Yogariffic!

Well it is never a good sign when your husband laughs as he watches you exit the store with your newly purchased yoga mat. To be fair, I don't think either of us thought that this day would come. I may truly be one of the world's most naturally inflexible people. I remember avoiding kayaking as a child at summer camp, because I couldn't sit up with my legs straight in front of me...I still can't. Despite my avoidance of all things requiring flexibility...I keep hearing about the benefits of stretching and being flexible. Heading rapidly towards middle age...I'm fighting against a body that is ready for retirement. I creak and groan and move around like a creature in the night rather than a hip and happening young mama. As I have seen various specialist over the years to deal with issues in my feet and knees and hips and back...it keeps coming back to needing to stretch my muscles. In my attempt to find balance, I decided that yoga may finally be worth the embarrassment and searched for a perfect class for me. I found one, but didn't feel like I could use one more minute of help from my faithful village of supporters, so decided to keep waiting until a better time. Then I saw a sign...literally...that advertised a yoga class, close to my house and at exactly the right time in the week when I already had help but an hour to spare before Meg's therapy. I signed up and attended my first class today. I am one for exaggeration and was hoping that I had exaggerated my lack of flexibility even to myself. Not so. I really cannot touch my toes. I really cannot sit up without crossing my knees. I really am not made for yoga. However, I am beyond embarrassment so am just going to run with it. I've got 8 weeks of yogariffic fun ahead. Perhaps I may even move slightly more limber when it is all said and done.

Grounded

I've struggles these past couple of months with finding stability in my life. As Jeff comes and goes with work, my world seems to crumble and rise. The delicate balance of my life seems to be tested by the increased work and travel needs of Jeff. The wave of persistent colds and a brutal stomach bug did not help with my struggles as it left me feeling more overwhelmed and isolated. Then spring came. The sun has come. We've gone for walks and bike rides. Thanks to some meds, an improved sleep routine and a blackened window, Little M. is starting to sleep well fairly consistently. Jeff returned...although not for long. Even Little M's fits which have been one of my hardest struggles have quieted. Instead of feeling like I was barely hanging on, I feel like dancing and singing and living life to the fullest. It seems bizarre to picture myself only days ago in such a broken state. I wish that I wasn't so emotional and vulnerable. I wish I could be more grounded. I feel slightly seasick from the constant back and forth motion of my emotion. I know that I can find that stability in Christ. I just need to remember to take my eyes off myself and my sinking ship and look up during the storm.