Musings on Motherhood

I haven't been blogging as often lately, but it's not because I don't have thoughts and feelings to write. If anything, I have so many thoughts and feelings within me right now that I don't even know where to begin in sharing them. This journey of motherhood is so incredible. I can't think of another endeavor to match it's highs and lows. I have been pouring so much of my heart and soul into helping Cory adjust and thrive in Kindergarten. I knew this transition would be difficult for my smart, witty, fun-loving active little boy. What I didn't know is how much I would have to "grow and let go". The intimidating part of it all is that I feel like we're just on the cusp of this great journey helping these little boys grow into men. I wish I could say I am positively excited about the years to come, but I'm battling the fear of defeat and regret. The possibility of failure is so frightening to me. The mountain to climb looks so big. Raising my boys is the most important thing to me. There is so much at stake. Just when these feelings of fear and inadequacy begin to overtake me, my heavy heart is lifted by my faith in our Heavenly Father's plan for us. I know he is in control, and he does not ask me to go it alone. Day by day, step by step, He is with us. His Holy Spirit will comfort us, guide us and speak peace to our hearts. Fear can be driven out by Faith.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Holy Bible, Matthew 11:28)

"And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Verse from The Book of Mormon, Alma 7:12)

I truly believe that motherhood matters to God. And I also believe that I should not fear, but have an unwavering faith and hope in Him, my Savior Jesus Christ. 

Well I hope that all came out right. :) I really just sat down do blog about my workout this morning and share some pictures of my cute boys. I guess I had some things on my mind! 

I found Slim changing his pirate dolls diaper the other day.

He also likes to take his pirate doll for airplane rides.

These 2 spend half their time fighting (Mason has already learned to ball up his fists and throw quite the punch.) and half their time being the best of friends.

  We're not potty training yet, but Mason likes to try the toilet out from time to time. Book and pony are optional.

 Anything Cory does, Mason copies. It's pretty cute.

 My boys love being outside just like their parents.

 Slim always swings one of his arms when he runs or is doing "important work". I love how his little arm is blurry in this picture from swinging it back and forth.

 We had some fun with crazy hair day around here.

 Cory and our cute neighbor on their way to school. We're lucky to live really close to their school.

 Little Ace thinks he's a Kindergartener too.

And keep my crazy life balanced, I'm still making time to enjoy exercising. Today was a fun full body circuit.
Today's workout- inspired by a workout I found on Instagram under @healthyfitnessmeals
 To 3-5 rounds
10 squats to DB front raises
10 squats to DB side raises
10 sumo squats to DB bicep curl (I used one heavy DB)
10 barbell deadlifts to back row
10 (each side) plank tricep kickbacks
10 (each leg) mountain climbers-(single leg plank position, jump it in, jump it out)
10 lunges to shoulder press
 Finished with a 5k run

Hello Summer, meet Winter.

We've been experiencing some crazy weather here in Utah this week. Yesterday it snowed in the mountains and was in the 50s in the valley. It was quite a shock to the system. I froze all day. It sure made for some beautiful scenery though. The mountains are really green, with snow caps. Here was the view from my house this morning. Just beautiful!

Something not beautiful at all..... laundry mountain on my bed. My body is recovering from Saturday, but so is my house. Things sure fall apart fast when mom is MIA for a day (or two).

My appetite has been weird since the race. Some of my typical pregnancy cravings have resurfaced (like loving potato chips???), but I'm am NOT pregnant. Weird. I know that if I want my muscles to rebuild themselves nice and strong, they need the proper nutrition. I've been on an eating roller coaster. Eat chips....drink a kale smoothie. Eat a Hershey's bar....eat a serving of broccoli the size of my head. I'm hoping I can settle back into my normal eating soon. 

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate (no make-up seems to be the trend this week)

 

These 3 cousins had so much fun dressing up and playing together yesterday. Cousins really are the BEST friends.

 

 This is such a minor thing, but I got so much pleasure putting the 26.2 badge on the blog. Ain't it pretty?

Today's Workout:
Upper body 3x12
Wall-ups
Kettlebell snatches with squat
Push-ups

Bicep curls
Tricep overhead extensions
Tricep dips

Face pulls
Pulldowns

Hammer curl into shoulder press
Straight arm pull backs

Crunches on BOSU  ball
Bicycle crunches

1 min elbow plank
1 min side plank (each side)
1 min elbow plank

Hit the treadmill for a 2 mile shake out "run". Walked .5, ran 1, walked .5.

Are your cousins your best friends?

Do you have a designated "laundry day" or do you do loads throughout the week?
I do loads throughout the week, so having 4 loads to fold all at once was miserable for me. 

Do you have weird cravings after a race or intense workout?

Some days I want to scratch my face off.

My allergies have been driving me bonkers the past few days. I didn't need the local news to confirm it
(My itchy eyes, face and runny nose are proof enough), but grass allergens are high right now.

 

Maybe I can get one of these cool gadgets. I'm sure it will be super fun to run a marathon in one of these.

 Tell em' Sweet Brown!

I tend to get a bit reclusive some times, especially when my plate is full and life gets busy. It's like I just need extra decompression time, so I withdraw from people and avoid all unnecessary outings. I've been in one of those moods lately. I truly appreciate the thoughtful people in my life. I don't know how she knew, but a friend dropped off this beautiful Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Caramel apple, dipped in Oreo cookie crumbles.  Nothing better than getting a delicious treat delivered to your door, when you're in a "I just want to stay home and sort my socks all day kind of a mood."

  If you're not putting fish on your salads, you must do that today. Seriously delicious. This sugar addict and chocolate lover is really trying to eat as clean as possible these next two months. I know I'm asking a lot of my body, so it's the least I can do for it. :)

 

And another heavenly bowl of oatmeal with chia, flax, bananas, raspberries and plain Greek yogurt.

Today's Workout:
3x12

Cable crossovers

Pull downs

Wall-ups

Kettlebell chops

Dumbbell push-up rows

Tricep bench dips

Bicep curls

Alternating front and lateral raises

Pullovers on ball

Ball crunches

Plank up downs

Tick Tocks

Sit ups with plate

1 min Plank

No run today, but mentally I really wanted to!! 

Do you get seasonal allergies? If so, what remedies/meds do you use?

Candied apple or caramel apple?

Do you like seafood? 

I love it, but my husband hates it. We are a house divided. 

Hanging with the Big Cheese

I can’t believe the little baby that made me a mama is 5 years old. For some reason I’ve been emotional about this milestone. I’ve learned so much in the past 5 years about patience, humility, love and selflessness.  In many ways I’m a completely different person. I’m thankful for all parenthood has taught me, but I can’t help but look back with regret over my many short comings. I can’t get these past 5 years back. I know I tried hard, but it’s easy for me to wonder if I could have, should have, tried harder.

I know I need to put the negative thoughts to rest and focus on the future, and how I can continue to grow as a person and parent, but sometimes it is hard for me to not beat myself up. Just look at this cute little guy!

 

  His birthday just happened to fall on the last day of school. His class went on a field trip to a local pizza place and then had a police officer come and visit them. Basically 5 year old heaven.

 Dinner at the Brick Oven. They gave him a man sized portion of pasta and he was happy about it!

 Lollipop sundaes all the way around! Who knew that a sucker makes the perfect utensil for eating a sundae?!

  

He requested a visit to Chuck E Cheese's, so we ended a darn near perfect day with the Big Cheese himself.

 

Today's Workout:

Lower body weights - 3x15

Leg press machine- normal squats, sissy, sumo and calf raises

One leg hops using the suspension straps

Frog jumps using the suspension straps (these were so hard!)

Hamstring leg curls with ball

Leg lifts- outer and inner thighs

Bicycle crunches

V-ups

3 mile run

It was a beautiful morning to be out running around.

What was your most memorable birthday as a kid?

Homemade cupcakes or store bought?

Name one thing you did today that made you feel happy?

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Recipe

I'm usually a Clorox Wipe kind of a girl when it comes to regular bathroom cleaning, but we all know you've got to bust out the bleach and really give the bathroom a good deep clean every once in a while. About an hour after I sacrificed my morning (and a small piece of my soul) cleaning our bathroom like my mama was about to come into town, I found this..... 

I adore my children, but I will never understand how someone can make such a big mess with toothpaste every. single. day.
Moving on.

I eat oatmeal most mornings, and I was craving this recipe this morning.

Pumpkin spice oatmeal recipe (single serving):
1/2 c dry old fashioned oats
1 1/2 c water
1 T chia seeds
1/4 t cinnimon
1/4 t pumpkin pie spice
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of salt
Microwave for 2 1/2 minutes
I add half a banana, 2 T of ground flax seed and a 1/2 cup of plain non-fat Greek yogurt to mine.

Here's a little Thursday motivation for you. 

Today's workout:
30 minutes on the spin bike as a warm-up (The PT recommends I do this before I run)

5 miles on the treadmill

Came home and did some of the upper body and ab sections of this workout video:

 Upper Body
Chest press
Reverse fly
Alternate press
Wide bent over row
Renegade row
DB  pullover
Close grip hammer curl
Straight arm kick back
Arnold press

Abs
Straight leg crunch
Legs up crunch
Tall sit up
Reverse crunch
Tummy tuck
Single leg jack
Sumo side squat
Windshield wiper
Pulsing side planks

Do you have a hard time eating foods (like pumpkin) that are associated with seasons or holidays in the "off season"? 

What's your favorite at home workout video?

What spice do you use the most?