is acceptable now).  Apparently I wasn't thinking things through when I made all these decisions for my family.  Truth is-I prayed all summer, I knew what I was supposed to do and I chose to ignore it and do it my way-so now things are stressful and I am not my best in any area.  I am keeping my head above water until December-that's my goal and then I am making some adjustments. 

Movement.  I have recently started moving my body a whole lot more.  By a whole lot more I mean 3-4 times a week. I need it for my physical and mental health.  I am doing everything I possibly can to get me to optimal health for my people that depend on me.  This is one way to do it.  I had started walking a few weeks ago while the kids were in activities-turns out I like walking outside.  Last week I enlisted some help and I weight train 2 days a week-because at this moment that's all I can manage. I am loving it. Will I see overnight results? No. Do I wake up frustrated that I don't look like a supermodel? Sometimes-but I also deleted facebook remember and that pressure is now gone too.  I have to remind myself daily I'm not doing this for anyone else. I am taking steps to change my lifestyle so that I can be my best self for those who count on me to take care of them. (aka my children). 

I guess that's all the basics for me today. What are you doing to get back to basics? What are you doing to take care of YOU? 

WITL 2018 Friday and Saturday Words + Photos

Friday I spent all day at the middle school with my oldest child volunteering for Field Day.  To be completely honest, I was dreading it ALL WEEK.  I kept thinking, why in the world did I say I would work.  Turns out, I got a station in the building where it was air conditioned (which was perfect for me) and it was TOTALLY fun and I would TOTALLY do it again! Overall the kids were super fun and respectful AND the teachers did an amazing job organizing it and keeping kids on schedule. So worth my time!

This is the one action shot I was able to get of my kid, because I was busy while she was busy. 

SATURDAY:

I have ONE picture for Saturday. I spent ALL day at the ballpark. We arrived about 7:15am and She played softball until 11:00pm. Her team was AMAZING and it was the most fun I've had watching softball.  Their team lost the first game at 8:00am, then they battled back in the losers back to get into the championship. THEN in the championship there was the IF game, they had to beat the same team TWICE! AND THEY DID!!!!!!! It really was AMAZING to watch these girls work so hard! Some of those games they even had to come from behind. In all, they played 7 games yesterday!!!! SO PROUD! 

Thursday Words + Photos

I am a day behind because yesterday was super busy for me and I completely forgot!

Breakfast routine most mornings is my meal replacement shake that I have grown to really LOVE, a fruit and my spark + rehydrate...this combo has kept headaches away and I have not had a soda in 2 weeks.  Go Me! WIN!

This is our park and it is so tranquil for me. I am getting better at consistency in walking every morning. It's still not hot enough to have to take my walking inside so I'm really enjoying the outdoors.  

Today was day one of this app. I downloaded an app called couch potato to 5K and I completed day one. I thought I might die in the middle of it and my jog is like a snail pace but hey-one day at a time.

Proof that I completed it and I didn't actually die. 

Post office run to mail a stack of items.  Mostly mother's day gifts that needed to go out. I almost spent as much in shipping these as I did in the actual purchases. Postage is ridiculous. 

Charlie boy sun bathing. There was just something about this shot that intrigued me.  I liked my dog in the sunshine, with the shadows and the pond.  I have some ideas I want to play with, on the extra space of the photos so I've been taking a few of them. 

I am still working on this book but I'm almost finished. I've been reading a lot during the day since I'm finished with school this semester. I am really enjoying this author.  I will definitely need to get some more of her books. 

We also had PreK3 graduation tonight and I snapped some pictures of my littlest and my middle child. It was fun and I am super proud of how much she has accomplished this year. 

Wednesday Words and Photos

Today was busy for me today.  I tried to get done some house stuff. Our living situation is different right now so we are all trying to adjust and work together.  Some days that doesn't work out like it should and others it does.  I didn't really have one thing in mind throughout the day, not a word or phrase or anything really that reminded me to take pictures or focus on my day. It happens.

This has become my morning breakfast routine, after a cup of coffee of course. I blend an advocare meal replacement shake (peanut butter and chocolate) with a banana and spinach. I know-it sounds sooo gross but a friend convinced me you can't taste the spinach and it's a good way to get some greens in.  Turns out she was right! I also mix a fruit punch spark with an orange rehydrate after my shake and during my morning walk.  This combo has been amazing for me. I usually do all of this, drop the kids off and go walk for 20-30 minutes.  My sleep has improved, my mood, no headaches, no sodas. 

This is after returning home from my walk with a friend.  I am reminding myself that I can do this. I can make changes to improve my health. I can enjoy this.  For years I have wanted to be one of those that run 5k's for fun, but I am not there yet. I will be. I am determined. This week I'm just working on routine and consistency. I have been making better food choices too. It all works together.

I hate laundry. Yes I know hate is such a strong word and I don't usually use it but in this case it's true. This laundry consists of 3 baskets FULL of clothes that have been washed for about a week or maybe 2 (and this doesn't count the load I had in the washer and dryer).  As I was folding this close and watching a documentary about a woman going through throat cancer, I was reminded that this laundry means I have people around me that love me, that count on me and that need me.  It also gave me another reason to remember why I'm on a healthy journey.  It was a good reminder and I needed it. (especially since I have more to do today).

I hope you have a happy Thursday and remember why you are doing this project.

Week In The Life Tuesday post + photos

Tuesday has come and gone and we are moving on! Tuesday's are very busy for us because my oldest has dance for 3 hours after school and the youngest has dance first.  I took a car selfie this morning with the kids-it was typical for us, one was smiling, one was like the emoji with teeth, one was upset and I was sticking out my tongue! Fun times in our car! All of my photos yesterday and today are taken with my iphoneX.  I haven't broken out the big camera yet.

Ali Edwards inspired me to pick up some art supplies to do some fun stuff with my kids, mainly during the summer days when the heat is going to just be unbearable.  The nerd side of me is excited beyond compare and my oldest just looks at me, half smiles, calls me a nerd and rolls her eyes. What can I say.

I have been trying to add in tidbits of healthy here and there for a while now but in the last few weeks I've been working a little extra harder. Today I measured when I ate.  My mid morning snack was a half a cup of low fat cottage cheese and a half a cup of pineapple chunks in 100% pineapple juice, no extra sweetener. 

Working on adult things today. Not fun. I do not like adult responsibilities. Not at all. Bleh. Meh. All that. 

Lunch.  Tuna salad. Good choice for me. Win!

I was sitting in the chair eating lunch and looked over and I just loved everything about this.  I loved the lighting, my dog, the door. Just everything. 

This is what my afternoons look like almost everyday.  I wait at the school for my kids and sit and read.  That red cup-I had 3 full of water yesterday. Another WIN. 

Hope everyone has a fantastic day! Leave a comment with a link to your WITL I'd love to read your story!

Week In The Life 2018

I realized when I clicked "new" to write this post that I have not written a blog post since the WITL 2017! What a crazy year!

I love this project. As I do most projects that I follow along with Ali Edwards on.  She inspires me every single time.  I must admit, I knew this project was coming, I have been anxiously waiting for weeks, but it completely slipped my mind yesterday.  I did manage to snap a few photos of the day just because I was out doing everyday with my kids.  Everyday, meaning, school functions that as a mom, I had to be at! LOL. I also learned this morning as I was looking at my pictures that I can actually take a few minutes, create a separate folder and add a few photos to keep them all together! It's not so impossible like I previously thought.

The elementary PTSO paid for inflatables for the kids because they raised so much money in a fundraiser.  It was SUPER hot but the kids had so much fun.  I volunteered to work one of the inflatables. I was glad to have this time. 

Jackson got his finger smashed in the car door on Sunday evening.  Today he decided it needed to be x-rayed. I snapped this picture of doc explaining the picture to him. This is not everyday for us but it was important enough for me to capture. 

Picture removed :) 

This girl had 6th grad band concert tonight.  She got most improved percussion.  Along with her friend.  Super proud of her. 

Day One in the books without even remembering.