Yesterday I had my mom bring over her 10 Minute Workout  by Tony Horton. I figured I have to use my kid free hours for working and getting stuff done which leaves me very little time to work out and I NEED to work out.  So I read the info, looked at the dvd’s, took my measurements (cringe), checked out the eating levels, and then looked at the work out schedule.  What really peaked my interest was that you could take 10 minutes a day and be well on your way to looking hot.  Of course I am sure it takes longer to reach the goal than someone who spends hours at the gym but 10 minutes is something right?!

Then the skepticism kicked in.  10 Minutes….yeah right.  It takes me longer than that to shave my legs and that is not a tedious task, how in the world is TEN minutes going to make a difference.  Now, at this point, I am starting to get a little cocky.  I am going to breeze through this workout and leave it in the dust.  I’m going to barely break a sweat and will continue on my day as if I did nothing different.  Ten minutes…pfft!  So, like a good trained person does, I stretched.   Not that ten minutes will pull anything but better safe than sorry.

Time to start the lower body work out.  Yes day 1 consists of lower body and abs.  I will be the first to admit the upper body is not the area I have strength in.  However, having danced for 15 years and still dance at church weekly I have some lower body strength, I’m gonna rock this workout.  3, 2, 1 here we go.  All starts off well with squats, these I could do in my sleep after all a couple of years ago I was able to rock P90x (which is by the same guy by the way).  As things progressed and we switched exercises so quick my head was spinning I noticed my heart rate going up and my breathing getting labored.

WHAT IS THIS!!  Lower body doesn’t make you sweat, this is supposed to be the easy one.  After about 5 exercises in I thought I was going to pass out, but push on I must.  We got to the pendulum and while I finished I seriously could not catch my breath and thought I was going to die.  Well at least I made it through the 10 minute lower body work out right!  WRONG…a big fat wrong!  I thought to myself it was close to ending so if I didn’t make it the last 30 seconds that was okay.  When I looked at the little timer on the tv I still had four minutes….FOUR MINUTES of death by lower body and then I am supposed to do abs!

I gave up and chugged some water and let my heart rate return to some resemblance of normal and started the abs.  Holy abs work out, I only got through 4 exercises on it and they were 30 seconds each, which means I finished a whole TWO STINKIN” MINUTES.   I have obviously had other priorities over the last year (when I moved here I was working out and doing p90x) that have forced me to realize I can’t work out more than 8 minutes without feeling like I am going to keel over.  Which is sad when I used to spend hours at the gym…well there is only up to go from here right.

 I can tell you that today my legs are feeling like jello and my inner thighs are so sore.  When I am going up my steps or sitting down I can’t do anything but laugh because it hurts so bad.  Well my goal now is to conquer the 10 Minute workout and conquer I will.  Today I take on the cardio, this should be fun.  Sure I am slim but this is just a PSA to everyone out there to remember just because someone is small doesn’t mean they are in great shape…I am obviously showing that’s not the case.  I’ll let you know when I make it through one of the 10 minute workouts without stopping, then I will know I am moving right along on this get in better shape journey.

Funny that I can play the Kinect games for quite a bit and get winded, yet nothing like this…obviously this is doing something right and focusing on the right things.  Here’s to looking good in a bikini sooner rather than later. However, if I don’t post for several days you might want to send someone to check on me LOL.  So who’s in and wants to come do the 10 Minute workouts with me! What about you, do you work out on a regular basis?

*I was not asked to post this, nor was the product sent to me.

Fun with the iPad.

They always say women are hard to understand.  Now, I’ve never claimed to be an expert on my husband when it comes to certain things. I mean really, who can explain this:

Definitely behavior that can’t be explained wouldn’t you say. Okay, seriously, that was Christmas Day and I was lucky enough to catch him playing the Kinect, I knew it would come in handy sometime and it did! There are some things I haven’t quite figured out about my husband though…

• Why he spends months researching something.  Like now it’s motorcycles.  Sure, sure research is great but I think spending months researching something might get boring.  I guess it just goes to show who the responsible one is…him.  Well research away while I buy in a moment of  want.
• Why does he leave dirty clothes in the middle of the bathroom floor, in fact this goes for my oldest son too.  Granted their are times when I don’t have the hamper in there but even when I do somehow those socks end up right in the middle of the bathroom floor.
• Why does he cover himself up with the comforter literally from head to toe with only a little hole for his nose and mouth?  It’s quite adorable but I think I would feel smothered.
• Does shouting at the players during the game really help?  Oh wait, that’s usually me and yes it does

Needless to say there are so many behaviors of his that I am not quite sure what to make of.  However, if he didn’t have those funny and quirky little things, he wouldn’t be the man that swept me off my feet.  One of the things I can understand easily about him and my boys are their appetites.

When it comes time to eat there is no guessing from this wife and momma that whatever is for dinner better be something that can fill them up.  Thankfully Ball Park understands that growing boys and men have appetites and they help us women fill those tummies.  After a long day sometimes this little lady wants a quick meal that can hold up to the appetite of the men in my life.  That’s when I pull out the Ball Park bun-length angus beef franks, cook on our George Foreman grill and slap in a bun.  For the boys (and the princess) it is usually as simple as putting on ketchup or mustard but for myself and my husband we like a little extra something so it’s chili dogs all the way.   Really what is better than a messy chili dog with extra cheese.  It’s a guilty pleasure for taste and for the quiet moments my house has as the men (okay and girls too) dig in.

Sometimes men are definitely easier fed than understood, but if we understood them all the time what fun would that be.  Just make sure to keep them fed so that the misunderstandings can keep coming!  To get a discount on some good food head over to Ball Park’s Facebook and check out their $1.00 off coupon, why not save a little money! So, what are some of those quirky things the men in your life do?

This is a sponsored post. Ball Park product and additional incentives were provided to me. All opinions stated are my own.

I have 3 kids. Two boys who are totally different in personality and a little girl who lives by the term princess. They are 12, 8, and 6. The oldest boy and the baby girl are so much alike they butt heads more often than not. The middle man is my calm one, when we ask or tell him something to do it’s usually done the first time. The girl is our handful, she is strong willed and hasn’t quite learned when it’s best to stop talking, she talks herself into trouble quite often.

However we are dealing with some stuff with my oldest, that is sometimes beyond what I think my capabilities as a parent can handle. I worry sometimes, and I guess that’s normal being a mom stuff but still there are moments I feel like “Geez, what in the world did I miss or mess up?” or “Could I have done something differently?“

I assume it has to do with the normal hormonal changes he is going through but when do you know if it’s more than that? No one told me that there parts of parenting that were going to be this hard. Parts that will make your heart break, words that can hurt you to the core, moments that you will be at a complete loss and worried sick over something that may seem silly to others.

You always hear about the love you experience as a parent and I think that is why it makes it hard. Because if you didn’t love your child your heart wouldn’t break when they are hurt. You wouldn’t worry when something is amiss. You wouldn’t soar with proudness at every accomplishment. You wouldn’t care about feeling helpless when they are going through something.

Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs I have ever had but at the same time it’s one of the most rewarding. Each day I look at my kids and no matter how crazy they have driven me, I remember that I was lucky enough to be chosen by God to be their mom. Now I just pray for the wisdom and patience to deal with all the things the rest of this parenting adventure brings my way.

What about you? Has parenting gotten easier, had more challenges or had about the same amount of challenges as your children have gotten older?

You never can tell what she is going to say. Today after school she came in and had to sit down to homework. She had a moment of not wanting to do it and then came up with this solution…

“Mom,can you please do my home work. Like you write it out but make it a little squiggly so it’s kinda messy like mine”

Funny thing is she is usually the one on Monday, runs in and gets her whole weeks worth of homework done. Oh well, it gave me a giggle because she was so serious. What are some funny things your kids have said recently?

That is the look I have had for the past 1 year and 5 months, which in Toni hair dying length is EONS..  So, today it was time to lighten up.  A fresh look for 2012, when possibilities are all I need.  I almost had a panic attack when I found out my stylist was no longer at the salon, come to find out the salon closed and she is working from her home or your home which you prefer.  I have to say, being able to stay in my PJ’s and get my hair done in the comfort of my home was a bonus.  So today, yours truly here, went lighter for 2012.

Blonde suits me much better anyways, I have many a blonde moments so it was time to go back to this color.  Not to mention I love that it brings out my eyes.  2012 is going to be a great year I can just feel it, so it was time to brighten up the look.  Now I’m ready to run full force in 2012!  I am a serial dyer so in a few months, it could be black cherry….only time will tell but for now I am loving my blonde!

So, do you like?  What about you, have you ever dyed your hair?  

It was time to cut it for several reasons. It looks so much healthier now. Have a great Wednesday!

Be our guest, be our guest. Put our magic to the test!

It’s almost time for the magic to hit theaters again. 21 years after the original brought magic to the lives of so many, we are getting to experience the songs and story of Beauty and The Beast in a new way. Beauty and The Beast 3D is coming to theaters this Friday, 1/13/11, with all the same love-able characters as before.

Taking the classic and making it “pop” a little, Beauty and The Beast 3D, is one of the Disney movies I am thrilled to see coming out in 2012. I was 11 when the original hit theaters and still love it to this day. On any given day you may, or may not, catch me belting out “Belle” “Be Our Guest” or any of the other songs from the movie. I am excited for this release because I can share it with my daughter. She loves to sing just as much as I do so getting to take her to the theater to see the same movie I loved makes my heart smile.

Here’s the trailer to share with your kids and get them excited! I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot of parent/child dates to the movie theater this weekend.

Oh, a little something else my daughter is going to be tickled pink over is the Tangled Ever After short film.  My daughter is a huge Tangled fan, and I venture to say the whole night is going to bring a great big smile to her face. No telling her though, it’s going to be a surprise date night with mommy!  Even if I didn’t have any children I can guarantee you I’d still be headed to theaters to see Beauty and The Beast 3D.  This will just make it more special.  What can I say, I love that movie!

So will you be heading to theaters to catch Beauty and The Beast 3D?

As the year winds down I have sat and reflected over just how much of a whirlwind this year has been. It’s been up and down, tears and laughter, hard times and times that were somewhat easier.  From getting settled in a new home to looking for a job.  Having a middle schooler now is something I am still trying to wrap my mind around.  At least it is preparing me for the two I will have later down the road. Breaking Dawn part 1, as well as Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows part 2 were released.  I FINALLY got an iPad 2.  I got the iPhone 4S and let me just say SIRI has been cracking me up.

My husband and I became youth leaders, I became the worship dance team leader.  My blog finally (toward the end of the year) started bringing some income to me.  I lost friends, I gained new acquaintances I hope will become friends as time grows.  I grew more in love with my spouse and children.  I took chances I didn’t think I would.  I learned that guarding your heart is a wise thing.  I became closer to family.

2011 was such an up and down year but I wouldn’t trade it for anything, yes even the not so great parts.  I am who I am because of all I went through.  The happiness, the hurts, the good times and the bad they are all part of what will shape who I am now and in the future.  Here’s to GOING BIG, BOLD and ALL OUT in 2012.  It’s going to be a year like none other (yikes that means I have been graduated for 15 years come May).  I am going to live out loud!!  Watch for new things, new topics and hopefully a new design coming to my blog in 2012.  I can’t wait to see you all here next year and every year after that.

I’m not going to make resolutions that I will break but rather commit to continuing to better myself and the lives of those around me.  Have a blessed rest of 2011 and a tremendous 2012!!

It was early Christmas morning and she was just waking up for the second time, she tried to wake up at 3:30 a.m. LOL.

Have a great Wednesday!