new love

This last week I have been completely taken over by CROSSFIT. As most know I have been a Bikram yoga junkie for 7 1/2 years and I never thought something else would take its place. However, I am hooked. This last week I took my first class Monday night and by Saturday I had already taken 4 classes along with Bikram classes too. I am thinking I will shoot for 3 crossfit a week and 2 Bikram a week. I thought I would share with you what all this madness is about. I will post the workouts I did this week, the workouts change every day, called WOD (workout of the day). They are brutal and YES I went to vomit in my first class from pure body exhaustion. I am sore everyday and feel as if my arms are dead arms constantly. It is incredible though. It is all timed, so you are always trying to go faster. Of course form is most important but you are constantly pushing yourself to go faster and harder. I LOVE IT, it totally fits with my intense personality.

These are the WOD I did this week. Check them out. I can't wait for next week to just be worn out again. I remember when Aaron started this and it was all he could talk about, I did not get it. Now it is all I talk about, I get so pumped, big smile on my face and can't stop thinking about the next time I will go.

WOD

5 Rounds of Cindy

500 meter run

5 Rounds of Cindy

500 meter row

5 Rounds of Cindy

100 Sit-ups

*Cindy = 5 Pull-Ups, 10 Push-Ups, 15 Squats

WOD

For time:

500 meter row

21 Pull-ups

21 Handstand Push-ups

18 Pull-ups

18 Handstand Push-ups

15 Pull-ups

15 Handstand Push-ups

12 Pull-ups

12 Handstand Push-ups

9 Pull-ups

9 Handstand Push-ups

6 Pull-ups

6 Handstand Push-ups

3 Pull-ups

3 Handstand Push-ups

500 meter row

WOD

Three rounds for time of:

60 seconds tuck-sit

30 Deadlifts (155/105 lbs) No I don't do that much weight

60 Sit-ups

30 Back Extensions

40 X 4 WOD

40 Push-ups (release hands)

40 Box jumps (20″)

40 SDLHP (75/55 lbs) Sumo Dead Lift High Pulls

40 Pull-ups

4 Rounds for time

Wherever you live check out the nearest cross fit gym. Or if you don't have a gym near by just check out www.crossfit.com for WOD you can do at your local park or home even. You don't need much to be able to do yourself, just a few weights and such and you can make your own home gym. I promise you will LOVE it. If in LA check out www.kmwtrainingcenters.com for the gym we go to, it is mainly a KravMaga gym but crossfit is becoming huge there too.

Weekend of Perfection

We are so thankful to our friends the Beck's for another fabulous weekend away in beautiful Idaho at their cabin, VINHAGEN. Last year when we went we couldn't stop talking about how it was so great for our souls...rejuventating. Well this year was no different. The awesome thing about this year was that not only were we there with our friends but my family was there as well (minus mom and dad that is). I don't think it could have been more perfect if we had tried.

We enjoyed amazing home cooked meals, chats, nights by the fire, wood burning hot tub under the stars, canoe rides in the pond, fishing, relaxation, laughs, and the amazingly fresh open air. It was just incredible and I once again find myself trying to explain in the best way possible... not much can be said other than that it was perfection in it's purest form.








***Thanks to the Hunt's for taking such good care of our kiddos here back in LA so we could get the R&R we were in need of.

Hoping to get some more pics from those who went, so there may be a round 2 of pics of this trip.

Lately in LA

Here's another LATELY IN LA post.

The Annenberg Space for Photography next to our place is an all time favorite of ours. They are hosting the Pictures of the Year exhibit again and it was truly amazing. This is just one of the pics I loved. This lil kiddo is just loving life, soaking it all in, and enjoying the rain. Love how the simple things can make some so happy. It was an incredibly moving exhibit and I encourage everyone anywhere near us to make the trip. We have already been 2 times=lots and lots of tears.

I am really loving living in LA. One of the great things about LA is that there is always something fun to do. When Toy Story 3 came out we went and saw it at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. Truly a MUST DO. Before the show started this man was playing Disney songs on the Organ.

Neptune's Net fried shrip and halibut basket is to die for. I crave it often, it's about a 45 minute drive up the coast to Ventura County but well worth it for the food and the scenery is nothing to complain about either.

Loving Peonies these days. I get a bunch of them at Trader Joe's (another favorite). They brighten my house and my mood right away, they seem to last a long time too.

This guy while I love him like crazy has been making me a bit crazy. We had him allergy tested as he has been miserable for almost a year now and we found out he is allergic to 31 of the 75 things they tested. So we have started his immunotherapy shots and keeping our fingers crossed that it will work. Oh and he swollowed a peach pit last night which has made me nervous all night and day waiting to make sure he passes it.

A couple weeks ago I started to sew and quilt. I gotta say I am loving it. My mom has been teaching me and I am addicted. It does not help that the best store ever is down town near where I see a lot of my clients, so I sometimes sneak in and buy stuff during the day and dream away of all the things I want to make. Here's my first quilt I made, no not for anyone specific if that's what you are starting to think, just cause I want to start getting a good collection going for one day.

I am sure you are not surprised I have another pic of food. I know I LOVE food what can I say. This puppy is from a cart in downtown LA in the fabric district. Bacon wrapped hot dog with sauted onions and peppers with fresh avacado and pico on top. Brilliant.

The Perfect Heart

Heard this this past weekend and loved it to death. Wanted to share with all of you out there. You may have read before but enjoy again.

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it.

Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.

Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said “Why, your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine.”

The crowd and the young man looked at the old man’s heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn’t fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing.

The people stared – how can he say his heart is more beautiful, they thought? The young man looked at the old man’s heart and saw its state and laughed. “You must be joking,” he said. “Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears.”

“Yes,” said the old man, “Yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love – I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren’t exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared.

Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn’t returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges – giving love is taking a chance.

Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?”

The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man’s heart. It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges.

The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man’s heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side.

Trials and Tribulations

A couple weeks ago the cutest lil girl that I work with right now asked me if she could sing me a song. I of course said "yes." She started to sing a song that she made up and she was singing about her "momma." Momma in this situation being her maternal grandmother as her mother is living on skid row. She started to sing about how her momma took her under her wing, gave her shelter and takes care of herself and two brothers so she does not have to live in foster care. To be honest it was really sweet but also really sad to listen to what she was singing about, her reality is just one that should not be. She sang about how her momma has helped her through her trials and tribulations. Really a 7 year old singing about "trials and tribulations" cute to think of her using these words, not cute that she already knows this saying. So of course this made me think...and think...and think...and think.

I don't know about you but sometimes I find myself thinking "poor me" type thoughts, which is absolutely ridiculous considering the life I have lived and I have to say it is embarrassing to admit that I have those moments where I think "why me," or "come on now really?" As I stumble, fall and occasionally rise through this life I continue to learn major life lessons. One of those lessons, or I guess observations, I have been noticing lately is that everyone has their moments, both good and bad. I reflect often on the course my life has taken, the challenges and the successes, and realize that I am never alone. While I love the life I live sometimes it gets the best of me and I hate admitting that. However, when I think about it, it's really lame that I hate admitting it, because I know you too have probably had a day, week, month, or moment where you felt like life was just beating you up a bit too. I always try to keep a positive attitude and am constantly practicing having more faith, patience and trust in the Lord. As I know without a doubt he is one of the most reliable people who helps me through my own trials and tribulations. Afterall he has never left me feeling lonely when I have prayed for comfort and has never lead me the wrong way when I needed direction. That's not to say that there was lots of work on my end, nonetheless he has never not stood by my side.

This last week I taught the Young Women a lesson on Counseling with the Lord. I was talking to them about how so often we hear people say "just pray about it and it will be OK," or "you just need to turn your life over to the Lord." So easy to say, not so easy to do. I am really trying right now to believe in the timing that my Heavenly Father has for me and trust that he knows what is best for me. Even though I feel confident I know best, the truth is I don't. As I pray to my Heavenly Father for the things that I am in need of i.e. patience, comfort, guidance, strength, etc. I am also trying to have more faith in him. As the YW and I were talking about how we are to counsel with the Lord they all talked about how their answers don't come as they sometimes think they will, how you don't get answers by not taking opportunities to receive the help you need, and how at the end of the day God knows best. It was so great to talk to them about prayer as I feel people often treat it like it is the easiest thing to do, yes the act of praying may be easy but the waiting, patience and trust is the hard part and is that part that really makes our prayers what they need to be. They each had such great words of wisdom i.e. talk to God like he is your parent on Earth (maybe even more so since some of them are going through the teenage stage of not talking to their parents), pour out your heart, he wants to know everything about us our good things during the day and the hard things.

So here's to trials and tribulations and trusting in the Lord.

P.S. The week after this cute girl sang me her song about her Momma she and I sat in my car (just imagine this for a moment, on a crazy street in South Central LA, cops on each corner, gang affiliates walking up and down the street) and I taught her the lyrics and meaning to Lean on Me. We then proceeded to sing Lean on Me in my car to the Glee soundtrack. It was as cute and as special as it could have been. Me and my lil 7 year old Belizean client belting it out and swaying side to side singing Lean on Me to each other. One of my most favorite moments yet.

What do your shoes say about you?

Here is a pile of the shoes that get the most wear in my world. Shoes have always been my most favorite part of an outfit. Ever since I can remember I always loved picking out new shoes and shoes were always a way I expressed myself. I remember when I was younger I used to get so excited about getting shoes. When Doc Martens were popular, don't lie they were and you know it, I tried to get the most unique pairs. My most favorite pair were the ones I got in London, short boot, red patent leather! I LOVED them. I have this crazy thing with sneakers...I love sneakers and always can think of a reason to get more. Afterall pure white pumas were my wedding shoes. I think shoes are such a perfect way to express yourself. The shoes above are the ones that right now have me smitten. The funny thing is is that the shoes above I have always been in love with.

RAINBOWS: I started wearing Rainbows in high school and since then they have always been my most favorite flip flops. I dread having to get a new pair, in fact am currently breaking in a new pair, after the ones I had before that finally got busted and the strap broke off, with the help of Bear (the only shoes he has ever ruined). I love reminiscing of all the places my rainbows visit. My last pair had been to AZ, CA, UT, WY, St. Lucia, Galapagos, had gotten red paint splattered on them from when I painted our front door in Sugarhouse, been on lots of walks with our dogs, the beach, the snow, you name it they had been there. Oh the places you'll go my new Rainbows...can't wait.

CONVERSE-Jack Purcell's: Have these shoes ever been unpopular? I doubt it. They are the perfect class sneaker. I just love them like crazy. I have owned numerous pairs of Converse throughout the years, white, black, blue, high top low top, and now my new favorite ones, the vintage Jack Purcell's. I currently have 3 pairs in my closet...obsessed much?

Gladiatorish Sandals: Alright I have to admit these ones have been a new comer for me. I have always been a bit intimidated by them. Am I hip enough to wear them? What do I wear with them? I finally did it and bought a pait a couple of months ago. I think they are perfect, not to overstated with lots of bells and whistles, but still have the look.

BOAT SHOES-Sperry Top Sider's: I have been a fan of boat shoes for awhile now and have for sure gotten lots of use out of the classic brown. However, this past year they did metallic ones and I could NOT pass them up. I love them and always look for a reason to wear them. However, I am a bit protective of them so I get nervous wearing them out where they might get scuffs and dirty. A bit of a predicament since I love them and want to wear them all the time. So count yourself lucky if you see me in them.

TOMS-I saved my most favorite for last. For the last 3 years these have been the GO TO shoe. The best, my best friend of shoes if you will. Since my last pair of Rainbows had been ruined, these guys made the move at the right time and stole my heart. The ones above are my very first pair and well they are getting ready to retire. There are holes in the toes, sides and heels. I just can't part with them though. Even though I have other pairs these ones are the most dear to my heart.

I think my shoes get the point across that I am a pretty casual laid back girl. I like a little bit of sparkle, but never want to sacrifice comfort or the option to be able to jump and run. I like to have fun, get dirty every now and then. Hey I even like to help people out and care about others (TOMS). I have always had the a tom boy side to me so flat and comfy will most always win over the high heels or girly look.

What are your shoes saying???

Summer is off to a good start

My most favorite view at the Montage in Laguna Beach

The last two weeks we have been already starting to get into the summer mode. Over Memorial Day weekend we stayed down in the OC for 3 nights with Rach and Nate and Amanda and Mason. We were so happy to have our family and friends put up with us and our 2 dogs. We enjoyed lots of time at the beach, movies, eating yummy food of course, and just hanging out. It was a mini staycation for us and it was brilliant! Easy, cheap and fun.

Luke is giving GRIZZLIES these days, best hugs ever!

Jeremy, Aaron and Mason doing their HALOTHON

Mand and I at the Montage, and she is 5 months preggers still looking as good as ever.

This last weekend we were hosting our dinner group up here in LA. It turned out to be a great day at the park. We did an Argentine theme and I made dozens of empanadas, 4 dozen to be exact. I then made a chocolate cake with dulce de leche buttercream, I wanted to bathe in the frosting it was so yummy. After playing in the park and chatting up with our bunch we headed off to the Dodgers game with the Waite crew.

The dinner group crew enjoying a night at the park

Mase, Mand, me and Aar enjoying an all American summer evening LA style.

I am so happy summer is here. Even though I don't get off work, no long summer break like when in school, there is just something about knowing that summer is here that makes me happy. I really can't believe it is JUNE...where does the time go? I feel like I will be planning for the holidays in no time.