Tea party with the ladies

Phoebe is enjoying a little tea party with her lady friends. Gabe's such a good Daddy, he is all about the details! I'm so grateful Pen & Tuck have him to look up to. He is simply an incredible man, and an even better Father. You see that sock monkey up there? Yeah, he made it. He's kind of unbelievable. 

Motivational reads

Real excited that this book arrived today! I absolutely love motivational books. If you're ever in a slump, a good motivational book can make all the difference. I'll make a list of a few of my favs tomorrow. Any book that teaches you to punch fear in the face is bound to be a winner!!! Thank you for the recommendation @paleochef! 

She's a natural

This stylin little mama blows me away! Look at that unsolicited posing!!! She's a natural! Way better than me already. She just kills me. 

Umm yes I want a fanny pack

Gabe and I just helped the kids buy each other's Christmas presents and I'm sort of excited about this exercise fanny pack! I usually place my phone securely in my sports bra but as I diet down for prep my boobs dissappear and my phone falls through, so I have to come with an alternative holding spot. I have high hopes for the fanny pack! I almost wish it was a little bit bigger so I could have some snacks and supps readily available. Being a female fitness fanatic, it's all about the accessories!!! Fanny packs, and all.

Wrapping up Christmas

The last few days have just flown by! We finalized our location for St. George's Crepery and we are hustling a to get as much done with the new place before Gabe starts teaching again next semester. I'm excited to spend some quality time with my family next week. I just want to get as much done as possible before so I can enjoy it. I have to say, I'm really glad I'm not on the last few weeks of prep right now. I would be so stretched it'd be pretty hellish. I'm already looking forward to the new year. I absolutely love the spirit of new beginnings and the prospects that the new year brings. There are so many wonderful opportunities that await my family in 2015, I feel really grateful to have a lot to look forward to. Tonight I'm finishing the last of my Christmas wrapping...

I don't know how people wait until the last minute to get their shopping done. It stresses me out so much to not have shopping, wrapping, and holiday planning done in advance! Anyways, I'm still in the super easy years of shopping for kids. Essentially anything goes, toy wise. My mother-in-law is fun to give gifts to bc she's like a little kid recieving them. She has such a sense of wonderment and joy. This year I found pictures of all my brothers and sister in laws around the same age to display. Finding these pictures was no easy feat!! I still need to get 1 enlarged. Man alive, can you even imagine having NINE children!!!!! That makes my head hurt thinking about it. Gabes the youngest, bottom right. Pretty dang cute. 

Can I not be an adult anymore?

Having one of those days! Both kids are sick, super stressful with our business expansion, and I didn't get to workout, so I'm extra down. Bahh I just want to have a day to lay in bed and watch Bravo, interspersed with eating, and napping. On the bright side it's almost bedtime!

Phoebes BDay

This is probably my favorite elf adventure as of yet! We were gifted this awesome birthday costume-it's intended for use on our children's birthday but there is no way in hell I'm fishing through all my Christmas storage to bring Phoebe out for 1 day. Nope. So instead we made tomorrow Phoebe's birthday! Penny is going to have a seizure she'll be so overjoyed with these cupcakes!!! Gabe and I are already aware that she's going to binge first thing in the morning, but we both agreed it's totally worth it. I hope I can snap a pic of her frosting coated face before she wipes it all over my bedspread....

Finally got our stocking holders up. Christmas decor makes me so happy. 

Revised show date

Making some gains on my new training program. It's an Olympic style weight lifting program and it so insanely intense!!! I'm in love with it...I have made the decision to compete in March, rather then the end of Jan. I don't want to cut myself short prepping through the holidays-I feel like I won't come in as strong as I'd like and I won't be able to enjoy my family as much over Christmas. So March it is! Flexibility with competing is so important. I'm learning to listen to my body and where I am emotionally, and not to beat myself up. There are times to push yourself and times to reevaluate and shift priorities-as with everything in life. I think the more I compete too, the better I am at knowing where I need to be 4 months out. I'm a highly optimistic person, and I set tons of goals for myself, but as I get older and wiser I learn what is realistic and what is simply too much. Again, always a balancing act. I'm so excited to have my sister-in-law @krystynoneil prep and compete with me!!! She's such a strong woman and so inspiring. It's critical to find a solid support system in this sport. I've yet to meet someone who can successfully go it alone. March here we come!!

Santa stopped by

Santa and Mrs. Claus made a special visit to the O'Neil family! Huge hit with the 3-6 yr olds, teenagers and Tuck were unimpressed. Aunt Jeannie had enough fun for the entire crew though. Fun memories we made today!

Blessings

Sometimes I have these moments where the world just stops, and I can see so clearly just how beautiful life really is. During this stressful time of year, I'm striving to be more grateful. Life is really hard, and it can be all to overwhelming sometimes but there are always enough blessings to focus our attention on. My motto-stay humble, work hard, and cherish my family like there's no tomorrow. 

Post Work-Out goodies

Post workout lunch date with myself...jazzythings meatball sandwich, multiple drinks bc I'm always nursing about 3 different drinks, BCAA's, and True Tori. There is something so relaxing about trashy reality TV. That's normal, right? The show's at least make me feel better about my own life. True Tori is actually pretty depressing, but I've committed to the season so I'll stick it through. I'm a loyal viewer!

Now or never

I found this is on IG earlier and it really resonated with me. When I look back on my adult life I can see that there was a time and a place for everything. Whether that be to adopt, move, open our business, expansion, etc. When it was time to do these things I always felt super prompted that it was time, and to act on it immediately. If we hadn't taken that huge leap of faith in each instance we wouldn't have anything. As I get older I know to not question these promptings. The stage has been laid for me to pursue my goals in the fitness industry. I think because this pursuit is completely mine, I've doubted it more than any other endeavor. That is why this quote hits me hard, I know that my competition journey is now or never. I have all the tools I need to succeed, now I must have faith in myself and my work ethic that I can do well, not only well but amazing! I'm excited and humbled to know that there are great opportunities in store if I apply myself and go about fearlessly chasing my dreams.

Credit due

Phoebe left it all on the table with these snow flakes!!! She is one talented little elf!...So I've got a bone to pick, Gabe has been taking creative control of elf on the shelf (if there is anything decorative or minorly artistic shown on this blog, it is 100% my husband), after setting the scene for Phoebe every night, he gets this ultra smug look on his face. And I'm all like, are you freaking kidding me?? I did all the  hard work!! I planned it, organized it, and for hells sake gave you every tool you needed to do it...This is essentially the dynamic of our entire marriage, minus the bone picking...he's actually really good at giving me credit too and he's a really hard worker...but you get where I'm doing with this. The competitiveness is real when is comes to our children's affection!!

 

Jazzythings

How beautiful is this meal?? (Gabe plated it...but I made it!) I purchased jazzythings crockpot cookbook a few days ago and have been so excited to try her recipes. These meatballs did not disappoint!!! Holy moly, they will knock your socks off!! Put them on top of quinoa noodles, or a lower carb choice is spaghetti squash, or just eat them on up all by themselves-no matter how you eat them you're gonna love them. I am super happy that I have enough meatballs to enjoy this week and then I can freeze some for later. I really love all things Jasmine-if you're not following her on IG, you must right away! @jazzythings. Also, get her new crockpot cookbook!! So easy, shockingly flavorful.

Redemption!

I think I've redeemed myself! I found a replacement Phoebe at a local book store and hurriedly came and hid her before pen was done with gymnastics. I'm sure I make a bigger deal about some of these small things but it's just so important to me to not lose their faith in magic. That's one of the purest gifts of childhood, and I will try to keep it alive for many, many years.