Thanksgiving Weekend...
Family, fun and food!!
We have two incredible families so we spend thanksgiving at both homes so we get to see everyone!
The greatest thank you to my husband's Mom, Paula, and my Mom and Dad for all the cooking you did!!
Everything was fantastic!!

My little cutie-pie..she's getting too big!!

My little boy snuggling with grandma's puppy:)

Wade and his cousin..she's trying to keep him from eating all the food!!

Alyssa and Grandma's puppy;)

A family photo:)

Happy Thanksgiving Grandma & Grandpa!

Michael throwin' a bomb to Jack...

Jack...missing the pass..LOL:)

All the girls!

All the guys!

My adorable sister with Mr. Wade;)

A beautiful picture of Lauren, my brother's girlfriend.

Our family tradition- Jack flipping Mom upsidedown on tree cutting day..lol!

Alyssa's mini cheeseburger at grandma's birthday lunch celebration.

Michael playing with Wade..just look at the dimples on both of them:))

Oh how I love ice cream!

A GREAT picture of my DAD!

Wade having ice cream too!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

What an amazing woman you are!!
I hope you enjoyed your weekend birthday celebration..we all sure did!
"When you were little do you remember wanting to grow up to be someone really special...
YOU DID!"
My birthday card to you says it all;)

Another Incredibel Letter-
From A Woman I Met in Atlanta, From Finland...

"Hi there! This is Kaisa, the girl from Finland who came to talk to you in Atlanta by the elevators.
It was so nice to meet you -
I hadn't read your blog in a couple of weeks and I had no idea you were going to come to Atlanta.
It had just been a day before when I traveled to Atlanta with my friend Katie Madden (www.katiemadden.com) and in the airplane I showed her photos that have inspired me the most. One of them was a photo of you and your little boy, Wade. It is such a sweet photo, so full of happiness and love.
I've been reading your journal since the beginning of this year and like I said, I have thought of emailing you a long time.
Somehow I just didn't know what to say - actually at some point I thought what difference does it make to get one more or less emails from fans.
But now that I met you... I know you're true,
you're exactly as caring, genuine and encouraging person who I've met through your blog. I'm amazed.
You know, there's that little something in some people who makes them different? In you it's that glow, pure happiness that anyone near you can sense.
Being Katie's assistant during the competition,
I have to say I admire the way you take bodybuilding.
Katie is a fitness competitor but through the weekend I was able to see the ladies very closely who took top placements in their weight classes.
It's not a healthy sport anymore, and there's not that much femininity left.
I'm sad because of that,
but on the other hand very happy to see someone like you to keep competing and making the audience go crazy over your physique.
I hope you never lose that attitude, way of loving life and appreciating yourself and your beauty the way you do.
I will compete for the first time in figure in April 2006.
The competition is back in Finland. Right now I still live in Arizona where I've been for the last four months. It's been such a wonderful trip and a great learning experience. You Americans keep amazing me.
I've got nothing but good things to say about your friendliness and that
"wanna have fun!" -attitude. :)
Keep updating the blog and tickle your little kids for me, they're sooo cute!!
Best wishes,
Kaisa from Finland

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE SISTER!!:)
I love you Michelle!

Nationals in Atlanta...
(My complete Recap from the weekend in my members journal)...
The women all looked fantastic! The competition was really incredible this year!
All 4 new IFBB Pro's are VERY deserving of pro status!
Of course, there weren't many natural girls there..but I suppose you start to get used to that...
I find myself just filled with pride for the choices I have made and the path I am on...the well roundedness of my life and what I have that so many of the other athletes do not...
a family and children!!
Some of the extreems that are taken for these competitions, in my opinion, just aren't worth it! At the end of the day, when the lights go out, the stage comes down, and your water and body fat return to "healthy" it really doesn't matter the placing..what matters is what you come home to and what you carry within yourself...
Your dignity,
Self respect,
God Given Beauty..whatever that may look like to others..it's still beautiful,
Sence of achomplishment and self worth

I recieved a letter from a fan today that really made me proud of the choices I have made,
of who I am, what I have done and continue to do...
Have A Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

"Hi Jennifer,
Well you certainly hit the nail on the head with that Wonder Woman outfit.
It's not a "costume" if it's true, so it's an outfit in my opinion.
You are a wonderful representative in my opinion of Female BodyBuilding.
You seem to have great balance with family, sport, training, and a real perspective.
I get sick reading some of the message boards about how catty these women can be.
I mean even some of the top names are complete *** to the other women.
They mask it by being professionally qualified to pick apart another woman
but it's just garbage.
You seem to stand apart amongst an elite group that actually gets it,
and brings every bit of a beautiful sexy package as these diehard 100% lifers,
who are a bit grandiose.
It's refreshing to know you exist and reminds me why I worship the Goddesses
of the sport such as yourself (not in a stalker way at all)!
All the best,
Mark in Miami"

Thank You...
Champion Nutrition and Debbie Patton
for making my trip to Atlanta possible!
Here are a few pics from my trip...

Elena Seiple and Alicia St. Germaine before prejudging..I still think they look like sisters!

Amanda, Mimi and I chatting before the finals..Mimi was the heavy weight and overall winner & new IFBB Pro!

An Article About The Show I Guest Posed At...
http://www.boonecountysports.com/other/NPCBodyBUilding/index.asp

I'mmm Home!:)
Pictures from this weeknd in Atlanta in my members journal and lots more to come!
Jen:)

I'm Off To Atlanta:)
Well, by this time tomorrow I will be on a plane to Atlanta with new IFBB pro Debbie Patton!!
www.debbiepatton.com
am I excited...HECK YAHH!! I am going to do a few off-season shoots, see the show and have an absolute blast! An opportunity to network with other athletes and "talk shop" so to speak.
I have packing to do for myself and the kids, who will be spending the weekend with my parents. My hubby will be very busy with the fire department this weekend..have fun doing what you do best... Leading The Way!!
I don't need to say be safe,
because you're too good for that;)
I haven't even put away everything from last weekend's guest posing event..LOL!
I just LOVE IT and would have it no other way:))
Guest posing for Kevin Noble's event last weekend was probably the most rewarding experience of my bodybuilding career to date. www.kevinnoble.com
From the way everyone welcomed me from arrival to departure, Kevin's generosity and gratitude and all the incredible fans I spoke with, signed autographs for and took pictures with...it was such fun!!
My members gallery has about 160 pictures for this week from the event!
I was even asked back next year!!
It was an honor and a pleasure to perform...I would do it again in a heart beat!
I also felt good about bringing my fuller off-season look to the stage (A difference of 15-20 lbs.). I continue to stand by promoting natural bodybuilding in an honest light. It's important to me, inorder to realistically represent the sport and for young up and coming athletes.. showing all aspects of what it takes to do well up on stage come contest time.
Living life to it's fullest, staying balenced and HAPPY means having an off-season to have healthy, female bodyfat levels..for me that means my bootie gets rounder and my legs and face fill out. This is not only healthy but is also necessary for me to train heavy and intense, and built muscle tissue that will make my contest shape look that much better:)
Most importantly...it means I am a happy wife and MOM!!! Children don't care what you are going through..all they know is how you treat them and love them...I do that best with a bubble butt and a full tummy;) And my husband can get through me 'dieting' because he knows when it's over I go back to being the bright, vibrant, bubbly woman he married.
It's not ALL about the stage..it's about making it part of a life!!!
Have a great weekend everyone, I'll be updating my members journal from Atlanta:)
Jen;)

Wade Watching Mommy's Routine
From Saturday;)

Wonderwoman:)



WOW...What a Night!
Here are just a few of the 150 pics my wonderful client & friend, Jill took tonight:)
I have so much to share ..but need sleep first:)

* My "Ask The Trainer" page has been updated
with a new Question and Answer:)

Tomorrow's Guest Posing...
(36 hours to stage time- carb depleated and full of water)

Well, tomorrow is the NPC Natural Mid-States Muscle Classic XVIII Bodybuilding & Figure Championships in Belvedere, IL. I will be guest posing:)
www.kevinnoble.com
My members have been hearing about and viewing pics of my progress the past few weeks and all the challenges that have come along too! It's been quite a week!!
My wonderful sister and her husband Lucas helped me Sunday to get my music cut and spliced together which was an amazing help!! Lucas thank you soo much for taking out 2 hours to help me during the football game!
My costume that I ordered for my performance idea was put on back order after they took the money from my account...so f
rustrating!! So Wedensday after picking Alyssa up from
Brownies we went to a costume shop and found something I could transform into what I wanted.

In addition to figuring out my choreography with my husband's helpful and creative eye, when I am drained from dieting, I was sewing a costume! Last night my mom was wonderful and helped me get the last of things done! It's going to end up great!!
Up at 5 in the morning on my bike the past 2 weeks for cardio until Tuesday morning when I had a really bad depleated morning...the carb. depletion had overcome me...4 preps this year is too much for me, 3 is really my limit, but I didn't want to pass on this incredible opportunity!!
My most faithful, loving friend and husband stayed with me to make sure I was doing ok and then we went to parent conference together for Alyssa ( pride and joy:) and he helped me with my routine. When the going gets really rough for me the last week he always steps up to help me in whatever capacity I need. He knows how hard the end is and is always right there for me!
Bodybuilding is usually seen as a solo sport, but there are soo many other people behind the scenes that bring that finished product to the stage..it is very much a group effort!!
I am extreemly excited about tomorrow! I start depleating my water today since I won't be on stage until about 8:30-9 pm. on Saturday. I have some details for my routine to finish and my tan to finish as well. Some other errends and some carbs to start filling up on. We don't have anyone to watch the kids tomorrow night..augg! I am just going to pray we figure out something..Michael really loves to see me on stage and it wouldn't be complete without him there! Wade is just not able to sit at 2 so bringing him would be really stressful..
I will hope for the best!
I think I may go out with Alyssa tonight for some mom and daughter time alone to see "chicken little":) We haven't had time alone in a while and she too is always a huge help to me the last week of prep. She gets excited now too! She even comes up with choreography ideas..I just love her so much! She is so confident yet humble and sweet! She is also such a tramendous athlete. They want to move her up to team for gymnastics..after the wonderful report we recieved at her teacher conference, at school, this week- all A's:)..we may just let her move up..I think she may be ready..she really wants to move up.
I recieved an e-mail a few days ago that really touched me and made me see that I am living and breathing my dreams:
It was from an NPC judge who had judged one of my competitions this past year and he said he was coming to see me perfrom this weekend, and was very much looking forward to it. He then said he was bringing his grand-daughter to see me and meet me. She has been going through some very difficult times and he thought I could serve as a role model for her to help her redirect her life. I was so touched by this because it is what I have always wanted out of all of "this"! The opportunity to inspire others and to serve as a role model for young people.
To have this young teen coming to meet me made me see that I have finally become what I aspired to be...and it makes me also reflect back to all that has led up to this...
I go to this event tomorrow with the feeling of pride and fullfillment in hopes that I may pass on and share this!
We all have hopes and dreams and I hope to inspire the audience to go after theirs, whatever they are...ambition is the same no matter what it is you are after in life....
I leve for Atlanta- NPC Nationals next Friday for the weekend:) and then it will be time to get into all the fun for the holidays..Thanksgiving, Christmas..sooo fun!!!
Jen:)

Something Really Sweet
From One of My Website Members/Sponsors...

"It’s gallery day
before the big show
there are a few things
I want you to know

When you’re on the stage
in front of the crowd
and they see you perform
you’re making me proud!

For the honor you have
is the one you deserve
and they’ll be amazed
by what they observe

In the presence of Jen
I know what they'll feel
A true champion
natural and real!"

Thank you for that Evan!!

Ask The Traineer Q & A...
"Hello Jennifer,
I would first like to start out by congratulating you on your upcoming guest posing, I know you will do great. I am not sure if you would remember me but a few months back I was emailing you about possibly helping me prepare for a show I was doing at the beginning of the year. Well I did the show in Chicago and won my weight class and had a great time. I always hear you talk about your beautiful children and I recently found out I am pregnant and was wondering if you could offer any training tips or dieting tips to get me through the next 4 months of this pregnancy? I have to say being pregnant is a blessing don't get me wrong but it is also hard to go from having all the control of your body to almost none. If you have any advice I would greatly appreciate it. I have to say you are an inspiration for all women not only for the bodybuilding but for the way you juggle it all. I admire you for all you have accomplished and all you will.

Best of luck on November 12th
MernaLee"


"Merna,
yes, of course I remember you! Great to hear from you and Congratulations!!
There is no greater blessing than that of a child! I really appreciate what you wrote about the way I have balenced things in my life. It is always a great balencing act and all of us struggle with that as life throws us new challenges each day. You can't control what life brings you, but you can control how you react to it. You have been given the blessing and challenge of soon becoming a mother.
This will be, without question, the experience that changes your life forever!! You will never be the same again. You will never again look at another pregnant woman without remembering something of your own pregnancy.
You will never again look at a newborn the same way..you will remeber the scent of a new life and the extraordinary peace that comes when your newborn snuggles up on your bare chest, their breath warming every part of your soul. And the pride that goes along with knowing, YOU helped create that life and bring that child into the world.
You will never again look at another mother struggling in a store with a toddler without remembering back, or thinking ahead, to what it was like or will be like, when your child was/is at that stage.
You will never see your child's father the same way...there will always be a bond that nothing in this world or behond, can take away!
All of your childhood will come back to you- in bits and pieces- as your child reaches each stage of their life. This will be a wonderful thing or a very painful thing...but you have the ability to be the mother you always wanted for your child...whether you had that in your life or not.
You will be humbled forever!! And..if and when you get on the stage again it will be more emotionally overwhelming than you ever could have imagined...because whatever you went through to get there before children..multiply that by 10! Everything you do in your life has to be balanced with the hopes, dreams and needs of your child and family.
When you speak of loosing control over your body while being pregnant and after having your child...I challenge you; to think of this as not a loss of control, but yet a way to experience yourself, the world around you, and the people around you differently.
Open yourself up to seeing things you never had time to REALLY see.
Slow down, smell the flowers, take a walk at sunset, taste every ice cream flavor at
" 31 Flavors" (not all in one day of course;).
My advise is this...you have only one life to do ALL there is to do!!
You have had time to be on stage and see the capacity of your athleticism to this point,
now it's time to appreciate the capacity for your body to grow "LIFE" within it!!
WOW- just think about that for a moment!!
Just for a second forget all your fears.. and just embrace the "Life" within you!
Exercise..not to change how your body looks..exercise to feel good! Change your thinking from looking into the mirror for feedback to closing your eyes taking a breath...how do you feel today..are you tired- maybe you need a nap. Is your body sore and stiff- maybe you need a yoga class (making modifications as you go). Prenantal yoga is wonderful..it is calming and it helps you bond with other new Mom's -To -Be.

Network...talk to other mom's.
Read...the more you know about labor, delivery and what to expect afterwards the more confident you will be- and that will show when the baby comes.
Enlist Help...do you need someone to help you clean the house or do you need a day off from work. When the baby comes..everyone will offer to help..TAKE THEM UP ON IT! No matter how self saficient you are..let them cook you a meal, go shopping for you. ext.
Be patient...after having a baby it takes time to feel like 'you' again emotionally and physically. Respect your body, and what it has given you.
You have the rest of your life to get your body back...your child's 1st year will NEVER come again!! I nursed both my children for a full year after they were born. I have no regrets..I enjoyed every moment and charished it all:) When you get your 6 week check- up after the baby, then you can start on that journey back to being "you"..but don't expect your body to respond the way it did before..it won't!
Your Partner/Husband/Boyfriend...I don't know if you are married or if the baby's father is going to be in your life..but if he is...don't leave him out, don't forget about him because you are so focused on the baby. Make your relationship a priority! Make take for eachother alone every week. The greatest gift you can give a child is for them to witness and learn from the love in their family. Whatever your family is made of...they will learn from..it will change them...make them who they are!!
Don't Compare to Anyone...don't compare yourself or your child to anyone else!!!
Be Happy & Laugh...enjoy as much as you can..when God gives you lemons..make lemonade:) Make the best of everything that comes your way...choose to see what is beautiful, instead of seeing what is not. Stop looking at the flaws, start looking at the "glow" that surrounds you and your beautiful expanding belly!
May you find the magic in pregnancy that I did and the patience to know your time will come again to follow your athletic pursuits..but that time is not now.
All the best to you & your unborn baby!
Jen:)"

Quote for Today...
"I've always known that life is better when you share it.
I now realize it gets even sweeter when you expand the circle."

— Oprah Winfrey

One of those 'Improve' mornings...
I over slept a bit for my early am. cardio and got up at 5:50 am. instead of 5 am....so, my 2 year old got up early and I ended up riding my last 18 minutes on my spin bike holding him and his blankie:) Just a little piece into how it all gets done...LOL!
9 days until guest posing...
www.kevinnoble.com for tickets!

Quote For Today...
"Most of the basic truths of life sound absurd at first hearing."
— Elizabeth Goudge

A Treat on Halloween!
I recieved the newest edition of NPC NEWS magazine on halloween and found 3 of my pictures from the Jr. Nationals prejudging! since this was the first top 5 placing I recieved at a national level show I was pretty happy to see those pics!
Less than 2 weeks until guest posing:) I am excited to perform my routine and see everyone!
Halloween was great! The kids had a BLAAAAAST, my husband dressed up as a dog with Wade, Alyssa's school party went great and i had a really nice time visiting my friend Kelly at a Halloween party on saturday!
Pics in my members journal.
TTFN...