Observe, Don't Absorb

We are so lucky to have had Dr. Linda Miles come talk to us last week! Great timing for me since my anniversary was the following day. But also just when thinking with relationships in general. It felt great to be reminded that I am in control of me! I loved when Linda said, "Forgiveness is letting go of the idea you can change the past." Forgiveness is such a big part of moving on and getting over it, but man is that hard to do! She talked a lot of the biology of your body and what is happening when you get upset. Cortisone and adrenaline spike when you're angry. Dumping these chemicals a bunch over time is not good for you. Think about how you feel when you snuggle with your baby.

Rockstar mom, Erica here with newborn Evan!

It's that oxytocin and dopamine. Let's get more of that feeling! Take a break and get out of there. Fight with your head. "Wait 'til the iron is NOT hot." Try to learn the root. Why do you fight like that? I've been talking about Buck and Nadine all week! Ya'll have not seen my Nadine! But we can get nasty when we fight. If a fight lasts more than 2 minutes, it's about something else. Don't console; walk away when someone else is acting crazy. Later, say "we have this pattern". Tell me about what happens to you? How can we fight better? My husband and I talked about taking a time out. I'm not sure who's going to be the one to suggest this, though. I'll keep you posted!

Bunny's mentor moment has us all ears!

Dr. Linda Miles- Change Your Story, Change Your Brain

Hand outs from the meeting

Hand outs from the meeting

How can you accept a new reality? Flexible families are the happy ones. Even in awful situations, no one can take your mind away. You don't have to react. We need to practice being re-centered. How can you tune out and get in a good place? Marriage is a dance. Teach your children compassion. "How do you think that person felt?" You can be tough but still have compassion. You are the main role model. A lot of personality is genetic, but you don't have to take in the toxicity. Look from a detached point of view. I don't need to drop all these chemicals in my body. 

Observe; don't Absorb. Wow! That's good stuff!

Own your reactions. Add that power (instead of judging) to a higher power. Strong isn't mean. Train your children to do this, too. Keep them curious, get them to think. Dr. Miles passed along this link to help your kids with this, too. 

Check out her new book, Change Your Story, Change Your Brain.

To help us get in this happy, relaxed place, we have lots of activities! This month we did a take away meal girls night. Moms left with 5 meals ready to freeze for later. We had an Easter egg hunt for the kids at the park. (I'm loving turning all the play dates into work out play dates, too!) On Good Friday we did the Stations of the Cross for kids out at Marywood. We got this, ladies!

A nature trail to the next station. Each egg had a symbol for that station of the cross. Perfect for our kids to understand the true meaning of Easter!

Searching for eggs!