Inspired by my latest Weight Watcher’s meeting that focused on exercise, I decided to lace up my shoes and go running a couple of times this week. It’s been a while, but I’m grateful that despite the fact that I fall off the activity wagon time after time after time, the runner’s high is not as fickle as I am.
Sure – there are times where I work out that I simply feel like I’ve been put through the ringer and exhausted with no reward. But I have myself to blame for those incidents. I either didn’t fuel my body properly or invest the right amount of effort. But this week, I did my part the best that I could and after the first layer of sweat built up and my lungs were lively and stretched, the burst came. The little firework of good warmth ignited and it all was worth it. Sure – these feelings come and go like all feelings do, but there is a resonance with a runner’s high that sticks with you… it’s hope. The hope that you’re getting better and that there is a stronger version of you on the other side of the track. The running high doesn’t discriminate… it never punishes me for not being an athlete or super-duper committed (my unused muscles take care of the punishment part nicely by themselves thankyouverymuch). It doesn’t care how fast or slow I am (to be clear, I’m embarrassingly slow). Whether someone runs every day or is going out for the first time in years, immediate benefits to movement can be obtained if you do your part… and I think that is pretty awesome.
Genius Child
Paisley is a genius. She has been showing interest in the potty for a while now. Sadly, her mommy and daddy haven’t been as ready to tackle it. Between changing schools and not knowing what the heck we were doing, we didn’t really encourage use of the potty except for here and there when she would sit on it and nothing would happen. Maybe part of me has been avoiding it, as I know it opens a new can of logistical worms during the “transition” time. Tips anyone? Really. Totally out of my element on this one. Saying the words “pee pee, poo, and potty” in daily conversations is a little weird.
On Tuesday night, Paisley came to me and kept patting her diaper and said “Pee-pee. Pee-pee.” She then took off to where we normally kept her potty seat, but it was not there. She adamantly repeated the key words and walked around looking for her potty. I found it, put it on the ground, put her on it… and BAM! Pee in the potty. No lie.
I was stunned. Did Paisley just potty train me?!? Yep. She showed us how it was done. Immediately, there was praise heaped upon her and we called the family to tell them the great news (I still remember Joshua doing that with us and how neat it felt to celebrate that accomplishment)! I think my tidal wave of accolades overwhelmed her a bit, so maybe I’ll take it down a peg next time.
Our girl is growing up. At this rate, she’ll be at Harvard in a couple years. Genius. Child.
Full Time Look on a Part Time Budget
Even though Pinterest can be the biggest (and prettiest) time suck ever known, I have to say that it has come in pretty handy lately. My new part time schedule leaves us with less budget every month, so when I get a wild flea up my ear to do something… like hang giant pictures of Paisley in the play room… I can’t just go out and buy it with the extra income my full time job provided. But time is just as valuable as money, folks. And I have lots of it. Super powers – activate!
I was inspired by some online instructions to do faux canvases on a budget (although I tweaked it a bit). I bought two canvases and spray painted the edges black. Once dry, I used 3M adhesive spray to attach my photos. Then, I busted out the Modge Podge and did a heavy coat with my brush strokes all in one direction (looking back, I wish I had made them a bit straighter, but no biggie). Once that coat was completely dry, I did another layer of Modge Podge with brush strokes going in the opposite direction. When it dried, it left a hint of a small grid pattern. Costco prints + JoAnn’s gift card + JoAnn’s 40% off coupon = Insta-art for crazy cheap. Even though it doesn’t look exactly like a canvas, it’s close enough. Fun!
Glub Glub
On Tuesday, Paisley went to the doctor and was diagnosed with bronchitis and an eye infection. Now why in the world would this make the “joy inventory” you ask? Because I admire her character. Sweet girl was feeling miserable, but she still retains a good spirit despite being uncomfortable. As her mother, I’m happy that I don’t have to instill good qualities in her… my hardest job is simply retaining what she came to us with.
And despite being sick, she wasn’t going to let anything ruin her enjoyment of the fish at the doctor’s office. She sat and stared and pointed and laughed and looked back at me with a smile. She was able to appreciate the good during a time of discomfort. She carries joy with her through all circumstances. Little lessons from little people.
Lazy Times
I realize this is the exact opposite to my running, but goshdarnit… I’ve enjoyed having some lazy times with my family lately. We love relaxing on our porch in the evenings and I welcome the slant of the end-of-day’s sweet light across my loved ones’ faces. Nowhere to be and nothing pressing to do. I’m glad we are where we are. I'm glad that God has blessed us with the lives we have right now. Blissfully content.
Little Momma
Paisley is going to be a great mother. Girlfriend can spot a baby within a half mile of her. On the TV, she’ll run screaming “Bay-bee! Bay-bee!” and repeatedly point at it looking at me until I nod, “Yes, sweetie… a baby.” Her hands will relax and she’ll just stare at it until the screen changes. It is almost enough to make my ovaries chant a little.
Paisley loves Molly, her baby doll, more and more every week (even though she carries her by the hair). She is finally into changing her clothes/shoes, although she needs assistance with this task. During our time together this week, we would dump out Molly’s bag and Paisley would hand me items of clothing like a nurse handing out surgeon tools. When I get the right combination, she nods approvingly and takes Molly for a spin in the stroller. And then we do it again.
Since Pais had bronchitis and couldn’t go to school on Wednesday, Jeromy stayed home with her. About mid-morning I got a text from him… apparently, Momma Paisley wanted Jeromy to play “Molly” with her and he wasn’t as familiar with dolls as she had hoped. I couldn’t but to help but chuckle aloud. I’m happy to have a nurturing girl. And I’m happy to have a husband willing to play “Molly” with my girl.
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