Thoughts from Christmas vacation...

As this final day of vacation comes to a close I really can't decide if this vacation was better than anything I could have imagined or if I should swear to never do anything like this ever again.  All week it has been like that, back and forth between loving the moments and praying we make it until January 4th.  The kiddos have been home since Christmas Eve.  Really it hasn't been that long in the grand scheme of things, however there were moments that felt like it would never end.  A few things slowed us down a bit.  First, all the plans that we had made were canceled.  Whether it was a visit for the kiddos, play dates, mommy's night out, whatever they all got canceled for various reasons.  So for the most part it was the boys and I and occasionally Daddy joined in the fun.  To make it extra exciting we were all sick.  Not super sick, just sick enough that there was a lot of coughing causing poor sleeping, and big enough colds that I finally decided to stop attempting to put together play dates.  I also sort of through in the towel when it came to wearing clothes beyond pajamas.  One last thing pushed this home bound vacation over the edge.  This was the week decided to move our two boys into the same room together.  Bedtime into a very long process and naptimes were essentially non existent.  At least the part of nap times were I got time to myself.  The only way to get my little guy down was to have him in his home room and put locks on the door and to get my big guy to sleep required him be in a different room and with one of us, usually me.  The good news is that I got a lot of reading done during this time.  Nothing like nothing to do to get you to read good books. (Hope on Good reads and I'll share them with you.)

I didn't finish this post...in fact its 3 weeks later and I didn't even really realize that I didn't finish this post.  I am sort of glad that I didn't finish because now that I have a few weeks under my belt back in the swing of things I can tell you that the jury is in.  That week was a priceless, blessed moment in our life.  I would not change a thing.  Now if I can only keep that as a reminder on all the other days where the moments don't seem so blessed I'll be all set.

Setting goals! Making Vision Boards!

Did you miss our vision board party?  Don't worry!  Here are the steps that I outlined at the party for how to approach your vision board.  Its not a complete list but it is a good place start.

Tell me.  Do you use a vision board to help you focus on your goals and meet your goals?

If not, what's holding you back?  

Tip one: Figure out what you want your vision board to be. Inspiration. Goal centric. A combo.

For example I'm going to include all three of these visuals. I want to drink more water. I want to practice finding joy (which goes with my word of the year: engage). I want to take the worry away from money by being fiscally responsible AND increasing my income.

 Tip 2: Be specific.

The genius of a vision board is that (a) you are putting your wishes out to the universe but also (b) you are reminding yourself. The more specific the better.

How are you supposed to get exactly what you want if you don't know what that is?

Tip 3: Stay focused.

As you lay out your board it may be helpful to do it in bunches so you can look at one spot and be focused.

Tip 4:  When is your vision board focused on?

Figure out the time frame for your board. I like to keep mine focused for the next year but I do come across photos that are part of my 5 year plan that may happen on this board or go to a notebook I have to use later.

The photos on the left are for a new kitchen we are going to renovate in our house this year. The photos on the right have to do with my dream house entry way.

Tip 5: Be free!

There is no wrong way to do a vision board. Don't limit yourself. If magazines don't do the trick write your own. Glitter is fun. This is yours. Be proud. Be confident. Put the vision board out and look at it daily!

(Its still a work in progress but I'm so excited to get as far as this!)

Do you have tips that I'm missing?  Share them with us!

Meal Plan: January 25- January 31st

Courtesy of Cooking Light

I have been remiss.  Way remiss.  While my family still makes it a habit to menu plan (and by my family, I mean me), I haven't made a point to post about it.  Back to the good old days where I shared my favorite recipes and plans for your viewing pleasure.

Monday:  Spicy Turkey Meatloaf and Crockpot Au Gratin Potatoes
Tuesday:  Grilled Cheese with knock off Panera Bread Tomato Soup
Wednesday:   Chicken Corn Noodle Soup  (I made this soup yesterday and while this isn't the exact recipe I followed its closer and I"ll update the blog with that.)
Thursday:  Leftovers...if we're desperate "pigs in mud."  (mini hot dogs in baked beans)
Friday:  Make your own pizza night!  (this is new for us...details later)
Saturday:  Night out on the town!
Sunday:  French Onion Soup, Pulled Pork sandwiches and mashed sweet potatoes  (Recipes to come!)

2016: The year to be engaged.

In my dream world I would go to bed earlier to get up an hour before my kids.  I would spend a few minutes meditating, then reading, I would workout while listening to personal development.  I would make a cup of tea and drink it before the kids woke up.  Then, probably in my workout clothing I would be ready to go and face the day with a positive and energetic attitude when the kids wake up.

In my reality world I go to bed too late just about every night so excited to get those extra few minutes at night kidless.  I'm sucked into books, projects or television shows with my husband.  I wake up as I hear the bedroom door open, frankly I usually wake up before then and wait to hear the bedroom door open.  At that point I grab my glasses and try to get whichever kid woke up first to go back to sleep or at least stay quiet enough as not to wake the other kiddo.  I have about 1.5 seconds to warm up from sleep to Ready-to-go Mom and Girl Boss.  I've decided that I needed a mantra or a word that would get me in the mindset that the extra hour of me time would give.  One word to focus me for the day and get my head right.  

This proved to be more challenging than I thought it would be.  For starters I have a lot of goals and a lot of things I want to get done in 2016 and although they do work together they don't exactly fit into one word.  On one hand I want to work on being patient and calm with my kids.  I want to suck up each moment the best I can and enjoy the little special times we have together, both these little ones and the one on the way.  On the other hand I have big goals from a business perspective and want to be fierce and focused and make this a big year for our lives and our family.  I will be stepping out of my comfort zone and I will be aggressive and I am ready to go.

So you see my dilemma.  Is there really one word that can focus me to do those things both the first thing in the morning and all day long.  Finally I landed on the word engage.  As in pledge myself to that moment with my children.  Focus myself to the task at hand.  (The more I read the more it is evident to me that we can't really multitask.)  Give attention to my goals and the people on my team that I work closely.  To take part in things greater than myself.  

I want to be engaged.  Engage others.  Give attention.

He said, "Try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep really to sleep.  Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might and when you laugh, laugh like hell.  And when you get angry, get good and angry.  Try to be alive.  You will be dead soon enough." ― William Saroyan

Let's Review

Before I present my To-Do List for 2016 I wanted to evaluate my To-Do List for last year.  I like to make 3 month goals, 6 month goals, 9 month goals and 12 month goals.  I also do 3 year and 5 year goals.  Last year was a tough one with the long term goals because we didn't know if we would go for Baby no. 3 and my husband had a drop he didn't love and we knew a change was coming.  Now those things are a bit more settled I am really excited to get these goals on paper.  Before I do that though I need to evaluate how I did last year and what might need to be added for next year!  

Complete 2 Half marathons, 1 15k, 3 5ks, 1 10k  (All but the 10k are on the calendar.)-  Okay, I did 1 15k, 1 half marathon, 2 5ks...then I got pregnant.  Its not an excuse for everyone but its an excuse for me.  

Complete 21 Day Fix Extreme and Insanity Max 30- Done and Done!

Run 730 miles.- Sort of lost count and of course, I've lost the last two months with no running.  I have walked a lot I just don't have a way to keep track.

Walk 10,000 steps per day.- Working on it every day and will continue this in 2016.

Use all of my volunteer/pro bono days at work.- I only used 1.5 hours so this is once again on the to do list for 2016.

Involve my family in 1 community service project per month.- I need to sit down and make a list to see if we've reached this goal but I do not that we have kept this in our focus and for the month of December the Advent Calendar Countdown with Kindness was a huge bonus.  

Incorporate essential oils into our families lives, at the very least into cleaning supplies.- I know what I want and I just need to buy it. 

Create a dream board.- This was never made so its on the to do list for 2016 but that being said I have started working on it and I've begun making a list of what I want on it.  

Incorporate meditation into my daily routine.- Mediation is not part of my daily routine but it has become a small part of my life.  Still working on it. Gratitude has become a part of my daily routine and that has changed everything. 

Take better care of my skin, specifically, hands, face, and neck- Started using Derm Exclusive.

Organize boys memory boxes.- Check!

Update the baby books,- I'm giving myself to the 4th...must check this off.

Make the following photo books:  Alexander year 1, Year of 2014, Honeymoon, European vacation.- All but the European vacation is done!  Photos organized for 2015 as well.  

Organizing filing- About 75% of the way there.   

Start playing the oboe again- :( 

Complete Pop Sugar Reading Challenge- No and what I realized is that this has been too complicated.  I'll be re-evaluating a goal like this for 2016.  

10 minutes of Personal Development Each Day- Yes!  This has been amazing!

Complete nutrition/diet courses.- Yes!!!

Learn how to take good photos of the family with more than just an iPhone.- Nope. :(

Be consistent with posting on this very blog more often.- Yes!  (As evidenced by this post.)

On a side note, these are my personal goals.  My professional goals and financial goals will be in another post when I talk more about my dream board...or when I figure them out.  Well okay, here are a few.

Take my Beachbody business to the next level (One Star Diamond) by continuing to help others.- Yes!  I made it with two weeks to spare. 

Evaluate my current job to make sure I find it fulfilling.- Yes!

Pay off Private Law School loans.- Yes!

Figure out where the extra payment from the law school loans should go.- No but I finally have a budget I'm following.

Incorporate Dave Ramsey's Plan into our house.- Using Mint and some online sources to start this.

What if each day gave us one perfect moment?

Today had all the makings of what should have been a really good day.  For the most part, it was.  It was on paper.  You know, sometimes there are those days that on paper look awful but really they are wonderful.  And then there are those days that look wonderful on paper and really, aren't so great.  Today was one of those.  Big plans for the family today.  A train ride with Santa Claus, lunch with the grandparents and then decorating our Christmas tree.  All of those things happened.  No, big issues, no problems.  (Thought I lost the tickets but no big deal.)  For some reason, however I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed and I did not do a very good job of hiding it.  Somehow, I just could not keep it to myself.

We all woke up nice and pleasant but despite the knowledge of an impending train ride we moved very, very slowly.  And then, my extra passenger decided once again it didn't like eggs, which meant as I was trying to eat an egg sandwich and the kids were demanding animal crackers, I began to throw-up in the car.  Okay so maybe there was a down moment that I now think of it.  Really, though, it wasn't so bad.

Our train ride was fantastic and except for being totally exhausted after eating macaroni and cheese the kiddos did great at lunch.  Somehow though, I was still in a funk.

I sort of blame our tree.  I know, it seems silly to blame our tree but our tree is really, really, absurdly big.  I'm the only one in our family who thinks this however.  The three men in my life think it is the most perfect big tree they've ever seen.  I think this tree was haunting me throughout the day.  Knowing it doesn't really fit in our living room, was just totally stressing me out.  I know, I know.  that's crazy talk, but still.

We finally did get home and we did decorate the tree.  And while it doesn't fit in our living room at all, it is totally perfect.  I however was still in a funk.  I'm telling you, I could just not pull myself out of it.  Maybe I needed to bust out some yoga (I was letting myself have a rest day).  Who knows what it was.

Bedtime for the kiddos loomed and I was still a bit funky although my ability to hide it seemed to be getting better. (Not too good mind you since my husband decided to remind the kids to "Be nice to Mommy because she isn't feeling good.  Don't upset her.")  No, the funk was still there.

Then out of no where I had the most perfect moment and the mood, the funk, was gone.  I was reading Christmas stories with my big boy and one it ended he asked to sing a song.  Sitting on my little couch (compared to my HUGE tree) we sang "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".  It was probably the most special moment of my season so far.  At the very least it was the most special moment of my day.

A perfect day on paper turned out to be perfect after all but not because of a train ride or even decorating a tree.  It was perfect because of one perfect moment.  Isn't that what life is all about?  Moments, strung together?  What if each day gave us one perfect moment?  That seems like quite a nice life.

Wake up with a heart of gratitude...or find it along the way

Today I did not start the morning with a grateful heart.  It wasn't ungrateful.  I just forgot about being grateful and instead the day just started.  I was busy, hurried, and eventually frustrated and annoyed.  We weren't really running late until my kids didn't want to get dressed (the nerve of those toddlers).  I rushed them in the car and may have yelled, "Everyone stop talking!"  Of course I got questioned as to why I was yelling and it helped remind me that if I had a bad start to the day that would mean that my kids probably would too.  I faked a decent morning long enough for me to drop them off at school.  

Once I got to the car rental place my feelings of pretending it was a decent morning had drifted and I was back in frustration mode.  Then the rental company was a little slow and there was no place to park.  My EZ-pass wasn't working so I had to go through the regular lanes.  I was going to be 15 minutes late to my appointment.  Gratitude was not on the top of my mind.  

What happened next adjusted my thinking.  It was not some big epiphany.  Instead I did what I always did on my long drives.  I put on some personal development.  Nothing amazing like "how to be thankful when your morning isn't great".  No I just listened to some personal development.  Got in my groove.  Then I focused on my gratitude challenge.  Three things each day for which I am thankful.  At this point it was not easy but I started coming up with ones.  Like the fact that because of the EZ-Pass issues I was actually talking to the folks at the toll plazas.  Really nice folks actually.  

The practice of gratitude was changing my day.  Not that I learned to wake up with a gracious or thankful heart but that I put in place the tools to find things to be thankful for in my day.  That is when the magic happened.  That is when I finally found an opening for massage, that I really didn't want to spend money on, but desperately needed to get rid of my headache.  That is when my email was mercifully quiet today.  That is when my husband picked up the kids before picking me up at the rental car company so that our night could start early.  And the true miracle was of course that my kids went to bed without much fuss.  All these small blessings in my day because I had change my attitude.  I had opened the door to abundance.   

Learning to love yourself...All of yourself

I started writing this in the middle of my first trimester and frankly has been a little embarrassed to post.  This weird guilt associated with my growing body, despite the fact that I love being pregnant, can be nerve wracking.  Here it goes though...

One of the things I have most looked forward to about being pregnant was the ability to feel totally comfortable in my skin.  I know, a bit of a pipe dream but as someone who has really struggled losing weight after my second child, I was looking forward to weight not mattering to me for at least 9 months.

On one hand my body is strong.  Stronger than it may have ever been.  Just months ago I ran a half marathon.  I haven't missed a day of exercise except for pre-planned rest days.  I'm lifting more weights than ever and I can still bang out my side plank.  I am certainly stronger at this stage than my second pregnancy if not my first.  Sadly I'm not running but that's more been the heat.  If September cools off fast enough I'll be back to walking and running.  (Update, yes back to walking, a little running and swimming!)

This pregnancy so far has been less than awesome morning sickness wise (or as I like to call it, all-day sickness) but I'm getting back to healthy eating.  Really trying to integrate my Shakeology back in my diet.  Eating eggs and veggies and perhaps the occasional donut. (I mean, come on.)

That's neither here nor there.  The point is I've been looking forward to this time so that I can relax.  Not the healthy eating.  Not the exercise.  Relax the judgment I put on myself.  It hasn't exactly worked.  When I look at myself I don't see the strong person that I know I am and the person is growing a human in my belly, but instead I see someone over weight that just doesn't look that good.  I try to remind myself what I would say to me if I were someone else.  I would tell them how great they look.  How strong they are.  How they are really being too hard on themselves.  I'll look at women who are about my size (or I think they are) and I think they look good.  I don't judge them.

So why do I judge myself?  Why do we judge ourselves?  Why do we hold ourselves to standards that are so much higher and much less attainable.  It is one thing to set goals.  It is an entirely other thing to beat ourselves up over and over again for not being perfect.

That's where the post stopped.  Now I'm two or three months later and feeling and looking even more pregnant.  I just passed the five month mark and my husband recently reminded me that the next four months will be my last four months pregnant.  Perhaps ever.  I think he thought this was a good thing.  Suddenly, it hit me.  Only four more months that I get to carry another being inside of me.  Truly a blessing.

Another thing happened the other day.  Apparently, one way to tell if you will live longer is whether or not you can stand up from a sitting position on the ground without using your hands.  I have no idea why this is a thing but turns out it has something to do with core strength, and five months pregnant I can still do this!  To me this just reminds me what an awesome body I have.

So despite the urge to ask the photographer for our family photos to remove my double chin (guilty) I am going to try to stay focused each day and every day on the gift and magic that is happening in my body right now.  That's not to say that I won't need to refocus myself but I am going to work as hard as I can to no judge myself and instead to embrace my awesomeness.

This photo makes me cringe...Hello double chin.  Then again I am on the cover of Runners World so I'm pretty awesome!

Menu Plan: Sept 20- Sept 26

Sunday: Leftovers
Monday: Spaghetti with Whole 30 approved meat sauce and sauteed egg plant
Tuesday: Turkey Spinach Slow Cooker Enchiladas
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Grandma Visiting
Friday: Take out!
Saturday: At Friends for a Party

Sunday: Stretching
Monday: Chalene Extreme and Run
Tuesday: P90X3- CVX
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme
Thursday: T25 at the hotel
Friday: Run
Saturday: Dirty 30

Last Weeks Recap
Sunday: Sausage Kale Squash Soup- Delicious as alwasy
Monday: Tex Mex Beef Tacos- Easy and delicious
Tuesday: Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Homemade Pizza or Leftovers- Plenty of Leftovers! 
Saturday: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Paleo bbq sauce, with some cucumber tomato salad, easy peasy

Workout Plans:
Sunday: Stretching/Walking
Monday: Chalene Extreme
Tuesday: T25
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme
Thursday: Run- No run, too hot.  Instead I did PiYo.
Friday: Chalene Extreme- Prenatal Yoga
Saturday:Dirty 30- Late night CVX

Soccer Mom 101: Grade Pending

Friday was my first soccer practice as a "soccer mom".  I'm not sure what I was expecting but it was so much better.  Considering the fact that the kiddos are at day care most days I don' really get to see them interacting with their teachers.  It was such a fun gift to be able to watch the boy run around.  Play with a soccer ball.  Listen to another grown up tell him what to do.  Who knew he could dribble a soccer ball?!  It was just so downright fun.  I forgot our water.  I forgot our chair.  I failed Soccer Mom 101 but the soccer practice was a huge success.  How do I know it was a huge success?  He had fun!

After a little reflection I've realized that this should be my  main goal over the next 18 years.  I don't know if he'll play soccer or any sport for that matter for 18 years.  He might join a bug club next year or take up classical piano.  Who knows.  He's 3.  What I do know is that I want him to have fun.  Yes, I know that life is about hard work and dedication but it is also about fun.  Isn't it more enjoyable to be dedicated to something that is fun? Doesn't hard work seem almost easy if you love it?  Sure, maybe he will be a mathlete like his mama and he'll really dislike all of his practices until the big show but he better have fun in those math competitions. He might not like his morning runs but if he loves running with a soccer ball I'm all for it!

Life is hard all by itself.  I don't need to make it harder by having him do stuff he doesn't like.  Also I will try not to make it harder by adding mommy drama to it.  I will try my hardest not to get caught up in issues of who is bring snacks and all of that other soccer mom stuff.  (Excuse me for talking about mommy issues I have yet to experience.)  My goal, for the next 18 years is to encourage the fun!  Lots of dirt and lots of fun!  If he looks back on his childhood and says, "I worked hard.  I got dirty.  I got messy and I had a LOT of FUN!"  I will think of it as a happy success.

Of course first I have to pass Soccer Mom 101 and remember the water next time...maybe even orange slices.

Menu Plan: Sept 13- Sept 20

Courtesy of www.naturalnoshing.wordpress.com

Sunday: Sausage Kale Squash Soup
Monday: Tex Mex Beef Tacos
Tuesday: Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Homemade Pizza or Leftovers
Saturday: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Paleo bbq sauce

Workout Plans:
Sunday: Stretching/Walking
Monday: Chalene Extreme
Tuesday: T25
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme
Thursday: Run
Friday: Chalene Extreme
Saturday:Dirty 30

Last Weeks Recap
Sunday: Picnic
Monday: Burgers with sauteed onions and mushrooms, cucumber and tomato salad  (my son LOVED this)
Tuesday: Tuna Noodle Casserole
Wednesday: Leftovers 
Thursday: Sloppy Joes with Sweet potato tots
Friday: Pizza Night (or leftovers) (It was leftovers)
Saturday: Crockpot Chicken thighs with broccoli and rice

Workout Plans: (One mile walking/running every day)
Sunday: Stretching
Monday: Chalene Extreme
Tuesday: Cize
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme
Thursday: P90X3- CVX
Friday: RUN!!!
Saturday: Dirty 30

Failure is not an option...it's a requirement.

We had a big lesson in our house this weekend.  One of my boys absolutely loves watching sports, which I love because I too love watching sports.  Well, in the last week I had mentioned that Serena was the best player in the whole world.  So Friday we are sitting there and we see that Serena lost.  "But Mommy, I thought she was the best in the whole world."  And now came the lesson time.  Yes, Serena lost.  She is still the best in the world.  Then I dropped the big bomb.  Even the best baseball teams every year lose about 60 games per year.  What?!  Yep.  60 games.  The best hitters in baseball get an out when they're at bat over 6 out of 10 times.  What?!  Yep.

The best fail.  The best fail, A LOT.  We hear about how many strike outs Babe Ruth had but do you take it to heart?  Do you really hear it?  If not, let me try it again.  You MUST FAIL.  If you are not failing you are not learning, and if you are not learning you are not growing, and if you are not growing success will be hard to come by.  I fail all the time.  Seriously.  All the time.  As a coach.  As a mom.  As a person just pushing myself to get out of my comfort zone.  I say yes too much, sometimes not enough.  I have to put myself in time out because otherwise my "easy going" mom style will turn into momzilla.  If you ask my husband I fail in the kitchen...a lot less than I used, which brings me to the amazing thing about failure.  The more you do it, the less you do it, until of course you push yourself to do it some more.  Fail again and again at making omelets until you have it down and then you can start failing at an egg souffle.

So just a little lesson for you and my 3 year old.  Don't be afraid to fail.  Its scary and sometimes awful but sometimes its pretty great.  Sometimes you don't fail when you think you will, just because you tried.  What an amazing thing!  My desire to teach my kids to try so hard and push themselves so hard that they fail is what pushes me to fail.  I can tell them about Babe Ruth until I'm blue in the face but if mommy isn't willing to fail, how can I expect them to be.

So follow Serena's lead and get out there and fail.  (And then come back next year and win the US Open.)

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.”

― J.K. Rowling

Wait...what?

Yep.  That's the reaction we've received.  

Wait...what?  

Was this on purpose?  

How many other kids do you have?  

Are you trying to make a basketball team?

Is it because you want a girl?  

You know you'll have to work the zone defense now?  

Are you still going to work?  

Wow.  That's a lot of kids.  

Oh, and of course, Congratulations!

Yes, its true.  3 kids are technically more kids than parents.  It will be an exciting adventure to say the least.  And, yes, the other kids are just babies themselves but having kids crazy close together means that they will be close together when they are older too.  

No, we don't really know what we're getting into, and yes, it is overwhelming.  Its also thrilling and exciting and amazingly awesome.  Our little family that started with just two of us will pretty soon fill our house with five people. Five noisy, independent people all bumping into each other as a family, hopefully filling our house with laughter and love.

There is so much I don't know about having 3 kids.  (Like how will I take my babies on a run with me again...do I make the oldest just bike along?)  However, there is a lot that I do know.  I do know that our hearts have already grown to welcome this new baby into our lives.  I do know that watching the love between my boys is one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed and I can't wait to watch it happen again.  I do know that we are incredibly grateful for this blessing.  I do know that I am trying to enjoy every moment (that I'm not nauseous)  of this pregnancy, because no, we are not in fact trying to make a basketball team and the plan is for this to be our last go round.  So, I'm going to just sit here, feel the little flutters in my belly and enjoy all of those questions I get when someone sees the quickly growing bump.  

Wait...what?

And the race is on...Ready Set Go!

I tend do view the Tuesday after Labor Day as my last chance to get moving on my New Year's resolutions if I really want to get them finished.  There is a little more than a quarter left in the year, so really there is plenty of time.  What's a to-do list without a a deadline.  Just a wish list if you ask me.  Time to do a re-evaluation of my list and see how I've done so far.

Complete 2 Half marathons, 1 15k, 3 5ks, 1 10k  (All but the 10k are on the calendar.)-  Okay, I did 1 15k, 1 half marathon, 1 5k and I'm hoping to do one more. 

Complete 21 Day Fix Extreme and Insanity Max 30- Done and Done!

Run 730 miles.- Sort of lost count and of course, I've lost the last two months with no running.

Walk 10,000 steps per day.- Working on it every day!

Use all of my volunteer/pro bono days at work.- I've used one half of one which means I still have 3.5 left.  I better get to it.   

Involve my family in 1 community service project per month.- I haven't done one project per month but I we have been pretty active and we' still have a lot planned for the year. 

Incorporate essential oils into our families lives, at the very least into cleaning supplies.- I was gung ho about this at the beginning of the year and I need to get back on the horse. 

Create a dream board.- So may parts of a dream board but no dream board. 

Incorporate meditation into my daily routine.- Mediation is not part of my daily routine but it has become a small part of my life.  Still working on it. 

Take better care of my skin, specifically, hands, face, and neck- Slowly but surely.

Organize boys memory boxes.- Check!

Update the baby books,- Oh no.  This would take me one afternoon...now just to find that one afternoon.

Make the following photo books:  Alexander year 1, Year of 2014, Honeymoon, European vacation.- Uh-oh.  Better get moving on this. 

Organizing filing- No but as of two days ago I got my second filing cabinet in two weeks so I am on my way.  

Start playing the oboe again- Totally forgot this was on my to do list.  

Complete Pop Sugar Reading Challenge- I've sort of changed my goal to just read all the books at the Verona Library book sale.  I'm not too bad but I better turn off the computer and get reading. 

10 minutes of Personal Development Each Day- Yes!  This has been amazing!

Complete nutrition/diet courses.- No and this is my biggest concern.  I need to figure out how much time I need to complete these courses and how many hours per week I need to devote to this.  

Learn how to take good photos of the family with more than just an iPhone.- Nope. :(

Be consistent with posting on this very blog more often.- Yes!  (As evidenced by this post.)

On a side note, these are my personal goals.  My professional goals and financial goals will be in another post when I talk more about my dream board...or when I figure them out.  Well okay, here are a few.

Take my Beachbody business to the next level (One Star Diamond) by continuing to help others.- On track! But should this goal be bigger?

Evaluate my current job to make sure I find it fulfilling.- Yes!

Pay off Private Law School loans.- Yes!

Figure out where the extra payment from the law school loans should go.- No I've just been enjoying not cutting it so close but this money needs to be given more purpose.  (Like paying off those government loans.)

Incorporate Dave Ramsey's Plan into our house.- Baby steps but want to have a big game plan before the end of the year.

Okay, so this wasn't so bad after all.  I still have a lot to do but nothing a few focused afternoons home without kids can't fix.  I am so glad I took this time to refocus and I'm not waiting until the last minute.

How are your resolutions coming along?

Weekly Meal Plan: September 6th - September 13th

Courtesy of Skinnytaste.com

Sunday: Picnic
Monday: Burgers with sauteed onions and mushrooms, cucumber and tomato salad 
Tuesday: Tuna Noodle Casserole
Wednesday: Leftovers 
Thursday: Sloppy Joes with Sweet potato tots
Friday: Pizza Night (or leftovers)
Saturday: Crockpot Chicken thighs with broccoli and rice

Workout Plans: (One mile walking/running every day)
Sunday: Stretching
Monday: Chalene Extreme
Tuesday: Cize
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme
Thursday: Cize
Friday: Chalene Extreme
Saturday: Dirty 30

Last Weeks Recap
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Chicken Tenders and Sweet Potato tots
Thursday:  Hamburgers and tomato cucumber salad
Friday: Stale Bread Soup (Turned out to be split pea soup since we ran out of stale bread and I had a ham bone in the freezer)
Saturday: Crockpot Black Bean Salsa Chicken

Workout Plans:  (I always shoot for 10,000 steps.)
Tuesday: P90X3 CVX
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme Burn 2
Thursday: Cize
Friday: Chalene Extreme Burn 3
Saturday: Dirty 30 or PiYo (Dirty 30 it was!)

Still falling short on steps but I'm getting there.

Weekly Plan- September 1st- September 5th

Each week I'll share what we're going to eat, the recipes and then what we actually eat.  I'll also share what I plan do to for exercise and what I actually do for exercise.  Believe me rarely will my plan and what I do actually be the same thing.

Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Chicken Tenders and Sweet Potato tots
Thursday:  Hamburgers and tomato cucumber salad
Friday: Stale Bread Soup
Saturday: Crockpot Black Bean Salsa Chicken

Workout Plans:  (I always shoot for 10,000 steps.)
Tuesday: P90X3 CVX
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme Burn 2
Thursday: Cize
Friday: Chalene Extreme Burn 3
Saturday: Dirty 30 or PiYo

(I'll inspirational quotes...mainly to remind me not bake cupcakes and freeze them so I can eat them whenever I want.  Oops! Too late!)

Menu Plan for September!

I am totally excited!  One of my big goals for the rest of the year is monthly meal plans.  It helps me save money, not let food last in my freezer and pantry too long and ideally makes my life easier.  The hardest thing to figure out is how many leftovers I will have and right now what to do without an oven.  You will that I've left out a lot of side dishes.  Those will be other decided one week or two weeks in advance.  I'm sort of hoping we get our oven up and running so I can have a few more options.  I'll also be including hyper links to recipes each week and lastly I'll include a report of what we actually eat along with my planned workouts and what I actually do. Not everything is 21 Day Fix approved and frankly I probably won't be eating everything here.  This is what my family will be eating and sometimes I'll just be eating a salad or more leftovers.  I always like to factor in something that's easy for the boys to take to school or leftovers which is why you'll see pasta at least once a week.  

So here goes nothing!  

Week 1: September 1 - 5

Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Football Food!  Chicken Tenders (from Trader Joe's) and Sweet potato fries (kid friendly for a fast bedtime and easy to eat while drafting
Thursday: Hamburgers, corn and tomato cucumber salad
Friday: Stale Bread Soup
Saturday: Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Week 2: September 6 - 12

Sunday: Leftovers
Monday: Ribs with corn and sweet potato hash
Tuesday: Tuna Noodle Casseroles
Wednesday: Leftovers 
Thursday: Sloppy Joes with Sweet potato tots
Friday: Pizza Night (or leftovers)
Saturday: Crockpot Chicken with broccoli and rice

Week 3: September 13 - 19

Sunday: Butternut Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Beef Tacos
Wednesday: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Pizza night
Saturday: Pulled Pork 

Week 4: September 20 - 26

Sunday: Leftovers (Chi Omega Tea)
Monday: Turkey Spinach Enchiladas
Tuesday: Chicken Ravioli
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Pizza night
Saturday: Dinner at Friend's get together

Week 5: September 27 - 30

Sunday: Dinner at Birthday Party
Monday: Chicken Parmesan with pasta and broccoli 
Tuesday: Seafood buffet and ice cream sundaes!
Wednesday: Leftovers

Enter the slow cooker

Our oven doesn't work.  We haven't actually attempted to fix it so for all I know something really little is broken and its no big deal.  Until we take the time to figure it out we are relying heavily on the slow cooker to fill in.  This means that we have gotten very creative and as always Pinterest to the rescue.  Below are three crock pot meals that we have had in the last few days that we would normally be in our oven.  These aren't technically reviews of the recipes because I didn't actually follow the recipes exactly but certainly can give some tips.

First up, I made Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole.  This one I'm not so sure how I feel about.  On first take I didn't love it.  However my husband really likes it and he rarely likes my breakfast casseroles.  My boys liked it too.  The only variation I made to it was that I added mushrooms and included chicken sausage instead of pork sausage.  I'm not sure I would always include the hashbrowns as I felt like they caused it to be fairly liquid but that being said maybe I could cook it longer.  Lastly, the eggs were more like scrambled eggs than a casserole.  Those were my complaints but in a pinch I think it would be great AND obviously the family loved it.

Photo Courtesy of www.damandalynn.wordpress.com

Next up, Shepherd's Pie.  Once again I strayed from the recipe.  I didn't have Worcester sauce so I used a little steak sauce instead.  I didn't have wine so I used some whisky.  I also doubled the recipe because i love leftovers.  This was fantastic!  Just like traditional shepherd's pie it need to cool before eating but this was a big hit the first day and even better for leftovers.

Photo courtesy of www.tasteofhome.com

The last recipe was definitely the biggest stretch.  I wanted to make Crockpot Cake.  Yes, that's right I had cake mix from before the oven broke and it was just staring at me from the pantry.  All. The. Time.  As was the icing.  Following recipes I found on Pinterest I took the confetti cake mix and started it cooking in the slow cooker.  I wasn't sure exactly how to get it out of the slow cooker so I used an ice cream scoop and made cake balls.  They went into the freezer to get nice and easy to cover with icing.  I melted the store bought icing for about 30 seconds in the microwave and I dipped the balls in the icing.  Back in the freezer to get everything ready to go to.  I took a few out for after dinner and can I just say they were delicious!  Now at any time I want I can grab a little cake for a little treat and the best part is that when I do want a little treat I can grab just one cake ball and its actually an appropriate serving size.  Speaking of which, photos will come when I take some out of the freezer.  I totally forgot yesterday to take pictures.  

Stay tuned.  I'll be continuing the slow cooker adventures until we finally fix the oven.

My not-so-perfect wonderful life

Being away from the hustle and bustle of life really had me thinking a lot about that life that we were taking a break from.  What it made me realize was that I genuinely love our life.  Its no way close to perfect.  Like not even close.   None the less I love it.

 If I wanted to I could fill your feed with all the way things go wrong every single delay.  (Our awesome vacation is where we learned mayo cleans off crayons on the wall and hydrogen peroxide cleans poop off of the carpet.)  The fact is that while those things are all true and potentially upsetting I have absolutely no desire to focus on the negative.

That's not to say I don't give myself mommy time-outs ( you know those moments when you just have to leave the room and take a few deep breaths).  I just feel so much better equipped to handle those moments than I was a year ago.

There is only one thing I can point to as the difference.  I focus on the positive in life and I have so many more tools in my personal toolbox to do it.  If you would have asked me two years ago what personal development books I've read I would say...uh...what do you mean?  If you would have asked me whether my feed was filled with negative or positive I would have said negative.

Now I can tell you for sure, it is positive.  It is filled with friends I've met over the years and some I've just met over the last few months (by joining what can only be described as the coolest running group ever!  You know who you are!)  A running group for that matter that I would not have even joined had I not been pushing myself to get out of my comfort zone.

Why did I do these things?  What happened?  Well...I became a Beachbody Coach.  I know its crazy.  Isn't being a Beachbody Coach just a thing to get fit and make some money?  Um, no.  Being a Beachbody Coach IS about trying to be fit.  It IS about trying to live a healthier life.  It IS about gaining financial freedom.  It IS also about being the best version of myself.  Finding the positive in life.  Being a Beachbody Coach is in fact making me a better friend, a better wife and a better mother.
So as I shut down my computer and head to bed (so excited to be in my own bed), and get ready to begin my normal life tomorrow

I am thankful for how wonderful my normal life is.  Or rather I am thankful for the ability to focus on the wonderful in my normal life.  Even on those not so wonderful days.

Exercise for Depression and Anxiety

 When you have anxiety or depression, exercise often seems like the last thing you want to do, but once you get motivated, exercise can make a big difference. So, how do you Exercise for DepressioFirst you need to have a greater understanding on how exercise can make a difference in depression and anxiety symptoms. The links between anxiety, depression and exercise are not entirely clear, but working out and other forms of physical activity have shown that it can definitely ease symptoms of anxiety or depression and make you feel better. Exercise has also been shown to help keep anxiety and depression from coming back once you are feeling better and symptoms have subsided.

How does exercise help depression and anxiety?

Regular exercise for depression and anxiety may help ease symptoms in a number of ways, which may include:

• Releasing feel-good brain chemicals that may ease depression (neurotransmitters, endorphins and endocannabinoids)
• Reducing immune system chemicals that can worsen depression
• Increasing body temperature, which may have calming effects

Regular exercise has many other psychological and emotional benefits, as well. It can help you:

• Gain confidence. Meeting exercise goals or challenges, even small ones, can boost your self-confidence. Getting in shape can also make you feel better about your appearance.
• Take your mind off worries. Exercise is a distraction that can get you away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed anxiety and depression.
• Cope in a healthy way. Doing something positive to manage anxiety or depression is a healthy coping strategy. Trying to feel better by drinking alcohol, dwelling on how badly you feel, or hoping anxiety or depression will go away on its own can lead to worsening symptoms.

Now that you have an understanding of how it can help, what can you do to Exercise for Depression and Anxiety? Research has shown that physical activity such as regular walking, gardening or other forms of physical activity may help improve mood. Keep in mind that Physical activity and exercise are not the same thing, but both are beneficial to your health. The same research has shown that those who used exercise that incorporated progressive resistance training, and cardiovascular training showed a greater improvement and maintenance of depression and anxiety.

Exercise for Depression and Anxiety

With that said, many people don’t seek out exercise because they don’t want to go to a gym or fitness facility due to their depression and anxiety. So what is the answer?

The answer is to utilize at-home fitness and exercise programs such as Beachbody’s 21 Day Fix, P90X, TurboFire, Insanity, and others that provide resistance and cardiovascular training in a planned and structured format. This progressive exercise combined with a structured plan, and where you don’t have to leave your home is great way to create that improvement or maintain that Exercise for Depression and Anxiety can bring to a person.

One of the other things that many people don’t have with going to the gym to exercise for depression and anxiety is support. With a Beachbody Club Membership, each person gets aFREE Coach to support him or her. This can be a great benefit to those who have to exercise for depression and anxiety. If you start with a Beachbody Premium Membership, you’re first 30 days is FREE, and it gives you access to Beachbody On-Demand, an amazing meal planner, and much more! After your free trial ends, you’ll continue to stream world-class programs, such as P90X®, P90X2®, P90X3®, INSANITY®, and more from our massive Beachbody Member Library.

So take advantage of exercise to provide benefits to your overall health, and to improve or manage depression and anxiety.