Weekend Love

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Happy Memorial Day!

It was a gorgeous weekend here weather wise!  The 585 has finally broken its streak of rain and cold.  It may almost be June but we are so grateful that the sun has arrived and to get outside and feel its magical powers!

I hit up a Zumba class first thing Friday morning and then headed over to grab my niece for the weekend.  These three goofballs had SO much fun together and got along so nicely.

Joe had off so we took them to the Zoo (which Joe and I honestly don’t love seeing the animals caged up not living their in their natural habitats…but it is exciting to show the kids exotic animals.)

I have some exciting news to share too!  My friend Cathy with Tastefully Simple asked me (one of two!) people to do a 14 Day Reset Beta testing.  It’s a low carb meal plan and they provide all the recipes, snacks and menu plan!  I paid $150 for TS products (which I already know that I love!) and I will have to grocery shop for produce and meats etc.   I cannot wait to document and share my experience!

I took these three monkeys to the mall so that the girls could get matching outfits.  Of course they had just had lunch before we left, but were still HUNGRY for pretzels!

They also picked out a BFF necklace–do any of you remember these?! LOL

I felt a little bad because bubs wanted in on all the action, but as you may know, girls just have a special bond and secret handshakes.  I know he’ll have a buddy one day too, but he was always asking to be included and “take my picture too” it was so sweet.

In other news, my sister Brianna had her first Body Building competition!  She placed 3rd and although I couldn’t be there, I cheered her on in spirit! So proud of you girl!

The kids jumping for joy that Aunt Bri placed!

Saturday night I took some “do you time” in the kitchen.  I had my group coaching call and brought up one of my memories that had ‘bullet holes’ so it was important that I spent some time enjoying.  I’ll be sharing more on my bullet holes soon! Stay tuned!

I cooked up a bunch of veggies, peeled, sliced & roasted potatoes and had a pot roast in the crockpot.  I enjoyed some of my favorite (inexpensive) Pinto Grigio Cavitt and played some tunes.  The kitchen has always been my happy place and cooking/chopping/sautéing/stirring is always so therapeutic to me.

Joe got home from work and Brooke’s been practicing to ride her bike without training wheels.  She’s making it a bit of a distance before she tumbles, but I snapped this shot because it just makes me so happy.  Even though he’s still in his work clothes, he jumped right out of his truck to try and help her.  THIS is the man I married–ALL IN!  He doesn’t care that his nice Banana Republic clothes could get ruined.

We also had a little spa night!  I grabbed a few face masks and put them on the girls–Brooke thought it was the best thing ever!

Sunday we wore the Old Navy dresses! I actually scooped mine up last year, and the girls honestly picked theirs out first and I then said, I have one just like it! They were so excited to all match and it made for quite the photo!  We hit up The Revelry for Brunch.

How cute are they?

I told hubby we needed a selfie.

Again, Bradley wanting to be in on the action!

And what’s a #brunch without a mimosa? Just sayin.

Adri went home and we took a little Sunday drive.  The bay was a little cool, but it was so pretty out.

He’s always loved standing on rocks…

My sweet girl.  She actually got to feed them as some nice girls next to us had a big bag of bird seed/food to share.

Joe had to work all day Memorial Day but I enjoyed my time with the kiddos.  I had my coaching call in the morning (made sure to grab a Starbucks Latté so I could focus/recall alllll the bullet holes) and then we hit up a park, grocery store and did household chores.  Nothing crazy, and I felt rather depleted after recalling some ridiculous stuff I’ve been through.  We all have, I’m no different.  I’ll be opening up more on all that in the upcoming week, so if you’ve been feeling like learning more about the life coaching journey, stay tuned! I’m going to be as open and transparent as I can be!!

Have a beautiful week my friends.

Some Weekend Vibes

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Happy Monday!

The front flowers look so pretty and so does our little girl!  This Spring weather has been so wonky, but we are enjoying when we can.

This little guy found these sunnies in the $1 bin at Target.  So cute!

We stopped up at the local Mall to see Brooke’s artwork! She made this adorable zebra that was put on display.  We are so proud of her hard work.  She always tells us that she’s an artist.

The weather was actually decent enough to hit up the Lilac Festival with some friends.

If this girl isn’t living her best life, I dunno who is!!

She really REALLY enjoyed the cotton candy.  (The little bit we allowed!!)

I made sure to take some tea time and a chat with my mama over the weekend.

We also spent a little time at the land before the storm rolled through!

Brooke had gifted me a Sunflower plant for Mother’s Day that she planted at school.  Joe and I wanted to plant it at the land since there’s always sun, and our current house is rather shady.  We planted it on the hill and no joke within 5 minutes, the kids played on it and crushed it…so I’m not sure if it will grow?! Oy!

I will say this mama is OVER the hustle and bustle and cannot wait to build on this beautiful land!  There’s something so special about being in the country.  I could just watch my babies play all day long here.

Make a wish!

Vlog: Being Kind and Doing You

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I felt like sharing what was on my mind via a vlog the other day.  Fresh from the gym, super motivated to live my best life and I thought maybe someone would need to hear these words.  We are not perfect, no one is.  Isn’t life just about better than you were yesterday?  In a world where everyone is so quick to judge and tear one another down, I have been really looking inside myself and working towards being the best Jenn that I can be.  It’s really that simple friends.

 

Have a beautiful Thursday!

Maybe you Need to Read this…

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Maybe you’ve been having some bad luck.

Maybe you’ve been told you can’t.

Maybe you’re holding onto some unknown belief or fear you haven’t tapped into you.

Maybe you think you’re not good enough.

Maybe you think you’re going to lose, fail or be made fun of.

I am here to tell you today that–

You are stronger than you think.

You are wiser than you know.

You are capable of so much more than you believe.

The sky is the limit, your mind will achieve what you tell it to.

Both of your bad days and good happen for a reason.

May your past be a lesson; learn from it well.

You don’t have to let the cycle repeat.

Every day is a new day to start fresh.

You don’t need anyone or anything to make you happy.

There’s a time to hustle, but also a time to rest.

You are worthy.

Your dreams, your passions, your desires–do not go to the grave with them still inside.

If you love to write, start a blog.

If you love to dance, join a class.

If you love to sing, buy a microphone and blare those speakers!

If you love people, become more involved.

If you love to cook, get in that kitchen!!

So often we allow ourselves to get bogged down by the “shoulds” of the world, or the crazy endless activities of things we “have to do.”

If I  feel like I’m sinking, that’s when I’ve learned I must retreat.  I must go find a quiet spot, which is hard, and I need to really listen to that still small voice inside me.  Perhaps it’s God, maybe it’s the universe, maybe I’m a little crazy and I just hear voices.

But seriously, last week when I was so overwhelmed with emotion, frustration and felt like I was losing control, I just got into my truck and drove, in the rain and parked.  I had on The Coffee House station on XM radio and it played all the right songs.  I felt like they had handpicked music to go along with my current feels.

I cried.

It rained, it really poured.

It felt so good to get that out…and to just think! Alone!

What do I need?

What do I want? 

What is my purpose?

And within a day, I actually discovered Trent Shelton whom I felt also spoke to me and he said, “You are purpose.”

We have such a small chance of even being put onto this earth, so that alone should give you enough purpose.

So many of us are just floating around with these amazing gifts, talents and beautiful parts of us that no one sees!!

We are scared.

We are afraid of what others may think, or say.

We can come up with a million and one reasons why we shouldn’t, couldn’t or won’t…

But friend, you must step away from that mindset and free yourself.

Put your words out there, regardless of what someone may say to you.

Upload your video to share your story, so that someone else may not feel alone.

Do not let the world (or rather the people in it) keep you from what you are meant to be or do.

Chances are, they’re hurting too and also need to read this.

Shine on, sweet friend…shine on and rise to your occasion!

Wellness Wednesday: Trusting the Process

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Well, 8 days in and ish started getting hard.

I was able to keep up with most of my coaching work on a daily basis, despite going away to Toronto.  Luckily we had some down time in our gorgeous suite in the hotel.  I plugged in my headphones and made it work! It’s so so easy to quit when things get hard, but I promised myself to focus these 21 days and get it done!

My overall goal is to create a better work/life blend and to not be so stressed out and feel so chaotic.  I don’t like the stress that it creates and neither does my body!  I absolutely love my life, but I don’t like feeling spun out of control.

So how am I doing with that?  Ehhhh to be totally transparent and honest, I don’t feel like I’m doing that great.  I yelled Tuesday. (So much for being calm amongst the chaos).  I felt like that meme where Mary Poppins is all, “Let’s go!” and then 20 minutes later Batman voice yells “LET’S GOOOOOO!!”  It was a crazy early morning as Bradley had his final “Helper Day” at preschool, which I still had to buy snacks/drinks for AND I had his parent conference at 8:30.  Since I had made a choice to go to a favorite workout class the night before at 6pm, it made for a later bedtime.  I solo parent on some evenings as per my husband’s schedule, and for the last 6 years, I pretty much let the kids’ dictate my routine.  Well, since I’ve started putting ME first a few times more, it’s an adjustment for ALL.  I sometimes feel counter-productive, as in maybe if I just do what is always best for kids and husband, then I can keep the peace…but the reality is, I feel like I’ve woken up to a new light.  What if I die tomorrow? Did I get to do what I wanted to do?  I get that being a parent is all about selfless-ness and giving, giving, giving even when you don’t feel like giving any more, but I also see the need to fill my cup.

I used to think filling my cup was a once in awhile thing.  But I’m realizing I do need to give more attention to me, a lot more.  The “Do You List” has been SO helpful.  It’s been eye opening because I’ve noticed that I don’t feel guilty when I do the dishes, fold the laundry, clean the rooms, scrub the toilets, braid the hair, brush the teeth, iron the work clothes, cook the eggs, do the grocery shopping, prepare the meals, walk the dog, work on real estate, cuddle…but when I consistently do things that make me, just Jenn, not anyone else, happy, I feel bad. So I am learning to push through that uncomfortable feeling and see where it takes me. ** This is what Lindsay would refer to as your IMG (Inner Mean Girl) I didn’t think I had any (haha!) but once I listened to her videos, took notes and reflected I realized I am so a people pleaser and then some.

I’ve created my daily habit of meditating 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night.  I find the morning to be harder than night–I actually love listening to a meditation and falling into a nice quiet sleep…I am also noticing perhaps I would do better with a mid-day meditation?  I may play around with this.  My morning routine is not exactly pristine.  My body is fighting me for sleep!! (I’m blaming the uber hard workouts I do some days!) Either way, I am seeing the need for it. Slowing down is helping me A LOT!

I’ve also started saying a daily mantra: I live a calm and intentional life.  (I’m finding Rachel Hollis’ Start Today Journal methods kind of intertwining here!) Basically, you say things in present tense, as if they’re already happening.  There’s a huge brain connection (I’m not getting scientific here, but there’s huge research done on this!) Lindsay does a great job at explaining it in her course, so it’s not all hokey!

So all in all, in just a week I’m noticing huge differences! Even though I felt like I was struggling a bit yesterday (Tuesday) I love that Lindsay has a closed Facebook group where we can share our thoughts.  We were to share what we are grateful for, so I did, but I also was real and said how things were getting hard.  Her response, “I know you want things to change now, but it’s a process. Just keep showing up like you’re doing (even though you feel overwhelmed I know) and it will get better.”  I know that I needed to hear that because I always want to rush things and sometimes, most times, we need to let things go at their own pace and fall into place as they will.  I know I’m so, SO hard on myself and I need to lighten up (a lot.)

All amazing things happen outside of our comfort zone, right?  Well I am certainly stepping out of mine and cannot wait to see what’s to come.  Just don’t quit, right?