I spoke too soon...

A few days after I blogged about my group fitness certification, I got an email notification that I have to "perfect" some of my technique from my video. I have 4 weeks to do that and then re-send a new video into Les Mills. Oh my goodness, it was so stressful the first time around...PLEASE keep your fingers crossed that I master my technique the 2nd time around! ha!

I'm officially hooked...

Many of you who read this blog (and I'm so glad you do!!!) already know that since early Fall I've been in the process of becoming certified as a Les Mills group fitness instructor. Even though "officially " I have not heard yet if my video has been accepted...I have been teaching at my club since the end of October. A lucky few (my sister in law & mother in law) have taken my class along with some of my friends to get a taste of what I've been working so hard at these past few months. I have found my "calling" and LOVE teaching group fitness classes! I am hoping to get certified to teach Body Step this year and maybe Body Pump. Check out the Les Mills website to see exactly what I am up to2 hours each week...

Next time you find yourself in Boston - come take my class & see why I am hooked on this incredible workout!

BODYATTACK™ is a life-changing workout for people who want to get fit, stay fit and get fitter...so with that being said, why wouldn't I LOVE what I do?????

www.lesmills.com

I Remember When...part 2

A little over a month ago, I posted a blog message titled "I remember when..."

Well, I thought I would do it again...as I am sitting at my Mom & Dad's computer, I found some really great photos to share with you all!

So here goes...I REMEMBER WHEN...

My sister called me to say that David asked her to marry him!

My wedding day

Jack & Reagan's first day of school - Fall 2008

Jack's very first fish he caught in Morse Lake

Did we REALLY just get another snow storm???

Yep, we sure did! Welcome to New England, folks! I've also come to the conclusion that Jack & Reagan (and Ellie too) get much more excited about a snow fall than Mommy & Daddy do. ha! As soon as the flakes start flying, Jack is asking to put on his "gear" and go sledding. What??? Does he not realize how COLD it is outside???

Besides having cold feet (REALLY), we had a blast playing in the snow with Jack (Reagan was snoozing indoors). Matt and Jack dug a tunnel and had a blast crawling through it (well, Jack did - but Matt got stuck!)

Jack is VERY excited to play in the snow!

Mommy, Jack and Ellie taking a break from all the fun!


Ellie, our snow dog!

Uh, oh...Daddy is stuck in the tunnel

Phew, Jack made it through the tunnel

Playing around with the camera

The master snow digger!

The Junior snow digger!

Digging the tunnel!

Home Sweet Home

Does anyone like Lemonade??? I DO!!!!!!!

When LIFE gives you lemons, what do you do with them? Well, duh!!! Make Lemonade!! Right?

A BIG hug to Jamie for giving me this special award. And "WHY, do you ask is this award so special?" Because...it is very important in this stressful time of our lives (mouths to feed, bills to pay, husbands to keep sane b/c of this crazy market, a wild economy, etc.) to be as positive as possible in our daily lives! And if we aren't positive, who will show our kids that everything will be okay? Who will show them that life is as wonderful as they think it is??? Who will show them how to be silly in a very serious world?? It's our job (and more specifically my job) to be a positive role model for my children and husband every single day we are blessed to be together!

Do I have an amazing husband who supports me while I stay at home with our kids? YES! Do I have 2 adorable children who surprise me each day with their accomplishments and creativity? YES Do I have a supportive & loving family who I am very close to? YES! Do I have the most AWESOME friends in the entire world? YES!

So why would I be anything else other than POSITIVE???

Thank you Jamie for recognizing my effort to stay as positive as possible each & every day. I love you & can't wait to see you soon! You hold such a special place in my heart...a friend forever! :)

So I guess now it is my duty to pass this special award along to other deserving "bloggers".

Life IS about making lemonade when all you're handed is lemons, a positive attitude goes a LONG way in life! This award comes with a few rules: Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate other blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE. Be sure to link your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award!

#1: Sara (www.indyglenns.blogspot.com ) - Really? What can I say about my sister??? For those of you who are lucky enough to have met her, she is an old soul who is as real as you get. She is HONEST, BEAUTIFUL and DEVOTED...when she loves you, she REALLY loves you. She is a very real and positive person. I could go on & on about my little sis...I glow with pride when I talk about her!!!!!

#2: Kristen (www.henrysbigadventures.blogspot.com) - Hmmmm, thinking about how much I miss Kristen makes me a little teary-eyed! I really owe our friendship to a guy named Brandon who first introduced us - thinking we would get along well! Little did he know, we hit it off (sounds like a blind date, huh??) and have been amazing friends ever since!

#3: Bridget (www.thesmithfamily1115.blogspot.com) - This TOUGH girl has been through way too much. But if you take a moment to read her blog, you will find that she is as positive as they come! She is such a great friend...a dear friend that I met even before the start of our freshman year in college at dance team camp. ha! Those were the days...

Boys will be Boys...

For those of you who have visited our home, you know about our "race track" around the kitchen/dining room/living room area. It is known around the neighborhood that we have the BEST indoor racing track of the Greater Boston area (ha!). Well, last weekend we were lucky enough to have a special "undies only" race in our home. Our good friends came over for dinner and as you can see from the pictures...it got a little WILD later in the evening! ha! And NO, it was not the adults that were crazy!!!!

"On your mark...", the Daddies said!

Reagan & Matty (the 2 far left ones) wanted to join in the fun!

Jack is in the lead!

Go Con-Man and Jack!

The winner!!!

Cheers to 2009!!!

This new year will be a good one - I just have a hunch!!! It's a feeling in my gutt - it HAS to be a good year. Have you made your New Year's Resolution yet??? Well, I have - to be more patient with my kids. That means to take the time to PLAY with them each day. So yes, that means my house will not be as clean as I like it and non-essential tasks will most likely not get done during the day BUT I will have fun with my kids & they will know that I am here for them. I am so very fortunate to stay home with them each day and I do not want to take it for granted any more. As we are researching & applying to Pre-K programs that are 5 days a week (what??? you mean I have to give up my baby for 5 mornings a week???), I realize that time flies by and I want to cherish each & every moment I have with Jack & Reagan. So when I just can't take their sassy attitudes and whining anymore, I will promise to take a deep breath and smile! Because I am the lucky one...

Cheers to 2009! Hope you all had a wonderful celebration...if it was spent with friends, family, or alone tucked in your cozy homes...here's to a happy, healthy NEW YEAR!

In the midst of a New England snow storm, we made the trek to our friends house for a fun family night! We were home by 9:30pm and all sound asleep by 10:30pm but as you can see from the pictures - we had a blast! A HUGE thank you to Uncle David for sending a special box full of New Years goodies...party hats, noise makers, leis, etc!

The kids just discovered the box of New Years Eve goodies!

The "Girls" watching a movie

Kids table

The older "Girls" enjoying a glass of bubbly!

Vicki, Megan (and Paige), Erin