Ramblings

I don't really have much of a theme for today's post....just some ramblings about what has been going on with us since the last time I posted.

I'm still feeling that "pressure crunch" and not taking my own advice very well. I suppose it's just this time of year with all that I have yet to accomplish. I was able to finish up my Christmas cards today so that is one less item on my "to do" list. I still have so much yet to accomplish before next Saturday. So much....

The girls are having a blast playing with some friends tonight. Some might call me crazy for allowing them to have another slumber party full of girls and giggles and drama, but they play so well with their friends that it's hard not to indulge them. For the first time ever Bethany was allowed to invite a friend to sleep over. Usually it is Morgan's friends that come over and Bethy tags along with whatever they do. But for tonight I allowed Bethany to invite a classmate who is also the little sister of one of Morgan's classmates. So those two siblings came over, along with a couple other friends Morgan's age. Altogether, including my two babes, I have six girls in the house. It, surprisingly, calms and settles me a bit having all these girls in the house. They entertain themselves, play happily, and their laughter is music to my ears. Right now we have the two smaller ones playing princess dress-up, and the older ones watching "The Secret Garden" and putting together Lincoln Logs. Call me crazy, but it works!

I'm finally starting to feel better after battling foot pain for many months now. I saw a podiatrist recently who has started me on a treatment plan and it appears to be helping. True, I should cut back on the high-impact teaching I do, but for now the doctor's plan is helping without me giving up or changing the way I teach currently, so that's good news.

Speaking of teaching, I tried something pretty new yesterday. After I finished teaching my class a friend and I hopped on some spin bikes so she could talk me through a quick spin workout since I've always been curious about it. She's not an instructor, just a student in my circuit class, but she attends another instructor's spin classes often, whereas I know nothing about spinning. So Shellie got me set to "ride" and away we went. I'm telling you, that was NO JOKE!! I can teach a two hour circuit class, I can push my step class students to the max, I can smoke active duty soldiers, but spinning SMOKED ME! Holy cow, that was some serious sweating, and I only stayed on the bike for 20 minutes!!!! I sound like a wuss, I know, but in my defense I had already taught my class for 2 hours, so I didn't have 100% to give to the bike. Regardless, I know even at 100% that bike would've gotten the best of me. For those of you that love spinning (Melissa B.) I admire you to the hilt!

On another note, a couple days ago I was emailing James my schedule for the next week and complaining about how I just don't know where I'll find the time to do all that I need to do. I asked him to pray for me to make it through and to get some kind of relief somewhere. Do you know what? God answered that prayer in the form of my Morgan. The very next day I asked her if she'd like to wrap a couple presents, just to keep her busy. She gladly did! I fretted for a moment that the presents were not wrapped smoothly or precisely, and then I let go of that strive for perfection. I realized God was sending me the help I asked for and I was going to accept it. Morgan wrapped about 15 presents for me (none for herself!) before tiring of it for the day. She's offered to wrap more again and I do believe I will take her up on that. Who cares if it is perfect or not? Her Nana and Papa won't be judging the outside of the package but loving the heartfelt gift that is on the inside. And I'm loving that wrapping presents has become one less burden on me this year. Thank you God and Morgan!

Lastly, I'd like to say how wonderful surprises are, and how they truly can make our day. Today I had a face show up on my doorstep which I hadn't seen in months. My former neighbor, and friend, Angela's, husband is home on R&R. He was dropping off his son at a house across the street from ours and decided to stop by to say "hello!" They are the sweetest family with dear children who we miss having next door to us. Mike has been deployed to Iraq as long as James has, and has seen some pretty rough stuff over there. I was thrilled to see him back and know that he is enjoying his time with his family, especially at this wonderful time of year. He's just one of so many soldiers who sacrifice everything they hold dear so we can continue to enjoy all that we hold dear here at home. Thank you, Mike, for what you do, and thank you for stopping by to say "hi." I'm happy to see a hero home, if only for a short time. I'll be happier still to see them all home next summer.

And another story about wonderful surprises...the other day my phone rang at 7:30 in the morning. That never happens. Ever. My first thought was it was bad news from Iraq. Then I saw it was my Mom on caller id and then my heart started pounding thinking it was bad news in the family because my Mom is NEVER awake that early in the morning. I answered the phone, fearing the worst. Mom just laughed off my paranoia and said she'd gone to bed early the night before and was awake and had energy that morning and just wanted to call and....get this...tell me she loved me. AAAAAWWWWWW!!!!!! She said her children are always on her mind and she hopes we know that, and she wanted to take the time to tell me that when she knew I'd be at home and able to hear her say those words. Bless her heart. Of course I know my Mom loves me. I never doubt that. But it sure feels good to hear it, too. Thanks, Mom. I was smiling about that all the day long.

So, there's my post, full of everything and nothing all wrapped up in one. In case I don't post again before Christmas, you all have a wonderful day filled with all the laughter, love and happiness that the season encourages us to share. Be good to yourself, and then pass it on.

Peace and love!
Kris