Kylee getting cookies and milk ready for Santa's arrival. We also left a letter for Santa thanking him in advance for the presents and to tell Jesus Happy Birthday. Kylee didn't go to bed until almost 1am because she was so excited for Christmas. She slept in Christmas morning until 10:30 which was nice since we stayed up until 2:30am wrapping presents. It sure would be nice if Santa was real so we wouldn't have to buy and wrap all those presents. Really though we don't get too crazy for Christmas because that's not what we want our girls to think Christmas is about. We always make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing happy birthday to him. I believe Kylee understands the meaning of Christmas. The presents are a bonus to her! She really got into opening her presents this year. Last year it took her forever! Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas Eve........Prepairing for Santa's arrival
Kylee getting cookies and milk ready for Santa's arrival. We also left a letter for Santa thanking him in advance for the presents and to tell Jesus Happy Birthday. Kylee didn't go to bed until almost 1am because she was so excited for Christmas. She slept in Christmas morning until 10:30 which was nice since we stayed up until 2:30am wrapping presents. It sure would be nice if Santa was real so we wouldn't have to buy and wrap all those presents. Really though we don't get too crazy for Christmas because that's not what we want our girls to think Christmas is about. We always make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing happy birthday to him. I believe Kylee understands the meaning of Christmas. The presents are a bonus to her! She really got into opening her presents this year. Last year it took her forever! 
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Good Friends, Good Times!
Time sure does fly by! It seems just like yesterday we were doing this every weekend. Now it's tough getting together just a few times a year with my old college buddies. I miss the old days sometimes, but glad I'm where I'm at in this stage of my life right now. We had a great time hanging out catching up on old times.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Surviving the Winter Blues
The weather has clearly turned and winter is here. Coats and sweaters make their way back into our daily wardrobe, the trees stand bare, and ...... the malls are bustling. As we move through this season many emotions may arise for us. Holidays past - both joyous and melancholy - find their way back into our thoughts. It is certainly a time of year when we need to take care of ourselves both physically and emotionally. I experience a slight case of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which I'm sure I'm not alone. See below for a few tips to that helps me get through the long, cold, dark, witner months:
~Stay connected with others. Whether in person or on the phone, the human connection is critical to our well-being.
~Practice daily affirmations. Repeating a positive thought several times throughout the day can help remind us of the potential we have to live well. (Ex: "I am a strong and optimistic person.")
~Do something kind for someone else. It is well known that helping others brings a flood of good feelings for the helper as well as for the receiver.
~Keep active. Exercise releases those important endorphins that keep our brains triggering positive emotions for us.
~Take care of your basic physical needs. Eat well and get enough sleep. Lack of sleep and poor nutrition are culprits in bringing on the blues.
~Pamper yourself often. Treat yourself to a simple luxury - a bubble bath, a relaxing evening with a friend, your favorite upbeat movie. You're worth it and you deserve it.
~Notice the beauty around you. Keeping your focus on the lovely things in life focuses your attention on what you DO have. The sunrise in the morning, children laughing, a flower blooming in the midst of the cold winter day - blessings we have that we sometimes overlook.
~Stay connected with others. Whether in person or on the phone, the human connection is critical to our well-being.
~Practice daily affirmations. Repeating a positive thought several times throughout the day can help remind us of the potential we have to live well. (Ex: "I am a strong and optimistic person.")
~Do something kind for someone else. It is well known that helping others brings a flood of good feelings for the helper as well as for the receiver.
~Keep active. Exercise releases those important endorphins that keep our brains triggering positive emotions for us.
~Take care of your basic physical needs. Eat well and get enough sleep. Lack of sleep and poor nutrition are culprits in bringing on the blues.
~Pamper yourself often. Treat yourself to a simple luxury - a bubble bath, a relaxing evening with a friend, your favorite upbeat movie. You're worth it and you deserve it.
~Notice the beauty around you. Keeping your focus on the lovely things in life focuses your attention on what you DO have. The sunrise in the morning, children laughing, a flower blooming in the midst of the cold winter day - blessings we have that we sometimes overlook.
14 Tips for Starting and Sticking With It
14 Tips for Starting and Sticking With It
Stop Failure Before it Starts
For some of us out there, if we could just convince ourselves that there is enough time in the day to exercise, we could be on track to a great fitness program. For others, we get started but quickly lose momentum and give up. To help get started and stay on track, here are a few tips:
1. Throw away the bathing suit you wore in high school… and the memory too. It’s normal to have a mental image of yourself when you last exercised like a fiend. But if that image is from high school, you could be in big trouble. Even if it’s from last year, forget it. Remember as little as possible of what you used to look like. Starting today, make new memories.
2. Prepare. We already know you don’t have the time, so write it down like an appointment every day. You wouldn’t cancel an appointment, why would you cancel on yourself? Aren’t you important too?
3. Start slowly. Do much less than what you’re capable of. Take a 20-minute walk if you’re returning to exercise. You might feel like it’s not enough, but it’s a good start.
4. Get the family involved. Run while your daughter rides her bike. Go to a local track and let the kids play their own games. Run with your spouse. Sign up for a local 10K. Walk with your son. Celebrate with a little something special after every activity.
5. Where are your friends? Four words, four reasons – motivation, inspiration, determination, conversation. Surround yourself with friends who think positive and live large.
6. Put the pain in perspective. When the going gets tough, remember that you have survived 600 carpools, 540 loads of laundry (this month), 41 baseball games, 230 dinners and one family vacation. What’s the big deal?
7. Allow yourself to slow down. You’re driving this bus! For the first time today, you are in control.
8. Sign up for a race. It’s a goal to strive for and adds a little meaning to your everyday workout.
9. Run/walk in public. Be proud of your accomplishment. Take in all the sites and be an inspiration to others.
10. Just show up. Go to the gym, class, or the park. Once you’re there, it’s hard to say no. 98% of life is showing up.
11. Eat. Follow a healthy eating pattern. If you limit your calorie intake, you will not have enough energy to work out and your metabolism will slow down.
12. Understand your energy cycle. There are peaks during our days. Even during the week. Try to complete your workout when you feel good about yourself.
13. Wallow in your greatness. You can exercise to become a better exerciser, or you can exercise to become a better mother, a better father, doctor, teacher, or a better friend – or you can exercise to become BETTER. Be proud of that accomplishment.
14. Have fun. Where’s your childlike spirit? When you can make workouts "playouts," you’ve got it made.
Don’t give up on yourself. After all, it’s never too late to be that healthy person you might have been.
Stop Failure Before it Starts
For some of us out there, if we could just convince ourselves that there is enough time in the day to exercise, we could be on track to a great fitness program. For others, we get started but quickly lose momentum and give up. To help get started and stay on track, here are a few tips:
1. Throw away the bathing suit you wore in high school… and the memory too. It’s normal to have a mental image of yourself when you last exercised like a fiend. But if that image is from high school, you could be in big trouble. Even if it’s from last year, forget it. Remember as little as possible of what you used to look like. Starting today, make new memories.
2. Prepare. We already know you don’t have the time, so write it down like an appointment every day. You wouldn’t cancel an appointment, why would you cancel on yourself? Aren’t you important too?
3. Start slowly. Do much less than what you’re capable of. Take a 20-minute walk if you’re returning to exercise. You might feel like it’s not enough, but it’s a good start.
4. Get the family involved. Run while your daughter rides her bike. Go to a local track and let the kids play their own games. Run with your spouse. Sign up for a local 10K. Walk with your son. Celebrate with a little something special after every activity.
5. Where are your friends? Four words, four reasons – motivation, inspiration, determination, conversation. Surround yourself with friends who think positive and live large.
6. Put the pain in perspective. When the going gets tough, remember that you have survived 600 carpools, 540 loads of laundry (this month), 41 baseball games, 230 dinners and one family vacation. What’s the big deal?
7. Allow yourself to slow down. You’re driving this bus! For the first time today, you are in control.
8. Sign up for a race. It’s a goal to strive for and adds a little meaning to your everyday workout.
9. Run/walk in public. Be proud of your accomplishment. Take in all the sites and be an inspiration to others.
10. Just show up. Go to the gym, class, or the park. Once you’re there, it’s hard to say no. 98% of life is showing up.
11. Eat. Follow a healthy eating pattern. If you limit your calorie intake, you will not have enough energy to work out and your metabolism will slow down.
12. Understand your energy cycle. There are peaks during our days. Even during the week. Try to complete your workout when you feel good about yourself.
13. Wallow in your greatness. You can exercise to become a better exerciser, or you can exercise to become a better mother, a better father, doctor, teacher, or a better friend – or you can exercise to become BETTER. Be proud of that accomplishment.
14. Have fun. Where’s your childlike spirit? When you can make workouts "playouts," you’ve got it made.
Don’t give up on yourself. After all, it’s never too late to be that healthy person you might have been.
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