Can I do the 31 Day Challenge?

I've been developing quite the holiday body lately. You know, a little mushy around the middle, jiggly around the thighs and back end. I reach up to wave to someone and my arm continues to flap underneath long after I've stopped. I'm usually like the rest of you..."Oh, it's winter and the holidays so I will start getting in shape as my New Year's resolution."

This year, on December 31 will be my ten year wedding anniversary. We actually have been together 12 years. The day after Thanksgiving, I was trying to find something to wear and just felt ugly in everything. Nothing fit right. That's when it hit me. "I'm going to get in shape before we go away on our romantic 10th anniversary. I'm going to get the body that I had ten years ago back...and I'm going to do it in 31 days !"

On Dec. 1st, I hit the gym with my friend Debbie. She moved back here from Chicago, which was perfect timing because it's so much easier doing the buddy system. We push each other! I was going to do 30 min. of cardio and then weights...you know, easing this out of shape, achy body into it. But Debbie saw that they had a Pilates class starting and dragged me in. OMG...it kicked my butt! I was hurting in areas that I didn't even know existed. It felt good though to be moving again. We ended with weights and the Butt Blaster...woo hoo...blast this thing back into shape!

We heard that a ZUMBA dance class was just starting up. Dance is my favorite...I was on the dance team in high school and college. I've missed it sooo much. I jumped into the class and picked it right up. So, Zumba class 2x a week, pilates 2x a week and cardio/bike/stairmaster mixed with weights the rest of the days.

I hope this will work! We'll see...it's different as you get older, you're body doesn't want to shape up as quick, I hate that!

Celebrate, Reflect and Enjoy-4th of July

My family was all in Utah together for the 4th (we couldn't afford to go), but made the best of it here. It's always hard for us because it's the anniversary of my brother John's death. I usually start to get a little edgy and emotional the week leading up to the 4th. I try to make sure we have lots of plans, the busier I am the easier it is.

I decided to treat myself to a new bike this year...last year we were the Beverly Hillbilly's of OC with our crappy, squeaky, rusty bikes. I haven't had a brand new bike since I was 14 years old! I figured it was time...also I thought it would encourage me to get out and exercise more. I was going to get my usual boys beach cruiser in black, I'm such a tomboy that I don't usually like flashy. But I decided at the last minute to get a shiny purple and silver girl bike. What do ya think?


We rode down to the parade, stopped by to meet some friend's at a house party, but it was all adults and the little guys wanted to hang out with us for a while (we wont have very many years left of them wanting to be with the "parents" since they're 14 & 15. So we told them we'd be back later and rode around with the kids.

Anthony's sister's and all their kids ended up coming down and we met up with them, got some lunch and had a picnic at the park with them and some other friends who met up with us. The boys ended up leaving and me and Anthony headed home for a quick rest before we had to ride back down for the fireworks show.

I had to leave and go pick up Josh from work. I was sitting in the LONG line of cars waiting to turn, when a group of bikers came riding in between all the cars and some parked cars. Some girls were obviously drunk...one girl turned around to talk to her friends and ran smack into the back of a parked car and flipped over the top of her bike, denting the car. Okay now you are all going to know how mean I am...I LAUGHED so hard. I always do when someone trips or falls. I can't help it! I wasn't alone, all the other cars were yelling, honking and laughing too! I didn't feel as bad. She was okay, but she did a bike hit and run. The owner of the car came running out of the house party, but the girl was long gone. I'll take entertainment anyway I can get it.

When we got back down to the beach it was FREEZING. The little guys never came home and had only swim trunks and tank shirts. They were shivering and complaining...we brought them some jackets and I got these pics of them racing toward the backpack and then fighting with a friend for the warmest one.

Elijah, Adam & Friend racing to the backpack for sweatshirts.



The Boys fighting over the warmest sweatshirt.

Even Anthony was cold.






Crowd in the ampitheatre.

Crowds watching street performers.

More Crowds in the dreaded Out House line.

My hubby & me trying to stay warm.



Waiting for the fireworks to start.

YAY...FINALLY!

All in all it was a good day and I didn't even cry once...which was a first. We love and miss you John!

My brothers...John hugging Troy.

Back On My Feet

I was finally able to go back to work today...I guess that's a good thing?! You don't realize how sick of being sick I am! I hope this is my last one for a long time. Elijah was able to go to football practice too.

Now that I'm up its back to the crazy summer schedules. I just got back from picking Elijah up from practice (with his bike), and then went and picked up Josh from work (with his bike), it was pretty tricky trying to squeeze two beach cruiser's in the back of my car. After a few minutes of yelling at the boys to BE CAREFUL...didn't want the spokes broken or my car scratched up, it was off to pick up some food.

I called ahead to order the Pizza Hut Meaty Marinara Pasta (love it!), and when I got there it was supposed to be ready. Of course they couldn't find my order so we sat there for 25 min. I don't know what is going on lately but every time I go to a fast food place lately I end up having to wait FOREVER...guess my patience is being tested and I'm not passing.

Finally get home, ready to relax...nope, my ENTIRE house wreaks of ammonia (DOG PEE!) I swear it was so strong it burned my nose hair! Back out to the store to get carpet cleaner, powder, air freshener...and it still smells.

HAPPY MONDAY TO ME! Hope yours was better.

GOOD NEWS!!!

First and foremost I want to thank ALL of you SO much for your encouraging comments, and prayers! It was amazing to me how many friends and family "showed up" with love and support. We often think of blogging as just a past time, something that's fun and often meaningless. However, when things go wrong or you're struggling, all of your "blogging friends" are the first one's to be there for you. The comments you left were uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging...THANK YOU!!

Now, about my good news...I made an appointment with the Orthopedic Specialist today first thing this morning. Luckily they were able to get me in today. He checked everything out and said it appears to be just a bad sprain/strain of the Achilles tendon. He said he will probably be able to completely walk on it again in a week and a half or so. They took his cast off and we just have it wrapped with an ace bandage. He is able to put a little bit of weight on it. They didn't do an MRI because he didn't show any signs of a tear. He said if he does not improve as expected to bring him back in, but he thinks he will be as good as new. He was amazed that he only received that slight injury after a bike vs. car accident.

Once again, I am the most grateful and thankful mom in the whole world! When things go wrong in one area of our lives...Heavenly Father is standing right beside us, holding our hand, wiping our tears, carrying us, and watching over us. May we always remember that we do not need to go through troubles and trials alone. Jesus died for us...his love is greater than any problem, hurt, anger, or fearful situation. Just let go and TRUST, you will be amazed at the miracles that will happen in your life!

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Elijah Got Hit By A Car

Elijah had football practice this morning and then a beach party for the whole league. We were going home, rest for a little while and then head over. The boys decided they wanted to go surfing instead. You can only surf at certain times and areas of the beach in the summertime...they black ball (a flag with a round circle on it, hanging from the lifeguard tower) which lets surfers know that they can't surf there. The spot of the beach party was a no surf zone.

Elijah and Adam surfed and were on their way home, Adam had sped ahead because his mom was going to be picking him up. Elijah was riding alone (slowly...after a 3 hr. practice and then a 2 hr. surf session). He was on the wrong side of the rode (we all do it because you have to go across Main St. at the light before pulling into our driveway.) He had a green light, a 17 year old girl who had just gotten her license was making a right hand turn and didn't see him. He tried to swerve to avoid being hit head on. The front of her car hit his left foot and threw him off the bike. Luckily he was wearing his helmet and there wasn't oncoming traffic. He tried to stand up but couldn't put weight on his left foot. He hopped over to the grass and called Jullien (my middle son...he said he didn't call me because he didn't want me to get freaked out). I was upset because he KNOWS I never freak out when they get hurt! I've always had to be the one to stay calm and keep them calm, I lose it later when I'm all alone.

Anthony, me and Jullien jumped in the car and drove to the next block. Elijah was scraped up, had some tire marks on his feet and said his achilles tendon hurt really bad and he couldn't stand on it (that part of his foot took the first impact). The girl was trying to hold back her tears and said she had called her mom and dad. They pulled up, we talked to them, they gave us their information, but we told them we have insurance and not to worry about it. They told us to please call them and they would take care of everything and fix the bike. As we pulled out the girl had completely broke down and was crying as her mom hugged her. Jullien walked the bike back home, I got jackets, called our doctor and drove Elijah to the emergency room.

Luckily it wasn't crowded...we got taken back in 15 minutes. They took x-rays and put him in a temporary cast and crutches. They think it's only a sprain, but because of the pain and swelling they want to make sure he is checked by an orthopedic specialist to make sure he didn't tear the tendon. They need the swelling to go down before I can schedule the appointment.

I got home and called the girl's mother, I wanted the girl to know that he was okay. I left a message and told them he is fine, he might have an achilles injury but will be okay. Accidents happen, our insurance will cover it and not to worry about anything. I wanted to put her mind at ease.

Needless to say I AM SO GRATEFUL that it wasn't worse! God was definitely looking out for him today!!! When we have so many things going wrong in our life (financial struggles, stress, possible foreclosure) something like this really puts things into perspective. Family and health are the most important things. Everything else just DOESN'T matter. I am the happiest mom in the whole world today...a potential tragedy turned out to be a blessing, my son is safe!