Once Again Life Explodes!

So, after a pretty good start...it has come to a screeching halt. The exercising I mean, life doesn't stop. I had a good first week (4 of 5 days) and a so so second week (2 of 5) and now a non-existent third week. What happened you may ask....kids got sick and I got sick. Just colds, but everyone was stuffy. Getting over it now so hopefully we'll be well in time for Christmas. I'll see what I can fit in next week, but am not betting on too much over the holidays. I'll just join all the other people in January. Cheerleading has been going well - thankfully we don't have to get up at the crack of dawn this weekend. I am looking forward to Christmas break - days to sleep in and move slow will be nice. Here comes a PJ day!

I Made It!

After a rough start, I made it through the rest of the week without missing a day. Today was especially hard because it was sub freezing temps and I didn't want to take the kids out (at least that was going to be my excuse). But I went and had a good workout. My arms hurt when I try to lift my hands past my shoulders - so eating and drinking hurts my triceps.

On another note, I have an interesting reading to share. Our church gives out Little Blue Advent books and you are to spend 6 minutes a day reading them and reflecting on them. Today's reflection meant a lot to me. I'm going to put it out here and then explain.

• On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. (Is 29:17-24)
• And "the lowly will ever find joy in the Lord.."
• Joy.
• Great tidings of joy.
• Joy to the world.
• The word "joy" can be used in different ways. Roget's Thesaurus says it can mean happiness, gladness, delight, delectation, cheer, glee, gaity, intoxication - you get the idea. When Jesus says to the disciples at the Last Supper table: "I have told you this so thay my joy might be in you and your joy would be complete" - he uses the Greek word "chara", taken from the word "charis" which means grace. That's getting to the heart of what biblical joy really means. Simply put, "grace" means "God leaning toward me, bending over me, inclining toward me kindly, favorably." That's what God is and that's who God is for us. There is never a moment when God isn't moving toward me that way. No matter what the situation, god is leaning toward me kindly, favorably. And it's God's initiative. It's got nothing to do with whether I deserve it.
• Now that's a tiding of great joy.

So here is why this struck me so today. I have a good friend that believes that there are no coincidences - everything is of grace. I have a similar belief in that I think everything happens for a reason. Here is what that all means to me. Nothing happens by accident. People are put in your life for a purpose - whether it is a good friend or a stranger. I can't tell you how many times I've been in a store and the kids are being whiny and picking at each other and I am ready to leave them there when a complete stranger complements how beautiful they are and tells me to enjoy them because it goes by quickly. I always thank them, but I'm not sure they realize how heartfelt my thanks really are. I encounter situations and people that force me to take a step back and realize that all my minor struggles are really that, minor. I've written about them before. So think about that as you encounter strangers this Christmas season...your smile or "Merry Christmas" might be just what they needed in that moment. You might be their "grace" and you may not realize it until later when you have encountered it from someone else. Take a minute to thank God for that moment. I hope you all (six of you now?) have a very blessed Christmas Season and many grace filled moments.

Almost Through the First Week!

I tried something different today...instead of working out in the morning, I decided to try working out in the afternoon after picking up Valerie from preschool. It was great. The Y was empty, I had my choice of treadmills and I was busy exercising during my "munchie" time of day. I was able to do 2 miles. I may try it again tomorrow. It may allow for some time to actually do some stuff around the house in the mornings. I'm planning on taking the weekend off. Samantha has her first basketball game that she cheers at on Saturday morning. It is a 9am game and we have to be there an hour ahead of time - whew! That is gonna be an early morning for both of us. I'll post pictures.

Three Down

Wound up heading to the Y again today. It was Veronica's first day at preschool - which was a piece of cake - no tears at all. She is just going one morning a week. Unfortunately most of that time Valerie spent at the Y, but she likes it. I'm hoping for some one on one time. Got to the Y and the room with the treadmills was crowded, so I checked the class schedule and Strength and Endurance was starting....so, I did 60 minutes of strength training. Lots of core muscles used, shoulders, triceps, biceps...my arms are tired! But I feel good and glad I made it. I'm going to try to go later in the afternoon tomorrow for a run on the treadmill and see how that works.

Day 2!

The workout was much better today. I actually made it to the Y and spent just over 30 min on the bike. The plan was to just do 30, but I was listening to Matthew Kelly: Perfectly Yourself on my ipod and forgot to check my time. I love it when that happens. My legs are tired, but I feel good. Just happy to be doing something again. The plan is treadmill and/or weights tomorrow. Samantha has cheerleading again tonight - two more practices before the first game. It is at 9am on Saturday and the first one we have to be there an hour beforehand...ugh! How early am I getting up on a Saturday? I'll be sure and post pictures in the cheerleading uniform; get ready for cuteness!

Starting a New Habit

So - my friend on another blog has challenged those of us that want to make a change to attempt it for the next 21 days. Today was day 1. Mine didn't quite go as planned. I'm wanting to do some form of exercise for 30 min each day (minus weekends - I need time off). Today was supposed to be a 2 mile run. The weather was crummy all day - snowy and wet, but not terribly cold. My running partner has switched jobs and has limited time and wants to do a different program that is indoors. So - we aren't planning on running outside together until spring. I was going solo tonight. Todd told me it was pretty cold so I got all my gear on and went out. I'm not sure I even made it 1/4 mile. It wasn't the cold...the wet pavement froze and there was a sheen of ice, my feet kept slipping. I probably could have done it, but I was afraid with the altered gait I would hurt myself. So I came home. Day one - bust! Trying again tomorrow. Heading to the Y for some time on a bike and with the weight machines. (providing the gunk isn't pouring out of Veronica's nose - today wasn't so bad) Anyone else want to jump on the 21 day habit? Giving up something, trying to add something, let's support each other.