I hope your Monday is off to a great start! Thursday morning, when Jake and I grabbed coffee before his work meetings, I took coffee in the car with me. Sometimes you just need coffee before you get your coffee. Right? Right.
Jake had meetings all day Thursday, so we got to have lunch together when he had an hour off in the afternoon. We went to Tinga Tacos and it was delicious. For those asking, he LOVES his new job with City Utilities. It makes me so happy to see him loving it – it was hard for him to leave his old job since he had been there for 8 years, but he made the right decision.
Thursday night, we headed to Scottie and Brandi’s house to celebrate Scottie’s birthday. I took pineapple guacamole with us.
Brandi made those plantain nachos I shared awhile ago (HERE) and she even made a dairy-free portion for me. She’s the best! The nachos were incredible. I failed to get a picture of the whole group, but we had a blast together.
Friday morning, I decided to give the elliptical a try. I had a few heart to hearts with myself about this since the elliptical resembles running. I didn’t want to trigger something in my foot, but I also wanted to check and see if I’m making progress. I told myself that if I had ANY pain or uncomfortableness, I would stop immediately. I got in 30 minutes with absolutely zero pain! I was stoked. I then lifted and knocked out my challenges for the month. Trail Sisters Springfield is doing a plank challenge and Jake and one of his friends is doing a 100 pushups/100 sit-ups every day. It’s hard to take selfies after doing 100 pushups. As shown below… ; )
My friend, Liz, was in town Friday, so we got to grab brunch! I loved getting to spend time with her and catch up. We went to Early Bird. I love their food.
After brunch, I got a massage! It was amazing. Acacia got new robes, too. They’re so comfy.
That post-massage feeling when you can’t do anything but relax.
The girls and I played some fetch in the yard while we waited for Jake to get home from work.
Jake got home and immediately climbed this tree in our backyard. Lu just wanted him to throw her tennis ball, so she was pretty upset.
We had dinner Friday night with some family friends – look who I got to love on! Her little chubby cheeks are so precious. (My sister and brother-in-law are keeping her off social media, so this is all I can post. But trust me, she’s the best.)
Dinner was delicious. Chicken and rice, fruit, and salad.
Saturday morning, I started on my planks, pushups, and sit-ups, and walked out to this. Rhea had chewed up my yoga mat. She never chews things, so I was surprised. I had been needing a new mat, though, so it worked out. ; )
I headed to a baby shower for Brandi Saturday afternoon. I wore THIS jumpsuit from Talulah. It’s pretty comfy and has pockets. Win-win.
I wore my most annoying sunnies. Jake always makes fun of me when I wear these.
My Mom and Grandma met me at the shower. We had fun with the props.
I loved getting to spend time with these gals! I didn’t get a picture with Brandi, but I think she has one.
After the shower, I did laundry and cleaned up around the house. Jake was in Arkansas with a bunch of guys riding mountain bikes all day Saturday, so the girls and I were pretty lazy. After I worked around the house, I met Alex for sushi. Since we aren’t running together every day, I hadn’t seen her in WAY too long.
Saturday was a little hard because it was our one year without Aspen. I can’t believe it’s been a whole year. We miss you, sweet girl. You can read the post from last year HERE. I cry every time I read it. She was such an awesome pup.
Sunday morning, I loaded up my bike and headed to go ride!
Cassie met me and we rode 15 miles together. After she left, I decided to try and hit 30 miles.
It was toasty out, so I drank a lot of water – I added Nuun electrolyte tablets to each of my bottles.
I did it! 30 miles was my longest ride ever. I was pretty excited – it wasn’t fast, but I’ll get there. I felt really good the whole time.
I finished my ride around 12:30PM, so I was starving when I got home. I made a big scramble and threw it into a flatbread.
Ooooh, Women’s Health, this article pissed me off. Don’t tell me what I can and can’t call my dogs. I feel like there are more pressing HEALTH issues out there that you should be focusing on. Eye-roll. I shar
ed this on Instagram and SO many people messaged me and were annoyed, too. Dumb.
ed this on Instagram and SO many people messaged me and were annoyed, too. Dumb.
I failed AGAIN last night to get pictures, but we had friends over to grill and hang out. Maybe one day I’ll remember to get group pictures…
Happy Monday, friends!
Hello! Love reading your blog! I was wondering if I could get your and Jake’s expert advice about bike riding. I want to start bike riding and need a new bike and helmet but do not want to spend a lot of money to start out. I was wondering if you had advice on which brands or stores are the best to look at for beginners. I am anticipating both road/some dirt for the terrain.
Thank you!
Hi, Becky!
We go to a local shop in Springfield called Sunshine Bike Shop. Are you close to Springfield? If not, most bike shops should be able to help!
It sounds like you’d like a gravel bike, which is what I have! I have the Salsa Journeyman and am obsessed with it. I have a Liv Cycling helmet – I don’t know the model.
Let me know if you have other questions!