Being healthy is a FUN and PHYSICAL FAMILY activity!!!

Well the time is NOW, no more excuses for me! I'm not breast feeding, she's 14 months old, I'm not working full time, I have babysitters to watch BJH and so I'm ready to get rid of this weight (so I can eventually get pregnant with the next one). This seems to be how I roll. I got very dedicated and lost over 50 lbs...then sweet lil BJH decided to make her appearance into my belly (not her fault AT ALL..she is the best thing EVER) and I gained it back and then some! (bed rest for 3 months didn't help). But enough is enough and I'm done with the excuses...

So I have been eating healthy since January (down 11 lbs) and now it's time to kick it into full gear with physical fun!!! So Monday night Steph (sister #5) asked me to work out with her! She's got a GREAT new BL DVD and we did it. Each workout is 1 mile and is a whole body workout so you do different things as you walk a mile! (I was skeptical at first, but it was awesome and I was SOO glad she asked me to do it!) So we did 2 workouts (2 miles total) and came out sweating like pigs!
Well last night everyone got home for work a little bit late and our schedule was all off. BJH was still up and we needed to squeeze another 2 miles in...so down she came to the basement with us! As we were working out...she was running around like a crazy kid. She was dancing, doing squats and moving her arms. Of course I left my phone upstairs so I didn't get a video...but it was precious!
So my thought is this...working out can be fun and physical for the whole family. I think it's really important that BJH see that this is an important part of our family's daily/weekly routine. (not to mention SHE slept really well too:) Let your kids see you being physically active!! It only sets a good example!!

Having Family Fun, Meredith

Living Spiritually Healthy

There are so many times I think, hmmmm, it sure would be nice to arrive spiritually. Every action and conversation would be an absolute reflection of Jesus. I know that my relationship with Jesus isn't just about arriving and that in all actuality, I will never arrive here on earth! I also have to realize that I can't use that as an excuse to be mediocre. Every step I make toward getting to know Him more, the more I begin to look like Him. I have this great passion that others see Jesus in me. The struggle with that comes when I don't exactly look like Him.
Well these thoughts have been my contemplation for the last couple of weeks. How do I show Jesus to others? Well once again, in LWB (Lies Women Believe), there is a lie about this that I have had to chew on this week! The Lie is this..."I can make it without consistent time in the Word and prayer."
So often my desire is to please the Lord and shine for Him and yet I don't make any time to get to know Him. How will I look like Him when I'm not having consistent time with Him and His word? The book goes on to talk about how a woman can't be the woman she is supposed to be when we're not walking and submersing ourselves in Him. "Ok, so how do I do that"  you make ask!! Well here are just some helpful ideas that I have been trying/getting to work for me.

Find a great devotional (dont' reinvent the wheel). There are so many good ones out there, for starts try LWB!! (I'm going to start an online Bible study of this if your interested let me know, brimere07@gmail.com)

Set aside some quiet time every day! It could be when there's a sleeping baby (nap/ early in the morning/late at night, etc) Yesterday BJH was playing independently (imagine that, it doesn't happen often) and I was able to pull out my book and read a bit!! It was WONDERFUL:)

You have to find a way, that you enjoy,  to reflect on what you've read/learned. It could be journaling, conversing with someone, blogging, etc. I have found that I LOVE blogging, and this has been a GREAT way for me to reflect on what I've learned! (You see you guys are really just getting a peak into my self application of my devos:) When I write about what I've learned it really helps me to understand and apply it!

Start out with baby steps and don't get defeated!! Being spiritually healthy is your foundation. If you aren't spiritually healthy it will be easier to struggle in many different areas.

Working toward a spiritually healthy life, Meredith

Brrrr!! It's COLD!!

Well we have made it to our new home in Saint Charles, Il...and WOW I forgot how cold it is!! MY oh MY!! There is an all new meaning to "running errand"...It's even more of a pain when it's 20 degrees outside!! (but deep down, I really do like that it's winter and it actually FEELS like winter).

Last week was CRAZY and I am every so thankful for my mom and her wonderful help! I'd still be in Nashville packing boxes if it weren't for her! We were knocked out for 2 days last week with the stomach bug that all 3 of us (everyone but my mom) got. It was awful and I have never puked so much in my life. Well I am hoping that I got that out of my system for the next 15 years. (that's the last time I got the stomach bug). I was reminded (as my head hung over the toilet) that often times we do our best to be healthy...and some sickness and bugs just cant be avoided. Get rid of it and hop back on the wagon... Im back on my journey of becoming healthier!

Well... so my mom and I made the trek up her on Saturday afternoon. We pulled in about 11:30 on Saturday night. My dad and sister ever so sweetly waiting up to help us unload. We got into bed about 1:30 and BJH was up at 3, 4:30 and then 5:30 for good. I was like "you've got to be kidding me". Oh the transition for little ones is harder than we think some times. Lets just say Sunday afternoon I took a 3 hour nap while my parents played and enjoyed time with BJH! Yes...my friends...this is a beauty of being close to family! ahhh...at last!

Well today is my first day, in our new home, alone as a stay at home mom!! There's so much unpacking (and the truck isn't even here yet) that I could do that all day long. Instead of drowning in suitcases and clothes,ALL day,  BJH and I took a little sensory break! Here are some pics of it...

First you get somewhere and in something that its ok to make a mess in...

Then you give her a little scoop of cool whip...

Then a little drop of red food coloring











Then give her anything to play with...(we used cookie cutters and spoons)

Then watch her play... SO much fun!!





Love your freezing friends, Mere and BJH

PS Get ready for some AWESOME blogs on some GREAT reading of TLWB(The Lies Women Believe).

Healthy Hale's Day #4- Priorities

My thoughts are going 90-nothing. Just when I think this book can't get any better, I read more and fall on my knees in utter amazement.  In order to be healthy, you must have your priorities right. Bare with me as a share my heart and personal experience on priorities in my life.
About 2 months ago I met with my wonderful friend and mentor Laura. She is a wife of 10 years and mother of 4 boys (all under the age of 7). She is incredible. How she does what she does is beyond comprehension to me. We have similar personalities; we are strong leaders, we speak our mind and we will do anything for someone else. So I asked Laura if she would have dinner with me. It was the best discussion I've had since college. She gave me books, pointed me toward scripture and prayed with me. The Holy Spirit completely flowed out of her being. One of the books she gave me was Lies Women Believe and the Truths that Set them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. If you haven't read this book...READ it. Make time to be completely impacted!
So the majority of our conversation that night was on priorities. I wept in front of her as I told her that my priorities had become my baby girl, my job and then my husband. I'd like to say the Lord fit in there somewhere, but more likely than not, He unfortunately did not. In her spiritual maturity told me I was out of whack and needed to get them straight. (how awesome a friend is that? ) .
So...back to the book, I've been diligently reading it as my devotions. I am now on chapter 5. The entire book has been AWESOME...and chapter 5 just got REALLY awesome. The title is, "Lies Women Believe...about Priorities. " Lie # 18 is "I don't have time to do everything I'm supposed to do". I can't even tell you guys how many times I've told this lie...probably to each person reading this... multiple time. For over a year know I have believed and lived this lie out to its core! I wonder how many of you are believing and living this lie also? Here is a passage  (pg. 118-199) that really hit me hard:

Read it...LIFE CHANGING! 

There is virtually never time in a twenty-four-hour day for me to do everything that is on everyone else's "to-do" list for me. There is seldom time to do everything that is on my own "to-do" list. I cannot meet with every person who wants an appointment, call every person who wants to talk, counsel with every person who has a need, tackle every project that people think I would be good at, read all the books I'd like to read, spend the kind of time Id like to spend with my friends and keep every room in my house presentable for guests who drop in. It's just not physically possible. What a relief to realize I don't have to do all those things! The Truth is that all I have to do is the work God assigns to me. What freedom it has been for me to accept that there is time for me to do everything that is on God's "to do" list for my day, for my week, and for my life!

You guys...This is HUGE!! For 4 (almost 5)  years, I have been living on someone else's "to-do" list...MY OWN!!  I've tried to be the best wife I could be and frankly, I've sucked! I've tried to be the best teacher and now Mommie...and I was absolutely right...I couldn't do it all... because I had all my priorities wrong. I have realized that God has a "to-do" list for me!! Where do I start?? I start with the priorities that he has given to me...HIM, My husband and my baby girl! (in that order).
I CAN get everything done on HIS to-do list! I can't even tell you how freeing this is! So many mornings and nights I lay down and think of everything I didn't get done and now need to get done the next day! NO...every morning from here on out, my morning prayer will be this:

Lord, Here is YOUR day. My life, family, schedule is YOURS. I want my life to reflect You and so I give this day to you to complete Your work in me. Help me to be in tune to those hurting around me. Help me to be a blessing and reflect You today. Thank you for being with me and directing my day! I'm listening for You!

Living the Lie NO more, Meredith

Healthy Hale's Day # 3- reflecting

So today's focus is on reflecting...something I have much more time to do now. As I'm going through junk in our house I came across BJH's baby book. So she is now 14 months old...and the last time I wrote in her book was probably 6 months ago. So I was able to fill in and update different pages in. As I was reading through it, I ran across my letter to her. Here it is...

My Dear, Sweet, Brylee Jayne,

What a joy you are to our lives. We're so happy to finally meet you and see your beautiful face. You are more beautiful that I could ever have imagined! You're features are so tiny and petite. You were born 3 weeks early so you were very little. I'll never forget the first time I met you! I cried because I was so happy! You already have a mind of your own (like your Mommie)! You don't like to be disturbed but you're very cuddly! One of my favorite things to do with you is cuddle and watch you sleep! How your features and face change every day! What a precious gift you are to us. We're so thankful for every minute the Lord has given you to us.I love you BJH! Love, Your Mommie

So...as I wipe my tears, I reflect on this beautiful baby girl that HE has given us! There are so many thoughts that come to my mind. complete and total love, excitement, care, wonder, innocents, spunkyness and so much more. In my time of reflection I worked through so many different things.

In order to be healthy you must have time in your life to reflect. You can reflect on many, many things; Your life, choices, job, love, children, spouse, relationships, time spent, etc.  As you reflect you will be overwhelmed with many different emotions. It is in and through these emotions that you will be able to process and get healthy.

Spray Paint -nothing to do with being healthy

So...our Realtor came to our house on Thursday and spent the best part of 2 hours giving us a to-do list....ahhhh!! We LOVE her... if you need someone...look her up!! She's PHENOMENAL!! So now we have our to-do list. The entire weekend has been about getting something on that list done...so here's what we've done so far...we've painted the front door black and the mailbox white.
Well we have all these nasty brass light fixtures in our house...(9 to be exact and that is after we've already replaced 2). Well we went to Lowes to see how much new, non-brass ones are. The cheapest (and very generic) we found were a 2 pack for 20$. This isn't awful but we are into PINCHING pennies. SOOO we went over to the paint aisle and picked up 3 cans of black spray paint (.99$) a can.
Today, we took 4 of the lights down and got busy. They look AMAZING!!! They're still drying...so I will post pictures when they're hanging!!

Healthy Hale's Day #2

So today's tip is going to be on PURGING...let me be the first to say that this is NOT my cup of tea...will you please look at the following picture. This will help you understand that I am no expert at this!

Now, the mess on the floor is your one and only BJH but take a look at the counters and table...a MESS...full of things that should have been purged a LONG time ago (including that AWFUL orange garbage can that I almost snuck into the BIG garbage can today...dohhhh he found it:( )  Something that I am doing (and partially being forced to do because of moving ) is going through all of our junk. They say you should do this about every 5 years. Let me just tell you something...I have stuff that I have NO idea where it came from AND I have only been married for 4.5 months.

Well I am a big "keeper". I just know that as soon as I throw something away I will need it or I will be able to turn it into some amazing craft that I'll be able to pin on Pinterest. (Follow me- Meredith Rhodes-Hale! )BUT this is what is helping  me determine...if I haven't used it, or something of its sort in a year, than odds are i will not need it and it's gone. I have 3 boxes in every room. One to throw away, give away, and keep. And I'm happy to say that my throw away and give away boxes have been filling up way faster than the keep box. (This is either really good, or really bad).

SO happy purging to you!! Get LESS MESS!!

Meredith

Healthy Hale's Day #1

Well it's the new year and time for new year resolutions. I've really never been a fan...because I never keep them (those that do, rock on). In my past post, we have made some big changes in our lives to promote healthy living...So this new year the Hale's continue our progress of healthiness one day at a time.
Healthiness to us means more than just physically (while that is a HUGE part of it also). It includes emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I want to take these things and break them down into some ways that we are getting healthier. I would like to say it will be daily, but while my house is a disaster and packing  boxes is at the forefront of my mind I'm not making that commitment yet...Maybe come February when things settle down a little bit I will!
SO as was stated in the past post, I resigned from my job teaching 2nd grade. While my class sits back in our classroom today for the first time and I'm not there... there's a big ache in my heart. I can start to wonder and worry about how they will do and how their new transition will be. I wonder how this can be healthier...but then I look at my outlook on life. Here's a little exercise I did..thoughts and words to describe me as:

My life; full time mommie, wife and teacher...
overwhelmed, frustrated, busy, impacting kids, tired, enjoy the adult interaction, what's next on my list to do, how am I going to get him/her up to par, dramatic, challenged professionally,impatient,  focused on the task at hand.

My life: full time mommie and wife...
still a little overwhelmed (with boxes, packing and getting the house on the market) . making meals, enjoying meals together, no adult interaction until daddy gets home , pandora playing, kitchen clean (as it can be), play room destroyed with toys (LOVE it). coffee at all hours of the day, sweet kisses and hugs, screaming baby, poopy messes, wet diapers, constant redirection.

SO as I read back over on how i described my life, the positive and negative of both I realized something...I'm a completely different person working as a teacher and working as a mommie. I LOVED teaching. I love having the influence on kids/ interacting with them. I loved seeing those light bulbs go off and have them say "I get it". It was a very rewarding job. I am realizing that I wasn't healthy myself. I poured everything into my job and less into those I love at home. I just couldn't do it all.

SO my "healthy" point is this...what in your life, (may not be as drastic as a resigning from your job) can you trim away to enjoy some other things, that you are letting slip away. It could be saying "yes" to too much, spending too much money on something or investing too much time in something that really has no eternal impact. What can you trim away to make a healthier you?

I think this is why I can't get anything done...:) 

Now off for a physical work out, (dang 30-day shred),  Meredith