Being in the moment.

Around this time last year, we went hiking at Julian Price Park.
The past few days, we've been hiking the trail at the same park to Hebron Rock Colony.

Last year, I was asked by a course I was taking to take a day without technology. I caved later in the day to using my cell phone and my computer.

Now, I feel at peace with technology. I say that with my laptop in front of me, my phone to the left, and my Nintendo DS to the right...

But, really, I do feel at peace. Yesterday, at the falls, all I could do was gawk in awe of it's natural beauty. I totally lost track of where my phone is. I didn't care for pictures. I recently started playing Animal Crossing: New Leaf. It's almost to the point of being religious. But in front of that waterfall, I couldn't do anything but stare in complete amazement. It was truly amazing.

Now, with all the stuff happening in my life, I am able to stop for a minute and think "Wow, this is amazing". Before, I would have stuff racked up in my brain and have not been able to hear myself think.

It's crazy how things can change in a year.

It's crazy thinking about where we used to be.

xxx

Beth

LET'S CATCH UP: 5 MONTH BABY & POSTPARTUM UPDATE!

Hey, guys! It's been a great 5 months and I just want to let you all in on how Izzy, EC, and I are doing.

Izzy:

• Can sit up with a little help.
• Grabs at everything put in front of her (esp. food and plastic containers).
• Puts anything she can into her mouth.
• Can put her feet in her mouth.
• Sleeps about 10-11 hours at night and wakes up in the middle of it to eat.
• Takes at least two naps a day.
• Loves to be in our Infantino mei tai carrier.
• Is super drooly always from teething.
• Is almost ready for real, kind of solid food.

Postpartum:

• Dancing is easier. Although the other day, I pulled something in my pelvis that hurt for a split second. Obviously, I still have limitations.
• I'm still at 170 lbs. I stopped losing weight once Izzy turned three months. I look like I'm five months pregnant instead of five months postpartum. Which I may not start to work on until I'm done breastfeeding Izzy.
• I'm having to eat foods to help produce milk (oatmeal, garlic, veggies, etc.).
• I walk five miles a day no problem but when I have to carry her in the carrier, my feet hurt like I'm still pregnant.
• Hydration is more important than anything else right now.

EC:

• Is figuring out how to be motherly while still being a father.
• Loves dancing with Izzy in tow.
• Loves doing chores around the house with Izzy in tow.
• Suggested he bring Izzy to work with him.
• Is getting a little more sleep than he used to thanks to late night shifts and the times when Izzy can be really fussy.

Overall:

• We are trying to be more frugal.
• We also have Nini here with us (It's tight, but working).
• We have been vegetarian for about a month now.
• We're dancing/choreographing more.
• Working more.
• Everything more.

Thank God for all these things that are possible through the life He has given us.

xxx

Beth

P.S. - here are some links to some new YouTube videos we have up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibes2isIUlc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ptFScus0wo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibes2isIUlc

What is a nice thing?

This is why we can't have nice things:

• I don't think I have enough nice things.
• I'm too attached to material objects: clothes, home decor, etc.
• I go into stores, look at things, and find a place for each thing instead of being at home, needing a thing, and buying only that thing when I go to a store.
• I don't understand the meaning of a nice thing.
• Instant gratification is more pleasing than long term; I'm an impatient person.

In short, I don't need any more than I have.

A few of the things I value most:

• Quality family time.
• Quality spouse time.
• Quality friend time.
• Quality moments.
• Not quality things.

EC and I have come to a point where we walk into the store and think "Wow. I don't feel like I need anything in here". And he's right. We don't. We never have. We only need the roof over our heads, the food on our table, and the people who love us.

Right now, our extra money is going to paying credit cards, settling debts, and knowing exactly how much we have. It's not about living within our means, it's about loving what we have.

I have plenty of nice things.

xxx

Beth