This week’s blog is all about taking care of your own self. There are so many times we get caught up in day to day life that we don’t take time out for ourselves. At church we have been learning about the trials we face, temptation, being accountable, not worrying about what others think about you, how to persevere from evil, how to be quick to listen, but slow to anger (trust me that’s not always easy) and to really know that God is there for you through everything. He accepts us with all of our faults, He does not take responsibility for them, but will be there for you in your time of need.

I think about all of these things and how my life relates. I think about the many times that I am not accountable for my own actions….probably mostly when I get upset with my kids. I really try to be a good Mom, but sometimes anger gets in the way of just letting kids be who they want to be. I need to let them yell in the house and be glad that I have 4 kids that are running around our home able to do that. I need to not get so stressed when their rooms aren’t cleaned to my satisfaction because they wanted to play outside. I need to be grateful that I have kids that enjoy nature and the love of outdoors. I need to listen more instead of saying just a second for the 3^rd time. My kids are my life and they know how much I love them, but I want them to know as they grow older that I was always there.

Part of being there involves doing for me. For me, that involves my alone time at the gym or on the road running. I do both of these things for me and no one else. Sure, I do it because I want to be healthy and know that doing so will enable me to be there for my family when I am older, but I have to want to do it for myself foremost. I watched my boys play soccer this weekend and I was reminded of their love for the game, love for the outdoors, love to run, but mostly for the love of life. Kids know how to do for themselves and I am relearning that as well. While they will always be the most important part of my life I know that I must not lose sight of myself in that process. I must not lose sight of the individual relationship I have with my husband in that process either. I must not lose sight of the time I get to spend with the rest of my family….my parents, my sisters, my brothers, my nieces and nephews and my friends who are like family to us for they are all part of my being and part of who I am.

So, for this week I want you to all think about yourself and what in your life could be different. If you say nothing, then you are fooling yourself as we all have something that can change or make better. Think of that something and make the change or at least the effort to change.

Tonight I turned on the sprinklers and really enjoyed watching my kids run through them.  My phone was inside on the counter so as not to interrupt us, I sat and talked with my 10 year old on the front step about growing up and just enjoyed the evening with them.....it is an amazing feeling being their Mom.

Have a great week everyone!

HopePeaceFit!

A Day In The Life

Many times the comment has been made to me of “I don’t know how you do it.” That “it” is keeping up with my crazy life and schedule. Today I thought I would walk you through one of my busier days so you can experience that with me.
Thursday, May 2^nd.
· 5:30am – alarm goes off…shower and get ready for work
· 6:30am – pack breakfast and lunch food and make coffee
· 6:45am – leave for work
· 7:30am-4:30pm – work
· 4:50pm-6:05pm – at gym for an intense chest/bicep/back workout
· 6:15pm – stop at home to make a protein shake to go
· 6:20pm – meet my husband at soccer practice for our 7 year old (although I do not have to be there for these, I feel it is my job as a parent to attend….plus, I really enjoy watching these little guys practice)
· 7:10pm – help 10 year old finish her project for music class (thankfully this was my husband’s day off so all other homework was already completed before I got home)
· 7:50pm – take something to a neighbor (of course, we ended up chatting)
· 8:20pm – put kids to bed
· 8:30pm – clean up kitchen while husband gets kids book bags ready for next day
· 8:45pm – eat dinner
· 9:00pm – sit down in my comfy recliner, read through Facebook posts, watch a little TV, chat with hubby
· 10:30pm – bedtime
· My meals today consisted of breakfast (oatmeal and a Special K bar), lunch (chicken, spinach, artichoke and pine nuts with whole wheat pasta, green beans and an apple with peanut butter), pre workout snack (banana), post workout (protein shake with ice, milk, protein powder, banana and peanut butter), dinner (steak and broccoli).
This is a very typical day for me with changes in the evenings based on what the kids have going on, if it is my husband’s night to work until 6pm, if I am fitting a run in before bed, but basically the picture is the same…..busy, busy, busy.

You may be wondering why I am sharing all of this with you. If one of my readers gets something out of this then I have done what I set out to do. You can always accomplish whatever you put your mind to. There is always time in the day…you just have to commit to make that time. Whether that time be for taking care of your kids, going to the gym or just taking some alone time for yourself (which we all need, by the way). Life gets in the way all the time. You need to take control of that on your own accord. Hey, no one else is going to do it for you, right?

May you have a wonderful weekend!

HopePeaceFit!