Soaring.
Laughing.
Pure joy.
Freedom.
Nothing holding him back nor slowing him down.
He is strong within himself.
He can do so many things.
He can fly through the sky.
At only three.
I wonder what he will be doing at thirty-three?
Thank you to my outdoor fitness leader, Krista, for capturing this moment while my thighs were on fire I was working out!
I have been fortunate to play on many teams, work with many colleagues and be involved with many groups.
As my mom as my standard, I have met some exceptional women.
This morning’s working out with Krista K as our leader and five other women in minus seven degrees weather beside the still lake, was truly exceptional.
The quality of heart, friendliness and athletic determination of these women is always inspiring. 
All ages and stages of life are represented by these women, and no matter the weather or season of life they take time to take care of themselves.
Daily.
Intentionally.
With kindness.
Our leader and guide is what brings us together and the reason we choose to exercise in minus seven degree weather. I don’t think I have know a better trainer with an eye for how different bodies should move properly as well as knowing when I am trying to slack off. “Shoulders down Joanna. Squat down farther.”
Krista K, our detailed-oriented, friendly leader not only creates incredible workouts, but manages to jump in to help children that have been brought along.
Here is Krista rolling a soccer ball up a slide to my son.
And if anyone can tell me how it is possible that I haven’t done the same workout TWICE in the SEVEN months I have been going to Krista’s classes, I would like to know!
Here is my three year old OC and I working out together: I am doing triceps, he’s on the playground.
Extraordinary women.
Incredible morning.
Amazing Trainer.
There are no better adjectives to describe this morning of seven women working out in minus seven!
September should be the new year.
New activities.
New routines.
An almost new school year.
New lessons while cooking dinner.
And talk about money!
Sexy Neck and I have embarked on an intensive look at our budget.
Spreadsheets.
Bills.
Bank statements.
Daily conversations.
We have lived in our home for over a year. Our boys are in the activities they would like to be in. We have found our places to grocery shop and realized how our spending has changed. We miss our backyard rental suite that we had in our old home, but we have ideas. STAY TUNED!
I have been working on our budgeting spreadsheet as well as listening to Youtube videos about budgeting. I have come across a very interesting man, who was once bankrupt, who believes in God and now teaches others about finance. His name is Dave Ramsey. Youtube him and you will find out some interesting things. I listened last night to a short eight minute video and here are some of the highlights:
He also spoke about giving money to others or tithing. He basically said that to tithe means one tenth. We could give away one tenth of our income right at the beginning of the month.
Today, I was cooking dinner and thought about this concept of giving away one tenth of our income right away.
When I was cooking dinner, I was stretching our leftovers from last night to feed us all dinner as well as make sure that I had leftovers for Sexy Neck’s lunch for tomorrow. I decided to first put the food in Sexy Neck’s lunch and then serve the rest of us dinner.
Guess what? When I served the lunch first there was enough for dinner, but I know if I served dinner first there wouldn’t have been any leftovers.
I wonder if we gave away ten percent of our income right at the beginning of the month… I bet there would be enough for everything else too!
I am in a season of beginnings.
Living daily with loss.
A time of rebirth.
Renewal.
Playing on the teeter-totter, bars and with rubber balls.
I am going to boot camp with Krista King!
Where’s Joanna? I am the lady in blue!
Thank you Krista for taking and sharing these pictures. 
A new KCity friend invited me to go to boot camp with her back in April.
I was intrigued because it was outside either at a beach or in a park. I had heard through the grapevine that the instructor, Krista King, was a pilates-trained instructor with a heart for health and exercise.
When I first tried boot camp, I would describe my body as a marshmallow. After packing, moving, loving my mom through cancer, watching her die and living through profound grief, I had gained a momentous forty pounds on my six foot frame. I was embarrassed at what I had allowed my athletic body to go through. I was in the obese section for my height.
The first day of boot camp, I didn’t know if I would be able to run. I knew that I couldn’t do a sit-up. I wondered how sore I would be.
I was pleasantly surprised. I worked hard, but at my own pace. I tried everything, but knew that there was no pressure to do so. Krista King created an environment that was positive, athletically challenging for every body and it was fun to move my body in a variety of ways. I had difficulty walking up stairs two days later, but it was well worth it and just reminded me to stretch.
Now, three months later, I am fifteen pounds lighter and feeling like I can do anything. I continue going to boot camp once or twice per week as well as riding my bike and doing Jillian Michaels DVD’s to help me recover and get ready for the next boot camp.
Boot camp.
Butt kick.
Into gear,
Moving.
Shaking.
Energized.
Encouraged.
Inspired by the right instructor for me.
Finding my feet.
Firmly placed.
With God’s guidance.
It is only the beginning.
Folks… How did I write 500 posts? Here is my 150th post! I wrote it almost a year ago. So, if I do the math correctly, in the last 365 days (which equals one year), I have written just shy of one post per day. Sexy Neck, am I right? Is this possible?
As I sit and write this five hundred and first post, where am I?
I am at the beginning.
The start.
Fresh.
New.
Beginning.
Each day I fully embrace. I feel more alive with deep emotion than I have ever felt.
Life is not about living in Disneyland, but enjoying those Disneyland moment. The exciting rides, the yummy sweet food, the cleanliness and friendly people.
Life is not about running from sadness, grief and hard times, but sitting in it. Living through it. Feeling deeply. The tears, the anguish, the copious amounts of laundry and people who will never make sense.
Life is about a beautiful woven quilt like my mom used to make. The light and dark fabrics making a beautiful pattern.
Life is about forgiving and starting fresh each day. The sun and the moon providing guideposts to help us do this.
Life is about surrounding myself with healthy people who may not understand me but honour me for who I am. People make a difference in my life, both positively and detrimentally. I am a relationship person. They are important to me.
Life is about being positive and focusing on my strengths. I could ‘work on’ all my negative attributes for the rest of my life and not move one mile, but I can continue to concentrate on my gifts and talents and hit the stars. Don’t we all find it easy to do what we love? Imagine if we chose to live this way each day?
Life is about beginnings. Learning to paddle board at sixty-seven years old. Going on a Tour de France Training Camp in Mallorca at age seventy. Being the very best Nana, mom, wife, aunt, sister and friend each day.
Thank you mom for teaching me about beginnings… And for being my guide through the ultimate of beginnings here on earth as a human being, death.
And now I ponder my own beginnings: starting a business, going back to school, new stages with my boys, fitness, health, volunteering, new activities, new friends and new starts with old ones.
Anticipation.
Excitement.
Pondering.
New.
Beginnings.
Like Sexy Neck, our boys are idea guys.
They often get an idea in their heads and they are going for it.
On Saturday, this involved a banana chip stand at 8:30am in the morning.
The most beautiful thing was that they had two customers buy their banana chips!
They created this stand all on their own. It even had a cool slot to put change into that made a tinkling noise when you dropped your coin in.
How many ideas have you had today? Have you decided to run with them or sit on them? After watching my boys, I think I am going to run with a few of my ideas.
Stay tuned…
The walls and kitchen cupboards (photos to come!) of our home are painted.
The outside will have to wait til warmer, more consistent weather.
Time to pick up the small brushes and paints Sexy Neck and the boys bought me for my birthday.
I was out for a sunset walk
and was inspired by these three trees:
They reminded me of my three handsome boys.
I got home, picked up my brushes, started playing with paint colour and off I went.
I thought about my wonderful boys.
I poured out love and joy through the paint.
I felt peace and happiness flowing through me.
I created this with my heart and soul.
Small triumphs.
Being creative.
Soul care.
Letting go.
Laughing that this Type A jock is painting… and loving it.
Freedom.
To be.
Me.
Just love this photo…
Love these kids sense of adventure and determination.
I love seeing my boys do something I enjoyed doing in University.
Exposure.
Opportunity.
Determination.
Ringing the bell!
"Be" ENOUGH 