Random Thoughts from Motherhood

Last week I went for my six week postpartum checkup. Dr. Hunt said everything looked good and that I am free to do whatever I feel up to doing! So now I have/need to start back on an exercise routine. Since David now has a mostly desk job and does not work in attics or walk to school anymore, he is ready for one too. With a baby though, you cannot really go to the gym (we like to exercise together b/c it is too boring alone). So here are some goals (writing them down helps keep me motivated and accountable):
1) Exercise at least three nights a week with David (tennis, jogging, walking, hiking, frisbee, Tabeo, etc)

2) Wear my pedometer every day and aim for at least 6000 steps a day (I know 10,000 is the current recommendation, but that is nearly impossible when I stay at home all day. So I must start small.)

3) Go for a walk with Brieleigh and/or friends at least three days a week.

4) Do some sort of weight-bearing activity once a week (hand weights, weight bench, etc)

5) Do 100 sit ups and 50 push ups daily.
I know that is all very basic, but without goals I like to weasel my way out of it. Anyone have any suggestions or care to join us??

I was thinking on my walk today about being a parent. The love that a parent has for his/her child is indescribeable. I never knew how deep this kind of love really was until I became a mother 7 weeks ago today. Brieleigh has not even done much, but I love her more than words can describe and would do anything for her. There is no one I would rather be with than her and David. From a child's perspective, I never really completely understood why parents would get so sad when their kids went off to college or got married. Yes, I always missed my family (and still do), but it was time to grow up. I always thought that parents would be ready for their kids to move out. Well, I can't completely understand at this point, but I am already dreading the day when Brieleigh grows up and leaves us. I love spending time with her. I become sad when I have to run an errand with out her. I often pick her up while she is sleeping or go stare at her because I miss holding/seeing her. I get slightly jealous when people take her and hold her for extended periods of time (yes, I am selfish with my little girl..I admit it). Anyway, now that I have experienced this deep love for my daughter, it makes me so much more thankful for and more able to comprehand the love that my parents have had for me since the day I was born. Thank you, Mom, for how deeply you love your children! I wish I could tell my dad the same thing (and let him meet his granddaughter), but Lordwilling one day I will can. If there is one thing that sticks out to me about my dad from growing up, it was his love for the Lord and how his family was his everything.
This also reminds me of the gospel. I remember hearing it from one of Ricky Joneses (our old RUF minister) sermons. We don't do anything to deserve God's love. We are like helpless babes in the nursery- He does not love us because we loved Him, because we are the cutest baby in the nursery, or anything else. He loves us because we are His children. Period. That love is the most amazing love there is!