Erica Ziel of Knocked-Up Fitness posted on her Facebook page this week about a free 7 day #StrongMama challenge starting tomorrow Friday April 4th. 
She states that this challenge is great for pregnant or non pregnant moms. 

Check out this link to sign up: 
http://knocked-upfitness.com/7-day-strong-mama-challenge/ 

Her Facebook page is here:
https://www.facebook.com/KnockedUpFItness

Earlier today I got an email stating that I’m signed up and that the challenge starts tomorrow-how exciting!! 
She said she will provide short workout videos and will go over some of her favorite workout exercises in depth-explaining how to do them, what muscles are being targeted, etc. Sounds like it will be a great 7 day challenge!! 

I will post on my Instagram page every day about my daily challenge with Erica and will do a blog recap later next week. 

I love sharing great, and especially free, workouts and challenges with my readers! 
Let me know if you sign up too so we can stay accountable and motivate each other. 

Don’t you just love this picture that I got from Erica’s page? I like how it demonstrates that it takes determination  and commitment to FIT exercise into your schedule-it doesn’t just happen! 

The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife: 

18 Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth

While I was on vacation I started reading the book pictured above. Darlene started a Facebook book club 2 weeks ago but I just got the book a week ago so I’m playing catch up. We are reading and discussing 2 chapters per week. 

Heres the schedule so far:

March 10-15 discuss Chapter 1 and 2
March 17-22 discuss Chapter 3 and 4

I read the Preface which explains the SOAP method which I love because it helps me to make notes and underline in the books that I read to help me remember and apply the principles in my life.

Lesson One Blog link discussion:
http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2422

Today’s Challenge: Examine your life to see what temptation you’re facing, and what steps you can take to walk a victorious life. Take this to prayer. – See more at: http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2422#sthash.pXfX6Tag.dpuf

Some things that I underlined and liked in this chapter: 
There were a couple sections that really stood out to me. First she stated its not easy to control our temper or exercise patience etc., but the more that we exercise those muscles, (just like training our muscles during exercise), the easier it will get for us. I can definitely relate to that when I visualize how I practice and progress with my muscles and exercising. Great analogy!! 

 “Virtue is all about our behavior. It’s an act of yielding our lives to our principles, which is not always easy, but always rewarding. There’s a will to do good in every one of us, but whether or not we choose to exercise and develop that goodness determines our character.”

“…we’re given a choice to either continue down the path we’re going or to make changes that develop stronger character and a happier life.”

Lesson Two Blog link discussion:
http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2483

Today’s Challenge: Take opportunities as they come up to offer kindness to others both in your marriage and outside the home. And do at least one thing that requires you to go out of your way this week to either help someone else or just brighten their day. – See more at: http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2483#sthash.1Z4yTVSW.dpuf



Some things that I underlined and liked in this chapter: 
“After a long day, do I offer his leftovers, or do I put in the effort to be his companion and friend?” (I NEED TO WORK ON THIS ONE!) 

“…we have the ability to choose our attitude at any time for the good. When someone gets under our skin, we can be impatient and vindictive or we can exercise the virtue of kindness.” 

7 habits of a kind wife according to the author: 
-she’s affectionate
-she’s understanding
-she looks to God to sharpen her character
-she’s strengthened by prayer
-she knows that a kind word turns away wrath
-she builds her husband instead of tearing him down
-she’s not perfect, but she’s growing in grace 

Lesson Three blog link discussion: 
http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2506

Today’s Challenge: Make your own list of things that might be distracting you from your walk with the Lord or putting a wedge in your marriage. Pray for courage, and take the necessary steps to put boundaries in place.


Some things that I underlined and liked in this chapter: 
“If you want to see change, give love a constant and earnest effort seasoned with prayer.” 

“Throw off everything that is weighing you down, and grab hold of the Savior. He’ll bring you safely to shore.”

“…Diligence is focus.” 

“A couple is definitely stronger when they’re clearly united with the same purpose and the same set of values.” 

Lesson Four blog link discussion: 
http://timewarpwife.com/?p=2560

Today’s Challenge: Look for ways in your life to practice self control, even small ways. Make a decision to change a few things and stick with it.


Some things that I underlined and liked in this chapter: 
“If we’re only obeying God when it makes sense to us then we’re living to serve ourselves, not the Spirit. God’s laws don’t always make sense to us, quite often they require us to step out of our comfort one or to feel the sting of refinement.” 

“Temporal happiness could never compare to the inner peace that comes from serving the Lord!” 

“Putting away sin starts with a decision, and then it calls for self control.” 

“A virtuous woman isn’t ruled by her passions, she passionately pursues an incomparable God. She is strong because she knows that she can do that she wants, but she chooses to do that which is good.” 



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On Friday I was running errands with the family and went to ACMoore Craft Store to find a particular item, which I did not find. So I stopped by Michaels Craft Store on Saturday and was SOOOOOO excited to see the display below!! (and yes I did find my particular item at Michaels too!)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! NEW Project Life items???!!!! How did I miss the memo on this??!!
(Even though I don’t do as much scrapbooking as I would like, I still try to keep up with things!)

I had a coupon so I got a binder (which I then had to exchange because it was damaged) and the “Weekly Planner Pages” kit. I went home to google the kit online to see when it was released so I could blog about it. All I could find was this posting from Becky Higgins telling me that these products are Michaels craft store exclusives!! and upon further googling, apparently hard to find!! 

http://beckyhiggins.com/new-products-at-michaels/

So I went back to the store this morning to exchange my broken binder, got another binder, the Journal Pages Kit, and some other misc Project Life items. ( I used two coupons this time-thank you Hubby for going with me to buy these things.) 

I AM SO EXCITED!! Can you tell??!!

Here are my pictures of what I got on Saturday and today and how I plan to use them. 

Make sure to check out your Michaels craft store if you are interested in these items and don’t forget to use your coupon!! This week I had a 20% off your total purchase (including sale items) which is why I got multiple Project Life items. 🙂 

6×8 inch D-ring binders in colors Seafoam and Chevron. 

The binders are $14.99 each. They had solid and patterned binders.  

has 2 rings-snag free interlocking D-ring

“Weekly Planner Pages”kit

Includes 49 weekly planner pages and 12 monthly dividers. 

$14.99 each kit. 

They suggest on the back to also get a 6×8 binder, themed cards and pocket pages. 

A look inside the weekly planner pages kit!!
The 12 monthly dividers.

A birthday List included-how helpful!! 

What the weekly schedule pages will look like.

Today is April 1st so I get to start fresh and at the beginning of my binder!! What perfect timing!

At the beginning of each month, there are two pages of journaling prompts/lists. They are different for every month. This is for April. 

Week 1 and Week 2 schedule pages for April… Will fill them out tonight.

Misc. Project Life Items I got to add to my kits:

“Design 3” (12) 6×8 photo pocket pages
$4.99 each

“Planner” 40 themed cards
(4) 4×6 title cards, (4) 4×6 journaling cards and (32) 3×4 journal cards. All cards are double sided.
$4.99 each

“Journal” 40 themed cards
(4) 4×6 title cards, (4) 4×6 journaling cards and (32) 3×4 journal cards. All cards are double sided.
$4.99 each

“Journal Pages” kit
Includes 66 journal pages and 4 dividers.
$14.99 each kit.

They suggest on the back to also get a 6×8 binder, themed cards and pocket pages. 

Inside the Journal Pages kit-love the bright colors!! wow!

I LOVE!! Lots of room to write.. I plan on using this for notes at church and my personal book and bible studies at home… 

So what do you think-do you love planners and journals? 

Have you ever heard of Project Life and Becky Higgins?

Started Round 2 last Monday March 24th. I took a week off to go to the beach and didn’t do very well with my eating while I was gone. 🙁 So I was excited to start back into the program and begin Round 2. My mom is still waiting for her kit, so I guess I’ll do Round 3 with her!!

I end up planning out my menu before the day starts and I eat alot of the same meals over and over again, so I’m not going to post as many pictures as I did for Round 1.

Two things I’m doing differently this round…
First, I changed what calorie bracket I’m eating from. I’m going to stay in the 1200-1499 calorie bracket which means less fruit and carbs.
Second, I’m going to do double workouts on most days so I workout out for more than 30 minutes. I’m also going to use heavier hand weights than I did in Round 1.

Monday workout

Double workout for Monday-Barre dvd

Tuesday workout

Wednesday workout

Wednesday double workout-LOVE the FREE Autumn Calabrese youtube videos!! 

Thursday workout

Thursday double workout-Barre dvd with my mom and 1 mile Leslie Sansone dvd

Love my new Nike barre shoes!! 

Friday workout

Friday double workout

I missed my Saturday workout of doing Dirty 30, but did a 30 min swim lesson with my 3 year old and then went shopping with the family! (LOL can you count shopping and holding all the bags as exercise??!!)

I am pleased with how most of my week went except for on Thurs and Saturday. I was sugar free for over a week but then had a cupcake on Thursday that my boss brought me! ARGH!! Then on saturday I was gone most of the day and didn’t log my food or use any of my containers!! BOOO!! I hate it when I don’t have a good eating week!! Ready for week 2!!