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?

Just full of the "happys"

Some days are just plain hard around here. When I try (even just a little) to recognize the wonderful parts, I realize that all of the "I want to go into my bedroom, curl up in a ball on the floor and rock back and forth" parts are worth it. 

Cory was playing a game on the computer yesterday. He called me in and excitedly said, "Look mom, I painted a picture of you!"

I can definitely see the resemblance.

 These sweet moments just melt my heart.

 When you ask Mason to smile, you get this:

Kevin may not agree, but I loved this moment when Cory piled on top of his very exhausted daddy at the end of a work day.

I truly believe that anything worthwhile takes work on our parts. Being a parent, a runner, etc is only as rewarding as the effort put in. Being a mom is the hardest thing I've ever done, but I have gained so much wisdom, joy and compassion because of it. I love the famous Abraham Lincoln quote,

"Whatever you are, be a good one."

What was your "happy moment" today?

Will your kids/pet ever let you just lie down and rest? 
Ours will not. It's like they have some 6th sense of when someone may desperately need a nap.

My Inner Ninja Warrior

Last night we stayed up and watched American Ninja Warrior (The Dallas qualifying show). The show is a bit over dramatic, but I still get really into it. I have so much respect for the amount of training put in by these competitors. My favorite of the night, was a women named Kacy Catanzaro. She was the first female to complete the course. My palms were sweating so much as we watched her.

This is her on her way up the final obstacle. The wall was more than 3 times her height.

You can see her full attempt HERE.

(Pic Source- NBC site)

I was so inspired that that when I got to the gym this morning, I worked out like a Ninja Warrior. :) I may have overdone it because my chest is already super sore. I also ate like a Ninja Warrior today and ate really clean. My afternoon snack was roasted broccoli and asparagus. Tastes yummy... smells like death.

Cory had his first ever organized sports game tonight. He's on a city kickball team, and I wish you all could have seen him. Watching a bunch of 4 and 5 year olds play kickball is down right hilarious. One time he kicked the ball and it rolled like 1 foot, so he kicked it again and then ran to the pitchers mound, 3rd base and then home plate. He was so proud of himself, and we were all cracking up.

 He's really enjoying learning new things and I can't believe how much he's grown up over the past few months.

Anyone seen the American Ninja Warriors show? What do you think of it?

Do you like feeling sore after a workout?
I do, because It makes me think I actually accomplished something.

Kickball? Yay or nay?