A Life Less Stagnant. A Life Never Ordinary.

I just finished reading listening to a book called Still Alice by Lisa Genova. I haven't seen the trailer, but I know it will be a movie coming soon to a theater near you. The story isn't the most thrilling or adventurous plot, but it's such an interesting lesson on something that seems to be affecting more and more people -- Alzheimer's.  Still Alice is about a woman who gets diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's and she begins telling her story when she still has the sound mind to do so and as a reader you watch as her sound mind begins to deteriorate faster and faster. Alzheimer's, or dementia, it doesn't matter what you call it -- is so sad. As a society we all crave control and we thrive on our best memories.   There were so many moments in this story that I found myself thinking about how life would be for someone that was literally feeling as though they were losing their mind and practically witnessing it as it happens. My favorite part of the whole book was a speech that Alice gives at an Alzheimer's Convention. She talks about how she doesn't live for tomorrow's because she doesn't know what she'll remember then; instead she lives for her today's, for her right nows.  She lives in the moment. Hearing that phrase from someone that is literally unable to live in anything but the present puts a whole new spin on it, doesn't it?

So - on that note. Here's to a life less stale. A world of living in the moment. A high-five to right now and to whatever it is or isn't.

In A Benton World, our now is learning how to be brothers, soaring with sunbeams and figuring out how to clap. Life is Big right now. Blowyourmindbig.

After writing this post I started thinking about the title that was chosen for Still Alice.

Is she Still Alice? Or is she a Still Alice?

Is it still life.  Or is it a still life?

Simple. Still. Life.

Yes, Please!

I recently started listening to audiobooks while I run. A friend of mine recommended it and I thought she was crazy, but truth be told - I love it.  Reading has always been a pleasure of mine, escaping into someone else's story and being able to still keep up with the many books that I want to read has been really great. 

I wasn't sure what to think of this book, but I read Tina Fey's Bossy Pants so I figured I should read this one as well. First of all, these two comedians are really funny, but I have to say that Yes, Please was really refreshing and hit some pieces of humanity that I wasn't expecting.

I wasn't a die-hard Saturday Night Live fan, mostly because if I was (am) awake during that time I wasn't watching Saturday Night Live and it's not like we had You Tube or DVR to catch the highlights later. Regardless, Amy Poehler: You are funny and you can be a little rough around the edges sometimes, but I totally appreciate how raw you got in this memoir. It wasn't just about life as a comedian, and although there were some big names mentioned with some predictable discussion about your career - there was some real meat, some really key insights.

It was like reading a long blog, just my speed.

I loved so many of the one-liners on life. Unfortunately, the hard part about not having a book in your hands was there was no way to highlight or fold over the corner to go back and remember those snapshots and phrases that might just pick you up on a day that you need a pick-me-up.

Let's just highlight that within the first two chapters I was reminding myself to send this book to every girl, young lady and woman I know.

Powerful. Strong. Funny. Kind.

All of the things I want to be when I grow up. 

If you're looking for a light read (or listen) with a great message, raise your hand and say Yes, Please!

New Year, New Year -- What do you see?

(We've been reading a lot of Brown Bear, Brown Bear in our house, as you can see.  I love, love, love that instead of saying teacher he says his teacher's name.)

So - Happy New Year!  How's it going? Half way through the first week and I'm pretty sure everyone is working on goals and ch-ch-ch-changes!  I've decided to come up with some goals of my own for the big 2-0-1-5! First - we discuss our goals, then we'll discuss celebrations (because they come in all shapes and sizes).

Goals of 2015 in no particular order:

#1 Take this family camping
#2 Simplify. Clean out all the extra stuff.
#3 Health-ify, but don't forget to celebrate as needed. (this means working out 3x a week.)
#4 Run. As in sign up for some runs, but when it warms up, it's far too cold right now.
#5 Work on that front yard.
#6 Potty train Cameron - I told him yesterday that he can't turn 3 unless he's potty trained.
#7 Write more, create more
#8 Take a class with Tim: cooking maybe?
#9 More adventures and day trips, there are a lot of places I've never been in and around the ATX.
#10 LAKE -- we definitely didn't hit the necessary quota last year.
#11 Update the pictures in our hallway
#12 Getaways: Tim and I could both use respective weekends away, one for him and one for me separately. I'm not sure if mine will be the bachelorette party that I have on my radar or something else, but if I set the goal maybe this is the year I do it!
#13 Work on our will, we don't have much - but things should be discussed and put on paper.
#14 Get to church more frequently
#15 Be Raw, Be Happy. Find and make time for sunshine.

And since there is no need for an official goal -- CELEBRATE EVERYTHING!

Even if I'm making such a weird face as I wait for the camera to flash while I kiss my smokin' husband:

** Happy New Year to You! **

Dear Nugget

Nine Months! Wow!

Well we've reached two conclusions:

1.  that little period when you weren't really gaining weight - LONG GONE!

2.  You look so much like Cameron right now it's crazy. Although, he's still got you on the cheeks!

You like eating cheerios.

and modeling hats.

PS - Payton, you make a good lookin' pilot!

You put just about everything in your mouth - leaves and gravel included.

You love being outside.

And getting cleaned up afterwards.

You're babbling and starting to really get into your brothers toys. He's not always the best at sharing, but he's learning. You had 4 teeth come in this month - FOUR, all up on top. Truth be told, there may or may not be another one coming in right now.  You've taken the pain like a trooper. I've seen a few people post pictures of their kids turning one with a big poster or sign that shows a bunch of highlights of them at one. A few of these that I have seen show how many teeth the 1 year old has and let me just say, none of them have had as many as you do right now and you're NINE MONTHS! I'm having visions of my one year old having an entire grill! 

We are so blessed with your laughter, your playfulness and your love.  It's been such a fun ride. Here's to everything that's right around the corner!

We love you to the moon and back little man,