Blog? What's a BLOG?

I am in complete awe about this blogging phenomenon. I'm sure most of our spouses who DON'T blog are in awe of it, too...how it can sometimes consume us and lead us to computer-hogging till late hours in the night (even after we've moaned about how exhausted we are). I don't know about you, but I feel as if I've been given a huge blessing and opportunity to become better friends with those I normally would not have the chance to talk to on a regular basis...how I'm able to stay in touch with dear friends far, far away...how I often learn new things about those friends I see often...how I've "met" (in the internet sense) truly amazing, inspiring, and talented, positive people through blogland...how I have found a medium where I can be gut-wrenchingly honest about my feelings, motherhood, and feeling low...and how we have become each other's little support system. Thank you, blog friends. Thank YOU!

I remember the first ever blog I was introduced to. I was training for the San Antonio Marathon back in the summer of 2004. Dawn and I joined this training group, and I was immediately psyched when I met the trainer, Tom Trevino. Happy, positive, upbeat...just the kind of person you need to motivate you. Anyway, his blog was highly entertaining, informative, and crack-me-up funny. Too bad his last entry was February of last year. Tom, where ARE you?

So, here's to the invention of the blog. May we all continue to use it in positive, uplifting ways. And, may we all fight off carpal tunnel syndrome for as long as possible. :-)

Off for my girls weekend away in a few hours. Cannot wait for a little bit of this and a little bit of that. We'll probably squeeze in some of this, too. I'm sure there will be pics to share (and some better left off of the net).

Enjoy the weekend.

How terrible is it...

to have walked right past my car--TWICE in different parking lots--because I didn't recognize it after going through the car wash?

Just curious...

*TRAINING UPDATE* (because I feed off accountability):
13 mile bike ride yesterday
2.5 mile run today
swim lessons with my coach in the morning(the kids love that I'm taking swim lessons!)

3 weeks till the Rookie Triathlon!
7 weeks till the BIG ONE in Austin!

Random Tidbits

This past Thursday I left the 3 little Indians in the care of their daddy to go here to attend one of these. While I was waiting for my friend, Jeanne, to meet me at my neighborhood entrance, I had the rare opportunity to have some quiet time while enjoying my backyard view. Heavenly. Even in the overcast light.


As usual, the weekend was an amazing spiritual experience...even after having served on this type of retreat 6 different times. If you're interested...there's a ladies Walk in July. I'll be there. Just in case you want to see a familiar face. We would love to have you. You won't be sorry you went. Cross my heart.

And, if you think this kind of retreat is nothing but deep soul-searching and praying, well, you're mostly right. The rest of the time I spent cracking up to the point of crying (and nearly wetting my pants). Girlfriends, you know who you are. And, I value your friend Chip more than you know (inside joke).

On Thursday night (the same day I left)...Priya begged Daddy to pull her first loose tooth out. Daddy had strict instructions to take pictures and "tell" the tooth fairy where to leave the money if it were to happen. Daddy got an A+ for his efforts.

While Mommy is away...Daddy will still find a way to watch the Spurs on T.V. This is how he enticed the 3 little Indians to join him in cheering for our home town team.


Randomness from today:

*I witnessed a car accident just minutes after it happened. I passed by the wreck and spotted the trapped person inside the upside-down car. Another person was hysterical by the passenger side. My heart sank and I shed a few tears. I circled around and was preparing myself to offer what nursing knowledge I could, but 3 fire engines and an EMS truck arrived before me. I drove on and offered up a prayer instead.

*I listened to a lady actually belly-laugh really LOUDLY (multiple times) in Walgreens while reading the "funny" cards in the greeting card section. It made me go find which cards she found so hilarious. Oh, yeah. I found 'em.

*I am currently listening to my children crack themselves up in Priya's room...and Deven just told his baby brother that he will always take care of him. Ok. I must be doing SOMETHING right.


I am leaving town this weekend to go on my first ever girls weekend away with my BFF's from high school. I am basically living week to week...something going on every single weekend through June. Eek. But. It will get done. And, I've learned I need to scale down. And, say no. The summer will be a time to regroup, swim, swim some more, and RELAX. I promise.

Remind me of that when I blog in July and tell you how my summer has gotten out of control.

Bikes, Bonding, & Benatar

I guess it's no secret that I've recently experienced a very low LOW recently. By the grace of God and some AMAZING friends...my life has changed and seems to be on the upswing now. The fingerprints of God surround me on a daily basis, and I'm trying so hard in this busy life to stop. Breathe. Enjoy.

A couple friends have asked what the turning point was. I told them nothing in particular...a few small things happened to put life into perspective for me. There was the opportunity to give our favorite Denny's waitress a Walmart gift card since she lost EVERYTHING (except her kids) in a recent house fire. Giving can feel really good. And make you so incredibly thankful for what you have.

There was the amazingly healing dinner I shared with a girlfriend last Thursday evening. Can I just say there is absolutely NOTHING like great girlfriends?!

And then there was just one of those days that flows so smoothly...you can't help but go to bed with a smile on your face. Last Wednesday I finally got on my brand new bike...and rode an 12 leisurely miles with two wonderful friends. Can I just tell you that this cycling stuff is ADDICTING? I was a little freaked out flying down Blanco Road with the cars whizzing by me at 70+ mph. But, once we turned onto a quiet country road...it was much needed medicine for this worn out soul.

Somewhere along the way my gears got stuck, and I completely (and ungracefully) wiped out trying to get my clips out of the pedals. Even that wreck was healing...bruises and all.

After our ride we ate lunch and I picked up the kids from school, fed them, and had them in bed by 6:30. I even had an hour to relax before my guitar lesson.

When Richard pulled out Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," I groaned and rolled my eyes. After a few good laughs about how overplayed this song was back in the day, Richard convinced me to give it a try. And, with my cool new electric guitar and zebra strap...I felt slightly like the rock star I've always wanted to be.



And, with Trevor's new nickname for me, "Rock Star Mama," maybe I already am--at least in the eyes of the 3 Little Indians.

I have come to realize that it is up to ME to make myself happy and content in this life that often throws us curve balls. Attitude really is everything. I cannot depend on any person here on earth to fulfill me completely. So, I am trying to rely on my faith more and others less...because frankly, giving really IS better than receiving. And, I think I just may have something to offer this world...even if some days it's only a terrible rendition of a really old Benatar tune.

3 Little Indians

"Having a child is to forever decide to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

Elizabeth Stone

Perspective

It seems as if every song I hear on the radio lately has a special message just for me. George Strait sings about "seeing God today" and awakens my soul to the fact that, yes, God's fingerprints are everywhere...and there is so much joy to be found in this world. Brooks and Dunn remind me that there are so many tragedies and heartbreaks all over the world but that the hardships are hopefully a passing phase--and God really is in control. Both songs are on the play list if you'd like to check them out.

But, it's not a song that has touched me so deeply recently. Perhaps the most powerful message I've come across in the last month or so (but wasn't in a place to share it till now) is from a professor named Randy Pausch. Here's a question for ya...if you had only 6 months to live...could you change the world? Randy is. His unbelievable "Last Lecture" has impacted millions. You can view it here...and then watch your ABC station this Wednesday, April 9th at 10pm/9c to see his interview with Diane Sawyer.

None of us knows how long we have on this earth. My life could end today, tomorrow, next month, or 50 years from now. God tells us our time on earth is but a breath in the grand scheme of things. I guess the question I want to start asking myself at the end of the day is, "Did I fully live my life today as if it were my last? Was I a blessing to every single person I came in contact with?"

And, more than anything...I want to live my life more as a Tigger than an Eeyore.

Slowly But Surely

So. I am slowly but surely climbing my way out of this deep, dark pit that I fell into last month. It's not a complete accomplishment. But, I feel better than I did yesterday. Which isn't 100%. But it's marked improvement. That's all I can ask for.

I remembered that I had not shared any Easter wishes, pictures, or the like. So, here they are...in an attempt not to get any further behind on things than I already am.

Two out of three Indians agreed to pose with their Mommy. The absentee child is 2 years old. Need I say more?


The egg hunt at church was fun to watch. Priya was with the "big" kids which made me sad. She's growing up way too quickly.

Trevor's usual assertiveness was not on display at the egg hunt. I think he collected 4 eggs.

On the contrary...Deven was a mad man on the playground. He couldn't collect those eggs fast enough. He wasn't about to stop and humor his mother while she took a cute posed photograph.


Year after year...it's the same Easter bunny...in the same dress...but the kids love her. I love how kids thrive on predictability and tradition.


Springtime has sprung. Easter has come and gone. At church Easter Sunday the kids let loose some of the butterflies that they had watched since the caterpillar stage. The symbolism was not lost since the word "transformation" is taking on a new meaning in my life. I think I'm still in the chrysalis stage...making small yet dramatic changes...uncovering new discoveries about myself...revealing strengths and mysteries I never knew I possessed...embracing those not-so-perfect qualities that make me ME.

Only God knows when this butterfly will finally take flight. I will try harder to wait patiently until the time comes. By the grace of God, it will happen soon.