Using the momentum from yesterday's cathartic post, thought I'd do a family update for our family members who live in other interesting areas of the country.
Who knows where the time goes
Fall and winter have come and gone and spring is just around the corner. It's been a fun few months, sprinkled here and there with the occasional mother-daughter blow out, which is par for the course when you've got one daughter who is basically a teenager and another who has been channeling her inner three year old...gearing up for her birthday next month.
Kelsey has mastered the art of making beautiful music on her guitar and with a voice like hers, she is such a gift to listen to. If only I could get her to let me record a little video, I'll add that to my to do list for the spring.
Emma is signed up to start preschool in the fall and LOVED visiting, seeing what will be her classroom and even joining in to create a little piece of art. Now I have to find an empty wall to use as a place for the endless amounts of artwork she will so proudly want to display!
RUN HAPPY!
I'll admit I've slacked off on my running after Christmas, or really after the first storm that brought ice with it. Yes yes, all I need are some Yak Trax and I can be good to go but I opted to stay warm and hide out on the treadmill at the gym. I was so excited, running for 45 minutes at a pop was a new record for me! Over the last couple weeks however, as the weather has improved, I'm discovering all that treadmill nonsense really set me back in my training. So, I'm off to the Burke Centre paths again and slowly working my way back to where I was. Sunday and Tuesday I did two miles outside and today I'm hoping to kick that up a notch, slow and steady.
Green Smoothie Goodness
I recently started a 21 day cleanse using Kris Carr's book Crazy Sexy Diet. One of my favorite parts about this lifestyle change, besides the amazing way it makes me feel, was the addition of so many raw veggies into my diet by making simple, delicious smoothies. I was pleasantly surprised when Emma one day asked for a sip, looked up and exclaimed "I LOVE IT"! I'm still working on Kelsey but I'm hopeful that one day she will also enjoy these yummy treats.
Another side benefit to the green smoothies and other dietary changes is the positive impact it's having on my waistline, which has been getting a lot of attention lately from friends. Running changed the way I ate, strangely I wasn't hungry for big meals and I began eating several small meals throughout the day. I'd say I lost a good 27 lbs just from running. The last 10 lbs came off when I added pilates and yoga into my weekly routine. My goal was never to loose weight, I set out to improve my cardiovascular health and create muscle where there once was none. I most definitely reached that first goal of running a 5K, dropping two dress sizes has been the icing on the cake. The cherry on top will be my next goal of a 10 miler, a half marathon and by my 40th birthday, a full marathon. In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day I will let you in on my little secret that the marathon I hope to run first is the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach, which just happens to be taking place this weekend. I love setting goals, the sense of accomplishment when reaching them is priceless.
Alright already, enough chit chat right? Where are the PICS! Here are a few to get us up to date...
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Haven't you always wanted to own your own whale?
Emma and her big ol' pile of leaves
Burke Lake fun
sleepovers with the bff
game night with our AMAZINGLY AWESOME new neighbors! GO SOX!
new beginnings
St. Patrick's Day Parade with our Lynchburg BFF's
a rarely seen photo with the teenager
A little hike at Crabtree Falls
and here we are...up to date!!
"May love and laughter light your day, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!" Happy St. Patrick's Day!
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