Thoughts on the Gym, Part II

Now that Christmas is over I feel like I have nothing to blog about. So I'm going to blog about my boring life, and right now that includes 5x/week 5:30am workouts. Things have changed a lot since my last post about the gym...

I have gotten much better at pilates! I can tell my core is stronger, but I don't notice it much in my pant size, *sigh*

I figured out why I like watching ESPN when I am working out. They are showing the best of the best plays. It is inspiring to see people excel so much in their sport. It pumps you up, people. And every once in a while they discuss BSU football, woot! On an aside, as I was watching a recap of the BCS championship game this morning I felt so bad for that freshman from Texas who had to take over for Colt McCoy after he got injured early in the game. He didn't do so well. Then I was thinking about how that is why Boise State is so flippin' awesome. They are truly a TEAM. If one of their stars gets injured, they are just fine, someone else is there to pick up the slack. Just my opinion, don't rage on me!!

I can definitely tell that I am in much better shape than I was back in August when I started working out again, for real. I am running now, which I felt like I was going to die doing back in August. But, alas, the weight is SO SLOW coming off. I have lost about 10 pounds in the last 3 months, but I definitely fell off the wagon during Nov/Dec as far as eating goes. But I'm back on now, so the weight can start falling off any time...

I haven't had caffeine for a week, go me! (I'm going to stop this time, FOR REAL. I figured out how much we were spending on soda every month, about $50, and that was enough to convince me!) The first time I worked out after I quit was really hard. My head felt fuzzy and I felt slow. The second day was a little better, today I feel back to normal.

The gym is a great place to people-watch. I love it when someone spontaneously sings or dances whilst listening to their mp3 player. That is awesome.

My ipod got stolen out of my car last week. Luckily that is the only thing they took. Lesson learned, I will always lock my car from now on. Have fun with that 3 year old ipod with my name engraved on the back, by the way. Running was SO HARD without it, at first, but today wasn't so bad. I found a cheap one online, waiting for it to get here in the mail is torture!

I wear the same pair of pants to work out in every day. I am in serious need of some new workout clothes, but oh well....

And lastly, **GULP**, I am running a marathon in May. I start training next week. I have always wanted to do it, and now feels like the right time. I second guess myself and go through periods of anxiety over the whole thing, but then I realize that people like me do it all the time. You don't have to be an ultra-elite athlete to run a marathon. I have 18 weeks to train, and I will be fine. Any advice you have on shoes, clothes, music, special tips would be much appreciated. I read that 95% of a marathon is run in your mind. Good thoughts...

Christmas Unwrapped

Warning, this is gonna be a long one. If my kids don't call you grandma and grandpa you may get bored...

Christmas Eve presents!

Surprise! It's pj's!

The presents finally got to be put under the tree on Christmas Eve...after the kids went to bed.

Santa totally delivered, he may have grumbled a bit about the minor assembly required, but he sure did deliver!

TOTALLY delivered, mama's gonna be lovin' this one in the spring...MAJOR assembly required, Santa, sorry :)

Christmas morn, waiting for that darn Elliot to wake up! You may notice that Naomi does, in fact, have on different pj's than she went to bed in. That is because she started throwing up at about midnight Christmas morning. Needless to say, Santa's elves didn't get a whole lot of sleep on Christmas eve.

Elliot got JUST what he has been asking for for a couple of months! He is thrilled with his new guitar!

Little mommy Maggie immediately put her baby in the high chair and began feeding her :)

Just what our little soon-to-be walker needs. Santa is really smart and knew that our old walker is buried in the garage somewhere and he just knew that chances were very slim that mom would ever go out and dig through the boxes to find it.

OH MY GOODNESS!! A candy jewelry maker!! Just what Grace wanted!

The antlers were a big hit, they made the rounds.

Graces l.o.v.e.s. her pink fluffy vest from Valerie. Thanks girl!!

I am the coolest wife ever and got Ray a plane ticket to Phoenix (thank you frequent flyer miles) and a ticket to the Fiesta Bowl so he can watch his beloved Broncos play.

I don't know why I have never bought my kids Memory before now, but they just can't get enough of it!

Hope your Christmas was as special as ours.

For your entertainment:

See These Two?

Thumb suckers no longer.

Let's just say that I get it. I understand thumb sucking, I sucked mine until I was 10-you're welcome Dr. Orthodontist (can't remember his name for the life of me). I know it sounds strange, but I can almost feel the comfort it gives. So I guess I just never felt the need to push the stopping of the thumb sucking with Grace. But, I know she is getting to the age where other kids will notice and probably make fun. So, when I told Grace that her cousin Colby, 2 years her junior, had stopped sucking his thumb, she decided that it was time. We ordered the yucky stuff to paint on her thumb, same stuff Colby used, of course. She was very diligent to keep it painted on.

She hated the taste.

And so did everyone else who tried to eat chips from the same bag as her, if you know what I mean. A few days later, viola! No more thumb sucking! 6+ years of bad habit, broken. We haven't seen so much as a little suck for about a week! We're so proud of you, Grace!

(and a little sad...she is officially all grown up now :( )

Born This Day

Luke 2

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Rejoice! Rejoice in the birth of the babe Jesus, the Savior of the world! The One the wise men sought. Born in the most humble of circumstances, destined to be the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God. Sent to earth to save our wretched souls, to give us hope and peace. To teach us love and charity. Rejoice in the event that changed the course of humanity forever, the single most important event in the history of the world. Rejoice in the good tidings of great joy. Merry Christmas!

Have A Holly Jolly Christmas

It's the best time of the year.

I don't know if there'll be snow,

But have a cup of cheer.

Have a holly Jolly Christmas

And when you walk down the street

Say hello to friends you know,

And everyone you meet.

OH BY GOLLY have a Holly Jolly Christmas this year!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Maggie's new fave

Grape Tomatoes!!

She eats them by the handful (thank you Costco)

I deserve at least one child who eats good, right?

Love this girl...

Kindermusik Love

Have I mentioned how much I love Kindermusik? Well, I do. It is so great for Elliot. He loves it so much and he learns so much. This year they are learning to read music!! They just got their glockenspiels and will soon learn to play a song on it from music. Anyway, we went to the Christmas party today. Elliot got to sing a solo. He rocks.

They got to make the "snow" fall...

They laid on the floor together to listen to the other kids sing...

They got to sing Christmas carols and dance (please ignore my singing, UGH!!)

In other news, when I went to upload these video from my point and shoot I discovered a bunch of pictures that Grace had taken. Check out her mad photog skills :)

Don't you just love Elliot's little sexy baby legs? :)