Mama Vacation

 

My anniversary gift from Eric was a quiet day away at the beautiful Opryland Hotel in Nashville.  The family dropped me off and we explored the area for a while. 

My balcony faced the hotel's giant waterfalls.

 We kissed goodbye...

 The the next day was filled with coffee, books, sweat pants, writing, netflix and room service.

 

All refreshed!

He's our BFF

 Eric- "Uh, why are you taking my picture?!"

Me- " To put on the blog of course!"

Seriously, this guy is the best.  He's our best friend, protector, provider, encourager, and loves us with a Christ-like love.  We are so blessed God chose him for this family.  Plus, he's ridiculously good-looking!

Little Explorations

 

These 3 little people bless my heart!

"It's Always Tea Time."

 "Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

 

The girls have had a two day long tea party, thanks to our lack of screen time.

Courage, dear heart

 

Lately, I have struggled with extreme exhaustion.  Luckily, our children- for the most part- understand the tempo of our days and tend to be big helpers with sweet encouragements to me.  I just have to remind myself to not grow weary in-spite of my bone dragging burn-out.

Galatians 6:9-10The Message (MSG)

^9-10 So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

My Allie girl.

Big Brother Snuggles

 

Brielle just loves her big brother! 

AC Legos

Chest Hairs

 

After I cut his hair he said, "Look mom, chest hair!" 

Crossfit Update

 

I have been regularly attending my crossfit classes, along with added barbell classes (which are essentially Olympic Lifting technique classes).  I have really been enjoying the mental and physical challenges the WODs (workout of the day) give me and it keeps me on my toes.  It's a lot like martial arts in the fact that you can never truly master all of the movements.  There is always something to work on and movements to improve.  I have also traded in my beloved chucks for some shiny new lifting shoes which I really love.

My current PRs (personal records) are:

Power Snatch- 100lbs

Snatch- 103lbs

Overhead Squat- 120lbs

Clean- 143lbs

Split Jerk- 143lbs? 

Snatch Balance- 95lbs

Deadlift- 205lbs (havent done this in a while, I am hoping its more)

  

Monday morning.

 

The girls had their sweet little homeschool ballet class this rainy morning.  Mathias was able to see his buddies, I sipped my coffee while chatting with other moms and the girls twirled and danced the morning away.  It's such a lovely way to start our week.  We have not been attending music this year b/c it was a bit exhausting and we like to get home to finish up our school before lunch time. 

 

All 3 kids are doing great in school.  Mathias is quite the reader now- learning more complicated words every day.  He has finished 2 chapter books and is now starting The Littles and the Trash Tinies.  He is excited about it. 

 

Allie has started working on her handwriting skills and we will be moving Mathias over into cursive before the year is up.