Friday Thoughts
1) Food Thought: I mentioned this on Instagram a few weeks ago, but I recently got Invisalign (i.e. removable braces). It’s been a little painful (they’re ripping up my mouth more than I thought) and kind of weird, but not all bad – it should be fairly short term since the changes needed are relatively minor. Mostly it’s been enlightening to see how much random eating I did before getting these bad boys (and a too-late reminder that if only I had worn my retainers as a teenager…). The Invisalign trays are removable and they have to be removed every time I eat. Then the trays are brushed and cleaned with warm, soapy water, and my little teethy teeth have to be flossed and brushed before the trays go back in.
Maybe I’m lazy (this is a very high possibility), but I’m realizing that as much as I love food, it just isn’t worth taking out the trays unless I am really, really tempted (or really, really hungry) during the day. So basically, my life is now measured in terms of “is this food worth taking out Invisalign for?” Surprisingly, even brownies don’t make the cut some days (the thought of all that brushing and flossing, both internally and externally is just.too.much). But don’t worry, when they DO come out, I’m all about making up for lost time. (FYI: for locals, this is my orthodontist; Dr. Short is awesome)
2) Exercise Thought: I gave a quick peek into my current exercise routine last month, but things have changed a bit. Here’s an update for those that are also every day moms working/struggling/irritated about finding a good exercise-life balance. I ended my Crossfit membership (lots of reasons but partly due saving money AND because Brian needed shoulder surgery which means he’s out of Crossfit commission for a while, and since we’ve committed to exercising together for motivation – or in other words, so we are accountable to each other and we don’t sleep through our alarms – we ended our membership together). Since breaking up with Crossfit, I’ve been exclusively doing the BBG Stronger program (I purchased the Sweat app and access the workouts there; so far it’s been worth every penny). Brian’s been doing it, too (modifying for his hurt shoulder), albeit slightly begrudgingly, because he hates working out in our low-ceilinged bonus room, but he loves me, so he powers through it. 🙂
I love this program more than I thought – it’s been soooo overhyped and promoted on social media that I wasn’t sure it would live up to all the paid and unpaid testimonials, but I have to say, it’s pretty awesome. Meaning, I’m reallllly sore and I sweat like crazy. I haven’t done the first BBG program because I read a lot of criticism about the lack of weights, but BBG Stronger has been super hard and super fulfilling for me so far (although I definitely don’t have a bikini body yet…or ever…haha). I wake up a whole hour later than my Crossfit stint (hallelujah!) – 5:30 a.m. – and try and do the resistance workouts on Mon/Wed/Fri and then run/jog/walk on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Because some of the exercises are written to use gym equipment that I don’t have, I have to modify here and there, but it’s been pretty easy to do a home version so far. I use Brian’s adjustable dumbbells (these are pricey; any dumbbells would work), this wood jump/step up box, a medicine ball, a moderately heavy kettlebell (for me! I’m no bodybuilder), and this exercise mat (affiliate links for all of the above). This program definitely requires more equipment than some at-home programs, but I had most of that stuff already in my little exercise corner of the playroom, so it’s worked out well. Our ceilings are too low for any jump roping so if that’s part of the daily exercise, I just hop around in place in a very graceful manner (ha!).
I’m already stressing about what I’ll do when the 24-week program is over (yes, I’m one of those people that stress about future events like this). Repeat it? Move on to something else? I don’t necessarily want to fall back into just doing exercise videos, because for me, personally, I don’t stay as motivated, so if you have any other good recommendations for programs/apps similar to BBG, I’d love to hear them!
3) Kid Thought: Randomly, I picked up a few latch hook kits that were on sale at Hobby Lobs the other day (the WonderArt brand), and a few of my kids are hooked (haha, pun intended!). It’s kind of hard to find crafts like this for boys that don’t involve purple unicorns and butterflies, so I was excited to see one with a soccer ball, another with a dog, and one with a tie-dye pattern. I used to do these things all the time when I was a kid (anyone else??) and had no idea they still made them. They do! And they are still fun, apparently! It’s been a great project for them to store away and work on when they are bored. I see a few more latch hooks (and lots of potential shaggy pillows??) in our future this summer.
4) Deep Thought: I’ve been thinking so much about life and motherhood lately. The questions of whether I’m doing enough, being present enough, nurturing enough. I know that motherhood can suck you dry (and break your heart) if you let it. And I’m realizing lately that this is not always a terrible thing. When I have been brought to my lowest points as a mom and felt completely broken and spent, I’ve been able to (later) see the miracle of how powerful the rebuilding process can be, and I almost always emerge stronger and more sure of who I am and who I want to become (as a woman and as a mom).
Lately, I’ve been focusing on how to disconnect from some of the emotion involved in parenting without disconnecting from my kids. This might sound kind of strange – I’m not saying that emotion is a negative asset in parenting, just that I need to learn to control it and not let it consume me. I find that often, I get so emotionally enmeshed in a particular situation with my kids, be it with the 5-year old or the 14-year old, that I lose sight of the end goal for that child (and for me). I’d like to think my intentions are good (I just want to help them grow up to be functional humans, dang it!!), but I also know that my inclination to become emotional, tendency to want to control, and desire to teach (which often is perceived as nagging) aren’t always the best tactics. And so I’m making a huge effort to stay calm and positive during power struggles and difficult parenting situations.
I’m working on it (and praying a lot about it), and Brian and I are figuring out ways to set clear, concise expectations and following up with equally clear, concise (positive or negative) consequences without letting the emotions take over and control the situation(s). I’ve mentioned it before but this short and simple book is one of my favorite parenting go-to’s (affiliate link), and I’ve dug it out time and time again over the last year or so (the examples are a little outdated, but it’s easy to extrapolate to today’s parenting). It’s hard to let kids and teenagers (!!) have independence and free agency/choice even within a framework of structured family boundaries…and sometimes even harder to let them deal with the good or bad fallout from those choices. I probably repeat the following line to myself at least 287 times a day: you cannot control this, you cannot control this. And then I hide in the pantry, rip out my Invisalign trays, and palm chocolate chips into my mouth.
Honestly, though, even with the ups and downs, motherhood is one of the most rewarding aspects of my life, and it’s my measuring stick for what else is worth my time (the question: “how will this impact my role as a mom?” is my first line of questioning anytime something comes up that demands my time or attention), because I truly feel that nothing else I do right now matters as much as my divine assignment as a mom to my kids.
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And…if you are wondering why I’m spewing thoughts that aren’t related to recipes, don’t worry, you are still in the right place (maybe??). This will always be a food blog, but I often feel so much more than a recipe-giver. Like, my brain is going to explode with all the other things I want to share. So…Friday thoughts. I think it might become a semi-regular thing. Read at your own risk.
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Finally had time to read the post, and as always, I am glad I did. Thanks for sharing with us: Yes this is a food blog, but Yes we also often identify with the food maker in the blog. These little snippets, stories and commentaries, are precisely what tells us: Look, she is real, real problems, real challenges…and if she can cook X, Y or Z regardless of those challenges, then i can too.
It’s what makes this place different that Pinterest…too many people doing too many beautiful but impossible things for the common folk like me. lol.
Anyway, I am sad to hear about CrossFit, especially because the coaches in our gym do PT and heavy modifications for everyone that’s broken (lol), or need surgery, etc….but I think you seem to have understood the main things: 1. Do something. You can’t stand still, or you will deteriorate (lol. i call it decay management). So it doesn’t matter if it is BBG, CrossFit, OrangeT, Cat Dancing, whatever…keep your body in motion.
2. It’s all about variety. Monotonous stuff is just boring. Keep your body guessing how you’ll use it everyday.
3. Community. Be it your hubby, your friend, bunch of crazy strangers…it is just easier to do it with someone else.
So keep on the search, don’t give up and remember: it is the one investment in YOU that only YOU can do.
ok, ok, no more sappy stuff. i need to go make those brownies you were talking about (that’s an investment for me. lol)
Made me laugh when you said hobby lobs thanks for that. I’m going to invest in those hook things for my kids! Thanks for the idea .now I’m going to eat something. I love your down to earth ideas Mel! Have the best day
I loved BBG when I did it! I did the original workout and it was really successful for me (probably helped that I was using the LISS days for half marathon training ♀️), but I did find that eventually it was too hard on my knees. I haven’t done BBG stronger, but if it’s like the original, weeks will be added to the program as it progresses, past the 24. I’ve also heard great things about Betty Rocker, but I haven’t done it myself.
Also, Carleen Tanner is in the Boise area and teaches the most amazing gospel based parenting classes. I think she’s doing one in meridian or maybe Kuna right now and also East Boise. The Tuesday class is recorded on her facebook group. Plus links to the articles she suggests etc. It’s totally changed my life — for the better. And my boys’ lives. Her group is called Carleen Tanners Positive Parenting.
I know you used to do Beachbody workouts. Did you have On Demand? How does this new one compare? I love my BOD so much because it answers that question of what to do next. I finish one program and move onto another. Keeping my body guessing. Yay!
Yes, I had beach body on demand when I did it early last year. The variety is great! And I’ve heard so much about Carleen Tanner! Everyone talks about her out here! 🙂 I’ll definitely look up her group. Thank you!
I really loved this post! I love your recipes as well, but I love seeing more of your family life, etc. I kept nodding the whole time I was reading, especially the parenting part. Same struggles, same book, haha. It’s HARD.
Amen!
Hi Mel,
Because you care so much is why this is on your heart. A Mom of 3 boys (now successful adults) I had the same feelings raising them. Relying on God helps tremendously! Keep up the good work and love you put into your family and blog. It is all worth it.
Thanks, Debbie!
LOVE THIS POST! Keep the Friday Thoughts coming. I’ve been reading “No Drama Discipline” lately, and besides helping me understand why my kids are misbehaving (I was doing lots of things the wrong way!) I love the focus on connecting/redirecting. And the whole idea of building their brains as we go. I’ll have to check out your book recommendation also.
And my daughter got one of those latch hook kits for Christmas, and my 12-year-old son (who gave it to her) keeps wanting to do it himself. I should go find some other designs for him to do himself!
Your recipes are always awesome, but I also love seeing these little “snapshots” of your life. Thanks so much for your honesty and courage in sharing!
I think I would like that book, Mollie!
Just want to say that you are seriously SO likeable and relatable. I get so much out of reading about your little slice of life in this great big world. I love learning from you, and let me pay you a compliment…you’re doing it, mama/wife/learner lady! It’s generous (& brave) of you to share your nuggets of wisdom as you figure out your way with a gracious, funny, witty confidence. Sending you a heartfelt thank you.
Thanks, Jami!
Mel–I would love for you to do a post (or just answer briefly) what your requirements are for them for summer work after they turn 13. My oldest is the same age as yours (will be 14 soon) and she really needs to do more in the summers. She struggles with idle time. I would love to hear what you do! And I’m adding my praises to all the others–I absolutely love everything you share on here! Thanks so much for all of your blood, sweat, and tears.
I know I’m not Mel (nor would I ever pretend to be!), but I also have my oldest as a 14-year-old, so I thought I’d give you my 2 cents about kids working during the summer. One thing we started a couple summers ago was having my boys host a summer “camp” for several weeks during the summer. We advertise to friends and neighbors, and the boys plan activities that will last 2-3 hours. In our case, it’s Lego Camp. They buy all the supplies and are in charge during the camp (I’m here to supervise) and they keep the earnings. We charge about $10 per kid per day, and they end up making some pretty good money. I got the idea after my kids went to some of these older kid run camps when they were little. The camps were always higher quality and more affordable than what our parks and rec program was offering, and it really helps the kids learn and build leadership skills. We started when my boys were 10 and 12 (almost 11 and 13) and now my 9-year-old is begging to start an “American Girl Camp” I told her she could start planning her ideas this summer, and maybe join with an older girl and do it next summer. My kids have gone to superhero camps, princess camps, pirate camps, water fun camps… the possibilities are endless!
Thanks Mollie! This is a great idea! Especially that American Girl Camp. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Mollie for your feedback! And yes, Brooke, I know what you mean about the idle time in the summer as kids get older. Last summer when my oldest was 13, Brian and I realized that we needed to give him a more structured format for the summer (or I was going to go insane). Teaching our kids to work has been really important over the years, but my disclaimer is that we really don’t know what we are doing with the teenage phase + working. Last summer we instituted a new family rule that once you are a child of ours (lucky little ducks -ha!) and you turn 13, the expectation is that you need to “work” 5-8 hours each week in the summer. This can be volunteer hours (helping with someone’s Eagle Scout project), doing an above-and-beyond project at home (not just daily chores) that has been suggested and approved by mom or dad, or find work opportunities outside of home. So last year, my oldest son started a trash can cleaning business with his buddy and they handed out fliers (that they made themselves) and spent afternoons using our pressure washer to clean out trash bins. He also made a flier to mow lawns, he got some odd jobs helping neighbors with yard work, etc. This summer, now that he’ll be 14, the “work hours” have upped to 8-12 hours a week. Next summer, when he’s 15, it will be probably 15-20? And then by the time he’s 16, the expectation will be that he should be working as close to full-time through the summer as possible.
I know this probably sounds kind of harsh to others (trust me, I’ve gotten feedback from local friends around here that we are being way too hard on our kids by making them work), but it’s working pretty well for us. Yes, my son has resisted getting his lazy summer buns in order and get working, but because we are setting this requirement as parents, we are also super committed to helping him. We have spent time already (prepping for the upcoming summer) sitting down with Jackson brainstorming ideas, helping him gather phone numbers so he can start calling and get ahead of the summer crowd. He’s getting ready to do his own Eagle Scout project, so that will count toward his work hours this summer. We’ve told him all the prep he does for any business (trash bin cleaning, lawn mowing) counts toward those work hours (does that make sense)? Mostly, we want to HELP him be successful so he can start making that association that there is confidence, value, and benefits from learning to work…and that’s not just limited to money, although our kids know that they need to be saving money for college/church service.
Here’s the deal, it obviously doesn’t work perfectly. Teenage attitude! But like I mentioned above, we are trying really hard to be an advocate/help for our kids getting ready to do summer work. We research and find out ideas in the community and then have them call and follow up on them. If we hear of a family member or friend who needs, say, a swingset sanded down and painted, we give them a heads up that our son(s) may need work opportunities and that this child will be calling them. Also, we’ve instituted a consequence system, too. If by Thursday morning of the summer week, Jackson hasn’t formulated a specific plan (like, I’m going to mow three lawns, etc) or if he doesn’t have something officially set up, then Brian sets him to work on our house/property…and he does these jobs without getting paid (or paid as much as he would working for someone else)…mostly to help him find the motivation to find work opportunities himself (and honestly, so much of this learning experience has been beneficial for social skills, seeing him interact and talk to adults, etc).
Anyway, that was SUPER long. Again, I know this is really particular to our family so I’m not suggesting this will work for everyone, but a more structured plan feels right for now . I can see this ebbing and flowing as we go along. We’ve really tried to encourage our kids to think of small businesses they can start (selling cookie dough! lawn mowing business!, etc), write and develop a business plan (with our help) and carry it out. Our focus hasn’t really been on “earn this amount of money in the summer” – rather, learn new skills, be industrious and not lazy, etc. 🙂
I’m on week 11/12 of the first BBG guide and loving doing it with my husband too! Maybe we’ll do the stronger one next! On the T/Th/Sa I do a video from kristinandrus.com. You can find her on IG but she just makes a bunch of great videos for fun and puts them up on her website. A great way to switch up the following a paper routine.
Also I had a dream I met you last night. Let’s just say I was stoked lol.
Thanks for all you share and do!
Haha, you are so cute, Kimber! Thanks for the recommendation on kristinandrus.com!
Awesome Friday Thoughts– yes, it’s should become a semi-regular part of your blog. Amen to all of your parenting /motherhood thoughts, and thanks for the reminder about the Glenn Latham book; it’s been recommended to me several times before, but I’ve not read it yet. Thanks!
Hope you like the book, Kamber. It’s simple and has been so helpful for me and Brian.
I’m liking Friday thoughts. It’s another way of connecting. Food is great & all….but it’s nice to connect in different ways too (plus, we all need each other in motherhood/parenthood)
Yes, we do all need each other!
Mel, I look forward to reading your blog. Fantastic recipes, suggestions and thoughts. Don’t worry, you are doing everything right as a parent because you care. Keep communications open, especially during the teen years and always. Listen and talk. It will all work out.
Thank you, Jen.
You rock it as a Mom! Listen to Kristina Kuzmic. She is funny but also has a ton of truth in her videos. YouTube. You will love her.
Thank you for your recipes. I love your bbq sauce so much that I threw out all others in my pantry. Your spaghetti sauce is wonderful. I don’t think I’ve ever found a site so fun to read and where every recipe is so good.
Keep doing what your doing and remember parenting isn’t forever. Then comes grandparenting and I’ve heard that is even better than parenting.
Thank you so much, Kristina! And thanks for the recommendation for the YouTube channel. I agree, I’ve heard grandparenting is pretty awesome. Just have to raise some functional kids to get to that point first. 🙂
Mel, I love this Friday Thoughts feature. Always fun and enlightening to hear your thoughts. I am sure you will love your braces in the end. I don’t know anyone who has done Invisalign, and I can’t believe all of that work involved. My kids have all had traditional braces (but I highly recommend the clear ones vs. the metal ones) and have beautiful teeth now. And their orthodontist said, “wear the retainer for life”. So I really hope they do because if they have to fix their teeth again in the future, they can pay for it. Sounds like you are in the middle of some teenage angst–as my mom used to say, “this too shall pass.” These different parenting stages can definitely be challenging!!! My youngest is off to college in the fall and I am definitely not ready (although my husband and I have already planned our first vacation together–lol). Look forward to more of these great blog posts!
Thanks for your comment, Teresa! Can’t believe your youngest is launching this fall. Has to be such a wonderful and bittersweet time (although I love that you already have a vacation planned – LOVE IT!).
I struggle with the same mothering challenge constantly. I feel like I’m always reassessing whether I give them enough, and what they need to grow beautifully, and whether I’m leaving enough drops of emotionally energy & time for myself. One book I found really helpful, with tons of dated but still useful examples is How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk.
I’m sure someone else must have mentioned it already because it’s just so good & practical.
Thanks for the book recommendation, Jen! I think you are the first one that mentioned it.
I second the book recommendation – it’s a bit longer, but it includes a lot of comic-panel style examples and has rock-solid advice. The authors also co-wrote a book called “Siblings Without Rivalry” that is of the same caliber. Those books plus Love & Logic are my favourites so far (and I’ve read many!)
Planning to give the one you recommended a look-through next; my husband thinks it’s best to read one book and then just stick with it; I’m of the opinion that you can always pick up more helpful tips for our all-very-different kids instead of adhering to one “method” 😉
Love this so much. Parenting is HARD and I often find myself thinking fondly of the days when my kids were tiny and I could solve all their problems with a cup of milk and a snuggle. (I’m sure I’ll look back in ten years and think longingly of when all my kids lived at home and I could go to sleep knowing they were all safe and sound!) Please keep sharing your thoughts—so many of us feel like we are your BFF anyway.
So true, Rachael! I do the same thing. I’m trying not to wish any stage away…I know I’m going to want all these days back once my kids grow up and leave me.
You are awesome! I love what you wrote about the process of rebuilding yourself after a struggle, more sure of who you are. That is such a great perspective. I’m going to have to remember that and be more aware of that process.
Love Glenn Latham. We have his “Power of Positive Parenting book.”
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
Thanks, Sarah! I have that other Glenn Latham book, too, and reference it a lot!
Well, I started V Shred two weeks ago. It kicks my butt, but I am not a CrossFit junkie either. Vince has many different workout plans, I am doing the Extreme Fat Loss plan for food and exercise with the at home exercise plan. I know I won’t go to the gym. He is pretty nice to look at too. . I ran my way into my 40’s and then quit. I want to move into my 50’s with something that won’t hurt my joints and will improve my overall fitness. I am tired of my back going out. http://Www.vshred.com
Thanks for the recommendation, Beth!
I LOVE THIS! thank you for sharing! Yes…make Friday thoughts a regular thing! Thanks for your honesty and outlooks! it’s an inspiration!
Thanks, Emily!
I look forward to your Friday Thoughts! I love love love your blog! Also, I have 4 young boys and a baby girl too and when we found out I told my husband “I’m Mel now!” Haha!! You’re the best! Thank you for all your recipes and real life insights!
Hahahaha. That made me smile! I hope you are more patient than I am. 🙂
I love Friday thoughts! First, I’m beyond jealous of the Invisalign and will be calling my orthodontist Monday. Why didn’t I Just wear my retainer!
My goal for this year is to be more present with my kids as well, listen more, SLIGHTLY decrease my nagging, and put my phone away when we are together. I don’t want my kids growing up with memories of me always looking at my phone! So inspiring Mel! I loved that post with my whole heart!
I’ve asked myself that more times than I can count over the last six weeks: WHY DIDN’T I WEAR MY RETAINERS!!
I’m one of those people who just popped in my retainers as I read your post while getting ready for bed! Yes, the same retainers from 10th grade, so they’re going on 25 years old. Kind of gross, chipped one of them years ago, but they still work! My older sister still wears hers too; maybe it’s a weird family trait? My husband just knew it was part of my quirks when we married
Mel, I loved your post. I have 6 kids mostly the same ages as yours (13 to 1) so it’s great to read all your thoughts and recommendations. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Maria!
OH THE INVISALIGN!!! I just got mine off at 37! Snacking was out for me too, so not worth the hassle. Try not to throw out your aligners when you decide to store them in your napkin during a meal…whoops! Also, the cutting up of the mouth goes away fairly quickly, like as in, it’s over with before the end of your first week & definitely before your second set of trays. I was worried I’d get re-cut up after each new set, but that never happened again! Also, my doc let me drink all the drinks with my aligners in, but every doc is diff,. Even coffee, I just swished with water afterwards. I’ve wanted straight teeth all my life, so it was a great experience for me! Congrats:)
And Fitness Blender all the way!
Friday thoughts, love it!
Thanks for the input, Carolyn!!
Good mouth hygiene, intentional eating, regular workouts, nostalgic fun with your kids, and letting go of the illusion of control make for a FABULOUS recipe 😉
And the palming chocolate chips while chanting mantras? Welcome to the club, sister. Glad to have you here.
Haha, that “recipe” made me smile. 🙂
I’m doing Invisalign too! And was just talking about the exact same thing today. For workouts – Beachbody on demand for sure. I just do one program after another, sometimes mixing in running too. I’m a coach and love it! And just have to say how much I love your site. It’s my go to for recipes for everything from family dinners to all your yummy treats. You are a household name at our house – I pretty much feel like we could be BFF’s Thank you!!
Thank you, Emily!
I recommend Fitness Blender it is awesome. You can use it free or have them put together routines for a modest amount.
Take a look at these videos on YouTube.
Fitness blender
Jessica smith
Yeah for Friday Thoughts!
I miss all the mom blogs, so I look forward to more posts bedsides just recipes.
I love your mom advice about emotion, great advice that I neeed to hear, thank you.
Thanks, Katie! 🙂
I’m very grateful for your thoughts and they were very timely as I just had a baby and am an emotional wreck. I can’t get my other two kids to stop fighting like crazy and making horrible messes throughout the house. I’ve been making cookie dough every other day to cope and crying way more than usual! Mothering is not for the faint of heart. *exasperated sigh*
Hang in there, Lindsey! Man, those new baby moments are so bittersweet (tender, wonderful, and hard, especially when you have older kids).
Check out Daily Burn. I think there are several options for accessing it but we run it through our Apple TV box and view it on our tv. There are set programs (a lot of options) and they have live workouts every day which you can then access anytime later that day or night or the next morning. It’s great because it’s a new trainer and new workout each day and it’s always a total body workout. Check out their website and you’ll see all the options. http://www.dailyburn.com. I love it!
Thanks, Kristine! I tried daily burn last year and loved it; I need to look into it again!
“but I also know that my inclination to become emotional, tendency to want to control, and desire to teach (which often is perceived as nagging) aren’t always the best tactics. And so I’m making a huge effort to stay calm and positive during power struggles and difficult parenting situations.”
I could have written this, Mel! This pretty much sums up my life as the mother. One of the hardest things I have ever had to learn is to let go and “let the consequences follow.” Hang in there! And ps. Glenn Leatham is the bomb! The loss of his voice in the parenting world is tragic.
Yes, let the consequences follow! So hard, so important.
I LOVE the idea of Friday thoughts. 🙂
Thanks for this! I have really been trying to respond rationally to situations instead of emotionally. It’s amazing the clarity and calmness that comes when I’m not being enslaved to the emotional response. May we all find success!!
That is SO true, Tiffany.
I love this Mel! I relate on many levels! Invisalign in my 40s after my 3 teenage kids had braces, yep that was me! And parenting…ugh! The whole disconnecting but still connecting thing I TOTALLY get!! I don’t know why that seems so much easier for dads than it is for moms. I guess because a lot of times we are the primary care givers and the way God wired us. Hang in there and I am sure you are an awesome mom! My oldest is now 18 1/2 and starting to be human again. (Teenage years…aghhh) I have two more teenagers as well and I keep telling myself it is only temporary and this too shall pass. But like you, I wouldn’t trade being a mom for anything in the world and think that raising these three beings is the hardest, best, most important and emotionally exhausting thing that I have or will ever do. I think they are going to make pretty amazing adults!!
I bet they will make pretty amazing adults! I’m holding out for that hope, too. And honestly, what you said is so true. With all the ups and downs, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.
Friday Thoughts are perfect! We all can use a little of encouragement in every aspect of our lives! My father in law always tells me: choose your battles. This is hard for me, because I’m still learning which battles are worth fighting . I think that at the end of the day our kids know that we love them and we are trying to do our best for them.
Mel, you are awesome!
I’m still learning that, too, Jocy – but it’s such a great reminder!
Almost an app? Fitness Blender is on Youtube – free workouts. They also sell paid programs put together for you to go through – https://www.fitnessblender.com/plans. And their workouts will make you work! Try one of the 1000 calorie burners. Crazy!
You can try their YouTube videos and see if it’s something you like before you buy a plan. And they are intended for the home workout!
As to motherhood, sigh. I always end up with the lines from “Which Part is Mine” by Michael McLean – “Have I spoiled them too much or not trusted enough to prepare them for life in this world? “It’s the eternal struggle of motherhood.
Thanks for your thoughts, Courtney! I have liked what I’ve tried on fitness blender before…I need to check out their official programs!
Very good read! Good moms (and you are!) do take a part of the day for other thoughts and activities. It is good for the kids also.
I agree with that, Melynda! 🙂
I love the Friday thoughts. Parenting is hard and wonderful.
So, so true!
With napping kids and preschool dropoff I had to drop my gym membership. I’ve found HASfit.com and I love them. They are a husband and wife team and they post HIIT workouts, muscle building, cardio with weights… all sorts of great stuff.
Love your recipes so much! I just made your best every chocolate cake and amazing white icing and it was a knockout.
Thanks for the recommendation on exercise, Amanda! And glad you loved that cake and frosting. 🙂
Thanks Mel! Your parenting thoughts were just what I needed today!
As for workouts at home, I love Team Body Project! Alex & Daniel are awesome people who make workouts fun, and they don’t use any equipment besides weights & a mat. A combo of cardio, resistance, & Pilates with some boxing throw in, they have a plan for everyone to follow. Check them out!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Very insightful. Your doing a good job with your kids. I can tell by looking at your pictures.
Thank you, Judy.