Girl Power

I'm not an avid feminist but I must proclaim...women rule.

Joani, Janelle and I ventured out on a mountain bike ride this week. Yep, we did it regardless of the rain, snow, freezing wind and mud. The weather elements were a slight imposition but I must emphasize the later...Mud...MUD...M-U-D. Can I tell you just how much I truly dislike that dark, slimy, coagulated matter?

Photo courtesy* of my dear friend Joani

Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the ride. I liked the "down" section more of course but even the long climb was painfully pleasurable and worth the effort. And the mud? Not that bad. Really.

I do have one confession; I planned to bail out on the ride when I saw the rain pouring down earlier that day. My fear of the stinky brown matter (still talking about mud here) was starting to overwhelm my senses. I was about to quit.

What stopped me, you ask? Fear of Man. Our husbands to be exact. I was not about to be the only girl to back-out and I certainly wasn't about to let our men think that we were "girly" wimps just because of a little bad weather. Nope. Not I.

Most of all, since my own hubby already knows I'm girly, I really just wanted to support my girlfriends. I am glad that I did because I am already looking forward to our next ride. Rain, snow, sleet, and yes, even mud.

*In all truth, I stole this photo off of Joani's blog but I'm pretty certain she won't sue me.

I hope.

Ummm...you won't sue me...right Joani?!

A Mother's Anxious Heart

I sure am thankful that God knows so much more than we do. Being a news junkie hasn't served me well in the past couple of days. If you've read a newspaper or watched the news recently you've probably heard about the latest study that reveals additional risks preemies face, including increased mortality rates in childhood and even into adolescence.

As the mom of a former preemie, these reports sure do make it difficult to keep a quiet heart. I can only imagine how hard it is on parents whose babies are still in the NICU. Preemie parents are overwhelmed enough when they learn about all the risks that exist just in their baby's first few months of life.

Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for modern science (most of it anyways) and really am thankful for this study. I welcome every opportunity for us to learn more about premature birth. I am even thankful for all the media attention because it helps keep the general public informed.

I'm just not thankful for the extra worry that can result. From the moment of conception, all parents struggle with anxiety over their child's health and well-being. The ongoing struggle with an anxious heart is a key responsibility included in every parent's job description. We certainly don't need yet another reason to worry.

Am I worried? Absolutely. However, I'm going to choose to turn this anxiety over to my Rock. I'm learning that for all moms and dads, it's a choice we have to make every hour of every day: "Live in fear" or "lift your burdens and concerns to the Lord". My arms are the weakest part of my body but I'm going to use all the muscle power I have to lift! And praise the Lord that when I don't have the strength, Jesus does.


"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7)

He Is Risen!

Happy Easter from the West Coast Wagners!

Good Friday

Thank you Jesus for taking our sins upon yourself so that we are forgiven. Thank you for taking the burden of my loose tongue, my prideful and selfish ways, my anxious heart and limited faith. Thank you for your grace, your undeterred faithfulness and the way that you cover our weaknesses.

Thank you for the Cross.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Photo courtesy of freefoto.com

Back to the Drawing Board

Remember this post? Let me be the first to admit Dear Reader, I was wrong (now, don't jump to any conclusions. It is a rare occurance that I'm wrong).

My hypothesis and test about a "Non-New Years Resolution" working (i.e., a goal set just prior to New Years day) has thus far failed. If you recall, I stated that Mr. Hubby and I were getting back on the fitness band-wagon and that we were making a committment to get fitter. Oh, we have gotten on the wagon...and off...and back on...and off...you get the picture. Maybe the "control" just wasn't right for the test? (or in this case, we'd be lacking self-control).

It's not that we aren't excercising or that we eat poorly. We are exercising and we do eat well for the most part. My problem is that I need to better balance the equation. That is, weight loss = calories burned (x) - calories consumed (y) where x > y. It's the whole x "greater than" y thing that gets me every time.

Back to the drawing board. My exercising frequency and intensity will continue to increase. I'll try...try...to exhibit more self-control when feeling the need to stress-snack in abundance. I'll give it my best effort because the next drastic measure will be to enroll in a program like Weight Watchers. No offense to them but stepping on a scale during the weigh-in where others are present is just not appealing. I won't even let Mr. Hubby look at the scale when my toes are within 10 feet of it! Fear of the public scale scrutiny alone will serve as a strong motivating factor.

Hurray to eating even more carrots and less chocolate. Yipee. Yahoo. Rah-Rah-Rah. I do believe God is all-knowing and perfect but I can't help but wonder if, in the Garden of Eden, didn't veggies have more calories and fat than chocolate? You may say chocolate didn't exist then but then you would be wrong. Period.

Birthday Scrooge has a Change of Heart

Sometime after my 20th birthday I turned into the "Birthday Scrooge". While I always enjoyed celebrating the day when I was younger, as I've gotten older I'd much prefer to surprise others on their birthdays (Maybe it's because that also means they are the ones turning another year older?).

Yes, today is THE day, I am officially another year older. Before you ask, no, I am not going to tell you what "year" that is. And for those of you tempted to leave it in the comments, just remember, I have the power to "delete" you and I'm not afraid to use it. Ha, ha.

The good news is that miracles of all miracles, I'm not feeling like a Birthday Scrooge today. I had a busy week so it helped that I didn't even have a chance to think about ways to avoid today. Plus, my team at work made sure that I couldn't hide when they decorated my office. The biggest reason I'm not feeling "Scrooge-like" today is that my dear sweet Mr. Hubby was kind enough to let me sleep in. He woke with our Little Miss and went into work late just so I could catch a few extra zzz's. I am so grateful and that alone is making this a great day.

I did have one revelation after all the phone calls this morning...my family needs vocal lessons. Simon would have a hay-day critiquing them; American Idols they are not. Regardless, I love 'em and wouldn't trade the off-key, squeaky squeals for anything. Thank you all.

Signs of Spring

If any of you are like me, now that it's March you are counting down the days to Spring. Literally. Thankfully we got a brief taste of the sun in late February when we had a few days of uncharacteristically nice weather. God was being merciful because in the Northwest, the rainy season is often like the Energizer Bunny, it keeps on going...and going...and going. God knew I was ready to squash that silly Wabbit.

As grumpy as I may sound, I do really enjoy this time of year. The transition from Winter to Spring is a welcomed colorful change. Who doesn't appreciate the sight of tulips and daffodils sprouting and cherry blossoms blooming? Love it, I do. Oh wait, there is one problem with these "signs" that seems to get me every year (other than allergies). They also mean that I am turning another year older soon. Back to grumpy I go. Where is that Wabbit anyways?!

Photo courtesy of www.freefoto.com