Kids on the run

Troy and I have been running off and on since 2009. Even back when we started running I wanted to include my kids somehow. What better way to set a good example for your kids to be healthy but to have them see you doing healthy things. So we brought Sevea along to our very first race and she got to cheer us on…or sleep.

We bought a running stroller to take her along on runs. Troy even pushed Sevea during our first 10k race together. It helped slow him down back when I was much slower than him. When I felt like I couldn’t keep going I could just look over and remember the example I was trying to set for Sevea.

Then Cohen came along. We purchased a double stroller. We used it a couple times but then I ended up taking a break from running so Troy ran solo. Then Brynna came along. We trained for our first half marathon but thankfully didn’t have to push strollers to do so. Running your first half is work enough so we were very grateful that the Zimmers watched our kiddos many Saturday mornings while we ran. Brynna came to watch us run our first half marathon but otherwise all three kids haven’t been to a race with us. So when Carissa mentioned that her company General Mills was having a 5k race that included a kids run we jumped at the chance to make it a family event.

It was a great event for all of us. The whole event was kid friendly. They got to see the famous cereal characters like the Trix bunny (who they didn’t even realize was a famous bunny). They got balloon animals from a really nice clown. Sevea chose a butterfly and Cohen a train. There were bounce houses, games, and an air brush tattoo station.

It was a true family affair since all the kids joined us for our 5k run. I pushed Sevea in a single stroller and Troy pushed the other two in the double. We also ran with Carissa and Andrew who pushed Grayson and Brody in a double stroller. It was the first run the four of us had ever ran together. It was a great run. Shortly after our run it was time for the kids to run their races. first up some stretching. Sevea was in the older age group so her run was first and was a little longer. She just so happened to need to go to the bathroom. Troy said she’d have to wait but I felt bad and tried to quick take her. And of course we missed it. In hindsight Troy was right and she could have held it. But either way I think she learned a lesson. The younger group went next so we lined up Cohen, Sevea, and Grayson. At this point Cohen was upset because he wanted to go back and use the bounce house. He couldn’t shake it and ended up running while holding my hand crying while I held Brynna on my hip. Sevea ran with Grayson and was sad she missed the big kids run because the young one was really short. Even though she looked like the other kids she knew she was sort of cheating by running with the little kids…not that she was trying to win at all. Not the best first run experience for the kids but we were just happy for them to experience a race with us and have a little fun at the same time. I’m hoping they will get excited to try another one sometime…maybe next year’s General Mills run!

The Three of Them

So I’ll be totally honest, when we brought Brynna home from the hospital I had on more than one occasion asked myself what I was thinking when we decided to have a third child (hormones and lack of sleep crazy thoughts). We had just hit that sweet spot where the two kids were easier and they were playing more together. So it felt like our family was more like what we wanted. However I am thankful Brynna was already born because what awaited us was what we truly wanted for our family. Sure having three kids is more work and has its challenges but watching the three kids together melts my heart every single time…okay except those moments when they are maybe not the nicest to each other. But forget those and savor moments like these ones.

Yup we gave up on parenting the whole third kid, haha! She was just too cute wanting to be apart of what they were doing.

Nothing cuter

The other day when Troy was about to leave Cohen was looking over the ledge saying goodbye. Seems all nice except Cohen was not just leaning over but being goofy and not being safe. So Troy naturally yelled at him to get down. Well Cohen didn’t handle it well since he thought he was being a sweet little boy. Troy felt bad because he probably didn’t totally get why he was yelling so he came back up to talk with him more calmly. Cohen snuggled in and it was the cutest scene. It was definitely a kodak moment and I’m glad I not only witnessed it but got it on camera.

Muscles

I got sooooo many great comments on my transformation story. Each and every one of them made me smile, some made me tear up, but all of them made me know how loved and supported I am. I truly have amazing people in my life. If I didn’t tell you personally, thank you thank you thank you!

I’ve had some interest to share more about my story or just in general posting fitness/health related stuff. I love following people on social media to help inspire and motivate myself. So I’d love to include some of this stuff on the blog as long people find it interesting or helpful. I’ll be the first one to admit I don’t know everything, not even half of everything. But I have found what works for me. So I’ll try to post some more on this big part of my life. And really it is a win for me because it will help keep me on track as well. My journey certainly hasn’t ended.

So one part of a comment by one of my best gal pals Michelle, pointed out something I may be even more proud of than the weight loss. She said…”It was more about becoming strong and fit instead of skinnier.” My whole life it was about the number on the scale. I never thought about muscles. I thought the key to my success was doing cardio. Kosama gave me so much more than I bargained for. I thought it would lead to weight loss and that was pretty much all I wanted/expected. Slowly over time my focus did become strong and fit over skinny. And I am so glad it did. Because my muscles help me open pickle jars on my own!! haha The muscle I have built has allowed me to look better at this weight but the main thing I love muscle for….you can eat MORE food :)