Merry Christmas

I have learned a few thas this year. Never put tinsel on your Christmas tree.  It's a loss cause with kids and cats. Buy batteries before the big day. Putting together a trampoline is harder than it looks. I need to workout some more apparently the trampoline springs clearly won. Don't try and do any kind of flips with a bad back. It hurts a lot.

Kids will always make you laugh.Popsicle has a new take on Santa and the Elves. The story goes the elves make the toys drops them off at Target and Santa picks them up when they are ready for each kid. I guess that works I'll stick with that theory. If you buy a toy car make sure you have 18 hours for the first charge.

A glow in the dark race track must be charged in order to glow. Thanks mom Christopher loves his track and so do the cats. 

When buying a game chair and TV for your oldest child check the TV to make sure it has the right ports for the game chair. Justin is in heaven now that he can play his games without his little brother in his face trying to get his attention.  One more thing but not the last check books before you buy more. Just in case you and hubby buys the same one's. Minecraft is still a huge hit after a year.Justin goes through more books in a week then his daddy and I ever have. Not complaining but his books are over taking his room. A new book shelf is now in order to build. 

Merry Christmas I know a lot of people want their children to grow up.  Let them be kid's and enjoy Christmas let them believe in Santa. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. 

Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing!  Don't take their childhood away to soon.

Sunday Workout

 

 

Round one

10 pushups

15 burpees

90 Russian twist

15 kettle ball squats

 

Round Two

25 squats

20 lunges per side

40 jumping jacks

60 seconds wall sit

 

Good luck let me know how you do. Push through the pain you will thank yourself in the end. The hardest part about getting fit is telling yourself you can do it. Positive thinking will change who you are. You have the control over what your life will be. You alone can change your body if you want. Take little steps if you want it you can have it. Remember this is only ten percent of the rest of your life the hard part is controlling what you put in your mouth.

Cats,Kids, and Water

My household is full of crazy insane kids who take baths with our kitten Godzilla. He sits in the tub to my surprise he swims around. He will also sit in my stand up shower at the end while I take a shower. He is weird for a cat. Now he has discover the toilet and toilet paper. Both bathrooms looks like a tornado went by daily. I'm working on that problem as we speak.The paper is all over. Christopher was going to the bathroom when Godzilla thought it would be a great ideal to jump in the toilet face first. I had to give him a bath which in return he acted like he hated the water. I would have never guessed. Along with that he will jump up on the table to steal the kids food or whatever is on their plate. I don't remember my other cat Mickey losing her mind when she was three months old. My hubby spoiled him rotten in order to get him to calm down you have to pick him up and rock him to sleep. What? He sits by the back door then proceeds to Meow as loud as he can. At what I'm not sure Justin has taken it upon himself to take him to the litter box thinking that he might have to go to the bathroom. That only worked for a minute then he goes back to following us around talking until we pick him up. My kids are running around or running away from the cats who by the way love to play hide and seek. I should just get a baby carrier then have the boys carry him. He is such a baby but takes great pictures!

                                 Look at that face he is cute. He definitely fits his name.

30 days Do you have what it takes?

December is the last month let's make it worth it. Take on this 30 day challenge with me.  Fitness is a Life Journey. Remember it will take time.  You will have bad days don't give up.  Eat healthy stay calm it will work if you want it to.  Let the fun start.
Day one is over remember abs are made in the kitchen not in the gym. This counts for a small part. Don't let your hard work go to waste. Make it mean something. 
Good Luck!

Happy Thanksgiving for a family

Holidays are hard on a lot of families not being together money problems and just life gets in the way sometimes. Hubby and I purchased a Thanksgiving dinner for a family that needed a little help.  They work but like a lot of families have a hard time deciding what bills to pay vs. food. We decided a longtime ago that if we had extra to give we would. We have kept that promise to ourselves to help. Opening our non-profit business is taking forever. In the meantime as a family we are helping all the time. We don't want anything in return for helping anyone that needs it. I love knowing that someone needed help and received it. It puts a smile on their face as well as ours.  This Thanksgiving meant a lot to us. It never fails that our kids keep us laughing.  When they were asked what they were thankful for Justin says "He is thankful it's not 1621!" They didn't have bathrooms then or toilet paper.  I'm glad it's the simple things in life he appreciates. I'm thankful for spending time with my family and friends.  We went to my Aunt's house bless her heart was in the hospital. She was able to come home later that night.  The apartment complex she lives in puts on Thanksgiving in the courtyard.  Everyone brings a dish mingles and eats delicious food. It's getting a little less weird having Thanksgiving outside as the years go by. The day was beautiful as well as all the new people I ran into. Life is a Journey you live in. Make the last month of 2014 count for something you can be proud of. My accomplishments this year may not be materialistic but they did change someone's life.

Peaches and Cream

I love smoothies it helps me stay on track here is another one to try. This time it's not my own it's from Kayla Itsines website. I follow her on Instagram she is amazing. She is lean and mean her workouts are apart of my workouts daily. I have been doing them at nights to total my day at 3 hours of working-out. It is a lifestyle I don't see it as a chore or something I have to do. I enjoy it. This month has been a little hard considering that I have had a sore throat now the rest of the family has it too. I hope we will be back on track soon. Until then eating right will help maintain what I already have accomplish. SEXY IS STRONG!!!


Ingredients

• 2 ripe peaches, pitted, cut up or 2 cups frozen peaches
• 1 frozen banana (remove skin before freezing)
• ½ cup almond milk
• ¼ cup quick oats
• ¼ cup fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp agave or pure maple syrup for added sweetness (optional)
• 1 tbs chia seeds

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and let them sit for 5 minutes so that the oats and chia seeds have a chance to soak.
2. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides if needed.

If you have a smoothie please post it.

Treadmill, Mother and Son fitness Journey

My son and I are in about five weeks or so of our  muscle conditioning class. I love the bonding time we have once we get to the gym after we drop off popsicle. Then we hit it up for a pre workout before beast mode kicks in. Justin is improving fantastically but he's good at that stuff anyway so I'm not surprised. I am surprised at how much he is enjoying himself. He is in a class with mostly adults he does modify some of the workouts that we do. I almost hit the dirt trying to take a picture while we were walking on the treadmill. I don't advise doing. My first and last picture.

Allison and Kim are strong women who want nothing more then to see you succeed in their class. They will push you to the extreme. When you are at your breaking point you will hear them yelling

"Don't give up let it burn. You can do it!"

It may sound silly but when you feel the need to give up just that little saying goes a long way. I find myself going stronger because I have eyes on me. I have to set the example that I preach to my son. Give your best because no one else can do it for you.

 

I love that Justin and I enjoy getting fit. It's not a chore it's fun to us. I found him flexing in the mirror a few days ago. He has muscles in his arms to go with his mini six packs he has. We read a lot together about Fitness. It's important to know the right way to teach my son about getting fit. He lifts 3 pounds weights in class and even at that is hard for him. He wants to go heavier but I need him to understand that isn't always necessary when working out. Using the proper form is more important then how heavy you go. It will come in time.

 

11-10-2014

 

On my own personal journey to getting fit has been a bumpy ride. My shoulder my knees my back all at once and at different times has given me hell. Slowing down reducing my weights stretching and relaxing has become a big part in my recovery. Now I'm better at taking the time to make sure my six pack will come by next year. Abs are made in the kitchen not the gym. Just a little advice for anyone reading. Going to the gym is about ten percent of getting fit. Eating right counts for the rest. If you don't have that then all your hard work means nothing. I do have a cheat day once a week you have to treat yourself in order to stay on track. A little goal I have set for myself. I'm a strong beautiful woman who has the love and support of my family in my journey. I also have Monika's step, core and muscle conditioning class on Monday's and Wednesday to look forward to.

Here is what we did today I'm totally burned out but love every minute of it.

 

1) 50 Knees OR 50 jumping toe taps.

                                                         2) 24 Rows in plank

                                                              3) 20 Jump squats

                                                       4) 24 count Mountain Climbers

                                                                5) 4X8 Woodchoppers

                                                                6) 12 Pushup/Pike

                                                               7) 24 Jumping Lunges

She is another amazing woman who teaches four class three times a week. She will motivate you everyday to push yourself not to give up. She feeds off of her classes energy then takes it up a notch.

"Suck it up and push yourself to change!"

You can't buy it no one can give it to you. You can't wish for it. It takes hard work and dedication to be strong and fit. It's up to you how to live your life. Choose one you can be proud of yourself in the process.

 If you haven't taken the step to do group exercising you should. It will change your view on different ways to get fit and enjoy your time. Don't focus on losing weight or one body part focus on being STRONG! It's a lifestyle change not a diet! Make it long term for LIFE.

STRONG is SEXY!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Blue lights

I know it's a little early for Christmas last weekend we put up our Christmas lights outside that leaves a blue tint if you pass our street. Yes, We are those people in the neighborhood. Sorry I love to decorate. I have to hand all the credit to my hubby who put up the lights and climbed on the roof to put the reef together too. I did my share standing there handing him the lights as he stood there on the latter. The Christmas tree is up as well as our little tree from Tampa that needs a red star. I'm excited for the holidays. Justin wants to go to New York for the New Year not sure about that one. A trip for a few years in the making when popsicle is a little older. I still think it's weird without snow but I'm not complaining.  I love it! Shopping is already on the way to be done. Stockings are hung up well for the turtle and two cats. Ours to come in a few weeks once I find out what Santa will put in them.  Christmas crafts to make letters to Santa Justin's Christmas concert coming up. It's always something but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Smoothie Sunday

 

What is your favorite smoothie to make?

 

Go Lions!!! A forever fan here always when you are from Detroit.  

 

Strawberry Mint Banana Smoothie

 

2 cups of milk (almond milk)

1 mint leaf

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp of vanilla

cup of ice

Then blend and enjoy

Giving Back

It's that time again to give back to our community once again. I know I said every month there would be a post. We have been very busy this past month we plan to double up this October.  The boys and I have been buying away there is twice the amount now in picture below. The Humane Society was taken back by how cute Christopher was bringing in the cat food. However He left crying because he wanted to bring all the dogs and cats with us. I had to say No.

Our crazy cat also know as Mickey the cat on Instagram is more than enough for me.

 

 

Here is our start in making a difference.

 

Christopher being cute! We plan to donate blankets next time as they are in need of that as well. Give back today to a cause, person maybe babysit for a working mom. A smile can go a long way. The boys and I are now working on giving bags filled with things someone can use who are homeless. We see a lot come the Holiday's.

 

 

A New Job

Justin has a new job. He is an Assistant Coach for flag football.  He amazes me!

 

I'm extremely happy for my son! He is very helpful with the children. The kids look up to him and listen.  They call him Coach Jay! It's adorable.  I guess it's different when you are a kid getting

directions from a kid. I think this will be a great experience for him to see the game from another view. I think it will make him a better player at any sport. The most important part is that he has fun. No matter what Justin does he seems to always have fun. Yes, I'm bragging about my son. I think he has found his job for right now besides school of course. He forever talks about the kids on his team. I can't remember all the names but he does. He gets really excited when he has to go to practice and games. This Saturday is his last game he will take up Basketball once again in November for his self.

 

My baby is growing up I don't know what to say but we are proud parents. He is turning out to be an amazing young man all on his own. My hubby and I are so happy we get to see him grow into this caring person. It's nice to know we had a little help in making this little person who he is today. I couldn't be more proud of my son than I am now. His report card was great he is learning the violin. Which took us by surprise now I'm on the hunt for a violin for popsicle.  He follows in his Big brother footsteps in everything. Let your kids be themselves they will surprise you with what they have listen too.

Picnic Tuesdays

My popsicle came up with having a picnic in the kitchen on the floor. 

This is how I get the boys to eat leftovers.  It takes a few hours we sit there we eat we talk  even the cat gets involved. 

It has become Picnic Tuesday!  Another cute way to eat dinner with my kids. They have a blast. Next week we will try it outside if it's not raining.  

Review on pre workout

My knees have been giving me problems  lately to keep up on my busy schedule with working out I have incorporated a pre workout.I'm not much for a pre workout I have been doing it for over a year with nothing. My hubby has taken the stuff before. He doesn't really like it but he thought I might.

I have to say after taking it for 4 weeks it did help me get through my work out in beast mode. However by the third week it seemed to stop working. I completed my 4 weeks and now I'm cycling off of it. If you are sensitive to caffeine I would suggest taking something different. Also has niacin  which makes you hot in order to sweat more. With any new product please just take one scoop it is a powder form be careful. I didn't have any side effects besides I forget to eat. I ended up having to set my phone to remind me to eat. It will surpress your appetite but make sure you drink lots of water while taking this pre workout. I found that my mental capacity was much clearer than normal. I stayed on track. I didn't lose any weight but I did gain muscle. 

Challenging our ancestors!

When you have kid's everyday is an adventure. You never know what they will come up with.  Mind wanted to paint themselves with clay to tap into our  Cherokee Indian heritage. Of course I said okay why not. We will try and do just about any craft out there to keep parenting fresh. It's entertaining already however this is by far my favorite activities besides the shaving cream fight we had a year ago.

Having a blast painting themselves!  

He was dancing tapping into his  chi! Christopher is behind him trying to push him over.

Now his chi!

 

The video below is by far the laugh of the day.  My Popsicle is crazy funny!

http://youtu.be/K_SdjCK_jac?list=UUR1o6Tz7VxUcic1HiZtfNTA

Building a Bond that will Last Forever

 

Building a strong bond with your children should come first in any parents agenda. Unfortunately it doesn't in this day in age. Too many parents stick their children in front of a computer screen or in front of the TV. My hubby works mad crazy hours all the time in order to give our boys a life he nor I had growing up. A chance for opportunity to live a life that is worth living. We may own our own business which gives me the chance to be home with our boys more. We are constantly busy with client's some how when my hubby has set a date to build something, play soccer, go to the beach, play football, travel, build a giant Lego ship he is always there. I love my hubby for that. Being a parent means more to us then anything else. It took them two hours to build this catapult with people targets. That they later set up a Nerf battle in the house with. Kids are little once no matter the amount of money you spend on them. They won't remember how much something cost but the time with you they spent. Our son loves to build things as crazy as it sounds he has had Daddy's help in building something then tearing it apart. They are always coming up with new a adventure. Take the time to get to know your children before time runs by. 

Numbers, Running & Men in a Rock

# 92 Bucket list done


It's extremely amazing that this monument was constructed with dynamite. A little history lesson on our travels. A must see if you are going through South Dakota. I think I will make the picture above a postcard.

The Hoover Dam wasn't on my bucket list which we seen on our way home. A last minute stop to waste sometime before we hit or hotel. We decide to drive through it instead of paying to park and walk around. After Vegas I had absolutely no energy to walk nor did the rest of the family. However, To get a picture I jumped out of the car to take one thinking I could just jump back in. Nope I had to run two blocks until I came to a break in the fence line before I could get to the car. My hubby was driving and laughing the whole time as my son is yelling out the window " You can do it keep up!"  My advice stay in the car.

 

. It's a beautiful site to see! Another pit stop I would recommend to go to if you are in the area.

Justin ice bucket

The Internet has been slammed with the ALS Ice bucket challenge of course my son wants to join in. I love my son to death he is always up for a challenge no matter what it is. I guess it's what happens when you keep your children up to date with what's going on in the world today. Have fun Daddy your son just challenged you. You have 24 hours to comply.

The bucket is a little big but he was able to do it. GO JUSTIN!!!!! Christopher is fine he didn't care for the water that splashed in his face. He was fine with his brother doing it. I love my boys!!!
He did this on 8/9/14 I had to re-post due to no volume.

As close as it gets

To # 82 Bucket List

We drove through Roswell New Mexico walked around and even manged to get lost. Please don't ask it was freaky. We did pose with an Alien. I wish my Papa( Grandfather) was here to have gone with us. He was the biggest Alien fan I know. We used to sit for hours at a time just talking about scientific stuff. He would have really loved it. It was getting dark  I was driving there was no way we were staying there at night. I drove to the next town before we stopped for the night here are some pictures. No, My hubby isn't pinching our son I told them to look scared and this is what happened. Hubby was trying to scare our boys. I love this picture!

Funny thing is my Papa did always call my hubby the Alien in the family because he is so knowledgeable about many things. I couldn't force myself to go into the museum in fear the Aliens would be watching. I know funny right well better safe then sorry. I don't ever want to run into an Alien.

I guess this will be as close as we get for now to our 

bucket list # 82. 

A pit stop

The best part of traveling is all the places you don't know about. 

A park alongside the road we found on the way to Las Vegas.  We stopped to play. 

Justin decided to hang like a shirt. This thing spins around. I pushed him around it. He had a blast. We stopped at the mall of course we took our cat into Macys to walk around we couldn't leave here in a hot car. People were nice about that. One plus for me she was coming in anyways.  It was 95 degrees that day.

Here is Justin swinging around. 

My men being crazy with their silly hat's. I wish I could say that about the food.

Oversized portions It was okay nothing Fantastic about it. This restaurant doesn't bring people in for the food just the site's on inside and out. F.Y.I we were a little overwhelmed by all the food on the menu.  In my opinion it was way to much to look at and hard to understand. 

We still had fun on a pit stop to stretch our legs.

Make sure to take pictures of the dinosaurs across the parking lot. 

Walking the Strip

Walking the strip is awesome! # 67 bucket list check. Let's be real it's not New York but I loved it anyways.  I'm not One for the slots. The sites are more of my thing. 

Part of the whole experience is seeing amazing people with talents that don't seem real. Like this man who made a picture of New York with spray paint.  

I seen this before it's very different just with a putty knife.  A steady hand with amazing imagination. His artwork shows that anything is possible. 

I didn't get his name once I walk back through I will have to. 

Now complete this picture will look great in my living room. 

It's Beautiful! 

Another piece 

Stunning artwork

Visual Art Work

1-800-831-2629

Rocky Mountains

Just a few pictures of the Rocky Mountains.  Bucketlist check

Just breath taking! 

It's a little scary going around the curves.  I felt like a race car driver. Warning ears will pop.

The mountains are in front of us but we can't see them due to the weather.  A little freaky! 

These are the moment's that will last a life time.