Menifee Mom: 'Mind Over Matter' Works in Different Ways

By Michelle Walsh

Mind over matter…

It’s easy enough to say, easy enough to believe, hard to put into practice.

The mind is a powerful thing; it can fool someone who is prepared into thinking they are not. I found this out the hard way on Oct. 7, 2012.

I had trained for six months to run the Long Beach International Half Marathon. I was ready, I was running 10- and 11-mile runs every weekend, plus shorter runs during the week with ease. Oct. 7, my mind won.

I had anxiety about the race. I kept telling myself, “This is just a weekend run,” but my mind won; it took over my body. I had the worst 13.1-mile run ever! I let my mind make the race a bad experience; I was not even able to celebrate the accomplishment I had achieved. I beat myself up for the race, and for letting my mind take the joy out of what I love.

I see this with my kids. It starts early. My oldest daughter, Kallan, has “beat the clock” sight word challenges in her weekly homework packets. Even though she knows all the words before her, she panics when I start the timer. She stumbles over the words, will stare at ones she knows, slumps her shoulders and refuses to go on. I feel for her. That darn mind, that little voice that doubts our ability. It only grows louder as we get older.

Everything is hard in the beginning. We know this as adults, but we still let our minds beat us up when we don’t succeed the first time. Yet we expect our children to understand when we tell them that you must try something several times before you get it right.

Remember learning how to ride a bike for the first time? That time you wanted to just throw your bike down, cry, and give up? That time you crashed and burned and thought, “I’m never going to get this!”

So how do you find that balance? How do we convince our minds that our bodies are prepared? With the proper training, time, commitment, and dedication, that we CAN do anything we want?

Our bodies are so much more capable than we believe. You must train the mind alongside the body. You must train the mind to stop doubting itself, and the vessel that carries it.

On Feb. 4, I ran the Huntington Beach Half Marathon. I trained, and I was ready mentally this time, but at mile 10, my knees said, “No way.” I finished the race with a diagnosis of “runner’s knee” and a prescription of physical therapy and 6-8 weeks of no running. Every runner’s nightmare is an injury that results in “no running.”

You get up, brush off your knees, and you try again!

On May 5, I will do just that: Brush off my knees and run again. I will run for my children who think I win every race and whom I always say, “YES YOU CAN!” I will run for my husband, who supports my love for this sport. I will run for my sister, who runs with me. I will run because my mind once told me I couldn’t. I will run to prove it wrong.

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: Springtime Means Cleaning Time

By Michelle Walsh

I absolutely love spring! The warm afternoons, chirping birds, longer daylight, and putting away winter clothes!

There is something about the change from winter to spring that makes me want to tear apart my house and purge Spring Cleaning!
Every year this time I get this wild bug and feel like I must get rid of STUFF!

It’s amazing how much one family can accumulate over time. I usually start with clothes as I pull out the Rubbermaid boxes full of shorts, dresses and short sleeved shirts. With three daughters, it’s nice to know that I can get a lot of use out of their clothes as they get handed down year after year. At this age, they are still excited to get to wear their older sister’s clothes; I know that one day that will change.

After we sort through last year’s clothes, I like to go through shoes, and then I can get into stuffed animals, toys, books and more. Don’t stop me now! By this point, the kids are usually on to me. They get nervous any time they see something in a pile that may seem out of the ordinary.

“Mom, why is my skirt over there?”

It’s funny how some things forgotten and overlooked can suddenly become a prized possession once it’s headed out the door. I recently listed my oldest daughter’s bike for sale. She never rides it, and in fact refuses to each time I suggest it. She insists she does not like it. She’s got a scooter and seems to favor that.

Once I got a buyer for her bike, I warned her that someone was coming to look at and possibly purchase her bike. She was immediately brought to tears, and promised that she would ride her bike every day if I just did not sell it. Luckily, the buyer found it amusing once I told her the story and cancelled the sale.

I’ve gone through about half the house and I think I’ve got a bigger mess than what I started with, even with things going out the door. It’s strange how that can happen.

Now I’ve got piles of stuff that needs to find a new home. Some of my favorite ways to get rid of stuff are as follows:

Freecylce: It’s an email group sorted by city. I find my local one, sign up and give stuff away – all free!

Friends: I have lots of friends with kiddos around the same age as mine. If I’ve got good stuff I know they’ll enjoy, I love to pass things along. I have a good friend who through her church donates things to an orphanage; I give lots to her. And my newest favorite way to get rid of things is by selling on Facebook Garage Sale sites.

Menifee Exchange is one of my go-to places. It’s even better than Craigslist. Menifee Exchange (you can search for it on Facebook) is a group where you can post a photo of what you are selling, a short description including condition and price, and within minutes you will have several people who want to purchase your items. It’s wonderful, and easy.

In a few weeks, I’ll have purged quite a bit. It feels good; it feels like spring. It feels like a time for new beginnings.

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: How to Blow Out the Candles This Year?

By Michelle Walsh

Let’s talk about birthday parties.

I’m lucky to have two daughters with October birthdays. Kallan and Allie’s birthdays are three weeks apart. Every year since Allie’s birth, we’ve had “share parties,” as my daughters have named them.

That’s one party for both girls! Twice the fun, if you ask me. They are starting to think otherwise and asking if they have to have “share parties” this year. YIKES!

Chloe’s third birthday is coming up next month and it’s time to start party planning again. I have a small perfectionist problem, mix that with my uncontrollable desire to create things (did I mention I have a crafting problem too?), and I can really drive myself insane with party planning.

I’ve done a few parties at home and I learned real quick that "at home" parties were not for me. Cleaning, cooking, decorating, entertaining and then CLEANING AGAIN ... no thanks! I’m not against them; I just don’t think I’m the happy hostess when required to do that kind of birthday party.

We’ve done a few parties outside the home and they are fun. We’re in, we’re out, no mess, no fuss. The kids all have a blast and that is what is important.

In just the past few weeks, we’ve been invited to and have attended parties at Pump it Up, a Reptile Party -- complete with all kinds of amazing animals -- a Rapunzel party (awesome, with the Princess there herself), and we have an upcoming party at Cartwheels (a gymnastics studio) and another birthday party with a cute “Dapper” (fancy attire) theme. All these parties have been wonderful, as I’m sure the upcoming ones will be too.

Whether at home or at an outside entertainment venue, it’s a lot of planning, and it can be costly. I’m thinking this year I’d like to try to keep it simple.

I’m thinking something along these lines: The theme: birthday party. Yes, just that! A simple "made at home" cake with uneven frosting and the birthday girls’ name scribbled in a gel that is off centered and almost running off the cake -- but made with love. This served with a scoop of ice cream and a little fruit punch in a Dixie cup. Add a paper cone party hat with an elastic strap that would almost certainly break and snap you on your chin.

A small gathering of friends crowded around the table singing “Happy Birthday” while you make your wish and blow out the skinny stick candles that match your number in years. Throw in a couple of party blowers, a game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, open some gifts and the party’s over. Just the thought of this kind of party makes me happy.

Yes, this year we will do simple. I hope to make it a tradition that will stay with us for many years to come.

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: Life's Simple Pleasures Can Be the Best

By Michelle Walsh

It took some time for me to get used to Menifee. I am a city girl, always have been.

When we first moved out here seven years ago, I felt a little out of place. I was used to having all my conveniences within an arm’s reach. Menifee has changed a lot in the past seven years; it’s grown a lot. I can only imagine what it would be like had the economy not changed as it did.

I’ve grown to like the slower speed here and the rural areas. We live in a master planned community, but only down the street are horses, llamas, goats, and a dairy farm! My girls get a big kick out of seeing the cows every morning as I drive them to school.

I enjoy being so close to farm fresh eggs, fruit and vegetable stands. We drive by crops daily. I love watching the rolling fields change colors with the seasons from brown to green.

One of the attractions of this area is that it is so close to a lot of really fun places. I’d really like to take the girls up to the snow; we’ve yet to venture out to the mountains. This past weekend, we took a family day trip out of Menifee.

On Saturday, the family went to Temecula Valley Strawberry Patch. My girls love strawberries and the farm had just opened up this past weekend. It is located in Fallbrook and was about a 40-minute drive. It was kind of a dreary day, so we had the place pretty much to ourselves.

The staff was very friendly and explained to us the process of picking. Each girl got her own basket, a pair of scissors, and we were off. The girls had fun searching for the “perfect” strawberries; they had to be red in color from the top to the bottom. They would yell out with excitement each time they had discovered one that met this description. The strawberry plants are in tiered pots, so often the girls would need a boost to get to the desired berry.

We finished up our little outing with three cups of fresh strawberry lemonade.

It’s a fun day trip, not too far from home. Kids really enjoy being able to pick out their own fruit and I like to support a family owned and operated business.

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: A Trip to the Salon With the Girls

By Michelle Walsh

It starts early -- getting excited about a trip to the salon. I mentioned a haircut to my girls on Sunday after church and they were practically jumping out of their car seats with excitement.

I get just as excited about a day at the salon, but I think our reasons for excitement are probably slightly different.

Sunday’s haircut never happened because Chloe fell asleep on the way home. Then we got busy with lunch, playing, and in a blink of an eye it was homework, dinner and bath time.

It didn’t happen Monday either, and believe me, I was reminded more than once. Once again, I had to promise, “Tomorrow”. So Tuesday, after school, I grabbed my coupons and we all hopped in the car and took a trip down to Great Clips off Newport and Murrieta Road.

A few months earlier, we had taken a trip to Great Clips and had a great experience. They mailed me three coupons, so I thought we’d try it again. We arrived at 4:30 p.m. and I snapped a before picture of my three beauties in front of the salon. We then headed inside to check in.

Moments after checking in, we had to check out the bathroom. Wherever we go, it never fails; someone needs to use the restroom, urgently. My personal favorite is after I’ve unloaded what seems like a month full of groceries at Sam’s Club onto the conveyor belt, someone always sings: “I need to go potty really baaaaad,” accompanied by the “potty dance”

You can imagine the warm smiles I get from the long line of people behind me as I smile and apologize.

After we took care of business, we returned to the waiting area to three smiling hair stylists who were ready for all three girls. Fabulous! All three at once! The girls got up on their booster seats and it was time for action.

All three stylists were very good with the girls. For some reason, when I try to cut their hair at home, no one can keep their heads still. In the salon chair, the only thing that moves are their eyeballs. It is serious business, worth every penny paid.

Two of the girls got special braids done after their cuts and were very impressed with the large hand mirror which revealed to them the masterpiece that was created on the backs of their heads. You can be sure that I was asked today why we don’t have a mirror like that, followed by, “but I want to see the back of my hair!” I foresee a trip to Sally’s in our near future.

After their cuts, they each got a small lollipop, which thrilled them. We went outside and took an “after” photo; they insisted I take one of the front and the back.

Twice, we had a great experience, and that’s no fluke! We’ll be back again for sure. Thanks Great Clips, you made my three girls and this Menifee Mom VERY happy!

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: Here's One Pet Story That's Pretty Fishy

By Michelle Walsh

Since Petco came to Menifee a few years back, I’ve taken my daughters there quite often. This may seem like nothing out of the ordinary until I tell you that we just got our first pet a few weeks ago.

That’s right; we would go to Petco and just look around at the different animals. On lucky days, we’d get a glimpse of some dogs that owners would bring along for their errands, freshly groomed pooches, or even doggies learning good manners in an obedience class. On occasion, we’d also get to stick our fingers through the little cages and pet the sweet rescue kittens.

I won’t lie; I wanted to take them home just as badly as my girls thought they did.

It’s not that I don’t like pets; I do. I grew up with all kinds. We had snakes, turtles, fish, dogs, cats, hamsters and birds, just to name a few. It seemed like every stray animal gravitated to my family. We even had an African Gray Parrot fly into our backyard once. It became a family pet for many years.

Recently, an opportunity came up to acquire a small 10-gallon fish tank, complete with supplies and a fish, and it was in my price range: FREE! I asked my daughters, who have been begging for a family pet, if they’d like to have a pet fish. You can imagine their excitement.

We were certain that our fish needed a buddy. Life is lonely in a 10-gallon fish tank. So we went straight to Petco, this time with our pet in hand. We had our little guy in a baggie and had no idea what kind of fish he was.

I found an employee who identified our new family pet as a Chinese Algae Eater. We named him Kai-Lan. I was so impressed with this young man who works at Petco. He not only identified my fish, he explained in great detail which fish would get along with ours, how the cycle of the water tank works, along with more information than I ever thought I needed to operate this small marine ecosystem.

My girls were disappointed that we were unable to purchase a buddy for Kai-Lan right away. We found out we had to have our aquarium set up for a minimum of 48 hours before they would sell us a fish. We did pick out a buddy and went back the following week to get “Goldie”, our goldfish.

Goldie and Kai-Lan are perfect roomies. Kids are happy, mom is happy and I don’t have to take a shovel around the backyard just yet. There is a Fido in our future but for now, I’m happy with a net and some fish flakes.

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: Hanging Tough When the Flu Bug Bites

By Michelle Walsh

It happens every year, and every year it is just as horrible.

Cold and flu season.

Having three children, two who are school age, means germs -- lots and lots of germs. Every year we get hit, and this year is no exception. Two weeks ago, we became victims of a very yucky virus. One by one it took us down, with only a day or two in between.

I spent these last two weeks locked up in my house with three very sick kids. I washed every towel and linen in the entire house, twice. I’ve used a disinfectant cleaner on every doorknob and light switch and everywhere in between that I imagined little hands could go.

I’ve emptied several cans of Lysol in hopes that I could conquer the nasty bug that entered our house. I spent several nights holding back hair, rubbing backs and tummies, taking temps, and even pulled an all-nighter in the ER. And at the very end of all that extra TLC and special treatment, I am rewarded with my very own round of “The Yucky Virus”. Lucky me.

We take all the precautions: Regular hand washing, daily vitamins and immune boosters. We even got the flu shot this year. It seems even with all the above, it’s just a part of our winter -- a part I could really live without.

I know I’m not alone. I know that many of you have had your bout with the "yucky virus" or are going through it right now. It’s just part of life, taking the bad with the good. We do our best, try our hardest to make things perfect, but still bad times come. Luckily, they don’t last forever and each round we learn, grow and get stronger.

I try to keep my eye on the rainbow that comes after the storm. I welcome the non-stop talking and energy that comes back after several days of silence and lethargy. I am encouraged about the many snacks and meals that I am once again summoned to make.

And most of all, I am excited to get back to the adventures which we love to fill our days with.

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: They All Have a Piece of Her Heart

By Michelle Walsh

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."
-- Elizabeth Stone

It’s dark in the room, I lean over and somehow manage to plant a kiss right on her nose. I whisper, "Goodnight, I love you." I move back to my pillow and seconds later, right on my nose I feel her tiny lips followed by, "I love you, mom."

This is bedtime with my 2-year-old.

I love bedtime for many reasons. I’ll admit it’s the most peaceful, quiet time of the day. But it’s also a time for me to reflect on our day. The things I did right, the things I did wrong ... and there are plenty. Even more important is how I can do things better; not perfect, just better.

I want to make sure my children know they are loved, really loved.

I volunteer in my oldest daughter’s Kindergarten class once a week; before I go, I leave a post-it note inside her pencil box. Just a little love note, saying, "You are my sunshine; I love you to the moon and back."

She reminds me each week, "Mom, don’t forget to leave me a note." Last week when I opened the box, I noticed underneath all the pencils, crayons, eraser and glue stick, there was a pile stuck together of all the notes I’ve written all year.

My middle daughter Allie goes to preschool, where lunch is served. The first few months of school I had to pack her a lunch box, because her older sister carried one to school, so it was important to her to carry one, too. I knew it was important for her to feel "big" like her sister. I also knew it made her feel loved.

It’s just the little things we do that show our children how much we love them. Last week when I picked up my daughter from school, she exclaimed, "Mom, somebody put a mustard sandwich in my lunchbox!" She does not like mustard; my husband does, and he does not like mayonnaise. I accidentally mixed their lunches up.

I found it funny that "Somebody" did this, not "mom", because "mom" knows she does not like mustard!

Today, on Valentine’s Day, I will do some extra special things for my girls to show them I love them. Not because I don’t love them all year long, but because it’s a day when I get to go a little bit overboard. My children are my heart, broken into three pieces, walking around outside my body.

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: Treasure Those Little Conversations

By Michelle Walsh

"Mommy, how long before we get dead?" my 4-year-old asked me as we were walking down a path after feeding some ducks.

"Not for a very long while, sweetheart," I replied.

A few short steps later, we saw a crow, dead in the bushes. We stopped and checked it out for a few moments. Lots of questions came up; I listened and answered the best I could.

These kinds of conversations are ones we have all day long. They’re deep; really, they are. If you listen to what your kids really ask and say to you, you can have a better understanding of how their minds work. You’ll know what they worry about, and what they are learning.

I know I am my child’s first and greatest teacher. I’m their role model, their best example, and the one whom they are going to look to for answers to life’s greatest questions. I’m winging it, for I am still learning about life myself. Little do they know, they are teaching mommy a whole lot along the way.

"Mom, can I tell you something?" This is how my 6-year-old seems to start every conversation with me. It’s funny to me that she asks this before speaking. I make sure to always respond, "Yes, you can tell me anything." I have three girls; they like to talk, a lot. Sometimes I do secretly wish for a few moments of silence, but I am thankful that I have three girls who want to talk to me. The very least I can do is give them my attention and listen.

I love listening to their conversations with one another. Overheard in the bathtub the other night: "Yes, mermaids really do poop. I saw a real one once when I was 2 and she pooped."

This from the lips of my 6-year-old. My other two girls were in awe of their older sister. I'm not sure if they were impressed that she saw a real mermaid, or that mermaids might really do "number two."

Bedtime is my very most favorite time for conversing. It’s a time that my girls and I are out of our hustle and bustle mode. It is a time that we can sit, lay, snuggle and just chat. So much comes up. It’s often the time I hear about what happened during their day.

We chat and chat, until it’s time to quiet our voices and get ready to sleep. I tell them they need to recharge their minds and bodies. I stay with them until they’ve fallen asleep. Tomorrow is another day, full of wonder and questions. It is another day full of adventures and conversations. I hope that I am able to fill their lives with the right answers.

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: How About Dance Mom, Team Mom, Cheer Mom...

By Michelle Walsh

It started with Fairy Tale Princess Dance class three years ago. My daughter, my first born, my princess, NEEDED to take this class.

It was a combination of tap and ballet. It was absolutely adorable. She loved it, I loved that she loved it, everything was great. We did the same class with my second daughter, and my third can’t wait until it is her turn.

Dance, swim, soccer, gymnastics, messy art class and now cheer. Not all at once, but we’ve tried them all. Some activities we’ve attempted with more enthusiasm than others. I’m sure there will be more, for my oldest is only 6. How do you choose the right activity for your child when they are young? How do you juggle it financially and time wise with three kids? It’s not easy, but we make it work.

Financially with three kids, it can really add up quick. Finding activities through Youth Leagues such as AYSO and Parks and Recreation can make it affordable. Also, a lot of places will offer a sibling discount. We must take into consideration the cost of shoes, and other special clothing/gear that may be needed for each sport or activity we choose. I prefer to find activities that are close to home, as the cost of gas is also a consideration. We limit our girls in the activities for many reasons. Finances and time are big.

My girls are young; they need time to rest their bodies, they need time to just play and time to do nothing. We have Kindergarten, Preschool, homework and rest time. That is already a lot in one day. I also put a lot of volunteer time into these activities, which can take time away from home.

I think about these things every time we try out a new activity. I’m excited, they’re excited, and we all jump in full force. I feel beyond privileged that I am able to share these experiences with my children; I have a tendency to be very involved. For example, each year my girls were in dance class, I was “Dance Mom.” When we tried soccer, I was a “Team Mom.”

Then we found swim class. Oh, how I LOVE swim class. No team moms, no performances, and no competitions. We found our place! There are never any complaints on Thursdays when it is swim class day. Everyone gets their suits on with eagerness. All three of my girls take swim lessons at the same time, while mommy watches proudly by the side of the pool.

Recently, my oldest asked to try out cheerleading. How cute is that? It seems most activities are in Murrieta or Temecula, so I was excited that we could stay close to home in Menifee. Once a week for 30 minutes -- I can handle that. Monday was our first lesson and it was as fun as I imagined. My daughter, who is very vivacious and outgoing, fit right in. I’m sure it won’t be long before I’m raising my hand to be “Cheer Mom.”

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: It's Crucial to "Be in the Present ... Now"

By Michelle Walsh

Be present in the now…

Not later, now. Those five words I repeat to myself DAILY. You see, it’s really hard for me to do -- for a few reasons. First, I have three kids. Second, my house looks like I have three kids. And lastly, I have a mind that does not stop.

I adore my kids, the little busy bodies that they are. Playing can be exhausting; I’m still not quite sure how they do it all day long. They gave up naps way too early, and I’m not one to fight them on it. We do have rest time every day, and I look forward to that. Having three kids, ages 6, 4 and 2, means mom is needed triple time.

Breakfast, times three; shoes tied, times three; seatbelts buckled, times three … you get the picture. If I only had two more sets of arms! While I’m helping out one, my mind is fast forwarding to the next one who will need me. Be present in the now -- how?

Now everyone is happy – at least for the moment. Let me move on to washing three breakfast bowls, picking up three pairs of socks, and getting three lunches packed for today’s adventures. All that and it’s only 8:30 a.m. Be present in the now: OK, after everyone has their teeth and hair brushed – times three.

I’m not complaining. I’m not saying I have it so hard or that my life with kids is any more complex than yours. You see, I know that I am raising human beings, not inconveniences, but I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the moments. Be present in the now.

It’s really a difficult task, but when I can accomplish it, nothing feels better. I find great joy in having a conversation with my 4-year-old at bedtime. It’s amazing what goes on in her mind, what she wonders about, how she perceives the world. My heart melts at the delight in my 6-year-old’s eyes when I get on her level, look directly at her and tell her I love her. I like to hug my girls until they let go.

So I practice. It’s a very conscious thing I must make myself do. I like sticky notes; I put them around the house with quotes to remind me. One of my favorites is, “Children spell love T-I-M-E”. It takes effort, it takes time, it takes not just walking away from the dirty dishes, but forgetting about them for a while.

As I write this, my girls are all tucked into bed and fast asleep. Tomorrow I will try not to pass up requests to snuggle on the couch, or listen to “Mommy, can you hold me?” It’s these times that I MUST be present in the now. Today, tomorrow and every day I will take the time to be present in the now. Because tomorrow is a different day, my kids are a day older, they’ve changed, and I can’t get back yesterday.

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: That Weekly Run is the Break She Needs

By Michelle Walsh

A mom’s job is 24 hours a day. From the moment my little ones open their eyes until I kiss their foreheads goodnight, and often in between too, I’m needed.

This is what I signed up for; this is why I’m here, home with my girls. Our days are busy: Kindergarten, preschool, swim class, classroom volunteer, play dates and more. Every minute is action-packed. Nope, never a dull moment around my house.

During the week, I do manage to squeeze in some exercise time here and there. I find those pockets when I can make it happen, always with someone in tow. This is why my weekend run is most cherished. It’s the one day during the week that I can sneak out by myself and renew.

My long run is on Saturday or Sunday. It goes a little something like this: The night before, I set out all the things I’ll need. I set my alarm clock for 5:45 a.m., although I know I’ll wake right before it goes off. I don’t dare wake anyone up in the process.

I sneak out of bed ever so carefully, so as not to wake the little one who has found her way into my bed earlier in the evening. I eat a protein bar, tie back my hair, put on my shoes, grab my music and off I go. Once I close the garage door, I’ve made it; there’s no stopping me.

It’s cold -- very, very cold! Why am I doing this again? Oh yeah, “Me time." Hmmmm, a pedicure at Happy Nails sounds more appealing for the first mile. Now I’m getting warm; a good song comes on and it puts a little pep in my step. By mile three, it’s on! I’ve found my groove. I’m in it for the long run.

I smell fireplaces burning, wet leaves, and pine needles. I hear animals scurry in bushes and the pounding of my feet on the cement. I see sunrises and hot air balloons so close overhead. I see other runners who nod their heads as our paths cross.

I think a lot when I run. I think about my family, I reflect on my actions, I come up with new ideas. I talk with God. Sometimes I sing out loud, always hoping that no one can hear me. I’ve even danced a little while running. Those are really good days.

It’s been an hour, hopefully two. I’m nearing home. My lungs have been cleansed, filled with fresh air. When I reach the garage door, I smile. I’m ready to be mom again.

I open the door and my kids greet me like I’ve come home from a long vacation. Little do they know, I really have.

Michelle Walsh is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Each week, she shares her experiences as a Menifee mom. Michelle welcomes your comments here.

Menifee Mom: Legos, Kiddos and an Exercise Routine

This is the first installment of a weekly column by Michelle Walsh, who is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Michelle and her family are always on the go. She likes to know what is going on around town and looks forward to writing about her adventures in our town. We hope you enjoy her perspective on life and motherhood in Menifee.

By Michelle Walsh




It’s January, you want to get fit, and now is the best time to do it, right? Every television ad is selling you a weight loss program, “Biggest Loser” season 14 just started, your local gym has no sign-up fees, and Target has Yoga Mats for half price.

Let’s do this! You’re pumped! But before you are about to sit in front of the big screen with your new best friend Jillian Michaels, you are summoned to the bathroom to wipe a tushy, then off to the kitchen to refill a Sippy cup, and you step on a Lego on your way back to the television.

By the time you limp back to your Yoga Mat, the 20-minute workout that promised to give you abs of steel is over. You feel defeated, and you haven’t even started.

I’m here to tell you that you CAN do it. Super Moms unite! Finding time to take care of you is the most important thing you can do for your family. My exercise time is my renewal time.

Here are some ways I make an exercise routine work for me and am able to stay consistent:

First, set a goal. Small goals are great to begin with -- a 20-minute walk, or run, a Zumba class, whatever interests you. Write your goals down, say them out loud, or share them on Facebook. Personally, I like to run, so finding a local race to sign up for keeps me on track and gives me a goal to work toward. You can be sure that when I post on Facebook, “Off for a 3-mile run”, it’s going to get done.

Consistency is KEY! Nothing is harder than trying to start something challenging again and again. Look at your calendar, find the periods of time when you can fit in exercise, and make it happen. I find that planning out my week and writing it down on the calendar helps. Sometimes you have to get the kids involved; that’s great. Think of the example you are setting by being a role model for a healthy lifestyle. It won’t be long before your family will know that Thursdays are Mommy’s Zumba days.

Find a support system. Sometimes it is your neighbor, your spouse, or your best friend. Don’t have anyone near and dear that likes to exercise? Try finding a support group that can help you achieve your goal. A simple online search should point you in the right direction. I have found a support group of women who like to run. We keep each other motivated and on track.

If you make it a priority, exercising and raising a family at the same time is not only possible, but very rewarding. Setting goals, being consistent and finding support along the way can help you achieve a routine that can be maintained year-round. So grab that Yoga Mat, your running shoes, or your Zumba skirt, and go show Jillian how it’s done!