Wellness Wednesday - Movember

We must take good care of our menfolk, huh, ladies?! I jokingly tell Dan often that if I should die, he needs to remarry THE NEXT DAY! Grieve in private. Grieve me for years...but you add a woman back into this house...THE NEXT DAY!

Between the nighttime deafness and the inability to find anything, anytime, Mommas are important to daddys.

But, daddys are so important to babies (and the mommas, too!). So we gotta keep them healthy!

Movember. No Shave November.

Are you familiar with this idea? Men quit shaving for a month and do it for a cause (so that we can't beg them to shave!)

Men's health really does get neglected on the public arena. We know all about Pap smears and mammograms, but no body wants to talk about men's health.

And I don't really either, so I'm not going to. Here's what I will do...a couple tips, if you will.

1. Learn about the issues. Testicular cancer is an untalked about condition that mostly affects men in their 30-40's. Read about it, then tell your man about it.

Time out: Wait, first, some rules:

- I am merely passing along information, I'm no expert
- Stop thinking about it
- Do NOT comment on Facebook
- Don't ask me about it...Google it.
- Stop thinking about it
- I'm sorry ...or...
- You're welcome
- I don't want to talk about it

Here it goes.

2. Guys who have lots of sex have fewer men's health issues. (Especially prostate problems, it's real, google it.)

There, I said it.

Stop thinking about it.

-E

A List (And a Giveaway!!)

I've given up writing my daily to do list.  It was the exact same things everyday, and I found myself gauging how good of a day it was by how quickly and efficiently I made it through my list.  Silliness.

But I still LOVE a list.

1.  Lorde station on pandora.  I had to spend some time thumbs up-ing and thumbs down-ing due to some expressive language, but overall, it makes me feel like a hip mom.  (Ha!)

2.  This video 

(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/19/florida-state-university-acabelles-royals_n_4303688.html?utm_hp_ref=lorde) 

(copy and paste if the link won't work, then come on over and TEACH ME HOW TO USE A COMPUTER)!  

I guess I am just obsessed with this song in general, but more...watch these girls!!  Here's my take...1. They are LOVING on themselves.  Watch that lead lady...confidence oozes off of her.  I dig it.  2. Due to my extreme (over) self confidence, I can insert myself into either the melody or harmony roles in this song and think I would ROCK it.  But that beat box????  A vocal drum line?  This, this is what I aspire to.  Don't mind me...I'll be practicing.

3.  Instagram.  It's my current favorite form of social media.  If you're on...follow me!  But more importantly, follow these girls:  @jaminato @herwelshness @tiffanyruda @theandersoncrew @underthesycamore @five_chicks_and_farmer  

These are some of my favorite people that I've never met in real life.

4.  Young Living oils.  (Coming soon, a recurring Wellness Wednesday post.  Where I act like a used to be a doctor and throw hippy opinions on wellness at you...it'll be great!)  Thieves, Peppermint, and Citrus Fresh are on my favorite list this week.  I use them to freshen the air, protect against cooties, and calm a sick tummy.

5.  My kiddos are **already** obsessed with "Hippopotamus for Christmas".  Lord, help me...it's still a month away.

6.  Gillian Flynn (author).  I love a well written fiction novel.  I'm reading Gone Girl now...here's what I love.  The chapters switch back and forth from the perspective of the two main characters.  When I'm ready an Amy chapter, I am 100% Team Amy.  When I am ready a Nick chapter, I am 100% Team Nick.  I am either the most fickle person I know, or that is some GOOD writing.

7.  The Jesus Storybook Bible  I love it soooooo much.  I learn something.  The girls listen intently.  The chapters are short enough to be bedtime manageable.  It screams JESUS on every page.  Love.  Love enough that I want you to have it!  I'll pick 2 winners!  One from comments here on the blog, and one from comments on Facebook.  (Feel free to share this post!)  It'll be random and fair.  I'll get them in the mail to you before Thanksgiving!

Happy Friday!!

I Think It's My Thyroid...

**Disclaimer - Thyroids are important.  When there is truly something wrong with a thyroid it must be addressed.  I'm attempting to be funny, not disrespectful to the 10's of you who read my blog and have an actual thyroid problem.**

I have convinced myself that I have a hyperthyroidism.  The most notable symptoms of hyperthyroidism are that 'ants in your pants' feeling, not being able to sit still, sweating, and then later, bugging eyes.  Yip, I have all of these.  I was about to go get blood work and sign up for a transplant when my dear Jen suggested maybe it was just the coffee talking.  This got me to thinking...

My day starts before I'd like for it to (6, yes, I would LOVE to sleep in til 6) via one of two methods:

1.  Jack the terrorist screaming from his room like he has probably vomited everywhere, had a terrible nightmare, is delirious with fever, AND there is a live bear in his room stalking toward his crib.  Leading to the sprint out of bed (EVERYtime) to open the door and finding an immediately silent happy baby who says 'Hi, Ma!' or maybe 'movie??'.

OR

2.  A little curly headed girl (or two) who did the ninja sneak into our room and doesn't make a peep until she whispers 'Momma!' a half an inch from my face.

Folks, both will get your blood pumping.  Good morning!!!

Then, I fire up the Keurig for her morning workout.  I like to have my first cup standing in front of the machine, ignoring the three alarm clocks, drinking it as quickly as the temperature will allow, so that I can make my second cup and go sit in the living room with them.

Next, we have rapid fire emergencies:
1.  Momma, I have to pee NOW, bad, bad...hurry Momma!
2.  I want breakfast!!!
3.  Jack is shooooooey, and he's taking off his diaper!
4.  Babe, did you fold the gowns for me to take back to the office?
5.  etc...

We are really, really trying to raise respectful tiny humans, but most of the time their initial request for something (shoes, snacks, up!, etc) are like a drill sergeants barking a direct order (or so I imagine).

There is a break in the middle of the day when a miracle happens and all three take a nap...but instead of sitting down for that hour, there is shiz to do!  And I always fool myself into thinking that if I do it all really quickly then I can sit for a second when it's done.  False.  False, Erin.  It was false yesterday, it will be false tomorrow.  They know.  Put away the last dish or last folded piece of clothing, close the final account I was working on, wipe down the last of the miraculously re-appearing yogurt smear from breakfast....and someone wakes up.  And, none of mine are very slow to warm.  They don't wake up and want to sit and rock and snuggle.  They don't crave a moment alone snuggling with the momma.  Nope, they get real busy and real loud and make sure the lazy two wake up immediately.  Game on.

There's the pep rally that is required to get out of the house...I'll race you to the front door!!  Bet you can't keep both your shoes on AND your hair in a ponytail!  Jack, want to watch a movie in the car!!!!  Oh, the enthusiasm that is required to make the job go more smoothly!!

And then, underneath it all...is me, having my 5th cup of coffee, shaking and sweating...thinking, "Ga, I MUST have a thyroid problem or something..."

Word of the Month

Gratitude.  Thankfulness.  Give Thanks.  Grateful.

However you say it, for a few days in November we are flooded with it, aren't we!?  There are the 30 days of Thanksgiving on Facebook, home decorations with the words on it, and sermons on the subject.

Have I told you that I love our church?  I grew up in a Methodist church, Dan and I went to a non-denomination with a Baptist lean church while in Albuquerque, and when we moved here we were wide open to where we might attend.  We shopped, tried lots of different ones...and it was hard.  It was hard, because there wasn't anything BAD about any of them.  When we visited New Covenant UMC though, it happened to be a week where they discussed/mentioned Canyon Camp.  I went to Canyon Camp three times, over three years about 20 years ago...but I had an emotional reaction.  'Our babies HAVE to go to Canyon Camp, Dan-o.  This is our church.'  And, as easy as that, it became our church.  

One of the things I love/am amazed by sermons is how different things jump out to/speak to different people.  Dan grabbed on to a different topic than me this morning.  He was researching on his phone and studying and very interested in something I vaguely remember being mentioned.  And when I repeated to him the phrase that sparked this blog, he said "Oh, that's good!" as though it was the first time he'd heard it.  Weird.

Gratitude.

Any feeling of entitlement will completely take the place of any feeling of gratefulness.  (My paraphrasing from A.C.'s sermon.)

Entitlement robs Gratefulness

Pride is easier than Humility

This slapped me upside the head like I haven't been in a while.  Ouch.  You can't feel entitled and grateful at the same time.  It's EITHER/OR.  

In reflection, I realized that entitlement has become my camouflage.  It has become my justification for the purchase.

Example:

We are in contract on a house!  I am so excited!  But, in an attempt to justify the purchase, I add a story to the announcement.  "We *finally* bought a house!"  "We've been moving or in rent houses for 3 years, you know?"  "I haven't done a home project in so long, I'm so anxious to get started."  

All of these statements are true.  And every single one of them is unnecessary.  Every statement attempts to remind that we have, in some way, EARNED this house.  We DESERVE it!  And, as I learned today, you can't have EARNED and DESERVE something and still be truly GRATEFUL.

Example:

We really don't get sick very often...we make good food choices, and get adjusted, and use essential oils and whole food supplements, therefore, we are entitled to good health.  

All of those things are helpful to healthy lifestyle, but I believe (yet forget to be GRATEFUL) that health is a gift.

Example: 

Our business is growing and doing great!  "Well, we did live off our savings for a few months."  "Dan works so hard, I'm glad there is *finally* fruit." 

True, again, and silly.  

Yes, the Lord has blessed us.

Why do I feel the need to justify our blessings?  Just so you will reck-a-nize how hard we work, how long we've waited, how smart we are?  How exhausting.  

We have way more than we have earned or deserve...in fact, we are the richest people I know.  

And I am grateful.

Photo Cred: Kristin Cook Photography

Acknowledgement: when your babies are little pictures are no longer current after one year.  But you get the point...

Not as Impressive

People stopped and tried to do math in their head when I used to say we had three under two.  People whistled and gave me a pat on the back when I used to say we had three under three.

It's just no big thang anymore, people.  We now have three, three and under.

Kate and Lauren turned 3!

This was my favorite birthday to date.  They were PUMPED.  The rest of us (Dan, Jack and me) all have a birthday within three weeks of each other in May and June.  It was a lot of celebrating shotgun style...and the girls noticed that not one of those parties were for THEM.  So, they started in with "It's almost my happy birthday" about June 15.  Folks, that's a really long count down to November 1.  They knew how many people had birthdays each month and marked them off an imaginary list...each moving them closer to theirs.

They asked for bikes.  And scooters.  And babies.  And new 'jams.

Their bicycle dreams came true!  It was just like Christmas morning...little 'oh my gosh!'s, and 'for ME?!'s and 'look, Daddy, look!'s.  If you look closely one has a lilac body and the other a pink.  There was not one second of hesitation on whose was whose.  Kate is pink, Lauren is purple.  Duh.

Lauren took off immediately...cruisin'.  Kate started out by EITHER being able to pedal OR steer.  It was a rough two days, but she's got it now!

We had a friends pumpkin painting party, and a family pizza party, and balloons and cakes and presents, oh my!  

Oh, nothin'...just Rapunzel and Snow White teeter-tottering...

I just can't help but make it a little about me.  It was my third anniversary of motherhood, ya'll!  I'm so in love with these girls.  They are unique and funny and the same and sensitive and clumsy and so, so strong.  They are perfect...

I am so truly blessed.

-Momma