Welcome. I'm so glad you're here! This topic will feature tips, stories, and fun to help you on your path to wellness.  Look for posts on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

What is "wellness"? Wellness is defined by the The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary as the condition of good physical and mental health, especially when maintained by proper diet, exercise, and habits. Take a moment and consider your personal wellness. What do you do to take care of yourself? Are you healthy? Are you happy? Energetic? Productive?

Wellness effects our day to day interactions with others. If we're feeling good, then we typically interact more kindly to others who reciprocate.  This makes us happier and starts the happy flame.  Happiness is contagious! Who is your favorite person in the world? Consider your last interaction with that person. Good or bad, consider your personal state at that moment. Were you well rested? Healthy? Had you exercised lately? Had you had anything to eat in a while? Were you happy?

I absolutely adore my sons. I have 2 boys, ages 3 years and 9 months. They require A LOT of energy on my part. A LOT. I work early most days of the week and I am "second shift" parent. This means, our quality time may contain giggles or tears or both any given day. I've noticed, though, the days that I slept the night before, ate properly, and/or get in a workout before I pick them up are much more manageable (and even fun!) Here are two of my recent afternoons:

Day One:

The night before I stayed up 1 hour later than I should have and then, this night, this glorious night, my infant decides to cut a few teeth (or 6.) I feel for him. While I don't remember this myself, it sounds quite painful. My husband and I are up at least 4 times rocking, cuddling, administering Tylenol and what not. In addition, our 3 year old wakes up at midnight with a bad dream, 1:30 a.m. to go to the bathroom and get some water (Does he really need more water?!), and then again at 4:30 a.m. because "it's daytime, Mommy." I have to be up at 4:50 to get ready for work. My sleep this night: maybe I got a solid 3 hours somewhere. Maybe. (It happens. It's temporary. We will get past this.) Coffee, must have coffee. I head to work, wait a little too long to eat lunch but I get a decent amount done and then head to daycare to pick up my angels. ANGELS?! Who swapped out my angels for these two teary, cranky boys today? At this point I begin my bedtime count down. It's 3:00. We're all tired and hungry. The 3 year old "forgot how to listen" this afternoon and at least 4 times breaks down into tears because "he doesn't know." I hardly get through cooking dinner because my infant needs comfort due to those sabotaging teeth. I continue to count down the minutes and seconds until I can get them in bed which takes twice as long because "listening ears" have taken the night off. And despite the fact this all sounds ridiculous, I love these two, their very smiles and "I love you, Super Girl" from my 3 year old almost brings me to tears. YES! I made it to bedtime. (Yes, that does cross my mind at least twice a week.) Happy dance!

Day Two:

Second night: Well, sleep is not much better, but I made a conscious effort to pack my lunch and snacks the night before so I have no excuse not to eat during the day. I go for a run and even get in a shower before picking up my little rays of sunshine. I eat a snack in the car on the way to daycare. In effort to make this day better than the last and pre-fueled before daycare pickup, we stop at the playground on the way home. We share a smiles on the swings. When I say it's time to go, the three year old doesn't ponder this request, but marches to the car "like an ant, Mommy." My infant falls asleep in the car on the drive home. So far, so good. But good, just like bad, is temporary. On the way into our house, my toddler skins his knee. Today, I'm energized from the playground and my afternoon snack and "Super Girl" quickly saves the day with a band aide. The tears last for only a few seconds. The dinner, bath, and bedtime routine go down without a hitch so much so that we get to read 2 stories instead of one. Tonight, I wish bedtime could last forever. Happy dance!...but this time, it’s about a fun evening, not relief….

Wellness plays a part in your every day. Taking care of you makes life easier, happier, and much more fun. What have you done this week to take care of yourself?

Until next time - Amanda (A.K.A. Super Girl in the Pack House)