Random

Does anyone else ever wonder what to blog about? Okay, so I am probably the 3,468th most boring blogger in the world...if you could even call my very random and rare explosions of word vomit a blog...but I still feel the need to write SOMETHING that will inspire or entertain, or humor some living, breathing being. In fact, I don't know if you could even call me a blogger. Its like someone who ran around the block saying they are a marathoner. Or a Ramen Noodler calling themselves a chef (I'm a little offended by that one). But thanks for reading anyway! Thanks for putting up with my sporadic and very inconsistent and grammatically incorrect and run-on sentence posts! Three cheers for my loyal readers (thanks mom): Whoo Hoo! Yippee! Kowabunga!!

So with that...

You know what I have been thinking about?
How much I would love to live in a home that looks like this:

That is right. It just occurred to me that my dream home is a replica of 17th century sea vessel! My husband and I watched Treasure Island recently and I was taken back to my childhood and the many daydreams I would have of being a stowaway on a pirate ship in search of buried treasure. In reality, I get miserably seasick (if you are curious, ask my husband to relate our boating experience on our honeymoon. Let me just say it was awful), so this house would, obviously, built in land. 

That's really all I had to say. I think it would be so fun to have a pirate ship house. Complete with a Crow's nest of course!

More excitement:

-Today my son ATE a huge hole in a cardboard cereal box while we were shopping. I actually didn't want to buy that box, but because he clearly marked his territory, I now have to eat Raisin Bran.

- What is Bruce Lee's favorite drink? WAAAAAAAATAAAAA!

-95% of statistics are false

-I never heard of FB until my junior year of high school (2005), and I thought it was lame. (I still do in some regards. There are A LOT of things I hate about FB. That is a post for another day). I never heard of texting until I started COLLEGE (okay, that really just means I am from a tinsy town and old fashion family), and I never had a cell phone until my SECOND SEMESTER of college. Hows that for a piece of humble pie? Oh and I had to walk my no-cell phone, never-heard-of-texting, might-as-well-be-Amish self uphill both ways in the snow. Actually that is true. My how times have changed. I am the music leader for the Primary children at my church and a few of them have ipods. In fact, we let my 13 month old son play with my husband's old Android. He will never see this:

And think "that is a phone"(at least for now)--because all he sees is us talk on things that look like this:

Big difference! Crazy how old I feel. 

Well, there is a deep concept to keep you entertained until I decide to post again. Until next time...

Running With a Jogging Stroller

Becoming a parent doesn't have to put a damper on your workout goals. In fact, I believe being a parent can motivate you more than usual to set and reach fitness goals. I am really into running. A little obsessed..but we all have our obsessions. I just planned on my running gradually declining and eventually dwindling into oblivion after I had my son, but just the opposite has happened.  I trained for and ran a half marathon (13.1) miles in june, which is the farthest race I have ever run. It is hard for me finding time to put in a lot of miles, so my dream of logging 26.2 is on the back burner for a while. But rather than keep pushing distance goals, I have decided to work on my speed and chisel my 5k (3.1 miles) personal best. I LOVE speed workouts,  and moderate long runs (6-8 miles), so this way, I felt I was getting the most for every mile. Here is a breakdown of my 5k time progression:

Highschool PR (personal record): 20:13 (set my SOPHOMORE year. I had rough junior and senior years as far as racing times were concerned)

5k time this spring, 9 months after having my little guy: 20:08

5k time three weeks ago: 19:06 (6:08 per mile)

Current goal: 18:45 in an organized race (my other times were just on the 5k course my university used. 18:45 is 6:02 per mile)

For me, I am MORE motivated to run now because running is my precious "me" time. My husband knows I need my daily run, or I go crazy. Currently, we are living in a VERY hot, metropolitan climate, so I haven't been able to run as much as I'd like...so I am going a little crazy. ( I had a 95 degree run at 8:15 this morning!!)

While running by myself is wonderful and precious, that is possible only a few times a week with a busy husband and hot summer weather. That is why I am a huge fan of the jogging stroller. Running with your baby or toddler can be an amazing cardio and strength workout, or it can wreack havoc on your joints and muscles. Here are a few suggestions on ways to make the most of your runs with your baby:

-Maintain good form. Pushing a heavy baby is much different than running solo. The tendency is to lean forward and use your body weight to help propel your stroller forward. This can affect your stride and the way you swing your arms. Work to lift your chest and keep your chin parallel to the ground. Keep your shoulders relaxed, which means you need to keep the hand that is on the stroller loose. Sometimes I don't even grip the handle bar..I just push it with my palm (only works uphill and flat). Run upright and keep a tall spine. Run with a short stride and a quick turnover.

-Run one-handed. This keeps your form much more natural then keeping both hands on the handle bar. Thats like trying to run on a treadmill while clutching the rail. You'll be too tense, and it will effect your over all form. However, if you feel you don't have enough control of the stroller to run one-handed, jog slowly with both hands, and try letting go for a few seconds until you gain wrist strength.

-Talk to your baby. Think of him as a running partner. It encourages you and entertains him if you say things like: "We got this!", "Almost there!", "Do you think we can make it up the hill?", "Wow, look at that view! I am so glad we ran up the hill!" You may feel silly at first, but it really helps!

-Don't be afraid to push it! Running with a stroller is a total body workout. It is major positive energy to realize you survived a tough workout WHILE pushing a 30 lb baby. Boo-ya! I'll post soon a few speed workouts that are great with a jogger.

-For an additional challenge/feel-good boost/total body workout/admiring comments and looks from passersby, run up a hill, or do hill repeats. It will be hard, but you will feel unstoppable when you finish. It may take some gradual build up. Make sure you have a good base of solo hill running first, and don't take it too hard.

-Be careful. If I am going down a steep hill, I always use the safety strap. Slow down while running around a sharp turn, and be sure your tires are fully inflated and in proper working order. The great thing about a stroller is the storage space. Take water for your little one and your self, your phone, keys, a snack...etc. Make sure you are extra careful around intersections and traffic. You are pushing precious cargo! I never run with music while pushing my boy, but that is up to you. If you choose to keep your ear buds in, turn the tunes down enough to hear traffic and anyone who may come near you.

Good luck and happy running!

I'll post jogger friendly workouts soon!

note: my 5k times were NOT while running with the jogger. That does slow you down a bit! But it is a great resistance training.

Families Are Forever

One the significant beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (or Mormons) is that the family can be an eternal unit. Relationships formed in this life, do not have to be "till death do you part".

That is something that gives me incredible strength, and that I believe with all my heart.

For me, the greatest joy I have ever felt has been associated with family members...the birth of my son, my wedding, holidays together, vacations, to name a few. I know that joy can continue forever. To me that provides great comfort and strength, especially when death or other circumstances hinder those relationships while we are on earth.

I know God has a plan for us, and families are central to that plan. Some may not feel joy with their family, and may not want to spend time with them. Many suffer from the effects of divorce, abuse, addiction and other harmful decisions. Many want to marry or have children but cannot.

I know that whatever situation we face, we can find strength and peace through our loving Heavenly Father's plan for us. He can heal our families and our hearts. He can mend broken marriages, and wounded relationships. He can provide companionship when you feel you have no one to call family or friend.

I would love to share more with you! These principles mean everything to me, and I am completely confident they can bless and enrich your life. In fact, if you follow the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I promise your life will change for the better.

Visit : http://mormon.org/values/family for more information, or send me an email!

An old picture of me and my three youngest siblings. I sure love these kids!

I have been blessed with two amazing sister-in-laws (my brother's wives). I love these girls!

What a goofy (and weak) bunch of girls! Thanks Dad, for coming to the rescue.

I love this man!

We've done some hard things, but we've been so blessed!

I LOVE being a mom! 

The Beauty of Simplicity

I have had a realization lately: I have a lot of stuff.

Although Quinton and I have been married less than three years, we have somehow accumulated boxes and boxes of stuff we do not use on a regular basis, if ever.

 With this realization came a second epiphany: I don't have to have a lot of stuff.

I have a neighbor who is really my hero in this regard. She is all about simplicity. Once she mentioned to a group of friends that her dream home is a tiny house...something like 100 sq feet or less. At first, I thought she was crazy. I thought she was joking. In fact, a few weeks later, we were hanging out, and I said something like "I've been looking at those tiny houses you like...they're cute and all, but I don't see where you'd put all your stuff"

She said, "That's the whole idea! You get rid of everything you don't absolutely need. It's called simplicity."

Oh.

Then I started to think: Do I really need everything I have? Everything I hang on to? Everything I want?

What about all those clothes in my drawers and closet that I don't love, and rarely wear, but keep anyway? What about that gift that I never use, that just takes up space? What about the sentimental stuff we all hold on to?

People get attached to stuff. It's like we develop some sort of emotional connection or relationship with an object, and thus cannot imagine life without it.

What if there is something to this whole simplicity thing?

I am not saying you have to live in a tiny home, or sell all your possessions or never keep anything of sentimental value, but I think if we make an effort to 'declutter' our lives, we may be happier and healthier. We'll have more money and thus possibly a happier marriage and family life. We'll have more time to spend doing what matters most, and we'll, obviously, have more space.

There may be more to this simplicity thing too.

In the New Testament, a young rich man approaches Jesus Christ, and asks him what he can do to inherit eternal life. Christ lists the commandments, and he explains he has kept them all his life. Christ then asks him to do something tougher. He asks him to simplify and refocus. He says: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21 KJV)

Unfortunately for this young man this was too hard. He "went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions" (verse 22)

I don't want to be like that young man. I wonder what incredible, life changing experiences he could have had if he was only willing to forsake his worldly "stuff".  Does our stuff hold us back? What opportunities are we missing? Who could we become if we weren't so focused on what we don't have, but think we need?

I have decided to simplify. To declutter and to refocus.

Here are somethings I am committing to do:
-Get rid of everything I don't need (or really, really want..I'm keeping my mac, running shoes, favorite jewelry..etc)
-Don't buy what I don't need or what I won't use
-Make more of an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle.
-Only buy gifts for Quinton and Max they really need or want and will use, or put the money we would have spent on gifts towards a family trip or special outing (and encourage those who give me gifts to do the same for me). SO much money is spent on birthdays and holidays. Imagine if you cut your holiday budget in, say, half and then spend a weekend at the beach with your family?

It's all just stuff anyway, right?

Introversion is NOT a Disease

I had an incredible epiphany today.
It's kind of personal, but it really was a life changing break discovery.

I listened to a TED talk entitled "The Power of Introverts" (http://on.ted.com/Cain)

It was amazing.

I have always been an introvert, but growing up I was much more than I am now.
In school I always had friends, but I was labeled as the "shy girl" from elementary through high school. It was a real struggle for me. I felt like Adrian in the Rocky movies. In the first movie she explains to Rocky that she felt her shyness was like a disease.

That's exactly how I felt. I felt my worth, to a degree, was based on whether or not I was outgoing. Every year, for years, my New Year's resolution was to become a more outgoing person. I have always been a people person, but more of a one-on-one people person. I love making friends and making people laugh and feel good, but when I was stuck in a group of people that I didn't know or didn't know well, I would feel awkward and insecure.

In her talk, Susan Cain suggests that schools and workplaces cater towards the extrovert, and tend to leave the introverts out, making them feel inadequate and inferior. That was exactly the case with me. Group projects made me feel uncomfortable, and I never had an opportunity, or rather, felt secure enough to contribute. I even had peers that would try to get me to talk or to say certain words, which only made me want to talk less. Suffice it to day I struggled greatly with this as an adolescent.

Eventually I graduated from high school and went to college. There I became more confident and confortable with myself, but still, I struggled with feeling inferior at times. After two years of college I went on an 18 month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in norther California. This was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Naturally, I became more bold and assertive because I would daily talk to complete strangers about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We would knock on doors and talk to people in their homes, in parkinglot, in the streets..etc. At first this was extremely uncomfortable and difficult for me. I felt like a robot. I wanted to share this message that meant so much to me, but I didn't know how to be outgoing and share my personality.


Eventually I became natural and comfortable as a missionary. I grew to love talking to people and sharing my thoughts and feelings. I was also trained younger missionaries for my entire mission, except 18 weeks. Being a leader helped me to feel like more of an extrovert as well. Now I am still a people person, but I continue to prefer to get to know people one-on-one. I enjoy having many friends, and feel like I have finally achieved the goal I so despritely sought as a youth: I am outgoing.

My epiphany today was that I wasn't broken as a teenager.
I was always trying to be someone I just wasn't. Someone I didn't feel comfortable being.
I wanted to be fixed. I felt I couldn't make friends or date unless I was an extrovert.
I have realized that everyone is a combination of an introvert and an extrovert. I love parties and gatherings. I love socializing and having many friends. But if I had a free afternoon, I would prefer to read a book, or draw, or write, or run. I love having many friends, but I cherish having a few best friends. I get stressed in large crowds, and camping next to another tent is not my idea of a good time.

This really just occured to me. I am so grateful for who I was. Every person has something significant to contribute. You do not have to be an outgoing, bubbily extrovert to make a difference in the lives of others and in the world.

I was blessed, however, to have amazing parents, friends (one of whom I married!), and youth leaders who did not treat me like I was different. It's like they saw me for who I really was, and treated me as such. It was with them that I felt more like myself. They made me feel like a million bucks, and it didn't matter that I was an introvert.

In a religious point of view, I believe that the natural side effect of coming close to Christ is wanting to reach out to others. As you are filled with the love of God, you can't help but want to share that love with all around you. But you don't have to be an extrovert to do this effectively. In fact, the very nature of the gospel is one-on-one. Our loving Heavenly Father created us each with unique abilities and gifts and we each can contribute greatly to the world and to the kingdom.

Now, it is my quest and mission to ensure my children feel they are important and valuable no matter their personality. Character is deeper than charisma.

Parenthood is all about LOVE

I don't usually have a vent post, but this is something that has been on my mind.

Before I became a mom, I didn't know anything about Babywise, or the Ferber Method. I had no idea what CIO stood for, or what the benefits of breastfeeding were. I just admired my mom and I knew she did her best. I felt the same away about other parents I knew. I didn't know or care what parenting method they used, I just loved to be around them because they loved their kids and had fun.

Once I became inducted into the Mom Club, and Parenthood Association, I became aware that there are a bazillion ways to raise a baby before they are one year old, and a million ways to raise a child. It seemed like every well thoughtout sleep book, family or cultural tradition or medical theory had a bitter group of mothers who detested every word and thought any publication should be burned in a sweltering furnace. Granola moms swore to non-hospital, natural births, breastfeeding, cloth diapers, co-sleeping and any other put-you-baby-to-sleep method besides cry it out. Traditional medically minded American moms had hospital births, vaccinated thier kids, used disposable diapers and may have supplimented with formula. While there are loud extremes to both schools of thought, and most parents probably fall somewhere in the middle, it seems whatever any well-meaning parent tries to do, there are numerous ranting parental forums, mothers pointing fingers and judgmental glances. Good grief.

We're all just figuring this out as we go, right?

I'm not writing this to point out who is right and who is wrong. I am certain there are pros and cons to every practice and theory. And, I am in no position to give advice...I have one baby, and I know every child and situation is different.

All I want to do is say is -lets not forget what parenting is all about afterall. No one is made fun of in high school because their parents let them "Cry It Out." No degrees are withheld because you were fed with formula. Good parents love their kids, enough said. Just love your children and do your best, and everything will be okay. You won't be a perfect parent. You won't always know exactly what your screaming baby needs, and many times you will join every parent in the Parenthood Association and feel completely overwhelmed and at the end of your rope. But it's my feeling that love is really what matters the most. Play with your kids, laugh with them, tell them you love them. Love your spouse or partner if you are blessed to have one, but don't stress too much about what you might be doing or not doing.

Lets praise our fellow moms and dads for what they are doing well. For their decision to be parents when it isn't an easy thing to do, or when we live in a world that often says it isn't convienient or cool. Lets let our friends love their children, and lets show them love in return.

I am sure that love is what's most important afterall.

The Best Job

I am resisting going to bed as long as I possibly can. It is this phenomenon that occurs when you are a mother. The kid is in bed, and you just melt to the couch and you can't move, because at last it is quiet and you are not chasing a little crawler all over the house. Maybe that is why there are so many Mommy blogs--we use this rare quiet moment to update the blog. Funny how we can't seem to think of anything to talk about other than our kid(s). Ha ha.

I wanted to share a dilema and then a thought I had recently. If you were not aware, I just graduated as an illustrator. My plan is to work in the children's book industry, and eventually write and illustrate my own books. I left college super gung-ho, and ready to work my tail off. I want to push my art as far as I can.

Shortly after graduation, I realized that being a mom is hard too. I mean, I knew that, but I had just finished school where a babysitter or his daddy tended my boy most of the day. Suddenly I was confronted with the wonderful but busy task of being a full-time momma.
Just in case you are curious, here is a run-down of my basic day:

2:30am- Max wakes up. Feed him, change his diaper, and put him back to bed

3:00am- Go back to bed (takes a while because I usually fall asleep in the chair in Max's room..which is very uncomfortable)

5:30- Max wakes up energetic and ready to play, but I am still in a zombie-like state, so I try to convince him to go back to sleep (sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't)

6:00am- I eat breakfast and study my scriptures and feed the boy, change his clothes and diaper
The rest of the day goes something like this:
max's nap
nasty diaper
emergency bath
baby proof the house again
diaper
feed him babyfood, which ends up all over me and the kitchen
diaper
dishes
diaper
hold crying boy
laugh and play with him on the floor
diaper
nap
feed
diaper
dishes
go on a run
diaper
playdate
clean up nasty mess
feed
go on a walk
hold crying boy
laugh and play
make dinner
bath
bed
put him back in bed
then I finally go to bed.

Whew! I am exhausted just typing that. I am really so happy to be a mom, but it is very time consuming. I was feeling guilty for not doing as much with my art as I would like, but I turned to a scripture in Eccelsiastes which was an answer to my prayers.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Being a mom is the BEST thing I can do. It is the most influential thing I will EVER do. I can change lives as a mother. Sure, it can be monotonous and stressful and exhausting (and I only have ONE baby!), but I have had more joy in the past several months than I have ever had in my life. It is hard to explain, it is just something you have to experience for yourself. I know that motherhood is Divine. I am not ashamed to be a mom, or a homemaker. Right now, I feel like that is my 'season.' I will be an illustrator, and I do try to draw and paint everyday and contact publishers, but I am not guilty nor do I feel like a failure if 'all' I do is change 10 diapers and hold a teething, sobbing baby. This is the kind of thing that has eternal consequences. If I don't dedicate my life and time to my family, who will?

I am proud to be a mom!