Oh Apollo

Once again, he found my mascara ~ but this time the only painting he did with it was on himself not on the walls or cupboards). I think he was going for a more authoritative look.

Oh Parker

Parker decided to dress up like a "cool guy", and I couldn't stop laughing, so I hope you enjoy this, too.

Bang Dilemma:

It's hard to believe that the competition is only a day away. I've never worked so hard toward anything in my life. The discipline that I've had to develop with my diet alone has been the biggest challenge. But it's exciting to see the results when I strip down and see the product of all my hard work. I weight 110 right now, and I'm hoping to lose 3 or so more pounds before show time. I weight about 35 pounds less than I did when I met my husband five years ago. He's anxious for me to put ten pounds back on, but we'll see what happens.

Dilemma: Should I wear my bangs down or up for the show?

The Slim Down

The positive side with being sick is that I haven't felt like eating anything, so I haven't been fighting the feelings of deprivation. I haven't exercised in five days, but that's aiding in some muscle loss/weight loss. And all of this is working to my advantage to slim me down and help my muscles have a more toned appearance. I just hope it will stay for nine more days.

Everything was going so well...

Then I got sick. Not just a little sick, either. Like the kind where you lounge in bed all day, except to teach a zumba class and get your nails done (at least my priorities are straight). I felt pretty crappy all day yesterday. Today I feel better, but not back to normal. Most of the body aches and chills are gone, but my energy feels depleted. I was supposed to do a ten mile run tomorrow but I don't think I'll be up to it. I guess I just need to listen to what my body is telling me: SLOW DOWN!

This morning Bryce heard Ryan and I discussing whether we should risk taking this sickness to the people at church. We ended up deciding not to go. Bryce surprised us with a "sacrament" meeting in our living room complete with reading from the scriptures and listening to the children's CD of primary songs. Sometimes I wonder if anything I'm trying to instill in my boy is sticking, and then he surprises me. I'm so blessed to have him.

Back to School

Apollo had his first day of preschool yesterday, which meant that it was just Halea and me for 2 1/2 hours. It was GLORIOUS! I was able to clean the kitchen, and have it stay clean. I made some phone calls without my kids screaming in the background. I was able to care for Leslie without anyone (Bryce) pounding on the door for me to hurry up so I can come back in the house and "get them" something (we've had a serious case of the "get me's" lately). And when it was time to get Parker and Ollie home, I was ready for them. Today Ryan and I have a trip to the gym and costco (for early Christmas shopping without the kids) planned ~ there's just so much life to live in 2 1/2 hours.

My training is going well. I actually enjoy the training ~ it's the dieting that is the hard part. I'm in the best shape of my life. When I reflect on the last year I can see how much my fitness has had a hand in helping me deal with everything. A year ago the new Y opened and I took a job there teaching cardio sculpt classes, not knowing that five months later I would be using all of those muscles I was building to care for my dying mother-in-law. I wouldn't have been strong enough earlier to give the intensive kind of care she requires. At the same time that we brought her home, I was going through the process of figuring out what's wrong with Parker. Ryan and I trained for our first 1/2 marathon and completed it in June. It was the coolest thing we've ever done together, aside from making two babies. Exercise has been such a huge part of my life and it's helped me in all areas of my life. Physically, but also emotionally. It's the one selfish thing I do for me every day. It allows me to give time to my thoughts or just to shut my brain off and go through the motions of what my body is doing physically. It's been a constant in my life (that and Ryan) that have helped me deal with what life has offered.

I'm happy.