We’re almost midway through October and I’m ready to share a bit of what’s going on in my world… the little (mundane) details, the passing thoughts, and the revelations. Here’s a bit about my body, mind, and soul (and everything else).
Body
Body ImageI’m going to get the tough one out of the way first… I didn’t struggle with body image until I encountered my post-baby-carrying body. I can’t stand to see my body in front of a full length mirror, clothes shopping is challenging, and no matter what I do it seems like my body is stuck in a rut.
I don’t want a popsicle stick body. I would just like to lose the muffin tops and be able to look at myself without sighing. There are things I also need to come to terms with… like the rolls of loose skin on my belly. Short of plastic surgery, there’s nothing I can do about it. There’s no way I’m going under the knife so I’m praying I can accept my belly as it is.
EatingFor the past few weeks I have been more mindful of what I do to take care of my body. My beautiful friend, Laura, over at Essaie has been doing the Whole30 challenge. While I applaud her ambition, I don’t want to go a whole month without a glass of wine, or sweeteners like honey, or a piece of salted dark chocolate.
However, in reading her posts and investigating the Whole30 suggested foods, I realized that there’s some things I can do differently. I have really limited alcohol (1-2 glasses of wine per week as opposed to one every night), I have cut back on the added sugars in my diet and I’m making healthier food choices… all the time.
While eating well is important, I acknowledge that exercise is equally important. I’m still riding my exercise bike for about 20-30 minutes a day… however, I know I’ll need to increase that amount if I want serious change to occur.
I’ve been meaning to incorporate weight training into my routine but I just can’t seem to fit everything into my days. Tiffany over at A Touch of Grace has shared some fabulous workout and weight training routines. I’ve just got to suck it up and push (lift) my way through them.
YogaRemember how last month I told you I was missing Yoga? Well, I recently discovered Stay-At-Home-Yoga!
This virtual yoga studio is amazing! It has a great variety of classes to choose from. There are 2 minute yoga breaks, 3 pose yoga shorts, and even 3-5 class series! I’ve recently been enjoying the “Work Hard and Rest Deeply series”, but she also provides:
- Yoga For Desk Jockeys Series
- The Lower Body Series
- The Middle Body Series
- The Upper Body Series
- Yoga for Kids
What I love about the instruction is that I don’t have to crane my neck to look at the screen. Jennifer, the instructor, gives very detailed instructions. Plus her savasanas at the end of the practice are absolutely divine!
It’s definitely a winner when it comes to price! Did I mention the savasanas? Yes, that alone keeps me coming back for more. Jennifer offers a 30 day free trial, if you like yoga, you really should check it out!
Mind
HomeschoolingOur homeschooling year has been absolutely fabulous so far. As I shared in my post: 7 Keys To Homeschooling Success, I feel several things have specifically helped to make it a good year. In addition to these keys, I work really hard to build on topics that can be explored in a variety of subjects. The overlap reinforces my daughter’s learning and really excites her. I’ll share more about this process in the months to come.
Thankful
Today is Thanksgiving. I’ve been thinking a lot about everything I’m thankful for. While my list would require its own post, I do have to say that Thanksgiving reminds me of how I want to live my life… fully and completely thankful for everything and everyone. It’s a good life.
At the end of September I received this book in the mail….
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However, this book has birthed something in me. You see, one of my blog posts was published in this book! While this was completely thrilling, I now have a deeper desire to get published. Seeing my name in print, smelling this book, and holding this book in my hands rekindled my desire to write a book.
It may seem obvious, but I recently realized that writing a book isn’t something that’s going to happen to me… it’s something that I need to do. It’s something that I need to take action on. So now I’m on a journey to find something to write about. It’s frightening and exciting all at the same time. It may never happen but I won’t know until I give it a good, honest effort.
By the way, I highly recommend this book. I’m about halfway through it and it’s such a great read. I’ve caught myself nodding along in agreement, giggling, and wiping away tears. There are lots of short articles in it and it has a wonderful flow. The Christian perspective is both encouraging and refreshing.
I can sincerely express that Expectant Parents is a fabulous book and every expecting/new family should have a copy in their library.
Soul
A Night of WorshipMy church recently hosted an evening of worship. The experience was amazing. We sang beautiful praise and worship songs, lifted our hands, danced, and prayed.
There were moments at this worship service when tears streamed down my face. The sheer joy of singing, praying, and spending this precious time with my Lord and Savior was incredible. The experience, for me, was a glimpse of heaven.
Women’s Conference
I’m so excited to be attending a Women’s Conference at my church this month. I was ecstatic when my event bracelet came in the mail. Kelly Minter is the keynote speaker for the conference and I’m certain the events of the weekend will bless many women.
As some of you already know, I have been praying that I will find a Christian friend… someone to talk to about my faith journey, someone to attend events with, and someone to pray with. My spiritual journey has been a very solitary one. I don’t know why but I know there is a purpose for this. Perhaps God is sharpening me and building me up for deeper fellowship. I don’t know… but I will continue to pray that I will find a spiritual “sister” to share my faith with.
Everything Else
Play DateRemember how a while ago I told you about my anxiety surrounding the new experience of going for play dates? Well, we had our play date and it went well! The mom and I made a nice connection and the girls played fabulously. I would say our first experience was a success and I think subsequent experiences will probably have less anxiety leading up to them.
Halloween CostumesI have always said, I will never, ever be the mom who sews Halloween costumes for her kids. I don’t have the time nor talent to construct fabulous costumes… yet here I am, less than three weeks away from Halloween, sewing not one but TWO Halloween costumes for my girls. They both want to be Elsa for Halloween. For some reason I couldn’t justify the $70 to buy each of them their own dress, yet here I am, $70 in the hole and sewing these Elsa costumes. What was I thinking?!
On the plus side, these aren’t just costumes… they’re costume aprons. This means my kids won’t grow out of them overnight! Yay! Plus, these dress up aprons are super cute and the tutorial is fabulous and was created by my dear friend Sarah, over at Ruffles and Rainboots. Even if you don’t plan on ever making these, you should check out the dress up aprons on Sarah’s site. They are beautiful!
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How’s your body, mind, and soul (and everything else)? If you ever want to join me in this blogging series, please do (just make sure to let me know, so I can read your musings as well)! While you’re at it, feel free to grab a badge to put on your post!
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SHARE WITH OTHERS
I know the feeling week about looking at my belly and knowing deep down I need to come to terms with the fact that my belly is never going to be completely flat again after being pregnant twice. But still you made me smile about the Halloween costumes and sadly I just paid for two Elsa dresses from the Disney Store, because I am not crafty and god help me how they would look if I tried to make them myself! Can’t wait to see how yours come out though :)
Thanks for your kind words Janine. This body image thing is tough to come to terms with! I wish that I could get “there” quickly because I really don’t like feeling this way about my body.
No shame in buying costumes. After pricking my finger for the sixth time I’m beginning to doubt my ability to pull this off!
Whew, this seems like such a busy time for you! First, congratulations on getting published! After reading your writing here, I will happily look forward to reading a book / e-book you publish. You have a way of drawing your reader in and that is a gift that needs to be shared.
Your efforts in homeschooling are so inspiring to me. We haven’t decided if we’re going to home school yet but I am thankful that I have such a strong example of how it can be done well.
One of the hardest things I’ve had to come to terms with is my post-baby body. I won’t give up trying to stay healthy and obliterate it, but I might have a little pooch now until the rest of my life and I’m slowly (very, very slowly) accepting it. I try to remind myself what I traded a flat stomach for, and it eases a bit of the angst. That being said, sometimes shopping for clothes is not an empowering experience. :) Is there a website dedicated to clothes that help hide a post-baby pooch? I’d totally become a member of that collective!
Finally, thank you for mentioning our Elsa aprons. And wow – with $70 in materials, they are going to look A.W.E.S.O.M.E.! I can’t wait to see them, Jennifer. I’m sure the girls will love them!
Thank you for the encouragement to work on publishing something. I need an idea! I think the problem is I have too many and I frequently think, “Nope. That won’t do.”
Thanks also for the post-baby-body encouragement. This is one uphill battle. I wish I could just get over it already!
Thanks so much for the tutorial. I’m doing what I can… but I don’t know, we’ll see how they look in the end. I don’t think there’s anything special about my fabrics, I think I just:
1- bought too much
2- bought the same quality at higher prices than you
Thanks for the lovely and thoughtful comment. You are such a dear friend.
Have a great day!
That’s so awesome about you being published. Writing a book is something I’ve always wanted to do, too. Something fiction, like a children’s novel. I love to write but I don’t know. . . I feel like I don’t have the time now to do it and also I don’t have an idea of what to write about. When I was in like fifth and sixth grade I would write story after story. I found them the other day and read through them laughing. I think they were okay for a fifth and sixth grader.. . but they were still kind of amusing haha. Good luck with your Halloween costumes! My boys both want to be Power Rangers, go figure.
I’m excited about being published but now really stuck on what to write for a book.
I used to write lots when I was younger too,
One day….
Like I said on your blog, your two power rangers and my two Elsas would be quite the trick-or-treating team!
This was a fun read! I actually went on a women’s retreat with my church last weekend, and it was wonderful!!! So good to step away from the demands of everyday life and focus solely on connecting with God and other women. I hope you have a great time!
Glad you enjoyed this Katie. I love writing this monthly series because it dives into tidbits of information and things floating around in my brain.
I’m really excited for our Women’s Conference. I think it will be great. Any time that I dedicate time to God is great!
Wishing you a lovely day.
You are sewing the costumes! You go girl! I want to see what they look like when you are done :) I just went out and plopped my 29.99 at Party City and brought home Anna in a bag :)
How exciting you have published works now. I hope you do go on and publish some of your own works. I’d be first in line!
Ugh, we’ll see how the costumes turn out. Never again… I say shaking my head back and forth. After pricking my finger for the sixth time, I wish I had an Elsa in a bag.
I put these thoughts of writing/publishing out there so I can suck it up and do something once and for all. Hopefully I can think of something to write. I’m currently at a loss (there’s no shortage of ideas… I just can’t hone in on one).
I don’t mind working out if I have a buddy and if doesn’t get too hard. ha ha! But I haven’t done any kind of exercising (besides going on walks and chasing a busy boy) since well before I even got pregnant. My friend asked if I would want to go to a mommy bootcamp class with her, and it was just what I needed. If she wouldn’t have asked me there is no way I would’ve went on my own. I’m glad to be going now and am hoping that maybe I’ll stick with some sort of exercise regime after our class ends. Good for you for sewing costumes! :) I’m determined to get better at sewing, but it’s a slow process. :)
I wish I had a workout buddy. It would definitely keep me more motivated, that’s for sure.
I’m determined to get better at sewing too. One day!
I have yet to accept my post baby body as well Jennifer. It’s hard, but I think as we get older somethings do get better; maybe not our boobs, but I’m a better friend and I think an all around better person now than when I was 20. So don’t let the mommy tummy get you down. Most of us have it. :)
I love that you wrote all the things you are focusing on for YOU! As moms we always forget to take care of us. It’s so important to focus on ourselves and what we need as human beings, moms, wives and individuals.
Congratulations on being published in the book! That’s awesome and I know something that is really important to you. You are a fabulous writer. :)
I hope you are able to start doing some of the workouts. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo
You make such a great point about being a better person – that’s me too – thanks for sharing that wisdom.
I’ve been on a journey to take care of my entire being (hence this body, mind, and soul updates). It’s good to take care of ourselves, especially given how much we take care of others!
Thanks for your kind words my friend. I will definitely pick one of your painfully hard workouts and commit to it!
Wishing you a lovely day.
So, my daughter looked at the calendar yesterday and asked, “Do you have any friends in Candada?” I paused and answered, “Why, yes. Yes I do!” She then prompted me to be sure to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.
So accept this one day late: Happy Thanksgiving! (Thankful for you!)
Congrats on the publication! Woot!
Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes Robin. This is one of my favourite occasions… it’s so important to pause and be thankful.
Thanks for the congrats on publishing – I’m pretty excited. Now I have to think of something new to write!
Wishing you a lovely day.
Funny because I just heard about the stay at home yoga TODAY! Winter is a bit tough with getting out of the house..
I have the same thoughts in book writing. I always thought it would just happen to me. Now that I’ve been published in an anthology, I want MORE. It’s always been a life goal of mine.
And I’m definitely up for cutting out added sugars!
That’s so neat that you just heard about the Stay-at-Home-Yoga program today! I just signed up for a 6-week online LIVE class with her too. Seriously getting my money’s worth… most studios charge a minimum of $15 per drop-in session. I figure if I do at least 6 classes (which I’ve already exceeded), it’s pretty much paid for itself.
I never expected to get the writing itch like I have. Seeing my name in print really did it to me.
I woke up yesterday with a really bad cold, so I broke my oath not to have added sugars (I’ve been making my cold remedy tea, which requires honey). I’m so glad I’ve cut out added sugars though. Once I started label reading, I realized that sugar is in everything!
I don’t know a mom on the planet (or even a woman!) that is perfectly happy with her body. My hubs always reminds me that I brought children into the world! Somehow when I focus on the miracle in that, it makes me feel better (a little). It just makes us long for our Heavenly bodies even more, doesn’t it? Congrats on getting published! That is SO cool I can’t wait to go read your blog post. I’m writing a book right now on marriage. My advice to you is to pick a topic that you are passionate and knowledgeable about so that you have lots of stuff to say. It’s not much different from blogging except that you can say as much as you want on a subject rather than the limited space in a blog post. Just pray about it. It will come to you. I think that your girls will appreciate their costumes more because you made them. They get to see the time and love you are pouring into them. Don’t forget to post pics!
Thank you for the writing advice Heather. I have so many thoughts swirling around my head. I really need to hone in on one and get the process started.
I’ll make sure to share pictures when the costumes are done… I hope they turn out!
Oh, wow! Congratulations on getting a blog post published in a book! That is WONDERFUL, and I can see how that would really stoke the fire and make you want to get your own book published even more now. I had to put mine on the back burner for a bit while some pressing things took over, but I really hope to get back to it soon. I have a rough outline of all the chapters and have started a few. I am just going to have to make some time. I am sure you will come up with a few brilliant ideas from which to choose. Then you will have some ideas for your second book, too. I’m still giddy over your name being in print! Big congrats! xo
It was really exciting Topaz. I just need to hone in on an idea/topic and start writing.
Thanks for sharing in my excitement!
Congratulations on getting published in a book. Although I have an e-book out I still have a desire to see Frank’s and mine story turned into an actual book. We joke around that it’s similar to the movie You’ve Got Mail but better because it actually happened. Frank says we should just go for it because romance genre is always hot, I have doubts myself. We see what happens.
It was really exciting to see my name in print. I think you should got with the hubby’s advice and write that book! From what you described, I would read it!
Congratulations on being in a book! How exciting! I don’t have a suggestion for a topic but I can’t wait to hear what you decide on. I think the body image thing is something we all struggle with especially after kids. It’s good to be eating right and exercising though. The rest is kind of out of our hands. I’m going to check out the weight training link. I struggle to make myself do that too! The conference sounds fun and I hope you find a special spiritual friend soon.
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement my friend.
Tiffany’s full body workouts are awesome… and intense. I definitely recommend them.
I’m super excited for the women’s conference. Less than two weeks away….
Thank you for clarifying you aren’t pregnant! I can’t wait to see your Elsa costumes…I wish I could sew. Sounds like you are having a lovely month. I may try out that yoga at home program too!
I has been a fabulous month. So much is going on… lots of good stuff.
Stay-at-Home-Yoga is amazing! The way I look at it, most drop-in yoga classes are at least $15. 6 classes with the online yoga program and the annual subscription has paid for itself. I finished my six classes in a little over a week and a half. It’s awesome.
Hi Jennifer! Congratulations on the inclusion of your post in this book!!!! That is fabulous, and I’m sure it’s wonderful. I have a pregnant daughter-in-law so maybe this book would be a fun thing for her. I’ll check it out on Amazon.
God bless your spiritual journey, as I know he does. You’ll find that partner when she is ready (or he). Maybe God is waiting for that perfect person to get to the place of wanting a partner too. Patience…sigh. It’s hard!
Keep thinking and praying about your book ideas. I know you’ll do a great job when you figure out what you want to say. Patience…sigh.
Thanks for the catch-up on what you are doing these days!
Ceil
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement Ceil.
The book is wonderful… it has a lovely Christian foundation. I think it would be an exceptional gift.
I’m praying for direction right now. It’s no sense pouring all my efforts into writing a book if it’s not something the Lord wants me to publish… and like you said, patience!
I love this post! Love hearing that you are getting healthy in all aspects of life!!! SO important and encouraging to me too!
Thanks Caroline! These are my favourite posts to write… plus it’s need for me to reflect on what’s happening with my body, mind, and soul.
Another bloggy friend highlighted her journey with that diet and she did an amazing job. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll never look like I did at age 20 and I’m almost 40 so no use crying over it. The only thing I can do now is try to eat healthier. As for Halloween costumes I’ve never tried making my own and Madison wanted to be Minnie Mouse so off to the Disney Store we went to get her her costume which she picked out herself.
btw Happy Belated Thanksgiving. I forgot Canada celebrated in October. Don’t think I spoke to my brother about it so totally forgot. Here’s to a great week!
I honestly never thought I would ever make a Halloween costume. No turning back now….
Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes my friend! It was a lovely weekend. Although I’m sick now :( Hopefully I’ll recuperate soon enough!
Jennifer,
So glad I popped over here! First of all, at least you have kids to blame for your “body sighs.” I just have wine and a neighbor who loves to bake. Lol. In all seriousness, though, every single woman looks in the mirror and judges their own body more harshly than anyone else would.
Congrats on getting one of your posts published! That’s awesome!! I’m always happy to have another writing buddy if you’re ever interested…once you figure out what you’re going to write about, of course. :)
Have a fabulous week!
Mandie
Mandi… I love your neighbour! Wine and baking… can I move into your neighbourhood too?!
Jaime from Wanted Hero threw down the gauntlet and challenged me to the NaNoWriMo writing challenge. I accepted. Am I crazy or what?! How on earth am I going to homeschool, blog, and get a novel written? Yup, I’m crazy.
I see he challenged you too. If you accept, come buddy me! My name is (brace yourself for this one) TheDeliberateMom. I know, I’m so clever, I’m sure writing a fiction novel for the first time in my life will be a breeze. *nervous laughter*
Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!
Congratulations on your book!!! I am so excited for you Jennifer!! And the book sounds amazing… I will surely check it out!!
And I love all of your topics, and all that you shared here.
I am especially affected by the lack of sisters you have to share your faith journey with… and I am just so sad that you don’t have that kind of fellowship in your life!!! How could that be? You are right though, God will surely use it!! Are there any small groups in your church, or friends there you can engage more with or reach out to? I’m surprised you haven’t found a friend there to grow close with and disciple each other.
Oh, how I wish I could invite you to my weekly women’s group!! You would fit RIGHT in with us ladies!! There’s sooo much HEART and laughter and prayer and support- all of what you so deserve and need, my friend.
I will be praying for God to place such women in your life. And I wonder, if you would be open to leading your own group/fellowship? Perhaps you can take those faithful steps toward pursuing a leadership role in your church and birthing a new small group?!!
Either way, I am praying that God bless you with the fellowship of sisterhood. Oh, my friend- that kind of community is quite miraculous. :)
I was very excited to get published… even if it is just one blog post in a book, it’s something! I now have this huge passion to write “seriously” (whatever that means) and just signed up for the NaNoWriMo writing challenge. Eeeek! One month to write a novel with 50, 000+ words.
I’ve been praying about a female prayer buddy/friend for a while. Our church is big and the timing of the small groups don’t work with our schedule. Although I did recently contemplate seeing if I could start a homeschooling women’s small group… I’ll pray more on it first though.
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement my friend!
Hi, Jennifer,
I really enjoyed your article. You’re a very talented writer, and will do well with the challenge Jaime issued you today! I finished and sent my response to him a little earlier! :-)
October is probably my favorite month. Now that we’re living in Pennsylvania and can enjoy the beautiful change of colors during the fall season, it is just completely breathtaking every time I get in the car to take a ride. This will be the second fall, true autumn that I have enjoyed in 22 years. Love it!
I’ve been trying to make healthier food choices also, I have lost a little bit of weight and some inches in the last few weeks. Yay!
I do have an elliptical machine, and use it a few times per week, but my husband needs to find the squeak and oil it! lol
Every time I read about you homeschooling your children, it brings back so many memories of when we did. Good times for sure.
Congratulations on being mentioned in Expectant Parents. I could so relate to what you felt when you held the book and smelled the book… I’m the same exact way. Nothing quite like it.
It’s wonderful that you’re able to attend the women’s conference, and a phenomenal way to be built up spiritually. We all need the Lord, but Women need other women, too, no doubt about it.
Thanks for sharing so many parts of your life, I feel as if I’ve known you for a long time.
:-)
Sharing with friends…
– Carol
Thank you for sharing about your health journey as well Carol. It can be challenging, can’t it?
I’m super excited about the NaNoWriMo challenge. So odd that I wrote this post and then two days later, Jaime challenged me! I’m going to take that as a sign!
I can’t believe the women’s conference is next week! It seems like I’ve been waiting forever for it to come and here I am… a week away from it! Yay!
Thanks for visiting (and for sharing). I’m glad you enjoyed this post… it’s just kind of an outpouring of what’s happening with me lately.
It was sure joy reading this blog entry. I believe in eating right, exercising and how I LOVE my yoga. It’s just one of those items I just can’t seem to live without. I do make yoga a priority in my life.
As for writing that book!! Oh Yes, Yes, please do! Your have so much to write on. I find your blog so fulfilling and interesting. Whether it’s your homeschooling, your faith, being a mom, etc. I think moms, have some of the most compelling stories!
My sister has a story everyday and I enjoy listening to each an every one! Combine everything about your life into a book – Everyone has a story and it needs to be told! I am routing for you! Go Jennifer!
Also, Congratulations on being mentioned in Expectant Parents!
Love and Blessings, Cheri xo
I’m glad you enjoyed this post Cheri! I love writing this monthly series… I always have so many things inspiring me from moment-to-moment and day-to-day.
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. I truly appreciate it!
xoxo
I loved reading this post. It’s so genuine and honest….this is why I keep coming back to your site and reading your posts. You definitely have a talent for writing and I do hope you’ll be able write a book and get it published. :)
I struggle with my body image every single day. My mind sometimes thanks I have my pre-pregnancy body and then I look down or at myself in the mirror and it’s hard. Yes, my body made an amazing human being but I’d like to have it back, without so much left over fat. I haven’t lost hope. I just know I need to work more on it.
I love the stay at home yoga idea. I never heard of it and kept telling my husband I’d like to do yoga but can’t with my daughter. Once we’re settled in our new home I’ll definitively look into this. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so delighted you enjoyed this post Carolina. I just started this series last month and I’m having lots of fun writing it. It’s just a mental outpouring of all the little random tidbits but when I see them together it makes me happy!
I can’t recommend the stay-at-home yoga program enough! Amazing! Really! Well worth the money (especially when you compare it to studio costs). She’s always adding new classes too!
Thanks for stopping by… and for your kind words.
You sucked me in with an Anne of Green Gables quote…those were my favorite books and movies growing up because I was “Anne with an e” as well :-)
Anywhoooo – I love how positive and upbeat you always are!! You always bring a little sunshine to my bloggy day…but YOU ARE CRAZY making those costumes yourself ;-) I bought Elsa at Target when it was 40% off with the Cartwheel App! lol Then again 3 years ago I was making a robot out of boxes, tissue paper, tin foil, and glue 2 days before Halloween! #crazymama
Have an amazing week, my friend!!
I just knew we were kindred spirits Anne Marie! I love Anne of Green Gables. I watched the movie sooooo many times.
I’m glad you find this space positive. I think if we really looked at things the positives (no matter how small) far outweigh the negatives in life… so I try to focus on the positives!
I just finished the costumes! Woohoo! So glad to have that done. Now I can start thinking about/planning for NaNoWriMo. Glad we’ll be on this journey together!
Wishing you well!
Look at you getting published! Well done, Jennifer :)
Hey, Happy (late) Thanksgiving! I often forget that Canadians celebrate it another time than we do in the states.
Seriously, I have to try me some yoga. I know I’d feel way better if I did it.
I always forget that the Americans celebrate in November… LOL. It was a lovely Thanksgiving, although I woke up on Thanksgiving Monday with a nasty cold and I’m still not over it!
Thank you for the warm words… and yes… you HAVE to try the yoga. It’s amazing (and totally affordable)!
I love what you said about writing a book isn’t something that’s going to happen to you, it’s something that you need to do. These posts of yours, these updates and whatnot, are my favorite. I cant give up honey/sweets and wine for 30 days…well I could but much like you, I don’t want to. lol
I HAVE HAVE HAVE TO get on that Yoga program.
I’m glad you enjoy these updates Rebecca. They’re such a mish-mash of everything going on in my life and in my head… sometimes I wonder if they’re boring for others to read LOL.
This yoga program is THE best! I have tried all sorts of YouTube videos, apps, dvds, etc. This one is amazing. The savasanas… divine!
Congrats on your book. When you said there was something for everyone on this blog post, you weren’t kidding. Thank you for this round up.
I like this monthly series because it really helps me reflect on everything happening in the different facets of my life.
Thanks for stopping by and for your warm congratulations.
xoxo
Jennifer,
I LOVE this post! The whole Mind, Body, Soul monthly recap is perfect to get to know you better. I enjoy the honesty expressed throughout each paragraph. I can relate with several of your statements… I also have post-baby-carrying body loving issues! I am actually super self conscious about my “popsicle stick” body that has resulted from switching to a vegetarian diet on top of constant breastfeeding-calorie loss over the past year. My entire life up until children I participated in sports and muscle building activities. I feel weaker than ever before, which is why one of my resolutions is to build muscle and get my body back to great health! Also, I love how you simply don’t want to commit to a month without wine. I LOVE my wine! I wouldn’t give it up entirely either. Moderation is always key. :) I have to simply shake my head at the Elsa costumes. *Sigh* Every little girl was Elsa this Halloween. MINE INCLUDED! I desperately wanted her to be something different… but seeing her dress up and smile so brightly, I didn’t care how many other Elsas there were Halloween night. Seeing that level of happiness is what parenting is all about! (Not the $70 part. haha! My daughter got an Elsa costume for her bday in July, which she wore essentially everyday, even at Halloween. Our wallets were spared!)
Wishing you a wonderful day,
Monica
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Monica. Negative body image is something I want to overcome. As a mom of two girls, I know they are looking to me and watching my response to my own body. For them to have a healthy body image, I need to have one as well.
LOL – I re-read this so I could see what I wrote about wine. So yeah, this is moot now because I’m back to drinking a glass of wine almost every evening. I guess I should reign that in again.
The Elsa costumes turned out great and they ended up being pretty easy to make – WHEW!