One Month In! A Fitness Update

One month ago I began a whole new wellness strategy.  I had tried all the diets: Weight Watchers, South Beach, keeping a food diary, and had even paid a whole lot for a shnazzy nutritionist.  Each time I tried something new, I lost a few pounds, only to gain it back a few months later.  Even though I had dieted pretty thoroughly, I had never given regular exercise a shot.  I would intermittently jump on my elliptical machine, or take a leisurely walk around Cattle Call, more to take a break from household duties than for any kind of attempt at improved fitness.

But this time is different.  This time, I hired a personal trainer, joined a class-heavy, strength training focused gym, and the results have been amazing.  I now work out three to four times per week for an hour. Twice a week I meet with my trainer, who is something of a guru in the Crossfit world.  He takes working out extremely seriously, and places a huge emphasis on proper form and workout intensity.  I believe his motto may just be, "If you are not close to throwing up by the end of the workout, you haven't really worked out."  It may not be, but that's pretty much the result for me.  I'm exaggerating a little, but I do feel totally wiped out after my twice weekly workouts.  I usually have to run out to my car afterwards to re-fuel with a protein shake to quell my shaky stomach.

After a week or so of intense workouts, I began keeping track of every morsel of food in a food journal.  The food journal is required by my trainer.  He looks at my food and makes dark circles in pencil around the "bad" stuff.  For example, the second time I went to a training session, he encircled my confession of "two balls of chocolate chip cookie dough" with a large dark mark.  He encouraged me to look into getting on the Zone diet, and I did.  I bought the book on Amazon for about $2, and after skipping the scientific stuff, got down to the meat of the plan, and understood the basics in a few days.  Basically out go the sugars, and in go the vegetables!  I weigh and measure my food, and write it all down.  In order to be in the Zone, one has to have a certain balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats.  It is all very precise and individualized for each person.

A typical breakfast for me now is 3/4 cup of egg substitute scrambled with a whole mess of vegetables like onion, bell peppers, spinach, and salsa on top.  For the fat, I usually add a tablespoon or so of light cheese on top.  I have a salad or half a sandwich for lunch on most days, always with 3 ounces of protein and a small amount of fat accompanying.  A now favorite afternoon snack is two vine ripened tomatoes, sliced, with 1/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese and one tablespoon of guacamole.  Delicious!   Dinner is another three ounces of protein, a large green salad, and a pile of veggies.  I usually have a cup of raspberries or strawberries for dessert.  This plan is super filling and very doable.  However, I have never had to shop so often!!  We are taking trips to the grocery store, mainly Costco, every few days to fill up on fresh produce and meats.

Believe it or not, even the kids are slowly taking to this new way of eating.  Tonight for dinner they had hamburger, onion, and black bean burritos with sauteed squash and steamed carrots.  The only one who complained, Gigi, went to her room for complaining, then came out a new person, and ate her entire dinner, now cold, without a hiccup!

I can go off the Zone one day per week, and believe it or not, it is not as much fun anymore.  I have such a hard time getting back on the next day, that it hardly seems worth it....at this point.  I know it's very early in the game!  I do still have a sweet tooth.  Usually at night, which has always been my weakest point, I want to reach for something sweet.  While in Julian lately, I bought some really delicious hot tea flavors, like coconut vanilla dessert tea, and hazelnut.  Most of the time that cup of hot tea will do the trick to stave off that craving.

I have lost 10 pounds so far, and I am thrilled beyond words!  It took a whole lot of work to get here, but it was worth it!  All the sacrifice and sweat to achieve this weight loss motivates me to not go back and regress.  I have about 15 more pounds to go, but according to my trainer I am not supposed to think in terms of numbers on the scale.  I can't help it!  He wants me to think in terms of inches and body fat percentage.  I guess I am just over the moon at this point at how much better my clothes are fitting, how I don't get out of breath as easily, and how my trainer now calls me, "tough."  Life is good!  And now, I'd better put my kettle to boil, it's time for some tea!

A Letter to the Tooth Fairy

We've had our share of lost teeth around here.  My oldest has already lost five, and my second has lost four.  Both girls have had loose teeth for a couple of weeks now, and it became a sort of mild competition between the two of who would lose theirs first.  Well, while brushing her teeth tonight, Emma's finally gave way, and oh the celebrating!  We've had quite a few dinners where meals are carefully eaten.  She has gingerly taken each bit of food, scared of a painful bite, plus the poor thing lives with the fear of swallowing the tooth since that has happened twice before.  

But no, this was a perfect lost tooth.  No pain. Very minimal blood.  A dream of a lost tooth, really.  She set to work writing a letter to the Tooth Fairy, which has become a family tradition.  

Here she is composing the letter, with little sis watching.

It was a pretty lengthy letter.  

Here's the new smile!  See those big holes on the bottom?!  Such a sweet little 1st grade smile...I love it!

Emma had plenty of supporters!  Little sisters surrounded her, and the excitement grew as they headed for bed.  So much excitement in fact, that I had to capture it all on video....

My favorite part is the last bit, about how she should give a gift for the Tooth Fairy.  As if a beautiful, shiny baby tooth isn't enough of a present!!!!  

Danny's Day

A few weeks ago, I asked my sweet hubby what he wanted to do for his birthday.  He answered with what has now become a tradition with, "A family desert ride culminating in dinner at Camacho's (a favorite mexican food restaurant just south west of El Centro)."  Danny planned out the ride by calling the family, and it seemed as if the ride was a go.  His greatest desire was for all four kids to ride along in the jeeps, play in he sand at various stops and enjoy the desert adventure.  

But the best laid plans changed, as they often do.  His birthday, which was yesterday, was a hot, hot day.  The kids interest in the ride evaporated with the rising sun.  His dream was deteriorating, and he was about to call it quits.  After talking it over for a bit, we decided that the long, five hour drive probably wasn't the best idea for the kiddos anyway, and dinner at Camacho's was fun, but the drive was far, and the kids usually got pretty antsy at restaurants.  So, I volunteered to make dinner, and the ride was shortened to just two hours.  The kids got on board with the new plan, after a stern talking to.  I think my exact words were, "This is Daddy's day, and we are  going to do whatever he wants with a smile on our faces! .....or else."  

Here's the whole gang, all smiles, heading out to the desert yesterday afternoon.  The kids are covered in sunblock, but are totally excited about the adventure.  My dad is on the far left, then Danny, Uncle Chris next, and "Uncle" Luke on the far right with J.D.  This looks very promising! 

The twins rode with Daddy and Uncle Chris.  After the ride, I heard they loved the bumps, and screamed and squealed with glee.  Gigi slid down a massive sand hill on her bottom, resulting in quite a sandy shower experience later that night!  J.D. is in absolute heaven.  His smile cannot get any bigger.

The girls rode with my dad and Luke in my dad's new toy.  

As for me, no, I didn't go on the Jeep ride.  I stayed home and had THREE AND A HALF HOURS on my own in the house without a soul.  At first it was eerie, but I quickly got over that and fully enjoyed the free time.  Think movie, hot tea, bubble bath, and then I got to work making meatballs and marinara sauce for Danny's birthday dinner.  Heaven!

When they returned home, the kids were tired, but happy.  They loved the desert!  But more than that, I think they loved their dad even more for taking them along.  We ate a family dinner of my homemade meatballs and sauce, Grandma Susie's delicious salad, garlic bread and my mom's yummy squash.  Danny's requested meal was a hit with kids and adults alike.  

On to the presents....

Apparently Daddy needed a lot of assistance, or should I say assistants, when opening his gifts!

A sweet moment....

Luke went all out with Danny's favorite gift of the night, a shop vac!!  Yep, that's a friend who truly knows us!

J.D. and Grandpa Jim decided to try it out as a telephone.

Cake time!  Luke played Happy Birthday while we sang. 

I think that may be 45 candles!!

Again, the kids gathered around to give Daddy a hand with the cake blow!

It was a very special, memorable evening.  Danny is now halfway through his 40s and life is so good.  Happy Birthday, Danny!

Fall Color

My sister's birthday on Friday was also the official first day of fall.  Now where I live, one would never know it was fall on September 23.  In fact, it doesn't really start feeling like fall, as least to me, until late October in the hot desert.  Sometimes, it feels as if my soul yearns for four seasons.  I don't know why it is, but I feel a deep need to see leaves change color in the fall, skeleton-like branches in the winter and fresh blossoms in the spring.

At the last minute yesterday afternoon, Danny and I decided to rapidly pack up the kids and head up to my parents' mountain cabin.  We needed a getaway, a place to go and just relax without the pressing matters of home life; laundry, cleaning, phone calls, dishes, it all needed to wait.  The minute we arrive up here, the tensions and stresses of a busy life with four little ones, a pressing job, and never-ending chores just melts away.  We sit around and talk while the kids play.  We watch the wind whispering through the trees.  And we even put on sweaters to take away the chill on our desert skin!

Last night we ate out at the local favorite BBQ place.  The kids requested their usual grilled cheese, but Danny and I surprised them with turkey dinners, complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes, buttery vegetables, cranberry sauce, turkey and gravy.  It was quite a feast!  Despite some mild complaining at the beginning of the meal, which resulted in some children losing their dessert privilege, the mealtime with the whole family was pleasant.  The twins no longer require highchairs, so we actually sat in a large booth which had plenty of seating for our family of six to spread out.

We drove home after dinner through the winding mountain roads, keeping our eyes peeled for turkeys and deer in the road.  After a hot bath, the kids wrapped up in blankets, and cozied up on the couch for a movie.  It was absolute bliss.  Little J.D. stretched out on top of me on the couch, watching the movie while enjoying a back scratch from mom.  The kids crashed early, tuckered out from a busy week and a relaxing afternoon in the mountains.  I think seeing the fall colors, the beauty of God's creation changing with the weather, is a good thing for kids and adults alike.  Take some time, if you can, to drive up to see the fall colors this season, you won't be disappointed!

Happy Birthday to My Dear Sister!

Today is a very important day.  Today is my sister, Ayron's birthday.  At times, for people's birthdays, friends and relatives might feel they should exaggerate all of the most positive qualities of the birthday girl or boy, just to make him or her feel special.  I have never had to exaggerate how much Ayron means to me.  She is that rare gem of a sibling who is not only kind and loving, but fun, generous and caring.  She is my first phone call in the morning, and we share babysitters, vacations, and friends.  She freely makes fun of my choice in transportation (a sweet, gold mini-van), and I tease her for her propensity and frequency of shopping for kids' clothes (a habit of which my children are frequent recipients).  

As little kids, Ayron and I were constant companions.  In fact, my mom wrote a caption in my baby book that says, "April doesn't know quite what to do without Ayron around."  I remember very clearly playing on the living room floor in our old house in Holtville.  Ayron had her Barbies and Barbie Dreamhouse all set up beautifully, while I had the horse ranch with stable and pens and Breyer horses adjoining.  

As we got older, we bickered more than we got along, unfortunately.  We were friends when we felt like it, and since Ayron has always had such an amazing sense of humor, a smile wasn't far from a frown whenever she was around.  We shared a room for a long time, but finally in about junior high, Ayron requested her own space.  I was heart-broken.  But I set up my room next door, and soon enough we had set up a routine where just before bedtime Ayron would walk into my room and say, "There's a party in my room if you want to come."  I would laugh, come into her room, sit on her bed and laugh and talk until dad got up to make us get in bed.  

We went to high school together, only two years apart, which at that time, felt like decades.  I will never forget my first day of high school.  I was a tall, gangly freshman, with glasses, braces and a terrible spiral perm.  Oh, yes, it was real bad.   I was wearing my brand new school outfit, one that I had carefully picked out for hours the day before.  That morning of the first day, before the bell had rung, I was walking alone across the long walkway in front of the quad where Ayron was hanging out with all of her "cool" junior buddies.  I was trying to act nonchalant and was not careful enough of where I was stepping.  I stepped into a puddle, which was slippery underneath my new shiny shoes, and my feet flew out from under me, and I landed smack on my bottom in the puddle in front of everyone.  I could feel the silence.  It was awful.  I ran to the gym, all the way through to the bathroom, where I attempted to wipe the watery mud off my legs and rear.  Almost immediately, the tears started falling, and within seconds, Ayron was  there by my side.  She asked me if I was okay, and she helped me clean up.  I remember so clearly in that moment realizing that she really did care about me, even if we seemed to be on different planets most of the time.  I knew she'd be there for me, no matter what.  

After high school, I joined Ayron at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.  However, my initial major of kinesiology, and then English, was lightyears away from the agriculture department, which is where Ayron belonged.  We actually lived together for a year, during my junior year and Ayron's senior year.  We started become friends at that point.  Ayron invited me to parties, introduced me to my first real boyfriend, and threw me an unforgettable surprise 19th birthday party.  She made dinner for me and my dorm friends during my freshman year, and she picked me up whenever I needed a ride, since I didn't have a car.  

When I moved home after graduating from college, I believed with all of my heart that I would gather my resources, apply to law school, and run out of the Imperial Valley as fast as possible.  Ayron and I lived together briefly and then we bought a home together when the market was still down, just prior to the big real estate boom. We became so close at this time; I think we finally realized how blessed we were to have eachother.  We went to church together, decompressed after work with eachother, and watched our limited selection of DVDs over and over.  Ayron introduced me to my wonderful husband, Danny, and the rest is history.  

Ayron married John in 2007, and sweet baby Ellie was born in May of 2008.  My twins, James and Grace, and Ellie are exactly one month apart.  We now have the blessing of watching our children grow up together, and we can only pray that Grace and Ellie have the kind of friendship that Ayron and I share.  

What follows are a few nostalgic pictures of my sweet sister.....I hope these make you smile, Ayron!

That's me on the left with the doll, looking up to my big sister Ayron.  This is 1981 and I am about two and Ayron must be just four years old or so.  We are still living in the old house in Westmorland, just prior to our move to Holtville.

Inseparable, I tell you!  Ayron is on the left, and I am on the right, yep, the one who clearly needs glasses! Nice cross eye!  Oh well.  We are on vacation at the beach in San Diego. 

Christmas 1983 or so.  That's Ayron with the flaxen hair on the left, my gorgeous mom in the middle and me behind those thick glasses on the right.  I wish I had those outfits now for my girls!

This is at our first house in Holtville.  We are heading out to an Easter celebration, and here begins the era of the super cool bowl cut.  I had this bowl cut for about 5 years. And it never got much cuter than this!

Ayron had an early appreciation of American history.  Check out her pioneer garb for Halloween.  I am a princess, and I know you can't tell, but little 7 year-old April is bursting inside with happiness at the loveliness of this dress.  My aunt made these costumes, God bless her!

And quite a few years went by.......and here we are at my wedding in 2003.  Ayron was my maid of honor, of course, and we had a wonderful night of dancing, eating, and celebrating.  My mom and Ayron made my special day a day free of any and all stresses for me.  

And just a few years later, Ayron met (or reacquainted herself with) the sweetest guy on the planet, John.  I am convinced that God made John for Ayron, and Ayron was made for John.  Not a happier or more in love couple have I seen, other than my own parents, of course.  There's is the real deal, a true love, just like in the story books.

And here is the Moiola family on our first family vacation, and when I say family, I mean ALL of us went on this trip!  My family, with all four kids, Ayron and her family, and my parents even came along for the ride.  This was a dream for everyone, but nobody appreciated this trip to Disneyland more than Ayron. A die-hard Disney fan, Ayron's dream date was often described in detail as a romantic journey through the happiest place on earth. Aahhhh....see dreams really do come true!  

I love you very much, Ayron!  You are the best sister a girl could imagine!  I hope this is a birthday you will always remember with joy!

Wednesday Nights....Here We Come!

Last spring I took on a little job at my church. I became the director of children's ministries.  It was an awesome opportunity, and I took it with excitement and gusto, but in my flurry of charisma, I must have forgotten that I had four young children and a wonderful husband who needed me at home.  So after manning the post through the massive production which is Vacation Bible School in June of this year, I took a two month summer leave.  

I returned and after much prayer and concern, decided to scale down my position to director of the Wednesday night children's program.  Now this, I can handle.  I ran the Wednesday night program last spring, and had the most awesome team and co-leader a girl could ever imagine.  

This summer, the recruitment began early, and praise the Lord, many of my old team members returned to continue their hard work with children's ministry.  Wednesday nights have a wonderful, hard-working, smiling group of kid-loving teachers and leaders that make children's ministry an absolute joy.    

The theme for our year is the Fruit of the Spirit, and we are using a curriculum through Discipleland called My Jungle Adventure.  All of the staff get to wear these great red t-shirts with the fruit of the spirit listed on the front, and the back says, "I am blessed to serve in children's ministry at First Christian Church." I love that!  

Tonight was our first night back, and since we had a low amount of pre-registered kids, I figured we would have low numbers for the night.  Boy, was I wrong!  Over fifty kids showed up, and a few teachers were sweet enough to be shuffled around to make the classes a reasonable size.  What a wonderful blessing it was to have a few too many kids!  I can't imagine a better problem!!  

Here is my awesome pre-school crew, Miss Ayron, Miss Kim, and Miss Pat with a handful of their little munchkins.  Can you spot three little Walkers in this picture?

And here I am with a few more of the amazing Wednesday night staff.  I love and appreciate you so much ladies!!  What a blessing it is to have so many people with hearts turned fully toward God, who have chosen to spend their time serving, teaching, and loving one of God's most precious creations, children.

Adventures in Zumba Class

Back in college, my friends and I would go out dancing fairly often.  In SLO, the Grad was the place to go dancing, especially as an underage person, since they had an age 18 and over night.  I really enjoyed dancing.  It was fun, exciting, and as a side benefit, it helped me stay in shape.  My sweet dancing skills are actually what first caught Danny's eye, but that's another story.

So after having four kids in three years, and then basically refusing to let my heart-rate rise to a place where I'd actually sweat, I figured my dancing days were over.  Just trying to move this new figure of mine with any sort of rhythm just feels wrong.  Really wrong.  I feel especially bad for any poor, unfortunate bystanders who might observe my attempts at dancing coolness.  It ain't pretty.

So when my sister mentioned that she'd like to attend this Zumba class today, I felt my heart pounding faster, my palms sweating a little.  Isn't Zumba like basically super fast rump-shaking?  Don't you have to have "moves"?  Wouldn't we be the only white people there, and therefore struggle to keep up with the fast moving latinas surrounding us? Fear was all I could feel.  My sister, Ayron, felt no apprehension whatsoever.  "I'll be there at 9:00.  You better be there," she threatened, with her finger raised in my face.  And that was it.  I had somehow gotten roped into a Zumba class.

At 8:55 this morning, we tiptoed into the Zumba class, and lined ourselves as close to the back wall as possible.  Actually, some older ladies had already stationed themselves there, and they weren't budging, so we were one row up.  I looked at the lady behind me and silently warned her and apologized at the same time for her poor choice in location.  She was too focused on stretching to pay me any mind.

All of a sudden, this little gal with a huge grin starts playing the music.  It is loud. It is fast. It is in Spanish and I have no idea what the guy is saying, but all I know is, I have to move along with the little gal in the front.  She could do things with her hips I've only seen in MTV videos (ten years ago, mind you), and I swear her feet moved faster than a normal human being.

The steps were complicated for big old 5'11 April, but I kept moving.  Slowly, I loosened up, and my body starting cooperating.  Then it got fun.  Incredibly fun!  Ayron and I danced and moved to that Zumba class for 50 minutes.  By the time it was all over, I was drenched.  The older gal behind me didn't even break a sweat.  We walked out of that room with a little swing in our hips, and a little more fire in our bellies since we had discovered one more fun and inspiring way to get fit: Zumba!