"...I Was Running." (Forest Gump Style)

So, I'm sure you're all dying to know about how my experience is going with the Y since my first exercising post back in May. Remember my traumatic first day at the YMCA? (Click on YMCA to read about my funny experience!)

Well, going to the Y has been a huge boast in my being. (Even after standing outside in my bathing suit for my first workout!) I am enjoying my personal time away for from the kids (Yeah to the Y Child Watch...you ladies ROCK!), gaining confidence about myself, loosing weight (about 27 lbs and many inches), and feeling strong mentally and physically.

And yes, these shoes are getting an amazing workout since being purchased on my birthday (August 15th)... Honestly, folks they are running further, performing exercises that I didn't were possible for this SAHM. (Stay at Home Mom) Drew is even trying to temp me with signing up for a triathlon next year. (R u kidding me?) Yes, I'm getting "exercised". Is that even a word(?)...well for today it will be. Katie Jean has been officially "exercised"!

To add onto my regular workouts, I am competing in the Y's Survivor's Challenge. I did this contest this summer, but was a level one. This time I got bumped to level two which is an entirely different ball field. (These people are hard core...complete in road races for fun, swim the Atlantic Ocean...OK, not really but you get my point.) Below is this week's Survivor Challenge for me to complete in addition to my regular workouts. (Hello folks...not making this up!)

Cardio:
Complete an Olympic Distance Triathlon by the end of the week.
(.93 miles swim, 24.8 miles bike, 6.2 miles run)
Yes, I just typed OLYMPIC DISTANCE TRIATHLON

Strength:
Complete all exercises two times in a row 3 times this week
Monster Walks (30 sec each of forward, back, side to side)
Bent Over Row on One Leg (10 reps/leg)
Clock Lunge w/front raise (10 reps)
Push Ups (15 reps) Crossover Squat (20 Reps)
Kneeling Triceps kickback (15 reps/arm)

Core:
Perform 3 sets 3 times this week
Vertical Leg Crunch (20)
Plank/Right side Plank/Plank/Left Side Plank (30 sec. each)

Hydration:
Consume 64 oz of water each day this week.

So...if you don't see me around...I'm probably at the Y...and 'I was running'...

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Farm Kids in the Making

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Back-Stage Pass: Ananda Farms

Our kids were in "their element" during Saturday's visit to Ananda Farms (outside of Port Townsend, WA) where Aunt Rachel works and resides. Despite some rain on and off, (Hello...Seattle weather...here) the kids spirits could not be dampened "down on the farm".

It is every kids dream to be up and close with farm animals and Aunt Rachel did not disappoint with our own "Back-Stage" pass of this great organic farm. Fiona and Keegan got to feed the sheep, pet the farm cats and dogs, hold baby chickens, stand and listen to the free-ranging turkeys (Gobble, gobble.), dig up beets from the garden for lunch, feed the chickens, and gather the eggs.

I was particularly curious about many of their gardening techniques as they have a successful Farmers Market crop and also eat primarily off their own land. This is a huge dream of my own so it was great to see an operation up close and personal as well as ask many questions. If you have ever read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle you know what I'm referring to in producing your own food and eating food completely locally. And...if you haven't read this book it is in my opinion a MUST read.

Honestly, the entire family was in "their element". As the kids snoozed in the back seat from a long day at the farm, Drew and I tossed back and forth dreams and ideas of actually owning our own land/farm someday. Maybe it is just a dream, but maybe it is a dream worth achieving.

In the meantime, I'm revamping ideas for the garden for next year. My main goals this next year are to:
1. Change my current composting system
2. Add a natural watering system (possibly utilizing a rain barrel)
3. Add fruit trees to our property
4. Add a chicken coop and chickens

Maybe our parents read too many farm books when we were kids or maybe that "Iowa" blood of working the land never leaves us...but being on the farm on Saturday brought such peace and joy to all of our souls.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

A Cut Above

Well...after a long morning at the dr's office...we are on the road to recovery thanks to the marvel of modern medicine. Bubble gum flavored amoxicillin (yuck!), a much needed nap, and a quiet afternoon alone with mom and Fiona is starting to look and sound like herself again.
Along with other preschool skills (Yeah to Dollar Tree's amazing preschool workbooks!), we've been working on cutting skills the last couple of months. In the last few weeks, she has been progressing greatly and today tackled cutting circles. Check this out...(only a Mom could get so excited about this!)

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Sick Kid

I hate it when my kids get sick...I feel so helpless. Fiona is not feeling well. Since yesterday she is breathing shallow, wheezing, coughing, and complains that her chest hurts. We decided to bring her into her regular doctor, Dr. Macon, this morning instead of having to deal with urgent care last night.
So what does that mean...I didn't sleep well.

I was worried. I swear I heard every cough, wheeze, and movement from her little twin bed last night. And now I'm literally pacing until I can call and get a scheduled appointment when the phone lines open at 8 AM. I'm sure she is fine...probably an upper respiratory infection, but until I know a mom just can't rest and relax. It is our duty to protect our children and Fiona will always be my little baby.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Halloween...Wordless Wednesday Style

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Why I Vote!

On Thursday, while the kiddos and I waited for the oil to get changed in our car (Good old Jiffy Lube), the kids and I walked our voting ballots over to local movie theater. (Our particular county in Washington votes entirely by mail!) As I tried to explain what the envelopes held to my inquisitive four year old, I knew it really wasn't sinking in.

By the time we arrived she had completely forgotten and was thrilled to receive "I voted" stickers. (4 of them to be exact...those little old ladies at the ballot drop-off locations are so generous!) Forget about what Mom was doing for our country, she got STICKERS!

I couldn't help but wish that everyone in our country got that excited about voting. I can hear it now..."Yeah...I just got my sticker! Yippee." or "Hey Vern...voted yet? I noticed you have got your sticker. Too bad they are completely rad this year." Honestly, I wish it was that simple. Why not?

In fact, over the years our country has had poor turn outs at the voting polls and many people are not even registered to vote. On the counter point, other countries literally are killing each other at the voting areas to just have an opportunity to vote... to voice their opinion. Can you imagine?

As a US citizen, we each have a right to cast a vote in each election. Yet, many of us don't exercise this right, this duty. I personally vote, because I want to make a difference in my country. I want my vote to count. It isn't about winning or losing for me always either. Even if my guy doesn't win or a levy doesn't pass, at least I can say I expressed my opinion, my vote was counted.

Exercising my right to vote was instilled by my parents and they made sure one of the first things I did when I turned eighteen was register to vote. I'm thankful that my parents vote. I know this because I remember standing in the polling booths with my mom as a kid and her yelling at me to stop moving the curtains. (I'm sure my mom was mortified!) I actually come from a long line of voters and I want that to continue with my kids. I hope my daughter and son remember that my husband and I voted too, that we cared enough about their future and ours to take a few minutes out of our day to vote.

Right now she may only remember getting stickers, but I hope someday Fiona will remember that we voted for her future. I hope each one of you take time to vote in the next coming days. The opportunity is there for you to express your opinions and be counted. Go vote and get your STICKER!

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean