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?

Please excuse the cliché and overused title, but it fits my day too well and sometimes I don’t feel like getting all witty up in here. You’ll understand.

The Good

Good Food: Remember how much I raved last night on avocado, salsa, goat cheese, and hummus as my favorite things to add to a meal? Well, I decided to star them in my lunch today. I spread goat cheese on one half a wrap, smashed some avocado on the other half, and made a pile of spinach, tomato, and a Morningstar veggie burger in the center.

Plated it with mounds of mango, grapes, and cucumber slices with salsa to give me a full plate and full belly for lunch.

Perhaps this meal doesn’t fit in the “good” category, as it far exceeded the description “good”. Alas, the saying does not go “The Phenomenal, The Bad, and The Ugly”. We’ll have to deal I guess.

Good Workouts: I continued my fist-pump-worthy workout streak with another goody today. I hit my push muscles yesterday (quads/chest/tris) with a light cicuit workout; so today called for a heavier pull (hams/back/bis) workout.

I already felt sore leaving the gym. A good sign…until I had to pick up the kiddos from the gym childcare. Ouch.

The Bad

Calf Pain: I decided to take the afternoon off my planned run because my right calf feels a little tight. Nothing serious, but I figured it smarter to rest and foam roll the heck out of it instead of possibly making things worse.

No Sister Night: I have to go without my beloved sister night this week. My sister wasn’t feeling well, so I told her to go ahead and rest on her one day off this week. I miss my partner in crime! At least some good comes of this “bad”. I get all the Mexican Black Bean Casserole I made for dinner and its leftovers to myself. That’s a very good thing.

The Ugly

M has a double ear infection. ‘Nough said.

• What is your favorite body part to work with strength training? I love back!!!