February is Health Month...what?

Happy February! Hope everyone had a sweet Valentine's Day!  We sure did-it's family day in our house...though it was a bit crazy. Spencer is in a local play and he had rehearsal that evening until 8:30. We had pizza (without him), though Daddy ate another slice with him when he got home.  Now Cooper has gone down to San Diego for his yearly trip with Grandma.  Lucky boy!
Joe and I planned to go out alone for a belated Valentine's Day, but with Grandma out of town and Grammy hurting her back, we decided to do a "double date" with Spencer & Kendall. We got dressed up and went out for Chinese food at our favorite place. Spencer was ever the gentleman, learning how to open car doors and be courteous to the girl.  It was a lot of fun!  One of these day Joe and I will enjoy an evening alone!
So this month was supposed to be HEALTH month. Ha, notice I said "supposed"...well, not off to a good start. Honestly, life has been so busy that going to the gym has been impossible to do.  I started running, taking Spencer with me, but that's about it. I want to start eating healthier...darn Valentine candy! No fast food, more water...gotta work on it.  I will keep you posted.
I decided to continue the HOME theme for the year, as well. Even though we live in a rental, there are things I can do to make it more homey.  I found some material to make curtains-and found this awesome tutorial on NO SEW curtains-YAY!  Later this month, we have a trip to IKEA planned to get Kendall's new big girl bed, which means new bedding for her.  And I just might finally break down and order the Pottery Barn bedding I have been drooling over for years for the boys' room. One set is not too bad, but when you need two, it sure adds up!  Hoping to paint their room this weekend...or at least start. :-)

So, that's our life right now....looking forward to moving onto March-I have some new photography books that I am perusing.  Trying to pick up my camera a little more.  My iphone camera is the one that gets used daily!  And even that one has not been connected to my computer in a while...these are two from Joe's...our super kid at preschooland helping Daddy paint!  Can you tell they spend a lot of time together???

Perspectives

This post was inspired by Saturday Night Widows by Becky Aikman. After being kicked out of her widow support group for being too young, Becky creates her own support group with an unusual twist. Join From Left to Write on February 14 as we discuss Saturday Night Widows. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

This month, my online book club read the memoir, Saturday Night Widows by Becky Aikman, about a group of widows meeting once a month to meet, talk, and just be there for one another. Becky led the group (she was kicked out of her first grief group!) and planned outings for the group to help stretch themselves in their healing process. After all, as they said in the book, the worst thing that can happen, already happened. I found it very interesting and very heartbreaking to read the widows' stories and the pain they felt.  I really truly felt for them.
The widows' were all in different stages of their lives-newlyweds, young parents, parents of college aged children, no children-but I really found myself drawn to Dawn. She was a young mom with two small children. As I read, I kept thinking about my own mother.  My father passed away when I was four and my sister one, leaving a huge hole in my heart.  For years, I wouldn't speak about it, and I never, ever asked my mom about how she felt.  Now, I look back and think how strong she was. Yes, she must have been hurting, but I don't remember seeing her pain.  She kept going, got up everyday,  mothered my sister and me, took us on vacations, brought us to see our grandma in Los Angeles, and honestly, I don't remember her sadness or her tears. Wow, now I think back and just am so thankful that she was strong for us.  Me, I think I would fall apart in the same situation. Hide in bed with the covers over my head and mope. But with children, you cannot. You have to be strong. You can't fall apart-for them, and I think, for them alone.  I am so glad that I have had such a strong role model in my life.
My mom and I have a good relationship today-I adore how she treats her grandbabies (my babies)-but after reading this book, I have a newfound appreciation and gratefulness for her.  I still don't like to talk about my father's death, but I am going to try to talk to my mom about it and see if she'll share her heart with me.  Thank you, Mom, for being you-strong, loyal, and brave. I love you! And thank you, Becky Aikman, for helping me see my Mom in this new light.