You Stink!

Yes you.  The mom who never has on "real" clothes.

There is no judgement in this entry.  Just food for thought.

There is a mother at my daughter's preschool who, in the four years of knowing her, has never had on "real" clothing at pick up or drop off.  Yes, there are many days that I do not prioritize a shower and real clothes in order to get my workout, errands, cleaning, etc. all completed in that very short four-hour window. And that is OK. But, in my very opinionated opinion, everyday is not OK.

First, let's talk about what real clothes are.  I think some of us are confused.

If it has built-in underwear, those are not "real" shorts.
If you don't have a "real" bra on under your shirt, it is not a "real" shirt.
If your skirt has a place to put a ball, it is not a "real" skirt.
Sweatpants or anything in the sweatpants family does not = "real."

Let me tell you a story about sweatpants.  My friends just think it is hysterical, but when it was happening, I was mortified and embarrassed.

My husband, Colter, played professional baseball for nine years.  When I was pregnant with our first child, it was the off-season.  In the off-season, Colter taught pitching lessons in the afternoons to kids after school.

So, my big 20-week ultrasound was scheduled before one of his pitching lessons.  I was so excited!  Every time I had a doctor's appointment, I would wear my cutest maternity outfit.  On this particular day, I had on my favorite black and red dress and black boots.  Colter and I met in the parking lot to go together to the appointment.

So there I am, all dolled up and feeling cute, and out steps Colter....in his sweatpants. Not just any sweatpants.  Grey sweatpants with an elastic band on the bottom.  Not cute AT ALL. Here it was 3 p.m. in the afternoon and he has on sweatpants!

If any of you are Seinfeld fans, remember when George decides to wear sweatpants everywhere?  Jerry tells him that wearing sweatpants is like you have given up on life.  Ha!

I looked at Colter in disbelief and in true Colter fashion, he's says "What?  Should I wear a tux to your appointment?"  And my response, almost in tears is "You look like my loser boyfriend that got me pregnant!!"

Oh my!  We can laugh about that now, but the point is, let's try and put our best foot forward every day. Now, understandable Colter's job required sweatpants.  (Maybe I wouldn't have cared if they hadn't been elastic!!)

Moms, you are worth the effort to put on make up, jewelry and "real" clothes.  You are!  It shows your child that you think you are worth the effort.  It shows your child that you want to look good for your husband. You are important.  It's OK to take time for yourself.

Please do not get me wrong.  There are days that I stay in my workout clothes all day.  But, if I plan ahead, I shower and get ready at the gym or plan time at home to get ready.

If you have to be in gym clothes all day, I have a few pointers:
1.  Select gym clothing that is a little more modest.  Longer shorts, a more covering shirt, etc.
2.  Put on a little make-up!  I know it is not ideal to wear it while you are sweating, but if you are going to be out and about all day, put some make-up on!
3.  Bring a jacket.  I always get cold after sweating!

And, to wrap this up, these are my top 5 times that you MUST wear "real" clothes:
1.  To meet your husband for lunch.
2.  Going to a teacher conference.  (Although I did break this one once because I teach and the appointment was early in the morning!)
3.  To attend any school program.
4.  Church! I am old school.  Do not wear your workout clothes to church!
5.  Shopping - if you are trying on clothes, please go home and take a shower first!

Moms, you are beautiful and important.  We are women of God!  We are out there in this sinful world representing God, our families, our church, and any organization we are associated with.  Let's try and put our best foot forward every day.

And, please do not misunderstand me.  A beautiful heart is much more than a beautiful face or "real" clothes.  If you disagree with me, just keep stinkin' but keep that beautiful heart!

Step Away from the Candy

I repeat.  Step away from the candy.

It is that time of year when the Easter Bunny rears its ugly head by bringing too much candy into your house.  So what's a girl to do?

1.  Don't buy Easter candy until the last minute.  Buying it a week or two (or three!) ahead of time will = no candy Easter morning.  Hmmmmmmm, who ate all the candy???  Mom. She's the only one that knows where it is!

2.  Buy candy you don't like.  Boom!  Temptation gone.

3.  Put the candy out of sight.  Store it on the highest shelf where you don't walk past it every 5 minutes.  Sticking your hand in a bowl of M&Ms every 10 minutes adds up FAST.

4.  Indulge a little.  Ask yourself...is this treat SO good and tasty that I want to waste 100, 200, 300 calories on it???  Save your calories for something you LOVE!

So, after all this great advice, I have a confession.  After I taught a kick-butt bootcamp this morning, I came home and ate a mini Twix.  I think I need to read my own blog.  HA!

We are only human.  Even if "all" the other moms seem perfect, they are not. I will say that again....THEY ARE NOT.  I promise this is true.  Don't beat yourself up if you missed a workout or ate the entire bag of M&Ms.  We all struggle with something - body issues, marriage issues, children, finances, and on and on.

It is Holy Week this week.  Take time to praise God for this ONE body He gave you.  Thank Him who washed away all our sin.  Use your body to glorify Him by extending His grace, His mercy, His kindness, His understanding and His love to all those you come in contact with.

Exercise goes on Vacation

It's spring break here in the great state of Alabama, and every year my family and I pack up and head south to Point Clear, AL for a week of fun and relaxation. But does that mean a break from exercise? Absolutely not! Are you crazy? I would go insane with out my exercise fix, but I do think it is wise to take a break from your normal routine. So what does exercise on vacation look like? Well, I will give you an example of what it DOESN'T look like. My crew and I were happily playing on the beach when a woman (I wouldn't call her a lady) was so rude to her three adorable kids. Her boys wanted her to take them out on the kayak and she snapped back at them announcing that she had already run six miles and played tennis and she couldn't possibly have the energy to take them out on the kayak. I wanted to throw sand in her face and tell those sweet faces that I would take them. Witchy woman. The point of vacation is to relax and enjoy yourself and your family. Here's a peek at what my exercise routine looks like on vacation: Day 1: Took a walk (yes that counts!) about a mile and 1/2 down a beautiful path. On the way back I sprinted two telephone pole widths then walked one telephone pole width. I repeated this until I got back to the house. Day 2: Slept until 9 a.m. Gasp! Couldn't muster up the will power to go outside and run. But I did take the kids out on the kayak. What an amazing arm workout! Day 3: Both kids are now sick. Gibson keeps saying "this is the worst spring break ever!" Been trapped in the house all day. Going crazy so I entertain my mom by showing he all my "moves" from class and trying to come up with new routines. This show lasted about 30 minutes. Day 4: Just a walk....a very fast walk. But, give me a little credit, my little one up half the night with tummy troubles! Day 5: Tomorrow is day 5 and in my head I plan to hit the gym. If not, we are going to the pool where i will sneak in some flutter kicks, high knees, running and fun play time with my kids. Whever you may be there is always a way to MOVE. And usually on vacation, you have extra hands to help with the kids so you can get in a short workout. Or, rent bikes as a family, go on a hike, walk the beach, have a plank-holding contest with your husband! Just keep moving....with at least one day that you just lay around, of course. Or, to loose any of my vacation weight gain, I can take a hint from from one of my favorite movies, "The Devil Wears Prada", "I am only one stomach flu away from my goal weight.". I can just get Gibson to blow in my face or offer to share a Sprite! Just kidding! Happy Spring Break!

Being the Base

I always hated being the "base."  


If you were ever a cheerleader you will know what I am talking about.  The base is the girl who throws the other girls in the air.  The base is the strong cheerleader who holds the other girls up in the air.  


But in my warped mind, base = biggest, fattest, heaviest cheerleader.  


You know those woman who are just teeny tiny?  The 90-pounders.  The ones God created to be tiny.  I was never one of those girls but always wanted to be.  I never longed to be tall.  I liked being short, but I always wanted to be miniature too.  


As I brought this subject up to my dear friend Kelli, a fellow cheerleader from the past, she couldn't believe I would have ever felt that way!  Being a base meant you were STRONG!  She said to me, you were a great base! 


So, I looked up on dictionary.com the definition of base.  "The bottom support of anything that which a thing stands or rests." 


Hmmmmmm.


That definition didn't say base: someone really fat and worthless. 


I was the support of the 90-pounders!  They depended on me to keep them safe and catch them when they fell!  They put their trust in me to hold them in the air!  


If all the cheerleaders in high school were built the same way with the same talents, there would be no pyramids, no basket tosses, no liberties!  How boring would that be? 


Same goes for us as believers in the body of Christ.  It takes all of us with all our special talents.  I love these verses from Romans 12: 


 ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b]do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.


Embrace yourself the way God made you - mind, body and soul. 

Back to College

I wonder if anyone would mistake me for a college student?


I kept thinking this in my head this past weekend while Colter and I were in Auburn.  We headed down to the plains for a baseball reunion and dinner.  Colter was on the 1997 World Series Team, and they were the guests of honor at this year's annual banquet.


I dropped Colter off for a team lunch and tour of all of Auburn's amazing new facilities, and I went running on my old route around campus.


And, it started.


As I put on my running gear and look in the mirror, I kept thinking, I wonder if I still look like a college student. Surely I will just blend right in. I put on my hat, turned up Katy Perry and headed down College Street.


As I run past the Sigma Chi house I get a glance....from a college kid!  Whooohooo!  Still got it! I blend! Confidence boost!  Little do they know that if they got really close they might see the slight beginning of creases around my eyes! 


As I continue on my run, my mind goes back in time to my college days.  I thought about my accomplishments, my challenges, my friendships and my boyfriend...who is now my husband. 


Would I really want to go back?  Do I really want to be my 20-year-old self?  


I think we all ponder "what if" or "those were the days."  But, here we are!  Now!  Today!  In this moment!  In this body!  At this age! 


My 20-year-old self had a flatter stomach. My 34-year-old me has two precious, healthy children that made my stomach a little softer! 
My 20-year-old me thought I was SO busy.  My 34-year-old me IS so busy. 
My 20-year-old me was overly emotional. My 34-year-old me is strong.
My 20-year-old me was fearless.  My 34-year-old me is cautious. 
My 20-year-old me thought mostly about me.  My 34-year-old me thinks of others. 
My 20 year-old me believed in God. My 34-year-old me has a relationship with God. 


Instead of wishing to be the 20-year-old you, look back and see how much you have grown and changed.  See what God has done in your life.  And, if you don't like what you see.  Change it!  


 "There is a time for everything, 
   and a season for every activity under the heavens:"


We are right where we need to be.  Believe it and claim it.  And, trust me, sometimes it is hard.  Especially, when the diamond doll sitting at my table "mams" me.  Just when I thought I hadn't really changed much from my 20-year-old self!  

Behaving Badly

So, it is taking me some courage to write about this incident.  I acted like a total and complete idiot.  And, unfortunately, I bet a lot of you can relate.

Before I tell my tale, I want to say that I really and truly believe that ALL women are beautiful....at ANY size.  I believe that with all my heart.  So please don't think I am judging the rest of you for my bad behavior, I just judge myself....harshly.

It was a beautiful day in the quaint little town of Fairhope, AL.  My mother and I were shopping and stopped in to one of our favorite boutiques.  It was the perfect time of year because it was the end of the season so all the gorgeous and expensive clothes were on sale.

So, I am flipping through the 75% off rack and spot this absolutely adorable gray dress with blue polka dots complete with a thin matching belt.  I look at it and think, this is my size!  It is perfect.  Then, I looked at the tag and it went downhill from there.

The tag said it was a size 10.  For those of you who don't know me, that is not my normal size at all.  And, the employees of this store were about to get an earful about how this was absolutely not my normal size.

And so it began....diarrhea of the mouth.  It went a little something like this:

ME:  "This CANNOT be a size 10.  I mean it just can't be. Look how small it is!"
MOM: "Just try it on!  It is a $300 dress for $38!!!"
I reluctantly try it on.
ME  "This must be mis-sized.  There is NO WAY this is a size 10.  I wear a size 4!  NEVER a 10!  That is not even close to my size.  I mean, maybe I might wear a size 6 sometimes but usually a 4 but never a 10!"
This dress fits like a glove like it was made for me.
ME: "This dress is probably 75% off because it is mis-sized. I just couldn't be a a TRUE size 10."

And it went on and on and on.  How insecure could I get?  REALLY?  

Mom is probably so embarrassed by me at this point, but does convince me to get the dress. It was $38!

So, as we are checking out the saleslady gets a pair of scissors, cuts out the tag of the dress, hands it to me and says, "Here, now it is a size 4!"

I totally deserved it.

I hate to admit it, but this only happened about a year ago and as I reflect, I think.....

1.  SO WHAT?  So what if that dress wasn't labeled the size I wanted it to be? Who would EVER know?  Why do I care SO much?
2.  How did it make everyone else around me feel to be going on and on about a size 10 like it was a size 1 million?

I still struggle with having all the perfect numbers.  In my head I know it is completely ridiculous.  But, in my heart, it is a struggle.  So, how do we as mothers overcome this need for perfection?

DAILY give it to God.  God wants to bear all our insecurities and struggles...big or small.
REMIND ourselves to love and embrace the body that God created for us and USE it to glorify Him.

Ladies, you are beautiful.  I am beautiful.  We are all created in the image of our Lord and Saviour.  CLAIM that today.

Make a Lot; Share the Love

Just call me Meals on Wheels.

A name my husband gave me years ago when I kept baking, cooking, grilling and making food for everyone all the time.  New baby,  new neighbor, sickness, death in the family, or just because.

I love to work out. I love to cook.  And, best of all, I love to eat!  I am a hungry girl.  I want hearty, healthy meals for my family and to share with others.

Here's one of my favorite hearty, healthy soups from Cooking Light.  It is simmering on my stove right now.  The recipe will make enough for my family, another family that had a baby, my parents and one for my sweet friend Emily just because.

Chunky-Chicken Noodle Soup
2 t olive oil
1 C chopped onion (I used green onions....aren't they SO much easier???)
1 C diced carrots
1 C sliced celery
1 garlic clove (I cheated and used the minced garlic from a jar!)
3 T flour
1/2 t oregano
1/4 t dried thyme
1/4 t dried poultry seasoning (didn't have this one, didn't make a difference to me!)
3 cans fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
2 1/2 cups diced, peeled baking potato
1/2 t salt
2 cups diced roasted chicken (love to crock pot the chicken!)
1 12-ounce can fat free evaporated milk
2 cups wide egg noodles (I used whole-wheat shells)
**Note....I added a little more milk in the end
1.  Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic.  Saute' 5 minutes or until tender.  Sprinkle flour, oregano, dried thyme and poultry seasoning over veggies; cook 1 minute.
2.  Stir in broth, potato and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, 25 minutes. Add chicken, milk and noodles, and cook 10 minutes or until noodles are tender.  Yield: 8 servings......more if you ask me!

CALORIES: 240. FAT: 4.5g SODIUM: 667mg  Serving size: 1 cup.

Now, make this, enjoy it and share it with someone else.  You will brighten their day with your act of kindness.  And maybe, it will be the only kind act they see all day.