Happy Birthday Brookie!!

I can't believe that two years ago my little Brooke was born. We got the surprise of our lives that day in the operating room. We had two boys already and having NOT found out the sex of the baby while I was pregnant I was sure it was going to be another boy. And I was totally fine with that. Being the only girl surrounded by three loving boys and their father didn't sound half bad. But I now realize, well a while ago actually, how badly I wanted a girl. There's just something about little girls.

Happy Birthday to my little angel. I love you sooooo very much. And, one day, when you have a daughter of your own you'll understand. Just as my dad said to me when Christopher was born "now you know...". I truly do know. I now know that there is no greater power than the love a parent has for his/her child. There is no greater instinct to teach, protect and care for. I probably sound like I'm rambling. But that's what happens when I try to articulate how much I love my children.

Happy birthday Brooke.

Love, Mommy

The Process

Just this last Saturday (10/2/10) I competed in the Washington Ironman figure competition, bikini class. What a process it was...

First of all I never even considered competing in any kind of competition ever. I've seen them on t.v. and watched in awe at how amazing these women's bodies looked always telling myself "man, it would be so cool to do that one day, too bad I'll never look like t

hat". Great self talk right? And that was before having my three kids.

I don't want to ramble so I'll get right to it. After reaching my personal level of disgust with how my body looked and how I felt Advocare found me and my family. And through proper nutrition and training (thanks Angie *wink*) I was able to lose about 30 lbs, 10% body fat and gain some pretty serious lean muscle mass. I'm no she-hulk but now my body has shape instead of sausage arms and legs and a thick, undefined waist. I'm also healthier than I have ever been.

Not only was my journey towards the competition a learning process but the competi

tion itself was so amazing. Everything from getting my spray-tan (hello Loompa-land), to wearing the clear plastic "hooker heels", to having so much adrenaline surging through my body I felt like the floor was vibrating my legs were shaking so bad. Then, I stood on stage with a bunch of 20-somethings and strutted my stuff. Chris was beaming in the audience. For the first time ever he was "the fan" and I was in the spotlight. It felt kinda good. I didn't place (no trophy). Now, I have to be honest, it's a little disappointing. But the knowledge I've gained and the experience was absolutely amazing. DEFINITELY going to do more competitions. In fact, the NW Naturals is April 2, 2011. I am sooo there. And even if I d

on't leave with a trophy from that one I'm still gonna rock it.

I've never been satisfied with how my body looked, struggling with low self-esteem, experimenting with some pretty extreme diets, postpartum depression, etc. But now I can say (with no ego) that I'm satisfied. I will never go back to looking or feeling how I once did. I'm not sure if/when I'll ever get to a point where I feel there are no further improvements I could make but the days of trying to hide certain areas of my body, avoiding the camera or trying to sit a certain way in photos to hide any bulges are over. I'm a woman. I have hips and thighs and "lady lumps". I have 3 beautiful children that came from this body, I am strong (no Chris, I will not flex). I'm happy :]

Take a look at the video here.

Our first summer home

OMG!!! I can't believe I haven't updated since Christmas. I feel like so much has happened but then not a whole lot at the same time.

Anyhoo, pretty much everyone knows that Chris retired this year. We are now a whole family, YAY!!! We also have started "doing" Advocare. A premiere health and wellness company. We have everything from products for weight loss, athletic performance, energy and even skin care. Our ball is rolling slowly but rolling none the less. Starting any kind of home based business is a process and we are keeping our hearts and minds open to learning not only about the business and how to "do" it but how to grow ourselves too.

We've been able to do typical summer activities that most people get to do every year that have been new to us. We went to the beach when it was 90* and couldn't have had more fun. It was awesome!!! Chris got to help coach Christopher's little league team.

A dream he's always had. In the past we've had the opportunity to travel to some amazing places that a lot of people won't have the chance to go to at all in their lives. But there's nothing like not having that lingering feeling of when/where Chris will go to next.

With the help of Advocare's 24 Day Challenge Chris and I are in the best shape of our lives and and are only getting better. We also love the fact that we are showing our kids how important it is to eat right and be active. He has lost about 20 lbs and to date I have lost a total of 30 lbs. It is such a relief to finally get that extra weight off that I've been carrying around for the last 7 years!!!

We celebrated Christopher's 7th birthday in April,

we just celebrated Zachary's 5th birthday and Brooke will be 2 in October. Oh how time flies...

I have decided to take on a challenge, competing in my first fitness competition. I've seen them on tv before and have always been intrigued but never in a million years did I think I would ever be a part of one. I can't decide if it'll be my only one or if this could become a regular thing for me. I guess I'll wait to see how this one goes and then make that decision.

A couple trips to the beach, a dinner picnic at the park and too many jumps on the trampoline to count our first summer home all together has been quite enjoyable. We get to wake up as a family, go through our normal daily routine, put the kids and ourselves to bed and do it all again the next day. It's pretty rare that both parents get to stay home with their kids, we are truly blessed.

With school starting in just a few short weeks things will change a bit. Christopher will go into the second grade, Zachary will start kindergarten and Brooke might spend some time at preschool. Our fingers are crossed that there's still a spot open by the time her birthday comes around. If not that's okay. Just more time with our precious little girl.

We are so very excited for what the future holds. I kinda feel like our lives are finally starting since there is no more "season" and "off season". I am so grateful for the life baseball has allowed us to develop but I/we are so glad it's over too.

So glad to finally have a recent pic of all of us...

Somehow I didn't take (m)any pictures during Christmas, I was busy being a spectator. Anyway, here's what I DID get...

So Christmas break is over, back to school tomorrow. Not only are Chris and I very happy about this but I think Christopher and Zachary are too. We can get back to our "norm".

Our Christmas was nice. Brooke had a mild case of the chicken pox which threw a bit of a wrench into our plan for Christmas day. We celebrated my mom's birthday as well. All said and done it was an exhausting but fun day.

For new years we went with our friends to The Great Wolf Lodge (click here to see video of the dance party). It's just South of Olympia. That is such a cool place for families. We're thinking about making it our annual New Years celebration.