Temper Tantrum

I didn't really know that when my son turned two we would start experiencing temper tantrums... or rather, that I would be the one mood swings. I always assumed that he would be the one doing all of the screaming and kicking while lying on the floor of a supermarket while onlookers judged my bad parenting skills.

What I have realized is that I have had a few of my own temper tantrums. I don't kick and scream so much as I get frustrated. Frustrated that I am not nearly as good of a parent as I thought I would be before I had kids. Frustrated that I can't keep both boys completely happy all the time. Frustrated that sometimes I want to sleep instead of take care of my boys.

And then the next day comes and my little boys are happy, and they are doing everything right, and I realize that this parenting stuff isn't quite as hard as I thought it was the day before. In fact, I think it can be pretty easy. In fact, I can't imagine my life without them here showing me their beautiful personalities.

It all comes down to this... some days are hard and some days are easy. With parenting comes some of the toughest days I have known, but also some of the greatest joys I have experienced.

Back in Shape

So, I haven't mentioned this on the blog yet, but Scott and I are doing Weight Watchers. We aren't going to meetings, but rather having our own little meetings on Sunday nights. We weigh in and do measurements. We put all that data into a spreadsheet in the computer and we get to see how well (or not so well) we are doing.

We have been going for four weeks now. Last week wasn't so good for me. In fact, it was pretty much terrible. But this week I have been doing better. I have been keeping track of what I eat more, and have been staying under my Points allotment.

In addition to a change in our "style" of eating, I am trying to exercise more. I saved up my budgeted "play money" for a few months (plus a little extra from the "household" budget because I got impatient) and got an ipod shuffle. I got a few songs off of itunes and tonight I had my first run with my new gear. It felt great! I ran a little over a mile (uphill both ways) and did a round of crunches on my exercise ball.

I am by no means and Olympic athlete, but I have ambitions to be able to run in a race next summer. It is called The Ragnar. You can look it up if you are interested. Scott and I are on a team to run 180 miles. There are 12 team members and we each run three legs of the race. All three legs (of the race that is) combined will be about 13 miles. It usually takes about 24 hours for a team to finish and we go all day and all night. I guess you literally run, sleep, and drive your shift of the team van. We are totally unprepared and excited! So, hence begins the "getting back in shape" adventure.

I don't now why, but I have been using an abundant amount of quotation marks. I think it is out of my system now.

So, what are you all doing to be/get in shape. Any encouraging words? Words of wisdom?

A picture update

The two boys in the buff being buff. Look at the definition on that double chin Nate's got going on there. Besides that, look at the precious smiles both have... oh man, just looking at them makes me melt.

He's got the kid potty, the reading material, a positive attitude... but no poop on the potty yet.

Oh man, I just can't get over how cute this kid is. Especially when he has "I love mommy" plastered on his chest.

And that smile... it melts my heart just as much if not more that the little boys' smiles. Life is so good because of that smile. Wow, what a hotty!!!

This is one of Jeff's favorite hats (aka a tub toy). He has started a stage that whenever we go somewhere, he has to wear a hat. It has been tricky to convince him that we don't wear hats to church. The other day he tried to go outside with his shoes, a diaper, and a hat. It didn't happen. He got stuck with a few other items of clothing too.

I realize that my kids are naked in 99% of the photos I have posted here. Just know that we are doing okay financially and we do have clothes for our kids, we just choose to live life a natural.

Memories

This sounded like fun. Play along if you like!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, if you feel inspired, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

New Post

So, I just can't have that spider post up anymore... but I don't have anything to post about really. So, what should one do in a predicament like this one? I guess all you can really do is blab on and on about nothing until there is enough text to justify a post. I don't think I have quite reached the required quota so I will tell you more useless and uninteresting things for a bit longer. Ah, that just might be enough. Hope you are all doing well and that you had a great weekend.