"The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done." - Arnold Palmer

Another fabulous week under our belts and looking forward ward to more steps in the right direction! Monday night was my Bike night – after a long day celebrating the beautiful life if my cousin Cheryl I feel so blessed to have such a strong, supportive family as I do! After an emotional day we came home and watched a movie and were planning of relaxing the rest of the night, but I decided to push myself. I got up and jumped on the bike for a 45 minute ride. It felt so good to get out some built up stress and energy. Sometimes it makes all the difference to get a little exercise under our feet to pick ourselves up!

Tuesday was gorgeous day at work I took some pictures on my travels! This one is at the Baxter Boulevard, one of my favorite places in Portland!

Here is another one I took down on Commercial Street in Portland! I wish I had more time to explore the downtown area, it really is absolutely breathtaking!

Tuesday after work I went to yoga class at Greener Postures Yoga studio for the most relaxing hour I’ve had in a long time. I had the opportunity to unwind and relax while getting an amazing workout! I am always so grateful when I am able to unwind at the end of my day with some Hot Yoga! After arriving home Cyn took me out for Valentines dinner because we had a busy week planned! I am so grateful to have such an amazing person to appreciate day in and day out!

Wednesday I took an hour for myself at yoga again and went on a wonderful Sunset cross country ski with my Mom! We had a blast! It was my first time skiing this year! It's always really special to spend time with just my Mom! And it's always a bonus when we can both get some exercise in!

Thursday was Valentine’s day and Downtown Portland was decorated with hearts all over the buildings!

This is a picture of my sister and I years ago on Valentines Day with our special dresses handmade by our Mother! :)

Thursday I got in a 4.5 mile run before work! I see it as there is no better way to spend the day of love by showing it first off to yourself! After work I met my sister and Mom for a 60 minute yoga class before we all went home to our significant others for the evening!

We must remember to celebrate ourselves everyday!

Friday morning began with a 3.6 mile run and ended with a 60 minute yoga class! There was live music at class and it was absolutely incredible! I felt so blessed to have been apart of it! With strengthening our body we strengthen out spirit and belief within ourselves!

"When we know ourselves we are empowered. When we accept ourselves we are invincible."

I came home to this, my two girls: Bela and Cyn snuggling!

Then we ha some visitors help us stack wood for the weekend! (Peter, Cyn & Jack)

Friday night we met with some of Cyn's work friends at Thatchers and had a great time!

Saturday was my second race of the year and my February race was completed! It was called Love on the Run! I was so grateful to have my friend Maggie and sister and her boyfriend participate in it with me! It was the most enjoyable race I have ever done! There was even a stop for a kiss, hugs & hot chocolate! We took our time and really enjoyed ourselves!

We were all going to put our lovers last names on our backs to run for them and show our love for them, but everyone chickened out and I ended up being the only one to make a shirt - but I wore it proudly for my girl! :)

We took plenty of action shots along the way!

Saturday night we spend with Murph and her sister Laura! It was nice to have girl time and of course some wine! We had so much fun and attempted to take a nice picture together which ended in a giggle feat! :) (Hence the blurry ness)

Sunday was spent at the home show and bingas for lunch with Cyn and her parents! Then Pam and I met up with Murph, Laura and Jenny to do some shopping and see Safe Haven. It was not what ANY of us expected, but a very good movie! And fun girl time!

That pretty much sums up my week! I look forward to this upcoming week, but do wish I had Monday off as my housemates do, but we are one day closer to becoming home owners and we cannot wait!

I plan to push myself this week with hopes of running more this week! I also look forward to going to yoga at least 2 times this week and beginning my search for a place to start swimming as I wish to start training for the Tri for a Cure!

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this and please let me know what you think/ if you have any questions or tips! :) Keep working hard and you will reach your dreams! PUSH YOURSELF!

"Always concentrate on how far you've come, rather than how far you have left to go."

How was you're week? Did you hit the gym as much as you wanted? Did you spend all weekend shoveling? Did you eat lots of junk food when Nemo hit? Did you spend all day watching movies or reading a good book? Most of the time we focus so much on the things we didn't accomplish rather than what we did! I'm sure your days are jam packed with cooking, cleaning, working, entertaining and so much more, but what happens when we take a moment to sit back and reflect on all we've done. This week I made sure to focus on what was accomplished instead of stressing over all I had still to do.

My Monday routine has been to jump on the bike while The Bachelor is on and boy is it really becoming something I look forward to! I don't have to stress out that I didn't get it done all day because I know once it comes on my heart rate will get up and it helps me refrain from yelling at the TV! :) It's always motivating to flip to The Biggest Loser as well! I especially love when they do their LAST MINUTE WORKOUT, because it pushes me to go harder!

Tuesdays are typically my days dedicated to Yoga! After work I headed over to Greener Posters Yoga studio in West Falmouth for an hour class of Hot Yoga! After that we went to watch Cyn’s cousin Chelsea play basketball or Westbrook High School’s last home game of the season! We were so proud of her as she scored 17 points and she’s only a Freshman! She was on fire! We were so happy to get to see her play one more time this season!

Wednesday I got very exciting news that I got into the Tri For A Cure this summer! I have wanted to do a triathlon for years! I just have been way too nervous but why wait? So this summer I will be competing in my first triathlon and I could not be any more pleased with the wonderful cause. “Since 1976 Maine Cancer Foundation has worked diligently to provide grant funding for cancer research, education and patient support programs here in our state.” I am so proud to say I am raising money for this powerful cause.Please help me reach my goal of raising $350. Every little bit helps.

Wednesday day after work I met up with an old friend to walk the boulevard! It was such a beautiful afternoon and so nice to unwind in the presence of a good friend. Sometimes it’s so relaxing to spend time with someone who knows you inside and out and loves and appreciates you despite everything. We were so chatty we went around 1.5 times! It was a beautiful walk, as always.

Thursday was another day of yoga! And an evening of Basketball to support my cousins! Its times like these that we must remember how important Family truly is. They are the one thing that is forever. Sometimes we might not feel like they have our best interest in mind, but in most cases family is the one that remains. I am so blessed to have such a strong and loving family and I am especially reminded of this over the past week. I am grateful to have the support I do and I would not want it any other way. Take a moment to reflect on those loved ones in your life and be grateful for them. Whether they are blood related or not love is love and we would all be lost without those that surround and support us. I spend my lunch break reflecting down by the water in Portland. One of my best friends showed me this little spot and I love to go and enjoy the beautiful view.

Friday morning we met NEMO! I spent the morning going around to my accounts until the roads got too bad, but gosh Portland is such a beautiful city!

Friday we ventured out to do some snowshoeing over to Murph's house and she made some delicious Chicken Noodle Soup and we watched Pitch Perfect. After a while we headed home and continued the Blizzard celebration with more family friends!

Saturday Morning I woke up and started to head over to my parents and since the streets weren’t plowed I headed out on snowshoes!

It was so windy we could hardly see!

We started off with Baylee's in our coffee, then bloody Mary's and finished with allagash white beer shots!

We even did some crafts!

I have the cutest parents ever!

Dad even got in some drumming!

Sunday morning Mom, Dad & I went for a great snowshoe on Riverside Golf Course! It was a beautiful morning for it!

It was so nice out, once I got home I threw on my sneakers and turned on my iPod and went for a great walk while listening to Andy Grammer Pandora! It was such an enjoyable walk and nice to just have some me time! All in all I got in a great workout today!

This weekend has been so family filled and I couldn't feel more blessed.

Tomorrow we say goodbye to an absolute angel and I remind myself she is in a place of happiness and no more suffering. We love you so much Cheryl and are so lucky to have you as a family member! Every aspect of you will forever grow on in your 4 beautiful children! Cheryl's Crusaders <3.

Every day is a gift and we must treat it like one. Exercise is a great outlet, but it also builds physical and mental strength. Your body is the most prized possession you own. Push yourself this week, but remember to take time to appreciate every little thing around you. You are lucky and able and you should acknowledge it! Do me a favor? Say thank you to someone who has loved and support you all throughout your struggle and triumphs… Be aware that person might just be YOURSELF. Appreciate all the hard work you put in day after day and remember to thank yourself and don’t be afraid to spoil yourself every once in awhile.

"If we wait until we're ready, we'll be waiting the rest of our lives." - Lemony Snicket

The last week in January was welcomed with paperwork on paperwork to get the ball rolling with the house. Cyn and I spend 3 of or the 5 nights of the week at our Mortgage Brokers office signing and making copies of different items. We are so excited to think in just about a month we will be signing the papers to our FIRST home!

Thursday we had the inspection and it went extremely well! We are so grateful there was nothing major! We are slowly beginning to pull everything together! We are surrounded by so much love and support from both our families we are so lucky to have everyone wanting to help us with furniture, bowls, mugs ect. A huge THANK YOU to my cousins Cindy and Dana for being so generous in helping us put our home together with all of their extra furniture! We ended up making our first purchases for the house this weekend and are so excited to slowly start getting items we will need! We plan to put this in the picture in the living room. Such a great reminder of how precious life really is!

Along with the craziness of the house I found time to get in some great exercise on Tuesday. I went to sunrise yoga at Greener Postures Yoga in West Falmouth and after a great day at work Cyn and I joined a pick-up basketball league for 2 hours on Tuesday night! We had a blast and plan to attend every week!

Wednesday was a late night for me with still getting into the groove at work, but I managed to Jump on the Bike while watching American Idol! You must always remember - It’s never too late to bust out a workout! Every little minute counts! Sometimes the best part of working out before bed is it tires you out enough to have a better night sleep! Days where I don’t get in a good workout I find myself restless when it comes time to go to bed. By powering through a 30 minute workout before bed I definitely get a more restful night sleep! Try it sometime!

Thursday afternoon was up into the 50’s which made for a perfect afternoon for a run outside! Since I’ve been cutting back on running because of my foot pain it was such a relief to finally get outside and enjoy a nice 4.5 mile run! Even though injury may set us back it should not make us afraid to continue chasing our dreams! I aspire to get myself back into running to complete a half marathon this summer and a marathon next fall! I’m sharing this with you in hopes you will hold me to it! Late Thursday night my parents came home from Bethel and called Cyn and I to come over with some Ice Cream! We spent the evening with Corona’s, Chocolate Ice Cream and Pinteresting! So glad they had such a great vacation, but so happy to have them back home!

Friday afternoon was much cooler and I bundled up and bust out another 4.5 mile run! There is something about the fresh air and how empowering it feels to push yourself past your limit and trusting the strength of your body to lead you toward success. When things get hard remind yourself that your body knows what it can and cannot handle and it will make sure it lets you know! This allows you to push yourself harder with each workout and this is what helps you grow stronger, faster and more able to reach your goals.

Friday evening we had Portland Pirate’s tickets, thanks to a coworker of Cyn’s who was being honored as and Outstanding Educator as the UNUM starting 6! We had a blast and got 2nd row tickets! We went down to Five Guy’s in the Old Port for Dinner (definitely my cheat night). They have the most delicious burgers! I like to eat healthy because it makes me feel good and I can perform more effectively, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love to splurge sometimes! That’s what life is all about. It is so important to stay healthy and fit for so many reasons, but it’s also necessary to remember by having something unhealthy here and there is NOT the end of the world! My Dad always says “I exercise to eat.” I used to laugh at him, but it’s so true. We exercise to live a long healthy life, but sometimes when we know were going to have a munchy night ahead of us – we can stay on the treadmill for an extra 20 minutes or an extra set of weights. It is all about give and take, and you get what you give into each workout!

Saturday Morning we went and watched Cyn’s little cousin who is in 1st grade play Basketball!

In the afternoon Cyn, Pam and I went to see Parental Guidance at the Cinematic in Westbrook! It was a really cute movie! Are they twins or what?

One of our good friends Meg came over along with Murph and the boys! We made pizza and had a dance party!

Sunday morning I woke up and went to a 75 minute Hot Yoga Class at Greener Postures’ with my Mom! It was so rejuvenating and let me release a lot of stress built up within my body! After yoga my dad made breakfast burritos, Bloody Mary’s and a fire. We had brunch with my grandmother, aunt, parents and Cyn! Family time is the best time! It’s terrible how sometimes we get so caught up in life that we don’t see the people that mean the most to us as often as we should. It was really nice to catch up with my grandmother and Aunt especially! We must be so mindful that you never know how much time you have and it’s so important to make every moment count! Love your life and the family that surrounds and supports you day after day! Be grateful and don’t ever lose touch with people you love!

It’s Sunday night and we’re gearing up for the Super Bowl and the week ahead. I am so very happy with where my life is right now and I feel so proud of the work I put in this week! I cannot believe it is already February but I say bring on another fabulous month! Life is going to give you just what you put into it! Put your entire heart into everything you do! I hope you are staying committed and ready for a new month full of new beginnings! Never give up on yourself and stay positive! Let me know how things are going and if I can add or take away anything from this blog to make it more appealing! I appreciate you taking the time to read this and hope you enjoy it! Remember: