Do you ever feel like making strides in one area leads to an inevitable collapse in another? Over the past two days I’ve done 5 loads of laundry to get ready for an upcoming trip (and to hopefully find my son at least ONE pair of matching socks), I spent time volunteering for a local children’s activity, shuttled my kids to various activities and even got myself to the gym for my Tuesday workout. But now my living room has settled back into it’s natural state of laundry-strewn, toddler toy filled chaos. Yikes. I guess with only two arms there are only so many balls I can keep up in the air at once. But man, if you super-women with the magazine beautiful homes could please come teach me your secrets (or slip me some of your magic potion) I would greatly appreciate it! On the plus side, two weeks into my workout routine and one week into my local “Biggest Loser” competition, I’m down 4 pounds and “running” faster than I ever have before. I put that in quotes, though, because I know full well a caffeinated turtle could probably still pass me. But he, progress is progress!

Today is the first day of my 40th year. Scary? Maybe it should be. But it’s hard to fathom since I still think of myself as a 25 year old, maybe just one with several years of experience under my belt. I definitely don’t feel like the “grown up” other 40 year olds seem to be. This year is to be a year for me. There are no more babies to come, no “waiting to see” what’s coming next with work or my husbands job. I’m challenging myself to make this a year to focus on my goals and dreams. Two big ones are my schooling and to get my physical self into the best shape I’ve ever been in. All while chasing after 3 kids, make my way in a somewhat new town, and somehow maintaining that put-together home and life that it seems like someone of 40 years old should be able to. Daunting? Yes. Scary? A little. Exciting? Definitely. The time to start is now. Well, after maybe after I finish off this birthday cake…