100 Day Challenge...Days Six and Seven

I have stayed with it even though I haven't been documenting it...and even though it hasn't been fun! But...it has been challenging and I think that's the point of the whole thing! =)

Sunday was DAY SIX. It was a nasty rainy day. My plan was to go to Zumba at 2:00. Well, by the time we got home from church and ate lunch I realized I wasn't going to make it to a class. So, I napped. And this happened...

I ended up going on a walk. In the cold. In the rain. In the dark. Not fun. But because I napped instead of going to the Y, I had to make up for it later. Ugh. But, day six was complete.

DAY SEVEN was spent in the most intense class I have been in since having Easton. Not just the most intense class but the most intense workout. It's a class called R.I.P.P.E.D. Seriously, that's how it's spelled. =) If you are interested, you can go to YouTube and type in the class name and see demonstrations from the class. I was sweating and sore...it was fun! =)

I have started to realize the point of the 100 Day Challenge and having "intentional exercise" as part of my day. It's all about creating a discipline. After a week I have already noticed that at the beginning of the day (or the night before) I start to plan what my workout is going to be.



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

100 Day Challenge...Day Five

Hey, it might have been done at 11:12pm but I did it!! If it's all about "intentional exercise" then I was intentional about working out with a few Zumba videos on YouTube.

I think I could have gone without it because I spent multiple hours of the day cleaning which I feel counts as exercise. But for those who don't agree (and for my conscience that won't allow me to not check it off my list for the day), I made sure I ended the day with something.

Everyone else is sleeping and I am Zumba-ing. Something is wrong with me. Goodnight.



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

Humbled

I am sure y'all are the most patient parents ever and you never experience "the end of your rope" with your child/children. I am sure your buttons are never pushed...you never count down to bedtime...you never have to repeat requests or demands...and your child/children never just flat out get on your nerves. Well...I am jealous! Patience is not my best quality. However, since I am willing to accept that I am able to talk myself out of a parental temper tantrum when my boys push my buttons.

One of my boys has a great way of knowing exactly when my patience is wearing thin and exactly what button to push to cause the mommy crazy eyes! Some of y'all know what I am talking about. Of the three of our oldest boys my middle son has a knack for walking right up to the line with his pinky toe barely over the edge. For those of you that know my children, he is also the best cuddler and gives the best hugs so I am sure at some point in my parenting I allowed his "sweetness" (and big brown eyes) to override the defiance or lack of concern.

This past Wednesday at church was one of those times that he really pushed my buttons...and we were in public!!! I was nursing Easton at church before Bible study and I allowed Carson and Dalton to come in the baby room with me since we were a little early. I won't go into detail but my nerves were shot by the time he finally went to his class...which was only about twenty minutes after we got there. I went to my Bible study class needing a fresh word on patience. Seriously.

Here's the thing. He is so sweet. He is a great kid. He is respectful of other adults (so I'm told) and gets along well with his peers. It's me. It's our personalities. I acknowledge that. I am aware and do my best to parent him knowing that we are different. His big brother is so much like me that I know how to parent him in a way that just doesn't work with the middle man. Am I the only one that has experienced this?

Ok...so I got out of Bible study and went down to the children's wing to get the boys.

This is what Carson's teacher gave me.

Carson came out of his class singing, "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good..." He was so excited about the song and his turkey. Then, I looked at it. Oh my. His teacher went on to tell me that "mommy" was the top of his thankful list.

Cue the teary eyes.

Thankful for the humility that parenting can bring. I think about this turkey when I am having "a moment" with my sweet little man. He really is precious  and I am so thankful for so many things he does that me laugh or make my mommy heart melt.

Carson, Mommy loves you to the moon and back...even on the days you drive me to crazy eyes...and I am so thankful for you!!



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

100 Day Challenge...Day Four

I am writing this a day late but I did meet my goal yesterday...with Zumba!

I don't have a picture because I didn't take my phone in but I have witnesses! =)


His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

100 Day Challenge...Day Three

Today was a little different but I did it!!

I go to Bible study at church on Wednesday mornings so I knew getting any exercise this morning would be out of the question. We go to church on Wednesday evenings, too, so my plan was to walk around the neighborhood (yes, in the freezing cold) after church since Nate would be home. I could feed Easton and go on a walk...alone! =)

Well, Nate ended up meeting up with a friend after church which threw my whole plan out the window. So, plan B...

Workout videos with the boys! ...Yes, they have clothes on!

We did a little Zumba, a little ab workout, and some stretching. I must say, they make Zumba VERY interesting!! =)

Day three is in the books...planning to be back at the Y for day four.



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

100 Day Challenge...Day Two

Well, today was day two of the 100 day challenge and I did an hour of ZUMBA!!

I hadn't been to Zumba since I was about twenty weeks pregnant with Easton so I was excited when my friend, Tamera, agreed to go with me!! It was fun and a great workout.



His,
Meg
Zeph. 3:17

100 Day Challenge

My friend, Erin, has challenged me to a 100 day challenge...and I accept!

www.elennon8712.wordpress.com

I told Nate about the challenge and he will hold me accountable to it but I will use our blog as a source of accountability too.

So, today counted as DAY ONE!! Woohoo!!!

For the past few weeks I have been walking at the YMCA a couple times a week. I put Easton in his sling or backpack and walk the indoor or outdoor track.

At first I was only able to walk about twenty minutes before getting sore but the last few times I have walked close to an hour. Easton will be six weeks old tomorrow which means I can put him in childcare and begin more intense workouts...like Zumba, my favorite!!!!

The challenge is "intentional exercise" which doesn't mean I have to go to the Y every day. If I don't have time or feel like loading up the boys to go to the Y then I can walk/run around the neighborhood.

So...does anyone want to join me in the challenge??



His,
Meg
Zeph, 3:17

Raw

Easton is five weeks and two days old.

He isn't sleeping through the night or even half of it. 

His brothers don't care that I don't get much sleep. 

His Daddy still has to work regardless of my need for a day of rest.

I am tired. 

I have tried to maintain some normalcy for the older boys. I have tried to make the transition as easy as possible for them. We have our routine like we did before Easton was born. I am trying. 

Some nights I go to bed feeling like I failed as a parent that day. 

I feel like I said, "No", "Stop". "Don't do that", "Go to your room", "I mean seriously..." way more times than I would like. 

I sigh with frustration when they gripe and complain about picking up their toys. "Why can't you just do it for us?" This is after I have washed and folded their laundry, mopped the bathroom floor (again) because of "bad aim", washed their dishes only to get more dishes dirty as I prepare yet another meal ...I could go on. 

I wonder if Jesus was even present in my words or attitude. 

Those are not fun days. 

Some nights I go to bed feeling completely exhausted but thankful for a good day. 

I didn't have to break up a fight or clean up more than one cup of spilled milk. 

I actually took a shower...and got to rinse the soap off. 

The boys acted like they liked each other and even cheered each other on during their basketball game.

The blessing at dinner was genuine and heartfelt...and they thanked him for me. 

Maybe I am doing something right. 

Being a mommy is hard work. It doesn't matter if you have one child or ten...it's a high calling that requires lots of patience and prayer! There are more good days than not-so-good days and I am so thankful for four happy healthy boys. He is using the little men he has blessed me with to grow me in Christlikeness. Right now he is using the youngest to teach me patience...especially when he wakes up multiple times during the night."

I have had several people tell me that I am "in the trenches." These trenches are crucial times for spiritual foundations for my boys and spiritual growth for me. I don't want to miss that.

I am tired. 

I am blessed. 

I am thankful. 

His, 

Meg 

Zeph. 3:17