Lessons from the Brood

Anyone else totally addicted to Pinterest? Whether it's the cat wondering who stole his poop or the funny cards or the awesome recipes or fun DIY projects or kids' activities, or trying to get ideas for cool cakes -  there's something for everyone! Anyways, this particular picture has been on my mind lately.

If there's one thing I am most grateful about being a mom it's the lessons I've learned from my children. I wish I could bottle their curiosity and excitement for life. Taking a walk through the park has become an adventure. The boys turn over every rock their little muscles can muster enough strength for. The creepy crawlies are not only blinded by the bright sun, but probably deafened by the shrieks and squeals and if they are fast enough to escape chubby little fingers they probably live to see another day.

What a blessing to experience all of their 'firsts' experiences. Not even just the first words or first steps, but the way they look at everything as if it were the first time they ever experienced it. Even though the boys have probably blown a few hundred dandelions, they greet each little flower with a huge puff of air and a giant smile once the flower is 'empty'. This summer Connor finally understands to blow out not in and hasn't tasted any dandelions yet.

It makes me wonder how much more I'd enjoy life if I didn't look at things as mere check marks on my to do list. 

They have each taught me lessons of unconditional love, trust & faith. They have taught me how to laugh when all you want to do is rip your hair out. They have taught me the truly important things in life lack a price tag. They have given me a small glimpse of who God is and how much He loves me and cares about me. They have changed my perspective on life completely. To be selfless, to not only talk the talk but walk the walk, to truly enjoy life.

It seems like just yesterday I was stuck at 4cms for what felt like forever 10 hours. Now my Addy is taking her first steps and already sporting a sassy attitude that will give her big sister a run for her money. I remember sitting in a room full of young moms and an older mother was encouraging us to enjoy our little ones because they grow up so fast. In that moment, all I wanted to do was slap her and then hand my crying, pooping/peeing, puking child and wish her well. 6 years later I am still in that crying, pooping/peeing, puking stage; so I am not far enough removed to really be nostalgic about the reality of motherhood and babies. However; I've pulled away from an elementary school leaving my oldest behind; giving me a rude awakening to how fast those first few years really do go by. The days are long, but the years are short! Thankful for the priceless lessons Ella, Brennan, Connor & Addison have taught me and looking forward to a life time chalked full of them!

Mothers Day 2012.
Ella, Connor, Addison, my mom, Brennan, my niece Alexis, me & my sister Amy.
2 of my favorite moms and 5 of my favorite kiddos!

Lots-a-thoughts-a-day

Thought-A-Day is turning into more like lots-a-thoughts-a-week. Oh well, either in a lump or one a day, here's some thoughts from the last few busy days.

1. What a difference it makes to run a race with friends. A group of about 20 women from my church have been meeting once a week and going through the Run For God study. The 5k race we trained for was this last Saturday and it was so much fun. Big-huge-giant-evil-awful-time-ruining hill or not, it was a great experience. It annoys me to set a goal and not meet it, but I am not overly upset by only being 9 seconds short of my goal. Gives me more to work towards for the next race.

1406 finisher, 552 out of females, 180 out of my age bracket, 30-39, 30 years old, 30:09 total time, 9:43 mile average, and bib #241. Over 7,000 people did the Sole Burner. 

A few of us after we crossed the finish line.

2. Never in a million years thought I'd get tattooed with my 6 year old daughter. Tongue tattoos were in the giant bag of candy Jacob brought back from the candy convention. Ella isn't too thrilled to try new things, so I thought if I did one, she'd see it was fine and have fun. Ha. Nastiest tasting thing ever, but looked cool for a little bit. No clue why Ella decided to do one after I gagged through mine, but either way; gross tasting tongue for a few minutes was worth the giggles and memories we made together.

Heart for Ella and a blob of a flower for me

3. Every day is Mother's Day in the Graf house .... hahahaha, I wish. What a fun day to enjoy being spoiled a little bit. Breakfast in bed, a kidless shower and time to get ready, cute cards the kids made in school, hand prints captured in plaster, chicken scratched squiggles that translate into c-o-n-n-o-r, and a trip to the salon in my near future were my mothers day gifts. We went to church and then traveled to visit the Grandmas of our family. It was a fun day.

Me and the Addster out to eat with the Graf side of the family. 

My grandma with all of her great grandchildren. 

4. As cliche as it is, it seems like I've blinked and my Addison is suddenly grown up. She has started walking, is definitely losing the baby look & even has an attitude to boot. As many times as I've sworn off that whole baby of the family syndrome, pretty sure I am smitten and she completely has mommy (and daddy) wrapped around her little fingers. Maybe tomorrow I'll figure out how to shake the baby syndrome, for now I'm going to enjoy the extra cuddles, kisses & hugs. 

 

5. I am not a fan of resting and rarely am able to actually totally rest. There's always something that needs to be done. Last week I sorta let my dieting and exercising slide a bit. I won my 3rd Biggest Loser competition and for the first week in nearly 30 weeks I didn't count each and every calorie and I didn't super bust my butt working out. Thursday, I ate a butterburger from Culvers, an order of deep fried cheese curds, some fries the kids didn't eat and even drank a Diet Mt Dew. If that weren't bad enough we topped off our park night with ice cream cones. I even took a day off from running. As I tied up my running shoes and got my music and runkeeper app ready to go the following morning, I wasn't too hopefully for breaking any time or distance records let alone having a good run even. The day of rest must have been what I needed. I ran my fastest ever (7.5 minute) mile on a total whim and although I thought I was going to die, I did it and I survived. I have been converted. I believe in taking a day off once in awhile. Definitely not a day of fast food gorging, but my knees appreciated the break and I had a lot more energy then ever before. So even when it's difficult, I'll make myself rest so I can ...

Thought(S)-A-Day

Little bit behind for Thought-A-Day so here's my catch up with 5 Thoughts for Today!

1) I can't decide if waiting is worse than knowing when it comes to test results. I waited for what felt like a year, but was really just a week, for some biopsy results. Of course worst case scenarios played through my mind a majority of the time. Now that I know the results; they are unsettling. Definitely not worst case scenario, but it puts things into perspective. If anything, I am thankful that these issues have put a face on mortality and a reality to the fact that I won't live forever. No, I'm not facing any extreme treatments, or surgeries, or even been given a finite time limit. I will only have so many opportunities to help my kids put shoes on. I will only have so many opportunities to kiss away boo boos and cuddle little ones to sleep.  Although, I'd not have chosen this method, I appreciate the attitude change this experience has brought.

2) It's a complete toss up as to who has more fun on park days. Mom or the kids? Chasing kids up the play set and sliding down the slides after their squeals and giggles is more fun than decorating a fancy schmancy cake or writing a blog even. Exploring the woods with 4 and almost 3 year old curiosity is invigorating and contagious.

Ella joined us for the first time this park season! 

Blowing dandelions provides endless entertainment

Bugs still gross mom out, but I have moved a long way from gagging and freaking out 

Love taking time to really look at the beautiful things the Lord has provided for us 

The best creepy crawlies live under the rocks 

Through the woods

This is what true joy and happiness look like. 

3) It's been motivating and humbling to hear how my quest to get back in shape has motivated others to do the same. Tonight, my diet exploits have lead others astray and I feel somewhat guilty. K, who am I kidding? I've counted every single calorie and exercised my butt off (literally, lost 7.5 inches in that area) for the past 8 months. I knowingly splurged this week and am starting fresh tomorrow morning! Super excited for the Sole Burner 5k Saturday, but thinking my craptastic eating habits will slow me down a bit. Bring on the good carbs tomorrow. Anyways, didn't your mom tell you not to jump off the bridge if your friend jumped off a bridge? Same applies for eating ice cream, or cheese curds, or candy ...

Thanks Lisa & Heather for joining my diet crashing tonight, but I feel like I owe you an apology ... sorry! 

4) Marriage is tough. It's a constant work in progress. I am thankful for a husband who is committed to continuing to work on our relationship. You think after like 13 or 14 years together, almost 9 of those married ... we'd have this thing figured out.

5) Is it a coincidence that my thoughts are getting shorter the farther down the list I get? hmmm ... oh yeah, I must be in a sugar coma after the massive amount of nasty calories I consumed tonight and the impending diabetic attacks my children will all have starting tomorrow. Jacob brought home an obnoxious amount of candy from the Sweets & Snack Expo.

Living!

5 for 5 on A-Thought-A-Day in May!

Sometimes you just need to laugh and laugh we did tonight.

We had a fun evening out for dinner and a comedy show with some good friends. Somehow 50 & 30 year olds don't quite make the cutesy kissy face pictures like the high school kids do. But we probably had just as much fun taking goofy pictures!

Ken Davis was hilarious! Check his YouTube channel out and I am sure you'll not be disappointed. If he can manage to complete a triathlon at 60 something, I can totally do the 1/2 marathon in September. I have like 135ish days to get ready to bust my rear for 13.1 miles. I don't want to just finish the 1/2 either, I want to enjoy everything about it. Live the experience.