The saga of a twi-mom

 This is my girl Brandy. She loves Were wolves! I love her...... so after 5 years of saying no to the stupid twilight books I told her I would try them. What can I say? They ARE really good books. So I read the books in 2 weeks and then watched the movies. Then I was talked into going to the midnight showing of the latest movie, Breaking Dawn. I waited in line for 2 hours with mostly 21 year olds wearing "tri-hard" clothes.

This is twi-mom Tabby. She has a sweet baby at home but yet she is up all hours of the night with Vampires.....She is on Team Edward. But you already knew this because she wears twilight clothing.

Twi-mom and twi-daughter, Alexis and Stephanie. They look like sisters, don't they?

I often ask Brandy what she sees in a 32 year old preacher's wife.....I guess I'm just that much fun!

These are the  21 year olds of which I speak.

Playing bs which I am horrible at BTW.

hmmmm...............

No comment

The line was out the door

This is the latest I've ever been out.

That's my vampire loving crew up there.

So, call me what you want....crazy, stupid, twi-mom, dork(that's what Ethan calls me)... I don't care. I had fun with friends and watching all the other crazy people.  The movie actually wasn't that good....way to much blood drinking for me.
If your wondering what team I'm on I'll tell you. GO TEAM JAKE!

Proverbs 31: The Original Ironmom

I went for a great 7 mile run yesterday in the state park. If your not lucky enough to live in Delaware I feel bad for you. The state park is beautiful any time of year but especially in the fall. The leaves are falling, too many to deer to count and of course the beach.

My knee felt great so I tried running up the hill that overlooks the beach and it felt great....so I ran it 5 more times! I had lots of time to think and pray.

7 miles might seem like a crazy task to some of you but to me it's very minimal compared to what I have to accomplish next August. I signed up for Ironman Louisiville. If you aren't familiar with this, it's  a 2.4 swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run. Yowza!!! So as I was running I was praying, as I do for most of my runs. How am I going to train for this while being a wife, mom of 3, have a physically demanding job, cook, clean, do all my church and the list goes on......

Proverbs 31 came to mind. If you haven't read this...do it. If you don't have a Bible....get one!

I have always known this chapter as "the wife of noble character" or "the virtuous woman" or just "the Proverbs 31 women". I've taken it upon to change her name....."the original IRONMOM".

I've always had a love/hate relationship with her. She makes me feel lazy, talentless, unworthy, vain and selfish. Yesterday I fell in love with her. I believe that if they had goggles and road bikes in Bible  time she'd sign up for IM and say "I got this". She knew she can do all things in Christ who gives her strength.

Think about the verse that says her arms are strong for her tasks. If you know me you know I love strength! Strong is the new skinny. She was also the first female body builder.......in my mind at least.I just had to sneak that one in there.

Here is a list of some of her duties:
gardener
provider
trader
sewer(is that what you call someone who sews?)
feed the poor
decorator
teacher
That is just some of the things this woman is able to do. The Bible also says she is joyful, blessed, praised, wise and does not care about outward beauty.....I'm starting to hate her again!

I am very blessed to have married a man who was raised by a an ironmom. I know that before I was born she was praying for a wife for Ethan.....I am so thankful for this. She is wise, virtuous, kind, loving, and her children call her blessed.

My mom lead me to Jesus. She is a ironmom in training. I think it's takes a lot more strength to start training at 60 years of age. She can be hard on herself but I thank God that she is my mom and is willing to work through the hard things. I have seen a ironmom emerging from her in the last couple years and I think that is so cool. I call her blessed for sure!

If you have an Ironmom or Ironwoman in your life make sure to give her props......today! They are hard to find.

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a women who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. That is my favorite! Here are the things I take away from this woman.
1. Earthly riches and beauty don't last.
2. I want to be a woman who fears the Lord.
3. My family comes first.....before my job, before church, before triathalons!
4. And before my family....God! Trying to do all this without God is like thinking you can do an IM without training......sets me up to fail everytime.
5. Do all things for HIS glory.

I'm going to leave you with this cheesy Picture. This is my first tri medal......3rd in my age group:)  Obviously I was so proud and excited. But I would take all my medals....even a first place IM medal and throw them out because they don't mean a thing. I'm working on heavenly medal. I want to be praised by my father for my eternal rewards. So as I start training in January I have to keep my eyes remain focused on the heavenly kingdom that awaits me. I pray that I stay my course and be the Ironmom that God wants me to be. I ask that would be pray for me. Everytime you see anything to do with tris shoot me a prayer....also for Ethan who is going want to kill me in the months approaching.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ."

This is Ethan

Rehoboth Beach vacation 2008

 This is Ethan. My husband, my best friend, my biggest fan, my supporter, my encourager, my preacher, and of course my baby daddy!

Ethan and I met about 15 years ago and been married almost 12. I thank God for putting him in life. I am a better person because of him.

These are some of my favorite pictures of him.

Watching Trey at his first attempt at the BMX track.

I love this picture except that we are missing Cross. December 2008

 Also from our vacation in 2008. Most people freak out when they see this picture. I love it because it shows that he teaches our kids to be brave. He makes them face their fears. They will be able to go through life being strong and courageous. I believe that Daddy's are the most important part of childhood. They want to hear from daddy "you are strong enough", "you are beautiful", " I am proud of you".

Tough guys!

I think if I had to pick a favorite this would be it! He's telling her to make sure she doesn't show her "flowers" to anyone .

food

 So many people ask me what I eat. First thing, I am NOT a nutritionist! I just love food and what it can do for the human body. I don't believe in diet or calorie restriction. I believe in eating food in it's whole form. I started eating clean about 5 years ago after my mom gave the Eat Clean books by Tosca Reno. I have the whole series but have lent them out to friends. So here is a picture of 2 of them. I have had the opportunity to meet Tosca a few times and I love her!

Eating clean means no white stuff, lots of lean protein, no packaged stuff, eating every 2-3 hours and lots of water. It's a lifestyle, not a diet which means you don't have to worry doing the math of calories in, calories out. Just eat clean!

So here is where I take it to a whole new level! My friend gave me this book about 3 weeks ago. it was Written by a professional Ironman. He eats raw! No meat, no dairy, no gluten, no soy and no coffee. Did I lose you yet?

So for the 3 weeks I have been eating this way and I love it. It was just supposed to be an experiment but I feel great. I don't eat totally raw.......it's really hard with 3 kids. But I do have to say the kids like almost all the stuff I feed them including kale chips, quinoa, and kelp noodles.

 Here is a picture of some of the things I eat every day.
Ezekiel bread-live grain bread with lots of protein.
Yerba Mate`-species of holly native to south America. I use it in place of coffee.
Chia seeds-High in potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, protein and fiber. Great for active people.
Coconut oil- I pretty much use this in place of all butter and oil. I use in on my skin and hair also.
Pumkin oil-High is fatty acids and great in salad dressings.

Kombucha- fermented tea rich in organic acids, active enzymes, amino acids and antioxidants. Great for digestion.
Hemp protein powder-complete protein containing all 10 essential amino acids.
Coconut milk- dairy free and so good!
Maca powder-A root vegetable with medicinal qualities. Great for building muscle and recovery.
Vega bars- I use them when I'm on the run.

kale and arugula salad with mung beans, sprouts, chia seeds, lots of nuts, seeds and raisons. yummy!

sweet spot

 






I work for Quest fitness in Lewes Delaware. It's a great gym but I love it because it's my second family. I've made so many great friends!







I teach bootcamp, kettlebell, conditioning, sculpting, spinning, kickboxing and pilates. I don't know if I can pick a favorite........


















That's my mom front and center doing the splits. I guess thats where I get it from.

"Do what you love. Do it so well that someone will pay you to do it."

 These are my 3 awesome kids! Trey(7), Lucy(4) and Cross(2).

 This is Trey. Trey is my first born. He is loving, sensitive, quiet, goofy, smart and mature for his 7 years.

 This is Lucy, my second baby. Lucy is thankful, happy, loud, tough, and very girly.

 This is Cross and the picture explains it all! Crazy, loud, jumper, climber, all boy, clown and hilarious.

This is Diesel. handsome, gross, smelly, yucky, bad, disobedient, lazy, but most importantly....loving.