3 Turkeys

2012-02-17T09:22:00.000-05:00

http://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-for-religious-freedom

Novena for Religious Freedom!
Starting on Ash Wednesday, I am joining nearly 10,000 Catholics to pray a Novena for Religious Freedom!
With so many faithful Catholics around the world praying this novena, I thought you’d like to join too!
This is a special novena because of all that has been going on in the US. But, it is also special because it is focused specifically on praying to Saints who were persecuted or martyred.
You can sign up for handy email reminders to get the the novena prayers here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-for-religious-freedom
Let’s all join together in praying for our freedom to worship, adore and serve God!

Litany of Humility

2012-01-08T20:38:00.000-05:00

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

On Turning 40

2011-06-11T00:02:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was my last day in my 30s. It was an eventful and amazing decade. I started my 30s living in Hoboken, New Jersey, a virtual newlywed, with no children. We celebrated my birthday at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in New York City, a nod to my Texas roots. Later we went to Chelsea Piers for some glow-in-the-dark bowling. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had a minor freak-out the morning of my birthday. 30 was so old! I was a pioneer among our group of friends, even my husband is younger than me. It was a year to remember. Before my 30th year was over, I'd be a mother.

In the next 6 years, I had 3 more children, our youngest born 3 years after we moved the family to Ohio. It seems that these days, more than my own birthdays, I mark the passing years with the start of a new school year. Things move pretty fast once you have children and the time to think about what you want or where you are going is scarce, at least for me. Today, I turn 40. It's a big deal, but rather than have a panic attack, I think I will do myself a favor by considering my blessings.

I am happily married and have been for 13 years. I have a husband who is a good man, who loves me, meets my needs and goes out of his way to meet my wants. He's a special man, unlike any I have ever known. I never had a doubt in my mind that he was the man God made for me. Even through the challenging times of our life, no matter what we face, I know he is mine and I am his. I definitely count him as my biggest blessing.

I have 4 absolutely beautiful children who are tender-hearted and innocent. Yes, of course they make me insane, but that's what kids do. Despite all of my mistakes in judgement and parenting, they are thriving and love me anyway. The moment I became a mother, the moment I knew I was pregnant with my first child, my entire perspective on life shifted and nothing will ever be the same. Motherhood is a gift beyond anything I ever imagined.

I am healthy and strong. Every year, when my birthday rolls around, I look in the mirror and think, "Well, nuts!" My reflection hasn't been something I've wanted to look at since my first child was born. 2 years ago I started an exercise program that changed my life. I was squeezing into an 18, happy that it wasn't a size 20. I'd just had a baby 2 months earlier and my body never handles that well. I was 38-years-old and unhappy with everything I saw in the mirror. 2 years later, I feel good about myself. I can fit into clothes I wore when I was 30. I feel pretty good in a swimsuit, not that I'm bikini ready (and let it be known, that I will never wear a bikini to the town pool).It's been a long road to get here but I'm so proud of the work I've done.

There are a more blessing than I can count. God has looked kindly on me. Among my other blessings are my family, Kevin's family, our friends, our home, Kevin's job, Team Beachbody. Truly my blessings are as numerous as the stars. But I'm a work-in-progress. I'm not done working with the things God has given me to become the woman He wants me to be. Not by a long shot. So I'm looking back on the past so I can appreciate where I am now and where I hope to be in the future. 40 is a big deal, but not really. It's all a matter of perspective.

My Three Favorite Scriptures

2011-05-26T10:08:00.003-04:00

Holly at A Life-Size Catholic tagged me in my first ever blogging meme (just like her, I had to look it up. A blogging what?) The question is, " What are your 3 favorite scriptures?"

Ok, so this is going to take a little thought. I've got 2 right off the bat, so while I think, here are the rules:

1. Write a post on your three favorite verses from the Bible and why you like them.

2. Link back to this post.

3. In your post, tag three other bloggers to carry this theme forward, link to you and tag additional bloggers.

Elizabeth at Startling the Day
Munches Mom at Four Blessings Academy
Sarah at Snoring Scholar

Ok, here we go:

One

Psalm23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff-- they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.

This verse is the one of the only things that got me through the most stressful time in my life. I was a new teacher, thrown into the deep end only knowing how to dog-paddle. My in-training year was as a special education teacher at an inner city high school full gang members. It was so stressful that my hair actually fell out in clumps! How I survived that year is strictly do to the intercession of our Lady and the immediate relief reciting this psalm brought me. Even now when I read it, I can feel the peace cover me.

Two

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

While at a Disciples for Life retreat a few years ago, I found this verse in the Bible while trying to understand God's will for my life. It was purely Divine Providence that lead me to this. It was a time in my life when I was extremely lonely and overwhelmed. We'd just moved across the country with 3 very young children and had just barely started to settle in, but still didn't have any friends. I was in my room after a full day, praying and begging for God's help in understanding what he wanted me to do when I turned the page to this verse. Someone at the retreat had mentioned having a life verse and this seemed to be exactly what this was meant to be for me. I mean, it could only be clearer if it said, "MARY, LISTEN, I'M TALKING TO YOU HERE" and and angel came a shook me by the shoulders. To tell the truth, it's a process, rejoicing always, praying continually, giving thanks in all circumstances. If it came naturally, I don't think it would be my favorite, but I'm working on it. I've been looking for it printed on a stone that I can set on my kitchen window sill, but I haven't found it yet. The more I see it, the more I'll remember to put it into practice.

Three

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

If you know me, then you not in vain is a phrase of particular importance to me. It seems to have come about almost accidently, inspired by a poem by Emily Dickinson. If the verse from 1 Thessalonians is a life verse, then this has been my life poem:

If I can stop one Heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain
If I can ease one Life the Aching
Or cool one Pain

Or help one fainting Robin
Unto his Nest again
I shall not live in Vain.

The phrase that I've held onto all these years is "not in vain".  It has come to mean so much

more than what I originally thought with this poem. It applies to my life in so many ways.  When

I realized the phrase appears all over the place in the Bible, it took on even greater significance.

 I always sit up and take notice when I hear it at Mass.  It's my special little connection with God.

Small Successes (Vol 29)

2011-05-05T13:31:00.000-04:00

My parish priest told me something the other day when I was lamenting my failures as a mother and a Christian. For some reason it was a revolutionary thought, although I have always known it.

"God doesn't ask us to be successful.

He asks us to be faithful."

I can't stop thinking about it and when I have more time, I will write down my thoughts. If you write about this topic, I'd love to read it!

1.I'll start with an update that has been a couple weeks in coming. You may remember that I mentioned I entered the Beachbody's Million Dollar Body Game and was waiting to see if I made it through to the next level of the contest: Facebook voting. Well, I didn't. My husband entered too. He's a skinny guy who got ripped in 90 days (gaining weight is harder than you might think for people like him). He didn't move on either. But we tried and regardless of what contest officials decide the end result is that we are both healthier and fitter than we've been in our lives. I am so proud of us that I am going to share our photos! You can see Kevin's photos here: The Fit Life (They are pretty AMAZING and worth the click!!)

Faithfulness to my exercise and nutrition plan (though sometimes I cheat) has got me to this point. I am a coach (for free) so if you'd like help getting started, let me know.

2. I passed my Turbo Kick Instructor training! Now I just gotta learn the choreography and get some confidence and I can start instructing live classes. That is so scary!!!

3. I'm semi-caught up with the laundry. That means it's clean and partially folded. I guess this is a semi-success. A success-in-progress. But then again, aren't we all?

Stop by Faith and Family Live, where people just like you and me share out successes-in-progress.

Small Successes (Vol 28)

2011-04-14T13:33:00.003-04:00

Ok, I've had a few big things happen in the past week.

1. Kevin talked me into entering the Million Dollar Body Game with Beachbody. So, I submitted my before and after pictures along with my story on Thursday. All this week, they will be reviewing entries and next week the ones who pass will move on to Facebook voting. If you have an account, please click the Find Me on Facebook badge to the right and ask me to be your friend (I'd be delighted!). That way you will know if I have made it through and you can vote for me every day until voting closes!!!! The person with the most votes moves on to the next round in LA and the National Beachbody Coaches Summit. Is this exciting?

By the way, if you are new to my blog, I should tell you I did this on my own, at home. No gym membership no personal trainer. Just good old fashioned hard work with Beachbody workouts, like P90X. My real secret weapon has been Shakeology. It killed my cravings for junk and helped keep me on the straight and narrow. It's been so amazing that I've become a Beachbody coach so that I can help others feel like I do (for free).

2. Geez, after that, what else can I say? It's been a week of conquering fear for me. I took the Turbo Kick Instructor certification training on Sunday. Maybe you're familiar with Turbo Jam or Turbo Fire? This is the live class version taught in gyms and fitness centers. If I passed (I think I did) I can be a fitness instructor. Is that crazy or what?! I can't believe I did that. I was so scared when I left that morning for the class, but I just kept telling myself, "I can do it!" over and over. At the end of the day, when it was time for the test, I said a fast prayer to the Holy Spirit and St. Sebatian (The patron Saint of athletes) to help me do my best. I felt really good and I was smiling the whole time. I almost cried during the test because I kept reminding myself of the amazing accomplishment I was about to have. I kept telling myself, " You are doing so WELL! You are doing an awesome job!" I seriously almost cried while punching and kicking! I am so proud of myself. I can't believe the things I'm doing this year. I just can't!

3. That's it. I don't have anything else to say other than I hope you are out there trying to overcome your fears. Looking at it from the other side is so amazing! Please remember to be my friend on Facebook and if I make it, VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!! Thank you!!!

It's so very very important that we take the time to celebrate the big and the little things we accomplish. They are all important. Go to Faith and Family Live and share your successes!!

Five Minute Friday: If You Met Me

2011-04-08T11:00:00.000-04:00

Do you ever wonder what you'd find...........If You Met Me?

Go!

If we met, I hope you would notice that I am a friendly and positive person. You'd know that I love being in a good conversation, there are few things I enjoy more. If we talked for any length of time, you'd learn of my enthusiasm for fitness and how it is something I never thought I'd be so interested in. You'd learn that I love to encourage people to go after their dreams, big or small. You'd learn that I am a good listener. If we met, you'd see that I am always tweaking my life in one area or another trying to make it run more smoothly. You might see that I need help accomplishing my goals, just like anyone else. Mostly, I hope you'd see that I am a good friend.

Stop!

Got 5 minutes? Jump on over to The Gypsy Mama and link up your 5 minutes worth of thoughts. As you can see it definitely doesn't have to be beautifully written. :) Just get it out there. And don't forget to leave a comment for me here!

Small Successes (Vol 27)

2011-04-07T08:11:00.000-04:00

1. Yesterday I took the kids to TJMaxx to find an Easter dress and another dress for a school fundraiser. The whole event was as fun as you'd expect it to be. Going to a fitting room with a toddler and a 5-year-old is always a thrill. But, I found 2 awesome dresses that make me look skinny. Who doesn't love that?

2. I actually managed to get the kitchen clean this week, including the floor! It only lasted about 4 hours and now it looks like I never did anything. I did take a picture as proof though.

3. I am getting really strong. I've been doing ChaLEAN Extreme and my muscles are really starting to get defined. I'm working hard and it feels better than I ever thought. Plug for my business: I'm a Team Beachbody coach and if you have been thinking of getting fit, please consider allowing me to help you! You can contact me at www.beachbodycoach.com/notinvain

Think about your week and share your little triumphs here at Faith and Family Live. It's an awesome group full of encouraging people!

Five Minute Friday: A Few of My Favorite Things

2011-04-01T06:32:00.001-04:00

I call this writing on the fly. I never know what is going to come out of my brain and onto this page. So...if you are wondering what goes on in my mind, or what it is like to talk to me, this is probably pretty close. There is no time for me to make my writing poetic because, well, as much as I love that kind of writing, it's not me. So please enjoy my 5minutes of letting it fly and leave a comment, then check out the the writers at Lisa-Jo's beautiful blog, The Gypsy Mama

A Few of My Favorite Things

Go!

You know how much I would love to be profound about my favorite things right now? I would very much like to write something that will bring tears to your eyes. I'm writing on the fly, so there are no guarantees that I will be able to think of anything so wonderful. But that doesn't mean it isn't there. So if you read my favorite things and think, "Man, this girl is missing the big picture", have mercy.

Coffee. Right now coffee is one of my favorite things. I get up early to exercise and my brain wants me to stay in bed,s o coffee helps me wake up and motivate myself to get downstairs and sweat. It is also waking up my brain enough to spend 5 minutes that I don't have writing this post.

Exercise. I really enjoy my exercise. Maybe not so muuch when I'm waking up at 5:30 to do it, but I love feeling strong and powerful in my body and there is only one way to get it.

Friends. I don't have much time to spend with my friends, but boy do I love the time I get. I'm one of those people who recharges around others and enjoys conversations. I really love hanging out with my friends. I wish we had more time to spend together. It is so good for my spirit.

My family. Did you wonder if I was going to get there? I do so love my family even though it seems I am too busy working to appreciate them. Why is that? It's stupid that I get so busy cleaning and organizing and fighting battles that I miss the opportunities to appreciate the wonderful people they are. My children are so funny and my husband is such a good man. I must pay closer attention and show them they are my favorites.

STOP!

Ok, truth be known, I think I wrote for 7 minutes. But I couldn't stop right in the middle of my family. How terrible would that be? "My kids are my fav- nevermind. I'll get ya next time!" Ha! That goes to show you right there. My favorite things are written in reverse order.

Swing by The Gypsy Mama and write on the fly with me!

Five Minute Friday: On Waiting

2011-03-18T06:41:00.000-04:00

On Waiting

Waiting sucks. There's not a lot worse. But then again, it all depends on what you're waiting for. Waiting for a birth, waiting for a dentist appointment that you are dreading, waiting for Gadot. Most of the time,though, I'm not waiting for anything major like this. Usually it's waiting for ballet practice to end, waiting for basketball practice and games to be over, waiting to pick up my daughter from preschool. I used to hate these times of void. Sitting there with nothing to do and no one to talk to. Lately, though I still haven't embraced the time, I've found ways to fill it. I take tasks with me that I can do in the car or in the ballet waiting area (purgatory, as I like to call that awful place). I try to do something to make the time useful with important things I don't have time to do at home, like look at catalogs. I'm not kidding. I love looking at catalogs, especially when there are things in it I can actually afford. I do other things, like rewrite my yearly goals or, this week, I plan to stop into the Catholic church next door to ballet to pray my rosary in a peaceful place, maybe write my goals there, too.
It's all in how you look at waiting. No matter what it is your waiting for, fill the time with something productive and it's not a waste.

If you want to let it all hang out, no editing, just writing, click the button above and link up with Lisa-Jo, The Gypsy Mama

(This is my first attempt at Five Minute Friday. I'm a little nervous!)

Small Successes (Vol 26)

2011-03-17T14:29:00.001-04:00

1. I am kicking some serious butt in getting this house in order. I got this app for my iphone called Home Routines that is actually helping me get my home clean in tiny increments. The home is divided into zones, a la Fly Lady, but it is much less stressful than Fly Lady because there aren't as many tasks. It's pretty basic, which is what I need. This week is Bathrooms. I have 3, so I took 1 day for each bathroom to get the sink, toilet and bath clean, then 1 day to clean all the floors. So it took me 4 days, but they are cleaner than they've been in months, dare I say, years! I added on master closet to this zone because it's a disaster, so that is tomorrow. Baby steps.

2. I've also been getting so much more accomplished in my daily life since I took the 30daypush.com challenge. It was a pretty simple challenge, but it really has helped me focus on setting my goals and lining my priorities with those goals. It's been a blessing and I highly recommend it to even the most organized of people.

3. For Lent I found Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl at St. Patrick's parish. For some reason, my parish doesn't participate in this program, so I was very happy to happen upon it at St. Patrick's (Happy St. Patrick's day, by the way). I was trying to think of a way the kids could participate in this because they don't get an allowance. I decided to use it to teach the kids about redemptive sacrifice. For every sacrifice they make, they put one bean in the jar. Each bean is worth 25 cents. At the end of Lent, we will count the beans and put that much money in the rice bowl. It's been pretty good because when me they are having difficulty obeying or accepting no for an answer or whatever, I remind them of the hungry children who will be fed because of their sacrifices. That might sound strange, but really it's helped the kids think outside of themselves. Kevin and I are also using the jar for our sacrifices. When you really pay attention to all the little things we do everyday, it's amazing the amount of things we can offer up as prayer for others.

Now head over to Faith and Family Live to share all the small successes of your week!

Small Successes (Vol 25)

2011-03-10T07:59:00.002-05:00

1. My fitness journey continues. Despite my best efforts to hit the snooze, I got up an did my workout. I did a bazillion bicep curls.

2. This isn't my success, but a success for pro-life. As I sit here writing, I hear on the local Fox News a story of a woman who survived a botched abortion. They gave the story an enticing introduction, a good 2 minute story and a follow-up in the studio. Let's all pray that the Heartbeat Bill passes and that those who would seek to murder children in the womb will be converted.

3. Back to me. ;-) I've got a pile of things to do with the kids to help Lent be holy and make Easter more meaningful. I'm very good at making Advent holy and celebrating the entire Christmas season all the way to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, but Lent somehow has not gotten the same attention. Consequently, Easter, the holiest day of the year, has not had the excitement that it should have. I welcome suggestions that will help me make both Lent and Easter holy. If you need suggestions, visit Catholic Icing. Lacy is a crafting genius and I am a crafting idiot. She has projects on there that even I can do!

4. I just read Danielle Bean's successes and it reminded me that I've been de-cluttering the house. I've got 5 bags of clothes and boxes of toys to donate to the needy people of Laurelville,Ohio. Thanks for the reminder of my success.

This is off topic, but since I know people will be reading my blog today, I'm putting it in anyway. Please indulge me for one minute. One thing that I have decided to do for Lent is make my Lenten sacrifice for the salvation of souls, 2 in particular, who will remain nameless. I ask for your prayers for these to people as well. I hope to tell you that the Holy Spirit has been successful in the not to distant future.

Think about your week and share your little triumphs here at Faith and Family Live. It's an awesome group full of encouraging people!

Small Successes (Vol 24)

2011-03-03T15:48:00.000-05:00

1. I survived the flu and 102 degree temperature over the weekend. It was not fun, but I lost 2 pounds from existing on saltines.

2. Somehow, during my illness, the house did not fall apart completely. This is my husband's success. I figure lying on the couch minimized my opportunity for successes this week, so I'll give credit where credit is due.

3. I'm back to working out in the morning the past couple days. Problem is I'm exhausted by afternoon and then, inexplicably, can't sleep at night when I go to bed. My success is I'm somehow managing to function on diminished capacity.

So, turns out, I am human. I win some and I lose some. As long as I win more than I lose, I'm good.
Share your wins at Faith and Family Live.

Small Successes (Vol 23)

2011-02-24T15:27:00.000-05:00

1. The house is passably clean. Thanks to the app I told you about last week Home Routine, I've stayed on top of some of my house cleaning. This has been a great help for me because I tend to get distracted and overwhelmed by a huge house full of mess.

2. If you've been following my weight loss journey, you know that I've been making strides toward my goal of getting into a size 10. I started at an 18, so this goal has been a long time coming. This week I met that goal! It was such a surprise! But the bigger surprise is that I missed it. How could I miss it? In my mind, I'd moved on to an even bigger goal before I even reached my original goal. You can read about my minor breakdown here: Missing the Forest

3. The bigger success in this goal is that I've gained perspective. I've been relentlessly working toward this goal for 20 months and wanting it for 9 years, since my first child was born. (Again, how did I miss this?) Since my meltdown, I've come to realize that God has been answering my pleas for help all along this journey. I was afraid, at times, that he didn't want me to have a body I felt proud of because it would cause me to lose humility. In fact, I've been humbled every step of the way. He's given me strength to push through the frustration and the incredibly challenging workouts and, harder still, dietary sacrifices. He is with me and has been all along and will be as I move forward in my fitness journey.

Missing the Forest

2011-02-22T21:07:00.002-05:00

I had a minor breakdown today. It took me out of the blue. I'd just had a great workout with Chalene Johnson. I worked so hard and lifted so much weight that I could barely bend my arms. It was a great feeling! I left all I had on the basement floor. I was feeling really good about my ability to work hard.

Then, I got on the scale. Not only did I get on the scale, I decided to use the feature that measures body fat. I had a number in my head and the number that came back was much higher than I expected. That did it. All the good feelings, the pleasure of flexing in the mirror, the lightness and the feeling of being fleet of foot were gone. Stolen. I lifted my eyes to the mirror and saw nothing but fat. The softness covering muscles I worked until they burned suddenly made my efforts seem worthless. I spent the rest of the morning crying and alternately begging the Holy Family for help and berating myself for being a fat slob. I wrote an email filled with anxiety and questions to my coaches, who have been so supportive of me. "What have I done wrong? What if I never reach my goal? Why is this taking so long?" At home, the tears ran freely until my 5-year-old and toddler came into the room and I was forced to pull myself together.

As I went on with the rest of my day, it gradually occurred to me that I was missing something. Something monumental! For the last 20 months, since I started on my fitness journey, I have been working toward the goal of wearing my pre-pregnancy size. Sunday, I tried on the jeans in my goal size and they zipped and buttoned and looked good enough to wear in public! This same size wouldn't budge above my knees only 20 months earlier. The event was marked with a nice compliment from my husband. That's it. As I neared my original goal, I began to see what might be possible in the future and set bigger goals for myself. That's not a bad thing. But in doing so, I somehow missed that the one thing I have wanted for 9 years and been working toward for 20 months had been accomplished. 20 months of my life dedicated to this one event and I glossed over it!

I REACHED MY WEIGHT LOSS GOAL!!!! I REACHED MY WEIGHT LOSS GOAL!
I! REACHED! MY! WEIGHT! LOSS! GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!

How many people stick with a plan and a goal that takes that long to achieve? I think not many. It was a long, hard road filled with sweat, soreness and tearful prayers to God in the shower. I sacrificed sleep, dessert and bread. I experienced the gamut of emotion as I pushed toward, reached and surpassed each small goal. I have learned what I am made of and, despite what that scale says, I am not made of fat! I am strong. I can do what I put my mind to doing. I can run! I can jump rope with my daughter! When I started, I couldn't leave the ground for jumping jacks. I can do 2 military push ups. When I started I could barely do 7 sloppy push ups from my knees. If I could tell you all the magnificent things that have happened to me as I pushed through my frustration, anger, inability and weakness, I would never stop talking. I have a new outlook and a new lease on life. I wish I could give this gift to everyone who is unhappy with their weight and fitness and tell them that if I can lose this weight, fighting for every single pound and inch, anyone can.

How could I have missed this! I have achieved a goal I have held for 9 years, since my first child was born. I have achieved a goal I have worked toward for the better part of 2 years. Now I am going to sit down and let this amazing event wash over me while I give praise to God for answering my prayers. Then I'm going to celebrate!

Small Successes (Vol 22)

2011-02-17T18:03:00.001-05:00

1. I lost another pound. I can't find it anywhere! This is one lost thing I won't be praying to St. Anthony for help to find.
Losing weight is very hard for me. My body just loves to hold on to fat. Just LOVES it! So every pound shed is a tremendous success for me!

2. I've been doing this 30 day challenge that I mentioned last week. This week I found an app for my phone that helps me make a useful to do list and another one that helps me keep track of the housework. I get overwhelmed pretty easily when things pile up around the house and then I know, just know, I'm going to be the next candidate for Clean House. Seriously. So these apps are called Seize the Day, a free to-do app for iphone that actually is simple and so far is working for me. The other is called Home Routine, the most expensive app I've ever bought $4.99! I decided to buy it because it's cheaper than a maid. It goes along the lines of the Fly Lady, with the zones and the morning and evening routines, but it is far less overwhelming. Fly Lady always stressed me out, but this is working out much better. There are checklists for each thing and it is actually helping me get my house straight in manageable increments.

All in all, I've been much more productive this week.

3. Now is the time to dig deep. What else have I succeeded at this week?............ OH! I know! Yesterday at ballet, my friend told me that I inspire her to exercise. I workout early in the morning (otherwise it ain't happen') and she was feeling tired and lazy and a cold coming on, but she remembered that I was up working out and got up and did her own workout because of that!!! What an awesome compliment! Then this morning on Facebook another friend told me I was motivating her simply because I post my workout every day! How about that? Personally, it's very rewarding and humbling to think anything I do might inspire another person to make a good choice. That is the whole reason I became a Beachbody coach . This is my business and I hope to make a living at it, but if I never earn a cent, the knowledge that I have helped someone is enough.

Don't be modest. Let me cheer you on! Share your small successes on Faith and Family Live !

Small Successes (volume 21)

2011-02-10T21:39:00.000-05:00

1. It's still Thursday and I'm getting my post written!

2. I know. That's kind of a cheat, so here's my real successes. I've completed 7 days of Chalene Johnson's 30 Day Challenge which means I've written down my priorities, listed my top 10 goals for the year, identifies the top PUSH goal that makes all my other goals achievable and found a good app for my phone for to-do lists that make achieving my goals and staying organized possible. Are you curious what my number 1 goal is? You already know, but I'll tell you again. It's getting in the absolute best shape of my life before my 40th birthday in June. I'm talking bikini body. (caveat: I will only wear a bikini on vacation without my children. Moms with young kids are better off in board shorts or swim minis). Oh yeah, making a public proclamation of the goal can also be part of it, which guess I just made.

3. Toward meeting that goal, I've started a NEW program called ChaLEAN Extreme. I am LOVING it! It's only 5 days (I'm used to 6) and the workouts are intense, but shorter than P90X and Insanity. Plus Chalene is such a great trainer. It's funny. I started the program before I new she was also a motivational speaker. What a great combination,huh? She connects with the whole person, not just the muscle and diet, but the brain. Believe me, my brain needs work!

4. On the homefront: I managed to clean one bathroom and it stayed clean for 36 hours until the toddler somehow got peanut butter on her feet (!) and tracked around the house and into the bathroom. You should not expect to see too many housework related triumphs on this blog. The next time you read a real satisfactory success here, I hope it's because I hired a maid!

You can share your small successes here at Faith and Family Live and let us all cheer you on! Go you! http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/100_small_successes/

Small Successes (Vol 20)

2011-01-27T14:40:00.000-05:00

Wow! It has been so long since I've had time to sit down and write. I've missed all my Faith and Family Live bloggy friends! Let's count this as success numero uno!

2. The weight loss train is still rolling. A couple weeks ago I posted my New Year's Resolutions for the whole world to see and announced that people could follow my journey here on Small Successes. Since Thanksgiving I have lost 7 pounds! I finished Insanity and dropped a size when it was all said and done. I can pull on a size ten and button them. from the waist down, I don't look too bad in them. But from the waist up...Are you familiar with the phrase "muffin top"? Uh, yeah. They are not quite ready for public wear.

3. My current workout plan is a hybrid of P90X and Insanity. It's 3 days of weight training, 2 days of cardio, 1 day of recovery and 1 day of rest. My goal to do ONE pull-up seems very far away, but I've pushed the chair further away, so I rely more on my arms than my legs. One day....one fine day. And when that day comes, Kevin says he's going to buy me a laptop. He is saving money for it right now.

4. I still need work on the spiritual aspect of my resolutions, but we are saying one decade of the Rosary after dinner as a family. I've been too tired to read, but I do have a whole year to accomplish these resolutions. I'm working on it.

My theme for this year seems to be: Baby steps will get you there, too. So it has been with every aspect of my life. I just keep chipping away and eventually I'm gonna strike gold; spiritual, physical and mental.

By the way, I will tell you that I am very glad I didn't resolve to keep my house clean and the laundry under control. My house is a wreck and keeping laundry under control is a myth, I'm convinced!

Let me cheer you on! Share your small successes on Faith and Family Live !

My New Year's Resolutions

2010-12-31T14:57:00.001-05:00

For Faith and Family readers, this is a preview of what you will see in my future successes.

What am I? Mushigina?! Publishing my resolutions for all to see! I must be. But I'm gonna do it anyway.

Body:

Continue with my healthy lifestyle of proper nutrition, exercise and sleep until I reach my goals: a weight of 145, a body that can proudly wear a bikini in public (whether I do or not is another story) and can do at least one pull-up unassisted. Along the way I will make whatever changes are necessary to keep the goal alive.
How to accomplish this goal?
January 3rd I am starting P90X/Insanity hybrid. 3 days of weight training, 3 days of cardio.This program will continue through the end of March. After that, I think I'll start Turbo Fire.

I plan to drop to a size 10 by the end of January (Can you believe I am tell you what size I don't wear yet? I can't) Ultimately, I'd like to get into a size 6. I've never been smaller than a 10, so I don't even know what that will be like or if it is even possible, but I'm going to take it one size at a time. I'd like to drop a size a month, but I'm not sure if that is realistic. We'll see.

Mind:

I will try to learn more about business so that I can make a real go of my Beachbody coaching. It will be challenging because I am not a business-minded person and my own personal success in business has never been a motivating factor in my life. But I believe in Beachbody, the people who built it, the product, my own personal achievements in overcoming sloth with exercise and I know that it is worth my time. To meet this goal, I will read John C Maxwell books and I will spend time getting to know Beachbody.

I will remember that I want to give everyone the opportunity to accomplish their fitness dreams, just like I am. I never thought I'd see pre-baby sizes again, and here I am wearing them and able to see that I can wear sizes smaller than these if I keep pushing myself. I want to help people boost their self-esteem by discovering that no matter their fitness level, they can do something. Baby steps are what got me here and will get me to my goal. Why not others?

I will remember why I want to be successful in this endeavor: to make enough money that I can take my family to Texas to see my mom and sisters and their children, to Florida to see my brother and his family, to North Carolina to see my other sisters and their families and to Kevin's family in Missouri, Massachusetts and Connecticut (not all in the same year, obviously). Most of these places are too far to drive, and in many cases we will have to stay in a hotel because there is no room for a family of 6. I want my kids to know their cousins and aunts and uncles. I want to know my nieces and nephews. This is my "Why".

I will also continue to write about my weight loss/ strength building journey to encourage others to achieve their own personal fitness goals. It is so much more fun to do it with someone rather than push yourself alone. I don't know what I'd do without Kevin's encouragement when I've felt hopeless.

Spirit:

I will pray the Rosary every day even if it means breaking it up to a decade here and there. I will continue to offer my workouts and sacrifices in my diet for the salvation of souls. I will also make a solid effort to do other spiritual reading of books I already own and never read, namely, Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales and Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux.

For our family, I will find a place to make a family altar where we can go to spend quiet time with the Lord. That might be pretty challenging since I have 4 kids who run all over the house, but I will try to figure it out.

I am considering adopting the practice of the Universal Church of abstaining from meat on Fridays, even though it is not required in the US anymore. I think it will be a good thing for our family to maintain a little extra Catholic identity, to separate us from the world a little bit more and to awaken ourselves to the fact that Christ suffered and died for us on Good Friday by making this little sacrifice on a weekly basis. I haven't discussed it with Kevin yet, so this is still in the air. If we do this, then we will also make sure that Sunday is a little Easter every week with some kind of special treat. Maybe it will be a nice brunch or dinner or maybe just a little treat. It won't have to be big.

Home:

I will paint all the little spots that got skipped as we painted the house. There are plenty! No room that has been painted, except the baby's room is 100% done. Guess who painted that room? Also, I will paint the Master bedroom.

I will continue my quest to organize this house. This has been a resolution I have made for 3 years running and I have kept it every year. The house is still not organized, but I keep making progress. Maybe by the time the baby goes to college it will be done. I'm working against 4 kids, a pack-rat husband and my own nature, so I think I'm doing pretty well.

Ok, these are my resolutions and goals. They are measurable and achievable. I hope to publish my successes every Thursday under Small Successes with Faith and Family Live.

Insanity: My Story

2010-12-22T14:44:00.000-05:00


My Shaun T autographed Insanity workout calendar.

I completed my final Insanity Fit Test on Sunday! I cannot believe I actually finished this program! What a butt-kicker! It took me longer than 60 days to finish because of traveling and Thanksgiving, but I finished strong!

The first time I tried Insanity, at the beginning of last summer, I did it for a week. Every day I ended in a pool of my own sweat and laying flat on the ground while tears streamed down my face. I was literally sobbing from the effort of pushing myself to finish. After about a week I decided I was clearly not ready for Insanity. It took a round of P90X to get me there.

Even though I was physically stronger from all the weight training in P90X, Insanity was still extremely challenging. I had never done anything like it in my life. But I ended the workouts on my feet, still in a pool of my own sweat, but dry-eyed.

So what did I lose? I lost about 10 pounds and a size. The more important question: What did I gain? Agility, speed, determination, cardiovascular health, self-confidence and a love of pushing myself to my limit. (Are those crazy sounding achievements for a mother of 4 who could barely walk 2 years ago? Agility & speed-for crying out loud!)

It is amazing! Every little goal I meet, I can see that I can do more than I thought possible. My goal was to get into pre-baby clothes from 8+ years ago. I was a size 10 and I was happy with that size. I look at pictures and I looked good. I'm fitting into a 12 now, which is my pre-baby fat size. I'm thrilled to wear them, because I haven't been able to do that since I started having children. I'm still heavier than I was at that size before kids, but I am getting so toned that all my clothes are loose. I just wonder what size will I wear when I have lost all the fat I can lose? Size 8, or 6 even? That seems like a fantasy, but I'm starting to think it might actually be possible. If I keep working toward improving my health and fitness with healthy diet and exercise, well, only God knows what is possible!

I still haven't mastered my diet and there are days I really don't feel like getting up at 5:30 to exercise, but I've overcome so many temptations to quit by offering up my sacrifices as gifts for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and I will keep plugging away because I know it makes a difference, both in my body and in the souls of those for whom I'm sacrificing.

So, here are my Fit Test Results:
                               Test 1                  Test 5
Switch Kicks             50                     65
Power Jacks              40                   57
Power Knees             82                      114
Power Jumps             49                     60
Globe Jumps              8 Walking           10 jumping
Suicide Jumps            8                         20
Push-Up Jacks        17                       40
Low Plank Obliques 60                     71

I say those are amazing results!!!

So, what's next? Right now I'm taking it a little bit easy trying out my Shakeology: The Workout dvds. I'm seriously considering entering the Million Dollar Body Game. I need to see the rules to decide. But right now the plan is come January, I will start a P90X/Insanity hybrid. 3 days of P90X and 3 days of Insanity, alternating. I'm kicking it up a notch by adding on that 6th day, which was always there, but I didn't do.

What are my new goals? I will keep working out, pushing myself to succeed, drinking my delicious Shakeology and I WILL shrink into a size 10 and do one pull-up unassisted. We'll see how long it takes me to get that pull-up, but size 10- I think I can get it in a month. Whaaaaaaat! You heard it here! It's a personal throw-down! Check in and help keep me accountable!

Hey, if you'd like to buddy up with me or if you are looking for someone to guide you through your own personal fitness goals, I am a Beachbody coach and I am a rawther gifted encourager, even if I say so myself!

A Simple Woman's Daybook: Third Week of Advent

2010-12-14T17:55:00.001-05:00

Outside my window... is dusk, snowy and freezing cold!!!!

I am thinking... about entering the Million Dollar Body Game through Beachbody. Right now, I might win the $50 Body Game. That means I've got some serious thinking to do.

I am thankful for... Beachbody workouts, especially P90X and Insanity. These to programs are giving me my life back.

From the kitchen... Gingerbread Marshmallows I made for teacher gifts. They are delish. *no more of those if I enter this contest!

I am wearing... a green turtleneck sweater, some jeans in a smaller size that fit(!), Uggs. Warm and cozy.

I am creating... a hectic life...Christmas programs, cookie exchanges, parties...All good.

I am going... to sit in front of the fire in a minute.

I am reading... The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

I am hoping... for a slim body in a short time! :)

I am hearing... the sounds of Wii

Around the house... is the perpetual mess.

One of my favorite things... sitting in front of a cozy fire with a hot drink

A few plans for the rest of the week: Christmas programs, hair appointment, cookie exchange, Mass.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

Kevin and the kids stacking wood a couple weeks ago. Today I'm burning it!

Visit The Simple Woman's Daybook to share your day!

Small Successes (Vol 19)

2010-12-09T09:23:00.004-05:00

1. I seem to have found the key to keeping a colicky toddler happy: cuddling on the couch watching TV. She wants the appearance of my undivided attention. Right now she is mad that I'm writing. Gotta make this quick!

2. Kevin is completely supportive of this plan because I can't get anything done when she's screaming anyway, so he says he'd rather come home to a messy house and a happy wife than a messy house and and an angry wife. As a result, I'm relaxed and catching up on Hallmark Christmas movies and Psych.

3. I added 2 weeks to my Insanity workout. I should have been done at Thanksgiving, but, you know how it is. Would you like to know how my weight loss/ fitness plan is going? Well, since you are so curious, I will tell you. I can now fit into a size pants I haven't fit since before Emma was born 8 years ago!!!!!!!!! As a matter of fact, they are my pre-kid fat size! What's crazy is I am still 20 pounds heavier than I was last time I fit this size. All my P90X and Insanity workouts have tightened up my body to the point I'm starting to think that I am going to be able to surpass my clothing size goals! I cannot tell you how happy I am and how good I feel about what I am accomplishing. I never thought I'd get this far!

By the way, because I have gotten so much out of my workouts, I am now a Beachbody coach. If you would like more information or a buddy to encourage you, drop me a line!

Let me cheer you on! Share your small successes on Faith and Family Live!

How to Overcome the Bah-Humbug

2010-12-08T09:34:00.003-05:00

I remember when I was a teenager (I could drive, so I must have been 16 or 17), I drove myself to confession at Good Shepherd Catholic Church one Saturday during Advent. I remember kneeling behind the screen and bawling my eyes out about how Christmas was so commercialized and how I couldn't find the special feeling that is supposed to come at Christmastime. I was just distraught. I was so upset that halfway through the confession, I jumped up to come around the screen and face the priest. He thought I was leaving and called out to me, "I haven't given you absolution yet". I think I surprised him. I can't imagine what he was thinking, to see a teen so upset about Christmas. Sadly, I don't remember what he told me.

Over the years, I tried and tried to get that special feeling. I couldn't seem to find it. Christmas started at Thanksgiving and concluded with a tremendous letdown after the last present was open on Christmas day. Oh, but wait! There's the stocking. Open that and it's over again. Bah-humbug.

In my teen years, my family started to fall away from the church, my parent's marriage, unbeknown to me, started falling apart, they didn't take my youngest brother and sister to Mass anymore and my other sisters hit those defiant years and I was the only one to remain faithful. I had huge fights with my sisters on Christmas eve trying to convince them that they should be going to church only to lose the fight and go alone.

Things didn't change in college, either. I continued to go to Mass at St. Mary's in College Station, but when Christmas break would come, I'd feel ambivalent about going home to spend a secular Christmas with my family. I wanted to see them, but the season seemed pointless. I knew my faith pretty well (I thought). I understood what Christmas is about and I loved it. But where was that much desired special feeling? I sought it out at parties and the mall, with Christmas movies and carols, but, not surprisingly, it eluded me.

It wasn't until I had my own children and sought to give them what I was missing, that I FINALLY figured it out! Advent is not Christmas. I had been spending my whole Advent shopping, decorating, working, studying, doing all the stuff you do to get ready for something, thinking it was Christmas season. All that time I'd kill myself to make a nice Christmas only to be let down when Christmas day was over!

Advent is NOT Christmas! Advent is the new year in the Church and the time to prepare for Christmas. Prepare not just our homes and our shopping list, but, most importantly, our hearts. How did we do it? Well, we started small by celebrating St. Nicholas day, teaching the kids who St. Nicholas really is and that his purpose is to bring us to Jesus. We added traditions like making a soft crib for Jesus with our good deeds (1 piece of straw for each sacrifice), we lit the advent wreath at dinner. We did a lot of little things. Every little act we added to our family tradition made our hearts more open to the coming season of Christmas. It began to feel holy.

How to fix the Christmas day letdown, though? All that work for one day seemed a bit much. It suddenly dawned on me that Christmas is a SEASON, not a day. We began to celebrate the entire season, and what a difference it made! On Christmas day, we replaced the Advent candles with white candles and lit them every night, we talked about the feast days of the Holy Family and all the Saints of the Christmas season. I made special dinners and read about these holy people who are there to bring us to Christ. We put on a play at Epiphany with Kevin playing King Herod and the kids as the 3 Wise Men. Last year, I played Mary and Anne-Marie was Jesus. We held back gifts at Christmas for the kids to bring to baby Jesus at Epiphany and then they got to open them. We kept our decorations up and watched Christmas movies and generally kept the season until after the baptism of the Lord (the first Luminous mystery of the Rosary) and technically we could keep them up until Candlemas, the Presentation of the Lord at the temple.

Did it make a difference? Undeniably! When the whole world turns back to regular life the day after Christmas, or New Year's day, at best, there is no more music, clearance sales galore, taking down of the lights and decorations, the Bah-Humbug starts to show itself in full force. Coming home to a decorated house and continuing to share in the joy with our family makes all the difference in the world. It becomes special and holy. That elusive feeling of joy and warmth continues to grow and take it's rightful place in our hearts. The Bah-Humbug has no room to fester or take root. The joy of the season lives on and sustains us through the cold, gray days of January and February and gives us momentum to keep holy Ordinary time. We come closer as a family and snuggle up around its Center, Jesus, that sweet, precious baby. We give thanks that our Lord humbled Himself to be born a baby in a stable on a cold night in Bethlehem to ultimately give His Body and Blood for our salvation, if only we will continue to choose Him above the world.

Oh, how I love Advent and Christmas! How much I love our Lord, Jesus Christ! May His peace be with you and may you find that special connection with Him this wonderful time of year and carry it with you all year long.

Resources I like:
Catholic Culture
Catholic Icing
Women for Faith and Family

A Simple Woman's Daybook: Second Week of Advent

2010-12-07T14:41:00.001-05:00

Outside my window... Is sunny and snowing at the same time. All afternoon it has reminded me of the end scene of A Christmas Carol: The Musical.

I am thinking...about watching that movie. It's one of my all-time favorites!

I am thankful...that I finally understand the difference between Advent and Christmas. I wish I could teach everyone how important Advent is. If people understood that they are not one and the same, the Grinchiness of the general population, the sadness and the let down after Christmas day is over would be drastically reduced.

From the kitchen... St. Ambrose Lasagna from Building the Family cookbook. Today is his Feast day.

I am wearing...a black, long-sleeved 40 Days for Life t-shirt and track pants, socks and no shoes.

I am creating... clean laundry.

I am going... to Mass this evening for the Holy Day of Obligation: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
By the way, the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary in her mother's womb, not Jesus. Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin and remained sinless her entire life.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. Amen

I am reading... nothing, but I have a whole pile of books from the library to throw you off my scent.

I am hoping... for a nice long nap from the baby.

I am hearing... only the hum of the computer.

Around the house... is looking very Christmasy right now. I love it.

One of my favorite things... Below freezing temperatures and a roaring fire in the fireplace

A few plans for the rest of the week: A Christmas program put on by my 5-year-olds preschool class on Thursday night.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Share you day at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Small Successes (Vol 18)

2010-11-18T13:53:00.001-05:00

Praised be Jesus Christ. And may He bless all here!

Love to my family and friends who have been wondering what has become of me. My dear friends in the world, upon whom my eyes have never rested, greetings to you, as well. I've been absent for many weeks due to a tremendously hectic schedule. Something had to give and it appears it was my blog. As it is, I am not supposed to be sitting down writing this very second. I am supposed to be readying my house for a guest whom I have never met. That's right. I have to get my house ready for someone who doesn't know and love me, therefore willing to overlook my vast flaws as a housekeeper. It's a very risky move I am taking right this very second, stealing precious minutes away from the 10,000 chores left to do before tomorrow morning. But sometimes you just gotta grab a break! So here I am, sipping a rare coffee (I gave it up, for the most part since we last met) and I am about to regale you with my many infinitesimal successes.

1. I am writing this post. (Cheating, I know)

2. I gave up coffee, because it's not all that good for me, started eating a low carb diet because, as you know, I am having a great amount of difficulty shedding fat. So far, though, I've lost 4 more pounds in just about 2 weeks. I probably gained it back while I've been sitting here, so, ya know.

3. This is not a small success, but a BLOW EVERYTHING OUT OF THE WATER success. Ok. I. Am. ALMOST DONE with INSANITY!!!!! I am on day 53 of 60! WHAAAAAAAAT! That's right. Since last we met and I updated you on my P90X prowess (wink), I have been doing this unbelievably challenging (but tremendously worth it) program. I get up every morning at 5:30, start working out at 6 and am completely drenched in sweat by 7. It's a butt-kickin' good time. I can't even tell you. It moves fast and I gotta push myself to dig deep when I want to quit, but I LOVE it! I am so proud of myself!

4. If I have I peaked your curiosity, you can view it here http://www.insaneworkoutprogram.com/ . But if you want to buy it, or any other program, please go here: http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/notinvain because in the time I've been gone, I've realized that I am committed to this new healthy lifestyle. It's not just a diet to lose baby weight anymore. Because of that, I decided to become an Independent Beachbody Coach and bring fitness and nutrition to anyone who wants to get fit. So that's a success too. I've made some major changes to my lifestyle to the goal of getting healthy, strong and energetic so I can enjoy my family. I'm sure more changes will need to be made, but for now, I am happy with my progress towards fitness.

Do you have successes to share? Please share them!!! Visit Danielle at Faith and Family.