Obesity in Children

I just saw something on TV the other day featuring Obese Children. I will never understand how this happens. It has to start somewhere. Two obese parents were sitting there and the one parent was shown stating, "my husband and I are not skinny and my children will never be skinny." I couldn't disagree more. To be overweight or even allow obesity to creep up has started somewhere in adulthood or childhood. Whether it be lack of exercise or poor eating habits or a combination of the two. It's no news flash that in order to maintain, you have to burn the amount of calories you consume or it will be packed on somewhere.

It just plain makes me sad. I am no nutritionist by any means, but certainly have a strong opinion on the subject. Aside from allowing health problems to creep up for these children including, but not limited to diabetes, I'm sure once these kids get into school they can almost count on getting teased or called names because of their weight. These parents need to be leading by example instead of allowing their own excuses for themselves bleed into the health of their children. Another clip was a home video of the parent making her little boy "clean his plate" when he's yelling that "he's full, he's done". Why are overweight children forced to clean a plate?! I don't get it. All children should be taught to stop eating when their tummy tells them they are full. Obese children--if they walk away from the table with food on their plate, so be it! At least they are not continuing the cycle of stretching and stretching the poor kid's stomach to the same size of a person aged twice their own! I'm sure some parents worry that the child will be hungry later. Well, if the kid is hungry an hour later because they didn't eat their supper or is hungry at any time between meals, it's pretty simple to offer up snacking on RAW vegetables or fruit! Just anything that is high in fiber.

I'm certainly aware of health problems that could have to do with thyroid or other issues related to weight gain. These children & parents of these children are an exception and should be seeing a nutritionist to be sure they are offering their children the best diet possible for their needs.

Genetics plays a part in the weight game, however, I can't let anyone off the hook because of it. It does suck to have genetics going against you, but only the parents can change their own lives & impact their children's. I have been sedentary for far to long regarding regular exercise, but if I was eating sweets to my heart's content, dipping anything and everything in ranch dressing, using butter for my bread, eating ice cream, fatty chip dips & chips, and continued making unhealthy eating habits my regular scheme, I would still be topping the scale at 152 lbs like I was 2.5 years ago with a BMI of 26.1 in the "Overweight" category. I felt like crap, knew I looked like crap, and it was time to make changes in my diet and I did. My body is not as tone as I would like because I don't exercise, so I guess it's time to change that too.

Guess my family's preoccupation with weight & of course my own preoccupation with weight has shaped how I feel about it in general. Right or wrong - I would eat lettuce salads, drink only water and exercise like a crazy woman in order to get out of an obese/overweight category as quickly as possible. To me, there is no excuse for a perfectly healthy person to not have a healthy BMI and parents of overweight children need to make better eating choices around THEIR CHILDREN and consistently monitor their intake, regardless if they are willing to help themselves.

The Girl Who Hates Christmas

I'm going to apologize up front for my past blog and now this one being tainted with a negative overtone, but due to last week my mood has went from sweet to sour. No one reads this blog anyway except for a slight few, so it can't hurt to write something controversial to many I'm sure, and bitter for me.

I received the dreaded "Memo to Employees" last week, which stated that all hourly employees will have their hours cut from 40 to 30. This means cutting more away from my current budget than what is humanly possibly without getting another job. So, there starts my sour mood. I've been with this company for 10 years and truly like it here most days, but the uncertainty and skepticism about being comfortable here long term is high. It may be necessary to make changes and I am scared as hell. Furthermore, I may be boarding the crazy train, but I could have sworn that I watered my peace lily plant I have had for 8 or 9 years this past Friday and I arrived at work today to find this plant literally flat as a board, the leaves pathetically wilting over the sides of the planter with the center of the plant appearing as if someone stomped it in the ground over the weekend. Is it any coincidence that this is how I feel right now about my job?

Since it's nearly just one month before Christmas, it's weighing on my mind. For approximately the past twelve years, I have had a bitter taste in my mouth about this time of year for one reason alone - ENDLESS GIFT BUYING and the resulting financial burden. I hate the commercialism tied into Christmas, lines at the store, mobs of people, it just plain is not my thing. I don't like shopping on any given day unless I'm out for something specific or perhaps a one time of year fun day with friends. I'm sure it could go without saying that due to my work situation, this year my distaste for Christmas is higher than ever. When I close my eyes and think of Christmas, a dark cloud forms and not just because my eyes are closed! Certain years, I have forewent sending out Christmas cards or letters (though I did last year) because of the expense and frankly, because of my piss poor attitude toward the holiday all together.

On the flip side, I do enjoy receiving Christmas cards and seeing pictures of friends and family. I also enjoy reading Christmas letters - as long as the letter isn't overly filtrated with news about purchasing your 4th Mercedes Benz, the latest with Auto Pilot feature, or your son graduating with his PH D in "who gives a shit". Hope you catch my drift here. I feel more people should write from the heart about the little things and meaningful experiences that truly matter in this life and skip the materialism and bragging. It's highly annoying. Artie has a male cousin who writes their family's Christmas letter every year. I love reading his letter. It's filled with silly things that his children do and things they experience as a couple or a family; well written in a tactful manner, which leave you feeling light-hearted and not as if you're eavesdropping on a conference about how great their family is in comparison to your own.

Back to the gifts-in an ideal "Misty's Christmas", there would only be gifts for the kids and just a few others. Focus on getting together, enjoying good food and goodies and the priceless moments you are blessed to have in the company of all the ones you love. Artie's cousins in the extended Christmas do a unique "make your Christmas gift" where you are to spend $5 or less (my thing-inexpensive!), making it yourself if you have the time. It's still added expense with approximately 8 people participating, but I rather enjoyed it last year. I elected to still participate in it this year too. This was before I got the news at work, but sincerely regardless of

the expense, I'm still looking forward to it, so this tells me something is enjoyable about this concept! It forces creativity, which isn't something that I explore with much outside of work and similar to my mom - I guess I enjoy being creative from time to time.

No more Christmas drawings! I wish I could boycott them all. I'm slightly irritated by drawings where my name goes into a bowl without being asked if I wish to participate. Gift giving at Christmas time comes to indirectly be expected and I could puke. I've heard people say how they gave so-and-so "this" and only got "this"...just skip it! Score should not be involved and I'd like to de-participate all together. I think I've made my point! I suppose I would have a much different attitude about the gifting at Christmas time if I had a couple thousand to spare every year and the pocketbook went untouched. Happily, I have not participated for the past three years in my own family's Christmas gift drawing - only the kiddos are in. It saves me $50, and in December, this adds up in a hurry when we are talking about in excess of $1000 over my typical budget. Another exhausting thing about Christmas is the constant running from place to place - two Christmas' in one day and one tomorrow, one on Saturday, one next Monday....AHHHHH!! I could scream. It's a lot to process and do each year.

On a side note, if I have purchased something for someone that I know or think they will love - the anticipation for them to open the gift is quite fun. So I guess I certainly enjoy giving more than receiving. However, if I didn't have so many and my thoughts aren't clouded with how broke I'm going to be...it would be more pleasant and if there weren't SO MANY people to buy for we could focus more thought and effort into the few that we do buy for. And, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want ANY presents for Christmas...

I get irritated by all these people that proclaim in July that they are done with their Christmas shopping 5 months in advance. Now THAT is a family of planners. How the hell do you even know your names in July or are you the lucky bastards that don't get automatically put into the family Christmas drawing? Perhaps I'm just jealous that I don't get my head out of my ass and do it just like all of you over achievers, which may make me happier this time of year. If I plan a gift for each person that I intend to buy for and stretch it over 11 months...anyway, I will quit my complaining for today and strive to come up with something positive to say in my next post.

I'd love to go back to the days of Christmas as a kid. No worries - just sparkling, colorful Christmas lights everywhere, cheery Christmas music, delicious goodies, endless presents, bulging stocking on the mantle...all of these carefree things filling my life with love, bliss, excitement, anticipation and happiness. Next time I close my eyes and think about Christmas, maybe it would be a good idea to try and retrofit myself back to 1985; I'm a

sucker for nostalgia. For this moment though, sadly I am the girl who hates Christmas and I'm strongly looking forward to December 26th!

I dislike Bridal Showers. I dislike Baby Showers. I dislike Rain Showers.

You heard it. I do not like any of the above. At all. I wish I could pinpoint where this anti-shower attitude started. PLEASE do not take it personally if I do not come to your shower. It is not YOU or about you at all. It is not about the man you are about to marry or that I don't care for your darling new baby. I'm just cringing while I think about watching you open a gazillion gifts I don't care that you've received or having to sit with my A.D.D. through word finds, crosswords or any other 3rd grade game that's been planned. I'm sorry for being so selfish and blunt about the caliber of boring these events host.

It is my belief that bridal showers were intended for a man and a woman still living with their parents whom have virtually nothing to fill a house with for entertaining in the kitchen. The true beginnings of a shower were not for a couple that have lived together or lived on their own prior to the wedding and have the necessities already. Sure, we could all probably use nicer things. Like a Louis Vuitton dog bed or a Kate Spade cake plate, but I guess that is what a gift registry is for when you have your wedding. (Minus the dog bed! Ha!)

As for a baby shower - these are tad different. For a new mom or one that hasn't been a mom in a significant period of time - the meaning behind the shower could most definitely apply. However, I do feel that if people want to buy you a gift, they will anyway. It's not entirely necessary to have a baby shower. The only excitement in this instance for me is once the baby is born. Though, if we are close enough friends to be inviting me to a shower, I likely have already made an effort to see the new bundle. Er....just a little food for thought.

Unless I'm watching my kids open presents on their birthdays or Christmas morning - or the occasional gift I am anticipating a possible elated reaction to, gift opening is all around pretty blah. Wouldn't you agree? I have had showers hosted in my honor and I'm deeply appreciative for the effort and time put into these things, but at this stage in my life, if I were asked if I wanted a 'shower' - my certain answer would be "No". I have attended showers. I must really have wanted to see you, girlfriend, and the sun clearly was not shining that day.

Lastly, I'm bitter that men don't get suckered into these things. Why only women? The man equivalent to this would be beer drinking at a local pub watching sports without the gift opening. Or wait...they do this while we are AT the shower. There is no equivalent!

Do some girls actually find showers fun? SERIOUSLY - the entire concept from start to finish? I guess the definition of "fun" will be different for all people based on their own experiences, but they just aren't for me. Please try to NOT hold this against me, ladies. I LOVE YOU. I do not like the infamous gift shower. Nuff said, I guess.

Live Simply. Love Much. Laugh Often.

My blog title sounds so cliche, but it really has dire truth. I have been burying myself in endless work with projects on the 'to do' list. If I ever needed a fire lit under my ass to get things accomplished, I've been served. Guess you could say this ostrich has pulled her head out of the sand and is facing the necessary facts. I am far too sick of living paycheck to paycheck. I look around at all of the accumulated "stuff" from years past and wonder why I hang on to some of it. Decluttering is so very freeing. The more I accomplish, the more I get rid of, the more free I feel. I have been following a blog for awhile now that I'm in absolute love with. It inspires me to find my inner peace, be a better mother, friend, fiance and then some. It has taught me that all these material things that I appreciate so much really don't mean shit in the grand scheme of things. It has taught me that dealing with difficult people can be so much easier with a changed perspective. When I am done with the to dos on the rental house and selling my car, I intend on working toward a very liberating goal to live more simply.

Osage Beach, Been there, done that.

Our vacation in Missouri was a relaxing one. It took us around 8 hours to get there and all 4 kids did great. Griffin's great behavior on the long car ride made Mommy very proud! He only started to get antsy about the last half hour of the drive. When we arrived, I was very impressed with the resort! It is very nice. We stayed in the Estates portion of the resort at Tan Tar A in Osage Beach, MO. We had our own condo all to ourselves, complete with kitchen, dining, 3 bedrooms and patios off of each bedroom & the kitchen. I have been telling all my friends about how loud the toads were at night croaking to each other on the lake. I have never heard that quite so loud before! It was awesome, I loved it. The first night of our trip, we had a dinner in one of the reception halls there with all the 2009 Pacesetters insurance agents. We met a nice couple and their children from New Mexico that we shared some laughs with.

The days were filled with relaxing, shopping, swimming, go carting and eating! Artie drove us to the 'Happy Fisherman', where we all tried alligator for the first time. It tastes much like chicken I thought. Griffin enjoyed the jello there, a first for him too!

Stephanie came up the first day and Whitney and Griffin got to meet for the first time. Steph and I joke that we will be setting up an arranged marriage for the two of them someday. We couldn't keep them too close, because Griffin kept grabbing for Whitney and pulling her toward him a little to aggressively....perhaps they won't need any persuasion.

Griffin has a little car that plays a rock song when you press a button & Griffin just jams out to it...it's clear he likes music and dancing. We spent the weekend at the cabin in Harpers Ferry and Gavin was playing the harmonica. Griffin instantly started "dancing", which consists of him bouncing up and down. It's very sweet. His favorite song at the moment is, "If you're happy and you know it..." He gleefully claps his hands and smiles when I sing it to him. Yet another awww...that is so sweet thing he does. I'm such a sap.

Gavin has a natural ability to make Griffin giggle like no other. He loves to watch Gavin.

Someone told my aunt that I sure had a FAT little GIRL. I was highly insulted. No one calls my baby FAT, and he definitely does NOT look like a girl. Good grief!

Fat is not in our vocabulary, we prefer pleasantly plump.

Tootles.

Sweet Nothings.

More of my all over the place rambling. It is Thursday, July 9th, 2009. I am looking forward to visiting with my old schoolmate & friend, Brandi Everman Triggs tonight. It will be fun to meet her new little guy, Cooper Anthony, born the 22nd of May. It is exciting to have friends with kids close to the same age. Very fun to watch them interact with one another and will be just as much fun as they get older. Seems like just yesterday we were buzzing around town in her little red car, tossing out water balloons on the last day of school. Now we are just "old ladies" tossing out dirty diapers. Not out of the car, of course.

Griffin & Cooper

Some milestones that I have failed to mention, that I thought a good idea to note on here, primarily so I don't forget! I am slacking on filling in the baby book on a timely basis, and I remember how quickly I forgot what happened when with Gavin when it wasn't documented!
Sat up by himself: 5 months / Rolled over: 7 months / Crawling - 9 months! He has finally got this figured out and that chubby little figure is cruising all over the place! Too bad his favorite thing to chew on is anything with a cord! He has been doing Pattycake, "So Big!", babbling BA BA BA, MA MA, DA DA for a couple months now and has mastered waving bye bye and hello. He puts his hand out and folds his fingers up and down. I'm proud to say I taught him that! He is such a smart little baby, but I'm sure all moms think their baby is one sassy, intelligent, sassafras! My last post, I was going by what our scale at home said. We just had his last doctor's appointment a week ago and he weighed 24 lbs, 12 oz wearing nothing other than his birthday suit! So while I was close, he must not have been quite 25 lbs. Still a big boy. Surprisingly, he is only in the 50th percentile for his weight. You certainly wouldn't think it by looking at him.
I have read several places that the later in life their teeth come in, the better the teeth. Hopefully they are right, because Griffin has not sprouted any teeth yet, not even the tiniest glimpse of white! I have been checking for about 5 months now, because he has been a slobberpuss since about the 4 month mark!

Mid Patty Cake!

Gavin just finished up his baseball season and did a great job pitching for his team! I was tempted to write, "great little pitcher", but he follows this blog and we wouldn't want any embarrassing references to being little anymore. He is a growing, young man now! 11 years old going on 16 sometimes. He tells me he wants my car when he turns 16. We'll see. ;)

We are all looking forward to our vacation. We leave this coming Sunday and will take cousin, Tess , & Gavin's friend, Royce Lenth along with us . It will be a full carload and an interesting 8 hour drive. Especially with Griffin. We are going to the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, MO. Artie earned this trip through work with Farm Bureau. What a great salesman! Osage Beach is close to where my friend, Stephanie, lives and she is going to drive up with her husband and new baby. Griffin can't wait to meet Whitney Lynn, born May 1st, for the first time. I on the other hand, can't wait to see Steph , and her fam! Griffin and Gavin will have had a good week of meeting their growing, upcoming buddies - Cooper and Whitney!

Hope this finds you all well and that your summer is off to a good start. Gosh, doesn't it go by too dang fast - every year?! So do the years of my life. What happened to that skinny girl I used to see in the mirror 12 years ago? Oh well. I've earned these stretch marks and fat rolls. Dang it.
Ta ta for now!

The Start

How do I write a "starting" blog? I'm not entirely sure what I will be blogging about on here, besides this becoming a bragging block for the two sweetest kids in the world. I continue to be amazed at just how incredibly natural & wonderful Gavin is with Griffin. He doesn't know it yet, but Griffin is one lucky baby to have a brother like him. He is patient and attentive and genuinely cares about Griffin. I worried that given the age difference (10 years) that Gavin would be excited initially, but quickly lose interest in the newness of having a baby brother and the possibility that there might be a spark of jealousy that arose. Not the case. Gavin helps me in the morning by entertaining Griffin while I get ready and tie up all loose ends at home before we head out for the day. He sings to him, plays with him, feeds him and does everything and more that a big brother should. It fills my heart with warmth. The other night I forgot to turn my monitor on downstairs in my bedroom. Gavin heard Griffin crying in his room and went to him. He tried to get him back to sleep with the pacifier, but each time he attempted to leave the room, Griffin was not having it. Gavin turned on the light and brought him down to me. What an awesome child I have and now this makes two!

Griffin is the sweetest baby. He is 7 months old as of May 1st! He does not fuss unless he's hungry or tired and even then it's a mild squawking. If you wait too long to feed him, he will let you know it! No one should worry he's deprived of food. He is topping the scale at 25 lbs right now. He has the sweetest smile and has a great personality filled with smiles and jibber jabber. At 7 months, 1 week he rolled over for the first time. No signs of crawling yet. Better get back to to it. Until next time...