update on bike training

Just to keep everyone update that "I am not slacking" on the bike training for our trip in June.

Actually, I have done awesome. This is going on the fourth week that I am working out at least three times a week at the gym. And at nights, I am usually outside with the kids, and riding a few miles here and there with Jake, or walking Jonna in the stroller while Ben will bike for bout a mile. It has been great weather, and I am so glad we have been able to be so active outside. On average, I am getting 35-45 miles a week from biking at the gym to biking at home. I can tell too. I feel better, and I can tell that my body is getting better toned. Don't ask me if I am losing weight, cuz that doesn't EVER happen when I work out. I only gain weight, and that's allright because I know I am gaining muscle weight. Don't talk to me about dieting. I eat like a pig. What can I say the more calories I burn, the more I want to eat. HA! I love food WAY too much. And I won't let myself skip a work out. It isn't a question. Sorry Mom, but you asked me to lunch today, but I skipped cuz I had to work out. But that is okay, cuz we are going to meet up tomorrow:).

Other exciting stuff, is this weekend we are going to celebrate a dinner for my Mom and Dad's 35th wedding anniversary. Wow! They have been married more years than I have been alive. Well, actually they always have. haha. But that isn't always the case now days. But 35 years.......that is a LONG time. Jake, you wanna go for 35?

All is well in the Holee Realm.

Survey Time

A friend of mine did this, and it was neat, so I decided to try it out too.
10 Years ago.
19 years old, and probably not such a smart cookie in the dating department. I went through a long phase of dating guys that truly should have treated me better, and were a bad influence on me. I was in my second year of college, waiting to get into nursing school at LU. Who would know that after I got in, I would change my major a year later. Haha. Thoughts of marriage and kids were a long way off. I lived in an apartment with my highschool best friend, and had way too much fun. Drove a 1995 Awesome Black Cavalier! First car I ever had. Bought it myself a year before.
5 years ago
24 years old. Just married the man of my dreams. Was in my last semester of college graduating with a business degree. I was actually on my honeymoon in Punta Cana, DR five years ago to date. Heck, at this time, I was lounging by the pool or swimming with sharks for all i know! Worried about the job hunt after graduation. All though, I was already working two part time jobs, I was already applying. Living in a two bedroom apt above a garage. Driving another SUH-weet car, 2001 Green Ford Escort. By golly, I am pretty sure it was paid off that year too!
1 year ago
28 years old. Had a darling 20 month old little boy, named Benjamin. 6.5 months pregnant with our darling little girl Jonna. Working at a job I absolutely love and still do. Preparing for a beach trip two months later. Probably eating chocolate ice cream every night I could. No wait, I gave it up for Lent, and later found out in April I couldnt' have chocolate or caffeine with Jonna because of her heart development. (Fetal Pacs). I was probably craving summer and warm weather and a tan just like I am now. Driving a sweeter 2008 Saturn Astra. my little sporty Mama car. Living in our sweet home in Ashland.
1 Day ago
Almost 30:) Not for a couple months yet! Work and Play. I went for a bikeride with Jake and the kids last night. Benjmain is a bike riding maniac. He is so coordinated, it amazes me. Pondering when my next vacation day will be. Still driving an Astra and wondering how much longer it will be before we buy and SUV or van.
1 Hour ago.
Eating left over grilled chicken and baked potato for lunch. Yes, I ate my lunch at 10:30. I was hungry.

Tag to other blogger ladies! This was kind of fun. You know who you are.

Swimmin and Bike Ridin

Some swimming at the ARC!



Ben was downright giddy when we got in!

Jonna loved it too!

And this was Jonna's first ride in the Bike Trailer about a week and 1/2 ago. She loved it. Halfway through the ride, she was fast asleep.

Marriage

So, Benjamin ever so sweetly asked me to "Marry" him last nigtht. Then when we explained he couldn't marry me, cuz I married his Dad. He went on to ask if he could marry Jonna. We explained that one too. Haha. What I do think is awesome, is that Ben makes the connection that you marry people you love. AND, he already knows he wants to marry a girl like his mother. HAHA! Well, after he realized he couldn't marry me or Jonna, he went on to call my friend Jesse on the phone and ask for her daughter, Sydney's, hand in marriage. It was hilarious, and we even have it on video!

Another reason I love being a mother to a 2.5 year old boy.

Well, I get to act like I am two and 1/2 and get away with it. Of course.

1) I get to play dinosaur, which means romping around on all fours and growling back and forth at my son. Then he turns around and "whips" me with his leg, saying, "Got you with my tail, MOM, Haha!"

2) I get to build forts of pillows and blankets at my brother's house, and Ben, Holley(my brother's girlfriend) and I hide inside. We be as quiet as can be hoping that no one "Really" knows we are in there. Then in extreme outburst, we tear down the whole fort! Five seconds later we build another one, even BETTER than the last one.

3) I get to jump up and down on our bed with Ben and scream, "SUPER MOM!" Ben responds with "SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-PER BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!

Another day in the life.

Update for a fabulous Sunny March Week!

Loving the warmer weather. Our venture in training for our little Bike Trip to Hermann has made progress. Monday night, Jake and I biked for 12 miles in about an hours time! It was invigorating, and exhausting at the same time. There was one moment in the last 10 minutes of our ride I truly wanted to puke, but I didn't and once we got home I was quite impressed with myself.

Day Two of Bike Training was Wednesday at the Ymca on lunch. This Mama did 11.5 miles on the bike in 30 minutes. Ummm. I didn't smell too great when I came back to work, but I stuck to my office. Haha.

On the homefront: I came home from work on Tuesday night and my BABY JONNA cut her first tooth! AWESOME! Up front, lower middle! I couldn't believe it. She literally beat Ben by 3 months with a first tooth. He was 11 months before he got his first! I didn't notice any fussiness, only a low grade temp she ran on Monday night. My baby is growing too darn quick!

Benjamin: Favorite all time move, which surpassed Mr. Diego believe it or not. Only the original, "THE LAND BEFORE TIME" Oh man. I think in the past three weeks we may have watched that movie 30 times. WOW! May have to invest in some of the sequals!

All is well in the Holee Realm!

My reflection...

I am honored to say that my sister Katrina chose me to be her Sponsor in receiving her Sacrament of Confirmation in our Church. Confirmation is the Sacrament in the Catholic Church where the member receives the Holy Spirit into their life and accepts it as an adult. She is seventeen years old, and in a time that Church may be the last thing on her mind, yesterday I was very impressed. Upon Confirmation, they are accepting what the priest referred to as the WUFF PCKG. Wisdom, Understanding, Faith, Fear of the Lord, Piety, Council, Knowledge, and Good acts. Hmmmmm. I may not be exact, but remembered most:) We spent the entire day listening to talks and other's experience of vocation and it was peaceful and invigorating at the same time. Let me say, I was very impressed with my sister. It was a retreat for the entire diocese, and many students hung with their friends and stayed away from their parents or sponsors. Katie stuck with me the entire time when she could. At several parts of the day, they seperated the Sponsors from the students to hear different talks and after each one she would come search me out in the hundreds of the crowd, and just plop right up next to me. She even wanted me to sit with her at breaks. Even down to when the Bishop came to celebrate Mass at the end of the treat. I was a pretty proud big sister.

As I have grown through life, from a teenager, to young adult in highschool, then in college, then as a wife and now as a mother, I have one most favorite thing about the Church, and that is the Holy Spirit. I have been so very blessed in my life, and when I can, I like to take a chance to talk about it. There are times that I am so overwhelmed with all my blessings, all I can think to do is pray and thank God for them. Some people may ask what the Holy Spirit is. My explanation is the spirit of God. Like when I whelt up in tears of happiness watching my husband play with my two beautiful healthy kids. That is me being filled with the Holy Spirit. Just wonderful feelings of joy. So happy in your life, you want to cry.

Or when I sat in the Church yesterday listening to the priest talk about vocations. Realizing that in that very church, I received my Sacrament of Confirmation, Marriage, and my two children both received their Sacrament of Baptism. How awesome!

I prayed that I could be a good role model in the church to my sister for the rest of her life. That she may see how my relationship with God has helped me in my life, and made me the person I am today. And as they mentioned above, it is all about living it.

On another note: I want to reflect on the power of prayer. My sister Terressa, had applied for a very awesome job about two weeks ago. She is a single mother of two children, working very hard to support them and raise them the best she knows how. She has worked late nights as a waitress for almost a year now, getting by. I am so proud of her. As we all know in this economy it isn't easy getting a job, or let alone getting a job you really want. So, for two grueling weeks she waited for a call. Talk about emotional ups and downs. They kept telling her every couple days, that they would call her in a "couple days" with a decision. Well, as time passed she expected she may not get it. Each morning I say the rosary on the way to work, and I have said a special prayer to God to help Terressa out and let her get this job. She needed it so bad. In my prayers, I kept thinking. God is good, and he knows Terressa needs it, so there is really no need to worry. I even had a dream that she got it, and she called me celebrating last Wednesday. It is weird, but I seem to have dreams that actually occur, so I had a good feeling. She WILL get the job. My Dad is a teacher, and he had all of his students saying prayers each day for Terressa. My Mom, (no real need to say this cuz we all know) prayed her heart out everyday for her.

On Friday night, My Mom was checking her email, and received that email about Saint Theresa. She said she hardly ever reads forwards, and let alone sends them on, but she decided to this time.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
Dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one.

Mom said, she finished the prayer and forwarded it on, and she heard her phone ringing within in that second. Do you know it was Terressa?! They had called her at 7pm on a Friday night to give her the news. SHE GOT THE JOB!

All, I can say is Wow. The power of prayer, I tell you. God is awesome! And you know she is ready to work. She told them she could start today! So, say a little prayer for her in her new venture!

On to my next reflection: YES, THIS IS AN EXTRA LONG ONE. But please read on.

So, many know that Jake and I just celebrated our Five Year anniversary. Well, we both turn 30 this year also.Poor guy hit is 6 months before me... Pretty memorable year for us, and what better reason to make it that much more memorable. We have tried to go to Hermann, MO each year to celebrate our anniversary. So, Jake had a great idea for this year. We both have good bikes, and the Katy Trail extends from Hartsburg to Hermann. Why don't we make the goal of biking the trip to Hermann, and stay in a Bed and Breakfast for a couple nights to celebrate. It is between a 45 and 50 mile bike trip depending on where we would begin. Now, REMINDER, I have NEVER done anything like this before in my life. With my hip problems, overall lengthy physical activities can be cause to quite a bit of irritation on my hip. And since, I have always stuck to physical activities that wouldn't irritate. I mean I have had it for 17 years of my life. I know what to do and what not to do. So, why do you think I so dearly wanted a bike last year for my birthday! TO BIKE! So, that is our goal. We will make the 45 mile trip in one day on June 11th. I have 2.5 months to train, and I am thinking it will be easy right?! HHA! I don't know we shall see. This is just so HUGE for me. I have yet to hit the road this season yet. But tonight, Jake and I are beginning the train. And I don't know that I have ever been more excited in my life about a goal we have made. This is a goal with each other and yet for ourself. So wish us luck!

And with that being said, all else is pretty well in the Holee realm!

A day in the life...

So, do you know my little girl is a little over 7 and 1/2 months and knows Patty Cake? I am talking skills! My guess is she will start crawling in the next month....I would be okay if she decided to wait a little longer on that though.

Conversation with Benjamin last night:

Me: Ben, I have a headache.
Ben: You have a headache?
Me: Yes, my head hurts.
Ben: Mom, you need a band-aid?
Me: Ben, I don't know if a band-aid will help.
Ben: You need a spiderman Band-aid.
Me: Yep, that would probably make it feel all better!

Oh bla Di, O blah Dah.

Cool in his sunglasses.

My curious Two year old.

Why is it so much fun to wear your pants on your head?

Eskimo Baby Girl!

She sat in her stroller half asleep watching Ben and I ride bikes.

This is a picture we took for our Five year anniversary. Just proof that we are still alive after putting up with each other this whole time!

Just another exciting Day at the Holee House.

Ben was actually the photographer for Jake and I's photo. Picture him saying. "OK, show me your muscles." Click, click! Haha


We haven't quite taught Jonna how to flex yet, Give us a couple months, but she IS sporting her first pony tail!