Choose Your Hard

I've recently started a new life chapter. And let me tell you...some days it. is. hard. Things that are hard for me lately:

• Three kids! We are really loving on Beckett and his sweetness. He adds so much to our family, and we adore him. But...have you ever tried to get out the door with three kids and all their junk? Two kids in diapers for awhile more is special. I wipe so many butts. Eerrrrryday, people. So so so much poop. The shoes are always missing. The five-year-old is always having some kind of early-life crisis. The two-year-old always needs fruit snacks opened and his blanky to be found. The babe wants a boob. It's busy.

Gav Man, 2 years old

Beck, pictured at 2 months, 5 months currently

Hyram, age 5

The Brothers

So many boys in this little family of mine!

Photo Cred: Dash Photography

• Back to work! I returned to work again after taking off several semesters. I actually do enjoy working with my students and being on campus, but...work. Grading papers. Showering and putting on real clothes. You know how it is.
• Fitness and nutrition. I am pretty proud of this one, but it is still hard. I finally bit the bullet and found a coach with Beachbody. I ordered the Shakeology and the supplements and committed! I've been watching tons of my friends do it for over a year, and I finally decided it was time to stop spectating and start participating. It is hard to wake up early in the morning before school to get a workout in. It is hard to eat so much broccoli and spinach. It is hard to tame cravings and avoid eating emotionally or just because something smells good. 
• Business and money. David has pretty much taken this part of our lives on himself, which is a relief to me. But I know how much he stresses about it and contemplates what the next steps should be. It is amazing how the more money we make, the more places demand to take it from us. I have a not-so-secret hate for the IRS and all the dumb fees we are charged left and right for trying to run a business. 
• Autoimmune yuck. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Behcets Syndrome a few years back. While I have finally figured out how to manage it pretty well, it still flares up sometimes and knocks me off my feet. It's hard some days. 

Let me tell you though what I have learned about hard...

Having kids is hard. 

Not being able to have kids is hard. 

Working is hard. 

Unemployment is hard. 

Degree seeking is hard. 

Unfulfilling work is hard. 

Self-employment is hard. 

Losing weight is hard. 

Exercise is hard. 

Eating right is hard. 

Being overweight is hard. 

Being depressed is hard. 

Feeling like your clothes don't fit is hard. 

Feeling uncomfortable in your own body is hard. 

Getting strong is hard. 

Being poor is hard.

Becoming wealthy is hard. 

Being sick is hard. 

Working to be healthy is hard. 

Guys...it's. all. hard.

Choose your hard.