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…)

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…)

The race is on!

The book:  Is there Really a Human Race? by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell is an amazing book for children aged 3-10. Each time I read it, I realize that this is a great book for adults as well as children.  I particularly like the following passages:

Is the race like a loop or an obstacle course?  Am I a jockey, am I a horse?  Is there pushing and shoving to get to the lead? If the race is unfair, will I succeed?  Do some of us win?  Do some of us lose?  Is winning or losing something I choose?   Why am I racing ? What am I winning?  Does all of my running keep the world spinning?

It ends with : Sometimes it’s better not to go fast.  There are beautiful sights to be seen when you’re last.  Shouldn’t it be that you just try your best?  And that’s more important than beating the rest? (more…)

Don’t give up- when the going gets rough.

If you have ever dreamed of owning your own business you will enjoy this story about Phyllis Calza.  Phyllis started her career in education working with children as the Program Director for a reading intervention program. Her job was part of a special program that was funded by the state of California (back when there was money to spend).  In 2002, the funding for this reading program was cut and Phyllis was left wondering what she wanted to do for a career.   She and her husband wanted to start a family; but, just like so many of us, Phyllis didn’t get pregnant as easily as she had hoped. While she was in the midst of career decisions and trying to get pregnant, Phyllis realized that she would really like to start her own stationery and gift business.  However the timing didn’t feel right because she was more focused on getting pregnant.  So, she took a short break from working and wound up pregnant with her first child, Austin. (more…)

Mother’s Day 2009

I am sitting in the same chair I sat in one year ago when I wrote my very first “blog”.   I am amazed at what I have learned in the course of the year.  I have learned about courage and kindness from the women I have featured.  Talking to others has caused me to examine my own strengths and weakness too.   I am thankful for my readers who keep me going through their kind words.  I hope I can put together another year of interesting articles!

This has been an emotional (both happy and sad) week for several reasons:  I started a new birth control pill, which has made me slightly crazy.  Space Studio, where I have taught spin class for 2 years is closing (last classes were today). My first grade son performed in a class play at school.  And, most importantly, today is Mother’s Day.

I am anxious to hear how all of you spent your day- I imagine it will be a topic of conversation for the next few days as we all run into one another at school drop-off etc.  For me, today wasn’t much different from most the days of my year.  But, I say that in a positive way because I really enjoy most the days of the year!  If you all are reading and rolling your eyes at me- just give me a minute to explain: (more…)

She was inspired by you, now you can be inspired by her!

About once a month I find myself asking the same question,  ”Why I am blogging and does anyone care?”. Each time I think about how I will find the inspiration to continue updating my website I hear from a reader. About a month ago, my neighbor and I were walking home from dropping our kids at school and she started talking about my site.  She was reading up on the amazing moms who are featured on my site which, got her to thinking about her own dreams and goals.  When she read the article about writing down goals she picked up a pen and paper.

She read about Jania Fox running a half marathon and Beth Armstrong doing the Ironman- but realized as much as she likes fitness- the desire to run anything more than 3 miles wasn’t creating that fire in her belly.  She wasn’t burning to start her own business or create a charitable organization.  Then she remembered a dream that had occupied her in the past but never quite got off the ground.  Lisa had written a children’s book when her daughter Lauren was just over a year old.  She sent it out to a few publishers- but when those publishers passed on the story she let the project die.

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Far from perfect…but was I ever close?

Cackling like a madwoman I snapped this photo of my closet that I had so meticulously organized about a year ago.  My husband and the boys came running to see what was so funny.  Obviously, they were disappointed to find that the source of my humor had nothing to do with bodily fluids or gasses (because that is the only thing that my 3,5 and 7 year old boys find funny).  I was laughing at the reality of the mess.

Here’s the thing,  I love blogging and I love inspiring others.  I read and listen to my own words as much as I write them.  The reality is…I am far from perfect.  I have lots of things I want to improve on, I do get behind on my housework, I also yell at my kids occasionally.  I have forgotten birthday parties, put my foot in my mouth on several occasions and I confess to periodically getting pissed at my husband for absolutely nothing!  I have bounced checks, backed into parked cars, let my kids watch TV all day and accidently passed gas one time in church (in my defense I was only 20- but it still).  I never write my blogs from a place of judgement..we are all in this together.  We are all striving to be the best we can be: as mothers, wives, friends and daughters. (more…)

Count your blessings.

I often think about how lucky I am to have 3 healthy children. I’m sure many of you reading this right now are nodding your head and counting your blessings too.  At my 20 year high school reunion, I was catching up with a friend who mentioned in conversation, that she has a 5 1/2 year old son who is severely autistic.  I was caught a bit off guard not knowing if I should ask questions or nod in sympathy.  We exchanged phone numbers and I looked forward to talking to her more in-depth once we had a quiet moment.

I want to share Keri’s story because I think we can all find something important from her experience. (more…)

You never know which decision might change your life forever.

On September 11th, 2001 Denise Berger made a decision that would end up saving her life.   At 8:46 that morning, Denise was working in the South Tower of The World Trade Center on the 103rd floor, when she saw an airplane crash into the North Tower.  At the time, nobody in her building was aware that the collision was a terror attack.  Denise said she saw the plane crash as if it was in slow motion.  Her vantage point was such that she could make out figures sitting in the cockpit.  After the initial impact, she heard several explosions and was fearful that the Tower she was in would catch fire too.  She made a split second decision to get out of the building.  Denise followed her gut and figured she could always go back to her desk later if there was no need to worry.  In addition, Denise was newly pregnant with her second child. (more…)

If I Had My Life to Live Over

by Erma Bombeck

The following was written by the late Erma Bombeck 
after she found out she had a fatal disease.

 

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. (more…)