Pio Prints: Set the World on Fire

I received a workout tank top from Pio Prints in exchange for an honest review of their product. The opinions shared in this post are my own.

As a mommy, I wear a lot of hats. Chef, accountant, secretary, chauffeur and many more. Wearing all these hats can be difficult but is necessary. I am a mommy and taking care of my family is the biggest blessing the Lord has given me. It is easy to get lost in the responsibilities that come with raising a family. Since we are responsible for so much, it is important that we care for ourselves: mind, body and soul. How can we help raise the future if we are not mindful of the present?

Scripture says:

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
1 Timothy 4:8

Working out is a great way to treat yourself right. It keeps your body working properly, helps eliminate stress and you can experience some of those amazing "feel good" endorphins that are released when you work out. I think the BEST part of working out is the clothing! I love wearing clothes that are comfortable and allow me to move. There are many jokes about people who rock their workout clothes all day long but if you have found something that is comfortable and doesn't get in your way while you are setting the world on fire, I say wear it for as long as you like.

Pio Prints clothing materials are extremely soft and do not "cling" to you while you are moving. The material allows air to circulate and fits nicely. I love that I can wear this to run, lift weights or even to my son's football or soccer games so I can keep up with the team on the field and take pictures. It is versatile and high quality. The "Set the World on Fire" tank has already become my most favorite workout shirt. My husband has been warned because I will definitely be placing an order for some more of these tanks soon!

Inspiration comes in many different forms and these shirts are not only motivational to those who are working out but they also help to spread our beautiful Catholic faith. These could make the perfect gift to share with a First Communicant or someone newly Confirmed. How about just getting one for yourself so you can rock one of your favorite saint's quotes? Pio Prints offers different styles, sizes and a large assortment of quotes to chose. Whatever your reason, you should try this wonderful clothing out at least once. 

If you decide to try out this amazing clothing line, I would love to hear about how much you love it too! Share your #PioPrintSelfie with me. Tag @PinotNoirPrayers and @PioPrints on Instagram! It's only fair that I share my #PioPrintSelfie with you too...so here's mine!

God Bless!

{JEI}: Sports and Exercise

Welcome to the weekly link-up recently turned Blog-Hop Just Enough Info: JEI for short. This lovely Blog-Hop is hosted by The Zelie Group and we would love for you to join us! This week we are discussing Sports and Exercise! These are my kind of topics that are close to my heart and dominate mine and my children's schedules. Let's get started with this week's questions:

1. What sports do your kids play?

A better question would be, what sports don't my kids play?! I have some EXTREMELY active children and I absolutely LOVE IT! We just finished football for Little Man (this was his 5th season!) and soccer for Goalie just two weeks ago and the boys are a little sad they don't get to hangout with their teammates as much but they are excited about the sports seasons to come! I believe there will be a basketball season starting up through the boys' school soon.

In addition to these two sports. Little Man has played basketball, t-ball, soccer and is actually running in two different running groups: The 100 Mile Club and Boys on the Run. Goalie has played many seasons of soccer and has been involved in karate and is also participating in the 100 Mile Club. They are both new members of the Boy Scouts too! To say I am proud would be an understatement! I am so glad that I am raising children that are active in sports to encourage team work, hard work and dedication. I believe these are important characteristics they will need to be successful and world-changing adults. I won't bombard you with tons of pictures of all the past and present activities because this post would take you forever to get through! 

2. What do you do for exercise? 

I was born with Spina Bifida, which is a neural tube defect that affects my spine. Essentially I have a hole in my spine. I have been blessed beyond measure that I was spared being in a wheelchair and that I deal with slight to moderate pain on a daily basis versus what happens to most born with this disease. I had surgery as a baby while living over seas and the doctors told my parents I would probably need braces or something to help support myself as I walked. Neither the doctors or my parents can explain how I learned to walk without assistance but I did and I have done everything possible to enjoy my life because I am reminded on a daily basis how blessed I am to have this opportunity. Any day I could wake up and need a wheelchair or be told I can't be active anymore so everyday is special to me.

Obviously being aware that I am lucky to be able to walk, health and fitness have always been important to me. I have always been a runner and a basketball player. I have to admit I haven't touched a basketball in many years but it will always have a particularly special place in my heart. As a mommy, I still run and I weight lift to exercise but since moving to Colorado I have also enjoyed going on many different hikes! I have participated in Mud Runs, Tough Mudders, Color Runs and several other races. I really need to find a good one to do now... I haven't raced since relocating. In addition to running I weight train. I like to lift with my husband but with my return to the work force that barely happens anymore.

3. In the Mom Olympics, what would your event be?

Now if I were in the Mom Olympics and we were being judged upon mommy skills, I would probably be involved in one that entails multi-tasking. I have to admit that I am amazing at multi-tasking. As I finish typing this post, I am currently juggling preparing dinner, Goalie in the shower, Little Man reading out loud (reading homework) and starting the dishes and laundry. I know that might sound a little crazy but I have had no choice in learning this magnificent skill. My kids are never able to complete things at the same time and between therapies, school events, sports and church events I have been forced to learn how to juggle a million things at once. I am also a server, so I get lots of practice at work too!

Thank you for joining me for another week of Just Enough Info!

You have all week to answer this week's questions about Sports and Exercise:

1. What sports do your kids play?
2. What do you do for exercise?
3. In the Mom Olympics, what would your event be?

Next week we will be discussing the Year of Mercy because The Year of Mercy wraps up on November 20th:

1. What did (or can in these last few weeks!) yWhat are you thankful for?our family do to mark the year?

2. What Work of Mercy is easiest or most challenging for you?

3. Do you have a story of mercy in your own life to share?  Or do you have a favorite saint/quote/resource to pass along?

The Zelie Group has some fun questions coming up in the next few weeks so make sure to follow us on Facebook and we would love to hear what you are interested in! What are you looking to learn about? Do you have questions about the Faith? Questions about the Liturgical Year? We want to help and learn and grow with you and your families!

Also stop by the new Page I created on my blog for new information concerning The Zelie Group. It is a work in progress but it has a good start!

{SQT}: The Anticipation of Autumn

This is my first time linking up to This Ain't the Lyceum's Linkup Seven Quick Takes. I am a mom that wears a lot of "hats"; meaning I run around like a crazy person getting from one place to another A LOT. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. With the coming of fall, comes one of the busiest times of the year for me and my family. Back to school, sports, religious education and work! Plus I always create a list of things that I like to do each season. I'm working on my family Autumn Bucket List already!

This week has really become a transition into the fall "season"for me, even including some very nice cool weather!

Here are my seven quick takes of the week.

{ONE}

Little Man started Altar Serving again this week! He altar served when we were in Florida but it was his first time since we moved to Colorado and he was really nervous because they utilize extra servers here during Mass than he was use to. He did great and will be in regular rotation moving forward. It makes my heart melt to see him looking so prayerful and respectful standing next to the Altar.

{TWO}

We had a blast celebrating the Feast of Saint John Vianney yesterday! In honor of him we sent Thank you Cards out to our current priests and our favorite priest from Florida. The boys love arts and crafts and were so excited to "sign" their names on the cards. It's still not too late to surprise your priest with a special gift this week! I also began a novena to Saint John Vianney yesterday.

{THREE}

Back to School preparations are STRESSFUL! I'm going to go on a little rant here. My youngest has an IEP and receives Speech and Occupational Therapies through the school and receives behavioral therapy as well. I was attempting to get all the information we would need to make sure he has all he needs to start kindergarten this year and I was informed the school has NONE of him information. The school district, school, CPCD, and Child Find are searching for it now (after I just completed registration paperwork for a second time). We are in a weird position right now because I do not have a "valid" birth certificate for my children. My husband is completing the adoption process and we had to send the originals with court paperwork. So... Long story short I am waiting... and praying... so please send additional prayers that I can be patient and that this mess is straightened out without me having to search all over for documents to reenroll my son in Kindergarten AGAIN! I always expect that there will be issues with insuring my youngest is receiving the assistance he needs but this has got to be the craziest thing to happen. I dream of being able to homeschool and maybe one day in the future I can.

{FOUR}

I just sent my cousin Serina's RSVP back for her wedding coming up in September! I have to admit I was late getting it in the mail but it was sent off yesterday! I am so excited to see her and the rest of my family in Kansas. 

Congrats Serina! 

[FIVE}

I am training for a challenge! What challenge? I'm not quite sure yet. my husband and I LOVE to participate in Mud Runs, Tough Mudders, Color Runs and 15K-5K races. It has been over a year since we have done something so we are looking into running a Spartan Race or Warrior Dash. We like to keep our options open but what do you suggest?

{SIX}

Contains affiliate links below:

I am currently reading The Blessings by Elise Juska. It is a very intriguing book and I am glad I decided to pick it up. I think it was an appropriate book to end the summer even though it was not included in my Mid Year Reading Challenge. 

{SEVEN}

Ending on a high note: We will end our week with our first football practice of the fall season this evening! I cannot believe Little Man has been playing this game since he was 5... time really flies. I am so proud of how he is entering the season with hard work and dedication. He is such a great role model for his Little Brother who will be playing soccer later in the month. It makes me so proud. Look at the difference! 

Little Man after his first Football Practice wearing Full Pads in August 2013

Fast forward to this year

Spring Football Season 2016

That pretty much sums up my week. A little bit of crazy in every aspect but I am excited to tackle next week and see what is in store for me and the family. I know we have a week full of Feasts coming up, including: Saint Dominic, Saint Teresa Benedicta, Saint Lawrence and Saint Clare. Good luck to all the families transitioning into the autumn season.
God Bless!

Mud Run 2013

Wow! It has been so long since I have been able to take a look at my life and know that I am on the path God created for me. I am happier now than I have ever been. As a family we are still struggling through some big bumps in the road but me and my boys are strong and God has continued to provide for us. We were rock bottom. No home, no money and only our faith, family and friends to help us. And we are doing it! More on that later but I did want everyone to know that God truly provides in any and every circumstance and you will NEVER be alone!

Now... on to some blogging! I have so much to write about and its going to be a jumbled mess but its going to be fun. I thought I would start writing about the Mud Run I ran with my coworkers from Ruby Tuesday.

The Emerald Coast Mud Run is an annual 5K obstacle course done to help raise money for orphans. They have several different options for this run. There is a kids run, which Little Man really wants to try next year, the Warrior version which is longer and the obstacles are more difficult than the normal 5K I ran. If you go to their website I did see some pictures of me and my team so take a look around and you will see the awesome obstacles and the huge amounts of mud they had ready for us to tackle. I will admit I fell face first into the mud during the up and over obstacle and my fellow teammate, Jeff had to carry myself and our other runner across the monkey bars! Our hands were so slippery I would fly off 2 bars before the end of the monkey bar set. It was a great cause to participate in and was an amazing experience. I think I want to try a half marathon next! What do you think? I feel like I am ready. Take a look at our before and after. Come join us next time!