Teaching, No Greater Call

I've been reading the manual, Teaching, No Greater Call and I am totally in love with it. I've had it since Singles Ward and only now am I really diving into it. I didn't realize it delved into parenting & Visiting Teaching. I can't believe all the tips and counsel they give. I'm finding so many answers to so many things. My favorite sections are Creating a Learning Atmosphere, teaching different ages, and teaching techniques. I'm feeling really good about my Sharing Time lesson this week.

Facing my underwater demons

Today I jumped in the pool! My goal was 4 laps... but I was able to pull out 36!!! They were not pretty or elegant, and I inhaled lots of water. But, I am so proud of myself. My new Visiting Teacher came over to introduce herself with a plate of brownies. Yes, we celebrated :)

My break is over... ready for more!

Two Fridays ago, I woke up with a whacked out shoulder & neck. I couldn't even lift Rilie. I went to a chiropracter recommended by a couple friends. Tomorrow is adjustment 4 of 4. The massages have been painful, but good. Apparently, the years of bad posture and lifting children caught up and exercising was just the last straw the broke the camel (or my) back. I learned a lot of good things... like Omega 3s are a natural anti-inflammatory, and I'm back to pushing hard.

Today, I was going to get in the water... since that is my weakness with the three events. But, CSI was airing part II of an episode I never finished in college (roommates fav show, but I did enjoy watching it with her from time to time). So... biking and elliptical it was!

I don't know what to call what I do on the elliptical ... it wasn't walking or running... something in between?? Whatever it was, I did 1.75 miles in 25 minutes.

Biking 6.35 miles (35 minutes)

Total burn for the day: 510 calories!

Day 4 & 5

Falling behind here...

Things are going great. Yesterday, I ran 1.61 miles & biked 6 miles. Today, I did a full body work out with weights. I found an awesome website full of routines, www.muscleandstrength.com. Every exercises has a video showing you proper form. I also completed a second workout playlist. Things continue to go well.

As for a new goal, I've been talked into joining a group of sisters doing the Pink Cheeks triathalon. It's considered a "sprint" triathlon: 5K run, 10 K bike, and 30 lap swim (not sure what size the pool is). I'm actually getting really excited about it. I'm already jogging 1/2 the 5 K & biking 10K three days a week. I just need to get swimming down. My friends reassured it's not crazy competitive. Apparently there is an older man that runs it in a tutu.

It will be a fun road trip with some awesome sisters!

Pictures of my boys...

It's so hard to catch still pictures of moving kids... but these are some good ones. I hope to get more shots of Alvin and Paul that aren't just blurrs :)

My three boys

Rilie with bed head. So cute!

A box and a flashlight... what else could a boy need.

Paul & Rilie tickling.

Check out Paul's missing tooth.

Alvin & Rilie sword fighting

Day 3...

Day 3.. It took me 28 min 22 seconds to finish 2 miles. I'm pretty proud of that, Wednesday it took me 15 minutes to do 1 mile. Today, I ran for 1.5 miles straight. YEAH!!! I biked 5 miles on double the incline. Today, total calorie burn +500. Total for the week 1500 calories.

There is a 5K at the end of February, but I"m nervous about cold & ice. My friend said they probably keep the streets/path pretty clear. She's probably right. Would I be ready by then???

Day 1...

Day 1 of Working Out

I am blessed with a ward full of sisters that love to run races and the like. For a year they've been encouraging me to do a 5K with them. A couple weeks ago, a friend who is training for a triathlon found a great deal at a local gym. It's affordable and has a free day care for our little ones. I spent the last week thinking about it: Will I commit? Am I wasting our resources? On Saturday I made the decision: Yes, I will commit! Which was cool, because our Home Teachers came over on Sunday and shared the message about the need for missionaries. They talked about the different aspects for couples to prepare: Spiritual, financial, and health. He encouraged us to read D&C 89 and see how it can help us prepare for a mission when the time comes. Another affirmation, that this is what I need to be doing.

I now have a schedule in place. I'm really hoping and praying I can stick to it. Up early to read scriptures & take my medicine, guide the kids in their morning routine, get Rilie ready, eat breakfast, take the kids to school, head off to the gym, back in time for lunch and naps. It's a delicate balance with some key components. I can't eat breakfast for an hour after I take my medicine (so, can't be late there). If I over sleep, scriptures study and medicine are missed and mom, kids, and Rilie are overly rushed out the door. This also means, mom and dad can't stay up late... which was developed over the last semester when he didn't get home till 10pm.

The good news is not only will working out & study the scriptures not conflict anymore, I have naps to pull together Primary & Family business. There are a lot of good things that can happen, I just hope I will make them happen.

Here's to Day 1!