Monday, March 29, 2010
Gloves, my fave Phat Camp shirt, BodyPump class...forget diamonds, THESE are girl's best friends!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Divine Entertainment
Last night I got to take my three girls and a friend (I call her my 4th daughter because she only has an older brother and loves our girlie household) to Washington College for a lacrosse clinic. The women's team and their coaches graciously hosted it on their field after their own practice.
I must admit, like most parents yesterday I wasn't exactly looking forward to it. Already coaching two practices of my own that week and getting behind on housework. Games all day Sunday. But the WORST part is that it rained all day and was FREEZING cold! Practicing with the kids isn't bad because I get to run around, but standing in the cold windy weather. Ugh.
When we got there I wasn't the only one who felt this way. Parents were huddled together watching and shivering. Joking about devoting 80% of our free time to LAX to keep our minds off of the discomfort.
Then one man said, "Goodness, look at the SKY!" Across the field and beyond the trees was the most stunning sunset I've ever seen. Strips of crimson, orange, blue, white and gold.
We all watched as it swirled and changed over the next 30 minutes or so. Until it was gone and the landscape was dark and stadium lights took over the watch.
I had to think to myself that this was indeed Divine entertainment. It certainly took our minds off of how uncomfortable we were. That background provided a gorgeous backdrop and diversion when we weren't watching the kids learn. Here's a shot I took.
I felt like it was my parental reward for doing the right thing. Heavenly Father to earth-bound mother.
Moments like these reaffirm that God truly IS watching and watching out for us!
Peace,
Steph
I must admit, like most parents yesterday I wasn't exactly looking forward to it. Already coaching two practices of my own that week and getting behind on housework. Games all day Sunday. But the WORST part is that it rained all day and was FREEZING cold! Practicing with the kids isn't bad because I get to run around, but standing in the cold windy weather. Ugh.
When we got there I wasn't the only one who felt this way. Parents were huddled together watching and shivering. Joking about devoting 80% of our free time to LAX to keep our minds off of the discomfort.
Then one man said, "Goodness, look at the SKY!" Across the field and beyond the trees was the most stunning sunset I've ever seen. Strips of crimson, orange, blue, white and gold.
We all watched as it swirled and changed over the next 30 minutes or so. Until it was gone and the landscape was dark and stadium lights took over the watch.
I had to think to myself that this was indeed Divine entertainment. It certainly took our minds off of how uncomfortable we were. That background provided a gorgeous backdrop and diversion when we weren't watching the kids learn. Here's a shot I took.
I felt like it was my parental reward for doing the right thing. Heavenly Father to earth-bound mother.
Moments like these reaffirm that God truly IS watching and watching out for us!
Peace,
Steph
Friday, March 26, 2010
Gettin' Girlie Today!
It's RAINING here! Heavy....so an outdoor run is out of the question. Maybe if it were July and hot. Now those kind of runs are great and better than running in the heat. But a cold, March day with rain. Ugh, no way.
Time for a little motivational moment:
Feeling a little disconnected by my training. Decided to remedy that with a ZUMBA class! Yep, getting all girlie and stuff. Hips shaking, gyrating, shimmying (is that how you spell shimmying?) and a great beat. Feels good to move like that.
Nutrition is good. Gluten-free is making me feel a lot better. A trip to WholePAYCHECK Foods is on the cards for this weekend.
Starting a morning boot camp on April 2nd and I'm really looking forward to it. Being outside, getting dirty, sweaty. Real good stuff!
Time for a little motivational moment:
Feeling a little disconnected by my training. Decided to remedy that with a ZUMBA class! Yep, getting all girlie and stuff. Hips shaking, gyrating, shimmying (is that how you spell shimmying?) and a great beat. Feels good to move like that.
Nutrition is good. Gluten-free is making me feel a lot better. A trip to Whole
Starting a morning boot camp on April 2nd and I'm really looking forward to it. Being outside, getting dirty, sweaty. Real good stuff!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
UA
The Under Armour outlet near me opened this week. Went there last night with the girls and came out a LOT poorer. LOVE this shopping bag though!
So, what do YOU want to be? Certainly doesn't have to be what you are today!
And with that, I'm off. Got a hot date with a treadmill. It's been way too long. Booty call.....literally! :)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Finding Yourself vs. Creating Yourself
Recently I read a quote that just jumped out, grabbed me and shook me up.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself.”
I fell madly, passionately in love with that sentiment. It propelled me further into my own physical and spiritual transformation. I just kept repeating that mantra in my head. During workouts. While teaching classes. Driving the kid around. All I could think was, “Yeah buddy, I’m CREATING myself!”
Then I went a bit deeper. Wondering why nine simple words could move me so much. It hit me. There really isn’t much to find. THIS is why I have struggled in the past with so-called self help programs or movements that focus on “finding” oneself.
The notion that there isn’t much to find is okay by me. You see, I grew up in a very abusive household with addict/user overlord parents whom I have learned to pray for and love. Now this part of the story I’ve dealt with. Like Maya Angelou once said, “So you had a bad childhood. It’s over” However, it made me realize what an effort it was in trying to find myself.
Looking at my girls, I see how formative these years are. I foster their interests, rejoice with them in their victories and help them through tough times. I realized that THESE are the years when you become that person you are supposed to “find” later in life when things get off track. In my own life I spent my childhood hiding out under the radar. Truly. Not wanting to bring any attention. Not pursuing interests. Just waiting it out until I was old enough to leave.
Then working to make my way through college. They just plain working. Having kids. Then you just wake up one day, read a great book review on Amazon and decide to go about “finding” yourself. This is where I fell down. Here is where the futile digging began. Nothing. Or I’d think I’d gotten somewhere only to wonder what the heck I was doing. Who IS this person?
Self transformation is truly that. The notion that we can become better. Become the people we want to be and that is not dependent upon our past. What only matters is now and the work we do now. Daily creative progress. Reaching out to others and enjoying the dynamic of human contact…..like this blog where I'm trying to create virtual contact that goes straight to the heart.
Now how cool is THAT?
I am grateful you took the time to read this. Much love. Steph.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself.”
I fell madly, passionately in love with that sentiment. It propelled me further into my own physical and spiritual transformation. I just kept repeating that mantra in my head. During workouts. While teaching classes. Driving the kid around. All I could think was, “Yeah buddy, I’m CREATING myself!”
Then I went a bit deeper. Wondering why nine simple words could move me so much. It hit me. There really isn’t much to find. THIS is why I have struggled in the past with so-called self help programs or movements that focus on “finding” oneself.
The notion that there isn’t much to find is okay by me. You see, I grew up in a very abusive household with addict/user overlord parents whom I have learned to pray for and love. Now this part of the story I’ve dealt with. Like Maya Angelou once said, “So you had a bad childhood. It’s over” However, it made me realize what an effort it was in trying to find myself.
Looking at my girls, I see how formative these years are. I foster their interests, rejoice with them in their victories and help them through tough times. I realized that THESE are the years when you become that person you are supposed to “find” later in life when things get off track. In my own life I spent my childhood hiding out under the radar. Truly. Not wanting to bring any attention. Not pursuing interests. Just waiting it out until I was old enough to leave.
Then working to make my way through college. They just plain working. Having kids. Then you just wake up one day, read a great book review on Amazon and decide to go about “finding” yourself. This is where I fell down. Here is where the futile digging began. Nothing. Or I’d think I’d gotten somewhere only to wonder what the heck I was doing. Who IS this person?
Self transformation is truly that. The notion that we can become better. Become the people we want to be and that is not dependent upon our past. What only matters is now and the work we do now. Daily creative progress. Reaching out to others and enjoying the dynamic of human contact…..like this blog where I'm trying to create virtual contact that goes straight to the heart.
Now how cool is THAT?
(Me not that long ago)
(Me after I stopped trying to "find" myself - mid creative phase, lol)
I am grateful you took the time to read this. Much love. Steph.
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