Saying Yes

It has been too long since I've written a saying yes post. Stuff happens. Life happens. Things get in the way as we ride the roller coaster of life.  Then one thing leads to another and details fall through the cracks...details like, oh, I don't know...WHO AM I? WHERE DID I GO?!?
That's the honest truth of it, folks. So no long story, no woe is me...but it is time to refocus...despite the 90 to nothing pace of my life right now.  So, here it goes. 
The short list:
This week I'm saying yes to:
~First and foremost my God.  I know this sounds bad...but the past few weeks, I've been so tired that I caught myself going into a deep coma at night before I even took time to pray and thank God for my blessings.  Between our trip to Florida, juggling 2 jobs and 2 kids, and Michael's traveling to Austin several times in the last month on the weekends, I've been beat. So, God, please forgive me.
~I'm saying yes to prayer.
~I'm saying yes to my husband and my precious sons. NOTHING is more important.
~I'm saying yes to early morning runs and getting my fat ass in shape again, as I've fallen off the wagon.  Hell, let's be honest. The wagon ran me over. I'm UNDER the wagon.
~On that note...as much as I dread writing it...and as much as I dread doing it...I'm saying yes to registering for the Tyler Half Marathon. It's only 3 weeks away from today. I've trained NONE...unless binging on carbs counts as training.  Is that insane? Maybe. Will I be slow? Most definitely. Will I finish...even if I have to walk the 13.1 miles? Yes.  I will.  I can & I will.
~I'm saying yes to grace, a free gift God gives us.
~I'm saying yes to BEING the change I wish to see in others.
~I'm saying yes to trying to be patient, and waiting on God's timing.
~I'm saying yes to faith, hope, and love.
~YES to crisp fall air and the excitement of boot season!
~YES to Jackson's 3rd birthday party planning.
~I'm saying yes to trying to grow, and accept that I don't always have it all together...YES to working on my insecurities, because yes, I have them, too!
~YES to not letting my insecurities steal my joy.
~YES to hugs from the sweetest boys in the world.
~YES to Halloween decorations and pumpkins galore.
~Yes to appreciation. Yes to gratitude. Yes to complaining less and trying to focus on the positive.
~YES to feel the fear and do it anyway.
~I'm saying yes to PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION.  I am but a work in progress.

What are YOU saying yes to this day?

Saying YES

It's a new year...2013! Full of new hopes, new dreams, and new chances to say YES!
Wouldn't it be great if we stopped all the obsessing...all the worrying...all the "shoulds"...and just said YES? YES to living fully and vivaciously! YES to sucking the marrow out of life.  YES to the things that bring our hearts joy? 

This week, I'm saying YES to...

• My 3 loves...Michael, Noah, & Jackson.  These 3 men make up my entire world.
• I say YES to beginning to plan for Noah's 5th birthday party! How is it possible that my red-headed angel is now almost 5?!? We'll be doing it up big time...Angry Bird style.
• I say YES to stepping outside of my comfort zone..
• YES to celebrating the engagement and upcoming nuptials of my new amazing friends, John & Jenny.
• YES to being spontaneous!
• YES to forging on with my battle to become more organized! Oh how I WISH it came more naturally to me!
• I say YES to being connected...having REAL, AUTHENTIC, CONNECTED relationships with those with whom I hold dear.
• YES to becoming STRONG! This is the year that Mama is going to pack on some muscle, baby!
• YES to grace, a free gift God gives us. And Lord knows...I need grace.
• YES to being unapologeticlly, unequivocally ME.
• I say YES to dancing every day...being PRESENT in the moment.
• YES to Jillian Michaels' return to The Biggest Loser! I cannot even verbalize how much I big-red-puffy-heart LOVE that woman!
• Yes to taking lots of pictures and planning the boys' Valentine's photo shoot.
• I say YES to doing my best at getting caught up on paperwork! YES to checking things off my list!
• YES to laughter and smiles.
• YES to the wonderment of my everyday life with my boys...watching Jackson learn and pronounce new words...the way Noah's hair curls at the ends...our precious moments under the covers in Mama & Daddy's bed before the chaos of the day.
• YES to making a difference in the lives of others.
• YES to serving as the co-chair for this year's Race for the Cure (God help us all!)
• YES to PROGRESS, not PERFECTION.
• YES to LIFE...because THIS is our ONLY SHOT!
• YES! YES! YES!

What are YOU saying YES to this week?

12-12-12

Today is 12/12/12.

In honor of 12/12/12, I think I'll focus on 12 things I will SAY YES to today...

1.   I say YES to cozy fires in the fireplace.
2.   YES to running to the mailbox and delighting at the pictures of friends and families in their Christmas cards.
3.   I say YES to forcing myself to exercise when Noah has been sick, and despite Jackson's un-fun habit of waking up at 4:30 in the morning.
4.   I say YES to making more phone calls to tell people I love them.  (Today would have been my cousin, Beth's 45th birthday, but she died last year from cancer.  Although difficult, I made the phone call to my aunt to let her know that she was in my thoughts and that I didn't forget.  She was genuinely touched, and I'm glad I called.)
5.   YES to reflecting on the past year...the highs...the lows...the in-betweens-and the "What in the hell was I thinking?"
6.   I say YES to being MORE PROACTIVE with staying connected in my relationships!It's so easy to make excuses.  "I've got 2 jobs, 2 kids...no time, life gets in the way, etc." I've come to realize that connected relationships are really what counts in this life, and that if I don't make a concerted effort to stay connected...the excuses win. And I won't have that.
7.   I say YES to Christmas music,  wrapping presents, and putting up a few more trees. I'm behind---I only have 4 trees up as of today.  Time to get the holly jolly going!
8.   YES to gratitude.  YES to grace. 
9.   YES to being comfortable in my own skin, and not apologizing for just being me.
10.  YES to building new friendships, and cherishing the old friendships.
11.  I say YES to FUN! So often, as "adults," we simply underestimate the importance of FUN.  In 2013, (and for the rest of 2012) I'm going to make an effort to put more FUN in my life.  I realize that this is going to require a concerted effort on my part, but I'm enlisting the help of some friends in this all-important task.
12.  And of course...I say YES to my boys...the lights of my life.  YES to listening to Jackson's explosion of words.  Yes to hear him saying, "Wuh You" (love you) and to receiving his precious baby kisses.  YES to Noah's JOYFUL spirit, and his love of all people.  YES to crayons all over my floor, because Noah is so into drawing right now.  YES to watching the boys play trains together and sitting in the rocking chair together as they watch cartoons.  YES to being present emotionally, and trying to focus on the blessings that I receive each day because of ALL my boys.  YES to appreciating my husband, who has also taken off work this week to help take care of sick Noah.  He does it all---makes lunches, takes the boys to school, and even put up Christmas garland (without being asked) when he was home with Noah.  I'd be lying if I said I felt happy ALL day every, but I DO feel happy EVERY day.  And my boys are a big reason why.  So, YES to my boys!

THAT MAKES 12 things I'm saying YES to on 12/12/12!


      

Saying YES

SAYING YES...

After a long, hard, weekend full of Noah vomiting, the anniversary of my mother's death, and a seemingly endless "to do" list...and relapsing on chocolate, Mexican food, and Blue Bell ice cream...it is with a heart full of HOPE that I SAY YES, once again.  Every now and then, I find myself, unfortunately sweating the small stuff...and I realize that when this happens, I listen to my lower self...and say yes to the stuff I don't WANT to say yes to...like self doubt, complaining, and comparison...the stealers of JOY! So, enough of that! It is time to pull myself up and make the choice to embrace a new day, a new week...a new opportunity to say YES...
This week, I'm saying YES to...

• Getting up early again for 5 am runs.
• Doing what I meant to do last week but didn't...get HELP cleaning my house! I will digress here, but I had so much stuff to do...I actually needed help with getting the house READY to to be cleaned! I know that sounds lame, but if you don't clean up piles of junk, the cleaning lady will just clean AROUND it, and what's the point of that?!? It just ends up making me feel like a failure because I didn't have it done...hence the procrastination and, I didn't get the cleaning lady to come. THIS WEEK, I've got to just suck it up and get some help!
• On that note, I'm saying YES to trying to make time every day to clean up.  This is particularly difficult when I'm trying to plan and do Jackson's birthday party all this week because I'll be out of town the whole week of his party. 
• And on THAT note, I'm saying YES to trying to stop freaking out about everything being "perfect" for Jackson's birthday party.  Several of our cousins can't make his party, and it's a costume party, so I allowed myself to get all worked up today about "What if it's just us in a costume?"  O.k....so what if it is? What's the WORST that'll happen?  We'll dress up in costumes, which is fun...and we'll bounce, slide, and eat cake.  What's the bad part about that?!?  (That's the sweating the small stuff I've GOT to work on!)
• And on THAT note...I'm saying YES to keeping things in perspective  and not sweating the small stuff.
• I'm saying YES to eating clean, exercising...for that is the core of "being me."
• I'm saying YES to one-goal-at-a-time...
• YES to deep breaths...
• YES to appreciating my blessings (and NO to complaining)
• YES to hugs, snuggles, reading before bedtime with my boys...
• YES to opening the boxes from Amazon and Etsy that will be waiting on my porch...
• I'm saying YES to planning my outfits the night before & YES to fun boots!
• Oh, and I'm saying YES to getting my new Coach bag in the mail...because Mama got a great deal, and I decided that after almost 5 years of carrying diaper bags & breastfeeding each son for a year.. that it was time Mama got a cute bag again!
• YES to cutting out banners, cupcake toppers, and decorations for Jackson's party...
• YES to asking for help...even if that means getting a sitter while Michael is out of town (oh how I struggle with asking for help!)
• I'm saying YES to accepting myself...flaws and all, imperfectly perfect.
• I'm saying YES to sweet text messages to my friend, MB, who remembers me when I need it most!
• Oh, and I'm saying YES to this GREAT new app...Red Stamp...it's FREE & Fabulous...a must for moms.
• Yes, to not beating myself up for having a rough couple of days...
• YES to getting back up and holding my head high...
• YES to pumpkins, spiders, and (not so) spooky Halloween decorations...
• YES to ordering my Halloween tutu for Jackson's party...
• YES to ordering my son's 2nd birthday cake and being perfectly OK with not baking it myself!
• Yes to PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION!!
• YES to what really matters...
• YES! YES! YES!

What are YOU saying YES to this week?!? Listen to your HIGHER self and say YES!

Saying YES!

It's been a while since I've had a Saying YES post, so this post is much overdue!

This week I'm saying YES to:

• Pushing outside my comfort zone...
• YES to cool fall days and nights...
• YES to  lighting that first fire in the fireplace...
• YES to beginning to plan for Jackson's second birthday party!
(How is that possible?!)
• I'm saying YES to getting some help again to clean my house!
• I'm saying YES to grace, and YES to prayer...
• I say YES to being comfortable in my own skin...
• and YES to relationships that REALLY matter...
• I say YES to hugs, kisses, and sweet cuddles from my boys.
• YES to appreciating my husband.
• YES to trying to stay PRESENT in the moment...
• YES to delegating and asking for help when I need it.
• I say YES to busting out fabulous fall fashion...
• YES to sucking the JOY out of each day...
• YES to sweet runs in cool weather...
• YES to ignoring the haters...
• YES to Turn Tyler PINK...
• YES to trying to juggle it all...
• YES to Alice's birthday party...
• I say YES to more water and less Coke Zero...ever the work-in-progress...
• YES TO PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION!
  YES! YES! YES!
  What are YOU saying YES to this week?!?

Saying Yes

SAYING YES!

This past week has been interesting to say the least.  I've had a neck injury and this past week it has gotten progressively more severe.  I have been told by 2 doctors and a PT that I need to get a MRI stat.  They almost sent me to the ER, but really...what's the point in that? It's so much easier to take care of others than it is to take care of myself.  It's literally...a pain in the neck. Ha ha.  (Only now I'm not laughing!) So, although I've been in the most physical pain I've ever endured, I do see the blessing.  I've got a husband who helps pick up the slack when I'm down.  I've got great friends and neighbors that really do care about me and would move mountains for me.  I've come to appreciate how blessed I am to have been in such perfect health...how blessed I've been to pick up my boys...be the active mom I like to be.  I'm blessed to have a job with insurance and sick time if I need it. Blessed to have a comfy bed. Blessed that I'm not a single mom doing it all on my own.  So, on that note, this week, I'm focusing on my blessings and saying YES to...

• YES to an MRI.  No, it won't be cheap.  But it's necessary.  I tell folks all the time...you can't give what you don't have.  I know that I can't care for and love my dear ones until I first care for myself. 
• I'm saying YES to the end of my week-long of emotional eating...I'm a stress-eater...especially when I can't work out.
• On that note...I'm saying YES to finding creative ways to work out.  Possibly Yoga in the mix.
• YES to my precious boys---Michael, Noah, & Jackson.
• I say YES to connecting with my dear, intentional family.
• Yes to realizing that some friendships have been about me doing the giving & finding peace with the silence.
• YES to asking for help.
• YES to working on my patience.
• I say YES to making efforts to stay focused on the present and not stressing the day away.
• YES to victories for those without a voice!!
• I say YES to being comfortable with being different. Yes to beating to my own drum.
• I say YES to asking for a compromise, re-doing what wasn't done well, and taking time IN with my boys.
• YES to putting the media down and focusing on relationships.
• I say YES to tryiing to get myself organized.  I SO want to be one of those organized people! I think it's harder for big-picture/creative types like myself to be organized.  I don't know.  Or it could be the ADD in me saying that:)
• YES to gratitude.  YES to "What you focus on...E-X-P-A-N-D-S!"
• I say YES to hugs, squeezes, cuddles, and cozy time in my bed with my boys before the business of the day begins.
• I say YES to listening to Noah go on and on about Angry Birds and YES to Jackson's exploration of everything!
• I say YES to getting caught up with and staying on top of my paperwork...endless struggle!
• YES to getting some answers about my pain in the neck & shoulder. 
• I say YES to taking it one day at a time.
• YES to noticing and celebrating the seemingly small things in life.
• YES to feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
• YES to listening to my higher self and silencing my inner critic.
• YES to making sure to have FUN every day.  We might not be able to have fun ALL day of every day...but we can incorporate fun into SOME part of every day!
• I say YES to laughter.  YES to real, authentic relationships.
• YES to life.  It's meant to be lived, not just endured.
• YES to progress, not perfection!  YES! YES! YES!

What are YOU saying YES to this week?!?  

Saying YES!

• Our castle has had our share of speed bumps this summer...lots of transitions for Noah & Jackson with Noah chaging to Oak Hill Montessori School and Jackson's difficult transition to Montessori School (still in process!)  My other speed bump has been this computer.  We had the Suddenlink worker come to our house and "fix," some problems, and in the process, one guy ended up not ony messing up our connection, but completely disconnecting my neighbors' connection as well! I think the guy gave up, sent another guy...anyway, my computer won't upload pictures to my blog now. Yes, you read that right.  It'll upload pix to anything else: Shutterfly, Facebook, whatever.  Things all seem to break at once, don't they?  So, I update my blog either by taking my computer to a place with WI FII or uploading from my phone.  Complicated is the norm these days, but we ARE working on solutions! On that note, I am painfully aware that I have been lapse at Saying YES!!! Although it is almost Friday, I can still say YES! Wouldn't it be great if we stopped overanalyzing all that isn't working and said YES to all the GOOD that God is doing in our lives?  This week I'm saying YES to...


• Holding my boys, looking them in their eyes...and reminding them they are my loves.


• I say YES to appreciating my amazing husband.  I hurt my neck & am awaiting possible MRI (trying to avoid) so he has been a great deal of help with being Super Dad!


• I say YES to getting pictures of my dad who is visiting family in Michigan.  My dad has to be the single-most amazing man in the world.  His spirit is incredible.  And every day that I work with those in trauma, I realize the abundance of God's grace in giving me the father I have. 
  
  


• I say YES to getting caught up on reports!


• YES to streamlining and plans for staying caught up and getting help where I need it!


• I say YES to advocating for my clients, their children...for those victims that have lost their voice.


• Yes to Big Red Zero...seriously good stuff!


• I say YES to connecting with my wonderful Drug Court ladies in group! There is nothing more powerful than connecting with them and seeing them change their lives and the lives of their children.


• I say YES to lunch on Friday with my dear brother, Winn & my sweet friend Tiffani. YES to surrounding myself with those that fill my heart with JOY!


• I say YES to breath.  Yes to being present.


• YES to Grace, a free gift God has given us.


• I say YES to playing trains, hide-n-seek, and playing kiss monster and tickle monster.


• YES to 3 way texting my dad & 2 sisters as they vacation as a way to stay connected.


• I say YES to Noah's sweet freckles, Jackson's growing smile, and the JOY that comes from my boys.


• Yes to Show-N-Tell at Oak Hill with Noah...YES to special Mommy & Son Time.


• I say YES to Progress, Not Perfection.


• Yes to gratitude, smiles, and authenticity.


• YES! YES! YES!

Saying Yes

Life is all about choices.  Sometimes, we need to re-evaluate our behaviors and our choices, and make different decisions in order to achieve our desires.  If our desires are to be happy, this is a constant process of re-evaluating and self-discovery.  These last couple weeks have been challenging but beneficial.  I found myself increasingly disheartened by some of the behaviors of some of my peers as of late.  As I found myself complaining, I realized that I needed to take responsibility for MY role in their behavior. We teach people how to treat us.  If I allow others to take me for granted and walk all over me, it's teaching them that it's acceptable.  If I keep doing more, they will keep expecting that from me.  Guess what folks? Life isn't about doing more for others. It's about being happy.  I'm happy to work hard to help others, but not to the extent that it hurts myself or my family.  So, I decided to make some different choices...have tough conversations...set some healthy boundaries.  And it was in the best interest of myself and my family. I'm happy to report that although it was not easy...and I might not have scored popularity points with those peers, it was successful.  My heart is at ease knowing I assertively addressed the issues.  Even for someone like me...who has good self esteem...it is still hard to say, "Look, I'm worth more than that!"  But I did it and it made a huge difference in my happiness immediately. Go Team Backbone!  On that note, I haven't had a "Saying Yes" post in a while because I've had to SAY NO to some people and things in this process of boundary setting.  Having said that, this week I'm saying YES to...

• My family...my husband...my 2 loves...Noah & Jackson
• YES to teaching others how to treat me.
• YES to making the RIGHT choice rather than the easy choice.
• YES to my health.
• I say YES to relief.
• A Big Yes to turning 38!
• YES to great friends and to a couple newer friends in particular---Tiffani & Kourtni from the DA's office. They have been a soft place to fall and a source of strength:)
• YES to losing 2 pounds since I started saying NO because it was literally weighing on me!
• YES to sunshiny spring days and digging in the dirt.
• YES to POSITIVE ENERGY and dancing it out!
• YES to authenticity.
• YES to grace, a free gift that God gives us.
• I say YES to COLOR---I was stuck in a black rut of wearing black every day.
• YES to tickle monster, kiss monster, and monster...all games that Noah & Jackson love to play.
• I say YES to kickboxing, running, and getting toned up!
• YES to prioritizing.
• YES to feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
• YES to gratitude.
• YES to blowing out candles and birthday cake.
• I say YES to the smell of freshly cut grass, walks around the lake, and connecting with those that love me most. 
• YES to PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION!
• YES! YES! YES!
 

Saying Yes

SAYING YES!

It's a BEAUTIFUL week in Texas with spring-like weather & flowers all a bloom!
I can't believe that my climbing Iceberg roses are already beginning to bloom! I know it's going to be a HOT summer, but I'm ready for spring!
This week, I'm saying YES to...

• Jackson's adorable legs! Look at those cute little baby rolls! Love 'em!
• YES to curly red hair and tiny freckles on Noah's nose.
• I say YES to running.  It's time to get serious again!
• YES to revamping the old closet---saying goodbye to all the black and getting some fresh new colors going in the wardrobe!
• I say yes to appreciating my husband.
• YES to pulling weeds and spring projects.
• YES to renewal...yes to keeping it fresh.
• YES to water, water, water.
• I say yes to catching up (hopefully) on overdue paperwork.
• YES to Noah's preschool class pictures at Oak Tree Academy.
• YES to making an effort, and not being a frump!
• YES to breath.  YES to prayer. 
• I say YES to planting.
• YES to renewal! YES to spring in my step!
• YES to smiles and YES to positive energy!
• I say YES to more appreciating and less nit-picking.
• YES to another ride in the kayak!
• YES! YES! YES!





Saying Yes!

SAYING YES

This week has been a doozy---and it's only Tuesday! But I'm trying to learn the lesson that Noah taught me...take the mud, and not only jump right in...but grab your Tonka truck and plow right through that mud! So on that note, this week I'm saying YES to...

• Deep breathing.
• I say YES to flexibility and problem solving.
• And YES to thanking Veronica for watching the boys today in the midst of our childcare transition!
• I say YES to balance, and trying to find a way to juggle it all.
• YES to the sweetest, most precious boys in the world.
• YES to grace...a free gift God gives us. 
• YES to the prospect of new school adventures.
• I say YES to NOT having all the answers...and being o.k. with that.
• YES to springtime in Texas.
• YES to an open mind.
• YES to my exercise and water (By the way, the Bobble bottle is working!)
• YES to noticing the many blessings in my life.
• YES to approaching my life from a paradigm of blessings rather than void.
• I say YES to progress, not perfection.
• Yes! Yes! YES!

Saying Yes

Oh, the Texas Springtime Weather! Oh, how I love you!

It's almost 70 degrees today and a BEAUTIFUL day to inspire me to say YES!

This week I'm saying YES to...

• Prayers for Elizabeth's surgery to go well and for a speedy recovery.
• YES to more water! Yes, I am a Diet Coke addict, but this BALANCE goal of mine keeps rearing it's little head---so I'm going to try to BALANCE my Diet Coke with water! (I bought this new water bottle at Old Navy called a Bobble, and it has the filter built right in. So that's easy & good for the environment! We'll give it a try!)
• I say YES to balance...and I'm even taking a day off work this week.
• YES to my boys...the LOVES of my life!
• I say YES to positive changes in the McBride household.
• YES to making a difference.
• YES to NO EXCUSES.
• YES to taking some pictures of the boys in St. Patrick's Day props.
• I say YES to big kisses, big hugs, and dancing it out with my loves.
• YES to making serious progress on our house organization.
• YES to getting to Mrs. Lee's Daffodil Garden to kick start the spring!
• I say YES to rejuvenation.  YES to renewal.
• YES to working on my fitness and reaching my goals.
• I say YES to gratitude, because I know I am BLESSED!
• YES to PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION!
• YES! YES! YES!

Saying Yes

Lots of changes going on in the McBride house..some internal, some external. While change is difficult, it's necessary to re-evaluate where we are at vs. where we wish to be. I'm in process of evaluating so many areas of my life. Refelction is a good thing.  I just wish God would write the following on a billboard I could read on the way home, "Hello Brenda Joy McBride.  This is God.  Do this...." Unfortunately, God doesn't work that way. I find that he first sends us whispers.  We can choose to ignore the whispers or not. If we do ignore the whispers, they turn into loud, bold statements...then all-out screams! So, I'm trying to listen more carefully to the whispers...and forgive myself when I try to do it MY WAY, and ignore the screams...to my own detriment.  On that note...This week I'm saying YES to...

• I say YES to saying NO when I need to! Sounds odd, but saying NO is not always an easy thing for me to do.  I genuinely want to help everyone and do everything!
• I say YES to reflection, yes to hard decsions.
• I say YES to my boys...and YES to appreciating my time with my loves.
• YES to working on my fitness.
• YES to balance...the ever-running-battle of my days!
• I say YES to beautiful spring-like weather.
• YES to daffodils!
• YES to stepping outside my comfort zone!
• YES to asking for help when I need it.
• YES to listening to Jackson say, "Mama, Mama, Mama" in the sweetest voice I've ever heard.
• I say YES to Elizabeth's pre-surgery girls party
• YES to dancing it out...
• YES to deep breaths and getting oxygen to my brain!
• YES to making a difference.
• YES to progress, not perfection.
• YES! YES! YES! 

Saying Yes

My goal for 2012 was to strive for BALANCE. Well, like anything else, in time of stress...we REGRESS! I found myself out of balance the past couple of weeks; not by intention nor by design.  It's ironic, actually. I took 3 days off work so that I could catch up on reports for court in attempt to keep it all in balance! Unfortunatly, when I was at home those three days, I was disappointed mortified by my childcare situation at home, and ended up not working but dealing with the mess at home.  That, of course, meant that my reports didn't get done. So, I worked on them until about 2 am every night/morning. Which lead to my old overuse injury returning...because I ended up turning in about 130 pages of single-space reports.  WHICH, of course...I felt even crappier, because I felt like I was neglecting my kids on top of them already having issues with our babysitter.  Hence, putting the arm brace back on; which meant no kickboxing.  And my RIDICULOUS "all or nothing" thinking...which I despise...crept up during my onslaught of sleepless nights and physical and emotional pain....and turned into this thought:
"Well, I can't work out! I might as well eat total junk."  (Except I didn't say junk!) Two weeks...and five pounds later...after binging on total "junk," and not working out...I feel horrible! It's funny.  I'm so consistent with my workouts...I even got a text message from my kickboxing teacher asking if I was o.k! So now, I have that uncomfortable maddening, "none of my clothes fit" feeling and I know it's all because of the choices I made as a result of my all or nothing thinking.  Therapist heal thyself! Although I am mortified to go to the gym tomorrow because I feel hardly recognizable now that I feel like frump girl...I will commit to going! In fact, I have to hurry up and write because I have to get up at 4:45 to get there in time! I did jog 4 miles today so that's a start.  I'm back on track. And I vow NOT to beat myself up any more!
This week I'm saying YES to...

• Getting back to the gym at least 5 days this week!
• YES to getting back into balance.
• I say YES to a presentation for Judge Clark, CPS, some lawyers, and the like...
• YES to not stressing about said presentation, but having fun with it instead:)
• I say YES to getting outside my comfort zone at least once a day!
• YES to 3 veggies a day & more water! (something I continually have to work on because I love me some Diet Coke & Coke Zero)
• I say YES to my boys...who are truly my heart!
• Yes to kisses, hugs, and experiencing the joy of the day through the eyes of my babes!
• YES to decorating for SPRING---which makes my heart happy!
• YES to daffoldil buds blooming and bursting with the reminders of the renewals of spring!
• I say YES to a little self-care somewhere in the week!
• YES to getting organized...a little better each week
• YES to honesty and not beating myself up for sometimes just not having it all together!
• YES to PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION!
• YES to putting the past 2 weeks behind me and being the best version of myself---flaws & all!
• YES! YES! YES!

3 surprising high points

Today was an extremely rough day, filled with suicidal clients, cancer patients, paperwork deadlines, and assessments of new clients struggling with recovery. I literally turned off my radio when driving and forced myself to engage in deep breathing. By the way, that DOES help! Three high points of the day---in addition to  my already three high points---Michael, Noah, & Jackson:

1. I received an amazing text message from my friend, Courtney that read, "Just want to say thank you for being you! You are truly an angel.  You are such an inspiration to me.  Just letting you know!"  My dear friend Courtney has 19 months clean and is MY hero. She later called because her life is getting better and better, and she just wanted me to know that my belief in her has helped her stay sober one day at a time.  Talk about rewarding work that I do! YES! I say yes to that, even though this isn't a saying yes post!
2. And on that note, "Saying Yes," guess how COOL it was to see that the ORIGINAL Say Yes blogger, none other than the fabulous Maria commented on MY saying yes post with her words, "LOVE LOVE LOVE this post! How exciting...your sweet boys birthday, a new camera, a housekeeper, and grace to see you through te week! Have a blessed week!"  I discovered Maria's blog through Pinterest, and have been inspired by her words each week. And, I must say...I'm not easily impressed, so when I heard from her it made my day! Sounds small, but I love women encouraging women! I say YES to that, too!!! Here's to supporting all the wonder-moms out there and not being catty!
3. Despite my 12-hour workday, and a night ahead of paperwork to prepare for court Thursday...I worked on my BALANCE goal---I scheduled myself a kickboxing class during the busy day, despite the chaos.  It meant that I ate oatmeal, fruit, walnuts, and a skinny latte from Starbucks for dinner, but...I'll take it! Here's to PROGRESS, not perfection...as I forgot to add that to my saying yes post this week!

HERE'S TO FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVE EVENTS OF THE DAY INSTEAD OF THE DIFFICULTIES! YES TO THAT, TOO! WHAT WE FOCUS ON...E-X-P-A-N-D-S! BLESSINGS!!!!

Saying Yes

Today was a beautiful 68 degrees in East Texas, and the boys and I took a long walk through Rose Rudmond Park.  The boys were just perfect, and I tried to just soak in all the loving goodness that truly is the gift of time with these precious boys.  This week I'm saying YES to...

• Celebrating 4 years since my amazing Noah Michael came to our family. This child is JOY personified.  He is my sunshine.
• Because we do birthdays big at Camp McBride, this week will be little little rest for Mama as I'll be party preparing---turning our quarters into a party fit for a Super Hero...Super Noah, that is.
• I say yes to cutting, pasting, re-arranging, and then cleaning all that slop up before our company arrives...hopefully.
• Yes to cake, 4 candles, photo booth prop-making,  baloon hanging, hot glue-gunning, and super-cape wearing!
• Yes to promising to ENJOY the party, not just planning the party!
• I say yes to singing Happy Birthday, Dear Noah...followed by "God's blessings to you," a family tradition started by my dear mother.
• Yes to Beautiful weather...I seriously have some roses blooming in February---not a lot, but still that amazes me!
• I say yes to prayer, as some of my dear ones are really hurting right now.
• Yes to a TRIAL of starting Noah in 5 days a week of preschool. His 1st day was today and Miss Denise texted me that he was having a great day. Love her.
• Yes to 1:1 time with each of my boys.
• I say yes to having an amazing husband who endures me during crazy weeks like this!
• I say yes to SERIOUSLY...THIS WEEK FOR SURE...having my housekeeper return! SHE PROMISED THIS WEEK! I'm really hoping to say yes to this one!
• Yes to being present in the moment.
• Yes to balance, as difficult as this is for me.
• Yes to squeezing a little bit of me time, however brief it may be. Working out is about the only me time I see happening, but it's perfect me time.
• I say yes to gratitude, because I seriously have a great life. Thank you, God.
• Yes to having my family & friends here to celebrate Noah's 4th birthday.
• Yes to blessings.
• Yes to reflection.
• Yes to capturing fun moments with my new Canon...and YES to having my dear friend, Rose Bailey, on hand to capture moments so I can relax and stay present IN the moment!
• Yes to my sweet boys.
• Yes to Happy 4th Birthday Noah Michael!
• Yes! Yes! Yes!

Saying Yes!

As the Black Eyed Peas song goes, "It's a New Day!"

(Thank God for that!) I woke up determined to be out of my funk and CHOOSE JOY TODAY. And I did. Just like that. So on that happy note, I'm starting the week off right...by Saying YES!
I say YES to...

• BEAUTIFUL Texas weather!
• The sweet sounds Jackson makes when he drinks his milk.
• Noah's enthusiasm and the way he wakes up with a joyful heart EVERY day.  He really does.
• I say YES to walks around the lake with my boys.
• YES  to working off my Sunday maladaptive coping carb fest:/
• YES to MORE pictures with Rose Bailey this Friday---Bring it!
• YES to serving as the Komen National Sponsor Liason for the upcoming Race For the Cure.
• YES to self-care, as I got behind there.
• I say YES to letting go of scorekeeping.
• YES to working on organizational skills; finishing one project (or room, or drawer, or report, whatever "it" may be) before jumping to another.
• YES to encouraging my friends in their efforts to get fit.
• YES to Love is a Verb!
• YES to having serious gratitude for my health.
• YES to using that gratitude to motivate me to make healthy choices.
• I say YES to BALANCE.
• YES to taking deep breaths to calm myself if/when I begin to get overwhelmed.
• YES to prayer. Please, God, lift up Elizabeth during this time of crisis. Guide her, strengthen her. Comfort her. Help her to know that I am here and always will be.
• YES to listening and using my words constructively.
• YES to dancing with my boys.
• I say YES to laughter.
• YES to ordering Noah's Super 4th Birthday Cake.
• YES to saying no when necessary without guilt.
• YES to my housekeeper returning----she stood me up last week!
• YES to the promise of spring!
• YES to appreciating Michael for being a wonderful husband and father.
• I say YES to Noah. Yes to Jackson. Yes to playing more and cleaning less.
• YES to catching up on some things I've been procrastinating doing.
• YES to CHOOSING JOY TODAY!
• YES to rest.
• YES to being totally comfortable with who I am.
• YES to confidence, energy, and authenticity.
• YES to Progress, not perfection,
• YES to Life Is Dessert!
• YES! YES! YES!

Saying Yes

It's a new week, and a new opportunity to say thank you for my blessings and set my intentions for a positive week! Time to SAY YES! I love the idea of saying yes. The turning point for me was when I lost my mother to cancer.  Following her death, I became acutely aware of the importance of living life to the fullest and making the most of each day.  That doesn't mean that I'm never sad, angry, frustrated, or disappointed.  Of course I am! What it does mean, is that I try very hard not to just sit and dwell in it.  I mean, what's really the point in that? I want to focus on what I CAN do, what I CAN control...how I CAN react. Staying in the moment and appreciating the little things can be difficult...especially for us working mothers that rarely have a break, and are often constantly bogged down in the care and nurturance of others.  Often times, we neglect our OWN self-care. And, what I know as a counselor...and as a gal just trying to do her best in this world...You can't give what you don't have! So, it's not selfish to take time for exercise, health, spirituality, a good laugh, playing bubbles with the kids.  Because when we nurture ourselves, we are more fully open to nurturing others.  I.e., we have more to give.  Having said that, I require constant reminders to CHOOSE JOY TODAY, and to focus on the present moment.  One book that really helped me to do that is One Thousand Gifts.  Although I am a work in progress, the book is a good reference.  Even having the book in plain sight helps me to refocus.  In terms of my everyday life, I found a blog that inspires me! It's the reason I started the "Saying Yes" posts in the first place! I was looking through Pinterest when I found the picture of the most adorable family. And, the mother of the beautiful family, Momma of the BMC Report writes a fabulous blog that inspires me. I literally read her blog for hours one night, and realized that there's a "soul friend" named Maria out in the cold of Ohio.  She, too, is the mother of boys, and is a fellow Diet Coke lover, obsessed with pictures, party planner and joy-seeker! Her "Yes Yes Yes" posts deeply touched my heart and inspired me. So, thank you, Maria, for being you thereby propelling me to SAY YES! This week, I'm saying YES to...

• Planning for Noah's Super 4th Birthday Party
• Yes to my boys
• Yes to Valentine's Pictures with Rose Bailey
• Yes to balance
• I say yes to trimming roses, and dreaming of spring
• Yes to walks around the lake with my boys
• Yes to water, yes to real food
• I say yes to kickboxing, running, and putting my time in the gym
• Yes to advocating for my clients; being their rock when they need it, and being their soft place ot fall when they need it
• Yes to appreciating my husband
• Yes to painting, cutting, and prop-hunting for Noah's 4th Superparty
• Yes to prayer
• Yes to gratitude
• Yes to falling in the pool when I'm miracle-growing the plants (Oops---I already did that! YES to laughing the whole way through.  Noah said, "Mommy, you went splat!")
• I say yes to dancing with my boys
• Yes to direction, making progress toward my goals
• I say yes to curly, copper locks, and Jackson's precious smile.
• Yes to grace
• Yes to good-night stories, Candyland, hide-n-seek, and playing trains
• Yes to watching Jackson toddle and talk his sweet baby talk
• Yes to organization...a work in progress
• Yes to having my housekeeper return!
• I say yes to trying to be the best possible version of myself, however flawed.
• Yes to progress, not perfection
• Yes to Love is a verb!
• Yes to Life is Dessert! Make it sweet!
• Yes! Yes! YES!

What are you saying YES to this week?!? 

Saying Yes

Saying YES~



The 1st week of January 2012 is officially over...and I must say...it was over in the blink of an eye! Time is like that, really, though, isn't it?  How was your first week of the New Year? Did you make any resolutions? If you did, were you able to keep them up that first week?  We were so very out-of-the-loop this past New Year's Eve due to Noah having the flu.  He is now RECOVERED (Praise God) and by the sheer GRACE of God...Jackson did not get the flu! Take your blessings where you can get them, right?  I must say, even with a house of flu and lack of sleep, I did very well with my workouts last week. I beat my kickboxing goal, and even did some light running on my off days.  Now, if I can JUST FIND A WAY TO GET THIS HOUSE CLEAN & ORGANIZED!!! I bought this FABULOUS book by one of THE MOST PROMINENT ORGANIZERS....LAST YEAR.  Yes, I said LAST YEAR! (Organizing from the Inside Out). Anyway, I bought the book just before Jackson was born, and picked it up just after his birth.  Of course it said something along the lines of, "If you've had major changes in your life (such as the birth of a baby...change in job...new job responsibilities...changing roles)...THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO TRY TO ORGANIZE!" Well, thanks for telling me that AFTER I bought the book! So I have this great book, and NO TIME TO READ IT! I've highlighted the big parts...just enough to know in the depths of my soul...that I definitely have ADHD traits, and this whole REALLY GETTING ORGANIZED THING IS GOING TO BE HARD!!! I know that, rather than just buy a bunch of bins...I need to do the emotional work...and the preparation and planning (not my strong point) to figure it all out.  And in the midst of family, work, lack of sleep, more work, a wrecked house...etc. etc...I struggle with how to get it all done! I know that I'm not the only mother that has difficulty balancing it all.  Sometimes, I feel like one of the few mothers who will actually be honest and say, "GUESS WHAT?!? I LOVE MY FAMILY...BUT IT IS HARD!"  But I am forging on!  And on that note, this week I'm saying YES to...

• YES to working out at least 5 days this week!
• I say YES to reading at least ONE chapter in the organizing book!
• I say YES to making plans for my housekeeper to return (Thank you Christine!)
• YES to giving myself the same amount of compassion I so freely give to others.
• YES to catching up on my blog....Yes, that's been on the list a few weeks in a row now! I HAVE been catching up!
• I say YES to trying to be more conscious and present in moments that I'd normally zip right through.
• I say YES to organizing the pantry----YES! I got 85% of it done today...with 2 boys, in-between emailing Judge Clark and juggling.  It was a beast!
• YES to being more patient...
• YES to being a work-in-progress...
• I say YES to working smarter, not harder...
• YES to appreciating my husband. 
• I say YES to prayer.  So many are hurting and I am so blessed.
• I say YES to rocking Jackson, loving every inch of his sweet baby body.
• YES to running my fingers through Noah's curly, copper locks.
• YES to Grace...
• YES to drinking more water! I heart Coke Zero. And add that addiction to being sleep-deprived=Drinking TOO MUCH Coke Zero!
• YES to more real food, & less processed food.
• I say YES to week 2 of Biggest Loser!
• YES to inspiration!
• I say YES to watching my tone of voice.  It matters.
• Yes to getting some things fixed that I've been procrasting on...
• YES to appreciating the beautiful rain...
• YES to clothes that actually fit!
• I say YES to getting outside of my comfort zone.
• YES to accountability...
• YES to self-care and caring for my boys...
• YES to PROGRESS...NOT PERFECTION!!
• YES to JOY RISING!
• YES to Life is DESSERT!
• YES! YES! YES!
 
Wouldn't it be great if we just quit stressing so much...quit comparing ourselves to everybody else...and just said YES to the JOY that life has to offer?!  I'm not saying we have to be happy ALL day, every day...but FIND HAPPINESS...LOOK FOR IT...EACH DAY! Say YES to JOY!  What are YOU saying yes to this week?
 

Saying YES!

Welcome 2012! The NEW YEAR is OFFICIALLY here! As my house is in that depressing post-holiday transition...I hope to soon get things in order. (When you have a 12 ft tall Christmas tree and a total of over 20 trees in your house...it takes a lot of work to un-do Christmas!) It's been an interesting start to the New Year, as Noah officially has the flu. He has had a fever of 102 or above since New Year's Eve.  Poor fella. So, I'm hoping that he will soon be well and the New Year fun can get into full gear.

This week I am saying yes to...

• Working off the holiday pounds with 3-4 kickboxing classes.
• YES to getting Noah better and sanitizing in hopes of keeping Jackson from getting sick.
• YES to ordering super-fun items for Noah's upcoming SUPER 4th Birthday party. Can he really almost be four!?!
• I'm saying YES to catching up on my General Hospital.  I'll do that while doing something else productive, but it's a 20-year long guillty pleasure!
• YES to the season opener of BIGGEST LOSER! I HEART BOB & DOLVETT but miss Jillian SO MUCH!
• I'm saying yes to hugs, kisses, and sweet boys.YES to appreciating my husband for being the bomb-diggity.
• YES to a hell-week at work, approached with a can-do attitude:)
• I'm saying yes to some quiet time...some time...to reflect and contemplate on some big decisions I've been contemplating...
• YES to getting my blog updated so that I can have it printed for Noah's 4th birthday.
• I'm saying yes to trying to take it all in stride, not sweating the small stuff, and enjoying the RIDE.
• YES to JOY RISING!
• Yes to inspiration, renewal, and the best 2012 it can possibly be! YES! YES! YES!

What are YOU saying yes to this week?!?

Saying YES!

Last week, I got so busy...I didn't get my saying yes post done.  I'm a busy mom trying to juggle it all, and between sick boys last week, pediatrician's visits, school parties, work, and hosting a family Christmas at our house (not to mention, doing all the shopping and wrapping, and baking for that Christmas) I didn't get it done. Good thing I'm working on progress, NOT perfection!

This week, I'm saying YES to...

• Baking Christmas cookies with the boys.
• Finishing last-minute Christmas shopping & wrapping presents.
• I'm saying yes to a lighter work load, and unfortunately due to the holidays...a heavier number on the scale (yikes!)
• Yes to turkey, homemade mashed potatoes, and the whole family gathered around the table.
• Yes to attending church on Christmas Eve...PLEASE, God...Please let this be the FIRST Christmas since Noah was born that we are ALL WELL!!
• I'm saying yes to working out during the early part of the week to lighten the poundage that will result from the late-week carb-fest!
• Yes to watching, and re-watching how adorable Noah was during last week's Christmas play. Priceless!
• I'm saying yes to stressing less, appreciating more.
• Yes to sending the Christmas cards out...LATE...and NOT worrying about it!
• Yes to Judge Clark's Christmas party, taking the boys on the Polar Express train ride, and a trip to the zoo.
• I'm saying yes to JOY RISING!
• Yes to Christmas music, and laughing outloud listening to Adam Sandler's Chanukah Song (As today is the 1st day of Hannukah).
• I'm saying yes to remembering with a happy heart...all the special Christmas' past I was blessed to have with my precious mother. 
• Yes to staying in the present moment, and focusing on the REAL reason for the season...
• YES to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. 
• Yes to candle-light service on Christmas Eve.
• Yes to family traditions and opening one present on Christmas Eve.
• I'm saying yes to gratitude and finding joy in each day.
• Yes to lots of pictures capturing our memories.
• Yes to our 2nd Christmas as a family of four.
• Yes to watching the boys open their presents.
• Yes to smiles!
• Yes to the true spirit of the holiday season; Jesus, peace, love, giving, and JOY!

YES! YES! YES!