Quote For Today...
"There is no doubt that running away
on a fresh, blue morning
can be exhilarating."
- Jean Rhys
The early morning hours...as the sun was just peaking up from the horizon I took off on a morning run. The fresh snow was crisp upon the tree branches as my feet slushed through the melting snow on the pavement.
The air was cool and still...three deer crossed my path in the distance and our eyes made contact as I glided by.
There was something exquisite about this morning...maybe it was the freshly fallen snow, maybe it was the incredible weekend I had, or maybe it was the peace that was within me.
Preparing for a competition takes me on an internal journey...everytime.
There are things I experience that I can't quite explain...
things that renew my faith...
things that challenge my core.
Today I was everything I believed I could be...how I wish I could bottle that, and pass it on to the people in my life who need it!
Happy Monday Everyone!
Jen;)

30 Candles..30 Years- Happy Birthday Mommy!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Kelly, Karen and I...All "Team Abrams" girls- for the May 7th Rockford Naturals!

To see who's abs I am standing next to..check my members journal;)

My mom and I:)

My sister and I at the club;)

Karen and I being the hams we are:)

Flexin' with Karen!

Michael and I leaving the club:)

And today...back to the kids- they are just "the best"!

The kids playing horsey with daddy:)

It's My Birthday!!!
So...what does it mean to be 30:
My mom once told me long ago I was her "diamond in the rough", and that time would unfold the gem I was within.
I was going through a very difficult time when she wrote that to me as a teenager- and now, so many years later, I find myself looking back at myself and finally seeing the "diamond" she had seen all along!
Funny how mother's (and fathers) can see things it takes years for us to find for ourselves:)
30 is often said to be a milestone..one that brings great distress for some and great satisfaction to others. On this day I am filled with gratitude and fullfillment for the life I have grown into. For the people that have blessed my life over the years. For the man who stands by me through hell and high water and the two children that bring so much purpose to my life.
I can honestly say I am where I wanted to be at this point in my life!
I do what I love and I am making a living doing so. I found a way to bring my passions to my everyday life, and I have found a way to keep "me" while becoming a mother.
Life is a grand adventure and this year's adventures will be something to remember always...I wanted my 30th year to be a big one and that it will be!
I thank all of you for supporting my dreams and for keeping my spirit alive!
I have a fantastic day planned tomorrow so I better get some sleep for my fun filled day and evening!
My members area will be updated with my birthday gallery next week;)
May each of you find the blessing of gratitude in your lives...
Jen;)

Quotes For Today...
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas
if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared.
I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."
Cindy - age 8

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cy, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,
"Nothing, I just helped him cry."

I hope you appreciate all of these the way I did:)
Jen;)

Quote For Today...
"Connections are made slowly, sometimes they grow underground."
— Marge Piercy, author and poet

"Abs In Paradise" gallery

Just 3 More Days Until My Birthday:)
30 Is A Great Place To Be!!

6 Weeks out- "Journey To The Stage" members gallery preview.

6 Weeks out- 155 lbs.

"Abs In Paradise" members preview gallery

Us with our kids...it seems like yesterday we were hiking through YellowStone- hanging our packs in the trees and living free as birds!

Our long-time travel friend Jim, Deb and their son, Jaden- the birthday boy!

YUMMY CAKE...Mommy can't wait until her Birthday on Saturday (26th)- so she can have her last cheat day..and have carrot cake!!

Wade playing with trucks and legos:)

Alyssa getting tatoos;)

In Honor of My 30th Birthday...which will be here in 9 days...Feb. 26th!
The Quote For Today....
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid insideways, Champagne in one hand - strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO - What a Ride!"

This quote is dedicated to both our grandma's! Woman who know the true meaning of "Taking The Ride of Life"!!

Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope you all had a great day! Here are some pictures from ours:)
My members journal has more pics!
A written update in my members journal tonight as well:)
Jen:)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Our Beautiful Son!

Off To School For Valentine's Day!

Alyssa opening her Valentine!

Wade opening his Valentine:)

My Valentine from Alyssa!!

A Kiss for my sleepy Valentine;)

Valentine Roses from Daddy:)

7 Weeks out!

Happy Valentine's Day!

A Competition Video Clip from My Members area...

Quote For The Day...
"Come out into the open,
into a clearing, and rest."

— John Ashbery

My Recovery Day! Awhh:) my day to rechardge before my usual crazy weekend schedule. It was nice to not get up at 3:45 for cardio today too;) Just two in-home clients and the rest was pretty quiet..if a 16 month old can ever be considered quiet..but he's asleep now so it's just Alyssa and I writting out Valentines for school.
Tomorrow's day starts at 4 am. to be at my hour spin class by 5 am. Then home to get Alyssa to school and spend some time with busy baby Wade. I will be back at the gym in the afternoon to lift..back and biceps, (I'm changing up my lifting schedule every week now), and do another short 20 minutes of cardio.
I have to be at Outback by 4 tomorrow so that will be the rest of my night- until about 11:30 pm.
Saturday will be my 7 week marker:) I will take "Journey To The Stage" pics for my members area, have kickboxing in the morning, take Alyssa swimming and play with the kids until I have to be at work at 4 again.
My in-laws will be watching the kids for a while before my hubby gets home so that will be lots of fun for the kids and grandma and grandpa too:)
I hope you all have a great weekend and do something sweet for your Valentine's!
I have little goody bags for the kids and a little something for my Valentine too...the man who takes me as I am...
no matter my shape or size...
at my weakest and at my best...
through good and bad...
fun and frustrating...
rain or shine...
my best friend,
the father of my children..
my husband...my home...
my Michael!
Jen;)

"Real Deal" Members Gallery Preview

"Coco Brown" Members Gallery preview

"Coco Brown" Members Gallery preview

Healthy Heart Month Tip Of The Week...
What is a good eating plan? The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute promotes an eating plan called The DASH diet (dietary approaches to stopping hypertension), with menus low in fats, salt, cholesterol, red meat and sweets and high in fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, poultry, nuts, and low-fat dairy foods. Studies show that following this particular eating plan and reducing the amount of sodium consumed can lower blood pressure. For a closer look at the DASH diet visit the following website:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/

8 weeks out from my next show:)

Nationals 2002

Quote For Today...
"Where there is great love there are always miracles."
— Willa Cather

Client Update...
Sandy, one of my clients who's progress is being posted in my members section, has lost a total of 18 1/2 lbs.!! You go girl!!! And to think she brought flowers to me this week...she's the one who deserves flowers:) Keep up the great work Sandy... I believe in all you are!!!

I leave you with some pictures of our little ones..."just being little":)

Wade...the little trouble maker- this is what happens when I try to make my eggs in the morning. He learned how to unlock the dishwasher...life with an "almost" 2 year old:)

Alyssa on her way to school a few weeks ago...all the snow is just about gone now- Hello Spring:))

Adventurous little Alyssa...can't wait to take her rock climbing this summer:)

Wade trying to ride on "Spirit"...he's such a patient doggie:)

Video Clips...added to my members area from several of my previous competitions.
Prejudging and Evening Show Clips:)

A Pic from my members gallery this week:)

Just Got Home from spin class at 6:30...and I posted some comparrison pics from the start of my contest prep. at 18 weeks out in my members journal...I am 8 weeks out now-
WOW I can see sooo many changes and I am just elated at my progress and progression over the past year!
My body comp. is at 9.3% so the next 8 weeks are going to be hard!! Getting to 5% will be rough but I know my bady can do it...I was at 7% for Jr. Nationals in 2002- right now at 9.3% 8 weeks out I am where I was 2 1/2 weeks out from Jr. Nationals in 2002...BUT I am weighing 11 lbs more! It's all in my upper body which was my plan...funny how when you set your sights on what you want, never giving up and believing you can achomplish anything...what can happen!
This natural athlete is going to make those judges take notice of what it means to do it the hard way, the healthy way:)
God Bless all of you...have a great weekend!!
Super Bowl Sunday this weekend!!
Jen;)

Quote for today...
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
~~ William Arthur Ward

"Snow Bathing B & W" members gallery preview.

Members preview

8 1/2 weeks out- "rear lat spread" - manditory competition pose.

8 1/2 weeks out..."rear double bicep" manditory competition pose.

"Snow bathing"- members gallery preview

Members gallery preview pic..."Snow bathing"

February- Healthy Heart Month...
Here's a tip for the week-
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries.
Every time the heart contracts, blood not only rushes ahead through the vessels, but also presses against the walls. That pulse is the systolic pressure, the first number in your blood pressure reading.
When the heart relaxes between beats, the pressure eases too but only to a point. That is the diastolic pressure, the second number. The force of both pressures is measured by how high a pulsing artery can push a column of mercury in a blood pressure monitor.

Februrary 1st....The sun is peaking out from the clouds:)
As the 1st of February has arrived I find myself taking a deep breath and LONG exhale!
I think the worst of things for us this winter are coming to an end:) This weekend was just h*** on me...Sunday I really fell apart and was just so over tired and runned down. I went to sleep by 7:30-8 pm. All the details are posted in my members journal.
The weather has improved and the temperatures are rising..my hubby went back to work Monday and my fingers are crossed that the good weather continues! The schedule I've been keeping has been crazy but somehow I have managed to get it all accomplished...with a lot of strength from above and the will to not give up!
My training progress is outstanding...I am 8 1/2 weeks out and will have my body comp done again on Thursday- it's been a month again. I feel I will be ready 2 weeks out for sure..which was my plan all along:)
My computer is all reformatted and in working order- only my digital camera formatting is unfinished. new pictures will be in my members area this week:))
Well, early am. cardio run this morning went well and now I've got to get Alyssa to school and off to train my clients this morning and this evening.
Have a Wonderful Day!!

P.S. A big Hugg sent to my mother-in-law..I know you need one today:)))
Jen:)