Where does the time go?

Sheesh. I come back to blog and see it's been over two months since my last entry. Whuhh? I've actually logged on a couple of times since October, but was so ashamed about the enormous lapse in time that I just logged right back off.
Well, a lot has gone down since my last entry. I'll just list out the highlights:
1) Halloween 2009 (Mackenzie-Spanish Princess, Caroline-LSU Cheerleader, Andrew-Transformer, but passed on the trick-r-treating due to his fear of any and all masks)
2) Caroline's 1st Birthday Party-What a treat! Cannot believe she's a year.
3)Thanksgiving-Wonderful time spent with David's family. We saw a movie and visited Santa's Wonderland! And shopped at Sam Moon (the only place I am willing to step foot in on Black Friday. It's so worth it!)
4) Kristy diagnosed with Dural Sinus Thrombosis. Currently undergoing treatment to safely and effectively remove it. Asking God for a miracle on this one, so if you'd like to hop on this prayer chain...you're most definitely welcome to do so!
5) Perhaps the biggest embarrassment...David and I let the P90X Challenge fall to the wayside these last 8 weeks. We both got a little sick the beginning of November and just dropped it like it was HOT. We're planning on picking it back up in January--thank goodness. I missed it!

Well, there you have it. Our life in 5 condensed points. Now that we're all caught up, I'll try and do better. I really do enjoy this little outlet I have to post our adventures, funny stories, "Andrew-isms" and such. Thanks for letting me share them with you.

P90X--Week Two...

So, we're working chest and back today. Yay. (Do you sense excitement in my "voice?" Well, don't. You've misunderstood.)

I am excited, however, that I've reached Week Two!! That alone is worth the feeling of achievement! Here's what I don't understand yet: how come certain days are focused on targeted muscle groups (for instance 'Monday-Chest and Back') and yet I still ache EVERYWHERE after the workout? That's not very fair. Am I that out of shape? I don't feel that out of shape. Maybe that's why this program is so effective...it's HONEST! We've gotten used to all these "watered-down" versions of what a real workout is. (How about Jillian's "20 Minute Shred" or the infamous "8 Minute Abs" only to be followed three short months later by the "*New and Improved* 7 Minute Abs") Let's face it...it sure takes longer than 8 minutes to put the weight on and for the muscle to turn to fat. So why do we expect an easy fix? Well, because we're lazy, but we'll expand on that on a different day.

Well, I'm off to work my chest and back (and biceps and triceps and shoulders and abs). Getting more excited by the minute! This time I really mean it. Really.

Plyometrics...

Okay, so today is "Plyometrics" day in the P90X workout regimen. "Plyometrics?" you ask. It's just a fancy word for "a program designed to show you how weak and out of shape you are". Holy Mother of Pearl! Now, I admit that I'm more out of shape now than I have ever been in my life. But I used to teach workouts like these as a profession less than a decade ago. Then two major back surgeries, a career move, and two more children rolled into the picture. Now, here I sit--covered in sweat and crying. Yup, tears definitely formed. Tony Horton (the instructor) calls it "the mother of all work outs" and says this "puts the 'X' in P90X." WONDERFUL. Well, at least he was honest.

I guess the one thing I am most thankful for is the fact that I get to do this torture in the privacy of my own home. No one around to see my not-so-amazing form after the 12th rep. No one nearby to hear me scream when Tony pushes me to 20. Well, I have two words for Mr. Tony... YOUR MOM!

So, I've completed my Day 2 and I'm ready to see results. I can definitely FEEL something different, so that's a good sign. I'll give it a little more time.

The "P90X" Adventure

It begins...
Every day for the past two months--there it is...PLASTERED all over TV, magazines, Internet pop-ups-- "P90X." I desperately tried (with no success) to ignore the ads of this insanely challenging, body-shaping, life-changing, 90-day-money-back-guarantee-ing workout REVOLUTION. I just couldn't look away. I was mesmerized by the commitment level each of the featured participants displayed and the results they achieved. There was only one thing left to do...sit back and wait for David to order it. And he did. Dag-nabbit! Two weeks ago he signed the agreement (in blood...it was only appropriate) and... it was delivered (12lbs, 13 oz) on Saturday!!


After watching David complete Day 1 and Day 2, I quickly realized this program inarguably brings "NO PAIN, NO GAIN" to a whole new level. (side note- Day 2 is "plyometrics"...but David calls it "pyro-technics." Regarding Andrew in my previous "I love it when" blog...the apple clearly doesn't fall far from the tree) So, here we are on Day 3 and I'm jumping in. I know...I cheated a little and I'm not proud of that. But the majority of the time we get motivated and we start something and by Day 3 we quit...so I've got better odds now, according to my calculations.

So, here's where I would start tracking my progress and list my beginning weight and measurements, before pictures, etc. But nahhhh. I'll skip that like I did Day 1 and Day 2. I know what I look like now (before) so I will be able to tell what's different in the after. David sweetly urged me to go through with the before picture. And I lovingly replied, "It's not an option, babe. Let's not talk about this anymore." (Speaking the truth in love is something we were taught by our pretty amazing marriage counselors. Don't judge.)

Well, here we go...I'll post results (in WORDS, not PICTURES) and I am looking forward to sharing!

CONTENTMENT

I believe God is working this out in me. I feel challenged in this area in many ways.

Like, when I pray for "patience." (Don't do this unless you REALLY REALLY want God to work this out in your life.) In my experience, and that of others I have talked to regarding this subject, God hears my prayer and begins to put things in my life to test, strengthen, and grow my patience. After all, I asked for it.

The same with contentment for me. I've prayed for this for as long as I can remember. Just being honest. So, I almost feel that God might be putting things around me and people in my life that help test, strengthen, and grow my contentment. And I just fail miserably. But I'm not giving up! Not gonna do it. Here's what the bible has to say about "contentment":

Contentment-a state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be (1 Tim. 6:6; 2 Cor. 9:8). It is opposed to envy (James 3:16), avarice (Heb. 13:5), ambition (Prov. 13:10), anxiety (Matt. 6:25, 34), and repining (1 Cor. 10:10). It arises from the inward disposition, and is the offspring of humility, and of an intelligent consideration of the rectitude and benignity of divine providence (Ps. 96:1, 2; 145), the greatness of the divine promises (2 Pet. 1:4), and our own unworthiness (Gen. 32:10); as well as from the view the gospel opens up to us of rest and peace hereafter (Rom. 5:2).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

I love it when...

1) Caroline laughs so hard, she snorts...then laughs harder.
2) Mackenzie smiles and sticks her tongue through the gap where her two front teeth used to be.
3) Andrew mistakes words. He thinks "triple A" batteries are called "Chick-fil-a" batteries.
4) Andrew tells me he loves me more than his Superman pajamas.

...more to come.

"FBetiquette: A guide to FaceBook Etiquette"

I am dedicating this post to my new project. In this blog I will cover appropriate etiquette, the "what-to-do's" and "what-not-to do's " for this business/personal network we call Faceboook.

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C'mon, we've all been there. Catching up on the status of family and friends, business contacts and old high school friends. Scrolling down, taking it all in...then BAM!! The status of an acquaintance stating, "I have diarrhea today...it burns so bad!" Far more information than we EVER cared about learning from a person we barely know, who, now, has etched a vivid picture in our minds...forever. Don't get me wrong...I love Facebook and I love knowing every one's business ALL THE TIME, but do we, as Facebook friends really need to know everything about one another? Everything? Really? Shouldn't we leave the intimate, personal details for those with whom we are intimate? After all, if it's all out there for the (Facebook) world to see, then what's left to share in our more personal relationships? Just ponder...

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#1) Never, under any circumstance, put a cuss word in your Status message. I understand our status is all about how we "feel." I get that. I like expressing myself. I like letting everyone in on the craziness that is my brain...but no matter the RAGE, the emotion, the exasperation, it's just not necessary. Oh, and it makes you look like a fool, btw.

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It's official...I suck at BLOGGING. (note the date of the last entry)

I completely forgot that I even had this thing. What ever could have made me forget? Was it the addition of my third child and the complete chaos that has ruled my life since? Or was it lack of time due to my full time job as a high school student pastor?(I've resigned to give attention to my other passion...my children) OR was it the fact that I have recently made the decision to go back to school to pursue a Masters in Psychology, therefore, only writing when it's required?

Whatever the reason, I'm back and ready to tackle "the blog."

Now follow me on a journey as a full-time mom of three, student, wife and fully devoted follower of Christ. God is leading me in a new direction and I am so ready for this adventure!