Just run it off

Sunday I decided to start running again.  I was able to sneak out before the kids woke and hit the pavement. 

There is always a sense of freedom when I go for a run outside. I think it is because you can run anywhere and there are no boundaries. If I feel like running on the road I can. 

Heck I could run through an open field in zig zags and it would not matter. 

If you are looking to lose some weight, You can't go wrong with running!

When I first moved to Maryland almost four years ago, I began running to lose weight. 

I started out by running one mile each day of the week. Within a few months that one mile turned into five miles six days a week.

 I fell in love with running not because I was losing the weight but because it was helping me cope with the move from Georgia. It was my therapy. 

I kept track of my miles using the Nike running application. After twelve months of running I had ran the distance between Maryland and Georgia. I signed up for  the Iron girl 5k with my sister-n-law and surprisingly, I placed 3rd in my age group. I then started to focus on longer runs. I got up to eight miles three times a week. 

Then I became pregnant with my fifth child and slowly started to decrease my mileage to three miles by the time she was born. 

I was able to run three miles today.

I am setting new goals with running and combining it with yoga. I will keep you posted! 

Today I am sharing three movements to sleek cheeks below. The challenge on Instagram is going great and is really fun!!

Curtsy Lunge with reach and kick

1. Curtsy pulse 8x 

2. Seated curtsy

3. Side plank reach

4. Side plank kick 

(12x each side)

Lady on the table

1. Reverse table top position (with one leg crossed over the other)

2. Hip dip to touch the ground.

3. Kick leg up vertical

4. lower leg horizontal 

(repeat 12 x each side)

Rock -n- roll ups

1. squat and roll

2. plow and roll forward

3. tuck jump

(do as many as you want!)

                                             

Rise and Shine

It's Sunday fun day!  I hope 

everyone enjoyed the celebration of America's birthday yesterday.

 A special thanks to all who sacrifice and serve our Nation.

We have great freedom here in our Country.

As I was reflecting yesterday on the word independence and what it means, the word service kept arising in my spirit.

America was built on Freedom, the freedom to serve one another. 

What is service really? What changes can serving other people bring to our nation and other nations?

What does it take for someone to have a servants heart? 

Those were questions that popped up in my mind. 

It can all start with a simple helping hand of a neighbor. 

Take a look around you, there are many needs to be met. 

We have amazing technology that connects us all, so lets use it to help others.

When you have a servants heart you are selfless, putting their need in front of your own.

Learning to sacrifice can be hard at first, but it is oh so rewarding.

If you want to make the world a better place start in your community and serve best to your ability. 

The simplest act of kindness could make the largest impact on the world. 

All of those questions lead me to realize that I, myself am free when I am positioned to serve humbly in love.

You my brothers and sisters were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather serve one another humbly in love. ~ Galatians 5:13

Rise and Shine

 She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.

Proverbs 31:25










What does it mean to be clothed with strength and dignity?

I want to share with you what it means to me.


It means that I can live without fear, knowing that God has equipment me for what he has called me to do.

I can live my life feeling secure. Secure in my mind, body, and soul.

My self worth is not built upon the opinions of my peers but rather the standard of my heavenly father.

Most of all knowing that my beauty is more than skin deep.

Share this with a young women today. Weather it be your daughter, sister, friend, or even a stranger.

How awesome would it be to have the future generation of women built from this one verse.

Blessings Always, 

Erin 

What is your Goliath?

                                       It always seems impossible until it is done.

When I fist read that phrase, I began thinking of all the "impossible" things that people have accomplished in the World.

From the World leaders, to all of the service men and women who have went to battle for our freedom. 

I am sure that their task at hand seemed impossible, but it was completed. 

On a less serious note what about the brainstorming and experimenting it took to find a way to make peanut butter?

 I know I could not live without it!

I might add that I eat a spoonful of peanut butter every night before bed. 

This phrase also reminds me of the story of David and Goliath.  (1 Samuel 17:1)

It was David's faith in God that caused him to look at an impossible task and get the job done. 

My point is this. 

 If you have a  goal you are trying to accomplish or a Goliath you need to defeat. 

 I want to remind you that you are a divine individual.

Look at the task from God's perspective, no task is too large for him. 

Let me leave you with a few question to ponder.

What is your Goliath? What is your huge project or task? What challenges are you facing with transforming your life for the better?

Tip: Try changing your perspective!

Rise and Shine

Sunday for me has always meant family day. 

Growing up in a small town in Georgia it was a given. We would dress in our Sunday best and head to Church. 

After Sunday school was over we would spend the rest of the day at my Grandma's house eating, laughing, and playing sports. 

My family is huge to say the least but everyone was there to say grace and share a meal.

Apple had not created the iPad, iPhone, or iPod which meant our Sunday time was spent building relationships with each other. 

There was so much joy and laughter in one room.

We were "unplugged" as I would call it now.  

Technology is amazing and wonderful don't get me wrong, but could you imagine starting your week off "unplugged" and filled with a refreshing peace?

The Lord has done great things for our family and our hearts are filled with Joy.

Psalm 126:3