Small dog “fancy meal,” open flame, a kindergartener, an almost-two-year old and Flat Daddy (on a Monday). What could go wrong? Happy 8th Birthday, Sweet Justus!! ? ? ?
My schedule changed last minute today, so I was able to go to a boxing class on post called “Fight Club.” After the challenges of last week, it felt AWESOME to hit things. #SoManyEmotions
I also realized that although I can’t remember my kids/dogs names correctly every day, I do recall most of the boxing techniques I learned 10 years ago during my 5th-year-senior-victory-lap of college. I would tell you more about this “Fight Club” but the number one rule is that we can’t talk about Fight Club. #IveAlreadySaidTooMuch
Happy “Galentine’s” Day, my friends. When hubs is deployed, ya gotta get creative to enjoy the sans-Beloved V-Day blues. So we invited fellow deployed milspouse and battle buddy Ingrid over for spaghetti marinara ? followed by Lady and the Tramp movie night. (Thanks for the great idea, PeterandRebekah Jordan!)
Oh, and after watching this, Flat Daddy agrees that both our households will be adopting new puppies ? ASAP ?
***
Deployment Log, Day 128:
1. Thank you Jesus in heaven that this week has been much better than last week!
2. I feel like I am still reeling from the events of last week, and dealing with all the emotional stuff that comes with a loved one’s suicide attempt. A lot of residual stuff still hanging around and a long journey ahead of this person. It is on my heart every.single.day.
3. We got a new dishwasher last week, and I’m pretty sure when I opened it after the first wash, I heard angels singing.
4. I think that I am seriously adulting now.
5. I was also very excited to buy a new mop after ruining the last one per the toddler’s shattered-bottle-of-nail-polish debacle on Sunday. So. Much. Adulting.
6. Charis and I had a mini slumber party last Saturday because I just NEEDED some happy place time. So she stayed up late and we watched a movie in my room after little brother went to bed. (She still slept in her own bed, because I’m NOT setting THAT precedent. #MamaNeedsHerSpace #AndHerSleep)
7. Charis watched “Coco” for the first time recently. She quickly perfected the “grito” mariachi yell. And promptly taught her little brother. #TheresSomeGoodNews
8. I had a dream that Aunt Jackie randomly showed up on our doorstep and announced she was going to stay for a month. I cried with happiness (Hint, hint…)
9. I got a cold this week. Which was super lame. But praying it’s already on it’s way out so I can still run the El Paso Half Marathon as planned on Sunday.
10. I woke up in a horrible mood yesterday. I didn’t feel well, Malick was in another break-all-the-things mode, a person that I L-O-V-E dearly and was planning to visit TX cancelled the trip to do unforeseen circumstances (It’s normally the highlight of my year!), so I was just epically angry and discouraged.
11. But then… I went to PWOC. And Jesus showed up among my sisters. So very grateful.
12. I’m in better spirits today, and able to see/feel more clearly and fight the enemy when he tries to suck me down into the Abyss of BLAH. (Pretty sure that’s the officially theological term…)
13. I’m continuing the attempt to listen to my body instead of force things per my plans/schedule… Like yesterday afternoon: I had a precious hour of time to myself and normally I go to the gym and lift heavy things. But I was tired and weary (in body and soul). So I treated myself with a non-sugary drink from Starbucks and walked around the thrift shop. Apparently, that’s what I needed.
14. Parenting is weird: One day, the kids won’t eat their favorite meal (spaghetti) because “The noodles taste weird” and the next day the Kindergartener is eating plain tuna fish out of a packet and the two-year-old is eating canned mushrooms.
15. Prayer requests: Complete and total healing for our family, peace that passes understanding as we trudge toward the mid-way point of this deployment, and grace as I parent.
16. Closing thought:
“Shout for joy, you heavens;
rejoice, you earth;
burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me,
the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.” ~Isaiah 49:13-16
***
Whole 30 Food Prep, Week #7… I’ve decided that for me, food prep is like cleaning house. If the mood strikes, don’t fight it. Just go with it. (And hooray I don’t have to do this tomorrow!)
Apparently I prepped when I was hungry. I think I’m gonna have leftovers. From top left to right: Liver and onions (Supper #1), Curry-roasted cauliflower, fried plantains, apple-sausage breakfast casserole +guac (breakfast for the week), cracklin’ chicken (first time recipe –> and it turned out like the picture!) (Supper #2), roasted butternut squash + sprouts, oven-baked sweet potatoes, kale chips, baby red mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, flank steak strips (lunch).
Everyone always asks how long it takes me to prep this, so I timed it today: From unloading the groceries to completed clean up was 2 hours and 50 minutes. Less than 3 hours of work for an entire week of food?!? (Approximately 18-21 meals) I VOTE YES.
***
6:01am…
Me: “MALICK. Stop shredding the toilet paper. YOU ARE NOT A CAT!”
Malick: *Blink* “MEOW.”
***
Throwback to yesterday’s brief convo with the hubs. And they say romance is dead… ??
? Whoa, we’re <almost> halfway there, whoa-oh, livin’ <literally> on a prayer! ?
Cheers to the 80’s-themed Bulldog Brigade summit celebration marking the mid-point of this deployment. #CanIGetAnAmen Our officially-unofficial halfway there mark for our family is just a few days away (it’s the army, so there’s no such thing as an exact science). Flat Daddy wanted to dress up too, but he’s clearly in uniform and per AR 670-1, big hair and excessive decoration are not permitted.
Also, notice the absolutely LOVELY edible arrangement! It’s the first one I’ve ever received, and my incredible fitness-teacher-gospel-preacher #RevelationWellness trainer Megan Rosas sent it to encourage me for the El Paso Half Marathon in the A.M. (I’m going to attempt to run it with a head cold. Gulp). And get this: her note was even sweeter than the fruit! (Yes, I brought it to the party to share the deliciousness).
Oh, and huge shout out to another very important Megan in my life (Megan Clayburn) for watching my Tiny Humans OVERNIGHT so I can do these back-to-back adultish things. God has blessed me with an amazing tribe. Thank you, Lord.
Today’s “Running Truths” brought to you by the El Paso Half Marathon and viewers like you.
Running is such a gift. Why? Because it is the great equalizer. I’ve not always been a runner. I absolutely LOATHED the mile run in school for the Presidential Physical Fitness test because I always came in last. I was overweight, asthmatic and insecure. But now? I run with purpose.
I run with the purpose to glorify God. To watch people of all shapes, size, age, color, athletic ability unite for a common purpose. This morning, I saw somone do the half marathon in a wheelchair. One guy ran the whole thing totally barefoot (WHAT??) There were people ruck marching the half marathon and even one guy was going to ruck the full marathon(!?!?) I watched a mama push her baby in a stroller for 13.1 miles. I saw people in costumes, someone on roller skates (not sure if they were a volunteer or a runner). I laughed out loud at the best sign of the day that said “You are running better than our government.” I hit walls. I coasted down hills. I sweated. I shivered. I prayed. I kept running.
Some runners carried the United States or Mexico flags. Some run just because they can. Others run for those who can’t. Some run for those who are fighting battles off the course. Other run for those who have lost the fight.
Time of completion doesn’t really matter. Sure, there are about 15 people out of THREE THOUSAND who are “running competively.” And to the first-place finishing guy who completed the full marathon in under three hours, just about 15 minutes after I crossed the finish line for the half… Good on you, bro! That’s awesome! But then there’s the rest of us. We don’t always have to have a personal record setting run. We just want to finish and watch God work. We run when we’ve been battling a cold for the last six days. We realize that half marathons are a lot more enjoyable when you are feeling your best but runs like today were a great opportunity to perfect the running “snot rocket” (Don’t be grossed out… Runners, you get me). We watch our friends complete their first-ever half after battling foot, knee or back issues. And then we celebrate with them!
Running makes us grateful for things we normally take for granted. Like how our body can sustain high-impact movement over the miles. We are grateful for a tribe who takes your pictures at mile 7 and 8.5. Our hearts sing with joy for friends who bring your babies to see you as a mama doing hard things at mile 11. We are glad we carried pickle juice so we can share it with fellow runner who has a leg cramp. We are extremely grateful for the port-a-potty at mile 12 that prevented a near gastrointestinal disaster.
Today wasn’t my greatest run in history. But I finished. I was able to smile. And now, am able to rest.
“…my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” ~Acts 20:24
***
*Day after half marathon*
Irrational-Overly-Optimistic-Brain: “Feeling good today. I think yesterday was fun. Maybe next year I should run the full marath…”
Practical Brain: “NO. YOU STOP RIGHT THERE. NO. NO. NO… Well…”
***
Throwback to Sunday (2.17.19): Happy 2nd Birthday, Malick! You have made me laugh harder, move faster (to save you from yourself), made my blood pressure higher (probably– or at least intermittently), house dirtier (all the sand! Handprints! Boogers!), heart fuller, life more exciting, and smile brighter. Be strong in the Lord, little man! We love you!
PS: Pay no attention to the deconstructed/wilted hamburger patty on the table. That’s just our life right now. Imma blame Flat Daddy.
