Busy Is a Choice

Welcome to Spring! Season for florals, chirping, and cleaning....or in our case - gymnastics, baseball practice, soccer practice, swim lessons, PTO meetings, school volunteering, fit clubs, soccer board meetings, double game Saturdays, playdate, preschool, dance class, rehearsals, recitals, and homework!

That is just one week's worth of fun. Most people feel exhausted after reading that list. To be completely honest, I thrive on 'busy.' It drives and motivates me. Those activities are not just tasks, but rather fulfill passions, give purpose, and involve activities with my children.



"Busy is a choice." I saw it plastered over an eye-catching background while scrolling Pinterest for preschool snack ideas. Busy is a choice...a good one? Or bad? I get the feeling that "busy" in this case is a negative. My self talk kicks in to justify this quote..."Not bad for us. My kids thrive in activities that offer social stimulation, new friendships, strength and coordination, independence, and confidence."

I think whomever plastered that pinnable quote meant to say "Balance is a choice." In everything we do (busy or not), we must find balance. It is often a voluntary decision to find symmetry or you drown. I am a 'giver' in life and I strive to make those around me happy. I enjoy helping. I give and give and give...until there is not much for myself. I have learned that I slowly become weighted down and start sinking as I pour out too much of myself. The revelation is that I HAVE to hold some back...not selfishly, but because it is mandatory to find a happy medium. Balance is definitely a choice...and it will make or break you.

You can chauffeur kids around town until you are blue in the face and dizzy. As long as you find the balance for your family, friends, life, and yourself - you are golden. It takes trial and error and some practice.

What makes you tick? What inspires you? What makes you dynamic?

The answers are what give you the balance to battle against lead weights...they keep you afloat.
I help others. I love crafting, sewing, graphics, health, and fitness. All of these mold who I am.

After preschool drop-off, I squeeze in a heart pumping, music bumping, sweat pouring workout. It gives me the energy I need to give more of myself. After the kids' bedtime, I pour efforts into craft projects, painting, sewing, graphic design, or building my coaching business. This rejuvenates.

Where do you find the balance. Busy can be a conscious choice. And as long as you find balance in the midst of busy...it is a fantastic choice!

I am at risk...

Six years ago in 2008, I was pregnant with my son and elated after early miscarriage months earlier. 25 weeks into the pregnancy, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. The cause of gestational diabetes is unknown. There is no direct correlation to diet, nutrition, etc and gestational diabetes. I was able to control my blood sugars with diet change.

When our son turned 1 year old, I became pregnant with our daughter and was immediately high risk with gestational diabetes again. This time around I took 14 units of insulin daily in addition to checking blood sugars 4 times each day. I am now labeled as being at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes 5-10 years after my pregnancies. I am at risk...for developing a disease that requires low carb nutrition, finger pricks, blood tests, insulin, meds, and the perception my children will have on chronic illness.

The nasty truth is, we are all at risk for something in today's world. At risk for obesity. High risk for developing cancer. Genetic predisposition to heart disease. Alzheimer's. Osteoporosis. Diabetes. This list can go on, of course. A lot of us think if we stand-by, ignore it, secretly hold our breath, or don't make eye contact with the ugly truth, it will pass us by. I'm sure most of us know deep down, it doesn't work that way. There is good news in this overwhelming sea of risk. You can do something about it. YOU CAN!

I began to include exercise in my life when my daughter was 4 months old. Until then, my assumption was I could not be an athlete because I didn't inherit the sporty gene. I was wrong. I CAN!

I can do burpees and high knees until my head spins. I ran a mini-marathon. I am free and clear of Diabetes Type II after 5 years since my son was born!!

Am I completely safe? No way. Which is why I am continuing my journey of fitness and good nutrition to lose weight and maintain a normal BMI. I am proud of what I have accomplished...by my body transformation, but more importantly my internal transformation. I am stronger, prouder, more confident, and have a passion to help others on their journey toward beating their 'at risk' label.

I made a change and fitness and good nutrition is now a normal piece of my daily life. It is also a part of my family. It energizes me. Join me and beat the odds. I would love to hear from you and coach you to succeed with your own goals. What is your risk?

I BEElieve!

We are all exposed to heartwrenching stories...through blogs, news, and by word of mouth. I am always sympathetic and saddened at tales of sick kids and parents lost too soon. It isn't until it hits close to home, that we start to reflect on life and how fragile it really is. 

I am a part of Mommy Fit, an amazing organization that helps families get fit. It has given me a sense of community and great friendships. Two families who are a part of Mommy Fit have kiddos who are bravely fighting cancer.

Henley is battling neuroblastoma and is fighting harder than ever right now. Wayland was diagnosed in April with a tumor on his brain stem. He has just completed a month of daily radiation...this will give him 12 months to live. Both little ones are three years old. Amazing kids with extraordinary hearts. Their families are even more awesome with the unbounding love and strength they show.

I am involved in planning the BeeLieve Benefit to help Henley and Wayland. The event is on July 21st  here in Indianapolis and will include hors d'oeuvres, sweets, silent auction, and other prizes. All proceeds will go directly to the families of Henley and Wayland.

If you are local, we would be overjoyed to see you there!!

Just print this registration form and send to the provided address. If you are unable to attend, you can still help with a donation. All checks can be made out to 'Beelieve Benefit.' We are also asking everyone to send thoughts and prayers for these kiddos.

There is further information about the event, including silent auction offerings at http://www.facebook.com/WeAreBeElievers.

You can read more about their journeys through the following links. 

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bravebee/

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/waylandvillars

I know the event will be a blast, but more importantly I hope we can make life a little easier for Henley, Wayland, and their families. Thank you for all of your help!

Til Tomorrow...

Good day...bad day...decent....then worse. We all work to find balance in our hectic and crazy schedules. To find fulfillment in life requires balance, love, trust, faith, and I'm sure I forgot a few.

This past weekend was a fun celebration of mothers. We did the usual church service, a family lunch, and enjoyed being together. My sisters and I reflected on how rare it can be to find 'glued at the hip' families. We love being together, helping each other, and supporting in time of need. It's amazing. It's humbling. It's definitely fulfilling.

In the background of our celebration, each of us had our own bad days nearby. My brain was spinning with those loved ones who weren't fully celebrating. I prayed for little Henley...little Wayland...our family members who were grieving...and those who miss their mom more than anything else.

Keeping others close in prayer makes me reflect on how I live my life. Not as a whole, but what I do and how I act daily. Do I praise? Do I scowl? Do I emanate strength or weakness? Last weekend, I let go. I let my kids be kids. No matter how dirty, how loud, or how rowdy...they were allowed to be little. It gave me peace in my heart. To enjoy life itself and the moments in it. To not fret about the next appointment or task, but to take it all in and be truly grateful for the blessings we have.

On My Mind

Lake House Calm

Just a few things on my mind lately:

- Will Mr. E ever sleep in his bed again for the entire night?
- When will I wean Miss C from breastfeeding and how will she tolerate it?
- When and how do we potty train Mr. E...after vacation, but before swim class? Hmmm...
- Will any of us have the chance to relax during our family vacation?
- I need to get some landscaping done this month.
- Hurry and get everything gathered, organized, and labeled for the garage sale this weekend!

Do I sound like a crazy lady or just a normal mom?

What is on your mind lately?