Guess what?

Last Saturday, I competed in my last taekwondo tournament of a 9 month long season.

Brent and Thing 1 were away on a Boy Scout Campout so it was just me and this guy!

He was my travel companion, cheerleader, photographer, and pack mule.

Aside from not getting first in both of my  events, I couldn’t have imagined a better way to end the tournament season.

Here are some pictures taken by Thing 2.  The last competition photos that you’ll see in a while…maybe forever.  I’m sure you’re extremely disappointed to hear that  as I know they are terribly interesting and don’t at all look alike one tournament to the next.    I figure lots of bloggers post pictures of race after race so why not kick after kick?

The results: First in forms. Third in sparring.

I was totally wasn’t at all disappointed in my sparring.

But it’s hard to stay disappointed for long when you  have a guy like this on your side!

Or when you have made great friends!  After the tournament the girls in my ring and I went out for dinner to celebrate the end of a great season and the beginning of new friendships.

I’m not planning on competing in taekwondo next year. While it was a fun, it’s been an exhausting season for me and my family.  At the beginning of the year, my hopes were that my kids would want to compete as well.  As it turned out, they don’t love competing and it became the “mommy show”. Brent and I agreed competing wasn’t something we were going to make them do.  However, I had decided I wanted to go for the state title.  This meant I had to go to as many tournaments as I could and do really well so I could accumulate the most points.  This also meant busy weekends, ignoring minor injuries, and dealing with stress.  Lots of stress.  About halfway through the season, I saw that a few of the girls and I were really close in points and what had been simple nervousness verged on the edge of anxiety.  I thought about quitting but decided I had already invested so much time and energy into the season that I couldn’t quit. Not too mention all the time my family had invested by supporting me.

So I marched kicked on despite the insecurities, doubts, and fear.

I still don’t know the official results for the state title.

I know it was CLOSE in every event and each girl is a CHAMPION.  Truly.  They put themselves out there weekend after weekend and win or lose they all had smile on their faces and a kind word to say.

I know that, regardless of the outcome, that I have new friends, more confidence, a hundred bruises , a foot that will never be the same, and wonderful memories.

Thank you for following along in this adventure and for calling me a “bad ass” (that always cracks me up) when I really felt like hiding out in the bathroom instead of stepping out on the mat.

Before giving you some hugs and high fives, I want to remind you of the two giveaways I have going on.

I reviewed Olay’s Total Effects Line and Dark Circle Minimizing Brush and made a few confessions.  You can enter to win a $100 Spa Finder Gift Card.

and

I reviewed a pair of New Balance Minimus Trail shoes with an accompanying giveaway.  This one ends tonight.

Okay time for…

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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The post A Little Man, a Mom, and a Mat appeared first on Girl Heroes.

Last weekend’s tournament, I had a crew of support and love.

This weekend it’s just me….

…and this guy!

Yesterday, we hit the road and headed up to Sacramento for the last (thank God) taekwondo tournament of the season.

Here’s a cute story.

We had been driving through BFE (Do people still say that?  Probably not.) the central valley on Interstate 5 for about two hours.  I looked down and saw that the gas light had come on.  Uh oh. Trying to remain to calm, I tell Thing 1 we need to pray we don’t run out of gas.  His reply, “I’ll pray next time my mom pays better attention”.

Thanks.

Anyway, last weekend’s tournament went well.  I got 2nd in forms and 1st is sparring.

We didn’t capture it but the girl in the black kicked me in the head…hard.  Ouch.

I sure do with this guy was here with me.  It’s just not going to be the same.

But….

…I have this guy and he’s pretty awesome.

Well I gotta go kick some….

HEAD.

You didn’t really think I’d say…oh never mind.

I’m just glad this is the LAST tournament of the season.  My life will finally calm down.  For sure this time.

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to enter my two giveaways the $100 Spa Finder Gift Card and the New Balance Minimus Trail shoes.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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The post Road Trip for Two appeared first on Girl Heroes.

Another weekend filled to the brim and spilling over with a crazy hodgepodge of activities.

A taekwondo tournament.

A sudden urge to pull off the freeway when we saw a sign that said
“Lake Elsinore Historic Downtown”.

A wonderful little Italian restaurant with a character of an owner.

A long talk in the car with Brent.

A long snuggle and with two boys “who snuggling with their mama” days are more limited than she is willing to admit.

“Bee sting pinches” in between snuggles.

Time to try to curl my hair before church.
(Still haven’t learned that one)

A hike.

Homemade soup.

I’m really working on my “new decade resolution” and trying to soak up each day filling each cell of my body with life so full they almost burst.

Which means some memories will be pixalated others not so much…

The Tournament

Crash!

You can’t tell but I have lovely matching red toe nails.

I promise to never kick anyone without pretty toes.
(My fingers were just crossed.)

In case you’re wondering, I got first in forms and second in sparring.

The hike

Thing 2.

Thing 1

Watching a Nerf war.

This is what you do after a long hike.

and

Coconut Chicken Soup

I promise it tastes a lot better than it looks.
(My fingers WEREN’T crossed.)

Two more things

1. I rewrote my about page.  I’d be so grateful if someone would take a moment to  read it and email me if you catch any errors.
(I’m sure there are plenty.)
jenn(at)girl-heroes(dot)com

2. Tomorrow, I’m posting a new Girl Hero interview.  Come back to meet her!  Pretty please with honey on top!

Anyone have any hints on how to photograph soup?
What about “how to” curling iron tips?
How was your weekend?

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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The post What a weekend! appeared first on Girl Heroes.

And she is on her way to a nervous breakdown.  Kidding.  Sort of.

Between traveling, getting sick, moving, preparing our rental, taekwondo tournaments and normal and not so normal life stuff like going to the grocery or vacuuming, (we may or may not have just vacuumed for the first time since we moved a month ago)  I feel like I’ve lost my groove.  Lost any sort of semblance to a routine.  Lost most of my motivation.  Lost any sanity (assuming I ever had it).

This past weekend, was our first much needed weekend to relax a bit.  Life has been a whirlwind and it was nice to land back in Kansas California. That’s not to say I didn’t have a wonderful time in Vegas. In fact, it couldn’t have been better.  My grandparents, Cirque Du Soleil’s Kà, Eric Clapton, a king size bed, wonderful meals, Brent, the boys, and a landing a jump kick to someone’s head made it a memorable weekend indeed.

I ended up with a first place in forms and a third place in sparring.

Caught in the middle of a jump front kick.

Showing respect.

This was from my first match.   She fell  and I had to take a knee.  While I was kneeling, I glanced over at the score.  It was 2 (me) to 4 (her).  One more point and she would win and I’d be out of the competition completely.   I also knew that there was only about 15 seconds or so left so which meant I had to kick her in the head for 2 points to tie and go to “sudden death” or jump kick her to the head for 3 points. I made up my mind to try and land a jump kick to her head .  It was the only way I could win.  Never mind, that I had never landed one in class much less at a tournament but I thought what the heck!  Why not try?  At worst, I’m going to miss and she’ll win.  At this point ,she was winning anyway.

We shook hands and then the judge called “spar!”  A few seconds later, I felt my foot hit her head at the top of my jump!  I was shocked!  I guess the practicing in the garage paid off.

A different match.

The match I lost…

…and I wonder why.  Giving her my head to kick???  Geez.

I started off good and was up 3 (me) to 0 (her) but then she scored a kick to my head for 2 points followed by a kick to the chest for 1 point tying the score.  Then, she got two more points winning the match. It wouldn’t be honest to say I didn’t care but I will say winning isn’t the reason I do taekwondo.  I do it for fun…

…and friends!

…and to be with my kids!

…and to be with my love!

(The kids and Brent decided not to compete this weekend.)

Oh yeah…remember how I mentioned wearing yoga pants on the strip???  What could be better than yoga pants?

My dobok!

I’m sure Vegas has seen stranger things.

(P.S. I updated my other blog if you want to see more pictures of our trip.)

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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The post Girl on the Go appeared first on Girl Heroes.

This weekend Brent and I took off for Vegas for the day.
Again

6:45 AM : Left the house

By 8 AM: we made it to the Mojave Desert.

Noon: Arrived at the classy Sante Fe Station for the tournament.

2 PM: I competed.

I fell and…

…got this.

I got first place in both of my events.

I was really happy.

But what’s even better…

…is being with my love

and…

…making new friends!

I met these girls last week in AZ and they are a nice group of gals!

3 PM: Hit the road.

We spent all of 3 hours in Vegas.

(We party hard.)

I didn’t gamble one cent.  If I wasn’t such a tight wad so frugal…

…I would have played “Kitty Glitter”.

5 PM: Stopped at the Mad Greek in Baker where things got a little “craaaazy“.

Check out this feast for two.

I was so excited about the tabouleh that I got choked on the first bite.

I have” mad” skillz and I “saved my own life” by pulling this out of my own throat.
(I know.  Yes, the picture in your head is as it sounds.  Yuck. )
Seriously, Mad Greek, you might want to DICE THE PARSLEY!

6:PM : The sun begins to set.

Nothing as beautiful as Greek statues, sunsets, and gas stations.

9:PM : Arrived home and decided to hell with getting old.

Forever young.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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This past weekend we went to Arizona to visit my grandparents and to compete in a taekwondo tournament.  It was supposed to be a fun mini vacation.  Unfortunately, my lack of sleep finally caught up with me and I spent a good part of the last 5 days in bed sick.  Aside from a little bit of email, this is  my first time on the computer since last Thursday.

Ignoring common sense, I did manage to compete in the tournament on Saturday.

It was a small ring but I ended up placing first in both of my events.

I thought I was going to pass out during my second sparring match.  At two minutes (the time limit), we tied and went to “sudden death” (the next person to get a point wins).  It turned out not to be more like prolonged death with neither of us scoring for another minute or two.  Finally, I got a kick in to win the match.  I felt too sick to care.

My crew was super happy for me though!

My grandma and grandpa.

Not only did I score at taekwondo I scored at Target.

I realized on the drive out to Arizona I forgot my swimsuit.  Boo.  There is nothing I hate shopping for more than swimsuits.  It’s been over 3 years since I’ve bought a swimsuit because I just dislike the entire process so much.  Since it’s the middle of winter and I’m not up for spending an entire day driving around town looking for swimsuits, Target seemed like the best best despite the fact Target wins the award for WORST dressing room lighting EVER.  Seriously.  The lady at the dressing room should pass out Xanax along with the numbers.  I took in a huge pile of swimsuits hoping to find something decent and to come away from the scary fun house mirror dressing room halfway sane.  Much to my surprise, SHOCK I found a swimsuit that I love. I love it it so much I have to share it.

It seems a little weird to share this on my blog but, seriously, I love it so much and you guys are my friends and if I show you pictures of The Braxtons well then I can show you anything.

Ignore the I’ve been sick for 4 days, kicked in the head, and makeup-less face.  Seriously, I love this suit.  It works great for a pear shape like mine.  It’s modest for a two piece.  It has a slight retro vibe. It was under $40.

Nothing like finding a good swimsuit to make a sick girl feel better.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Saturday morning, my family and I sat around the breakfast table.  Rather than attack our “to-do” list that is the length of all of our arms combined (I’ll explain later why it is so long.) we ended up procrastinating enjoying each other’s company and making a family “bucket list”.

10 Things: Our Family Bucket List

(in no particular order)

1. Earn our black belts.  – I wrote a family bucket list about 9 or 10 years ago.  I lost my original list but this is one thing I remember being on it although at the time I had never taken a martial arts class.  I think it just goes to show the power of speaking our intentions.  Anyway we started taekwondo as a family two years ago.  I told the kids that if we started we weren’t going to quit until we reached out black belt (barring injuries and serious financial hardship).  We made a few small sacrifices in order to pay for taekwondo including canceling our gym membership, less expensive cell phone plans, and very seldomly eating out.  Brent and I considered it an investment into, not only our health, but into our family.  It has turned out to be that and much more.  There has been some ups and downs over the last two years (7 years olds don’t always like to practice) but we’ve stuck together cheering on each other.  Not only does it give us a common interest to share, we just love the camaraderie and friendship at our studio..  Anyway, we should be able to cross this off by the end of this year!

2. See all 50 States – We’ve only seen a handful but we are pretty confident this will happen.

3. Write, produce, and direct a film as a family – Brent does video work (and web and graphic design) for a living and we decided it would be fun (and usefel) to pass on some of those skills to the boys.  A few years ago, Brent and I shot our own short film. We think it would be an amazing learning experiece for the boys and, honestly, aside from family stuff, making our film was the most satisfying experience ever.  I’d love to do it again but with the entire family.

4. Play a song together – Brent is a drummer.  Thing 1 plays piano.  Thing 2 wants to learn guitar.  My entire life I’ve always wanted play an instrument.  If this doesn’t happen then I’ll pass out earplugs and sing.  I love the symbolism of all of us playing in harmony together even if I’m a bit off key.

5. Backpack through Europe – Umm…why not!  I don’t mind hostels and missed showers.  

6. Visit a Third World Country – Brent and I have been to slums in India, townships in South Africa, and through shanty towns in Mexico. Life. Changing.  It’s very important to us that we remember that much of the world does not live like us.

7. Go on a Mission Trip – We like to go somewhere with the sole intent to love on and help others in some way.  Last year, we almost went to an orphanage in Mexico but there was an outbreak of swine flu.  While that didn’t happen we’re thinking something along those  lines.  It’s very likely that this and #6 could go together.

8. Try Mountain Biking – The boys are still a little too young but when they are a bit older this could be something we all enjoy as a family (assuming my boys don’t pick the hardest trails).  I have visions of us spending a perfect Saturday afternoon scraped up and complaining exploring the mountains of Southern California by bike.

9. Be a Puppy Raiser – I met a lady at Trader Joe’s the other day who had her “puppy in training” with her.  We talked a bit about the requirments and responsibilites of being a puppy raiser and she encouraged me to look into it.  All of us love animals so it seems like a great opportunity to love on animals, learn more about responsibility, perserverance, and helping others.

10. Hike the Skyline-to-Sea Trail – The Skyline-to-Sea trail runs almost 30 miles from the Santa Cruz mountain to the Pacific Ocean.  It passes through Castle Rock State Park and Big Basin Redwoods State Park.  Sounds like a perfect long weekend!

It seems doable and if not it doesn’t hurt to dream.

On that note, I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes.

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” – Michelangelo

Have you ever written a personal or family a bucket list?  Share something that’s on it!!!

Hope you have a good weekend.  We have a taekwondo tournament and I’m sick.  Ugh!!!  I’ll let you know how it goes!

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Brent and I  I kicked off the New Year early last week by attending taekwondo winter boot camp.  Yeah…pun intended.

For 4 days, Brent and I kicked and punched alongside each other.

Each day we did 45-60 minutes of cardio and strength, 45-60 minutes of kicking, 45-60 minutes of sparring and sparring drills, and 45 minutes of either forms, board breaking, or games.

I. Was. Sore.

Nothing says love like a swift kick to the head followed by a kiss.

Is this a scary face or what!

Helmet hair.

The couple that kicks together sticks together.

It was good and just the kickstart (those silly puns) I need to get back on track this year as I gained a few pounds over the holidays.  Nothing to be upset over but I have no intention of letting them sit there and accumulate.  Been there and done that.  No thanks.  Besides I can’t afford new jeans right now so it’s back to life and back to reality which means no more 2nd and 3rd servings unless I’m truly hungry.

Speaking of kicking off the new year we hung out with some of our taekwondo friends on New Years.   The best part is how everyone is casually calling each other Mr. and Mrs. (or Miss or Ms.) out of habit.

What did you do for New Years?

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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I love starting a roadtrip while it’s still dark.  There is nothing quite like watching the sunrise welcome a new day of adventure.

Saturday morning, Brent and I, alone, took off for Vegas with a change of clothes, two cups of coffee, beef jerky, bananas, and some sparring gear.

We decided to take the road less traveled, small highways, through the Mojave Desert.

It had recently rained and the clouds were still heavy ready to kiss the ground again.  There is nothing quite like the smell of the desert after a rain.  Fresh baked cookies can’t even compare.

Then there are the whimsical Joshua Trees, unique and proud in the morning light.

A few hours later, we found ourselves in a casino off the strip.  Waaay off the strip.  Its ring ding zings and flashy lights are the polar opposite of the stark beauty and quiet of the desert.

Like Clark Kent, I went into the bathroom telephone booth one person and emerged another.  SuperNervousGirl.

There were 8 girls in my ring.  During forms my mind must has still been in the desert as I forgot an entire section.

I started off slow in sparring.  I always do because I don’t like to hit first…or get hit first.  It’s quite a conundrum.

The score was 3 (me) to 4 (her).  One more point she wins.  Two more points I win.  That moment, I decide I’m going to aim for the head.  The head is 2 points.  Round kick.  It hit.  Not hard.  I turn to see my instructor’s smile.  I want to make her proud.  But my favorite part?  Hearing Brent’s cheers.  He’s a quiet guy so when I can hear his voice my day is made.  I finish my matches, his cheers still playing in my head.  Third in forms.  First is sparring.

Competing is fun but not as fun as hanging out with friends.

That night we stay with friends and go see a murder mystery at dinner theater off the strip.  It’s a bit saltier down there but, like a kid, I love the lights.

Morning.  Starbucks.  The road.

Breakfast at The Mad Greek.

Love the absurdity of our big yet small crazy world.

It’s been 13 years since I’ve stopped here with my gram and gramps.  The place hasn’t changed.  I am happy.

How could I not be with my love…

…and gyro omelettes…

…and faux marble statues surrounded by bright blue vinyl.

My very own hero and handsome warrior.

We continue on through the Mojave until our tummies signal us to stop.

Not for mini donuts. For him, a date shake. For me, these.

Another gift of the desert.

The trip was quick but fun and, in a weird way, romantic.

Seriously?

Who stays here?  Right next to the freeway?

We nearly got rear ended died with laughter trying to get this picture.

I prefer the desert.

Even a mad dash and back trip through the desert.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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The post Mojave Madness appeared first on Girl Heroes.

I worry.  I fret.  I over-analyze.  I get things wrong.  Sometimes.

I was wrong.

And this is wrong….

…WTH?  Watch out, balloons!

This past weekend we had another taekwondo tournament so that meant last week was spent worrying about MMA Mama showing up.  She did show up.  I spotted her within 10 minutes of arriving and immediately wanted to go home to curl up with a cup of chamomile and my cat.

I didn’t.

Instead, I decided to face my fear by re-introducing myself,  “Hi, I’m Jenn and you make me want to take Xanax.  I think we sparred last time.  I just wanted to say hi and maybe if you see how wimpy I really am you won’t hit as hard.”  I really didn’t know what to expect when I walked up to her.  Would she decide to kick me in the face?  Would she laugh at me?   Give me attitude?   Or worse…blow me off?

MMA Mama is really nice.  I’m just a freak overly imaginative.  We talked about our kids.  We talked about our husbands.  We even talked about our last match. She was cool. Totally cool.  (And she really does do MMA.)

As it turned out she wasn’t even going to compete because she and her husband takes turns.  I can’t say I wasn’t relieved but I can say, I was wrong.  She’s not the scary gladiator I made her out to be.  She is intense, no doubt, but I know she’s not out to hurt anyone.  In the line up area before we were called to our ring, she even gave me the “Go girl!  You can do it!” look complete with a “power fist”.

Of course, Thing 1 and Thing 2 competed.  It was a hard day for Thing 2.  He had a mini ninja in his ring and he couldn’t get one point on him.  It’s hard to watch your little one feel defeated.  We used it as an opportunity to talk about winning is not what makes us proud but facing fears and giving it your best it what makes us proud.  We talked about how we can learn more from losing than from winning.  Whah whah whwhah whwhah.  His disappointment didn’t last long because he remembered the snack table.

(Thing 2 on the left.)

Brent also competed for the first time.  He ended up taking 2nd in sparring, losing to the guy who was State Champion last year.  I was so excited for him. Unfortunately, we were competing at the same time so I didn’t get to watch and the camera was entrusted to Thing 1 so we didn’t get many pictures but we did get one of him receiving his medal.  (It sort of cracks me up that they drape them over our necks.)

As it turned out, I didn’t place as well in this tournament as the last one.  There was a girl who I had never competed against there and she cleaned up taking first in both events.

I ended up getting a 2nd in forms and a 3rd in sparring in a smaller ring (only 6 girls) but I felt like I really won by facing my fears and making a new friend.  A new friend who will eventually kick me in the head but still a friend.

Have you ever been totally wrong about someone?  Anyone else have an overly active imagination?

Just in case, you didn’t catch one of my 3000 announcements I’m doing an Alo Yoga Pants giveaway.  It closes Wednesday night.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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The post Foe to Friend appeared first on Girl Heroes.