The 3/4 of July

Sunday {July 17}

 

Church was so nice today.  Zac's parents were the main speakers and both did a great job.  It's been a crazy year for them in a lot of ways and it was so rewarding to see them where they were and to hear their talks and realize how far they've both come.  We ate lunch at Pete's place, headed home for naps, and then to Cleaver's to make cookies since they did such a great job on their talks.  Everyone enjoyed the cookies and Beckham sat in the bumbo in his diaper and it looked like he was naked! (:  We visited a bit longer and then left to take some cookies to Becca and the kids. 

She had recently gotten a used kid's motorbike.  She had Zac try it out and he hesitantly got on.  He only drove it up & down the driveway, but had a blast.  I think I see that dirt-bike in his future...and as long as he gets really good on a little one first, I'm okay with it.  (:  The kiddos adore Zac-especially Terren-and they are all great with our boys.  We ended up in the house so the kids could play a bit while Becca and Zac and I had a more serious conversation.  It's always a good time spent with the Houston crew.  We love that family.

 

 

 

{a mini zac & tom}

Monday {July 18}
Taylor watched the boys today which was a big help so I could get a ton done in preparation for being gone for four days.  I called clients, sent emails, answered questions, and other business housekeeping.  A good day, for sure.  Picked the boys up and chilled at Pete's place for a while.  We left and dropped off bags of apricots to a couple neighbors.  I love sharing produce.  They were dang good apricots, too.

Tuesday {July 19}
We decided to go spend the day as a family...in Nampa.  Unfortunately, we had some business at the car dealership and those are NEVER short visits! (:  The boys were incredible the entire day and did so well.  We left our Acura there while they gave us a car to try out-one Zac has had his eye on for a while-and to drive to do our other errands.  So, we loaded both carseats & both boys up into the 13 year old used BMW 7 series {which happened to be in immaculate condition and only had 60k miles on it} and headed to Meridian.  The boys dropped me off to get a spray tan while they went and got lunch.  I found them squished & finishing their lunch.  Zac let me drive us back to the car dealership.  We were there for a while longer and drove to a couple other stores after to return some of the stuff I'd bought last weekend.  We got home around seven, loved on our boys a ton, got them to bed, and finished packing.  T&T came over to stay the night since we were heading out super early and we chatted with them for a while.

 

 Sidenote: before bedtime, we asked Grayson what he wanted us to bring him from Floriday {I'd already gotten their stuff}.  He said, "a toy smoke betector."  Hmm, we'll see what we can do.  Then he said as he was getting into his bed, "Oh, and send me a card, k?"  Love that kid!

Wednesday {July 20}
Zac and I slept in the living room and had to be up at 3:30 AM to get ready to go to the airport.  We peeked in at our boys and I felt the first glimpse of missing them.  We headed to the airport at 4 and got checked in to wait for our 6:00 flight.  Our first flight was smooth and took us to SLC where we had a 2 hour layover.  It was crazy that it was still so early and we had gone so far. (:  We were tired, but laughed and talked a lot.  We ended up meeting four other health coaches going to convention with us from SLC to Florida, so we chatted with them, too...We are a chatty bunch.

 

 

It happened that we sat next to one of the coaches, Deborah, that I'd met last year, which was crazy.  I took the middle because Zac likes the window seat-he gets so nervous about flying, but it doesn't bother me at all, so we balance each other out.  The only thing I don't like about longer flights is how hard it is to sleep on a plane.  I move all over the place! (:  On the way there I was so excited we each had video screens on the seats in front of us.  I paid $6 to watch "Soul Surfer" and I'm so glad I did.  Such a worthwhile movie for the whole family.  I shed a couple tears, but kept my composure pretty well seeing we were on an airplane and I didn't want to stress Zac out even more. (:  Our flight went well and we were both happy when our plane landed in Orlando.  It was crazy because as soon as we landed-even before setting foot off the plane-I felt greasy from the difference in humidity.   Weird!

We got off the plane and found ourselves in a HUGE airport.  We found our way around-no thanks to me-and got settled to wait for our friend Tonya to get in.  We waited about an hour for her, then we all chatted and waited for a shuttle to take us to the resort.  We stayed at the Gaylord Resort and it was incredible.  Wow, that place needs it's own zipcode!  Definitely the nicest place we've stayed yet.  Two things about Florida I noticed right away: it's hot and it doesn't look that much different than home...aside from the intense moisture and palm trees.  The freeways weren't too busy where we were and the peop.0 enjoy, and we were impressed with the cleanliness of where we were, too.

We got to the resort, checked in, dropped our bags in our AWESOME king room, and freshened up in about five minutes.  Then we hurried downstairs to meet up with Tony and Brenda to go to a dinner for the Executive Directors and above.  They brought their two youngest kids, Jared {16} and Carly {14} and we adore them.  The six of us somehow squeezed into their little rental car and found our way to Universal Studios.  TSFL had gotten the HardRock Cafe for our dinner and the kids did their own thing while we went in.  Universal Studios is amazing!  We had to walk all the way through to get to the HardRock and it was quite a sight!  So many people, palm trees, great music, fun rides/food/activities, and we would love to go back when we can actually spend lots of time there.  The dinner was a lot of fun too and they had hired a phenomenal band to sing/play the entire time.  Of course the food was all healthy and delicious and every detail was so precise.

 

 

 

We were pretty tired & gross from getting in just a few hours before and being up all day, but I'm glad we went because I got to meet Jenn {who was featured on my blog here} and General Leo Williams {who went to kiss me on the lips and I dodged for a cheeker-I think he's like every grandpa who just wants a little love!} and he was darling.  I also got to meet Dr. Andersen, and catch up with several other TSFL friends which is always fun.  It was mostly fun having Zac there to meet everyone too and to experience the night with.  We found Jared & Carly and all headed out.  We ended up searching for ice cream because Zac and Carly were dying for some.  We hunted that whole city, it seemed and laughed so hard all of us about wet our pants.  After a couple hours I think we were all delirious.  We are so grateful for Tony and Brenda's friendship.  They totally make us laugh, are such great examples to us, and we feel completely comfortable around them.  Sometimes too much, probably!  We ended back at the hotel around midnight and called it a night.  Zac and I stayed up talking and laughing and finally went to sleep around 2.

Thursday {July 21}
This morning Zac slept in while I got up and going and ready.  I headed down for a Leadership workshop taught by Brian Biro entitled "Breakthrough Leadership."  Zac met me after a while.  It was SO good.  Brian Biro is an incredibly great motivational speaker and teacher.  It was a four hour workshop {8-noon} and the time flew by.

 

 

We broke for lunch and I went to change for my photoshoot.  I went to the room and it was a lot of fun.  Really low-key, casual, and great people.  The makeup artist did some touch up on my face and hair and the photographer was a sweetie.  I changed outfits three times and had a blast-I've always kinda liked being in front of the camera... (:  I got to see the pictures on the camera after he'd taken them to make sure I was okay with them.  I asked what they'd be used for and they said, "promotional and marketing materials, maybe some brochures, or maybe we'll make a life size poster of you."  Yeah...send me one of those, please.  Not sure how I feel about a life size version of myself in cardboard form, but oh well!  It went quickly because I wanted to get back to the end of the workshop.

I met up with Zac and Tony and Brenda and the room was packed.  There were over 800 of us taking the workshop and lots more coaches who had already done it in years past.  At 1:00 Brian taught us the culmination of what we'd been learning-how to break a board.  On the front of the board we wrote a big X in the middle.  Around it we wrote what thing{s} we'd like to breakthrough in our lives.  On the back we wrote what freedom breaking through those things would allow us and the people it would most benefit if we broke through.  He quickly taught us the basics of breaking a one inch board in half with our bare hands.  The proper stance, look the holder in the eye-not at your board, and hit it with the fatty part of your hand right below your thumb {palm side up}.  The room was completely energized.  He brought the first person up out of the audience to break her board and we were all cheering & clapping, shouting her name.  She broke it and everyone was screaming and excited for her.  I felt pretty emotional because it was so powerful to have everyone rooting for her and so genuinely happy for her when she broke through.  We split off into our groups-12 people who were breaking boards and one board holder in each-and Zac and I were in Brad Miller's group.  Tony and Brenda were cheering for us.  Each person would go, hand Brad their board, and get ready.  The rest of us would start cheering for that person.  Then they'd go for it.  Some broke their boards on the first try, and some got caught up looking at the board and it was like it was a solid brick wall.  It was crazy how much your mind played a part in the whole process.  We cheered even louder if they didn't break the board the first time.  I was pretty much so happy for every person's success that I'd cry a couple tears of joy...because I know how hard it is to break through some of those old habits and diehard things we struggle with.  It was so empowering to know I could break through my "stuff" if I work hard enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it was my turn I was so pumped.  I was pretty nervous about whether or not I'd be able to do it, but I didn't let doubts get in my head.  I got all ready and just as I was about to go for it, I realized I was looking at the board, not at Brad.  I locked my eyes with his and just did it.  Broke straight through and seriously didn't even feel it.  He bear hugged me and everyone was screaming and then I went for Zac and he was laughing and hugging me and I was so happy and it was one of the coolest things I've ever done.  Watching Zac break his was equally or more amazing for me.  Seeing someone I adore and whom I know almost as well as myself be so open with his fears and then so psyched to break through them was just incredible.  He was totally pumped and broke it with no problems.  He then lifted Brad off the ground when he hugged him and was just giddy!  I was laughing so hard and it was just an unforgettable experience.  We cheered for lots of other people and took our boards as a remembrance of what we are working on breaking through. 

After that we went back to our room and rested for an hour or so.  We met up with Tonya, Tony & Brenda, and another coach & friend, Debbie.  We went to eat together and enjoyed each other's company.  Jared & Carly came too, of course.  Lots of laughing.  Got back to the hotel and got ready for the opening night.  Lots more coaches had flown in-2500 in all-and it was so energetic in the room.  Loud & great music playing, before & after pictures on the big screens, and pictures of families who are enjoying the lifestyle Take Shape for Life gives.  It was great.  The presentation was better than last year.  Probably because I had Zac beside me, but it was just an amazing night.  Each talk was incredible and the company has so much integrity.  It was awesome to hear a CEO honor his parents instead of focusing on numbers & money the entire time.  And to know we're giving the gift of health-which has been offered to us-is an all time blessing.

Here are some of my favorite things that were said:
-Listen, think, learn, and do {lead}
-Go out and do good things
-Defining companies refuse to be defined by the norm; they lead
-Listen...learn...lead
-Love: being fed in the course of feeding others
-I know the difference between work and family.  But sometimes they cross over.  And that gives me energy.  It gives my family energy as well. {meg sheets-CEO of TSFL}
-We exported Obesity, making it globesity
-2 forms of communication: manipulation & inspiration
-Truth goes through 3 stages: 1. it is ridiculed {wright brothers}, 2. it's violently opposed, 3. it's accepted as being self-evident
-We don't need to cure obesity, we need to eradicate it

After the night ended, we were jazzed up.  We went and got sushi and talked for a couple more hours.  Wendy & Morgan {Zac's mom/sister & 2 more of my coaches} flew in late that night so we welcomed them and all went to our rooms to bed around 1am.

Friday {July 22}
This morning started with a great four hour general session.  I swear, the time goes so fast!  We learned so much and it was fun to have our little team all sit together and be excited.  Just a few of my favorite tidbits from my notes {which I'm still going over & trying to make sense of & incorporate}:
-A breakdown precedes a breakthrough
-Follow the plan
-Obesity and thinnness are socialy contagious {scientific study about the fact that we adopt the habits/lifestyles of the people we surround ourselves with}
-We are what we repeatedly do; excellence is a habit
-Strive to be an accomplished peer {empathy & appraisal-feedback}

After the general session, we broke for lunch and TSFL provided an amazingly delicious and healthy meal.  They have the best fresh fruit available at every meal too, which was a great dessert.  We chatted and decided which classes we were all going to so we could learn as much as possible.  I split off by myself and went to three great classes.

After the classes, we called and talked to Grayson for a minute.  Miss those boys!  Taylor said they were doing good and he definitely didn't sound like he missed me too much. (:  I also got an hour nap in which was WONDERFUL!  It was awesome because our balcony doors opened up to the atrium in the hotel and I just left the doors open while Zac worked from his laptop out there and the soft noise was awesome.

The downtime helped us get our second wind.  After that, the eight of us wanted to hang out more, so we chilled by the alligators {in our hotel} while deciding what to do.  Since only Tony and Brenda had rented a car, we went in two carloads.  The first was Tony, Brenda, Zac, Wendy, and Morgan.  They went to find someplace to eat and would return to get me, Tonya, Jared, and Carly.  We experienced our first sweaty Florida storm at this point while waiting outside because it was raining but it just felt like thick sweat!   Yuck!  Tony came back for us and we all ate at IHOP.  It was good food and better company, and we were all excited setting goals and talking about the days events...with lots of funny jokes & stories thrown in as well.  Tony took Tonya, Wendy and Morgan back to the hotel so they could sleep and Brenda, Jared, Carly, Zac, and I hung out at a thrift shop across the street.  When Tony came back, we weren't quite ready to call it a night, so we hung out at a couple grocery stores, bought some staples for the kids for the next day {they were starving in their hotel room} and then hung out in the Ball's hotel room chatting for a couple more hours.  Another late night, but so so fun. 

Saturday {July 23}

We had another awesome four hour general session today.  My favorite part was the doctor panel where many doctors in all different professional areas shared about their experiences with employing TSFL in their offices and what it's done for their patients.  I love that these doctors are focusing on creating health instead of treating illness-which is what our medical community is forced to do with insurance companies and our government's health plans.

We learned that Bluecross in Maryland is the first to list TSFL on their list as weight loss companies that they'll help insure!  We are super excited because this will hopefully encourage more states to add it to their lists...rather than giving their clients incentive to have major surgeries {which often cause more problems}.  Woot!  Some favorites from today:
-You can't help everybody, but you can help anyone who wants it.
-Don't focus on the problem; focus on what I want.
-Focus our lives around what matters most to us
-Get rid of feelings of inferiority and personal doubt
-Broke is a temporary condition, poor is a permanent mental attitude.  Broke is a great place to start.
-Success is not an accident.  It's a decision backed up by work.  The hard part's the decision; then you do the work.
-The importance of having a goal of a dream is not the achievement or attainment of it, it's the person you become by having and going after it.
-Too many people fail their future because they're stuck in their past.
-When we engage in enterprise, it benefits everyone

After the general session, we had an hour and a half for lunch.  TSFL provided another great meal and Zac, Morgan, Wendy, and I went downstairs to the TSFL street they had set up.  They had the new products to try {yummy!} and lots of cool stuff to read, look at, grab, enjoy.  We had a good time looking around.

Afterward, I enjoyed two more great classes and learned a ton.  One in particular had something I loved and want to do more in my life.  Lisa-the presenter-taught that we need to describe our 5 year dream in present tense as if we're already there.  Write it down.  Look at it and read it often.  She had a volunteer already prepped and he had pictures of his 5 year dream and talked about it as if he was there right now.  I totally teared up for him because I was so excited for him to have those things.  It is so powerful to visualize those things that Zac and I have dreamed for our family and to speak as though we are there because it's a great motivator.  I am glad Zac and I took that class together because he is a huge visualizer/dreamer/goal maker, and it was a great take away for me.

After the classes, I got to meet up with a friend previously known only through blogging and twitter, Stephanie, aka: Goobermonkey {she was featured here}.  It was so fun to meet her in person and share some fruit and great conversation for an hour.  She is darling and inspiring and we just hit it off in person, too, which is always fun.  She had to get back to her fam and I found Zac napping in our room. (:  He got up and we got ready for the finale of the conference, an awards banquet.

It was awesome.  TSFL is all about the details.  They had a great artist who was amazingly talented.  He danced and painted the TSFL life in balance conference theme and just did awesome.  They also fed us the most delicious sea bass, filet minion, steamed veggies, and a yummy light dessert.  It was cool seeing our names on the big screen for building our business, and enjoying the time with our table of friends.  After it was over, it was pretty late, but we were pumped up, so we told everyone goodnight/goodbye, and headed to pack.  We got packed up and went up to the Ball's room to say goodnight.  Took some pics with them and Brenda gave me a sweet gift and we did much more laughing.  I think we burn so many laughing calories with that family!

We headed back to our room and grabbed a muffin and hot cocoa at the coffeeshop downstairs first.  We sat on our patio outside our room and talked for a couple more hours-debating whether we should go to bed or not since we had to be up so early.  We decided we should get some sleep, so we hit the bed about 1:15am again.  This was a seriously fun day.

Sunday {July 24}

We had to meet the shuttle outside our hotel at 4am, so we got about two hours of sleep. (:  We met up with Wendy and Morgan and Tonya and took the shuttle to the airport.  We all flew different airlines, so we said goodbye again.  Zac and I had a couple hours till our plane left and ended up making a couple great friends, of course.  One was Mel Kaufmann, author of the book, "Little Miracles," and he had spoken at our conference, but neither of us had gone to his class {we'd chosen different ones}, so it was awesome to have an hour of his time in the airport.  He was a big sweetie and when he went to board, I went to shake his hand and he said, "oh no, I need a hug from you!"  What a cutie.  We loaded up too and the flight to SLC wasn't bad.  We both slept as much of the four hours as we could.  We had a two hour layover in SLC and some friends from home, Ben & Elizabeth were actually on our flight, which was totally random.  We talked to them and to our other friend Marsha whom we'd met in the Orlando airport.  Randomly enough, she was headed to see her family in McCall!  Crazy small world.  

We landed in Boise at 12:30 and it was crazy that it was so early in the day.  Hot, but not humid, and we were so happy to be home.  Excited to see our boys, too.  T&T were taking them to Pete's for lunch, so we dropped a couple things at home and headed to our folks.  The boys were so sweet and gave us a good show of being happy to see us, which was a good feeling.  At the same time, they had a great time with T&T and everyone else while we were gone too, so it's such a blessing to know they were loved so much.   

We ate a yummy lunch, had fun catching up with everyone, and came home for naps/playing rockband & chilling with our boys.  I'm grateful too, to be a mom and to have our sweet boys to come home to.  They got their gifts {a big Clifford for Gray which we called Clifford the big red firedog and Beckham got a big T-bone because he looks like him, and they got a book to share}.  You'd have thought it was Christmas.  They were so excited and I bet Grayson said thank you about 100 times.  He is definitely a grateful boy, which I'm grateful for.  They were cute & easily appeased.  Phew.

 

I can't say enough how great it was to get away with my best friend.  Zac is the best travel companion and so much fun to be with.  I am grateful he supports my dreams and for the opportunities and blessing Take Shape for Life has been in our lives.  I know it will continue to be that for our family and I'm looking forward to the memories we will make.  The time alone was much needed and we felt refreshed and motivated coming home.