I gave my kids this math problem this morning: figure out approximately how many diapers we have changed since our first child was born in 1989. The number they came up with was 32,850. That’s a heck of a lot of diapers! We are in the process (and I do mean “process”) of potty training #9 (Sam) and so diapers are on my mind. 32,850 is actually a low estimate considering we used 730 as our multiplier (two years) and only a few of our children were actually trained at two years, most were two and a half when they became potty trained. [Read more…]
Loads of Diapers Everyday
November 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The Mighty Macs…A Worthwhile Film
October 24, 2011 by 2 Comments
My son John (#7) turned eight yesterday, and we celebrated with dinner at CiCi’s Pizza (early carbo-loading for my marathon:)) and a movie (refrained from popcorn, however), “The Mighty Macs”. When we got to the movie the kids were all excited because we were the only ones there, although I saw the empty theater as both good and bad. It was good because we made the mistake of bringing our 2 and a 1/2 year old, who sat through the previews and then thought it was over and wanted to run around. We did our best to keep him occupied, but I was glad no one else was in the theater when he started playing cars on the seats and honking loudly. The bad part was that no one else was there to see this great film. Although it may seem like I drift a little off the subject of exercise, I believe this film exemplifies the values of what many parents and coaches want their kids to aim for, and frankly, what I would like to promote with 9 Kid Fitness, as well. [Read more…]
Carrie’s Delicious Garlicky Alfredo
October 19, 2011 by 3 Comments
I realize I’m going to sound very contradictory with today’s recipe (not the slow carb way I wrote about Monday), but it is what it is. Our family is very fortunate this week to have my brother-in-law and his girlfriend (Carrie) visiting from Chicago. Of course we are just happy to see them, but there is another reason we are excited to have them here. Carrie graduated from the Johson and Wales Culinary Program. Her specialty is sauces and her favorite is Italian food…tonight she is making Alfredo. Although I am trying to eat healthy the next week before my marathon on Oct. 31, there is no way I’m passing up “Garlicky Alfredo” made by someone who really knows what she’s doing. Although I definitely know how to feed lots of people, my kids will never say that I am a chef… and I am OK with that. Needless to say, the whole family appreciates a real chef. [Read more…]
9 Kid Fridays
October 7, 2011 by 1 Comment
Jen’s Runnings and Ramblings…life of an inconsistent runner….
These are some blogs/websites I follow on twitter and that I think are interesting and fun to read! I had to include the Marine Corps Marathon site since I visit almost everyday for info on hotel, parking, etc. They have some inspirational stories of marines, soldiers, and sailors and their families who are involved with the marathon in some way. My family is running in a 5K race in Charlotte tomorrow…the Big South 5K! What are you doing? Have a great Friday and a super kid-fit weekend!
A New School Year Brings a Fresh Perspective
August 29, 2011 by 3 Comments
School has begun. This makes me happy. It’s not that I don’t love summer, I do. In fact I prefer summer. I homeschool many of my children and so the start of the school year means a lot more work for me, but it also means routine again. Days without structure and late summer nights are wonderful, but I think most of us are ready for schedules and regularity again. Getting my children back into a routine helps me to get back into one as well. Although the substance of my workouts don’t change much, when and where I workout is different during the school year than in the summertime. Mostly I need to get up earlier now to fit in a workout around the school day, and I’m forced to be a little more regimented about my exercise. [Read more…]
Hot Sweaty Mamas!
August 15, 2011 by 2 Comments
Having just finished the book, Hot Sweaty Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom by Kara Thom and Laurie Kocanda, I am struck by something. As a twin, I have had the fortune in life to have another person who thinks just like I do. This sounds like a trite statement, but it is a profound thing. My twin sister doesn’t even have to say anything, I just know how she feels and what she means when she says something, and she feels the same way about me. I believe it is a gift; a “twin thing”, and I really didn’t think I would ever experience it outside of this “twin language”. This book has proved me wrong. [Read more…]
A Thank-you to my Husband
August 5, 2011 by 5 Comments
I feel fortunate to have a supportive husband who very much encourages my “9 Kid Fitness” lifestyle. In fact, it was my husband James who first suggested I start sharing my experiences with other parents who are trying to live active, healthy lifestyles as well. And so today I just want to thank him. As I write this, I am flying with my two oldest sons, Charlie (#1), and Thomas (#3) to Miami and then on to Kingston, Jamaica where we will be on a week long mission trip. As we fly, James is somewhere on a highway in a Ford Club Wagon 15-passenger van traveling with five children (one of whom is a toddler) and two dogs down to Florida where we will meet him in a week. [Read more…]
Quote of the Week: “Vanity of Vanities, and All is Vanity”
July 7, 2011 by 7 Comments
“Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes,… and all things are vanity…”Ecclesiastes 1:2.
“We can’t take them with us when we die.” This is something we might think of in terms of our material possessions, yet it also pertains to something else as well…our bodies. If we are fitness enthusiasts we tend to care about our bodies…maybe too much at times. Yet, in terms of the spiritual world, they are fleeting too. I think it is good, every so often, to contemplate vanity. Its counterpart, pride, is said to be the root of all of our sins, and is one of the Seven Capital Sins. We can fall prey to this sin when we place too much importance on our appearance. Let’s face it, one of the main reasons most of us exercise is because of the way it makes us look. Sure, there are plenty of other good reasons; health, wellness, mental and emotional well-being, and so on. We all know that exercise keeps us strong and healthy throughout all the stages of our life. But the bottom line is that for many of us, the main motivator for working out is our physical appearance. The definition of vanity (often called vainglory) is excessive pride in one’s appearance. Also… clinging to things without solidity and permanence (such as physical beauty). [Read more…]
Healthy Meals for New Parents
July 6, 2011 by 2 Comments
I ran into a friend the other day whose son had recently been in the hospital. I asked him if I could bring a meal over, and his response surprised me a little. He said, “Thank you, but no! We have to start eating lighter now. Everyone has been so kind, but I’ve had enough carbs to last a long time!” He wasn’t being rude, he was simply saying what a lot of us know is true; that the meals most of us bring to families are laden with carbs and sugar. I am guilty. I have a staple recipe called Chicken Pasta Casserole, and that is what I normally bring to families, along with bread and salad. I also typically throw in some brownies for dessert! This conversation got me thinking about different meals that might be better choices for new moms (or anyone else who might need a meal) instead of the standard fare. In searching for an answer to this question, I found a great site called Annie’s Eats…, and she had an article in her archives about this very subject: Meals for New Parents. Summer seems just the time to send meals using fresh fruits and veggies, and to try something new!
What are some healthy non-traditional meals that you have shared with other families in need?
Why Run a 5K?
July 5, 2011 by 3 Comments
I would like to qualify this by saying that I really don’t like running the 5K distance. It hurts too much. There is no padding in it. That is exactly what I was thinking when I lined up at the starting line on Sunday night (July 3rd) for the Firecracker 5K in Charlotte. Why was I doing this to myself? Actually it wasn’t just me. My son Peter (15) and daughter Annie (13) were doing it as well. The worst part was that it was an evening race, and it was 93 degrees by our car’s thermometer. We had to walk a few blocks from where we parked to the start, and I looked at my sweat-filled shirt before the race began and thought it looked more like I was at the finish of a race rather than start of one. [Read more…]
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