Putting on Triathlon Thinking

Extreme pain, mental exhaustion, endurance tested to the absolute limits, fatigue that wears you to your knees. Have you ever felt this way? I know I haven’t, but I was so inspired by watching the Ironman triathlon competition today. It is a race that consists of a 2.4 miles swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26 mile run-all without a break. Watching these amazing athletes pushing their bodies beyond limits is so inspiring. The pain they go through to make it to the finish line is beyond any pain I have ever felt. They had to train there minds to keep going even when it tells them to stop. Beyond all reason they must fight to keep going, even when it seems like they should quit. Even when it seems like their body was not meant to be pushed to those extreme limits. And when they push, they endure, they keep up, they fight, the persevere- that is when they reach the finish line. The faces on these winners were that of pride. I didn’t see one face that was discouraged, or unhappy. They were all so joyful, abundant joy radiating out of them. I couldn’t help but cry. I was overwhelmed by the dedication, commitment, pain, endurance, sacrifice, struggle, exhaustion, accomplishment, and utter joy that each athlete had written across there face as they passed through the finish line. How could you not be truly inspired by that?

 It made me think, what if we lived that way for God. Running the race, sacrificing our bodies, minds, and all putting even our very own reason aside. Putting it all behind us. Pushing, ourselves beyond what we think capable for our lives, beyond anything we can even dream. God is so much bigger. I like to think God has triathlons in store for us. But we limit Him into walks around the block. Imagine what we can do when we put on God’s “triathlon thinking” and persevere towards the finish line….wow.

Glen Ivy Spa Day

On Friday I went to Glen Ivy with Toni, and Aim. We had such a nice relaxing time.

Toni screamed a little when we got into the water, the water was warmer too…I’d say 70s. But it sure was funny…

We went and got all muddy at Club Mud. That was alot of fun!

Relaxing after a nice pedi…(32 week belly )

Overall, a great day. We will be going back asap…guaranteed!

Pregnancy Journal:18 Weeks

I cant wait for our ultrasound next Friday, we will finally find out what our little spud is! Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we can find out anyway. My mom told me that she never knew what I was untill she delivered me at the hospital. She said that everytime they did an ultrasound my little legs were crossed, so lets hope that doesn’t happen to us. I would LOVE to know ahead of time. But I am mainly just excited to see the baby. It is such a blessing to be able to see whats going on in there.

I have been feeling pretty good latley. I have had cramping like always, apparently it is the ligaments growing and stretching since there is so much growing and moving around for my body to do. They havent been too bad latley, but they are there off and on. I have still had one wild overly active bladder, not much fun at night. But I know it will most likley only get worse. Eating is still touch and go, I havent been eating a lot, just more often. I noticed that my appetite has kicked up a few notches, but I still don’t really ever want much…salad, fruit, and cold foods (not by choice!). And needless to say I have had one sensitive stomach, which is so not normal. The dog has been getting sick at night (lucky me… the time I have him…alone!) It has been a train reaction, monkey see… monkey do. All it takes is one swoop from paper towel in hand, to the trash can and I am a goner! I was SO sick over it this past weekend. What a whimp!

On a less nauseating note, I think I’ve been feeling baby movements. They started very lightly about a week ago, I wasn’t so sure what they were. But they have gotten more frequent and a little stronger. It feels like a flutter, it is really quick too, that’s why it is so hard to say if that’s what it was. There are a lot of things going on in there, its hard to tell if it’s the little spud or not. This week those feelings have kicked up a little bit, I mainly feel it during or after eating, sometimes it seems like a muscle spasm except inside my stomach! One day last week there was a strong movement, and I wasn’t sure what it was, I looked down to brush something off my shirt thinking it was a bug. But it was inside, no brushing that away! Only time will tell for sure if what I’m feeling are baby or just bodily functions. I should know soon, cant wait to know FOR SURE that it was/is the baby moving!

Pregnancy Journal: 15 1/2 weeks

Week 15, 4 days

 Today was our monthly check up (weeks late) but still better late than never. It’s been rough trying to get in to see our dr. he is very busy and in my opinion takes way too many patients. Anyway, on to the good stuff..Everything appeared fine, they checked my urine for sugar (I think that’s what it was) and that checked out fine, blood pressure good, lost a couple more pounds making it just under 10 pounds since my first appointment. This worried me a little, but the dr. said I am fine and the baby is fine as long as I am not vomiting up everything that goes into my mouth which hasn’t really been happening. So, he says the weight lose is fine, so it’s fine. It’s just shocking, as I feel like I look HUGE already! I wonder where the weight is being lost?? Certainly not my waistline, or bust area! lol whatevs. As long as we are both healthy so be it!

We were waiting for the dr to listen to the heartbeat with the Doppler except he didn’t have it with him for some reason so he tells us we get an ultrasound! We haven’t seen the little baby since we were only 7 weeks pregnant, a long time ago! And it looked nothing like a baby; it looked like a little egg, or jelly bean. Anyway they are so stingy with ultrasounds, it seems as though they don’t like to give them often. So you can imagine my excitement when he told us we get to see the baby today! I was SO excited.. When he put the scanner thingy on my belly a small baby showed across the screen! A baby! Not a jelly bean or egg, but a real life baby with arms, legs, a belly, a nose, fingers, toes…..INCREDIBLE! I was literally speechless, and the only words that could come out were…It’s actually a baby in there! And the dr responded, “well of course it’s always been”. Lately I knew in my head that I was pregnant but wasn’t quite sure at times. You know…my belly isn’t huge or that obvious yet, the sickness has pretty much passed, and I don’t feel a baby in there so I couldn’t help but wonder sometimes if I was still pregnant or not. Well after today, no questions there! It truly was amazing to watch our little bug moving around, it’s little arms and legs flapping around as if it were swimming. I asked the dr. to check for the sex, after some maneuvering he found the perfect position to access the image of ‘the goods’ and alas the little legs were crossed….(Which I mentioned to Kenny later at lunch how LADY like that was of her! He then responded with a grunt and mentioned under his breath something about everyone being against him..ha!) Oh well, we will see. Next check up will be a month from now, on the same day we will schedule the actual ultrasound and (keep your fingers crossed) sex of the baby J Can’t wait!

Our first Ultrasound

We had our first ultrasound today, and the pictures do not do it justice. It was incredible watching the little heart beating. Absolutely amazing! I am still in awe. It does not resemble human form yet. But it has a blood supply and it’s thump-er is thumpin’ away! Did I mention the heart was beating!!!!!!

Here I am world, 7 weeks old….

Jillian’s 30 Day Shred

So for the past two weeks, every other day I have been doing Jillian’s from Biggest Loser, 30 day shred (Level #1) video. She is kicking my butt!

It may only be a half hour workout, but it is a half an hour of torture…..See for yourself. (but make sure you do all three videos, they equal level#1–the entire workout) :)

I am pooped.

Health and Wellness 09

So, another part of the new years “plans” was to lose weight, and run a marathon this year. I think I’m on the right track. I’ve been running and working out quit a bit lately…as much as my body allows me anyway. I’ve been starting off slow and walking/running, but today Ken and I ran quit a bit of the 2 miles, I feel proud of myself. It’s getting easier too, even though I am SOOOO not a runner. I’ve been trying to lay off the sweets too, and sure enough guess what Mark showed up with for the Charger game yesterday? A late xmas gift…..a BIG plate of cookies. So these cookies are going with us to Manana’s tonight to share with the kids in the youth group….

Talk about self-restraint these cookies are sooooo good, and soooo tempting