Balance Part 2

Thank you to all who made comments on my last post.  They have been very helpful.  I have come to realize I am obviously in a different season than some and that I should "bloom where I am planted" which was my favorite saying as a single.  I cross stitched that phrase and used to have it hanging in the kitchen.  Now it's just hanging in my closet so I guess I forgot about it's message.

I have decided that at this point in time the things I should focus on most are...

1.  Cooking healthy meals for me and my family.  I'm not a great cook and  usually hate it, but have started to plan meals and cook more healthy things lately.  Mostly to help me lose weight (see next point) but also to make sure I am taking care of my "first ministry."

2.  Exercise regularly.  By that I mean get out and move something.  Usually it's just walking.  We have a great neighborhood, but there aren't any sidewalks so walking and pushing a stroller have not been easy.  There are lots of rolling hills so I decided to make the walking really count by putting Lilly on my back and walking.  That is an extra 15 pounds to carry around.  Taylor sometimes rides his bike along with us and sometimes he just walks holding my hand.  We aren't preparing for a marathon by any means, but we're spending time together and moving.

3.  Getting my Bible study done.  Usually happens during nap time, but if I could motivate myself to get up earlier than others in the house I know that time with God would be better.  As long as it gets done sometime is the key.

4.  Working on all my other community volunteer commitments.  I am currently making newsletters for our neighborhood HOA, the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) chapter I am in, as well as 2 sets of missionaries.  Most of these are spread out during the year, but it does seem I am always creating a newsletter.  I also signed up for the communications committee for the PTO.  I know Taylor is not even 4 yet.  I just figured since it's a new school I wanted to be in on the ground breaking team I guess.  I am now learning to say no to things.  :)

5.  Not waiting around for others to call me to do something.  I'm going to start contacting others and inviting them.  I am not always good at this so if I don't call you it's not because I don't want to, I am just getting used to being proactive.  Wes would have me call someone to eat dinner every night of the week.  He's very social.  I am social, but I guess like most things I want it to just come naturally and everyone would just flock to me.  However, like most things, I have to work at relationships, losing weight, learning to cook etc...

So there it is.  My short list to finding some balance and not comparing myself to others.  If there's time to learn sewing in there I'll get around to it one day. :)

ps-I lost 3 pounds since last Tuesday!  Here's hoping I lose 3 more this week!