You're doing it wrong

Well, I'm doing it wrong.

I have been working hard to shed some weight. So far, I've lost 19 lbs. And yet, I have about 35 to go.

After reading an inspiring blog entry from Dashing Dish, I decided I'm going about this the wrong way. I decided to make my weight loss journey less about myself, and more about God. Starting today.

This morning, instead of hitting snooze on my alarm, I got up and spent those 15 minutes reading my neglected Bible. And it was good. I enjoyed my mocha and toast in the dark, quiet hours of the morning while I looked through passages about food. I mulled over Matthew chapter six:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Now I realize that these verses are not about weight loss or feeling good, but I do think they still apply. Instead of obsessing over calories, I need to just focus on treating my body like God's temple. That means eating right and exercising. The benefits (i.e. weight loss) will just be bonuses to taking care of my body.

Happy To You

Well, my son has officially turned two. Today we had a great day. He woke up to presents waiting for him in the living room - a space shuttle, a doctor play kit, and a few more super heroes.

He got to have a giant chocolate chip cookie from Barnes & Noble, and after a supper of his favorite meal (hot dogs), we sang "Happy Birthday" and he blew out two candles and enjoyed a little birthday cake.

Yesterday and today all I could think about was where I was two years ago. At 7:53am this morning, I got a little teary eyed. Motherhood has changed me in so many ways - the biggest of all my capacity to love. There is no feeling like watching your child grow and seeing him find joy in the world.

And the cutest thing ever - he likes being sung "Happy Birthday" to. We sang it to him, my parents sang it to him over skype, and his class sang it to him during snack. While he was playing downstairs, I could hear him singing to himself, "Happy to you."

Happy Birthday, son. We love you very much.

Almost Two

I feel like my little boy is growing up so fast. I was speechless when a couple of days ago, he started singing the ABC’s (I have only heard him get to “D” so far). He also counts up to 8 (and then skips 9 and goes to 10 ).

Last weekend we went to the MN Zoo to see the Farm Babies. His favorite was the cow, as he kept asking to go back to the cow multiple times. We saw baby sheep, goats, piglets, calves, and ducklings. Then we moved on to Discovery Bay. Inside, they have a recreated tidal pool (every minute or so water gushes out and the “tide” goes up briefly). Inside was a starfish. We were sitting on the edge of the tide pool and Lucas would reach in and gently touch the starfish. Then he started singing and doing the motions for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”

He also got to pet a shark in the touch tank and we also saw a dolphin show.

We all had a great time!

My favorite thing he does right now is he will give me a big hug and say “Mama!”

I can’t believe he is turning two next week. He is a very active, typical little boy. He loves sharks, whales, snakes, spiders, rocks, wrestling, music, books, and being a helper (he loves to help wash strawberries in the sink).

Time is flying.