Being Transformed

 Today was a day of being fed spiritually and poured into ❤️ It was perfect timing and exactly what my soul needed. These past few weeks have been a growing experience:  new mom, new baby, recovering from surgery and other things.  Sometimes we can doubt ourselves and start to question our abilities.  But this weekend I was blessed by friends and family who poured encouragement into me.  I'm also grateful to be surrounded by amazing leaders who not only speak life but SPEAK LIFE INTO ME!   Lord knew I needed this and it's only given me motivation to stay the course and not be sidetracked by negativity.  It's not about me what others think of say....pray & release!  

Today at church I had an Encounter with God and I hadn't wept like a baby in awhile.  He knew my heart was aching and longing but it was up to me to let it go!   I'm a Daughter of the King!  He's given me Victory!  He LOVES me!  I know who I am in Christ!  

You often hear me talk about growing spiritually and I truly believe it's so important.  If we only focus on the outside what gains do we get?  God doesn't care how fast we run or how toned our abs are.  He truly cares about our HEARTS!    He wants to restore us and fill the voids with His love and grace. I'm after the gains of HOPE & SALVATION!   Are you willing to do that? 

So as I start my 21 Day Fix journey tomorrow I'm praying to be stronger spiritually.  To break any chains that are preventing me to do more.  To be set free from anything that may be affecting my walk.   My goals are to be energized for my boys, to be able to wake up and seek The Lord, to be a manager of our home and to show my challengers that God loves us.  Sure I'll see a physical transformation but my desire is to see my heart transform into a stronger woman of God.  

As I close this I'm in hopes that anyone who struggles with identity or self worth will know that just JESUS LOVES YOU!  He longs for you to surrender to Him.  He were created for a purpose - Seek Him!   Just remember if He can restore my heart and healed me, He can do the same for you!!!

Day 11

Today started off great and full of inspiration.  From my time with #CoffeeandJesus to building up my Coaches and challengers to getting ready to start exercising.  From that moment everything went down hill.   We never made it to our walk and I just completely shut down. Locked myself in my room, cried, nursed Noah and fell asleep for three hours.  I knew days like this would happen but I just wasn't prepared mentally.  Max was whiny and needing me (Terrific Twos), house was a mess, popcorn spilled everywhere and everyone except Alex was crying.  I'm sure you can vision the chaos! Haha!  

 I've heard it a thousand times:  What until you have 2,3,4,5 kids...it gets worst!  Sure things change and I've seen our home already shifting but I refuse to speak negative in our home.   

I'm sharing this with you because it's part of my journey and to let you know I have my days too.  Nothing is PERFECT nor will I ever act like things are.  Being in recovery the past few days has taught me many things.  One is PATIENCE.  I guess you can said today I had none.   When I woke up Alex knew that I just needed to be.  As the boys slept we had a nice quiet lunch without all the chaos.  It's been awhile since that has happened.  It brought me to a humble place because  he has been so gracious to me these past few weeks.  We work very well as a team and this afternoon he was a team player.  

As I sit here writing this this are finally calm in our home.  Am I bummed that I didn't get to exercise?  No.  There's always tomorrow.  And the main lesson of today was to REST IN HIM.  

I'm giving myself grace today knowing I gave my best.  I didn't let my mood ruin my whole day.  The boys are alive.  I'm forgiven.  

Tomorrow brings a new day with new challenges, new memories and new lessons.   

Finalizing our wall as a family was perfect because now we have our family rules posted. Everyday we will be reminded of what our family means ❤️

Day 3

Started my morning with coffee, devotional, reading and journaling.  The boys have been sleeping in and I'm able to get my #CoffeeandJesus time in.  Because if mama ain't happy...nobody's happy LOL!!!

What I learned this morning and stood with me all day is:

God is with us to support us.  He intends us to find fulfillment in the work of Life we were created to accomplish.  

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (Hebrews 12:11 NLT)

What I took from that is God is my Life Coach...especially in this season I'm in.   He's guiding me so I can make sure all my days of rest are being fulfilled with JOY, LOVE and PEACE.  I truly believe my csection recovery is going well due to the fact I've surrendered my ways and desires.  My home is a diaster, I'm literally glued to my bed, non stop nursing or pumping!   Sure I can find a million things to complain about but I'm taking one day at a time and seeing it all as a blessing.  I see Alex relaxed, spending quality time with Max, taking time to honor his temple and most importantly enjoying our time as a family.  So I truly believe God is training me for my next season of motherhood.  

We spent time outside as a family.  Had my first walk - about half a mile.  Enjoyed the sunshine, laughter from Max and snores from Noah.  Again, happy moments as a family.

 

Unfortunately when I came inside my lower back was aching.  Partly due to the spinal tap I got for my surgery and partly because my body is super tight.  Thankfully I wore my Bao Bei belly band for the support.  Really helped keep my core compressed.  {Mamas you need this band especially if you're expecting}.

In terms of my food intake I did pretty good. Lots of fruit, water, protein and carbs.  I'm always hungry after I feed Noah so it feels like I'm ALWAYS eating.  But doing my best!  

Here's what I had for dinner:

Apple - Purple Container {Not shown}

Chicken - Red Container

Whole wheat pasta - Yellow Container

Lots of water!!!  So important when breastfeeding ! 

Other than that today was GREAT!  Lots of smiles, laughter, resting and just being THANKFUL for another day with my boys.  

Day 1

Happy Monday!

Today I start my postpartum journey - 42 days until my first 10k....She Is Beautiful.  I'll be walking/running this race with Max and Noah in our Bob jogging stroller.  I've done this race the past 3 years with Max.  Such a empowering race with woman of all ages, fitness levels and motivation.  Many moms run with their children and it's pretty neat!  

Running is a big part of my life and to be able to share with my boys inspires me more.  Plus it's a GREAT workout body & mind.  

Setting goals are very important especially short term because there is always something to work for.  Long terms goals are good as well but if we only focus on the long term we can easily get frustrated and lose track of our WHY. 

So for now my short term goals are to complete a round of 21 Day Fix Extreme, daily dose of Shakeology, walk/run daily (upon doctor approval) and take ONE DAY AT A TIME!   I want to challenge my mind more than anything because this time it's different.  I have two boys to take care of, run a household, fitness ministry and recover from my Csection.  Sure I'm going to see physical results but that's not my main focus.  I want to be energized, joyful and strong!  In addition want to inspire other moms feel good about themselves whether they are expecting, just gave birth or trying to lose the baby weight five years later. I truly believe as a mother we can look and FEEL Amazing!  I know it won't be easy but what is?  With my faith, support team and husband I know I will succeed.  

With that said here are my BEFORE pictures:

I'll be weighing myself when I begin my 21 Day Fix Extreme.  

I hope you'll continue to follow my journey and if you want to join me send me an email.  

Strong & Fearless ❤️

My Postpartum Journey

As much as I love IG and Facebook I've decided to take my journey to my blog.   I plan on sharing my postpartum journey with you all.  I'll be sharing tidbits of my C-Section recovery, breastfeeding, 21 Day Fix Extreme, running for two and my faith.  I'm not sure where this will take me but my purpose is to inspire other mamas who may be going through the same things as me or just need a dash of HOPE!! 

Earlier this year I shared my journey was going to be centered around BOLDNESS!  As many of you know I'm pretty transparent but I want to add boldness to my story.  How? Not sure but I know my Father JESUS has a plan for this journey.  

With that said here's a recap of my day:

I woke up with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed.  I remember these feelings as it was yesterday!  When we brought Max home I literally had a meltdown.  Cried for hours and it lasted for a few weeks.  Many like to call that postpartum depression or "the blues".  There was nothing blue about that!  Anyhoot as I showered today - which was not easy- I just kept crying and crying and crying!  Partly because I was in pain but the other because the enemy was trying to take me back.  After I cried, prayed and a big hug from Alex I slapped on makeup and quickly started to feel better.  

We headed slowly to Noah's appointment.  We learned all our hard work is paying off and he's growing in a positive direction. 

 

We came home and I passed out.  But prior I started to experience pain in my incision and bleeding. Luckily it's all part of recovery.  I'm learning this csection is more challenging than my first but I just keep praying for healing.  I don't like to think or speak negative over any situations I'm in.  Words are powerful therefore I say CHALLENGING!   

The remainder of my day consisted of nursing, pumping (another full bag), discomfort from cracked nipples, reading and texting with friends. Alex has been AMAZING and has asked me a million times to REST! LOL!  So as I lay in bed writing this that's exactly what I'm doing.

I'm not one to take pain pills but they sure have been helping!  All I know is these past few days I've really humbled myself and taking it all in.  Dinner was brought to us and dessert.  Boy those brownies were DELISH!  I know not the healthiest but I have to eat in order to breastfeed HA!!   Tmrw I plan on getting back on Shakeology and MAX COMES HOME!!!!  

Overall today was a good day and although it started off unpleasant I'm going to bed with a FULL HEART!  Noah has been such a joy!  He makes me happy, gives me hope and being a mother of two is beyond what I imagine.  God surely has His hands on my life.  I have nothing to complain about when I think of everything He's given me.  

Therefore I will embrace my recovery.  I will push through the pain.  I will cry if needed.  I will absolutely keep SMILING through it all.

❤️