It is truly hard to believe that I made it 21 days in a row of writing in my blog! I looked back on all the things I am grateful for and realised that for the most part I actually did 2 of the 5 behavioural changes over 21 days. With the exception of a couple days I did reflect on certain events that happened during the day and journal about them! It never has to look a certain way!
Well today I am going to reflect on the highlight of my day. The Smoothie Party! Tonight was the first time that my new friend and I had ever presented together, let alone ever host a smoothie party! It turned out wonderfully! Of course there are always things we need to work on, but for the most part we got great feedback and everyone was pretty satisfied.
I played bartender/chef as I made up 4 different exotic shakes throughout the health presentation. I made a Mocha Latte Smoothie (starter drink), Arleena's Super Smoothie with spinach (salad), Strawberry Tofu Boost (entree), and a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (Dessert)!
While I created, Diane was speaker extraordinaire! She presented health with such passion and because she is a pharmacist, she knew exactly what she was talking about! We complimented each other and I know this is just the beginning of what we can do! Stanstead has never seen anything like this before! I am so blessed to have found a partner in town who is ready to take on the town with me and make it a healthier place to live. We will show everyone how to live with True Health and True Wealth.
For the next 21 days I am going to incorporate some form of meditation into my daily routine. I will continue to write what I am grateful for in a journal or on my computer. I will keep up my blog at least once a week. As much as I love to write each day, sometimes I tend to stay up too late when I start writing and 6 am comes around really fast. Not to mention I have a business to beef up so I will be using any extra time to work on that.
I hope whoever read these past 21 days of gratitude got inspired to create a positive behaviour to better their lives. I know I am a better woman for it spiritually, emotionally, and physically. By writing my gratitudes down I have something visual to remind myself, when things are not so easy, of all the things that I am thankful for. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff!
What positive behaviour are you choosing to commit to over the next 21 days?
For This I Am Grateful (Day 21)
1. Having 6 beautiful women join Diane and I at our first Smoothie Party
2. To have such a Godly woman teach me about MONEY! (Annette Mease)
3. To be able to Surrender to God's will
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)
For This I am Grateful recap (Days 1-20)
For this I am grateful (Day 1):
1. My three beautiful boys, their energy and love is oh so wonderful!
2. My loving husband who is supportive in MOST things I do and who is such a wonderful father
3. Our beautiful house in the country that we all share together as one family
For this I am grateful (Day 2)
1. A loving mother who sacrificed so much for me and has shown me nothing but unconditional love
2. A father who loves me
3. For the ability to dream without limitations
For this I am grateful (day3)
1. Making a new friend, who is already an Associate with USANA, and (like me) was looking for someone to work with when I stopped her on the street to introduce myself last week!
2. Being introduced to Jeanne on the plane from SLC to Chicago and driving with her to VT. It is because of her I was in Burlington today!
3. Meeting a super inspirational woman today, who also spoke at convention and stirred up the girl power, and was a major reason I went to Super Saturday!!!
For This I Am Grateful (Day 4)
1. Unshakable faith
2. A healthy body
3. Knowledge of how to stay healthy and how to get others healthy
For This I am Grateful (Day 5)
1. The precious moments I spent with my family exploring in the corn field this evening
2. For having the means to be able to pay for a great house cleaner twice a month
3. For the privilege of being able to be a stay at home mom for the past 7 years
For this I am Grateful (day 6):
1. To be a woman with full rights
2. To have the courage to stand up for what I believe in
3. To have met Mr. Brian Klemmer before he tragically died earlier this year. To have studied his teachings, and to be a part of the growing movement of living in a world where no one is left out
For This I am Grateful (Day 7)
1. To be able to send my children to a french school
2. To finally (since a a year ago when we moved) feel like I am part of a community
3. For Grandmaman and Grandpapa (Martin's parents) who only live 5 minutes
For This I am Grateful (Day 8)
1. Girlfriends of all sorts
2. New opportunities
3. Mom's Healthy Edge meatloaf that I pulled out of the freezer for tonight's dinner
For This I am Grateful (day 9)
1. Words of gratitude and kindness from others!
2. The simple pleasures of life
3. Roasting Marshmallows in my backyard with my family
For This I am Grateful (day 10)
1. Stretchy Jeans
2. An evening out with Hubby
3. A babysitter with a drivers licence
For This I am Grateful (Day 11)
1. The chance to start each day with a fresh outlook!
2. The chance to play in nature with the kids because
3. Choosing to eat healthy over not so healthy food!
For This I am Grateful (Day 12)
1. EMAIL
2. Best Friends
3. Grocery shopping without kids
For This I Am Grateful (Day 13)
1. For my success in life
2. For all my failures that have made me work harder
3. Time Management skills to be able to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel
For This I am Grateful (Day 14)
1. Crazy days that help me to grow
2. Information at my fingertips to help me understand myself and move forward
3. Friends that are willing to lend a helping hand
For this I am Grateful (Day 15)
1. An Indian Summer
2. For my sense of hearing, so I can hear my favourite songs and all the beautiful things in nature
3. For Getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist
For This I am Grateful (Day 16)
1. Having my loving husband back home safe and sound after being away for the week!
2. The fish that my boys caught for supper last night!
3. My Yes Energy discovery!
For This I am Grateful (Day 17)
1. A full night sleep!
2. Newcomers to bootcamp!
3. To watch Logan run his first of many races!
For This I am Grateful (Day 18)
1. Fabulous Healthy Edge recipes!
2. God working His wonders in my children
3. Silly bedtime poems that make my children giggle
For This I am Grateful (Day 19)
1. To have such inspirational friends!
2. COSTCO
3. Time in the evening to myself
For This I Am Grateful (Day 20)
1. Being heard and my ideas being accepted!
2. An hour's worth of a hard work out put into 30 minutes!
3. My first of a 6 week YAPP session with moms in my community
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Oui Nous Avons le Soleil!!
What a perfect day!! I know I have said this many times throughout the past 20 days, but really! It has been so sunny, warm , and vibrant for days! This morning when I did a bootcamp training I expected it to be cold since we are into the fall season. Like a good girl scout I wore layers, but in no time I tore off my sweater and then my long sleeved shirt and then I was down to my T-shirt which even that was too hot!
I was happy to put my capri pants on once again in the spirit of summer days. One of these days Jack Frost is going to nip us in the butt and he won't leave until next March or April! I am enjoying le soleil as much as possible!
Besides immersing myself in a lot of french conversation today, my school fundraiser idea for a
dance-a-thon was the top pick during our Parent association meeting tonight! The English girl gets a vote!!! I am so excited to be more involved in the school and my community this year. I am meeting so many fabulous people, mostly moms, and sharing what I love at the same time! I am becoming more confident when I speak in french and before long it will be a natural second language.
Tomorrow is my 21st day of gratitude, I am so excited to see what the Lord has planned for me!
For This I Am Grateful (Day 20)
1. Being heard and my ideas being accepted!
2. An hour's worth of a hard work out put into 30 minutes!
3. My first of a 6 week YAPP session with moms in my community
Blessings
Lee-Anne xo
Into thine hand I commit my spirit.
Psalm 31. 5
I was happy to put my capri pants on once again in the spirit of summer days. One of these days Jack Frost is going to nip us in the butt and he won't leave until next March or April! I am enjoying le soleil as much as possible!
Besides immersing myself in a lot of french conversation today, my school fundraiser idea for a
dance-a-thon was the top pick during our Parent association meeting tonight! The English girl gets a vote!!! I am so excited to be more involved in the school and my community this year. I am meeting so many fabulous people, mostly moms, and sharing what I love at the same time! I am becoming more confident when I speak in french and before long it will be a natural second language.
Tomorrow is my 21st day of gratitude, I am so excited to see what the Lord has planned for me!
For This I Am Grateful (Day 20)
1. Being heard and my ideas being accepted!
2. An hour's worth of a hard work out put into 30 minutes!
3. My first of a 6 week YAPP session with moms in my community
Blessings
Lee-Anne xo
Into thine hand I commit my spirit.
Psalm 31. 5
Monday, September 26, 2011
Healthy Girl
My friend Leanne Grechulk is a Superstar! I was actually on a team business training call tonight where our fearless leader was being interviewed by another top diamond director in California, Carmen Marshall. (Also a fellow Canadian!)
Leanne, age 36, has a background working for large corporate companies and uses her business mindset to bust through many challenges. She has been with USANA for 6 years and has worked hard and efficiently, having a rank change every year for the last three years, to get to her newly earned position of diamond director. She actually left her corporate full time job after her first year to build the USANA business full time!
Over the past 6 years she has written a book called "30 Days to Wealth" which made New York Times best seller list! She has built her own website called "HealthyGirl-Find your Wellspot" http://www.healthygirl.ca/. With HealthyGirl Leanne has brought fabulous women together to share their information with everyone! HealthyGirl also does amazing "Wellspot" events usually in the Toronto area! To top it off, Leanne has made Growth 25 in USANA for the past 3 years!
She has been such a huge driving force behind our strong Game Changers International team in Canada.With the help of the rest of our leaders, Leanne has built up our Canadian team making it the fastest growing team in Ontario.
Her strength, beauty, and sweet presence is such a blessing! I listened to her speak on stage at convention about creating leaders and advancing. As she stood there in her chic attire, with her stunningly gorgeous features, she talked with such confidence that it was breath taking. Not unlike tonight's casual interview. Leanne is very genuine and speaks with a gentle voice which makes her that much more approachable.
I have known Leanne for many years. She was introduced to me by my best friend Julie Boyer more than 10 years ago. Leanne introduced USANA to Julie 6 years ago and Julie introduced the business to me not long after! It has been such a pleasure and very motivating to watch both Leanne and Julie climb the entrepreneurial ropes.
This year I can see the light more than ever for my own business. With these two fine young women by my side, and with all my aspirations and dreams, I will be taking my business to an entirely new level over the next few years! Watch out world because I am ALIVE!
Are you hanging out with people who motivate you?
For This I am Grateful (Day 19)
1. To have such inspirational friends!
2. COSTCO
3. Time in the evening to myself
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it."
Ezra 10:4
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Glory to Mom
This afternoon while I was making my carrot soup, zucchini soup, and ever so yummy fruit and nut bars, Mr. Logan was playing LEGO. Not an uncommon past time for him. However, I had to smile when I heard him singing a great song by Steve Fee. I thought it was so cool that this song was caught at the top of Logan's thoughts!
Then I listened to him more closely and I had to chuckle because he did some improvisation. Instead of singing "Glory to God" he replaced it with "Glory to MOM"!!! I love it! Not only did he have a fabulous tune on his mind, but he was thinking about me too! So when you listen to the song try it with the new lyrics! Hahahaha
"Glory to God Forever" by Steve Fee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX5J3WThiac
What made you giggle today?
For This I am Grateful (Day 18)
1. Fabulous Healthy Edge recipes!
2. God working His wonders in my children
3. Silly bedtime poems that make my children giggle
Blessings
Lee-Anne xo
Then I listened to him more closely and I had to chuckle because he did some improvisation. Instead of singing "Glory to God" he replaced it with "Glory to MOM"!!! I love it! Not only did he have a fabulous tune on his mind, but he was thinking about me too! So when you listen to the song try it with the new lyrics! Hahahaha
"Glory to God Forever" by Steve Fee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX5J3WThiac
What made you giggle today?
For This I am Grateful (Day 18)
1. Fabulous Healthy Edge recipes!
2. God working His wonders in my children
3. Silly bedtime poems that make my children giggle
Blessings
Lee-Anne xo
John 4:24 (NIV)
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Big Race
Saturdays have been busy for a long time in our household and today was no different. We actually had to decline a couple events because of our packed schedule!
I started my day in a bit of a panic. The electricity had gone off during the night and when I awoke all I saw were flashing numbers and a fairly bright sky. I ran downstairs, to see the only battery operated clock in the house, and to my relief it was only 6:30am. I still had 20 minutes to get ready for my bootcamp class! I fed Max, had a bite to eat, took my vitamins, got dressed and was out the door by 6:52 am.
Two friendly faces greeted me when I showed up to our workout site for 7am, and 3 more quickly followed! One of whom was a brand new recruit! Not bad considering most people probably didn't get awakened by their alarm since the power went out. The weather was super! It only drizzled a little and the warmth of the air was amazing! You would never have guessed it was fall, other than the fact all the leaves are changing colour!
At 8am I was on a mission to get to the Arena to watch Mason's hockey practice and get Logan ready for his. However, when I showed up to an empty parking lot my heart sank. I had misread the practice schedule. I had made Martin get up early to dress Mason for a practice that had been moved to the afternoon! Oh well, Logan had practice at 9am anyway so we were just that much more up and ready to start the day.
After lunch Martin left for his football game, which started at 4pm. Then I dropped Jacob off at Grandmaman's while I took Mason and Logan to Magog for Logan's very first cross country running race! The sun was shining, I got a super duper awesome FREE parking spot not far from the venue, and both boys (despite no naps) were in a great mood!
I will admit I was a little stressed walking on the busier streets with two very wiggly boys. Once we got into the venue at Point Merry I relaxed a lot more and we all enjoyed the afternoon. There were bouncy houses, a place for inflatable baton fighting, zip lining, a firetruck to sit in, and of course the running races for kids from kindergarten to 6th grade.
I enjoyed seeing the concentration on Logan's face as he prepared for the start and the effort he put in throughout the race. He was so serious, but at the end he flashed me his toothless smile and was so excited to talk about how great it was! Logan had so much fun running in his race that he did another lap just before we left! He is already talking about signing up for next year. Mason will be able to do it too!
After spending 3 hours at the event, the moods were starting to shift from excited to tired and cranky so we left just before the melt downs hit! We headed straight to the Stanstead Arena to finish watching Grandpapa play hockey with a Sherbrooke team. The game was played as a special event to mark the official opening of the new Pat Burns Arena!
In a past blog I wrote about the Hockey Town contest, well our new rink has been functioning since June of this year and tomorrow afternoon the old Canadienne team will be playing! It is a pretty big thing to have this new arena in Stanstead. In the old arena we had to wear our snowsuits to watch the kids play hockey, now we have actual seats and a much milder climate in the arena. There is also a huge heated area behind a large viewing window upstairs! The change is amazing! There are have even been many more sign ups this year than ever for kids to play hockey!
We left early from the game so the kids could play with their cousins at Grandmaman's for a couple hours then it was off to home for showers and bed. Everyone was a little on edge from the busy day, so I tried to get everything done as quickly as possible so we could save the tantrums for another day! Sometimes just letting the tantrums go unnoticed is easier than giving into them, but if we can avoid them altogether that is even better!
Tomorrow is a home day.
Do you enjoy a busy schedule? If so how do you manage the family calendar?
Do you like to keep things simple? If so, what do you do with the family?
For This I am Grateful (Day 17)
1. A full night sleep!
2. Newcomers to bootcamp!
3. To watch Logan run his first of many races!
Blessings
Lee-Anne xo
Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls
I started my day in a bit of a panic. The electricity had gone off during the night and when I awoke all I saw were flashing numbers and a fairly bright sky. I ran downstairs, to see the only battery operated clock in the house, and to my relief it was only 6:30am. I still had 20 minutes to get ready for my bootcamp class! I fed Max, had a bite to eat, took my vitamins, got dressed and was out the door by 6:52 am.
Two friendly faces greeted me when I showed up to our workout site for 7am, and 3 more quickly followed! One of whom was a brand new recruit! Not bad considering most people probably didn't get awakened by their alarm since the power went out. The weather was super! It only drizzled a little and the warmth of the air was amazing! You would never have guessed it was fall, other than the fact all the leaves are changing colour!
At 8am I was on a mission to get to the Arena to watch Mason's hockey practice and get Logan ready for his. However, when I showed up to an empty parking lot my heart sank. I had misread the practice schedule. I had made Martin get up early to dress Mason for a practice that had been moved to the afternoon! Oh well, Logan had practice at 9am anyway so we were just that much more up and ready to start the day.
After lunch Martin left for his football game, which started at 4pm. Then I dropped Jacob off at Grandmaman's while I took Mason and Logan to Magog for Logan's very first cross country running race! The sun was shining, I got a super duper awesome FREE parking spot not far from the venue, and both boys (despite no naps) were in a great mood!
I will admit I was a little stressed walking on the busier streets with two very wiggly boys. Once we got into the venue at Point Merry I relaxed a lot more and we all enjoyed the afternoon. There were bouncy houses, a place for inflatable baton fighting, zip lining, a firetruck to sit in, and of course the running races for kids from kindergarten to 6th grade.
I enjoyed seeing the concentration on Logan's face as he prepared for the start and the effort he put in throughout the race. He was so serious, but at the end he flashed me his toothless smile and was so excited to talk about how great it was! Logan had so much fun running in his race that he did another lap just before we left! He is already talking about signing up for next year. Mason will be able to do it too!
After spending 3 hours at the event, the moods were starting to shift from excited to tired and cranky so we left just before the melt downs hit! We headed straight to the Stanstead Arena to finish watching Grandpapa play hockey with a Sherbrooke team. The game was played as a special event to mark the official opening of the new Pat Burns Arena!
In a past blog I wrote about the Hockey Town contest, well our new rink has been functioning since June of this year and tomorrow afternoon the old Canadienne team will be playing! It is a pretty big thing to have this new arena in Stanstead. In the old arena we had to wear our snowsuits to watch the kids play hockey, now we have actual seats and a much milder climate in the arena. There is also a huge heated area behind a large viewing window upstairs! The change is amazing! There are have even been many more sign ups this year than ever for kids to play hockey!
We left early from the game so the kids could play with their cousins at Grandmaman's for a couple hours then it was off to home for showers and bed. Everyone was a little on edge from the busy day, so I tried to get everything done as quickly as possible so we could save the tantrums for another day! Sometimes just letting the tantrums go unnoticed is easier than giving into them, but if we can avoid them altogether that is even better!
Tomorrow is a home day.
Do you enjoy a busy schedule? If so how do you manage the family calendar?
Do you like to keep things simple? If so, what do you do with the family?
For This I am Grateful (Day 17)
1. A full night sleep!
2. Newcomers to bootcamp!
3. To watch Logan run his first of many races!
Blessings
Lee-Anne xo
Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls
Day 16
I missed my cut off for writing my blog on day 16, but by the time I put the boys to bed last night all I really wanted to do was snuggle up with my hubby who has been gone all week! I thought about my gratitude and saved it for this morning!
For This I am Grateful (Day 16)
1. Having my loving husband back home safe and sound after being away for the week!
2. The fish that my boys caught for supper last night!
3. My Yes Energy discovery!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
For This I am Grateful (Day 16)
1. Having my loving husband back home safe and sound after being away for the week!
2. The fish that my boys caught for supper last night!
3. My Yes Energy discovery!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
A Bright Sunny Day
What a beautiful summer day! A nice warm breeze and a bright sun shining on my face. Not sure how many more days we will get like this, but I will enjoy them while they keep on coming!
It is amazing how a sunny day can change my attitude about things. Not that I was grumpy, but when I woke up at 6am to feed Max, the dog, and I stepped outside to the warmth, it put a smile on my face knowing I had another day to wear my shorts!
I heard all my favourite songs on the radio, I got to spend all day on my own, I worked out with a couple friends, I finally purchased a food scale, and I got my teeth cleaned!!! (Some people don't like the dentist, but I love the feeling of clean teeth! I love it almost as much as the feeling of getting my hair washed at the hair salon!) All in all it was a great day!
How does the sun make you feel?
For this I am Grateful (Day 15)
1. An Indian Summer
2. For my sense of hearing, so I can hear my favourite songs and all the beautiful things in nature
3. For Getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
It is amazing how a sunny day can change my attitude about things. Not that I was grumpy, but when I woke up at 6am to feed Max, the dog, and I stepped outside to the warmth, it put a smile on my face knowing I had another day to wear my shorts!
I heard all my favourite songs on the radio, I got to spend all day on my own, I worked out with a couple friends, I finally purchased a food scale, and I got my teeth cleaned!!! (Some people don't like the dentist, but I love the feeling of clean teeth! I love it almost as much as the feeling of getting my hair washed at the hair salon!) All in all it was a great day!
How does the sun make you feel?
For this I am Grateful (Day 15)
1. An Indian Summer
2. For my sense of hearing, so I can hear my favourite songs and all the beautiful things in nature
3. For Getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
John 1:3 (NIV)
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Live and Learn
I switched my morning routine slightly today to see if it would make a difference in getting out the door on time. Guess what? It did! Even though I got out of bed at 6:30 am I made an arrangement with Logan and Mason that they could not come downstairs unless they were dressed. Usually this is the last thing we do to get ready for school.
I knew that I was going for a walk with Jacob once I dropped the boys off at school so I did the same thing and got dressed before I went downstairs! I made sure that I was fed before making lunches and worrying about everyone else. This makes me less grumpy because I like to eat as soon as I wake up! I had the leftover oatmeal and split it with Jacob!
After sending the boys back upstairs a couple times they got the hint that they needed to be dressed! When they came down they were ready to eat and did so more efficiently for some reason. We still had some issues when it came down to the last 5 minutes, but I had given myself enough room that we got out on time.
I listened to my first of 6 calls with Annette Mease at 1 pm. The call lasted until 2:30pm which I was not prepared for. In my mind I would have 1 hour to organise myself before I picked up the boys from school, head to their dentist appointments, then go straight to Logan's hockey practice!When I realised I had less than 25 minutes to get ready my brain went into freak out mode, which I understand more about after Anette's call, and it continued for the rest of the evening!
I managed to pack all of Logan's hockey equipment, EXCEPT his hockey stick (which I didn't realise until we got to practice). We ended up being at the dentist a lot longer than I expected and I had promised the boys Burger King if they were good.(This almost never happens because there are no fast food restaurants around us). When we got to BK we were already in a rush and it took what seemed like forever before they got the food out!(Nice to know it was "fresh", but nobody was helping the poor cashier).
By the time we actually sat down to eat I knew there was no way the kids would be able to eat in 15 minutes. I wasn't up for bringing it in the car so I took a chance. It was 5:30 pm by the time we left, because of course everyone has to go pee and wash their hands before leaving! Practice started at 6pm. It takes 20 minutes to get from Magog to the Pat Burns Arena in Stanstead. Can you see where I am going?
It takes Logan 20-30 minutes to put on all his gear! Did I mention I forgot his stick? Once we were finally finished adjusting Logan's skates it was 6:10pm. I then had to go on a hunt for an extra stick. I asked one of the kids in the hallway, who wasn't practicing until 7, for a stick. He asked me what hand Logan uses. I automatically said left because he is a lefty! I gave Logan the stick and right away knew it was not the right stick as soon as he gripped it and the curve shaped the opposite way! My heart was already tearing apart because of my poor hockey mom skills and now I just added to the disaster! Luckily Logan was a trooper and didn't have a meltdown. He gave me the look of " mom why did you give THIS to me?" and went on with his practice.
Thankfully, bedtime went smoothly after showers and milk. I think everyone was just exhausted from the hectic afternoon!
I re energised myself by replaying the Loral Langemeier session from the YES Energy Summit and did the Day 2 homework for the YES Energy Bootcamp. I replayed in my head all the things I could have done to create a more pleasant afternoon and chalked it up to a learning experience. Sometimes having these kinds of days make living more worthwhile. My biggest issue was obviously not being prepared ahead of time. If I had been I wouldn't have felt rushed or put that same energy on my family.
Note to self; double check equipment the night before to make sure it is all there. It isn't like I just decided to go to the dentist. I have known for weeks! The biggest thing for me was "why would I give in to fast food when I know I can't even pronounce half of the ingredients that go into making it?" I run a Healthy Edge program so I should have had a simple HE supper ready in a lunch box! I did have the snacks, but that was definitely not enough!
It is funny when life gets just a little crazy how I can slip back into old habits, even when I know better. I am choosing to be truly conscious of my actions around my family, eating, business and any other thing pertaining to my life. Living in freak out mode is not cool for me and I can imagine just how awful it comes across to others!
Do live in your shadow or in your light?
For This I am Grateful (Day 14)
1. Crazy days that help me to grow
2. Information at my fingertips to help me understand myself and move forward
3. Friends that are willing to lend a helping hand
Blessings
Lee-Anne
I knew that I was going for a walk with Jacob once I dropped the boys off at school so I did the same thing and got dressed before I went downstairs! I made sure that I was fed before making lunches and worrying about everyone else. This makes me less grumpy because I like to eat as soon as I wake up! I had the leftover oatmeal and split it with Jacob!
After sending the boys back upstairs a couple times they got the hint that they needed to be dressed! When they came down they were ready to eat and did so more efficiently for some reason. We still had some issues when it came down to the last 5 minutes, but I had given myself enough room that we got out on time.
I listened to my first of 6 calls with Annette Mease at 1 pm. The call lasted until 2:30pm which I was not prepared for. In my mind I would have 1 hour to organise myself before I picked up the boys from school, head to their dentist appointments, then go straight to Logan's hockey practice!When I realised I had less than 25 minutes to get ready my brain went into freak out mode, which I understand more about after Anette's call, and it continued for the rest of the evening!
I managed to pack all of Logan's hockey equipment, EXCEPT his hockey stick (which I didn't realise until we got to practice). We ended up being at the dentist a lot longer than I expected and I had promised the boys Burger King if they were good.(This almost never happens because there are no fast food restaurants around us). When we got to BK we were already in a rush and it took what seemed like forever before they got the food out!(Nice to know it was "fresh", but nobody was helping the poor cashier).
By the time we actually sat down to eat I knew there was no way the kids would be able to eat in 15 minutes. I wasn't up for bringing it in the car so I took a chance. It was 5:30 pm by the time we left, because of course everyone has to go pee and wash their hands before leaving! Practice started at 6pm. It takes 20 minutes to get from Magog to the Pat Burns Arena in Stanstead. Can you see where I am going?
It takes Logan 20-30 minutes to put on all his gear! Did I mention I forgot his stick? Once we were finally finished adjusting Logan's skates it was 6:10pm. I then had to go on a hunt for an extra stick. I asked one of the kids in the hallway, who wasn't practicing until 7, for a stick. He asked me what hand Logan uses. I automatically said left because he is a lefty! I gave Logan the stick and right away knew it was not the right stick as soon as he gripped it and the curve shaped the opposite way! My heart was already tearing apart because of my poor hockey mom skills and now I just added to the disaster! Luckily Logan was a trooper and didn't have a meltdown. He gave me the look of " mom why did you give THIS to me?" and went on with his practice.
Thankfully, bedtime went smoothly after showers and milk. I think everyone was just exhausted from the hectic afternoon!
I re energised myself by replaying the Loral Langemeier session from the YES Energy Summit and did the Day 2 homework for the YES Energy Bootcamp. I replayed in my head all the things I could have done to create a more pleasant afternoon and chalked it up to a learning experience. Sometimes having these kinds of days make living more worthwhile. My biggest issue was obviously not being prepared ahead of time. If I had been I wouldn't have felt rushed or put that same energy on my family.
Note to self; double check equipment the night before to make sure it is all there. It isn't like I just decided to go to the dentist. I have known for weeks! The biggest thing for me was "why would I give in to fast food when I know I can't even pronounce half of the ingredients that go into making it?" I run a Healthy Edge program so I should have had a simple HE supper ready in a lunch box! I did have the snacks, but that was definitely not enough!
It is funny when life gets just a little crazy how I can slip back into old habits, even when I know better. I am choosing to be truly conscious of my actions around my family, eating, business and any other thing pertaining to my life. Living in freak out mode is not cool for me and I can imagine just how awful it comes across to others!
Do live in your shadow or in your light?
For This I am Grateful (Day 14)
1. Crazy days that help me to grow
2. Information at my fingertips to help me understand myself and move forward
3. Friends that are willing to lend a helping hand
Blessings
Lee-Anne
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Lucky 13
I woke up this morning without truly realising how fabulous my day was going to be.
Even though it was raining I had already been committed to a workout with some friends at 8:20am. This meant I had to get Mason (who didn't have school today) and Jacob dressed for yucky weather too.
I led the bootcamp for us three moms and the kids played around us. Thankfully one of the moms thought of bringing trucks and a ball for the boys to play with! At the end of the workout we were sightly wet, but it all worked out nicely and everyone got super charged for the rest of the day!
Directly after Bootcamp, I took the kids with me to PACE to attend a workshop on Self Esteem. I am sooooo thankful that I was able to attend. I knew the topic well, but to be in a room cutting and pasting pictures from random magazines, with a bunch of moms, about how we perceive ourselves, was so awesome! I learned a lot about the moms in the room and about how they feel at this point in their lives. It is all about that connection and being able to share our lives that I have been thriving on!
Our instructor, Lyne, was energetic and presented the topic with passion. Things that are common practice to one person may not be to another. The strongest and most common link to the whole presentation was to make the CHOICE to live with pleasure, flexibility, and vitality! If things in life are a chore it is because that is the way we are making them out to be! Lyne also gave us a website that is geared towards youth, but it can relate to anyone http://www.biendanssapeau.ca . It is in french, but you can push a translate button at the top.
When I got home I was inspired by yet another email that I received from a well established author, Loral Langemeier. She has a book coming out in February 2012 called "Yes! Energy: The Equation to Do Less, Make More". Today I pre-ordered her book so I could receive access to a 12 weeks series of calls, called the Summit, which began tonight! This includes listening live to 44 well established people, focusing on how to get to success and live contrary to the normal population!
Normally, I would be too sceptical to do this because of time and finances, however, today I had the Yes energy and knew that a good motivational book about money and listening to 44 money makers would probably only better my life! I also have access to a 5 day Bootcamp which will help me to get started in living the life that I really want. I did the first session today! NO MORE PROCRASTINATING!
As soon as I put Jacob to bed tonight I ran downstairs and listened to the first Summit call with Loral! The bonus is I will have access to replays of these calls so I won't miss anything if I am not able to attend the live call.
Tomorrow I will be on another amazing call with yet another wonderfully inspiring lady. I have signed up for a 6 week series of calls with Annette Mease from http://www.unlockyourbrilliance.com/
I met this speaker through my Healthy Edge retreat last month. She made a special offer for our crew so that, again, we could live the life we were meant to live and get over our money issues! I am so excited to begin!!
With all this positive momentum, and it being only Tuesday, I am really looking forward to venturing into everyday this week to see what other amazing things can happen!
What momentum are you creating in your life?
For This I Am Grateful (Day 13)
1. For my success in life
2. For all my failures that have made me work harder
3. Time Management skills to be able to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel
Blessings
Lee-Anne
I came that you may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance,
until it overflows.
- John 10:10
Even though it was raining I had already been committed to a workout with some friends at 8:20am. This meant I had to get Mason (who didn't have school today) and Jacob dressed for yucky weather too.
I led the bootcamp for us three moms and the kids played around us. Thankfully one of the moms thought of bringing trucks and a ball for the boys to play with! At the end of the workout we were sightly wet, but it all worked out nicely and everyone got super charged for the rest of the day!
Directly after Bootcamp, I took the kids with me to PACE to attend a workshop on Self Esteem. I am sooooo thankful that I was able to attend. I knew the topic well, but to be in a room cutting and pasting pictures from random magazines, with a bunch of moms, about how we perceive ourselves, was so awesome! I learned a lot about the moms in the room and about how they feel at this point in their lives. It is all about that connection and being able to share our lives that I have been thriving on!
 |
| I am a strong and fit woman who loves to be outdoors. I run a rodeo roundup and I mean business! |
Our instructor, Lyne, was energetic and presented the topic with passion. Things that are common practice to one person may not be to another. The strongest and most common link to the whole presentation was to make the CHOICE to live with pleasure, flexibility, and vitality! If things in life are a chore it is because that is the way we are making them out to be! Lyne also gave us a website that is geared towards youth, but it can relate to anyone http://www.biendanssapeau.ca . It is in french, but you can push a translate button at the top.
When I got home I was inspired by yet another email that I received from a well established author, Loral Langemeier. She has a book coming out in February 2012 called "Yes! Energy: The Equation to Do Less, Make More". Today I pre-ordered her book so I could receive access to a 12 weeks series of calls, called the Summit, which began tonight! This includes listening live to 44 well established people, focusing on how to get to success and live contrary to the normal population!
Normally, I would be too sceptical to do this because of time and finances, however, today I had the Yes energy and knew that a good motivational book about money and listening to 44 money makers would probably only better my life! I also have access to a 5 day Bootcamp which will help me to get started in living the life that I really want. I did the first session today! NO MORE PROCRASTINATING!
As soon as I put Jacob to bed tonight I ran downstairs and listened to the first Summit call with Loral! The bonus is I will have access to replays of these calls so I won't miss anything if I am not able to attend the live call.
Tomorrow I will be on another amazing call with yet another wonderfully inspiring lady. I have signed up for a 6 week series of calls with Annette Mease from http://www.unlockyourbrilliance.com/
I met this speaker through my Healthy Edge retreat last month. She made a special offer for our crew so that, again, we could live the life we were meant to live and get over our money issues! I am so excited to begin!!
With all this positive momentum, and it being only Tuesday, I am really looking forward to venturing into everyday this week to see what other amazing things can happen!
What momentum are you creating in your life?
For This I Am Grateful (Day 13)
1. For my success in life
2. For all my failures that have made me work harder
3. Time Management skills to be able to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel
Blessings
Lee-Anne
I came that you may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance,
until it overflows.
- John 10:10
Monday, September 19, 2011
BFF
When I woke up this morning I opened my email, like I do every morning. I saw that my beautiful best friend of 19 years had sent me an email with her advice for "5 Quick Tips to Happiness".
1. Take a deep breath in and imagine the word Calm. Breathe out slowly and imagine the word Joy. Repeat 3 times.
2. While driving, make an effort to smile. Quickly peek in the rear view mirror and smile. Even bigger than that! Repeat until your face hurts!
3. Give someone a hug. Kids give the best hugs, so if you have one of those, hug him or her. Next best thing, hug your pet, cats or dogs are best (fish and reptiles, not so much).
4. Laugh! Nothing you find that funny right now? Try this website - guaranteed a few laughs, it might even make you cry.
5. Shake your booty! Play your favorite up-beat song, get up and move your body. Don't have a favorite? Choose a song that has good memories associated with it, such as a song from your wedding or last vacation
Very whimsical and so attainable! I thought about these things all day!
She has created a wonderful website for herself called
"Inspired by Julie Caroline": http://www.julieboyer.com/ On this site she has blogged about a lot of Mommy issues and health in general around families.
We have been business partners for 5 years now and she has taught me a lot about working diligently at an entrepreneurial business. Things like what I should and shouldn't be doing to be efficient throughout the day and how to be computer savvy! Actually, Julie was the reason I created my hotmail account back in 1998! At the same time, over the past year since she had her baby, I can see a huge shift in her way of thinking, both in business and in life .
I love how she can now relate more to what I have been going through for the last 7 years and realise that having kids does make a big difference in the way you can work a business. Especially, if you are choosing to be a stay at home parent! I can see she has matured and grown in a way that only a mother can. I feel privileged to have Jules as my BFF so that we can help each other along this windy road to success!
If you do check out her website, just mention my name!! Try the 5 tips to happiness and see where it takes you at the end of the day!
For This I am Grateful (Day 12)
1. EMAIL
2. Best Friends
3. Grocery shopping without kids!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
1. Take a deep breath in and imagine the word Calm. Breathe out slowly and imagine the word Joy. Repeat 3 times.
2. While driving, make an effort to smile. Quickly peek in the rear view mirror and smile. Even bigger than that! Repeat until your face hurts!
3. Give someone a hug. Kids give the best hugs, so if you have one of those, hug him or her. Next best thing, hug your pet, cats or dogs are best (fish and reptiles, not so much).
4. Laugh! Nothing you find that funny right now? Try this website - guaranteed a few laughs, it might even make you cry.
5. Shake your booty! Play your favorite up-beat song, get up and move your body. Don't have a favorite? Choose a song that has good memories associated with it, such as a song from your wedding or last vacation
Very whimsical and so attainable! I thought about these things all day!
She has created a wonderful website for herself called
"Inspired by Julie Caroline": http://www.julieboyer.com/ On this site she has blogged about a lot of Mommy issues and health in general around families.
We have been business partners for 5 years now and she has taught me a lot about working diligently at an entrepreneurial business. Things like what I should and shouldn't be doing to be efficient throughout the day and how to be computer savvy! Actually, Julie was the reason I created my hotmail account back in 1998! At the same time, over the past year since she had her baby, I can see a huge shift in her way of thinking, both in business and in life .
I love how she can now relate more to what I have been going through for the last 7 years and realise that having kids does make a big difference in the way you can work a business. Especially, if you are choosing to be a stay at home parent! I can see she has matured and grown in a way that only a mother can. I feel privileged to have Jules as my BFF so that we can help each other along this windy road to success!
If you do check out her website, just mention my name!! Try the 5 tips to happiness and see where it takes you at the end of the day!
For This I am Grateful (Day 12)
1. EMAIL
2. Best Friends
3. Grocery shopping without kids!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Crazy Tired!
Well, just like all things in life there are always bumps and turns in the road that keep us on our toes as we go along on our journey. Today I hit my big bump called sleep deprivation! It is common in my life with 3 kids who like to wake up before the sun rises, and 9 times out of 10 at least one of them wakes up in the middle of the night as well. Sometimes it is all of them depending on how much noise the first child makes!
As I said in my last post, we had a jam packed day yesterday. So when we left the house today see my husband play his first home football game of the season we were already almost on an empty tank of energy! The excursion was about 3 hours altogether. 20 minutes to get there, 2.25 hours of game time, then 20 minutes back home.
Because it was just me and the three boys things were a little crazier. I walked out from the parking lot with a camp chair and my Healthy Edge lunch bag on one shoulder, and a tired little Jacob, who had fallen asleep in the car, on the opposite hip. Logan carried 2 chairs and Mason carried his own. Why the chairs? The football field, although very beautiful, is not quite finished for the spectators so there are no bleachers yet.
We carried our stuff over a very muddy landscape and then over a ditch and up a steep hill. At the top of the hill was a wooded area for the boys to play around. Luckily there were other children to play with so the boys made new friends. Hopefully the next time there is a home game they will see their new friends again! On the other hand, since the boys were running through the trails I only got to capture about a 1/4 of the game. I did manage to get a couple pictures of my hubby on the field, but not too fancy! Next time I might suggest we only go for half the game!
When it was time to go back down to the car, I had to manage three very overtired boys. Mason, just wanted to keep playing and Jacob was trying to follow. Logan did okay staying with me, in fact he kept talking about our next trip there. He wants to bring paper and pencils so he can draw in the secret hideout they discovered!
We said goodbye to daddy and shuffled our way into the car. I have to admit I had a flash thought of driving through Burger King because I REALLY did not feel like cooking. Then my Healthy Edge angel on my shoulder reminded me of the yummy salmon I had in the fridge that would not be difficult to prepare and not only would it be 100% healthier it would definitely taste 100% better!
Now those of you with kids can probably understand how wonderful dinner was with three absolutely exhausted boys! I admit there was a lot of stair sitting and bedroom bound moments before, during, and after dinner. It really didn't help that I was just as tired as they were! I have been told to not react too quickly when in state of anger or when I am tired or hungry. I did my best, but I am still learning!
I successfully put all the kids to bed before 8pm and now I have a few minutes to recap my day.
Writing this blog is kind of like therapy for me these days. I do my best to focus on the highlights of the day and sometimes the low points are forgotten! I can't recall any difficult moments since I have started the 21 days of gratitude, until today, so I think I am doing okay! I plan on going to bed early tonight, reading my Bible and then having a peaceful nights sleep! Tomorrow starts the beginning of yet another crazy week so I am going to be as well rested as I can be!
What is it like around your house when everyone is on the tired side? How do you handle yourself?
For this I am Grateful (Day 11)
1. The chance to start each day with a fresh outlook!
2. The chance to play in nature with the kids
3. Choosing to eat healthy over not so healthy food!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
As I said in my last post, we had a jam packed day yesterday. So when we left the house today see my husband play his first home football game of the season we were already almost on an empty tank of energy! The excursion was about 3 hours altogether. 20 minutes to get there, 2.25 hours of game time, then 20 minutes back home.
Because it was just me and the three boys things were a little crazier. I walked out from the parking lot with a camp chair and my Healthy Edge lunch bag on one shoulder, and a tired little Jacob, who had fallen asleep in the car, on the opposite hip. Logan carried 2 chairs and Mason carried his own. Why the chairs? The football field, although very beautiful, is not quite finished for the spectators so there are no bleachers yet.
We carried our stuff over a very muddy landscape and then over a ditch and up a steep hill. At the top of the hill was a wooded area for the boys to play around. Luckily there were other children to play with so the boys made new friends. Hopefully the next time there is a home game they will see their new friends again! On the other hand, since the boys were running through the trails I only got to capture about a 1/4 of the game. I did manage to get a couple pictures of my hubby on the field, but not too fancy! Next time I might suggest we only go for half the game!
When it was time to go back down to the car, I had to manage three very overtired boys. Mason, just wanted to keep playing and Jacob was trying to follow. Logan did okay staying with me, in fact he kept talking about our next trip there. He wants to bring paper and pencils so he can draw in the secret hideout they discovered!
We said goodbye to daddy and shuffled our way into the car. I have to admit I had a flash thought of driving through Burger King because I REALLY did not feel like cooking. Then my Healthy Edge angel on my shoulder reminded me of the yummy salmon I had in the fridge that would not be difficult to prepare and not only would it be 100% healthier it would definitely taste 100% better!
Now those of you with kids can probably understand how wonderful dinner was with three absolutely exhausted boys! I admit there was a lot of stair sitting and bedroom bound moments before, during, and after dinner. It really didn't help that I was just as tired as they were! I have been told to not react too quickly when in state of anger or when I am tired or hungry. I did my best, but I am still learning!
I successfully put all the kids to bed before 8pm and now I have a few minutes to recap my day.
Writing this blog is kind of like therapy for me these days. I do my best to focus on the highlights of the day and sometimes the low points are forgotten! I can't recall any difficult moments since I have started the 21 days of gratitude, until today, so I think I am doing okay! I plan on going to bed early tonight, reading my Bible and then having a peaceful nights sleep! Tomorrow starts the beginning of yet another crazy week so I am going to be as well rested as I can be!
What is it like around your house when everyone is on the tired side? How do you handle yourself?
For this I am Grateful (Day 11)
1. The chance to start each day with a fresh outlook!
2. The chance to play in nature with the kids
3. Choosing to eat healthy over not so healthy food!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
2 Corinthians 4:8-18 (NIV)
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
A Fun Filled Day!
Yesterday was a jam packed fun filled day.
It started with my first of a three week session Bootcamp. I call it LA's Circuit Training Bootcamp.
It was super cold, super early (7-7:45 am) and the 5 ladies that showed up got a great 45 minute INTENSE workout!
Then it was off to hockey practice for 8am! Thankfully, I did get a chance to go home and take a shower before I met Martin and the kids at the arena. I got there to handle Jacob and watch the second half of Mason's hockey practice, while Martin got Logan ready for his 9am practice!
After practice we ventured out of the arena for Townshipper's Day! A day to celebrate the English community in the Eastern Townships. It is held at a different location every year, and this year it just happened to be in Stanstead!
The boys climbed a wall erected in the middle of the field by the scouts. Then they played basketball and jumped in the bouncy house. At 11am we walked over to where Grandmaman and Grandpapa were square dancing and Grandpapa pulled me up on stage for a demonstration! I had never square danced before, but it was really fun!
We ate hot dogs and fresh shoestring french fries. Grandmaman provided goodies from another kiosk for our dessert. Some ginger snap cookies, lemon poppy bread, and oatmeal raisin cookies! I have to admit that I did indulge a little!
After lunch we came home for a nap. I think I slept the most! A good nap is so wonderful after an extremely full morning!
After feding the kids supper, I slipped into my magic jeans ( somehow I wore these when I was a size 12 not too long ago and they still fit nicely now that I am a size 6/8). Then we had our amazing babysitter come over and watch the kids while Martin and I went out for a Date Night! Yes, we still get to do that once in a while!
We had dinner at our favourite restaurant in town Millie's. Unfortunately, we also learned that they were closing their doors for an undetermined period of time beginning next weekend! At least we got to have one last wonderful meal there. The food is always fresh and usually comes from someones garden in the area. I have never experienced such delicious salads as the way Bachard (the owner) makes it!
As we were finishing up our dinner, we had a delightfully unexpected encounter with Mr. Fred Tombs. He is a well established golfer in town with such a gracious heart. Now at the age of 83 he is fit as a fiddle, still golfing for money, and enjoys everyday of his life! He is a true giver and has truly blessed me by sharing his stories!
We finished the night with some dancing at the local bar, Check Point Charlie's, where our friend Mike Goudreau and his band was playing. We sat with a good friend of Martin's for the hour and enjoyed the rest of the evening.
The best part is when we got home, all the kids were in their beds, sleeping, and Abby drove herself home! It is so awesome that we did not have the added responsibility of driving a babysitter home. A great end to a perfectly crazy day!
For This I am Grateful (day 10)
1. Stretchy Jeans
2. An evening out with Hubby
3. A babysitter with a drivers licence!
What fun things filled your day?
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Life is a matter of passing the time enjoyably. There may be other
things in life, but I've been too busy passing my time enjoyably
to think very deeply about them.
- Peter Cook
It started with my first of a three week session Bootcamp. I call it LA's Circuit Training Bootcamp.
It was super cold, super early (7-7:45 am) and the 5 ladies that showed up got a great 45 minute INTENSE workout!
Then it was off to hockey practice for 8am! Thankfully, I did get a chance to go home and take a shower before I met Martin and the kids at the arena. I got there to handle Jacob and watch the second half of Mason's hockey practice, while Martin got Logan ready for his 9am practice!
After practice we ventured out of the arena for Townshipper's Day! A day to celebrate the English community in the Eastern Townships. It is held at a different location every year, and this year it just happened to be in Stanstead!
The boys climbed a wall erected in the middle of the field by the scouts. Then they played basketball and jumped in the bouncy house. At 11am we walked over to where Grandmaman and Grandpapa were square dancing and Grandpapa pulled me up on stage for a demonstration! I had never square danced before, but it was really fun!
We ate hot dogs and fresh shoestring french fries. Grandmaman provided goodies from another kiosk for our dessert. Some ginger snap cookies, lemon poppy bread, and oatmeal raisin cookies! I have to admit that I did indulge a little!
After lunch we came home for a nap. I think I slept the most! A good nap is so wonderful after an extremely full morning!
After feding the kids supper, I slipped into my magic jeans ( somehow I wore these when I was a size 12 not too long ago and they still fit nicely now that I am a size 6/8). Then we had our amazing babysitter come over and watch the kids while Martin and I went out for a Date Night! Yes, we still get to do that once in a while!
We had dinner at our favourite restaurant in town Millie's. Unfortunately, we also learned that they were closing their doors for an undetermined period of time beginning next weekend! At least we got to have one last wonderful meal there. The food is always fresh and usually comes from someones garden in the area. I have never experienced such delicious salads as the way Bachard (the owner) makes it!
As we were finishing up our dinner, we had a delightfully unexpected encounter with Mr. Fred Tombs. He is a well established golfer in town with such a gracious heart. Now at the age of 83 he is fit as a fiddle, still golfing for money, and enjoys everyday of his life! He is a true giver and has truly blessed me by sharing his stories!
We finished the night with some dancing at the local bar, Check Point Charlie's, where our friend Mike Goudreau and his band was playing. We sat with a good friend of Martin's for the hour and enjoyed the rest of the evening.
The best part is when we got home, all the kids were in their beds, sleeping, and Abby drove herself home! It is so awesome that we did not have the added responsibility of driving a babysitter home. A great end to a perfectly crazy day!
For This I am Grateful (day 10)
1. Stretchy Jeans
2. An evening out with Hubby
3. A babysitter with a drivers licence!
What fun things filled your day?
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Life is a matter of passing the time enjoyably. There may be other
things in life, but I've been too busy passing my time enjoyably
to think very deeply about them.
- Peter Cook
Friday, September 16, 2011
An Extraordinary Day
Honestly I was on my way to bed! My eyes were half shut after falling asleep with Mason. I almost talked myself into writing my blog in the morning! However, I HAD to check my email to see if there were any important messages I needed to tend to. Guess what I am so happy I did.
Have you ever had one of those days that you wish you could repeat because everything just seemed so right? I mean it was just an ordinary day, not somewhere exotic and hanging on the beach, but a day that was just an average at home doing the regular stuff kinda day.
I had one of those days today. I started by being more patient. Before the craziness started at the breakfast table I walked away and let my very capable hubby take care of serving up the toast. I took that time to prepare myself for the day upstairs. I also left the younger two at home while I dropped Logan off at school. This allowed me to put up a couple Bootcamp flyers at the daycare and recruit more of the caregivers (sans dragging anyone with me).
Then I took the liberty of going to the grocery store alone! I had a fabulous encounter with a mom whom I met during soccer season, who's daughter also happens to be in Mason's Kindergarten class. We had never taken the opportunity to chat one on one because we always had kids surrounding us. Of course as soon as I mentioned Beasse she smiled and said "my mom is great friends with Adele (my mother-in-law) and I know Anne Marie very well "(my sister-in-law). Someone almost always knows someone from the Beasse clan!
As I was finishing up my shopping I bumped into a mom from the playgroup. We stood and chatted for about 5 minutes then I saw someone else from my previous bootcamp! I stopped to say hello and to pump her up for my class tomorrow morning!
All through the day I have been sending and receiving messages that are so positive and exciting I couldn't wait to see who else was going to write to me! Words like "YOU ROCK" and "I like your way of thinking" and "Woohoo" were being thrown around everywhere! I was even told by a wonderful woman today that I inspired her. Do you know how amazing that feels? I am so excited to partner up with Kim for our Money Mirror calls starting next week!
In fact this is what my mom wrote to me " I just wanted to let you know that I am grateful for so many things in my life but the thing I am most grateful for is God’s most precious gift to me, YOU!! He knew what He was doing". I know this is my mom, but I will never get tired of hearing words like these!
I had the chance yet again to cuddle with my little Jacob as he woke from his nap. I smiled as I picked Logan up from school and saw him joking around with his friends. I enjoyed the peaceful ride home with just him. When Mason started having a meltdown I kept calm. When Jacob had his meltdown I stayed calm. :)
I enjoyed a meal prepared by my loving husband. Nothing like a steak, sweet potatoes, and leftover corn off the cob! Then we all went outside, enjoyed the sunset and roasted Marshmallows on our spur of the moment campfire! ( I will take the time at some point to upload some pics)
Now the kids are in bed, and when I checked my email I got a message from an old school friend, and two from Wild and Kim who are full of super charged energy and so much fun to be with!
As you can read it was just an ordinary day, but because of all the positive energy it just made it extraordinary! I am so pumped to see what tomorrow holds for me!
What was the most extraordinary thing that happened to you today?
For This I am Grateful (day 9)
1. Words of gratitude and kindness from others!
2. The simple pleasures of life
3. Roasting Marshmallows in my backyard with my family!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Have you ever had one of those days that you wish you could repeat because everything just seemed so right? I mean it was just an ordinary day, not somewhere exotic and hanging on the beach, but a day that was just an average at home doing the regular stuff kinda day.
I had one of those days today. I started by being more patient. Before the craziness started at the breakfast table I walked away and let my very capable hubby take care of serving up the toast. I took that time to prepare myself for the day upstairs. I also left the younger two at home while I dropped Logan off at school. This allowed me to put up a couple Bootcamp flyers at the daycare and recruit more of the caregivers (sans dragging anyone with me).
Then I took the liberty of going to the grocery store alone! I had a fabulous encounter with a mom whom I met during soccer season, who's daughter also happens to be in Mason's Kindergarten class. We had never taken the opportunity to chat one on one because we always had kids surrounding us. Of course as soon as I mentioned Beasse she smiled and said "my mom is great friends with Adele (my mother-in-law) and I know Anne Marie very well "(my sister-in-law). Someone almost always knows someone from the Beasse clan!
As I was finishing up my shopping I bumped into a mom from the playgroup. We stood and chatted for about 5 minutes then I saw someone else from my previous bootcamp! I stopped to say hello and to pump her up for my class tomorrow morning!
All through the day I have been sending and receiving messages that are so positive and exciting I couldn't wait to see who else was going to write to me! Words like "YOU ROCK" and "I like your way of thinking" and "Woohoo" were being thrown around everywhere! I was even told by a wonderful woman today that I inspired her. Do you know how amazing that feels? I am so excited to partner up with Kim for our Money Mirror calls starting next week!
In fact this is what my mom wrote to me " I just wanted to let you know that I am grateful for so many things in my life but the thing I am most grateful for is God’s most precious gift to me, YOU!! He knew what He was doing". I know this is my mom, but I will never get tired of hearing words like these!
I had the chance yet again to cuddle with my little Jacob as he woke from his nap. I smiled as I picked Logan up from school and saw him joking around with his friends. I enjoyed the peaceful ride home with just him. When Mason started having a meltdown I kept calm. When Jacob had his meltdown I stayed calm. :)
I enjoyed a meal prepared by my loving husband. Nothing like a steak, sweet potatoes, and leftover corn off the cob! Then we all went outside, enjoyed the sunset and roasted Marshmallows on our spur of the moment campfire! ( I will take the time at some point to upload some pics)
Now the kids are in bed, and when I checked my email I got a message from an old school friend, and two from Wild and Kim who are full of super charged energy and so much fun to be with!
As you can read it was just an ordinary day, but because of all the positive energy it just made it extraordinary! I am so pumped to see what tomorrow holds for me!
What was the most extraordinary thing that happened to you today?
For This I am Grateful (day 9)
1. Words of gratitude and kindness from others!
2. The simple pleasures of life
3. Roasting Marshmallows in my backyard with my family!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Ask and You Shall Receive
I spent a wonderful 2 hours this morning with fabulous women in conversation about everything from cooking to religion.
I had originally planned to meet up with two ladies for an outdoor intensive workout. However, we all decided that it was raining too hard so we took it indoors so our we and our kids wouldn't get so wet. We took a lucky shot and went back to our playgroup hangout and did a half hour of strength training while the kids played quietly! We ended up staying and talking with our two fearless playgroup leaders for another 2 hours!
Last week some of us brought in clothing to exchange with other moms so today we rummaged through the pile again. I am not shy to take hand me downs, especially when I got a great pair of pants out of it! Then we sat while the kids had a snack of apples and cheese. We talked about FB and how some people choose to make trouble by gossipping. We discussed our future Collective Cooking menu for the following week. We told our pregnancy stories which led into the topic of how we eat. We talked about house repairs and costs included with them. We really did cover a wide variety of topics!
I was the last of the three to leave and I ended up staying behind for yet another 30 minutes to talk about religion and some wonderful opportunities that were happening around town to get kids involved. This has been on my heart ever since we left Seattle.
I have been searching for a place to keep my kids in tune with God. Yes we go to church, but it is very far and we have not been as regularly as I would like. There are not many places around here that include Sunday school during a service. Today I found out that Amelie will be teaching a bible class for kids aged 6-7 for the next 8 weeks! It won't be during a service, but I will be able to bring Logan once a week into town for an hour to do fun craffts and read bible stories. It is a great opportunity to keep Logan in the Word of God and introduce him to other children who are also spiritual. Maybe it will lead to creating a space for this type of gospel involvement with children on a regular basis!
So not only did I get a great workout in this morning, I got a pair of pants, gal time, and a new hope for where space is being created for God. He is so good!
What have you been asking for? Have you been talking to the right people?
For This I am Grateful (Day 8)
1. Girlfriends of all sorts
2. New opportunities
3. Mom's Healthy Edge meatloaf that I pulled out of the freezer for tonight's dinner!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
I had originally planned to meet up with two ladies for an outdoor intensive workout. However, we all decided that it was raining too hard so we took it indoors so our we and our kids wouldn't get so wet. We took a lucky shot and went back to our playgroup hangout and did a half hour of strength training while the kids played quietly! We ended up staying and talking with our two fearless playgroup leaders for another 2 hours!
Last week some of us brought in clothing to exchange with other moms so today we rummaged through the pile again. I am not shy to take hand me downs, especially when I got a great pair of pants out of it! Then we sat while the kids had a snack of apples and cheese. We talked about FB and how some people choose to make trouble by gossipping. We discussed our future Collective Cooking menu for the following week. We told our pregnancy stories which led into the topic of how we eat. We talked about house repairs and costs included with them. We really did cover a wide variety of topics!
I was the last of the three to leave and I ended up staying behind for yet another 30 minutes to talk about religion and some wonderful opportunities that were happening around town to get kids involved. This has been on my heart ever since we left Seattle.
I have been searching for a place to keep my kids in tune with God. Yes we go to church, but it is very far and we have not been as regularly as I would like. There are not many places around here that include Sunday school during a service. Today I found out that Amelie will be teaching a bible class for kids aged 6-7 for the next 8 weeks! It won't be during a service, but I will be able to bring Logan once a week into town for an hour to do fun craffts and read bible stories. It is a great opportunity to keep Logan in the Word of God and introduce him to other children who are also spiritual. Maybe it will lead to creating a space for this type of gospel involvement with children on a regular basis!
So not only did I get a great workout in this morning, I got a pair of pants, gal time, and a new hope for where space is being created for God. He is so good!
What have you been asking for? Have you been talking to the right people?
For This I am Grateful (Day 8)
1. Girlfriends of all sorts
2. New opportunities
3. Mom's Healthy Edge meatloaf that I pulled out of the freezer for tonight's dinner!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
John 15:7 (NIV)
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A Sense of Belonging
I had such a great experience today. I walked into my childrens' school, for parent teacher orientation for Kindergarten, and I knew half the moms in the room personally! And I knew most of the faces of the other parents. As opposed to last year when I only knew one mom at my fist school meeting!
Since then I have: joined the local moms group; met many of Martin's friends from when he grew up; gotten involved with events at the daycare and elementary school; had the kids in hockey, soccer, and baseball; started playing soccer on an adult league in town; and started a bootcamp for moms!
It is amazing how things just started happening when I got myself involved. It was a natural evolution. A year ago I was not very happy to be so isolated and to have to start making new friends yet again! I struggled with my emotions a lot! In fact I was still in resistance up until April of this year.
As soon as I changed my attitude so many doors started to open up for me. I ate better, exercised more, released over 20 pounds, and thought more clearly. I started BEING me again!
Now that Mason and Logan are at the same school this year I will aim to be an even bigger part of the school. I will be on the planning commitee, with other active parents, for school activities and volunteer whenever I am able. I was thrilled to hear Mason's teacher say she loves parents to volunteer! Last year it didn't seem like the school was as open to parents being involved in the school. Somewhere something changed for the better and I am excited to get more involved.
So many great things going on right now that if I think about it too much I may get overwhelmed! However, in order to not get frazzled, I will choose to structure my time so that I can be as involved as possible with my children, yet remember that I am only one mom. I will allow time for myself so I can be the best woman that God created me to be.
It is so important to have a sense of belonging. Do you feel a part of your community? If not, what are some ways YOU can change that?
For This I am Grateful (Day 7)
1. To be able to send my children to a french school
2. To finally (since a a year ago when we moved) feel like I am part of a community
3. For Grandmaman and Grandpapa (Martin's parents) who only live 5 minutes from us!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Romans 8:28And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT
Since then I have: joined the local moms group; met many of Martin's friends from when he grew up; gotten involved with events at the daycare and elementary school; had the kids in hockey, soccer, and baseball; started playing soccer on an adult league in town; and started a bootcamp for moms!
It is amazing how things just started happening when I got myself involved. It was a natural evolution. A year ago I was not very happy to be so isolated and to have to start making new friends yet again! I struggled with my emotions a lot! In fact I was still in resistance up until April of this year.
As soon as I changed my attitude so many doors started to open up for me. I ate better, exercised more, released over 20 pounds, and thought more clearly. I started BEING me again!
Now that Mason and Logan are at the same school this year I will aim to be an even bigger part of the school. I will be on the planning commitee, with other active parents, for school activities and volunteer whenever I am able. I was thrilled to hear Mason's teacher say she loves parents to volunteer! Last year it didn't seem like the school was as open to parents being involved in the school. Somewhere something changed for the better and I am excited to get more involved.
So many great things going on right now that if I think about it too much I may get overwhelmed! However, in order to not get frazzled, I will choose to structure my time so that I can be as involved as possible with my children, yet remember that I am only one mom. I will allow time for myself so I can be the best woman that God created me to be.
It is so important to have a sense of belonging. Do you feel a part of your community? If not, what are some ways YOU can change that?
For This I am Grateful (Day 7)
1. To be able to send my children to a french school
2. To finally (since a a year ago when we moved) feel like I am part of a community
3. For Grandmaman and Grandpapa (Martin's parents) who only live 5 minutes from us!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Romans 8:28And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The 6th Day of Gratitude
Well, I have made it to day 6 of keeping a gratitude log! Not to mention one on my blog! It is much easier to just write things down on paper, but I have found, I truly think about what I am grateful for most of the day so I can blog about it!
Have you ever heard the song Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John? It was a pretty popular song at one point and I finally heard the story behind it while at USANA Convention 2011. Have you ever heard of Billie Jean King? The famous female tennis player who started the women's tennis movement? Well the song was about her! It is true because she was personally at convention to tell her story!
This goes along with my theme of inspirational people. It was so amazing to have the legend herself speak to us and tell her side of the trials and tribulations of how women's tennis began. Without her there may never have been a WTA. Without her girls may not have had the courage to dream and stand up for what they believe. Without her there wouldn't have been the freedom song by Elton John!
My point is there are just some people that stand out because they are not afraid to be seen or heard. These leaders are making a difference for the rest of us. What does it take to be that kind of leader? Besides a lot of guts, it takes strength and a whole lot of courage! In many ways it takes unshakable faith. It may be faith in God or a presence in the universe, but knowing there is a higher power, and an even greater force, makes life worth living to its fullest.
It isn't important to be famous like Ms. King, but it is important to live for a greater purpose in life. What would you do with enough faith, enough courage, enough strength?
For this I am Grateful (day 6):
1. To be a woman with full rights
2. To have the courage to stand up for what I believe in
3. To have met Mr. Brian Klemmer before he tragically died earlier this year. To have studied his teachings, and to be a part of the growing movement of living in a world where no one is left out!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT)
Have you ever heard the song Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John? It was a pretty popular song at one point and I finally heard the story behind it while at USANA Convention 2011. Have you ever heard of Billie Jean King? The famous female tennis player who started the women's tennis movement? Well the song was about her! It is true because she was personally at convention to tell her story!
This goes along with my theme of inspirational people. It was so amazing to have the legend herself speak to us and tell her side of the trials and tribulations of how women's tennis began. Without her there may never have been a WTA. Without her girls may not have had the courage to dream and stand up for what they believe. Without her there wouldn't have been the freedom song by Elton John!
My point is there are just some people that stand out because they are not afraid to be seen or heard. These leaders are making a difference for the rest of us. What does it take to be that kind of leader? Besides a lot of guts, it takes strength and a whole lot of courage! In many ways it takes unshakable faith. It may be faith in God or a presence in the universe, but knowing there is a higher power, and an even greater force, makes life worth living to its fullest.
It isn't important to be famous like Ms. King, but it is important to live for a greater purpose in life. What would you do with enough faith, enough courage, enough strength?
For this I am Grateful (day 6):
1. To be a woman with full rights
2. To have the courage to stand up for what I believe in
3. To have met Mr. Brian Klemmer before he tragically died earlier this year. To have studied his teachings, and to be a part of the growing movement of living in a world where no one is left out!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Fresh Air
What a beautiful day it was. The warm summer sun was shining down on us today. If it weren't for the colour changes already happening you would have guessed it was still summer! Really, Jacob was still picking the last of the raspberries off the bushes!
My garden holds 4 nicely shaped pumpkins and a yummy looking squash that I plan on using for Canadian Thanksgiving in a few weeks. I picked a few more apples off our tree before the birds got them. It was fun to see the boys eating the apples they had hand picked. I am so fortunate to have all these foods at my fingertips. Next year I will make more of an effort to plant a bigger garden.
I do love the fall, and all the changes that happen around us during this season. It makes me want to snuggle up with a warm blanket and put a log on the fire. I know that the white stuff, that didn't seem to want to leave us last year, will soon be coming and I am ready for it! I've got my snowshoes waiting!
For This I am Grateful (Day 5)
1. The precious moments I spent with my family exploring in the corn field this evening
2. For having the means to be able to pay for a great house cleaner twice a month
3. For the privilege of being able to be a stay at home mom for the past 7 years
Blessings
Lee-Anne
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Genesis 8:22
My garden holds 4 nicely shaped pumpkins and a yummy looking squash that I plan on using for Canadian Thanksgiving in a few weeks. I picked a few more apples off our tree before the birds got them. It was fun to see the boys eating the apples they had hand picked. I am so fortunate to have all these foods at my fingertips. Next year I will make more of an effort to plant a bigger garden.
I do love the fall, and all the changes that happen around us during this season. It makes me want to snuggle up with a warm blanket and put a log on the fire. I know that the white stuff, that didn't seem to want to leave us last year, will soon be coming and I am ready for it! I've got my snowshoes waiting!
For This I am Grateful (Day 5)
1. The precious moments I spent with my family exploring in the corn field this evening
2. For having the means to be able to pay for a great house cleaner twice a month
3. For the privilege of being able to be a stay at home mom for the past 7 years
Blessings
Lee-Anne
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Genesis 8:22
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Giving Praise
Today I at church and it seemed like we sang for at least half of the service. This is wonderful for me because I love to sing contemporary Christian music. During the service all the words to every song are displayed on a screen at the front of the sanctuary. This helps to sing each song rather than looking in a book and it also makes it more clear to me the message of each song.
One of the songs was "Lead Me To the Cross". It holds very dear to me because it was one of my favourites when I lived in Seattle and it always brought tears to my eyes. I had not sung it in church, until today, for over a year. It just always reminds me that God loves us so much that He gave us His only son. Jesus did not have to die on the cross, but he chose to because he knew what his purpose on earth was and he was willing to endure the pain so he could be lifted up and be the greatest being to ever walk the earth.
Lead Me To The Cross- Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_24IdbJ0Tw
The sermon was about how we can get distracted from things that are important for us to do in life. Sometimes we are not in tune with what we are being called to do and miss out on great opportunities to serve. Sometimes the distractions are good and sometimes not so good. Either way, life is full of distractions and it is up to me to pay attention to what God is asking of me and to choose accordingly.
Whether you are a believer of God or not, this applies to everyone! The world is filled with distractions that hold many of us back from achieving GREAT things. We each have so much to offer, yet most of us settle for mediocre. What are we waiting for?
I know I touched on this a while back. I admit I am still a little shaky out of the starting block, but now, more than ever I feel like I can just BE and allow God to guide me along the path I should be going on without being afraid of messing things up. If I Be who I am supposed to be then I can DO anything I was created to do and then I will HAVE everything I was meant to have.
BE, DO, HAVE- NOT HAVE, DO, BE
For This I Am Grateful (Day 4)
1. Unshakable faith
2. A healthy body
3. Knowledge of how to stay healthy and how to get others healthy!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
One of the songs was "Lead Me To the Cross". It holds very dear to me because it was one of my favourites when I lived in Seattle and it always brought tears to my eyes. I had not sung it in church, until today, for over a year. It just always reminds me that God loves us so much that He gave us His only son. Jesus did not have to die on the cross, but he chose to because he knew what his purpose on earth was and he was willing to endure the pain so he could be lifted up and be the greatest being to ever walk the earth.
Lead Me To The Cross- Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_24IdbJ0Tw
The sermon was about how we can get distracted from things that are important for us to do in life. Sometimes we are not in tune with what we are being called to do and miss out on great opportunities to serve. Sometimes the distractions are good and sometimes not so good. Either way, life is full of distractions and it is up to me to pay attention to what God is asking of me and to choose accordingly.
Whether you are a believer of God or not, this applies to everyone! The world is filled with distractions that hold many of us back from achieving GREAT things. We each have so much to offer, yet most of us settle for mediocre. What are we waiting for?
I know I touched on this a while back. I admit I am still a little shaky out of the starting block, but now, more than ever I feel like I can just BE and allow God to guide me along the path I should be going on without being afraid of messing things up. If I Be who I am supposed to be then I can DO anything I was created to do and then I will HAVE everything I was meant to have.
BE, DO, HAVE- NOT HAVE, DO, BE
For This I Am Grateful (Day 4)
1. Unshakable faith
2. A healthy body
3. Knowledge of how to stay healthy and how to get others healthy!
Blessings
Lee-Anne
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Inspiration
I spent today driving a total of 4 hours getting to know a new friend and discussing future business endeavours together; Five hours learning even more about how wonderful my company is; and about 1 hour socializing with new and fabulous people who inspired me with new ideas to get my business going further.
The whole day was about interacting, and meeting new people who I wouldn't necessarily have ever met. I believe that there was some Divine intervention over the past couple weeks that has bought me to where I am. God has placed such amazing people into my life on top of those that were already in it. I can't wait to see what the next few months hold!
For this I am grateful (day3)
1. Making a new friend, who is already an Associate with USANA, and (like me) was looking for someone to work with when I stopped her on the street to introduce myself last week!
2. Being introduced to Jeanne on the plane from SLC to Chicago and driving with her to VT. It is because of her I was in Burlington today!
3. Meeting a super inspirational woman today, who also spoke at convention and stirred up the girl power, and was a major reason I went to Super Saturday!!!
What inspires you to go that extra mile?
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Romans 8:28And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)
The whole day was about interacting, and meeting new people who I wouldn't necessarily have ever met. I believe that there was some Divine intervention over the past couple weeks that has bought me to where I am. God has placed such amazing people into my life on top of those that were already in it. I can't wait to see what the next few months hold!
For this I am grateful (day3)
1. Making a new friend, who is already an Associate with USANA, and (like me) was looking for someone to work with when I stopped her on the street to introduce myself last week!
2. Being introduced to Jeanne on the plane from SLC to Chicago and driving with her to VT. It is because of her I was in Burlington today!
3. Meeting a super inspirational woman today, who also spoke at convention and stirred up the girl power, and was a major reason I went to Super Saturday!!!
What inspires you to go that extra mile?
Blessings
Lee-Anne
Romans 8:28And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)
Friday, September 9, 2011
For This I am Grateful-Day 2
For this I am grateful:
1. A loving mother who sacrificed so much for me and has shown me nothing but unconditional love
2. A father who loves me
3. For the ability to dream without limitations
Blessings
Lee-Anne xo
Psalms 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
1. A loving mother who sacrificed so much for me and has shown me nothing but unconditional love
2. A father who loves me
3. For the ability to dream without limitations
Blessings
Lee-Anne xo
Psalms 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
For This I am Grateful
At USANA Convention 2011 we had the priviledge of listening to an amazing speaker by the name of Shawn Achor. He is the author of The Happiness Advantage: www.happinessadvantage.com.
Achor gave us a few simple strategies to help us change our behaviours and to help us focus on being happier one day at a time. He challenged us to performing ONE of these behaviours, everyday, for 21 days, to create a new habit.
For the next 21 days I will be posting 3 things I am grateful for. Like most people I could use an extra boost of happiness now and again, so if I can create it then how great is that!
For this I am grateful:
1. My three beautiful boys, their energy and love is oh so wonderful!
2. My loving husband who is supportive in MOST things I do and who is such a wonderful father
3. Our beautiful house in the country that we all share together as one family
What are you grateful for? Or better yet, what new behaviour will you choose to do for the next 21 days?
Blessings
Lee-Anne xo
Achor gave us a few simple strategies to help us change our behaviours and to help us focus on being happier one day at a time. He challenged us to performing ONE of these behaviours, everyday, for 21 days, to create a new habit.
- Gratitudes – 3 things you are grateful for in the last 24 hours, must be specific and must be different.
- Journaling – write detailed experience of a meaningful event that happened in last 24 hours
- Exercise – 30 minutes, daily and get your heart pumping
- Meditation- take a deep breath, one task at a time
- Random Acts of Kindness- ie: 2 min positive email first thing in morning
For the next 21 days I will be posting 3 things I am grateful for. Like most people I could use an extra boost of happiness now and again, so if I can create it then how great is that!
For this I am grateful:
1. My three beautiful boys, their energy and love is oh so wonderful!
2. My loving husband who is supportive in MOST things I do and who is such a wonderful father
3. Our beautiful house in the country that we all share together as one family
What are you grateful for? Or better yet, what new behaviour will you choose to do for the next 21 days?
Blessings
Lee-Anne xo
Psalm 127:3-5 ESV
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.Friday, September 2, 2011
The Unexpected Roadtrip
Last week I spent a fabulous 6 days in Salt Lake City attending 2 amazing conferences. On Monday August 22nd, I flew out of Burlington VT. I flew from the states because it is just as close as Montreal, but so much easier to drive to.
Little did I know there would be three natural disasters in a row that week, the last of which included Hurricane IRENE. She blasted through southern Vermont with a vengeance. So when it came time for me to head home guess which flights were canceled? Yup, my flight from Chicago to Burlington had been canceled on Friday for Sunday and they wouldn't fly me out until Thursday (4 days later)! I couldn't even purchase a ticket to Montreal or Toronto earlier than Tuesday of this week.
God was on my side though, as He always proves to be. On the flight from Salt Lake City to Chicago I sat beside a wonderful woman by the name of Jeanne. We had gotten to know one another over the course of 3 hours and quickly bonded. Not only were we in the same business, but she was also a mother of 3 boys (in their 20's), and had completed the Klemmer workshops not too long ago.
As we got off the plane Jeanne noticed that our flight from Chicago to Burlington had been canceled. You think that would have been established BEFORE we left Salt Lake City! My first reality check was that I probably would not make it home for the first day of school for Logan and Mason :( My second reality check was that I was probably going to have to drive home, even though my directional skills are terrible!
Without much hesitation Jeanne and I decided to rent a car and drive back home! To refuel our brains we had lunch with two other wonderful business associates, Les and Laurie. Once our bellies were full and we were full of prayer support we hit the road.
First we had to find out where and how to rent a car from the airport since everything was off site! After some phone calls and tips from a shuttle driver we went with Hertz for our cross country trip. I know all the rental companies made a killing that weekend! It is amazing how they can jack up prices when you just want to go one way!
We left the airport at 6pm on a mission to see our families ASAP! We missed our exit to get out of Chicago, but one stop at an interesting gas station put us on the right track. Everyone was very helpful, even the security guard :)
What we really wanted was a map! Do you realise how hard it is to find a map these days? We asked at every pit stop and couldn't even get a map of the state we were in until we hit Syracuse NY!
I got excited when we passed each State sign to say we had entered it! I tried getting pictures of the signs, but I was never quick enough! We got through Indiana the first night then stopped close to Cleveland Ohio to sleep. We managed to get the last room in the place. It was a smoking room, but we got a discount for our heavy sigh of disappointment!
The sleep set us back a few hours, but it was much needed in order to move forward. Not to mention we got breakfast included so we were set for the day! Most of our travelling was spent navigating and talking about our lives. Of course sometimes we were talking when we should have been navigating and missed some key points and had to back track! The beauty of travelling with Jeanne is that we are very like minded and nothing stressed us out (except for the fact that Jeanne really wanted her map!)
We got tons of help from Jeanne's family. Unfortunately, they couldn't see the road closure we came across in Syracuse. Actually, we were just as surprised to find it because all the signs said exit 29 was where the closure began. It actually started at exit 34 and we wanted exit 31! After a little nap at the rest stop before exit 35 we ventured out into the 2 hour traffic jam/detour and found our alternate route during that time. Thankfully, we managed to pick up a state map and a road atlas at our last fuel stop! No worries!
Once we were out of Rome NY around 7:30pm we stopped at another gas station to drink our shakes and to look at our map again to make sure we weren't heading into flooded territory. We had been told by the attendant that his nephew was stuck in traffic because of detours out of Vermont due to flooding. After some calls to Jeanne's family we were reassured that we would not be hitting any problems in our slightly more northern route.
For the last leg of our trip we were very awake and motivated to get home. We drove through the Adirondacks for a while. Too bad it was pitch black because I am sure it was beautiful! Then we caught a 24 hour fairy to cross Champlain Lake into Vermont.
From there it took about 35 minutes to get to Jeanne's house. At 1 am Tuesday Morning, we arrived at the house and that is where I stayed to lay my head for a well deserved rest!
We got up 6 hours later to start the day. I returned the rental car while Jeanne went to her office. My suitcase had arrived at the airport Monday morning, how ironic, so I picked it up and went on my way for the 2 hour drive back to Stanstead Quebec.
Funny, I was really nervous when I drove by myself, for the first time ever, to Burlington VT a week earlier. However, I had no worries heading back home. I had no problem following my mapquest directions going backwards. In fact it all seemed logical. I think two days of navigating had some effect on me! I even stopped to pick up a young hitch hiker on her way back to her job at a farm on my route!
I learned a lot during the last week and a half. The biggest is that I can do anything I put my mind to. I was blessed to have Jeanne along on a crazy adventure and even more blessed that we made such a great travel team.
The second biggest thing I learned is that I need to update my technology and get a cell phone with all the gadgets so I know where I am going and can contact people at the touch of a finger! It would have been fun to keep updates going as I was driving!
I have been spending the past couple of days readjusting to a new school schedule with the kids, unpacking, and jumping into reality once again! Travelling is fun, but home is where my heart is!
Blessings
Lee-Anne (AKA the fearless traveller!)
Psalm 121:7,8
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Little did I know there would be three natural disasters in a row that week, the last of which included Hurricane IRENE. She blasted through southern Vermont with a vengeance. So when it came time for me to head home guess which flights were canceled? Yup, my flight from Chicago to Burlington had been canceled on Friday for Sunday and they wouldn't fly me out until Thursday (4 days later)! I couldn't even purchase a ticket to Montreal or Toronto earlier than Tuesday of this week.
God was on my side though, as He always proves to be. On the flight from Salt Lake City to Chicago I sat beside a wonderful woman by the name of Jeanne. We had gotten to know one another over the course of 3 hours and quickly bonded. Not only were we in the same business, but she was also a mother of 3 boys (in their 20's), and had completed the Klemmer workshops not too long ago.
As we got off the plane Jeanne noticed that our flight from Chicago to Burlington had been canceled. You think that would have been established BEFORE we left Salt Lake City! My first reality check was that I probably would not make it home for the first day of school for Logan and Mason :( My second reality check was that I was probably going to have to drive home, even though my directional skills are terrible!
Without much hesitation Jeanne and I decided to rent a car and drive back home! To refuel our brains we had lunch with two other wonderful business associates, Les and Laurie. Once our bellies were full and we were full of prayer support we hit the road.
First we had to find out where and how to rent a car from the airport since everything was off site! After some phone calls and tips from a shuttle driver we went with Hertz for our cross country trip. I know all the rental companies made a killing that weekend! It is amazing how they can jack up prices when you just want to go one way!
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| Jeanne gets to drive first! |
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| Nice little red car for the ladies! |
We left the airport at 6pm on a mission to see our families ASAP! We missed our exit to get out of Chicago, but one stop at an interesting gas station put us on the right track. Everyone was very helpful, even the security guard :)
 |
| Chicago Cityscape |
What we really wanted was a map! Do you realise how hard it is to find a map these days? We asked at every pit stop and couldn't even get a map of the state we were in until we hit Syracuse NY!
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| A Rev3 boost for the evening drive! |
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| Jeanne is the master driver!! |
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| Don't forget the Shake!! |
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| Jeanne had her coffee fix in the shake! |
I got excited when we passed each State sign to say we had entered it! I tried getting pictures of the signs, but I was never quick enough! We got through Indiana the first night then stopped close to Cleveland Ohio to sleep. We managed to get the last room in the place. It was a smoking room, but we got a discount for our heavy sigh of disappointment!
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| Don't forget the vitamins! |
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| Waking up after a good night sleep! |
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| Up with the birds |
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| Lee-Anne's turn to drive! Watch out! |
We got tons of help from Jeanne's family. Unfortunately, they couldn't see the road closure we came across in Syracuse. Actually, we were just as surprised to find it because all the signs said exit 29 was where the closure began. It actually started at exit 34 and we wanted exit 31! After a little nap at the rest stop before exit 35 we ventured out into the 2 hour traffic jam/detour and found our alternate route during that time. Thankfully, we managed to pick up a state map and a road atlas at our last fuel stop! No worries!
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| Jeanne finally finds a map!! |
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| Smiling even with road detours ahead! |
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| The great meal replacement! |
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| Dusk in Rome NY |
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| A little booster C goes a long way! |
For the last leg of our trip we were very awake and motivated to get home. We drove through the Adirondacks for a while. Too bad it was pitch black because I am sure it was beautiful! Then we caught a 24 hour fairy to cross Champlain Lake into Vermont.
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| On the ferry at midnight. |
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| Tired me ready to get back home. |
From there it took about 35 minutes to get to Jeanne's house. At 1 am Tuesday Morning, we arrived at the house and that is where I stayed to lay my head for a well deserved rest!
We got up 6 hours later to start the day. I returned the rental car while Jeanne went to her office. My suitcase had arrived at the airport Monday morning, how ironic, so I picked it up and went on my way for the 2 hour drive back to Stanstead Quebec.
 |
| Thelma and Louise after the adventure! |
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| All of our maps and written instructions! |
Funny, I was really nervous when I drove by myself, for the first time ever, to Burlington VT a week earlier. However, I had no worries heading back home. I had no problem following my mapquest directions going backwards. In fact it all seemed logical. I think two days of navigating had some effect on me! I even stopped to pick up a young hitch hiker on her way back to her job at a farm on my route!
I learned a lot during the last week and a half. The biggest is that I can do anything I put my mind to. I was blessed to have Jeanne along on a crazy adventure and even more blessed that we made such a great travel team.
The second biggest thing I learned is that I need to update my technology and get a cell phone with all the gadgets so I know where I am going and can contact people at the touch of a finger! It would have been fun to keep updates going as I was driving!
I have been spending the past couple of days readjusting to a new school schedule with the kids, unpacking, and jumping into reality once again! Travelling is fun, but home is where my heart is!
 |
| Mason and Logan on their 3rd day of school! |
Blessings
Lee-Anne (AKA the fearless traveller!)
Psalm 121:7,8
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
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