The Life Of A Mother
Posted: May 6, 2011 at 7:54 amBefore I begin – please stop on over to Teri’s fabulous blog to check out a guest post I wrote for her. I kind of love the post, so would love for you to read it! And if you’re HERE for the first time, coming over from Teri’s site, HI!! Say hello and let’s be friends, huh? 😉
Yesterday I lived the quintessential life of a mother. I had a day fully devoted to fun activity with the kiddos. First, it started with a playgroup field trip. All of us moms packed up the kids and headed somewhere special for the kids this week.
The zoo!!! Makenzie loved playing with her friends and visiting with all the animals.
That happy face made going home with a headache that rivals Charlie Sheen’s withdrawal symptoms worthwhile. After the zoo, both Makenzie & B pooped out in time to come home and get in some nap time. Thank goodness for nap time! I needed a break before Miss M woke up with a gleam in her eyes for me to read her some books.
Did I say “some”? Some. A lot. A ton. Same difference to her. When we went to the library earlier in the week, that child picked out thirty-six (36!!!!) books to bring home. I can’t say no to books. I commend her love of reading…but good gracious is that a lot of books for mommy to have to read. Over. And over. And over. It’s love, I tell ya.
Once we conquered the leaning tower of “Monster Munchies” literature, we took on some more adventurous play.
What did you say? Having M pound into my stomach won’t help flatten it? Dang. I guess I have to hit the gym still. Which I did, despite not really feeling it. I knew I wouldn’t be up for my standard Thursday afternoon run, so I ventured to the gym for a variety workout. I did 15 minutes each
- Stepmill – Fat Burner Mode – Level 10
- Elliptical – Resistance 8
- Sprint on Treadmill – 9.0 speed – 40 sec on / 20 sec rest
| Move | Body Part | Sets x Reps |
| Front Barbell Squat | quads | 3 x 12 |
| Incline Dumbbell Bench | chest | 3 x 10 |
| Plie Squat | legs | 3 x 15 |
| Incline Dumbbell Flyes | chest | 3 x 12 |
| Front Raise | shoulders | 3 x 12 |
| Barbell Lying Extension | triceps | 3 x 15 |
The workout felt a bit tougher than normal, but it made for some quality “me time”. I have to say - as much as I value “me time”, I wouldn’t give up motherhood for anything.
Ah, motherhood. The never ending job that somehow doesn’t phase you with 4 am wake-up calls and blesses you with stinky, but somehow cute, “scenarios”. The job that will push your limits further than you can imagine, while somehow creating a love that knows no bounds in the process.
Mother’s Day comes this weekend. While I would love to receive something like a massage or new workout clothes for myself, I instead hope to focus on my own mother. I wish to celebrate the fabulous job she has done, and continues to do, as my mom. As one of the strongest women I know, she deserves the world after the things she has recently faced in adjusting to her MS diagnosis. I cannot wait for tonight to relax with my mom and my sister and celebrate the best mom out there. I know my own experience as a mom has given me a new appreciation. It has also proved to me just how dearly moms hold Mother’s Day. So please, show your own mom some love this weekend if possible. It would mean more to her than you can know.
- What is one thing you admire about your mom?
- What was your favorite animal at the zoo?
Tags: makenzie, motherhood, strength training
Awww what a fun day! I’m 22 and I still enjoy the zoo about as much as I did when I was a kid! One thing I admire about my mum is her independence after leaving my dad, and her ability to get her life back together. I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day this weekend Tina!
You’re doing an AWESOME thing by reading to M that much, seriously. My parents read to be every night as a kid, and my dad would let me sit in his lap and read me whatever newspaper or magazine article he was reading, even if it was about something I’d never understand. It paid off though, because I literally just taught myself how to read- my parents were absolutely blown away when one day when I was four they bought me a new book and I just opened it and started reading it out loud, never having seen it before. You’ve got a reader and writer in the making!!
I would love M to suddenly start reading. Awesome you taught yourself to read! It sometimes gets old reading books over and over but it definitely makes me happy she loves books!
Such a fun day! Happy early Mother’s Day Tina!
my mom is one of the gentlest, sweetest people i know…but i would NOT want to face her in a fight! she’s fierce and beautiful 🙂
I can’t wait to live the unpredictable life of a mommy 🙂
I hope to follow in the footsteps of my mom- an amazing woman who showed me what love, discipline and a healthy dose of fun is all about!
You will definitely be a great mom!!!
I love, love, love the zoo! My husband (then boyfriend) and I went probably 3 years ago and we had a really great time even then, we were 22, haha. I really loved seeing the pandas when I went to the National Zoo in DC. I don’t know if you guys have pandas in ATL or not, though… hopefully so :). We don’t have them in Columbia, tho =/.
So awesome of you to spend time with your mom with her diagnosis and all. I hope she’s doing okay. And I hope you get a nice mother’s day gift too!
I really smiled when I saw your little girl with all those books… that’s just how I was when I was a kid… and I grew up to be a reader and now a writer. But don’t worry, it won’t be many more years until she can read on her own and she’ll be carrying books places with her to read, etc, haha.
A.L.
Cute post! I was always the kid that checked out a million books at the library too! My sister and I used to “play” library when we got home…”scanning” the books and our library cards with my parent’s cordless phone ha ha.
Favorite zoo animal is the giraffes or dolphins!
Things I love most about my mom are: her cooking, willingness to stop everything to help me, and her cute cards that she sends me in the mail. 😀
I love getting cute cards too. So nice your mom does that.
Would you believe I’ve NEVER been to the zoo? But now that I see how much fun you clearly had with M, hmmm maybe I’ll go with my husband sometime. Never too late, right?? Happy (early) mother’s day to you my dear, I hope you find some time for yourself this weekend and have a wonderful time with your mom, too.
I love my mom — she is such a caring and loving person. One of her hugs makes me feel better instantly, no matter what the problem is.
As I’ve gotten older, I truly have come to believe that my mom was superwoman! She had 4 kids, worked and somehow we all came out pretty darn good! I don’t see her until Memorial Day Wkd, but I’m planning to spending a day at the spa with her. Can’t wait.
Happy (early) Mother’s Day to you Tina!
That sounds like a fabulous time together. I know she will love it!
What a fun day. I think it takes becoming a mother to realize how much your mother loves and does for you. I definitely appreciate my mom in a new since I became a mother.
My son is 15 months old and I look forward to our first zoo visit this summer. 🙂
i admire so much about my mom! most of all, i admire her devotion to being a good mom. we went through a really hard time in high school with my parents’ divorce, my dad’s alcoholism, and then his death. she had to work two jobs (one full-time, one part-time) to make sure that my sister and i could continue living as normally as possible. it was hard for all of us, but definitely most of all for her. i don’t think i could have been as strong as she was! she’s an awesome mom!
oh what a great day! 🙂
I love that you’re using your motherly experiences to focus on your mom, I hope you three have a wonderful night together. I am so glad that things are going well with her diagnosis.
I dont yet have kids but I have no idea how my mom handled having 4 kids in the span of 5 years (without a stroller no less!)
Also, staying the amazingly supportive, loving, wonderful woman she has always been after losing a daughter and her husband boggles my mind to this day.
I would have to say I admire my mom’s will. I can’t say it is always the best, but she is tough. I like monkeys! I just think they are so darn cute. I hope you have an incredible weekend and get to spend some time with your mom. I hope she’s feeling well! We definitely need to get together soon!
Haha, you actually checked out 36 books?! We got about ten on our last trip, and I thought that was out of control! Especially because some of them go unread since my son tends to immediately pick 1-3 favorites and wants to read them over and over.
For Mother’s Day, I always like to spend some time with my mom. Actually both our moms are here in the area, so we usually all get together. Great fun!
M sounds like me as a kid – I always had giant stacks of books around! I admire so much about my mom, mostly her commitment to being the best mom to all 3 of us.
looks like a fun day 🙂
i wish i lived close enough to spend this weekend with my mom! they’re about 6 hours away from us, so we don’t get to see them all the time, but I will get to see her in 3 weekends!!
Tina
Love the zoo picts! Looks like you and the kids had a super fun day.
Last Sept the hubby, Sister and her hubby spent a day at the zoo in Omaha. Our favorite display was the walk through aquarium. Being from landlocked NE and SD we enjoyed the under water view.
My mom’s unconditional love for me even when I was a jerky teenager is so admirable. She also has so much energy and enthusiasm and it keeps me hopefully that I’ll be that energetic when I’m her age!
Sounds like such a fun day. Your love for your little ones shines through this post 😀
Happy mother’s day! My mother is one of the most adventurous, open minded, intelligent people I know. And I like ostriches. 🙂
The zoo is STILL one of Colin’s most favorite places to go (and he’s 9!). What a great day you had!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Beautifully put Tina. Enjoy your evening with your Mom! I will be spending Sunday with my mom (who is also the best 🙂 ), going to the movies, having dinner, just relaxing and being together!
I love that last picture! You should frame it. I have one just like it of my brother and I on my dad’s stomach, its one of my all time favorites.
I teared up a little reading about your mom. She sounds like an amazing woman. Im glad you have her. 🙂
One thing I admire about my mom – her patience. I wish I had inherited it. My dad is like me – a total nutbar, and sometimes I just sit there and look at my mom thinking, “how have you not killed us all?” Its amazing.
Oh my goodness…that picture of the three of you is freaking adorable! It needs to be in a magazine or something!
Oh how cute are your kiddos!
And I love that you do plie squats too… is it sad that when I do them I’m indulging a hidden past desire to be one of those graceful ballerina types?!! But it helps as a slower, more controlled motion actually makes it hurt more! See, imagination is amazing sometimes!!!
Happy Mothers’ Day, Tina!!
Oh, Tina, I have to tell you about my daughter and books! After some trouble with misplacing library books, I capped my kids at 7 books at once. My daughter chose 7 chapter books, was done three days later. We went back, and she chose 7 more chapter books, read FIVE of them by the next morning!! That girl is a reader! I think reading time with little ones is so precious. Your daughter is so cute with all her books. 🙂
And what I admire most about my mom – she is the most selfless person I know. So patient and giving. I would like to be more like her.
My favorite zoo animal is the elephant (although we don’t have elephants at either of the zoos here in the Minneapolis area).
Happy Mother’s Day!!
Wow! She is a reader! That is so awesome. I would not be surprised at all if M was like that a few years down the road.
Aw, I absolutely love that she chose 36 books! My son used to do the same – now he usually chooses just a few chapter books. It makes me happy since we tend to rack up the late fees! 😉
Happy early Mother’s Day – and Happy Mother’s Day to your Mom as well! 🙂
I admire the life and business my mom has created for herself. SHe is totally self made and I am so proud of her!
You know, I’ve never been to the ATL zoo!
My mom has always been very hardworking and gotten ahead in her career. I’m sort of lazy so I admire that in her!
It all of my trips to Atlanta, I’ve never made it to the zoo! I think I need to take a real vacation there!
One thing I admire most about my mom is her strength in her faith. Her courage and prayers inspire me and I definitely owe my faith to her.
Favorite zoo animals: I always love the big cats, probably the tigers most!
It looks like you had a great time at the Zoo. It’s so fun to watch little kids get so excited about seeing animals:) I really admire my mom’s ability to listen to my rants or upset moments and not getting sucked into the stress, while at the same time giving good advice.
Yaaay for reading! I think that a love for reading starts at home with parents. She is going ot be a book lover for sure! You are an amazing mother – seriously. I hope you have a fabulous mother’s day!
My mom and I don t get along very well. We are far away too and this helps me cope with some bad feeling that exist between us.
Still, sometimes I m jealous of my friends who talk nice about their mothers. Mine is not too bad at all, but we are very different persons and I have a hard time loving her. It s sad, I know.
Hopefully, when we will have kids, this will change and she and I could became friends.
I relate to this a lot as its how my relationship with my father has always been. We certainly got closer after I had kids, though. 🙂
[…] Featured Workout: Cardio + Weights Hodge Podge […]
Just wondering how much weight you use for each body part…
I always consider posting that. Maybe I will start doing that sometimes. For this workout I did:
front squat – 75#
incline dumbbell bench – 30# each hand
plie squat – 60#
incline dumbbell flyes – 15# each hand
front shoulder raise – 10# each hand
lying barbell tricep extension – 30# barbell
Hi There,
I love going to the zoo, my favorite animal to see would have to be the monkeys! I always wanted to have a baby monkey that I could feed with a baby bottle…never happened 😉 Looks like the kiddies are loving their mommy time!!!! You sure are going to have THEM telling a lot of stories about how they love their mama when they grow up 🙂
Okay, first of all, I LOVE going to the zoo. I go to one in every city I visit! My favorites are the elephants, giraffes, and if they have any otters or anything like that.
I love my mom for being the rock of the family, for putting up with so much from me, and for her unconditional love.
[…] back up to Saturday morning. Saturday morning I had my long run for the week planned. After doing a random gym workout instead of my run on Thursday, I couldn’t wait to get my run on. I headed out of my house with […]