Fuel for Our Spirits {Monday Meditation}

"He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on.  There is no other."

C.S. Lewis

How true this is!  I amaze myself at how many times I must discover this truth!  When I find myself restlessly searching for something to do, or something to eat, or something to read (besides the umpteen books in my house that will feed my spirit), or something to buy... I have to remind myself that I am really searching for Him.  When I remember to take the step back and invite Him back into my day, the restlessness departs and in its place is peace.

My soul rests in God alone,
from whom comes my salvation.

God alone is my rock and salvation, my fortress;
I shall never fall.

Psalm 62:2-3

Glorious Weekend

The past few weeks we have had a run of great weekend times.  This past weekend was no exception!  Saturday started with a messy morning of giving Lauren her yogurt and letting her feed herself for the first time... she loved it and I finally (for that day at least) curbed my control-freak tendencies that needs to make sure the bites get in her mouth not all over...

My Mom and sister Tina drove up on Saturday from Idaho.  It is the first time I've seen them since Thanksgiving.  I've missed my Mom!  I get to have her here with me until Wednesday or Thursday and am loving it.  I don't have any pictures yet of her, but stay tuned... I'm sure I'll have some good ones before the week is out.

Yesterday we hosted another gathering at our house.  Carl's sister and her family were visiting for the first time since October.  We all gathered for breakfast after church.  In all, there were 29 people here for most of the morning.  It was fun chaos!  We got a picture of Carl's Grandma with her 16 great-grandchildren.  It was the first time since last summer that all the grandkids were together.

The day ended with a glorious sunset that I got to experience while out on a run.  It was the first outdoor run I've gotten in two months.  It was cold but beautiful.  I only had time for four miles because it gets dark so quickly.  I made the most of the four miles averaging 8:35 miles over the first three and finishing with a 7:35.  The tendonitis in my knee is still bothering me, but it is not getting worse (just also not getting better).  But the joy of running in God's beautiful creation far outweighed any nagging pain.

2013 Fitness "Goals"

What is the start to a new year if you don't at least think about some goals that you would like to work towards, right?  I realize I'm a little late to the game - but hey, it's still January!

1. Half-marathon.  I want to race one. Period.  I need to get and keep my legs healthy.  My running speed has seen the benefit of my cross-training and I really feel that an 8:30 - 8:15 HMP  is achievable.  I would LOVE to accomplish that this spring!  The Windermere Half is May 19th.  I may look to see if I can find out in April or even late March though
2. Bloomsday.  Another goal that I am starting to feel is reachable is a 1 hour or sub-1 hour 12K.  Bloomsday is a tough course with some hills, but it would be a great warm-up to the Windermere Half.
3. Continue cross-training and building strength.  I've been doing a variety of programs most based on either high intensity intervals or cross-training or both.  I love how my body has changed and gotten stronger by adding this to my running.  This needs to be a consistent part of my fitness routine!
4. Maintain. Maintain. Maintain.  I am finally back to pre-pregnancy weight.  Maybe not quite to pre-pregnancy size, but that's ok.  I've had three babies - it's not going to be the same!  I want to continue to be DISCIPLINED and build healthy habits so that maintaining my weight, fitness, and health is a part of my every day routine!

There you have it... short and sweet for 2013.  Now to work on my training plans to set myself up for success with #1 and #2!

Daddy's girls!

Our bedtime routine involves the usual.... baths, books, prayers, and kisses.  The great thing is that Carl is a willing participant in every step.  I know that a lot of Dads leave most of the routine up to Mom, but not Carl.  And for this I am so, so grateful!  Evenings are usually when I am the most tapped out and having another hand around, and a more patient head, helps immensely.  The girls are pretty attached to our routine too.  They don't like it during the busy farming season when Daddy isn't there to help.  I get lots of "I want Daddy"... especially during baths.  I guess I'm not nearly as much fun! LOL!

Carl usually is the one to read them books at night.  I finish straightening up the bathroom after baths and picking up the odd toys that lay around.  We got the kids new beds and comforters at Christmas.  They all look so cute perched on the bed reading - so much pink, purple and turquoise around Carl! :)

I came back to find that Lauren decided she needed a better view of the book and had perched herself on top of Carl...

2013 - the Year of "Discipline"

Have you noticed a theme to my last few posts?  Over the last few months, one idea has been on my mind more and more.  Discipline... exercising my will for the choices I should make instead of the ones I want to make in the immediate moment.

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I realize how much our days are influenced by my choices.  I also realize how easy it is to give in to procrastinating - it can always be done tomorrow, right?  The many bad patterns I am still working through after months of struggling with post-partum depression.  (which is infinitely better by the way, it's just time to kick the remnants that have taken up residence in my every day living to the curb!).

Image Source: http://marckornblog.com

But besides working on eradicating bad patterns, I am finding more and more the harmony that is present in my house when I exercise self-discipline and work to form good habits.  From something as simple as picking up little kids shoes and coats into the closet after we walk through the door instead of kicking the shoes onto the mat by the door and piling the coats on the washer/dryer.  Both actions take roughly the same amount of effort but the latter used to be my modus operandi.  The former leaves my room looking clean and neat and me feeling like my house (at least this small part) is in the correct order.  A small thing, yes, but so powerful!  To something less simple, like choosing to prioritize morning prayers and scripture reading ahead of computer time or housework.  It is easy to fool myself into thinking that time is too busy to sit down for 10 or 20 minutes... but I find the time to catch up on computer!  Again, harmony comes when I choose to make time in my day for God... everything seems to fall into place better.  It becomes a matter of making choices Self-discipline.

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I want to set an example for my kids that acts of the will, choices we make, choices we DON'T make... are the things in this world that we can control.  That ultimately it is up to us how we choose to live and whether those choices will be for our good or not.  That the more care we take to be disciplined in our thoughts, in our actions, and in our deeds - the stronger we become!

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