Checking in on New Years resolutions

Well so far my max squat is 185... Failed 200, twice.  I am not at 155 for my weight, but I am at a lean, mean, fighting weight of 161 :) I have lost so many inches, none of my clothes fit!!! Heck yeah!!! I pretty much flex in the mirror all the time LOL but this does help with 10 to 1 positive talk! 

I have done a lot of de cluttering and painting so far in the house. On the main level, I have done Brayden's room, all hallways, kitchen, entry way, and the living room!

I keep getting rid of baby stuff as my baby (who is totally NOT a baby anymore at 2.5 years old and fully potty trained) outgrows them! 

Jon and I have date nights every month and it is amazing :) our most recent date nights consist of bike rides (long ones. Drinking ones...) and watching some of the ISU guys play basketball in the capital city league :) FOR FREE :) cheap date ;)

How are your resolutions coming along??

New Years Resolutions

1. keep a clean house
2. de-clutter bedrooms
3. goal weight 155lbs
4. squat 135# bench 95#
5. set boundaries and keep them
6. monthly date nights
7. 10 to 1 positive talk

When your plans change....

Let's face it, plans change sometimes.  Today, for example, we had to run some errands even though the kids are not yet 100%.  I told a coworker that I would work for her tonight, so I had to find time to do some sort of at home workout.  Is this my favorite thing to do? NO, not at all, but today I could have just done nothing, like I did on Tuesday ;) Instead, I had my little motivator, Brayden, asking me if he could work out with me!  SO, we put the kids down for nap and headed to the basement with our weights, bands, and balls. We did a variety of core exercises along with some burpees and mountain climbers.... It was awesome!  We, of course, had to take a quick water break, and when Brayden cashes out on the sofa, I will probably do some planks and wall sits for good measure.

I'm thankful my family supports my decision to change my lifestyle :)

Happy Thursday!

Butt-kicking

Wow.... so I met up with a college friend, Annie, tonight.  I told her I wanted to hurt when I was done.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.  We did sprints, a million or so lunges in varying positions, walking lunges which is very deceptive because I could not really walk by the end of it, and some core work.  Boom!  It was fantastic! 

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Nolan and Kalyn have been running fevers this week so I couldn't make it to the gym yesterday and had to go at an alternative time today which messes up our normal flow, but I am so glad that I made it in! 

For the most part, I was on point today with food with a few alternatives because I just wasn't very hungry. 

Tomorrow's plan... head to gym for kickboxing IF the kids are fever free still... if not, head there when Jon gets home and try to mimic the workout I did today except with an upper body focus.

I will let anyone workout with me as long as they bring a butt-kicking attitude :)

New Me--Let's get real

There are SEVERAL things that I am so VERY proud of and thankful for in my life.  My family, my husband, my kids, my jobs.... and my faith.  There are also a few things in my life that need a makeover!

For starters, I'm tired of making excuses for the weight I gained while pregnant with the kids and never lost.  I'm sick of avoiding fun gatherings because I don't feel comfortable in my body.  I am certainly tired of being trampled by my own thoughts and attitude about my body image!  SO.... I'm simply DONE with that.  To add a few more characteristics that can go...... I'm done people pleasing by rearranging things that our family has planned to do so--unless there is an emergency, obviously.  I'm setting boundaries.  I am keeping those boundaries.  I am changing the way I CHOOSE to feel about people and situations.  Some people might not make the change to the newer, better version of myself, but I am going to CHOOSE to be okay with that! 

SO... with that said... here goes! 

The Naked Truth.....

I am 31 years old and I am starting a weight loss journey.  It's a journey because it started a long time ago .... and I have been up and down ever since in terms of weight and motivation. 
I am starting off at 176.  I will end up at 155.  I am going to look for a 2lb/week loss.  Friends and Family, please support this--no food pushing ESPECIALLY around the holidays!  And feel free to knock those snickers bars out of my hands :)  Family gatherings do not have to be food based, nor do friend hangouts and catching up.  Let's meet at the gym and burn some extra calories by walking while we chat for 3 hours!!! :)

I have a very specific meal plan in place and I will be tracking my food on myfitnesspal (JSSJRS if you want to be my fitness friend). 

So, now my goals are public and I am excited to stop hiding, stop making excuses, and get serious.  I've been working out for a good 18 months now, but I wasn't changing my diet... AT ALL.  I am now!  I am changing a lot of things--maybe it's a midlife crisis.... but in a positive way! 

I do need to thank a few people for knowingly or unknowingly giving me a nudge.... Annie, Jess, Daira, Analee, Lisa, Taycey, my mom, and my husband.  Annie--thanks for the lifting and workout knowledge!  I freaking LOVE working out with you when you are free!  Complete buttkicking and I love every ounce of pain it brings!  Thank you!!! Jess--Had you not sent that bag of body by Vi, I would have never thought to dig deeper and ask you how you do it everyday! 

Some things are private, and I completely get that, but I'm choosing not to hide this one and that way I am more accountable.  I will track my food better and so on.  I might even post progress pictures.....who am I kidding... no I wont. Measurements, maybe.

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for our dog, Jack.  He has come a long way and grown SO very much since we got him in May!  He is 84 lbs now!!

I'm thankful for getting together with family last week for Thanksgiving!!  We celebrated early with my family since my mom had to work this year (she's a nurse).  It was great getting everyone together!  Thursday, we got together with Jon's family.

I'm thankful that my mother in law talks about Rick with our kids! Brayden got to put a "6-0" balloon at his grave at the cemetery with Nana and the kids for Papa Rick's 60th birthday.  Heaven sure is lucky to have him and we all sure do miss him!

I'm also thankful for the late night card playing with my husband and brother in law.  We have the best chats late at night.

I'm thankful my kids have been healthy so far this winter.  A few sniffles here and there, but overall, healthy.

I'm thankful Brayden has slept ALL night for TWO nights in a row!!!!!! We are all sleeping better these last two nights because of this!!

I'm thankful an ELF appeared at our house this year!  The kids named him Teeny.  He's silly, not naughty.  He has gotten stuck in his parachute, wrote the kids a letter on toilet paper, TP'd the Christmas tree a little bit, made a marshmallow snowman, and the most recent one--built a lego sleigh and used the "little people" animals to pull him!

November

This is my second favorite month- and yes I love fall but November gets me excited for "the first snowfall" and the holiday seasons and getting in the "holiday spirit!" 

We have some exciting news..... Brayden is training wheels free!! The kids had dentist appts on nov 1 and after we played at a friend's house and boom! Brayden road his bike without any help at all :) crazy! Love him!! He's so big!!! Growing up too fast!

We are getting prepared to potty train Kalyn this month! Right after thanksgiving! We will see!!!! 

Other than that, I will just post a few pics and check back next week!

October- Happy Halloween!!

No more promises of being a better blogger.  It just probably won't happen and that is the truth.

We have kept busy, that's for sure!

September:
I started watching Baby Roger on Sept 4th.  Super cute kiddo! I also started working at Unity Point.  I register patients in the ER at ILH, IMMC, Blank, and West. Brayden started flag football through YMCA and he LOVED it!  Nolan started gymnastics and it is growing on him :) I play women's sixes indoor vball on Wednesday nights-LOVE being competitive one night per week at least! Jon plays softball on a men's league on Thursday nights.  Keeping track of all our crazy activities is amazingly easy due to my color coordinated calendar :)  OCD!

October:
Same ol same ol.... daycare for Rog Pog, vball, sball, football, gymnastics, play dates, hair cut, pc parties, Jon's golf trip, and some surprise birthday parties for some great friends.  All in all a great month.... Favorite tho??? last night.  We took the kiddos trick or treating with some friends and they had a BLAST!  even lil ol kalyn was LOVING the concept!  SO STINKING CUTE!  BEST time of my life is happening right now! 


I am SO completely blessed.  My kids are so sweet and amazing!  I get kisses before work and "Hi Mommy!" in the mornings. I love those little voices!!!  Even Nolan's.... NON whisper voice EARLY in the morning! :)  LOL.....

Looking forward to an even more Thankful November :) 

xoxo

Daycare

Today was the first day that I started watching Baby Roger!  He and his mom have been here a few times during her maternity leave and my kids just adore him!  It is definitely different having four kids around, but I love it!  The hardest part about today was preschool drop off/pick up.  The classes are shortened this week so it's only an hour and a half long and the boys' classrooms are right next to each other which means complete chaos for parents waiting in line to pick up and drop off their kids!!  Picture this: double stroller (1 baby and 1 20 month old) and then a 5 yr old and 3 yr old walking to and from school, waiting in line at two different classrooms, and weaving in and out of people to get each boy to their cubbies and into the classroom.  It's crazy, but doable. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow!!!

First Day of Pre-K AND 3 yr old preschool

Today was the first day of 3 year old preschool for Nolan.  It was Brayden's first day of his second year of Pre-K.  Brayden was super ready to start school.  Nolan was a bit more unsure.  He wasn't sure that he wanted Daddy to leave, but the teacher said as soon as he left, he was fine. 

Brayden's teachers are doing a Dr. Suess theme this year.  He is in the Red Fish class. He has a couple kids that he knows in there.  New Jack, Old Jack, Sam, and Jacoby's brother.  The morning class is heavy on boys and that is the class Brayden is in.  It was the same way last year and seemed to be fine.  Those poor teachers!!!

Nolan's theme is a popcorn theme for this week/month.  The bulletin board says "look who popped in" and their names are on popcorn kernels.  How cute! 

Sept 1 and 2

I am SO very excited about September!  The first was pretty uneventful.  Kalyn and I were home while the boys and Jack were at Nana's house.  When you have three kids and then you are just down to one... well, it certainly was quiet around here!!  I missed all the craziness!!  Before I went to bed, I realized something!  Jon and I met 8 years ago that night at Crush--you know, the one with the bathroom doors that were see through unless you locked it and then it clouded over... yup, it was a dance club. Anyway... clearly Jon was with a few friends that were dressed in 60's/70's garb.  He was with a few Central guys so I thought I knew him.  I did not, but I bought him a shot for his troubles and then we thought it would be a good idea to dance!  It was a great night and I am SO VERY thankful I ventured out to Crush (the first and only time I had been) 8 years ago!!!

Today, the family was reunited again!  It was great to be altogether!  Seemed like forever... it was only a week, but hey!  Just in time for the boys' first day of preschool tomorrow!!! Exciting week ahead!  check back for an update later in the week!!

August--I promise to do better in September

August was a pretty busy month as well for us. 
Events in random order...
I had a couple pampered chef parties and a meeting.  I caught up with some friends from when I worked at Wells Fargo.  I had a couple ear infections-which let me tell you is horrible as an adult and I feel terrible for my kids and any other kids that get them.  It was miserable. I had a great time catching up with some classmates from high school.  It was unfortunate for the circumstances - our classmate's funeral - but fortunate that we all made it safely back to our hometown and were able to spend some time together.  We were able to spend an afternoon with our friends and Nolan's Godparents, Shane and Susan and their kids.  We celebrated Jon's birthday- I got him a bike that he hasn't taken out yet.  I also got a seat for Kalyn to sit on so we can take her with us and the boys can ride their bikes.  Jon and I went camping with our friends Wade and Emily back near my hometown.  We had a "twerkin" good time.  Some other friends stopped out-Ryan, Nathan, Lisa, Brett.  It was great catching up with everyone.  Next time, I WILL have a camper or at least an air mattress because MAN the ground was HARD!  Brayden's teacher visited our house and played a few games with him and read him a book.  The other two kids thought that was awesome and listened as well.  We had a playdate with one of Brayden's new classmates, went to the museum at Camp Dodge, went to ISU fan fest * Nolan's dancing was amazing as we watched the cheerleaders.  So much that the coach pretty much offered him a uniform on the spot * Jon had to go out of town for work the last week in August and it went pretty well.  It was the hottest week of the month.  The boys slept well, but Kalyn was having some troubles -ears, teeth, just being ornery??? Kalyn ended up sick and the ladies of the house got NO sleep. 
Here's to a great Sept!

July

Besides spending the first 10 days or so of the month in England and Wales, we were also getting ready for a very special 5 year old's bday!!  Brayden turned 5 and to say I was ill prepared is an understatement.  I honestly hadn't thought much past our trip!!  SO... we I threw together a party for him and we celebrated 5 years of Brayden!  The day was all about him.  Swimming in the big pool, having his buddy Zane swim with him and then spend the night Backyard Camping Style, and getting a few new toys.  Since Brayden is 5, he no longer uses a sippy cup AND he has his OWN room.  Brayden also had fun at Hope's VBS.  We spent some time with the Schoeberl side of the family at our annual Christmas in July. 

Schoeberl's Euro Vacation 2013

Seriously, though, Jon and I had the time of our lives!!!

We left on Friday afternoon.  We were on our plane and everything seemed to be going smoothly.... not quite.  We were on the plane and then right before take off the pilot said that we have been stopped because of bad weather in Chicago.  An hour later, we got off our plane... in DSM... and waited and waited.  Finally, after lots of calling and trying to reschedule, our original flight took off for Chicago with us on the plane.  Then, we ran SPRINTED to the next flight (since we had already missed ours) to London. Standby.... standby... there was a LONG list of standby.... WE GOT ON!  Only two hours later than planned!!!

The flight.  Was AWESOME!  I watched 4 movies that I hadn't seen.  Didn't sleep one wink in 8 hours on the plane.  The food wasn't so bad.  I made friends with the guy, Mark, sitting next to me.  He was flying over for the weekend to go sailing!!  Crazy....

Our bags didn't make it.  We waited two hours at the airport for them.  Got em. Headed to the train station.  I cried from exhaustion and spilled mt dew all over.  We got free train tickets (because we missed our train and we had already booked and paid for an earlier train) but only because we let them film us for a documentary that they were making. :/

So, we slept a little on the train from London to Newport South Wales.

Lena and Dan were there with hugs waiting for us!!!! 

We rested a little bit once we got to Caerleon where Lena and Dan live.  Such a great little town!  I LOVE IT! 

That evening, we headed over to Becky's house (Lena's friend from work).  She was having a Christmas in June party (half way to Christmas and she loves the Christmas holiday)!  It was great!  Would have been even more fun if we weren't SO VERY tired!  I held some cute babies and it made me miss our kiddos. 

Sunday- We walked out the front door of the house to their take on a Farmer's Market.  It wasn't bad.  I bought some raspberry jam and bread and some sweets.  I cried over curry.... and missed the kids like crazy. We headed out to Cwmbryn to pick up Lena's ring and stop at the grocery store.  Then we walked around the beautiful town of Usk and had a lovely light mid-afternoon lunch and of course, a pint.  That evening, we headed to Dan's Nan's birthday!  Great music, amazing food, beautiful venue, and awesome company!  Dan has a lovely family!!

Monday- Jon, Lena, and I headed out to explore the history of Caerleon.  It was beautiful and quaint. I loved everything about it!  It was hard getting used to the narrow streets and twisty/winding roads, but lovely, lovely, lovely! That night, Lena and Dan had to go to their wedding venue to do some last minute wedding planning, so Jon and I walked down the The Ship to have a lovely dinner together.  It was cheap and stunning. The dessert was amazing. We then went on a love stroll ;) to work it off! This was one of my favorite nights. We ended up at Minstrel's, a bar right by Lena and Dan's house.  We used their wifi all week.  We met some fun folks there and did a trivia game.  *sigh* Unfortunately, we got 2nd or 3rd from last.  We are not up on our Welsh and British history/geography. 

Tuesday- Jon and I got up early and Dan dropped us off at the train station.  We headed to Bath, England to spend the day together and walking around to see the Roman Baths and all the history the town holds.  It was amazing and beautiful.  We headed back to Dan and Lena's via train, then bus.  It was a fun experience. Their public transportation is great!  Even WE figured it out!  Simple!  Jon went to dinner with Dan and Cole for some proper Indian dinner.  I went to dinner at The Ship with the girls.  These girls are spouses that Lena met through Dan and his friends.  We had a great time!

Wednesday- aka Cardiff day.  We went to Cardiff around midday.  Jon and I spent a bit of time at Cardiff Castle and then walked around doing a little bit of shopping before meeting up with Lena and Cole for a pint and dinner with some more friends.  There we met Owen, Liz, Clare, and met up with Emma and Lucas again!  It was a great night!  I was introduced to Bow and Black that night!!!  No looking back now!!!  It was amazing! 

Thursday-4th of July- Jon and I headed out bright and early for Merthyr Tydfil to meet up with Emma. She took us out to Pan y Fan to climb the mountain.  It takes two hours... and it was cold, misting, and slippery.  We were not prepared even though EVERYONE told us to bring rain gear to Wales.  SO... we gave it our best shot.  We climbed half way, took a couple pictures, and headed back to the road soaking wet and all.  We had some hot chocolate/coffee and Welsh Cakes (DELICIOUS!) and headed back into town with Emma.  We stopped at the Merthyr Tydfil school/castle museum and then at Emma's parents house to visit with her dad and son.  It was nice and we had a blast!  Then we headed back to the train station to head to Cardiff to head out to St. Fagan (similar to Living History Farms--which we really need to visit with the kids) and then to Cardiff Bay. It was a beautiful day, despite the rain in the valley where we tried to climb a mountain.... When we got back to Lena's, we got proper fish and chips from the restaurant right by Lena's house. Yum! I guess I do like fish... when it's fresh... and deep fried with fries.

Friday- Wedding Festivities commenced.  We headed to Bristol, England with Dan's folks.  Before we left we grabbed some bread for Dan at the store just down by Minstrel's and also bought them out of Welsh Cakes.  We walked around the mall for a bit in Bristol.  We were running on fumes. We met up with Dan and headed to the hotel/castle/wedding venue.  Jon and I checked in, had a nap, walked around, swam, had dinner, and met up with Lena and the girls.... Kerry, Sarah, and Becky.  It was hysterical!  We I was trying to convince them all to come to Iowa! To live, to visit.... whatever.  I did this the whole week. Then we went to bed.... exhausted!

Saturday- The WEDDING!  Wow.  I will have to write a separate post about this!  It was nothing short of amazing.  Completely romantic. They really outdid themselves.  Lena was stunning!  Dan was handsome!  I cried like a baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I didn't even cry at MY wedding!!!!!

Sunday-  We had a lovely brunch in the morning.  Hugged everyone a thousand times.  Lena... a thousand and one.  We got a ride back to Bristol to the train station with Lena's friend, Cate--she's one of the sweetest women ever!  We took a train to London Paddington and then a Cab to our hotel in Trafalgar square... Yup. We were downtown in all the action.  We walked around right away and saw the London Eye, Big Ben, Abbey, Buckingham Palace.... Then we headed back to our hotel to freshen up and back to Westminster Abbey for church that night.  We ate on the way home... fish and chips and dessert... and then walked around for a little bit to get a night view. 

Monday- traffic was crazy, we had to leave our hotel early for the airport.  Got on our flight, no problem.... got stuck in Chicago... Finally made it home to our kiddos and Jack dog.... :)


This left out a TON of details and sites that we saw, but you get the picture.  It was AMAZING. I am STILL (a month later) trying to adjust to being back home.  I miss my new friends, old friends, and new places.  I miss the culture.  I miss everything.  "Are you ok?" "Yes, are you ok?" I miss Minstrel's and Lena's. I miss the cool weather (hot for them) so that I could leave my hair down without sweating to death.  I just miss it all.  I hope to go back VERY soon! 

Jon agrees... best trip ever.  Will never be able to top it.  SO glad we went. SO glad I didn't go earlier in my life... I never would have come home and met Jon and had my wonderful children.....

AND.... I WANT SOME WELSH CAKES ASAP! YUM!

Hi

I've been a terrible blogger! I have so much to post about.... Our trip, my friends' wedding, kids, dog, etc but today I feel like posting about progress.

I can definitely say that we were on VACATION. We ate like it too... Drank like it.... But we DID walk..... A lot. And hike. And I went on a run and we were active daily. But ... Lets face it. I ate like crap and I will not reach my goals when I make poor diet choices. We've been slowly progressing back to a routine. Egg whites, water, exercise, salads, etc. I have been SO tired lately though so sleep/exercise/ get active/ beast mode has not exactly been working out. I can barely stay awake let alone run, lift, sprint, spin. I'm not sure how ppl do it--- you ppl need to tell me your secrets!!! I am typically tired bc I have small kids x3 and a baby puppy..... But this week was exceptionally hard. Holler at me if you are up for a HIIT workout. You plan it and ill do it with you! Mmmmmmk? 

Kids Korner!

Kalyn- she is almost 18 months old already! Where did the time go????  She has NO down. Every time we ask her if she wants something... No, but then shakes her head yes! I think she is so smart. She tells me when she poops and where her eyes, nose, toes, tummy, ears, tongue, and ears are. She has the cutest curls and she is adorable in her little hair bows... When she keeps them in of course! She still sucks her left thumb and carries her blanket around. Whoops I mean three or four blankets.... Depends if she notices or not.

Nolan- officially got rid of the pacis a month or two ago. He didn't even miss them. He has tested out of his speech therapy. He is such a handful one minute and a sweetheart the next! He loves Spider-Man and superman. I think he sometimes believes he IS superman! He hated day one of swim lessons but by day two, he was jumping off the diving board!!! We love swimming!!! He has been hitting Kalyn and Brayden. No one else... I think he gets frustrated when they don't understand him or when they take something he wants and he can't get it back. I'm so over him hitting!!

Brayden: he is such a tender hearted kid. His feelings get hurt very easily. I know I can't block it forever, but I hate seeing him with hurt feelings. It breaks my heart! He remembers everything!! He loves to sing and rock out to Christian music in the van. It is fun listening to his off-tune voice screaming the lyrics at the top of his lungs!!!

That's what's going on right now! 

Dam to dam

Well.... I did it! I ran approximately 12.95 miles on June 1 per map my run app in 2 hours and 16 min. My chip time was more like 2:38, but I know I had a rough start. Panic, restricted breathing as Jon disappeared in a crowd of runners ahead of me.... The emotions I felt at that moment, I was certainly not prepared for! My next run.... Yes..... You heard me right.... My next run  I will be more prepared for the emotional aspect. 

I think the DSM half is next on my list. My good buddy Lisa called me yesterday.... I just can't say no. Can't turn down a challenge. :) I'm too competitive for that!

We had a great turnout of family and friends after the race. It is always great getting together with the schoeberls!

Our family expanded!!!

No baby! It's a puppy!!! Golden doodle. Everyone, meet Jack Trice Schoeberl!!