So excited to start formulating my bucket list! The link below will guide any and all interested parties to one of my most favorite additions!!! Enjoy!
http://www.great-wall-marathon.com/Default.aspx
Sunday, October 30, 2011
A post on weaning...
So, I have read several posts and articles lately about parents weaning their children from items that bring their children comfort. Now, I understand and agree that a 4 year old likely does NOT need a pacifier for bed time or general comfort. There are a number of credible resources that prove prolonged attachment to a pacifier has several consequences. I get that! My issue is with other things...like "weaning" them from their blankets, their favorite stuffed animal, etc. When I was a kid, I don't remember being weaned from anything. I confidently remember gradually growing out of my need for my favorite "stuffy" or blanket. I grew out of my need for a night light...mind you I was 14 years old. Only kidding people! LOL! My kiddos, almost 6 and 3, still sleep with a multitude of "stuffies" and their favorite blankets. I love that my girls find comfort in things that Jerry and I specifically gifted them--and that they have the opportunity to have them close when away from home or under extreme stress (ie: moves, surgeries, etc) "R" does not take her blanket to school and our girls don't have them with them all of the time...and perhaps that is where I am lost. Do some kids have their blankets and "stuffies" with them at all time? If so, and this is not to be judgmental, but is there something in their life that is overwhelming them or making them feel the need for attachment? I just don't see the need or rush to force kids out of having their favorite blanket. I am not sure if I have the "wrong" idea or if I am a different "breed" of mother...but I love having my girls snuggle up with me and cover up in their blankets. I look at those "stuffies" and blankets as a part of their patch work...a peice of their story. We are creatures of habit and it is in our nature to form attachments...even to things and I think it is healthy. Any who, just wondering if I am lone wolf with these feelings?
30 Before 30 Update
I removed the ones I have completed! So, my list grows smaller! I am also working on my "bucket list"...that post to follow soon. Enjoy!
1.GET DEBT FREE
2. No eating out for an entire year...this will be tough, but I love a challenge
3. Get my butt back in shape and run the marathon I have been "training" for---I have been "training" for the last 7 years ;) and run in at least 2 before I am 30
**4. Get accepted into the UC Denver MSN program
5. Finally take my honeymoon (on my 10 year anniversary) to Ireland
6. Sing a musical special at church
7. Play the part of Velma Kelly in Chicago (may just perform "All That Jazz" as a special)
9. Summit Pikes Peak
10. Advocate locally and abroad for the rights of women and children
11. Learn to knit
12. Learn Nordic Cross Country Skiing
13. Graduate with my Bachelor degree in Public Health
14. Attend a midwifery workshop at The Farm Midwifery Center
15. Learn a foreign language (French, I think...)
16. Make myself, "R", and "A" our own dresses
17. Get another tattoo
19. Become a CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator
20. Travel on Route 66
23. Organize a community COMPOST and Sustainable Garden Club
24. Visit Washington DC and the surrounding communities (explore American history) with "J" and the girls
26. Grow my hair out passed my breasts (working on it!)
27. Write an article and have it published in Midwifery Today
28. Take a dance class...again (I danced for over 13 years (4 of which were at a professional level)
29. Take a family vacation with "J", "R", and "A"...and any additional children we might be blessed with
30. Be a key-note speaker at a birth professional related conference
COMPLETED!!
8. Read 20 non-medical books in a year
18. Read through the Bible
**22. Cook an entire cookbook
21. Journal daily in my daughters' journals (kept at is for 6 months now!)
25. Learn yoga (try to do it every day...usually only get about 3x a week)
1.GET DEBT FREE
2. No eating out for an entire year...this will be tough, but I love a challenge
3. Get my butt back in shape and run the marathon I have been "training" for---I have been "training" for the last 7 years ;) and run in at least 2 before I am 30
**4. Get accepted into the UC Denver MSN program
5. Finally take my honeymoon (on my 10 year anniversary) to Ireland
6. Sing a musical special at church
7. Play the part of Velma Kelly in Chicago (may just perform "All That Jazz" as a special)
9. Summit Pikes Peak
10. Advocate locally and abroad for the rights of women and children
11. Learn to knit
12. Learn Nordic Cross Country Skiing
13. Graduate with my Bachelor degree in Public Health
14. Attend a midwifery workshop at The Farm Midwifery Center
15. Learn a foreign language (French, I think...)
16. Make myself, "R", and "A" our own dresses
17. Get another tattoo
19. Become a CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator
20. Travel on Route 66
23. Organize a community COMPOST and Sustainable Garden Club
24. Visit Washington DC and the surrounding communities (explore American history) with "J" and the girls
26. Grow my hair out passed my breasts (working on it!)
27. Write an article and have it published in Midwifery Today
28. Take a dance class...again (I danced for over 13 years (4 of which were at a professional level)
29. Take a family vacation with "J", "R", and "A"...and any additional children we might be blessed with
30. Be a key-note speaker at a birth professional related conference
COMPLETED!!
8. Read 20 non-medical books in a year
18. Read through the Bible
**22. Cook an entire cookbook
21. Journal daily in my daughters' journals (kept at is for 6 months now!)
25. Learn yoga (try to do it every day...usually only get about 3x a week)
Whoa! I have been tremendously undisciplined!!!
Ok, so clearly I have failed in my quest to post a blog entry once a month. March 2011 was my last known effort...what can I say? LIFE!!! We have been very busy this year. Seems as though April hit and we were sucked into the whirl wind of LIFE! We have been very challenged and blessed this year, and yet, we are so grateful for the opportunity to just live.
Jerry has been increasingly busy at work with a list of new responsibilities. His unit is in rapid prepare mode of the upcoming deployment. Jerry is often working long/late nights and occasionally weekends. He is an amazing man--working hard to obtain balance between work and home. He spends every free minute with the girls--playing, reading, painting their toe nails (I know, he rocks!!). Jerry and I celebrated 8 years of marriage in May. Sadly, he was away in VA for training during that time. Upon his return, he blessed me with a massive and gorgeous bouquet of flowers and a wonderful/romantic dinner out! So blessed!! We are blessed to have Jerry home with us for the upcoming holidays and we are looking to make the most of them. So honored and blessed to have this amazing man in my life...always and forever.
"R" started school this fall and she is loving every minute of it. Jerry and I spent a multitude of hours researching home school options, different schools in our community and what was in fact, best for all of us. "R's" opinion and feelings mattered greatly to us, as well. With all things prayed and considered, we enrolled her at the local elementary school. She is thriving!! Her love of people, reading and learning have evolved and grown to levels I never could have imagined. She is learning to read, her penmanship is becoming more refined and her passion for music and art are being fostered. "R" and I are enjoying several new "big girl and mommy activities". One of our new favorites...watching "Once Upon A Time" together on Sunday nights. Yes, I know it puts her to bed almost an hour late but I so love watching her face light up with all of the wonder and amazement! She is such a thespian..hoping to get her into a youth theatre program this Spring. We are so proud of our big girl....who will be 6 yrs old in January! Whoa! She truly is a blessings and we are so thankful to have her in our lives. She is a wonderful big sister and an amazing daughter. She is the most amazing "Big Buddy!"
"Baby A"...what can I say? Well, perhaps I need to relinquish my desire to call her baby. We are knocking on the door of a 3rd birthday in just 20 short days! Whoa...where did the time go? Her birth seemed like yesterday...and yet, like every bit of 3 yrs ago. She is so impressive. "A" has a zest for life and a courageous spirit. She knows no fear (which makes my fear accelerate to new levels) and she has no hesitation when trying knew things (and when she is playing at something she has already mastered, she finds a new and creative way to go about it). She loves to read, play outside, eat (not much she doesn't love), chase our cat, etc. Don't get my wrong, she is all girl...just wrapped in a rough and tumble package. We often joke that "A's" slogan is "She takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'!" Boy, is that ever true! Aly encountered several head blows and full body bruises this summer...and nothing phased her! I think I gathered a few new grey hairs from the experiences...but I can live with those. I most certainly can NOT live without my "Little Buddy!"
I have been so rewarded and blessed these past several months. My doula business has been very busy--and I am so honored to walk with so many amazing women and families in their journey to welcoming a new member. I also began working with a local home birth midwife in our community. I attend prenatal appointments with her on Wednesday and have been so blessed to attend home births with her as well. It is my prayer that I never become immune to the reality--the reality that our GOD is awesome and walking with these women and families in birth is such a blessed honor. Since May, I have been blessed to serve as a doula or midwife assistant for 15 births and the numbers are still climbing in the remaining 2 months of 2011. So very blessed!! With each birth, I am reminded of my own births and that my girls will likely one day birth their own children. I want for my girls to have the knowledge to make good informed decisions and to feel supported in their choices! It is my desire that the world will look at birth differently...not looking at it as a medical procedure but that they will value their bodies and the mighty work they were created to do. I am looking forward to the remaining two months of the year. In a few weeks, we will celebrate "A's" 3rd birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas!! I am very much looking forward to the time with my family, the food, the social time with friends, the snow, cooler temps, the many amazing festivities and so much more. So thankful to have Jerry home with us this year!!
I have many additional new projects. For one, I am in the process of writing a book. This is a truly amazing opportunity and has proven to be increasing theraputic for me. I am also working diligently in school...although, I have taken a few months off to catch up on finances and family time. Over all, we have so many things to be grateful for and we are looking forward to see where the Good Lord takes us in 2012!
Jerry has been increasingly busy at work with a list of new responsibilities. His unit is in rapid prepare mode of the upcoming deployment. Jerry is often working long/late nights and occasionally weekends. He is an amazing man--working hard to obtain balance between work and home. He spends every free minute with the girls--playing, reading, painting their toe nails (I know, he rocks!!). Jerry and I celebrated 8 years of marriage in May. Sadly, he was away in VA for training during that time. Upon his return, he blessed me with a massive and gorgeous bouquet of flowers and a wonderful/romantic dinner out! So blessed!! We are blessed to have Jerry home with us for the upcoming holidays and we are looking to make the most of them. So honored and blessed to have this amazing man in my life...always and forever.
"R" started school this fall and she is loving every minute of it. Jerry and I spent a multitude of hours researching home school options, different schools in our community and what was in fact, best for all of us. "R's" opinion and feelings mattered greatly to us, as well. With all things prayed and considered, we enrolled her at the local elementary school. She is thriving!! Her love of people, reading and learning have evolved and grown to levels I never could have imagined. She is learning to read, her penmanship is becoming more refined and her passion for music and art are being fostered. "R" and I are enjoying several new "big girl and mommy activities". One of our new favorites...watching "Once Upon A Time" together on Sunday nights. Yes, I know it puts her to bed almost an hour late but I so love watching her face light up with all of the wonder and amazement! She is such a thespian..hoping to get her into a youth theatre program this Spring. We are so proud of our big girl....who will be 6 yrs old in January! Whoa! She truly is a blessings and we are so thankful to have her in our lives. She is a wonderful big sister and an amazing daughter. She is the most amazing "Big Buddy!"
"Baby A"...what can I say? Well, perhaps I need to relinquish my desire to call her baby. We are knocking on the door of a 3rd birthday in just 20 short days! Whoa...where did the time go? Her birth seemed like yesterday...and yet, like every bit of 3 yrs ago. She is so impressive. "A" has a zest for life and a courageous spirit. She knows no fear (which makes my fear accelerate to new levels) and she has no hesitation when trying knew things (and when she is playing at something she has already mastered, she finds a new and creative way to go about it). She loves to read, play outside, eat (not much she doesn't love), chase our cat, etc. Don't get my wrong, she is all girl...just wrapped in a rough and tumble package. We often joke that "A's" slogan is "She takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'!" Boy, is that ever true! Aly encountered several head blows and full body bruises this summer...and nothing phased her! I think I gathered a few new grey hairs from the experiences...but I can live with those. I most certainly can NOT live without my "Little Buddy!"
I have been so rewarded and blessed these past several months. My doula business has been very busy--and I am so honored to walk with so many amazing women and families in their journey to welcoming a new member. I also began working with a local home birth midwife in our community. I attend prenatal appointments with her on Wednesday and have been so blessed to attend home births with her as well. It is my prayer that I never become immune to the reality--the reality that our GOD is awesome and walking with these women and families in birth is such a blessed honor. Since May, I have been blessed to serve as a doula or midwife assistant for 15 births and the numbers are still climbing in the remaining 2 months of 2011. So very blessed!! With each birth, I am reminded of my own births and that my girls will likely one day birth their own children. I want for my girls to have the knowledge to make good informed decisions and to feel supported in their choices! It is my desire that the world will look at birth differently...not looking at it as a medical procedure but that they will value their bodies and the mighty work they were created to do. I am looking forward to the remaining two months of the year. In a few weeks, we will celebrate "A's" 3rd birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas!! I am very much looking forward to the time with my family, the food, the social time with friends, the snow, cooler temps, the many amazing festivities and so much more. So thankful to have Jerry home with us this year!!
I have many additional new projects. For one, I am in the process of writing a book. This is a truly amazing opportunity and has proven to be increasing theraputic for me. I am also working diligently in school...although, I have taken a few months off to catch up on finances and family time. Over all, we have so many things to be grateful for and we are looking forward to see where the Good Lord takes us in 2012!
Monday, March 21, 2011
~Beautiful~
"Beautiful"~ Webster defines "beautiful" as: "generally pleasing" or "of a highly aesthetic pleasure."
"J" and I often find ourselves embracing our girls and telling them that they are beautiful; or "J" will often tell me that I look exceptionally beautiful. Those are words that no wife minds hearing (whether I have moments of believing it or not). Recently, "R" started becoming very upset with us when we would tell her that she was beautiful. Extremely upset!
For the life of me, I could/can not understand why she would have such displeasure in being told that she is beautiful? It has left "J" and I feeling baffled and somewhat upset with her, at times. Earlier today, while completing some errands, "R" and I discussed her reasons for not liking the term "beautiful". She stated that she would rather be "labeled" (her words---not mine!) as "pretty" and "gorgeous". SHE IS 5 PEOPLE!!! My chin literally hit the steering column. "Labeled", "Pretty", "Gorgeous"!?!?!?!?!?!?! WHAT!?!? "First off", I said, "we do NOT wear labels in this family, "R"." What on earth? I explained to her that she is precious to her dad and I....and that she has an amazingly "beautiful" heart! I love her creativity, her passions and zest for life, her heart for serving others, etc. She is an amazing kid!
The more I sat and pondered our discussion, the more my heart ached. It breaks my heart that my 5 year old knows and understands "labels". When I was 5, the most I worried about was making it home in time to play outside before dinner. My heart aches, because the reality, of LIFE, is sinking in...for me and my 5 year old daughter. Reality of what, you ask? That society has placed "labels" on all of us--whether we are "Losers", "Too Fat", "Too Thin", "Uneducated", "Poor", "Ugly" or "Beautiful", etc. I just never imagined it would start at 5 years old. I label that "Pathetic"!
So, although I can't get her to explain why she does not desire to be told ("labeled") that she is "beautiful"...I will respect her desires.
No matter what, she will always be "J" and I daughter....and she is most especially HIS daughter!
I prayed these words for my daughters and husband today....I didn't realize how badly I needed to hear these words, for MYSELF.
"J" and I often find ourselves embracing our girls and telling them that they are beautiful; or "J" will often tell me that I look exceptionally beautiful. Those are words that no wife minds hearing (whether I have moments of believing it or not). Recently, "R" started becoming very upset with us when we would tell her that she was beautiful. Extremely upset!
For the life of me, I could/can not understand why she would have such displeasure in being told that she is beautiful? It has left "J" and I feeling baffled and somewhat upset with her, at times. Earlier today, while completing some errands, "R" and I discussed her reasons for not liking the term "beautiful". She stated that she would rather be "labeled" (her words---not mine!) as "pretty" and "gorgeous". SHE IS 5 PEOPLE!!! My chin literally hit the steering column. "Labeled", "Pretty", "Gorgeous"!?!?!?!?!?!?! WHAT!?!? "First off", I said, "we do NOT wear labels in this family, "R"." What on earth? I explained to her that she is precious to her dad and I....and that she has an amazingly "beautiful" heart! I love her creativity, her passions and zest for life, her heart for serving others, etc. She is an amazing kid!
The more I sat and pondered our discussion, the more my heart ached. It breaks my heart that my 5 year old knows and understands "labels". When I was 5, the most I worried about was making it home in time to play outside before dinner. My heart aches, because the reality, of LIFE, is sinking in...for me and my 5 year old daughter. Reality of what, you ask? That society has placed "labels" on all of us--whether we are "Losers", "Too Fat", "Too Thin", "Uneducated", "Poor", "Ugly" or "Beautiful", etc. I just never imagined it would start at 5 years old. I label that "Pathetic"!
So, although I can't get her to explain why she does not desire to be told ("labeled") that she is "beautiful"...I will respect her desires.
No matter what, she will always be "J" and I daughter....and she is most especially HIS daughter!
I prayed these words for my daughters and husband today....I didn't realize how badly I needed to hear these words, for MYSELF.
Friday, February 4, 2011
30 Avant le 30!
In an attempt to accomplish #15 on my 30 Before 30, I have been studying French. I am enjoying it, I think. I am not sure I have a great grasp on the dialect...it has been years since I performed opera's and my dialect is sketchy, at best. In this learning process, I am working on one key phrase or question a day...it is about all I can commit to right now. So, today's question of the day is: <>
Où la salle de bains est ?
It is one, if not the most, important question I can know...especially while toilet training a toddler.
If all else fails, I will just resort to watching re-runs of Julia Child...cause nothing screams French quite like a Californian, who had an English accent(in my opinion), who also happened to love French cooking! Bon Appetit!
So yes, Micah Wingington....I am working on my 30 Avant le 30! :)
Où la salle de bains est ?
It is one, if not the most, important question I can know...especially while toilet training a toddler.
If all else fails, I will just resort to watching re-runs of Julia Child...cause nothing screams French quite like a Californian, who had an English accent(in my opinion), who also happened to love French cooking! Bon Appetit!
So yes, Micah Wingington....I am working on my 30 Avant le 30! :)
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