This Mama's Chasing Her Dreams, Too.

although sacrificing yourself is a beautiful and necessary part of motherhood, it truly shouldn't define you. caring for yourself is smart, not selfish.  having time away from your children is necessary, and guilt shouldn't be a thought.  pursuing interests is exciting, not a waste of time.  enjoying friends is healthy, not frivolous.  and please note that the not feeling guilty part has taken me plenty of years to overcome.

that wasn't a speech meant for anyone but myself.  because i have to remember this all the time.

i enjoy a nice, long run without my kids.  or, an evening out to dinner with my girlfriends.  i have my own dreams and aspirations...gasp-that do not include little people.  i could have never said that last sentence a few years ago...i would have thought that it meant that i didn't enjoy being a mother since i thought of myself and needed a break every now and then.  boy does that ever sound silly since i no longer feel guilty for taking a little time for myself.

i am a social butterfly and always have been.  i'm not sure that facebook will ever know how it has salvaged my social life since i'm a stay-at-home-mom and some days the only adult conversation i get is from a picture comment, or a little comment i may leave for someone else.  that is until the husband gets home.  and if i log back on and see that they 'liked' my comment...i smile.   i log on for about 90 seconds at a time, here and there, throughout the day...and it's good for me.  so dang good for me.  and if this makes me a dork, then i'm a dork.

i believe my children benefit from me taking care of myself and that is probably why i no longer feel guilt.   last february, when i trained my little brains out and accomplished my first-ever half marathon...i felt invigorated.  like i could run, or dare i even say--change the world, starting with the most precious following i had at home.  those long runs would give me a chance to free my mind, work out some kinks i had in my own self, while allowing room for my many-many-many dreams to run wild.  i always felt renewed, refreshed, and ready to be this victorious mother.  running has a way of making me feel like i'm a rock star...no, seriously.  and it definitely benefits my family.

it's kind of like a vehicle.  if you don't change the oil, keep it fueled, and give it a tune-up...it will eventually break down, and barely hang.  i don't want to be the kind of vehicle that barely hangs on.  one that gets no fuel, no tune-up, or no oil change.  and sadly, some stay-at-home-moms are that vehicle, and it breaks my heart.  dinner out with my girlfriends, or a long outdoor run--without my sidekicks,  is what i consider an oil change...or fuel.  and since i have compared myself to a vehicle, for lack of a better analogy...i will be sure and give myself a routine tune-up through continuing to chase my own dreams.

like this past saturday, when i spent a whole entire day getting certified to teach TURBO KICK (insert jello arms, sore legs, and one more tired, 6.5 months pregnant chic).  i saw myself teaching this class after i took it at the Y my very first time.  it's by far the most amazing workout that i've ever came across.  it's thrilling.  if i had to describe it, i would call it kickboxing-on-crack-with-a-dancy-dance vibe.  it's off the charts and i will start teaching it as soon as my little mary elizabeth is born.  i've already spoke with the fitness director at the gym and she will put me on as a sub until my very own class opens.  how wonderful.  i use to teach aerobics classes and i freaking miss it.  period.

and besides, i need to be in the health-and-fitness industry.  like...neeeeeed to be.

being a runner, or a certified TURBO instructor has absolutely nothing to do with being a mother or a wife.  these are things i want and enjoy for myself.  but i can bear witness that these little hobbies of mine sure do help me be the best mom and wife that i possibly can.  it's my fuel.  so, win-win!!

frankly, these little people are going to grow up (which stinks!). while my passion, first and foremost, dwells inside this home as a wife and a mother...i will still pursue me.  i really think that my babies need to see that i am driven, and not only by them.

oh, and nothing turns the husband on more than a motivated wife...i'm just sayin'.

i hope my children will remember that amongst my many failures, that i never stopped trying or reaching for my dreams.  and i hope that they never stop either.



I LOVE THIS QUOTE:
"our truest life is when we are in dreams awake." -henry david thoreau

who doesn't want their kids to live out their dreams?  i surely do.  so i'll just lead by example, bay-bee.

and since i'm a picture junkie...i had the coolest four-year-old snap this picture of me before i left to conquer the world get TURBO certified.

again, i'm a dork...this i know.

my husband is so thoughtful and came home with a dozen orange roses because he was proud of me.  it's nice to have someone in your corner, rooting you on.  how sweet?

and it was also nice to find out that my babies were in good hands while i was away.  this is what i find on my facebook wall.

that picture made my heart so happy.

well, i'm off to conquer the world...juuuuust kidding.  HA! 

pause button please!!
christy


if you haven't already, please 'like' my facebook blog page.  here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/pauseplease