Dear Winter, you can go away now.

It wasn't until I became a runner that I started to not like winter. I did learn this year that I really do enjoy running in the snow. Something about the challenge. But I'm not big on running in the dark. Safety reasons! And it's just always dark!

So I'm finding other ways to keep me busy (at the expense of the laundry)...

1. Turbo Jam

2. ChaLEAN Extreme (borrowing from my mom! What I use for most of my weights).

3. The good ol' Tae Bo. Doesn't that throw you back a good decade??

This is a video of Marie and Jack doing Tae Bo. Cutest thing ever. Please excuse the messy house.

4. Enjoyed some time on my parents "new" old style stationary bike.

5. Of course ZUMBA!

6. I like to try out some workouts from pinterest. (The link will take you to my pinboard with all sorts of workouts).

7. And whenever I can, I run!

I did head out on the 4-miler one warm day a couple weeks ago and it kicked my butt. Running is its own thing. I'm in fantastic shape, but I'm not gonna be running a half-marathon on Turbo Jam workouts. Sooo ready for spring!

The bottom line is, we often use winter as an excuse to get out of shape and gain weight. At least I always use to! But there is no excuse for such things! There's enough workouts on pinterest to keep you busy for weeks. And you don't need any equipment! Or very little. Try Walmart, TJMaxx, Marshalls, or Aldi if you need something.

Or turn on the Zumba station on Pandora and dance!

I'm anxious for spring, but I'm not gonna sit around and wait for it!

Source: reasonstobefit.tumblr.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

Around the House: Master Bedroom Edition

Today marks 2 years since we signed the papers that made this beautiful Conor House ours!

Not only have we not once regretted it, but we've been flooded with blessings ever since. Every once in a while I pray for floods of blessings on the previous owners because it was a sacrifice to them to sell us this house. As fellow believers, I know they followed God's leading and I'm so so so grateful they did!

To celebrate here on the blog, here's some shots of the newly painted master. A romantic master bedroom is good medicine for the married soul.

Our happy place.

Poor lighting, but I LOVE these curtains. We plan to paint the furniture eventually.

Awesome book shelves we got from the inlaws! I don't know how we lived without them for so long!

More bad lighting, but this is a picture my MIL made for me to give to D.

Our caricatures.

So many people contributed to this haven and we are so grateful! There is still plenty to do (dressers to paint, decor to hang, mirror to find) but we are so happy!

More multitudes on Monday...

• Lofted ceilings
• Crumbs under the table = well fed babies
• Dishes to wash
• A shared bed
• The color purple

Beating the Blahs {Part 2}

{Part 1} Valentine's Crafts
{Part 2} Around the House

The thing about beating the blahs is the "blahs" actually fight back. I have no real desire to attack house projects. But I'm determined to make a list anyway to hopefully motivate me. It really helped with {Part 1}. I actually have a craving for a craft every day now! So here's to hoping...

1. Build shelves in the storage room for DVDs. Oh yay, Derek already did that! He's the best. (I'll share details in a later post).

2. Add Kempton to the walls of the boys' room. Jack's name is on the wall so I'm planning on taking out the "A" and the "C" and using the "J" for Jack and the "K" for Kempton and making mini collages around them. We'll see how that goes.

3. Paint the little mirror black and hang it.

4. Line the fridge shelves

Source: iowagirleats.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

5. Purchase tiles from the Habitat ReStore for behind the kitchen sink. Hang.

Only 5, you say? Yes.

I told you, the blahs are trying to beat me down, so I'm taking it slow.

And I can't think of anything else at the moment that doesn't involve more money than we've got. Even these are pushing it.

I am giving myself a deadline as much as I don't want to bc otherwise this stuff will probably never get done. Expect completed updates by Valentine's Day at which time I will post the next "Beating the Blahs" post.

{Part 3} Spring Cleaning (Look for this post in February!)
{Part 4} All Things Homemade (Look for this post in March!)

How are you "beating the blahs" of winter?

2 Keys to Losing Weight.

Source: etsy.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

If you know me, you know I'm on a journey toward a healthier life. A big part of that right now is losing weight.

By the grace of God, I have had consistent victory over the sin of emotional overeating for 2.5 months! And in that time I've lost 17-18 pounds!

Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!

The Kempton weight and the Jack weight are gone. Now for the long haul... losing the Marie weight. I'm halfway there! 17lbs to go.

Why is this time different? First and foremost, God started it. I've struggled with eating my whole life. Finally, through a series of little events (or maybe better... God interventions), I truly repented and am no longer a slave to food!

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

My sister-in-law said it wonderfully in her post entitled THE Key Ingredient to Getting in Shape.

The #1 key to losing weight/getting fit/becoming healthy is...

A right relationship with the One True God. 

Shake your head if you want, but it is fact. I've lost weight numerous times in my life, but every time I found myself obsessing even more about food! This time... this time I don't obsess over what my next meal will contain. I don't run to food the moment I'm discouraged or angry or tired or happy! Sure I struggle and often want to do those things, but I've found victory in Jesus! The sinful desires are all but gone and I'm finding contentment... fullness in Him alone.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

While true repentance seemed to happen all at once, change is always a process! Daily I am in the Word and in prayer. Daily I am running hard after Him. That is the only way.

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

Looking for key #2? My sister-in-law talks about this all the time, and since I came to my senses by the grace of God, I finally started listening!

The #2 key to losing weight/getting fit is...

Lift Heavy Weights.

Source: fit-and-healthy-for-tomorrow.tumblr.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

There are a number of other "keys" to weight loss success but following the most important key of getting right with the Lord, this has had the most impact for me.

You may recall I trained for and ran a half-marathon before getting pregnant with Kempton. During that 5 months of training I lost a total of... wait for it...

THREE pounds.

The problem? Well, I wasn't watching my calories for one. But mostly, I never lifted weights! I basically did nothing but run.

Now I haven't even started training for my next half yet (scheduled for June!), and I'm already dropping the pounds. With the help of my SIL, eating right, and lifting weights, I finally have a metabolism that works with me rather than against me!

Oh, and I'm already running at a faster pace. Woot! Thank you, muscle!

No more excuses. Get to it.

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

A Thankful Heart

Source: superswoon.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

This is how I will live the width of my life... with thanksgiving.

• Hot tea
• Baby girl prayers
• Warm glow of kitchen lamp
• Clementines
• Curious baby blues

• The smell of homemade cinnamon bread
• Warm sheets
• Chunky toddler legs
• Girly conversations
• Sibling love

Linked up HERE.