BRING IT!

                            

Greg works all kinds of crazy shifts. His schedule rotates from 6am-6pm every 28 days. So, he's either getting up at 4am and getting home at 7pm, or sleeping at 3pm so he can go to work from 5pm-7am, only to try to sleep in a house full of people until about 10am. I don't know how he does it.

As a result of this "ideal" work schedule, he can't sleep much of the time.  I've tried to convince him that folding laundry is a very efficient way to fill the 1am-4am hours -- but he's not a believer.

Consequently, he watches tv - - usually during prime "informercial hours." And boy, is he a sucker for infomercial purchases.

As a result of his latest 'investment', we have a new workout routine. I was more than ok with my previous routine, but what kind of supportive wife would I be if I had turned down his proposal for us "to get in the best shape of our lives?" Such a sales pitch. ENTER: P90X.

                                                       

"P90X is a revolutionary system of 12 sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts, designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days...The secret behind the P90X system is an advanced training technique called "Muscle Confusion," which accelerates the results process by constantly introducing new moves and routines so your body never plateaus, and you never get bored!...All you really need is some 'grit-your-teeth' commitment."

Yes, apparently, we think we can relive our athletic glory days. Too bad high school was many years, many children, and many sleepless nights ago.

                                        

It's been a week -- and so far, so good. Or so I thought. 

We set the alarm every day during Spring Break (no small feat for "anti-mornings" me.) We've been sore -- but that's always a good indicator of a challenging workout, right? I pushed through -- despite my illness. It's too soon to see any really visible results, but we've been consistent and tried to follow the program. (Sidenote: -- I even spent 20 minutes looking for hummus at the grocery store. I'd heard of it -- knew it was some sort of dip -- but had never been very motivated to actually try it.  I was thrilled to find out it is "wholesome chick peas, olive oil and garlic." Can you say YUM with a capital Y? (No offense meant to you hummus lovers - - and actually, it's really not bad.)

The initial workouts consist of: weights, push-ups, pull-ups, plyometrics, yoga, abs, bands and kenpo. I do better with the exercise than I do the nutrition, (I know - I need to get over the idea that high protein intake just equals high calories) but like I said, we're trying.

So, imagine how happy I was yesterday, when before church Cannon said, "Mom, it kind of looks like you are going to have a baby." Ouch. 

I'm a tough girl though, so I let that comment roll off my less-than-rock-hard-self and recommitted to another week of "doing my best and forgetting the rest."

Keeping in line with the program, being the fully committed individuals that we are, we took the obligatory "BEFORE" pictures so that we can also, eventually, take the "AFTER" pictures. It's a little scary to post these photos for all the world to see...but hey, we're committed, right? Please just be kind when passing judgements. And bear in mind, that I have given birth to 4 children, the smallest of which was 8lbs 12oz, 21.5". Stop scrolling now if you don't want to be subjected to our 'before' photos.

       

BRING IT!

Charlie Bit Me

I'm not feeling great today...therefore, I am rather unmotivated when it comes to doing the things I really need to get done. In an effort to boost my mood, I found this. Enjoy!

This One Is For You, Dad

Our Goth Girl

Kenzie decided that now that she is 2, she would like to start experimenting with "who she really is." Goth was her choice of the day. However, since we don't have black lipstick, she opted for mascara. It's hard to really tell, but she also prefers the "I-won't-keep-pigtails-or-ponies-or-or-barretts-or-rubberbands-in-my-hair," look. But who can blame her (or any of my girls)? They don't even start to grow hair until they hit this age, and by that point, who wants to feel restricted by keeping hair out of eyes or pulled back on your head?

Look Who's 2

                             

Yesterday was Kenzie's birthday.

We didn't do anything to celebrate. If you happened to read my post about our anniversary, you'll recognize a theme...clearly, we just aren't in to celebrating.

Of course, I am kidding. We just aren't in to celebrating on the right day.

Yesterday was a crazy day, as Greg worked and I had Enrichment. So, given that she turned two, we took a mighty risk and opted to celebrate on Sunday - Easter -- with Greg's family. Hopefully, she won't turn in to a rebellious teenager and write a tell-all book because we postponed her 2nd birthday celebration. 

Pictures with the cake will come later...but I did want to acknowledge her day - even if I am a day late. She is a sweet and fun little girl - despite the fact that she's already speaking in sentences and some of them (we blame her older siblings) aren't so nice.

13 Down, Eternity To Go

    

Yesterday was our anniversary. Lucky #13 to be exact. Hard to believe it's been that long. Although, when you get married as mere children....you're not really that old by the time you hit 13 years. (Indulge me.)

I've pondered on which adjectives I should use to describe the unbelievable way in which we celebrated. However, words escape me. (Ok, not really, words rarely escape me.)

Greg got off work at 6:30 am...so he slept for 3.5 hours while I worked out and got the kids off to school. Then, we loaded the little girls in the car, grabbed a few snacks and "the package" and off we went. A quick run through the McDonald's drive-thru and we were on our way.

The weather wasn't great -- but we were not to be deterred. I mean really, this was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of day. How often do you get to celebrate your 13th anniversary?

About 45 minutes later, as we neared our destination the anticipation in the car grew. It's hard to say who was more anxious -- me or the girls. (Brynnley had to go to the bathroom). Slowly, we turned the corner and there it was....

The accountant's office. 

YES! You read that correctly. After hours and hours of searching and sorting receipts, making Excel spreadsheets and checking the bank website...I had our taxes ready to go to the accountant's office. And it's not even April. WHEW! 

Granted, to the average person, this may not be such a significant event -- and certainly not the most sought after way to spend an anniversary. However, since the thought of our taxes dominates a large corner of my cerebral hemisphere from January until "DROP OFF DAY"...this is HUGE. Perhaps now I can sleep again at night. (Not likely). But, at least now my kids can stop trying to catch a leprechaun so that they can make wishes like, "Please let mom finish the taxes!" (True story - just ask Cannon).

The rest of the day was rather anti-climatic. We stopped at the bank, showed one of our properties, caved in to the kids request and ate dinner at Cici's (poor decision on our part), took Addysen to Activity Days, got diapers at Walmart, watched last week's Lost and were in bed by 10:30.

Talk about party people.

Attn: Scrapbooking Wannabe's

I am a master multi-tasker. I read while listening to my i-pod while running on the treadmill. (For clarification - -I don't actually read while running -- only when walking during my cool down.) I fold laundry while watching tv. I repost my rental properties on Craig's List on the laptop while paying bills on the other computer. You get the idea. There just isn't enough time to get everything done.

I believe in family history and the importance of documenting the ever-so-exciting events of our daily lives. I keep a journal. It mostly consists of things I did during the day...and despite the fact that most entries go something like this: worked out, laundry, folded clothes, vacuumed, G worked, etc. someday, that information might be of value to someone.

Or maybe not. 

 Nevertheless, it is what it is and I'll forever be grateful for my father-in-law's example of using a calendar. It's easy to write something every day...but there is limited space so it doesn't become overwhelming. 

I also take lots of pictures. However, when it comes to putting the pictures and documentation together...I am a scrapbooking wannabe. I used to do it - -before it became a billion dollar industry, before kids, and before real talent was required. Now, I just sit and admire the AMAZING works of art that my friends and family members create. It truly impresses me...and truly escapes me.

BUT...I am excited about this new possibility.... www.blurb.com

I got this information from a friend's blog (thanks Laura!) and I am excited to try it out. For those of us (is there anyone besides me out there!?!) who just can't get it together to scrapbook...now you can print your blog into a book format and keep track of your family history that way.

I haven't tried it yet...but I am hopeful. One less thing to cross of my list and I am good to go.