Hey, hey, hey!!
Welp, I’m still struggling to find time to blog these days, BUT I think I can see a light at the end of the tunnel! Woot!
I’m sorry my last post was such a big bummer post. Sometimes I feel the need to vent and just acknowledge some of the stress I’m going through. Life is not always easy and I try to keep things real. I don’t want to just share my highlight reel with y’all! I will share the good things in my life, but at times I’ll share the bad and even the hairy things in my life too. Ha.
I’m actually a very optimistic, cheerful, sometimes annoyingly happy person by nature. I usually don’t let things get me down. However, it seems like every so often life catches up with me….I fall apart, have a mini breakdown and then pick up the pieces and carry on! Sooo, even though my life is freaking hectic, crazy, smothering at times and completely exhausting…I am very happy, grateful and I’m doing just fine. 😉
With that being said, my life has still been crazy, crazy, CrAzY lately. We’ve been running around with my family who’ve been visiting and have had a lot of fun. We also had some of Kev’s family come to visit and stay at our house last weekend as well. Our cute niece got married and it was fun to have so many of Kev’s family here for the wedding!
Here we are after the wedding on the Salt Lake Temple grounds…
And here’s my darling niece and her adorable husband…
They are such a wonderful couple and I’m so happy for them!!!
School also officially started for my kidlets and it’s been a very, very, very good thing! Although, we’ve all been exhausted as we’ve been adjusting to the new schedule, it’s been so nice to actually have a schedule and to have all of us be a little more productive.
We also started up family scripture study at 6:45 AM in the mornings. It’s been awesome. It really is amazing to me what a blessing morning scripture study is to our family. It’s a fairly simple thing to do (we only read for 10 minutes), but it sets the tone for our whole day and I just love it!
A couple of years ago we were very good at consistent scripture study, but ever since my sweet baby #6 was born, we I have struggled. Sooo, now that my sweet baby turned TWO (sniff, sniff), I’m determined that this is the year to get back at it!
I snapped this pic last week of everyone sooooo excited to read scriptures! Ha ha. Secretly, they love it. 🙂
I also thought I’d share my cute kids “first day of school” pics…
They are all getting so dang huge and I’m not a fan. 🙁 I now have a Senior (seriously, holy freaking cow), a Sophomore, a 7th grader, a 3rd grader and a darling little 1st grader.
It’s always tough for those cute little 1st graders to adjust to going to school all day long. My son’s had a few mini meltdowns, but he’s starting to adjust to the harsh reality that it’s just the way it is! Oh, and I have to share a heartbreaking story that my little 1st grader shared with me the other day.
First off, I must mention that this child of mine is extremely innocent, almost to a fault. He is so trusting, believing, pure in heart and just absolutely adorable. Anyway, he fell down at recess and skinned up his knees quite badly. He was almost in tears as he was telling me the story and then he asked me, “Mom, can my body make new blood?” I told him, “Yes, of course.” He breathed a huge sigh of relief and told me he’d been so worried about how his body lost some of his blood. He asked, “So I now have full blood again?” I told him yes and again he breathed an audible sigh of relief. He told me that while he was waiting on the playground for his sweet friend to get a teacher to come help him, he thought he was going to die because he was losing his blood. He told me that as he watched the blood dripping down his leg he got more and more worried. He was holding back the tears as he was telling me this and it just broke my heart in two.
We went on to have a lengthy discussion about how strong and tough our bodies are and how it’s actually quite hard to die. He was happy to hear that. Oh how I love that sweet little boy! I seriously just want to follow him around all day long and make sure nobody hurts him because he is just so darn innocent. Love him!
Anyway, I digress. I’m so happy school has started again. It’s been great for all of us. Although, I’ve been struggling to get my sleep! Gah! It’s been killing me, but I’m determined to become an “early to bed” person. Easier said than done, but I’m going to do my best! Life has been crazier than normal the past couple weeks, but I think starting next week, things will start to calm down. I’m hoping to settle into a nice organized, predictable routine and I couldn’t be happier about it!
Oh, I also wanted to share that this cute almost 13 year old got braces this week…
He’s been pretty miserable because all of his teeth have been so sore, but we’re happy to get the braces process started!
*************************
Well, let’s talk a little bit about health and fitness, shall we? I’ve actually been doing a lot of deep thinking lately and have a lot I want to share (brace yourselves, ha ha!)
I have been in a bit of a health rut the past couple MONTHS. It’s been frustrating, but it’s also been good for me! First off, I’m very very grateful for my new gym that I’ve been loving so much! F45 is absolutely amazing and I’m so so so happy to have it in my life. Yes, that sounds super cheesy, but I’m so serious.
I’ve exercised most of my life; running, weight lifting, group classes, home workouts, yoga, videos, etc. and I have NEVER EVER loved a workout/gym as much as I love F45!!! The workouts are actually FUN, I look forward to them, they are quick (45 minutes), and they are super effective. I love that I’m getting some serious weight training in along with some killer cardio. Love, love, love! I also love the way they structure the workouts and how the time always seems to fly by. I no longer dread my workouts….I love them!
I could go on and on and on, but I am just so grateful to be in such a great place, exercise-wise, right now.
There are a lot of different components that make up a healthy lifestyle, but I think the two biggest ones are exercise and healthy eating. I’m glad to be killing it in the exercise category!
However, I’m seriously sucking with the consistent healthy eating part of it all. Dang it. I’m sure if I could just get my crap together and stick with a somewhat decent diet, I’d see some killer results!
My motivation has just been lacking, folks. There are moments when I’m like, “Yay! I want to eat super clean, track the things I eat, take super good care of my body, etc. etc. etc. AND THEN, the next moment I’m like, “Who wants to make brownies!!??” Auuuughh!
It’s a little bit frustrating because I feel like I’m just spinning my wheels. Truth be told, I think life has just caught up with me! We’re always busy (aren’t we all!??!), but the past couple months have been insane with no structure, organization or downtime whatsoever. I think my body and mind have been protesting a bit because they need a little somethin’ somethin’ to combat all the stress and keep life fun and enjoyable! Ha ha.
Although it’s been maddening to feel like a huge slacker and like I can’t stick with anything, it’s strangely been a good experience for me as well. It’s caused me to dig deep and think about what I really want my long-term goals to be and to learn about what things get me off track, what things motivate me, discourage me, help me, etc.
I’ve also learned that I really don’t love eating like a big huge pig. It is very fun short-term, but it’s just not a rewarding way to live. I physically don’t feel as well, I don’t have as much energy, I feel bloated and I swear it zaps the motivation in the other parts of my life as well.
Soooo, what am I going to do about it??? Well, I’m going to put on my big girl pants and reclaim my life! With school starting I now have just one little two year old at home during the day. That is crazy to me! I really have high hopes of finally getting a grip, dejunking my whole house, finishing up some projects and sticking to a dang healthy diet!!!
For reals. 😉
We still have family in town until next week and we have a little bit of a crazy weekend planned, so I’m planning on starting something “official” next week. I really don’t love procrastinating; I’m the type of person who likes to set goals and get started right away, BUT, I’m also very aware of the crazy life I’ve been leading and the lack of motivation I’ve been experiencing.
Since I’ve been in a health rut for a while, I know it’s VITAL for me to prepare mentally and take the time to make an official plan and set some legit goals. I do soooo much better when I clearly define my goals and make a deliberate plan to reach them! So I’m going to start the day after Labor Day, September 6th.
I haven’t identified my specific goals yet, but I plan to do it this weekend. I’ll of course share my plans with all y’all when I figure it out! I’m more than ready to get started and I can just feel it in my bones that I WILL stick with it and I WILL see the results I’m looking for!
I think the hardest part about getting back into healthy living after being in a health rut for a while is just getting started! Once I get a couple good eating days under my belt, it’s significantly easier for me to keep on going! AND the longer I continue with my healthy goals, the easier they become. It really does start to become second nature and just becomes so so so much easier! It’s also extra motivating when I start to see and feel results…it makes me not want to quit!
Anyway, sorry I’m blabbing so much today.
*****************************
I want to give a shout out to a couple of my affiliates! Fabletics is having a great Labor Day sale this weekend; you can get your first outfit for only $15! They also have free shipping and always free returns too.
I have loved so many of my Fabletics things and I love the cute new things they released this month. I’m seriously considering getting this tank and these dang cute capris…
I love that that tank is so long, but it doesn’t look baggy or frumpy. I also LOVE the cute cutouts on those capris. Fabletics also has a lot of dang cute non-black things too, ha ha!
Under Armour is also having a Labor Sale! Woot! I seriously love love love anything Under Armour that I’ve ever bought. They just seem to last and last and never wear out.
Well, this weekend you can get 25% off of all Under Armour Tech Short Sleeves and Polos + Free Shipping!
Love that!! I hope you all have a fantastic Labor Day weekend! Love you all! xoxo
**This post includes affiliate links and I may receive a benefit if you decide to purchase from them, however I’m only affiliated with companies/products that I absolutely love and think you will love too! <3 <3
So happy to hear from you ! Your kids are grown yup way too fast, its crazy. I also have a senior and a sophomore this year. How the heck did that happen ?
I think it is completely normal to have ups and downs with healthy eating. It is a mental thing too and with all you had going on this summer, and getting ready for school, you can only do so much, give yourself a break !
And I did want to tell you that you inspired me to start counting macros. With your experience this year, it somehow made its way into my brain. I am on a 6 week carb cycling program (with associated workouts) and macro countering every day. I am loving it and learning so much. Not sure if I will do it all my life but it has been a great learning experience
Love the photo of your family in the morning. LOL
Oh, I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying macro counting! It really is so eye opening and I love the straight forward, scientific part of it all. I don’t think I’ll do it forever either, but it definitely helps to keep me on track! I’m anxious to get back at it! Your carb cycling program sounds awesome!
That’s fun that you have a Senior and Sophomore this year too Karen. It’s really freaking me out to have a Senior. I seriously, seriously CANNOT believe it!
Oh, the story about your son was so sweet! Reminds me of the time I was late getting to the school to walk my son home (we live .4 miles from the school), and he stood there at the crosswalk for a little while, waiting, and then he said “I just said a prayer, mom, and crossed all by myself.”
Okay, it was a marked crosswalk with crossing guards in front of an elementary school, but it was the scariest thing of the day for a first grader.
Looking forward to reading about your reset. Summer is hard to keep on track with a diet. We’re camping this weekend, and our camp food includes lots of good things like fruit, but there there are the camping staples: chips, pop tarts, s’mores, cookies … stuff I never stock at home. We’re going to need an intervention when I get back.
Oh, that story about your son is the sweetest. 🙂
It is SO hard for me to be consistent in the summer, so I’m sooooo looking forward to getting on track once again! I hope you’re having a great time camping. Have a Pop Tart for me, lol!!!
If I were you, I’d be secretly PUMPED to have all the kids in school – hahahahaha! A little more you time is not a selfish thing 😉
And I need to get back over to Fabletics and check out their latest stuff. NO NO I DO NOT! My fiance basically threw me in my closet last night telling me to get rid of stuff I don’t need/wear anymore – and um… I only tackled my sock/underwear drawer! LMFAO!
It really has been amazing how much more I’m able to get done with the kids in school. I’m not minding the quiet house for a few hours a day either!
I love Fabletics so much! I’m addicted to exercise clothing too and probably need to chuck a bunch of my old stuff!
Loving all the first day of school pictures. So happy that you are still enjoying F45.
Thanks Abby! I love taking pics of my kids on the first day of school. It’s always fun and amazing to see how much they change each and every year!
I’m loving F45 so dang much and am just so glad I have it in my life. Ha ha!
Your poor son! How terrified he must have felt, bleeding on the playground. Hope he’s healing well and feeling better. Knee scrapes hurt! I had my fair share as a kid.
Good luck with your goals. I’m sure you’ll do awesome!
I know! His sweet little story just about killed me.
Thanks so much for your support, as always, Char!
That blood story is just precious!!
Awwww, I know! It just about broke my heart. He is such a sweet, innocent little boy!
Such a heartwarming and lovely story, great post from you!
Thank you so much! <3 <3