25 Back
While he was nervous on Day 1, by his 2nd race he was "in the zone." His next meet is in February. He'll be doing 6 events! Very excited for him. Definitely bringing a cushion for my tooshie this time.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Owen's 1st Swim Meet
25 Freestyle
25 Back
While he was nervous on Day 1, by his 2nd race he was "in the zone." His next meet is in February. He'll be doing 6 events! Very excited for him. Definitely bringing a cushion for my tooshie this time.
25 Back
While he was nervous on Day 1, by his 2nd race he was "in the zone." His next meet is in February. He'll be doing 6 events! Very excited for him. Definitely bringing a cushion for my tooshie this time.
Facebook De-tox
Once or twice a year we do a detox or cleanse. It's usually in the spring, and it feels great to flush out the body and get all systems functioning normally (if you get my meaning).
Well, my "anti-resolutions" led to some detoxing of another kind. For whatever reason, and it really was random, I woke up on a Friday a couple weeks ago determined NOT to get on Facebook. I had no idea when or if I would get back on again. It was enlightening and astonishing to realize how much my world had come to revolve around Facebook. My thoughts are in "post" form almost constantly. I feel deprived and go through withdrawal-like symptoms. I was disgusted with myself. For 100 hours I avoided Facebook. It wasn't easy at times, and others it was a relief. When I did get back on I had no desire to post, comment, or "like" anything. I really only got on b/c I was curious if I had any messages (I had 3). I then changed my settings to e-mail me if messages came through, thinking that I'd go back to neglecting FB on a regular basis. But I didn't. Like an addiction to a drug I've "had" to check FB throughout the day. I kept saying to myself--"Well, there's nothing to do right now," or "I might as well, while I wait on X." Pathetic.
It was nearly two weeks before any of my supposed 500+ "friends" noticed. I was delighted that even one person noticed I went from several daily posts to nothing for two weeks. I guess that's something, right?
So, now what do I do? I fully rejected social media when it first started. I fought FB until my sister basically said that's they only way to connect with her (irony: she is no longer on FB). I fully embraced FB a few years ago, and in fact became a huge promoter and maven. I said it was the modern mommy water cooler--the best way to connect with moms across the world, especially when it can feel isolating being at home with kids all day. It's a fantastic tool for small businesses...or is it? I manage 5 FB pages. Stepping back now, what is FB really doing for me? Why am I on FB?
I know that being off FB has led to more time with my kids, more time connecting with my husband and friends, and more peace. Mental peace. I also sleep better. I'm still thinking in "post" form, and I'd love for that to stop. I miss not sharing every hilarious thing my kids say or do, the food I make, and liking and commenting on friends' posts, but why? I think, if I'm honest, I like the attention. So, basically then, I use FB to brag about all the awesome things I do--even when they are the awesome-awful things. You know, the ridiculous "fails" we post. Oy. I think I sound a bit narcissistic. I "like" and comment sometimes b/c it feels like the accepted and expected thing to do. Oh, you're pregnant--I'll like that! Oh, you made granola? Yum, like that. Have an opinion on guns? Me too! It's your birthday? Thanks to FB, I actual know & now must spam your wall. (Let's be honest, would you wish a happy birthday to half the friends you have on FB if it weren't for FB reminding you? I'm lucky to remember my own birthday.)
Recently, a friend of mine shut down her FB account--insisted upon by her then fiance (now husband). He didn't like how stressed FB made her. She would read other mom's posts and feel like she was a failure. She'd read people's rants, and get stressed--feeling a need to voice her opinion too. At the time, I thought it was extreme to drop it all together, and that maybe she was just taking things a bit too serious. Now, I'm rethinking that it wasn't such a bad idea. There are definitely better ways to spend our time.
Another issue is that I really don't like FB now. It's not what it was a few years back--definitely functions with a focus on profit. Sad.
I don't have a conclusion. I'm not ready to fully close my FB account. Right now, I'm continuing to wean myself down. I'll start with FB-free weekends and FB-free homeschooling. (Is it ironic, sad, or pathetic that I will post this blog on FB?)
For those friends & family members on FB who've missed the latest "happenings" in our world, here's a FB-style run-down:
Well, my "anti-resolutions" led to some detoxing of another kind. For whatever reason, and it really was random, I woke up on a Friday a couple weeks ago determined NOT to get on Facebook. I had no idea when or if I would get back on again. It was enlightening and astonishing to realize how much my world had come to revolve around Facebook. My thoughts are in "post" form almost constantly. I feel deprived and go through withdrawal-like symptoms. I was disgusted with myself. For 100 hours I avoided Facebook. It wasn't easy at times, and others it was a relief. When I did get back on I had no desire to post, comment, or "like" anything. I really only got on b/c I was curious if I had any messages (I had 3). I then changed my settings to e-mail me if messages came through, thinking that I'd go back to neglecting FB on a regular basis. But I didn't. Like an addiction to a drug I've "had" to check FB throughout the day. I kept saying to myself--"Well, there's nothing to do right now," or "I might as well, while I wait on X." Pathetic.
It was nearly two weeks before any of my supposed 500+ "friends" noticed. I was delighted that even one person noticed I went from several daily posts to nothing for two weeks. I guess that's something, right?
So, now what do I do? I fully rejected social media when it first started. I fought FB until my sister basically said that's they only way to connect with her (irony: she is no longer on FB). I fully embraced FB a few years ago, and in fact became a huge promoter and maven. I said it was the modern mommy water cooler--the best way to connect with moms across the world, especially when it can feel isolating being at home with kids all day. It's a fantastic tool for small businesses...or is it? I manage 5 FB pages. Stepping back now, what is FB really doing for me? Why am I on FB?
I know that being off FB has led to more time with my kids, more time connecting with my husband and friends, and more peace. Mental peace. I also sleep better. I'm still thinking in "post" form, and I'd love for that to stop. I miss not sharing every hilarious thing my kids say or do, the food I make, and liking and commenting on friends' posts, but why? I think, if I'm honest, I like the attention. So, basically then, I use FB to brag about all the awesome things I do--even when they are the awesome-awful things. You know, the ridiculous "fails" we post. Oy. I think I sound a bit narcissistic. I "like" and comment sometimes b/c it feels like the accepted and expected thing to do. Oh, you're pregnant--I'll like that! Oh, you made granola? Yum, like that. Have an opinion on guns? Me too! It's your birthday? Thanks to FB, I actual know & now must spam your wall. (Let's be honest, would you wish a happy birthday to half the friends you have on FB if it weren't for FB reminding you? I'm lucky to remember my own birthday.)
Recently, a friend of mine shut down her FB account--insisted upon by her then fiance (now husband). He didn't like how stressed FB made her. She would read other mom's posts and feel like she was a failure. She'd read people's rants, and get stressed--feeling a need to voice her opinion too. At the time, I thought it was extreme to drop it all together, and that maybe she was just taking things a bit too serious. Now, I'm rethinking that it wasn't such a bad idea. There are definitely better ways to spend our time.
Another issue is that I really don't like FB now. It's not what it was a few years back--definitely functions with a focus on profit. Sad.
I don't have a conclusion. I'm not ready to fully close my FB account. Right now, I'm continuing to wean myself down. I'll start with FB-free weekends and FB-free homeschooling. (Is it ironic, sad, or pathetic that I will post this blog on FB?)
For those friends & family members on FB who've missed the latest "happenings" in our world, here's a FB-style run-down:
- Matt accepted a new job at Frontier Charter Academy doing IT. He still teaches music lessons, and has a full load of students too.
- We are finally all healthy after a nasty flu bug. Eden started & ended it. Her detoxifying came with a couple days of hives. (I was hoping it was a kick-off to chicken pox, but no such luck.)
- I am no longer working outside of the home--full-on SAHM (with a doula/lactation client here & there, and a PR client occasionally). A dream in the making for nearly 8 years.
- Owen had his first swim meet. He did great. Well, he at least did not come in dead last. :)
- Homeschooling is awesome. That is all.
- I actually did make homemade granola. Pumpkin Spice and Blueberry-Pecan Gingerbread. They really are awesome. Not sure it's saving us much money. I think we're just eating a lot more granola now.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Anti-Resolution List
I am a goal-setter and a list-maker. New Year's resolutions are a natural part of what I love to do, but this year is different. The past few years I've achieved plenty. I've done much. I've given more and more. Anyone that knows us, knows that 2012 was an incredibly difficult year for us. We are definitely glad to close that chapter, and thankful to move on to another.
Through this difficult time we've struggled to hear God's voice. Speaking for myself, I felt cut off and in the dark. Left to wander...and wonder. It was awful. I cried out for my God to speak. I cried out for my ears to be open to hear. I poured my heart out, "God, oh God, why?" After what felt like an eternity...my God spoke and I heard.
"I'm trying to slow you down."
When I heard Him speak, all at once my heart swelled and I was warm. I felt relief wash over me. I wanted to scream and tell everyone. I was bursting. I told my husband and my pastor. Both rejoiced. I told my sisters who had been praying over me. We wept and hugged.
It's true that in the times of my life that I hear God daily, confident in what He has me doing, and assured of where He's taking me--I achieve and accomplish much (ever making Phil. 4:13 so very true in my life). Lately, when I was--what felt like--closed off from God, I was aimless and felt adrift. Very unnerving for someone like me (recall: list-maker, goal-setter).
Despite the many changes that happened in 2012, I still carry a lot on my plate. Day by day, the door has closed on many projects I had going. God is stripping away, and literally slowing me down. Purposefully giving me less. This would normally make me feel awful, but I feel radiant. I feel free to truly focus on the FEW things I have set before me now.
I have an anti-resolution list this year. Items begin with words like:
1. Less
2. Fewer
3. Don't
4. No
5. Stop
I'm slowing down. It's not easy (though, starting 2013 with the flu helped slow life down). It's probably harder for me than constantly achieving. I'm kind of excited too. The anticipation of wondering God's purpose in slowing me down is a bit exhilarating. Is something big coming? Is it more refining? Blessings? Or maybe simply for my own health? I'm content to wait and find out.
Philippians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. So, I'll finish this post with one of my favorites passages (Phil 4:4-9) which is always relevant in my journey:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Through this difficult time we've struggled to hear God's voice. Speaking for myself, I felt cut off and in the dark. Left to wander...and wonder. It was awful. I cried out for my God to speak. I cried out for my ears to be open to hear. I poured my heart out, "God, oh God, why?" After what felt like an eternity...my God spoke and I heard.
"I'm trying to slow you down."
When I heard Him speak, all at once my heart swelled and I was warm. I felt relief wash over me. I wanted to scream and tell everyone. I was bursting. I told my husband and my pastor. Both rejoiced. I told my sisters who had been praying over me. We wept and hugged.
It's true that in the times of my life that I hear God daily, confident in what He has me doing, and assured of where He's taking me--I achieve and accomplish much (ever making Phil. 4:13 so very true in my life). Lately, when I was--what felt like--closed off from God, I was aimless and felt adrift. Very unnerving for someone like me (recall: list-maker, goal-setter).
Despite the many changes that happened in 2012, I still carry a lot on my plate. Day by day, the door has closed on many projects I had going. God is stripping away, and literally slowing me down. Purposefully giving me less. This would normally make me feel awful, but I feel radiant. I feel free to truly focus on the FEW things I have set before me now.
I have an anti-resolution list this year. Items begin with words like:
1. Less
2. Fewer
3. Don't
4. No
5. Stop
I'm slowing down. It's not easy (though, starting 2013 with the flu helped slow life down). It's probably harder for me than constantly achieving. I'm kind of excited too. The anticipation of wondering God's purpose in slowing me down is a bit exhilarating. Is something big coming? Is it more refining? Blessings? Or maybe simply for my own health? I'm content to wait and find out.
Philippians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. So, I'll finish this post with one of my favorites passages (Phil 4:4-9) which is always relevant in my journey:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
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