This and that

I feel like today is going to be full of packing and cleaning and packing...oh my!  News on the house hunt is that we submitted an offer that was accepted and now we're going through all the pre-closing requirements.  So hopefully, we will be all moved and settled by mid-June!  The best news is that it is 10 miles from Scott's work.  10 miles!!  Right now, he travels between 45 minutes - 1 hour one way (with traffic) so this will indeed be a blessing. 

Therefore, if you don't hear from me, you know where I am.  Packing - which requires it's own amount of lifting and sweating and stress!  

Well, and this weekend, we have Elizabeth's little gymnastics "fun meet."  A two-year-old recital...I'm going to have to break out the nice camcorder for this one.  

I have to share just a couple things with you though...  

Amy, from May All Beings Be Well, is running in the Music City half marathon this weekend, which was her goal at the beginning of this running journey.  Good luck, Amy!

Once a Month Mom posted this recipe for Apple Chicken Nuggets and I have to admit, I am intrigued.  Chicken nuggets are one of the few things Elizabeth will eat...from McDonalds or Chick Fil-A, of course.  So I'm going to see if I can fool her with these...

Scott's cousin Amy posted this article on her Facebook wall on The New Food Fight.  Nothing like an article on food to scare the tar out of you.  Did I mention the new house already had raised gardening beds??

I follow another blog that has been featuring ideas to save money on whole foods, but I can't find it now.  I'll share her next post on the Facebook page.  Speaking of which, if you want to "friend" the blog page on FB, sometimes I throw deals on there that I see that have to do with eating well or fitness (since that combines my obsessions with health and coupons) that are too time specific to put on here.  Well, plus it gives me a little boost when I see new people join...ha!

Ok, gotta run.  Elizabeth has found her whistle and Rachel is taking a nap.  Have a great weekend!

Why Strength Training is Crucial for Women - Part 1

I've been chewing on this for a while and making little notes in my workout journal and I think I'm finally ready to tackle my next series head-on:  Why Strength Training is Crucial for Women.  Now, this is going to be in several parts because I don't want to get long-winded on one post and because Elizabeth has suddenly decided that she is just fine and dandy with an hour nap (even if Mommy is not!).  So I need to write quickly.

Plus, I would love to get your feedback.

So let me begin by saying that the first reason why strength training is crucial for women is because it keeps you strong.

I know...profound, isn't it?

But we have to be strong.  Look at all of your relationships and tasks in your life and count real quick the number of balls you have juggling in the air right now.  How many people are counting on you to carry your weight?  Your significant other?  Your kids?  Your job?  Your church?  Your pets?  Balls!  There they go...  All are relying on you to be at the top of your health, strength, and overall game.

I've let you in on my little addiction to magazines - and after reading the trillionth article on the importance of cardio, I thought I might give this side of the coin it's fair shake.  So humor me, ok?  This is for the average woman - not just those that aim to compete in fitness contests. 

To go back to Scott's theory of why man was created, woman was not created to rest on her laurels either.  We were designed to be out in the fields, growing and harvesting crops.  Constructing domains.  Tending livestock.  Raising kiddos.  Day in and day out.  Now one could only assume that this would take an admirable amount of strength - the same amount that you have been provided with today.

I think strength training gets a bad rep from women because they don't want to look like men.  I, too, was in that same boat at one point.  I was a cardio junkie and did very little strength training...  Until I had kids.  And then I had zero time for my cardio junkie-ness.

I couldn't go on the forever runs like I used to - that my body required to stay at it's current shape - or so I thought.  Now, I had lifted since college, but was totally under the impression that because I wanted to be little, therefore I should lift little weight.  So I ventured for the 5's, 7.5's, 10's...and my weight plateaued. 

A funny thing happened to me in the past six months and I can't remember exactly what spurred it on, but I  got my gumption back and started lifting heavier.  If an exercise called for 12 repetitions, I chose a weight that I could barely get 11...or maybe get started on number 12.  Now, I'm not genetically strong, so I'm talking about 20-25 lb weights here, but still, I was working.  This is when I started seeing results.  Not bulk, but cut.  My arms began to get the definition I wanted.  My rear-end lost a significant amount of giggle.  And I was LOSING mass, not gaining it.  It was so funny how I had lifted light all my life in search of "tone" and here it was with the heavier weights.

As I was getting physically stronger, I felt myself getting mentally stronger.  I began to like who I saw in the mirror again.  I shopped for clothes with more confidence than before. 

Please understand, I still do my cardio, but I don't live by cardio alone anymore.  If I have 30 minutes, then I'm going to lift and work fast to keep my heart rate up (since cardio deals with your heart, that counts!). 

I find myself healthier, with more energy, and in better spirits than before.  Now, this being said, I eat fairly clean (good proteins, fruit and vegetables...chocolate...) and get a good amount of water and sleep.  But I lift three to five days a week and have never felt stronger.

Next:  Why strength training is crucial for your innards...

Easter Bunnies

Because my mom bought these bunny ears from the dollar section at Target, I'm dedicating this post to her.  Of course, the girls wouldn't touch these until AFTER Easter, but I thought these were cute shots, none-the-less.  Of course, if they look FILTHY, it's because they are.  We just got in from playing outside, eating Popsicles and Elizabeth bathed in painted with finger paints at the Y today.

Seriously, what are these things and what am I supposed to do with them?

Wazzzupppppp???

Wazzzuuuuuppppp????  (I couldn't get these two shots the same again if I tried!)

No, you look funnier...No YOU look funnier...

Little bunny kisses

All done, Mama

Seriously, no more cuteness...

You are a weird, weird little girl...

Easter Surprises

Don't you just love getting surprise packages in the mail?  My friend Erin has two little boys and we've gotten to be close blog / Facebook / email friends and she totally surprised us with a little Easter package containing the cutest little lambs you've ever seen.  She even stitched their names on them!  Of course, they love them and I just think they are precious.  Thank you, Erin, for such a thoughtful gift.  I'm so glad that I am surrounded by such loving and crafty people!

ERS:  What is it, Mama?  Me:  It's a lamb, honey.  ERS:  It's a yam...

Here, Rachel, you hug you yam yike dis. 

*Cue Rachel trying to hug the lamb*

See Rachel?  You hug it!  See??

Here, yet me have yours...

Hey mom...can I see that camera?

Hodge-podge

I know I'm probably breaking some child labor laws with the following pictures...but they pull this vacuum cleaner out every morning and Rachel fusses until she gets a turn.

 

Our little neighbor, Natalia, has been coming over to play quite a bit and it is WONDERFUL.  The girls are occupied and I can get things done and still listen to them.  She has taught them a lot about playing in their kitchen and then setting the table.  Sometimes I give them crackers to eat with their meals.  Of course, Rachel wants to feel big too but is often left out.  Poor little sister!

What?  I don't get a chair?

Seriously guys...are we going to eat or what?

If I don't get those peas in two seconds, I'm screaming for mom.

Finally, this was our big date night with Daddy to the burrito place.  They serve chips and it's relatively uncrowded, so that's just our place.  Elizabeth cracks me up with this purse...all it has in it is an old cell phone and she has to bring it every time we leave the house.

The chair (s)

Who knew that little kid furniture would be so expensive?!  I've been pricing these little chairs for a while and had hesitated in getting them for the girls until I saw them for a good price.  So when Amazon priced them at half off, I swooped and bought two.

They love them...or should I say it?

While I purchased two, they fight over just one.  I give up.

Ah...I sure love this chair Rachel, don't you?

 

Oh, I'm so tired, but I will try to lay down here, just so you can't get in it.

Hey!  Mom said I could have a turn!

What Mom?  You want to take our pictures!  Ok!  I get the chair!

Wait, Mom...can you read me this book while you take the picture?

Then it begins to get ugly...I'm pretty sure she launched the book at her sister.  That was the end of our photo session.

My Fashion Diva

Until about two months ago, we were really cruising.  We had a good routine, my children were relatively well-behaved and all was right in the world.  And then, all of a sudden, Elizabeth started caring about what she wore.

And oh, did she ever care.

Overnight, she decided that she hated anything NOT pink or purple.  Or leggings.  Blue jeans, black pants, anything sweater or jacket oriented were out.  Don't even talk about khakis.

So now we find ourselves in this daily tug of war over what to wear.  Or how to fix her hair.  Or what shoes to wear.

Joy.

This is her favorite outfit by far.  Well, half of it.  She calls this shirt her pink ballerina, because of the little skirt.  She'd wear it daily, if I let her and she loves the little purse on the front.  Her Grandma Chris got it for her and she'll wear these pants, because they're leggings.  Normally, she pairs this with a pair of purple leggings that are so stained and ruined that they are embarrassing.  But they ARE her favorite.  Here, she's telling me that she can fix her hair ALL BY MYSELF (which is one of her favorite statements of the moment).

Don't even think of trying to help her.

Of course, Rachel still appeases me and lets me dress her in what I like.  Thank goodness.  Look at that little bed head.

Of course today, for some reason, she decided that she wanted to wear her "tap shoes" (church shoes) with her outfit...and because I can never get her in this shirt, I lost the shoe battle.  

Sigh...I don't envision this getting better any time soon?!