Diary of Knocked Up Workout

Forty pounds.  FORTY POUNDS.  That's what I have gained with every single pregnancy.  I've worked out, but not intensely, with every pregnancy and still gain 40 lbs.  This time around I vow to gain only 39.  What can I say? I have lofty goals.

With my new lofty goal of gaining only 39 lbs, I have a very detailed plan.  It goes like this...

Get my booty up at 5:00am at least two days a week, and follow an 80% clean diet.  Here's what life really looks like on workout days.

5:05am       Alarm goes off
5:05:01am  Tap Snooze
5:15am       Alarm goes off again
5:15:01am  Wonder...Is this really worth it.  I need sleep.  NO!  Get up.  You do not want to get fat. (Repeat convo in my head multiple times)
5:18am       Roll out of bed, get dressed, put on deoderant, brush teeth, basically mad dash it for the door.
5:31am       Take the Walk of Shame into class.  I'm late...AGAIN...and I live in the hood!
5:32am       Start sucking wind for the next 43 minutes.  Wonder about my own sanity.  Upchuck. Suck some more wind.  Try to breath.  Whine.  Grunt.  It's not pretty folks.
6:15am       Marvel that I did it again.  Feel energized for the entire day and realize I'm one step closer to that 39 lbs weight gain.   What? What?

Now the only thing I need is a picture of me post workout.  Or a picture of me during a workout.  Better yet!  A video of me grunting during a workout.  You all totally need to see that.  You will be rolling for sure!  I'll be sure to get on that.

What Are We Doing Here?

 

Those oldest two.  I think we're on the right track.  That youngest one.  Well, he challenges everything you thought you knew about parenting.  Or maybe you still know about parenting, but he just makes you exercise those parenting skills a little more.  Or maybe you have no idea about parenting...

About that little one.  He has the best qualities.  He is funny beyond his years.  He speaks beyond his years.  He acts beyond his years.  He really wasn't a baby for very long.  He thinks he's just as old, if not older, than his siblings.  He has his own way of wanting to do things.  Which 99.999% of the time is the exact opposite of what I want him to do.  

Most of the time Steven and I find ourselves thinking, "What are we doing here?  Are we raising a leader or a psychopath?"  I've come to realize there is a really really fine line between the two, and often wonder what will become of this little guy if he doesn't learn to be a God fearing boy and moves into teenager world.

Then, like a bolt out of heaven, I came across this post by Jen Hatmaker.  It was such the reassurance that when times with toddlers is rough, there is a purpose for training and the very things you love about them now, and the will you are working so diligently to shape, will produce a stronger love and bond for those precious teenagers.  

I do get excited to see the strong will working for good.  All of our kids have it.  Some more than others, but eventually it will bring a boldness for truth and light and justice for others.  Lord help us to get them there.  We need a lot of wisdom, guidance, grace, mercy...basically, if it comes from God WE NEED IT!

Now this fourth one, God and I have already had many a talks about the easy going behavior he or she will possess.  Along with great sleeping...and no crying...and a love for a car seat.  Amen.

Menu Monday

Today is like a Monday, riiiiight???  It feels like Monday over here.  Only it's one day closer to Friday so that makes this day a happy day.  Even though every day is a happy day.  We try to make happy days at least.  Could someone tell the littlest Torres that?  He seems to forget how hard we work to keep happy in this family.

I hope you all had an amazing weekend celebrating Memorial Day.  What a way to take a moment to remember the men and women who have gone before us so we can enjoy a holiday.  For those still serving so we can have daily freedoms.  It's a little overwhelming when you really think about it.  What others have done for me.  It's humbling for sure.

Here's the menu for the week...

Tuesday-Turkey Veggie Spaghetti, Green Beans, Salad
Wednesday-Avocado Salsa Salmon*, Grilled Veggies, Berries
Thursday-Turkey Burgers, Brown Rice Chips and Salsa
Friday-BBQ Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Watermelon
Saturday-Lettuce Wraps and Fresh Veggies with Dip
Sunday-Dinner Out

*If you STILL have not tried this dish, you are missing out.  If you don't like salmon, sub chicken.  The seasoning blend...the salsa...the flavors...BOOM!  You will not be disappointed.  A Torres FAV for sure!!!

I Have Awesome Kids

Do you ever look at your kids and think, "Man, you are awesome."?  As in the kids are awesome.  Not me.  All three have such different personalities.  One keeps us in line, one keeps us entertained, and one keeps us on our toes.  I can't imagine what the fourth will do to us, but they are all awesome.

On Monday, we got to celebrate the achievements of Little Man as his school presented first grade awards in specific areas.  Little Man's teacher was so great to prepare all the kids that not everyone gets an award.  There are just certain areas that are recognized.  Basically, Little Man knew he may not get an award.  Which, when his name was called, made it that much more special.  He was elated.

 

Little Man received the Social Science award.  I love that his inquiring mind and love of nature was recognized.  A special little niche that not many see in him.  He loves his teacher so much.  She has spent much time pruning and teaching him to flourish.  We are so proud of the boy he continues to grow into daily.

What I loved even more about the awards ceremony was seeing all the other kids shine.  Getting a little glimpse in the areas where his classmates and schoolmates achieved.  I love celebrating kids. 

Little Miss was also excited for the awards because she got to share the same chair as her best school buddy.  These two love all things dresses, sparkly, and princess.  A match made in heaven.

 

And speaking of Little Miss.  She shared some very good insight into her relationship with her youngest brother.  As they were playing together, she looks at him very seriously and says, "Chubby Cheekers,  I'm actually starting to like you."

Welllll, good to know Little Miss, good to know.  She would definitely be the one who entertains us.  Love that girl and her honesty.

As for the youngest, he keeps us on our toes.  Just the other day he covered himself in mud and then proceeds to tell me he pooped.  That boy knows how to give a mom an instant heart attack.  He also knows how to get himself an instant bath.  

 

And for the record, that is MUD, not poop.  Phew!  I can't even imagine if it were the latter.  Ewwweeeee! This guy would be the one who keeps us on our toes.

Menu Monday

It's the clean version.  No really.  I mean that literally.  We're strictly eating clean this week.  After mini vacay after mini vacay our systems are dying for some whole foods.  Like every color of the rainbow is going in my shake!

Here's what we're chowing on for dinner...

Monday-Grilled Tilapia, Roasted Asparagus, Berry Salad
Tuesday-Turkey Chili and Salad
Wednesday-Grilled Chicken and Peppers with Brown Rice
Thursday-Veggie Spaghetti and Roasted Green Beans
Friday-Lettuce Wrap Tacos, Veggies and Jalapeno Hummus
Saturday-Turkey Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries
Sunday-Dinner with Family

This week is my most favorite week.  It's the LAST week of school for Little Man and Little Miss!!!  Sweet, sweet summertime.  Bring on the tan babes, white booties, and scents of sunscreen.  I also purchased a new swimsuit to cover my...booty.  Yes, I bought a skirt.  Not covering the belly, just the backside.  Both grow to proportions of unrealistic value, but at least the stomach is expected to grow.  Plus, I like a little shock factor.  Our recent trip to Great Wolf Lodge proved to be quite interesting...

Is that lady pregnant or does she just like to drink...A LOT???

What can I say?   I like to keep people on their toes ;) 

A Torres is Vegas

I coined a new mental picture term thanks to a sweet friend.  Clip Art.  I have so much clip art from Vegas my mental file box can store no more images.  At the airport waiting to fly out I told Erica we were going to pretend to take selfies, but have the camera still facing out so we could snap pics of all the crazies.  That was such a brilliant idea.

Problem.

You actually get to Vegas and BAM!  There is so much Clip Art you can't possibly direct your phone in the proper directions.  A panoramic shot would shut you down.  It shut me down.  Phew!  I went through a 12 step program to accommodate all the emotions.  It went down like this...

1. Staring
2. Mouth Open
3. Shock
4. Double Take
5. Disbelief
6. Laughter
7. Wonder
8. Triple Take
9. No Words
10. Hard Swallow
11. Sadness
12. Grief

What was especially interesting was Erica's reactions.  Her number one question,

Where does one find a dress like that?

I told her to ask.  After all there were so many 'Less Than A Yard Of Fabric' dresses around that these girls would probably think she was asking so she could buy one.  Heck!  We were in jeans and t-shirts.  The sad part.  We were still offered free drinks, free cover, free, free, free.  I guess being a female qualifies you for free, free, free.  Thank goodness for pregnancy.  Just one point down to the belly and suddenly, these men have the upmost respect for you (yeah right)...

Oh!  I'm sorry ma'am.  You have a wonderful night.

Puh-lease.  This Vegas experience was great Arbonne related.  Out and about, not so much.  I could not get my mind off these people just looking for another fill in their life.  There. Is. So. Much. More. I wanted to squeeze these people faces and tell them.  You were made for more.  You can be more.  You can have more.

See?  There we are rocking our sexy t-shirts and jeans.  MmmmHmmmm.  Looking good.

There were some really good moments.  We woke at 6:00am to run 3 miles of the strip to raise money for an orphanage in Africa.  As we were running, and running the stairs and bridges we came across many homeless still sleeping.  Some just waking up.  It was a great opportunity to show these people that I SEE you!  Whether I thought they were sleeping or not, I spoke to each person.  Some were really knocked out if you know what I mean, and others were shocked someone spoke to them.  Heartbreaking.  Truly heartbreaking.  

We also got to high five a ton of inebriated individuals stunned to see the light of day as the filed out of the casinos, encouraging them to do something powerful with their day.  These poor souls not only realized it was morning but they suddenly found themselves in the midst of 100+ women running the strip.  Their heads were spinning.  Is it bad that I laughed?  (Head hung in shame)

All in all the Arbonne part of Vegas was inspiring and amazing.  The Strip part has given me a lot to think about and how to make a lasting impact in societies like that.  My head is spinning like those people filing out of the casino.

And because I love to shock people, I have a photo for you.  Prepare yourself.  It's frightening...

 

 It's those crazy Arbonne ladies without their Arbonne products beautifying their faces in the morning. HOWEVER, there is ONE who put on make-up for a 6am run.  That person shall remain nameless, but YOU know who you are...

Be sure to check me out in the front row.  Go ahead...enlarge the pic.  I want you to feel good about yourself!  That's me...exhausted, knocked up, sweaty, haphazard hair, and make-upless.  Consider yourself blessed that this pic does not come with smellvision.  That would push you over the edge.

Blessed to Burdened

First off, watch this...

Make You Feel My Love

(If I were ultra techy I would totally know how to show the video on here, but I'm not so you get the link)

I watched this and my heart strings were a singing.  Thinking of all my babies, my mom and all the sacrifices it takes to be a mom.  I celebrated this day with my kids, all three that are healthy and strong, with my mom and mother-in-law. and my husband.  I celebrated this day with people who love and cherish me.  I celebrated this day with people I love and cherish.  But...

But, as I watched the video I went from blessed to burdened.  I celebrated while my friends and complete strangers longed, cried, wished, hoped, prayed, and tried to survive the day.  I hurt for them.  

So for all my friends who celebrated this day without your mom.  I spent time praying and remembering the special memories you have shared.  Your mom was precious, and I am thankful for the person they produced in you.

For all my friends who have a baby and child waiting for you in Heaven, I prayed for you.  I don't even have the words to comfort you, but I prayed for Jesus to be right there with you in the way that He knows you need.  I cannot even comprehend your hurt or longing, but tears pour out for you.

For all my friends working towards bringing home your baby from an orphanage or hospital, I prayed for your day and your child.  I believe with you that your child will be in your arms soon.  

For so many Mother's Day is the most looked forward day of the year.  We focus on the gifts, the spoiling, the rest, the excitement.  Although I enjoyed all of those things,  I cannot go on with my Mother's Day without letting those moms and daughters know I love you.  I leave you with my friend's post on Facebook.  I admire her for her strength through the trial and pain.  She is an inspiration to cherish the moments.  Even the ones where you want to pull your hair out.