A little something for myself

Today I finally did something for myself and joined Gainesville Health & Fitness! I have put getting back into shape on the back burner over the past 6 years while we were busy creating our beautiful family, but I decided enough procrastinating! My main inspiration for getting back into shape is the commitment that I have made to run in the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon in February. My girlfriend, Kelly, is taking the time to train me and I am forever grateful! Now I'm not going to lie and say this is easy by any stretch of the imagination.....it is hard work people.....hard, hard work! I am pushing myself to maintain a routine of working out 4-5 times a week and to be mindful of what I am eating. Aside from running in the 1/2 marathon I have also set a goal of losing 20lbs. I am feeling stronger and stronger each and every day and couldn't be happier every time I complete a workout and walk out of the gym. The best benefit to this whole experience is that GHFC provides free childcare while you workout. This makes things so much easier knowing that I can just bring the kids with me and drop them off to play for an hour or so while I sweat it out in the gym. Working out with Kelly can be slightly intimidating, but she does well in reminding me that this is the 1st time I have ever weight-trained and she used to do this for a living. She is definitely a wonderful inspiration to have around. No "Mom Jeans" for me please!!

Introducing Albert Cardozo

On August 7th Jeff and the kids went to Gainesville Pet Rescue and came home with a new family member. We had been toying with the idea of adopting a cat for a few weeks prior to that, but neither Jeff nor I were really sold on the idea. We knew how much the kids wanted a pet of their own, so we decided that if they went and fell in love with a puppy, we would allow them to adopt it. When they set out that morning, they had their hopes set on Jojo, who they saw online and fell in love with her sweet little face. Unfortunately when they pulled up to the Rescue she was walking out the door and had just been adopted. Albert, formerly known as Bubba, was the second puppy they played with. Addi and I were in D.C., so they texted me pictures and I fell in love with him. He has been such a wonderful addition to the family and keeps Nala and Maddux on their toes. Albert was born on June 6th and so far no one can tell us what breeds he is made up of. EVERY puppy from his litter was completely different from one another. We think he is a combination of a Lab and Dalmatian or Great Dane. Of course we are hoping for Dalmatian when taking into consideration the size of a Great Dane, but his paws are massive, so I guess only time will tell!