Huh????

Seriously, why am I doing this to myself? I've decided to pursue certification through NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) to become a personal trainer. It seems like the best move right now in my fitness "career" since A just started morning kindergarten, and I have a few extra hours in the morning to study. I will spend the next few months reading and studying and then take the exam. The task of learning all this material about the human body is pretty daunting: the Cardiorespiratory, nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems; biomechanics, phsyiology, kinseology, etc. etc.!!!! Not only do I have to memorize almost every bone, muscle, nerve, and tissue, I have to know how they function and how they all relate to the body's movement. I am seriously braindead when it comes to anything scientific. So this will be a challenge indeed. Case in point: first day of study I read the first paragraph of the first chapter and then promptly feel asleep for two hours! Hah! Back to the good old college days of doing homework on your bed and getting nothing accomplished. However, it was the best nap I've had in a very long time.:) But seriously, I've wanted to do personal training for a while. Unlike group fitness, which I'm currently enjoying, I will be able to work one on one with someone who wants to improve their physical health or level of fitness. I would like to train the general population as well as athletes. What would be awesome is if I could train some of the gymnasts at my daughter's gym. The owner and I have discussed some possibilities, so that's pretty exciting, Anyway, this exam I hear is pretty tough, so hopefully I'll be able to pass it on the first try. Wish me luck!

A's first soccer game

A and his team the Cougars had their first soccer game today. It was blistering hot, over 100 degrees! Those poor little dudes played for almost an hour and were dripping with sweat. Sadly, I hear that the weather here doesn't start cooling off until the end of the season. What torture we put our poor kids through. They're playing in the hot sun while most of the parents are sitting in the shade watching. Yes, I'm guilty. R, the team's assistant coach, kept A cool mostly by squirting water on his head. But he was exhausted after about 30 minutes and didn't want to play anymore. A played well today even though he hasn't quite caught the competitive spirit yet. Honestly, he could care less who has the ball and is mostly just content running with his friends back and forth across the field. Pretty funny, but maybe not so much with the coach...and some of the team parents.:) We bought him his own size 3 ball today so we could have some family scrimages at the park close to our house. He's still so new at this sport, so hopefully this will help him become a little more confident kicking the ball during a game. Anyway, we loved watching him today; he looks just so dang cute in his uniform. A is also pictured at the top with one of his best buds Kyle. They go to kindergarten together and play almost every day. We love Kyle!!!

Momma and Sisters' Visit

My mom and sisters visited for a few days this past week. Before the real fun began they were real troopers and attended several of my aerobic classes, pretty much back to back. Now that's showin' the love. Thanks ladies! I know it was rough, but it was fun to have you there seeing what I love to do. Mom, Leah, and Emilie also attended Asher's soccer practice, with his Dad as coach, and Tatiana's gymnastics. Auntie Em and her kids also payed us a visit late one night. That was fun just hanging out and acting like goof balls. On Thursday the kids took a day off from school and we went to the beach in Santa Monica for 4 hours. Later in the afternoon we visited the LA temple and then drove down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and ate dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen close by. Sadly, no celeb sightings. Maybe next time. We had a great time and wish they could have stayed longer. We love you mom and girlies!:)

Kids first day of school

We had a great summer, lots of swimming at the pool, trips to the beach, and a fun and relaxing summer vacation in Idaho. The kids have now started school again on August 13th. Yes, it seems a bit early, but in our school system it all balances out. We have a 3 week Christmas break and 2 week Spring break. So it's all good!! Here are some photos of the kids on their first day of school. I can't believe A is in kindergarten and T is in 4th grade! It was weird to drop them off and go home with no children. But, I've managed to fill my time so far. No rest in sight. I'm still teaching aerobics and tutoring, so that keeps me quite busy. Happy "almost" Fall to you all!

With friends in Malibu

Today, the kids and I and some friends enjoyed a beautiful day at the beach in Malibu. The weather was beautiful and the water was clear and not too cold. The kids played with their friends, and I also enjoyed "playing" with my friends...and their scrumptious little babies.:) It was very relaxing, and I even took a dip with T. A and his little buddies Berlyn and Kyle found several sand crabs; T learned to body board for the first time with Sydney; We saw several dolphins close to shore; The Malibu lifeguards (who look like actors from Baywatch by the way) kept busy rescuing a few stranded swimmers; That was pretty exciting for all of us. Both my kids tanned very nicely, and I acquired my usual sunburn on top of my pasty white skin. Yay for me!

Family trip to Santa Monica

My First Born is Nine!!

T celebrated her 9th birthday yesterday. It was of course bittersweet for me because although she's growing into a beautiful young lady, she 's growing up way too fast! In a couple years she'll be a teenager!!! It seems like just yesterday I was holding my perfect little baby girl in the hospital. Where has the time gone? Anyway, we had the best day yesterday celebrating as a family. R took the day off and we just swam, shopped, saw WALL-E, and hung out with a few friends. Very low key, but so much fun. T enjoyed every minute of it. I had to teach a couple classes in the morning, but R and the kids rode their bikes to the mall and shopped a bit until I met up with them later. We then had lunch and saw Disney's WALL-E (which I highly recommend). After the movie, T went to gymnastics for 3 hours after which we picked her up and went to eat Kentucky fried chicken and swim with friends at our community pool. We then closed a perfect day with Strawberry shortcake and a few more gifts. Happy Birthday my beautiful girl.