1/2 Way

So, in a moment of insanity a few weeks ago and with the support and encouragement of my husband, I signed up for Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping class.

(Extreme is kind of a understatement)

(especially if you haven't done a whole lotta exercising for the last year...or 10)

(especially if you haven't pushed yourself past a little pain since child birth)

I have a hard time with self-motivation so having this kind of accountability has been great for me. Our team has 2 coaches who help us during class and email us outside of class. 

It's been super hard, but sincerely fun. I always feel great, though a little defeated, when the class is over. I've also had to sneak in quite a few naps since I've been getting up at 5 am 6 days a week, but am slowly, slowly adjusting. 

When you start they do a "Fitness Evaluation" and take measurements, weight, body fat, timed push-ups and sit-ups, and a timed mile run/walk. They follow up with a 1/2 way evaluation and then again at the end of the 10 weeks so you can see your progress.

Our 1/2 way is technically Saturday, but I can't make it so I did it last night instead.

And since I'm a dork, here are the results:

(I actually didn't start until Saturday of the first week because I signed up late so technically have only done it for almost 4 weeks)

Weight: down 7 lbs.

(my scale at home had me thinking I'd lost more. Stupid scale!)

Inches lost:

Chest:1/2 inch

Waist: 3 inches! 

Hips: 3 inches!

Arms: 1/4 inch (I was surprised with that one...feels like a lot more)

(thunder) Thighs: 1 1/4 inches

Went from 34 push-ups to 48.

24 (full) sit-ups to 32

Mile run/walk went from 14:55 (don't laugh) to 12:45.

I actually ran the whole first 1/2 mile last night. This is enormous for me. I kind of loathe running.

I'm really excited to see what my results will be in 5 more weeks! 

I don't expect to lose a lot more in poundage, but hoping to lose more inches and gain more strength.  For a majority of my adult life I've struggled with wanting to be healthy, but wanting to eat whatever I want and not exercise. That doesn't really add up. Weight Watchers was great and I lost a lot of weight, but hardly worked out at all while I was on the program. This feels so much better to feel stronger and have more energy. Nutrition is also a big part of the program. I'm eating a lot more protein than I usually do, 6 small meals a day, and then either Saturday or Sunday is a FREE day to eat whatever you want. It's amazing how easy it is to stay away from sweets knowing I can have some on my free day. 

So anyways, that's my Farrell's experience so far. It's an investment for sure, but it's a great start to getting healthy and strong and for someone like me, the accountability is fantastic.

The end.

And now I'm hoping for a "back to normal" day for my little H-man. He had a nasty flu bug all day Tuesday, was on the couch ALL day yesterday, and we're easing into today. He seems a little better, but not quite himself yet. Poor boy couldn't even keep water down! So we are all getting a little stir-crazy in here. Really looking forward to the weekend.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Hyper

Do you ever get a case of the Monday hypers? 

You get hyper thinking of all the things to accomplish until the next Monday? 

Maybe a little hyper because you had a little too much Easter candy?

I've got a major case...but instead of it stressing me out like usual, I am excited.

We had a funk in our week last week. I was quick to anger. Quick to yell.

Quick to get super frustrated. 

I've been doing Farrell's at 6am, 6 days a week and was having a hard time adjusting to losing some of the extra sleep (that I really don't need) and adjusting to bringing myself to near death doing those stupid, stupid up-downs and push-ups and sit-ups and knee-ups, and all the other "ups" we do.  But I feel my body finally adjusting.

Easter, the best holiday of them all, was refreshing indeed. A great reminder of what Christ did for us on the cross forgiving our sins and removing the guilt.

It feels good to start a Monday feel so FREE.

(Bonus shot of my little lovlies.)

So, I'm off. Cutting way back this week on this stupid computer.
More time spent on my family, the major house projects going on, focusing on being joyful, joyful, joyful, and getting back on track in many areas that I've let slip.
It's a big agenda, but I'm HYPER! Wa-HOOOOOOOO!
Seriously, if I saw you right now I'd probably tackle you and give you a big ol' hug.
Have a fantastic week!

After at least 10 trips to the store (and I am not exaggerating), we finally decided on the flooring:

It was really tricky because we have original wood floors in our living room and at first I felt like it had to match, and then realized it's okay if it doesn't match. (duh.)

I wanted real wood, but guess what? It's super expensive! Who knew?!

So we're going with a lovely dark laminate. Next to white cupboards. 

Mmmmm-hhmmmm.

Timeline:

Floors being installed early next week (by my manly man)

Next weekend:

Cupboards! And then I'll be a painting fool until they're all nice and white.

I hope you've all had a lovely week despite the chilllll!

Little Miss

Oh, my little Harper. 

You turned 2 on March 23rd.

I can not believe you are already 2!!

You bring us so much joy and we are so thankful for you.

You are an absolute goof ball.

You still don't talk a ton, but you say so much with your hilarious facial expressions. 

You just crack us up.

You are so beautiful, little girl. 

You are so sweet with your baby dolls, love to give hugs and kisses, love teasing your brother, and are as feisty as ever.

I pray you grow up and love Jesus with all your spunk-ness.

 

I pray you'll go easy on us.

I have a feeling you'll be a "life of the party" kind of gal, but you're our baby.

And your poor daddy is going to have a hard time letting his baby girl grow up.

(me too!)

You're just a sweet little thing and I thank God for you every day.

You are a joy.

We love you!!

Mommy and Daddy

(thanks for the photos, Alisa!!)

Monday

Today is so gorgeous and refreshing. We had a bit of a crazy week last week and we're relaxing before things get crazy again. It's just that time of year where we're all busy, right? 

I worked on a mural at church (not quite done) and the kiddos played and played and played in the 2s and 3s room and the nursery for 2 1/2 days. The first day went great but things went a little downhill from there. They were about to pull each other's hair out by Friday and I was about to pull my hair out listening to them almost pull each other's hair out. Oi. 

Considering they had been a bit cooped up, I tried to have a little fun today and used some inspiration from this blog (a friend introduced me to this and it is probably my el favorit-o blog). She does a Crafty Thursday segment and is always having her kids do a super fun project. So I stole her idea from last week and we read Henry's book from the library, Going to the Sea Park, and then made a big fish:

Isn't it....cute? Too bad I didn't get a picture of the kids coloring. It's always cute for the few minutes they are getting along.

So it made up for a tiny bit of their crazy week last week, but I've got a trip to the zoo in store this week to really let them have some fun...before they're stuck back inside the nursery, but hopefully for just 1 day this time!

Friday I left when RJ got home at 1 and headed up to see my bestie, Alisa to hang out and be there for her surprise baby shower. It sure was a surprise and I'm so glad I was able to make it even though it was just for a little bit because then I was off to Pella to our church's ladies retreat. And then, I had the lovely experience of hitting my very first deer. I had absolutely no idea where I was (other than I was somewhere in between P-Burg and Pella)  or even what road I was on (the directions I had were "turn right at the "T", then left, etc) (my kind of directions, by the way) and it was d-a-r-k.  I can't remember exactly, but it was a super hilly area and I think I had just come over a hill or something, but I do remember all of a sudden there a few deer were. I hit my brakes, but one of the deer thought it'd be best to run right towards me. Not her best choice, I'm sure. But thank the Lord (seriously) that the car was still drive-able. And thank the Lord (seriously) that He completely put the thought into my head literally about 10 minutes before it happened that if I see any deer (because the conditions just felt perfect for it) to just drive straight and do NOT swerve. Of course I was upset when it happened, but quickly calmed down and am so thankful for how it all turned out. One of those things that ended up not being a big deal, but one of those things that could have oh-so-quickly been a very big deal.

Poor little deer. Here's some evidence she left behind.

And in the mean time, my cute little car ain't lookin' so cute. 

But hey, it drives, we have insurance, I didn't get hurt, AND I was still able to make it to our ladies retreat and enjoy some great fellowship. And I am thankful!

Have a happy Monday, everyone!

Housey-House-House

We're making some progress! RJ and my dad got the drywall hung and now is the long process of mudding/sanding. I took the plastic down that was in between the dining room and living room for the first time in 3 weeks and the kids ran around in circles for 30 minutes straight. They were loving the new space!

(me too!)

Please don't mind the bucket o' supplies along the wall. And the shop vac. And all the other supplies.

I love being able to stand at the sink, turn around, and see my kids at the table. 

Little, silly things, but it sure is fun.

The new doorway.

(the basement door is currently down)

My favorite new space that brightens everything up!

And that's all. 

I promise I will post things other than house stuff. 

I'm wiped. 

Peace out.