With Sickness Comes Reflection....

Some randomness here.  Many thoughts running through this head of mine but nothing coherent.  I do know that after the past 24 hours of having the flu and seeing my kids so sick, I value my health so much more.  I think sometimes being this sick for a day or two can really help to make life seem so much richer once it is all over. Our life has just kind of been on hold around this sick house. I would be so embarrassed if someone walked in my house right now....
Piles of laundry,
Sheets being washed and rewashed due to being thrown up on again and again,
Bowls next to the couch, beds, and any other place that we've all been lying around.
Everything has just gone to crap and nobody has the energy to clean it up.
The only one feeling frisky and full of energy is the little 2 year old boy running around! 

• Blog Reflections. Reading so much about this Blogger Conference in Boulder this past weekend has really led me to start reflecting on my own blog.  So much to learn if I really want my blog to lead to something more down the road.  I've only been blogging for about 8 or 9 months now but I'm ready to take some steps that will allow me to get connected with more writing opportunities and any other networking opportunities that might lead to the next step for me.  
• Getting back in touch with my Passions! Even if it doesn't involve my blog, I'm ready for something.  Not sure what this "something" is but I find myself missing the passion and joy that was  "buzzin" in my daily life when I was teaching.  My house is filled with books about literacy instruction, helping to "grow" readers and writers, developing reading and writing skills, etc. ....this is a HUGE passion of mine.  Not just teaching but connecting with kids and being an influence in their life.  Helping kids live a writerly life and truly find their voice as a writer and discover the joy of reading.  I miss this.  Greatly.  Not quite ready to return to the classroom but I am ready to be a part of something so big again.  Where I know that I am making a difference. 
• Motherhood: On the mother front, I'm challenging myself to bring back some of the creative exploration activities that we used to do daily.  I'm bring my art easel back out (even if it does mean keeping it in the dining room), getting theme based books from the library where we can "study" things we are interested in, encouraging messes and questioning the things around us, etc.  I have the rest of my life to have a neat and tidy house but I only have so many more years where I'm setting up an environment in my home where my kids are free to create, explore, try out new ideas, and learn through art and science.  Not sure what this will mean for our summer but I've definitely lost a lot of this side as a mother since being home. 
• Running.  I've been feeling really strong with my running lately.  A sub 8 min pace for base pace runs has been feeling right on again and my legs feel fresh and ready get back into things again.  However, having a kidney infection and now this flu has really knocked me on my ass a few times and I'm realizing that it has taken a lot out of me...more than I realized.  At this point, I'm trying to rehydrate, get some good foods down my pie hole and focus on positive thoughts and gratitude. 
• And finally...Gratitude.  I'm convinced that a huge part of living a life of intention and experiencing more of the "good stuff" is through a focus on gratitude and embracing a spirit of being thankful for what we DO have going for us.  Even the things that might feel like a bad thing in our life can be blessings in disguise...things that are difficult and painful but that lead to growth and the ability to appreciate things we might not have noticed before.  So, I'll end this with a short list of things I'm grateful for: 

*  The forced break that being sick brings.  Even though being sick is NO FUN, it does tend to give me a much needed time to "be still" and just slow down.  

* My patient and loving husband who has been home to take care of us today.  Although he has been working from home, he has still be there to pick up the slack, clean up the puke, rub our backs, etc.  

*  My children are getting their appetites back!  And their spunky little personalities.  They've only been sick for 24 hours and I already miss their energy.   

*  Health!  When you're sick for a few days, man oh man, you appreciate health so much more!  

*  Opportunities for growth and the parts of life that keep us wanting more.  The aspect of life that keeps us feeling inspired and dreaming big.  When this "fire" comes and the ideas are flowing, it makes me feel so ALIVE and capable of anything.  Anything.  This is a cool feeling.  

1. Jill asked a good question earlier and I'd like to hear some of your answers too...Why do you blog?  Do you want your blog to lead to other opportunities, do you do it just for sharing your life with friends and family, a way to reflect on your training, connecting with other moms, athletes, writers....what is your purpose for having a blog?  
2. I'd love to hear a few things that you would put on a gratitude list for today.  What are some things (big or small) that you are grateful for?  
3. Twitter....I just signed up for a twitter account for Runninghood.  I don't have a CLUE what I'm doing or what even makes it different from facebook.  Tutorials are welcome.  

Amanda