Weekend Away

Where can you hike and tour microbreweries one day, ski the next and golf the third day in 75 degrees!?!

Denver in March!

We had a blast heading out for a quick 3 day "spring break" weekend to get away and see our friend Al!  Our boys were with Grandma Connie in Chisago.  We both wondered for a minute if we leave our boys on weekend trips or  evenings too often... and then we decided no, just the right amount for everyone's health!   It really is so good for us as parents and our marriage to have just adult time!  And we thank God and know we are so lucky all the grandparents are so willing to help and the boys are blessed to have them.

We hiked around the Red Rock Amphitheater after a breakfast Saturday morning.  I definitely would love to see any show there.  Or run the steps and do a workout here!  It was packed with people training!  We got a workout just hiking while adjusting to elevation!

Apparently there is well over 100 micro/craft breweries in the Denver area.  They can't serve food but all have a food truck and a large following as they all seemed packed by early afternoon!

Traffic into the mountains was non existent so we headed a little further than originally planned to Beaver Creek... aka Beaver Beach a band kept saying and I agreed! It was 50 degrees and though spots got slushy, it was gorgeous.  I think that day of skiing in the sun is top of my list for 2017 so far.   I forgot how freeing it feels and how nothing else I can think that I have done that compares to flying!   Skiing down a MOUNTAIN for 10 minutes+... and not just for a hill for a minute... is exhilarating.

But golf for the first time in 5 months was pretty great too.... especially having a decent game with rentals and beating Andy!!   Andy didn't mind so much with a mountain view in the background.

Thanks Denver... Thanks Al!  We will be back!

2016 Interview with Declan and Evan

Evan!! You were 18 months yesterday! I had started a letter and then remembered I wanted to do this as well and your letter was repeating a lot of the 16 month letter and our Christmas letter.  But basically you are such a Daddy's boy and I am your cook and diaper changer but you like when I read you books so I have that going for me!

Here are both your answers...(We were downstairs and circle time bubbles were in sight so that swayed lots of Evan's answers ;) )

I am this old:   Three and a half                    EVAN:  One and a half

The best show on TV is:  Not Octanuts   Best is Animal Mechanicals  EVAN:  Baba (Puffin Rock)  

My favorite thing about daycare is:  Playing with Finnegan  EVAN:  Bubbles

The thing I'm best at is: taking happy naps    EVAN: Pushing Up

If I could change my name it would be:  Meowth     EVAN: Bubble 

My favorite color is: Green and Red and White  EVAN:  Gaga Baby

My favorite toy is: Firetruck      EVAN:  Cars and bubbles

When I grow up I want to be: Elephant trainer  EVAN:  Daddy

I like to take these to bed with me at night: Water bottle and my firetruck so daycare doesn't have it   EVAN:  3-4 books, blanket

My favorite book is: Nibbles or Bubble Guppies     EVAN:  CONFETTI,  Goodnight Moon or Snowdog

My favorite movie is: Frozen  EVAN: Nemo

My favorite season of the year is:  Spring   EVAN: Summer

A food I really like is: Mac-a-Noodles  EVAN: Mommy's boobies

My favorite animal is: Penguin  EVAN: Dog Dog

My favorite sport is: Racquetball   EVAN: Car racing and Sledding

My best friend is:  Finnegan      EVAN:  Dada

My favorite holiday is: Christmas    EVAN:  Bball


My favorite thing I did this year: Played a lot!!   EVAN: Vacuum

Christmas "Card" 2016

Dear Family & Friends,

I really truly enjoy getting all of your family photos and cards, saving them in our Christmas boxes until next year and seeing all the changes in a year!  I apologize but cards just didn't happen this year however we still wish everyone the happiest of holidays!  

Our 2016 didn't quite rival 2015 in changes for the whole family, but it was a fun year!  After wrapping up my tenure at HLWW teaching, in June I opened my home childcare and that has been a wonderful adventure.  I'm staying connected with adults as an online wellness coach, and have discovered I actually enjoy working out and having my "me-time" at 5 am!  

We enjoyed trips to California over Easter, and Andy as traveled overseas twice for work.  France first, and then I was lucky to join him for the start of his England work trip!  We did London for 3 days and then Clithroe in Northern England!  We didn't get any UK golf in November though! We did a couples league at Como Golf Course but definitely golfed the fewest founds ever in the last 10 years! 

But we forgive our sons for that... Evan and Declan make everyday so joyful and we just love seeing them become best friend brothers in battles and in hugs!  Declan is definitely "three and a half" and Evan is almost 18 months!  Andy, Declan and Croix enjoy Pokemon catching walks while Evan is beginning to love cooking with me. He is obsessed with brooms and vacuums, cars and trucks, and we try and decipher his new words every day!  

Have a Blessed Holiday!

Love, The Thrall's

PS... We visited Santa yesterday... He may look familiar to you ;) 

16 Weeks!

Nope, not pregnant... 16 weeks of  results from determination, accountability and encouragement in my friend Molly's online challenge groups!  I never even planned to share these Aug 13 pics with anyone but myself!  But I figured I used to take my growing belly pics with life in me, I can be proud of my healing diastasis recti pics!

  Not only have I learned I can be stronger and in better shape than I was pre-kids and really than any time in my life, I am happier and more content.   I am learning to only control my choices for my body, and letting go of control in other areas of my life that aren't mine to control (aka 3 year old tantrums ;) )  Beachbody programs are amazing and the ability to do them from your own house was key for me and for my excuses!  I completed PiYo, 17 days of 21 Day Fix so I could start Core De Force!  (Which I'll finish in a few days!)  And the support in nutrition with portion sizes, which is probably more important than working out was key!  Plus, my easiest meal being my best meal of the day in Shakeology was without a doubt vital to my energy and nutrition success! 

I am pleased at how similar my relaxed abs and tightened core look now.  I am giving my stretched skin time or I'll accept that as a wonderful war wounds from my boys but just believe wherever you are at in your journey of life, you can improve and get what you want!  The scale dropped 13 pounds and I lost a total of 13 inches... 8 from my my belly and hips, but I put these numbers last because it was and is about SO.MUCH.MORE!  Join me in my very first and only free online challenge group to start some baby steps today!  

Give yourself permission

Give yourself permission to dream, to desire, to figure out what you yearn for.  And then go get it!  I did... and I am so glad I haven't looked back.  Even though there have been tough moments and days trying to get my body back, not giving up has been where I have discovered more dreams and contentment!  Finishing my baby weight loss journey has really just become a start for me.  (Though it has been a bonus that I haven't been asked, "When are you due?" lately!)  

I desire laughter, sharing and caring, and the energy to be my best… what do you yearn for today?

 I yearn for routine with my passion, emotionally honest, “messy” littles… what do you yearn for right now!?

At night, I yearn for QUIET but intentional time with Andy in our last waking hours before we both crash!  I love intentional time with my other favorite recharging outlets: blogging and social media.  What do you desire for when the sunsets?

Daily,  I yearn for community, gratefulness, feeling good, intentional use of my time and adventures! What’s something you yearn for daily?

Weekly, I yearn for accountability, goal setting and challenges, knowledge and development.  

Always, I yearn to inspire, create and help make small and big differences in myself, my family, my friends, my community and the world.  I just feel recharged giving and being with others.

I hadn’t realized how many of these longings and desires for my personal contentment were met when I was a 5^th grade teacher.  Even though lots of these challenges are still huge in my new career with littles and running a business, missing adult community from moving to a new city and a new career is why I am in love with online challenge groups!  There are only so many hours in the day and my priorities at this stage of my life all exist in my home first so I can give my best to my family and business.  But I have to give to myself to do that well too! My results these past 16 weeks can be found here!

If you aren’t sure what you feel like… or  what you yearn, reach out to me.  If you desire one or all of these same things as me, please take the first step and reach out to me!  I have my first ever online challenge group starting tomorrow!  I am “yearning” for just a couple more people to keep it small as I add this coaching process to my journey.  I’m looking for a few more family and friends to start their journeys and being their success stories! 

Beyond discovering and meeting your desires, this  online challenge group (totally free this one time only in December) will provide:

• ·         Daily encouragement and support
• ·         Meal and recipe ideas
• ·         Community
• ·         Prize drawings and celebrations
• ·         Energy & Results

SIGN UP HERE 

Dear Evan, You're 16 months old!

My Dear Evan, You are officially a toddler in my book!

I'm not totally ok with it, this not having a baby anymore thing... But I am so proud of you and how you hold your own with the bigger 2 year olds at daycare!  Your favorite words are No and Mine and MAMA!!! which means "Keep me Safe" when you know you do not want to give up a toy :)  

On that note, your brother may be my hardest at childcare (as most providers would probably say their own gives them the biggest challenge) but he is your protector and keeps you safe, laughs with you and brings you toys when you are sad!  Lately, you two have been playing ball roll and throw and chase and giggling a bunch.  It is probably my favorite part of the day just watching you two play together!  Declan keeps asking when you are going to be 3 and be his age.  He also cheers you on everytime you say a new word. "Mom, Evan just said cat!  Mom, Evan just said bus!"  

Your favorite toys are containers and anything you want to stick in them and shake.  Then you do your dance moves and we laugh everytime!  Evan, you try and escape outside everytime a door opens!  Especially with your "dog dog"!  You love cereal and granola bars... You head to that cupboard and clearly let us know when you are hungry! And the amount you eat I can't believe you were so tiny at your 15 month appt: 

Weight:  20 lb 12 oz     20%ile
Height: 31"   40%ile
Teeth: 8

You ask for signing time now, I love seeing new signs and hearing new words daily!  Books haven't really been your thing, but you have a few favorite you will always come see!  You were just a tougher sleeper and rarely make it past 2 and then 4 am without needed cuddles but you started making it through the night this last week... I hope it stays that way for for Grandma Sue and Grandpa Tim when Dad and I leave you boys for our England trip! 
I'm going to miss you for 6 days but so grateful for your awesome family to watch you! 

I love you for all that you are, and all that you are yet to be!

Mommy

"When are you due?"

That is a question you should never ask another woman.

Especially one who is at the gym, changing in the locker room.  I calmly just said my 6 month old was in Kids Klub.

And then it happened again a couple months later... same place, new person... a skinny 20 something.

But they say the third time's a charm...

This 3rd time didn't feel so charming..."OOOhh, wow, saw you playing racquetball hard and lifting... when are you expecting?!?"  And I wasn't as calm.  I said, "You should just ask people if they have children, not when they are due in case they are not pregnant... My two boys are in Kids Klub and no one else is growing in this body."

Though right now I have chosen getting better and forgiveness and I am thankful for those three bold, no filter women.  Without them, I would still be on this journey alone.  And I did ok on my journey alone.. in 10 months at gym workouts and my nutrition I lost 12 lbs and was getting stronger.

 But don't do this alone friends and you don't need a gym!   In the first two months with online communities and Beachbody I lost 12 lbs, 10 more inches, and am at down to 13.5% body fat.

 I am so grateful my friend Molly shared her story consistently about the impact the Beachbody community and Shakeology were making in her life.  And now, I can't help but share mine in case you have that "third time's a charm" moment and want the community, consistency, change I didn't realize I was craving.   I have realized my body and diastasis recti (my pregnancy's splitting my abs) really needed daily expert workouts to begin healing.  I have learned to intentionally plan my me time, my schedule, my nutrition.  I am continuing to learn daily what I'm willing to sacrifice, what I'm not, where my excuses come from and how strong I can be (and not just in muscles!).

  It has become so much more about the inches and scale and about helping others now. I have been on a health journey since Declan was born but now I want to stay on one forever for the energy it gives me, the modeling it does for my children and for putting myself first in the morning to serve and be patient the rest of the day.

Contact me and look around here if you are interested in hearing more about programs I have done, both with Shakeology, and I would love to tell you about them.

 I am looking for three more friends who want to get on their own journey with us in a SUMMER AIN'T OVER TIL WE SLAY IT IS community today...   There may be better times than others to start, but life will always be busy and will never slow down unless we make the time.  But this upcoming August group is going to be saving you so much time in the kitchen to enjoying the remaining long sunlight outdoors... So take a chance with me, fill out this form, and we'll start practicing habits, learning to sacrifice to gain, but giving yourself grace and starting over sometimes daily for awhile because I still do!

  Take care of you first to be the best YOU, the best friend, spouse, or parent you can be!