Jr. Gasparilla Distance Classic

Saturday John took the day off from work for Nathan's first race. We were all super excited! We left the house around 7:30AM to head downtown. His race was at the University of Tampa. The track and field was very nice.

When we first arrived we walked around and visited all the vendor tents that were setup. Nate got tons of goodies. He then sat down to watch a magic show and stretch for the race. As we were heading over to get ready for the start of the race the Tampa General Helicopter showed up. It then landed right in front of us onto the field! That was pretty cool.

We were all anxiously awaiting Nathan's turn. When the 3 year olds were called Nathan I got in line. They had them race by birth month. When June was called I went ahead to the finish line and told Nathan to run when they called July. I was a little nervous he wouldn't know exactly what to do with me not there. But when July was called he took off. He ran his little heart out :) When he crossed the finish line this was one proud Momma!

John and Logan took pictures from the sidelines. Nathan received a cute finisher's medal. He was so excited! It was a great family day all around. Nathan is already asking us when is the next race. I think he's hooked :)

Update on my progress

So it's been just shy of a month since I stared my running program. I started my 4th week of training today. My run was not pretty this morning but I did it. Today I ran the farthest yet and in the shortest amount of time. I can feel myself getting better every time. I still do not enjoy running but maybe one day I'll get there.

I'm down 3 lbs. My goal is 10 so I'm 30% of the way there! I'm losing weight by exercising and eating right. I have completely changed the way I eat. I only drink water, crystal light, coffee, and occasionally sweet tea. Absolutely no soda. Luckily for me I have never been a soda drinker so that was easy. I've switched to almond milk. I'm only eating meat for dinner and of course no meat on Fridays. I am rarely eating beef. I substitute ground turkey wherever I can. I have super packed my diet with vegetables. I used to be a snacker and the past week I have cut that down considerably. I am following a pretty strict 1200 calorie diet (except on John's days off I cheat a little).

I have started supplementing my diet with Green SuperFoods by Amazing Grass. It is organic and all natural. I can already tell a difference. I have more energy and have not felt as tired as I did before. I just ordered samples of some of their other products. They also make a kids line that I'm thinking about buying for the kids.

Natural and Organic was never something I was too concerned about. But I'm starting to change my thinking a little bit. Thinking about all the fillers and additives that are now added to food is actually a little scary. And processed foods are horrible for you. If I'm going to put the time and effort into my own health then you better believe I'm going to do the same for my family.

This is a process and I know it won't happen over night. My kids love their Cheezits and Goldfish. And I believe everything is fine in moderation. I'm super pumped that John is not pushing back too much on our new eating habits. He is actually getting out of his comfort zone more and that makes me so proud!

Stay tuned for my post about Nathan's first race!

Live in the moment

This is my new motto. Saturday I listened to an eye opening sermon. God reached all the way to my core with this message. After the sermon I just sat on my bed and let the water works happen. I have been so consumed with wanting to move. It's no secret I hate living so far away from our family. Waiting to hear news about John's future has taken over my life. I was thinking and worrying about it non stop. But remember that saying "Sometimes no news is good news."

The message was about contentment. The one phrase that stuck out the most was to stop asking God for things and start thanking him for my blessings. I need to learn to just live in the moment and enjoy all the blessings I have already been given. I need to stop worrying so much about tomorrow and concentrate on today.

I'm going to put our future into God's hands. I need to just be thankful that John has a job, and a good one at that. Yes, the circumstances right now are not ideal but again he has a job. A job that allows me to stay at home and raise our children. A job that pays the bills and puts food on the table. And that's all that really matters.

Now, I'm also not saying that I'm just going to lay down and just let things happen. I will still continue to make strides to improve our future. Life is what you make it. I'm just going to remember that God has a bigger plan and I need to trust in his timing. He knows how badly I yearn to be closer to home. He knows how much my heart aches, and His aches right along with me. But it's all part of the plan.

Live in the moment! Count your blessings instead of your misfortunes. Trust in God always! Just be content in the here and now :)

State Fair!

Wednesday we headed to the State Fair. The weather was beautiful. John really wanted to see the pig races. I, well let's be honest, just went for the food! It was a great day. We all ended up a little sun burnt. Nathan was so wiped out he kept trying to stop and sleep standing up on the way to the car. We are going to try to make it back to see it lit up at night.

It's ok Thursday!

It's ok

That all of my posts lately have been link ups.

That I've been craving pickles like mad and I'm not pregnant.

That the first thing I wanted to buy with our tax check was liquor.

That it's the middle of the day I'm still in my pjs.

That tonight I'd rather go to the gym then to a girl's night out.

That I forgot to put sunblock on Nate yesterday and he's a little burnt. It's February.

That I have not taken Logan's pacifier away yet and he's almost 18 months. I just can't do it yet.

To be so freaking excited for my mom's visit next month that I'm already planning everything we are going to do.

That I really want to dye the tips of my hair hot pink even though I'm an almost 30 year old mom.

That I'd rather read a book over watching a movie any day.

Our Love Story

I had a different post planned for today but I'll leave that for tomorrow. Today I want to share my love story. I'm linking up with Becky over at From Mrs. To Mama. Girls always love telling everyone how they fell in love :)

John and I met through mutual friends unexpectedly. I was being set up with someone else but had no interest in the guy. I happened to see John and wanted to know his story. My friend was not happy with the idea (she was not a big fan of his) but her husband agreed to talk to him. Fast forward a week later and we were going on our first date. It was a group date with our mutual friends and then another couple. It was sort of a blind date bc I had never spoken to John before that night.

The first date went pretty well. Other than the fact that I got hammered because I was so nervous. We ended up exchanging numbers. In the car on the way home I told my friends I had a really good feeling about John. I even said "what if he is the one".

Things were rocky at first (I wasn't sure he was all that into me and vice versa). Then fireworks happened, literally. We shared a take my breath away kiss and that forever changed our relationship.

Fast forward again to six months later and John got offered a position in another state at work. I was pretty devastated but he told me he was not going unless I went with him. I was head over heels by this time and there was no way I was letting him go. So we made the move together.

About a year and half after our move John asked me to marry him. One of the happiest moments of my life. We got engaged at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida just before sunset. It was such a magical moment.

We got married two years later. My wedding day is a day I will treasure forever. All day I was nervous. Once we got to the church I was very overwhelmed and not feeling good. I even felt nauseous right before walking down the aisle. As soon as I got to the alter and John smiled at me I was completely calm. The most serene feeling took over and in that moment I knew I was right where I needed to be. God was smiling upon us and telling me that I chose the perfect man for me. It was a perfect night and a perfect start to our forever.

Almost five years later our love is stronger than ever. We have two little precious boys that fill our house and hearts with love. John really is my best friend. I love him more today than I did yesterday. I was truly blessed with God handpicked John for me.

Hey there!

Welcome to my little spot here on the web. I began blogging when I was pregnant with our youngest son, Logan. I use it as a way for our family and friends to keep up with what we have going on. I also use it as my outlet when I have something on my mind that I need to let go. Just recently I started branching out and trying to "connect" more in the blogosphere.

I won't bore you with my life story on this post. If you're curious check out our bio pages. But just to get you up to speed on the ins and outs: I am a stay at home mommy to two little boys. They are wild and keep me on my toes. I am married to an amazing man. Currently we live in Tampa, Florida. We move around quite a bit due to the hubs job.

This year is our year to get healthy and fit. I have started the KHI (Kominsky Health Initiative) to help us with our goal. So far so good! I signed up for my first race this year and couldn't be more excited! Check it out here: Mud Crusade

Some of my loves are coffee, sharp cheddar cheese, reading, chocolate cake shots, Coach, my new TOMS, Twilight, Hunger Games, and reality tv. My list could go on and on but I'll stop there.

Feel free to look around my blog. For a few laughs (or maybe eye rolls) check out my Best Reads! on the left hand side. And if there is anything you are just dying to know just ask! I'm a pretty open book.

Now go and link up with Neely like I did!

Week 2 done & done!

John was off work the past two days. Wednesday evening we headed down to Ybor for $5 spaghetti night at the Warehouse. The boys were awesome and it was such a relaxing dinner. Thursday we got back to the gym. The boys had a blast in the kids klub. I'm glad we are starting the gym routine back up. John and I get in a good workout and the kids get to play and interact with other little people. It's a win win for everyone.

Yesterday was full of errands. And then after Logan woke up from his nap we headed to the high school track. John wanted to calibrate our running gadgets. Nate had fun trying to keep up with Daddy on the track. We then had a very tasty dinner, BBQ pineapple burgers on the grill. It was a nice low key couple of days.

This morning we all got up for a family jog. Today marked the conclusion of my 2nd week of training! Go me! I've actually made it two whole weeks! Only 7 more to go in my program :)

And here's a picture for your viewing pleasure. Glow stick fun! They had a blast with them in the tub!

Finger Painting!

And without the mess! I find so many cool pins on Pinterest. I can't get enough. As soon as I saw this pin today I had to try it immediately! Next time I will use bigger ziploc bags (I only had sandwich ones in the cabinet).

30 before I'm 30

I've been thinking about this list for a little while now. Today I actually sat down and made it out. It's not complete but I wanted to leave room for ideas that pop up. So here goes:

1. Shoot a gun
2. Renew our vows
3. Run my 1st race
4. Golf a par 3 @ par
5. Read 10 books
6. Teach Nate the alphabet
7. Lose 10 lbs
8. Unplug for a day
9. Go camping
10. Go kayaking
11. Play tennis
12. Go fishing
13. Go bowling
14. Get a poem published
15. Pay it forward to a stranger
16. Kiss John in the rain
17. Get into the best shape of my life
18. Read the Bible cover to cover
19. Eat no meat for a week
20. Do something crazy to my hair
21. Send a piece of mail every week
22. Throw a fancy cocktail party
23. Less spending more saving
24. Stargaze with John
25. Plant something
26.
27.
28.
29.
30. Throw a kick a$$ forever 29 party!

On a roll!!

4 runs this week! Hmm unless today counts as a new week? Nope, I'm going to count Monday's as the start of a new week. How do I feel? I feel accomplished. I'm sure not as accomplished as my ROCKSTAR husband. This morning he ran 5 miles WITH the BUS!! Yep, 5 miles with our big ass stroller with BOTH kids in tow. That's 5 miles pushing 100lbs of weight. So proud of him and myself I might ad.

Why do I keep blogging about the Kominsky Health Initiative? Because it keeps me accountable. The more I talk about it the more it stays in my mind and at the front of my focus. Now that we've got the fitness going, it's time to work on the food. Yep, I need to start sneaking veggies into our meals. (I put zucchini in our vodka sauce the other night!) And, substituting turkey for beef (don't tell John ;)) If you know my husband you know he's a meat and potatoes kind of guy. He has no interest in counting calories or watching what he eats. Well maybe a little. But eating healthier is going to be the toughest challenge.

Let's hear it for our healthier and happier family :)

I love these crazy kids!

Have you seen her?

...tell me have you seen her, seen her. Oh sorry got caught up in a song. But anyway have you seen this girl? I'm going to find her again this year. Yes, I was a little heavier then but I looked much better.

Inspiration to get my booty in gear!!!