Ten Plus Seven.

We have been through a roller coaster of emotions over the last few weeks, and I think when you're internally trying to sort out your own thoughts...sometimes it's hard to express them externally.

I will begin with this:  at seventeen weeks, we are so happy to have a healthy baby whose growth is on track.  It was an amazing feeling to see "BayMay" at our first ultrasound, we will go for a follow-up ultrasound in a couple more weeks and find out the sex, hooray!  However, right before my second trimester, we were faced with some mild complications that has put me on-and-off bed rest.  My pregnancy is a little different than I would say most "normal" ones, but I feel fortunate not to be facing some major problems or issues.  It's just been a matter of getting off my feet, resting much more, and slowing down my pace.  That has been easier said than done and undoubtedly life-changing.

The basic tasks like going grocery shopping, picking up the house, or running errands have been wiped off my plate over the last several weeks.  All of my energy has gone towards work and "sitting on my egg."  Although simplification is good, I haven't been able to keep the house going like usual, so Dustin has had to pick up much more in addition to his full-time job.  He has been an amazing teammate, I am so fortunate to have him as my husband.  Our closest friends and family have been lifesavers when it comes to helping us along...oh, did I mention we're in the process of moving?

After finding a house in Belle Isle, we thought that moving in my second trimester would be fine:  you supposedly feel the best, I anticipated having extra time, and we could get settled before the baby arrived.  WRONG.  After the last few weeks of complications, nothing has gone as planned...and I chuckle a bit thinking about the irony.  But as I mentioned, we have had friends and family gradually help us pack and move things over to the new house and what lucky stars we have!  When the going gets tough--THEY have all been the tough that gets going.  Even drop-byes while I've been on bed rest has made the biggest different over the past several weeks.  God I'm blessed.

Teaching yoga has been an amazing job, especially during this time.  Between my seven weekly classes and additional private clients, I have found a sense of purpose, adventure, and satisfaction in my work.  I come home in a blissful state and look forward to reading, practicing and absorbing more as I continue to build my teaching and training.  My yoga mentors and teachers, Holly Bray and Shawna Sershon, have been so wonderful in helping me propel forward--I am very thankful for both of them.  I will say, BayMay is going through quite a growth spurt over this past week, and I feel like I'm beginning to "pop" out.  I've starting telling my classes that we're expecting so they won't think their yoga instructor is just piling on the pounds due to extra donuts...although, those probably don't help either. (-;

So in a nutshell, the Maynord's lives are changing--all THREE of us!  Dustin and I talked over dinner about the difference of just taking on the tasks vs. taking on the challenge of growing as a person.  You can always choose the option of moving through your day in a trance-like state, bearing and grinning with what you have to do--going mindlessly through the motions.  Or, you can take on the complex process of really growing as a human being--going through the growing pains, but also learning and truly transforming.  I have taken on this challenge, and my goal is to bring this baby into a calmer, wiser, and more grounded environment than perhaps I would have provided years ago.  Addressing the emotional in addition to the physical may not be the easier route, but in the grande scheme of life...I'd have to say it's worth it.

In the last few weeks these are the things that have been reiterated to me:  life isn't about stuff, it's about people.  We can't always control what our bodies might do, the things around us, or what happens to us--relinquish that control.  Take some time to breathe, create space, let go, and accept where you are in life.  Our society moves at a rapid, destructive pace and when we really stop and look around...why is it SO important that we move SO fast?  It my be hard to sit with ourselves in stillness and quiet, but if we are able to, we can truly reduce stress, anxiety, worry and negativity.  Get out of your mind and into your body.  Stop thinking so much and allow yourself to feel.   Connect with yourself and you open the door to connecting with vast goodness in the world.

May peace find you tonight.

Like a breeze through your window,

sit by your light.

Let it warm by your fire and laugh with delight.

Like a heavenly choir, 

may peace find you tonight.

-Reckless Kelly