This week's goals

Here are this week's goals...

Home
1. Finish the dining room (yep, still working on this one)
2. File/declutter kids' papers
3. Take bookshelf to garage

Heart
1. Catch up on Bible reading
2. Focus on the kids in the evenings (no iPad, phone, etc.)
3. Plan something fun for Chad and me

Health
1. Exercise/walk every day
2. No extra sweets
3. Take time for myself at least once this week (that's not running or working out)

It's a new week!

After totally getting off track planning for and then going to Disney World as a chaperone to 61 8th graders, I'm back! I had totally thought I could fit in workouts and maybe even a run or two there...yeah, right! We were up and going by 7 (read 5:30 or so wakeup time) and didn't get back into our rooms until after the 11 curfew (meaning a bedtime of midnight at the very earliest). Most nights we got 4 or 5 hours of sleep and were on the go the entire day...my feet hurt so bad on Day 3 that I had to tape them up and keep taking ibuprofen.

Last week I was pretty much in survival mode after getting home after 12:30 (thank you, delayed flight) Monday night and having to be back at school bright and early Tuesday morning. Then Saturday, I ran in a Run for a Reason 5K (very small, very local)...and it was awful. I had to walk! I haven't done that in forever...I blame it on the heat, humidity, and not running for almost 2 weeks (and the 7 pounds I've added "found"...yuck!).

And now, here we are. Two weeks to go until school is out (talk about survival mode)! Plus, we have ballgames 4 out of 5 nights this week. But I'm determined not to make choices like I'm just surviving.

My sister, Carrie, and my best friend, Chandra, and I are all working on ways to make healthier choices. We each have our own little tweaks to make it work for us. For me, that means I'm cutting out added sweets (but allowing for special occasions), making sure I drink enough water, and eating all my fruits/veggies each day (which is hard because I haven't been to the store since I've been back).

This week's meal plan:
Monday
B-oatmeal and fruit and an iced coffee (yes, I know it has sugar, but I'm allowing my coffee!)
L-lentil/chickpea soup, carrots, pears, green smoothie (didn't have it as my snack)
D-sandwiches after tball

Tuesday
B-oatmeal and a banana
L-pita pocket sandwich, fruit and veggies
D-salsa chicken after softball

Wednesday
B-egg with avocado and salsa, fruit
L-leftovers
D-shrimp boil (in the crockpot) after softball

Thursday
B-smoothie (from the freezer section)
L-pita pocket with tuna, fruit and veggies
D-grilled chicken with sweet potatoes/aspargus (or potatoes/green beans) after tball

Friday (No school!)
B-omelets
L-sandwiches
D-burgers (working on the house)

Saturday
B-oatmeal
L-(working on the house)
D-grill out (working on the house)

Anniversaries and 5 by the 5th for Three Thing Thursday




1. Twelve years ago today, my now-husband proposed to me as we watched this video on the ten o'clock news (we met working at the station). I can say he is definitely the perfect one for me. As any couple does, we've had our ups and downs, but I wouldn't want anyone else but him by my side as we parent our kids, handle the challenges of work, and enjoy life's little moments.

2. Four years ago today, I started running. The picture above is the Run for the Son 5K where we couldn't even run/walk the whole thing. That's what started my running. I can remember those first few runs coming in so hot and red-faced and having to sit in the shower because I felt like I'd pass out. And here I am now, having run 4 half marathons 4 years later.


Beat last month's time!



3. Because it's my runniversary, it's fitting that I did my 5 by the 5th today. I felt like I was moving in slow motion all morning, and the last mile was definitely hard. But I did it! I beat last month's time with negative splits and an average pace I'm just not used to seeing. Still amazing how far I've come in 4 years of running. Sometimes I forget that.

26.2 for Boston

I kicked off my 26.2 for Boston with a 10K race April 20 with the goal of finishing 26.2 by April 29, which I did. This is about double my weekly mileage. I had some runs before the race, but I didn't want to count those because they weren't hard...frankly, I needed my 26.2 to be a challenge to honor those affected by the tragedy.

Adding Accountability

May's 30 Days Stronger Challenge hosted by Amanda at Run to the Finish comes at a great time for me. I'm really trying to add in strength training (like I've been trying to do for at least a year). The idea is to do 2-3 circuits of 4-8 reps of 3-5 exercises each day to prevent injury and build strength.

My sister has worked up a few mini cirucits for me, and now is the perfect time for them. Plus, she's challenged me to a plank and pushup challenge for May. I'm excited!

Tuesday To-Do

This week's goals

Home
1. Paint the red walls (still not done)
2. Clean up the camper so it's ready for next time
3. Clean out my closet

Heart
1. Do the kids' devotionals with them at least 3 times
2. Plant flowers with the kids
3. Plan notes/surprises for kids and Chad while I'm gone next week

Health
1. Strength train x2
2. Start plank/pushup challenge
3. Get more/better sleep

Monday Meal Plan

Another busy week, another plan to keep me sane...

Monday
B: eggs, potato, avocado and salsa (and a banana)
L: ham and avocado pita, cucumber and carrots
S: apple
D: chicken sandwiches with asparagus

Tuesday
B: oatmeal and fruit
L: lentils and tortillas/chips

S: pistachios
D: turkey chili and baked potatos

Wednesday
B: granola and fruit
L: leftovers
S: apple
D: church/fish fry

Thursday
B: ham and egg pita
L: spaghetti and veggies
S: edamame
D: lentil soup

Friday
B: oatmeal and fruit
L: grownup lunchable with ham, crackers, Laughing Cow, grapes, and carrots
S: froyo with the kids
D: pancakes

Saturday
B: sausage biscuits
L: sandwiches
D: Hmmm...grill out? Steak?