Tomorrow it's back to work for another week, I wish weekends lasted just a little longer.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
An EGGcellent Easter
Just a short short post about our day. We had a lovely Easter today. We had my mom and dad for lunch and no big plans to do much of anything. We did enjoy some outside time for our egg hunt and Chase quickly caught the hang of it.
He managed to find his fair share of eggs considering it was his first hunt and then quickly figured the best way to open the eggs and get to the candy inside :)
What a goofball! We took several other pictures but the wind made it a little hard to keep the hair out of my face and our eyes from squinting. I thought I would take one with Kenley and my mom and now looking all I can think about is how big her ears look :) Still not a bad picture though.
We had a light lunch of ham, green beans, potatoes, and rolls and then it was time for dessert. We finally got to test the Carmel Apple Cheesecake bars I made yesterday and they were FABULOUS!
I will definitely have to make them again for some sort of function where there are lots of people to eat them because we barely made a dent today. I'll be taking them to work tomorrow to fatten everyone else.
Tomorrow it's back to work for another week, I wish weekends lasted just a little longer.
Tomorrow it's back to work for another week, I wish weekends lasted just a little longer.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Before and after...10 weeks is just the beginning
Okay so I'm assuming most of you are friends with me on Facebook or read the last post but Clay and I just wrapped up our 10 weeks at Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping. We have already signed on to be FIT Members for the next year and are looking forward to it but yesterday was our final testing.
I knew that over the past weeks our bodies and minds have been changing but I had no idea of the impact on my emotions that yesterday would have on me. Especially last night and lingering in to today.
Starting out 10 weeks ago, I would have told you that if I lost 15 lbs I would have considered it worth the initial investment. At week 5 when I was already down 11 lbs I wanted to see how far I could really take it the last 5 weeks.
So, I pushed harder at class. I challenged myself with heavier bands and stayed after with a friend to do extra ab work or tricep dips or just whatever. I tried my hardest to do extra sit ups and push ups each night even though it was 830pm by the time I got around to them and I was mentally exhausted and ready for bed. I did my best and gave my level 10 as much as I could. I found myself happier. I was laughing, smiling and overall just content. I was fitting into pants I haven't worn in years and falling out of others that I tried to wear.
Then came yesterday's testing. I wanted to push even more. I set my mind up that I wanted to do 43 situps in a minute. I didn't make that goal but I far exceeded my wildest expectations losing a whopping 16.5 inches from my chest, thighs, hips, arms, and waist and 21 lbs. I was in shock and didn't believe it. I also shaved almost another 45 sec off running my mile and completed it in 9:17 and did almost 50 push ups in the minute test. I walked out feeling like a winner.
Each 10 week session gets a female and male $1,000 winner. It's not based on any one thing but just an overall improvement/transformation and determined by secret ballot voting amongst the instructors, coaches, and staff. They pick the top 4 together and then the voting begins.
Arriving at the party, decked out and feeling fabulous I was excited to relax with my coach and friends from class. I enjoyed the awards ceremony hooting and hollering for others that had accomplished so much. There was a diabetic lady who ran the whole mile without stopping and had her sugar levels at an all time low, a college student who got the best spirit award, and many more. Clay and I even got free tshirts for our perfect attendance award :) (We were hoping for a tshirt. I guess its the small things in life. Actually we each have 2 tshirts now so can't wait to bust those out.)
Then came that moment. It was time for the big winners. I will admit over the past few weeks I had thought about it often. I had believed I could do it and I could be the one but tried not to get my hopes up. Then Jessica (the office manager) began...."Our female winner lost 21 lbs and 16.5 total inches..." And that was the moment I knew it was me and true to my nature. I cried sitting there before she ever said my name. Bobbi and Beth (both from my class) were already smiling and super excited. As Jessica continued, Clay turned to look at me and said, "Is it you?" I just nodded and about that time she said my name. I remember crying and giving Clay a big hug before I walked up to get the award. There was some sort of speech but all I can remember blubbering out was "I get a little emotional.. something about loving Farrell's and my 6am class and thanking Clay for being part of it with me."
Then I took a look at the before and after pictures and lost it again. I knew I was "overweight" and that things needed to change. I knew that I hadn't given my body or mind what it needed in years. I made excuses about not having time or being too busy, tired, whatever. I ate whatever I wanted because I thought that I could. I had used being pregnant and nursing over the past 4 years to not really care what I looked like or what I ate and what it was doing to me. Pushing 180 when I started but shocking people with that number because "I hid/carried my weight well" I knew it was time for a change and I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that I took that step and made that commitment. There's no looking back now! We move forward and make ourselves better, stronger, healthier, happier.
I've debated putting the pictures on here but then realized I signed a waiver that puts those pictures everywhere. They will be up at the gym for at least 12 weeks until the next winner. They will be in an ad in the newspaper for the class, so I may as well put them here. The before reminds me how easy it is to just make excuses. The after reminds me that I can do anything and all I have to do is try.
I know it may seem silly but I'm still a bag of emotions looking at these and thinking about what I've done this last 10 weeks. The changes I've made that really are just the beginning. The changes that have happened not only on the outside but mentally on the inside as well.
I can't speak to Clay's experience with the class directly but I am so happy that he did it too. The nutrition is the hardest part esp for people like us that just like food and bad food at that. Clay too made great improvements over the 10 weeks losing 10 lbs, 6%body fat, and 5 inches. He also managed to do 60 pushups in the minute test and that was AWESOME! And he smoked that mile run at 8:06. I'm so proud of everything he has done and so THANKFUL for how supportive he has been during my journey. We make a great team and I love him to pieces more and more every day. I asked if I could also share his pictures and he said he didn't care. We did find out last night that he made top 4 so he also had a chance to win too. That would have been fantastic and even though it didn't happen, he is definitely top dog in my book!
I do have one final thing to add. We owe a BIG thank you to my mom. Without her help, we couldn't have done this together. THANK YOU MOM for always being willing to watch the kids so we could do our orientation and testing. We truly appreciate your help and love you!
I knew that over the past weeks our bodies and minds have been changing but I had no idea of the impact on my emotions that yesterday would have on me. Especially last night and lingering in to today.
Starting out 10 weeks ago, I would have told you that if I lost 15 lbs I would have considered it worth the initial investment. At week 5 when I was already down 11 lbs I wanted to see how far I could really take it the last 5 weeks.
So, I pushed harder at class. I challenged myself with heavier bands and stayed after with a friend to do extra ab work or tricep dips or just whatever. I tried my hardest to do extra sit ups and push ups each night even though it was 830pm by the time I got around to them and I was mentally exhausted and ready for bed. I did my best and gave my level 10 as much as I could. I found myself happier. I was laughing, smiling and overall just content. I was fitting into pants I haven't worn in years and falling out of others that I tried to wear.
Then came yesterday's testing. I wanted to push even more. I set my mind up that I wanted to do 43 situps in a minute. I didn't make that goal but I far exceeded my wildest expectations losing a whopping 16.5 inches from my chest, thighs, hips, arms, and waist and 21 lbs. I was in shock and didn't believe it. I also shaved almost another 45 sec off running my mile and completed it in 9:17 and did almost 50 push ups in the minute test. I walked out feeling like a winner.
Each 10 week session gets a female and male $1,000 winner. It's not based on any one thing but just an overall improvement/transformation and determined by secret ballot voting amongst the instructors, coaches, and staff. They pick the top 4 together and then the voting begins.
Arriving at the party, decked out and feeling fabulous I was excited to relax with my coach and friends from class. I enjoyed the awards ceremony hooting and hollering for others that had accomplished so much. There was a diabetic lady who ran the whole mile without stopping and had her sugar levels at an all time low, a college student who got the best spirit award, and many more. Clay and I even got free tshirts for our perfect attendance award :) (We were hoping for a tshirt. I guess its the small things in life. Actually we each have 2 tshirts now so can't wait to bust those out.)
Then came that moment. It was time for the big winners. I will admit over the past few weeks I had thought about it often. I had believed I could do it and I could be the one but tried not to get my hopes up. Then Jessica (the office manager) began...."Our female winner lost 21 lbs and 16.5 total inches..." And that was the moment I knew it was me and true to my nature. I cried sitting there before she ever said my name. Bobbi and Beth (both from my class) were already smiling and super excited. As Jessica continued, Clay turned to look at me and said, "Is it you?" I just nodded and about that time she said my name. I remember crying and giving Clay a big hug before I walked up to get the award. There was some sort of speech but all I can remember blubbering out was "I get a little emotional.. something about loving Farrell's and my 6am class and thanking Clay for being part of it with me."
Then I took a look at the before and after pictures and lost it again. I knew I was "overweight" and that things needed to change. I knew that I hadn't given my body or mind what it needed in years. I made excuses about not having time or being too busy, tired, whatever. I ate whatever I wanted because I thought that I could. I had used being pregnant and nursing over the past 4 years to not really care what I looked like or what I ate and what it was doing to me. Pushing 180 when I started but shocking people with that number because "I hid/carried my weight well" I knew it was time for a change and I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that I took that step and made that commitment. There's no looking back now! We move forward and make ourselves better, stronger, healthier, happier.
I've debated putting the pictures on here but then realized I signed a waiver that puts those pictures everywhere. They will be up at the gym for at least 12 weeks until the next winner. They will be in an ad in the newspaper for the class, so I may as well put them here. The before reminds me how easy it is to just make excuses. The after reminds me that I can do anything and all I have to do is try.
I can't speak to Clay's experience with the class directly but I am so happy that he did it too. The nutrition is the hardest part esp for people like us that just like food and bad food at that. Clay too made great improvements over the 10 weeks losing 10 lbs, 6%body fat, and 5 inches. He also managed to do 60 pushups in the minute test and that was AWESOME! And he smoked that mile run at 8:06. I'm so proud of everything he has done and so THANKFUL for how supportive he has been during my journey. We make a great team and I love him to pieces more and more every day. I asked if I could also share his pictures and he said he didn't care. We did find out last night that he made top 4 so he also had a chance to win too. That would have been fantastic and even though it didn't happen, he is definitely top dog in my book!
I do have one final thing to add. We owe a BIG thank you to my mom. Without her help, we couldn't have done this together. THANK YOU MOM for always being willing to watch the kids so we could do our orientation and testing. We truly appreciate your help and love you!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
A few firsts and changes...
Greetings from what seems to be the LONGEST WEEK EVER. I mean seriously how is it only Wednesday this week when the last 6 months seem to have gone in the blink of an eye, this week just drags it's slow butt out of bed and thru the day. Okay yes, I haven't blogged in over 6 months. WOW! It really does feel like just the blink of an eye but time flies when you are having fun, right?
Life on this end has had its up and downs over the last 6 months but we are forging ahead and in the right direction. The end of 2012 proved to be super stressful for me at work. We were understaffed and the workload of about 3 people was the responsibility of yours truly. As much as I tried to keep my normally upbeat and positive temperament, it took its toll and not only mentally but also physically. Looking back I can see that ever so clearly now, but true to my nature...I survived.
I am happy to say that we are "staffed" at work now but our team is still quite busy but I guess that's an okay problem to have when it means you have a job and an income coming in.
Things around here are also changing. 9 weeks ago, Clay and I started exercising for the first time in YEARS. We went all out and decided it was long past time to do something and get in shape. (The aforementioned stress also took a toll on my weight and I was unhappy about it.) We joined a "gym" for Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping. It's an initial 10 week commitment, working out 6 days a week, and following a "nutrition plan." Sounds crazy, right? Well we LOVE LOVE LOVE it! In fact we signed up to be FIT members and will be doing it the next year. It's quite the balancing act with schedules but I go every morning (M-Sat) at 6am and Clay goes at 430 after work. We are loving the results and not only the weight loss but the energy and mental improvements. I'll try to post more after the 10 week challenge is over and may even get brave enough to show our before and after pics. (Yes I am going to try to blog more now. And by more, maybe I can pull off 1 post per week.)
Other things have changed a lot in the last 6 months too.
For starters....
This lil guy turned 1 and started walking. NOW he runs everywhere and gives his big sister a run for her money. BTW he's grown even more since that picture and now looks like this:
True to what my friend Liz said, I look back at old pictures and can't believe how long we let his hair get before a haircut. Now I take him every 6-8 weeks and he does such a good job sitting still. He even lets our hair lady use the clippers.
The little lady of the house is also growing and changing so fast. We started potty training recently again. After our failed attempt last May and the pooping problems that followed for months after I was a bit hesitant but I'm glad to report we are doing better this round. I'm excited about the progress as it changes a lot of things. It changes the Sunday School room she can go to and the level of swim classes. She loves swim lessons but she's about grown out of the "baby and me" class and ready for the Young 3's class. Just have to hurdle the potty training. In addition to our first trip to Sunday school (in my effort to go back to church regularly) she also had a first trip to the dentist this year and did FABULOUS.
The kids aren't the only ones experiencing firsts. Besides working out for the first time in years, the older Brockmans had our first official night away from the kids and our first stay at a bed and breakfast. I won an overnight stay at the Vrooman Mansion here in town so last weekend we booked a room to celebrate my birthday.
It was fun to stay there and I'd love to do it again. They have 5 main rooms in the mansion and just did 2 rooms out in the carriage house. We will stay in the carriage house next time because those rooms out there are super swank. Notice the hats in the picture above...well they just begged to be tried on for a picture.
Clay looked pretty cool but my head must be on the large side because it only sat on top. Oh well. We didn't wear the hats out to dinner. You may have seen the awesome food we had for dinner. We do get to "cheat" or have a "fun day" on the eating plan one day a week and it's usually on Saturdays. The dinner for my birthday celebration was YUM YUM YUM.
Okay, there you have a small taste of what we have been up to over the last 6 months and the changes. Hope I still have a few readers out there who enjoyed this.
Until later....(and hopefully not 6 months from now!)
Life on this end has had its up and downs over the last 6 months but we are forging ahead and in the right direction. The end of 2012 proved to be super stressful for me at work. We were understaffed and the workload of about 3 people was the responsibility of yours truly. As much as I tried to keep my normally upbeat and positive temperament, it took its toll and not only mentally but also physically. Looking back I can see that ever so clearly now, but true to my nature...I survived.
I am happy to say that we are "staffed" at work now but our team is still quite busy but I guess that's an okay problem to have when it means you have a job and an income coming in.
Things around here are also changing. 9 weeks ago, Clay and I started exercising for the first time in YEARS. We went all out and decided it was long past time to do something and get in shape. (The aforementioned stress also took a toll on my weight and I was unhappy about it.) We joined a "gym" for Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping. It's an initial 10 week commitment, working out 6 days a week, and following a "nutrition plan." Sounds crazy, right? Well we LOVE LOVE LOVE it! In fact we signed up to be FIT members and will be doing it the next year. It's quite the balancing act with schedules but I go every morning (M-Sat) at 6am and Clay goes at 430 after work. We are loving the results and not only the weight loss but the energy and mental improvements. I'll try to post more after the 10 week challenge is over and may even get brave enough to show our before and after pics. (Yes I am going to try to blog more now. And by more, maybe I can pull off 1 post per week.)
Other things have changed a lot in the last 6 months too.
For starters....
The little lady of the house is also growing and changing so fast. We started potty training recently again. After our failed attempt last May and the pooping problems that followed for months after I was a bit hesitant but I'm glad to report we are doing better this round. I'm excited about the progress as it changes a lot of things. It changes the Sunday School room she can go to and the level of swim classes. She loves swim lessons but she's about grown out of the "baby and me" class and ready for the Young 3's class. Just have to hurdle the potty training. In addition to our first trip to Sunday school (in my effort to go back to church regularly) she also had a first trip to the dentist this year and did FABULOUS.
The kids aren't the only ones experiencing firsts. Besides working out for the first time in years, the older Brockmans had our first official night away from the kids and our first stay at a bed and breakfast. I won an overnight stay at the Vrooman Mansion here in town so last weekend we booked a room to celebrate my birthday.
Okay, there you have a small taste of what we have been up to over the last 6 months and the changes. Hope I still have a few readers out there who enjoyed this.
Until later....(and hopefully not 6 months from now!)
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Dancing Bowling Queens
My sister-in-law and nieces were here for the week last week. The time together went by much too quickly. We miss them already and have several posts worth of pictures and stories but time to share just one tonight :) It was a rainy day Friday so we decided to take them bowling. My MIL and FIL came up to join in the fun.
Sophie had been before but it was a first for Kenley. I may or may not have been beaten by my 2 year old niece but I can come up with several justifications if needed :)
I just wanted to share some videos of the girls and their bowling skills.
Pretty darn cute if you ask me!
Sophie had been before but it was a first for Kenley. I may or may not have been beaten by my 2 year old niece but I can come up with several justifications if needed :)
I just wanted to share some videos of the girls and their bowling skills.
Pretty darn cute if you ask me!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Oogie Oogie Oogielove!
A few weeks ago, my mother in law sent an email asking if she could take Kenley to her first movie around Labor Day when this "interactive" movie Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure came out. She saw a preview and thought it looked like fun. There was going to be dancing and singing and she promised it would be fun. I wasn't overly excited but agreed there would be potential that she could take her. Then when my sister-in-law and neices ended up in IL and everyone ended up in Bloomington on the rainy Labor Day weekend, we thought it may be a good time. So off we went to the movie. It was a girls trip.
The girls were excited and although I don't think they knew what they were in for they charged in for the adventure. The plot was about what I expected but the girls seemed to enjoy it. Kenley really got into the interaction (and eating the popcorn!) We made sure Grandma B got up and kept movin' and groovin' too.
At the end we let them out of the row and Kenley took to dancing all over the theater. She really busted out the moves.
Here is the video proof :)
In reality the movie flopped and actually was the worst 3 day opening in history. It only averaged about $207 per theater and we were $30 of it the day we went to our theater. But these 2 year olds and their grandma had a good time. I'll admit too that I enjoyed myself watching Kenley enjoy the experience. It makes a good "first time movie experience." She's already asking to go again!
In reality the movie flopped and actually was the worst 3 day opening in history. It only averaged about $207 per theater and we were $30 of it the day we went to our theater. But these 2 year olds and their grandma had a good time. I'll admit too that I enjoyed myself watching Kenley enjoy the experience. It makes a good "first time movie experience." She's already asking to go again!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Applause please
Someone finally figured out how to clap, so I think a round of applause is in order.
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