Do Not Be Anxious About Anything

While I was out today, I saw this ring with Philippians 4:6 inscribed - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God." It was my size, it was 50% off so I bought it. Little did I know how important this purchase would be today.


I'm a worrier. It's what I do. I'm anxious about things that are happening. I'm anxious about things I think should be happening but aren't happening. I worry about what is to come because I don't know what to expect. Bottom line, I'm a worrier. It's something I'm working on though because an anxious mind is not very becoming and doesn't help things. I cognitively know this fact to be true. I give friends and family the same advice - don't worry about it, worrying doesn't solve anything, and as Elsa says, "Let it go..."

Tonight, I had a situation that I was worried about. I worried about the other people involved in the situation. I worried about my own actions in this situation. I did what I do - I worried. Then I felt this ring on my finger. And I remembered "in EVERYTHING by prayer...present your requests to GOD." Oh yeah, that prayer thing! So I gave it a go. As I drove for about 10 minutes, I chatted with God. I asked him for a calm heart, a wise mind, and to keep me quiet when I needed to be quiet. I asked for peace, wisdom, and for more peace, for all involved. I asked God to take my worries. I told God I didn't know what was going to happen and may HIS will be done. I didn't make any promises "if you do this than I'll do that" or whine "why is this happening!?!?!?!?" (although, I've done enough of that before too!) I knew I needed PEACE to help me get through this. I took a deep breath and thanked God for all He has done and went on with things.

I got to my destination and knew, felt, that I wasn't alone. I felt like someone had my back. And "someone" did. Jesus! He was there for ME, to help me through this. Even though there are others that have more pressing issues, I knew He was there for me. I asked Him and I trusted that He would be with me - AND HE WAS. I stayed calm. God quieted my tongue when it needed to stay quiet. He gave me wisdom to share when it was time for me to do so. The situation was difficult, I felt all sorts of emotions going through it. But I did not feel anxious about my part. Why? Because I asked God to take away that anxiety. And you know what? He did!

Now, the conclusion of this situation didn't end with singing birds, horses riding off in the sunset, while a song started playing out of nowhere. But that's not what needed to happen at this time. I may have wanted things to go a different way but it's not my choice. I don't know what the sequel will be, what the next episode entails. That's not for me to know - I'm only human. All that future stuff? That's for God to know. And that's okay. God has given me life and has allowed life to happen. He has given me free will to make choices and to experience the consequence that come with them. Today, I choose to pray. And God answered. He was there with me and I felt it. I didn't worry. I wasn't anxious.

And there is even more to this story. As I went home, for another 10 minute drive, I listened to the radio. The song "Just Say Jesus" by 7eventh Time Down came on the radio. Wow. Jesus was a DJ tonight too. "...When you don't know what to say, Just say Jesus, There is power in the name, The name of Jesus, If the words won't come, Cause you're too afraid to pray, Just say Jesus..." I said Jesus, and guess what, He was there. "...Whisper it now or shout it out, However it comes out, He hears your cry, Out of nowhere He will come - you got to believe it, He will rescue you..." Yep. He will rescue you. No, there is no phone number, no app for that. You just have to say it. Just say Jesus.

But Jesus wasn't done being the DJ tonight. Nope. As I drove, I listened.  I thanked God for all he has done for me - not only tonight but for everything.   Jesus played Chris Tomlin's "Good Good Father." As I sang along, I continued giving thankful praise to Him, our Good Good Father. "...I've seen many searching for answers far and wide, But I know we're all searching, For answers only you provide, Cause you know just what we need, Before we say a word..." That is SO TRUE. He DOES know just what we need! And He will provide just what we need. God is good, oh so good. "...You're a Good, Good Father, It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are, And I'm loved by you, It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am..."

This situation I dealt with tonight wasn't even about me. But, as I told you before, I'm a worrier. Praying to our Good, Good Father brought me peace and wisdom. He gave me a calm mind. He took care of me. I asked Him and He did it. I didn't ask Him for the singing birds, inspirational instrumental as the ending credits rolled. I asked Him for His will to be done.

Prayer.  It works.  Do not be anxious, Just Say Jesus.  Amen.

Kamdyns first year

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Spring Break 2012

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Wagon? What wagon?

That's a wagon.  And I feel like I have fallen off of it.  I think I could say, "I've fallen and I can't get up!"

I know I could get right back on the wagon.  I can choose to refocus my mind and get back on track to being healthy.  But I don't want to right now.  I just don't.  It feels too easy to slip back into bad habits. 

And I'm telling myself that I haven't done "that bad", that I haven't been "off" for too long.  And in reality, it really hasn't been "THAT" bad.  Just dinner last night.  And lunch today.  And dinner tonight.  And I have the strong DESIRE to do some more POOR eating NOW.  DUMB.  NO.  But...

I have reasons, excuses, etc.  I was eating out and "couldn't" make a better/healthier choice.  I was busy and didn't have time to go for a walk.  Yep, I have my excuses.

Why are old habits so hard to break?  Even when I've been doing "well" for a long while, why do the poor eating habits and laziness come back?  Why?  Why?  Why?  UGH! 

It's a cycle.  I decide to do well.  I make changes.  There are bumps in the road.  I don't make the conscious decision to do well.  And then I make BAD CHOICES.  I feel BAD and GUILTY about making those bad choices and feel physically sick from eating the c.r.a.p. and am without energy to DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.  So I keep making poor choices and spiral down even more.  Terrible.

I guess I'm not alone though.     Life happens.  People make mistakes.  I've made mistakes.  I guess getting "over it" is admitting you've made mistakes, forgiving yourself for it, and moving on.  Catching back up to the wagon and getting BACK ON IT.  Buckling yourself all snug and hanging on for the ride.  I guess?  Let's try...

Music

I am a music person.  I love music.  I love to listen to music, to play music, to sing music, to dance to music...I. LOVE. MUSIC.  I just do!

I use music to calm myself down, psych myself up and motivate myself to get moving.  One of the enjoyable parts of my walking exercise routine is the music I listen to while I am moving.  It's quite an eclectic mix, if I do say so myself!  And I love it.  Here's some of the songs I walk to:

Abracadabra - Steve Miller Band
All Star - Smash Mouth
Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol
Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield
Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas
Move It Like This - Baha Men
My Humps - Black Eyed Peas
Oh Carolina - Shaggy
The Cup of Life - Ricky Martin
The Race is On - Sawyer Brown
Desire - U2
Walking on Sunshine - Katrina & the Waves
We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister

There are more.  Like, "We Are Family", which is a very good start-to-cool-down song and helps me stretch out my stride.  Or, "Sunglasses At Night" which is a nice, quick speed to pace myself to.  So enjoyable!!

Music is my motivation.  I can do this!

I'm doing it!

I am doing it!  I'm tracking everything that goes into my mouth (today, at least), drinking water (going to down some more in a few minutes here), and I'm moving (again, at least today I am).  I know that I cannot do it all every day.  And I'm fairly certain that even the healthiest of people do not do everything they are "supposed to do" and stay away from every food they are "not supposed to" eat each and every day of their lives.  I'm hoping at least.  Because I do not see myself being "perfect" in eating and moving every day.  Ever.  Because I'm human.

Things that are helping me - taking time to track my food throughout the day, challenging myself one day/one hour/one minute at a time, and trying to "win" by filling in my "healthy checks" boxes every day.  (Part of my WW tracking includes checking off how many glasses of water, servings of milk, fruits and vegetables, taking a vitamin, and activity each day.)  I am not thinking of the "finish line" - my goal weight - because that seems too vague to me, almost unthinkable.  I am only thinking of today.  Well, I'm also thinking of my "weigh-in" day because the bigger numbers make me mad and sad.  Seeing the numbers go down is motivating.  Seeing the numbers go up is not.  Keeping myself on track (on program) is hard.  But also doable.  Completely doable.

I am here to say that I am doing it!  And I'm going to continue to do it.  I tracked everything that I ate today.  I went on a walk even though I didn't want to go, I had a headache and it was drizzling out.  But I felt good doing it and even ran a (very) little bit.  I am doing it!

The Champions.

Inspiration

Inspiration.  It comes in many different forms and from many different places.  Some people are inspiring.  Some situations are inspiring.  Big or small.  Happy or sad.  Inspiration.

I have had different inspiration come in my life.  Some of the biggest inspirations have come from the smallest people.  One of my first jobs was working at a day care center during the summer.  There was a two year old girl, named Kayla, who went there.  Only occasionally, because she was sick.  Really sick.  She had cancer.  I can't remember what kind of cancer, only that she was one of the most beautiful, sweetest little girls I had ever seen.  As the summer went on, she spent less and less time at day care.  By the end of the summer she was gone.  Cancer had shortened her life, taken her from her parents.  I remember Kayla as a smiling, round and fuzzy headed little girl.  I was inspired back then and learned that every person I would ever meet would teach me something.  That every life, no matter how long or how short it is, means something.  That I could learn something from everyone I will ever meet.

Another very small person I was inspired by was Auston.  He was a student of mine when he was 4 years old.  When Auston was born, he weighed 15 ounces.  Less than a pound.  He shouldn't have survived.  He shouldn't have lived to see his first, second, third, or even his fourth birthday.  But he did.  And he was learning.  I was inspired by his desire to learn, to play on the playground, to spend time with his friends.  But then something terrible happened.  There was an accident at his home and he died.  He died.  I was devestated.  I will never forget Auston.  Never.  I learned so much from him in the short time I knew him.  I was inspired to look beyond size, to look beyond where a person comes from or how they came into the world.

The inspirations to become a teacher came from knowing Kayla and Auston and many other children.  It came from those who were teachers in my life.  The inspiration came from my mom who taught many many children throughout her life. 

There's plenty of other inspirations I've had come into and through my life.  Inspirations to do BIG things and to do little things.  I'm inspired to write on this blog by other friends who also keep blogs.  I'm inspired to be a conscious eater and an active person by other friends who have shared their journeys to be healthy with me.  Sometimes, it's a rainbow in the sky - an inspiration to keep on going and never give up.  What inspires you?

Inspiration.

Back on track...

I've decided to get back on track with myself. Yep, myself. I'm going to get selfish and put myself first. YIKES!

Being a mom, it is SO EASY to put the kids first. Of course, I love them. Of course, I want the best for them. But I also want them to have a healthy mother for a long long time. A mom who has energy to DO things with them. Ya know?

So I am making the commitment to myself to get back on the Weight Watchers wagon. I've been an online member for over a year now and am down almost 30 pounds since I started in January of 2011. BUT, the biggest disappointment that I realized is that I am 2.2 pounds OVER what I weighed exactly one year ago. 2.2 lbs. MORE. NOT A FAN OF THAT. AT. ALL.

I'm recommitting myself to taking care of myself. To making sure I am tracking EVERYTHING that I eat. And to exercising. I'm not going to run a marathon next month or probably EVER, but I can go for a daily walk. I've done it before, I can do it again. And I am. Last night I walked 1.9 miles and tonight I walked 2.1 miles. I even jogged a very little part of each one. Who does that? Crazy!! Ha ha ha...

And, I'm going to keep up with this blog and use it as a place for me to keep myself accountable. Even if nobody ever reads it, I'll know this is "out there" and available for the world to see. No more excuses. No more putting everybody and everything else in front of my desire to be healthy. It's all about ME.

So what's your problem?

I'm already on Facebook TOO MUCH. And now I've found Pintrest. OH BOY! And I feel guilty that I'm not "keeping up" with this blog. My problem of spending too much time on the computer is SO MINIMAL compared to what others have to deal with. Seriously. I need to get over myself!

I have a friend who has just found out she has to MOVE within two weeks. And she has a young daughter. And her car is not working. AND she just separated from her husband. Seriously praying for her!

I have another friend who is a mommy to three young daughters. Her good friend and mom just started chemo for breast cancer. And at the same time, she found out that she has cancer. CANCER! At 39! When she has 3 daughters to raise! Seriously??? I'm praying hard for her and her family.

Another friend's father-in-law just passed away. And now her mother-in-law is in the hospital. Oh my! How much can a family take? Prayers being sent!

I found out about a former coworker who's daughter - 33 years old - DIED suddenly. She was at home and having an asthma attack. She wasn't able to get her medication but did call 911. There were 3 dogs at her house, one is a pit bull. The EMS were not able to get into the house in time. Her two children came home from elementary school a little while later. While the police & ambulance were still in the road. Praying HARD for these children who are now without a mother. And for my former coworker - how do you get through your own child dying? How is that possible?

The title to this post sounds super sarcastic. It's not meant to be sarcastic at all. There's just so much going on and it's all so hard. Only prayer can get you through these kinds of "hard" situations.

And I'm worried about spending too much time on the computer? Oh please!


Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.


1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Excuse me, where have you been?

Forgive me father for I have sinned. It has been OVER A YEAR since my last blog post.

OOPS.

I blame Facebook. Seriously, I do. Once I got onto the 'book and became "friends" with family members far and near, I had no real need to post pictures of my darling Superstar and Princess on this blog. I was posting them on FB. All. the. time. The mobile FB app helps too. Oy, technology has pulled me away from blogging.



Remember when blogging was "new". Wow, what a long time ago THAT was. Like, what, 2 years ago or something?



Maybe I'll start posting more often now? Doubtful, but maybe. At least it'll give me a place to post my ramblings. FB has limits on that, you know. Blogging, not so much.

Here is a "current" view of the Superstar, he's 9 years old now -

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN??

The Princess is 4. Yep, 4.

She's preparing for a busy wedding season.

Flower girl in 2 weddings.

Dress up time in a fancy dresses?

YES, PLEASE!

What happened to our summer??

The Superstar had fun at Golf Camp:

We went to the "Back 2 Class Bash" where the Princess took to the anchor's desk with our local CBS affiliate's sports reporter, Clayton Ferraro, to "report" on the day's events:

Here she is in "high definition"! The Superstar wouldn't take a turn.

We took a trip to the beach where both kids enjoyed the sand and the water:

The Superstar and the Princess took swimming lessons and learned a lot from their teachers this summer.

Shake Weight Jingle Contest (Matt Carlson, Brandon Froedge, Matt Wilke)

SUMMER TIME!

It's summer time and the kids have already been busy! The princess took two weeks worth of swimming lessons and the Superstar started weekly golf camp! They both enjoy their activities. We've also been to the library several times for book checkout and special events. We need to get out there and bowl again soon! We signed up with http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ and enjoy this new family past time. Here are some pictures from our summer so far...

Promotion Night

Tonight was promotion night at the Superstar's dojo. He was promoted from a green belt to a blue belt. He is so proud and so are we!

STOP THE INSANITY!!!

The WINNER!!!

I entered this picture in an online photo contest and WON THE GRAND PRIZE!! From the website, www.family-vacation-getaways-at-los-angeles-theme-parks.com/Christmas-Photo-Contest.html - "Our Grand Prize winner is Kerri Haycook of Florida. What a heart-melting photo of her children sharing the warmth and love of the Christmas season with a hug!" WOW!!! Grand Prize Winner!!! WOO-HOO!

FIRST PLACE!!

The Superstar won FIRST PLACE in our school invention fair! His first entry and first place! We are so proud of his creative idea. Now, on to the regional fair...

My Little Inventor

The Superstar had a problem - he couldn't hear when his ears were underwater. That problem is no longer a problem for our Superstar! He invented the Underwater Listening Device (the ULD) and is presenting it in the school Invention Fair this week.

The Superstar is so proud of himself for coming up with idea all by himself. And so am I. We had fun putting this project together.