Spring Forward..

Spring came forward during this "spring-forward" time change weekend--finally! It was a gorgeous two days and one of those times I really LOVE living here.

DS 1 was with us most of the week last week as he was on Spring Break. It was hard for me not seeing him as much as I'd like, but nice to have him around still. He had to do a "drill weekend" for his Guard unit, so he left on Saturday evening.

I know it's wishful thinking, but I do hope that the boys settle somewhere near us when they are finished with schooling. Even if they can't do that, I hope we are somehow able to see them regularly, cause I sure miss them when they are gone!

DS 2 came home from his mission trip Saturday afternoon. I have only talked with him briefly and am excited to hear about his trip to Nicaragua. He has agreed to do a guest blog...so hopefully you'll get to read about it soon as well. The pictures are gorgeous and heartbreaking all at once. When I said, "I can't wait to hear all about it!" He said, "There's SO MUCH to tell!" That's where we left it. I cannot tell you how much it warms my heart to know that my guys love being out helping people so much!

I don't know if I mentioned that DS 3 is in the midst of track season once again. He is pole vaulting again this year. If you've read this blog for more than a year, then you might remember that last year he "no heighted" the season. (This means he didn't make it over the pole.) Still he stuck with it to my amazement and awe! Now here we are in a new season and he is clearing 8 ft! Anyway, we went to see him the other day for just a bit and I was once again reminded just how much I admire his focus and drive.

Another thing DS 3 has discovered is just how much he likes biking. He took a long bike ride this weekend to our local national park and hiked back there a bit. He loves just being out there and discovering new things.

Speaking of bike rides, DS 4, LG, and I left Saturday to ride around a bit. She made it about 2 feet ok 2 blocks before something happened and she decided she didn't want to do it anymore. She is really still learning and it's quite a chore for her to get started. DS 4 and I took her home and we continued our own ride. It was fun to ride with him. We went about 12 miles total. I could tell you I payed dearly later, but I'll spare you the details.

Sunday was another gorgeous day. DS 3 and I walked downtown a bit and had lunch down there. Then I took DS 4 to the skate park for a little bit while I did my homework for small group. So nice to sit outside, soak up the sun, and read a bit.

DH and I had small group last night. This is always an interesting time. I have to say we got the nicest compliment last night about the kids. They generally stay in their rooms during our small group so they don't interfere. One of the participants said, "I have to say you really have good kids! As many times as we've been here, we've never heard them during our time." Our sermons at church recently have been about having "reference points" that help give us a picture of reality. I needed that reference point! I am very PROUD of my kids for MANY reasons. This reference point reminded me again that I need to say it more often!

There ya' go...our weekend in a nutshell!

Tuesday Tid-bits

I know it's Tuesday, but we had yesterday off, so it feels like Monday to me. It was so beautiful outside yesterday, but I didn't really get OUT. I did, however, enjoy the sunshine streaming through my windows.

Here are a few of the thoughts rolling around my head:

--I found myself really thinking about the blessing of being in a marriage that has lasted so long. We talked a bit on Sunday about how long marriages are a reflection of God's love for people. I believe that. And when I really think that I am IN one of those long marriages, it blesses me.

--My DS 3 took a 29 mile bike ride yesterday. He is really enjoying exploring and discovering new places on his bike. And he's getting quite fit in the process. It's fun to watch him do new things.

--His first track meet is this week. He's pole vaulting again and working quite hard at it. I can't wait to go see it!

--I lost a notebook that has some very important paperwork for school. It has me a bit frustrated, but I'm hopeful I'll find it in the next few days. Otherwise, I'm going to have to "fess up" to someone here at school.

--Tonight is class 7 of our ten week foster/adoption class. I am not going to lie, I'll be quite glad when I can have my Tuesday nights back again!

--I am thinking seriously about making a commitment to read some of the "classics" (books) that I have never read. The problem is, I don't really want to add one more "to-do" to my list. Instead, I think I'll consider it a journey that I'm going to take...that way there's no deadline to meet.

Well, that's all from my head right now. Hope you're all having a wonderful week so far.

Tenacious

I think this is a perfect word to describe my DS 3 for so many reasons! He knows what he wants, and he goes for it. It's admirable, in my opinion.

One thing you may not know about him is that he has muscle and coordination issues. When he was a child, the doctor noticed his "abnormally" large skull and encouraged us to go have it checked. At that time, he said he thought it could be a "tumor". He took that "giant leap" of a potential diagnosis based on the fact that DS 3, at 6 years-old, could not do a somersault and appeared to have some balance and coordination issues. No one wants to hear that their child might have a tumor. No one.

We went through a ton of tests with the neurologist and worked with experts at the Children's Hospital. After many tests and much discussion, they determined that DS 3 did NOT have a tumor. They said his brain had "extra growth" in that area. They also told us that the extra growth would increase his intelligence while decreasing muscle coordination and balance. The only thing we were told not to do was put him in team sports (a decision I don't think they would make today---and I have often regretted).

So, we pursued things like violin, piano, and drama to enrich him. He liked all those OK, but nothing lit his fire like the day he discovered aviation and airplanes around 11 or 12 years of age. If you've followed my blog at all, then you know that he is quite passionate about them. He flew solo in a glider on his 14th birthday. He plans to fly solo in a regular plane on his 16th birthday. And he KNOWS that he really wants to do something in the field of aviation.

One of his dreams is to make it into the Air Force Academy. My gut reaction, when he told me this, was "Great! I know you could do the mental part...but you weren't supposed to play team sports. It's that physical part that concerns me." He set his mind to it and researched the attributes of successful applicants for the Academy. He could tell you the list. I cannot.

One of the activities that many of the cadets share is that they "lettered in a varsity sport". Uh, OK. DH and I told him that perhaps he should think about track and field. We talked about maybe training for cross country or some other event.

Several weeks ago, DS called DH on the phone from school and told him he was going to stay for track team try-outs. DH called me to tell me that he has decided to try out for Pole Vaulting.

WHAT!?! Did he say "pole vaulting"????? Yes, he did.

So, my 6ft. 3in fourteen year-old with "balance and coordination" challenges, who could not turn a somersault as a child, has been working out with the pole vaulters and the track team. Everyday. He has done things in the past few weeks that I'm sure he never thought he could. He came home and told me that he needs to learn to climb a rope upside-down. Upside down? I can't even climb one right-side up! DS 3 continues to press on with our support.

Yesterday, he came home to tell me that he was going to "vault in the first track meet of the year on Tuesday." He was a bit frustrated about that. I said, "Have you ever made it over the bar?" He said, "Not really." I asked him how he felt about the meet, he replied: "I just hope I can make it over." Then he told me, "It'll be fine, MOM!"

I have to hand it to him. In a similar circumstance, I would most likely have quit. I'd say "Nope. This is NOT for me." But he has his eye on the ball. He is challenging himself to be better today than he was yesterday. He wants to grow and learn.

Not only am I proud of him...I ADMIRE HIM! I don't know if his future holds a stint at the Air Force Academy or not, but I DO KNOW that his tenacity will take him farther than even HE can imagine at this point in his life.

{If you get a chance, please whisper a prayer for him as he participates in his first track meet today at 4:00pm EST. I'm sure there will be more to come on this story!}

Step into my world....

Things have been crazy around here. Of course that's not so far out of the norm, but it has made for an interesting week for certain.

DS 1 was supposed to ship out the 24th for basic training for the Army National Guard. He sustained a knee injury that is going to require surgery a couple of weeks ago. As a result, he had to get a letter from the surgeon and take it to the Guard. They have changed his "ship date" to April 28th.

DS 1 will have his surgery on the 30th of October. They are telling him it will be four weeks to recover.

DS 2 was injured in soccer practice this week and went to the doctor (same doc--we're certainly keeping him in business right now). He is on crutches. We are waiting to results from an MRI.

DS 4 has had strep throat this week and just went back to school today after two days on the antibiotic.

Thank goodness DH has been home to play "Mr. Mom". He does this with great finesse anyway even when everyone is "normal."

My new "Alice" quit this week. She's only been working here for two weeks. I knew it could be overwhelming, but didn't expect this. However, today she talked with DH and told him that she wanted to reconsider her decision. She was in an emotional state when she quit and told him that. Soooo...tomorrow he's going to tell her that we'd love to have her stay on. Believe me, I am doing the happy dance over this one!!

DS 3 went to work out with me tonight. My friend D had a stress test today and didn't do so well. With DS 2 out of commission, I had to find a new "backup partner". DS 3 did a great job as we worked chest and shoulders.

My niece is visiting from Orlando this weekend. She's staying at her Grandparents' house. She's going to go with DS 4 and me to a local pumpkin festival. I'm so excited to take them as they have a corn maze that should be great fun...and make for great photos.

Trust me, there's never a dull moment in this family!

I Cheated...and I'm SORRY!

Up...two...three...four. Down....two...three...four. I remember PE classes when I was growing up. Since I was the non-atheletic type, you can be certain I was in the "last to be chosen for teams" group very often. Coach P. was our teacher in Elementary school and he had little or no sympathy for the uncoordinated among us. This was pretty much the case for me until I graduated high school...and for that matter during the one PE class I had to take in college as well.

And while I played outside in our neighborhood as a youngster, it was rarely an activity that required much physical strength OR hand-eye coordination. And most of my peers knew it. I quickly learned, whether it was at home or at school, to avoid what I knew would bring me great embarassment or teasing from my peers.

At no time was this more clear than the weeks when we were being clocked and timed and recorded for the "President's Physical Fitness Challenge". You might know that you have to run the mile, do sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, and other things as a part of this activity. It was during these times that I felt the most inadequate. When we went to school, it was common for the entire class to watch while one person did the activity. I wasn't very old when I started volunteering to be the recorder for the scores. I figured out how to bypass it all.

Coach would call people up and, when I could, I'd put a score in for me---I feel so guilty writing that even now. This was especially true on days when we were doing pull-ups, long jumps, and dashes. I never did give myself a high score. I didn't want to be great...I only wanted to avoid the laughter and snide comments from my peers. I wanted to be finished. In some ways, for me, it seemed like survival at the time. On this side of things, I wonder if perhaps Coach knew my dilemma and just let it happen.

At any rate, it all came to a head tonight in our local YMCA with my trainer and my DS 2 present. When I arrived at the session, DS 2 and the trainer were in a conversation. They speak the same "work out" language, so this didn't surprise me too much. The trainer asked me if I wanted to work "back" tonight. I said, "sure" (like I know if I should say yes or no or not). I probably should have turned around and left when I looked deep into his and my DS 2's smiling eyes. He quickly follows up with, "Good, we're going to start with some pull-ups." WHAT!?!?!

I WANTED to ask for HIS clipboard. I wanted to tell him I'D record the reps and stuff that HE and DS 2 did. I WANTED to RUN AWAY. But I was STUCK! So there, in the middle of a very full YMCA, he had me stand on the machine that helps you do "Assisted Pull-ups". And for the first time in 43 years...I pulled myself SOMEWHAT up for three reps of five. Did my chin go as high as it should? NOPE. Would it have even counted in the President's Challenge? NOPE. Suddenly, though, it didn't matter.

I pulled. The trainer supported the "counter weight" and urged me on. The only remotely unkind thing I heard was DS 2 say, "I've got to start bringing a camera to these sessions." :-) He waited until I was laughing to say it. And, even HE knows, that's not going to happen.

As I drove home a bit sore in my arms and back, I was thinking back on all the pull-up sessions I had actually dodged. And I had to laugh when I reminded myself that I am PAYING for this one! And then, I laughed even harder as I wondered just how many I'd be able to do the "next time". And then I asked, "Who was that voice talking in my head?"

Gettin' Jiggy With It!

My school has hosted aerobics twice a week for the past two years. I've gone a few times, but my school is quite a ways away from my house, so it's hard to get back there later in the evening. This year, however, they decided to do Monday night Hip Hop Class for exercise.

Since DS 4 is practicing just down the street, I am able to drop him off at soccer and head over to Hip-Hop Dance class. Tonight was the first night for this. We hip-hopped until we almost dropped.

Let's just say that the instructor was so patient. She's really good and not bothered at all by the fact that she had a room full of middle-aged women with varying degrees of rhythm.

It certainly was an interesting workout, if not quite comical. And I left smiling!

A Semi-Squat Flunkie

I can do this......................................

I CAN'T do this..............................Ever since I was little, I have had trouble putting my heel down when I walk. This has resulted in me NOT being able to keep my heel down for what looks like a SIMPLE exercise. Let me tell you the trainer was amazed yesterday that the FIRST thing was something I could not do. After he explored the issue (he's a nursing student...so I'm thinking some of the questioning was for his future employment), he said, "Well, you might be a squat flunkie, but we ARE going to do squats today."

SO....off to the machines we went. Let me just tell you that my eyes about bugged out of my head when we went from holding 10 lb. weights and standing in front of the mirror to try this exercise to doing 50 lbs. on the machine! I was successful there...thank goodness.

As he promised last night, though, today I am doing the "Potty Walk" today...it's kind of that bent-over-I-can't-really-sit-OR-stand walk!

Last night I watched the end of The Biggest Loser and I have to say I was motivated by these people. It seems to me that these are some of the largest contestants yet. They are learning to turn their "I Can't" into "I Can". It's critical. And while I don't have quite the amount of weight to lose that some of these people do...I find the whole thing quite motivating.

Will I ever be able to squat without a machine? I don't know. BUT what I LOVE being pushed enough to realize my own potential.

And that's something most of us could use...we have to find the person or thing that pushes us forward and motivates us then we have to GO FOR IT with the "I CAN" spirit!!

It's NOT: "Keep Your EYE On the Ball"....

OK, for those of you who commented about the trainer, I can keep quiet about it no longer! I've watched the trainers at the YMCA for months and thought about how much I'd like to have one. When my friend Debra mentioned doing it together, I thought it was perfect. We had our first "real" session last night.

I should start by saying that Debra and I are not small women. So, when the trainer took us to the weight corner and said, "We're going to work on the core and use the weights." I thought, "OK...no big deal." But he soon added, "You'll both need a ball."

Note: I've never sat on one of these before last night, but let me just tell you I was REAL happy when I downloaded this picture just now and it was labeled "Anti-burst Exercise Ball". WHEW!

Not one to back down from a challenge, I went and got the "pretty green ball" and took it to the corner. He showed us how to sit on it and keep from falling off. Just when my tail feathers started to go into "show-off" position, he said, "Now, that you know how to SIT on the ball...you need to learn to LAY on the ball. And you have to go from one position to the other without falling off or getting up. It's just one fluid motion."

I tucked my tail feathers back in and promptly laughed at the man! He, however, was not amused. Before I could practice rolling into that silly laying position "fluidly", he put 8 pound weights in each hand and said, "We're going to use these when you are in position." (And I was happy to use the two pound weights at Aerobics the other night!) I explained that I only throw an 8 pound bowling ball..that's FOUR pounds for each hand. He laughed and said, "Not after working out with me, you won't. It'll be time to get a larger ball." (Well OK, then!)

Reminding myself that I am paying this man for the hour of entertainment he is obviously going to receive working with the two of us, and knowing the gym is crowded with plenty of people who could easily move up and down and all around on that ball, I promptly rolled myself into position and prepared for the pain. I wish I could report that I looked as relaxed (and as flat stomached) as this man does on the ball, but I can't. I chose this photo because it best shows the position we were in for the FIRST exercise.

There was absolutely NO easing into anything! The session was spent about 1/2 on the ball with weights and 1/2 on the machines to work the legs. Today I can tell I worked, but I'm not in pain (thank goodness). On most weeks we'll see him two days. This week, however, it's only one.

As I left the gym, I felt pretty good. But the thought that kept running through my mind was:, "We used to say, 'Keep your eye on the ball.' But now that's all going to change for me. No. My mantra has to be: 'Keep your rear on the ball.' Followed closely by: 'Keep your head on the ball!'"

I'm sure there'll be MORE blog fodder where this came from...stay tuned!!

It's Fun to Go to the YMCA!

Since I took my Spring Break trip and spent last week making up for the time I was away...I haven't been to the Y to work out. I know that's an excuse....

Last night I went back. I knew that I had not worked out for almost two weeks. I knew that it would not be "easy" getting back into the swing of things. I took my book and charged ahead. After about 35 minutes of cardio workout...I had to stop. I was getting dizzy. Even the sign on the machine that says, "If you feel faint or dizzy, stop." looked blurry. I thought I could push through it....but I couldn't.

I went downstairs where ds 2 was lifting weights and ds 4 was playing basketball. I sat at a little table beside the basketball court. As I did, ds 2 came out and said, "Mom are you OK? You look a little dizzy. And you're wobbling." I didn't know about the wobbling part...although it's kind of in my genes to wobble (thanks to Grandma) naturally. I sat though. He and his friend stood there and talked to me for a minute and I drank my water. Then I decided to read a bit more in my book and watch ds 4 play basketball.

I don't know what it was. I felt better after a few minutes. As I reflect though...I think that pretty much sums up my life. I push and push and push (in whatever area) then I get "dizzy" and have to stop. It's the same old thing no matter what the subject...kind of like the hamster wheel. I need to learn to stop at the "right time". I need to learn to keep the energy in balance. I need to learn to not push too hard or too fast so that I don't burn out. And perhaps if I would start heeding warning signs (like I didn't on the treadmill) I might be better off.

The "warning" signs are written throughout scripture:

"Draw near to me and I will draw near to you."
"Come to me all who are weary...and I will give you rest."
"Cast your cares on him because he cares for you."

And so on...and so on...and so on....

Tonight I am going back to the Y. I will not go beyond what I can handle. I will not try to be superwoman. I will simply do what is right for me and my body.

And more than my Y trip...I am definitely in a season of re-evaluation. I am trying to take a look at all of my responsibilities and only cling to those that I am "supposed" to be doing. I am dropping some committments that I need to drop and re-defining others. So, along with my Y trip...I am also going to continue to pick myself up and start again...but I know that I can't go beyond what I can handle there either...I cannot be superwoman...I will simply do what is right for me and my life....

And maybe, just maybe (with God's help), this time I'll get it right!! ;-)

Y-Phobia

It's a little known fact (and one I guess I won't save for my next "100" list)...but I have workout phobia and more particular "Y-Phobia". It's not because I am afraid of sweating...I am not afraid to try the machines....I just hate it when you go to the gym and there are all these cute little things working out and I feel like uh...not-a-cute-little-thing. I also don't like doing it alone. I much prefer having a workout buddy.

Four years ago I was walking 2 miles everyday at 5:45 am with a "Walking Buddy". We did this for a little over a year...and BOY did it pay off. Then my walking buddy moved. I tried to walk alone. I just can't. Or I won't. Especially at that time in the morning.

Then I got a "workout buddy" at my school. We joined a Women's Gym together and we were working out about 4 days a week together. We were doing treadmill, weights, and other cardio stuff...then the gym membership ran out for her and I decided not to join since I had to drive about 20 minutes to get there. I just couldn't be committed to that...and face the possibility of working out alone again.

Then I got a new walking buddy...and we met at a local strip mall at 5:00am to walk...YES you read that right. I loved walking with her...but I am NOT a morning person by any stretch of the imagination and rather than feeling better since I was working out...I felt horrible!!!!! I had to "drop out".

Last year, we got a membership to the YMCA. My older boys go all the time...and they have told me off and on they would "take me down there." I have stayed quiet and maintained a low profile about it because of my "Y-Phobia".

I have known, though, that it's time to put all that "junk" aside and start doing something for "ME"....and my health is important...so today I took the first step to overcoming my "Y-Phobia".

DS 3 and I went down there on Saturday to kind of "scope it out". Not too bad. I saw where everything was and decided I could walk on a treadmill in a corner somewhere. Plus that, since we live in a HUGE retirement area, there were quite a few older people there that would put me and my agility to shame!

DS 1 said today...."I'll take you down there, Mom and show you around." As I began to fess up about my "Y-phobia" on the way to the gym...He said, "Now THAT'S the FIRST thing you need to get over! You CAN'T worry about what everyone else is doing." And he's right. He showed me around. He coaxed me on to the machine...he took son 4 to play basketball and left me on the treadmill. It felt GREAT....It was wonderful to be breaking a sweat once again...even though I was alone (sort of).

I am so thankful that ds 1 was there. It was just nice knowing that if I needed a little encouragement, I could get it.

I almost can't wait to go back.