February 2000
March 2000
March 2000
May 2001
May 2001
July 2002
May 2003
The year of the hospital...March 2004
May 2005
May 2006
September 2006
July 2007
July 2007
(only photo of "us") May 2008
July 2009
Saturday, February 13, 2010
To my Valentine...
February 2000
March 2000
March 2000
May 2001
May 2001
July 2002
May 2003
The year of the hospital...March 2004
May 2005
May 2006
September 2006
July 2007
July 2007
(only photo of "us") May 2008
July 2009
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Wii Fit...
While gearing up for more walking than I've done in two years, I have been doing a Nintendo Wii Fit workout every day. I'm wanting to build up my endurance to help with the time change and jetlag, and just walking from morning till night in the dead of winter through two of the most bustling cities in the world.
We got our Wii Fit while we were living in California. I initially wanted to get it for me to get to work out some while being at home with Max. But it also quickly became a way to burn off Abbey's pent up summer-vacation energy! It's still one of her favorite Wii games.
I've often been asked if the Wii Fit actually works. I would say, yes and no. You can cheat with every single workout and game. So if you don't put all of your effort into it, as if you were at the gym, then it likely won't work. But, if you really put effort into it, and focus on the correct moves, balance, and breathing, then yes it does work.
In the summer we walk/run quite a bit with the kids. Every day we're taking at least a mile walk. But in the winter, it's really hard to get motivated to bundle up and get out in the cold! So when I started this up a couple of weeks ago, I really felt it the first couple of days. I had lunges in my workout last week, and I felt it for DAYS afterwords. It really is strange that a video game can cause so much discomfort results!
I can't take Max to the gym, and it isn't my favorite way to work-out anyway. And it's so cold right now, that taking him with me for a run would mean he would be pretty uncomfortably bundled up.
Yesterday, I wasn't feeling like a full workout, so I did the "free-step" aerobics. This workout is done by keeping beat with the Wii remote's tone, kind of like a metronome, and I can flip the tv on for the duration of the workout. It starts and I step on and off, side to side, arms up and down. All the while, Max was able to watch his cartoons and eat. When I was done, I had taken over 1,000 steps (because I sped up the beat quite a bit), and he had finished eating.
It's a bit of an investment at the beginning, first you have the Wii System, which runs about $220. Then the Wii Fit Plus and Balance Board, which runs about $150.
But, it has been a good investment for us. Considering the amount of monthly/yearly gym memberships, and we've had it for 2 years now, we've paid for it over and again! And hopefully it will help when I get back from a week eating croissants and Coconut Flan at Paul Patisserie!
We got our Wii Fit while we were living in California. I initially wanted to get it for me to get to work out some while being at home with Max. But it also quickly became a way to burn off Abbey's pent up summer-vacation energy! It's still one of her favorite Wii games.
I've often been asked if the Wii Fit actually works. I would say, yes and no. You can cheat with every single workout and game. So if you don't put all of your effort into it, as if you were at the gym, then it likely won't work. But, if you really put effort into it, and focus on the correct moves, balance, and breathing, then yes it does work.
In the summer we walk/run quite a bit with the kids. Every day we're taking at least a mile walk. But in the winter, it's really hard to get motivated to bundle up and get out in the cold! So when I started this up a couple of weeks ago, I really felt it the first couple of days. I had lunges in my workout last week, and I felt it for DAYS afterwords. It really is strange that a video game can cause so much
I can't take Max to the gym, and it isn't my favorite way to work-out anyway. And it's so cold right now, that taking him with me for a run would mean he would be pretty uncomfortably bundled up.
Yesterday, I wasn't feeling like a full workout, so I did the "free-step" aerobics. This workout is done by keeping beat with the Wii remote's tone, kind of like a metronome, and I can flip the tv on for the duration of the workout. It starts and I step on and off, side to side, arms up and down. All the while, Max was able to watch his cartoons and eat. When I was done, I had taken over 1,000 steps (because I sped up the beat quite a bit), and he had finished eating.
It's a bit of an investment at the beginning, first you have the Wii System, which runs about $220. Then the Wii Fit Plus and Balance Board, which runs about $150.
But, it has been a good investment for us. Considering the amount of monthly/yearly gym memberships, and we've had it for 2 years now, we've paid for it over and again! And hopefully it will help when I get back from a week eating croissants and Coconut Flan at Paul Patisserie!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Being Selfish...
Before we had Max, and when Abbey was still very young, we had big plans. We had planned to live outside of the country, and teach our kids about the rest of the world.
We tried that in 2008...almost exactly to the date. I still think every day how I wish it would have worked out. I know now, we needed to come home. We needed Max to get a g-tube. We needed to get his seizures under control. We needed to be closer for Abbey. Lots of reasons.
But still...wished...hoped...dreamed.
Since returning in July 2008 from California, I haven't traveled anywhere. I needed to get Max strong. I needed to regroup from all the moving. I needed to get my CNA certification.
I just needed to be.
Until late last year. I was done just being. So Steve nudged me to go on some trips. I had never been away from Max that I couldn't just rush to him if I needed. I don't like being away from him and Steve. But, I knew I needed to get away for a bit.
So, my friend Gwen offered up her lovely home for my first time away. It was perfect! Good friends, good visit. Short enough to wish for more. But long enough to know I could make it away from Max and Steve.
Then, we decided on a birthday trip. This time, a longer time away, and a further distance. But still not with Max or Steve. I've been telling my friend Kris for years, the first time I go to Paris, I would go with her. Paris is to her, like London is to me. Unexplainable love for a place. So who better to see a new place with?
It has taken a lot of planning. And a lot of letting go of how I do things...with Max particularly...and a lot of being selfish to go.
My husband is the best of the best to give me this gift of travel. I still wish...that one day we'll get to travel together again. But I feel pretty loved and appreciated that he insists that I continue to go...to travel and dream.
And maybe to be a little selfish, so I can continue to be the best mom to Max...and of course...the best wife too!
We tried that in 2008...almost exactly to the date. I still think every day how I wish it would have worked out. I know now, we needed to come home. We needed Max to get a g-tube. We needed to get his seizures under control. We needed to be closer for Abbey. Lots of reasons.
But still...wished...hoped...dreamed.
Since returning in July 2008 from California, I haven't traveled anywhere. I needed to get Max strong. I needed to regroup from all the moving. I needed to get my CNA certification.
I just needed to be.
Until late last year. I was done just being. So Steve nudged me to go on some trips. I had never been away from Max that I couldn't just rush to him if I needed. I don't like being away from him and Steve. But, I knew I needed to get away for a bit.
So, my friend Gwen offered up her lovely home for my first time away. It was perfect! Good friends, good visit. Short enough to wish for more. But long enough to know I could make it away from Max and Steve.
Then, we decided on a birthday trip. This time, a longer time away, and a further distance. But still not with Max or Steve. I've been telling my friend Kris for years, the first time I go to Paris, I would go with her. Paris is to her, like London is to me. Unexplainable love for a place. So who better to see a new place with?
It has taken a lot of planning. And a lot of letting go of how I do things...with Max particularly...and a lot of being selfish to go.
My husband is the best of the best to give me this gift of travel. I still wish...that one day we'll get to travel together again. But I feel pretty loved and appreciated that he insists that I continue to go...to travel and dream.
And maybe to be a little selfish, so I can continue to be the best mom to Max...and of course...the best wife too!
Monday, February 1, 2010
February...
It's February!!
When I flip the page on the calendar to February, I always hope for warmer days, and spring flowers. I know living here, I'm not likely to see either for a while. I guess it's just what I remember from growing up.
I've always felt like this month was special for me. Three of my siblings have summer birthdays, and the other two are at Christmas. Being one of six kids, it was pretty cool to never have to share birthday parties with your brother or sister.
It's only the first, but it already feels like it's flying by. In two and a half weeks the month will be nearly over, and I will be on a jet plane out of the country. As a special treat, I am going to Paris and London for a week, for my birthday, with my friend Kris!! She and I will meet up in Dallas, and fly to Paris to play for 3.5 days, and then take the train to London where we'll play for another 3.5 days. Getting home the evening before my birthday.
I've never been gone from Max that long...which will be the hardest part. But I'm really excited, and thankful to Steve for making it happen. It's really making this month...and year special!
When I flip the page on the calendar to February, I always hope for warmer days, and spring flowers. I know living here, I'm not likely to see either for a while. I guess it's just what I remember from growing up.
I've always felt like this month was special for me. Three of my siblings have summer birthdays, and the other two are at Christmas. Being one of six kids, it was pretty cool to never have to share birthday parties with your brother or sister.
It's only the first, but it already feels like it's flying by. In two and a half weeks the month will be nearly over, and I will be on a jet plane out of the country. As a special treat, I am going to Paris and London for a week, for my birthday, with my friend Kris!! She and I will meet up in Dallas, and fly to Paris to play for 3.5 days, and then take the train to London where we'll play for another 3.5 days. Getting home the evening before my birthday.
I've never been gone from Max that long...which will be the hardest part. But I'm really excited, and thankful to Steve for making it happen. It's really making this month...and year special!
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