31 Before 32: Ebook Progress

Happy Monday! 

I'm so excited to share that my eBook is almost done. I am currently in the process of reading over it again (for like the millionth time) and figuring out if I should add one more chapter to it. 

Here is another one of my favorite quotes from the book...

The writing process has been so fun! Just know that whenever you do not see a new post from here that I am working on my eBook. It has been challenging to work on both but I do see the light (and the summer) at the end of the tunnel.

If you would like to receive a copy of my eBook before it is available to download please sign up for my newsletter by going here or you can use the form below. I promise not to flood your inbox. :-)

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Bible Study: Genesis 2:18

I started my Bible study devotional. The book that I am using breaks up the readings into a five day approach that allows you to look at the scripture from five different perspectives. Today my reading was a reflection on Genesis 2:18, when God creates a helper for Adam.

Today's focus was all about our ideas of what a woman and wife should be. How do we feel about the word helper as it describes a wife's place in her husband's life. I thought the excerpt below was so good and I wanted to share it. I know I'm not the only one that will get something from it.

Confirmation is a beautiful thing. When we know that our feelings are okay and that what we are being called to do is not out of the realm of what God has called us to do everything feels a lot better. Its like a dark cloud has moved away and the sun is starting to shine through. 

Remember last week when I shared my feeling of guilt? Well, reading this devotional this morning has confirmed for me that it is absolutely okay for me to have "things"going on. And it is also okay for me to look to my husband for help too. We are equals and I need to see him as such. He can give a bath and read a bedtime story just as well as I can. 

Does this excerpt speak to anyone else? Feel free to pin and share it with the women in your life.

Thought Bubbles...

Keeping a journal has been so much fun...

For some reason I only want to write in red ink...

I have learned that my night time handwriting is completely different than my daytime handwriting...

Savannah had her first soccer game last weekend. It was very interesting to watch...

Notice that I didn't share our monthly menu this month? That's because I made a super lazy menu. No one needs lazy advice...

I'm on the hunt for sandals and black high top sneakers...

I actually found the sneakers. Just waiting to pull the trigger on that purchase...

My son is now shooting his basketball like a big boy. College may be paid for. One can only hope...

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Last night I made a cabbage and shrimp Chinese dish that should've been a blog post...

My husband's fried chicken is better than mine...

The weather is finally changing for the better here. Sorry East Coast family...

Potty training is on the list of things I'm not looking forward to doing...

Going to the beach this summer is definitely on my list of things I am looking forward to...

Eating right is so hard. All I want in life is Chipotle w/ guac and french fries...

Exactly how many calories is a glass of wine...

A better question is how much do I have to workout to get rid of those calories...

My son is an expert climber....

I slept in the other morning and it looked like this...

We have a Spring and Summer full of family visits. I can't wait...

My husband is almost done with his grad school program. Practicum here we come!!!

That eBook I'm working on - It's almost ready to be sent to editing...

I wish I had discovered Barre classes a long time ago...

The other day it was raining when we pulled up to the house. I asked Savannah how she felt about walking in the rain. This is the look she gave me...

And yes, that is an old baby phat bubble coat from back when baby phat was a thing...

There are some things I just can't seem to get rid of...

I have also been loving the women's devotional I found...

A return to YouTube and BlogTalkRadio may be in order for the Summer...

Some of the best advice I get is found on Pinterest...

Share something with me in the comments!

Pure Barre: 10 Tips for Beginners & 5 Immediate Results

Okay. So as you might remember I attended my first Pure Barre class a few weeks ago. I instantly fell in love. Now that I've attended a good bit of classes I thought I'd share some tips for beginners and what results you can expect right away. (of course results will vary)

10 Pure Barre Tips for Beginners

1- Before attending your first class watch this video. I didn't find this gem until after my first class. My second class went so much better. When class is over ask questions about any movements you were unsure of. This will help you get the most out of your time in class.

2- Wear socks with sticky bottoms. Think of the socks they give out at the hospital. You want those. They'll have some available for purchase at the studio if you can't find them. Yoga pants/capris and tank tops seem to be the go-to look for class. Save your shorts for running.

3- Drink plenty of water before class. Being well hydrated will help with possible cramping in your arms, legs and core.

4- Remember that the smaller the movement the bigger the result. An inch is really an inch.

5- Embrace the shake (of your body) at the Barre.

6- Listen to your body. The instructor will give out modifications; use them if you need to.

7- Don't give up. Push yourself to stay with the workout.

8- Don't be late. Class starts on time and you don't want to miss the warm-up.

9- Bring a friend. Trying something new is always easier when you have familiar face with you.

10- Focus on yourself, your body and your fitness goals for 55 minutes. You'll be glad you did.

5 Immediate Results of Pure Barre (that I experienced)

1- After my first class I had an amazing mental shift. If you like the feeling of being challenged and pushed then you'll love Pure Barre. Like me, you will probably be addicted after your first class. Before Pure Barre I liked working out but now I must workout. I'm on a different level mentally than I was before with my fitness goals and workout regimen. 

2- It only took about three classes for me to start noticing that I was becoming more tone. My abs and "seat" are already feeling and looking so much better. My husband even mentioned that he could tell Pure Barre was agreeing with my body.

3- Becoming more flexible is another fitness goal of mine. During class you'll stretch yourself out a lot. My flexibility has improved since my first class. My nose is getting closer and closer to my knee.

4- I like to think that being apart of a class like this is a twofer. Not only do I get an amazing workout but I also get to have a sense of community that I can't say I had before. My schedule doesn't allow me to take the same class time every week but I do notice that many of the ladies know each other. I consider making new friends a huge benefit to taking this class or starting any new hobby.

5- My fit-esteem (a word I'm pretty that I just made up. so here's a definition. {fit * eh-steem} - the way one feels about his/her fitness goals. Ex. "My fit-esteem is so much better since starting my classes at Pure Barre. ) is so much better. Every time I make it through a class I feel so much better about myself and what I just accomplished. It's evidence that I am so much stronger (physically and mentally) than I ever gave myself credit for before. I have raised my own "Barre" and I know now that I am capable of doing so much more with my body.

my goal is to get on my highest tippy toe with that leg higher and straighter

I'm telling you if you haven't tried a class yet you're missing out. If you're in San Antonio the location here is super friendly. I've had several instructors and they have all been great. Is there a Pure Barre in your area? Have I convinced you to try a class yet?

#OurProject52: In My Cup

Photographing food is hard. I had no idea until I tried to make last night's dinner look food blogger worthy. I kind of left our salmon in the oven a bit too long but it was still tasty. You wouldn't know it looking at this picture though.

I gave up soda and wine for Lent. I don't drink juice and I'm taking a bit of a break from tea so the only thing that's in my cup these days is good ole all natural h2O. 

I can only drink water one way and that's ice cold. Lately I have been drinking about four or five twenty ounce bottles a day. I have noticed such a big difference in my body and my skin since upping my water intake. Soda and I may have finally broken up for good this time. 

The results I'm seeing have motivated me to keep knocking back bottle after bottle. Are you normally good about drinking water? What's your favorite thing to sip on these days?

Dreaming of Spring & Summer...

It's almost Spring. Thank goodness. Even though the winters here in Texas aren't that cold they are very rainy and dreary. I'm so ready for Spring and even the unbearably hot Summer that I know will be coming soon. 

I think my entire family is ready for a vacation. We're planning a trip back to the beach to kick our Summer off. I'm so ready. The pic below was taken when we went to the beach for Savannah's third birthday. We didn't exactly end up at the "right" beach but she was happy to see sand and water.

This time around we know exactly where to go. 

Another thing I love about the warmer weather months is all the cute clothes. I recently treated myself to some new Spring and Summer essentials. They haven't been delivered yet so I'll be stalking my mailman for the next few days. If you follow this blog it should come as no surprise that most of what I ordered was black or black/white. Maybe I'll share them in another post...

I do plan to get some colorful pieces too. I also need to find some flat black sandals that will be good for everyday. What are you most excited about doing this Spring and Summer?

Mommy Guilt Wife Guilt

Lately I have been feeling super guilty about things and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I've been taking the time to pay attention to myself more than I did before. I've been going to new exercise classes, buying myself things and taking time during the day to focus on things that I want to do.

This has been tough and at times it has left me feeling a little guilty. Why do I feel bad about doing things for myself or taking a little time out to do things that I enjoy? It took me so long to get to a place where I actually feel okay doing things. It's been fun feeling like the old me again. I just didn't expect so much guilt to come along with it.

Now, this guilt hasn't kept me from doing anything that I want to do but carrying it around has been like a mosquito bite - annoying. Beating myself up for allowing myself to grow is a waste of emotion and it's draining. One night I was talking to my husband about wanting to take a 6am fitness class. I didn't want to go because that meant he would have to do the morning routine with the kids. I would be back to get Sav off to school but he would have to get her dressed, make breakfast and do her hair.

I actually considered not going to my fitness class because I didn't want him to have to do "all that". He told me to have fun at my class and not worry about them. He also made a point to tell me that I really need to start being okay with him being a bigger part of our routine.

His schedule with work and grad school keeps him so busy that it's just easier for me to have a routine that doesn't rely on his help. So whenever I do decide to let go of the reigns a little it doesn't come easy for me and I beat myself up about it...

I tell myself all the time, "He's been at work all day. I've been home. He shouldn't have to come home and...." My wifey guilt is real. I really do feel like he shouldn't have to clean, cook or get the kids ready for bed. When will he have a chance to decompress? I only mention this because I know if I  was working and he was a stay at home Dad I would feel like this. 

The unnecessary amount of pressure that I put on myself is ridiculous thou. I know many Moms can relate to this. I feel like I need to do it all. Even when I know I'm going to be away I try to do everything I can to make my husband's time with the kids easier. For some reason making sure they are squared away makes me feel better about leaving them. What I didn't realize is that doing this was making my husband feel like I didn't think he was up for the task. 

I let my guilt go too far. While I'm sure I won't be guilt-free overnight I think baby steps will help me rid myself of feeling this way. 

Do you ever have issues with Wifey guilt or Mommy guilt? How do you deal with it?