“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” - Mark Twain

Monday we woke up to a snowy day! I headed to hot yoga to warm up and stretch out! It felt so good! After work we had dinner with Pammy and ran to the mall to get some Christmas Shopping done! 

Tuesday I bundled up and got out for a 6 mile run in the flurries! It started off very cold but I was quickly warmed up! What a beautiful sunrise! 

After work I had 2 fitness classes to teach and the kids were wild today. After I headed home to a quiet house got some studying done! 

Wednesday morning I bundled up and got in another 6 miler. Not a great time, but proud of myself for getting up and going! 

What a beautiful sunrise! 

After work I headed to Kittery for a quick 3 hour shift at Lululemon! I had a great night with some amazing people! I also made my first purchase... 3 bags later! Lol!

Thursday morning was my off day from exercise! I got up and grabbed my favorite Starbucks Caramel Brûlée Latte! Yum! 

I headed to Portsmouth for our monthly meeting and what a beautiful sunrise! 

After work I had 3 trainings! My Dryland kids were so energized and excited for there big meet this weekend so we changed things up a bit! They were having fun with the jump ropes! 

After I bundled up and met my family out at Merry Madness! We had so much fun and I got to hang out with the birthday girl! :)

TGIF! Friday morning was my 9 miler! It was snowy and cold! Ah so nice to start the day with some exercise. Talk about waking up quickly! Brrr! 

I had a busy day at work followed by one training! We had a great time and got to try some new exercises! 

After I picked up Bela and we headed to my parents to celebrate Christmas with my sisters! It's such a busy time of year that one of my sisters wasn't able to make it, but we made the best of it! Quinn loved his new remote control car! 

I headed home and was ready for bed! Bela was too.... Patiently waiting for the magic word to come snuggle! Lol

Saturday morning I was up before the sun! Made the trek to Kittery for a morning shift at Lululemon! What a beautiful sky! 

I had a great shift at work and was hoping to head to MA for a race but the weather coming we decided to stay home. We were able to attend the Bernier Christmas Party! Emma and I got to sing Christmas Carols together! I love her!

We headed to Pete & Murphs for the rest of the night to relax and have dinner! 

Sunday morning was a blizzard! We got a ton of snow! I got up and headed to Dunkin for our Coffees then made Eggs and Bacon! Mmmm! We spent the morning relaxing and cleaning! 

We went to Pam & Pete's to help them decorate their tree! And bake cookies ;) 

Later we went to the Magic of Christmas! What a great way to get into the holiday spirit! 

Fun with my cousin Meg!

Then grabbed some dinner at Nosh!

We had a crazy week and our busy, snowy weekend gave my legs a good rest period! I hate taking 2 days off in a row but sometimes it just the way the cookie crumbles!

I have been trying to make decisions that will effect me in a positive way and allow me to reach my new goals and attain my dreams! 

The best part of getting started with a new goal, new hobby, new dream is that you're taking steps in the direction that will get you there! 

Remember: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” - Mark Twain

"Life is such a gift."

A dark and dreary Monday morning doesn't make it easy to get moving especially after a week off, but I did it! Waking up miserable from my cold I was out the door to try to sweat it out at hot yoga! I'll tell ya, being in downward dog with a runny nose is NOT fun, but I will say I was revived after a hot shower! It felt like I got all my nasal congestion out... For a few hours! It was a nice idea, but it didn't clear me completely! After a busy first day back I has one training after work to break back into the swing of things! We had a nice long, dark, chilly walk but it was nice to catch up! Once I got home I took Bela out for another walk  and snuggled up on the couch until Cyn got home! 

We rented the movie 2 Guns and it was soooooo good! Definitely recommend it! We snuggled up on the couch, the THREE of us! The house feels so cozy with the tree up! 

I even got to endulged in my favorite holiday treat! Cracker Brittle! Yummm! It's a must have around this time of year!

Tuesday morning was surprisingly warm! Up in the 40s! Woo! I got in 8 miles and it felt so good! It's been over a week since I've run and it was nice to get my long one in! It wasn't my best time, but I'll take it for being sick!

After work I had 2 trainings! One with my kids fitness class and the other with my Dryland kids! Boy did I miss them! We had a blast! 

I ran home and grabbed Bel and went to my parents to hang out an have dinner! I helped them put up Christmas decorations and ornaments on the tree! I really love this time of year! 

I decorated our table as soon as I got home to get ready for our party Sunday! 

Wednesday was my circuit training day! I went to Zone 3 Fitness for an hour cardio/strength class! It was just the change of pace I needed! It's a beautiful facility with new equipment I definitely recommend trying a class over there! 

They have a goal board that I love! It keeps people motivated and working hard! They also have words of encouragement scattered around the facility! 

My Mom got her Knee surgery today and was such a champ! I went to check on her and we did a little more decorating! I came up with a cute centerpiece idea and got all the stuff from GoodWill! Let me know your thoughts! 

I had 1 training and we had a beautiful sky for our last night outside! 

We had a surprise visit from my sister with her BRAND NEW CAR! It's beautiful and I couldn't be more happy for her! She deserves it!  

Such a perfect evening at our house! 'Twas 21 nights before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! 

Thursday morning I hit the road for a 5 miler! Another slow one because of my cold, but I was glad to get it in! After work I had 2 trainings and we headed to my parents for dinner and The Sound of Music! We had a fun night with my family! Aunt Kate and Bela definitely missed each other! 

 

Friday was my day off of exercise. I had a busy day and a long evening, but was lucky to be surrounded by such amazing family! We ended the night at Stockhouse. Love these two goofballs! 

Saturday morning I got up and bundled for a quick 5 miler and had another family filled day. It was a beautiful morning. So much love and support. ❤️ 

All 3 babies wanted to sit with auntie! Just missing Cameron! 

Sunday morning we got up and turbo cleaned for our first Holiday Party! We had an Ornament Party! Everyone was asked to bring and old, new, handmade or purchased ornament to help us decorate our FIRST Christmas Tree! We had so much fun and were so grateful to everyone who came! It was just what we needed to get into the holiday spirit! 

Later we made the trip to John & Donna's to visit and watch some football! 

It's been an emotional week but truly so much positivity has come from such a tragity. I find it so inspirational to see so many people I love being so strong and supportive of one another. It has really made me reevaluate my life. Life is such a gift and we are lucky to have all of the things we do. It's so easy to take things for granted and want bigger, better, newer things. Take a moment to look at the world around you. You are blessed by so many big and small, new and old things in your life. Take it all in and feel the blessing you've been given. 

Remember: "LIFE IS SUCH A GIFT." 

“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” —Arnold Palmer

Ahh! What a great way to wake up this morning, with no stress! I got up with Cyn and once she left for work I headed out for my 8 miler! Boy was it cold! 19 degrees and windy! I got home around 9:30 and was a busy bee running errands and getting ready to leave for Texas! I was all ready once Cyn got home at 3:30 and her parents brough us to the airport! 

First stop: Dinner and drinks while we waited to board from Portland to Newark, NJ! 

We had a beautiful sunset! 

We went from Portland to Newark, NJ and had to run to catch our flights to Houston, TX. Once we got off there was a little golf cart waiting to drive us to our last flight to San Antonio! A total of 8 hours on a plane, boy were we wiped! We got in at 2 AM Texas time! 

We slept for a few hours and got up and headed down to a delicious breakfast at 9:30! We had omelets and headed to the Army Base! We got in a bunch of history and saw the progression of Army Medicine. 

After we headed to check out some Cowboy Boots! Wow!

We hit the road and headed down to the Riverwalk! What a super fun area! I snapped a quick photo as the boat was cruzing behind us!

We had some yummy pizza and headed to check out The Alamo! What a cool historical area! We posed on this carved piece of wood that was made into a bench! 

We did some more walking around town and headed back to the hotel room for FREE happy hour! My dad and I snuggled up on the lobby couch! 

Wednesday morning Mom, Dad and I headed down to the gym before breakfast! I got in a quick 30 minutes of cardio and did a circuit of 6 different exercises (total body) for 3 sets! I had a delicious omelet again for breakfast! No better way to start the day with exercise and a healthy breakfast! 

After breakfast we headed out for some SHOPPING! One of our favorite stores - Charming Charlie, was right down the street! We got some great deals! We were feeling silly in the back seat trying our new lipgloss! Dad and Cyn were trying out the different Beats Headphones together at Best Buy!

From there we headed to lunch! Cyn and Dad got the biggest beer glasses ever! The Resturant was extremely decorated & very busy! 

After lunch mom and I took a walk to get a Latte at Starbucks then headed to the Riverwalk Center Mall! We found more great deals because they start there Black Friday shopping early! We loved seeing all the Christmas lights up on our walk home! 

We got back in time for Happy Hour and got dressed and headed to Salt Grass on the Riverwalk for dinner! We enjoyed Coronaritas for the first time! What a fun drink! 

We bundled up and headed to the Towers of America! It is 750 feet up! The Second tallest building in America! What a beautiful view over the city! 

Thursday morning my parents were packing up to leave, but we got to enjoy another yummy breakfast and watch the parades with them! Once they left we headed down the Riverwalk, again, to find some fun for our Thanksgiving day! We jumped on a boat tour around the river and grabbed lunch at an Italian Resturant! We definitely were missing a home cooked meal and being surrounded by family on this special day of thanks! 

Thankfully, we were able to make the best of it together! We still got in an afternoon snooze - it wouldn't be thanksgiving without one right?! After we headed out looking for Dessert! We got an Apple Cobbler at the Hard Rock Cafe! Followed by another Happy Hour! Yum! Boy, have we been lucky to indulge this week! 

I was feeling ambitious and too full to function so I headed to the gym for a quick 35 minute cardio session! I felt so much better after! We packed up, found some football on TV and headed to bed! 

Friday morning I was up at 7 and headed to the gym! Got in another 35 minute session of cardio followed by some weights! After we headed to breakfast and last minute packing. We were at the airport around 9:30 ready and waiting for our first plane to take off! We treated ourselves to a yummy Cinnabon! Mmmm! It's been years since I had one of these! 

We had got in to Philadelphia at 4 and grabbed lunch and landed in Portland at 6:30! Pam and Pete picked us up and we went to there house for leftover turkey! Pete, Murph and the Boys came over too! We watched a Christmas movie and ate pie! 

Saturday morning I work up feeling super sick, but I had asked Lululemon if they needed any help today and they put me on the schedule for 10-3. I couldn't let them down so I rested until 8:30 and hit the road! 

I had a great shift, so great that I stayed an extra half hour without even knowing it! We were all asked to wear red and since I haven't been added to the system yet they got me my first top! I love it! 

After work I hurried home to be with family! 

Sunday morning we got up to go grocery shopping and get our tree! We made an adventure out of it and found the perfect tree! We had a wonderful day surround by family! 

Little Kayla quickly became belas best friend! 

Cyn got me my favorite ornament! A Cupcake! 

We had a nice evening at my parents an we gave my aunt an early birthday present! It was nice to finish our weekend at my parents house! 

Life has a crazy way of doing things to open our eyes to other things we might not have realized. It throws us curves and we have to make our best judgement on how we react. Nothing should ever be taken for granted. We need to appreciate and express our love and gratitude to everyone we come in contact with. 

After this weekend, I am feeling extremely different about life and different choices I have made. Life is short. There is no time to spend it unhappy. Life is to be lived to its fullest extent and moving forward I plan to leave all my cards on the table no matter what it takes! 

Remember: “Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” —Arnold Palmer

Being the best person you can be is all you can do... Don't give any less than your best, ALWAYS!