Arizona Half Marathon!

This weekend I ran a 1/2 marathon. That is 13.1 miles for you non-runners. It has been 8 years since I have done that. You can read my confessions here.  While running may not be the most enjoyable sport in the world, I have learned to love it. I am happy to say, that while I may be toting around a lot of extra weight- due to having 4 wonderful boys and 4 not-so-wonderful c-sections- I did it. I worked hard, I trained for months, and I finished the race without any problems- except having to walk a little. And today, despite the pain in my legs, I can still climb stairs, and I feel strong.  If you are thinking I'd like to do that- but I just can't-- YOU CAN! You have to decide to do it and you can. I'll share more thoughts on this later. I could do this because I decided to and because I have an amazingly supportive husband. When he met me I was a runner. I am still a runner- even with four kids- because of him. He helps me out so much and watches the kids so I can run. If you are a mom, that is half the battle - finding the time, and having support of your husband. So challenge yourself- to anything- learn to sew, run a 5K, learn to cook something new, learn a new skill, find something you want to do or try and do it. If I can do it, you can do it too!
note: I know you come here for crafts & recipes...so I will attempt to post my running posts on this blog.
Thanks for reading! Hope you had a great weekend!

Weekends...

We don't get much of a real weekend around here, due to work schedules and things like that. But somehow we have been managing a little time to get something done or have some fun. I am so excited for Fall Weekends-- mostly because it might finally start to cool off enough to get some big projects done outside- and when I say cool off - I mean maybe just maybe it will drop into the low 90's.....that is fall in Arizona.
 Here is a peek in photos.
More posts to come next week I hope! I have some fun products to share with you, and a few Halloween ideas! Hope I get time to get them all posted....

So if my posts are far and few between, it is because we are enjoying some autumn! Happy Fall!

Three Ingredient Chocolate Muffins

If you LOVE chocolate, and you love your waistline....you have got to try these!

We have made these for years, but them seemed to take on a new life- after watching Hungry Girl make them on her new show. This time, my kids made them, and loved them!

To make these:

Three Ingredient Chocolate Muffins

1 box of Devil's Chocolate Cake Mix- although any kind of chocolate cake mix would work-

NOTE: do not add the stuff you normally would to make a cake! Just a dry cake mix is all you need :)

1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips {we added this}

Mix these all together. Scoop into muffin tins.

Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Makes 12-15 muffins- or should we say- cupcakes...

Here is the recipe from Hungry Girl.

TOMORROW... I have a fun little surprise just for you- and just for Valentine's Day :)

Hungry Girl's T.V. Show!

In case you did not hear, Hungry Girl has a new T.V. Show on the new  Cooking Channel!  It starts tomorrow!

She is one of my favorites when it comes to yummy eating without a ton of calories. (The Hungry Girl publishers, graciously allowed me to do a cookbook give-a-way a while ago.) Even if I don't look like it these days, {sigh}, low fat delicious cooking and baking has always been a big love of mine. ☺

If you do or don't own a Hungry Girl cookbook, and you are trying to "be healthy" this new year- make sure you check out her show! I have my DVR set! It is all about PIZZA! {You want a pizza me?}

Looks DELISH!

Happy New Year!

Thanks for reading and sticking with me these days! It's been pretty crazy. Right now I'm praying my youngest doesn't end up in the hospital again....as I just found out he has another UTI, among other things...crazy. Waiting for the test results..

oxoxo

Lessons & Confessions from a {former} Marathon Runner

 There is something about me not many people know: I run marathons. O.K. I DID run marathons- about 7 of them. I also ran lots of 5k's, 10k's, and 1/2 marathons. Most of my running happened between the ages of 19-30. Let's just say I'm a lot older than 30 now....so... (Grandma, Dad, and all my other family runners- I know you are even older than that and are still running strong!!-- Yes, I ran with my grandma. You can now pick your jaw up off the ground. She has run  well over 100 marathons and is still going strong. )

Now.... I run 5K's and that is about it.
Today I ran a 5K.  While running I thought a few things like: "I'm going to die." "It is just too hot." "I need water NOW." "I really do not like running." and "Why was I doing this today?" 
I also thought things like "I can do this." "This is good for me." "This is fun."  "Believe you can." 

And when I got to that finish line, I saw the clock.
So I ran faster.
And I beat my last time.
And I felt good.

There are many many lessons I learned from running long distances. And while I currently am not in any shape to run a marathon, I draw on the lessons I learned from those experiences to get me through many things everyday. Like-
*Keep on Going
*One step at a time
*Stay positive
*What you think- you become
*Hydrate
*Wear good shoes
*Prepare
*Work hard
*You can do this
*With God nothing is impossible
*ENDURE to the end
*Keep on keepin' on
*Never give up
*Don't push things too hard or you will get sick!
*Do the best you can do
*Don't compare yourself to others or you will always fall short
*Everyone who tries can be a winner
*Be the best you that you can be
*Try and try again
*The race doesn't go to the swiftest, but to those that keep on trying
*Mental preparedness can change everything
*Eat right- a balanced diet
*fuel your muscles
*Be kind
*Rest
*Have courage
*Stretch
*Don't be too hard on yourself
*Listen to your body!
*Winning isn't everything
*Those who only care about winning--don't get it
*positive thoughts leads to positive actions

And the list could go on and on and on.

 For me running isn't just about exercise and  physical fitness. It is a spiritual experience too.

 As a mother of 3 young boys, I continue to run. Each day I pull from those lessons I learned when running long distance and apply them to my "marathon of motherhood" - the race I am currently running.
Some days I would like a break. I would like to quit running and go to a movie by myself! :)
Or I would like to sit and sew with no interruptions. But that doesn't happen most days. And it is O.K.

Being a marathon runner takes a lot of time and energy and dedication. So does being a mom-it takes even more! And that is the race I have chosen to run right now. And while it may not be perfect, and full of hard moments, I will keep going. I will keep learning. I will endure and at the end I will feel good, and I will do my best and finish strong. In my own way, I will run this marathon of motherhood. ☺

I've got lots of new posts in store...just need a little time to get them all posted :)

Happy Fall! Thanks for reading!

Win, Lose, Blog...and Get Healthy

I am still here. It has been a very busy month. I have lots to share with you- including the Arizona Tour De Thrift- I attended last weekend- it was so much fun.

In case you haven't heard about Win, Lose, or Blog, I thought I would share it with you. :) A few of the gals in the craft blog world, are involved with this- and I think it is just a super fantastic idea. Check it out- there are lots of fun tips and ideas for everyone to get healthy and in better shape. And give a shout-out to the brave contestants who are sharing their journey with us.

And speaking of better shape, and losing some pounds, I just have to say that is exactly what has happened to me the past several weeks. MOVING is the best weight loss plan ever! We literally moved- to a new town and house-but just moving more- seriously- can help you lose the bulge and extra weight! I still have a ways to go, but in the past few weeks from moving more, and sitting less, I have lost more than 5 lbs. of pure lovely baby fat. And the boy turns one this week...so it is about time to shed  it all. :)

More to come- hope you are having a great summer!!

5K and some Quilt Tops

I have a really really wonderful husband-unselfish, kind, hard-working, -well you get the picture. He is so good, that when he has 2 days off in a row, on a weekend, he takes care of things around here as much as he can so I can have some time to do what I want to do. Yes, I am a lucky girl, and I married a good one. ☻
Since the sewing machine has been living on the kitchen table, I got to work.

I only have the tops pieced together, but still quite an accomplishment! Here is a peek:

CAR QUILT TOP:

ROBOT QUILT TOP:

IKEA ANIMALS QUILT TOP:
Since I have 3 boys, I can't have 3 different quilts, because that equals FIGHTING. So I do have some leftover fabric to make 2 different but similar quilts of the top two.
And I used to hate quilting. But that was before I discovered super cute designer fabrics and machine quilting. Now I love it. Can't wait to finish these babies.


AND because what I REALLY SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON is losing the baby flab- (30 lbs down and about 40 more to go...) I ran/walked a 5K on Saturday. I was very disappointed in the lack of sponsors and participants, etc. but that is another story.
But I finished it. And don't judge my outfit. ☻ I don't have much to choose from these days. ☻I will be wearing XL t-shirts and sweats for a while and that is O.K....because baby needs me....and so do the cookies I just made. oops.


The best part was my cute cheerleaders. My husband and my 3 boys- 2 of them saying, "GO MOMMY GO!!" and you can't beat a moment like that, no matter how slow you run or how much weight you have to lose from having these little ones! They are worth every ounce. They are why I do what I do. ☻

Baby Update

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!!
Baby Update: Newborns are a lot of work and recovering from a c-section can be very hard :) I have had many inquiries on if the baby is o.k. Well... we don't have all the answers yet. We continue to go to doctors and this week the hospital and specialist. Hopefully we will have answers soon and then things can become somewhat normal-if that is possible. :) Still recovering myself.... thanks for your concern, prayers, and the many acts of service, etc.! He sure looks healthy from the outside and we are enjoying the little bundle as much as possible. We'll be back w/more little gems soon and I can't wait! ☻

Yoga DVD give-a-way :)

I use to do yoga at least once a week....then everything else got the better of me and I have not really done yoga for sometime. This give-a-way- is just what I need to get started again! OK...you can enter too if you want :) I Never Grew Up is a fun blog too- have a look :) Happy New Year!

Sabbath 9/21

our "super cool" racing numbers ;)

"When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shall not stumble." -Proverbs 4:12

"And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint..." - D & C 89:20

Yesterday we ran a fun family 5k. Afterwards they has 1/4 mile dash for the kids. How fun it was for me to share my love of running with my husband and my boys. It was such a fun family activity and we hope to do it many more times.

"she's going the distance...she's going for speed..." (not)

I am addicted to running- somewhat. I use to enjoy it more than I currently do- but I still enjoy it. I have two 5K's coming up...one this week and one next Saturday w/ my hubby. Both will be a really fun family event for all.... w/ lots of activities and such afterwards .I'm not in great shape at the moment though - 3 miles is work right now....can't believe I was thinking of doing another marathon right about now....--no St. George for me this year.... in case you were wondering.... and hadn't heard the sad news. (don't cry we will all live and you will be fine too) . I'll just bask in the fact that I have done it several times before....but now I'm enjoying my "mom bod".....don't you just love having kids and being a little chubby? The other day someone asked me if I was pregnant. No I am not. My new response is, "I know I am a bit chubby right now, but I am working on slimming down." Let's see how people will respond to that. But I will tell you -those kids are worth the extra weight I now carry around. Now I better get some new music on my Ipod so I can endure those 5K's...

WooHoo!!!

So in case you are wondering and have nothing else to think about, (ha ha) I might as well announce that... I have lost the big 40 lbs. of fat since having baby #2. Being that I only gained 35 lbs. during that pregnancy, I am pretty darn happy about this. I am pretty much a "professional dieter/exerciser"--it is my full-time job. Still have a way to go, but I am getting there! How am I doing it you may ask?? The only real way that really works! It's called "EAT LESS AND MOVE MORE!"- oh and remember it is a "LIFESTYLE". It is coming off very slow but that is the real only way to keep it off-- so woohoo!!!!

workout plan for June

click on comic to make it bigger and readable
I have a problem. I am addicted to ice cream. So we must counteract that problem with exercise! I am always working on working out. So here is my current plan, and maybe it will just yield some weight loss results, not to mention "St. George Marathon or Bust!"
Monday: MamaFit class + weights or Body Pump (+ step)
Tuesday: Park Run (3 miles) if before 8 A.M., if not then Treadmill (4 miles) (pilates or stretching)
Wednesday: MamaFit Class + weights or Body Pump (+step)
Thursday: (same as Tuesday) I also take the kids to the park on these days after the run.
Friday: Long Run/Walk Day on treadmill
Saturday: Park Run if before 8 A.M., if not then Treadmill
I know it looks like a lot of working out, but it really isn't. The KEY for me is getting it done in the morning. Other part of my goal: EXERCISE everyday, and 2 weight workouts a week. Let's just say- I overplan-but that way- I get something done and I really like to give myself options! :) (of course this will change as time goes on and I adjust to it....think miles and training!) Happy Exercising!

up and jogging....

A few weeks ago, we purchased a double jogger off of Craig's List- LOVE that thing! It is pretty old, but it was the one that I have been looking for- a Baby Trend Expedition- one of the lower end models for jogging strollers, but it does the job. We took it part and washed it, and it has new tires. It was only $60 which beats getting a new one for $300-600 which is-in our opinion- WAY TOO MUCH for a stroller!

Now... just to get a run/jog/walk in everyday- somedays I do the treadmill at the clubhouse where we live, and somedays we go out in the jogger- all depending on what kind of night we had with the kids and when they wake up in the morning. My husband usually gets up and runs first, and I take whatever time is left, afterwards, before he goes to work. Somedays, we just get out and go in the stroller altogether. I would much rather get my workout in without the kids, but this way, with this stroller, we can all go together too. Yesterday, we went mall walking- and that was really fun. They loved it, and with the WIND here, we will probably do more of that. Now... I got into the ST. GEORGE MARATHON and I'm not sure if I want to do a marathon again right now....it has been about 5 years since I ran that kind of distance...but that is the goal......so in the meantime, we are enjoying our frugal purchase, jogging/running/walking together, and loving getting outside.

victory!

After traveling for a week, and eating at CAFE RIO 3 times, I did not gain any weight! YAHOO! This week I expect to make BIG STRIDES in my efforts- especially since it is starting to warm up! As soon as I start feeling better (a little sick right now) the progress will begin and continue! It is slow and steady, a little at a time, but that is the only way to keep it off for good!

A return to St. George Marathon!!

So here I go posting my goal... I have not run a marathon or a half marathon since having children- since 2003- that was my last long run. And so... I am going to try and get into the St. George Marathon this year. This event is difficult to get in to- because of the number of people that want to run it. If I get in, it will be my 6th or 7th St. George Marathon. Usually it is a family event, with several family members running with me. I do want to continue having children, but before the next one comes along, I thought- and Aaron is supportive- of my return to running- and trying another marathon. And so- the training begins- however smal that may be right now. So Chad, Laura, Grandma Julie, and Dad... are you in?? Are you going to run with me this year? Come on, let's all JUST DO IT!

a little motivation never hurt!

I have been working really hard on trying to lose weight (when I'm not wasting time blogging) and so I made a little collage to help myself stay motivated- - I will do whatever works for me!