Friday, November 29, 2013

My new running partner Kimbo

Today, we adopted my new running partner, Kimbo. She's the most gorgeous, sweet, funny puppy ever. She's a staffordshire terrier. We love her. 
Cannot wait to take her out tomorrow. :) 

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

All month long everyone posts daily what they are thankful for. I do not... Thanksgiving and Christmas is so hard when sharing kids... It's hard to be thankful when the two little people that I am the most thankful for are not with me on the day we all give thanks. I want both Thanksgiving and Christmas to be traditional. I want to wake up on Thanksgiving morning, cook with them, bake cookies and pies as family arrives and they smile and laugh... The same on Christmas, I want the whole holiday... I want to have Christmas Eve and leave out cookies for Santa, open stockings and gifts Christmas morning, lay around with laughing and drinking coffee, watch them play with their new things, make them breakfast and all sit around in our jammies til noon, make a big dinner, again my family showing up to laugh and visit and tell old family stories... Sharing holidays is hard, it stinks... I am selfish with my girls... I want them all the time. 

So to get over my pity party, here is my little list of things I am thankful for. 

#1 - My girls. They have been my saving grace, my entire world since they came into this world. When Haili was 4 months old, I found out Grace was on her way. Who would have thought that when they were a premie newborn and a 13 month old, and it was sooo much work that they would blossom into best friends, two peas in a pod. I cannot express how thankful I am for them. 

#2 - Bill, and the life we have together. 

#3 - My sister. Without her I have no idea what I would do. 

#4 - My mom. I'm lucky to have the friendship with my mom that I do. 

#5 - My dad and Alex... They are such an important part of my life that I didn't always have. 
(Ha, you are welcome dad)

#6 - Ryan, my brother from another mother and another father. :)

#7 - My Job. I work in a field that I love, and in a population that I love. I feel very fortunate to be doing something I love, with people that I like working with, for a company that I feel makes peoples lives better. 

#8 - My children's health. I see sick children and my heart breaks for them. I see children that struggle with learning difficulties or are bullied for their looks, their speech, who knows what else. My kids being healthy, happy children is something I am so thankful for. 

#9 - My health. I can run, I have no health ailments other than the occasional cold or running related injury. I am healthy. I am strong. My boys never lets me down. I am thankful for it. 

#10 - Life. I am happy. I am lucky. And even though I throw the occasional pity party, because life isn't fair and sometimes we get the shit end of a deal. I am fortunate to have the life I have. With the amazing people in it that I have. I am lucky. And I am thankful for this life.

#11 - Friends. I am not a very social person. I don't have people in my life that I can't truly trust or that are not 100% genuine. But the people that I do have, are real, that I trust, that I want in my life. I am blessed to have them. :)

Happy Thanksgiving blogging world!!!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

What a crazy day!

Up early, so sore I could hardly move! Did 30 minutes of Pilates and 25 minutes of Spinning!! Felt good.  Watched "Girls", totally hilarious and excited to start watching it!
Two days before Thanksgiving, a week after vacation, the only social worker in an 87 bed care facility, turns out to be a crazy time... My schedule is still crazy from my vacation, but finally starting to catch up. Ate as planned! Packed all my meals, and ate a yummy crab and mushroom egg scramble for dinner while the fam had lasagna. :)
So two big huge things happened today too...

One, heard back from Mizuno. If I am willing to do two marathons and a total of six races in 2014 they would extend a shoe sponsorship. Meaning I get two pairs of shoes and "race gear" in exchange for wearing it at the races. Visited with Mr Bill about it, as it does cut into "our time", and he was all for it!!! Woo hoo!!! Now to decide on the races! 

Two, I think we finally found my running partner!!! Filed the 6 page application, and will have our phone interview tomorrow, if all goes well we can see her Friday (hopefully bring her home that day too). I could not be more excited. I think we have settled on the name Anakin. Super excited, really hoping everything pans out. 


Monday, November 25, 2013

Day 1 of Week 4 - 12 Week Fighter Diet Challenge!!!!!!!

Monday is Leg Day and the soreness is already settling in... Going to make for a long Tuesday...

Monday, November 18, 2013

A great little Monday

Great morning workout. Did legs and abs this morning followed by thirty minutes on my treadmill. Normally my run being indoors and on the treadmill feels like eternity, but today it actually felt pretty good. :)

First day back to work after my 10 days off. To say that I had a lot of catching up to do is an understatement. But you know, after being told a few times that I was missed, I felt pretty happy to be at work and to be appreciated there. And as the day went on, and I was doing the catching up, I realized just how much I really do love my job. 

Ate perfectly today, from beginning to end, and am feeling really good about where I am headed with this challenge (minus my 6 day bender in Vegas). 

Had a nice night at home too. Came home from work to Bill and the girls hanging out. Made Homemade Monestrone soup and biscuits, we all ate and everyone liked the soup. Played a game of chess with Bill that I sadly lost. Joked and snuggled with him, while the girls did their homework and reading. Now that the girls are tucked away in bed we are watching Sunday's Walking Dead. 

Have I mentioned how much I like Bill? He's so funny and so cute. It's true.

All in all an good little Monday. And because I found this today and totally cracked up, a little jokey jokey for you. :) (sorry Ash, spoiled it for you.) 


Sunday, November 17, 2013

Sunday With My Girls

Today has actually turned out to be quite a nice day... Been a rollercoaster the past week and a half or so. Lots of big things happening at home, lots of stressful conversations and then taking a week off of work while away from my girls... Been a bit hectic...

Today was quiet. Made my Honey some French toast before he and his middle son made the trek to La Grande this morning. Got the house put back together, which it badly needed, it's amazing what a handful of kids can manage to do in just a few days time... At noon, headed to lunch with my girlies, a girlfriend of mine and her fiancé. It was nice to sit and visit with them and listen to their banter and talk about wedding plans. The girls were good and we had a nice time. 
We then brought my mom her Bountiful Basket, meeting her in Lenore. I miss visiting with my mom face-to-face, and I don't realize how much I miss it until we are standing in a parking lot for thirty minutes because we just keep talking. :) 

Then we headed back to the valley. Haili had a gift certificate from her birthday still and we had an hour to kill waiting on pictures to be developed, so we went to Claire's. Let me tell you, I HATE CLAIRES, and the girls love it. We did survive, and Haili got a five pack of best friend bracelets, and guess who is one of her four best friends??? That's right, me. 
Then we headed on back home. I got on my spinning bike, mostly because I wanted to watch a movie and didn't wanna feel like a total bum... So got my cardio in and watched Knocked Up. Boom, winner. 

Following my sweat session, Haili and I sat down and made her project for school. She's VIP next week, meaning the whole week is about her. :) Proud of her. Even included the newest ultrasound picture of My Sister's baby GIRL!!! 
Then the girlies and I sat down for a little mani/pedi session, they are so funny to visit with.
We are now snuggling in to watch The Hobbit while they eat ice cream and giggle. I love these little moments with the girlies. 

My diet was perfect this weekend, ate exactly as planned. Even though temptation was everywhere with Heath cookies I made for Bill, having company over for the fights, and making homemade lasagna for dinner. Looking forward to running and lifting in the morning. 

My lasagna helpers. :)
And tonight, doing a little research on applying for a Mizuno sponsorship. :) wish me luck! FREE SHOES to talk about RUNNING SHOES??? Sweet deal. 

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Busy weekend, happy to be home.

Been a whirlwind since we've gotten home. Thursday night we had to bake cookies for Haili's class. Friday the girls had their school carnival, Bill's middle son came for the weekend, and we had a slumber party with the neighbor kids. Tonight the neighbor kids and their parents are coming for the fights, so I'll need to egg the house ready for that, and making lasagna for everyone. Busy, busy. 

Eating is back on schedule, and my stomach is so thankful to be back to eating healthy and not drinking wine like schedule. 

The biggest news of the weekend... MY SISTER IS HAVING A BABY GIRL! Here is a peek at my niece. 



Thursday, November 14, 2013

What happened in Vegas thankfully stayed there...

No, I didn't stick to my diet... And no, I didn't do cardio... And finally no, I didn't lift...

I did however have an amazing vacation from reality with my wonderful husband. And gluttony aside, it was a perfect getaway for us. 

And to ice the cake, I may not have lost any weight, BUT I DIDN'T GAIN ONE SINGLE POUND. 

So traveling today I was right back on track all day and my workouts are planned for the weekend and next week. Right back at it. :) 




Thursday, November 7, 2013

Leaving for Vegas in the Morning!

It's true! We are headed to Vegas in the morning! :) yahoo!

I weighed myself this morning, a little prematurely, but am down another three pounds. Hurray! We are staying in a room with a fridge and a hotel with a gym so no reason to eat like shit or not workout just as planned! Sticking to this plan has been great, I don't EVER feel hungry and my workouts go great without the veggie carbs. :) feeling really good about it! 


Monday, November 4, 2013

Day 1 of Week 2 - Right On Track!!!

So this morning, weighed in first thing, and I'M DOWN 4 POUNDS! Hurray!
Today, went just as it should have even with sending off my inlaws this morning. Up at 5 to lift, back and biceps, increased my weight and/or reps on almost all of the lifts. Got the girlies up and around, inlaws on their way to Arizona and was still on my treadmill to run at 7! Woo hoo for staying on track. 

Still fighting this DAMN cold but am just sure it will pass soon. Hopefully. 

On track all day with my eating, a little shy on overall calories but busy, dramatic, hectic day at work, so I forgave myself that I couldn't get everything down.
Had lunch with my honey, my fav salad minus cheese and the delicious little tortilla strips, only 1T ranch and 1/4c salsa. Yum. 
Bill bought he and the girls takeout, so dinner was a snap. Hurray. 
Feeling good!!!!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Good Ending to a Very Busy Weekend

What a crazy busy weekend!

Friday night Bills parents and middle son came to stay for the weekend. A full house is a happy house. :) Saturday morning Bill and I ran his first 5k! We had a good time (and by we I mean me, I think Bill was less than overjoyed by the experience). 
June, my MIL, my girlies and I went to the veggie store. We had a fun little trip. 
We went to the Boys and Girls Club Auction Saturday night and had a wonderful time with good friends and my sister and her boyfriend. EXCITING NEWS, MY SISTER AND GLENN ARE ENGAGED! So now my blogs will read, my sister and her fiancé!  Woot!
We got home pretty late. But were up fairly early Sunday morning. We had Graci's 7th birthday party planned for Sunday at noon and it was really nice seeing everyone at the party. Following the party my sister, her fiancé, my dad, my in-laws, Bill and I and the kiddos. Was a really nice time. 
Ate good this weekend, next week should be quite interesting, crazy workouts planned!!!

Friday, November 1, 2013

On the mend from the head cold!

Hurray! Getting better and planning to run a 5k tomorrow morning. Right on track, lifting shoulders and abs this morning and my short run for the week. :)