Great Coaching Last Night!

Last night, I got the opportunity for my dance instructor and I to have a coaching with Kasia Kozak. What a great experience! I learned so much last night that will help my Cha Cha routine. I sure do hope to get more opportunities to work with her again in the future.

She's got a outstanding background in Professional Latin Ballroom competing. Here is one video of her performing a Paso Doble Showcase number at the Ohio Star Ball.

Mom's Surprise Party and More Surprises!

This weekend was the culmination of MONTHS of planning between my Sister-in-Law, my Dad and myself. Starting in January, we began planning the surprise birthday party for my Mom. I can say confidently that the party was a major success! My sister-in-law's Mom was also a MAJOR help in decorating the venue. It looked great!

We had a great crowd, beautiful cake, and lots of good conversation with old friends! I can definitely say that she was surprised without a shadow of a doubt! She cried after we surprised her!

Here was something I discovered online for the party that was certainly a big hit. We decided to do something non-traditional for the guest book. After looking online, I found this WONDERFUL tray at IDoEngraveables . This website provides all kinds of neat alternatives to a guest book such as signable picture frames and signable serving trays. I ended up selecting this beautiful tray below. The company provides you with diamond tipped pens that the guests can use to sign the item. You can use the pens just like you would a traditional pen on paper and it makes a lasting mark on the item. All of the guests signed their name to the tray. It definitely made a great memento of the party and gift for Mom! They also engraved the tray with my Mom's name in the middle as well! The company engraved the item and shipped it less than 2 days after I ordered it. I would recommend this company to anyone!




As an additional surprise, my brother decided to propose to his girlfriend at the party! Before my Mom arrived, he pulled me aside and showed me that he had the ring with him. He was planning on proposing THAT NIGHT! My Sister-in-Law came up with a great idea on how he could start the proposal and it definitely worked out well! We had my Dad stand up to say a few words and thank everyone for coming. At one point, my brother stood up and said he too wanted to share a few words. He transitioned that very well into the proposal! Needless to say Mom cried again and we were all VERY excited about the additional surprise. Many of our family members and my Mom's friends got to witness it!

So big night for the family!

Europe!!!

The Hubs and I are going to Europe! YUP!!! Can you believe it?! I can't! I think I'll be on our plane when the shock wears off!! J and I are so beyond excited at this great blessing we have been given. We go on our trip in the Fall of this year. I absolutely can not wait!!!

Long story short, J's uncle had graciously offered to send us on vacation! He told us that he wanted us to go somewhere we may never have a chance to go to again. J has always wanted to go to Egypt and I have always dreamed of going to Italy. We found a cruise that not only goes to Egypt & Italy, but also goes to Turkey and Greece! We are BEYOND thrilled that we get to travel to these wonderful locations! We are so thankful he is doing this for us! This is truly the trip of a lifetime!!! What a blessing!

It's been an interesting year so far with the burglary. We still have items to complete with our home and decisions to make going forward....and there is a lot to do. A LOT. However, J and I are so blessed because we know we have such an exciting trip to look forward to!! This is a truly amazing experience we get to have. There is no doubt about it!

Our plan lands in Rome to begin our trip. I told J that I might just cry when we land! ha ha! Happy tears...but tears nonetheless!

Here are some of the things we are looking forward to seeing on the excursions we are taking!! I can't wait to see them in person and take LOTS of pictures!

*****
The Pyramids



Nea Moni Monastery in Greece



The Terrace Houses in Turkey



Topkapi Palace in Turkey



The ruins of Pompei in Italy



The Parthenon in Greece!! (WOW!!)



The Colosseum in Italy!!!

Updated Workout Schedule

Now that I'm no longer able to do Insanity, I've got a revised workout schedule. I'm loving this new schedule! Two weeks in, this schedule seems to work out very well! As you know, I do all of my workouts from home. No gym fees = more money in my pocket!

Monday:
*Pilates for 55 minutes then 30 minutes of cardio on my elliptical machine. I rotate through two pilates DVD's: Mari Winsor: Pilates & Gaiam Pilates Body Sculpting Workout Kit with Ana Caban using a Pilates Ball.
* I currently do Monday's schedule with a workout buddy.

Tuesday:
* Physical Therapy Exercises for 15 minutes (Now that I know I have issues with my knees, I do specific exercises twice a week for maintenance at my Doctor's recommendation.)

* Half of a 40 minute circuit training session for arms, shoulders, chest, abs, core, back, and legs through the Jillian Michaels DVD "No More Trouble Zones."

* 30 minutes of Cardio on my elliptical

Wednesday:
* Yoga for 30 minutes
* Ab/Core Work straight for an extra 7 minutes
* Cardio on my elliptical for 30 minutes
* I currently do Wednesday's workout with a workout buddy.

Thursday:
* Repeat Tuesday's Schedule

Friday:
* Glute workout for 30 minutes rotating through my "Brazil Butt Lift" DVD's.
* 30 minutes of cardio on my elliptical

Saturday:
*Pilates for 25 minutes (The shorter, second pilates video on the Mari Winsor: Pilates DVD) and 5 minutes of straight extra Ab work.
* Cardio on my elliptical for 30 minutes

Sunday: OFF!

***As long as I continue my diet, I'm good. When I get off track with that, I don't do so well. I'm working to stay on target with my eating. Currently, I use the nutrition plan I got with my Insanity DVD's during the week, and do other alternatives on the weekends. I don't allow myself to go crazy on the weekends. I have other specific rules that I follow on the weekends. I will say that I have my imperfect moments as I sure most do. I'm human. However, I'm working to minimize those!

I'm an Aunt!!!

Yesterday my nephew, Hudson, graced the world with his presence! My sister-in-law was induced yesterday morning. At 1:58 p.m., Hudson was born! He weighed 8lb 3oz and was 21" long. He is the sweetest little guy! We can't get over all his little features and sounds. So precious!

My parents and I got to see him shortly after he was born. We are all smitten!

Mom and Baby are wonderful! Sister-in-law did a WONDERFUL job during the delivery! My brother was so proud of her (and so are we!). We're all super happy!

Just Keep Swimming

I wish all of this was done with the burglary. I'm trying to pick up the pieces and keep going and more bad phone calls come in...even today.

We are done with all of this. I'm so ready to move on. This is beyond draining. Praying all of this gets completed soon. We are so tired. We've done our end of everything, but are waiting on everyone else. As soon as we can get these logistics done from their end, we can move on emotionally. Every day, we feel like we're closer to being done then we get a phone call (or lack of phone calls) that tell us otherwise. I mean, we can talk about it without getting emotional, but I realize there is still fear there where we feel like we have to guard/hide everything in our home. I think that will be the next (and hopefully final) hurdle.

This past week a tree fell in between our house and our neighbors as a result of heavy winds and tornadoes that came through our area. When I drove to pull in our driveway, I saw nothing but large branches in between the two homes. My heart stopped. I thought, "Lord, my husband and I need a break right now....I know we aren't given more than we can handle, but this is difficult." Fortunately, the tree didn't hit either roof on its way down to the ground. It literally fell straight between both houses. We were spared.

Looking forward to a break! In the meantime, I'm going to keep going with my busyness (dance, my exercises as mentioned below, work, etc).

"Just keep swimming. Just Keep Swimming."

The Show Must Go on....

Obviously, both Jonathan and I have lingering feelings from everything that has happened this past month. Our insurance company understands our loss, but has been a major source of heartbreak for us with their lack of initiative. We're also still anxiously hoping Lowe's will start returning our calls so we can finally special order the new doors.

With all of that still lingering around like bad cigarette smoke, I'm still having to press forward with my normal schedule. Busyness at its best.

I've made some changes to my workout routines and will include an updated schedule soon. I'm still going Pilates and Yoga twice a week. I've also added in additional strength training programs to my schedule.

In the meantime, I'm excited about a new program I'll be implementing on Fridays. I have certain days of the week I'm focusing on for different strength training circuits. Every Friday I've been working on my glutes, i.e. booty, i.e. booTAY.....whatever you call yours!

I decided I wanted to step it up a bit. Now, please take in mind I have made fun of the name of this program. I'm giggle like a 7-year-old every time I hear about it. However, the results from this guy's training method's are no laughing matter. He trains the behinds of major celebrities.....INCLUDING Victoria's Secret models. One of his most famous clients is Alessandra Ambrosio. Take a look here!



What's the name of this program? Brazil Butt Lift. Yup. Brazil Butt Lift. (Come on...it's a funny name!) This program created by Leandro Carvalho works to create the bikini model behind. I'll take one of those please!



SO, I've ordered it from Beachbody.com and look forward to adding it to my routine. I'll continue to work the glutes every Friday. I'll be substituting my normal workout moves on Fridays with these DVD's. I'm looking forward to seeing the results!