The Big Picture

Over the past few weeks, while working on and trying to make sure I keep up with our Fit Family Challenge, I have really taken pause and looked at things in a more "big picture" way.  It's funny to me how little things, like making sure I get SOME movement in each day, can really change your perspective and how you look at things.  

When my youngest was born, I hated the fact that we weren't in a position where I could be a stay at home mom.  What if I missed something?  What if we weren't as close as she grew up as I had been dreaming we would be?   Why did my BFF get to stay home and not me?  These were questions that ran through my mind all.the.time.  But there was no changing how our life was, so it was something I learned to deal cope with, and it was hard.

What it did give me though was the ability to appreciate every moment we did/do spend together and the hope that things would eventually change.  I got a better job, the hours were better....I thought this was my time.  Mini me started pre-school and things were good.  Once she was in kindergarten though, I was back to feeling upset and angry.  My job changed some, which meant my hours changed and no the ream of mini being a car rider every day was gone.  We had to enroll her in extended care, and I hated everyday of it.  The first few weeks she cried everyday when she got there.  Now, she was generally only there for 30 minutes, but the tears broke my heart.

I had to find the silver lining.  My job was better than before, a little more money coming in, the schedule change forced me to take time for me everyday...and I used that time to exercise.  I started walking everyday for an hour.  I would grab my phone, listen to a book on tape and could generally crank out 3-3.5 miles in that hour.  When I had blood work done after a while, my numbers were all better, and I was feeling less stressed, but still guilty.

This daily moving though spurred me to do more at home which got everyone moving more.  The hubs and I would take turns exercising while the other played with the kiddos.  It was a nice routine, but I still longed for those SAHM perks.  Enter the opportunity I had been waiting for.  I was unhappy with work and all the changes that continued to happen, especially the workload increase ion everyone and the expectation that we would just take it and deal.  It was bad for morale and EVERYONE was unhappy.  That's a hard envirnoment to work in, my outlet other than my daily walk was to scan employment postings.  And that where I found my cha-ching!  

The job I am in now is, well a blessing.  I honestly don't know how else to explain it.  For the first time in 15 years I am working with someone who appreciates having school aged children at home and who puts family first the same way I do.  For the first time in 15 years, I can call in and say..."Hey, we have a parent program at school today" without a knot in my stomach for fear of the repercussions.  For the first tie since mini was born, I feel like I have the perks of a SAHM...she is a car rider both ways to school, she can do activities after school at 4:30 because Mom can be there and get her there, I can make my older daughters 5:00 soccer games, I can go to room parties, book fairs, volunteer in the classroom...all because of this blessing that is my new job.

This also means that I have a LOT more time after school to be active with my family.  We can do more nature walks, bike rides, swimming..all because we aren't getting home in time for dinner to get started.  We get home WAY before that!  It means being able to help teach mini how to ride without training wheels on a weeknight!  It means dropping her off at 4:30 dance class while Big Sis is at soccer, and mom getting in a much needed run.

Looking at how our life is, right now, in this moment, has allowed me to see the big picture...and I tell you what, I wouldn't change it for anything!  I have the best of both worlds.  My own sense of worth in my job career, and my sense of feeling like a great mom and wife! 

Be Happy

So, I finally started at least a board on Pinterest for this little blog and this was one of the first few pins I put on it.  What?  You aren't following me on Pinterest, well if you'd like to change that you can find me over on my personal page. I have to say, I just love this pin!  I feel like it resonates even more right now as the new year is starting and people have a feeling of renewal and change.  I have been using these as my "working points" for the past few weeks and am feeling good about life in general.

The first tenant of this, Think Positively, came in handy this past weekend.  I have been a pinning fool (I know, it's SO addicting)...and one pin I had I was eager to do.  When the mini and I went grocery shopping the other day we bought two big bunches of bananas with the idea of making LOTS of yummy smoothies in the mornings.  Well, Sunday morning came around and I wanted pancakes!  You know how sometimes you get an idea in your head and then you just can't shake it.  Well, my head was stuck on pancakes.  Three months ago this would have been an easy fix, but with giving up gluten I have still not bought (shame on me) any kind of gluten free flour.  I know, I know...I could be lazy and buy the gluten free Bisquick...but I have been THAT lazy.  I just haven't thought of it when at the store.  I will now.  (In looking for the link for it I have to say, LOTS of yummy recipes!)

Anywho...I digress.  So we had all these bananas, my need for pancakes, and the power of pinterest.  I decided to try banana pancakes.  They seemed easy enough, 2 ingredients...bananas and eggs.  Being the rebel that I am , I added vanilla and cinnamon sugar.

"all" the ingredients mixed up


So I had my mix ready, my pan buttered, I set to work.  This is where it gets tricky.  These little stinkers are not the easiest things to flip.


proof of my flipping fail




I was worried about "doneness" too.  Bananas are mushy.  I couldn't easily tell if they were done by looking and was worried about the eggs, so I put them in a warm (250*) oven while I continued to work on more.  Once they were all done, I let them sit in the oven for about 15 minutes.  As I was recording my "fail" on this attempt, the hubs reminded me that the only way to know if something is going to work or not is to try.  He was right!  I mean, I was judging based on looks alone (something we all KNOW we shouldn't do in life in general). 

I took the pancakes out of the oven, plated and enjoyed them with the hubs.  Not sure if its a recipe that we will do again necessarily, but they were not nearly as bad as I had thought they'd be.  Think Positively!

plated success

What are you doing to Think Positively this week?

Well, well, wellness

Before I came to work where I am now...I was at another educational institution.  What I like about both is that they both place a value on employee health.  They both offer may free wellness events and classes. 

The bonus to where I work now is they have a full wellness/health fair.  We can get, as employees, all sorts of info on our various insurance options, "fancy" gym rates, life insurance, free flue shots and hearing tests, etc.  My boss and I love to take advantage of all of the free stuff.  We got bags, pens, granola bars, our flu shots and hearing tests but most exciting of all they do a health screening where they test your blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and BMI.  I am pleased to report that I came in at the healthy range in all of these areas.  I was a little bit higher than I have been in the past in the BMI department so I need to work on that, but am glad to have for the most part a clean bill of health.

The only downside to this is they don't give you the full breakdown on things.  Like, my cholesterol is within a normal range overall...but I don't know how the good compares to the bad.  Another reason to force myself to find a PCP...I know.  I am so good with the girls and their doctor stuff, and am good with my specialists types (dentist, optho, OB/GYN) but the hubs and I both need to get our acts together and get PCP's.  Especially since I feel as though my metabolism (which has been quite good since my early twenties) is slowing down.  It's like my birthday called and said "Hey metabolism, you've been working so hard for the past decade...time to make her sweat a little more, go ahead and slow down now that she is 35."  Just for the record...that stinks!

So over the next few weeks I will be: setting up a physical, and setting up a workout schedule with the hubs.  he gives his finals on 12/12/12 <insert doomsday music here> and then he has some freedom so we can get back on track with a schedule that allows for workouts with childcare.  hee hee  Getting excited!