Priorities.

When I was a little girl, hell even when I was in high school I had very few cares in the world. Then in 2005 I became a mom and everything changed. All of a sudden I was responsible for someone else, for their well being, their life, and that is a lot for a person to take on. It was then that I had to get my priorities straight. My son became # 1 in my world, everything I did, every choice I made affected him. Now, almost 6 years later, I have two kids and my priorities have never changed. I constantly worry about them and wonder if I am doing a good job. Raising kids in 2011 is completely different than it was when I was a child. In today's world there are bullies, a much higher crime rate, illness that have just developed and spread like wildfire, so much negative media, the list goes on and on. Scares me to death to be honest. But nonetheless, my kids are still and will always be #1.

Unfortunally, when people become a parent the word priority means pretty much nothing to them. Yes, they love their child(ren), and they would do anything for them, but they don't always put them first. And it is where I think a lot of people need some clarification, because this area of life seems to be a bit blurry for most. There is a HUGE difference in SAYING that your child(ren) are your number one priority and actually PUTTING your child(ren) as your number one priority. The sad thing to realize here is that some people, not all, not even most, but some people will spend their entire life never really getting their priorities straight. For some reason that I think is beyond anyone's control, these people never understand that the nights out, the material things, the drinks, none of those things will ever look at you or see you as the person you really are.

Every game you go, every dance recital, or spelling bee or karate match, the fact that you decided to bring them along for once, or that you decided they could get a new bike and not have to hear you complain about not having the money, all of that, that is what your children want to remember. The empty seat/bleacher, the disappointment, passing up the chance to ride bikes with friends because theirs is broken again, those are the things children should never get the chance to remember. To be clear, putting your children as your number priority does not mean that you should shower them with material things, because kids change their minds a lot, they outgrow things, and stuff breaks, but seeing you sitting there cheering them on, that will never fade, break or be outgrown.

This all goes to say that this mama wouldn't mind a break every now and then. I will always put my kids first, and can never imagine a day without them. However, taking the chance to soak in a bubble bath or not listen to SpongeBob would be kind of nice every now and then. If you read this post carefully, and made sure to read between the lines you might have figured out where my priorities are, so where are yours?

Walk, Walk, Walk it Off

It has been a while since I have posted. The past 2 weeks have been busy, and stressful to say the least. My daughter has been dealing with some major tummy problems that have caused her to be even more attached to my hip than usual. I am trying my best to just stop everything and hold her, but with Austin and Dusty sometimes it is hard to focus my attention on just one person rather than everyone in the house. My heart has been breaking for her because I know that she doesn't feel well. We have made several trips and several phone calls to her doctor’s office and I do believe that they are doing the best they can to figure out what is going on. The main problem is that she can't seem to hold down formula, she can tolerate baby food and juice but as soon as she finishes a bottle her tummy goes on the fritz. Since we have had to stop formula Memphis is constantly hungry. Baby food and juice is just not pleasing her belly enough. Today the doctor decided she should try a different formula so fingers crossed that this helps. If this fails you can trust me I will be waiting at the doctor’s office first thing Monday morning with a list of things they should look into. Yes, I will go into search overload, worse than the extremely annoying bing commercials.

Oh another note, I have lost 2 more pounds. That makes a total of 24 pounds lost I started this journey in January. I have started walking, almost daily. There have been a few obstacles that I have to work thru since it is not really possible for me to just head outside and walk with a baby, kid, or something becoming a factor. Since Memphis has been sick walking with her has been the biggest challenge. I'd like to say that I’ve been okay with it but to be honest it has been very stressful. I am doing my very best to be there for her, but at the same time I don't understand why it is so hard for her to just lay in the stroller, take a nap and let me walk. Today, however, things started to look up when Memphis began to really enjoy our walk. Anyway, since I have started walking I feel so much better and relaxed. I also feel like I am becoming addicted to walking, which I am looking at as a positive way to help keep me motivated.

So if you read this, please take a minute and wish my daughter well. Then clap your hands three times, turn around, and wave your hands in the air in celebration of my 24 pounds down. woot woot.

Could not have said it better myself

Where Do The Children Grow

© Christy R. Dawson

When you see a smiling face
Their happiness all over the place
Singing, laughing, cries of glee,
Come they say, Play with me
The slide, the swing, the monkey bars.
Look at them close to see who they are.
Lots of races, Ready, Set, Go.
This is how the children grow.

If you watch them everyday
You'll see they learn as they play
They'll do what they see, and say what they hear.
You're their teacher though out the years.
Their ideas and thoughts in their eyes shine.
Imagination is a glimpse of their mind
When you’re not looking, don't you know
This is when the children grow.

Watch them as they learn to walk
Listen to them when they talk
Keep them safe, away from harm
Wrap them gently within your arms
Teach them to share and how to take turns.
Set good examples from which they will learn.
At home, at school, wherever they go
This is where the children grow.

The A in Austin is for Awesome.

Last week I took a mini vacation from exercising and somewhat from dieting. (Wednesday just might have been a disaster in the making.) While I was hesitant at first I think it was much needed and very helpful. I feel even more ready to get things going again tomorrow. My new plan is to walk at least 5 days a week. When I can not go walking I will turn to my at home workouts. It took me some time to figure out my old mp3 player since I haven't used it in years but it is now fully stocked with some awesome walking music. My doctor has given my a goal of losing 10 lbs by March 28th, so let the walking begin.

My son is amazing. Yes I am a little bit biased because well I carried him in my body for 9 months then endured 23 hours of labor just to see his sweet face. However, as he is growing up he still does things to simply amaze me. He has recently started playing t-ball, and loves it. Last fall he played soccer and did not really get into it till the 2nd to last game. This sport, however, seems to have him excited all the time. Even during his tryouts, surrounded by 60 other children he never turned off his game face. His first practice was the same way, as soon as we got to the field he was asking if he could go play catch. For several reasons I am glad that he has found something that sparks an interest. Hopefully, and my fingers are glued crossed for this, but hopefully his excitement for t-ball will become a helpful way to release all this energy he always seems to have.

Yesterday I spent the day taking the kids to the Children's Museum. They really seemed to have fun and the best part was that it cost nearly nothing. A good bargain mixed with amazing my kids, you just can not pass that up. I am always looking for some entertainment for my kids at super low prices.

Under the crummiest of circumstances I am going to spend a few hours with my dad and his family today. Earlier this past week my Grandpa bell passed away. Unfortunately my sisters and I were not very close to him but are attending his viewing and funeral today to support my dad. Although prayers are always wanted and needed, today a little extra prayer is asked for my dad and his family.

Celebrate come 'on!

It has been a while since I have posted. So I wanted to drop a quick note to celebrate my awesome weight loss. I still have so much more to lose but I am having a great start. So to celebrate I am posting a before and now picture. I won't say after because I am not ready for after yet, still a lot of hard work to do but regardless, I hope you find some encouragment in my before and now picture. I hope to post again tonight or tomorrow about how much my son amazes me, we have his first tball practice tonight, Go Red Soxs!