My Own Little Story
If you read my most recent newsletter you have heard the news: I finally launched my online baby book- www.MyOwnLittleStory.comThis blog, The Inspired Mom, was born out of the concept that there must be more moms like myself. Who had an idea, a dream, a goal and they might need some support in order to pursue their ventures. In fact, the very reason I was able to reach my goal was because I had a support network of friends and family who wanted to see me achieve my goals. Even though I have launched my website, I still have a huge journey ahead of me. I need to get out there and market my book. This is not something I have experience in doing, but then again everything I have done over the last three years has been outside of my “scope” of experience.
Up to this point, I never considered myself to be a creative person; but, as I look at my website and a finished baby book, I realize I am sort of creative. Also, I didn’t envision myself as an entrepreneur, but I can’t think of anything else to call someone who has created his or her own business. I knew nothing about technology or how to build a web-based business, but I have managed to ask the right people and do enough research so that I could bring My Own Little Story to life. Now, I am going to teach myself something about marketing and public relations. I guess in the near future, I might have to hire someone if I want it done right. In the meantime time, I am going to harness my passion for my product and see who will share my enthusiasm
I hope that my readers will take a look at my website you can click here: www.MyOwnLittleStory.com. There are some really cool features of My Own Little Story that have never been done before on a baby book site. (more…)
Ten things I learned after becoming a mom
To the left you can see my Mother’s Day gift from my boys….3 coffee mugs. Each one asked whose mug I would drink from first…wow, lots of pressure!Today I learned how to do a flip on the trampoline. I didn’t quite land it and I also of pulled a muscle in my neck from the whiplash of over-rotating; but it was pretty impressive (at least my kids enjoyed it). It got me to thinking of some of the crazy things I have learned since becoming a mom over eight years ago.
I have learned how to use the restroom in 15 seconds flat- including washing hands.
I have learned how to play with light sabers. (more…)
Step one: complete
Many of you are familiar with my fear of swimming in the ocean. My goal this year is to actually get out in the ocean and swim a mile. Last week I completed the first phase of becoming a better swimmer. I participated in a triathlon. Yes, I know many people do this- and I am not really looking for accolades on doing a triathlon. What I am willing to pat myself on the back for is completing the swim portion of the triathlon.
The swim was not in the ocean, and there was no threat of sharks- but I did manage to swim 3/4 of a mile in a freezing cold, somewhat disgusting lake in the midst of 100 other feet and bodies kicking and bumping me. As the gun went off, I dove in and started strong (that lasted about 15 seconds). After getting kicked and jostled my goggles were full of murky lake water and I lost my breath from putting my face in the cold water. Fifty yards from the shore I started treading water, looking at the bouy in the distance and thinking: this is not going to happen. Then I thought of my hours of swimming in the pool and started to convince myself that I could go the distance, I just needed to get myself situated. I wasted about 4-5 minutes treading water, floating on my back and trying to get my goggles back in order.
I took one more look up at the buoy in the distance and put my head down and tried again. One stroke at a time I saw myself getting closer and closer to the turning point. Just when I was gaining confidence, the men caught up to us old gals and once again I was thrown off by bodies and feet everywhere. I had to clear my head one more time and find a rhythm that I could maintain. I ended up breathing every other stroke rather than every three strokes. I had to let go of my fear and just get busy moving forward.
I got out of the water in 29 minutes. I have to admit I was pretty proud of myself once I was back on solid ground. Once I got settled on my bike, the reality of my accomplishment in the water set in: I can be a swimmer, I am a swimmer. I realize many people swim greater distance all the time. And, in the scope of life, this was just a swim- not like saving someone’s life or finding the cure to cancer. Tucked away in each and every person is a little voice that says “I wish I could do _____.” You feel in the blank. I am here to tell you that you can do it. It might require hard work or take a while to do, but you can do it. You just have to get started.
Pacific Ocean here I come!
Water is life.
In the last 24 hours I have been keeping track of how little I value water. I wake up, use the bathroom and flush the toilet (there go 2 gallons), I turn on the faucet to wash my face and brush my teeth. Even though I am careful to conserve, I am sure another 3 gallons have gone down the drain. I make coffee (with fresh water) then head upstairs for a shower, rinse breakfast dishes and run the dishwasher. Before 9 am in the morning, I am sure I have used at least 20 gallons of water (probably more). Can you imagine having no access to clean water? Take a minute to think about how you would live without one of the most basic necessities.Even if we can’t imagine life without plenty of water, there are literally billions of people around the world that face this reality EVERY day. I had the pleasure of meeting a woman, Kristen Kosinski, who created The Samburu Project that has already helped over 20,000 Kenyans gain access to clean water. When I heard about Kristen, a million questions raced through my head: How did she get started on this mission? Why did she chose Africa and where does she find the strength to keep this project going after giving birth to a son who is now almost two years old?
Healthy Sweet Pea Soup
Ingredients:1 TBS of Canola Oil
1 leek- white part only
1 white onion- chopped
1 small zucchini chopped
1 TBS of Arrobio rice (Or whatever rice you in your pantry)
2 cups of frozen petite green peas
3 cups of water
Directions:
Heat 1 TBS of Canola oil over medium heat, add leek, onion and zucchini- stir to coat with oil, reduce heat and let soften for 10 minutes. Add 1 TBS of rice and 3 cups of water- raise heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add peas and simmer for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 15 minutes to cool. Use an immersion blender or standing blender and carefully puree the soup. I stirred in a pinch of salt and pepper to add flavor. This makes about 4 servings.
My goals for 2010- what are yours?
So I pulled up my post for 2009 goals and realized that I totally failed to achieve 3 out of 4 of them. While one goal was out of my control the other ones just never materialized. One included running a half marathon (which I didn’t do). Another was building the number of visitors to “The Inspired Mom” which I did a little but not to the degree I had hoped; and, finally I wanted to spend more time with my kids- which I TOTALLY did. Hard to measure, but I definitely feel satisfied on that front of my life.
Here are my goals for 2010. I am going to try and make them fairly tangible so I can plan, set aside time and really realize my goals.
1. I am going to set aside at least 5 hours a week to work on my blog/baby book business. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but with one child who only goes to school three days a week and two older kids who need help with homework etc. I feel that this is realistic number of hours for me to really commit. I hope that I will do more than that, but I am going to schedule those hours into my calendar.
2. I am going to continue to work on my swimming, so that I might get in the ocean for a swim during the spring/summer- without being paralyzed with fear. I will keep you all posted on my progress.
3. (This is my “intangible”) I am going to try and be more appreciative of the fact I get to stay home with my kids for now. I have been really antsy to try and get back to work at some point. Hopefully my new business will keep me busy enough that I will consider it my full-time job, but while I am waiting for the final product, I will really try to enjoy time with the kids and some free time while they are at school.
I would really like to hear some of your goals for 2010- resolutions are great too. Just thinking about my goals and typing them out has gotten me fired up to stay true to them.
Why is the milk sitting out on the counter?
The other day my husband (trying to be helpful) called upstairs to me, “Why is the milk sitting out on the counter?” Pause. ”Um, I can’t remember”, I say, “but could you just put it back in the fridge”. Later, as we were going to bed, I explained, “I remember why I left the milk out.” Pause….he didn’t ask why, but I told him anyway, and here is the story as I remember it: (more…)
List of things I am thankful for:
Have you ever sat down to write a list of things you are grateful for? I am going to do that now.I am thankful for…
My beautiful boys. They remind me, every day, what life is all about. And, the fact that they are all healthy is such a gift from god. (more…)
A week of “firsts” for me.
I am always suggesting that trying something new is invigorating for the soul. I know I say LOTS of things on this blog, but just to prove to you all that I try to follow my own advice, I will share a couple of new things that I tried last week. (more…)
