Hey remember me? I haven't written in a while, life's been happening:) And I'm enjoying! The baby is crawling...he just figured out how to crawl forward a few days ago. He's had backwards crawling down for a few weeks now. His first bottom tooth came in at 7 months too. Time's just flying by...
The yard is looking more and more like spring. The hastas are all in bloom and some flowers are coming up too. We put in an electrical fence in our yard for our giant puppy, (110 lbs. of our German Shepard), Spirit. So we have to keep walking him to all the flags in the yard for a few weeks, until he gets the hang of things..I think he had it after day 1:)
I will be at the Rockford All-Natural this weekend. Karen will be competing in the Open heavy weight and Sue and Justin (my choreography clients) will be competing as well. Sue in the over 40 Masters and Open light weight, and Justin in the Novice light weight. Karen's doing exceptionally well this close to show time. Confident and focused, she is 100% athlete! She's already got her post contest workouts planned, with her sights set on competing again in 2005, so I will have someone to diet with next year..it always helps to have somebody to tough it out with:) We will be leaving my house bright and early Saturday for the competitors meeting and pre-judging. Karen's camping out on our couch to save herself a bit more time in the a.m. It always feels like Christmas morning the day of a contest...adrenaline flowing, excitement, anticipation and dehydration, well maybe all like Christmas except the last one:)
I am dissapointed to say I strained my back on Sunday. I was at work training clients, nothing out of the ordinary and by the end of the day I couldn't even lift the baby up without that twingy grab right in my low back..Yuck! I have never felt anything like it! But it's getting better day by day. A combination of things really, was the doctor's prognosis. Between carrying the baby around everyday and the new dog training (he's a tough dog to hold onto), I think my back finally had it and needed complete recoop time. I forgot how much longer it takes for me to recover from things when I'm nursing. It just takes a lot out of me...but sooo worth it!! Wade is the healthiest, happiest baby boy my husband and I have ever seen:)
I was told a really funny story today about someone that used to workout at a Bally's I used to train at. The girl was talking to my friend Karen and asked how I was. After hearing what I was up to and my bodybuilding endevors she proceeded to say, "ya know jennifer was on all that stuff". Karen and I were laughing our butts off!! Karen was like.."What are you talking about, Jennifer doesn't even take Creatine. She's got great genetics and she works hard. She's never taken drugs! I found it soo funny that someone thought that I was "on". but I guess it means I am doing all the right things the right way and it's paying off. To be all natural and stand on the National stage where most everyone is not is really something, don't ya think? I'm preaty proud!! And even prouder to be able to tell my kids I did it all without compromising my health or myself.
God Bless, have a great week everybody!!
Jen

"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Christopher Robin :)

For all of you, something beautiful I was sent, take a moment to read it....

"Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give
of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is God's way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day." "From now on, on your way to
work, the gym, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be something you see, it could be a scent, perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the
breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light
catches one autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground."
"Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound
trite to some, these things are the 'stuff' of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for granted. We must make it important to notice them, for at anytime it can all be taken away."
Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today. Go barefoot, or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double dip ice cream cone. Hold your children in your arms just a few minutes longer. For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn't do.
Remember, life is not measured by the number of
breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Jen:)

Photos of Sue and Justin have been posted on line. You can view them at http://www.flexgymonline.com/mibcflash/index.html
Great job guys! You will find them under mixed pairs, masters women and teen divisions. They are in burgundy posing suits for pre-judging and red suits at night (Sue had a red bow in her hair.)
Easter was great! The kids were adorable!! Alyssa was super excited to find what the Easter bunny brought and to find all 24 eggs that he hid:) Wade pulled everything out of his basket and just smiled and cooed like crazy! We visited both our parents' houses and had a "grown-up" yah-right:) egg hunt at my parents' house. It was hysterical!! Alyssa watched my dad hide the eggs, so she would walk past something and casually say.."Nope didn't find that one", and all 5 of us would all sprint to where she was and pile on top of eachother to find the egg. (My sister her husband, my brother, my husband and I). My mom was laughing so hard I thought she was going to pee in her pants;)
Lots of fun! Laughter is the magic of life!
We recieved some exciting news on Saturday about Alyssa's gymnastics. She was recruited to move up to the advanced class, (twice a week now). They use that class as a feed into the team, when the girls are ready. Michael and I were so excited...you don't know what pride is until to see your kids succeed at something they love! She enjoys it so much and has incredible potential, if she wants it.
I am off to the gym as soon as the baby gets up from his nap. Chest and Legs today. To get the anabolic spill-over from leg training to help my chest development (always a female challenge). I am feeling great and anxious to compete again next year.
Karen is just 2 1/2 weeks out from her competition in Rockford. It's down to the nitty-gritty but she's hangin' in there like a champ! I will post her results from May 1st with some pics. I know she can't wait for that post-competition meal:)

Happy Easter Everyone!
May today be a reminder of your faith and hope..whatever that may be for you.
Jennifer:)

Good Friday...and Easter just around the corner! Wow, wasn't it just Christmas! Happy Easter (or Passover for those who celebrated last week). Special prayers sent out to my friends who are fighting some tough battles right now...You are in my prayers!
The week has been busy as usual and I managed to get all my training in, by the skin of my teeth:) I almost have it timed exactly when the baby is going to melt down in the nursery at the gym. I really am quite entertaining to watch...every time the intercom cuts in I am ripping my earphones out to catch who's being called down stairs. Every time I do it becomes the inevitable...how much can I get done before I get called?? I think it's becoming a game for me. I have to keep it entertaining so I don't get frustrated, it helps me make the most of whatever time I get.. may it be 30 or 90 minutes...it's precious and it's all mine. Then the rest of the day/night belongs to my kids, hubby and clients. When I get "my time" to workout I can handle anything, if not, I can be a bear.
I am looking forward to a fun family weekend! We colored Easter eggs last night and we are taking Alyssa to an Easter Egg hunt tomorrow after gymnastics. She can't wait for the Easter bunny to come! Oh how I love all holidays with our children...there is nothing more rewarding than watching their little faces light up with anticipation and excitement! I read something funny today about being a mother...it said, "You know you are a successful mom when you always have a basket full of dirty laundry"...for those of you who know about my relationship with laundry, I must be an extremely successful mom:)!
May you all have a very peaceful weekend. God bless,
Jennifer

TODAY'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until
they arrive."

~ Anais Nin

Well, I survived my crazy weekend! I have wonderful news to report back with from the Ottawa show as well. Sue and Justin, the clients I did posing routine choreography for, won the mixed pairs division!! Their performance was flawless! I'm super proud of you both!!! It was Justin's first show also. Sue took first in her master's division and absolutely exemplified beauty and poise. What a class act:)
Karen and I had the privilage of meeting Gunter too. He was the guest poser for the show. I have to say, he was the nicest pro I have ever met. Very warm and polite. He was the most entertaining guest poser as well. He made the rounds of the entire audience during his guest posing appearance. He went down the ailes shaking hands, posing and standing up on the chairs for people to snap a close-up. He even hit a bicep shot for my baby boy and Wade reached out for his arm. It was really fun!!
I have posted the pictures Karen and I took with him on my yahoo group in the photo section. The link to my yahoo fan group is listed in the text portion of my Links Page.
I have been fighting a respiratory and sinus cold for a week and a half but last night the sinus portion got really bad. I finally got some antibiotics for the sinus infection this afternoon! I am actually able to smell and taste for the first time in 10 days...modern medicine sure is a sinus saver:)
I am looking forward to watching Karen (my workout partner) compete again in the Rockford show May 1st. It's been 2 years since her last show and she has made some really great improvements. I tell ya..that girl has heart and desire that I rarely see in people. I will be in her cheering section always..as she has always been in mine..thanks girl friend:)
I have shoulders tomorrow and the way my head feels now I am hoping I will feel great for my workout. Last week I was trying to work through my cold but it was hindering me a bit for those last few reps..just didn't feel myself. I am happy to report that I am just a few pounds away from my pre-pregnancy off-season weight. I am pleased!
God Bless to all and to all a good night:)
Jen

There are some new updates to my site. More photos in gym gallery, family gallery and more enlargeable photos in all galleries. The magazine's I have appeared in are now posted on James and Kathy's testimonial pages, check 'um out. I have also added a few photos of me doing squats this Monday in my yahoo fan group. You can find the web address on my Links Page.
I have a busy weekend ahead. Friday, a friend is turning 30 and her hubby is throwing her a surprise party:) Saturday I will be attending the Mid-Illinois competition in Ottawa, IL to cheer on two clients I choreographed posing routines for. Go get um Sue and Justin! (Mother and son mixed pairs and individual competitors). You both look fantastic!
Sunday, after a few clients, I will be at a baby shower for my very good friend Candace...Another mommy-to-be. I think there's somethin' in the water:)
Hope you all get out and enjoy the weather, spring is here!!