The Road Less Traveled: Bits and Pieces from May

The twins and I love visiting Grandma and Grandpa's house; especially during hot Spring and Summer days. Grandma's gardens are looking lovely and sumptuous already in May.......

One of my favorites plants; my mothers bleeding hearts are looking much better than my own. My flower gardens are finally planted... pictures to come soon. I don't especially relish digging in the dirt but love splashes of color throughout my yard and watching the beautiful plants bloom. I planted some red tubular plants in hope that hummingbirds will visit this year.

A few months ago I pulled a muscle in my back lifting William; nothing serious but enough to make further lifting difficult for many days. At that point I decided I was a little too plumpy and out of shape. So my personal vision is to be strong and toned to feel great but also because it is simply what my lifestyle demands. William depends on me for all movements; everyday, and he is not a small kid anymore. Yet, not only are the workouts great for strength but I find them incredibly stress relieving. My parents well equipped home gym allows me the chance to workout while still watching the kids. They allow a few bins of toys to be stashed under the stairs and have a t.v equipped with netflix via the Wii near the workout area; great distractions for the twins so I can focus on running or lifting weights.

The picture above is one of the most challenging exercises (for my busted abs anyway). The goal is to hang from the ceiling with the black arm straps/slings and do crunches without swinging. Your body naturally wants to swing so it is a workout in and of itself just to keep still before drawing the legs up. Core strength is key though for lifting.

Last week Ella ended her first year of preschool with a class trip to the Seneca Park Zoo. Her favorite part of the trip was a giant log carved into a bench. In the picture above she is in a contemplative mood; watching the crowds of people trying to entice the tiger out of his cool hiding spot. I can't blame the tiger; personally I would hide too with all those people waving cameras and shouting at me......

William styling the 3 E love wear..... 3E Love is a disability awareness clothing line and marketing company founded in 2007 by siblings Annie and Stevie Hopkins and their family & friends. The mission of the company is simple; to create and market products and services that embrace living life no matter the obstacles, and by doing so, educate society and empower those with disabilities to love life (taken from their website). The wheelchair heart is their fabulous symbol shown along with the 3 E's; Embrace. Educate. Empower. Embrace diversity, Educate your community, and Empower each other. Learn more or purchase products to spread the cause at this website 3E Love Store — ABOUT 3E LOVE and like on facebook!!!

My kids and I often get quick glances or even stares while out in the community. Before my pregnancy and the twins I was just an average person in a crowd; obscure and not used to attention. Which suited me fine since I was the timid wall flower type. So it was a shock during my late 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy to receive attention and even comments practically everywhere I went. When grocery shopping during my 3rd trimester strangers would let me go ahead of them in line... people would nervously ask how far I was past my due date; as if they feared I would go into labour in the middle of the store. When the kids were babies people used to stop us and exclaim, "twins, oh how cute... " and so forth. Now we mostly get stares or comments because my handsome boy is so big (he and Ella are still the same size; weight and height) and not walking or talking. More often than you would think; strangers will stop us and ask questions. Just last week at the zoo a woman asked how old William was and if he was in a special stroller. SO..... since we seem to get this attention; I love the idea of expressive tees, bags, and yes even a bumper sticker to spread the message of love and acceptance for all people regardless of varying abilities. Spread the 3 E love!!!!