Cleaning like a maniac...

So our licensing representative came over last Friday.  She told a story about a woman she had known who was very eager to make sure she got everything perfectly on code, etc.  When the woman got new fish, the rep asked very dead pan, "did you get them vaccinated?".  The woman, of course, was very upset, she hadn't even thought of that!  You might know that fish can't be vaccinated, but I heard this story and thought, "I'm that woman!" 

I wanted to make sure our house was clean for the visit.....not just, hey, make sure you pick up your shoes clean....more like washing things you haven't thought to wash since last Spring clean.  Evidence of my mania:

When I got to washing dishes, I got the table cleaned off.  When I got the table cleaned off, I moved on to the countertops.  When I got the countertops cleaned off, I started on the floor.  When I was washing the floor, I noticed how dirty the front of the cabinets were..........

Little Bean, helpful and eager to clean, decided that she needed to be involved in the floor washing.  I told her she could clean the cabinets while I worked on the floor.  She happily dug in.......and was disappointed when I didn't move the fridge for her to clean behind (promises that she could do it next time I moved the fridge appeased her for now). 

What happened when the licensing rep came over?  She didn't even go in the kitchen.....but hey, my cabinets look great!

This weekend is big excitement.  Race day is Saturday, but my sisters are all going to be in town for one sister's bridal shower Sunday, so this will be an action-packed, sister-filled weekend and I can't wait!

Revving up for Race Day!

For those that might have heard - I'm running a 5K on March 12th.  This has been a 6-month process leading up to this race. 

Last August, I started an individualized workout plan with a heart-rate monitor.  The heart-rate monitor and the workout work-up were a thank you gift from my brother for helping with his son last winter.  I started off slow...walking with the occasional jogging.  As my fitness level improved, I had to jog more and more of my workout.  Soon, I was jogging 15 minutes at a time, 20 minutes at a time, and then 30 minutes at a time.  Slowly but surely, I could go further and further.

The first time I ran 2.5 miles, the average speed per mile was 17 minutes.....I could have walked faster, but that wasn't the point!  The next week, it was about a 16 minute mile for 2.5 miles.  Now, I'm hovering around a 15 minute mile for 3 miles....still not the fastest I'll ever run, but it's 12% faster than I used to be :) 

I could still probably speed walk as fast as I'm jogging, but I'm jogging it.....for 3 miles at a time!  I will continue training the first half of March and pushing myself faster towards the goal of averaging 14 minute miles on race day.  I'll have the support and running buddies of my brother, sister and soon-to-be SIL. 

Not everyone would admit to running a 17 minute mile the first time they tried, but I think people should.  Some people are naturally gifted runners, and then there are the rest of us.  I have friends that have seen my genesis into a runner and voiced the idea that they couldn't do it, they're just not a runner.  So I want everyone to know how slow I started (and continue to be not as speedy as I will be someday).  I didn't run 3 miles the first day.  I didn't run it the first month.  I didn't run as fast as the track teams that regularly use the same route, I might not ever be really fast.....after all, I have short legs :P 

Believe you can do it too.  I was depressed, seriously out of shape and overweight when I started my workout program.  I had lost a pregnancy a few months before beginning and hadn't really expected much of my body since then.  I started out slowly and cherished and cheered myself along the way, proud of each new accomplishment my body achieved.  The first time I ran a mile, I focused on being thankful for the ability to run with a plate and screws in my ankle.  That gratitude made it easier to focus on the beauty and workmanship in me.  Many times I repeated to myself either running or around the house, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made".  I'm still working to improve my fitness and find a healthier weight, I will continue to set new goals and celebrate my success at each step.

Recently as I've been running, I've contemplated what ways this stronger body will serve God, an idea first sparked when reading Life Giving Love by Kimberly Hahn.  I know my first choice for ways this stronger body could serve would be to bear many more children.  I don't know where I'll be called, only that I will be more ready than ever because of my renewed physical strength and stamina. 

There was no secret trick, no easy way to transform myself.....one day at a time, still working to trim down and speed up.  I've worked hard to get where I am and am looking forward to March 12th as a celebration of everything I have become and grown into.  My weaknesses have been made in strong, and I praise God for a body that still has the ability to be trained and active. 

Wave when you see me running by....or better yet, join me next time because you can do it too.

For a beginner's running program, check out Couch to 5K.

Vocations and other little moments

We've been busily catching up this week after being sick last week.  Amazing how the laundry, dishes and dust pile up when you're under the weather!

Something happened this week that has no accompanying pictures and wasn't planned in any way.  Little Bean and I sat down to go over the virtue lessons before her Little Flowers meeting on Friday.  We talked about St. Catherine of Sienna and read a short story about her life (starting back at the beginning of the book and reviewing past saints to prepare for the next lesson!).  Afterward, we talked through a couple of the activities in the Little Flowers book.

As we spoke about St. Catherine, who cut off all her hair at 6 and started serving the poor at 12 and became a religious, I asked LB if she knew what it meant to be a nun or sister.  Well, she couldn't really explain to me what that meant, so I started to explain that just like a wife and mother takes care of her husband and children, some women marry the Church and devote their lives to caring for the Church and its people.  I explained that everyone is born with special jobs from God and that everyone lives out these jobs differently.  Some men are called to be priests, some men are called to be husbands and fathers, just as some women are called to be sisters and some women are called to be wives and mothers. 

I asked her if she thought she might want to learn more about becoming a religious, and she very seriously considered it before telling me that she felt that she was supposed to grow up and get married and have children.  She said it with a surprising certainty and I made sure to tell her that if she ever felt called to be a sister or nun, we could help her learn more about it. 

I don't think the conversation was particularly monumental or life-changing for LB, but it was a moment that made me stop and be thankful for the little moments in our day.  I'm thankful for the quantity of time I have that I can spend with LB because it leads to those unexpected quality moments.  Something so simple as reading a story can become the bridge to talking about what she's going to do with the rest of her life.  So profound and simple at the same time. 

I am reminded of stories my S-I-L has told me of discussing the priesthood with her serious oldest son (who responded that he didn't feel that's what God was calling him to).  Those moments are there, just for the paying attention.  Had I not taken the time to sit down and discuss the life of a saint and been present in the moment, we wouldn't have started the conversation about finding her vocation in life. 

As we've firmed our resolve to homeschool next year, it's little things like this that are the real reason.  LB would be fine anywhere, home, private school, public school.  But having me there in the little moments of the day and available to her provides the opportunity for profound simplicity every day.  In giving the quantity of my time, I will be able to provide her with the quality moments to help form her soul for a lifetime.  I know I won't regret giving every moment I could to her, what I would regret is all the moments I would've missed had I not spent so much time with her. 

As we approach her sixth birthday this summer it hits me that I am a third of the way through the time she will spend in our home.  I've been with her almost every day for nearly 6 years and it's gone by in a blink.  Giving her the next 12 years will be a gift for her, but also for me when I can look back and say, "I did everything I could, gave her everything I had and I wouldn't change a thing".  Although I'll let you know how firm that resolve is when she hits the teenage years =)          

Blizzards and Bronchitis

A little late this week on getting a post up - I was felled by a case of bronchitis this week.  I awoke Monday morning to a tight congestion in my chest, so my healthy winter streak was broken. 

I felt pretty good Monday morning and got some cleaning done, but by afternoon it was pretty clear I'd overdone a bit, so back to bed I went.  Tuesday I barely left the bed.  Today I'm feeling a bit better, but trying to learn my lesson from Monday and not overdo.  I did go outside and take a few pictures, but then it was tea and a rest :)

Luckily for me, the rest of the world is postponing any meetings or appointments we may have had this week due to the weather.  My husband was able to make it into work, but most places around us are closed, so we're snuggling in for a couple more days. 

There are actually four steps, not just two!

The drifts were waist deep in some places

Foot of snow against the sliding glass door

Perspective on snow depth

These trees are 4-5 ft tall

Back steps from outside

The fence on the side is 6 ft tall

Ready to play!

Creating a snow cave

Looking in a window....that's 6 ft off the ground

Snow fun :P

Hard worker!

A meager path for the mailman

Playing in the snow cave

Don't give away the hiding spot!

It really is 2 ft high on the sides

The only way in....or out :)

Trudging off to play

Nearly waist high!

What's the fun of snow if you're not throwing it?

By the end of my photo-taking/snow-path making, my bronchitis-ridden lungs were burning, so I headed inside for some steaming tea and a rest.  Can't wait to feel better!

We're definitely planning on continuing homeschooling next year.  I've started purchasing the books and so far we have material for history, reading, grammar, writing and art.  Still need to get math and science materials, but I have until August, so no rush :)

LB has almost reached the 100 boxes she wants to sell - so Girl Scouts is going very well.  We're also looking forward to all the Valentine's Day parties in the next couple weeks. 

Hope everyone is staying safe and warm....and healthy!

Enchiladas and Reading

Not such a great week for photo-documenting our days, but I did get a funny video of Little Bean singing at the dinner table.  She was in a particularly silly mood, as you'll see below :)  It was also video-documenting her eating enchiladas....something that hasn't happened without a fight before - so it was worth documenting!  Five years old really seems to be the tipping point into eating without complaint.

A few funny photos from this week:

First, I'm not sure why the stuffed wolf needed underwear.  Second, I'm not sure why it needed multiple pairs of underwear :)

Here, an up-close look at "Wolfie's" new wardrobe.  For the record, Christmas decorations came down this weekend....just in case you're wondering about the background :)

 

Snuggie-rific!

As a newbie homeschooling mom, I don't think I'm alone in worrying and wondering about whether I'm doing things well enough or where Little Bean is compared to other kindergarteners.  I purchased a super thick workbook with all the things a kindergartener should know and we periodically work through these worksheets to make sure I'm covering all my bases.  I feel pretty confident that she's got the number, adding and writing skills of at least an average kindergartener.  I need to do a little more work on money and telling time, but still, I feel like we're on track to finish the school year the end of May with that under our belt as well.  

That being said, reading is my tricky spot.  It seems so much harder to accurately measure her reading skills.  She knows all her letters, her short-vowel sounds and the basic sounds of each consonant (haven't gotten into the exceptions rules yet).  But is this ahead of, behind or right on track with what other kids her age are doing?  Should I even be worrying about what other kids her age are doing?  If she went to traditional school next year, it would be important that she be on track.  She's probably not going to traditional school, but if she did, where would we sit?  If I should find myself in need of sending her to school next year, is she going to be bored or helplessly behind?  These are the kinds of things I think about when I'm washing dishes......perhaps I wouldn't have quite so many questioning moments if we only had a dishwasher :)

So, my mom was asking me what kind of stories Little Bean is reading these days.  I tried explaining where she was, but here's an excerpt of something she read this week from a book I highly recommend, The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading.....love it, seriously get one if you want to teach your 4-5 year old (by Jessie Wise and Sarah Buffington)!

"I had a cat.

Kit had six fat cats.

The cats will not fit in the big tub.

Jeb had a mint.

I will hand him ten mints.

Jeb will suck on the mints.

The mints will melt.

Cam went to camp.

The camp had ten bunks.

Cam will set his stuff on a bunk."

So, that's what she's up to....but without 20 other students.....I'm not sure where that is.  Any kindergarten teachers, home-schooled or traditional that happen to be reading this, feel free to give me a comparison!  Until then, I'll keep trucking on and she'll keep sounding it out one letter at a time :)

Christmas Time!!!

Christmas Morning:  I'm the only one awake

 

the ONLY one.....

Not even the 5 year old......

The stockings are full.....

 

Behold the child in the manger!

Santa ate his cookies...... 

 

And left his loot...... 

 

But still no one's up...... 

 

Oh wait!  Except me...... 

 

Movement at last!

 

It's not much...... 

 

But I'll take it!

 Let the present opening begin!

Merry Christmas me :)

 How did Santa know?

It's just what he wanted :)

  

How did Santa know he drinks that?

 

Even Little Bean is warming up to being awake....

Air freshener?  Thanks Santa! (hey, it was on the list!)

....and finally some beloved silly bands :)

And now you know, I did indeed wake everyone else up on Christmas morning....they were STARTING to stir, that counts right????

Hope you had a merry and restful Christmas :)

Graduation Day

Well, it's been a while!  Looking back to December 18th, my husband graduated from college with his Bachelor's degree. 

After 13 years of hard work, working full-time and starting a family, it was quite the accomplishment and feat of determination to get the bachelor's degree finished off.  We're all relieved and looking forward to the extra time we'll have now that my master's finished off this Spring and my husband's bachelor's finished this Winter.  It was a year of accomplishments and hard work!

Little Bean is especially excited that homework will no longer be a part of Mom and Dad's evenings. 

I continued working retail through the Christmas season and haven't heard yet if they'd like me to stay on after the holidays.  The current school of thought at our house is that a night or two a week out of the house talking to other adults might be beneficial to our family for a few reasons :)

I'm going to do my catching up of the holiday season every couple days until I'm caught up.  So now we're up to the middle of December :)

On my Couch to 5k goal:  I'm up to 2.7 miles (out of 3.1).  Lacking some motivation this week with hot flashes, mood swings and a bad dentist check-up (dental work all around, yikes!), but I'll shake the funk off and get back in business.

Hope everyone had a beautiful and restful Christmas!