walk with my family

Another Half Update..

2012-02-07T20:45:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Just working away at my 'other' part-time job ;) ... running! I am now on week six of my sixteen training schedule. This week I will cover my highest kilometers so far.. 45km to be precise. I am feeling strong, no major injuries to report. I am starting to enjoy some of my long runs, this is probably a good thing seeing as they are going to get a lot longer!

This past Sunday I ran 13km.. it was a really great run. It was a challenge but it didn't feel impossible.. AND this was the third time I have ever run 13km straight. I am starting to feel prepared for this half. I am so thankful I have a great running schedule.

I've also been faithful doing my ab workouts. Right now I am doing a "Fab Ab Feb" challenge with a group that I am apart of. It is starting to get challenging. BUT on the upside I am really starting to see it help my improve my running. My core is feeling stronger and stronger by the day!

If anyone is interested in the ab schedule that I am following; here it is:

Happy 4th!

2012-01-14T21:10:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th birthday to our little Grace Lilly! You are sweet! You are soo funny! You give us such joy everyday! You are strong and you know what you want and when you want it ;)

You are a constant reminder of my mom, your Nonna... she only knew you for five short weeks of your life but you are greatly loved by her, and all of us!

Happy 4th Birthday Gracie!!! Love you forever!
Love,
Mommy xoxoxo

Half Marathon Update

2012-01-10T18:58:00.001-05:00

As many of you know I have decided to train a half marathon. This will be my second attempt. The reason I chose to run another half is because I want to run a better time. My goal this time is to run 21.1km in under two hours (1:58:00 - 1:59:00) beating my last time of 2:24:25.

I've started week two of my training schedule. Last week I ran 21.5km this week it jumps to 35.5km. I am feeling tired and I'm trying to curve my cravings to not to eat more. But all in all it is going well. I'm running four times a week as well as core workouts three times a week. I am seeing a difference in my body, I'm *hoping* to loose my last 20lbs, but I have to be realistic and know that I may not loose the weight I want to loose. Training for a marathon is very taxing on your body and you tend to build muscle.

I'm just glad that I am still running and being fit - ultimately that is my goal -- to keep moving and making healthier choices when it comes to food :)

Oh so pretty

2012-01-06T14:27:00.001-05:00

I guess you could say I'm still in Christmas mode.... or perhaps I'm just soo behind in my posting ;) But I just wanted to share this cute little way I wrapped a gift this Christmas.

It is basically pretty simple, but for my own touch I use twine for ribbon and for a 'tissue paper' effect I used the same wrapping paper and I tore them in long strips.

I used different widths and I stuffed them into the top of bag and let them overflow. I really like the whole effect!

For the other packages {that went along with the gift in the bag} I used the same wrapping paper and reused a Christmas card from a previous year. Tucked a couple of curly strips under the twine... and viola.. oh so pretty :)

I definitely like the uniqueness and simplicity of using the strips of paper. I will have to remember to use this effect next year with more gifts ;)

Second...half

2012-01-03T21:39:00.001-05:00

You may have noticed that I have another ticker to the right of your screen.... yes, I will be running another half marathon. My second to be precise! I'll be racing on April 22nd. I feel I am well on the road to be prepared for this race considering I am following a training schedule. I didn't really follow on last year. Time got away from me, I didn't build up my mileage slow enough and frankly I just ran (no pun intended) out of time. The furthest I ran was 13km before my half (which is 21.1km).

{first half marathon September 18th, 2011. 2:24:25}

This time around I have added ab workout as well, to help strengthen my core. And my rest days will be that REST! When I look at the schedule... I know I will be very thankful for those days off. I have an amazing running partner this year. Although she is running a full (42.195km - Go Alyson), we will be able to run together once a week. I know she will push me and be a huge encouragement. She is also very knowledgeable in fitness and how the body works (although me being a tough Italian hard head girl... I do give her stress when I want to do things my way {which is in fact the incorrect way- but a girl has to try to buck the system a bit - no?} (Alyson would be saying "NO!") I digress...

This is going to be a phenomenal year, I can feel it! Not just because of my running... but just with more peace that I feel and contentment.

Happy Running! Oh and if you think of it ... pray for me that my body can withstand this training and that I do not have any injuries that will hold me back. Oh and also.... Alyson is running for Mito Canada.. check out her blog: www.proudtobeafitmom.blogspot.com to support her and this awesome cause.

Cloth Christmas Gift Bags

2012-01-03T21:25:00.000-05:00

OK so if you have been following my blog for a while (or at least one year!) you'll know that I am actually one year behind on this post! ;)

The steps are pretty self-explanatory... I like them... they came in very handy this year again!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2012-01-03T20:27:00.000-05:00

Every year we receive TONS of Christmas cards. From friends, family and places of employment. There is such excitement that fills a person when you see an envelope address to you (and you know its not a bill!).

I generally do not keep all the cards, there may be a few that get put away for the children to really appreciate when they are older (from a special family member or friend).

What I do with them in fact is make my gift tags for next year. I am not a pack rat... however soo many of the cards are just too beautiful to just toss out with the trash (and it saves on purchasing gift tags).

So from these....

...they are turned into these...

..or these.

{You may say you are not crafty or you don't have the time... but this literally took 20 minutes, while sitting on the couch watching a television program with the children}

I love them, they are cute, creative and free! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

This is Why I Run

2011-12-24T15:14:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

May you see and feel God's Blessings this season!

Motivation Part 2

2011-12-21T20:38:00.000-05:00

What can help keep you motivated? Accountability. A great runner partner will do the trick! Ran 7k tonight, in the pouring cold December rain. We were soaked... but we rocked it! 36:48 time.. we wanted to have a quicker pace.. that is the fastest so far for me for a 7k. That is a 5:15 pace.

On the road to training for another half marathon will begin .... soon. Yup.. you read that correctly. I'll be running my second half on April 22nd, 2012.

I am certifiable! :)

Motivation......

2011-12-21T13:50:00.000-05:00

Its not always easy to get out and run... especially at night.. in the winter.. when I'd rather be at home.. warm in my pj's with my family... but it SURE feels good when its done!

I do love running in the winter as opposed to running in the summer heat.. but some days it soo difficult to find that motivation. I have a new goal for myself this spring, and I'd like to break some of my pb's this winter in some upcoming 5k races. I'm looking forward to Christmas break... I will be able to get some runs in during the day and in the SUN! How awesome will that be!

Keep motivated and keep your eye on your goals!

Do YOU have one?

2011-12-15T14:13:00.000-05:00

A big Daddy chair? :)

This is what we've been up to lately... playing boardgames, laying by the fire, watching Christmas movies... and of course a couple good hands of go fish :)

Only Once a Year...

2011-12-15T14:05:00.000-05:00

We take the time.....

...as a family...

...to drive around town and...

..enjoy the homes that are beautifully lit.

We ooh and ahhhh....

...Christmas music is on the radio..

...we laugh and just enjoy this simple time together.

Our children are young... and only for a short time. It is now that we want to instill the simple beauties and pleasures in life. Spending time together as a family. Fostering their love for eachother as brothers and sisters. We've done this a few years in a row now and it never gets old or dull! We even drove by a few churches with their nativity scenes placed in front. It is beautiful to see, tradition, the truth and reason of Christmas... another opportunity to talk to the children about the birth of our savour.

Merry almost Christmas!

Fallen off this world....

2011-12-11T23:41:00.001-05:00

....into my own life........I'm sorry..... for anyone who finds interst in reading my blog... you may have notice I haven't been posting. It's not for the lack of wanting to... I just do not have the engery for this slow slow blogger (or it could be my computer.. not sure... but I think it's more blogger).

There are days that I have written posts.. but when it comes to adding the pictures.. it takes.. well what feels like eternity! And I frankly do not want to babysit my computer/blogger while it decides if its going to upload or not! :(

But nevertheless... even though posts haven't been posted.. life is still happening! :) Home schooling is going AWESOME this year. I am realistic in my expectations... and I am enjoying the days that I am now home (oh that's more new... I left my job at my church around the beginning of November). Back to homeschooling.. I am now schooling two of our children... and its going wonderfully. Our local homeschooling group is thriving and growing by leaps and bounds! I've met many more families.. and I really feel a sense of contentment and reassurance..

Grace is getting bigger and is becoming a girly girl MORE and MORE by the second! Linden is now two and is talking up a storm. More then keeping up with his older brother and sister. Gabriel is shooting up like a TREE! This kid is well... starting to look older :( Ava is getting tall as well.. she is now seven. You put her beside any eight or nine year old and she is just there size. Kinda sad in a way.. because well ... shes only seven! I'm trying to keep my first born little for as long as I can.

I ran a half marathon in September... I think you all knew that :) Running is going ... well... its going. Since things are now settling into a great routine for us at home... I am working at getting back at it a good three times a week. I did put on a *bit* of weight... (ahem 6lbs... but I'm seriously ok with it - most days) ;)

What else........ getting ready for Christmas as I'm sure all of you are as well....... WAITING with baited breath for snow!!!! ........ hmmmmmmm I guess that's it really........ sorry I won't be adding any pictures as I really REALLY want to go to bed now! ;)

OK....... maybe ONE picture!

{cutting down our Christmas tree.....}

Happy blogging folks... and I'm sorry if my blog is a bit of a let down lately :(

♫♪ We're going to the zoo .. zoo.. zoo.. how about you.. you... you ♫♪

2011-10-10T18:38:00.000-04:00

To wrap up our study of "The Pond" we planned a family trip to the Toronto Zoo (www.torontozoo.com)

It was a beautiful fall, cool day! Perfect for experiencing all the animals.. the animals were outside and very interactive.

The kids had a lot of fun.. they were just amazed at the size and beauty of them. A very fun day was had by all, and we ended out the day with a special dinner out with the family.

Here are just a few of the many many pictures I snapped ☺

{there are TONS more pictures.. but blogger has been sooo SLOW the last couple of days... I will try to add more later.. if I remember ☺}
Great memories!

"The Pond"...continues...

2011-10-07T14:00:00.000-04:00

I'm a bit behind in the posting.... life just gets busy.. and sometimes photos do not load as quick as I would like them to.. bu there we go:

I just wanted to share a super easy and fun craft the children did while studying our theme this month "The Pond"

As you can see the kids made butterflies and frogs on lilliepads ☺ The body are made of painted egg cartons. The lilly pads and wings were made out of foam. Super easy. Super cute. Super fun!

Blog of the Week: Sharing my Lovin' of this Blog

2011-10-03T20:55:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to share with you a blog that I've been following for probably about a year now... I am not always good at reading the posts.. but when I do.. I love them!

Soo informational! So current! And best of all sooo Canadian!

My blog pick of the week:

http://thecanadianhomeschooler.com/

You won't be disappointed!

Happy 7th Birthday Ava!

2011-10-02T23:28:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday to our sweet sweet Ava!

You are so perfectly and wonderfully made!

We are so thankful to have been blessed with you as our first daughter.

You are kind.

You are caring.

You are loving.

You are helpful.

You are thoughtful.

You are funny.

You are strong.

You are intelligent.

You are ... perfectly you.

I love you forever and ever and ever.......

Happy 7th Birthday! I can't believe it's already been 7 years since I first laied eyes on you.

Love, Mom xoxoxoxoxo

2:24:25

2011-09-19T21:00:00.001-04:00

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I did it! My first 1/2 Marathon! I'm in soooooooooo much pain! I can BARELY walk up and down the stairs. I can BARELY walk. But it was soo worth it!

{insert your most loudest girly eeek here}

Maybe I'll do a full!! Bring it! aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

Taking my GU! [aka gels] (and it is GROSS!)

16,000 runners that morning! (5k & 1/2 Marathon)

.. and I'm off!

My cheering squad! ☺

Bringing it home!

Yeah! I'm done!

Happy Running! Happy Life! Live it to the fullest!

36 Hours

2011-09-16T21:19:00.000-04:00

Yes my 1/2 marathon ticker is wrong.. I don't know why.. the date is correct.. maybe it's the time on my blog - I have no idea! Regardless... Sunday is my 1/2 Marathon.

I am experiencing the following:

Inclined to vomit
Excited
Tired
Not Ready
Ready
Emotional (wishing my mom could see me ... and that my side of the family actually cared enough to come see me run)

Anyway.. I won't be breaking any world records or anything... but I'll be running it.. and that's all that matters!

I'll keep y'all posted on my time! ☺

School's IN!

2011-09-07T23:18:00.001-04:00

Homeschooling 2011-2012 has officially begun in our home! This will mark our third year homeschooling! I feel more prepared and excited this year, than I have in past. I've learned from my fellow homeschooling group, I've prayed, and I've taken note of what works and does not work for us.

I feel so alive for this year.. I pray God will continue to give me the strength, enthusiasm and joy for our upcoming year.

As I mentioned in other posts we are going with themes this year. The theme will shape our craft time, library visits, and some field trips. We choose to use Abeka for our curriculum.. and because I am homeschooling two little ones this year I decide to make it 'easier' on myself and just go with the themes that present themselves in Ava's curriculum. I will veer from it a bit during the holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.. but pretty much I'll stay on course.

This month's theme is "The Pond".. here are just a few pictures of their first day of school.. craft time and a wee bit a face painting!

Grace.. a butterfly

Ava.. a lilypad with a frog on it ☺

Gabriel.. a fish swimming in long grass

Hope everyone is having a great first week back or gearing up for the start of your school year!

Our Weekly Planner

2011-09-01T12:34:00.000-04:00

As I've mentioned before Ava is a really good independent learner. This year I'm really going to take advantage of this as I sit down and focus on establishing good learner habits with Gabriel.

I've spend hours searching the intern for the PERFECT weekly planner, but I am very specific. A program that I use for work is called publisher and it's great! So I decided to design my own weekly planner.

I still have some tweaking to do, but you get the picture. This is really going to be great! Each week I can sit down and plan out the next few weeks or a month at a time. Then each day Ava and take her planner out and see what she needs to do. I am sure excited to see how this is going to work. At the beginning of last year Ava was able to read the directions on her own in her work books. By the end of the year she was recognizing that there were "lesson #'s" at the bottom of each page, and she would ask me: "Mommy what lesson am I doing today?".. this well help both of us stay on track, record what we are doing and give Ava the opportunity to see her work that is being complete each week.

There you have it.. another component of our year. Happy Learning!

16 days and 22 hours! ha!

2011-08-31T21:25:00.000-04:00

16 days.. and 22 hours until I run my first 1/2 marathon.

I'll be frank: I'm not ready! At least I FEEL I'm not ready! Apparently everyone around me thinks I can do it! Thank you for the support.. but I still don't feel ready.. at least not this week! Maybe in the next couple of weeks. But I have to CRAM in my distance - ouch!

After a good 5 weeks off of running (with a few sporadic ones here and there), I'm back at it. When I took a break I was a 12k. Tonight I was able to run 11.5k non-stop. It actually felt pretty good. ALTHOUGH.. it was only because I was running with a good friend and we kept both ourselves going. AND she is soo super smart when it comes to running.. she is soo sweet.. she brings me her running water bottle filled with 'running juice' as I like to call it. The good stuff. The stuff that feeds your body to keep you going!

So (apparently) I suppose to run 14k on Monday with another running friend (hopefully no one finds me in a ditch somewhere crying and in pain.. 'cause that how I envision this run). IF.. and that is a big IF I can make it through the 14k run... then maybe just maybe I can push myself the following week to do 18k and then the day of the 1/2 I'll add on the last 3 to make it 21.5k.

Please pray for me. I truly will we needing it!

BUT tonight was awesome! Thx Alyson! ☺ (www.proudtobeafitmom.blogspot.com)

Empowered to Plan! ... and follow through!

2011-08-30T23:35:00.000-04:00

As you are all aware, I have vowed to be on top of my homeschooling plans this year. I WILL be following through with all my awesome 'field trip' 'home hosting special events' ideas!
I am soo super excited the way the next four months are looking. Here's how it's going go:

September:
Theme "The Pond"
Field Trips/Special Events:
a) Not going Back to School Picnic at the Beach
b) Trip to the City Zoo

October
Theme "Transportation"
Field Trips/Special Events:
a)Trip to our local Airport (including tour of the weather station, air plains, hangers and more!). Followed by a group wide lunch/play date at our home
b) Host 3rd Annual Fall Harvest Party

November
Theme "Transportation" (continued)
Field Trip/Special Events:
a) Trip to our local Fire Department (including tour, fire safety, up close look at the firetrucks and more!)

December
Theme "Christmas" "Birth of Christ"
Field Trip/Special Events:
All things to do with our family traditions. Christmas, Christmas, Christmas (you get the picture!) ☺

That's what our schedule looks like so far. Although that doesn't include the French/Spanish language class every Tuesday afternoon. Once a month on Friday mornings Canadian/Local History program at our museum. Ava will start GEMS Wednesday evenings. As well as theatre class on Wednesday bi-weekly. We will begin joining our homeschooling group skating on Thursday's will begin in November.

I want to be accountable to my children, to the schedule I have planned and most importantly to God. To honour Him in this incredible opportunity I have been given to home school our children.

Happy Learning/Exploring/Living!

New School Year. Fast Approaching. New Approach. New Challenges

2011-08-29T00:32:00.000-04:00

School year 2011/2012 will mark my third year homeschooling *gulp* [honestly didn't think I would last this long]

It has certainly been a journey in soo many areas in my life which I won't get into now. I believe through this journey it has brought out some of the ugly and made it into the good. For all members of our family.

OK.. so enough about being all vague and deep ... now to the fun stuff. I am determined to stay on top of my planning. To stay on top of my game plan. To make this year fun for all of us (including myself). Frankly last year was not fun for me anymore - at least towards the end of the year.

I have my own 'mommy basket', in this basket I have four months of 'themes' planned out. Each month will contain books from our trips to the library, an educational video or two (I already know that Gabriel is a very visual learner), a planned field trip, crafts and special projects. Because this year I will be homeschooling two of my children (Ava, grade 2 and Gabriel SK), I have decided to take advantage of the themes Abeka (the curriculum we use) has planned out. Generally I will be doing them in order, but I have decided to add a few more themes. Each theme will last 4-6 weeks. That may seem like a long time, but I can always adjust the lengths of time we spend on each theme depending on the children's interest. I'm also going with the approach of 'keeping it open' (if that makes ANY sense to anyone out there reading this). For example, the first 'theme of the month' will be "The Pond".. ok.. now that can encompass many things, such as: insets, water flowers/plants, animals that live in, close or around ponds. Water ways.. how water travels. Crafts: build our own miniature pond, insect mobiles etc. Add in a trip to a large city zoo.. and you've got alot covered. Again if the kids don't seem very interested.. I'll move on, but I'm pretty certain they are going to love what I've got planned.

So how am I going to get through my first year of juggling homeschooling my two oldest children, while I work part time at my church, continue to run, care for and be with my two littlest ones, keep a home, get the kids to their activities.. blah blah blah? With my three-step PLAN: lots of prayer, patience, and planning. Oh and of course.. I'm totally going to go with the flow, ENJOY my children and the time I have with them. I'm not going to freak out if Gabriel doesn't like learning about the alphabet or has a bad day, or two or three.. I don't want to be a wound up mommy this year.

Here are some of the creative ideas I have planned to keep the kids motivated and excited about learning, while I keep everything organized behind the scenes ☺

Below is a desk that my hubby converted into a desk/shelf (huh?? anyway.. added a shelf in the middle with a door. I LOVE it! It's unique, stylish, bright and happy.. AND houses some of the children's workbooks and supplies:

Last year I came up with the idea for Ava to have her VERY OWN calendar. I also made and laminated little magnets to go into each square. That way I didnt' have to wake up to a 6 year old standing a foot away from my face EVERY morning asking me: "What are we doing today mommy". (Seriously that STRESSED me out!)... Ava just LOVES to know what is on tap for the day.. even if it's *just* school work - I think it makes her feel prepared and have a bit of control. The magnets consisted of subjects that we were covering that day (besides the reading, writing and math that she does everyday) as well as programs or special dates i.e. "Monday- skating", "Tuesday - theatre class", "Wednesday - Discovering God's world (science) and, "GEMS" you get the picture. Soooo this year Gabriel has HIS very own calendar as well. This way they can each see what's in store for the week or month and cross off each day as they pass. Again, I still have to make the magnets for this year.

My children LOVE to paint, colour, craft, draw or doodle almost EVERY second of the day if they could. And not that I don't love the stuff they make, but there are times when I get very overwhelmed with the AMOUNT of LOOSE paper around this house! So I have decided to have 'art of the month'. Each month one piece of art from each child will be 'featured'. I thought it would be a fun way to display their art as well to give them an opportunity to articulate to visitors or family members what their art is about.

OK.. lets get to the nitty gritty.. the drawers! Each drawer houses one or two types of medium. Paints (I like these little pods because each children can have their own (including Grace and Linden) and I can just re-fill them with my larger bottle of paints - oh yeah and helps with spillage ☺). Next is markers, crayons and chalk. The third drawer is play dough and all the fun things the children use to create with (i.e. cookie cutters, scissors etc). And finally the fourth drawer is the "mommy drawer".. my stapler, extra pencils, sharpener and my supply of "great job stickers".

The middle is the desk -- the shelf. The top is for Ava's work books, readers and my teachers manuals, as well as a few learning tools (i.e. flash cards, math speed drill cards etc). The bottom shelf is Gabriel's! Again, his work books, readers and my teachers manuals. Oh I just remembered what I DIDN'T take a photo of.. is the large bench we have in the kitchen. The seat opens and I've re-organized that as well. It houses the rest of the children's teaching tools (i.e. again flash cards etc), crayons and colouring books for the two youngest.

Here you can see how I have labeled each shelf for both children.

Here is another idea I'd like to implement this year. Ava is a GREAT reader, and she does enjoy it (most of the time). But what I have observed with her is that if she SEES progress it motivates her (isn't that like most of us!). She is also very TASK oriented (hmmm wonder where she gets that from? ☺). I KNOW that when she sees her 'reading list'.. it will motivate her to read her books (and then some) so that she can write them down on her list!

I try to keep it simple at our home. Firstly we are on a budget (and hey who isn't?). So what I found really worked last year what when it came to counting I just used buttons. And when it came to money I just used REAL money.. Canadian money (again I use Abeka and it's American.. but viola I've solved that problem). This year I MAY get the Canadian money set that I saw at the Dollar Store (hahha.. that should be in our budget to spend! ☺)

Another idea I am going to ‘feature’ the theme of the month is by using our fridge as a giant ‘white board'. Our fridge (like I am sure many of yours) ends up displaying your children’s artwork. The top of the fridge will display the ‘theme of the month’ card as well as something I’m calling: ‘Our Month in Pictures’. In this area I will post pictures of different activities or places we went in the month. Now this likely won’t cover absolutely everything we do, but it definitely highlight our month. I think this will be both a benefit to both the children as well as myself. For the children - they love to see pictures of themselves, as well they will be able to talk about what they did, what they liked about it, explain to friends and family what they did this month and just reminisce. For me – it will keep my accountable, keep me motivated and build my confidence that we ARE doing fun activities while we are learning.

The next project that I came up with (but I am very certain that this is not a new idea out there).. but it will be for me this year to implement and keep me on track for the year. Ta-da… my “Mommy Basket” In this basket there are four dividers, which in turn is four ‘theme months’. On each divider I have clipped a theme card at the top, then behind each divider I will add the different elements that I will need for the month. Whether it is colouring/painting pages, books, an educational video of the particular topic. I will also start to gather and add craft materials that I will need to have prepared ahead of time. This is what I found the BIGGEST obstacle for me last year. I had great ideas, great intentions.. but there were days that I felt that I failed my children. I had great craft ideas, little projects or even ‘field trips’ planned (in my head). This year I am determined to stay ahead of the game. EVEN in the field trip area as much as possible. For example, we have PLANNED to go the a major zoo this year and so I am ordering the tickets on line and putting them in my basket.. ready to go. I’m even ordering a gift card to a restaurant, that way we can treat the family out to dinner before we head home. I want to be prepared this year and be organized but not so OVER organized that I feel like I have all these standards that I have to measure up to OR that there is NO room for change. I just know myself.. if I am a little bit prepared I won’t freak out – throw my hands up and say “forget it.. just watch a show or go play outside”.

I’ll share with everyone something I learned about myself this summer and it is this: I was not patient with my children. I was not content with the stage I am at and the ages of our children. That has changed, and I am making BIG DAILY choices to be happy where God has put me. That He HAS blessed us with four totally awesome, unique children. And that I will be patient with their little-ness because I KNOW one day they will not be little. They will not look up to me to protect them, to learn with them or to just be there to ask: “Mommy what are we doing today”.

Man I love my children, and I am soo thankful for this awesome summer and the ways that God has shown me that my family is AWESOME. My husband is AWESOME. And my life is AWESOME.

So I am thankful.. (there you have it folks.. a bit of the the deep to follow the vagueness at the beginning of this post!

Super excited about the new school year. Teaching Gabriel to read and write, as I watch Ava blossom. All the while I listen and chuckle at the conversations Grace and Linden share with eachother. ☺

23 Days

2011-08-25T11:20:00.002-04:00

Freaking Out. 23 Days. And PLEADING with my friend (www.proudtobeafitmom.blogspot.com) to accompany me.

Here's the low down on my training the last two months:

:|: I injured my knee
:|: Caught up enjoying the summer, my family & laying poolside
:|: Prepared for & was away on our first family of six trip out East
:|: Avoided running in the 45° (with humidity)

Where I'm at now:

:|: Did track work on Tues, ran 10k Wed
:|: Struggled to run 10k
:|: Every inch of my body is aching!
:|: Have a work out schedule for Sat
:|: Want to go for a 12k long run

I have 23 days to get ready for my first 1/2 Marathon. I know I won't be breaking records by any means. But I'm already a winner in my books. I didn't sign up to run a 1/2 Marathon because it is a life goal of mine (for now). The reason I DID sign up was to keep me motivated to run throughout the summer. Continue to loose weight or at the very least maintain. Keep fit. And to have something that is my own to de-stress.

Why am I a winner? Because I have been able to maintain my weight even being on vacation, so I've learned about making better lifestyle food choices. I did run SOME throughout the summer. Running didn't rule me. And I was starting to feel that it was. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone. It was a good break even though it started out being a break for my injury to heal..

So I'm back at it again. I've run twice this week.. with the hopes to get two more in. Again I'm not going to break any records, but I will be able to say that I ran a 1/2 Marathon... and I still have my goal of loosing my last 19lbs. Funny enough I'm looking forward to running in the winter and contrary to other people that gain weight in the winter due to their hibernation mode and indulging in comfort foods.. I will plug away, loose my weight and be thankful that I'm not running in heat and humidity.

FAMILY VACATION!!!

2011-07-21T21:56:00.000-04:00

Sorry ya'll.. I haven't been posting much.. getting ready to go on our family vacation! We are heading to the East Coast! We are soo excited! Two weeks of Atlantic Beaches, family, cook outs, bon fires, chatting, eating out.. and just being together as a family. We CAN NOT wait!

I will take TONS of pictures! And if blogger behaves.. I WILL be posting them! It's a MAJOR heatwave here.. today it was 45°c with the humidity! Craziness!

Happy Summer!

Last Night's Run

2011-07-14T14:27:00.000-04:00

All seems well with my knee. It was a bit sore and stiff but I'm thinking that was from not running for a week. Yup folks - I loose it THAT fast! That is why I have to run ALL the time.. I will loose my endurance, lung capacity and pack on the weight in a blink of an eye.

Even today as I write this my knee does not hurt. I still am going to buy a new pair of running shoes... but I think the rest did my knee well.

I've also decided that I am going to start using a 1/2 marathon training schedule. I am starting to FREAK out that I won't be ready in time. I still haven't found one that I like (or that I can even read for that matter!! I find them soo confusing.. all the abbreviations..) I am a simple girl I tell ya! I'll just jump in where the schedule is at 12k - that's STILL where I'm at... oh well.. its been a hot and busy summer.. and to top it off this whole knee thing.

I'll keep ya'll posted when I find one.....

Happy Running!

My non-dryer use Challenge

2011-07-13T14:06:00.001-04:00

Our dryer died on Sunday, July 10th! At first I panicked because we are a family of six and to keep up with laundry I do one or two loads EVERY night.. once the hydro rate drops after 9pm I pop the laundry in the dryer.. wait.. then pop in another and go to bed.

We are now day four without a dryer.. and I'm actually totally ok with it. Actually I'm excited about it. I can't believe I just wrote that! Frankly I HATE.. HATE hanging little clothes on the line.. tiny socks, itty bitty underwear etc etc etc. With four little ones its ALOT of little clothes to hang. I totally don't mind hanging sheets, blankets, my husbands clothing or mine.. but the children's.. HATE!

But I am actually feeling really FREE at the moment! Firstly I love the thought of not having to DEPEND on electricity for drying EVERY SINGLE piece of clothing. AND the thought of having a decrease in my hydro bill is VERY exciting! And motivating! I started to think.. could I do this ALL year round though? And actually it would be EASIER for me in the winter. We heat our home with a combination of oil furnace but also with our wood stove. Boy can our wood stove pump out the heat. Friends that visit can attest to that.. you can be sure that withing minutes of being in our home.. children are whipping off tights, socks, sweaters and sometimes skirts and pants! Adults however generally only shred a sweater ;)

So here is my challenge for myself... how long can I go without putting ONE SINGLE item in the dryer??

I don't know where this new drive has come from.. it really started with my running. I really REALLY like to challenge myself, I like to feel like I am driven... so this non-dryer use challenge ... is... well.. fun! And exciting!

Here are 10 Reasons to NOT use your clothes dryer:

You'll save money on electricity (or natural gas)
Your clothes will last longer
Your clothes won't shrink
You won't set stains
You'll save money by not replacing a worn out dryer
You'll have less fire risk
You won't need a humidifier
You won't be heating your house more in the summer
You won't have to iron as much
You'll feel good about helping the planet

Keep watch of the weather for those sunny breezy days to hang a load or two... Until next time

Running Vacation ☺

2011-07-13T10:34:00.000-04:00

OK.. OK.. I broke down and took some very good advice from a couple of my running friends! I took a week off from running. Last week I started to experience significant pain in my knee. I'm very certain I need a new pair of running shoes.. and I will be buying a new pair. I'm also thinking that it is WHERE I'm running. My road is a gravel and so when it is graded they dump down HUGE rocks - which in turn is not very soft and cushy to run on. I am also finding that because I am starting to really cover more kilometers on my runs I CAN NOT continue to run a slop or up one side and then back down the other. I will need to be more diligent when I run and take note of these conditions.

Tonight I will be running, last Wed was my last time out. We will see how I do. I've been icing it and taking ibuprofen. It is not swollen just swore.. all be it swore enough that I was having difficulty walking last week.

I will update you all after my run tonight. Until then.. keep on keepin on! ☺

My Journey - thus far

2011-07-08T23:46:00.003-04:00

My journey.. started back on Wednesday, May 5th. I was asked to join a running group.... One year, fourteen months and and three days ago.. and I'm still running. Why am I posting this? I'm not fishing for kind words (although I am extremely humbled by them). I am posting this to say this:

If I can do this and I never ran before and you have the desire to loose weight, be healthy and have something that is just for you.. then you CAN do it. Find the strength, it is in you. When I don't think I can not run any longer.. I pray. I ask God to give me the strength. I ask God to help me be the person He designed me to be.

**side note.. funny thing happened to me on my weekly run with my dear friend Alyson (www.proudtobeafitmom.blogspot.com).. she asked me if the running shirt I was wearing was new.. 'cause I looks slimmer in it. The funny part.. was that it wasn't new.. but I shared with her that I was wearing the same running shirt this Canada Day run as I did my very first run back on Canada Day 2010. This is what sparked the comparison image below! I call it my 'sausage top'!!! haaahhaa why didn't anyone tell me I look like a stuffed sausage in that top?? Hey if you can't laugh at yourself.. who can you laugh at.

Keep Running! Keep Laughing! Just keep on keeping on! ☺☺

My shoes are my problem.. for now...

2011-07-07T00:04:00.000-04:00

I'm pretty sure I need a new pair of running shoes. I am now running in my second pair of shoes. Yup! Two pairs of runners in one year. Do you think that sounds like alot? It may.. but did you know that there are many factors that can contribute to a person needing new shoes? Here are those factors:

Depending how many miles/kilometers you are running you need to purchase new running shows at LEAST twice a year. Yes sirree! It is recommended that your shoes should be changed every 300-500 miles (that would be 483-805 kilometers)
Another way to gauge if you need new runners is how they are feeling. Are you starting to have discomfort or pain when you run? How do they feel on? Are they rubbing in places that they never did before? Are you starting to incur injuries?
How many months have you had them? Some runners can last up to eight months while others may need to be replaced at four or six months.
Weight and your form can also be contributing factor as to how your shoes feel on your tootsies. If you are a runner that is overweight and if you do not have the proper form these two factors can have a huge effect on where and how your running shoes are 'wearing'. The weight thing you can not overcome at the moment.. you are out there running - and that is a good thing.. the weight WILL come off. Your form however.. if you feel like you are flailing around while you run.. you probably are! If you only want to run at night so no one can see you because you think you look silly... well it may just be your form. Get help in that department! Try to hook up with a local running group, seek advice from a knowledgeable running friend (if you have one) or even just research running videos on YouTube.

Those are the most common reasons why you may need a new pair of running shoes.

Now where do I fit in here... I am well into my 1/2 marathon training and I'd say I'm beginning to experience most of the above. My left knee and upper thigh have started to give me some pain. I've had the same pair of runners since January, so you have to understand that I ran in the cold cold winter. I do believe that extreme heat and cold would have an effect on shoes. I am still working at loosing weight, I am certain that my extra 20lbs pounding on those shoes are definitely starting to compromise them. My weekly miles/kilometers are starting to accumulate. My highest weeks have been 25km - now I know that is not that high.. but while I continue to train those weekly km's are only going to increase. As far as my form, I have been told that my form is good.. although now that I am starting to feel quite a bit of discomfort in my shoes I am starting to overcompensate.

So the jury is out.. I am very certain that I need a new pair of running shoes. As we are a family that chooses to live on one income.. that expense will have to wait for a bit.. but not too long because I don't want to sustain more injuries. In the meantime I will continue to enjoy a couple of ibuprofens throughout the day and snuggle up to an icepack at night.

Happy Running folks!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

2011-07-01T13:53:00.002-04:00

Soo proud of my two oldest! They wanted to run in the Canada Day race down by the water today.. and they did! They ran awesome! I am soo proud right now I am beside myself! I don't have they official times.. but it doesn't matter.. they had fun doing it.. big smiles on their faces.. and maybe just maybe running will turn into their 'thing'

I ran as well.. 5k.. 27:23. I'm ok with that time.. it's a pb (personal best).. but I really wanted to break 26:00 minutes. But I look at it this way.. ONE year ago TODAY I ran this very race.. my first race.. and my time was 34:00.. it's been a lot of hard work this past year.. but well worth it!

Happy Canada Day!!

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY GABRIEL!

2011-06-29T13:17:00.003-04:00

~ | ~ | ~| ~| ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~

Happy 5th Birthday Gabriel! Monday was Gabriel's birthday! We had a little get together on Sunday and it was a wonderful day! Simple! Fun! Kid friendly! Relaxed! Gabriel had a lot of fun! He was soo very excited to swim in the pool, enjoy his rainbow cake, and play with his hotwheel cars.
Boys - gotta love them!! xoxoxoxoxox Gabriel!

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1/2 Training Update

2011-06-29T12:36:00.001-04:00

Sorry for not posting very much, life seems to keep me busy ;)

My 'training' is going well.. I have discovered how much I dislike running in the heat! I don't know how I ran all last summer.. what was I thinking? Although in my defense I wasn't running for very long last year.. the thought of running for 1+ hours in the heat doesn't really appeal to me! Now running while it's raining, windy or a bit cold - those are the days I am taking advantage of!

I've been sporadic in the training, but really I'm ok with that. I still have LOTS of time to train - 80 days to be precise! I do plan to get a lot of good runs in while we are visiting family in New Brunswick for two weeks. I will definitely have the time then.. no cooking, cleaning or laundry that I will need to tend to.

Week of June 20th km's ran: 17.5 ... not too bad. I'm running tonight with my running partner.. it's only a high of 17°, overcast and it may rain - but again .. OK with that!

Until next time.... Oh wait.. and I'm racing on Friday! 5k.. a bit of a sentimental race.. this time last year.. I ran this course for the FIRST time! My FIRST race! Last year's time 34:00 ... this year.. I want to break 26:00 ... we'll see!

Race Results

2011-06-14T21:35:00.001-04:00

I ran my first 10k this past Saturday. It was exciting. A big crowd about 300 hundred or so running in the 10k alone. I'm not use to running in a crowd, but once I found my groove I broke away and had space around me.

It was a chip time race meaning, the time was being tracked electronically with a chip that is attached to your running shoe. When you run over the mat at the start and finish line it records your time. There were problems with the mat at the finish line.. according the the group I run with and my hubby, they took the mat away and then replaced it with another.. a bit frustrating because I wanted a REALLY accurate time. From the information I can gather my time was 59:30 but apparently the time is off by 1 minute. So I'm not entirely sure what my time is. My goal was under 60 minutes (preferable 57:00.. but hey at least I ran the whole thing ☺)

That's it folks.. it was a good race, the weather was cool it only started to rain at the very end.

Now to continue training for my 1/2.

Until then...... happy running!

RACE DAY!

2011-06-11T07:24:00.002-04:00

Today at 5:15pm I will be running my first 10k race! I'm very excited! It is out of town which makes me a bit more nervous.. because I don't know the route, I don't want to be late and I have to find my way around to pick up my race kit!

It will be a chip time run. Which means I will have an electronic chip fastened to my shoe, when my foot hits the pad at the start and finish line it will store an INSTANT start and end time! Cool eh? Anyway.. I'm really really hoping to get my time under 60 minutes. I know everyone is just saying to enjoying my first 10k race, just finish it.. but frankly I KNOW I can run 10k ~~ now I just want to kick butt (and by kick butt I just mean kick my OWN butt! Come on now.... I'm not that fast!!)

I'll post my results later!! Happy Running!

Meet Derek..

2011-06-10T07:00:00.001-04:00

This is Derek:

He is our Deck Frog!

He gets poked!

He gets squeals from the kids!

He is missed when he can not be found!

Inches TALLER and teeth LOST

2011-06-09T22:05:00.001-04:00

My sweet sweet Ava is growing and growing! She's only six and is now 4 feet 3inches tall! And she lost her first TOP tooth today!! Sooo cute to hear her talk with a lisp!

Ticker Trouble

2011-06-09T14:09:00.000-04:00

IF anyone is reading this post.. and if anyone cares.. my ticker for the 10k race that I'm running is incorrect.. I'm actually running on Saturday. So still a few more days to go.

Running update: I'm still out there. In the heat. It's hot. It's hard. It's humid. Can't breath.

I'm so happy I chose to train for this 1/2 in the summer! ;) ;) At the very least I'll SWEAT 15lbs off!

Some Runs are just not meant to be......

2011-06-06T22:14:00.000-04:00

Wow ~ ok ~ I had a really really crappy run tonight. Hubby had to work late.. but he was home by 8:20p so I thought I would go for a quick (quick) 5k run. I was kinda wanting to break my last time back in March of 27:32... but no such luck. My run actually sucked! No luck at all! But perhaps it's not luck.. .. but number of other reasons:

We just got back from a mini-road trip.. and we spent about 11 hours of driving (in total).
I've been staying up late all weekend visiting with my sister and family .. perhaps enjoying some wine.
Ah yes and I almost forgot.. I fell down three cement stairs on Saturday.. oh yes how could I forget? My butt is killing, my back feels like it was pushed out to the front of my chest. And my shoulder and neck are stiff and very achy.

Hum I guess those could all be factors ;) OR I just had a really really disappointing run tonight.

Time will tell.......

Sick! Sick I tell ya!

2011-05-31T23:37:00.000-04:00

I think I'm going to throw up.. I just signed up for my first 10k race and 1/2 Marathon! What am I thinking? I am sooo excited.. but soo scared at the same time! I've never raced outside of where I live.. I can handle crowds certainly.. but I've never had a race in a crowd - does that make sense? Will I get there in time? Will I know where to pick up my race package? Will I miss the starting line? OK maybe I'm over reacting.. but I like to be prepared, run the course a few times... check out where I am suppose to be BEFORE I need to be there. OK I need to calm down!

Eeeekkk soo very exciting! Please pray that my training goes well for this 1/2 and that my body can withstand all this running with no injuries. Oh yeah.. and that I drop these darn last 15-20lbs!

Ohh joy! Oh joy!

Running in the Heat is fun!

2011-05-31T20:08:00.000-04:00

OK I OBVIOUSLY didn't plan this well.. training for a 1/2 marathon through the summer ... hmmm it's going to be a hot one! I do love to sweat.. it's the breathing that is tough.. but I'll get use to running in the humidity.. after all I did it all last year.

To bring you all up to speed, I'm recording my work outs on http://www.running-log.com/. It's great because it totals up the distance I'm covering by the end of the week and it breaks down what my pace is per kilometers. I'm new to all this tracking stuff so to me this is all so very exciting!

Last Week's Totals:
Distance: 25.0km
Time: 2:45:00

I am FREE!

2011-05-30T21:06:00.000-04:00

I am free from weeding. Free from watering. Free from worrying if my plants will make it through the night and get munched on by bunnies, deer or other small critters.

In conclusion.. no veggie garden this year. I was a bit sad at the thought of not having one. But I just have to be realistic this year. I'm just not 'into' gardening a veggie plot this. PLUS.. we'll be gone for a few weeks through the summer on our family vacation.. and I just think the garden will go down the tubes.

So there - no fresh veggies from our garden this year.. HOWEVER I will still maintain the plot. Add veggie and fruit scraps to it, grass clippings and in the fall leaves. I'll just keep preparing the area for next year.

Until then... I will be running, soaking up the sun, working on my tan ;), lots of lounging by our pool... and RELAXING.... Hmmmm anyone want to sell me fresh veggies? Or 'donate' to a large growing family? haahaa

Happy Gardening Y'all!

A new Challenge

2011-05-28T11:23:00.000-04:00

I'm soo scared! Seriously!

I am challenging myself physically once again. May 5, 2010 I started running. I couldn't even run 1 minute - yup... not even a minute. The reason I started running was because I wanted to try something I've always wanted to do (but NEVER thought I could do) and to help me loose weight.

I really can't believe I've made it this far.. it is all very surreal to me. Seems like everyone else has faith in me...telling me "you will be running a 5k in no time.. you'll run faster next time". Then came my challenge of running 10k.. I missed the race I was working towards back at the beginning of this month, but I have continued to train. I can run 10k but I haven't officially raced in a 10k, I have my eye on one in June that I am planning on running.

Then everyone said I'd run a 1/2 - and I just laughed at them! Seriously 21.1k??? Not me! Running for probably 2 hours straight - I would tell them NEVER! The is CRAZY! YOU are crazy!

Well...... guess what my goal is now? Never say never.... I am starting to train for a 1/2! I have a number of reasons why I have decided to challenge myself. Firstly I haven't been consistent with my runs and it's because I don't have a goal. I don't have races to work towards. Last summer I got hooked on running because I started to loose weight and then I wanted to beat my previous race times. Then in the fall I decided that I wanted to run a 10k (which I will run next month).

So now I want to run a 1/2 I want to loose my last 15lb-20lbs. Having this goal will keep me on track with a running schedule. The other reason is I want to see if I can actually push myself to run this distance. I am truly amazed that I can even run 5 or 10. So to challenge myself to run 21.1k really does seem out of reach for me. I have also been inspired by a friend that I have been running with. Watching her push through the challenges she has faced, put in all the hard work that it takes to train for a 1/2 has been amazing to watch. I have had the privilege of running with her too! I am so proud of her! I tell everyone that "I have a friend training for a 1/2" She is soo amazing! She is actually running her 1/2 this weekend! I am sooo very excited for her! Way to go Alyson! You can do it! You are inspirational to me! Check out her blog to read about her journey and her race results! www.proudtobeafitmom.blogspot.com

I don't really have a 'bucket list' but I do want to accomplish this for myself now, while I can. I don't want to look back when I'm old and wonder if I could have run that distance. So I figure now is the time! Give it all I have ...NOW! You may wonder how I fit in my training.. how I find the time. Well the answer is simple and complicated: I MAKE time! There is always something that has to be done around here, or someone has to go somewhere. But we all need time for ourselves. Time to realise stress, time to relax (whatever it is you find relaxing), time to just find yourself. I also think making time for yourself is an important part of a healthy marriage. Time apart, makes your time together that much more wonderful. Jay sails.. I run.. that's how it goes.

Enough rambling... so there you have it.. I'm crazy.. I am training to run a 1/2 this fall. To get you all up to speed on my training methods: I train with the running group that I am apart of on Tuesday's and Saturday's. Those will be my hard workouts (either hills, speed work, tempo or track workouts). Then the other two days that I am running will be my long easy runs (haa haa I laugh at that word easy - it's really not easy for me.. but we'll go with that description!) For my long runs I will base it on time, for example I can run for 50 minutes and I will continue to add 5 minutes and build up my endurance from there. The kilometers will naturally increase the longer I run. My Tuesday and Saturday work outs will increase my strength which will help me with my distance. A great tool that I am using to log my runs is http://www.running-log.com/athlete/login It is simple to use and it helps me to keep track of how my kilometers I am putting in each week. Right now I am running 1hour and 10 minutes which for me equals 11.6kilometers. My goal is to run the 1/2 straight, with no walking breaks. (one can dream!) I think I can do it.. NO.. I have to tell myself YES YOU CAN DO IT!

Half the battle are the doubts in your mind! Here I go!

I ♥ your comments!

2011-05-19T16:25:00.001-04:00

Just a little thank you note to say.. well thank you!

I do not blog to increase my followers list. I do not blog to see if my 'hits' rise up. I do blog when I have time. When I have the energy. When I feel like sharing what we are doing or what I am thinking. When I feel like I need to get something off my chest. Or even when I need to keep myself accountable about something I am trying to achieve.

I haven't been blogging lately.. however the couple of posts that I have written has attracted quite a few comments (at least for my blog! This certainly isn't a blog that gets 103 + comments! ☺).

It's just nice to know.. that we are not forgotten in this busy world. In a world that is soo face paced and ready to just 'throw you out' if you are not entertaining them. In this "ME" world. I say thank you for stopping by. Caring enough to comment. And being (slightly) interested in our little family.

Blessings! ♥

4 Easy Steps: Gardening

2011-05-15T21:36:00.000-04:00

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1) seed hollyhocks

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 2) transplant my rhubarb

:::::::::::::::::::::::: 3) seed wildflowers along the tree line

::::: 4) plant white irises to make a bog garden

Done.. ok easy right? I'm ready for summer! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: not! I need to get my BUTT in gear and get working on my garden! So once summer is here... I can work on my tan!

Happy Gardening!

Small Group - BIG opportunities

2011-05-13T22:30:00.002-04:00

We host a small group at our home every Monday night. We love opening up our home. Are we a busy family - yup! Is it crazy hectic in the hour and half that I am home before everyone arrives at 7pm - you betcha! Are we tried some nights.. but then the thought of seeing everyone gets us reved up again - yes and yes!

But what Jay and I figure... it's about relationships. Relationships with people in our church. Relationships with people who are seeking the Lord. Relationships with our children. Teaching them to be hospitable. Teaching them to share what we have. Teaching them to love others where they are in life.

Most if not all the people that come to our small group are thoroughly entertained by our children! Whether the children are giving everyone hugs good night, just popping their head in to say "hi!", trying to stay up later, showing them their karate/dancing moves, wanting to take pictures of them while they are coming in.... or even asking to see the treats that the group will be eating... and asking if they could save a couple for them to eat the next day!

Either way... I think it's great that we are able to connect with people on a different level. In this crazy busy 'season' we are in.. I am thankful we still have time for relationships.

Homeschooling and the ARTS - it is possible!

2011-05-13T16:24:00.001-04:00

We've been having lots of fun around our home lately (but let's be real... those great days are in between bad days! We are a normal family afterall☺)

This was Ava's second year in theatre class. She had a blast! Made new friends (myself included!) She has totally come out of her shell, I was very surprised the first year she started to cry because everyone was looking at her! I thought to myself "hmmmm I never thought Ava was actually shy"... anyway.. this year was soo super fun because she had a script to memorize! A real script! It was truly amazing for me to watch her read her lines and them memorize them. I had a bit of a proud mama moment (wow! I taught her how to read!). This year's theatrical presentation was called: "Goldilocks and the Three Bullfrogs"... guess who played Goldilocks? ;)

All the kids were soo cute! They all did an amazing job! Here are a couple of pictures from the night:

Keeping in the subject of arts.. Ava received a recorder (two Christmases ago -- ahem mommy tried to keep it hidden away for awhile!) But Miss. Ava has a VERY good memory and she started asking for it... so she's been tooting away on it. She is actually very responsible with it. I thought it would just be one more thing to be tossed and get broken. But she plays it a bit, returns it to the strawberry shortcake sleeve it came in then places it high in her cupboard so her little sister and brothers can not reach it. This little recorder has actually proven to be such a learning tool in more ways than the obvious. She is taking responsibility for it and she has really taken an interest in learning how to play it. Sooo... I was going through a TON of bins that was given to me FULL of books. (sadly I originally thought they would probably be all junky books.. but there are a TON of resources in there that I will be able to use.. that will be a different post!).

Anyway.. it has also given her an opportunity to READ on her OWN about something she WANTS to learn about! What a concept ;) She sat there for an hour! An HOUR! I was alittle surprise considering she started out complaining that "all I want to do is play".. hahha don't we ALL just want to pick up a guitar and strum away? In that hour she leaned how to hold the recorder, play notes A, B and G. And a little tune at the end. It was really great to watch her sit, read, and then try to apply what she just learned. I was in and out of the kitchen... but I was available if she had any questions. I honestly didn't think she would sit there that long.. but again.. my children prove me wrong ;) In a good way I suppose!

Lift up your Face

2011-04-23T21:14:00.001-04:00

Songs of Easter

2011-04-23T21:12:00.001-04:00

where does your faith lie?

2011-04-21T11:46:00.000-04:00

Did I mention that I LOVE Easter!!! Please take time... let this sink into your heart today... your heart will thank you for ETERNITY:

THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR!

2011-04-21T11:41:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter... soooo exciting! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Easter.. More than Christmas. More than the first day of spring... Easter! The holiday that JESUS DIED for MY sins. YOUR sins. Awesome!!! I am soo thankful for Jesus's sacrifice. LOVE EASTER!!!! LOVE THE COLOURS!!! LOVE NEW LIFE!

enjoy

THE GREATEST ART from Hillsong Church on Vimeo.

Slow & Steady.. wins the race or makes you crazy!

2011-04-20T13:02:00.001-04:00

I'm still here. Just sooo beyond busy right now! Work is busy with the Passion Play... home is busy with just four kids, hubby and home maintenance! Running lots... happy that I am now running 10k. I am feeling more and more ready for my first 10k race this May 1st. Now that I have ran the course on my own I feel prepared.. and ready to have a great time!

So my title.. what does it really mean? Well... my whole weight loss journey.. it's been a journey in many ways. The weight loss of course, spiritual journey, mental wellness and health journey, becoming physically stronger journey and many other areas.

I truly am glad that the weight has come off slowly. I know if the weight just "fell" off that it would have just fooled me that I can maintain that kind of loss or weight. The journey is the most important part. Learning about food, making healthier choices (almost always), educating myself about the human body and finally integrating physical activity in my life.. forever.

My last 20lbs are taking a long time to come off. I know that I have to change up a few things in my life.. up my running either in distance or intensity, change up my eating habits.. both these factors will fool my body and start it loosing weight again. I am happy with the process I've made so far.. but I have to keep my eye on my desired end results. I can't loose focus now.. I'm come so far and worked too hard. Need to FOCUS.

Final weight loss to date: 37lbs.

166.5 and stuck

2011-04-02T19:23:00.000-04:00

Update: no weight lost.. no weight gained... I have NO IDEA what is going on with my body! I don't really feel smaller in the clothes so I am not sure that I am just getting smaller and gaining muscle. I have been running 3-4 times a week. Although the 4 times a week isn't that consistent. I've upped my distance.. I've ran 10k (ok ok once)... but I'd like that to be my new 'regular' distance and just get quicker. So I'm not sure why I am stuck. The next thing to look at is what I'm eating.. I not really eating anything different .. and I don't THINK I've increased my portions... but I think I am going to have to start keeping track. I really don't want to .. because as I've said before when I start thinking about food and what I should and shouldn't eat I get stressed and then eat more.. it's crazy I know.. but that's me.

I'm pretty frustrated to be honest with you.. I thought I had my routine down pat.. eat less, move more. My original goal is only 15lbs away.. but since then I've changed it .. I have 20lbs left. It's been a long hard road to get me moving and be more physical again. And watching what I eat... I'm happy with the progress so far.. and I know it really is a lifestyle change so it is life-long... but I just SOOOOO want to be at my goal weight.

So that's it.. that's where I'm at as far as running and my weight loss journey. .....

Freeze your Buns Run - DONE!

2011-03-26T21:03:00.000-04:00

Today was the third and final race of the 'Freeze your Buns' series. It was cold! It was hard! It was winter! But I did it! And I earned a free t-shirt and produced some great times! Another personal best today.. for this WINDY race: 27:32.

Next race: May 1st my first 10k! Eeekkkkk!

Yay!

Happy Running.

Happy Birthday to ME!

2011-03-24T23:22:00.000-04:00

This post is a few hours early.. by only a couple of hours. Tomorrow is my birthday! Yay! Plans have been made: kids being dropped off at my in-laws in the afternoon for a 24 hour visit ;) ;) aka.. sleepover! Dinner reservations made at my favorite bistro! CAN'T WAIT to enjoy a glass of wine and my brie appetizer that I always THOROUGHLY enjoy! I bought a new pair of totally hot mama, ripped, distressed jeans! Sooo excited to wear them!

I can't believe I am the age that I am. I am now starting to understand when people say it's just a number. Or they don't feel as old as they are. Man... this sucks.. I wish I was in the shape that I am now 10 years ago.

Oh well I just have to settle with the awesome life that I have NOW!

Happy Birthday to ME! ☺☺

Shred Update

2011-03-23T21:29:00.000-04:00

The update.. I'm not doing it anymore.. ok.. there you have it.. I "decided" to not continue with the video. It is a great video.. but FOR ME.. I became overwhelmed with doing the shred EVERYDAY.. plus running 3-4 times a week.. that's a lot to fit in.. that is a part time job right there!

I am still glad I bought it and that I have it.. when/if I go through a running slump I will pop it in forsure just to keep in shape.

So tthere.

Even kids LONG for the beach!

2011-03-23T14:10:00.000-04:00

This is what I come across when I go looking for the kids this morning! They said they were sun tanning! There has been LOTS of talk about beaches... since we have been planning our summer family vacation. Needless to say that even the kids are craving the warm sunny days of summer!

Shred update

2011-03-04T21:02:00.000-05:00

On day four of the 30 Day Shred by Jullian Michaels I still hate it! I definitely think it's all in my head.. I really dislike workout videos.. I've done them in the past and didn't see results. MIND YOU I never stuck to them either.. so I guess that's why they never worked! What has worked for me is running.. still running but I have added the shred.

That's it.. that' my "exercise" update.. stay tuned.. I hope to post some positive before and after measurements....

Happy Shredding!

Food For Thought: Education

2011-03-01T18:18:00.000-05:00

This video was recently shared with me.. and I find it clear and very informational.. take some time (approx 11:41 mins) out of your day:

30 Day Shred - OUCH!

2011-03-01T17:04:00.001-05:00

I am now adding another component to my exercise regime. I have to admit I am only on day 2 and looking forward to my week.. I can already see that this is going to be a big challenge for me to fit in. Yesterday I was woke up early and began my work out at 5:40am.. A.M. PEOPLE! I don't even like to run in the morning.. but now I'm "shredding" in the morning! *sigh*! I guess I am either dedicated or crazy or both!

I will continue to run three times a week.. but also do the shred as well. I have about 20lbs left to loose.. I want my body to tighten up, loose the weight and ultimately make me stronger for my runs.

Already my shoulders and arms ARE KILLING me! My legs not so much but that is likely because of all the running. My abs aren't too sore.. but frankly I don't know if I am really giving it my all when it comes to the ab portion. It is a struggle for me to do the crunches but I don't know if my form is all that 'correct'.

So we will see how this whole work out video thing goes. I have to say I HATE.. HATE I tell ya.. doing workout videos. I feel like I look stupid and to top it off I am staring at SUPER fit ladies.. a bit discouraging! Anyway.. I figure I've come this far.. I've stuck with running for this long.. I hope I have the longevity to complete this 30 Day Shred!

I did take measurements.. I will post all the numbers at the end of the 30 days.

Wish me luck!

"KEEP YOUR KNEES UP!... KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!"

2011-02-28T22:29:00.000-05:00

Freeze your Buns Run #2 is well behind me. You will commonly hear that running is therapeutic. It is time for you to think. Yes it is those things.. for me it's also a way to push myself to my limits. To talk myself through the pain. Talk myself out of wanting to stop.

For a few months now I've been running with a friend Wednesday nights. She is awesome! She is a very experienced runner.. she has offer advice, encouragement.. but mostly keeps me going. So while I was running this past Saturday all I heard was her voice in my head:

"Keep you knees up!"
"Keep your head up"
"Push up the hill.. pass people!"

I did it! Kept those knees and head up.. pushed up that hill (a VERY LONG hill).. and passed two runners while going up!

I am very happy that all my efforts paid off. Despite the snow, wind and very slushy conditions.. Saturday reaped a new pb for my 5k. 27:51 !! I can't believe it!
Thank you Alyson for pushing me on the nights that I just didn't want to be pushed! For guiding and offering great advice. For encouraging me.. and reminding me to NOT be soo hard on myself!

I've learned SOO much about what my body CAN do.. instead of what my brain tells me I CAN'T do. This is definitely soo mind over body for me! And probably for most I would say.

Happy Running Ya'll! I am starting to fall in love with running all over again!

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T06:50:00.000-05:00

OK.. so I'm not *into* Valentine's Day.. but I AM into LOVE!

What I love..

:: listening my husband play with the children

:: memories of my mom

:: listening to the children talk to each other and play

:: seeing my children giving each other OVERWHELMING body hugs (LOVE those!)

:: my life

:: who I am

:: my extended family

:: my relationship with my husband. my friend. the ONE person who GETS me. the person that I NEED to walk through this life with

ooh and soo many more things.. but I just can't name them all. I am happy. I really DO love my life.

We dont' technically celebrate Valentines Day ON Valentines Day. We make an effort ALL year round (which I am sure most of you do as well). Jay regularly goes out with each children.. their daddy/daughter date OR daddy/son night. Jay and I also try to make it a point to go on dates ourselves. Life does get busy.. but we try and that's what matters! Sending each other little 'love' e-mails or a phone call to say 'how is your day.. thinking of you.. love you'. They all count! Every second I'm with my husband and children.. it counts. So we dont' go all out on a day like Valentines - but we do show our love.

Oh and the picture above... well that is what you TYPICALLY see at my home. Ava is FOREVER making cards for EVERYONE and ANYONE that is special to her (even if she just met a little girl at the park and has only known her for an hour!). We *joke* that she has a card ministry! I just LOVE her creativity! LOVE IT! (oh I guess that is another thing I love!!)

Happy Valentines Day to my dear dear husband.. sixteen years together and ten years married this fall. Life COULDN'T get any better. I have you, our children and God - what more do we need?

Have a super day everyone!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Change is Good

2011-02-12T17:51:00.000-05:00

Just an update.. went for an interview.. and I GOT THE JOB! I was soo nervous! The last interview I had was probably over 10 years ago! When we moved to our new home and location (3 years ago this September) I had to resign from my job. And a new journey began.. I started homeschooling our oldest in SK.. and now Ava is in grade one.. so we are in our second year of homeschooling.

So how will this affect our family. In a few ways.. but we prayed about it ALOT.. you have to understand the job I applied for (and accepted) is actually at my church! Only part time.. 15 hours. I am soo very excited! The hours are flexible so the arrangement we made really works for my family and I am able to for fill my job at the church. I will only be at work Monday all day, four hours on Tuesday and Thurs evening for three hours. The Monday and Tuesday that I am away my MIL will come to the house and watch the kids for us. This is going to be such a blessings, my MIL will now have a chance to really pour her love into the children. (not that they don't already.. but it will be extra special time just for her and the three children to enjoy).

I will still be able to homeschool Tuesday afternoon and for the rest of the week. We think this will work for us.. every family is different. Every family's schedule is different.. this is just another 'different' that we will adjust to.y

So there you have it.. I start this Monday.. as the communications assistant! Eeekk so excited!

Seriously Plateauxing

2011-02-12T10:56:00.000-05:00

I am trying not to panic.. REALLY trying not to panic! I've realized that my body is becoming 'lazy'.. it has gotten accustom to my level of activity and what I am feeding it. Resulting in .. no results or very little. I've mentioned it before.. but it is soo very hard for me to loose weight, nothing in the past seemed to work. But when I started running and watching what I ate the pounds just started to come off... 1lbs.. then 2 lbs.. all the way to where I am now.. 33.5lbs. I was SOOO excited and SOOO motivated when I saw that this was actually working. So you'll understand that now I am panicking.. or should I say.. WAS starting to panic. But after getting some really great advice from my fitness/health guru friend I am on track again.

I have to kick it up a notch, not let the February blues get to me. And remember my goals. That is a big thing for me! A really good reminder of what I want to accomplish in the next few months to a year and for life. I read a great article by John Stanton and I just wanted to share with everyone the goals portion of the article:

1. DAILY GOAL to get out the door every day
2. A SELF-ACCEPTANCE GOAL to condition yourself to the fact that daily fitness is part of your lifestyle.
3. A PERFORMANCE GOAL for a season - either a distance goal, such as running a 10K or a time goal, such as breaking 45 minutes for a 10K
4. A DEDICATION GOAL or a special goal for the season - something that will motivate you to continue training throughout the year. Dedicate your year to the memories of a loved one, or dedicate your goal to proving you can do it when others believe you cannot.
5. A DREAM GOAL - a big race or special distance that seems just slightly out of reach but achievable.
(source: Goal-setting in 2011 John Stanton running room mag jan/feb 2011 vol 17 issue 1)

Reading this article is just one thing that has REALLY helped me to re-focus on MY goals. So here I go again.. onto another level/phase of my journey to loose weight, be more healthy and active and to an overall healthier lifestyle.

MY report card

2011-02-11T13:40:00.000-05:00

Somedays.. OK most days I find myself wondering.. why are we homeschooling again? Am I REALLY making a positive difference in my children's life? Am I REALLY showing them love.. the kind of love that God shows us?

Well I'm guessing my 'report card' says it says it all. It was BEYOND reassuring for me that I am doing a good job and that we are doing the right thing. It was pure love.. with no strings attached... pure love.. that only a child can give. Thank you Ava.. you MADE my day.. and weekend!!! Love you!

translation (☺): 'thank you mom.. you have been a great teacher. love you mom'

She explained the pictures to me.. to the right those are party balloons with confetti and on the left are our two hearts attached.. OK doesn't that melt your heart???

Happy Weekend!

Looking for some Inspiration

2011-02-10T21:25:00.000-05:00

I feel like I am hitting a wall. I'm loosing a bit of my drive to run. *Gasp*... my heart just started beating really fast I as I wrote that! I don't want to loose my interest. I think those stupid February blues are trying to get to me. I managed to run through those dark November, December and January months.. now I'm starting to fall back in February? Really? Ahh.. that makes me get soo angry at myself. You wouldn't believe how much I am LONGING FOR IT TO STAY LIGHTER OUT LONGER. I am an evening runner. That's what works for my family's schedule. And I am very ok with this. Everyone is taken care of.. including me. So for us that is how it works. I am soo longing to go for an evening run and not have to jet home because it's pitch dark. I live in the country. So when I say it's pitch dark - it is in fact.. pitch dark.. with the exception of the moon (if it's bright enough).

I think I am doing ok with my eating.. but frankly I am battling another 'issue'.. not really an issue per say.. ok lets get personal here.. my dang period. Seriously.. do I REALLY NEED to be this regular (personal pray: Lord I believe you have blessed us with the children we are going to have.. would it be possible if menopause came early for me? Thank you Jesus). Anyway.. I'm totally not making fun of prayer.. I am a Christian.. I am just need some support here!

Anyway with this 'regulatrity' comes all the fun stuff, cravings (which I am getting WAY better at curving), bloating, tiredness, achiness (as I have arthritis). So this is what I face every three weeks.. yup - it's the wonderful.

On to some inspiration that I am longing for.. I was reading one of the running magazines that I have .. and I came across this one woman's story. AMAZING! Inspiring to say the least. What I LOVE, truly LOVE about running is everyone has a story. A journey. And ANYONE can start and succeed at it. LOVE IT! OK.. so as I am writing this post.. I feel my running fire being ignited - yay!

So there you have it... oh and as far as weight loss.. I'm still at 33.5 lbs. That is what I am getting frustrated at. No weight loss.. but my body is changing.. but frankly when a person has a lot of weight to loose.. we really want to see that number go down... Good news though.. bought a new pair of pants... SIZE 9!! Yay!

Run Hard! Run for fun! Just Run!

No Pain! No Gain!

2011-01-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

Yes.. sometimes running doesn't look pretty. Sometimes it's not effortless. Sometimes it's just down right HARD! (at least for me it is!)

I've learned sooo much about myself since I've begun running. But the one thing that is soo evident in the picture below is that I am FIGHTING to loose EVERY single POUND! And I am not prepared to stop until I get to my goal weight.

First 5k race of the year, results: 28:24.. my personal best.

Exciting News! .. and no I'm not pregnant!

2011-01-28T11:28:00.000-05:00

I have a bit of exciting news.. I've applied for a job! Eek yup! I can't go into too much detail but all I can say.. is it's only party time ... I have an interview on Monday! It's related to my field. We will wait and see if this is a door God is opening of us and my family. I am excited and nervous all in the same moment! I know that if I do get this job.. and it will a bit of juggling with homeschooling Ava, keeping the home running and working.. but I am soo up for *another* challenge. Again.. it's only part time and the days/times that I go in will be flexible..

I will keep y'all posted.. just pray.. if this is God's will then open the door and if it is not.. to close it.

We will wait and see!

Checking-in / Checking-out

2011-01-28T11:21:00.000-05:00

I don't know what my problem is.. I really don't. I think I have 'life/writers/tired/crazy busy, always noise in my head block'!!! Again.. not to sound whiny.. but I do have lots going on.. just can't formulate it enough to write it down. OK.. but I'm going to give it a go.. I am going to *attempt* to catch up on posts.

Running is going well.. I've been running longer.. I'm up to 45 minutes.. ya! It's exciting and boring all at the same time! Say what! I totally can't believe I am up to that time.. I can see a DIM light at the end of the tunnel.. perhaps I will be able to run the entire 10k race in the spring! But it's also kinda boring some days! Some days I just feel like I am flying.. and then there are other days where I am running and it's only been 15 minutes.. I look down at my watch.. and think to myself "sigh.. another 30 minutes of this!". I've been running with a super dear friend on Wednesday nights. And I LOVE it! She talks, I listen. It's great! I chime in every so often.. but I just like to listen and the company! It's what I like to call 'running bonding'! ☺ But I am lovin' running with someone soo much that I am starting to not like running by myself! Oh.. well .. I'm also getting a bit frustrated. I have been loosing weight but not a the same momentum that I was before Christmas. I think my period is really starting to mess with my brain! I hate being bloated and tired the week before.. and then the week of.. I feel even bigger. We will see after this week. I weight myself on Tuesday's.. so I am REALLY hoping I am down another 1.5lbs. All I keep saying in my head is "167lbs.. 167lbs..167lbs". I always kinda have 'mini-goals' in my head. Literally pound by pound! I am hoping I will be down to 160 by my birthday in March.

Another aspect of my workout that I am really starting to be consistent with is ab work. I've been doing lower and upper ab work. I am seeing some small results. A *BIT* of definition on the abdomen and my tummy is looking a bit flat as well. I'm thinking perhaps because I am building some muscle I am not seeing the pounds drop off on the scale. My body is changing.. but when you have ALOT of weight to loose .. you REALLY want to see those numbers go down. But I will continue to work hard. I WON'T give up now. I am starting to enjoying feeling a bit lighter. I am starting to feel ALIVE.

So that's my running up date.. oh so I guess that is my 'checking-in' portion of this post!

The 'checking-out'... I really feel like I am going through another transformation. God is really working on me. I am starting to feel fulfilled at home and really ENJOYING my time home with the kids. As I've mentioned in my last post.. I am really working hard in living in the moment. Therefore I think because I am focusing on God and trying to hear and put into action what he is trying to show me I feel less and less the urge to look for I'll call it "attention" from the cyber world.. and my computer. Does that make sense? I am realizing that I may not have many friends.. and most of my family lives far away. But what I DO have here is my church, my husband, my children, my in-laws and some very wonderful new friends. It takes time.. and I am accepting and adjusting to that. So there.. I am happy with life.. so I don't feel I NEED to write everything that I am doing on my blog or facebook. That's not to say we are doing all these super wonderful things every single day.. we are just living. Just breathing.. in and out. Enjoying the simple things thats happen in the day. Watching the kids play outside in the snow. Making muffins together. Me ACTUALLY SITTING in the middle of the afternoon and watch a movie with the kids. Tickling Linden and listening to him laugh. Yeah we do stuff.. outdoor skating, theatre classes, getting together with friends, evening programs.. but I am just learning to just BE.

So I am not intentionally trying to hide away from my blog.. I am just trying to prioritize my life. Hope everyone is well.. and I just LOVE reading up on what everyone is up to. I also pray for y'all you know! God is soo good.. he is always with us. Seeking a special relationship with YOU! And ME!

Blessings..... oh and YAAAAAAHOOOOO it's Friday!!

Alive and Well.. and feeling out of sorts

2011-01-19T14:14:00.000-05:00

Hi all!

Although I don't have many 'followers'... I feel bad that I have neglected my blog. It's not that I haven't wanted to write. I've been having some technical difficulties both with the 'hardware' and me! I've downloaded this writer program that another fellow blogger suggested.. and although it is super easy and quick to use.. that hasn't really solved my problem of updating my blog (visually). Anyway... I'm going to keep plugging away at it.

I've also had trouble putting my words down.. I've been soo busy.. but it's not anymore busy than I was before. Does that make sense? A bit of an update...

Our Christmas was wonderful! Hubby and I really tired to keep it simple this year. Keeping the focus on birth of Christ.. because that IS what Christmas is about. We enjoyed Christmas plays, looking at the homes with all their Christmas lights. Sledding, hot chocolate. Christmas movie nights. Getting together with friends and family. It was really one of the best Christmas's by far!

I gained 3lbs over Christmas *sigh*.. but I guess that is pretty good considering I could have gained A LOT more! I enjoyed cookies, wine and lots of other decant Christmas foods.. but I did still try to watch what I ate. I think the biggest contributor of putting the weight on was that I wasn't able to get out and run as much. We were just soo busy - seemed like every night we were out doing something or having someone over. So I did get out of my routine of running 4 times a week. But I am happy to say.. now that we are part way through January.. I've lost the 3lbs and an additional 1.5lbs. So my official number is 169.5lbs total loss = 32.5lbs! Yay! I can't believe it! I've adjusted what I want my goal weight to be. Originally it was 150lbs but now I'd really like to be 145lbs. So I have 24.5lbs to go. It's going to take a lot of work (like it hasn't been up till now! ☺). But I am eager to reach it by the summer time! I am now running 3 times a week, and would like to get back to 4. From there I'd like to increase it to 5 times. I am 'training' to run a 10k race this May. I am soo nervous, excited and I doubt myself every time I drive 10k! I think to myself.. 'that is soooo far!!!'

Homeschooling.. well that has been challenging to get started up again after being off for a few weeks over Christmas Break. It's been hard for me to get motivated but more so for Ava. She's been complaining about doing her school work, and although she is doing well I don't want to get behind. We have a curriculum that we follow.... and I'd like to cover most if not all the content. I've had some talks with Ava.. explained to her that she is very blessed to be able to do school at home. To have such a flexible schedule that she is able to go and play outside for an hour or so.. come back in read, have lunch.. take a nap if she needs to. Watch a movie.. go outside again. Or spend some one on one time with me. I think she is starting to see the benefits.. but she is only 6.

I think another reason I've had a hard time to sit and post on my blog is because I have been praying. Praying to God to help me live in the moment. I know I know you hear that everywhere. But I really do get lost in all my 'to do' lists that I really don't enjoy the moment or the day. I've been praying to be thankful for where I am RIGHT NOW in my life. To enjoy the time I have with my children... to watch them grow, learn and be a positive mommy roll model. I can be such a worry wort. Wondering, worrying, trying to plan ahead and ahead and ahead. That I miss what awesome experiences I could be enjoying right now. So I've been trying to not spend too much time on the computer... I feel like such a slug when the kids want to play a game or watch a movie with me.. and I say 'one second.. one second.. one second'.. then the moment has passed. I do find it hard though sometimes at night when I am trying to catch up on my e-mails and they still want me to sit and watch a movie with them. Some days I do find it difficult because I am with them all day... but I have to just learn to prioritize.. give them my energy and time when they are awake..

hummm what else.. I think that is about it... there may be a few big changes happening for our family, but I can't go into details right now. Again I am praying and asking God to open the door if this is what we should be doing.. or just close it so I know I am where I need to be. That's it.. sorry to keep anyone hanging.. but that's all I can say right now.

Hope everyone is enjoying this cold weather.. oye... just checked the weather network -19 degrees with the windchill. Now that is chilly! (it was -26 on Monday!)

Happy Mid-Winter Y'all!

Is it my computer? Is it Blogger.com?

2011-01-11T03:04:00.000-05:00

OK.. I am getting really frustrated now! I can barely post.. having trouble adding pictures and now I can't change the design of my page. Many people have told me they can't post a comment. And most times they can't even pull up my blog. Are YOU having trouble with these things?

I've taken off my background.. if I could be successful at it.. I would take down my weight widget and see if that makes a difference.. I don't know if these two things have created a virus or something associated with my blog.

I am debating switching over to wordpress. Is wordpress 'good' I've never used it... I'm going to see if there is a way to e-mail blogger... if I can even get that far...
Sooo frustrated.. I want to post soo many things! arrrrahhhhhhh

3 - 1 = happy girl

2010-12-23T09:45:00.000-05:00

Remember when I was questioning whether I was plateauing or maintaining my weight over the holiday's? Well.. I OBVIOUSLY spoke too soon! Since the end of November we have been CRAZY busy with Christmas outings, parties, eating and just enjoying all the goodies that are around this time of year. I was starting to feel bloated (probably all the salt in those yummy hors d'oeuvres) that PAIRED with barley running two times a week. The recipe for the lost of my 30 some lbs has been... run three to four times a week... and watch what I eat. The running was put aside.. and so was my desire to eat *better*. But I am back on track! Last week and this week has actually been slower for us. We have all our Christmas shopping done. Wrapping (well.. making my cloth bags are almost done.. that will be in another post). Christmas plays and outings are done. So I now have some of my nights back.

I've been able to get out three times this week. And I will get my fourth run in Christmas Eve morning (soo thankful my hubby will be home). So there! Yay me.. got my four times in this week. And I feel fabulous! Starting to feel light, fit and feeling my muscles again. It's all good!

I thought I would be able to get through the Christmas Season not gaining any weight.. but I did.. 3lbs. OK OK.. I know that is not much.. but when you are trying to loose over 50lbs you start to panic when you GAIN weight. It would be VERY VERY easy for me.. to just sit on the couch at night, enjoy a coffee and a slice of cake or other baked goodies.. and just gain and gain all my weight back. BUT the way I look it is this little slump was a test.. as test for me. Do I get discouraged? Do I start to panic and just start eating and eating and eating. Do I start to hate food? The answers are: No. No. And No. So I am happy to report.. I am back on the running saddle and I am down a pound! I am determined to START the New Year back at the weight I was before the Christmas Season started. 170.5lbs. Then my training for my 10k in the spring can resume!

3 - 1 = one happy girl! Happy Dance.

Our Christmas Traditions

2010-12-21T15:48:00.001-05:00

Something that we enjoy doing at Christmas is filling our stockings with tradition. Our stockings are not just filled to the brim with candies and chocolate.. because frankly there is enough of it in the house to get your fill! Instead we try to keep our stocking simple, purposeful, steeped in traditional items and hopefully memories of love for our children. OK.. so to the fun stuff.. in each stocking we place a very large orange (something we've done since we've been married). Another type of fruit, something that normally wouldn't be found in the house.. this year I chose a pomegranate. It's Christmas-y! Fun! And its a new fruit the children can try! Some old fashioned ribbon candy and a candy stick. Socks, underwear, toothbrush and toothpaste are always an essential in our stockings! This year we will also be tucking in a small special toy. I am soo excited with the items I found! Locally handmade knitted dolls for the girls. A wooden monkey swinging thingy for Gabriel and stacking cups for Linden! I think they will really like them. Our hope with the stocking is to show our children that with simple items and some items that we don't get to indulge in throughout the year is what it should be about!

Another tradition we've had since the birth of Ava is New Christmas pajamas! I love going shopping and picking out some cozy new pajamas for the children to snuggle down in and sleep away the night only to wake to a very exciting Christmas morning! I get excited myself cutting off the tags, washing them and folding them. As I anxiously await to give them their new jammies!

That is two of our traditions that our family enjoys every Christmas. I hope everyone is ready! We are excited... excited for the birth of our Saviour - Jesus.

Christmas in our Home

2010-12-21T14:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a little tour of our home at Christmas. I try to keep the decorating simple, fun (since we have soo many little ones), wintery so I can keep them up after Christmas and also focus on the birth of Christ. Since frankly that IS what Christmas is about!

Enjoy!

We have a whimsical snow family visiting in my measuring cups!

Our Kitchen Christmas Tree.

My beloved bushman skier from my dear friend Minna from Finland.

Our hot chocolate station (which in MY opinion EVERY home needs!)

Our nativity (given to me by my mom... very special to me, which I hope to pass down to one of our children someday)

Fresh Greens

All our wonderful Christmas cards (LOVE receiving Christmas Cards!)

Our family room Christmas Tree (a skinny one this year!)

Our computer desk... where I blog from ☺

Special Christmas Cards... handwritten cards dated 2006 from my mom. Written inside each card is a special note to myself, Jay, Ava & Gabriel. I will treasure these forever.

Stockings are hung.

There you have it. A glimpse into our home and how we get ready for Christmas!

Merry Christmas to me. From: me

2010-12-18T22:55:00.000-05:00

I'll make this short and sweet. I don't buy a lot of things for myself.. but today.. I did some Christmas shopping for me.. on behalf of my husband! Items purchased:

1) REALLY cool boots from a fancy smancy store downtown (AWESOME price, MY size, only ONE pair where there) -- it was MEANT to be!

2) Running pants. I only have one pair for the winter... so this was a necessity to have another! SUPER happy as they have a drawstring and I won't have to be pulling my pants up while I run. Oh and they are size SMALL! AWESOME price... $9.99!! Yay baby!

3) To keep me safe... tracks for my running shoes! ON SALE... $19.99 ... now I won't slip and fall when there is ice and snow out!

So ho! ho! ho! to me! Merry Christmas to me! ... and honey... I've done your shopping for me... and I LOVE what you 'bought'me!

Hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas season!

Winter Running

2010-12-13T21:49:00.000-05:00

It was cold today felt like -16° with the wind. It was icy. I went for a run. I slipped. And fell. Smashed my elbow. Ran the rest of the way home. Checked out my elbow.. bruised and bloody and hurts like a... well you know what. On a positive, I love running in the winter because I can't feel my legs! And if you'd gotten hurt.. you can't feel that either.. until you get home and thaw out.. then it really hurts!

Dear Santa,

I've been a very good girl this year! I would like a pair of yaktraxs for Christmas!

Yours very truly,
Anita

Hooked on Pore Strips

2010-12-11T11:28:00.000-05:00

OK.. so I am OBVIOUSLY very deprived! I've been struggling with my complexion *sigh*. I've been wearing make-up (modestly) since about 10 years old (yes I know that is very very young). I can't figure it out myself.. my parents were quite stick with us.... I've never been to a sleepover! Never dated in elementary school or high school! I had a VERY casual boyfriend at the age of 19 - yes folks.. 19! Went to college.. didn't date anyone there.. just had fun. Partied (pre-christian life). Then I met Jay and well the rest is history as they say. But I could wear make-up - go figure! Anyway.. back to the purpose of this post....

I've *given* up ALOT since basically retiring from my broadcasting career and staying home to be with the kids. Ahh... the Saturdays I would go to get my nails done, eyebrow & other personal body parts waxed, pedicures etc. It made me feel good. Not that I didn't have a bad self-esteem (I don't think).. it just made my body feel good and look good.

This past week I used a gift card to a local fancy smancy spa (that I've had for ONE YEAR NOW!). It was for a manicure and pedicure. Since I was late (which is virtually IMPOSSIBLE for me to get out of the house without one for the four kids needing something from me) I had to forgo the manicure. I actually found it quite difficult to just sit. Be still. Not have to do ANYTHING. I did however enjoy the soothing music while I gazed at the water trickling down the water wall.

This little night out to pamper myself got me looking in the mirror. Yikes! My skin.. the pores! The startings of some wrinkles. OOOHh how I LOTHE the thought of getting old. Looking old! HATE IT! I know we will all get old. But why God? Why I ask you? The white hair (with I am sooo very THANKFUL I don't have yet). The wrinkles. The sags? That is on my list to ask God when I get to heaven. Looking forward to some lengthy conversations!

So back to my skin.. I've always struggled (in my opinion) with poor complexion. Not really pimples.. although I do get a few. But just redness here and there. Blotchiness. Anyway.. I was in the store last night and I noticed a box of pore strips. I've never tried them before. Needless to say.. I've done three strips in less than 24 hours! I know.. I totally ignored the directions that say wait a day in between... but man was it gross! The crazy stuff that comes off on those things!

My point of this post is that I feel that in someways I've let myself go. I would often look at other women.. and think 'humm they look so fit.. or they have such nice skin..' But I never stopped to think that maybe they actually work hard and exercise. (which I am now doing myself). Or that they take care of their skin. Use night creams, strips and all those other products.

I DO NOT do New Years resolutions. I think they are ... well.. dumb! HOWEVER... since I started running.. since I started to take my health, weight and mental well being more seriously this year.. I want to continue on that road. In addition to aiding my mind and body.. I want to take care of my skin. I need to feel like a women again. Even in the smallest ways. Taking care of me so I can be the best wife and mom that I can be.

Yup.. I'm going to say the bad 'B' word...

2010-12-10T14:43:00.000-05:00

Budgets! Admit it! We all have them! If you don't you are either a millionaire or lying.. one of the two!

OK.. so this time of year can be stressful for some.. if not many people. The overwhelming messages of gifts, parties, gifts, donations, gifts, stockings, Christmas outfits.. did I mention gifts? Don't get me wrong.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this time of year! Our home has been filled with Christmas music since the third week in November! Once Halloween is past us... it just FEELS like Christmas! Celebrating the birth of our saviour. Doing special yet simple things with our family and friends.

OK.. so I am soo excited! We've been looking at our budget with confusion and frustration.. that is not what I am excited about... what I am excited about is the beginnings of some of the changes that we are starting to implement. First comes our phone package. After looking it over I realized how much money we are just waisting. It kinda shocked me actually! With a bit of persistence and prodding (those phone companies aren't very anxious to share all the REAL ways to save). Anyway.. without boring y'all with the details.. after taking off features that we weren't really using and adjusting the ones that we use very rarely.. I was able to save $25.66 EACH month off our combined services bill! That doesn't sound like much.. .. but when you look at it this way.. it's $307.92 PER YEAR that we will be saving! Yes! Our satellite package is the basic of basics! But I think they were a bit freaked out that I was taking off all these services.. they offered us 3 months FREE of movies.. so from Dec until Mar we get to snuggle down and watch some movies - FOR FREE! That will save us renting movies (which we don't do very often either because of the cost.. and frankly you can only watch the movies at the library soo many times!). We will be able to 'tape' them too on our PVR so we can enjoy them whenever we want.

I'm off to tackle the bank now and stupid service charges... I'll let you know how that ends up!

Anyway... Hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas Season. Keep it in perspective. It's about family. The birth of Christ. Memories - that you will have forever. Not gifts!

Plateauing or Maintaining? Both?

2010-12-08T14:39:00.001-05:00

OK.. I am going to take advantage of this small window of time.. that my computer is actually working *sigh I think I have a virus*
So I haven't been updating my weight lost.. two reasons.. the side bar with the weight and dates aren't allowing me to update however my ticker is updated. 31.5lbs to date. Happy - yes? Frustrated - yes? OK..so here's the deal.. we have been soo busy with Christmas activities that it has been a HUGE challenge for me to get my four runs in a week. At best I've been getting in two.. and on a really good week.. I can squeeze in a third.

I think getting out four times combined with WANTING to eat healthier has been the game plan that is working for me. Helping me with my steady weight loss. But on the upside.. even though I haven't been able to get out as much as I would like.. and I've been indulging in a few extra cookies (those darn yummy cutie decorated Christmas cookies) I've been able to maintain. I think that is a good thing. Because I now KNOW how I should eat. ALL the time. And I think my body knows that it's going to get the exercise it needs.

So I am happy with what I have been able to accomplish.. however I am sooo very eager for January to come.. so I can get back in my routine. ALSO the time change just killed me for being able to go out where I live and run. It's PITCH dark here. But now that there is snow on the ground.. it will be a lot lighter out there. And the days will start to get longer by the middle of this month! Yay!

So there.. there's a little update I could sneak in while my computer and I are on speaking/writing terms!

-14° night running

2010-12-07T20:17:00.001-05:00

YES! I did it! At least I know I can do it (once anyway!) Went for a run tonight.. at night.. with tons of snow.. and with the wind felt like -14°! It was actually very nice! Quiet. Crisp. Sparkly. And cold. It's actually not that bad once you hit about the 10 minute mark.. because then you can't feel your legs ache anyway! So you end up keep going and going and going! I found my breathing was better too. I don't know why.. I may read up on that when I have some time. Not sure if it's because of the temp or what. I am a new runner.. so this is all new to me. I am NOT an expert. I just run what I am told to run with the group. Then on my own time.. I just run. Simple... thats what works for me.

Overall... I like running in the winter! Waaay better than running in 40° with humidity! Waay better!

OH.. and if anyone actually reads my blog.. I would post more.. but whenever I'm on blogger my computer kinds crashes.. it's says 'not responding'... weird! I hope I don't have a virus. But it's only on the blogger site... sooo frustrating as I have soo many things I would like to blog and post pictures of! :( I need a nice friend who will accept a nice free dinner to fix our computer.. anyone know of anyone out there???

Hope y'all are having an AWESOME Christmas season!

Christmas Silliness! ... part deux!

2010-12-01T21:18:00.000-05:00

OK... I OBVIOUSLY have a bit of time on my hands this afternoon... but these are soo funny! More so are the kids reactions while we made them together!!! Enjoy!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Christmas Silliness!

2010-12-01T09:26:00.000-05:00

miss you mom.. love you forever

2010-11-18T22:02:00.000-05:00

Where have I been...

2010-11-11T00:29:00.000-05:00

..around... Life is busy. Really busy. Busy with 4 children. With birthdays. With homeschooling. With outings. I think you all get the picture! Halloween came and soo very thankfully went.. but alas the huge bowl of chocolate and goodies that stared me in the face every single day has dwindled down to a couple of handfuls (which I am soo very thankful for!). Weight process... is well still a process. I will admit I gained 2lbs over Halloween.. may not sound like a lot to some of you.. but for me it was frustrating.. because I could have lost another 2lbs NOT gained them! But I am happy to report that I am back down to 172lbs. 22lbs more to go. (oh and by the way.. I don't know why but blogger isn't allowing me to change my info on my layout.. so only my ticker is updating... oh well)

Running is going well. I had a race about a week ago..everyone keeps encouraging me and telling me I did wonderfully. But frankly I feel like I failed myself. I got a WICKED stitch .. and had a walk for a minute or two.. so that put me JUST over the 30 minute mark -- bblllahh... disappointing for me.

School is going well with Ava... and I am see Gabriel and Grace 'learning' everyday as well. Just in the everyday little things. Gabriel likes to set the table. All three children are thrilled to take their plates, cutlery and glass to the counter after each meal (yeaahh for me.. keep that up kiddies even in the teenage years!). I feel we have a good routine going, a good balance between school, play, scheduled activities and getting together with friends. I certainly have my moments and wonder why I am homeschooling.. but it is then that I feel evil spirits trying to discourage me. So I pray. And I feel confident that we are following Gods plan for our family for this time of our lives.

Jay was offered (and signed papers today) to become FULL TIME PERMANENT! Praise the Lord - God is soo good. Its been a long road.. but we followed the road that God has placed before us. And I believed He rewarded our obedience.

Home/decorating front.. I've been painting and painting and painting (shisshhh I swear that is one of my other FULL TIME jobs!). I am happy with the results.. love it.. BIG changes.. with LITTLE cost. Again God is soo good! I am content with what He gives us.. we enjoy opening up our home to friends and family.. sharing what has been given to us TO share.

Well that's about all I can think of at 12:24a! Yikes! Hubby is off tomorrow due to remembrance day (so I hope to sneak a nap in somewhere).

Remember.. 11a ... be silent... say a prayer.. be thankful for all who did what they had to do for our freedom.

Blessings,

My 4th baby..

2010-11-05T09:57:00.001-04:00

Happy 1st birthday to my fourth baby! My second boy. My first home birth. My second winter baby. Linden Isaac. You are sweet. You are gentle. You are patient. You are so very loved.

Love you soo much!

Mommy xoxoxox

FINALLY! God is soo Good ☺

2010-11-03T13:12:00.001-04:00

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

After 2 1/2 years of going from contract to contract, waiting, praying, hoping, crying, being stressed and letting our emotions get the best of us at times. My hubby was finally offered (and accepted - of course ☺) A full time PERMANENT job. With VACATION! BENEFITS! SICK DAYS! PERSONAL DAYS! PENSION. God has taught us a lot about ourselves. To depend on HIM always. We have had a 4 year roller coaster ride. Like I said we've learned a lot, our faith has been deepened.. but I would be thankful to just stand on the side for a while ☺☺

We moved 4 hours from my family, 6 months after my mom passed away.. following God. Following what His plan was for us. Moved to a contract job. With the knowledge that the hospital would likely be closing units and that jobs would be lost. But we moved. Moved on our faith. Faith that we knew God would provide. Faith that we knew this is where God wanted us to be.

God is good.. in ALL circumstances. But in this one in particular, we are thankful. Thankful for His provision. Thankful for granting us our hearts desire. Thankful for Him to direct our lives.

me VS Cadbury, Nestle, Hershey etc etc etc

2010-11-02T20:15:00.000-04:00

I was good today. VERY good. NO Halloween candy for this gal. That was TOUGH.. really TOUGH for me. I've been able to continue on my weight loss journey partly because I have been very diligent about not keeping *too* many *treats* in the house. Cut back my baking CONSIDERABLY.. only enough for the kids to have a snack or two.. then they are gone.

This is hard for me.. because I AM SOO IN LOVE WITH CHOCOLATE.. wave a bag of chips under my nose.. and I will snub it off. Dangle some twizzlers.. nope not for me. But CHOCOLATE.. OH MAN!! That kills me! But this morning.. I woke up and told myself 'no Halloween chocolate, candy, treats ANYTHING for me today'.. and I did it. 8:05p and I did it...

I was soo desperate to get this candy down to a normal amount that Monday night I bunked the big bowl in the middle of the table for our small group to enjoy. And they did. And I was glad to get rid of some of the goodies.

I have to say. I know I've come a long way.. because honestly 6 months ago.. I would have cracked.. and cracked and cracked. And I would have thought to myself.. 'well it wasn't meant to be to loose the weight'.. or I would have told myself 'life is about ENJOYING what is around us.. '. Excuses. Excuses. Excuses. I now know.. I was just fooling myself. What I was really saying to myself all those years is.. 'Your not worth the effort. Your not worth the time. Serve others.. and don't bother with yourself'. But I know I am worth it now. I know I need to take care of my body because my husband can not and my children can not. I seriously pray to God continuously to give me strength on the days that I just don't want to be out there. Or the days that I just want to eat and eat and eat. He is my strength.

Happy Halloween!

One of those morning..

2010-10-30T13:49:00.001-04:00

If you run or do anything physical you'll know what I mean. Today was THE morning... the morning I had log legs. Yup .. went for my run this morning with my running group - and I felt like my legs were two heavy weights.. and that I was running backwards for goodness sake!

I really really hated that! Very disappointing for me! I was soo looking forward to my run... and viola - crappy! Oh well.. I am bound to have those type of days.. there... I had one.. DONE.. ok... now I hope I don't have one for a LONG WHILE! Disappointing beyond words! blah!

OK.. now onto the rest of my day!

On a more positive note.. I am actually running with 30lbs LESS on ME! Yay! Soo very happy! 22lbs more to go!

Get out there and get physical.. even when you feel like you are pulling a huge weight behind you!

me and bread

2010-10-23T21:53:00.000-04:00

...MUST... FIGHT... this COLD weather.. and my body's NATURAL urge to EAT MORE bread.. and WINTRIER type foods.

I am hoping that is winter isn't as hard as I imagine it would be.. hard for me to maintain and continue to walk my weight loss walk.

Here's hoping! ☺

why Blog?

2010-10-21T19:51:00.001-04:00

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself that question? I know I have. Is it because you feel "published". Or do you use it to keep in contact with family and friends? Why not keep in touch the old fashioned way; a handwritten letter, phone call or a visit? Does it make you feel popular? Is it a popularity contest to you? I know I must be failing miserably in that area if I am measured by the number of followers I have. But it is funny in retrospect.. because I didn't care a lick if I had a ton of friends in high school either! My friends were my dear friends whether I had 2, 10 or 20. Do you use is to tell the world what a wonderfully perfect parent you are? Or to profess how imperfect of a parent you are? Show off your family and what you can accomplish in a day? Is it your on-line diary... for the whole world to read? Is your blog strictly to share your favorite recipes, crafts or a special gift that you poses? Is your blog a glorified facebook?

I have questioned my motives many times as to why I have this blog. I don't know what the answer is yet. But what I do know is that I am not valued because of what I do or say or how popular I am but more so who I belong to.

I hope I have not offended anyone with this post.. just my thoughts. Blessings.

my time

2010-10-20T20:55:00.000-04:00

I am really enjoying running in this cooler fall weather! I started out running in May of this year.. and it got hot - FAST! I most definitely enjoy running in 10 °c then feeling like 40 ° with the humidity! I am excited to experience winter running!

Yesterday was my training day with the group I run with. As I am a beginner runner I am finding the group most helpful, informational and encouraging. The support that I get from the group is so valuable. No matter what age you are.. you always want to hear encouraging words.

I ran tonight.. this is my time to unwind, think about my day, pray and just burn off some energy. I ran for 35 minutes. It felt good... no actually it felt awesome. Why did I stop? It gets soo darn dark soo fast and I run alone... so I decided to end the run. I am going to continue to run for 40 minutes for the next two weeks then increase my time to 45 minutes.

Looking forward to my next me time this week. ☺

Me + Cleanse = Valuable Lesson Learned

2010-10-18T13:53:00.000-04:00

OK... so I am going to sheepishly admit that I *tired* a home based cleansed/detox. So first things first.. I KNOW NOTHING ~ ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about cleanses or detoxing. I have been reading a few articles that I found on line.. most of it scared the heck out of me. I didn't want to do damage to my body. I didn't want to gain all this weight back. But I went forward with a very simple one. Fresh fruits and veggies, lots and lots of water.. and two hand full of nuts per day - that's it. THAT'S IT! (I thought to myself!).

The results I was looking for were... feeling 'flushed' (yeah.. we are gonna go there!☺), loose a couple of pounds (but not my main goal), and just over all feel DETOXIFIED. I wanted to see how my body would react.. would I get the shakes? Would I experience headaches, sweats and all the other possible side affects?

I guess I'll never know... because I only lasted 4 hours!!! Ha ha! I am such a sucker! But on the serious side of things... I kinda felt myself going crazy! No really! All my focus was on food. What I COULDN'T eat... and for me that is not good. I don't have an eating disorder. I am not anorexic (ha ha - far from it). I don't binge and purge. But I was over weight because I love food too much! Love the taste of it. The smell of it. It made me feel content and *full*. I was gluttonous.. at least in my opinion.

The funny thing is... I've lost 26.5 lbs by NOT FOCUSING on what I eat. I eat what I want (in moderation). I enjoy desert. I enjoy coffee (limited amounts). I enjoy a cookie. I ENJOY food... because I am not FOCUSING on it.

OK.. so for now I am going to pass on the detoxes and cleanses. Not for me thank you. I am loosing weight and feeling good without them.

I will continue to run (because I enjoy it) and eat sensibility.

Lesson Learned.

Set. Aim. Achieve.

2010-10-16T17:03:00.001-04:00

Ran 40 minutes today! So excited! I set a goal for myself. I aimed for it. I achieved it. I have to admit. As the 25 minute mark approached.. I thought to myself 'almost there'.. almost there if I was running 30 minutes! Then I passed 30 minutes and I thought 'OK every minute after this is just gravy'... then I just became determined to achieve my 40 minute goal. This is a big goal for me as I have been trying to run my time and add some to that.

I did it! Now I have to do it again.. and again .. and again!

Love it!

full of thankfulness..

2010-10-10T22:47:00.000-04:00

My thankfulness..

..for the roads I have been down that have made me who I am today.. and for the roads that I will walk in the future..

Happy Anniversary to US!

2010-10-06T15:21:00.000-04:00

Yeah! Happy Anniversary to US! 9 years today we got married! It's been quite the journey over the last 9 years. Buying our first home together, having four beautiful children, watching my mom get sick with cancer and then later pass away, surgeries, grandparents passing away, loosing jobs and being unemployed, going back to school full time, living apart for 4 months and soo many other experiences. All of which I wouldn't trade in for a wonderfully nice perfect life. Because our life is wonderful - not perfect.. but WONDERFUL. And it has shaped us to who we are today.

Love you Jay! You are my rock! Happy Anniversary! Looking forward to many many more crazy years with YOU! ☺☺ xoxoxoo

Flash Back to the 70's

2010-09-25T13:08:00.000-04:00

I don't mean 1970 as in the year.. I mean 178 POUNDS - yup that would be my weight! EEEEeeekk soo exciting! I seriously don't remember the last time I weighed in the 70's.. maybe 10 years ago (sad I know). But I am doing it now!

Two more pounds and I am at the half way mark! Then another 26lbs to go. HOPEFULLY at this rate - a healthy pound or so a week.. by next May I will be down to 150lbs. Even writing that seems impossible! But I am sticking to it. I've come this far... now there is NO stopping me! Hummm white bikini by next summer... maybe ... just maybe! ☺☺ Dang... I may just look lot a hot mama (to my hubby of course) when we go away for our 10 year anniversary. Ahhh... laying on the beach - warm sand - sun - and I WON'T HAVE TO COOK! ☺

Blessings to your weekend y'all!

Ab Work

2010-09-15T21:37:00.002-04:00

aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I AM IN PAIN :( :(

My abs are crying right now! boo

Date Night..

2010-09-09T15:36:00.000-04:00

Well spent!

Date nights are important in our home! xoxo Jay

A summer of Growing

2010-09-09T14:42:00.000-04:00

Ava lost her first tooth this summer, finished a second year of soccer, set up her first lemonade stand and is just a loving little girl.

Gabriel is getting SO tall and says the funniest things ever!

Grace can be found walking around the house saying: "I'm a big girl." and demanding to walk around outside naked in the rain. She loves keeping up with her older sister and brother.

Linden is standing on his own more and more. Is as sweet and cute as ever!