Monday, May 8, 2017

When I Grow Up

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

That is the question we ask all kids isn't it?

My response was always a Mom & a teacher.  I can't say that I have this micdrop answer as to WHY those things.

I got married exactly 24 yrs ago today to a great guy.  We have 3 beautiful children growing up & making their way in this life.   So one of those dreams is checked off right?

When our oldest was finishing 1st grade in a private school we realized he wasn't being challenged at all.  We knew some great people who had chosen homeschooling back when it was totally unheard of.  My husband & I decided to ask them to mentor us & we never looked back.  I have been my children's teacher now for 14 + years (I believe we start teaching our children when they are born though).  So that was dream #2 checked off my list.

As we are about to graduate our 2nd son now I find myself realizing in about 7-8 years our last child will be graduating high school (I try not to think about that TOO much ;-) ).  This bring the question to my mind -- What will I do when that happens?.

I joke by saying "I don't know what I want to do when I grow up".  It's not really a joke.  When I think I realize what it is something happens that I realize that isn't what God's plan for me is.

It's a tough thing you know.  I am 48 yrs old.  I have experience working in an office doing various things.  That wasn't where my heart was though.

I loved teaching my children but to do that for other's kids?  Not where my heart is.

This is a tough season.  I never really thought about it before.  I have been a stay at home Mom now for 21+ years.  No one prepares you for what will happen with the kids are grown.

So as I continue to pray about this & search my heart as to what the plan is for the rest of MY life while also guiding my children along the path that has been chosen for them.  I hope to share some of my journey here.  Along with my fitness & healthy eating posts.

I would love to hear from you too.  Feel free to leave a comment if you have also been through something like this.

What do YOU want to be when you grow up?

Be blessed!

Pamela



Thursday, January 19, 2017

My Experience with the Graston Technique

My sports trainer was recently trained so he could do the Graston Technique on his clients.  I didn't understand what this was but he and I have been working on trying to figure out my knee pain for quite some time now with no luck.

He mentioned this new technique to me & offered a "free trial" to see how it went.

I (of course) took him up on that offer as I trust this guy completely.

They use stainless steel tools & rub them over the affected area (using a special oil that doesn't absorb quickly into the skin).  The idea is to break apart scar tissue, adhesion's, and any restrictions that may be occurring.
Graston tools

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5 hours after procedure - Icing helps keep the swelling & bruising down

I won't lie, this hasn't been a pain FREE procedure for me.  I just went for my 3rd visit & this was the least painful of them all.  From what I understand it will get better & better.  I also have bruising afterward.

We have seen some good progress so far.  My knee cap has been moving back into the place it's supposed to be in and I feel pretty good after the procedure.  No clicking or discomfort in my knee.

Here is a link describing it so much better than I can:

http://www.grastontechnique.com/patients

I would high recommend this procedure to those that have been having issues & need another avenue to pursue.  Ask your trainer, physical therapist or chiropractor about this.

There is no reason for us to be in pain if there is a way to fix it.

The procedure for me has taken about 20-30 minutes depending on how much he is working on.

Worth the few minutes of discomfort to be able to walk pain free again!

Be blessed!!
Pamela





Tuesday, January 10, 2017

A Mothers' Thoughts

Remember when you were with your little one(s) walking around the grocery store & that older woman approached you?  Do you remember what she said?  After admiring your little one she said "Hold tight to this time.  Remember everything.  It goes by so quickly."

Maybe you didn't have that moment.  Many have.  Some were wise enough to remember that suggestion & embrace it.  Some were put off & thought "what does she know?"

Well, I can tell you, at 48 yrs old, I know what she was saying.

If someone had told me there would be a time that one of my children would be on another continent, on the other side of the world -  I would have laughed in their face.

If someone had told me one of my children would question his/her faith - I would have laughed in their face.

If someone had told me at least 2 of my 3 children wouldn't even consider college (or follow through & graduate from college) - I would have laughed in their face.

If someone had told me at almost 18 one of my children would have NO EARTHLY IDEA what they even suspected they would want to do with their lives -  I would have laughed in their face.

There was even a point in time if someone had told me I would have a little girl - I would have laughed in their face.

Presently?  I have all of these.

No laughing going on here about these things.  Lots & lots of praying for sure though!

When we have those little ones we are so wrapped up in the taking care of these precious bundles entrusted to us that we don't even think about what the future holds.

As they get older we become even more distracted with life.  School, sports, family, work.  Busyness.
It feels as if, all of the sudden, our eyes are open.  Our children are grown.  They are out on their own or about to be.  They have minds of their own.  Opinions of their own.  They are their own people.  Making decisions that may be right or wrong.   Decisions that may hurt them or make their lives happier.  Decisions that are also learning experiences.  Experiences that are very important to the way these young adults end up being adults.  These are the experiences that will mold their lives & possibly their children's lives.

So, as I sit here with one child a world away & 2 others still under our roof, I realize God has also been working on MY heart through all this.  He has made me stronger.  Through the experiences of my youth I have learned so much as well.  I have been able to speak from experience, TRUTH.

I have been able to lean on Him & my faith more readily.  No questioning.  I know my children are on the hands of the One who gave them to me.  So, whether they are a world away, or a room away.  Whether they decide to question their faith, my parenting methods or what they should be doing with their lives, I already know all will be well.  They will be stronger & wiser when they need to be.

I am thankful that I treasured so much in my heart as my children were growing up.  I am thankful my husband & I made the decisions we did to keep them home & teach them.  I am thankful for each & every day that I have to enjoy these children.

So, those are more of these Mom's thoughts.

Thanks again for stopping by!  Please leave a comment to let me know you were here.

Be Blessed - Pamela