My Dad celebrated his 78th birthday. (We missed it but love this picture my niece sent.) I think during this time (March) he was busy working on hauling in maple syrup for a friend’s farm. Yes, at 78! The other day I went to lunch with Jeff and Janey and we had a big group of ladies next to us in their 60’s I would guess. It made me think of my parents, only because I couldn’t help but listen to their conversations about certain things-mostly health related complaining and the weather (and trust me I get it!) and lots of other trivial things and it was sort of depressing. And then I thought of my parents that week-my dad working every day on this farm, my mom has been in the past month in Australia, Vienna, Spain, LA, Chicago (and I’m sure I missed some other things) working as a Montessori consultant and teacher trainer. She thinks nothing of doing all that at 77, navigating these travel plans, working so hard, helping others with her expertise. I visited her for a day after Vienna and she wasn’t even tired! I hope and pray that I follow their example to never stop serving and to live life to the fullest because they are able to. It is quite an inspiration.
Still swaddling all sorts of “babies”. My toddlers all loved being wrapped up like a baby even if it only is for 2 minutes.
I was happy to pull out my brother Andy’s serving platters and use them for…
a favorite Whole30 salad. (Omit sugar in dressing.)
I finished about 102 ‘whole30’ days and then ate a bowl of popcorn which I might do once a week. If I eat out I’m not going to be crazy about salad dressing but just choose the vinaigrette that the restaurant provides.. Other than that I stick with the plan-those are my new whole30 rules for myself. I feel too good to stop eating this way.
Andrew had a soccer game by Isaac’s college so we were able to go visit for dinner quickly one night. Isaac had just driven back from visiting Abbey and was starving. I can always tell when Isaac is staving because he turns white and looks like he is going to destroy something. Do all guys get like this? I think maybe. He had enough for leftovers the next day.
Abbey’s roommate posing next to a project Abbey did for a photo class. I can’t believe her freshman year is almost over and so glad she loves where she goes and loves her major. Always a big sigh of relief for the parent.
This is what she does the entire time I work out-treats the sofa as a trampoline and jumps and jumps and jumps.
We went for a llooonnnngggg walk on the most beautiful day-posing down by the river.
And then ended at the park.
This was the 9th of April and I was quite ticked off. Yes, it’s pretty, but not in April.
I feel embarrassed for not knowing how delicious plain old olive oil and vegetables roasted up could be. This heaping bunch made 3 pans and we finished them all up. SO SO good.
Pre-exam week care package for someone. (A big chunk of banana bread will now be missing because Janey just showed me that she helped herself and I’m sure her sister won’t mind? 🙂
Lovely lovely photos of your daughter! Sweet times. I'm sure you just cherish them.
Thank you Sarah!
We call it being "hangry". They get so hungry, they are angry! 🙂 But, watch out, they will likely eat anything and everything at that point!
Ha, yes that's it perfectly.
I love your Whole 30 ideas! Thank you for adding those in! I am not doing whole 30, but I did just lose 35 pounds doing something similar, and I am always on the look out for healthy, filling food. I agree with you–once you start eating more healthy options and give up the sugar, you feel so much better! I am dying to know if you lost weight and inches, too! 🙂 Seven children here ages 17-almost 2, and I do understand how you said you couldn't have done this when they were younger. It's a big commitment and a lot of preparation. But I, too, was at the point of just wanting to be healthy and feel good! Good luck and love your updates! 🙂
Hi Pam! I weighed myself once at the beginning and then about 5 weeks in, and I was down about 15 pounds and since then I'm sure 5 pounds more (I judge now by clothes since I hate the scale.) I would like to lose more, but I'm just invested in this way of eating for awhile and I know the last 5-10 will take a lot of time. My goal in the beginning was 30 to get me to my wedding weight (which might be completely unrealistic. 🙂 I'm so glad you feel the same as I do-it's not easy but I do feel so much better-you just have to get to "that point" and then you realize it has to happen.
Hi Sarah, I've read your blog for a long time now, but I'm not sure if I've ever commented, because I don't tend to comment unless something really grabs me. Anyway, the thing that really grabs me about your posts lately is that most days it's just you and Janey at home and you seem to have a great daily routine happening with your eating and exercise and adventuring together. I will be at home with my last (who will be three by then) next year as my middle heads off to prep and I am starting to get really excited about what April and I will do with our days. I've always found I need routines for everything, because it helps me feel more in control and organised and just generally happier. I by no means stick to my routines strictly, but they are their so I don't end up feeling lost. I'm really looking forward to finding out what my new routine will be with just one at home and I'm remembering the days when it was just me and my oldest and we used to walk the neighbourhood every afternoon admiring whatever we saw along the way (we now live in the bush with no neighbours), hang washing out together early in the mornings, she'd hang out with me while I cooked, etc. Anyway, I'm just babbling, but my point is that I relate to and enjoy your blog a lot so thank you for writing.
Thank you Teegan-I am the same as you-routines make me feel more in control and organizer and happier for sure-and in the first 3 years of life a baby's routine changes so much it's hard! So yes, now I feel more relaxed-and I have two less at home here also I'm sure that is a little more calming. I remember when Abbey and Isaac were little we'd walk to the park blocks away every day-I am trying to do that with Janey because I loved it so much-we do have to squish it in between more than I had to back then, but I just love it. Thanks for your comment!
Oh, and I get hangry too! It's a real thing, I'm sure!
That salad looks delish – can't wait to try it! Random ? – what work out do you do in the basement? A video or circuit? I'm trying to find something convenient at home!
Hi Mary Lynn-I alternate legs and arms every day but Sunday and do abs everyday. I just have this routine made up in my head which is a mix (just picking and choosing different exercises) of old old ancient tapes I used to do pre-marriage and in my 20's sometimes. The Firm is one, and Cindy Crawford is another, and then I also mix in things I've learned from Abbey or have seen on Pinterest. It's all with weights (I worked up to 15 pound dumb bells and ankle weights for floor work) and started really really slow because I could hardly do one push up or a few sit ups. Now I do 3 sets of everything…5 different squats, basic or side lunges, tons of sit-ups (300 at least with 3 different kinds), basic arm exercises, etc. When Abbey comes home from college she shows me some new things she learned in classes etc. But the biggest compliment was that I showed her my routine and she said she was sore for days! 🙂 If you want I can type it all out for you-I don't mind, I did it for her! Let me know! I hate doing exercise tapes anymore, and I hate going out of my home to exercise so this works perfectly for me-it's almost relaxing…it does take me an hour at least to do because I don't rush.
Sarah, I would love it if you typed up your home workout! I've been getting tired of the time it takes me to drive to and from the gym and would love to have a plan to do at home. Thanks!
Hi – yes, I'd love to see your work out specifics! I have a set of weights so that'd be perfect to add in. Would it be easiest to send you my email? Thank you!
I will do a post with a list of what I do!
I too am interested in reading about your specific workout routine. Thanks. Love the photos!
I've been wading in and out of Whole30 because I know carbs make me feel like crud, and I have a problem stress eating carbs and sugar after my 1 and 3 year old go to bed. Or hiding in the kitchen and cramming Hershey kisses in my mouth after a tough morning 😉 I know it makes me feel sluggish and crabby, and I need to find a different outlet to relieve stress. But it's nice to hear that eating healthy isn't always realistic in certain seasons of life and cut myself some slack!
Thanks to your inspirational post back in January my husband and I finished a whole30 in March. I am still off grain and sugar but added in dairy and legumes. I also am allowing myself three days a month (chosen at the beginning of the month to have something sweet). So far it is working well for me. I need to add in exercise now! A post about the specifics of your workout would be great!
I have been reading your blog for years and love your mindset and approach to raising children. This question may be a bit nosy, but I have always been curious about your marriage or at least your perspectives and practices in marriage. What do you do to keep a strong connection in your marriage? Do you feel you have the same passion, love, and purpose for being a wife to your husband as you do for being a mother to your children? Thanks for sharing on this topic if you decide to!
Hi Willow-I don't know why but I feel super uncomfortable sharing about marriage. Maybe because I've found in life that every marriage is so different-what works for some is the opposite of what works for others-it's so so individual and all of it is trial/error/life. I think I've been an utter failure at times of keeping a "strong connection" (ie. after a baby has been born and I'm hanging on by a thread and am tired and crabby) and other times I think we hit our stride, so I feel like there is no way I could begin to give any advice. I absolutely feel a full partnership with my husband for OUR family together-that we both work together (I learned the lesson long long ago that there is no 50/50 in marriage! it sways and bends and gives and takes as life goes along) and thankfully we have been led by beautiful examples of committed marriages from our parents. I think every couple has to figure out what works for them-what is important to the other, what they can give and what they need, and what sensitivities are and what is important and go from there and like I said I think it's SO different for every couple.