Boot Camp Week #8

Monday started off with some circuit training. We had different stations where we had to do some kind of cardio when moving from station to station. Most everything we did was cardio. It was a hard workout for me.

On Wednesday we did mostly exercises that included our weights. We would do one weight lifting exercise repeatedly for a minute and then a cardio exercise (or two)for a minute. We worked every muscle group and I was pretty sore from it.

Thursday I got a stomach virus which has left me feeling not so great.  So I didn't make it to boot camp this morning!  I was pretty uspset about it because we were going to go on a "field trip" and run on some roads around the area we are usually at. 

Well, I said in the last post that I would share some results and luckily I did have some to share!  On 4/1/2010 I took some measurements of different body parts.  Here are the measurements:

Upper Thigh - 27"
Lower Thigh - 20"
Bicep - 14"
Chest - 41"
Waist - 40"
Hips - 46"

Now on 4/30/2010 here are the new measurements:

Upper Thigh - 27.5"
Lower Thigh - 19"
Bicep - 13"
Chest - 41"
Waist - 39.25"
Hips - 44.5"

Not sure why I went up in the upper thigh area...hmmmm.  The weight is still fluctuating but now at a lower number between 176 and 178.  Whereas before it would fluctuate between 178 and 180.  I guess those inches can't lie or the way I feel in my clothes.  I just have until the end of May to get down a size.  That was my goal.  I hope I can do it!

Wordless Wednesday (a little late)

Leave your toddler for a minute and they will ALWAYS find the t.p.! Notice his Daddy's shoe on one foot.

Then I said it was time to clean up.  So the stinker went and got his vaccum!!

God is Good!

There has been a lot going on in my life right now. I know I am not the only one. I know that there are people all over the world that are going through their own difficult times and are faced with their own trials. I know that being a christian does not mean that life will be easy and smooth.

I've been reminded in Revelations 1:8 that God was always there and He will always be there. He is constant and He never changes. It reads, "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'"

And just this morning, when listening to a christian sister read out of her devotional, I was reminded that God is enough. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reads "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me." He doesn't need me to do it on my own. He needs me to be open and willing and listening. He doesn't need me to be strong. He can use the cowering, whimpering, sniveling, whiney ME!

Above all. Above your sickness. Above your job loss. Above the death of your loved one. Above your infertility. Above your marriage problems. Above anything and everything, GOD IS GOOD! James 1:2-6 reads, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let the endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."

I hope you are as encouraged by the Word as I have been.

A More Real Love Story

I saw this video posted on a blog that I follow and thought it was just too good not to share. It's so real! Enjoy!

Boot Camp Week #7

This was a hard week for me.  I felt very unmotivated and there were a lot of outside contributors to this.  Anyway, I didn't make it to boot camp on Monday.  I had a very long Sunday and that is my excuse. 

On Wednesday we did a circuit training in the parking lot of the school where we meet.  We usually are under the covered basketball court and we use the track around that area.  This was the second time for me to be in the parking lot and it was a good workout.  We did different stations for about a minute and a half each.  There were walking lunges, ab exercises, pivoting squats, running, jogging, etc...

Today we ran intervals (walk fast for 60 secs and then jog/run for 90 secs) and then did strength training. We did some variations on the plank and side plank. It was pretty tough but I didn't give up.

I am starting to see more progress. I will fill you in on the details next week. Like I said at the beginning, my motivation this week has not been to great. I am going to try to find a skinny picture of myself and put it on the fridge door. Maybe that will help with the "I don't want to's".

Parkway Playgroup Update

Parkway Playgroup

Let’s Play! Every 2 weeks, on Tuesdays from 10:00am-11:30am, we can meet to let the kids play and the Mom’s visit!


May 4th

Edeilweiss Park on Victoria Avenue if weather permits. If not then McDonalds play area on Rock Prarie.

May 18th

Central Park if weather permits. If not then Chick-Fil-A play area on Texas Avenue.

June 1st

Bee Creek Park if weather permits. If not then McDonalds play area on Rock Prairie.

June 15th

SPECIAL--Gattitown at 11:30!


If you have questions or suggestions please contact me via comment. If you would like to be added to the yahoo group for Parkway Playgroup then you can go to the button at the bottom of the page and sign up. Or ask me to email you an invite.

Wordless Wednesday

I came home last night and went upstairs to give the boys a kiss goodnight. This is what I found...

For more Wordless Wednesday go HERE.

Change

I think everyone reacts to big changes in their lives differently. You may be one who embraces it fully and adapts easily, you may be one who fights against change kicking and screaming, and you may do a combination of the two. I am willing to bet that there are more responses then the ones I mentioned but for the purpose of this post we will go with these.

I am the combination. On the outside I do what needs to be done. I plan and I participate in the decision making. But on the inside...I am crying and wailing like a baby. "I don't want to do this!", "Why can't it just be this way?!", "Why do you want me there, God?!", "Why do you want me to do that?!"

It's sad to say but it's true. I'm a big whinner! How quickly I forget that I asked God to change my life when I asked Him into my heart! How quick I am to also forget that I ask God to change my life on a daily basis when I pray for His will and direction in my life!

I can't have it both ways. I can't do God's will and choose my own path. So, God tells me "Suck it up! For now, you are where I want you to be and you will be going where I want you to go."

He's in charge. I'm not. The end.

Boot Camp Week #6

Monday was a good workout. We did mostly strength training exercises. I was pretty sore ecspecially in my abs. We did a some Tabata Training which I had never done before. (Click on the words "Tabata Training" and it will take you to a description.) It was pretty intense.

Tuesday I was very tired and so I didn't do much on my own as far as exercise. I did walk to the park with the boys, but there and back is not even a mile.

Wednesday was my favorite workout of all so far. We walked 1/2 a lap on the track doing bicep curls with our weights (3 sets of 10) and then jogged a 1/2 lap. So we would do a different arm exercise during one lap and then jog the next. I think we ended up doing 8 laps or so. Then we did some ab stuff on our mats.

Thursday I just walked to the park again. Not much else.

Friday we ran intervals and then did some strength training with bar bells. We used them to work out our arms, back and abs. I feel pretty good this morning. Despite the sneezing and snorting that I have been doing thanks to the Spring allergies.

No reported weight loss this week. I wish I could say differently.

Experimenting with Static Electricity

A friend of mine gave me a stack of books to borrow and use as resources for finding fun and educational kid activities. One of them is Lotions, Potions, and Slime Mudpies and More! by Nancy Blakey. This book has all kinds of fun activities you can do! Warning: I may do a book review on this later!

Wednesday we did a fun activity using: 1 package flavored gelatin (we used strawberry), 1 package of unflavored gelatin (I got a 36ct pack at Kroger for $6.99 becaue I knew I was going to need a bunch for several other activities later on.) and a balloon.

Here are the directions quoted directly from the book:
"Pour half of the package of flavored gelatin granules onto a small saucer. Pour the whole package of the unflavored gelatin onto another small saucer. Blow up the balloon and tie it off. Rub the baloon on your head until your hair is full of static (a piece of wool works too). Hold the static side of the balloon over the flavored gelatin. Watch and listen. Brush the balloon off into the sink, and rub on your hair once again. Hold over the unflavored gelatin granules.
What happens? Rubbing the balloon on your hair transfers extra electrons to the balloon. These extra electrons make a static charge and attract the protein fibers in the gelatin. The movement is particularly dramatic in the unflavored gelatin, forming columns of gelatin several inches long!"

When we did it, we used a whole packet of both kinds of gelatin and we didn't get any coloumns that were inches long. Maybe we didn't rub the balloon on our heads long enough? Anyway, you could see the spikes coming up and we caught it all on camera. Here are some pictures and below that is a short video! Enjoy and have fun experimenting!

Book Review Wednesdays at Cym Lowell

Come read some book reviews!
Enter your own review and you'll be entered to win a $15.00 Amazon.com giftcard!

Wordless Wednesday

Maybe it's time for a toddler bed?

The Bluebonnets Are Here!

In Texas,we may have really hot summers but in the Spring, we have beautiful wildflowers and the most beautiful is the state flower.  The Bluebonnet.  Don't get me wrong I still prefer a bouquet of Gerber daisys or roses on special occasions, but to look at a field of Bluebonnets and to see them as you travel along the state highways is fabulously breathtaking.  I can remember, as a kid, my Mom taking pictures of my sisters and I in the Bluebonnets and other wild flowers.  As a Mom I am trying to create some Bluebonnet memories with my boys.  I learned a song in elementary school that I am already singing to them.  Here are the words to the song:

Bluebonnets, Bluebonnets, with your coats so blue,
Your white eyes are shining through the silvery dew.
We know your a dolly offered for the rain.
We know you'll return again to Texas in the Spring.

This is a great book that I remember reading in elementary school also, The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie de Paola. I am going to try to find it at the library when we go tomorrow.

Here are some more pictures of our Bluebonnet fun!

Learning Beginning Writing Skills with a Salt Box

This week we did some writing using some fun materials.  I had big box lids that I poured a layer of coarse salt into and then showed them how they could make letters and shapes in the salt.  Then showed them how they could erase and start over by lightly shaking the lid back and forth.  They thought that was pretty cool.  I was amazed that they wanted to do this for almost 30 minutes! 

I had this activity planned out for the week and then saw a post at Mom Tried It where Kim, a creative stay at home mom, has done the same thing but with flour. I think I will try that next week. We had done shaving cream the week before and that was a lot of fun! I think the kids enjoy feeling these different textures and it is lots more fun then just a pencil and paper. You can use sand, paint, pudding, mud and more!

We are up to the letter J and the number 10 this week so I had them practice those.  Then I would name a letter that we have learned (A-J) and had them write those.  They drew some shapes and Josh practiced making a star.  He really wants to learn how to do that. 

I first saw the idea for writing in salt at Preschool Express .  That has been such a great site for me!  My kids have enjoyed every activity I have planned from there.

Boot Camp Week #5

After the Easter weekend full of high calorie but oh-so-yummy foods, I needed some good workouts this week! Fortunately, I was not disappointed.

On Monday we had three different stations that we did cardio stuff at. Walking to walking lunges, mountain climbers, calf raises, and more. It was a full morning and my muscles were shaking after I was done.

Wednesday we had 7 different stations with 3 different exercises at each station. We rotated every minute doing an exercise. It was fun although I somehow hurt my leg while doing burpeys.

I stopped counting calories on Wednesday, I just can't keep up with a food journal and then finding the time to email it out every night.  I am still going to attempt to keep one but it's not going to be perfect.  Basically I have learned a few things about my eating habits and I know what I need to do that I don't think keeping a food journal is that important.

I didn't go on Friday because I was up most of the night with a sick baby.  Thankfully, he is feeling better. 

I have not lost anything according to the scale, but I can now wear a pair of pants that I haven't been able to wear since I was pregnant with Simon.  So I like that measurement of progress pretty well.  It would be nice to see the number on the scale go down too.

Wordless Wednesday

There was a lot of mud-slinging at our house Easter afternoon...just good old-fashioned dirty fun!!

Review of The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon

I read a lot. In fact I usually am in the middle of multiple books. I have one for the bathroom (toilet and tub reading), one for the bed-side, one for my purse, one for my van, you get the picture. It's been awhile since I have written a review on a book that I've read. In fact, I think my first post on this blog was a book review. Well, I am going to start doing some more because I love finding reviews on books and finding new material to read.

Well, I saw The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon, by David Grann at a Borders back in February and after reading the back cover I was interested. So when I got home I searched for it on our local library's online book catalogue. I found it and so the next day I went and had it held for me because it was already checked out. Anyway, I finally received it and finished it within the 3 weeks I had it checked out for. It kept me intrigued the whole way through.

The author, David Grann, has done his research and tells a story of not only a explorer and his passion but also of the people surrounding the explorer and the rain forest and it's inhabitants. The story is true and so that makes it all the more interesting, to me. I love a good action and adventure story and I love history. This book has all those things and more.
The main character (for lack of a better identifier) is an explorer named Sir Percy Fawcett who was a British archaeologist and explorer in the late 1800's through early 1900's. Mr. Grann tells the story of Percy through the words of Percy himself by using his journals, letters and newspaper articles. Mr. Grann tells of Percy's belief of an ancient lost city which he calls "Z" and his expeditions into the Amazon in search of this city. Percy never returned from his last expedition. Grann details searches into the Amazon for Percy much later into the 1900's and even as early as 2005 when Grann goes into the Amazon himself to look for clues as to what might have happened to Percy.

It's a very interesting story and is one of those that will leave you with a renewed respect for our ancestors who paved a way for civilization but also with some horror at the acts of those who sought to oppress the tribes of Indians who lived (and some still live) in the Amazon. I learned quite a bit about the Amazon and really enjoyed the story of Sir Percy Fawcett's life.

The Letter E and the Number 5

When we did this week it was the first part of March. So I found a March poem HERE, along with the poems for the rest of the months of the year. During this week we continued to learn our phone number. Josh knows it now but Caleb is still working on it.

We started reading James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl during this week and the boys love it, even though there are some big words and few pictures. I think that after we read the book we will watch the movie. I've never seen it and I know the boys haven't either.

We talked about eggs and a couple of days did different egg activities. We hard-boiled eggs and then put tissue paper all over them to dye them. You can get instructions for this activity HERE. We also sang the Oh I Wish I Were a Teeny Tiny Egg song that you can find on that same page. I would give one piece of advice for the egg and tissue paper activity. Make sure you have bold colors and that you wet the eggs and paper thoroughly.

We did the experiment HERE called Egg Detective. The boys really enjoyed spinning the eggs and surprisingly we did the activity without having any broken eggs.

We talked about exercise a couple of days and so we did things like jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, and we hopped. Since we were learning about the number 5 we did 5 of each activity.

One day we read The Saggy Baggy Elephant and then made our own elephants using the template HERE.

We made a growth chart this week and talked about how every living thing grows. We are going to take a measurement at the beginning of every month. The boys enjoyed seeing how tall they were and Josh enjoyed telling Caleb that he was bigger than him. We also talked about parts of our bodies that start with E. Eyes, ears, and elbows. We sang Do Your Ears Hang Low and Head and Shoulders

We went over the 1st Commandment in the 10 Commandment Song and then I introduced them to the 2nd Commandment.

The boys did the tracer pages for the letter E, number 5 and also a worksheet for the color Orange. All the ones we used can be found HERE.

Resurrection Eggs: Egg Twelve

*This is number twelve of a twelve post series. This is the last egg!*

Egg#12: Empty Tomb


"Jesus's tomb was empty because He rose from the dead!

Read: Matthew 28:5-8

This was a very special time! At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. He said that no one had taken Jesus's body, but instead He had risen from the dead! The angel told them to go tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus was risen. Can you imagine how excited they were? They ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news!

Now after this, Jesus appeared in person to the disciples and then to more than 500 people. Because Jesus appeared on different occasions to so many people - people who saw Him with their own eyes and even touched Him - we have proof that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-7; John 20:27-28).

As He rose from the dead, Jesus did what no one had ever done before or since. Being both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. So, sin, death and hell no longer have any real power over those who believe in Jesus and have His Spirit leading them. Instead of being slaves to sin and death, Christians, by the power of His Spirit, are free to obey God and do good (Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, 'So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.'

Like the tomb, our hearts are empty and lifeless without Jesus. But as we repent(turn from sin), believe, and trust in Jesus's death and resurrection, He fills our hearts with life and the Holy Spirit. As we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit helps us obey God by reminding us of what His Word says. God's Spirit never goes against His Word. In fact, when we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit can speak into our lives in powerful ways. Isn't that awesome?

Of course you won't always do the right thing, will you? (1 John 1:5-10.) God's Word makes it clear that when you do sin, you need to confess your sin (admit them to God) and then repent or turn away from these sins. God will forgive you based on Jesus's death on the cross. Always trust God, who through His grace and by His Spirit helps you become more like Jesus.

Now, when you think of the empty tomb, remember that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. He comes into empty, dead hearts and fills them with His Spirit, giving new life!

Will you allow Him to roll the stone away from your empty heart?"


Resurrection Eggs Randal Lee Walti

Resurrection Eggs: Egg Eleven

*This is number eleven of a twelve post series. There will be a new one each day for the next two days*

Eggs #11: Stone at the Tomb


"The huge stone that had covered the tomb was found rolled away.

Read: Matthew 28:1-3

A large stone - bigger than a door and as heavy as a car - was placed over the opening of a tomb to prevent grave robbers from stealing the body of a dead person or valuables in the tomb that had belonged to the dead.

In the case of Jesus, the Pharisees were worried Jesus's discipes or other followers would take the body, and then say Jesus had risen from the dead. In order to prevent this, Pilate had soldiers guard the tomb.

Pilate even had the soldiers close the tomb with an official Roman seal (or stamp) on the edge of the stone. Pilate and the soldiers were sure this would keep the disciples from stealing Jesus's body because the penalty for breaking this seal was death. The Roman soldiers also knew the penalty for them was death if anyone broke the seal during their watch over the tomb.

When Mary Magdalene and other Mary went to the tomb of Jesus to anoint His body with spices, they were shocked to see that the stone had been moved away from the tomb. The soldiers were even gone, and all that the women found in the tomb were Jesus's empty grave clothes! They were fearful and didn't know what to do. They didn't remember Jesus had told them He would rise from the dead.

If only they'd remembered Jesus's words. If they had, Mary Magadelene and the other Mary would have had faith instead of fear and confusion. Are there things in your life that cause you to be afraid and confused?

Because we don't remember or don't know God's Word, the Bible, we don't have faith. But God wants us to remember His words. His words give us faith, hope, joy, courage, and direction - even when life is scary or confusing.

Words about the stone being miraculously rolled away and about Jesus's resurrection from the dead are the most encouraging and hope-giving words a Christian could ever have!"

Resurrection Eggs Randal Lee Walti

Boot Camp Week #4

Well, I would love to be able to say that when I weighed on Sunday I had weight loss...however that is not the case. The scale showed I was back to 178.

I feel good though and I feel more...muscular? I am not going to get discouraged.

Well Monday started off with a great workout! We used the curbs in the parking lot to do a lot of stepping up exercises. She also had us do quite a bit of abs. They are sore today! I also started emailing Niki my food journal every evening. My calorie intake should be no more than 1700 to lose weight. A couple of evenings I went over but...I was hungry! Anyway, I used the calculator HERE to figure out how many calories I needed to be eating. Maybe that will start to help me see more of a loss.

Wednesday was an Easter themed workout. She had us run for easter eggs and open them up and do the exercise that was inside. It was fun but tough for me because we were in teams and I was the slowest in our team. It did make me try harder but I couldn't help feeling down on myself when I got home that morning. I was feeling, "less than".

After reading in the Word and praying for awhile, I felt He was telling me. "I love you and I created you, you are enough and I will use you if you let me. I will give you strength, I will fill you up. I AM GREATER THAN!" Thank you, Lord Jesus!

I am so thankful that I don't have to do it all in my strength! He is GREATER THAN ANYTHING I could have trouble with. I don't have to be perfect, because God is!

Today is Good Friday and we had off so I plan on doing some walking this evening. I also measured myself last night so that maybe I will start seeing some changes in that way. I measured hips, upper thigh, waist, chest and upper arm. I am not going to post those measurements here but I will let you know if I see any difference.

May you be reminded of Our Father's love for you this weekend and draw closer to Him!

Resurrection Eggs: Egg Ten

*This is number ten of a twelve post series. There will be a new one each day for the next three days*
Egg #10: Linen Wrapping


"Joseph of Arimathea wrapped the body of Jesus in a linen cloth after He died on the cross.

Read: Matthew 27:57-61

Some Jewish leaders secretly believed Jesus was the Messiah (their Savior) but didn't want anyone to know of their belief. The Bible tells us that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both members of the Jewish leadership group called the Sanhedrin, believed Jesus was the Son of God and trusted Him for their salvation. But they were afraid that if anyone knew they believed, they might be killed too.

However, it seems that after Jesus died on the cross, they couldn't hide their faith any longer. Isn't it exciting to know that Joseph of Arimathea loved Jesus so much he was willing to put his own life in danger?

Joseph was a very rich man and wanted His Lord Jesus to be buried in a proper manner.

Did you know the Bible said what Joseph would do before Joseph or Jesus was born? Yes, it's true. Listen to Isaiah 53:9: 'His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death...' God's Word is always true, and God is always in control of what happens in the world and in your life!

So Joseph went to Pilate and got the body of Jesus to bury Him in a nice tomb that he owned. After bringing the body to this tomb, Joseph wrapped Jesus in linen cloth. This was the way the Jews prepared bodies for burial in order to keep or preserve them. But little did they know that this was not needed for Jesus!

Joseph's courage and love for Jesus were really amazing! God must be pleased when we love Him enough to risk the things we own, even our very lives, to stand with Him. Will you be courageous and stand with Jesus?"

Resurrection Eggs Randal Lee Walti

DiGiorno Pizza and Breadsticks Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! I had 4 winners!

And the Grand Prize winner for the coupoon for a FREE DiGiorno Pizza and Breadsticks Combo is...DEB!
Deb wrote:

My favorite brand is whatever is on sale, but kind---i like supreme.


And for the 3 coupons for $4.00 off DiGiorno Pizza and Breadsticks Combo:

Darth Mama
Darth Mama wrote:

We love the plain cheese pizza from Little Caesar's.

MellyP
MellyP wrote:

Melissa,

I just became a fried of DiGiorno on FB. My FB name is Melodie Payne (boring right?).


Steph
Steph wrote:

My favorite is Papa John's pepperoni pizza. Thanks for sharing these coupons!

Congratulations to all the winners! The winners have been contacted via email and have 48 hours to respond. Thanks again everyone and have a Happy Easter!

Resurrection Eggs: Egg Nine

*This is number nine of a twelve post series. There will be a new one each day for the next four days*

Egg #9: Soldier's Spear


"Roman soldiers used a spear to pierce Jesus' side when He was on the cross.

Read: John 19:31-37

Here is an amazing fact about Jesus's death: When people were put to death on the cross, it was common for Roman soldiers to break their legs. With broken legs, people could not hold themselves up to keep from suffocating, and would die more quickly.

Two robbers were crucified with Jesus, one on each side of Him. The soldiers broke the legs of the first robber. Then they broke the legs of the other robber. But when they got to Jesus, they saw that He was already dad. So they decided there was no reason to break His legs. This is amazing! Do you know that God foretold hundreds of years before in Psalm 34:20 that this would happen? It says, 'He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken.' Jesus gave up His life and died before the soldiers could even get to Him.

Because the soldiers had to make absolutely sure He was dead, they pierced Him in the side with a spear. When they did, out came water and blood. This was the proof they needed to show that Jesus had died. And it's proof to us as well. The water and blood mixture that poured out from spear wound in Jesus' side makes it absolutely clear that Jesus did really die.

Jesus must have loved us so much that He died in our place!"

Resurrection Eggs Randal Lee Walti