Keep things in Perspective

I played a singles tennis match tonight and I had my first loss for the season. I have never felt so tired. I felt out of shape and exhausted. I find it weird because lately I have felt so in shape and energetic. It was a strange feeling because I literally came to the point where I didn't care anymore. I just wanted the match to be over. As you all know, this is not like me, I never give up...so this was a very strange experience for me. Another strange thing is, I am not mad. Typically on the court I am so competitive that I find myself angry when I don't play like I think I should. Not that this is a good thing, but that is my genetic make-up. Maybe I can attribute it to getting older. Maybe I can attribute it to being wise enough to know that there is always going to be someone that is better than you at something.

I have been trying to teach Foster this lesson. We talked last week about "being better than someone else". I asked him "if you are faster than your friend, does that make you better than him?" Foster answered "yes". This lead to a long dialogue back and forth about how everyone has strengths and everyone has weaknesses and just because someone is better at something than you, it doesn't make them a better person. I want to teach him to define himself by who he is, not what he does.

I guess I should tell myself the same thing. It really honestly doesn't matter if I win or lose - that does not define who I am. What defines me is that I am perfectly made by a God who loves me. I am a wife to a wonderful man. I am a mom to the best 2 boys in the whole world....I love them so much that I can't even put it into words. Foster and Caleb melt my heart and I am so blessed to be their Mommy. My joy comes from spending time with people, spending time alone, reading, eating, exercising, competing, and serving others. I really am glad God made me who I am and I love living the life he created me to live.

Foster had his big 5 Year Old Birthday at the end of last month. We had a long drawn out celebration. My birthday is the day before his...so we had a joint party with some of our wonderful friends from church. We had a blast as usual. And then the following day, I took on a birthday party for Foster with some of his friends from school. He had 3 friends over and we had a blast. I had my hands full because I was the only adult...let me paint this picture - four 5 year olds, 1 almost 2 year old and me! We loaded up and went to McDonald's to eat and play, went to the park and then back to the house to play and open gifts. It was a wonderful day. Here are some pictures of the boys.

Foster unfortunately got very ill on his birthday. Thankfully, his party was the day before. He went into full blown asthma. He was started on Nebulized breathing treatments and steroids. Poor little guy....not a great way to spend your birthday. It took him about 4 days to get over feeling so bad. Thankfully, he is better now and we are watching him for further asthma problems.

Top Ten Things I am Grateful for Today:

1) My boys.

2) That Foster is feeling better finally and has not had any other signs of asthma since his birthday.

3) That Jason is coming home tomorrow after being out of town since Saturday. I love life more when he is here to share it with me.

4) Tennis. Our team is undefeated this year and it looks like we are going to qualify to go to sectionals in July. I have some work to do considering it is going to be HOT and we will have 2 matches a day. Redheads don't like the heat and I am no exception. In spite of the heat, I am grateful for the opportunity to play. It makes me feel like I am in high school again!

5) Summer vacation is just around the corner.

6) Just after vacation, I am joining several ladies for a 6 day hike in the mountains in Creed, Colorado. What an awesome time it will be to get away and experience nature.

7) I am so thankful for the best birthmom in the whole world. While Jason was gone this past weekend, Liliana came and stayed with me so I didn't have to uproot my family. I work on the weekends and have to make arrangements in the event that I get called out in the middle of the night. Liliana came to my rescue. She is awesome!!!

8) Jason was out of town on business and he had an awesome meeting in Oregon. We don't know if he got the account yet, but it has been a great experience for him so far...and he has had safe travel.

9) Weight Watchers has been good to me. I have lost 24 lbs since January. I still have a little work to do, but I feel great.

10) I am grateful that I get to go to bed early tonight. I am about 30 minutes past exhaustion. So, goodnight.

Until next time,

Becca