My Two Cents...

I have 4 boys... I have had postpartum depression 4 times now. That story is for another post, but with baby boy number 3 I finally became honest enough with myself to realize I needed extra help. After he was born, I worked hard, counted calories, and got to my pre-Gavin pregnancy weight, but I was still really struggling. Enter... the extra help. Meds. They helped. A lot. But they also have side effects. For me weight gain was one... not just a little weight gain either. 30 lbs. I was back up to weight I was when I had been 9 months pregnant. It sucked. I have always had body issue with my height and weight... this did not help. I needed to do something. And that's when a friend of mine joined the Beachbody Team and became a coach. I joined her challenge group, which included a workout program and Shakeology.

Now a year later, it seems like more and more people are jumping on the Beachbody bandwagon. Shoot, I've even been considering becoming a coach... But I don't want to end up that obsessive obnoxious friend, you want to delete from your friends list (even though you like me just fine). I get a lot of questions from friends since they know I've experienced the workouts and used Shakeology. So here is my two cents on Beachbody and Shakeology from my experience.

First the programs... LOVE them. We own six. Can be pricey, but I feel it is very worth it because 1) it is a whole program, 2) the instructors are very motivating, and 3)they can be used again and agian.

Now the bigger topic: Shakeology. I've heard all the propaganda... let's be honest that's what it is... it's what you do to sell a product. I personally know several people that have great stories with their use of Shakeology. Now don't get me wrong... I'm not against Shakeology. For me it just wasn't the miracle that it has been made out to be at times. About the time I started Shakeology, I went off my meds, and I was able to handle it. Was it Shakeology? Or was it my hormones were finally just back in balance? Honestly I don't know. It may have helped with balancing my hormones. Did I never have another craving again? Yeah right. What I think helped was that when using the chocolate Shakeology, I could get my chocolate fix every day, so then I didn't go searching my cabinets for chocolate chips b/c I really wanted chocolate! ;) During the challenge group I lost 20 lbs before becoming pregnant with #4. Did Shakeology aide in that? Maybe. I don't know. I was also working my butt off with Chalene Extreme. What I do know is this... I think it tastes good, I think it has a lot of health benefits, and I do wish I could still be using it (hence wanting to be a coach to pay for it).

Then why may you ask, don't you use it? It all comes down to price. And I discuss this with people quite often. It IS pricey. I don't care if you say "well if you bought it all separate..." or "if you cut out the junk..." (don't really buy junk to cut out) or "it's a meal replacement..." (I still have to feed boys, which there are times they already out eat me). When you are on a tight budget, Shakeology is pricey. My grocery budget went up when I started using it.

So there you have it. My two cents on the beachbody bandwagon. And what do you think... coach or not to coach... that is the question?

Xander's Turn

And today preschool began. Xander is so ready. Now as long as he doesn't talk too much ;) I went with him today to introduce him to preschool and be the end he was telling me he could do it on his own next time and I didn't need to come. We had fun decorating the pizza box to hold all his papers over the course of the year. He's going to have so much fun, and I'm going to have a couple hours a week with only two kids... crazy!

First Grader

My sweet little Gavin is a first grader. He is starting at a new school today in the program we worked so hard to get him involved in. He was apprehensive at first, but this morning he was super excited. This is a big year for this boy, and it's going to be so good for him. I know he's in the right place with the right people, but I have to admit I'm struggling a little. I'm worried... I just want school to be good experience for him. I think I'll feel better once he's come home and tells me about the fabulous day he's had at school. Love this boy.

 

Blessing Day

We blessed Tanner Kevin Barnes at church today. It was beautiful, and not only that, but we were able to have family from both sides of the family be there with us. It was fabulous.

Here are four generations of Barnes Men.... aren't they all so handsome!

Ben and now Tanner both share their middle name with Ben's dad, Kevin. 

Family shot. It was funny that Roy ended up looking like he was posing for the picture too. He knows he's part of the family. 

Cameras are just too much fun. Too bad little boys can't hold still while taking a picture... these would have been cuter if they weren't blurry. 

It was so fun and nice to have family up from Utah. Daron, Brooke, and Little Miss Evelyn were able to be here.

Kiana left on her mission right before Landon was born, so it was nice to have her around this time too.

And Melissa is housing two more siblings for the summer in Southern Utah, so she was kind enough to load up her suburban and haul them and her family up to Idaho. Though I was wishing we could have had the rest of the crew with us too.

Silly sisters. Wish you were here making silly faces with us Karina!

It was a fabulous day. Wish we could do it more often. SO grateful for families and the knowledge I get to be stuck with these crazies for eternity!

Did I mention...

About 2 years ago we started trying to sell our house... we're still here. About a month before Tanner came our contract with our realtor came up, and we decided to be done trying to move for now. So since we are staying for a little while longer, we decided to make the house more liveable for us. The week before Tanner came we started the remodeling of our living room/kitchen area, and have just recently finished.

That's right... we've been remodeling with a newborn. Go ahead... say it... you know you are thinking it, and you wouldn't be the first... we're crazy... we know it. But hey, we're not as crazy as my sister and her husband... check out their remodel here. And it's already so much happier, so it's been worth it.
We've done most of the work ourselves with help from my mom when she was here and Ben's dad. The flooring was the one thing we had someone else install.
We painted the cabinets. (We actually rehung the doors the night I got home from the hospital.) We replaced the countertops, the sink, and the garbage disposal (it was broken). We repainted the walls and the trim (which we also pulled off so the flooring could be installed). My mom and Ben even hauled out the old yucky white carpet, so we didn't have to have to pay the installers to do it. So on to the  pictures...

BEFORE


AFTER
Living Room


Kitchen


Doesn't it look A-MAZ-ING! We're learning to become pretty "good do-it-yourself"ers. And because I did just have a baby a month ago, I have to give most of the credit to my husband. He really did most of it on top of taking care of me and the boys. Now for a little break before we start a new project. ;)

Newest Little Squeaker

Tanner Kevin Barnes arrived on Tuesday July 2nd at 8:26 PM weighing 7 lbs 13 oz and measuring 20 inches long. He made a speedy entrance into this world with a healthy set of lungs. His delivery was different from my other ones for several reasons, but I'll share his birth story later. This post is for picture purposes.

Hello, World!


With Daddy


With Mommy


Brothers come to visit


The newest family member


And because people ask me who he looks like... I never know what to say. This time I just say "his brothers." Here are the four monkeys pictures taken in the first 24 hours of when they were born. They're all definitely brothers... enjoy!