In Full Communion

My big girls made their First Communion on August 15. It was a great day. Although I don't write about it much, our faith is very important to us. Husband and I met through our campus ministry and have been involved in our parish throughout our marriage. We can't begin to enumerate the blessings poured out on us. It is humbling and sometimes overwhelming to realize our children look to us for direction in their spiritual life. Thank God for His grace!

I didn't cry, but I did feel a fullness in my heart as I watched the girls receive the sacrament for the first time. Even though we spent two weeks in intensive preparation classes I know that they are just beginning to even think about what this means in our faith. I'm an adult and it still blows my mind when I give it proper thought. I hope I always feel that fullness as I share my faith with my children.

One Foot in Front of the Other

Husband and I did a 5K Saturday. I did not properly train for it at all. I only went to the gym twice in the two weeks before the event. My goal was to finish in under 40 minutes and not be last. I met my goals. I finished in 36:05, and that was walking most of the middle mile. Husband ran the event barefoot! He finished in 37:35, which was faster than his training pace, so hooray! His feet did hurt at the end, as the roads in and around UNT are much rougher than our neighborhood streets.

This was a good measure of where I am and where I want to get in my fitness. Consistency has been a challenge this summer. But now the kids are in school and BTS seems to be in something of a routine and I am hoping to get to the gym at least four times a week. I'll be doing another 5K in October and Husband wants to do a 10K in November (!). I am planning to run a six mile leg in a marathon relay in December and Husband is training for a half-marathon at the same event. I hope to get down to a ten minute mile.

I went to boot camp for the first time in a while yesterday. I am sore today! I definitely have work to do to get back to where I was in my strength training. Knowing what I have done in the past is a great motivator, at least some days. I like the way I feel when I exercise and I think my family likes me better too.

So I'll keep moving and try to be patient with myself and celebrate my small successes.

Menu Plan Monday: Back to School

Back to school has arrived and not a moment too soon for our family. Due to varying circumstances last week I only cooked one night! No doubt that was not a highlight in our budgeting efforts. So, the kids went back to school today and we have softball and baseball practice tonight. Meal planning will be essential to our schedule.

Monday: Hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, and fruit
Tuesday: Chicken cutlets, steamed veggie mix, potatoes
Wednesday (my birthday!): Crock-pot pork tenderloin, salad, sauteed squash and zucchini
Thursday: Sandwiches or leftovers
Friday: Chicken Dorito Casserole
Saturday: Eat out
Sunday: Spaghetti, garlic bread, vegetable

I am obviously making an easy meal tonight. I know I'll be tired and we have to eat early due to practices. Chicken Dorito Casserole was a staple in my house growing up and when we were first married. It has been so long since I made it though, that I might have to call my mom to remember how! I'm also going to make my own meatballs for the first time, and maybe use them in our spaghetti.




Visit Organizing Junkie for more menus.

Wants vs. Needs

I want to spend time organizing my blog. Going through posts and tagging them and that sort of thing.

I need to organize my junk drawer and pantry and laundry room before school starts.

I want to redesign my blog (well, pay Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife and DCR Design to do so).

I need to finish the redecorating in my girls' room.

I want to eat out every day, rather than cook!

I need to plan our meals and get back on a budget.

I want to fit into some of my clothes from last year.

I need to go to the gym more regularly.

I want to learn to sew, and quilt, and make jewelry.

I need to invent something that gives me more hours in the day.

Taking It Easy

On myself, that is.

I'm still struggling with exercise. When I take the time to go to the gym and run or go to Zumba I am always glad I did. I have never regretted choosing to exercise. But sometimes it is hard to get there. Or I get there and I get on the treadmill and I struggle to get in a workout that I think is challenging enough.

But then I remind myself that I just had a baby three months ago. A baby that still doesn't sleep through the night (except for two nights last weekend). I should be tired and I should be slowly building my endurance. I know that, but I still get frustrated. I did a half-marathon a year ago for crying out loud!

I have found ways to stay somewhat motivated though. First of all, I just tell myself that anything is better than nothing. Exercise is not an all or nothing kind of thing and effort is all that matters. Second, I have some really cute clothes that I'm still not wearing because they don't look as good on as they could. Third, Husband is running fairly regularly and there's nothing like a little competition to get me moving.

I realize that I won't get into a regular routine until school starts and BTS is on more of a schedule. We've had sacrament classes every weekday morning last week and this week, so morning exercise has not been an option. Our evenings are busy, so I've only been to the gym once this week and that is okay. Just because I'm not where I want to be right now doesn't mean I won't get there eventually. I've only been back to the gym for two months with varying consistency, but I'm still going.

I'm tired of beating myself up. I'm listening to the encouragement I offer others and taking it to heart. So if I have to walk more than run in the 5k that is okay. It just gives me a goal for the next one!

Right This Minute

I have a case of the Mondays. I want a large coke from Sonic. I don't want to run, even though I'm doing a 5K in less than two weeks.

But.

Right this minute my big girls are playing nicely together in their room, with the door closed, and they don't need me, even though I'm here.

Right this minute my boys are not playing so nicely, but they were a few minutes ago. And they are not demanding food, so there's that.

Right this minute LCS is entertaining herself, not bothering her siblings. She is singing little songs and jumping off the couch onto the cushions and normally I would probably not let her do that, but she is happy and so I am happy and it is worth it.

Right this minute BTS is sleeping in our walk-in closet. I think the closet has magical powers. He has slept through the night the last two nights! (The closet has a vent and we make sure there is nothing hanging near him, so please don't call CPS).

I'm trying to focus on small things and be more grateful. I too quickly fall into resentment and unhealthy wistfulness. If I want my kids to be content with their life then I must model contentment.

Three Months!

Mr. Cutie McCutiekins is three months old today! He is still not sleeping through the night (unlike his cousin born on the same day), but that is okay because he eats and goes right back to sleep and he is cute. The picture above makes him look a little chubbier than he actually is, although he is plumping up a bit (that is probably due to the bottle of formula he has once a day).




He is very smiley and happy, but I could not capture it on a picture (of course). He is starting to giggle and laugh and interact with us. The big kids still love him to pieces. He fits right in with our family.



I love how babies can hold their feet up and make it seem so effortless. They must have killer abs under those chubby tummies.

I like it when he sleeps and has a squishy face.



As a happy baby present to you I have removed the word verification step in comments. Let's hope the spam-bots stay away.

Birthday Wish List #2

This list will be heavy on jewelry and Etsy.

My word for the year is hope. This necklace would be great to keep my word in my mind and in my heart. Wheat and Wildflowers is just one great jewelry shop to catch my eye.


I've mentioned my love for The Vintage Pearl before and so I must share an item or two I wouldn't mind calling my own.

I want the Circle of Love bracelet with my name and husband's name and our wedding date on it.

I also like the hammered star necklace, with my initial of course. I love stars, way more than hearts, and think they should be used more often.



I am really intrigued by these fabric necklaces at Just Liv. This one is my favorite.



Shining Stones has several things I like.
This necklace:
This bracelet:



This ring (size 6.5 I think):

The necklace I pictured also has matching earrings and a ring, but I think that might be too much matching. Any of the pieces would be welcome though.

And for something different, these earrings from Zephyr Woods:


Hooray for being able to post pictures!

None of these shops contacted me asking for publicity. I found each of them on my own, through blogs or searches. I have not received any compensation for linking to any of the above shops.

My birthday is in 22 days!