Before I begin – please stop on over to Teri’s fabulous blog to check out a guest post I wrote for her. I kind of love the post, so would love for you to read it! And if you’re HERE for the first time, coming over from Teri’s site, HI!! Say hello and let’s be friends, huh? 😉

Yesterday I lived the quintessential life of a mother. I had a day fully devoted to fun activity with the kiddos. First, it started with a playgroup field trip. All of us moms packed up the kids and headed somewhere special for the kids this week.

The zoo!!! Makenzie loved playing with her friends and visiting with all the animals.

That happy face made going home with a headache that rivals Charlie Sheen’s withdrawal symptoms worthwhile. After the zoo, both Makenzie & B pooped out in time to come home and get in some nap time. Thank goodness for nap time! I needed a break before Miss M woke up with a gleam in her eyes for me to read her some books.

Did I say “some”? Some. A lot. A ton. Same difference to her. When we went to the library earlier in the week, that child picked out thirty-six (36!!!!) books to bring home. I can’t say no to books. I commend her love of reading…but good gracious is that a lot of books for mommy to have to read. Over. And over. And over. It’s love, I tell ya.

Once we conquered the leaning tower of “Monster Munchies” literature, we took on some more adventurous play.

What did you say? Having M pound into my stomach won’t help flatten it? Dang. I guess I have to hit the gym still. Which I did, despite not really feeling it. I knew I wouldn’t be up for my standard Thursday afternoon run, so I ventured to the gym for a variety workout. I did 15 minutes each

• Stepmill – Fat Burner Mode – Level 10
• Elliptical – Resistance 8
• Sprint on Treadmill – 9.0 speed – 40 sec on / 20 sec rest

The workout felt a bit tougher than normal, but it made for some quality “me time”. I have to say - as much as I value “me time”, I wouldn’t give up motherhood for anything.

Ah, motherhood. The never ending job that somehow doesn’t phase you with 4 am wake-up calls and blesses you with stinky, but somehow cute, “scenarios”. The job that will push your limits further than you can imagine, while somehow creating a love that knows no bounds in the process.

Mother’s Day comes this weekend. While I would love to receive something like a massage or new workout clothes for myself, I instead hope to focus on my own mother. I wish to celebrate the fabulous job she has done, and continues to do, as my mom. As one of the strongest women I know, she deserves the world after the things she has recently faced in adjusting to her MS diagnosis. I cannot wait for tonight to relax with my mom and my sister and celebrate the best mom out there. I know my own experience as a mom has given me a new appreciation. It has also proved to me just how dearly moms hold Mother’s Day. So please, show your own mom some love this weekend if possible. It would mean more to her than you can know.

• What is one thing you admire about your mom?
• What was your favorite animal at the zoo?

I normally am not a fan of Mondays. Sure, I enjoy getting back into a normal routine, but I hate how they never seem to include any fun. I made sure to make fun happen yesterday though. I started off with a fabulous workout of a quick weights circuit followed by a spin class. My circuit looked a little something like this:

I did each move back to back 3 times through. It took all of 15 minutes and I could feel it before I finished. For the record, I have such a love/hate relationship with push-ups. They work my upper body so well, but are so tough! I love seeing my strength with them increase though. It makes me feel all hardcore. Although not as hardcore as my race. 😉

After the gym, I managed to find that elusive balance we all seek. Normally I feel like I either don’t get anything done or I spend too much time with to-dos and don’t have enough fun moments with the family. I set aside 1.5 hours to bang out what chores I could. Badda boom! Laundry done. Floors swept and mopped. Playroom cleaned and vacuumed. Just in time for me to take to the great outdoors for some bubble blowing and sidewalk chalk drawing as my bonding time with my sweet girl.

Then, I made sure to take some time for myself too during nap time. I whipped up a tasty little snack by peeling and chopping an apple then microwaving it for 90 seconds with some cinnamon. I topped it with a small drizzle of maple syrup and a sampler packet of this Love Grown Foods apple walnut granola I received for review.

At first, I thought this little snack would need some yogurt to tie it all together, but it didn’t. The apple + granola combo was actually really filling and reminded me of a healthified apple crumble.

Delicious! Love Grown Foods knows their granola. The stuff is like crack!

Whilst satisfying my belly, I satisfied my hankering for finding future races by checking out the Run Georgia calendar Lee directed me to. This could start a problem. I found a couple options for my next race – hopefully a 10K in the next 6 weeks or so. Then, the crazy set in. I know I want to do a half marathon in the fall. I am already 99% sure I will run the Rock & Roll Savannah half marathon.

Savannah is one of my all-time favorite places. I have always thought Rock & Roll races sound like a blast. I have family in Savannah. Most importantly, it gives Peter & I an excuse for a mini-vacation just the two of us. Then, I see another half marathon at my alma mater and I think that would be so fun too!

Something like the following happens in my head:

• Crazy, Run-Loving, Race-Ogling Tina: Oh! Maybe I can do both!
• Logical Tina: Ummm…they are only two weeks apart.
• Crazy, Run-Loving, Race-Ogling Tina: I could take the first one easy. I would be doing my longest training run that week anyways. I think?
• Logical Tina: You’re crazy! Buuuttttt…you could always plan for the Savannah race and see how training goes and maybe do both? Oh, crap! Crazy Tina you’re getting to me!!!!

And so on. It doesn’t help when certain people send tweets like this…

See? The addiction has officially begun. I don’t know what to do, but at least I have time on my side!

I rounded out my day with a nice walk for more family time and a satisfying dinner. I whipped up a version Meghann’s Black Eyed Pea + Cornmeal Biscuits.

I followed the recipe almost exactly, except for using a frozen mixed veggie blend instead of fresh broccoli and corn. It was quite the hearty dinner. For some reason it upset my stomach, though. I started feeling very crampy and uncomfortable, so I laid low and relaxed the rest of the evening by catching up on some Desperate Housewives. Hey – I have to keep balance between kid and adult entertainment too! 😉

• How do you find balance to start your week off well?
• Can you relate to my Crazy/Logical Tina conundrum?