That Missing R

The Alphabet Game! Warning- Silliness Ahead!

Lisa at Adventures in Motherhood is playing an alphabet game and I'm playing, too!

I honestly considered being very serious with my answers but... being silly was just too tempting! (And I feel the need to tell you that the pic quality is bad because most of these pictures were taken with my cell phone, here in my office. Yes, I'm uber-productive.)

She assigned me a letter and I have to list 10 things I like that start with the letter...

Reading - I love to read. I can't say that I read everything like I used to. There simply isn't enough time for it. But I do love to get sucked into a good book. Heck, I even enjoy suffering through a not-so-good book! I'm almost done with "New Moon" (second book in the Twilight series) and then plan to tackle "Wicked." I'm generally a fast reader and can tear through a really good book in a couple of days. In my youth, I'd read 2-3 books in a day! Even created a reading nook in my closet- pillows and blankets and a lamp and a stack of books.

Radio (NPR) - I do listen to tunes but I've really gotten hooked on listening to National Public Radio. Wait Wait, Prairie Home Companion, Diane Rehm, Fresh Air... and many more... all shows I love to hear! All shows I learn a lot from or just find myself smiling while listening. I don't get to listen as much as I'd like to anymore. But it is the station I generally turn to when I'm alone. With the kids, we listen to a lot of 70's and 80's music. That's dad's influence. There is a station here that plays old broadcasts from the 80's of America's Top 40 Countdown every Sunday.

Raspberry... Specifically Graeter's Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. This stuff is sent to Cincinnati directly from heaven, I think. It's really that good.

Or maybe I just like blowing raspberries? I know it is one the cutest milestones for my babies... they are way cuter blowing raspberries than I am.

Roses. My favorite flowers are actually gerbera daisies or tulips. But who doesn't love roses, too? I'd be perfectly happy if Jeff swooped into the front door with a bouquet of roses... or had some delivered to my office. Heck, even the edible made-from-fruit kind are good! Running - I never thought I'd be at a point in my life that I could say that I even remotely imagine myself running, let alone actually enjoying it. I don't like it while I'm doing it... but I like it before and after. If that makes any sense. Relaxing - Yeah, this pic was taken at work... feet up on the desk... and that never really happens. But I do enjoy getting even a few minutes of relaxation each day. Honestly, one method of relaxation and centering that I've been enjoying lately is on my Wii Fit, of all things. One of the "balance games" is "Lotus Focus." You sit on the board, don't talk, don't move. The screen is mostly dark, save for a lit candle that emits a ring of light around it, illuminating a hard wood floor. You hear various nature sounds, the floor creaking, a throat clearing. And your job is to sit still on the balance board, good posture, legs crossed. For 3 minutes. I love it. It's 3 minutes that I can claim with no interruptions, no talking, no responding. 3 solid minutes.

Rooibos Tea- I discovered these red teas a couple of years ago and the flavor is dreamy. This Celestial Seasonings Madagascar Vanilla Red is one of my faves for a cup of hot tea! RV'ing - One of my favorite blogs. Not so much for the adventures that Jim and Garret take on but more just to get to know these guys. Jim only shares a story from time to time so most of the perspective comes from Garret. But he's become a great friend. He reads this blog daily, always has a funny comment to share. He has also linked around to other blogs that I follow so I get to enjoy his humor on other blogs as well. And, someday, Jeff and I plan to actually do the RV thing so it's interesting to read about the ins and outs of this kind of travel!

Rapping. Yep, it's true. I love to rap. I walk around the office, throwing down my rhymes. I have no idea if that link will work. I am beyond frustrated with the video taken on my cell phone that I cannot possibly retrieve or get to work in any way, shape, or form. So click it and hopefully you get to see and hear me really make a fool out of myself!! (Edited: We are experiencing technical difficulty. Once we work out our video issues, I will have to do a separate post for my crowning glory!)

Responsibility. An odd thing to claim to like. But it's actually what I love. I became a mom and not only did I learn levels of love, joy, anger, frustration, fear that I had never imagined before, but I discovered the weight and fulfillment of true responsibility.

So I hope I at least made you smile. Or roll your eyes. Or groan. At least I didn't tell pirate jokes (Arrrrrr)...

And if you'd like your own turn at the alphabet game (and please don't feel that you need to be as crazy as me to play), leave a comment letting me know that you want to play and I will pick a letter for you!

Because I'm A Mommy

We typically wake in shifts. Jeff gets up with Teagan at whatever inhuman hour she has chosen- generally in the 5 a.m. time slot. Not long after, Zach and I usually join the family out in the living room. On workday mornings, if I have ended up in Zach's room instead of in our bed, Jeff will set Teagan up in our room, in our bed, snuggled in, watching Disney while he gets his shower. This morning, Teagan came in while Jeff and I were still asleep. She climbed into bed with us. Jeff got up to shower and T asked to watch TV. Still 75% asleep, I slapped along the headboard until I found the remote, tapped the button, punched in the channel and fell back on my pillow. 10 minutes later, Zach is chattering from his Big Boy Bed so I stumble across the hall, pick him up, and bring him to my bed. He lays between me and T and his eyes fix on the TV while he sucks his thumb. Then he wakes up a bit more, notices his sister beside him. He makes his happiest chattery jibberish vocalizations, rolls over, lays on top of her, and puts his head on her chest while squealing. Melt my heart!! She says, with a huge smile, "Good morning, Buddy!!" Throws her arms around him, hugs him tight. Then they go back to watching whatever those blurry images were on the TV screen. This repeats 2 more times. I can barely stand it. Do you know that my kids have special smiles just for each other? Like all siblings, they certainly have fights over toys or hitting or whatever. But the love... I have to admit to being jealous. I didn't grow up with a sibling. I got my brothers when I was a teenager. I have no clue what it is like to have someone who isn't a parent that you've known your entire life. That shares memories with you. When we had Teagan, we were determined and decided to only have one child. A singleton. Jeff and I are both in families where we were the oldest and the siblings who came along did so when we were older. 10, 15, 18 year age gaps. So we didn't know what a sibling relationship could be. I watched my brothers fight. A lot. I know many adult siblings who fight more than anything else. Or who are estranged. So we didn't see the point, really. One voice really pushed. One sibling relationship stood as a different example. My friend Christy. She never pushed, not too much. But she did try to sway me. And I saw how close she and her brother were (are). And I wondered if I could even dream of accomplishing something like that. And we ended up unexpectedly pregnant. And while we are only 14 months into it, watching my children play together... watching Teagan teach Zach and care for Zach... watching Zach study his big sister... hearing them laughing together... laughing as they make up games, never needing words to come up with how the game works... it is truly my greatest joy. 2 of the people that I love most in the entire universe, in the entire vastness of God's creation... loving each other, caring for each other... it's a beauty that words can't define or describe. So I'll make sacrifices. I'll give up my hobbies and passions. I'll make my children my priority. I'll stay up all night worrying. I'll feel depths and levels of emotions that I never knew existed. I'll clean up pee and puke and poop and blood. I'll be the good guy, the bad guy. I'll discipline, be the tough one, be the mean mommy, be the soft place to land. I'll wipe noses, soothe broken hearts, plan birthday parties, explain the unexplainable. I will die to protect them. Because I've been given pieces of heaven. Because I'm a mommy.

Wheeee! Fit!!!

Day Four on the Wii Fit. I think it is really good that I happened to start it on Jan 1. Because I'd love to see how long I'd like to hit it on a daily basis. See what my best streak can be. The big challenge will be getting on in the evenings- especially on days that I've already hit the gym. There isn't a way to get Wii Fit credit for going to the old-fashioned gym!!

We got our Wii before we got the Wii Fit. We'd heard great things about the basic games- bowling, tennis, baseball... and the reviews we'd heard from friends were exactly right. We had a lot of fun. So we picked up a few more games and continued to have a great time. It was something fun we could do together.

Then the Wii Fit came out. I wanted it. But wasn't really sure I'd actually use it. Then I joined my gym and fitness became more routine. After waiting and searching, Jeff found the Wii Fit.

And then it sat for a couple months.

We set it up Jan 1. And I'm on a 4 day streak! Plus I hit the gym Fri and will hit it several times this week.

Do I have goals? Not really. The Wii Fit had me set a goal... but I set it pretty low. And it doesn't automatically give you your weight... but does give you your BMI. It was pretty depressing. But I knew it was where I was. So no surprises. My goal is to just keep improving!

Once you've got the Wii up and running, you can choose Yoga, Balance Games, Aerobics, or Strength Training.

I've done yoga before. But never like this! I'm usually relying on my own sense of my body to stay balanced. With the Wii Yoga and the Balance Board, there is a visual to actually help me maintain my balance. And once the exercise is over, it gives me a graphic to show how on track I was. Same for the strength exercises. Plus, there is a personal trainer who demonstrates the moves and then gives you tips as you are exercising. I haven't yet linked exercises together but I know there is a way!

The aerobics are fun. Hula Hoop and Step and Boxing and Running. And you unlock advanced levels and longer durations and stuff. You collect fitness points in all of the areas that help unlock new exercises.

It's very easy to spend 40 minutes exercising and not even notice the time passing!

The Balance Games are fun, too. Sometimes frustrating. But I've gotten better at walking a tightrope and ski jumping!

Wondering if it's right for you? I suggest finding someone who has a Wii and ask to spend an hour playing the basic games. Just try bowling... I think you'll be hooked!!