Just get sprung already

I did something that I shouldn't have done this morning. No, it wasn't eat a piece of cake for breakfast...although I'm thinking that wouldn't have been a bad idea. 

I looked up when Spring officially starts. Whomp, whomp. March 20th?!?! Something about the vernal equinox? I don't care much for vernal or his equinox. All I know is I am ready for some COLOR! I have tried to hold off on fully switching all of my decor out and I just don't know if I can wait 15 more days. I probably will though just out of pure procrastination/busyness.

You would think going through pregnancy twice would teach me a teeny tiny bit about patience. I'm not so sure. Once I get something in my head, I am ready for it. Like now. For example, I have decided to do a little change-a-roo on the ole hairs on my head. I have made my appointment, but I think had the girl asked me if I could come in right then I would have. Instead, I am waiting another week. (Which, I know isn't long. In the world of hair appointments, it's actually quite a short wait.)

I know that waiting is what makes the end result so much sweeter. But spring, let's just get sprung already, mmmkay?

Yesterday was a good day. MUCH better than Monday. Ella bella and BJ came over... So it might have been the somewhat uninterrupted girl talk that helped. Matt had a last minute opportunity to go to a hockey game, so it was just the boys and I lugging it up to the gym. Have I ever mentioned how grateful I am my boys love going to the gym?? Because, man does it make it easier (read: less guilt) when they go in there saying, "Bye Mommy. Love you!" Or, "My Mama", in Cade's sweet little way of saying bye. I had grand plans of making Paleo Pancakes (love this recipe) for supper only to realize I didn't have any almond flour. I ended up making regular pancakes for the boys and pretty much raided my fridge and threw something together for myself. It was brussel sprouts, a sweet potato, an egg and some bacon mixed together. Sounds a little..umm.. different?? But, it was so good I had it again this morning!

We are headed out this morning to the gym (just a quick 20 min run) and get some stuff for the upcoming birthday bash. I'm getting antsy to start putting all of the decor together, but some of it is so big that I won't have anywhere to put it once it is together. I'm sure my husband won't mind a big teepee in the living room... will you, honey? ;)

Hope y'all have a great Wednesday!

Grateful

I am sitting in the oversized chair in the living room and the sun is highlighting different spots in the house that I have long forgotten. It's funny how sun can do that. The boys are napping, which means all I can hear is the hum of the fridge and my fingers tapping the keys. Today has been a good day. A day that tells me spring is coming. Summer is coming. Time were I can grab some rays during nap time (while slathered in sunscreen, of course. This skin ain't getting any younger) and bring the boys out with me as soon as they wake up. My favorite days, by far. 

This has been a long winter. As I read stories about the people in Birmingham and Atlanta that were having to abandon their car to walk multiple miles to get somewhere safe, leave their kids at school because they had no way of getting to them, the tears just couldn't help but pool up in my eyes just waiting to fall over. As a parent, I just can't imagine that kind of frustration and helplessness and pray I never have to.  But, more than anything this winter has made me so grateful for the things we have that keep us warm. There are so many people that aren't as blessed and I hope that from here on out I will do better about being more aware/grateful without the harsh circumstances to cause me to do so. 

And, really, when I start to think about it there aren't many things in life that I tend to complain or feel like I'm going to go crazy over that don't also have that "glass half full" side as well. Cade has said "momma" about 500 times that day? At least he is starting to talk more! Connor has whined more times than I can even keep track of? He is able to feel different emotions...working on how to navigate through those emotions will come. 

Now don't let me fool you into thinking that all days I am able to see the bright side of things. I can assure you (and I know Matt could as well) that I have some seriously ugly moments. Sometimes I don't say anything, but go into the bedroom and shut the door just to breathe and pray for a few minutes {side note: one time I was thisclose to going crazy, so I did the only thing I knew to do {side note to the side note: and what I should have done in the first place} drop down on the floor and pray. Connor came in and asked me what I was doing, so I told him. Fast forward a few weeks and I was in the same spot of the bedroom, just this time I was doing a plank. He said, "Mommy? Are you praying and talking to God again?" I have laughed about that ever since} and other times I let out a frustrated scream while all 3 of them look at me like I have lost my mind (and in those moments, I'm not sure I haven't...talk about navigating through emotions!!!). 

So, while I am definitely among the group of people that is more than over winter, I pray that this renewed sense of gratefulness that winter has brought me doesn't say goodbye as well. Here's to looking at the bright side of things in the bright, warm sun! 

Exercise and Circus time!

I'm not sure if I have mentioned it or not, but the hubs and I signed up for another half marathon before we had even finished the first one. I agreed to it because it is the Country Music 1/2 Marathon and it is one that I have always wanted to do. I also signed up for a 15k, which is 9 miles that is going to take place in a mere 2 weeks. And the furthest I have gone is 5 miles. Oops. 

 Two things are keeping it that way. 1) Weather. I just can't run on the treadmill. It actually hurts me worse. Not the norm, I know. I would run outside if it were in the 30s and sunny. I have enough thermal goods to keep me warm, but we just haven't had many days that it has been like that. Or if it has, the wind has been blowing so hard that I would be fighting it the whole time. So, in the meantime I am picking up some extra classes to go, in addition to the normal 2 or so classes of bootcamp we already go to, that will strengthen my core. That way, if my shin splints will stay at bay, I am hoping I can still knock out 9 in a couple of weeks without stopping. Definitely not my recommended way of doing things, but that's kind of where I'm at now. 

So, yesterday I decided that instead of even trying to run on the treadmill, I would just try out Pilates. The class starts at 4:30 and in typical fashion these days, we pulled into the gym parking lot at 4:25. Which we all know put me smack dab in the front middle of the class. Awesome. I have never been to Pilates before, so keep in mind I didn't have a clue what I was doing. It is just another testament to how much my self confidence has grown since we started working out. In the past I can honestly say I'm not sure if I would have gone into that class if I wasn't able to grab a spot in the back. I probably would have, but it would have stressed me out a lot more than it did. Three cheers for a stronger sense of self accomplishment! 

Last Friday Gammie and Pappie bought the boys and I tickets to the circus. At first I didn't think Cade and I were going to be able to go because he had a fever. So, Pam met me at the doctors office (I took Cade to get checked for the flu since the fever came out of nowhere. I'm not messing around with that stuff) and took Connor with her. Y'all. Cade wailed (and I mean waaaaailed) for almost 30 minutes. Screaming "bubba" the whole time. The nurses kept saying, "Poor little guy just doesn't feel good". He finally settled down and got a "just viral" report. Side note: I hate that report. Not this day, though. So scared of the flu!! After getting dressed the dr came back in to give us our checkout papers and Cade started handing me my keys and his jacket saying, "Ome, Ome". Brother was saying take me home and get me away from this man who keeps checking me out! 

As soon as we got in the car the bubba wailing started again, so I decided to go ahead and go to the circus. As soon as I told him we were going to go get Bubba, the crying stopped. One day this kid will understand the value of one on one time with his mommy. Today is not that day! The circus was great. We missed the first few minutes, so Cade was a little unsure of everything at first, but he quickly got into it. The whole time he kept saying, "Bubba" all while patting Connor on the arm, and then pointing to whatever was on the stage. He would clap. He would pump his fist up in the air and say "YEAH!". He would throw both arms up in the air and say "WOO". Make the appropriate animal noises. Danced at the music while saying "Bo Bubba, Bo Bubba" (for go bubba, go bubba). It actually surprised me as to how much fun he had. 

Connor, in typical Connor fashion, just soaked everything in, but has been talking about it non stop. So, while you might not get the high excitement during the show, it is because he is only processing and, Lord knows, memorizing the whole thing! He has talked about it a lot since then, which means he had a great time, too! They just show it in different ways. Love my two different boys!!

The best part of waking up

{is the folgers in your cup.. tell me you didn't think that after reading that title ;)}

I have read numerous times on other mom's blogs that they get up an hour before their kids do. My first reaction was, well, you must not have one like Connor Matthew who likes to wake up before it is even light outside! And, I kept that as my excuse for as long as I could remember. Then something just clicked last week and I decided no more excuses. I was going to get up, get myself a cup of coffee {because, duh. Can't do much of anything without that first}, cook Matt and myself breakfast,  and give myself the rest of that time to blog.

I know, I know. You might be thinking that I should use that time for quiet time with the Lord and sometimes I do both. But, I am a strong believer in the fact that you are the biggest model of behavior for your kids. Monkey see, Monkey do and I want my kids to see me in God's word. In fact, there have been multiple times that Connor will see me reading and ask me to read it with him...especially when I do it at the kitchen table while we are eating breakfast. Or if I am in the chair, he will sometimes grab his bible and come sit with me. So, I kind of made the rule for myself that if I knew we were going to be at home the better part of the day then I would wait and do it with him. If not, I will do it early. Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying that I get it done every day. I wish I did. But, I am trying and that is the first step! I downloaded all of the free Beth Moore kindle books a few weeks ago, but haven't started one of those yet. I don't know why, but I am not a huge fan of the reading on an electronic device. I just really like having that book in hand! Although, I do like the fact that it is always with me!

Anyway, I have all of those, but I still want to get Chasing God by Angie Smith. I have read Angie's blog from the beginning and her writing has always moved me. After reading the description on Amazon, I just really think that this might be my next read. Here it is:

Maybe you’ve never asked the question out loud, but you’ve wondered. You do the things that look good on paper: read your Bible, pray, attend study groups and go to church on Sundays.

But you aren't convinced you really know Him.

Angie Smith understands, because she had run circles around the same paths searching for Him, frustrated at her lack of progress. And she probably would have continued to do so had it not been for one realization that changed everything.

She wasn't following God; she was trying to catch up with Him. 

And without realizing it, you may be as well. 

It's a distinction that affects every aspect of our lives with Christ, and it begins with learning where we've relied more on man's explanation of God than God Himself. 

So many requirements, so many rules, and so much guilt where there is supposed to be freedom. It's the reason you wonder if you've measured up, and the nagging voice that tells you you're a failure as a Christian. 

Three simple words changed everything for Angie, and she believes they can do the same for you. 

Stop chasing God.

So, yeah. Consider this one next on my list. If there are any other books I need to read, please share!

I'd have to say that week one of waking up early went pretty well. I like walking around using the little flashlight on my phone as my guide. Gives me time to wake up without harsh lights or being startled awake by an anonymous blonde cutie. The only problem is if aforementioned blonde cutie hears me, he thinks that the "stay in your bedroom until it's light out" rule doesn't apply to him. And it is not easy for me to explain to him that it does for him, but not for me. So, until we are in a house that would allow me to be more separated from him (his room is right by the kitchen and living room where I am), I think it is just going to be a battle! The two times it happened last week I have made him go in our bed and watch TV. Which I know isn't going to convince him that he might as well stay in his bed, but after the three days I had completely to myself, I realized how much I needed this extra time! While I have started off only waking up around 5:40..when Matt's alarm goes off, I am hoping to slowly get it closer to 5. We will see! 

Over it

SO. It's cold. Like cut your face cold. This momma doesn't do cold and I am over it! Not only was it cold yesterday, but it was snowing on and off and apparently the wind was blowing pretty hard. We got home from running errands and the cushion on my chaise lounge was blown away, which I'm almost positive was TIED ON, and the boys' Little Tikes playhouse was over by our house which is a good 50 to 100 yards away from where it had previously been sitting. Which is also strange because there was a ton of other stuff in it's path that it had to go around? Or over? Either way, crazy strong wind. 

I knew when I got up yesterday morning I had to go to the grocery store. Let's be honest. Going to the grocery store on a non wintery day with two kids is the opposite of fun, so I knew this was going to be a blast ;). Connor told me he just wanted to stay at home and play "temping run" (which, 1) he really does believe if he says that, that it is going to happen. Bless. 2) Brother is awesome at temple run. And obsessed. And not even 4. I fear the day he finds out about Wii and all of that other fun male stuff). So, what is a girl to do when you want to add some fun into a rather boring grocery run? Promise a trip to Target first. He got right up and got dressed. My boy loves Target. My job here is done, don't ya think??

First stop within Target was to Starbucks. I've heard some talk going around that we are going to be getting our own Starbucks in town (the closest one to me is about 22 miles away), which makes me excited and nervous. Excited, because, duh. Nervous, because I would have to start practicing some serious self control. Anyway, I need some help. What is your favorite drink? Mine is the Caramel Brulee Latte and it is only during the holidays. The Caramel Flan Latte is ok, but not as good as the Caramel Brulee to me. So, what should I try? 

After Target we ran to Old Navy (literally as it was, I'm not sure I mentioned it, COLD. The boys thought it was hilarious) to try and find me some distressed jeans. Why, oh why, can't I find them anywhere? In a skinny cut, that is. The boyfriend jeans just don't look good on me. I love the look on everyone else, but I feel like a total slouch in them. So, for help #2, if you know of some skinny distressed jeans that don't cost $200, help a girl out! If not, my next step is to make a trip to Goodwill and work on distressing some myself, which I'm about 90% sure won't turn out very well. 

We finally made it to Kroger and we started in the produce section, which is Cade's favorite. Only because out of the handful of words he has, apple and banana are in his top 5 favorites to use. So, after about 5 minutes of him yelling "APPLE" incessantly, Connor looks at me and says, "Mommy. We have got to teach Cade the word carrot, right?" I just died laughing. I love his logic. To get him through the rest of the trip, I stopped by the bakery to get him his free cookie... and lest you think I just was neglecting Connor of the processed junk, I had already given him a sucker. The joke these days are to ask Cade for a bite of his food. And how I feel about the season of winter is how he feels about sharing his food....

He is over it!