Tales From Army Life: Re-focus

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Re-focus

Since Rob left I find it difficult to enjoy my days. I realized I was looking for ways to pass the time without really enjoying any of it. T.V. Shows, games on my phone, Facebook, cooking, cleaning. All of it just a way to avoid real life; my life. My children, as usual when parents try to disengage in life children suffer. My children were suffering and I was too busy yelling at strangers on Facebook because they support abortion to notice. I needed a reality check. I need a break. No more distractions! I am choosing to live a purposeful life. No more meaningless activities, no more "time fillers." And you know what it's working. This morning instead of playing temple run I stacked cups for an hour. James loved knocking them over and building them back up. Eli made ice cream cones for me to eat and used my legs as roads for his trucks. I wasn't just there; I was present! Today I lived my life, today I engaged with my children. We took a walk, we played with toys, while they napped I read scriptures and exercised. Then we picked Peter up from school and you know what I played some more. When it came time for dinner I was genuinely sad to go cook. But we gotta eat so cook I did. Living life participating in every second is hard, but it is worth it! I plan to make September my re-focus month! My phone has been emptied of all the fun apps. Essentially all I have is google maps and scriptures. I am not going to watch any T.V. Or movies, and I will not log into Facebook. Instead I'm going to choose meaningful activities that help me along the path of righteousness. I am choosing to be in charge of my life! Wish me luck!!

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Welcome to the Whitmores

We are an LDS family of 5. We are just starting our military life and are looking forward to all the new adventures. We have a wonderfully sweet and excitable dog named Cleo, and we ALL adore her. Currently we live in Fort Hood, TX.

Rob is loving Army Life, he recently earned his Spurs, and is hoping to be promoted to Sgt. Before the close of 2015. Right now he is assigned to the training room, and when they are "in the field" he gets to be the battalion commander's driver.

Amy is a stay at home mommy who loves to read, cook, make cakes, play with her kids, and exercise. The exercise discovery is relatively new, and She is still learning what she can do. Running is one of her favorites, but only in nice weather. Aerobics and weight lifting are also favorites although she hates Yoga, and firmly believes no exercise video stretches for long enough at the end. Some of her favorite things to cook are: roasts, and soups, as well as all Mexican food.

Peter is a tenacious 3 year old that doesn't forget anything EVER. He has an impressive attention span, greets everyone he meets with "Hi I'm Peter whats your name?" and usually plays the same game/toy all day. He loves fresh fruit and Veggies especially strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, and celery. He also loves cheesenummies (cheeseburgers,) but only if he can dip them in frenchfry sauce. He is obsessed with all things firefighter, and even had a birthday cake shaped like a firetruck! He spends most of his days driving around the living room in our cozy coupe putting out fires, when he tires of that he will push is actual firetruck around putting out fires, and if he gets really desperate he will run around pretending he is a firetruck (noises and all) putting out fires. Peter loves to carry on real conversations. He expects you to pay attention, listen and respond. If he feels you are lacking in any of these ares he will sternly say, "Excuse me, are you listening to me?"

Eli is an independent 2 year old who prefers to do things on his own, and by himself. Eli loves to swing and slide, he is also rather fond of meal time, pushing cars around the floor, giving hugs, his binky, and of coarse his blanket. He has recently discovered the joy of playing trains, and his play has stepped into the world of imagination.

James is just this side of 6 months. So far he has spent a lot of time telling us what he doesn't like. Most of which he demands you to fix immediately. He loves carrots and baby oatmeal cereal. At mealtime it is impossible to feed him enough. He prefers to fall asleep in his jumper and has recently discovered a deep love for silky blankets, and pacifiers. He cocks his left eyebrow up almost constantly, and when he cries it vaugely reminds me of the dead engine in my '87 jetta. He loves eye contact, and being tickled. He is a Joy to our family and an amazing blessing.