Beginning of May Excitment

I feel like the month of May just started and it's really almost over. I know our nights are getting longer and we are outside for most of the afternoon/evening. Which leads to a scramble for bedtime and that darn homework still needs to be finished EVERY day. I am getting the feeling that the kiddos are ready for school to be out and I'm starting to get the vibe too. I'm not sure what we are going to do every day with all of us at home, but it will be nice to ease into the mornings a little!

Check out these cool guys. 

The biggest (and hardest for me) event of May has been Max's preschool days coming to an end. He's almost a Kindergartener now. Well, according to him he is already! He's ready, I'm not yet ready to have him gone every day. I'm going to miss my snuggle buddy while the two little ones nap!

 I was lucky to be able to go on his end of the year field trip. It was fun to see his partner in crime, Hudson, on the field trip as well. I always hear stories about the two of them when Max would come home from school but to actually see the friendship in action is truly a blessing. And then Brad met up with us for a Steak & Shake date. This kid will do anything for a milkshake!

Max's book he made throughout the year. He has really grown up this year and I am excited for his new beginning. 

Mother's Day this year was gorgeous! The boys were so sweet and made so many cute homemade things for me to celebrate the day. I think those gifts are the best! I even got a card from Brad this year who may or may not have gotten it late Saturday night :) But, all joking aside, it was the beautiful afternoon outside before the downpour that was the best gift of all!

 Max drew this picture of me! He said my hair was pulled back in a pony tail. I possibly need to do more ab workouts :) And adding to the rule that kids don't miss anything, Mason figured out my favorite food was chocolate. Apparently my hid in the other room in order to not share my chocolate skills need some work!

Our afternoon at the creek (a.k.a. as stated by Mason and Max "the best place on earth!")

This was the best way Mason could figure out to get all his goods to the creek and still ride his bike there.

And...we were so excited to meet our new Niece/Cousin Lilly born May 11!

We had a little cuddle time..

A family picture time (a.k.a. we needed to get Miles one-year pictures taken, FINALLY and while he's dressed up we might as well make the others get their pictures take too!). A big Thank You to a Mops friend Cynthia Gover for the awesome photos!

 Isn't he adorable! 

I love these two pictures because they totally sum up these boys at this moment in time!

 

Brad and I had a little adult night out time (thank goodness!) with these lovely ladies and their husbands..

 

And a little crazy hat time...

Then I got to spend some quality time with my favorite first grader on a class field trip..

Whew! It's been crazy but I wouldn't have it any other way! End of May, Summer...Let's do this!! So excited to see what the new season will bring!

How we will be spending our evenings for the next month

 These two guys starting a new season of baseball these past few weeks. Mason in in the 7/8 year old Coach pitch league and Max is in the T-ball league. I remember spending summers at the baseball fields and am excited they have found the game fun as well. Although I don't remember the games lasting quite so long as a kid! They both are doing great and learning new things every practice. Excited to see how the season goes! It's crazy the season will be over almost the same time as school is out. But, for now, we are going to "enjoy" (ha!) being at the ball fields almost every  night of the week! 

 Probably the hardest thing about baseball season is keeping these to crazies occupied! 

Mason and his friend Gabriel were excited to be on the same team this year. Max is on the same team as his good friend Mason! Sometime I'll get them to stop playing in the dirt long enough to get their picture!

On as side note! Shakeology really has been a gift to find. It's hard to find time to have a nutritious meal when you are crazy on the go! I love that it can come with me any time! If only I can keep my kiddos from drinking all of it while we are out and about!

We've passed Spring and leaped into Summer in Indiana

The past few weeks have been crazy weather. It is like we really skipped spring and went straight into summer with 89 degree temperatures and humidity to match. All the boys LOVE to be outside so it has been a nice change of scenery. I'm just needing to realize housework will NOT be getting done any time soon. 

Strange picture I know. But, this is the boys "treasure pile". It's been fun to see the boys and their neighbor friends go out into the little fence row we have behind our house (or the woods as the boys call it) for hours looking for things, trying to climb trees and generally just be in nature. This is there collection pile, which did include an old metal mailbox until we removed it for the sake of not wanting to look like hoarders. It will be interesting to see what is added to the pile next!

We headed to the zoo one Sunday. The older two rode the roller coaster for the first time! Matthew and I stuck to the train :)

This little guy is getting more mischevious every day. It seems climbing (anywhere) has become a favorite pastime. He's so smart learning how to open all the doors! No we have to lock them so he doesn't get out but no one else can ever get back in, ha!! Sorry buddy for having you in Halloween jammies in the spring. It's just how the hand-me-downs roll around here!

 Who needs to actually put money in these machines at the mall when you can have just as much fun with make-believe!

These two crazies enjoying a "jumping party" on our bed!

We had a Mops mom friend take the boys pictures for us last week. It was so much fun. It was really done in order to get Miles' one year picture taken but while we were getting one halfway decently dressed, why not them all. I can't wait to see how they turned out!! The park where we went was directly by a train track. So, of course we did a little exploring after! It's crazy but we had never visited this park before.  I see us going back there a lot this summer.

 Matthew's ninja moves

I really just love this picture. Mason had picked some flowers for me along the waters edge. I had turned around and saw him standing by me just like this waiting to hand them to me :) He is so sweet! I can (and cannot!) wait to compare this picture to another one in about 15 years (right!?!?!). She will be one lucky lady!

21 Day Fix Results and Whys

Thursday ended my second round of the 21 Day Fix Program. I am so excited about this particular program and all that the Beachbody company has to offer. Want to know more? Check out my Whys answers below. But first, the information that's scary for me to write about because it's so personal! I have been looking back for comparison pictures the last few days. You know what I found? I am either not in any of the pictures or am trying to cover myself up by holding a child. Craziness! Is that what I want my kiddos to look back and remember? Me maybe being there but hiding in the background. The crazy thing is, for me it's more about how I'm FEELING right now as opposed to how I look. I mean don't get me wrong, it's awesome to see changes in yourself physically. But, I'm really enjoying seeing the changes inside. I'm more energetic, less quick tempered, more at ease and generally not as stressed (as not as stressed as you can be with 4 boys!). So, I'm putting myself out there (scary!) for the hope that maybe it will help kick start someone on a journey of their own!

 I think maybe there might be a few changes! 

The before photo was taken just last Spring 2014!

The stats--comparing end of first round of 21 Day Fix to end of second round.

Weight: down 6.5lbs
Total inches lost: 6"

So I thought this look was funny and wanted to put it out here, Ha. This is one of my favorite belts and a "go to" pair of pants I have had for years. My belt is now on it's last hole trying to hold up my obviously folded over pants. Would someone help me convince my husband I need should go shopping, ha!!

So, I few of the "whys" to questions that I have been asked. It has take me a little bit to really get to the root of the "whys". Maybe that's what we all are really looking for. What is motivating us?

What is so special about the 21 Day Fix program? 

Really for me, it's just a program that clicked. I had been really trying to focus on working out and eating healthier starting in the Spring of 2014. What I found was I was "trying" and still not seeing any results. This program is perfect for those that are stuck in a rut or just getting started on a healthier journey. The workouts are 30 minutes, which can be accomplished on any crazy schedule. And, they have a ton of modifications to make it work for those just starting out or challenging for those that need the extra intensity. The important part for me is the food examples and portion control. Looking back I was eating a LOT of processed, easy to make foods. For a while, I would eat fairly well all day (or so I thought). Then, Brad and I would feed the kids dinner and wait until after they had gone to bed to have dinner ourselves. By that time, we were over hungry and wanted something fast. Mozzarella sticks and frozen pizza to the rescue!! Yummy, yes. Yet, sabotaging a days work. I needed planning and stability. This program is something I can stick with even after the 21 days are over. It's not a super crazy, you can't eat most everything kind of plan. It's a everything in moderation, stick to whole foods kind of plan. I love it and even my kids are changing their eating habits too!

Why drink Shakeology? 

I personally LOVE Shakeology. I believe even if you have a great work-out plan and are already eating healthy, this product can boost your health. I've tried all different types of protein shakes never really liking or sticking with one. I actually look forward to drinking it every day. I can say without a doubt it has help me stay fuller longer and curbed many of my chocolate and salty cravings. It's jammed packed with vitamins and minerals I wasn't getting in my diet. I know the cost is a heavy question for most. First, I try to think of it like buying in bulk. Shopping at Sam's always seems like a fortune until you realize how far you get by buying in bulk. Second, I know I would spend just as much, if not more, buying the proper foods to make my own shake as healthy as a Shakeology shake. Maybe I have given up shopping trip to Target (yikes I know!). But, this is my healthy and well-being I need to take care of. If not just for me, but for my kids as well!

Why use Beachbody products? 

I am a big fan of this company because I think they have a lot to offer those that can't make it to a gym. Gym memberships are hard sometimes. Either because of the cost or just hard to actually GET there. I'm a "gym" fan. Some are not. Beach Body offers a wide range of programs from PiYo to P90X to BodyBeast and everything in between. I think you can get a solid workout from any of their programs no matter what your fitness level. From a gym standpoint, I think personal trainers are awesome! You'll see why in a minute! But, not all of us are able to utilize a trainer or have the time to meet up with one at a gym. These different workout programs provide you with tools to push yourself to your best.  Plus, the SUPPORT you get is AMAZING! There are so many people, thanks in part to social media, available to support you and answer your questions. I am thankful to be a part of a group of wonderful people that genuinely want to help others be the healthiest versions of themselves. 

Why promote any of this and become a Coach?

Most people may not know but I actually graduated from college as an Exercise Science major. I wanted to motivate and teach people to be healthier. I took my studies in a more clinical route to work in Cardiology performing stress testing and heart ultrasounds on patients. I LOVED my job. Right now, for me, being a mom is job number one! And, I wouldn't have it any other way. I firmly believe, for me, there is no greater job than being a mom to my four little, crazy boys. But, I still enjoy helping people. Getting into this program has reminded me of that. I may not be able to make it into a gym to help people exercise or make it to the hospital to stress tests patients. With this company, though, I CAN help people make healthier lifestyle changes and motivate them to keep going. It's what I'm pulled to do. I cannot explain how over excited I am to be able to help others once again!! And, you can too! I mean who doesn't want a discount on great products and the ability to help someone on an awesome healthier journey!?!?

Why keep going?

I remember when I was working as an Exercise Physiologist performing stress tests we had SO many patients coming in for shortness of breath or chest pain complaints in their early 30's and 40's. Many of the overweight, beginning to suffer from physical ailments (high blood pressure, diabetes) and only able to walk about 3 minutes on a treadmill. Most of them would state that this condition just kind of crept up on them with the stresses of every day life. That's what I felt like was happening to me. Note the late night eating habits above!! I didn't want to not be able to play outside with my boys. I didn't want to not want to take them on a bike ride because I was too tired. Being healthier not only for myself, but for them is a huge reason to keep going.

 Wow, this post really got long. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to make a video! Until then, now you know my story and thoughts. Our AWESOME group is starting another 21 Day Fix round May 11. I'm trying out the 21 Day Fix Extreme program this round!  If you have any questions AT ALL or just want more information please just let me know. It's a constant journey, not a destination! It's more fun doing with someone than alone!