You deserve to know..

It’s been a crazy few days. Dave took this week off. Ten whole days of not working. Awesome. And yet, five days in to this “vacation,” I feel far less rested than you might imagine. I’ve been telling everyone (who will listen) that we are having a non-vacation type of vacation. Basically, what that means, is that we are doing all the junk that everyone should do when they take time off of work – but don’t. So since I can’t be sitting in a hammock somewhere in the middle of nowhere watching the tides roll in, I rationalize my pain by saying “I’m being productive!!!” Yay me.

Don’t feel too sorry for me, just yet. I had an ah-MAY-zing time seeing Ernie Halter at the House Show on Sunday. Definitely one of the coolest concert atmospheres I’ve experienced. Ernie played with Josh Hoge and an incredible guitarist (whose name I cannot remember to save my life).. Jordan, I think his name was Jordan. I loved it. And man, can those guys sing. You can see my very amateur videos here.

So, with the House Show behind me and a huge week of “vacation” ahead I made a split decision on Monday.. I chopped my hair off. Ten inches to be exact. Now, it will never be this straight again, friends. But it sure looked great right after it was cut.

It’s a nice change, right? I like it so far. But I still keep trying to put my hair up about every five minutes. Old habits die hard.

In addition to the haircut, we have all been to the dentist. And as of tomorrow morning my lovely sweet car will be back in the game with shiny new brakes and nicely maintained innards. I almost sound responsible (gasp).

Tomorrow we might actually do something fun, and vacation-y. We’ve been tossing around the idea of the Zoo. But let’s be honest folks, I hate the zoo. And since the summer is here and she ain’t leaving, we might just be content to wander aimlessly through Ikea or go see a movie. Anything that involves air conditioning.

And seriously can we talk about the heat?? I know, I know. I live in TX and yeah, I know.. Save it, OK? I get it. It’s TEXAS. But let’s remember that it’s ONLY May 21st and HELLO 96 degrees??? What have I done so wrong in my life as to deserve this? I mean, it’s ironic right? I love hot yoga. And yeah, the yoga room is a nice cool 105 degrees. But come ON! *dies*

Alright I will stop.  I won’t complain.  Because I have five more days of vacation.  And since the car will be done, the teeth polished up, what else is there to do??

Life is good..

No Bad News.

Life has been moving at an incredible pace lately. There are many many days I don’t even have time to stop and think about what day it is or what month.. I attribute much of this to just being a mother of two small children. Time flies, life goes by so fast. My boys are growing up. They’re literally changing right in front of me. Sometimes it makes me sad, but most days it just makes me proud. I am proud of my life, proud of my kids, proud of what’s becoming of us.

I don’t have many complaints lately. I think that’s a good thing, a sign that either I am learning to be more tolerant or my life just really is that good. Either way, it’s a good thing.

I was reading back over old blogs and I realized I hadn’t made a “Thankful” list in a while. So, for posterity, here goes.

I am thankful that I am healthy.
I am thankful for delicious, whole, raw food.
I am thankful for yoga.
I am thankful for my studio, the teachers, and the classes.
I am thankful for this incredible body that is changing everyday.
I am thankful for friends.
I am thankful for my kitchen (even the fruit flies).
I am thankful for people far away even though I miss them desperately.
I am thankful for heartache that teaches me to be stronger.
I am thankful for the ability to take care of my family.
I am thankful for my children.
I am thankful for Dave.
I am thankful for music, songs, signing, playing, and making noise..
I am thankful that Spring has arrived.
I am thankful that it’s going to be warm enough to swim really soon.
I am thankful that I can be strong even when I have no idea where the strength comes from.
I am thankful for the sun.
I am thankful for God.
I am thankful for this journey.

I had the best time today catching up with a close friend. We sat and chatted, and it was wonderful. I treasure times like this because they are rare. But Leigh Anne is the kind of friend that no matter how long it’s been, it doesn’t matter. It was fun to sit and laugh. It really reminded me of why we’re friends, why we’re close. She’s one of the strongest women I know. I admire her so much, and I look forward to the day we can have more time together. Leigh Anne has been a friend for a long time. She was around when I got started as a mother, she was there for the birth of my second child, and our kids have been friends for what seems like forever. I love her so much. And I hope she reads this and knows it.

Not that you asked, but yoga is going well. I’ve been practicing very regularly and loving it. I’m feeling very at peace about my progress and practice. It’s never been my goal to coast along, but it is nice to feel a little more settled. I am progressing, and I feel great.

Today is the beginning of Passover. We have been invited to a Seder tomorrow evening. This will be my first time to attend a Seder and I am totally excited. I’ll keep you posted.

And since this is one of those rambly blog posts, I will leave you with this little video. It’s a trailer for a movie I can’t wait to see called Enlighten Up!. Enjoy!

Two weeks tomorrow..

Tomorrow will be two weeks for me.  Two weeks on raw foods.  I am both amazed and humbled.  This has been the longest I have gone on raw foods ever.  It’s been an incredible two weeks and I look forward to more weeks and months ahead.

Mostly I have been dealing with emotional detox.  Changing your diet this radically lends itself to all kinds of crazy things.  I find myself constantly dealing with my personal attachments to eating.  But it’s wonderful.  I have been able (with a great deal of grace) to really stop and listen.  To listen to my body and what it wants.  I have been listening to myself so much that I have learned a lot about what I really want and who I really want to be.  I have decided in the past few days that I will not eat when I am angry, stressed, lonely, or sad.  I will wait, breathe, and let myself stabilize.  I tend to make better choices this way.  It’s helping and so much has already changed.

I am also feeling better on my yoga mat.  I feel more connected.  I feel calmer and more open.

Raw food is a long journey for me.  But I am so happy to be this far.  Here’s to many more weeks to come..

Just another bland update.. with a really cool video mixed in..

I don’t really have any good excuse for why it’s been almost a week since I have written a post. So, I guess it’s just being lazy or scatterbrained or busy, or something.. And how sad is it that nothing really exciting or new or different has happened in the past week or so? I guess not so sad, but still.. I never want to come here to write and say, “oh I have nothing to say folks..” That just seems.. sad.

No, nothing new here. It’s been a positively average few weeks. Same old same old. Kids, works, school, yoga, more yoga, grocery shopping, laundry, etc.. Aren’t I exciting? I am also certain you will be positively riveted to know that I cut five inches off of my hair last week. Now the really pathetic thing is that that news may just be the most exciting thing..

Well, before you lose all hope in me and my writing ability, blogginess, and humor I would like to plead my case by saying that I have been listening to some ah-mayyyzing music lately. So my creative brain has not completely shut itself off quite yet. Probably on the top of my list of new finds is the Sergio Mendes album Timeless which I know, I know is not at all new. But it’s new to me and I really like it. It’s a compilation album with so many amazing artists. It’s funky and fresh, and fun. I also found this Tony Lucca “I can I will I do.” Which every single one of you should listen to over and over and over and over and over… Like I have. This is exactly what a love song is. Yes, I know I pimp Tony out a lot, but seriously.. This is worth it.

In other totally riveting news Tuesday was the day of the Texas primaries. Dave and I early voted weeks ago. But Tuesday we did go to caucus (sorry Jess, for the word..) Let’s just say it was quite the experience. And while Obama did not take TX in the polls, he did in the caucus so there’s a lot of hope still. I am still horrified to hear people tell me they did not vote. And can I just say that the things people believe about our fair candidates is also equally shocking to me. These things amaze me for several reasons. First of all, I am not at all that into politics in general. And secondly how can people not want to impact their government? Not voting is shameful to me. Especially here in TX where we had a long time to get it done. I have spent a lot of time lately talking to my friends about the candidates and the election. I find myself getting incredibly annoyed at the indifference. And it’s not even for me that people have different political views. I can handle that. It’s the blatant indifference that heats me up. All I can say in the end is don’t complain to me when you are unhappy with the person in the White House. You can’t complain if you didn’t vote.

Ok with that soapbox behind me I guess I will wrap up this post.  Thanks for reading.. And seriously, go LISTEN to that Tony Lucca song!

Now, GO!  DO IT!

A large glass of iced tea and some random thoughts..

Well, it’s true.  The path to hell is paved with good intentions.  Or maybe the path to hell is paved with lots of good plans.  Either way, this day isn’t turning into anything that I thought it would.  Which, at this present moment, is a good thing.  Three hours ago, however, it was not.  I woke up this morning excited for yoga.  I didn’t go yesterday – choosing instead to spend time with my family and friends.  Since the Challenge is over, I am trying to work through my priorities about going to class and find some balance in other areas – especially spending time with my kids.  So today I was ready to go.  Ky was teaching his last class at BYTW for a few months and I was hoping to be in it.  But alas, those plans did not happen.  A rather unfortunate incident involving a four year old’s testy tummy stopped our trip to The Woodlands a mile from the homestead.  Ah well, there’s another class this afternoon.  And assuming said four year old has a settled tummy then, I will make that class.  But it’s not all a loss since we did have some rather nice breakfast and ran an errand to pick up some things we have been needing for a while.  So, things improved.

Anyway, with a few hours to spare and a lovely glass of iced tea, I am ready to blog.  So, on with a little update.  This is probably the MOST successful blog I have done.  I have no idea if it’s the friendly WordPress interface or just the fact that I want to blog more now than ever.  Either way, it’s been great.  I have started and abandoned a handful of blogs over the years, but never done as much as I have with this one.  So, I am having a lot of fun.  It’s also nice to see that it’s being read and people are  enjoying my thoughts.  Because ultimately, it’s just me. The mamma, writing from her little desk.  Apparently, someone out there likes it.  So, thank you for reading.  It’s nice to imagine someone is.

Anyhow.  With the Holidays a distant memory.  All of the world has gone back to normal.  S went back to school, and soon Dave will as well.  Two more weeks until his semester begins.  Ahhh, the routine.  I’ve never been one to particularly like randomness.  In fact, it makes me a little nervous.  Being a typical control freak and all.  This past week I have taken a bit of a break from some of my online “haunts.”  I have decided to step back and spend more time writing, reading, and being with my family.  It’s been refreshing, and nice to not feel the pressure of contributing.

I’ve also discovered some really great music this week.  Which has been really really nice.  I LOVE music, really any kind of music.  So, when I find amazing music, it’s even sweeter.   I wrote my first album review this week.  And hopefully this time next week I will have some music of my own recorded.  My piano is getting tuned tomorrow!  YAY!  Now I won’t have to cringe each time I sit at its lovely keys.  I long to record some music.  And I have a great progression I’ve been working on, but its nearly impossible with the piano so out of tune.  So, I have been patiently (ok, not THAT patiently) waiting for tomorrow to come.

So that’s us.  I know, not a really big “thinker” of a blog.  But hey, it’s what you get…

Quick changes..

I’m making changes to this blog right now. Feel free to share my site with your friends. Thanks to everyone who reads!

For your efforts, here’s a lovely Youtube to enjoy

Sunburn in November

Random, no?? I could come up with no other suitable title.. So, that’s what you get…

I am finding, here, as I delve into this Facebook thing, that I am constantly being asked “what’s up with you now??”, “how are you??”, “what’s happening in your life?” So get ready, here it comes..

Well, for starters, life is freaking amazing. Plain and simple. Even on my low days (and I’ve had a few lately) I can’t shake that.. Life is amazing. I am totally amazed, totally honored, humbled and moved.. Recently Dave and I celebrated our six year wedding anniversary. I think at that point, I realized what my mother always warned me about was true.. Time does fly. and it just starts flying by even faster when you start living it.. The past year has been a formative year for me, and our family.. But for now, I will just talk about me..

We moved into our house a year and a half ago. Celebrated our first year of home ownership in June.. I had ankle surgery almost exactly one year ago. So many big things.. We have made HUGE life decisions in the past year, and it’s just amazing.. How does life hand you so many choices and then TRUST you not to screw them up?? I have no idea. But it’s amazing. I started this year with a busted foot. Literally, only 8 weeks out from my surgery and hurting bad. I was frustrated and angry, but I pressed on. If you’ve known me very long, you know I love Bikram Yoga.. So, in January, I went back to yoga, busted foot and all. Dave and I were trying to make a decision about whether he would go back to school. Something he’s wanted for so long. We also tossed around the idea of putting Simon in preschool.. For the past year we’ve only had one vehicle. which, shockingly enough, hasn’t been THAT hard.

Well, before my brain spill goes into overdrive.. I’ll stay on track. When you have kids, especially young kids, life takes on seasons.. appropriately so.. I guess it’s probably like that for everyone, but I really noticed it when I had my kids.. So, there ya go.. Well, the past year of seasons has been unlike any other. I remember when I was single, or in YWAM, things passed differently. Now things pass with marked days.. First teeth, walking, first day of school, first haircut.. Christmas, Birthdays, even deaths.. They just feel different now.. Really, in a good way too.

Well, this year, all of my seasons have been incredibly distinct.. I can almost mark their changes with a marker on a calendar. Last winter was hard, cold. I was in a cast. Then spring came and things got better. I was feeling better and we were excited to see what God was going to do in our lives. The summer brought challenges, and exhaustion. Dave started school. We started making plans for Simon to start preschool. and now, Blessed Fall. my favorite of all. Fall is when it all happens. Our anniversary, both of our sons’ birthdays. holidays. I dig fall. I also love Fall because it’s the time of year I feel most creative. This fall, I picked up my guitar for the first time in years and wrote not just one but five songs in less than two weeks. And as surprising for me as that is, it’s just so freaking cool!

Well, tomorrow my baby turns TWO! Ellijah turns two tomorrow. He is our last child. We will have no more.. and he’s TWO! amazing, no?? I cannot believe it’s been two years.. TWO YEARS..

Ok enough with the sappy mom bit. Back to how freaking cool life is.. Dave started a Master’s Degree program in June for his LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in Counseling.. I could not be happier for him, honestly.. This is something he’s wanted for years. Since we got together. And here we are, living life.. Doing the thing, cool right?? I think so..

Probably the best news of at least the past few months is that we have finally found a “church”.. I hate even using that word because we don’t even identify ourselves as such.. Rather a “community”.. and it’s everything we have been begging God for since we got married.. Just an amazing group of people that we can connect spiritually with and try to find our way.. Amazing. really amazing. It’s funny how God puts people in your path. And if you are lucky enough to listen and pay attention, it pays off. Big time. We are now enjoying a group that we’ve been looking for soooo long..

So, that’s the terribly mangled guide to our life. Dave’s in school, Simon’s in preschool, and I’m writing music.. Oh and doing yoga again.. And little Eli, well, he’s just himself. and now he’s TWO..

Can’t believe it’s ONLY November 1..