Today I'm grateful for/that:

1. Tom is home safely. I missed that rascal. ;)

2. Maddie and Wes had a good time at work.

3.  Maddie got the CUTEST pair of Sperry Top Sider shoes in pink plaid for $1~and we wear the same size. :D

4.  We are going out to eat pizza as a family tonight~big treat from Tom.  It's nice to have a treat after being a single mom this week.

5. I'm not a single mom and have a husband who is a wonderful dad.

7.  The mid 20s and mid 40s predicted for the next few days are not here to stay long~I'm ready for Spring.

8.  Decaf coffee that I drink hot in the morning and cold in the afternoon.

9. Kids who are growing and taking more responsibility for their education.

10.  Afternoon naps~yes, I still need one since I am at the tail end of my head cold.

11.  Jesus, who meets with me every morning, day by day, and every second is there with me. He is truly so good to me.


Today's workout:  Spark People Total Sculpting:  w/u, barre, cool down; Jessica Smith's Total Body Balance Sole Sculpt.

I saw this two days ago at a corner of my house. What a lovely reminder that spring WILL be here soon.  

Last Wednesday Wes and I both got the cold. It involved a stuffy nose, fatigue and lots of coughing. By Sunday we were feeling a bit better but still stayed home from church since we were coughing quite a bit.  By Monday we felt even better.

Tom has been gone since Monday noon to a conference at Camp Glisson.  A mandatory event for pastors in our area. I think he's had fun but said he's tired too~it's like being back in school. ;)
The kids and I have been pretty busy.  I had errands and things to do on Monday and Tyler and Wes had Scout Court of Honor. Tuesday I taught a Bible Study for Tom in the morning and the boys got haircuts.  Today I had to run errands(including getting Ty some new shoes as he outgrew his men's size 7s and is now in an 8~in about 2 months!) and the kids have Youth and I have Women's Bible Study tonight. Shew!  Along with school it's kept us busy with Tom being gone.

Tomorrow the kids have to work in the a.m. and then pack because THEY are going on a youth retreat to Camp Glisson Friday afternoon through Sunday. Tom and I won't know what to do with ourselves all weekend but I bet eating out will be on the menu sometime.

No workouts for me after last Wednesday (I did Full Fitness Fusion that day~no impact mix of pilates, kettlebells, dumbbells, cardio and yoga~just lovely).  Yesterday I did some Spark People Bootcamp workouts for 35 minutes and today was Jessica Smith's new Walking Workout and Core Stretch from her new Total Body Balance DVD.

Funny of the day. We got this postcard in the mail. How did they know Tom is a red-headed man of Irish descent, lol?  Must be the name. ;)  The kids and I had a laugh over it and they wanted to get shirts. The  younger two. Not Wes. No way, no how, does he want to dress like his two younger siblings.

Tyler and Maddie began to work on a play using part of our Chronicles of Narnia study. Wes is feeling the cold coming on(scratchy throat and tired) so he worked on his Chemistry and Geometry in between naps, Vitamin C, Orange Juice and water breaks.  I'm feeling a bit scratchy in the throat too and am coughing a bit.  Arrgh, looking forward to spring!

Workout:  Jessica Smith Cardio Core Flow and Powerfit Harmony Core Body Balance.

Crazy weekend.  Thursday night we had a ball at Maddie's game but got home late.  Friday I got up, exercised and then we left about 1pm to go run errands. We got Wes' social security card situation sort of straightened out (he can at least get his learner's permit) and then went by the hospital so Tom could make a visit. We met Ernest and Pat at a Chick Fil-A between here and Atlanta to visit and have a snack. Then we went back to Gainesville to go to Aldi's Discount Grocery (Tom has an Aldi's addiction, lol) and then came home. We were gone about 5 hours and I was so tired.  I woke up feeling terrible on Saturday and that day and Sunday just rested a lot (I had sinus stuff that felt like it was going into a cold but never did). 

Meantime Ty got the cold on Friday and now is coughing. Wes says his throat feels weird. Ugh, I sure hope the winter is almost over and we can be germ free.

Tom went to see Maddie's game on Saturday and they went out to eat with the team after they won the tourney. She had a ball staying at the lake house with the girls, going to a movie, etc.

Today we had a day off school, thank goodness. We spent time doing some catching up on chores, reading, playing a few games, and just relaxing. God definitely knew that we needed that.

Oh, and my father in law, Ernest McElroy, came through his knee replacement surgery and is recovering. They said everything went great.

Workouts: Friday was Jessica Smith's freebie on You Tube Dance party. What a BALL.  80s and 90s music and fun moves. I also did Powerfit Core Fusion.

Saturday and Sunday were off days due to feeling yucky.

Today was Powerfit Harmony Power Up cardio, and then Strong Push and Strong Pull Sculpting workouts.

I'm also wishing a Happy Belated Birthday here to my brother, Glenn. He's a great brother and uncle and has put up with me for his entire life~I think he deserves a medal!

Funny of the day. When Wes was about 8 he wanted to make Rude Conversation Hearts.  Looks like someone beat him to it. These are hilarious.

We've had a lovely Valentines Day so far. Actually, it began yesterday for me. Maddie gave Tucker a spa day. He looks fluffy, feels soft, and smells great. Maddie was a willing participant and Tucker a reluctant one but I love the end result.

Then it was off to church for dinner and an Ash Wednesday service, and youth/Bible Study!  We enjoyed hanging out with friends and celebrating the start of Lent.

Today Tom and I went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant. I got a lovely card, a new workout DVD, and a LOT of dark chocolate. That man knows me well.

The kids and I have been making Red Velvet Cupcakes. They're cooling and then we'll plop the cream cheese icing on them, yummy.

Maddie has piano and then we're off to Dawsonville for a basketball tournament game. After the game and a quick dinner, we will come home while Maddie spends the weekend (until Saturday afternoon) at a lake house with her teammates for the rest of the Varsity tourney.

I'm praying God's love is pouring over you and blessing you this day. He is the reason for love, after all.

Workouts:  Saturday:  Jessica Smith Flat Abs Walk; Powerfit Harmony Core Body Balance

Sunday:  Slim Series Express Cardio Core; Slim in 6 Slim and Limber

Monday:  Walk; Slim Series Express Cardio Sculpt (upper body weights and cardio) and Slim Series Express Cool it Off(30 minute Stretch)

Tuesday:  Powerfit Harmony Lower Body Blast and Core Express

Wednesday:  Tracie Long Break Through Medicine Ball Cardio workout(also hits the core, legs and shoulders quite well)

Today:  Powerfit Back, Bis, and Thighs and Chest, Tris, and Glutes.  I'm sticking with these band workouts for a while as my shoulder got pulled and the band doesn't bother it as much as dumbbells do.  Since we finally got a break in the rain, I also got a walk in today.

This little guy started my day off with a chuckle.  Grumpy cat is just so cute and funny.  I've gotten so sick of the movie Titanic that I think the iceberg is my favorite character too. ;)

Oh, shoot, you can't see the caption at the bottom~it says:  "My favorite character is the iceberg."  Now my comment above will make more sense, huh?

We got our school work done for the week, yippee.  Maddie and Tyler did some amazing writing and science work in conjunction with our Narnia study. All the while Maddie was able to stop and nap since she has a sore throat, etc. I think she's a wee bit better tonight but not in time to play in the JV Tournament. Please pray she's better tomorrow and can go.  We are definitely in need of a road trip.

Tom and I had a coffee and study date early this morning. I love when he goes with me on his day off. Of course a pastor never truly has a day off. From 11-4 he was either in the office, making calls, or making visits. I really need to get him to take more time to rejuvenate~yet another prayer request.

Wes and I had a fun serendipity today. We went to McDonald's to get Maddie a frappe for her sore throat and spent time talking to someone whose nephew plays football at the University of Kentucky. Small world!

As the day draws to a close, I'm most grateful for God's simplest gifts. My friends, family, pets, sunrise and sunsets mean the world to me.

Workout:  Jessica Smith's Cardio Abs, Total Body Abs Transformer (30 minute cardio and weights). Yikes, she's trying to leave me in a puddle on the floor but it was efficient and effective.  I also got a mile walk in as well.

Weird time of year.  Tornado warnings last Wednesday; snow on Saturday; 67 degrees yesterday; 47 and rain today. I think I'm beyond ready for spring.

Mary Madison is participating in a JV Basketball Tournament tomorrow night and Saturday afternoon in Ellijay.  Please pray for her as she woke up with a bad sore throat.  We'll see how she is feeling tomorrow.

I meant to share this picture from our snow day on Saturday. No snow for Gracie and Peanut. They even decided to tolerate one another long enough to curl up and share body warmth. :D

Workouts:
I started my ab rotation this week. Monday's workout about killed me but Tuesday was a Powerfit Harmony Cardio (nice and moderate) and a 20 minute core workout from Powerfit Harmony. Yesterday was intense core-focused cardio day.  I did Cardio Abs with my girl Jessica Smith. Tons of twisting and kickboxing moves!  Today was a well earned recovery day and I did a 15 minute Slim and Limber stretch. It worked out nicely for me as Maddie was sick, Wes was working, and we had someone here to spray for pests and someone fixing the toilet, all at the same time!

Had to update the blog for a more Valentine's Day look. And that rain template encouraged far to much rain during the month of January.

Oh, and here are a few pictures of our "Saturday Serendipity"~not predicted at all until it started!!

We ended up with about 2" but I don't have any pictures of that. The first picture was of Tucker when it first started snowing~huge, puffy flakes. He'd never seen snow and was amazed. The short video footage is of him when the snow started sticking~he was having a ball.

Oh, and Tyler finally got his glasses today so here's a picture of him~very smart looking, eh?

Okay, for my workout rotation this month I'm focusing on Core work. I'm also doing a more high rep/light weight type of routine to change things up a bit. Variety is the spice of life for me. :D

Day 1~Cardio and Weight Circuits with a core focus and lighter weights

Day 2~Light Cardio to warm up and then Core focused workout

Day 3~Moderate to Intense Cardio

Day 4~Recovery Workout and Walking

Repeat with Day 5 having a Cardio and Weight Circuit with a bit more of a moderate weight focus.

So, today was Firm Cardio Core Fusion. It uses 2 2# weighted balls and really hits the core very well. I'll be feeling it tomorrow.