run away

This week has been a tough one for some reason--not because of any particular instance or event, but because I was just feeling moody.The weather has taken a toll on my mental well-being,and I've felt sapped. That little peek of spring got me so revved up and sunny-feeling, and then the snow, wind and cold came back, and I've had no motivation to do anything. Wednesday and Thursday found us moping around the house (well, at least I was). The girls entertained themselves for the most part and watched way too much t.v. My usual go-to activities when it's cold seemed too daunting, and I was literally feeling the cabin-fever-craziness building up inside me.
I decided right before Andrew came home after a day-shift of training, that I was going running no matter what. Now I usually exercise the morning....I do better on an empty stomach and seem to just have more motivation then. I hadn't been able to go this whole week because Andrew's been working during the day instead of his normal afternoon shift. But I was in desperate need of an escape from my own doldrums.
So I have to say that when I showed up to the gym, I was ready to hit the ground running (sorry for the bad pun). After sweating my emotions off and four miles later, I can honestly say that I felt a huge welling leave my body.
Ever since studying and practicing hypnobirthing with my two labors, I have been able to use the concepts in many aspects of my life. So as I ran I told myself in rhythm to let go of the stress, breathe in the peace, leave the tension on the floor, gulp in the relaxation....
It worked so well that I had moments where I felt myself welling up, my chest getting tight because of the emotions building up and leaving me. I have to say it was one of the most powerful, emotional experiences I've had while exercising.
Thank goodness that I can run...that I have the ability as well the opportunity to get out and have some me time...What amazing bodies and minds we are born with. I'm in awe every day.

Zoe's 2!

Zoe has thoroughly enjoyed her birthday and all the excitement leading up to it. It has been with much anticipation for both Lily and Zoe to finally have her party...with cake, candles, presents, family and friends. When asked what kind of cake she wanted she simply replied, 'pink cu'cakes!' So that's what she got.
Zoe has really come to her own and definitely has her own unique personality. She loves to sing, especially 'Do as I'm doing,' and roll her arms as fast as she can. She also loves to sing, "eat, eat, eat, apples and bananas" and "Happy to Lily!" (Happy Birthday)
She loves to throw things when she's mad and still loves to eat inedible objects such as dirt, crayons, and chalk.
She LOVES to color, not only on paper but on herself, tables, sidewalks and chalkboards. Her favorite mediums are definitely chalk and markers.
Her favorite little person is her big sister, Lily, although she's not too much bigger anymore. Zoe can definitely hold her own and often is the one bullying Lily. She loves to laugh and play with Daddy and is very much a Daddy's girl--just like Lily. WHatever Lily does, Zoe has to do also. Her thumb and blanket are her favorite way to wind-down. She loves babies, dolls and animals and loves to be outside.
She is our one-of-a-kind Zobots!

reasoning

I bought a $4 kite for Lily on Saturday. It was contagiously warm but quite windy. Seeing it as being perfect kite weather, I felt carefree in spending (well, kind of) and splurged for the unicorn pony with a rainbow.
Lily was ecstatic as was Daddy. They took to the skies.
It wasn't long before the kite was stuck in a neighboring tree. (um, dear, kites are usually best flown in large, open, TREELESS areas--not so much on a neighborhood street surrounded by powerlines and trees)
Eventually, after some tugging, the kite string broke and the kite fell to the ground.
Daddy repairs the string, or atleast ties it together in what he believes to be the best boyscout knot ever. They go back outside, but this time decide that the key is to let the string out all the way. Good idea? Not so much when it's blowing REALLY hard.
Mommmy! Mommy! Come see how high our kite is flying......SNAP! Oh, guess that knot wasn't so well-constructed. Said kite soars off over the railroad tracks, assumed to be long gone.
But, Mom! We have to go find it....So we walk towards the railroad tracks and find the kite----stuck in a tree--a TALL tree---at the VERY top.
See you later kite. $4 for about an hour of fun.

Here's where the 'reasoning' comes in. Andrew says to me, 'well, you just need to buy one of those expensive, nylon kites at Costco...that would have done just fine'.
No, that would just mean that the hour of kite-flying fun would have cost me $20 instead of $4--it's the string that broke....
The kite would still be in the tree.

And now it's snowing. poo!

Yea for green and such!

There is something about working with flowers and dirt that is incredibly therapeutic. With this week getting into the high 50s and even 60s, I have found myself drawn to my awakening gardens. My little spring bulbs are starting to show their colored heads, and green shoots are coming up everywhere. There is something to be said about a season which holds such promise and exhibits signs of new life everywhere you turn.

I am truly refreshed and revived after doing a seemingly mundane task--raking out dead leaves. There is something to be said when a tiny seedling buried in the frozen ground can reawaken and send forth signs of life, what a miracle each flower and plant is...and I am reminded at how important it is to appreciate the small miracles in each and every day....I need to be better at recognizing them in all shapes and forms.

Yes, there are bugs (and I will never like bugs), but there is something else about the potential that gardens have... Out with the old, and in with the new.

I fully welcome this warmer weather and the opportunities that come with a new season.

Bring it on, bring it on.

secret to making time fly...

So I've discovered the secret to making time fly....
accept a calling to teach Relief Society once a month--
And guaranteed, it'll seem like you just taught but yet you're teaching again...
(what!? it's been a whole month already!?)

And it's even better when YOU have to be the one to call THEM Friday night at 9:00 p.m. to find out what lesson you're teaching that Sunday....A good 36 hours to prepare a sermon to wow the geriatric socks off all the regulars.

Oh the joys of service! (and sarcasm) :o)