A first...

...since I began working the fireworks booth. Since I began working the fireworks booth several years ago, I have not exercised. I feel like I am exhausted because I sit out in the hot sun. Yup, I said sit. No, it isn't always busy. I decided this year would be different. I wasn't sure how, but it was going to be. My friend Laurie has a new membership to California Family Fitness, and on Saturday she went for like forty minutes. She told me she did 20 minutes of cardio, and 20 minutes of weights. That was all she had time for, but she was going to do it. With that in mind, I decided that I was going to scale back my mileage this week--which is probably great anyway--and do some weights. This is the second day I have run since fireworks has started, and I did Cathe's: Push-Pull series. I am feeling good, and ready to go work at the booth. Alright, I will probably sit. :o)

Happy Trails!

Realizations...

...last night while I was running I came to a few realizations. I have come a long way. When I started WW, I was totally embarrassed by my body. I would wear the ugliest, biggest clothes because I thought it would hide me. I got into the groove of looking cute when I got married until I ultimately was pregnant with Conner.

While pregnant with Conner, I ate the WW wagon and I realized that I restricted myself too much. Who thought? Of course that meant that I gained all plus five back. After I had Conner, I changed my outlook because I was worried about falling into the same trap. I was still not totally happy with myself because I wore pants while running. I finally upgraded to capris while running. You read that I right, I refused to wear shorts while running because I was fat.

Then I was pregnant with Brodie. I ran until I was 30 weeks pregnant, then I walked like crazy afterwards. I was actually in pretty descent shape. I was honestly proud of myself. Two weeks after having Brodie, I went for a run. It was a slow run, but I was ready. It honestly felt great. I ran in my capris because I had the "baby fat". As time went on, I started to appreciate my strength. My eating was not getting under control, ok it was under control but I whined a lot about it. I could work out with the best of them, and run many miles. Eighteen miles, then a half marathon, then a marathon six months after Brodie. Wow! I should be totally happy. I wasn't though because I thought I was "fat". Um, do I realize how strong I am? Nope! Then something happened. I am not sure what, when, where, or why, but it happened. I started wearing shorts while running. I thanked my body after a run because it powered me through.

My clothes were fitting me better than before. My hips aren't totally back to pre-Brodie, but they are getting there. I refuse to say, I had a baby therefore my hips will never be the same. Why does it have to be that way? If it was that way, why do models and actresses and athletes get to win the genetic lottery? You can't tell me they all had C-Sections, and awesome trainers. I have an awesome trainer...me! With that, I am going to thank myself each day for what I can accomplish, and I am going to stop with this belittling that I constantly do in my head.

I AM BEAUTIFUL!! I AM STRONG! I AM A MOMMY WITH A TON OF ENERGY! MY FOUR YEAR OLD WEARS OUT BEFORE ME, SO I AM STRONG!

Wow!

Alright, so we get back from camping and Brodie has made a few decisions. He has decided that he doesn't like the infant room at the daycare, so they had to move him to the toddler side. He also decided that he didn't like his pacifier. Great! That was a habit Jeremy and I were ready to break anyway. My mom thinks it is because he dropped it once camping, and none of us cleaned it off. Yup, he put it in his mouth with a ton o dirt! He hasn't used one since. And finally, Brodie decided he didn't want to use a bottle anymore. Thank you for playing, my baby wants to grow up.

Today, Conner smacked Brodie like he usually does and Brodie answered back. It didn't take much, but Conner was crying. Needless to say, I don't think Conner will do that to Brodie any more. :o)

Conner and Mommy

Conner and I went for a nice run tonight. He wanted to go with me last night, but because he told me no I went with Brodie. Tonight, he told me that we were going running right after his bath. I wanted to do the lake run, and I wanted Conner to see the geese. With that, I put some bread in the stroller and we were off. We counted things, and talked along the way. I usually run with my iPod unless I run with Conner. Brodie doesn't talk that much yet, so I still run with my iPod. When he gets to talking, I won't be bringing it anymore.

When we got to the geese, I took a break and Conner was trying to figure out what was going on. He loved see them, and then I handed him some bread. Because he was clean, he had to throw the bread from the stroller. Hehehe The geese came closer, and closer. Conner thought that was the funniest thing! Then we ran back home. It was an amazing run. One, I am sure he will want to do again. I am going to have a competition with who gets to run with mommy. As I get in better shape, I hope that my time improves while running with them. As of right now, I am enjoying the company because soon they will be out running mommy!!

Our Vaca in Pictures

My husband takes some great pictures.

This trip included my brother-in-law Steve (bald guy), my sister (she looks like me), my nephew Hunter (baby bald guy), my mom (also looks like me except older), my dad (usually wearing the New York shirt), my husband Jeremy (skinny guy), my oldest son Conner (older of two boys), and my youngest son Brodie (the smaller version of me).

Hit It

I finally hit 101 miles while I was on vacation. It was an emotionally interesting trip to Fort Bragg. I learned a lot more about me, and did a little more healing.

Happy Birthday to my baby who is four-Conner!

Happy Birthday Papa (my grandpa)! It was great to be in Fort Bragg so close to you on your birthday. I miss you a ton! More than I think sometimes I even realize!

With that, I will be back tomorrow to share my trip to Fort Bragg!