Love and Affection

Age Twelve

I wrote this when I was 12 years old, freshly after reading the "7 Habits" for the first time, which my dad had enthusiastically recommended to me.  It's poignant and amazing to read again now, when I'm nearly three times that age, and recognize the eternal self that I was and still am.  This statement touches on deep hopes and desires that I still have, to know and be known.  

I'm a little hesitant to share this on the blog because it feels so personal, but it's been pressing steadily on me to post it ever since I ran across it in the attic a few months ago.  So, here it sees the light of day again after two more decades of an incredible life that I've been privileged to love, learn and overcome in.

The Kids' Devices

...As in, leaving them to their own...

They got out the paints, one of those free local papers, and the camera, and documented their own creativity.

In case you can't quite read it (we couldn't), the one poster's subtitle says "because he's awe-some".  

And fitness center lady also has really beautiful, delicately painted nails done by Sage, but I guess they didn't make it into the photo.  

They really were the crowning touch though, so try to imagine a glistening row of little red paint dots on the newspaper image of a hand.

S. and I have tried pretty conscientiously to give our kids practice in entertaining themselves -- by taking them on 11-hour car trips (without DVDs or iPods, folks) and not having any TV channels or video game systems, among other things.  They don't get outside in the yard as much as S. would like considering that's he strapped down by the mortgage for that yard, but overall they're finding good old-fashioned ways to thrive.  

Including, apparently, decking out Elvis impersonators to look like romantic French heroes.

Superpowers

Nora went to a superhero-themed birthday party on Saturday, and has been sporting her personalized cape and mask ever since. This clip was an attempt to recapture a particularly fanciful kazaam she placed on her big sister this morning before church, but apparently the magic was resistant to video. Still, we loved the understated result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlz0IwrGop0

*ps, why can't I upload my own photos or vidoes to the blog? there's some horrible new format that is NOT working for me, frustration. sorry for glitches*

Hard Slog

Yesterday K. and I finished our fifth week of P90X. If you have no idea what that means: (a) consider yourself lucky, and (b) you're not going to understand much of this post, so here's a link. Having learned to anticipate my now annual winter doldrums, I was looking for something to keep me active after the marathon, at least until it was warm enough to start running again. Since P90X is a thirteen week commitment--a complete season of cross-training--it seemed like just the ticket to get me through the hard winter.

Here's what our mornings will look like this week:

Mon. -- 57 minutes of core strength

Tues. -- 43 minutes of cardio

Wed. -- 55 minutes of nonstop pushups and free weights, then 16 minutes of gutbusters

Thur. -- 92 minutes of ashtanga yoga torture

Fri. -- 58 minutes of pullups, squats and leg raises, then 16 minutes of gutbusters

Sat. -- 58 minutes of punches, kicks and blocks

Here are some observations so far:

1. I told a coworker that K. and I were thinking about doing P90X after the marathon. He raised his eyebrows and said: "It's intense." Then he chuckled.

2. Handing me the box of DVDs and equipment, our friend said: "Now, just to warn you, it's intense." Then she raised her eyebrows.

3. After the first day, I was sore all through my torso.

4. After the second day, I was sore in completely different places.

5. And so on.

6. I won't tell you where I'm sore today.

7. I have gained at least six pounds since we started. I don't know how much of it is muscle, but I feel pretty solid.

8. Especially around the shoulders.

9. Dreya Weber is way too serious, but I like her Groucho Marx.

10. This week during kenpo my heart rate got up to 179, which got me a wag from K.'s finger. Apparently you're not supposed to do that.

11. This is the first time K. and I have kept to the same regimen. I doubt this would have worked any other way.

12. Tony Horton earns every penny they're paying him.

13. Also, I can't believe he's in his 50s.

14. More than any other exercise, it's yoga that leaves me feeling good and alive for the rest of the day.

15. I dread the first 45 minutes of yoga more than anything else.

16. We took "before" pictures. You're not going to see them.

17. Same for the "after" pictures.

18. By the third week, you really start to notice the results. Totally worth it.