Run & Grad Party!

My Saturday morning started off with an early morning run with my running group.

I got in 7.5 miles in the rain. I loved running in the rain. It has been SO warm and SO humid that it felt refreshing! Then it was time to head home. We were having a graduation party for the girls and I had lots to do. I could have easily skipped the group since there was so much to be done, but this is a lifestyle. Just because things are going on around me, I still have to allow time for me.

John, Taylor (graduated HS), Kelsey (graduated UMD- criminal justice major and she has just been hired at a law firm) and Me. So proud of daughter's 3 & 4. We no longer have kids in school. Our youngest, Taylor, will be heading off to college in the fall.

Cake.

I made these graduation boards for each of my girls when they graduated HS. It is a fun way for everyone to see their school pictures from preK thru their senior year. I also included their class pictures from elementary school. All their friends enjoy the pictures too. I also make a "senior" album that includes everything that went on during their senior year. Yes, I would take a picture of their "first day" of their senior year too!! If you do not have a senior yet, just wait!! It is the most expensive and busiest year!

They have grown up so fast.

We always have to rent tables and chairs. We are blessed to know someone that owns a huge tent that we were lucky enough to borrow. I think we had about 80 people. Luckily, the weather cleared and we enjoyed some sunshine, great food, awesome family and friends and lots of corn hole!!

It was a great celebration!!! It was a very long day that ended very late. I hardly ate at all because I was just so busy entertaining and making sure everyone had what they needed. It was a great day!!

Sunday, I totally crashed. NO exercise and a NAP was much needed. It was all worth it:)

Clean Eating

The weather has been very HOT in Maryland!! Friday evening several strong storms moved through the area, causing several thousand residents to loose electricity. Thankfully, when we returned from vacation late Saturday afternoon, we still had electricity, but more importantly, we had AC!! Many residents have been told that it may take up to 7 days for it to be restored!! 

My Sunday morning started off bright and early. I always feel better when everything is unpacked and laundry done, so this morning I got everything back in its place, and I could start my day.

My husband had plans to take the puppy, Amos, down to the river on our boat. He wanted to see how this little guy would like it. Word has it that he loved it and that makes for a happy hub!

Since Saturday was a rest day for me, I wanted to hit the road runnin. I knew I needed to go early with the heat, but was not expecting it to be as warm as it was. I was glad I took water with me. I had wanted to get in 5 miles, but cut it back to 3.5.

After I got back, I took a quick shower and made myself breakfast.

Two slices of whole wheat toast with all natural PB, sprinkled with chia seeds.

 How cute is my chia jar. I purchased this at Anthropologie. I think it is so cute that I may buy another one:)

Lunch was a big salad that I topped with black beans, 2% cheese and tortilla strips. 

After lunch I had a few errands to do and I did not mind some alone time! I hit up Ulta (why, oh why, do I continue to return to that store when they are always out of the products I need!!) Then I stopped by Target to get a few things and picked up a bag of trail mix. I opened this in the car and had just a few handfuls. A serving size is 1/4 cup and I could have eatin half of the bag if I wasn't careful.

For dinner I made some of my own hummus. It was pretty good and I enjoyed a few Triscuits with it.

I also enjoyed a nice salad (cucumber from my garden!) and a ground turkey soft taco. Nothing great but filling. I was surprised that I did not even finish the salad. I just wasn't hungry. I really focused today on eating clean and trying to stay away from processed foods. On vacation we ate all our meals in except for pizza one night, but I really had too much candy (tootsie rolls, swedish fish, taffy) if you remember! Well, my vacation is over and now is time for sugar detox!!

Now for some exciting news!! Daughter #2, Kaitlyn Marie, got engaged Thursday night!! She is 23 years old and a project accountant. Brent, her fiance, is an engineer and they both graduated from the University of Maryland. We are so excited for them!! 

Back to work tomorrow!!

 

College Graduate!

So excited for daughter #3, Kelsey Ann. Today, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland!!

Kelsey

My four daughters! We now have 3 college graduates to brag about and we will be sending off our forth daughter in the fall for her freshman year. Crazy how time flies. When they were little, everyone would say, "Enjoy them while they are young....they grow up fast!" I was so exhausted then, that I thought that would never happen!! Well guess what?? It did and I could not be more proud.

My family. Love them!

Proud parents...

After the graduated we went to celebrate at a favorite restaurant. Obviously, no one was looking!!

We made her wear her cap during lunch!!

We had a great day!!! It was an early graduation so it was nice to go and have a wonderful celebration lunch afterward. Everyone was able to take off work and we enjoyed the entire day together. No workout today. Just family time:) Too much exciting stuff going on but I have continued to take pics of my daily eats and I will start that back up tomorrow. I am sure I consumed way too many calories, but this was the time to enjoy and not feel guilty about it.

My Sunday in Pictures

We were headed for the Potomac River but we were both tired from our late night, that we went to a lake closer to our house. It was a fun time!! So relaxing. 

Saturday afternoon, John loaded up the kayaks so we would be ready to go on Sunday.

So nice!! Wish we could have stayed out there all day. I think everyone in the house took a much needed nap late this afternoon. We have another busy day tomorrow. Monday, daughter #3 Kelsey Ann, is graduating from the University of Maryland!!!! 3 daughters with college diplomas and 1 more to go! Super proud Mama!