five things friday: meet marisa

Today I want to introduce you to my friend, Marisa, owner of Griffin Family Farms. I'm really not sure where I'd be as a mom without her. Honestly. She has helped me get through the little and the big and she is always always there for me. She's crazy generous. No lie. And, to make her even better, she has the greatest line of homemade organic products for your family. Shampoo for you, moisturizer for your sister, salve for your baby's bottom. Heck, she even has laundry detergent! Do yourself a favor, and check her product line out on Facebook. 

As a momma to three little ones, I use her products daily on them. I use them for myself as well. So does my Hubs. And I'm here to share my five most commonly used products from Griffin Family Farms. 

1. Lavender Rose Lotion: I use this for myself and for my baby girl. Great smell, fabulous texture and amazing results.

2. Teething Oil: No one likes a hurting/teething baby. This stuff goes a long way and will do wonders for those sore little gums.

3. Gripe Water Tea: This has helped my littlest one with her tummy tremendously.

4. Elderberry Syrup: Hello cold season! This is a must have in our house. The kids (including my oldest 30 something year old) all love it and constantly ask for more. 

5. Miracle Salve: I saved the best for last. We all use this. It is amazing for diaper rash, or just rashes in general, cuts, bruises, burns. Oh burns. I'm telling you, I am blonde in the kitchen and always end up burning myself. And this salve is ah.maze.ing. It helps quick healing and the pain! 

She has a wonderful little business going and I am happy to watch it blossom. She has helped so many people through her products and her kindness, including myself and many of my friends. You won't be disappointed. And she is always willing to answer your questions, gives great details and instructions on using her products and she will ship to your house so you don't have to be local!! Now go check her out!

the journey to (post-pregnancy) better health

As you know, my baby number three was born almost exactly one month ago. And two years prior to that, babies one and two were born. My body never went back to the way it was on my honeymoon... and probably never will. But when I was pregnant with Z I knew I wanted to do something to get myself into better health and better shape again, and soon. I don't have a number I want to hit or an exact size, and I don't have a desire to be too skinny. I just want to feel good again, know my body is in a bit better shape and eat a little better... to make a more conscious effort this time around.

I also have the incentive that I have a matron of honor dress to fit into in a few months. The whole bridal party was fitted months ago... while I was about 40 lbs heavier with a huge baby belly! So I found out the latest I could go to still have my dress in time. Thankfully that was after Z arrived. I'm still not in the shape I am hoping to be in at my cousin's wedding, but at least the dress size will be somewhat more accurate. So it is a good reason to get the ball rolling!

I knew with my recovery time and help for only one week after Z arrived, that I wouldn't be able to do much exercising, so the progress had to begin with what we were eating. We eliminated all of the good stuff and all of my favorite things, like chocolate milk (which is like my glass of wine at night), pasta and goldfish crackers. And instead it's all water, salads, meats, fruits and veggies. Not that I don't like that stuff, but I'd appreciate a little variation with added goodies on occasions. So we are doing a kick start for 30 days to eat super strict and healthy. And then after that, re assess how we feel and adjust our diet, maybe adding in a treat or two. And at that point, I can get to exercising a bit more. I'd love to be able to easily take the three littles for a walk each day, but our neighborhood isn't really walking three kids friendly for an out of shape momma! Too hilly!

So, we are 11 days into eating healthier and it is going pretty well so far. I do miss my chocolate milk and wish it could pop in the diet even just a few nights a week. You know, after the really stressful days with the little ones. I am also really wishing we could add in a few spice muffins, pumpkin breads, etc... the warm, homemade treats we love to enjoy in the fall. The treats you love to wake up to with a warm cup of coffee, the cool air flowing through the open windows with your Autumn Leaves candle burning. Ahhh, such sweet thoughts. ;) Once our 30 days are up, maybe we can add that in once a week.

I certainly don't think I could do this without the Hubs doing it with me. To lessen the stress of it, I don't have the boys eating this way. They eat what we do for dinner, but if they want chicken nuggets for lunch, or it is a quick day I need to make something fast, they get the good food they like, like cereal for breakfast.

This is what my meals look like:

 And this is what I would like them to look like:

My neighbor had a baby two weeks after I had Z and I made her family a meal and while I was baking the bread and making the pasta I was salivating. I wanted to tear up slightly after I dropped it next door and walked home to make our carb-less meal.

So, we will see what the next couple weeks look like. I think we will survive! No, I know we will survive! The harder part is going to be putting exercise in. With little free time, already waking up early and going to bed late, not having the same nap times, and just the hate of exercising, it will be hard.

For any mommas out there that have had to make adjustments to get back to better health after a baby, do you have good tips for fitting things in, healthy eating or just tips in general how you bounced back? I'd love to hear!

the truth is in the pudge

It's official. I am more pudgy today, when my sons are 15 months, old than when I was about 30 weeks pregnant… besides the massive stomach, of course. Yesterday we took some family pictures and when we got home and put them on the computer, I was horrified. I'm not fat. I'm not overweight, especially for my height, but my goodness, the pudge! The past couple weeks I've felt more pudgy but didn't really take too much notice. I am so busy running with the boys, taking care of the house, going to physical therapy a few times a week, that I spent very little time in front of a mirror. So, I didn't really see the pudge, even though I kinda felt it. 

So, after seeing yesterday's pictures I knew something had to be done. We don't pig out on junk food, but we aren't completely clean eaters, which if you follow regularly, you will know I couldn't handle the Whole 30 diet. My plan, for now, unless something better comes my way, is to have eggs for breakfast, a mid-morning piece of fruit, salad and some sort of meat on top (grilled chicken, lean meat), a light mid-afternoon snack, a healthier-choice dinner, sometimes with carbs, but a very limited amount. And I am debating my evening glass of chocolate milk. If I keep it, it won't be a large glass and it won't be every night (at least I hope not). And water, water, water!

I am not taking away all carbs, all sugars, all of anything. But instead I am trying to reduce as much as possible and eat as whole and clean as I can without making myself a mad-woman. I am also not taking away date lunch/dinner once a week with the Hubs. Just much wiser choices. I am not going to go crazy with it, and I am not going to kill myself with exercise. I am going to try to do my best to add some sort of exercise in though. Even if it is just jumping jacks at each set of commercials during a favorite evening show. It's better than nothing. 

I think I can stick to this plan. In fact, I know I can. I just hope I can see enough of a difference doing it this way. My goal is to do this until Christmas and then I am going to enjoy the festivities (within reason, of course) and when the parties are over, go back to eating as whole and clean as I can, until I reach my goal. I am not looking for a particular number, because it is not the number that is freaking me out. It's the look and feel I am going for… a bit less pudge! 

I doubt I will have any updates along the way, but instead just a post right before Christmas to let you know how it is going with a possible before and after, or part of the way there, picture. If you have any tips for quick and easy exercises or snacks and meals I can work in, please let me know!!! 

i stink

I'm going to be brutally honest here. I am running around like a mad woman most days and I can sweat with the best of them. And my word. I can stink up the place. Honest and humble there for y'all. It's awful. I have tried everything. The normal name brands, gel and solid. And I was trying for a natural kind, and tried the natural brands and they certainly did not work. So I thought I'd give it a whirl to make my own. And let me tell you, it is ah-mazing. I didn't come up with the recipe myself. I found it HERE. It is so easy and it will last you a long time. You don't need a lot of it for it to work well! And it only requires three ingredients!! The Hubs even gives his approval!

Three ingredients. Super easy to make. Not very costly. I had the baking soda and coconut oil laying around the house and all I needed to buy was the arrowroot powder.

You just stir it all together. It kind of becomes a paste. And keep it in a tight jar to stay fresh.

You don't need much at all!

Try it! I am confident you will like it!

what's your excuse?

I saw this picture online yesterday and then heard about it on the news this morning. Apparently there are mixed reviews about this. Her original post online doesn't sound so bad, but I thought I'd give you my take on it. First of all, her "job" is a physical trainer. That picture with her three young sons is a bit deceiving to me. She doesn't spend all day long cooking, cleaning, and caring for those three little boys. She's not a stay-at-home mom. And when she goes to work, she's working out. When I go to work, during those hours she is at a gym, I am scrubbing floors, doing laundry, cooking for the boys, paying bills, etc. I think we should all make time to take care of ourselves during the day, even us stay-at-home moms. By doing a 30 minute DVD during nap time or going for a quick run, you can't expect to necessarily look like this as a stay-at-home mom. She devotes a lot of time exercising in her day to get this result. Sure, if I had someone watch my little men for a full day and spent that time exercising, then posed for a picture with them in front of me while wearing a skimpy outfit, I could give the impression that I take care of them and work out enough to look like this. I think her tips on the link above are helpful, but I don't like how this picture deceives you. I think it's really hard for us Mommas that are home, giving our all to our families, and only wishing we had enough time do even do something for 5 minutes for ourselves, to see this. At least, for me it is. My Momma body will never look like this picture above again. I won't have time to devote to myself until all my kiddos are out and about on their own. And in the mean time, I can try my best to eat healthy and get exercise in as well as it fits in our unpredictable schedule. I can't even set my alarm to wake up before the boys, like she suggests, because they aren't fully consistent in their wake up time. And I need my sleep. If I had to set my alarm with enough time to wake up, exercise and shower before they do, I'd be up at 4. And y'all, that is not going to happen. My time for exercising will happen during nap time... when they are successful, which lately, is not occurring. For all you Mommas who are able to get out and exercise and still take care of your family, that is amazing. And for all you Mommas that are like me, do your best and do take care of yourself. But don't make yourself crazy thinking you have to look like this mom in the picture. We are all at different stages in our lives and some of your excuses, really might be valid. I know some of mine are.

48 miles in october

I always see people posting " ___ miles in ____ (given month)" and I have always wanted to run along with them. So when October came around and Ashley posted on her instagram account that she was running 48 miles in October, I jumped at the chance! I thought it would be doable if I ran 4 times a week, running about 3 miles per run. I didn't plan on longer runs because I do it during nap time, and like to fit a shower in with it, so this was reasonable. And the incentive at the end was a new pair of jeans, which is desperately needed! I was running on schedule, and loving it, though honestly having to push myself some mornings, but now, I am on day two of being pretty much immobile from neck/back pain. My parents and the hubs are taking care of the little men for me and as I sit on my heating pad, I watch the miles pile up that I need to run by the end of the month. Hoping I get better soon enough that I don't have to run 5, 6, 7 miles a day to catch up! If you are interested, check out Ashley's instagram page and you can also follow along with Marta's instagram for the initial inspiration for where Ashely and I both got the idea for #48milesinoctober. 

whole 30 . day 12

Well, today is day 12 of our Whole30 diet, and also, the last day. Actually, yesterday was the last day. We made it 11 days into the diet, and I was feeling a bit worse, gaining weight, not losing inches and we were pretty miserable. I could feel like a failure, but when you add in some personal things along with it, coming off the diet was right for the hubs and I, at least for now. We aren't going back into our old ways though. We are going to eat in a more clean way with much reduced processed foods. I hope for any of you that are reading this that are on the Whole30 or thinking of doing it, do your best to not get discouraged, but as a friend told me, it might work for someone else and not for you, so don't beat yourself up over it. Do what works for you and try to eat as healthy as you can without making yourself crazy. Hopefully the past week+ has left the hubs and I with enough to learn from and start on a new road in eating, one that is healthy for us and leaves us happy.

whole 30 . day 10

I have to say, today was tough. I was hungry and stressed. I ate two handfuls of cashews and I had extra fruit; 3 plums and a banana... of course, all at different times! I wanted to give up when I was running errands at lunch time. And I wanted to give up at dinner. I am at a loss as to what to cook each night. Last night we had ground beef with cauliflower. Pathetic huh? It was seasoned well though. Today we had sausage with eggs. I'm tired of this. It wears me out and I see NO difference at day 10. Keep on swimming, Marezy. Keep on swimming. 

i could go for a chocolate donut

Ugh. Day 9. I could really go for a chocolate donut. You know, the white centers dipped in chocolate glaze. Up until about 4:00 today, I hadn't had any real cravings for anything junky (besides the obvious of my chocolate milk). All of a sudden I want a chocolate donut. What's up with that? That isn't even something I normally want. Today was a blah day and I got pretty hungry feeling at times. I had eggs and fruit for breakfast, salad for lunch and a handful of nuts and a banana this afternoon. Dinner is going to be ground beef with a little organic tomato paste and seasoning and some veggies. Weird, I know. I have said before, I am not creative in the kitchen. Especially when it comes to this diet. I don't want to give up still, so that's a good sign! :) Mami and the hubs have both lost weight. Yes, they fall into the trap of weighing themselves like I did. Shhh... don't tell them I told on them. Glad some of us are seeing/feeling good results. If you want to know more about eating this way, from someone other than my random notes, check out Stephanie's blog! She is going to post a series on her family's journey living one year with the paleo lifestyle. Today was her first piece! Check it out here.

whole 30 . days 7 and 8

I skipped day 6 in my notes. Here's 7 and 8...

Day 7 was a real challenge. REAL. I have not only noticed no positive change in my body or how I feel, but I gained more weight! I have not been able to fit in exercising and since I have less energy right now, the only time for exercising is super early or late and that's not going to happen. I should be exercising to help, but some things are just not doable in my life right now, while keeping sane. I know you aren't supposed to to weigh yourself on this, but after one week on this, I was sure I had to have gone down in weight. NOPE! So yesterday I gave up and said this isn't worth it. Plus, my aunt had a 1st birthday party for the boys and I ate a small slice of cheese, a tablespoon of mashed potatoes, and three wheat thins. So basically I broke this 30 days. I am really frustrated because I don't want to give up, but I do. I don't want to go back to my old ways, but I'd like to add in a small glass of chocolate milk and maybe a small amount of natural peanut butter or something. So as of Day 7, I was giving up (and kinda did), and today, Day 8, in the morning I was going to only add in milk and now by the afternoon, I am trying to keep going, without milk. And I need to be more active. For real. Even though I am so tired, I am going to try to do something. Something is better than nothing, right? When this is over, I want to keep eating this way, but add in a little bit of milk, cheese, yogurt and whole grains. I will make my own bread and limit my sugars. I just need to keep at this and get active. We'l see how I do. I just wish I at least saw positive results.

whole30 . day 5

I've made it through my 5th day. I miss my chocolate milk, still. It's obviously an addiction. Two times in my life before now I have given it up for over 30 days, so I know I can do it. Those other times I had different things I loved to fill that void, whereas now I don't have very enjoyable things. I could easily get used to having a big salad for lunch, but I'm wishing I could change up my breakfast some. I'd like to do a whole wheat english muffin and peanut butter or a few other options that are still healthy. My goal for this is to eat healthier coming out of it, limiting my processed foods a lot, but not going all out and never eating them or never going out to eat, etc. I'll definitely be bringing back the chocolate milk. On day 31! There will be an alarm set for 12:01 on that 31st day. Okay, just kidding. I'm not quite that bad. Or maybe I am. There is a hint of discouragement in me today because I weighed myself and not only have I not gone down in weight, but I've gone up! I decided to not weigh myself until week 2 is completed and if I do not see or feel any difference than I will add in a few little things, but basically eat mostly clean. I don't notice any positive results yet in how I feel. I am still not sleeping better, my headaches are still around, and I am still really tired. I know I am only on day 5 so I have to give it time. Our diet is still similar, eggs and or fruit for breakfast, salads for lunch, fruit and cashews for snacks, meat and salad and a veggie for dinner. Nothing exciting!

whole 30 . day 4

I still have my headache, but I'm used to headaches, so this isn't too different for me. Breakfast is boring but doable. I wish I was more creative in my cooking and in what I like to eat. I like to eat the foods I am used to or familiar with. Tonight we went out to dinner with family and I did the best I could. I ordered a salad with steak on it with a vinegar based dressing. I forgot to bring my own with all that went on today at home with our AC still trying to get finished (hello 90 degrees inside). I just drank water and did not eat the delicious buttery rolls right next to me. To be honest, I didn't really feel like I was dying to have one. 

Lunch again was salad and breakfast eggs and a piece of fruit. I eat a very small handful of cashews once or twice a day as a snack when needed and a piece of fruit after dinner if I really feel hungry. Like I said, I am not the best in this and I am not going to be giving tremendously detailed posts, but you can get the idea of how I am doing it and follow and see what my results might be. If you have any questions, you can always feel free to ask me! 

whole 30 . day 3

I had a headache again today, but like I said, the headache part is hard for me to tell. Plus, our air conditioning system is being replaced so it is super hot (yes, and I did say replaced, $ $ $) so that could be a contribution to how I feel. We will see how it is tomorrow. 

Mentally I have been doing okay. I just really miss my chocolate milk, especially in the evening after a long day. I could easily do this for the 30 days if only I could have that darn milk! Breakfast is fine, but it is a little boring. I have been eating two scrambled eggs with tomato and onion and usually a piece of fruit. I think wanting a whole wheat english muffin with peanut butter or plain butter is just a comfort in my mind. And I don't do well being creative in the kitchen so I have a hard time at dinner time. 

We have been eating big salads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for lunch. 

whole 30 . day 2

I woke up with a headache behind my left eye and at the base of my head/neck. It has now spread on the left side of my head. I can't tell for sure if it is my daily headache or it is from the change in diet. The hardest part today was no chocolate milk. I LOVE chocolate milk. No major difference today. I don't have today's food log down.

whole30 . day 1

Today is day one of my Whole30 challenge. I am going to be all honest here, even if I slip up or am not doing it just perfectly right. If you want to follow a super paleo dieter, don't look here. I am doing my best for now, but it isn't going to be to a crazy extent. I am sure I am going to mess up, and in the end, I am not sticking completely to this way of life. Some days I will share exactly what I ate, some days will just be how I feel. I don't always have a ton of time to log my day or what I eat, so hopefully I don't disappoint here with my journey too much.

Breakfast today had a little cheat to it because I wanted to finish the gallon of milk. I finished the milk in a small bowl of cereal and a small glass of milk. I ate clean yesterday for dinner though. Maybe that can balance me out.

Lunch was spaghetti squash and ground beef. This was leftover from last night's dinner.

Dinner we ate pork chops cooked on the stove with a little bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. We ate a side of steamed cauliflower and a salad.

I had an apple in the evening when I got hungry.

I only drank water, but not the amount I should have. I have to be better about this tomorrow and the days to come.

Exercise: I took two walks with the boys in their wagon today and ran lots of errands in and out of the car/stores with the boys. I did a huge Costco run so I had a lot of hauling everything up and down the garage stairs from the basement to unload and organize the groceries.

All in all, it was a decent day one. No freaking out yet. I'm sure that is to come.

whole30 challenge

On Monday I am making a huge change in my life that will last at least 30 days. I am taking on the Whole30 diet. Before I go further into what I have to say, here is a little peek into my health history... I was never overweight, but always had a little layer of chunk on me. I've never been very athletic. Okay, I am not athletic at all. I am not athletic in any dedicated fashion. I danced when I was a real little girl, for a few years. I figure skated and rode horses in my early teen years, but had a riding accident which put a huge halt to all activities for quite a while. I've gotten into (treadmill) running off and on and ran in a half marathon (completely untrained, never having run more than 3 1/2 miles at a given time) in March. That is it. I just don't have the energy or drive to work hard at it. I don't like exercising at a gym, none of that. Before I got married, I was at a good weight, but still a little flabby and not toned well. I have never dieted a day in my life, not even leading up to my wedding day. I like food too much. Food like Goldfish, pasta, and my nightly glass of chocolate milk. Then, I got pregnant with the twins, gained 40 pounds in my stomach (you couldn't tell I was pregnant from behind and actually lost weight in my arms and legs) and lost all but about 10 pounds after they were born. That is where I am now, but I feel gross. Those extra 10 or so pounds make me feel larger than I need to be and a bit self conscious. My body shape seemed to change too which adds onto the icky feeling. With the boys turning one and being incredibly active, only to become more active over the next few months, I need more energy. I have daily headaches/migraines, fibromyalsia or fibro-like symptoms, the back and neck injuries from my riding accident, and a horrible sleep level. So. That brings me to today, with the question of how do I lose the little flub I have, feel better, sleep better, and have more energy?

The best answer I have found is the Whole30 challenge from The Whole9. It is not easy. And it is certainly not going to be easy for a girl who made it through the day knowing a glass of chocolate milk would be waiting at the other end. But, it is only 30 days. I can do this y'all, right? I may flop on day 3, 9, 26, who knows, or I may be able to go the entire 30 days. But, either way, I am going to give it a go and hold myself accountable here. The hubs is doing it with me, as well as my Mami (mother-in-law), so we have each other to help and encourage... kinda. We all want to do this and have a good outcome, but two of us also have at least a small percentage of feeling like a small layering of pudge isn't so bad if you can have chocolate milk, milkshakes, goldfish, and bread. Yeah, we're real good for each other. ha. 

So I am not doing this as just a diet. While I do hope I can lose the pudge, I am hoping to feel better and be more energized. At the end of the 30 days I can evaluate how I feel and then I am going to add back in certain things in healthy amounts, like chocolate milk. wink. 

Stay tuned if you want to follow my struggle journey on the Whole30. It begins on Monday! 

the time has come

Let's rewind back to January of 2012.

I found out I was pregnant.

One week later, found out I was having twins.

Well, then came on the morning sickness, 40-45 lbs. in weigh gain and multiple stretches on strict bed rest.

Of course all of this meant absolutely no exercising for this soon-to-be momma.

Now August of 2012 arrives, along with my two bundles of joy... and a longer than normal recovery time and nearly no free time for myself.

October 11th came and somehow in my mind I thought it was a good time to sign up for my first half-marathon.

I'm not a runner. I like to run, but I'm not a runner.

The thought of accomplishing such a long run, pushing myself to new strengths and having a great time was just what I thought I needed.

Silly, silly me.

I have not been able to train. I've had a few runs on the treadmill scattered throughout the past few months (11 specifically, none being more than 3 miles at a time), but it can't qualify for training, by any means.

Most everyone I have told thinks I am crazy, making a bad move, am going to hurt myself, or won't be able to do this, but

I could have just given up and said, forget the money I put into this, forget the desire of really wanting to do this and listened to them. I could have listened, told myself I couldn't do it and I wasn't ready.

But instead, I am going through with it.

I am going to run my first half marathon tomorrow morning, bright and early in this freezing cold Florida weather.

It's very possible that my seven hour long play list on my iPod won't be long enough. It's possible I am going to do a lot of walking. I may not cross the finish line. There are a lot of possibilities that could scare me away from trying. That is all I want to do. Just try. I want to give it my all and do my best. Worst I can do is prove everyone right. But I am hoping to prove everyone wrong this weekend and run my little heart out, accomplish this goal of mind and go home with a medal around my neck and a huge smile on my face.

My dear friend, who is a runner, who has done many of these before, is going to run beside me, coach me along and enjoy this experience with me! I can't wait to do this with her!

Daily Thankfuls Day Three

 Well, I'm told slow and steady wins the race... And while I'm certainly not even trying to win this half marathon in March, I'm going very, very slowly in training. I am not sure what made me think I could get the time in to train and become physically ready for Seaside. It's certainly going to be a very long road there. Today I ran 3 miles (with some walking in between) in 45 minutes and I was done. How on earth am I could to reach 13+?! Thankfully I have until March.

#determined

momma and will, papi and gus

 

The boys were fabulous today, especially on our little outing! I wish we had more days like this with Mono home to spend together. Gus's best time of the day is certainly not after dinner and that is when Mono is home. He's the most fussy around that time of day so it makes it hard for us to do things outside of them home (heck, even inside of the home) on weeknights.

 

#dailythankfuls

#daythree

 

the time to run and shower this morning 

and 

a beautiful day to take the boys for an outing

 

For the Love of Running and Friendship

I know I've mentioned my friend Jilly is many posts before. I have also written about her half marathons that she has accomplished. Her last half was in February and she already has three more scheduled! How cool is that?! I'm still hoping that I too can run a half one of these days... after the babes are born of course!

Last year, for her first half, I made her a card and sent it down to her mom's house so she'd get it right before the race. It's now a tradition... I did it again this time. I was nervous because it was during a time that I was really not feeling well and my pregnant brain had little to no creativity running through it. I did it though. I sent her a little package of support.

It all had to be either yellow, Rapunzel or Disney themed this year. She runs in the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Last year she was Ariel. This year was Rapunzel. If I ran in the Princess Half, I'd have to pick Cinderella... She's my favorite.

First, I found these yellow Mickey shaped paint chips at Home Depot (how cool! I wanted to take one of every color just to have!!)... and I took 13 of them. They must have thought I had a really big project with all the yellow chips I needed. She actually ran with them and held them up along the way! I was shocked! I didn't think of that, and never in a million years expected her to hang on to them, much less run thirteen miles with them!

 Then I found a few yellow, Disney, paint chips, not Mickey shaped though (sad face), and wrote little messages on them. 

 Yellow is her favorite color... Can you tell? 

And for her card, I stuck with her theme, Rapunzel, who she was running as.

 I think she even took the long hair off the card and ran with it hanging off her hat! Isn't she the cutest?!

 I love that she has such a passion for running and does something with it!

150. seeing someone's passion and watching them let that grow and be alive

151. having a desire to run a half marathon one day

152. having excuses to love on a friend

An Update on My Day

So I went to the gym, with my plan of what I needed to run tonight and... 

...drum roll please... 

I ran for about 14 minutes and they starting to wash the floors!! 

Yes, totally wet. 

I had to stop running. Sounds about right according to what I said earlier about my day, doesn't it? 

But, on a positive note, I ended up going for a bike ride up a mountain for over five miles (a bike in the gym). 

Boy did I feel that and loved it! I will be doing a lot more of that in the future! :) 

I guess the moral of the story, something good can always come out of crummy days. :)