Happy Place

Has it already been nearly 2 weeks since my last post? I have written so many posts in my head over the past couple of weeks that I can't believe that it has already been that long. The problem is that all of those posts never actually made it to the blog! I am nearing the end of my "glory week" so I really don't even have any good reasons why they haven't made it... they just haven't.

 

A while back my Scentsy Director posted this on our team Facebook page:

 

"Where is your happy place?"

 

 

 

My original answer at the time of the Facebook post was "working out... outside or at the gym." I have spent a lot of time thinking about this since it was posted!  Over the past several weeks I have had numerous people comment to me about how great I am doing with my workouts because they have seen my posts on social media. My response to them was "it's my happy place".  It feels so good to push myself to see what my body can do. Does it actually feel good while I am doing it? Not always! But it sure feels great when I am done and I can look back to see what I have accomplished! Working out (in whatever way it may be) makes me feel happy!

 

Here are a few pictures of me in that happy place from the past couple of weeks:

 

Getting outside for a run with my little man on his bike (4 miles)

My Piyo time with my hubby

Another great run outside with my hubby and little man- enjoying the beautiful spring weather

 

trying new workouts together

 

 

Being silly after a workout

Solo run outside

making progress together

As I have continued to think about this question over the past several weeks I have also come to realize that while this answer is very much the truth, it is only part of it. Working out makes me happy but it is not the only thing that makes me happy. It isn't the only thing that can take me to my "HAPPY PLACE"- that place where you have an overwhelming sense of happiness inside. My happy place is when I am doing what I enjoy and when I am with people that are important to me. My happy place is living in the moment and being connected to whoever I am with at the time. It may be with someone who helps to make me feel better about myself or maybe I am able to help them in some way. My happy place is making the most of every moment that I am given!

 

Here are a few more examples from the past couple of weeks:



Ladies Day- spent with family (Mom, Grandma, Aunts, and Cousins)

This is an old picture but represents any time spent with these three crazies!

Quiet time alone- snuggled up with the dogs and a good book

Just about anything I do with this man by my side

 

Where is your "HAPPY PLACE"?

 



Birthday week

I have almost made it through my "hell" week. No, my week really hasn't been that bad. It is just the term used for the week of my schedule where I work a bunch in a row. I do 12 hour shifts and work every third weekend so I have "hell weeks" and "glory weeks" with a few regular weeks mixed in. Those "glory weeks" make "hell weeks" so much more bearable!!!

 

I worked last weekend and then was off on Monday which was nice because it was my birthday!

 

 

 I had a nice quiet and relaxing day at home. The weather warmed up a bit so I was able to run outside to celebrate my day. It was a tough run but I was so happy to get outside that I pushed through. When I looked at my mile splits and saw that I had one mile in the 8's I realized why it was so tough! I am generally pretty good about pacing myself but the combination of running on the treadmill most of the winter and being excited to run outside made me realize that I need to strengthen that skill again.

 

4.3 miles

Once my family was all home we went out for supper at Applebee's (well four of us did... one child may have had a meltdown about my choice of restaurants and ended up staying home while we ate)  before going to Riley's Jazz Band Concert. This was the first that I got to see him play for Jazz Band due to my work schedule so it was really nice. They did a great job! Overall it really was a good day and I am so blessed!!

 

After being off on Monday then it was back to work for a couple of days again. Even with this past week being my "hell week" and working a lot I have been getting in a workout even after I get home from work!! I am participating in a 60 day Piyo challenge and am loving it! One of my hopes from doing this challenge was to find something that I could do even on the days that I work and I can honestly say that I have been able to do just that! The workouts are just the right length to fit in quick when I get home. The lower body workout was a great way to stretch my legs after a long day on my feet. I am sure I will be telling you more in the future as we are only on week 2 of the challenge!

 

Today it was back to group strength class and what a workout it was! Once again we used all kinds of different "tools" and made a quick "field trip" to the gym for our warm up. Lots of squats and upper body today which made me worried for how tonight's Upper Body Piyo workout was going to go. After a bit of rest this afternoon we headed up to The Y tonight as a family and Tim and I got in a quick 5K run on the treadmill before some good stretching. It was a short workout so we still had time for Piyo once we got home. Like I said, I was worried about how it was going to go after the GST class but I really didn't need to worry. It was a great workout and I am already seeing improvements. The upper body workout might be one of my favorites and I know that it will be one that I will continue to do well after the challenge is over!

 

post- workout selfie for the challenge group page

 

Fitness Friday

I need to start out by letting you all know just how PROUD I am of this kid!

 

Riley- age 12

When he made the decision to not go out for basketball this year we told him that it was fine but, since he wasn't doing a winter sport, he would need to workout with us- running, lifting, etc. and not just sitting at home playing games. The month of December we didn't push it but once January came along we told him it was time to hit it hard and I have to say that he did. 

Then we challenged him to participate with us in the Indoor Ironman Challenge at our local YMCA (swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles during the month of February) and he took it on and totally rocked it. He finished last night with a 3 mile run and a 1/4 mile swim and a couple of days to spare. It was so much fun to have him working out with us and to be able to spend that time with him. He wasn't always thrilled to be going and doing it but, once we would get started, he always made the most of it and had fun.

Now that indoor batting practice has started he is even starting to see the benefits and is understanding why we made this "deal" with him. It really wasn't to torture him with spending time with us! It was to help him stay in shape and get stronger for track and baseball. After the first session of batting he really noticed a difference and said that it felt good and his swing felt so much stronger. I will definitely count that as a win for us!

NOTE: I should add that my wonderful husband also finished his last lap of swimming last night to also finish his Indoor Ironman Challenge.

This is my weekend to work so I have been off all week which means this has been a GREAT week of workouts! We all finished our Indoor Ironman Challenge this week and Tim and I also started a new challenge that I think we are both really enjoying- a 60 day Piyo challenge.

I can't speak for Tim but I am loving this time together each night.

Here is how my week looked:

Monday: 5k run (treadmill) and biked 14 miles (upright bike) at the Y, Piyo- Align

Tuesday: 2 mile run (treadmill) and biked 6 miles (upright bike) at the Y, Yoga class, Piyo- Lower body

Wednesday: 4 mile run (treadmill) and 1/2 mile swim at the Y, Piyo- Upper body

Thursday: Group Strength Training Class (full body workout), Piyo- Sweat

All of the "tools" used in yesterday's group strength class

After all of that I am feeling it today! It is a good sore though because I can feel that I have been doing something and am working to improve myself and my body. I am thinking that a nice easy run yet today would feel good to help loosen up my tight legs.



 Gratitude Challenge- Days 23-27

Day 23-

Some of us struggle with health and wellness issues. Really take a few moments and think about your body and what you are grateful for in regards to your own health and wellness.

 

Being diagnosed with melanoma and having part of my ear removed really sucked but when I really stop and think about it I am grateful that we caught it when we did. It could have been so much worse and I am incredibly grateful that it wasn't!

 

 I have had my struggles with health and wellness but I am grateful for where I am now. I am not exactly where I want to be but I am on the journey to improving my health and wellness. The journey isn't always easy but I am learning so much about myself and have met so many amazing people along the way.

 

Day 24-

Name a deceased person you are grateful for and why.

 

I have two that I have talked about in previous responses- Grandpa Everett and Tim's Dad (Papa D). They were both very loving, caring and strong men. They both worked hard and were not afraid to push the limits and try new things. They were great examples for how to make the most of your life!

 

Day 25-

Write a thank you to a child you are grateful for and tell them why you are grateful for them. In your gratitude journal, write about the child and your gratefulness towards them.

 

I am incredibly grateful for each of my three boys! They have ALL brought so much joy to my life and in each of their own ways!

 

 

Riley- he was the first to make me a mom and I have learned so much from him. He is very independent and always has been. He has been a 'natural' at so many things that he has helped me learn how to challenge him and push him to try harder and try things that don't come easy to him. From the time he was very young he had a drive for learning and that has helped me to also want to learn new things. He is growing into an amazing, responsible young man and it is so much fun to watch as he grows and changes.

 

Isaac- he has a special way of challenging me but I am grateful for the ways that he makes me a better mom. He is helping me learn to have patience. He also helps me see that sometimes you have to take a different approach to get the end result you are seeking- just because it worked with one kid doesn't mean it will work with the next.  He works hard at all that he does because things don't come easy for him and I admire his determination to figure things out. He is my silly, free-spirited child and I love that about him. He is helping me realize that sometimes I need to be more like that. He is such a sweet, caring boy and I can't wait to see where his future takes him!

 

Aidan- my little man! He is my little sweetie. He is so caring and loves to snuggle. He loves to play, play, play! He has always been "mommy's boy" and I am totally ok with that! He is the child that has helped me slow down and be more in the moment. He has helped me cherish the small, everyday moments because they are what's really important.

 

Day 26-

What happened to you today that you are most grateful for?

 

I am grateful to finally be able to get back to the group strength training class at the Y. After working the past few Thursdays it felt great to get back. Stacy really kicked my butt which was just what I needed!

 

I also had a moment that was very brief but I was go grateful that I was living in the moment and was able to catch it and take it in. While walking through Wal-Mart Aidan said to me, "Mommy, I really enjoy being your son." Sometimes it can be the smallest things that can totally make your day!

 

 

Day 27-

What is one activity that you are grateful you are able to do each day? Why?

 

Dang this is hard! My first reaction was that I am grateful that I can 'move'- in whatever way it might mean for that day. Then I thought about it more and decided that maybe it should be that I am grateful that I can breathe- without breathing nothing else would be possible! I guess that is the very literal side of me talking with those answers.

 

I am also very grateful that I get to be with my family in some capacity each day. I get to see my boys grow and change. I am grateful to be home to eat dinner with my family most nights. I am grateful to be able to tell my boys good night and tuck my little man in.

 

 

I would love to hear from you:

How was your week as far as fitness goes?

What happened to you this week that you are most grateful for? Why?

 

Please comment to share your thoughts:)

Three Things Thursday

Looks like I have been slacking

in the blogging department this week!

 I attempted a couple of posts

but picking up kids

and getting workouts in

among other things cut my window of opportunity short

and they never got finished or posted.

Things have been busy this week and I have a lot to share

but for today I will start with three things.

First-

my Indoor Ironman is DONE!

Tim and Riley will be done after tonight's workout.

They were on track to be done with swimming last night

but an "accident" in the pool cut our swimming short-

Tim by 1 lap and Riley by 6 laps.

I guess after Riley finishes his 3 mile run tonight

it will be time to get back in the water so they can finish it up!

It has been so much fun to have Riley doing this challenge with us-

it has been a great way for us to spend time with him!
 

I really do love participating in the Indoor Ironman Challenge

 

for the month of February

 

but I am also very glad when it is done.

 

Getting through it pretty much consumes our workouts

 

and they end up becoming ALL cardio.

 

I am ready to get back to more of a balance

 

in my workouts and to add strength training back in.

 

Second-

Another season of basketball has come to an end

and I have to say it ended on a high note.

Jump shot

 

On Saturday Isaac's team played their last three games

and won all three!

In the last game Isaac scored 14/16 of the points

and had an amazing game.

It was so much fun to watch how much he improved

(and how much the whole team improved)

throughout the season.

He really loves basketball

and you could see that in his teamwork, determination, and hustle.

Now we are onto BASEBALL!

Third-

Catching up on the Gratitude Challenge...

I have continued to participate daily

by writing in my journal.

Gratitude Challenge- Days 18- 26

Day 18

Take 5 pictures of things you are grateful for today. Post them to social media if you can using the hashtag #gratefulfor2015.

Here is what I posted:

From my Instagram post: here are five pictures that represent things that I am grateful for- each of my three boys, being active with them, fun times with family, beautiful sunsets, and making time for myself (yoga)

Day 19-

Please take a moment and write about how this gratitude challenge has impacted you. Share here or on our social media page if you would like, but more importantly write it down for yourself.

This challenge has really opened my eyes to ALL that I am grateful for. It has forced me to really take a look at so many different things that I wouldn't have even thought about. It has helped me to be more aware of what's around me and to be more "in the moment" and how all of "that" is something to be grateful for. This challenge has helped to open my eyes and "see" my world differently- with gratitude and appreciation!

Day 20-

What place or space are you most grateful for in your home? Maybe it isn't even in your home, but write about your grateful space or place.

I have a few here!

 First, in my home I am grateful for the kitchen. So often this is the one place where we all come together as a family. Around our table we share our highs and lows for the day. In the kitchen we also make meals and special treats together.

The next one would be outside of our home-

I am grateful for our local YMCA. Because of it we are able to be active and also have some fun as a family. They have also provided so many great opportunities for us! I don't know what I would do without it.

The last would be the baseball field. It has been a place for us to meet and connect with other amazing families in our area. We have been able to build lasting friendships through this connection. All three of my boys love baseball and it is so much fun to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful (or not so beautiful) weather while we watch them do what they love.

Day 21-

What season are you most grateful for and why?

This is a tough one for me as I really enjoy having all four seasons and have learned to find beauty in each one of them.  If I would HAVE to pick just one I would say summer. I love the green grass flowers, fresh produce and all of the hustle and bustle that goes with summer for our family. We are a baseball family through and through! I am grateful for family time in the summer- nights that can stretch later because we don't have to get up for school, campfires, hiking, swimming, anything active outdoors. There is so much that I love about summer!

This response doesn't 'feel' right without giving some credit to the things I am grateful for with the other seasons. If I had to rank the seasons the next up would be fall. After the craziness of summer I love getting back into a routine- getting the kids back in school. I am grateful for the beauty of fall. All of the colors, the cooler temps, different family activities like going to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. I love fall hikes and long bike rides.

Spring would be next in my ranking of the seasons. I love when the temps finally start to warm up and the flowers start to peak through the ground. I love to see all the 'freshness' and 'newness' start to emerge. I love to see everything start to green-up and the trees starting to bloom. I am grateful for the longer days and being able to spend more time outside.

Winter is probably my least favorite but I have come to find aspects that I am grateful for. I love the beauty of snow covering everything. A fresh snow (provided I don't have to travel in it) is so beautiful when you really take time to notice it. I am also grateful that winter is a chance for us to slow down a bit and spend more time as a family. I am grateful for all of the traditions that come with winter- picking out our Christmas tree, decorating for the holidays, snowshoeing, sledding, building a snowman... there really are lots of good things about winter when you take time to think about it.

Day 22-

What meal are you most grateful for and why? Describe it and where you got the recipe from, don't forget the why!

My first reaction to this questions was any meal that all three boys will eat and that we don't have to fight with them to eat. Meal times are a challenge at our house! Most meals that everyone will eat are not the healthiest. Simple pancakes and scrambled eggs with turkey breakfast sausages is always a hit and one of our 'go to' meals. There really is no recipe. I learned at a very young age how to make eggs for myself and have also taught my boys how. I am grateful for this meal because it is easy and everyone will eat it!

When I really take some time to stop and think about this I would have to say Tim's homemade pizza. Everyone likes it and you can easily change it to meet every one's different likes. We got the recipe for the sauce and dough from Tim's dad. It really is special that we have this and can continue to make Papa D's pizza. This is our special connection with him even though he isn't here with us anymore. 

 

 

What space are you most grateful for and why? In your home or outside of your home.

 

What season are you most grateful for and why?

 

What meal are you most grateful for and why? Where did the recipe come from?

 

I would love to hear your thoughts... Please share your answers in the comments.  



Reset button

 Have I told you lately

 

how much I love yoga?

 

Well just in case you

 

missed it...

 

 

I always feel better

 

(more peaceful, calm and balanced)

 

when I am able to get to yoga class.

 

It is kind of like my "reset button".

 

 

Practicing yoga has been a great addition

 

to my regular workouts for so many reasons.

 

Despite what many may think

 

it is a really great workout!

 

Your 'practice' is all your own-

 

it isn't about what others around you are doing

 

it is just about you and your body

 

and tuning into what it is capable of.

 

Just like any other type of workout

 

you will get out of it what you put into it.

 

There are so many great ways that

 

you can really challenge your body in yoga!

 

At the same time,

 

there are so many modifications in yoga

 

so anyone can do it!

 

It is a great way to dedicate time to good stretching

 

(which is something that I have always loved).

 

Yoga really helps connect your body and your mind!

 

 

For me, yoga is very calming

 

and helps re-energize me to tackle life's challenges.

 

Yoga has really helped me be

 

more mindful of my breathing, my posture

 

and being in the current moment.

 

My list could go on and on.

 

If you haven't tried yoga

 

I really suggest you give it a chance-

 

it might just surprise you like it did me!

 

 

 

Gratitude Challenge- Day 17

 

"What TEXTURE are you most grateful for? (snap a picture of it for us if you can) Tell us why you are grateful for it."

 

I have to admit that when I first read today's assignment I thought it was a bit weird. Who thinks about being grateful for TEXTURE? But after spending some time thinking about it I had the perfect answer and in the process of thinking about it I had lots of great memories that were brought up as well!

 

 

I actually have two textures that I am very grateful for...

fleece and flannel. As a person who tends to be cold most of the time (and chooses to live in Wisconsin- crazy I know!) I love these textures because they are very warm and cozy and generally they mean snuggling with my boys and hubby. My boys have loved fleece blankets since they were born so that is a texture that brings back many memories of rocking and snuggling my babies! They still snuggle under fleece blankets everyday! As for the flannel- I love my flannel sheets but mostly I am grateful for my flannel quilt that was made with love by my mom! This quilt gets pulled out almost every night when it is time to relax and snuggle and I am grateful for all of the time and energy she put into making it for me.

 

 

Have you tried yoga?

 

What is your "reset button"?

 

What TEXTURE  are you most grateful for and why?

 

 I would love to hear your responses... please share your answers by leaving a comment.

 



 

It's "D" day for me

Maybe I should say double d day-

 

Dermatology & Dentist that is.

 

 

I started my day with my dreaded

 

6 month Dermatology follow up

 

which means a full body skin check.

 

UGH!!

 

I hate being examined from head to toe

 

under the special magnifying glass/light.

 

I know that it is a necessary evil

 

but it really doesn't make it any easier.

 

The only thing that made it better was

 

hearing that everything looks good.

 

It does feel good to have the reassurance

 

that all of the freckles and moles

 

that I am constantly analyzing

 

are completely normal

 

and hopefully they stay that way!

 

Back again in another 6 months

 

to continue to keep an eye on everything.

 

 

 

From the clinic it was back home

 

to pick up the boys (no school day)

 

and head to the Dentist-

 

another place that I hate to go!

 

News wasn't as good there-

 

I get to go back to have some old cavities replaced,

 

Aidan has a couple of cavities to take care of,

 

and Isaac and Riley both need an Orthodontist consult.

 

UGH!!

 

I am going to need a second job

 

to take care of everyone's teeth!

 

 

After all of that "fun" I needed a workout!

 

It was getting close to lunch time

 

but Riley and I managed to get in a quick

 

swim despite the pool being pretty crazy

 

and being limited on time.

 

We made more progress

 

on our Indoor Ironman Challenge

 

and it was a great way to spend

 

some one-on-one time with Riley!

 

 

For a kid that has never really swam laps

 

he killed it and did a pretty good job

 

keeping up with me.

 

It wasn't a long workout

 

but it was just what we needed!

 

 

Gratitude Challenge- Day 16

 

"What invention are you most grateful for and why?"

 

I asked Riley this question on our way back from swimming today and his answer impressed me. He said he was grateful for the invention of immunizations because without them we could get very sick and/or die. Wow! For a kid that loves technology (iPod, Xbox, computer, etc) that answer really surprised me and made me realize that maybe he is paying more attention to the news and media around him than I thought. I have to admit that my answer when I first thought about his question wasn't nearly as impressive- I am grateful for the heated seats in my van! With our Wisconsin winters the past few years they have been wonderful! More seriously though there are so many inventions that I am grateful for. I am grateful for all of the inventions in regards to medicine- detection, treatment, and prevention of cancers.

 

 



Indoor Ironman

I have made reference to the Indoor Ironman

 

a few times now so I thought I should explain it.

 

Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, and Run 26.2

 

Our local YMCA is hosting it's

 

7th Annual Indoor Ironman Challenge.

 

The challenge consists of finishing

 

2.4 miles of swimming,

 

112 miles of biking

 

and 26.2 miles of running

 

over the 28 days of February.

 

That's right,

 

we have 28 days to complete what some

 

do in ONE day during ONE race!

 

They are truly AMAZING athletes

 

and I am definitely inspired by a friend that is training

 

for an Ironman race!

 

I loved doing my first sprint triathlon

 

and can't imagine doing an Ironman distance race.

 

(I have to admit that thoughts of one day

 

completing a half ironman MAY have crossed my mind though)

 

For now, spreading it out over the course

 

of a whole month is the way to go for us!

 

This is our 5th year participating

 

in the challenge at the Y

 

and this year Riley decided to join us.

 

We have been making great progress

 

and have enjoyed mixing up our workouts

 

by adding in more biking and time in the water.

 

In order to get all of our miles in

 

we have backed off on our strength training

 

so we need to work on bringing that back into the mix

 

and finding a better balance in our workouts.

 

All-in-all it has been a great week of workouts for me!

 

Here is the rundown:

 

Monday: 4 miles snowshoeing, 5k run, 5 bike miles

Tuesday: 12 bike miles, Yoga class

Wednesday: Work = no workout

Thursday: Work = no workout

Friday: 12 bike miles, 1/2 mile swim

Saturday: 5k run and 6 bike miles

Sunday: 2 mile run, 6 bike miles, and 1/2 mile swim

 

Time to get some strength training back in there!

 

 

Gratitude Challenge- Days 11-15

 

 

Day 11-

"Write about the first thing you felt you were grateful for today when you woke up."

 

I was grateful that I got to wake up next to my amazing husband and to have another day to live and make progress on moving forward towards reaching my many goals.

 

Day 12-

"Do you have a book or story that you are grateful for in your life? Why is that book or story special to you? Will you pass it on to someone else?"

 

This is another tough one. We have many books that I will always cherish because we have loved reading them to all three of our boys. We have many memories of snuggling up at bedtime (or anytime) to read them- over and over and over! I am making sure to keep them to be able to share with our grandchildren many years from now.

 

Day 13-

"List 3 relationships that you are grateful for in your past or present life. Why are you grateful for them?"

 

This one is pretty easy as I have so many relationships that I am grateful for. The hard part is picking just 3! I don't want anyone to be upset that they aren't on the list! These are the first three that I thought off- it DOES NOT mean that they are the three most important to me!!

 

1) I am grateful for my relationship with my Grandpa Everett. I was nearly 9 when he died but I am grateful for those 9 years with him. I have many wonderful memories of this amazing man and I am incredibly grateful for those because it is through those memories that my boys are able to "know" him as well.

2) I am grateful for my relationship with Darrell (Tim's dad). He was an amazing man and I am grateful for all of the time that I was able to spend with him. I am grateful that I got to know him and travel with him so I am able to tell my boys about him.

3) I am also grateful for the relationship that I have with my husband! He is always by my side and has always been my biggest supporter in all that I do. He is my best friend, my soul mate, and so much more!!

 

Day 14-

"List the memory that you have that you are most grateful to have. You will really need to think about this, more often than not it is the first one that comes to your mind."

 

 

Wow!! I have so many! It is really hard to pick one that I am most grateful for!

 

Right now I guess I would have to go with my memories of Grandpa Everett- from making homemade ice cream for special days and the box of chocolates he would always give us for Valentine's day to my favorite memory of him... when he went out to the barn and brought a baby pig in the house so we could see it on Christmas.

 

I am also grateful for the memories of the "cousin sleepovers" at Grandma Betty's. We would all be lined up sleeping across the pull out couch. I have wonderful memories of her taking all of us school shopping; some of which include getting lost and her continuing to follow the pilot car (which had a sign saying "follow me") in a construction zone even once we were out of the construction area and he was just trying to turn around.

 

I am very grateful for the memories that we are building everyday with our boys! Sometimes it is the littlest things that really do mean the most!

 

Day 15-

"Do you have a teacher that you are grateful for from your past of present life? Write about them and why you are grateful, and send them a handwritten note to tell them."

 

 

I am incredibly grateful for Ms. Eiken! Isaac had her for a teacher in 3rd grade and she was amazing! From the first time we met she had a way of making all of us feel welcome and comfortable. She does a wonderful job of recognizing each students uniqueness and helping them build their confidence. She was the teacher that really turned things around for Isaac in school and has helped him enjoy school again. After a rough start to elementary school she was just the teacher we needed! She has been amazing and I can't express how much we love her. We have been blessed and Isaac has been able to be in her classroom again this year in 4th grade! She is so genuine, caring, and has a special way of making you feel so comfortable. She has helped Isaac grow in so many ways and has been such a blessing in our lives! She has definitely touched our hearts in many ways!