Practical & Spiritual Motivators For Life-Long Fitness

Pin It

Today's post is a "re-run" of a post I wrote several months back, but one that has been circulating on Pinterest quite a bit, so I thought I would bring it back just for today!  

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *      *
Let us run with perserverance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Ever since I really started running regularly in college, I have loved the biblical references to athletics and their parallels to the spiritual life...

 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it! ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  ~ Romans 5:3

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-15

As a mother, these verses still give me so much encouragement!  Running has evolved from a means to be able to eat more pizza (in college) into a habit essential for maintaining perspective, inner peace, and mental and physical strength for facing the challenges of motherhood and life in general.

That includes stepping up to a sporting clays challenge!...

My dad was the first person who, through his example, inspired me to exercise. He has dedicated himself to a life-long habit of fitness.  I have memories of him coming into the kitchen early in the morning after a good workout with a sweaty brow and ruddy cheeks greeting me cheerfully as I nibbled on my bowl of Cheerios.  He told me as I grew older that exercise for him was essential for managing stress, and approaching the work day with renewed vigor and confidence.

I have come to discover a deep sense of truth in his wisdom. The benefits for most of us, rest heavily in the mental and emotional clarity we gain from working out.  It's much greater than the physical benefits.

Several readers have requested that I write about how to get motivated and stay motivated to exercise.  This topic will probably be answered over the course of several posts, but I'll begin with this:

FIRST - you have to have to do something you enjoy.  Running, walking, biking, hiking, yoga, weightlifting - whatever it is, you have to enjoy it.  Although exercise isn't always fun, the fruits of it will be what keep you coming back.  Exercise isn't always fun, but the feeling that you have after you exercise is great, and is usually what makes it easier to choose to workout again the next day.  You can thank endorphins for that!

SECOND - you must remove from your mind the falsehood that exercise is selfish.  It's quite the opposite, actually.  The fit person is stronger

For the Lord 
She is able to fulfill His calling and purpose for her life with strength and energy.

For her Family 
 She works hard and plays hard with joy and efficiency!

For her Community 
She has the will and dedication to serve not only her family but others as well.

Notice I said the FIT person, not the SKINNY person.  Fitness comes in all shapes and sizes.  Don't believe me?  Just go stand alongside a course at any road race.  You will see all kinds of folks taking on the miles!  I ran 5 miles of my first half-marathon with a group of grandpas who were clipping right along and having a ball!

There are so many excuses out there for not doing it.  You just have to find your reason FOR doing it, and stick to it!  You'll be surprised at how your family and friends will come alongside of you to help you meet your goals.

The human body is an amazing machine, and when it becomes stronger, so too does the intellect (sharper focus), the will (choosing a virtuous path) and the proper order of our emotions (ladies, we need this!).

I hope that this gives you some encouragement to get out there and find a pathway of fitness you enjoy.  If you're already there, keep going!

Fabulous photos from Runner Girl ~ Discovered on Pinterest (of course!)

What I Wore Sunday & Pentecost

Pin It

Hello, Friends!! It's been a while since I've linked up with Fine Linen and Purple for What I Wore Sunday, so today I'm goin' for it!!

May I share a little story with you first?? 

When my oldest son, Ben, was a little boy, every Sunday he would come into the bathroom while I fixed my hair and make up for Mass. He would stand close beside me and, trying not to be too obvious, would put his cute little nose up to my arm and smell (I can still remember how wonderful my mom's skin always smelled when I was little too!).  Then, he would say in the sweetest voice, "You look so pretty, Mom!"  He is 12 years old now, and still the first person ready for Mass every Sunday.  His "grown up" routine is to walk in casually (always smiling) and ask me if his hair and clothes look nice.  Even though, he doesn't sniff my arm (I know, it sounds so silly, doesn't it??) anymore, he never forgets to mention how lovely I look - no matter how "undone" I am!  

I cherish this gift.  Truly I do.  And, I think that every child believes that their mother is beautiful, that she brings a sense of softness, of unmistakable loveliness into the home.  And, her fragrance isn't just a spritz of perfume or a floral shampoo, it's her love, her tenderness her feminine aura that her husband and her children recognize and embrace as something truly beautiful, something special.

I'm sharing this on Pentecost Sunday, because as the Holy Spirit enlivens the faithful in tangible ways - through wind, fire, and fragrance, as women, we too have the distinct gift of sharing our own fragrance with others.  Will it be a sweet one?? A joyful one?? An encouraging and positive one, one that draws our family close, one that anoints our friends and family with goodness and hope - ultimately with Christ??

There are three important things you need to do to draw people to God.  Forget yourself, and think only of the glory of your Father God.  Subject your will filially to the Will of Heaven, as Jesus Christ taught you.  Follow with docility the lights of the Holy Spirit. 

~ St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, 793

A sure way to be humble is to contemplate how, even without talents, fame or fortune, we can be effective instruments if we go to the Holy Spirit so that He may grant us his gifts.  Furrow, 283

 Skirt - Anthropologie 

Blouse - Marshalls

Shoes - DSW 

Bracelets - Target mix

Necklace - Stella & Dot

(Everything I wore today was a sale or clearance item! Shazam!!)

I really enjoy Stella and Dot jewelry, but it is too pricey for my purse.  So, I either wait for a clearance sale, or host a party and get it free!! Doesn't a deep discount make fashion so much more fun??

HAVE A FABULOUS WEEK, EVERYONE!!

On the Farm Friday - 7 Quick Takes

Pin It
Happy Friday, Everyone!! I hope you had a splendid week, and if not, may your weekend be a happy remedy!  Each year at the close of the school year, we celebrate our educational victories with a HA-UGE "graduation" breakfast.  The boys will be up soon, so I'd better find my apron - but before I head out to milk the cow (ha!) I wanted to squeeze in a very quick highlight from this past week!

/ 1 /

Even though life on the farm will be incredibly busy and require intensive energy and labor from now until October, once in a while there are little moments where we all get to throw off our hustle hats, hop in the pick up and head out into the softer side of the farm...

/ 2 /

A close up of an alfalfa plant before it blooms.

Last week Steve and I took the boys out to check a few of our alfalfa circles.  As you know the spring weather has been a bit looptie-loo, which has brought on a few challenges with getting the first round of alfalfa up and growing strong and healthy.  For any of ya'll who might not know, alfalfa is a legume and it produces 4-5 harvests each year from late spring to early fall.  It is swathed, given time to cure in the sun and eventually bailed or stacked and hauled to dairies, ranches or feed yards across the U.S.A. for cattle and horse consumption.

/ 3 /

When we pulled up to each circle, Steve and the boys bailed out of the pick-up, and, running in different directions, hovered over the crop, checking for weevils.  (Please note: my husband is standing over my shoulder right now reminding me to always choose the lesser of two "weevils." Now, he is laughing. Extremely loud. And, I haven't had coffee yet.)  

/ 4 /

Weevils are a tiny green larvae that eventually morph into a pupa and emerge as a small brown beetle.  Because weevils are so destructive, they have to be caught early and treated with a pesticide.

/ 5 /

Weevils aren't the only things we found out in the fields!! The boys also spotted snake holes, gopher tunnels, and my creative George marked this coyote track just for me, so that I wouldn't miss it!

/ 6 /

Charlie loved racing up and down the tire tracks, kicking up dirt and traipsing through the knee high foliage determined to keep up with his brothers! Only his shoes, which were a wee bit big, slowed him down.

/ 7 /

 Watching the pattern of tracks made by curious feet wondering off into the sleepy sunset on a cool, quiet evening, God's grandeur all around, and not a worry nor a fence to hold the little boy back is the sweetness of life.  

Aren't these the best of times??

Thank you, Jen, for hosting!!

My "Five Favorites" for the Week: Bye-Bye Busy

Pin It

Someone once told me that busy stands for Burdened Under Satan's Yolk.  (ZOIKS!!)  How exactly did I respond to that??  Ummm, Errrr, Wellll, Uhhhh.  Yeah.  Just like that.  Life is busy, especially when you have kids.  But, I think that sometimes we choose busy.  Ya know what I mean?? Because maybe busy makes us feel productive....or meaningful....or successful.

For me, especially now that summer is almost here, it's time to cast off the yolk, settle down a bit, look busy in the eye and pull the leisure punch. This week's five faves are all about shifting down a bit with the pace of life and enjoying the small things, the small moments...

- 1. -

READ.  Read!!  And, not just in the bathroom, in the 5 spare minutes when no one knows that I'm gone.  (Admit it, you've got a stack of books there, too.)  Our family doesn't call it the library for nothing! The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay is the best book that I read last summer.  You must add it to your library.  What's my "must read" for this summer?? I haven't picked one yet - please suggest!!

- 2. -

LAUGH!! I am oh-so-guilty of taking life too seriously.  Laughter is a sure cure for dat!  My husband got our children hooked on Tim Hawkins hilarity last winter when we were crying with cabin fever.  This one cracks me up...and so does this one....and this one....

- 3. -

SAVOR THE SWEET!! Each one of our boys have gone through the "I'm not dressed unless I have a hat on" phase.  It's so cute, their cap of choice perched perfectly crooked atop their little noggins, pressing down pink ears ever-so-slightly. Charlie wears his John Deere hat like he's the big man on the farm!

- 4. -

PAMPER!!  Sometimes when you're running through the day trying to keep up with homeschooling, sports, music practices and all of the daily domestics, it's hard to find time to take care of yourself.  Most days one shaved leg is a victory for me!  When I was marathon training, my skin took a beating, so I decided to actually try some real products.  That's when I FELL IN LOVE with the Timewise Firming Eye Cream from Mary Kay.  It smoothes and moisturizes the area around your eyes, takes care of the puffs and reduces dark circles like nothing else! If you don't have a consultant and would like to have one to assist you (I know just the girl your lookin' for!), or if you just want to try the products and feel like you can fly solo when it comes to ordering, you can shop right here!!

- 5. -

SIP!! Drinks on the patio. Need I say more?? Private Selection Citrus Stuffed Olives from Kroger/Dillons are the bomb diggity!! They will turn your Grey Goose martini or vodka tonic into a sipping sensation.  They also perk up a ho-hum salad right nicely!

Want to enjoy more favorites??  Hop on over here!!

Mudshakes, Mother's Day, Giveaways and More!

Pin It

Happy Monday, Friends!!

How was your weekend?? For all of my mommy readers, I hope that your Mother's Day was filled with joyful moments and happy memories!  After a long trip home from visiting family, they boys were eager to jump out of the vehicle and soak in the last of the day's sunlight.  The evening was calm and cool, calling all of us to "come out and play!" The older ones practiced a little baseball with dad, but the younger two....

well, as you can see, they had a little bit different idea about play time!!

Within minutes of "helping" me with the garden and yard work, they were covered from head to toe with the irresistibly cool, slimy mud. (Boys and mud are magnetic, aren't they??  It's impossible to keep them apart!) I knew this would mean an evening of scrubbing and soaking their mud-stained clothes, but I didn't mind at all.  

They were having so much fun making mud soup and mudshakes together that I didn't have the heart to divert them to cleaner forms of entertainment.  Seeing all of my little men taking delight in being outdoors and being together did my heart so much good!

 It was the perfect end to the perfect day!!

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  

In other news...

Last week I hosted a t-shirt giveaway from the fantastic company Run Pretty Far, and was overwhelmed by such a great response!! The lucky winner is Molly Pratt!!

Also last week my lovely friend, Cynthia, who authors one of my favorite blogs, Finding Great Joy, shared with us another fantastic "Mother-to-Mother" guest post series.  This one addressed the topic of disciplining children.  You can tap into the "Mother-to-Mother" archives (a tab at the top of the home page) for more great posts from past series.  I always learn so much from the series.  And, if she is always looking for contributors, if you are interested in sharing your wisdom!!

There's so much going on around here this week! Life on the farm is REALLY getting busy, and the boys are eager to roll up their sleeves, hop on equipment and help.  Our garden is coming along splendidly, thanks to the temps finally rising, school is winding down (hooray!!) and I'm starting the Whole30 program today. 

(More on that later!)

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC week!!

Raising Boys: 10 Loving Lessons Just For Moms

Pin It

With Mother's Day being just a few short days away, I am writing this post honor of all of the moms who have ever raised, or who are raising boys.  What a gift is this special opportunity that we have been given to love such precious ones!!  I share in the admiration that you have for your own sons, as well as your joys and your struggles in striving to raise them well!!

*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *       *

If someone would have told me 13 years ago that I would someday be the mother of 5 boys, I'm not sure if I would have laughed or ran screaming in the opposite direction!!  Raising our sons has offered me greater challenges and deeper joys than I could have ever imagined.  And, while, I would dearly love to have a daughter, I wouldn't change a chapter of this story for anything!

When our first son, Ben, was born, I had read so many books on motherhood that I thought for sure I had it all down, and that it would be just that - textbook, predictable, planned.  Go ahead and laugh, because I am!! Good golly, I even tried to apply the "textbook" method to Ben's labor and delivery, and (of course) it went NOTHING like I imagined it was supposed to. Life has a terrific way of humbling us, doesn't it??

Nearly 13 years and 5 sons later, I have learned a great deal from many incredible parents, grandparents and numerous experts a wealth of essential tips and truths on raising healthy, happy boys.  Without any girls to identify with, I'll readily admit that, at times, I have felt overwhelmed and confused, to say the least. Some of the lessons have been difficult, and yet others have come surprisingly natural to me (I account those to grace alone.).  And, I'm still learning - every day, I'm learning.  Thankfully, I have an amazing husband by my side to help me understand the (sometimes) maddening mysteries of manhood! 

I often hear parents say, "We raise all of our children the same, none are ever treated differently....it's only fair, really."  Pardon me, while I respectfully disagree with that for a moment.  While I applaud any parents' aspirations to be fair and just, what we must realize is that fair doesn't always mean "same" or "exactly alike." Every child deserves to be raised as an individual, as they each have different needs, different personalities, and different gifts.  And, I know this is going to be a shocker, but boys and girls should not be raised the same.  Loved equally, yes, absolutely.  Raised identically, no. I hope that as you read on, you will find sincerity as well as objectivity in my explanations. 

Are you still here?? Great!! I'd love to share with you some of the lessons that I have learned about raising, nurturing and understanding the heart of a boy, lessons that may seem obvious to a dad, but ones that perhaps a mom might appreciate hearing from the heart of another mom.  In the end, I hope you come away from this post feeling encouraged and supported in your very important, irreplaceable role as a mother.

1.  This may be an obvious one, but boys need to have the freedom to wrestle and climb, to roar and grunt and karate chop your house plants. They do not have ADD, they have energy, and they need an generous amount of time and space to run free.  Don't freak out when they act a little wild, a little fearless. Don't take them to the doctor, don't Google symptoms of hyperactivity, and don't suffocate them by constantly telling them to calm down, sit down and be quiet.  No, I don't mean let them behave destructively or disrespectfully (more about that in #2), but do not stifle their enthusiasm.  If you do, they will rebel and probably find a way to channel their energy into something else, something unhealthy.  I see many young boys engaging in video games, because they truly feel as though they have nothing else to do. This is a travesty. Trust me, it is very, very difficult to mend a boy's broken spirit.  Let them play!  You will have to repaint your walls, reinforce their bunk beds with scrap iron, and patch holes in their jeans.  Accept that, and then let them be off on their next adventure.

2.  As a natural response to #1, please know that I am speaking in terms of balance, not extremes.  That being said, boys do need to be taught self-control, prudence, the value of being polite, having manners and demonstrating proper etiquette.   Don't make excuses for them when they are thoughtless, rude or sloppy, by saying, "Oh, he's just being a boy!"  If you patiently teach them that times and situations call for a particular type of behavior and attitude, they will not only become natural leaders, but they will also gain self-confidence as well as the respect of others. Moms, it is proper for us to expect good manners at the supper table, "please" and "thank you" in daily interactions and please, never, ever allow your son(s) to speak disrespectfully to you (your husband should always be at your side in these situations). Knights were once required to learn proper etiquette/manners before they could wield a sword. It was the beginning stage of proving their worth as knights. Why? Self-control and discipline in the small things opens the door to strength and wisdom in the bigger battles of life.

3.  This lesson was inspired by Dr. Dobson's Bringing Up Boys, and I'm sharing it with you, because we've heeded it with every single one of our boys, and hold fast to it's importance. As moms we hold our baby boys close with all of our motherly love and attentiveness, as we should, but when our sons turn 2, it is very important for us to use those arms to toss them towards daddy! Step back a bit.  Allow more father-son time to take place, one-on-one.  This will help foster the natural masculinity of your son, because he will be able to identify more assuredly with his father.  You don't need to be gone for long periods of time, just an hour or two each week.  Consider going for an evening walk a couple of times a week, meeting up with friends, shopping for groceries or encouraging your "men" to go outside and play together or work on a project while you make supper.  Your son won't love you less - in fact, he will love and appreciate you even more! Let him go out and be a "big boy" with his papa.  He needs this from you.   In addition, I have seen many moms over the years who have an excessive (controlling) closeness with their sons, sons who are young men or even adults.  Cut. The. Cord.  Your main man should be your husband, he is first in priority of your love and attentiveness, not your son.  Your son should know his place in the family, without question.....and so should you.

4.  You didn't think I would forget to add how horribly and horrifyingly gross boys can be to this list did you?? If your boys should ever get lost in a forest and are near starvation, they will not hunt for berries or edible plants.  They will eat their boogers and then yell, "MOM!!!" until they loose their voices.  The whole booger issue totally mystifies me, and I find them everywhere, I mean everywhere!!  And, then there's the poop saga.  I have literally gone into my sons' bathroom 3 days in a row and seen no toilet paper on the ring.  Seriously??  Then, I get to the laundry and I see the damage that 3 days of no toilet paper can do. Uuuggghhhh!!! (I KNOW you can relate!!)  "Stop picking, please wipe, don't forget to flush and, for the love of Pete, wash your hands!!" will be on repeat for all of us moms until our boys flee the nest.  The only real way to deal with this unfortunate circumstance is with wine.  Lots and lots of wine.

5.  Cook for your sons.  They will never forget how beautifully you loved them in this sacrificial way. I know it seems small or old-fashioned, but some of our best family conversations have taken place around the supper table. And, I get the BEST hugs after a killer meal!  Food can also be used to achieve particular goals.  Are you followin' me here??  If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, so too be a boys!  Hold a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies above their heads and their rooms will be cleaned faster than you can say dust bunnies.

6.   Chill out a bit with the toy weapons.  I once had a neighbor who would not let her child play with my boys, because we allowed them to have wooden rifles.  However, she thought that swords were just fine - you know, a more civilized way of engaging in warfare.  Oh, I get it!! No, I don't, I'm lying right now. {Sigh.} Like it or not, here's the facts: If you keep every plastic pistol or pirate sword out of a boy's grip, they will find a way to fashion some type of weapon out of tree branches, tinker-toys or chop-sticks.  Your boys are not violent, they are not killers or haters, and letting them play with toy weapons isn't going to turn them into monsters.  Boys are born to be protectors, and if their instincts are nurtured in the proper way, someday they will protect your freshly sprouting garden from pests and more importantly, they will protect a lady from a predator - without hesitation.  Your sons are in more serious danger of developing a violent nature when they engage in violent video games, television and movies than they are if allowed to participate in innocent, imaginative play with friends. Just ask your father or grandfather - those "great" generations - about this.

7.  The world is pretty good at telling boys that they aren't as good as girls or really any different than girls, so they shouldn't act different or be different.  This is a terrible lie.  Don't buy into it.  Boys absolutely need to be boys and feel no shame or make no apologies for that. Praise and admire their masculine strengths!  Our sons natural talents should not be minimized because they are faster or stronger than their female peers, and they shouldn't be punished for it either.  As men and women, we're made to be complimentary not competitive, unique, not uniform.  It is our very complimentarity that brings beauty, strength and individuality to the world.  When you embrace your authentic femininity as a mother, you actually help your son grow to become an authentic man. 

8.  If you were ever a cheerleader back in the day, now is the time to practice those chants.  Boys don't need us to tell them how to throw the ball or tackle the opponent (even though many of us are awesome at sports and could easily coach our sons!), they need us to cheer for them, to encourage them, and then to let them know that we'll be their most loyal supporter, win or lose, whether it be on the football field or in the classroom.  Don't be a boss.  I've been to countless athletic events where the mom is  screaming red-faced at her son while the dad stands by texting on his phone. Those aren't tough-love moms, they're misguided moms.  And Dads, oh, dads, (slap-slap) wake up.  As parents we are here to guide, not take over the coach's job, and not make our sons feel as though their very lives depend on a touch-down pass.  Rah-rah, that's your job.  Now do it.  Do it proudly, moms!

9.  This one is closely related to #8.  A boy's (and a man's) biggest fear is failure.  So many mom's out there want to raise "good" boys who are virtuous and successful in life.  But, I know from experience, that when I'm on them all of the time with everything (school work, chores, fighting with siblings etc.) they can easily lose confidence in themselves.  They are already putting enough pressure on themselves in every aspect of life, they don't really need us to drop a few hundred extra pounds on their shoulders.  There are times when I've gone to bed at night and felt contrite for being too nit-picky with my young boys, for being too hard on them, for taking discipline too far, for lecturing too long. Let things go once in a while....it's okay.  Sometimes they need a hug and a pass more than they need a lecture or a punishment. (Isn't that true for us as well??)

10.  Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I must confess that one of the most difficult aspects of living in a house full of boys is dealing with my own sensitive nature.  As women, we are more easily hurt, offended and slighted than men are.  It doesn't mean that boys are insensitive or cold, they just aren't wired the same way that we are, and as moms, we need to show them how to be more tender without belittling their personhood or being overly dramatic.  One thing that has helped me when I'm tempted to fall into loneliness or self-pity after being slighted by a son is this: Whenever one of my sons draws me a picture or writes me a note of any kind, I save it in a special place.  And, when one has hurt my feelings or is struggling with a particular discipline issue that is difficult for me to handle, I go back to the pictures/notes and remember the love that my boys have for me, and the love that I have for them.  It truly does mend a broken heart.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MY FRIENDS!! YOU ARE LOVED!!