What To Do While Dad's Out of Town?

The weather was too perfect so we decided to check out a new Metropark (new to us). We loved watching the geese (from a distance), the dog walkers, the ducks and the tadpoles.

We weren't exactly dressed in our Lance Armstong attire and B quickly tired of riding her training wheels (with skirt hiked between her legs) through the gravel. Do we have a future sister missionary on our hands?
Addysen almost had "the most embarrassing moment of my life," when she nearly rode her bike into the water. Luckily for her, she managed to stop just short of submersion and only her foot and front tire got wet. That would have been bad enough, except it just-so-happened that a boy that she "doesn't like," (yeah right) was enjoying the day with his family as well. They were about 15 feet away when the disaster almost struck.
Truly a nature lover, Cannon could spend hours trying to catch tadpoles, fish, snails, or anything else has to do with water, mud or sludge. He was never without a stick in hand and was very sad when it was time to go.
I mentioned the losing battle with Brynnley's bike. My brilliant idea to try and ride it while pushing the stroller turned out to be less-than-productive. It was a good leg workout nevertheless.

First Picnic of the Season

Brynnley and Kenzie had the first picnic of the season yesterday. Notice the variety of clothing...B doesn't even have a sweater on and K is wearing her winter coat (and snow boots). I'm not sure how much food was actually eaten vs. dumped on the patio, but they had a good time and I was able to finish vacuuming. We may have started a new tradition.

Last Chance Workout

I really like The Biggest Loser.

I don't watch very often, but when I do, I am totally inspired by the contestants and how hard they work to overcome their inward and outward struggles...both physically and mentally.

Maybe it's because I can relate. Granted, my challenges aren't the same...but I would venture to bet that we all have plenty of weaknesses and shortcomings of which we are very much aware...and that we continually strive to overcome.

On that note, last night was The Biggest Loser Finale. Ali, the first female in Biggest Loser history to win, said something that totally inspired me. (She lost something like 112 pounds - nearly 50% of her body fat. She took the grand-prize of $250K). She said something to the effect of, "I treated each workout as if it was my last chance workout." (Before the weigh-in.)

I thought about that this morning as I was doing my own workout...and I'd like to think I picked it up a level.

But more than that, I thought about situations in my life, and what I would do with them if it was my last chance...and even if it wasn't.

* If the thank you note I sent to my grandma was the last one I knew I would write to her, would I have said anything more? Or less? Shouldn't I write her today -- just because?

* If I knew the church lesson I was preparing would be my last one...how much more time and effort would I put into it?

* If I treated each day with my kids, with my spouse, with my family and friends as though it would be my last...what would I say? What would I do? Would I worry less about shoes on the carpet and fingerprints on the wall? Would I insist upon a bib? Would I fold laundry or play baseball in the backyard? Would I mop the floor or read stories? Would I take a nap or build a snow fort?

Of course, I always read comments like these...and often, they make me feel guilty. In all honesty, shoes on the carpet, fingerprints on the wall and stains on clothing bug me. If today wasn't my last chance, and I continually ignored the laundry and the floors and the fingerprints...my last days wouldn't really be so happy...because the chaos around me would take over. 

The reality is that, for the most part, I am doing my best. Granted, some days my best is much better than other days. Likewise, the same can be said about my worst days. But for the most part, I am doing the best I can...each and every day.

I think we all are.

But, still...the thought inspired me. "I treated each workout as though it was my last chance."

The interpretation for me was that attitude really does make a difference. And for me, when the sun is shining, and the kids aren't fighting, and the bills are paid (or at least there is enough to pay them), it's easier to have the right attitude. But, that doesn't mean that even when those stars aren't aligned, I shouldn't give it my all -- every day and in every situation. It doesn't even matter if some days, my all isn't all that much. 

Coincidently (or not), while I was thinking of the ways Ali's comments inspired me, I was listening to Matchbox 20 sing, "Let's see how far we've come" on my ipod.

And on that note, when the kids get home from school, we're going for a bike ride.

Update....

Addysen just walked in the door and happily reported that they made it into the Talent Show. Hooray! I guess this means I'll have to see if I can switch the date for our May Enrichment. 

Tagged

Ok, I'm finally going to respond to one of these:

10 YEARS AGO:

We were living in Cedar City, UT and I was finishing up my Master's degree. I was a manager at Adriana's, working (briefly) at State Bank, and teaching Communication classes at Southern Utah University. I was a newly called Young Women's President, we had just purchased our first house and, after a couple of years trying, were eagerly anticipating our first child. 

5 PLACES I'VE VISITED:

Florida

California

Mexico (just across the border in Tijuana -- does that count?)

Niagara Falls

Washington D.C.

5 THINGS ON MY TO DO LIST:

Repost rental properties on Craig's List

Get soccer shorts for the kids

Clean/Organize the basement & the garage

Pay Bills

Exercise

5 LIFETIME GOALS:

Be Happy

Continue learning and pursuing new hobbies

Serve a mission

Stay healthy and active

Be the best mom I can be

3 BAD HABITS

Stay up WAY too late -- especially when Greg works nights

Lose patience with my kids

Let my kids watch too much TV so I can get other things done

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW:

*I cut my foot with a chainsaw when I was about 5 years old.

*I want to get my PhD...but the sacrifices it would take don't make sense with my life right now.

*As a child, I wanted to be a doctor -- but I don't like blood, as well as certain other words commonly associated with the profession. (S_ _ B and P_ _ S). (That's for you, Reed.)

*I got engaged in a hot air balloon.

*I had several pets named Squirmmy -- 2 gerbils and a cat.

 *I attended my first concert (R.E.M.) at age 14. I went with two of my best friends, and my dad. (It was the only way we were allowed to go. I think my parents thought I would decline the concert, rather than go with my dad.  They were SO wrong.) 

My dad had just had knee surgery and was on crutches. We had floor seats, about 35 rows back. When everyone started standing on their seats, my dad joined in -- crutches and all. He thought it was ridiculous that people didn't just sit down to watch the concert, but he didn't want to spend the whole evening looking at everyone's backsides either. Amazingly, he balanced, with his crutches, between a couple of chairs. I'm certain he looks back on that night with the fondest of memories. I know I do. I thought he was the coolest dad around.

I tag Gina, Jonelle, Eliza, Rachel, Heidi...and anyone else's who feels so inclined.

Rockstar - Like Real Life?

Yesterday, Addysen, along with two of her friends (and 95 other kids) tried out for the school talent show. From what I overheard during the few minutes I was at the school, I quickly surmised that the judges were likely going to hear A LOT of Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus or High School Musical numbers.

Addysen and her friends performed, "Rockstar," complete with singing, choreography and a guitar solo.

The mother in me thinks that any third grader who is gutsy enough to try out should automatically make it into the show. However, at 3 minutes each, 95 children performing could make for a rather lengthy production. 

Furthermore, I realize that granting everyone a free pass, just for trying, isn't like real life. We all face disappointments and heartache sometimes...no matter how hard we've tried...no matter how much effort and preparation we've put forth...and no matter how "deserving" we might be. 

And so, we're waiting on pins and needles until Monday when the results are in. 

We'll keep you posted.

A Day at the Metroparks

You better look now, because it may not last...but...the temperature gauge in Cleveland hit 60+ degrees! Given the shorts, t-shirts and large amounts of skin showing around town, an unsuspecting passerby might believe we were nearing 100 degrees. Car washing took place en masse, as well as yardwork, bike rides and ball playing. Amazingly, as it turns out, we didn't move into a ghost-town masquerading as a neighborhood...as people have been up and down the sidewalk soaking up every minute of warmth and sunshine. We, too, joined the crowds...and made the most of this wonderful weekend.