It's our 12th Wedding Anniverary & Baby Girl's 5th Birthday

So blessed to be celebrating my 12th Wedding Anniversary with the most amazing man ever.... AND my baby girl's 5th birthday who happens to be the light of our lives! We have an awesomely packed, fun filled day in the plans!!!  I'll post all the details and share some pics in some futures posts.... for now, we're going to celebrate!!!!

So much to celebrate!!!!

Well, baby girl had her preschool graduation and it was absolutely beautiful.  Her class sang several songs but my favorite was "The Lord's Prayer!!"  I was so touched by seeing these cute little children singing the Lord's Prayer as loud as they could... from the bottom of their hearts!  Soooo moving.  I held back the tears when I saw baby girls strutting down that aisle to receive her diploma. She had the cutest little curly fro, tucked underneath her hat while her little tassle swayed back and forth.  My baby is all grown up and officially on her way to kindergarten in the fall.  She will attend the same Charter School as her older siblings.  They will all be in the same school until they graduate (12th grade) and it's such a blessing. God is just too good!

After the graduation we had to rush to the airport to say goodbye to hubby.  He flew out to Europe (on business) and will not return until next Friday.  It's gonna be tough not having him here for the long holiday weekend but we'll get through it. Skype is a lifesaver!!! The kids and I miss him so much!  I pray that the time quickly goes pass.

So, we received more happy news earlier this week as well.  My eldest "soccer diva" got an offer to play on the competitive level (pre-challenge) soccer team. We've gladly accepted and submitted her paper work. She's so excited!!!! She's only been playing since November and she never touched a soccer ball before her first game. It was evident that she had a special talent the moment her foot touched the ball. Her coach told us from day 1 that she needed to advance. She's now talking about her potential to get a scholarship in the years to come. She's got skills that i've never seen. Her coach played collegiate soccer and said she's the best defensive & offensive player she's ever seen at this age :) We're blessed.... and she loves it so much!!!  Look out world, she's gonna break down some barriers and take soccer to another level!!! Oh and she has a little sister right behind her who's just as good as she is :-)



I'm still making progress :)

Quick update on my weight loss journey... This week I had a loss of 1.2 pounds and I am STILL so very proud of myself. I'm working out and staying on track with my eating. I feel good, look good and am getting stronger by the day. I am going through a bit of a plateau BUT nothing will steal my joy. So far this month, i've gotten in 73 miles (running and power walking), countless hours of cardio (P90X, Jillian), outdoor activities (including soccer with the kids and mowing the lawn) along with tons of strength training and calesthenics. I'm gonna keep on pushing and doing whatever it takes to get my body into the best shape it has ever been in.  Hubby and I are going to start INSANITY in 2 weeks (once he gets back from his business trip in Europe).  We're so excited.  I hope to be able to break through this plateau as I start this new workout plan and follow the meal plan as well.  I refuse to be discouraged....  Let's Go Get It!!!!!

Well, tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!!!!  My baby girl will be graduating from PRESCHOOL!!!  We are just sooooo excited for her.  I'm trying to contain myself because my emotions are running high.  I don't know if i'll cry because my baby is growing up and preparing for her next transition in life or what.  We shall see.  One thing is for sure, I will take plenty of pictures and capture some video footage to share with you all. 

Let's see... Oh, I had to part ways with my Garmin GPS sports watch, heart rate monitor and foot pod.  I had too many inaccuracies and I won't stand for having an unreliable $200+ watch!!!  So, I am awaiting a refund with hopes of buying a basic heart rate monitor for both hubby and I (under $50 each) while using the app on my phone for distance (runkeeper). This will hold me over until I can do more research and find just what i'm looking for. 

Well, that's all for now.  The kids and I will be going solo starting tomorrow after baby girl's graduation for the next 1 1/2 weeks while hubby is in Europe.  Getting in my workouts will be a challenge as will the holiday weekend (4 days) with just the kids and I.  We'll get through it, I suppose :) I will leave you with a recent hair pic.  It's just a simple bantu knot out low pony puff.  ~ I only spritzed my hair with my water/oil mixture, sealed it with my shea butter mix, loose twisted with flaxseed gel... bantu knotted over night and that's it!! Will make a vid on this soon :)~

Working towards it...

Just a quick post to keep you updated.... I'm still working out super hard.  The scale is definitely NOT reflecting all of the hard work i've been putting in.  I'm staying motivated and keeping a positive mind through it all.  Afterall, i'm doing this for a healthier me.... not just a one time thing. Yesterday I got in a GOOD 5 mile run.  I had a PR for my 5k (35:06) so yay me! Here's my workout for today... I ran sprint intervals for 1 mile (did a mile in 8:52)... then I power walked and jogged another 1.17 miles (on an incline) total 2.17 miles, 503 cals, 22:22 mins. Afterward I did 520 leg raises with 10 pound weights, 100 power squats, 100 crunches and 50 pushups :) I will walk at least a mile at soccer tryouts tonight as a cool down. I'm not giving up no matter what the scale says!!! I've come too far to let the number on the scale deter me away from my goals.  I've gotta keep pushing!!!!  Stay tuned...

Wonderfully blessed Mother's Day Weekend...

What a wonderful week/weekend God blessed me with!  I was able to get in hours of cardio, 24.84 miles, strength training AND I allowed hubby to work me out!  He took me through 35 minutes of football drills, sprints and agility work.  He put up with my back talking, yelling, my sarcasm and etc... and we made it through.  The girls started a new soccer season with new teams and coaches and dominated once again. Jaida scored 10 goals and had 2 assists and she wasn't feeling well... Joi (8yr old) is now playing on a team with 10yr olds and she took over the game!  She scored twice and had 3 assists.... the games MVP!!! She has tryouts Wed. for a pre challenge team that she will play on in the fall. Mother's Day was a blessing. 

Hubby and the kids showered me with gifts (my garmin gps sports watch, heart rate monitor and foot pod were at the top of my list and i'm in love with it!), down time and all the attention in the world. I am truly, truly blessed! I got up this morning and ran a 5k and did an aerobic/strength workout.  Feeling good!!! Make today GREAT!!!!