4 Truths and a Dare

TRUTH...I physically feel terrible every single day. I have belly aches, head aches, and my shoulder and back muscles often tense up so badly I can barely move.

TRUTH...I weigh 5 pounds more than I did when I started weight watchers 4 years ago, but am 10 pounds less than when I got married.

TRUTH...I am stressed to the max. I am emotionally, physically, and mentally spent.

TRUTH...I can make a million excuses, and most of them are valid, but something has to change.

DARE...I am daring myself to lose 34 pounds while I'm 34.

I've blogged this kind of thing before and it hasn't always turned out well.  I was scared to put this on here and debated not even telling anyone. BUT, I'm going to do this.  I've done it once and will do it again.  I started Weight Watchers three days ago and am on my way.  I need accountability. I need to take control over something in my life.  I'm not getting younger and most of the stressers in my life aren't going anywhere anytime soon.  It's time...wish me luck!

Three Words

Another one of my journaling techniques I learned was called three words (or groups of words).  I decided to write three words about each person in my family.

August 16, 2016

Brian ~ Adoring. Affectionate. Passionate
Abbie ~ Passionate. All Loving. Determined
Macie ~ Vibrant. High Energy. Creative
Gavin ~ Giggly. Cuddly. Intelligent
Lilah ~ Sweet. Intuitive. Sassy

Journaling for Stress Relief

My friend, Rachel, told me about this cool class at Ivy Tech called Journaling for Stress Relief.  It was three one hour sessions and was free.  She knows how much stress I've been under and thought I would enjoy it.  I've gone to two sessions so far and really like it.  I'm the youngest in the class by a decade (or 2 or 3), but it's a good group.  I've learned different journaling techniques, such as, 5 Minute Sprint, 100 list, 3 Words, Gratitude letter, and Reflection write.  I hope to keep journaling after the class is over.  The blog is one way of journaling, but I'm able to get more things out in my private journal.  Most of my entries will never be shared, but here is one five minute sprint that I wrote:

August 2, 2016
I feel relaxed and calm when...
my kids are all sleeping sweetly in their beds
my house is picked up, the yard is managed, and my to do list is short
I'm in a baggy t-shirt and Brian's shorts
I'm hanging out with Brian watching tv or upstairs reading a book
I'm sitting at Adoration at Holy Spirit Church
the sun is setting and I'm on the deck on a cool evening
I'm with good company
I've had a few drinks with friends
I'm laughing so hard I'm afraid I may pee my pants
my children are behaving in public and they get a compliment
I'm sitting in a candlelit bath with bubbles
I'm snuggling with my babies
I get good news about a bill
I think about how we are debt free except for our house
I know GOD will provide for me
I breathe deep

Why does anyone care?

Everyone has an opinion about things....your choices, your lifestyle, your parenting...  I also have an opinion, but out of respect for others, I don't feel it is my place to let them know how I feel about their choices.  Of course, I am not perfect and am human and if it directly effects me, I am more vocal.  But I just want to know....why does anyone care...

...that we want to move to a house with more space and land so we can grow our farm?
...that my hair is turning gray?
...that I am not returning to work?
...that we've decided to home school our children next year?
...that we go "all of the way" to Riley to meet with the best doctors and get the best care for our son?
...that we feel called to expand our family with one or two more children?
...that I'm 6 months behind on the blog?

Well, the last one does bother me!  Life is hard enough without others, especially close loved ones and friends, commenting, criticizing, or questioning everything you do.  Maybe if we spent more time lifting others up instead of putting others down, we'd all be a lot happier!