What motivates you?

If tomorrow you knew you could do anything and not fail what would you do? Is there something you are passionate about but are afraid of trying? I often ask myself these questions. Why? Because I know of two things I know I don't want fear to control my life and I also know that God often gives us things that we think are too big for us because he wants us to rely on his strength.

Do you have any idea what you passion is? I love loving on others and teaching. If you've never explored this question start by writing down the types of activities you like to do and the types of activities (hobbies) that make you feel good when you do them. What are your special skills and talents - don't be shy - usually if it's something we like to do we are probably good at it? What inspires you?

Once you know your passions sometimes God will give you something that you'll think is way bigger than you can ever handle. In Lysa TerKreust's book "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God" she talks a little about this. She says that as long as it doesn't go against God's Word and you are hearing affirmation from multiple sources than this "big" adventure" is probably God trying to tell you to go for it.

God will see us through. Would you imagine with me doing something that you thought was totally impossible? I never thought I'd ever lose the weight. I thought I loved food too much and it was completely impossible. I thought I don't need to care about my body as I know that I'm going to heaven no matter what. I thought that my husband loves me just the way I am and it doesn't matter that I am big.

But then God continued to give me the message that I needed to lose the weight. I kept continually being told that without losing the weight I would have more health problems soon. I was also having back and knee pain. I could barely carry both the twins at the same time. I was having trouble walking up and down stairs because me knee hurt. I also was being affirmed in scripture that I needed to take care of my body. I was seeing in scripture that our bodies are God's. That they are his holy temple and I needed to take care of it.

So last year I decided that I could do the impossible. I decided since I heard God telling me I needed to take care of myself and that everything I was hearing from trusted advisors was affirming I needed to lose the weight I made the leap of faith. I knew God would help me.

I notice that when I am close to God I make better choices. I am not as prone to eat because of emotional reasons. When I want to snack I pray first to see if that is really what I should be putting in my mouth or if I am just trying to feed my emotions. When I don't feel like working out I ask God for the motivation. In the middle of a workout when I feel like I cannot go further I ask God for that last little push. And guess what I'm succeeding.

So who wants to join me in this journey? I have another challenge group starting Monday and I'd love to have you in it! I've learned so much over this past year and I'd loved to pass it on to you. Please fill out my Challenger Information Form and I will get back to you soon. Hope you have a blessed day!

Spending Time Playing

Lately I'm feeling some mommy guilt. I've been so consumed with everything that has been going on in our lives that I feel like I haven't been spending enough time with the girls playing. I feel like when we are home I am always trying to get them to clean up or sit still or eat dinner. When we are out of the house I expect them to behave and act like little ladies. Then I came across this graphic this morning and when I saw it it hit me hard.

Lately I've been having unrealistic expectations of my kids. I need to remember that they were built to play. I need to remember that this stage in my life my most important job is being a mom. I need to remember all my other "jobs" are not the primary one. That God should come first, my husband second and my kids third. Everything else can wait.

In today's Proverbs 31 devotional it talks about Genesis 25 when Esau traded his birth right to Jacob for a bowl of stew. It talks about how some trades are good while others suck. What trades am I going to make today? I am going to trade my time to read this afternoon for a snuggle nap with the baby. I'm going to trade playing video games tonight and instead spend time with my husband. Instead of doing laundry before and after dinner I am going to spend time playing with my kids.

I also need to remember that I'm not someone else. My kids were made for me. They are different than someone else's kids. They each are different from one another. What works for one of them doesn't work for the other. I also need to remember my challenges and skill set is different from another mom. I'm made to handle what I have while another mom has a different purpose.

I also keep thinking of the course of this song:

It says:
"Love like I'm not scared Give when it's not fair Live life for another Take time for a brother Fight for the weak ones Speak out for freedom Find faith in the battle Stand tall but above it all Fix my eyes on You On You"

I am going to let these words soak in today. I want to fight for my kids. I want to show them my love. I want to show them what it is like to give to others. I also want to show them how to fix their eyes on God. I also want to show them that they are more important then me. I want them to know they are always loved and that I am here for them. That nothing else but God and daddy are more important then them.

I hope everyone has a blessed day. 

Who do you look to for inspiration?

In today's society there is lots of items on the internet that are constantly bombarding us. It is easy to see pictures of women scantly clothed. Some have women that were really fit. Some have women who look like Barbie. Some of these images are completely unrealistic. Others who show "real" women are put down. These are the images we should be embracing. I wanted to just show you some things today and talk about who I look to for inspiration.

First I wanted you to see a video. In this video you will see a model transformed. You will see what she looked like before they used Photoshop to transform her body.

Sometimes when we see images like this one we think wow I wish I could have long legs like her. Or maybe we say my butt will never look like hers. But then we see what she looked like before she was Photoshoped. She looked just like us. She is just a normal person.

In today's society we place a lot of weight on how we look. Just google perfect female body and see how many pictures come up. What if we stopped comparing ourselves to these fake pictures and started to look up to those that are truly being real and showing you what it is like to be a real woman.

I loved this add from Dove that showed how real women look.

What if we could be comfortable in our own skin? Look at these women above. They are having fun and are happy with the way that the look.

For a long time I was very uncomfortable in my own skin. I used to try to do anything to get people to like me. Then I learned about God's image of me. I learned that he loves us no matter what we look like. He has created each of us a unique.

Even though God loves us just the way we are it doesn't mean that we aren't supposed to take care of our bodies. God also states that our body is his holy temple and that we need to take care of it.

So how do I do that? I first surround myself with like minded women and men. I get rid of those that are negative and try to stay around those that are positive. They help boast me up. When they workout I want to work out knowing that we are both making our temples better. When I'm having an off day I have someone to talk to that understands the struggle and can help me not make bad decisions.

I secondly listen to pod cast from positive people. Some of my favorites are Chalene Johnson and Shaun T. They are positive and uplifting. They teach me things that help me be a better wife, mother and leader. They motivate and inspire me.

Lastly I try not to compare myself to others. This is the hardest for me. In a world where everything is in your face it is very easy to compare yourself to others. It is very easy to say "how does she have it all together and I am such a failure and a mess?" Sometimes people outsides don't match their insides. We can easily see what they want us to see.

For me the biggest change has been God loves me no matter what. He created me unique. He made me special. If I focus on that then my differences are actually positives and not negatives.

I loved this image with the top ten things to do for positive body image:

 These are some great tips. Why don't you try one of these today? I hope everyone has a blessed day.

What a difference five years makes

These past few weeks we have been thrown a few challenges that have really shown me how much both myself and my husband have changed in the last five years. In five years we have not only grown as individual people but as a couple. We have grown as parents. We have grown as children of God.

Five years ago we were living in Pittsburgh. We had just turned 30. I had just quit my job as a Regulatory Affairs Engineer as Zoll Lifecor. Brian had just left his job at UPMC. Abby was six months old.

A 6 months old on our back porch

At the children's museum 6 months old

When life would throw us unexpected changes we'd ask questions like "What are we going to do?", "How are we going to get through this?", "What can we do to fix this?", and "What's our plan?". We'd make our plans without God's input. We'd do everything in our power. We'd try to control every situation around us and wonder why we were failing.

Easter 2010

 

We thought we were healthy. We were exercising a few days a week. We were communicating with each other but not well.

2010

 

As new parents we thought we were messing up our kid. We had no clue what we were doing and everything was an experiment. We kept thinking "Are we doing this right?". "What if we do something wrong?". I was struggling with thoughts of "OMG she is doing X. Is that normal? Is she going to die? Is she sick?" I was a mess!

 

Now here we are five years later. We are now 35 and have 4 kids. We live in Erie. God has thrown us some unexpected curve balls lately. We are now asking questions like "God you brought us to this what is you plan?", "Please let your will be done and make your path clear"  and "I'm not worried about this as I know you have our best interests."

D 2015

D 2015

Being that D is our fourth we are still struggling with parenting questions but not as much as with our first.  We have he basics down but since each of them has been different always new challenges present themselves.

Now we exercise 6-7 days a week together and sometimes as a family. We are eating so healthy and feeling great for it. We are instilling healthy habits to our kids. We are also showing them that hard work and determination get you to your goals and where you want to be.

July 2014

We are communicating as a couple. We do couple's devotionals. We pray for our family together. We do family devotionals. We are teaching our kids that God's number one in our life.
I don't know what God has in store for our lives in the next six months but I do know that I'm clinging to Jeremiah 29:11

 

God's plans are so much better than my plans. I cannot wait to see what they are and how everything unfolds. I also now that:

I'm praying for each one of my readers today. May you feel God's presence in your life. Also may you feel peace with whatever you been struggling with lately. Remember God's got this. Have a blessed day everyone.



D's Birth Story

I wanted to write up Ds birth story as I'm still amazed at myself and what I accomplished. God is truly good and an amazing creator. I'm amazed every day how he made woman and all the things we can do.

As many know my pass two births have not gone completely as planned. With the first my water broke and I was group B + so they put me on Pitocin. That was the only drug that I had during delivery so it was painful during transition. With the twins I had an epidural and was in the OR incase the babies started destating and they were both born vaginally. With the third I was hoping I could have the delivery I always wanted and I did.

At around 4:00 PM I woke up from a nap with Brianna and was noticing some cramping I also thought I may have had my water break but wasn't completely sure. I called Brian and he wasn't answering. I called my mother in law and told her she should probably prepare to come to our place. I started to get everything ready to go to the hospital.

labor selfie

Around 4:50 Brian got home. I was having contractions every 10 minutes. I had his birthday dinner in the oven and he started to get everything ready so the girls would be able to eat.

By 5:15 the contractions were coming at about 6 minutes a part. Brian called our neighbor who came down to watch the three girls. I'm so lucky to have such great neighbors where we live. They are so awesome and it is a great place for my kids to grow up.

By 5:30 we were at the hospital. I broke the snow scraper on the way out of the car. This was hilarious as the day we came home there was about an inch of ice on the car and we are in winter here in Erie. Don't worry my awesome husband has already purchased a new one.

I walked into the OB ward of the hospital and both nurses were so excited. My husband works at the hospital that I delivered at so it was awesome that they were waiting for us and ready.

My OB showed up a short while later. He is an amazing man. He is so laid back. He also has a sense of humor.

The nice thing about delivering at a small hospital was that both nurses were attending to me. There was only one other patient on the floor as she had delivered two days prior. It was strange as the last two I had at Magee and it was always different people in and out and they were always very busy.

labor selfie 2

We were sitting there discussing an upcoming vacation that my OB was taking and I remember thinking "wow this isn't so bad".

My OB decided that he wanted to check me and he said you are at 9 cm. I remember thinking that I would see my baby soon. He said that he wanted to break my water. I went to sit up for him to do this and it broke on its own.

A few minutes later I knew I had to push. 4 pushes later Danielle was born. I remember when my OB said it was a girl thinking Wait What? I would have swore it was a boy. It was such a happy surprise. God knows that I can handle girls and wouldn't be a good mom for boys.

They put her on my chest and it was love at first site

When they weighed D she was 6 pounds 13 ounces.

Abby weighed 6 pound 13 ounces. D was 19 inches long. A was 19.75 inches long. They were both born at 38 weeks and 2 days.

They handed her back to me after being weighed and measured and cleaned up and she latched right on. This was exciting as I had a ton of problems with A and pumped for three months with B and C because they were in the NICU.

My hospital stay was incredible. You stay in the same room you deliver in. No one else came in to have a baby. So the entire stay there were two nurses and two patients. It was awesome.

The food was good for a hospital. Also the staff were incredible. After two nights  was discharged. I don't sleep well without my husband. Also that first night I was poked and prodded ever few hours.

We weren't even home an hour and this is what I did:

This was such an awesome experience. People keep asking if we are going to have another to try for a boy. I don't want to have another as this experience was too perfect and I don't want to play the odds. My husband is such an incredible father to our four girls and such an amazing partner for me. He is used to the pink that has taken over our household and doesn't mind not having a boy.

I pray each day that we raise all four girls to be Godly women. Thank you God for giving me the privilege to be their mom.

Lent Experiment

What if for 40 days we added something instead of gave up something. What if for Lent instead of picking something to fast from we did something to enhance other's lives. Today is valentine's Day and I keep thinking about God's love and how we can show God's love to others. The Lenten season ends with the ultimate act of love. Jesus died on the cross so our sins were forgiven. Then he rose from the dead so we can spend eternal life with God.

In Karen Ehman's book Keep it Shut she proposed one idea like this. She said she bought notecards and wrote encouragement to people all 40 days of lent. She one day she wrote a thank you to the garbage man. Another day she may have picked the janitor. If you prayed about it I bet God would bring someone to mind each day that needed some extra encouragement.

Another idea especially if you have kids it to do something nice for your neighbors every day.  Maybe they could help you bake cookies for the neighbors. They could create cards for the neighbors. You could help shovel snow, pick up leave, clean up yards. Think about how much better your neighborhood would be.

At Christmas time you always see Small Acts of Kindness Advent calendars. What if we did something similar for Lent. One day you tape change to a vending machine. Another day you can take food to the fire station. Call your local animal shelter and see what they need and take that to them. Here is one example we did at Christmas.

Just think if we each did this for 40 days. If we focused on others instead of ourselves. If we showed gratitude instead of complaining about what we don’t have. I think we would be changed. We would also change others. Maybe someone would feel appreciated or loved when they normally don’t. Who is in with me?

Reading Books

I often get asked how I can read so many books in the course of a year. Most people cannot believe I can read at least four books a month with three children under 5 in the house. Two of these are usually bible studies. The other two are usually personal development. I also usually read one fun book a month. Then I have my devotional readings that I do each morning. So how do I do it?

I make my devotional time a priority each morning. This may mean getting up 15-30 minutes earlier. It may mean that I read my devotionals out loud to the girls because they got up early. It may mean that at nap time I spend the first part of it with God before I work on my business stuff or work out. I may mean that I do it with my husband in the evening and we discuss and pray together. This is my one nonnegotiable in a day. I will spend time with God. It is usually first thing in the morning but let's face it life can be unpredictable and sometimes I have to put it in a different spot in my day.

My second thing I do is my personal development. I want to be the best I can be for both my family and my challengers of my Beachbody business. Most books have on average 12 chapters. I make it a priority to read one chapter  a day. Sometimes I break the chapter into sections and read one section in the morning while the girls are still sleeping and after my devotional. A second section in the afternoon while they are napping. A third section while I'm waiting for dinner to cook. Then finish off the chapter after I get the girls in bed. Others times I read the entire chapter in one sitting. Again I tailor this to my day depending on what the girls moods are like and what else I have planned for the day.

I also use this same formula for my bible study books. I just try to read when I can and make it a priority to finish a chapter a day. This means in a month I can finish two personal development books and two bible studies. I sometimes don't get to the bible study book and that's ok. I have a built in cushion as most books are only 12 chapters and there are usually 30 days in a month. This gives me 6 extra days to play with.

Lastly are my fun books. These only come out when everything else on my to do list is done. These usually come out at about 9:30 when all my work is done, the girls are completely asleep and I finished all my other reading I wanted to get done for the day. This is my way to unwind before bed. This is my rest. Someday I don’t get to my fun book at all. Other days I read 30 minutes. Yet others I read two pages and fall asleep on the couch. The blessing of these books are that they are purely there for relaxation and recreation so it doesn't matter how much I read or how long it takes me to read.

I hope these ideas inspire some of you to read more. I'm always looking for new personal development books and bible studies to read. So leave me a comment and let me know what you are reading right now or any good books that you think I should read. Have a blessed day everyone.

Worn Song and Thanks

It is so funny how a song can transport you back to a time in your life. Sometimes these songs take up back to a time in your life when you were happy. For example every time I hear God Bless the Broken Road I think of our wedding. Other songs may remind of us certain experiences. For example every time I hear It Won't Be Like This For Long I think of the day we drove A home from the hospital during the G20 summit in Pittsburgh. The town and the veteran's bridge were eerily quiet and I remember crying as I didn’t want that moment to end. Yet others may remind us of sad memories. For example every time I hear anything by the Dave Matthews band I think about how hurtful and vindictive I was in college. But today I want to talk about another song and provide some encouragement to my fellow moms out there.

You see here is the song:

 

Every time I hear this song it transports me to the winter of 2011 and 2012. We had just moved to Erie in October. I had no friends, no close family, a 2 year old, and premie twins who were supposed to be kept inside as it was RSV season. I remember feeling so hopeless. Every time I heard this song I felt it was speaking right to me. The line that says "Let me see redemption win. Let me see the struggle end" I kept thinking when the heck will this struggle end.

Christmas 2011

I remembering feeling so alone yet so blessed. I had three little girls to take care of. I had a husband who loved me and supported me every day. I always had people on me. I was always breastfeeding the twins or reading a books as A sat on my lap. I never really understood why I felt so alone.

I remember first picking up a book called "A Confident Heart". While reading this bible study I drew closer and closer to God. I realized I was alone because I wasn't drawing near to him. That he gave me this season of life to get closer to him.

Then I started to actually venture out of my house. I needed friends. I needed  a community. YOU CANNOT RAISE KIDS ALONE! I believe this in my heart of hearts. God made us moms for relationships and community. You cannot isolate yourself. You need some trusted friends in your life.

I thank people like Tina at Chik Fil A who helped A do crafts while I breast fed her sisters. I thank Mary Kay at the Children's Museum who would take one of the twins into her office to hold for a nap so I could spend some time with just A. I thank our Physical Therapist Kelly who came to my house every Friday and spoke life giving words into me. I thank Tammy at the zoo for always including the twins in A's class experience.

These ladies took time to invest in a mom they didn't know. They gave me hope that winter when I needed it most and when I felt hopeless. They showed God's love where I least expected it.

During the chorus of worn it says:

"I want to know a song can rise

From the ashes of a broken life

And all that's dead inside can be reborn

Yes all that's dead inside will be reborn

Though I'm worn

Yeah I'm worn"

And you know what by that summer I saw my life completely transformed. I saw that when I focused my eyes on God he gave me exactly what I needed him first and then a community of great women to help me in this crazy journey called motherhood. I felt like I was alive again all thanks to a few great encouragers. Thanks to those women who touched my life when I needed it most. I hope I can use their example to help others that need it today. Who needs some encouragement today? Who has a prayer request? Leave me a comment and know that I am here for you just like my friends were there for me. Have a blessed day.

Letter to my 16 Year Old Self

I was challenged to write a letter to my younger self. I decided to pick my 16 year old self. It was a time in my life when I was most out of control. It was a time in my life where so many decisions led me down a dark path that I never recovered from until the last five years or so. It was a time when I should have been living the dream but instead was stuck in a horrible reality.

17 year old me

 Dear 16 year old Kara

I know that sometimes you feel invisible. Your are constantly surround by people yet you don't feel truly loved. I know you'll do anything to please anyone you come in to contact with. I know you don't know any different as this is how you were taught. Quit trying to push people away. Instead start to try and make at least one friend for life. You'll look back and be sad at the opportunities you let pass by. You'll also wish that you could go back and really cultivate the friendships you did have.

I know you feel like a failure because on the outside you are constantly being told how awesome your are doing when inside you are being told you suck. You are being taught to grow up way before it is your time. You need time to be a kid. Try enjoying your time with your friends.

I know that you feel like you have to do all those activities (like dance, drill team and cheerleading) because if not you'll let your mom down. I know you hate them. Speak up and tell her you hate them. Follow what you truly want to do.  

I know that you smoke and smoke a lot. Quit now while it is easy. No one likes you because you smoke. You may think it is cool and people do but you are just pushing people away. It is a nasty habit. It is making you sick. It is hurting your lungs and causing your asthma. Quit now instead of ten years from now.

I know that you are being taught that guys suck. That they are only good for one thing and that is for kids and money. That they aren't there for a relationship. Guys aren't bad. God has a special one picked out for you. He will bring him into your life in the perfect time. This man will teach you things about yourself that you never knew. He will build you up if you submit to him like the bible tells you to. I just wish you could have waited for this special person.

I know that you have had sex before now and will continue to do so. You don't feel loved at home so you try to find love anywhere. Those "boys" don't love you.  They are only using you. They will never truly love you. Walk away! You are better than them. You have so much of a future to look forward to.

I know that during this year you will have an abortion. That it isn't what you want. That being adopted you would like to take a different path but you won't have a choice. I wish you would speak up for that choice but know you won't. I know you won't be able to talk about it. I also know you will just stuff it down with everything else you want to say. You need to process this. Find someone to talk to. Forgive now. Don't harbor all that regret and bitterness into your 30s.

Despite all these challenges life will turn out better than you'll ever imagine. This will all be God's plan for your life. These trials He will use to help so many others in the future. He will use them to be able to tell others of his goodness and faithfulness. He'll also use it to show what a transformation can be like when you believe in Him and Jesus.

You are loved. You aren't alone. You don't need to be a people pleaser. You don't need to do everything that people want you to do. Start talking now. Find someone you trust.

Love,

Your almost 35 year old self

Letter to my Children

Today I wanted to try something different. I'm 21 days from my due date with child number 4. It is finally sinking in that we are having another child.  I'm shocked at how quickly this pregnancy went. I'm also shocked at how great I feel and look this pregnancy compared to my previous two. I wanted to write some thoughts for my kids as we expand our family from 5 to six.

A please don't ever lose your encouraging and helping. When I'm at my lowest you know how to say the right thing to pick me up. We I am so tired I feel like I cannot do another thing you are right there to help me. You may only be 5 but you have taught me so much. Watching the world through your eyes is like seeing everything new. I love how you care for your classmates and grieve when they are grieving. I also love how you always want to take them cards just to let them know you love them.

B sometimes your Diva attitude hits my last nerve but I know God has a special purpose for it. I love you talkativeness. I love the constant questions even though some of them are hard to answer. I love the running commentary of my day from the eyes of a 3 year old. I love of afternoon cuddles when you are the first to wake up from nap and no one else in the house is awake. I love your skinny little butt that doesn’t hold up any pants so you always look like a plumber

C I love your personality. I sometimes get frustrated that you only have two volumes loud and louder but love hearing your voice. I love your random hugs. I love that you just come over as I'm cooking or cleaning and kiss my tummy just to say hi to your baby brother or sister and then run away and go back to playing. I love how much you look up to your older sisters and how much you just want to play with them and love them. You are definitely the peace maker in this family.

Baby D, you are coming into a family full of lots of loves and cuddles. This family does "I'm sorry" and practices forgive and forget. We will not let anyone use us as a door mat but believe in second chances. We love God and each other. If you are a boy I feel a little bad for you as your are going to be completely hen pecked by three older sisters. If you are a girl be ready for a house full of pink and purple!

I'm excited for this next chapter of our life to start and cannot wait to see if the baby is a boy or a girl. I'm also excited to be a mom of four! Hope you all have a blessed day.

Piyo Week 3 Recap

I'm excited to share what week 3 brought me. I had an awesome week. I gained another pound bringing my total up to 12 pounds in 27 weeks of pregnancy. My OB is still shocked at how great I look. I'm so excited at how well this pregnancy is going. I'm also excited of how great I feel. I still have so much energy.

Day 1: Define: Upper Body: I started with Define: Lower Body as I didn't leave the house all day. A was off from school. We did projects all day. It felt so good to stretch my legs. It also felt good to do the warriors series. Then I did Define: Upper Body. I love rolling like a ball. It is fun especially stopping in the V sit position. I'm getting stronger every day.

Day 2: Buns: Let me first say I started my day way off my game. I had my blood glucose screen for pregnancy this morning and I had to drink that orange drink. You know the one? This one:

I hadn't eaten anything in the previous 12 hours before drinking it. I was so hungry by the end of my appointment. AS I knew we had to do grocery shopping I was glad I had packed everything to make my Shakeology.

This may be my new go to non-bender recipe. I has 1 cup pumpkin puree, 15 ounces water, 7 ice cubes, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp allspice and 1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology. I put into my shaker cup and shook vigorously.  IT was so yummy and it definitively filled me up.

 

So onto Piyo Buns. This workout was hard. It is 28 minutes long. I wore shoes for this workout as you didn't use a mat. I could have used the mat towards the end as there was a section on all fours and my knee hurt even though I put my t-shirt underneath them. This workout was tough! It had a ton of squatting. There was also a section at the end where you were on all fours. It was killer especially the elbow plank leg lifts. My legs felt like jello by the end of the workout and the side of my butt hurt. I cannot wait to see how this workout defines my butt and helps my pants fit in that area.

Day 3: Core: I so wanted to get this workout in today. I even did it while the girls were awake. The had so much energy that I thought let's let them do it with me. They also didn't want to nap without mom. The reason I became a coach was to add a little extra income to our house to pay off all the medical bill debt and be able to spend time with my kids when they needed me so I went for it.

C is by far the best at the yoga poses. This surprises me as she I the one that had the toughest time learning to walk and run. She was also the one that had a small stroke while in the NICU. At one point we were told she may never walk and if she did it wouldn't be great.  As we know God is good and she walks, runs and plays and no one would have any clue. It was a long road with lots of physical therapy from our wonder therapist from the Achievement Center but now she is doing yoga with me and seems to be able to do every move.

Core kicked my butt today. I was so sore by the end I was glad to lay down with the girls. I pushed myself hard as I love these exercises. I love this workout as it isn't all on your back doing crunches. It has lots of variety. It is just perfect for this pregnant lady who doesn't want to be on her back for long. I'm so excited to see what the rest of this week brings.

Day 4 : Define: Lower Body: Today I lacked motivation to workout. I tried ever excuse in the book. I even procrastinated by spending time in my challenge group pages and answering emails. I knew I needed it because of the lackadaisical attitude.

Finally I just pushed myself through it and I was so glad I did. I even added Define: Upper Body. I really needed to get out of my funk and that was just what I needed. 40 minutes of uninterrupted Piyo. I felt so much better after my workout. I was also more focused and ready to face the rest of the day even when the girls woke up early from nap and were full of energy and Brian still wasn't home from work.

Day 5: Rest:   I love that Friday's are rest day. Usually by Fridays I am a little frazzled from the week. This week was especially crazy as Brian worked many later days and then my mother in law decided to come pick A up today for a princess weekend.  She picked A up at lunch time. I decided to take a snuggle nap with B and C to start off their princess weekend.

I truly took a rest today. It has been a long time since I took as rest day like this and my body felt so glorious after it. I definitely needed it. Friday night is pizza and movie night in our house. I make a healthy version of pizza with a whole wheat pizza crust. See my recipe Here

Day 6: Sweat: Since A was a meem and papa's and we had just B and C they got to choose where they wanted to go out to lunch. They choose Steak and Shake. I counted this as my cheat meal for the week. We had fun and I didn't go over board as it would have been easy to do.

I definitely needed the Sweat when I came home. It felt so good to work out. I love feeling the sweat. I also love how limber I feel afterwards.

Day 7: Strength Intervals: This workout is 22 minutes long. you don't need a may but they all wear shoes for it. I have very flat feet so I have my running shoes with a good arch that I used for this workout. It may seem like a short workout but it makes you sweat! i had to stop once during this workout as my heart rate was too high. I did the entire workout without any modifiers but stopped once. It has a good variety of stretch mixed in with high bouts of cardio. I think this may be my new favorite workout in the bunch.

Here is my schedule for week 4:

I'm going to use the same meal plan as last week. I'm not much of a variety person and I need easy this week as I have a busy week. I also need simple at this stage of the game of my pregnancy. I hope everyone has a blessed week.