Another Fun Filled Saturday

We were up and running early. Both boys were playing ball hockey for Mindcare and #3 had a basketball clinic 1-4pm. All arrived home at the same time and starving. We all warmed up with Pizza and a movie. #1 son's team made it to the finals tomorrow and then we are off to volunteer at the Kids Help Phone Walk:) Time for Bed..

Really, Shall I? I'm not ready.....

I’ve been so so delinquent in posting and just a wee bit embarrassed to say here we go again. But then again, why not. Maybe this effort will provide some focus as I’ve been finding it easier said than done to commit to everything actually. From running, nutrition, blogging, drinking water, being grateful, family, work, friends, volunteering etc it all seems so much that I falter more than I would like to admit to myself. Sometimes I even feel like my efforts are not genuine in a sense that I just want to get what I can done and move on. It’s difficult to articulate exactly what I feel and I’m troubled that being rushed all the time is somehow having a negative impact on my children and me... or maybe just me...
Are our lives too chaotic? Are we really too busy? In the run of a day, does rushing our children from one regimented environment to another deprive the family of quality time that could be spent together? Sometimes these thoughts pop into my head, as I rush home from work to drive yet again, a child to hockey or basketball. I know that more is not always better and finding a quiet place to sit and enjoy each other's company is and should be equally important. So why is it so hard to fit in?

I have 2 April babies and celebrating their birthdays this month makes me realise that they are growing up, getting older, and becoming their own unique persons. No longer are any of my children in the single digits. All double digits. I think this has made me reflective somewhat in that I want to slow down, enjoy who they are more and spend some time with them not just with them. When did they become such individuals? How did this happen so quickly? All my life I have wanted to be a mom however, my vision never included my children getting older. So how do I accept my children growing up? I guess it is one of those things in life that I just have to accept and embrace each age that my children reach and not be wishing for the past or holding them in the past.
It is about acceptance, true acceptance of this precious gift of life on loan to me as a mom from God. I must let my children grow and become their own person it’s what I want in theory just hard to do. But the actual letting go is crushing to say the least. She is only 10, I still have plenty to teach her and many years with her but over the last month, I got a glimpse of the future and I guess I was not prepared for it. Who is prepared to watch their children really grow up? I know that God will give me the strength to be a good mom because no matter what their age I will always be their mom.

Can I Carry You ?
I guess that I can hold you
one more time before you grow.
And tell you that I love you
so that you will always know.
Please let me tie your shoe again.
One day you’ll tie your own.
And when you think back to this time
I hope it’s love I’ve shown.
Can I help you put your coat on?
Can I please cut up your meat?
Can I pull you in the wagon?
Can I pick you out a treat?
One day you might just care for me,
so let me care for you.
I want to be a part
of every little thing you do.
Tonight could I please wash your hair?
Can I put toys in the bath?
Can I help you count your small ten toes
before I teach you math?
Before you join a baseball team
can I pitch you one more ball?
And one more time can I stand near
to make sure you don’t fall?
Let’s take another space-ship ride
Up to the Planet Zoor.
Before our Cardboard Rocket
doesn’t fit us anymore.
Please let me help you up the hill.
while you’re still too small to climb.
And let me read you stories
while you’re young and have the time.
I know the day will come
when you will do these things alone.
Will you recall the shoulder rides
and all the balls we’ve thrown?
I want you to grow stronger
than your Dad could ever be.
And when you find success
there will be no soul more proud than me.
So will you let me carry you?
One day you’ll walk alone.
I cannot bear to miss one day
from now until you’ve grown.

Is it time for bed yet?

Do you have those mornings when you wake up and the only thing on your mind is going back to bed? I’ve been tagged by some bug and my throat is still sore and I’m so so tired. Yesterday, I really thought pushing through my workout would make me feel better but nada. Still feel like blah. Not a great way to start your day and a full day it was. No gym time today as I went to mass for Ash Wednesday, more on that later when I can think coherently. # 3 is also having a sleepover with 2 friends, and I’m on nails and cupcake duty, so much fun. Husband is with # 1 & 3 at the Saint John Youth Minor Hockey Skill Competition. # 1 is participating in the shoot out and fastest skater for his division. What is especially nice about the whole event is that Saint John Youth raises money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Although we all tend to get ourselves wrapped up in our desire to achieve success in sports, it is very important to remember that many, many people are struggling to beat a much more difficult opponent than any sport team. For people who have cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, every minute of every day is a tough battle. That's why those of us who have good enough health to enjoy a sport like hockey or running should do our best to have fun at it and be thankful for being able to do just that. Hats off to Saint John Youth who organize this event that supports the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and I am thankful that my boys have an opportunity to participate in such an event. Building blocks to what is shaping their character.

**

Pancake Tuesday :) Whoo!

The kids are on break this week and seem to have gone their separate ways. #1 Child is busy with friends, ball hockey, hockey and going to the gym. He joined a few weeks back and has been going quite regularly after school. The gym is close to his school and I pick him up on my way home. #2 Child is again busy connecting with friends and hockey. He is playing for an All-star team and they have their away tournament this weekend. The team has players from all across the zone so practice time together has been limited to basically this week to prepare for the tournament this weekend. # 3 Child has been away since Sunday with a friend. Spoke with her today and she is having a blast. Just a few years ago, I would never have been working over March Break but this week I’m taking 1 or 2 days off towards the end of the week when the majority of activities have slowed down and we can slow down as well. Dad and #2 will be heading away for the weekend and I’m not sure if # 3 and I will go as well. # 1 has a ball hockey tournament but can stay with my sister..... We shall what the week brings as I started to get a sore throat last night and today had a hard time breathing during my run at the gym. Still managed to get in just over 4 km Whoo!

Breakfast was fibre one, blackberries and strawberries with milk. I had a banana for snack and some pork and an orange for lunch. I am also drinking my water today.. Over all not so bad. For supper it will be pancakes as today is Shrove Tuesday. I love pancakes and it’s always fun to have breakfast foods for supper.

Quiet night for me tonight as both boys have hockey and Ry is still away at her friends.

Steps so far today, 7040. Will add in running for 30 minues and update total at end of day.....

On the road again......

Today was a great day in terms of exercise and food choices. At the gym today, I ran for 3.62 km in 30 minutes. Then I moved on to a bit of weight training, upper body only. My lower back is a bit sore so I’m wondering if I need new sneakers? I haven’t signed up for any runs this spring so my gym time/training has been lackadaisical to say the least. Having a training schedule works for me but I’m not too interested in signing up for anything. I’m sure why, just that I’m not. Our family schedule has been totally extreme this winter. Every day, we seem to have 3 activities and more to fit in plus work, school, family time and life in general. I think it's time to revaluate and call a family meeting over the next week to discuss. Where would I fit in time for an actual marathon? Really, I would just stress over my long run and drive myself nuts so I’m not setting a goal which I really can’t keep. But, I must say, the training widget is great motivation and will keep me on track. Plus, at work, I am involved in a pedometer challenge. Starting today for 7 weeks till Easter, I record my steps daily and may win a prize along the way. My goal is to obtain at least 10,000 steps /day to be Active. 10, 000 steps =approx 8 km. 10,000 steps burns 300 to 400 calories each day and 10,000 steps is achievable.
Steps per Day

< 5,000Steps Sedentary lifestyle 5, 000-7,499 Low Activity Level 7,500-9,999 Somewhat Active > 10,000 Active


> 12,000 Highly Active


(Sports Medicine, 2004)


20, 941 steps today in total. 20, 941.. I walked 8241 plus my activity which is a grand total of 20, 941 steps. Great day my friends. My pedometer is from stepscount and they also have a site that allows you to track your daily steps and walk around the province. I would like to find a widget to track my steps that I can add. Does anyone have any suggestions? Off to bed....

The Ipod has returneth...

So caught up in my chocolate tirade, I forgot to mention I rocked the gym today. So overdue for me. My tunes are back as my IPod went down and never came back so I’ve been without music for the last few weeks as I desperately, urgently tried to bring it back to life with no luck. I finally caved and now have another smaller IPod but was able to transfer all my music. Yeah! I was so lost without it which is another post but more importantly at this time, I ran and walked 4.3 km today in approx 43 mins and I’m happy with this. It’s been a long time...

Chocolate Rehab Anyone?

Yes, I love Chocolate. Yes, I crave Chocolate, Yes, I need chocolate at times and yes, admittedly, I have wrestled my 9 year old to the floor for the last piece. Ok not a shining mommy moment, but does that mean I’m addicted? It’s not like I gave my 9 year old away for chocolate. I’m not buying into the so called “Chocoholics” label as I argue with my husband over the last piece before I opened my blog, hence the chocolate state of mind.

Why can’t I just love chocolate and be done with it? In response, my sensible/rational self would answer, because we generally crave foods due to external prompts and our emotional state, rather than actual hunger. We tend to be bored, anxious, or down immediately before experiencing cravings, so one way of explaining cravings is self-medication in response to our feelings, positive or negative. Chocolate appears to be the most frequently craved food in women, and many women describe themselves as ‘chocoholics.’ Chocoholics insist that it is habit-forming, that it produces an instant feeling of well-being, and even that abstinence leads to withdrawal symptoms.

Well, back to my irrational self and my response would be simply, not me.. I’m not one of them. I could give up chocolate but ask you why? In moderation all is good and it’s not like I eat a carton of Easter Cream eggs every day people. In all honesty, I do love chocolate but I do have a limit and I try to hold fast to this limit. Sure the lines get obscured during seasonal times.. Especially Halloween but life continues healthy onward.. So, yes, I am a chocolate lover not a chocoholic. So, what about you? Are there are chocolate bunnies under your bed?