Today's workout

So this morning, I managed to drag Jennifer out of the bed. After some long moaning and groaning, we managed to warm up our muscles on the bikes. Yeah well time to go. Jenn went down stairs, I like a fool continued on the bike. I managed to hit 7.5 miles. 2.5 from Monday. Oh well, I went. After that long workout and this amazing yet painful ab lift machine, we went to Jack in the Box. I had an ultimate cheeseburger with fries and a smoothie. Pure fat! Love it. Jenn was like there is a fry in the bag can I have it! Haa haa how cute. Girl, eat your heart out. One silly fry. R u serious. I mean if your pigging out, fats are the best.

No worries, I felt great. I officially start my "track of fitness tomorrow" so no more garbage for me. I have 40 more to toss and never find. I like how Jenn put it today," I lost and found the weight so I am not going to call it diet. I will call it baggage that can't be returned to sender.

Love it.
See you in the am 8:30.

10 minutes to babble

Okay so here is the deal. I am tires and a bit sore. Have been hitting the gym daily and have made many new friends. IT is funny but it seems that the older that I get the more friendly I act like my mother. Is that even a correct sentence? Who cares, off again this morning. Not sure if I will be hitting the express core class at nine or not. I made Jennifer get up this morning at 7. I know she longs to stay in bed but the million dollar question now becomes how bad do you want it.

Last night my mom and I realized that since December 09 till now that I have managed to loose approx. 50 pounds. Wow, is that why I can breathe. I bought some vitamins from GNC. Not bad, liquid and super absorb able.

Well, time to go. Off to the Y. Blog more later.

My weekend

So this weekend started at home and ended up... in the same spot. Saturday, the boys and I clean up the garage and began to watch Twilight. I loved it. I guess I am a hopeless romantic. I was waiting for Luci to come pick me up so we could go to Portland for the Biggest Loser casting call.
Long drive and much needed rest, we started our adventure. 7:15 hurry up and get in line. So, I wait. A few minutes later my very soon new friends Deanna and Zena stood behind me. It seems that in the morning, we were rev ed up and excited. I was amazed at how many people showed up. They were expecting about 600, well their count was way off. Try some where in the thousands. I was unaware of how many overweight people there are. I know that I am one of them but I felt good knowing that I didn't have 100 pounds or more to loose. Okay, ego boost over.

So, as we moved at a sloth pace through the line, we began forming a little circle of friends and again to my amazement, our group was very like minded. As the time flew by, I learned more about my close circle of friends.

• Zena- from Long view was auditioning
• Deanna- Newly transplanted in Washington from Denver, lived with Zena
• The couple- whose name I never know- from the Lynnwood area. I don't know how to spell Mulkatio

One thirty- we made it to the doors. While in line there were many things that should not have been seen. One that sticks out is a gal in high heels. Really, those shoes were begging to be free. I know not nice right but some things just don't go together.

To make a longer day shorter, I managed to met and interrupt Ken Coleman, season 3, lunch. What I found is that he has maintained his weight loss but to my surprise has the same thoughts about health that Deanna and I have. Being healthy should cost you fortune. It's our life for pete's sake.
Enough already.

Well to Zena,
I am glad to have met you. I have learned a lot from your silence and your smile. I know that you will reach your goal and whenever you need a kick, yell at Deanna. I am so proud of you.

To Deanna,
Happy hour five years from now is exactly the path our friendship is heading. I will always remember the day we met. Those last few are hard to loose but think of it this way. Luci and I are now those last few and you can't shake us.

Tori,
Even though we met you late, I am please to have you as a friend. We will get to know each other more as I will become a frequent visitor of Portland.

And to myself,
I realized that no matter how much we push no one is ever happy with their body. Keep it up. I know I will reach my goal and be a healthier person. If I don't the only one who is stopping me is ME

Happy Birthday my little one!

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday my lil' Elijah, happy birthday to you!

I can't believe that he is 8 today. For the little tiny guy, to a handsome young lad he is becoming. That picture was when Elijah was 2 months old but close to his due date.... same as Rawley's May 8 2002. Yet March...

Today started off early. For his first present... a trip to the dentist in Kent. That is about 30 minutes south of here. Both McKenzie and Elijah had appointments. And yes the cavity monster has attacked. I didn't make it the Y today because I was to sore from the previous abusive sessions I tend to put myself through. Oh well I am going Monday.

Off to Dino's.

Oh I forgot the wrapping paper, the presents and yes a card. I swung over to my moms which is just a few minutes from Dino's to wrap Elijah's presents and drop her off some things. I know that it is hard for her not to be with us on special days but I tried include her.

Racing home to get Elijah, he calls to say I want to go to the Madrian Grill and Buffet. No problem it your day. He at so much the cake is sitting on the table untouched. What will power this kid has. Chocolate his favorite too! He ripped open his presents: mp3 player, twilight and new moon movies, he is reading twilight now so of course the interest is there;hot wheels race track; Zumbuddy for webkinz; sponge bob square pants skateboard; Vancouver 2010 black sweat jacket, he loved by the way. Mom your the best. Levi shorts and tank for summer.

If that's not enough, Alvin and the chipmunks part 2 Wednesday. He just sounds like Alvin. Not bad kid not bad at all. Oh yeah and pj's. I will post pics later but for now, I shall enjoy the fact that my little guy has turned 8. He is so full of life and no matter what life has thrown at him, he is always smiling.

I love you Elijah, you make me a better person! Thank you for choosing me to be your mommy!

Yubby yubby

The joys or is it pains of life

So yesterday was just an amazing day for me. I was finally able to reconnect with a dear friend of who I admire. Just don't tell her that....she may laugh! Bonnie- you are truly a motivating phenomenal woman. I do so miss our weekly yoga classes wit your wonderful selection of music. We shall meet again perhaps in the warrior pose :)

I caught up with my mom, ever so briefly, but realize that she is in good hands. Margie and Rory, the caregivers, have shown so much love and desire to help people in these situations. Thanks for taking care of my mum.

Mathew was busy playing house hubby. Kids to appointments in Seattle, Homework Club and track practice. Not to mention dinner was cooking when I got home. This new leaf that he has turned has turned out to be great for everyone.

Jennifer, my workout buddy, has a sore knee. Hopefully all is well with her. So we got this crazy idea to do the body shop at the Y today..... that class kicked my bottom. I feel muscles that should not or have not been felt in years. I can't believe I can still walk. No Pilate's today but Express Core tomorrow.

My little Elijah will be 8 tomorrow. I can't believe it. I am so proud of him in every way. It is funny how the smallest things with him make me proud. I know that his life has been off to a bad start but he is here and he is smiling and I know that anything worth keeping is worth fighting for. I got your back baby boy.

So he wants an MP3 player, skateboard, Twilight movie and a Lego castle. Simple and sweet. I love this kid....he is grateful for everything. For dinner we are going to the Cheesecake Factory....then Red Robin on Saturday to use his free birthday meal coupon.

18 days from now, Daivon is 13. Easter in the middle I will survive.

Gotta run for now.

Auntie, glad your surgery was successful. Love you lots.

Smooth and rounded

This weekend came to a close with nothing short of being busy. Mathew and I went to lunch since we had no children. It is amazing how men act and work. Apparently, I keep him grounded. What am I to do with that information.

I have an appointment this morning at the Y. I have found that working out has become my new addiction. I find myself planning on getting up in the morning just to hit some classes before my day starts. Jenn came to visit me yesterday and brought this amazing pomegranate chocolate covered fruit bar......OM GOODNESS!!! I loved it. Thanks Jen. Your the best.

For those of you who don't know Jennifer, she met my mom while she was in the nursing home and became friends and now we are friends. Way to go mom! NE Wayz, she and I have been taking Pilate's on Thursdays and have added Friday Express core and Zuma to the mix. Now I found that the local Sally Anne has the biggest looser workouts Tuesday and Thursday. Jenn said I am trying to kill her. At least well go out is a health improving style. :)

Well off for now. Elijah's birthday is Friday. 8 years old and lot of trials and tribulations later. He went to Children's yesterday and the news wasn't good. Lets recap.
- 12/12/2008 Elijah broke his thigh bone at school
-6/18/2009 Dr said keep the rods in.
11/24/2009 Bone not filing in with the donor graph keep rods in
3/23/2010 Bone not filing in, more pain, keep the rods in.
5/23/2010 Return to Children's to see what the next step is.

Elijah has started track, continues in gymnastics, and want to play football. Oh yeah, trampoline and tumbling try outs for team in May. How this child continues to push through the pain is amazing. He wants to do and I will ensure his success by providing every opportunity I can. Mathew has agreed to shuttle the kids around. So I must keep both the Jeep and truck filled with gas.

More later.

To my sister Tammy

IT is funny how little things in life can make you realize that change is needed. Having the view of the glass half empty instead of full can hinder the best of us. Here is, if you will, some food for thought.

Throughout your life, you have overcome every form of diversity that life has thrown your way. Your head is held high and you are still smiling. You have an amazing son,that makes your soul scream with pride. You have found a man that has opened his heart to the two of you and now baby makes four. You found family in places you never thought possible. You are starting a new adventure with hope and excitement and a place to settle down.

Sometimes, we have the ability to sit and stew in or problems and do nothing. Both you and I have become fighters. Not just for ourselves but for our families. We have given our children everything that we have and then some.

I know that Bonnie is amazed at you and so proud. She just loves you and Rawley. She says time and time again how honored she is that you came into her life and she couldn't of made it without you.

Remember when you are down.... An amateur built the ark, professionals built the titanic.

Love you!

Busy as a beaver

Today was one of those days where you fail to have a moment to stop and smell the roses. This morning, everyone and their mother had registration and meetings.
We of course were running late, or so I thought, but made our first stop at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. It was were we received our P- patch. For those of you who do not know what that is, it is a community garden where you are responsible for a 10X10 plot of dirt. Veggies, flowers, and whatever your hearts desire can grow. Any stuff you grow in excess is then donated to the local food banks so that others can have fresh produce. I love the Lutherans. Many of the cities around her have these p patches but fail to offer community support.
From there we raced across town to register McKenzie and Elijah for football. Elijah has made the Rookies weighing in at 61 pounds. I am so proud of him. Bit is a sophomore weighing in at 134 and solid. Go boys. That registration process took a whole whopping 3 minutes. On to the next stop.
Cascade Strider's is the local running club that the boys are signed up with for track and field. Practices are three times a week for 2 hours. Today they ran the whole time and did a circuit training. I got tired just watching them. But in the end, once again I was a proud mom. They will have the opportunity to compete at the Jr. Olympics that will held in Seattle this year. Elijah is so excited because he said again today, I will make it to the Olympics.
1 hour before the next stop. My head was throbbing my heart was filled with joy. Times up here we go.
Gymnastics East, Preston Washington. Home of many champions and Olympic gymnasts. Boys Nations fitness challenge. Elijah scored a 30. Not bad for his first, or the fact that his body hasn't recovered from track. Many of the instructors there asked if he was going to try out for the trampoline and tumble team this May. Elijah said yes. We will see how all this will pan out.
3 hours there and home we go.
My drive is lite with solar lights creating a beautiful glow. With the setting on our 70 degree day, I heard my bed calling. Not yet, clean kitchen, cook diner, paperwork, laundry kids in the shower, get them to bed and then my bed.

I rather enjoyed the highs and lows of today. I love the fact that I am able with the communities help, provide my children with opportunities. I guess I had better hit the gym more than 2 days a week to keep up. My goal is to be able to run with them. Baby steps.

Tomorrow, after church, Elijah has a class... Cooking with the Y, and a concert in Tacoma with the Sally Anne. They both are playing. McKenzie the tuba and Elijah the trumpet. All free of course. I am truly blessed.

Have a wonderful evening.

A tad bit behind

Well it has been a while since my last post. Many exciting things have happened since then.
Last weekend, Tammy and her family came down
to see the sites that Seattle has to offer. Elijah went
with them to the Pacific Science Center. It is amazing how well those two kiddo like and enjoy each others company. We had dinner with my mom and of course Tammy's food was wrong. Sorry!
Needless to say, the weekend ended with the boys and I going swimming at the Y. Elijah learned to use a paddle board. It is funny, he has had swimming lessons for ever and is just now liking the water. He may be no fish but that boy can flip better than a fish out of water.

This week has been amazing. Mathew and I celebrated our being together physically for two years on the 16th. I had thought that he forgot but much to my surprise he remembered. I came home and was greeted with a hug and kiss. He popped out this amazing card. ( I asked him who helped him with picking it out :) I then received a Webkinz Cow with a clip. I named him Mooshoo. Then I got this awesome sensor cook everything microwave. I was smiling from ear to ear. He took me out to dinner at this new Mandran Buffet and Grill. Oh my... sushi table, fresh fruit, rice, chicken, salmon, cheesecake, I could go on and on but you may get hungry.

I signed the boys up for camps. Daivon will spend all of July doing skateboarding, Point Defiance Zoo, Wild waves, Ballard Lochs, Sea fair with the Blue Angles and hydroplanes. Elijah will do some boys and girl clubs stuff and of course McKenzie will be going to camp for 14 days up on the peninsula.
Wednesday, the two younger boys began track and cross county. Wow. Practice three times a week, junior Olympics. What opportunities. Bellevue is a great place. Saturday will prove to be quite interesting. Football registration @10; P-patch orientation @10; track practice from noon to 2, and gymnastics @ 5. These are days I long to be two.

The P- patch is a community garden that we will own yearly. For 50 bucks we can plant and harvest veggies, flowers, and whatever will grow in the northwest. The extra amounts will be donated to the church food bank so that families can have fresh veggies all year long. The boys and I are excited. I have gathered some friends to share in the experience. I will keep you posted.

Well I hope you enjoy your day. I am off to the Y to meet Jennifer. Express abs at 9 and Zumba @ 9:30.

We will hit 64 degrees today. Have a happy day. I love springtime.

The unforgetable need

This morning started off like any other. I was in good happy spirits. I received my daily bible verse from Spirit 105.3. Just a fast as the Lord was touching my heart and soul, I was quickly shut down.
It has come to my attention that some people have a desire to keep misery afloat and such people in with them. An old familiar spirit came floating back..... RAGE!

I have the super woman complex. I am extremely overwhelmed and for some strange reason, the people in my life think that I have nothing to do but sit idle and please them.

IF this should offend you as you read take time to think where frustration swells from. I am not whining or complaining... just using a sounding board. Or the freedom of thoughts is rearing its beautiful head.

Just smile and wave.

Quick note for today

Not much to really say today. My uncle sent me a book about the Berger side of our family. Now I know where the big foreheads came from. It is very interesting to read about where your family came from. I guess that many people today don't take the time to stop and research where their family comes from.
I am so thankful to have one side of my family knows where its been and where they are going. My dads side....later

Well I have figured out why American children are so dumb.... they are never in school. No school Friday, spring break in April and out of school in June. And homework...what is that. The only child that has homework is Elijah in Spanish. It love learning that language.

Gotta go. Bus stop to go to. Have a God filled day.

Weekend woes

What a weekend. Mathew turned 46 and for dinner we went to Red Robin. It was quite fun. Mathew, Elijah, McKenzie, Lucy, and my dad were there. Daivon had to stay home because once again he got suspended again. Saturday, I met Jen at the Y and we worked out, then we watched the boys go swimming. I was amazing, Elijah actually went in the pool. I was so proud of him. McKenzie has once again made a new friend. The instructor for the Teen conditioning class has taken to McKenzie.
Saturday night my fever decided to attack. 102 and not much I could do but shiver under the covers. Sunday, Elijah and I went roller blading. I could not believe it. I haven't been on blades for almost 13 years. It feels strange, I am used to Bauer's and miss them I must say. K2's are not that good but be that as it may, I miss them terribly. Elijah got a new pair or an early birthday present. I can't believe that in three weeks he will be 8. Where does the time go. Oh he is a whopping 58 pounds. I am so proud of him.
Well off for now.

Another day... no dollars

Today is starting off just like any other. I have had a headache for the past two day and a restless sleep. MY children are asking me what shoe goes on what foot? Seriously? At what point in a childs life do they get dumber? Last night, the question was asked, "How many days are in 30 days?" Do you know that Daivon is the only one to answer. GOD grant me the strenght and peace to make it through this adventure called life.

Meanwhile, I have two birthdays this month three weeks apart, track and field starting for McKenzie and Elijah on the 15th, gymnastics for Elijah- yearly and football registration. These two boys are just busy as a beaver. I am not sure how Elijah is going to handle all this activity. Gymnastics are Mondays from 4:30- 6pm; track is from 6-8 pm. Wednesdays are short days but yet Elijah has Homework club from 2- 5:45 and track is 6-8 pm. I guess this is the start of his Olympic training. Not sure how long it will last but as long as he is interested I will ensure the opportunities.

Pilates for me today.... ouch and work later create a busy day. I will be off to see my mom today and spread some happy cheer. I have realized that it is hard being a parent but even harder being a daughter. Don't ask today explanation coming soon.

Well have to get dressed and ready to go.

Finially know where I belong

WOW! I have been searching to find my place in this world forever. Yesterday, I realized that like Molsen.... "I AM CANADIAN!"

The hockey game brought back so many memories for me. The rush of emotions that I feel during any game, the Stanley Cup games, and yes the best country in the world finally kicked those arrogant Americans.

The closing of the Olympics was bitter sweet. I really enjoyed the Beaver.... a noble animal, Dudley Do right and of course Capt. James T. Kirk. The snowboarders making the flag was truely helpful in my relization. Maple Leaf forever.

It was hard growing up living in the States and trying to find that balance of home. My grandparents, aunt and uncle, cousins and my mum tried to help me see the errors of my ways.

Sorry for being stubborn. I see the errors of my ways.

Like Tammy, I long to have family around. I miss my family. My cousins are like my brother and my sisters; my aunt and Uncle are like my parents. I want to go home. I am not sure when or how but one thing is for sure

I know where I belong....