Today was a good day in my book.
I got up before the sun.
I rode public transportation.
I explored downtown Portland before daybreak.
I saw some of my favorite mommy friends.
I exercised.
I accomplished a big goal.
I celebrated.
I relaxed.
I spent time with my family.
I got domestic things done.
I ate well.
I drank enough water.
I drank coffee.
I drank beer.
I drank milk and ate cookies.
home is…a good day in the books.
Life is good.
It’s easy to forget that when you are frustrated about migraines, 3-1/2 year olds who don’t go to sleep at bedtime, stomach cramps, teething toddlers, messy houses, death, arguments, and all the other normal stuff that happens in life.
It’s all good.
What makes it tough is if we don’t stop to appreciate all of it. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
I don’t know who is in charge, but “they” have a plan for all of us. We’re just along for the ride.
Speaking of ride, lola and I went for a drive this morning after we dropped the little guy off at school. When I don’t feel like tackling the to do list I often just go for a drive.
This morning the sun was peaking through the clouds, and I thought we would get out and enjoy it before raindrops start falling again.
We drove down to The Allison. One of my favorite places to take the kids for a little bit of an adventure. We walk around the beautiful grounds and soak up a little bit of what the Willamette Valley has to offer. It’s a little different every season.
Here is what we found today…
home is…putting the to do list away for a morning.
home is…the peace of being calm in your heart.
Last Thursday was a snow day here in Portland, and I felt like eating tomato soup and grilled cheese for lunch. We were out of good old Campbells tomato soup, so I decided to see if I had what I needed to make it from scratch…and I did!
Here is the recipe I used…
Fresh tomato and basil are the stars of this classic summertime tomato soup recipe. Low-fat milk and light cream cheese keep it healthy.
Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 cup soup and 1 bread slice)
Bring tomato and juice to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes.
Place tomato mixture and basil in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Return pureed mixture to pan; stir in milk, salt, and pepper. Add cream cheese, stirring well with a whisk, and cook over medium heat until thick (about 5 minutes). Ladle soup into individual bowls; garnish with sliced basil, if desired. Serve with bread.
NOTE: Refrigerate remaining soup in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Last week I attended my first Titus coffee at the church where the little guy attends preschool. As I wrote in this post, I was not brought up going to church. We went on occasion, but I think I was brought up to be more spiritual than believing in God.
I still don’t know where I stand. What I do believe is that there is something bigger than us out there…be it God, karma, the universe, whatever.
Back to the Titus coffee…
The subject was a controversial parenting subject which I won’t discuss in detail. There were proverbs quoted, talk about prayer and giving grace, and a lot of things that I did not understand. I had a hard time believing that the subject that we were talking about is actually what God wants us to do, but I was convinced that it might be an effective parenting technique.
All of that being said, I am thinking about turning to God right now. My marriage is being tested and strained, my parenting skills are tested on a daily basis (I am sure the kids are acting out because they feel the stress of mommy and poppa not enjoying eachothers company), there have been things that have happened to me and my loved ones that defy any worldly explanation, and I am trying to find balance in my life and struggle with it everyday (who doesn’t, right?).
I can “talk” to all of you about it here on this forum, but ask me to talk with somebody about it in person and I clam up (unless I am talking with my beloved “quack” of a marriage/personal counselor, Dr. Brown). I am afraid of being judged.
Will it help my marriage?
Will it help my parenting?
Will it help me find answers?
Will it help me find balance?
I don’t know.
What I do know is that doing what I am currently doing, Dr. Phil would probably ask me, “Now how’s that workin’ for ya’?”.
Is it possible to believe in God, but not believe in all the things the Bible teaches?
I read a lot of blogs written by Christian moms. I have a lot of friends who attend church regularly.
It’s worth a try, right?
Who knows…baby steps. Maybe another Titus coffee before I jump in.
home is…sometimes not knowing where to turn.
…it’s Monday!
To get moving doesn’t always mean moving your body.
What about moving your mind?
Have you tried something new lately?
Trying something new everyday might be a stretch, but why not try something new every week. A recipe. A craft. A new exercise. A new furniture arrangement. A new color paint. A new piece of artwork. A new hobby. Whatever it may be…try something new!
This is what did to move my mind last week.
I made these rose hair clips for a baby shower gift. Another mommy from our Friday playgroup is having her 3rd baby and her 1st baby girl!
Here is the tutorial I used from Make it Do.
home is…moving your mind.
At least for me they did!
Here’s how…
1. I am taking the Stroller Strides Healthy Mama Challenge where not only do we get points for attending Stroller Strides classes, but also improving other aspects of our life (Mind, Body & Spirit).
2. I love this blog. This woman is truly and inspiration. If you don’t read my blog everyday, read hers!
3. I want to learn more about photography (and challenge myself). I have an awesome camera (a Nikon D60 that I LOVE!), but would actually like to learn how to take better photos, not just think I do!
4. Through Kelle’s blog I learned about this website. They offer weekly photo challenges AND tutorials!
5. Now I can earn more points for learning something new in the Healthy Mama Challenge!
6. I also have something to blog about today (and, hopefully, on many other days) for the WordPress Post a Day 2011 Challenge (which also earns me points in the HMC)!
home is…the planets aligning, even if it is just for me!
I had another post already written for today, but I was so excited about what I did last night I had to preempt it. In fact, this post should probably wait for next weeks “get moving…it’s Monday!”, but I just can’t contain my excitement!
I took a dance class last night! Actually, an exercise class, but it was dance. No, not Zumba…
…Group GROOVE at ClubSport!
We joined a healthclub at the beginning of the year (maybe that will be my next “GMIM” post), and I have taken full advantage of it. I had planned on taking a yoga class, but saw that Group GROOVE was at almost the same time. Last weekend they introduced the new classes, and I watched a bit of Group GROOVE. It looked like an absolute blast. In fact there was an older gentleman totally rocking out…front and center. He inspired me. If he could do it, so could I. (Truth be told, he was also rocking out in the Group STEP class the next morning…front and center…I need his enthusiasm and attitude!)
So, there I was at 6:30 standing in Studio 1 getting ready to get my groove on. Or, was it shake my groove thing?! Either way, I was groovin’!
I recently tweeted that I am adding “learn the Thriller dance” to my bucket list. People, we danced to “Beat It” tonight. Serious, Michael Jackson style. Now, I stood and watched a lot and probably looked like an uncoordinated fool, but I had so much fun. I was smiling the entire hour. I will learn the Thriller dance!
I’m definitely taking this class again. I’m also going to try a lot of other classes.
By the way, when I was walking out the instructor said to me, “You did great! This was your 2nd time, right!”
I said, “This was my first!”
She said, “Then you really did great!”
Yeah, sure. She just wants me to come back so she can laugh at me again. And, I will.
Don’t be afraid to try something new…EVER. It is never to late to learn how to dance.
home is…gettin’my groove on!
stephany taddeo 