You can now officially order my book, "Crisis of Identity: Christians as Minorities in the Holy Land (1798-1948), a Brief History", on the following websites:
My personal Tate Publishing Author website
meganpratola.tateauthor.com
Amazon.com (can be found in Kindle e-book format)
http://www.amazon.com/Crisis-Identity-Christians-Minorities-1798-1948/dp/1681422298/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440714964&sr=1-1&keywords=megan+pratola&pebp=1440715415849&perid=1EEN3WMQ22HSNDX5Y24T
Barnes&Noble.com (can be found in NOOK e-book format)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crisis-of-identity-megan-l-pratola/1121822022?ean=9781681422299
Check it out and purchase a copy for yourself, family member, member of your congregation, etc....
Enjoy!!! :)
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Week 32 of Healthier Living in 2015
8/26/2012
For week of: 8/19 - 8/26/2015
Weigh in Weight: 160.2 lbs
Previous Weigh in Weight: 158.8 lbs gain of 1.4 lbs
Goals for Week 32:
1) Do more arts and crafts with my son to work on writing and coloring skills
2) Daily walk outside (weather permitting)
3) Set aside 30 minutes to 1 hour each day to read and also to write
4) Journal at least twice during the week
5) Get outside and take photos to upload on my contributor iStock account
Week 32 was a bit of a roller coaster for me. I had some emotional breakdowns and I was stuck inside more than I would have liked to be because of the unhealthy air conditions due to smoke from the many wildfires in our part of the country. I ended up having some water retention issues, which are starting to get better. But mostly the weight gain is from my pregnancy. It is a good weight gain and means baby boy is healthy and growing, so I'm not concerned with gaining weight at this point. If I gain too much weight that will be a problem, but for the most part, I have gained a healthy amount and continue to fluctuate slightly depending on if I am having water retention issues or not.
Today I braved the outdoor air twice with my three year old son because neither of us could stand being inside anymore. Our first short walk was this morning to the post office and our afternoon walk was to the bank. Both short enough to get outside and not have too many problems with the terrible air quality.
As for my goals list for week 32, I am going to keep things brief. I worked on four of my goals. I kept forgetting our nice larger camera on the evenings that we went for walks so I didn't do much with my goal for taking photos to upload onto my contributor iStock account. On the other hand, the most recent photos I submitted were accepted and are now up on the website for anyone to purchase and download, so I'm slowly getting my head on straight and will remember to take our camera on future outings.
I did do some arts and crafts with my three year old son, but not as much as I would have liked. We spent more time in our den in the basement playing and relaxing this week because of the heat and smoke outside. Most of the arts and crafts, I picked up for us to do together are quite messy and are better to do outside than inside. The whole idea of nagging him to not make too big of a mess the whole time is just not appealing to me, so we did other play activities together instead. Both my husband and I continue to work with him on writing, drawing and coloring, the latter two just for fun, the former because it is a basic skill he needs to learn.
I had to take shorter walks this week because of the smokey conditions outside. Last night the air cleared a bit so the three of us took a longer walk during which our son fell asleep. I really love taking walks with my family in the evening because we get to talk to each other, especially my husband and I. It is a good bonding time for us and I will miss it very much as cooler autumn and winter approach. Even when it is just my son and I on the walk, we get some good bonding time and chat a bit.
The best thing I've done for myself in a long time is to set aside 30 minutes to an hour to read and 30 minutes to an hour to write everyday. I am getting caught up on my book club reading and TIME magazine reading. I am writing in my journal, writing possible future blog post ideas, or just free writing which has been such a boon to my writers block the last few years. I am actually motivated and believe that I can open up a new WORD document and start typing a story. Or in my case, I have to continue working on a timeline for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation for the Montana Synod of the ELCA and I don't freeze when I open the document to start typing in more information. Setting aside the time, to especially write has kicked my writer block to the curb for now. Setting aside the time to read everyday has also been wonderful for me. It helps alleviate anxiety about getting too far behind in my reading as well as allowing me to enjoy some great writing too. The adage, "The more you read the better you write," is very true. So I will be continuing to have this time for myself each day, even if it means that one of my son's shows is on in the background and he is making a mess of the living room while I do so.
I have been writing in my journal a lot lately because I've been anxious about the future. Adding another member to the family can have that affect on a person. How am I going to handle two kids in the middle of winter with no place to take them to escape the house? How is it going to change my relationship with my husband? How am I going to survive the winter and the church program year? Where are we going to be in a year from now? Knowing that I'm not cut out to be a stay-at-home-mom, what are some steps we can take as a family to move forward? Transition is scary but I thank God that I am not alone and that through his grace he has put people in our lives that will help us through this time of transition, whether that means continuing where we are, or starting anew elsewhere.
Okay, so much for being brief with my comments on my week 32 goals. I will bid you adieu for now with my list of goals for week 33. Until next time, Keep on keeping on!
Goals for week 33: 8/26 - 9/2/2015
1) Do more arts and crafts with my 3 year old that help him with his writing, coloring and drawing skills
2) Daily exercise (get creative if stuck inside)
3) Set aside 30 minutes to an hour to read each day and 30 minutes to an hour to write
4) Get outside with our nice larger camera and take photos to upload onto my contributor iStock account
For week of: 8/19 - 8/26/2015
Weigh in Weight: 160.2 lbs
Previous Weigh in Weight: 158.8 lbs gain of 1.4 lbs
Goals for Week 32:
1) Do more arts and crafts with my son to work on writing and coloring skills
2) Daily walk outside (weather permitting)
3) Set aside 30 minutes to 1 hour each day to read and also to write
4) Journal at least twice during the week
5) Get outside and take photos to upload on my contributor iStock account
Week 32 was a bit of a roller coaster for me. I had some emotional breakdowns and I was stuck inside more than I would have liked to be because of the unhealthy air conditions due to smoke from the many wildfires in our part of the country. I ended up having some water retention issues, which are starting to get better. But mostly the weight gain is from my pregnancy. It is a good weight gain and means baby boy is healthy and growing, so I'm not concerned with gaining weight at this point. If I gain too much weight that will be a problem, but for the most part, I have gained a healthy amount and continue to fluctuate slightly depending on if I am having water retention issues or not.
Today I braved the outdoor air twice with my three year old son because neither of us could stand being inside anymore. Our first short walk was this morning to the post office and our afternoon walk was to the bank. Both short enough to get outside and not have too many problems with the terrible air quality.
As for my goals list for week 32, I am going to keep things brief. I worked on four of my goals. I kept forgetting our nice larger camera on the evenings that we went for walks so I didn't do much with my goal for taking photos to upload onto my contributor iStock account. On the other hand, the most recent photos I submitted were accepted and are now up on the website for anyone to purchase and download, so I'm slowly getting my head on straight and will remember to take our camera on future outings.
I did do some arts and crafts with my three year old son, but not as much as I would have liked. We spent more time in our den in the basement playing and relaxing this week because of the heat and smoke outside. Most of the arts and crafts, I picked up for us to do together are quite messy and are better to do outside than inside. The whole idea of nagging him to not make too big of a mess the whole time is just not appealing to me, so we did other play activities together instead. Both my husband and I continue to work with him on writing, drawing and coloring, the latter two just for fun, the former because it is a basic skill he needs to learn.
I had to take shorter walks this week because of the smokey conditions outside. Last night the air cleared a bit so the three of us took a longer walk during which our son fell asleep. I really love taking walks with my family in the evening because we get to talk to each other, especially my husband and I. It is a good bonding time for us and I will miss it very much as cooler autumn and winter approach. Even when it is just my son and I on the walk, we get some good bonding time and chat a bit.
The best thing I've done for myself in a long time is to set aside 30 minutes to an hour to read and 30 minutes to an hour to write everyday. I am getting caught up on my book club reading and TIME magazine reading. I am writing in my journal, writing possible future blog post ideas, or just free writing which has been such a boon to my writers block the last few years. I am actually motivated and believe that I can open up a new WORD document and start typing a story. Or in my case, I have to continue working on a timeline for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation for the Montana Synod of the ELCA and I don't freeze when I open the document to start typing in more information. Setting aside the time, to especially write has kicked my writer block to the curb for now. Setting aside the time to read everyday has also been wonderful for me. It helps alleviate anxiety about getting too far behind in my reading as well as allowing me to enjoy some great writing too. The adage, "The more you read the better you write," is very true. So I will be continuing to have this time for myself each day, even if it means that one of my son's shows is on in the background and he is making a mess of the living room while I do so.
I have been writing in my journal a lot lately because I've been anxious about the future. Adding another member to the family can have that affect on a person. How am I going to handle two kids in the middle of winter with no place to take them to escape the house? How is it going to change my relationship with my husband? How am I going to survive the winter and the church program year? Where are we going to be in a year from now? Knowing that I'm not cut out to be a stay-at-home-mom, what are some steps we can take as a family to move forward? Transition is scary but I thank God that I am not alone and that through his grace he has put people in our lives that will help us through this time of transition, whether that means continuing where we are, or starting anew elsewhere.
Okay, so much for being brief with my comments on my week 32 goals. I will bid you adieu for now with my list of goals for week 33. Until next time, Keep on keeping on!
Goals for week 33: 8/26 - 9/2/2015
1) Do more arts and crafts with my 3 year old that help him with his writing, coloring and drawing skills
2) Daily exercise (get creative if stuck inside)
3) Set aside 30 minutes to an hour to read each day and 30 minutes to an hour to write
4) Get outside with our nice larger camera and take photos to upload onto my contributor iStock account
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Week 31 of Healthier Living in 2015
8/19/2015
For week 31: 8/12 - 8/19/2015
Weigh in Weight: 158.8 lbs
Previous Weigh in Weight: 159.2 lbs lose of 4 oz.
Goals for Week 31:
1) Drink at least 80 oz of water daily
2) Daily walk outside ( weather permitting)
3) Research and apply to sell stock photos online at iStock
4) Make a daily list of at least two things I am grateful for each day of week 31
Week 31 of my healthier living journey was both good and bad. I completed all of my goals, but it was a hot, emotional week too, with a lot of frustration dealing with the heat and my gestational diabetes.
The extreme temperatures absolutely affected how my body was processing the sugars I ate. My inability to take longer walks because of the heat didn't help either.
Half way through the week, on Saturday, it started to cool down outside and for the most part my body is handling processing my sugars better and I have been able to get outside for longer walks with my son and husband in the evenings and with my son in the afternoons.
Smoke from the fires in Montana, Washington, Oregon, and California has made it hard the last couple of days to spend much time outside, but we still get out for our walks even though they are much shorter than usual. I continue to pray for all those affected by the wildfires and that the smoke starts to clear up soon.
One exciting thing that has happened is that I applied to be a stock photo contributor on the website iStock.com and they have accepted my work. I will now get paid to do something I enjoy, taking photos of nature and daily life. It will probably take a while to make some real money, but it will give me something super fun to do and hopefully make some money every now and then too. :)
On another note: I attempted to do a craft project with my son during week 31. It went okay. I bought the wrong paint pens for the project and they were so messy and we had to do the project inside because it was rainy that day. I ended up calling it a day after about 10 minutes because the paint was getting all over my son, the carpet and the table. It was supposed to say, LOVE YOU DADDY. Instead it looks more like LOVE OU DAD. I think for our first major arts and crafts project together, it turned out great and my husband agrees. :)
Week 31 had some great up moments with craft time with my son, getting a work from home job doing something I love to do and hopefully get paid every once in a while for my work, and the weather cooling down so we can all get back outside.
The downs mostly had to do with the heat and my body reacting badly to it. My anxiety was kept in check a little by daily writing down a few things that I am grateful for each day. After looking at my lists for the week, I was able to see once again that God truly provides us with all that we need in our lives at all times. Thanks be to God! Amen!
Goals for Week 32: 8/19 - 8/26/2015
1) Do more arts and crafts with my son and work on his writing, drawing and coloring skills.
2) Daily walks outside (weather permitting) and take nicer camera along to take photos to upload on iStock.
3) Set aside 30 minutes to 1 hour a day to write. Do the same for reading.
4) Journal at least two times during the week.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Week 30 of Healthier Living in 2015
8/12/2015
For week 30: 8/5 - 8/12/2015
Weigh in Weight: 159.2 lbs
Previous weigh in weight: 159.2 lbs gain/lose of 0 lbs
Goals for week 30:
1) Daily walk outside (weather permitting)
2) Journal two times during the week
3) Read book for book club and 2 TIME magazines
4) Spend more time outside with my son (weather permitting)
Well, 3 out of 4 isn't bad for working on my goals. Actually it is more like 3 1/2 out of 4 goals worked on and done throughout week 30.
Every day, despite the heat, my 3 year old son and I went for an afternoon walk outside. It was exhausting and ended up with both of us hot and a bit cranky after each walk, but we were also happy to be outside and not stuck in the house all afternoon. The hotter the day, the shorter the walk, but we were able to spend more time outside, which took care of two of my goals for week 30; daily walks outside and spending more time with my son outside. And over all, we had a great time together on the cooler days, playing at the park and meeting people we know on the street and having conversation. For people like my 3 year old son and I, there are not a whole lot of worse things than being cooped up inside when it is either too hot or too cold to go outside. We like the sun and need the fresh air to keep us from getting too bored and cranky.
I started reading the book for book club this past week. It is really good but takes a little while to get into. I liked Kate Atkinson's other book with the same characters "Life After Life" better. This one, "A God in Ruins" drags a bit, but it is picking up now after the first 70 pages. I am hosting the discussion for this book, so I have to finish reading it quite soon and get some discussion questions together. I don't have much time to read during the day, unless my son decides he just wants to be on his own and do his own thing for a while, so I end up reading before bed most nights. I am also a slow reader too. The fact that I get through one book a month, usually a book club book, is quite an accomplishment for me. Once I finish reading the book for September and get discussion questions printed out, I immediately have to start reading the book for October or I won't be able to finish it. Such is the life of a mom with a very active son.
I decided to focus on reading my book for book club this last week whenever I could find a few minutes to do so, so I didn't get my 2 TIME magazines read that I wanted to. I skimmed through most of one because I wasn't interested in a lot of the articles and I am half way through another. I'm not going to put it as a goal, but I would like to get through the magazine I'm reading now and two more if possible by this time next week.
I spent a lot of time blogging and writing in my journal during week 30. It was an emotional week for me on many levels and I needed to get rid of some of the thoughts that kept popping up and making me anxious. It was a very good thing for me to do because I was able to process and let go of or discuss with my husband some of the things that were making me anxious and I am feeling much better emotionally now.
My goals for week 31 are of a somewhat similar vein to the goals I set for myself for week 30. Intellectual and physical stimulation are the theme for week 31.
Goals for week 31:
1) Drink at least 80 oz of water daily
2) Daily walk outside (weather permitting)
3) Daily list of at least 2 things I am grateful for each day to share on next healthier living blog post
4) Research more information about selling stock photos online for extra income
5) Continue to read book for book club and catch up on reading TIME magazines
6) Spend time outside with my family and be more active together
For week 30: 8/5 - 8/12/2015
Weigh in Weight: 159.2 lbs
Previous weigh in weight: 159.2 lbs gain/lose of 0 lbs
Goals for week 30:
1) Daily walk outside (weather permitting)
2) Journal two times during the week
3) Read book for book club and 2 TIME magazines
4) Spend more time outside with my son (weather permitting)
Well, 3 out of 4 isn't bad for working on my goals. Actually it is more like 3 1/2 out of 4 goals worked on and done throughout week 30.
Every day, despite the heat, my 3 year old son and I went for an afternoon walk outside. It was exhausting and ended up with both of us hot and a bit cranky after each walk, but we were also happy to be outside and not stuck in the house all afternoon. The hotter the day, the shorter the walk, but we were able to spend more time outside, which took care of two of my goals for week 30; daily walks outside and spending more time with my son outside. And over all, we had a great time together on the cooler days, playing at the park and meeting people we know on the street and having conversation. For people like my 3 year old son and I, there are not a whole lot of worse things than being cooped up inside when it is either too hot or too cold to go outside. We like the sun and need the fresh air to keep us from getting too bored and cranky.
I started reading the book for book club this past week. It is really good but takes a little while to get into. I liked Kate Atkinson's other book with the same characters "Life After Life" better. This one, "A God in Ruins" drags a bit, but it is picking up now after the first 70 pages. I am hosting the discussion for this book, so I have to finish reading it quite soon and get some discussion questions together. I don't have much time to read during the day, unless my son decides he just wants to be on his own and do his own thing for a while, so I end up reading before bed most nights. I am also a slow reader too. The fact that I get through one book a month, usually a book club book, is quite an accomplishment for me. Once I finish reading the book for September and get discussion questions printed out, I immediately have to start reading the book for October or I won't be able to finish it. Such is the life of a mom with a very active son.
I decided to focus on reading my book for book club this last week whenever I could find a few minutes to do so, so I didn't get my 2 TIME magazines read that I wanted to. I skimmed through most of one because I wasn't interested in a lot of the articles and I am half way through another. I'm not going to put it as a goal, but I would like to get through the magazine I'm reading now and two more if possible by this time next week.
I spent a lot of time blogging and writing in my journal during week 30. It was an emotional week for me on many levels and I needed to get rid of some of the thoughts that kept popping up and making me anxious. It was a very good thing for me to do because I was able to process and let go of or discuss with my husband some of the things that were making me anxious and I am feeling much better emotionally now.
My goals for week 31 are of a somewhat similar vein to the goals I set for myself for week 30. Intellectual and physical stimulation are the theme for week 31.
Goals for week 31:
1) Drink at least 80 oz of water daily
2) Daily walk outside (weather permitting)
3) Daily list of at least 2 things I am grateful for each day to share on next healthier living blog post
4) Research more information about selling stock photos online for extra income
5) Continue to read book for book club and catch up on reading TIME magazines
6) Spend time outside with my family and be more active together
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Write What You Know, Part III
It has been very hot outside here lately. When it gets this hot, it's not a good idea to spend a lot of time outside, especially for pregnant women like me. So, much like cold winter days, my very active 3 year old son and I have been trapped inside the last few afternoons and it is starting to drive us both a bit batty.
For two people who easily get antsy when we are inside too long, it has been a hard few days. The heat has also affected my blood sugar levels. They seem to spike and then get low and then spike again. So I have to be very careful to eat less carbs later in the day unless my blood sugar is low. It is very obnoxious and annoying. It is supposed to cool down again over the weekend, but until then, eating and exercising will be interesting.
But honestly, the heat and blood sugar stuff aside, I have been doing better about making and sticking with decisions regarding going back to work and being more patient with myself and my family. I am not cut out to be a stay at home mom, but that is my role for now, so I have to do the best I can and learn to be more gracious and patient with myself and my 3 year old son. Soon we will be adding another boy to the mix and I'll again be faced with transition and will again have to learn to be patient and gracious with myself and my family.
So for now it looks like just making it through the next few days of this heat and being trapped inside with my overactive 3 year old without going insane will be a miracle. Wish me luck! :)
Friday, August 7, 2015
Write What You Know, Part II
I have often been told to write what you know. I still haven't figured out what that means exactly. But this is one thing I know: I love my family; I love that I am very active in raising my son, soon to be sons, as a stay at home mom.
I know with absolute certainty that I am not cut out to be a full time stay at home mom. Days that I am completely in charge of taking care of our 3 year old son all day by myself are torturous for me.
I find myself fantasizing about working outside the home in a job I enjoy with other adults. Sometimes I even envision working in an office setting like the law office I worked at before we left Minnesota. I picture myself dressed in business casual or nice outfits, working in an office with other people.
Then I come back to reality and enjoy the fact that I have such a free schedule to be able to travel with my family all the time and not have to worry about getting time off.
I think if we lived in an area where there were more job opportunities, I would go back to work without hesitation and pick the kids up from daycare after work every weekday. But we don't. The nearest larger population center near us is not known for its job opportunities. Plus, the commute alone, daily wouldn't be worth it unless I found an amazing job.
So there you have it. I'm not cut out to be a full time stay at home mom, but I haven't found a job position that would be worth the commute or losing my freedom to go wherever, whenever with my family. I am completely stuck in a situation that at times almost drives me to the point of insanity.
I will keep looking for a great job opportunity and maybe someday soon, one will come my way. Until then I will be trying to focus on the freedom of schedule that I have now and raising my 3 year old the best I can, even though, I am absolutely not cut out to be a full time stay at home mom.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Week 29 of Healthier Living in 2015
8/5/2015
For week 29: 7/29 - 8/5/2015
Weigh in Weight: 159.2
Previous weigh in Weight: 160.0 lose of 8 oz
Goals for week 29:
1) Journal at least 3 times during the week
2) Take a daily walk outside (weather permitting)
3) Be more active with my son
4) Make a daily list of what I am grateful for to include in blog post for week 29
I did really well on my goals for week 29, considering my mom was visiting and I could have completely blown off doing any of them while she was here. The only goal I didn't complete was to write in my personal journal 3 times during the week. I did write in my blogging and list journal though daily. Each day, I quickly jotted down a few things I was grateful for that day. It was refreshing and really made me appreciate the good things in my life and not focus on the tough stuff. And since one of my goals was to make a daily list of what I was grateful for and share them in this blog post, this post is going to be a longer one.
7/29 - Things I am Grateful for:
1) My husband who supports me and comforts me when I am feeling out of control
2) My son who makes everyday a new adventure
3) My friends near and far
4) My intelligence and my ability to read people and situations quickly
7/30 - Things I am Grateful for:
1) My resilience to make it through tough situations and still be standing on the other side
2) My faith
3) My husband and sons, who I would do anything for. After God, my family is the most important part of my life
4) My extended family and friends who support my crazy dreams whether I succeed or not in fulfilling them
7/31 - Things I am Grateful for
1) My mom coming to visit us until August 5th. Enough said.
2) My energetic and dramatic son, who makes life a daily adventure full of surprises
3) My wonderful husband who calls me out on my crap and is supportive when my crazy pregnancy hormones take over
4) My in-laws for hosting my son's 3rd birthday party at their house so I don't have to think about entertaining a bunch of people at mine
8/1 - Things I am Grateful for
1) Today is my oldest son's birthday and I can't imagine my life without him in it. Love you kiddo!
2) Walks outside with my mom
3) My wonderfully patient husband
8/2 - Things I am Grateful for
1) Living close enough to a larger population area so I don't go completely insane.
2) Minor league professional baseball games
3) My family
4) My friends
8/3 - Things I am Grateful for
1) Great doctors like Dr. Key and his amazing ultrasound technician who provided us with some much needed answers about our youngest son's health in utero today. Baby boy is doing very very well by the way
2) Having access to a Target within 40 miles of where we live. Many of our friends in Montana have to drive much further
3) Walks outside with my family.
8/4 - Things I am Grateful for
1) Living in a geological paradise where we have easy access to all things dinosaurs for our dinosaur loving 3 year old and ourselves
2) Summer rain showers that keep the dead looking brown away a little longer
3) Our garden, which looks pretty healthy and will help us save on produce groceries, hopefully for a long time.
8/5 - Things I am Grateful for
1) My mom only being a plane ride (with a connection) ride away.
2) Quality time with my family
3) My realism about being a stay at home mom and that I'm really not cut out for it, but love being with my kid.
4) Having a healthy family. Two healthy children and a healthy husband
Clearly, my family and friends are a big part of what holds me together each day. My faith is a huge part of my life, even though I only mention it once. My faith is what holds me truly together and allows me to look outward towards my neighbor instead of focusing only on myself.
Switching back to the rest of my goals for week 29, I was able at times to be more active with my now 3 year old son. Pregnancy can really zap the energy out of me some days, but most days I was able to get down and play as well as be active outside with him too. It helped that my mom was here to take over at times when I became tired. I'd rest for a little bit and then get right back to playing and being active with him. Sadly she left yesterday the 5th, so I don't have that help anymore. Someday we will live closer to each other.
And despite having my mom visiting, I was able to get a daily walk in outside with my husband and son. The only day I didn't walk outside was the 3rd of August, because my mom and I went to book club and we had all had a busy and long morning. So we took the afternoon off, chilled and watched movies, while my husband went to the church office to work for a while.
Over all, week 29 was wonderful and I am so happy that we all got to spend some quality time with my mom/grammie this week.
For week 30 my goals are going to focus on being active both physically and using my brain. I have started to feel very bored lately and need to exercise my brain power some more as well and keep up my exercise so I don't have to go on insulin because my blood sugar levels get higher.
Until next week, Keep on keeping on!!!
Goals for week 30: 8/5 - 8/12/2015
1) Daily walking (outside if weather permits in the afternoon and evening), treadmill walking (if I get alone time some mornings)
2) Journal at least 2 times during the week, more if time allows
3) Read the book for September book club and at least 2 TIME magazines
4) Play outside more with my son
For week 29: 7/29 - 8/5/2015
Weigh in Weight: 159.2
Previous weigh in Weight: 160.0 lose of 8 oz
Goals for week 29:
1) Journal at least 3 times during the week
2) Take a daily walk outside (weather permitting)
3) Be more active with my son
4) Make a daily list of what I am grateful for to include in blog post for week 29
I did really well on my goals for week 29, considering my mom was visiting and I could have completely blown off doing any of them while she was here. The only goal I didn't complete was to write in my personal journal 3 times during the week. I did write in my blogging and list journal though daily. Each day, I quickly jotted down a few things I was grateful for that day. It was refreshing and really made me appreciate the good things in my life and not focus on the tough stuff. And since one of my goals was to make a daily list of what I was grateful for and share them in this blog post, this post is going to be a longer one.
7/29 - Things I am Grateful for:
1) My husband who supports me and comforts me when I am feeling out of control
2) My son who makes everyday a new adventure
3) My friends near and far
4) My intelligence and my ability to read people and situations quickly
7/30 - Things I am Grateful for:
1) My resilience to make it through tough situations and still be standing on the other side
2) My faith
3) My husband and sons, who I would do anything for. After God, my family is the most important part of my life
4) My extended family and friends who support my crazy dreams whether I succeed or not in fulfilling them
7/31 - Things I am Grateful for
1) My mom coming to visit us until August 5th. Enough said.
2) My energetic and dramatic son, who makes life a daily adventure full of surprises
3) My wonderful husband who calls me out on my crap and is supportive when my crazy pregnancy hormones take over
4) My in-laws for hosting my son's 3rd birthday party at their house so I don't have to think about entertaining a bunch of people at mine
8/1 - Things I am Grateful for
1) Today is my oldest son's birthday and I can't imagine my life without him in it. Love you kiddo!
2) Walks outside with my mom
3) My wonderfully patient husband
8/2 - Things I am Grateful for
1) Living close enough to a larger population area so I don't go completely insane.
2) Minor league professional baseball games
3) My family
4) My friends
8/3 - Things I am Grateful for
1) Great doctors like Dr. Key and his amazing ultrasound technician who provided us with some much needed answers about our youngest son's health in utero today. Baby boy is doing very very well by the way
2) Having access to a Target within 40 miles of where we live. Many of our friends in Montana have to drive much further
3) Walks outside with my family.
8/4 - Things I am Grateful for
1) Living in a geological paradise where we have easy access to all things dinosaurs for our dinosaur loving 3 year old and ourselves
2) Summer rain showers that keep the dead looking brown away a little longer
3) Our garden, which looks pretty healthy and will help us save on produce groceries, hopefully for a long time.
8/5 - Things I am Grateful for
1) My mom only being a plane ride (with a connection) ride away.
2) Quality time with my family
3) My realism about being a stay at home mom and that I'm really not cut out for it, but love being with my kid.
4) Having a healthy family. Two healthy children and a healthy husband
Clearly, my family and friends are a big part of what holds me together each day. My faith is a huge part of my life, even though I only mention it once. My faith is what holds me truly together and allows me to look outward towards my neighbor instead of focusing only on myself.
Switching back to the rest of my goals for week 29, I was able at times to be more active with my now 3 year old son. Pregnancy can really zap the energy out of me some days, but most days I was able to get down and play as well as be active outside with him too. It helped that my mom was here to take over at times when I became tired. I'd rest for a little bit and then get right back to playing and being active with him. Sadly she left yesterday the 5th, so I don't have that help anymore. Someday we will live closer to each other.
And despite having my mom visiting, I was able to get a daily walk in outside with my husband and son. The only day I didn't walk outside was the 3rd of August, because my mom and I went to book club and we had all had a busy and long morning. So we took the afternoon off, chilled and watched movies, while my husband went to the church office to work for a while.
Over all, week 29 was wonderful and I am so happy that we all got to spend some quality time with my mom/grammie this week.
For week 30 my goals are going to focus on being active both physically and using my brain. I have started to feel very bored lately and need to exercise my brain power some more as well and keep up my exercise so I don't have to go on insulin because my blood sugar levels get higher.
Until next week, Keep on keeping on!!!
Goals for week 30: 8/5 - 8/12/2015
1) Daily walking (outside if weather permits in the afternoon and evening), treadmill walking (if I get alone time some mornings)
2) Journal at least 2 times during the week, more if time allows
3) Read the book for September book club and at least 2 TIME magazines
4) Play outside more with my son
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Week 28 of Healthier Living
7/29/2015
For week of: 7/22 - 7/29/2015
Weigh in weight: 160.0 lbs lose of 8 oz.
I am posting almost a week late for week 28 of my healthier living journey. My mom has been visiting and we have had something going on everyday. It is hard to get away and blog when so much is going on. I had an entire blog post written out for week 28, but since I am so late in posting for that week, I am just going to briefly discuss what goals I worked on and what I goals I made for myself for week 29. I'll post about those goals tomorrow or Thursday.
The only goal I completed for week 28 was to come up with a marketing strategy for my book locally. I have a book signing coming up on Saturday, August 8th in Fairfield. An article about my book was printed in the July 22nd issue of the local paper so the word has gotten out about my book that way. I will also be doing presentations in September and October at one of our churches and the whole community and surrounding area are welcome to attend. I will be selling books at the presentations. So that is what I have come up with so far.
I abandoned my idea to sell my mudroom rug and scarves for now because they have too many noticeable flaws. Well at least not the rug. I'm still on the fence about the scarves. I'll have to finish the one I'm working on now and decide. I definitely won't be opening an Etsy store at this point, but I might take my friend, VB's advice and doing something on Facebook.
So that's all I have for week 28. I will share my goals for week 29 and let you know how I did in the next few days. For now, I have to go help my husband with dinner and make sure our son doesn't completely destroy the house. Until tomorrow or Thursday, Keep on keeping on!
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