For several months now I have been wondering when our life would get back to normal. We have had many “interruptions” in our daily schedule, and it has been easy to excuse myself by saying, “well, when things are back to normal everything will be better.” Well, “back to normal” hasn’t happened now since this beginning of the year.

It has finally occurred to me that this life I am living, with all its interruptions, is now “normal.” Now I am beginning to change the way I think and accept my new “normal.”

It is amazing how changing  your mindset can make such a difference. Now that I have accepted it as a revised normal, I really like my new normal life. It is exciting to know that I have so many things to take care of. I feel that God has blessed me richly!

I just began a program in Rhode Island called Shape Up RI. One requirement of this program is to wear a pedometer daily for 12 weeks. Included is a chart telling you how active you are based on your steps. Here is the chart from shapeupri.org:

Under 5,000 = Sedentary
5,000-7,499 = Low Active
7,500-9,999 = Somewhat Active
10,000-12,500 = Active
Over 12,500 = Highly Active

I have to admit that when I started counting my steps on Monday, I was really afraid that I would be sedentary. I know, it is crazy. I have five kids 9 and under!! Of course, I am not sedentary. But I was still afraid. I set my goal at just 3,000 steps per day because I just knew I was sedentary.

The whole first day, I was constantly checking my pedometer, curious how many I would get that day and trying to guess what the total of the day would be.

Well, I went beyond 3,000, onto 5,000. Yes! Lightly active!!! Then I surprised myself even more and got up to 7,700 that first day!!! Yay!!!! Not sedentary! Nowhere near it.

Because I found myself walking more during the day, even dancing (which counts by the way…I checked) around with the kids, I thought maybe I had cheated that first day, so I took it a little easier on Tuesday. I only got up to 7,500, but hey!!! Not sedentary still!!

Yesterday the weather got up around 60. Since we are supposed to exercise regularly with Shape Up RI, we decided to take a family walk. I hit 12,000 steps that day. We walked again today, and I am between 11,000 and 12,000 so far!

I am SO excited! Not only am I not sedentary, but I am actually somewhere between “somewhat active” and “active!!” Yes, this surprises me even though I am the mom of 5! And I am excited. Maybe I will become “highly active” before the 12 weeks are over. Maybe….. :-/

I wonder if this is a good time to point out that I am not sure I trust the pedometer by itself in deciding how active a person is. Nah! 😀

• learned a very important lesson tonight. Never try to play wrestle 4 children at once! #
• @Cullens_Girl I think both of your kids have entered a loud age at once. 1YOs and 4YOs both tend to be a bit LOUD! #
• 8YO got up and started school immediately (her choice) and was done by 10:30! Woo-Hoo!!! #
• @stretchmarkmama Mine began @ 6, & 2 yrs later 8YO types 20 wpm. Here’s where she started (scroll down?): http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/t … #
• @stretchmarkmama Oops. Link didn’t tinyurl. May have to scroll down, too. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ #
• Oh wow!! I’ve been using this site for years for typing. They do more than typing!!! http://tinyurl.com/jyxgl #
• @stretchmarkmama I didn’t learn to type until my sophomore year in HS, but I am assuming kids are learning earlier these days! 😀 #
• @stretchmarkmama When they get bored with the BBC site, there is a more advanced program called masterkey (works on a mac). #
• More on parental rights and CRC: http://tinyurl.com/d3tmcl #
• someone please tell me this is an age related phase. My 6.5YO seems to do everything he possibly can to bother people! Suggestions? #
• @bradshorr Happy Birthday!! #
• Is it possible to get the things you don’t have? Kind of like asking if tomorrow ever comes. #
• @Cullens_Girl How was Dora Live? #

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• @stretchmarkmama LOL!! #
• Said by 2YO: Mom, I can’t get my boogers off! I want you to help me get my boogers off! #
• It feels awesome to help someone! #
• @Cullens_Girl LOL! I didn’t even notice I put those 2 tweets side by side! #
• Crossed Conversations are so much fun sometimes! #
• I just organized my 1st group on facebook. Come join the group! http://tinyurl.com/ceb8kn #
• @Lorrie58 Cool! Now I have to figure ou thow to approve those who have requested. My husband tried to join & I can’t figure it out. 🙂 #
• @Lorrie58 I think I got it. You and my hubby are approved! #
• Got a free ibook yesterday… Actually it is spelled “Eye Book,” and it is written by Dr. Seuss. 😀 #
• 2YO, “Mom, say ‘bite it.'” Me, “Bite it!” Then I notice she is holding a lollipop. Me, “No, don’t bite it.” What a sneak! 🙂 #
• My 2YO just dumped 5 or 6 cups of water out of the tub onto the floor. Fortunately, I had just cleared the floors for mopping. #
• When your 2YO throws water at you, mop the floor with it! #
• Retweeting @lucatony “Light travels faster than sound This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.” #
• @Cullens_Girl Good luck! I am sure you will enjoy a walk down memory lane! 🙂 #
• Any one else wonder why Cinderella’s glass slipper didn’t change back like the pumpkin and dress? #
• @Lorrie58 I’m glad you are okay. #
• @Lorrie58 Maybe it is b/c the prince touched one of them. It would give the magic away if it suddenly changed in his hand. I dunno. #
• @stretchmarkmama LOL! Your speech therapist must have a wonderful sense of humor! 🙂 #
• Our new large (handicap) van is tall enough for someone to jump from our 2nd story window & land safely on it. (No, I haven’t tried it). #
• @Cullens_Girl Yep! I thought of that! I’ll have to let one of the kids test it out. Kidding! Just kidding! #
• Oh no! My 2YO is acting like a teenager!! She’s in the “argue no matter what you say” phase. #
• I just used a sponge mop to shovel the driveway. I don’t recommend it. 😐 #
• I think the ER is going to know us by name. Taking Candice in for wheezing. 🙁 #
• I think the ER is going to know us by name. Taking my 12 mo old in for wheezing. 🙁 #
• The verdict of 12 month old’s ER visit: RSV. Nothing serious but may need nebulizer a few times. #
• @simpsonsparadox Amen!!!! #
• I am thrilled with the playpen someone gave me to replace the one I “gave” away. It is the nicest one I’ve ever had!! #
• I had to share an error in the instructions on the bottom of my playpen. Instructions say, “You should here a click….” Oops! #
• The Rights of the Child should not be passed and could be dangerous to our children if it is. http://tinyurl.com/7muzv4 #
• While trying to playfully hit hubby, my hand hit the couch & bounced & I ended up hitting myself. That’s me! Grace is my middle name. 🙂 #

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• @Lorrie58 Definitely awesome!!! He is AWESOME!! in reply to Lorrie58 #
• It’s midnight, & the moonlight shining on the snow makes it look like early evening or morning. It is beautiful! #
• My 12 mo old has a crayon and coloring book and is “coloring.” #
• My 12 mo old just washed her own mouth out with soap. Not really, but she was sure about to take a taste! #
• @rocksinmydryer This is the best I could find. Hope it works for you. http://tinyurl.com/72af8e in reply to rocksinmydryer #
• @rocksinmydryer This one is way better & complete. May have to pause it until it downloads a bit. http://tinyurl.com/y4acg5 in reply to rocksinmydryer #
• I already blogged today! Cool! I was about to do it again. I think I’ll go to bed instead….and before 11 pm!!!! WOW!! #
• Here I go again…..looking for something that seems impossible to find. Can’t wait until I have the whole house organized! #
• @Cullens_Girl I know what you mean. It seems like as soon as I get pants that are long enough, he is growing out of them within a month! in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• @Cullens_Girl Talking about Peter….forgot to specify. 🙂 in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• @sherrykyle Which study? in reply to sherrykyle #
• @Cullens_Girl Sounds like Jessi. 🙂 in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• @Cullens_Girl Am I good or what?! 😀 in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• @Cullens_Girl She LOVES cleaning! And I can tell you that she loved helping you out! She lives to help others. in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• Changing my way of thinking a bit…..it is quite difficult, but not impossible. #
• My 12 mo old now only crawls to get to a place to pull up. And she is so obedient right now. I know….wait til she turns 2!! 🙂 #
• Had trouble with facebook yesterday and gmail today. Maybe is is my connection? Not sure. #
• @jbhoward …more for giving. in reply to jbhoward #
• @Cullens_Girl Peter has summer Spiderman PJs that he has worn for 3 years. I think he might cry the day he has to hand them down to Phillip. in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• Isn’t the library the coolest thing?! #
• I think I am being attacked after deciding to make some changes in my life to better serve the Lord. Please pray for me. #
• @strawn123 Pandora is our favorite place to listen to music! in reply to strawn123 #
• @Cullens_Girl Oh wow!!! What are you going to do with yourself?! #
• Looking forward to family night tonight! #
• Washing dishes while listening to Natalie Grant on pandora. #
• @Cullens_Girl You go girl! Attack that laundry with a vengeance!! I’m attacking dirty dishes right now! 🙂 #
• @Cullens_Girl Cool! Always good to teach them early! I actually usually have the boys dry, but today they are getting a break! 🙂 #
• @Cullens_Girl I’m impressed! You started laundry just a few minutes ago, and now you have 4 loads done! 😀 #
• @Cullens_Girl Sounds yummy! #
• My 2YO actually cares what she wears. It is kind of cute, but it can get a bit interesting sometimes. 🙂 #
• Hubby is headed home! Family nite starts in about 2 hours! We are having pizza, something we’ve only had once in the last 3 or 4 months!!! #
• Since switching over to olive oil for most of our cooking, I don’t tolerate other oils well. If the pizza makes me sick, I will cry! 🙁 #
• @Lorrie58 Cool! Thanks! I wouldn’t never thought of coconut oil!! #
• What is it about a Mr(s). Potato Head with a face that lures children to take it apart? #
• It doens’t seem nearly as exciting to put a Mr(s). Potato head back together. 🙂 #
• @stretchmarkmama Cool! Thanks! I am always looking for ways to make math more fun & exciting!! #
• @Cullens_Girl Oh wow! I hope it isn’t too bad. 🙁 #
• @Cullens_Girl OK. sorry about your first new vehicle! #
• I am so glad snow is not in the forecast tongiht! Looks like we will have church tomorrow! Thank you, God! 🙂 #
• Wat Hotter Leader, Hot water heater…..What’s the difference?! #
• @lgedeon If the hotter is already wat, why do you need a leader? #
• @crossmark Just hope it isn’t done because the Rights of the Child Convention gets passed! http://tinyurl.com/5xax4w #
• @crossmark Previous tweet referring to the mandatory Sunday naps. #

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• Just enjoyed a nice chat with a friend online….. #
• 5YO: “Hey Mom! I’m about to win chess!” Me: “Who are you playing against?” 5YO: “Myself.”” #
• @Cullens_Girl Tis very true! in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• @karenswim Cool! I scored very happy too! Who’da thunk? 😀 in reply to karenswim #
• @roberthruzek COOOOOL!! You went over 100! It’s a great think you’re doing! I can see why you passed your goal!! in reply to roberthruzek #
• @roberthruzek Yeah! Uh-huh! A good think! It probably was, but what I meant to say was, “It’s a good THING you are doing!” 😀 in reply to roberthruzek #
• BLOGAPALOOZA is COOL!!!! http://middlezonemusings.com/ #
• @karenswim Tis very true. I like my twitter name! in reply to karenswim #
• Almost positive my 2YO has an ear infection. Should I take her to the doctor or treat it with tea tree oil? #
• @Lorrie58 Thanks! She is my absolute favorite 2 year old! 🙂 in reply to Lorrie58 #
• @simpsonsparadox Wow! That should be the cure for just about anything! 😀 in reply to simpsonsparadox #
• @Cullens_Girl already tried tea tree, but it can take a few days to do its work. Tried to call Dr, but they are booked…. in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• @Cullens_Girl It appears that I have no choice since dr is booked. I usually mix 1 part tea tree to 2 parts olive oil. Thanks for the site!! in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• @Cullens_Girl Moms do sacrifice a lot for their children, don’t they? But the children sure are worth it! in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• The tea tree/Olive oil mix for my 2YO’s ears, along with her body fighting infection, is working!! No antibiotics!! Cool! #
• Somehow I have managed to hit my head on the ceiling twice this week! Me!! 5 foot tall! Huh? #
• I think I’m gonna be sick! The MMR vaccine has tissue from aborted babies in it?! http://www.lifenews.com/nat4689.html #
• I’m new to this! How in the world do you clean a gas oven? 🙂 #
• After 2 responses, I think I now know how to clean my gas oven. If you don’t hear from me again, you’ll know I was wrong! 😀 #
• Just said to 5YO, “Wanna watch me win computer chess?” Got beat 3 times instead, while he pointed out every error I made. Pride anyone? 🙂 #
• Teriyaki stir fry! Yummmmm! #
• Eating the last of my Christmas peanut brittle. Yum! #
• Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! My first room is completely organized and labeled!!! This is big, even if it IS only the bathroom!! #
• @stretchmarkmama LOL!! That is hilarious! You crack me up!!! And I think you enjoy cracking people up!! in reply to stretchmarkmama #
• Just listened to my hubby trying to tell his dad on the phone why his dad couldn’t hear him on the phone. 🙂 #
• 5 kids bathed!!!! For some reason it about wore me out this time! Call it exercise? #
• Kids in bed….studying my Sunday school lesson for tomorrow. 🙂 #
• @Cullens_Girl Me too! 🙁 in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• Had church at home this am b/c of the snow. Interstate didn’t get plowed….maybe b/c it is Sunday? #
• @Cullens_Girl We are studying about Elijah. The older kids’ lesson is the same as the adults, so we had 2 SS teachers at home this am. 🙂 in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• @Cullens_Girl Talking about the Ladies study? This time we are just eating together and playing games. No study. It will be fun! 😀 in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• @Cullens_Girl Wondered if that is what you meant. 🙂 He is teaching from I Kings 17-19 about Elijah. in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• Me to 2YO, “Come here, my little princess.” 2YO: “I’m not a little princess; I’m a big princess!” At least she came when I asked, right? 🙂 #
• @Cullens_Girl Cool! I think there are also workbooks @ church, so you’ll have to grab one Wednesday. in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• I’m trying to feel that warm feeling that happens when you give something away to someone else who can really use it. #
• accidentally gave away our playpen. Set it by the neighbors’ door to shovel snow & forgot about it. They left a thank you note. #
• @Lorrie58 It really kind of is…now that it is over. in reply to Lorrie58 #
• @NatalieGrant It looks like they still do….unfortunately. 🙂 in reply to NatalieGrant #
• @Lorrie58 Could be. It WAS free in the first place! in reply to Lorrie58 #
• Mom, can I have more salad without the lettuce? #
• Wow! I am amazed at God! He just provided me with a playpen through a wonderful friend! #
• @Cullens_Girl Huh! We’re both amazed! LOL! in reply to Cullens_Girl #

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• I don’t have time to read an article on time management!! #
• Let’s see…my 5YO was vomiting yesterday, & today my 2YO & 6YO are vomiting and my 8YO feels sick…. #
• In some ways it is easier for all the kids to be sick at once instead of staggering over the course of a week. #
• @stretchmarkmama LOL!!! in reply to stretchmarkmama #
• Now 8YO is vomiting, but 2YO is playing almost as usual. #
• First time in a long time that my 5YO voluntarily played with a doll….it burps. #
• Want to keep your toddler busy? Stick a piece of tape to one of his/her fingers. 🙂 #
• Sneezed pretty loudly and scared the pacifier right out of my 1YO’s mouth!! #
• Hubby is getting sick as we speak, and I am not feeling so great as I hold my vomiting 1YO over the trash can. #
• Poor 2YO! I can’t make her understand why she can’t eat when she has been throwing up. 🙁 #
• My 2YO is finally eating crackers and drinking Gatorade. #
• Guess I gave in to my 2YO too soon….vomiting again. 🙁 #
• @Cullens_Girl The baby’s seemed to only last 3 or 4 hours, so you may not have to worry much. Maybe the breastmilk helped her? in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• Whole house now smells like Pine Sol. Germs, go away! #
• @Cullens_Girl Good. You still might want to introduce food and drink very slowly. I thought B was over it until I gave her food. in reply to Cullens_Girl #
• Just commented on a post! Wanna see? http://tinyurl.com/94js9b #
• I commented again – this time on the gov’t & the church. http://tinyurl.com/8jeynf #
• @lgedeon Um….what’s a head muscle? 😀 in reply to lgedeon #
• Just began an argument w/ hubby just for the sake of arguing (with no proof), & he provided the proof for me!! #
• No church tonight…too many people have the stomach virus…. #
• My 2YO is pretending to throw up (pronounced “grow up” by her). #
• Now my 2YO is asking me to take a picture of her pretending to throw up…..I don’t think so! #
• Round 2 of stomach virus for the 2YO…. 🙁 #
• Just gave my 1YO (today) daughter milk for the 1st time. Brother is allergic. Waiting to see if she is too…… #
• I do believe my daughter shares a birthday with Max Lucado! Pretty cool! #
• My hubby is temporarily tired of being on the computer! Write it on the calendar!! #
• @simpsonsparadox He actually just got over it and also just finished a wordpress plugin. There was a gap in “must do nows.” 🙂 in reply to simpsonsparadox #
• @MaxLucado If today is your birthday, you share it with my daughter who turned 1 today. Happy Birthday!! in reply to MaxLucado #
• Something must be wrong with me. I just ate cake that had too much frosting! I didn’t think that was possible!!!!! #
• Hey!! I have a record amount of views on my blog this year!!! Cool!!! 😀 #
• Oh no! Regression! Just tried to close a window by clicking on the upper right corner instead of the left. How long have I been using a mac? #
• My 3 oldest are mesmerized by a demo chess game on the computer! They are watching it like TV!! #
• @lgedeon I don’t smell THAT bad, do I? in reply to lgedeon #
• My 2YO just climbed a taller than average gate. I have trouble getting over it!! #
• Commented on customer service. http://tinyurl.com/87up9y #
• Playing chess with my hubby. He has 7 pieces on the board. I have….um….one. Think there’s a chance of a stale mate? 😐 #
• Hubby beat me at chess as expected. I expected it from the beginning but since he made a big mistake at 1st, I had a bit of hope. Oh well! #
• @crossmark LOL!! I bet @stretchmarkmama is thrilled!! Not about the woman part, but the helping out, unless of course, it was her chocolate. in reply to crossmark #
• Isn’t it interesting when you have been taught a concept for years and only completely “get it” when you are teaching it to someone else? #
• Want to promote your blog and have fun reminiscing at the same time? http://tinyurl.com/725xx2 #
• @lgedeon I knew that, but I didn’t get it completely until I did it. 😀 in reply to lgedeon #
• Finally ready for more of that super sweet birthday cake!! #
• Just wrote on my chin with a permanent marker. That’s why my name means grace!! :- #
• Decided to do some major cleaning/organnizing today. What did I accomplish? Underneath one bed. Hmmmmm. This could take a while!! #
• @lgedeon What?! You shaved?! Now I wrote on myself for nothing! Why don’t you write on your chin, too, so we’ll still match? in reply to lgedeon #
• @Cullens_Girl Oh no!!! Is he still sick? Or maybe sick again?! in reply to Cullens_Girl #

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• 2YO is in bed now (just 2 hours later…not bad), and hubby and I are about to follow…. #
• G’nite….zzzzzzzzzzzzz #
• My 2YO has learned the sing song “ha ha ha ha ha!” #
• Doing the after-holiday clean up…. #
• My 5YO & 6YO boys have agreed to help me with dishes, so they can go outside on this 50 degree day! #
• Oh wow. It is supposed to be -7 degrees tomorrow evening! Brrrrrrr!!!!! #
• I think I’m iron on the outside and glass on the inside…. #

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