Our February ups and downs

This last month has been filled with challenges and fun!!

Some of the fun was we had a much needed break visiting family in Mississippi :). The kids enjoyed the weekend with Granny and Pawpaw.  I’m very thankful that our children  are able to grow up close to grandparents and visit there other set of grandparents as well. They had the opportunity to help their pop pop plant trees and work on the land as well as get some good quality time with granny. Even though the baby got sick we still had a relaxing weekend snuggling and getting good quality family time. We were also very thankful to visit our old church and see how God is able to work and blessed that church with their new pastor. 

At school we have been having lots of fun with Valentines day, Presidents’ Day and lots of  hands on activity. It’s so much fun to watch the kids grow their own gardens, observe their own ant hills, and do magnet experiments as they learn and try new things and science !!  We also had our "100 day of school" celebration so all the boys got to dress up like they were 100 years old.  It made for a fun boost to our rainy February!

I've been very excited to start taking on new piano students again, as well as watch my boys learn and improve!  I'm forever thankful my parents took the time and money for me to learn music so that I am able to use it to serve in ministry, school, and help others learn as well!  I was never a great musician, but I love teaching the next generation and am forever thankful that God allows me to still play.  :)

February has always been a rough month for us physically and mentally, but this last week I got the official diagnosis of fibromyalgia. This is something they told me years ago I was borderline on and I have been struggling with pain management and balancing life for a while.   Although I’m very thankful for how much I have learned with nutrition exercise and energy balancing it has been difficult learning to manage my pain. I am very thankful for a Doctor who is finally listening to me and able to help me as I do the next few steps of the process.  I’m also very thankful that it wasn’t anything worse which was a concern.  

 Although I am thankful for the answers finally in for a specialist I can work with, it’s still a lot to take on.  I am very thankful for all of our friends and family to help us and support us.   It’s going to be a great journey as I learn to keep my health on track even more so. Overall between school and traveling and all the grand adventures we have I just have to remember to keep my own health in mind and keep myself from getting too overdone.  :).

It can be very difficult when you feel sick, but don't look sick.  Oftentimes I have to remember to NOT overshare or explain, because most people will not understand.  Take my rest days seriously, and pace myself well is critical for my physical and mental well being.   I also have to not guilt myself for not being able to do as much as I would like to.  It's a tricky thing learning to accept limitations on life, but not letting those limitations define or take away from quality of life.  I take victory in the small things, and embrace those happy moments of life.  Purpose to not dwell on the bad days or negative is also a must!!  It's difficult, but with prayer, Bible, and good support, I'm thankful that I'm able to balance that all out more.

With the last couple weeks of rain, even though it has been a struggle on my health, I’ve been really enjoying my new learning process with make up with lip sense, as well as getting a lot of great time with my kids!! It is been a joy to watch our children grow and learn and become each other’s best friends. I’m very thankful for a close knit family and cannot wait to see how these kids continue!

Having a GREAT February... fight off winter blues!!

Hey everyone and Happy February!!

I looked back and was realizing all my "this time last year" posts are all the same.  Flu, sickness, depression, blahs.... overall "yuck" time of year!

This year is no different with feeling this way, the difference is not letting those feeling take control!

I get it.  Working full time, four kids, busy schedules, and this COLD wet yucky weather makes everything gloomy, BUT that doesn't change the "us" inside.

Every single day I wake up in pain and depression, and kids get fussy and sleep deprived, but don't focus on that.. instead shift to the AMAZING things I get to do every day. 

I get to watch children learn, grow, and love their life.  I get to snuggle four sweet adorable kids with unique personalities at home.  I get to have a great husband who provides a beautiful home and life for us!

The days get long, but just remember these few things:

1) SELF CARE!

 For me that includes Bible reading (even more in these tough months).  Encourage another person.  It's hard to be down about yourself if you're encouraging someone else.  Go out for a "coffee" time with someone, or even alone if needed.  Take time to rest!  Not lazy, but true rest and refreshment when you need it.
For me, that also means putting on some makeup, and doing my hair!
It can be so easy as a mom to just go into "lazy" mode... but when you feel down MAKE yourself get up and do what you need to feel pretty. :)

2) NO more Stinkin' Thinkin!

My Pastor's wife used to tell me "quit stinkin thinkin."  Guess what??  If you focus on the good stuff, it shows and it truly helps your attitude overall.
Go find something fun, exciting and new to do! 

3) Eat right!

  Yes, I do love my weekly pizza and coffee from Starbucks days, BUT make sure most of what you eat is healthy!  With less sun shine we also tend to eat not as well.  These are the months you need LOTS of extra nutrition, veggies, good proteins, etc.  I like to do packed out smoothies, good quality (high grain) bread, eggs, avocados, etc.  Every person has different dietary needs so do what you need to stay healthy. :)

4) Don't forget LOTS of water and exercise!

It's easy to get those winter blues and mope around.  Get up and even if you can't go walking outside, do some basic exercises in your own home!  It's FREE to do push ups, sit ups, lunges, running in place... download apps that can show you what you need as well!  Just get yourself moving!

This pretty much sums up some "winter blues" issues, but I like to remember that these painful and long weeks are only a short time.  Do what you must to push through it and keep a good attitude!  Remember, SUMMER is coming soon!!

  Throwback to last year's Valentine Baby!