PLEASE VOTE!!!

I know there are A LOT of lurkers out there...people who read my blog all the time but never comment. I need EVERYONE who reads this blog to vote in the comments section. It's easy! Just click on "comments" at the bottom of this post, type a comment, choose an identity, and type in the verification letters. Simple! Even if you're reading this weeks after I post it...please still vote!!!

What would you say if I told you that you could get a complete cardiovascular and muscle toning workout in 4 MINUTES? I've heard of the ROM Quick Gym several times over the past year or so...but I always just discounted it as a fraud. The personal trainer in me (with a degree in Kinesiology) tells me that it's not possible to have an effective cardio workout in only 4 minutes. Even physicians recommend exercising 20-45 minutes for an effective cardiovascular workout!

After several gym members asked about the ROM, I finally decided to try one out for myself. As soon as I walked into the gym I told the owner, Mel Wright, that it was going to take a lot of convincing to get me to believe in the ROM. He assured me he was the same way in the beginning. He goes on to tell me that he has his doctorate in Exercise Physiology, was a professor in the Exercise Science field at a university in Oklahoma, played basketball for OU, played 4 years of professional basketball, and was the head women's basketball coach at McPherson College. In other words...he has a very strong background in exercise!

My first question...how can I get a workout in only 4 minutes a day? ANSWER (click on "answer" for a full explanation). In short, as oxygen consumption increases...your workout time required decreases. As you use more muscles...oxygen consumption increases...workout time decreases.

When using the ROM Quick Gym, you do upper body one day and lower body the next. I was surprised when I could feel the machine working all the muscles in my upper body with one exercise (the same with the lower body). The machine has intensity settings from level 1-20 (meaning you'll never be too fit or too out of shape for the ROM). The ROM keeps a constant level of resistance throughout the entire workout. As I began to tire (and slow down)...the resistance adjusted automatically so that I could continue the workout and work my hardest.

My biggest hesitation was the following question, "How do you train for endurance with a 4 minute cardio workout?" Mel tells me he had the same question and decided to be his own test subject. Before he bought three ROM Quick Gyms (and opened his own gym), he used to live in the country. He ran 4 miles (around the section) six days a week. Once he opened the gym, he only worked out 4 minutes a day on the ROM (no running). After more than a year of using the ROM he decided to test his endurance. He went back to his former home in the country to attempt his old 4 mile run. He shocked himself when he was able to run the route as well as (if not better than) when he'd been running it on a daily basis! Again, it all goes back to the oxygen consumption of your muscles during exercise.

So maybe you're thinking, "Staci's in shape. Of course she could do 4 minutes on the ROM. But what about me? I haven't worked out in years!" While I was at Mel's gym, a lady came in to use the ROM who was 86 YEARS OLD! In other words, this machine works all ages and ability levels! CRAZY! Mel showed me case studies of his clients. He showed me how they were losing weight, gaining muscle tone, and increasing flexibility. There was also many instances of decreased blood pressure & lowered cholesterol!

Would you please VOTE in the comments?

• Would you actually go to the gym if you knew it would only take 4 minutes of your day (rather than an hour)?

Other questions (answering these are optional...voting is not optional! ;)

• Would you need case studies to prove the ROM's effectiveness before you would join?
• What would you be willing to pay for a monthly membership?

We are seriously considering putting one of these in our gym. The cost of one is very high ($15,000)...but I think it would be more than worth it if it will draw in new members. I think the ROM targets working people (who don't think they have time to exercise) and people who hate exercising (anyone can handle FOUR minutes)! Please let me know what you think!

Year of the Football

**Sorry for all the posts about Brody's birthday! Please don't feel compelled to comment (or even read) them all. I just want to get all of this down so that it'll be in the 2007 Log Cabin in the Plains blog book!***

Today was Brody's first birthday (if you didn't already know this...you haven't been reading our blog! lol)

When Brody was just 6 days old we took the first picture of him with a football. Just in case you haven't seen enough pictures of Brody...or had enough of my reminiscing...here is Brody's first year with the football.

6 days old

1 month old
2 months old
3 months old
4 months old
5 months old
6 months old
7 months old
8 months old
9 months old
10 months old
11 months old
ONE YEAR!

Birthday Eve

A year ago at this very moment I was woken up by contractions. This wasn't anything new as I'd been having contractions off and on for several days and braxton hicks contractions for months! I have a journal for Brody that I write in every so often. The entry on August 13, 2006 reads:

"You really like to tease me! I'm still having contractions, but not enough to go to the hospital! At church today everyone was anxious for you to come! I think I'm gonna be pregnant FOREVER!!!"

Little did I know that 2 hours later I would wake up to go to the bathroom and have my water break! I didn't know that I would be holding my little baby boy within 12 hours!

I don't know if it's just fatigue...but I'm really emotional today! Tomorrow is my baby's birthday! I guess I'm coming to the realization that he's not a baby anymore. If I get this emotional over a first birthday....I don't even want to think about what I'll be like when he graduates from high school or gets married!!! I'm glad I have a few years to prepare ;)

This past year has gone by sooooo quickly! There have been a lot of struggles and sleepless night...but there has also been so much joy. It's amazing how someone so small can brighten the dreariest day. I don't want to forget all the special little moments that I've shared with Brody in the first year of his life.

Here is a just a portion of the list of things that I love about my son:

I love how when I walk into the room in the morning your tears instantly turn to smiles and laughter as you reach for me. You love the outdoors...and cry sometimes when I won't take you outside (sorry...but 103 degrees is TOO hot!) I love how you hurry to the couch when I ask if you want milk. I love how you reach for my face while nursing (even though sometimes you scratch my nose! lol). I love how you say "ahhh" after taking a drink (and sometimes even after nursing)! I absolutely LOVE your laugh! I love to see you and your daddy playing chase and laughing so hard your tummy hurts! I love how easy it was to get rid of the paci. I love how you snuggle with your pillow and stuffed animals when I put you in your bed. I love when you give me a zrbbt (pronounced "zerbert"). I love how you point to the kleenex box and blow air out of your nose (then practice blowing your nose on a kleenex when I hand you one). I love how you put your hand to your ear and say "hello" (or at least your version of hello) whenever you see a phone. I love how even the apples and oranges at the grocery store are balls (shouldn't everything round and shiny be a ball?!) I love how you pick out books and want to sit in my lap for me to read to you. I love how you "dance" to music. I love how you tell us when you're ready for bed (you wave "bye bye" and go to the stairs...even climb up them towards your room if the gate isn't there). I love how excited you are to see your daddy (whether he just got home from work...or you catch a glimpse of him mowing outside). I love to hear your laugh when we play "This little piggy went to market..." with your toes on the way home from work. I love how much you love bath time....and I love how you lay down on you belly in the bath and blow bubbles in the water. I love how much you enjoy swimming. I love how excited you are to see me or Mike when we pick you up from the nursery after church. I love how much you talk and how many words you are saying! I love how at a year old...you still have a toothless grin! I love when you walk to me...and get so excited that you fall into my arms!

Ok....I could go on forever with things that I love about Brody Michael...but I'll stop there. I need to go to bed. A year ago today I didn't realize how short this night was going to be!

Birthday in Arlington

When we got back to Arlington on Saturday...Mom and I rushed to get everything ready for another birthday party. We had a big crew over for swimming and food. Can you believe that we didn't take a group picture? How is that possible in our family?!? This is the closest thing I have...

I was proud of the football cake and baseball & golf ball cupcakes :) We didn't have a football cake pan...so we had to be creative! I was glad Audria was there to help us ice the cake!
Collin and Brody were both VERY excited to get to eat cake!
Brody dug right in to the birthday cupcake!
The only family picture I have from the weekend!
Audria and I were the brave women who took the kids swimming (Daddy Steve also got in the pool after he finished cooking the burgers). Collin wasn't too excited about swimming (probably had something to do with being jet lagged after getting back from England on Friday night!) Brody LOVED swimming!!! He looked like a prune by the time I took him inside to dry him off!

Brody had plenty of help opening his presents....and plenty of help playing with them (from kids and adults)!
Caleb & Audria wanted to make sure that we raise a cowboy!
"Do these fit in here?" I tried...but I just couldn't leave this picture out! lol! We convinced Angela to try on the towel that she and Mark got for Brody...and she looked too cute to not take a picture ;) The camo pants helped out the look.

The birthday party was a big success. I couldn't believe how good Brody was! He didn't fuss the entire time! He was up about 2 hours past his normal bed time...and he was still happy...tired, but happy! He loved swimming, loved the cake, loved the presents, and of course loved the constant attention :) Thanks to everyone for making it such a special day!

Birthday in Temple

On Thursday night we drove down to Texas. Brody did really well on the drive down. We actually made it all the way to Ardmore before stopping!

Friday morning we packed up Daddy Steve & Namaw's car to head down to Temple. Brody tried to convince them to let him ride in the back with all the luggage...but they wouldn't let him. He rode with them while Mike and I rode down with Caleb and Audria. When we got to Temple, Brody was wide awake and ready to play! He quickly discovered that the puppy steps work for babies too when you need to climb up onto the couch!

Grandmommy made lunch for all of us and then Brody wanted to play outside (yes...it was a 100 degree day...but that doesn't stop a little boy from wanting to play outside)!
When Cindy's family arrived...it was present time! Here's Brody playing with the race cars they got him.
Brody riding his Radio Flyer tricycle from Daddy Ken, Grandmommy, & Sharon. He can't quite reach the pedals yet...but he loves for you to push him around on it!
After a day filled with fun and laughter...we all squeezed into the hall for a unique family picture (minus the picture taker...Namaw).

Brody tells Caleb which card he should play.

Caleb, Audria, & Mike went back to Arlington on Friday night while the rest of us spent the night with Daddy Ken and Grandmommy. Ginger called me early Saturday morning to go garage sale shopping with her and Cindy. We found a few really good deals! It was fun hanging out with them for the morning.
Before we got back from garage sale shopping, Sharon and Shelia stopped by. It looks like Sharon and Brody had a serious conversation on the swing in the backyard!
Daddy Steve and Grandmommy took Brody for a walk. I guess it was a little sunny outside...so Grandmommy let Brody borrow her sunglasses.
We couldn't help but snap one more picture before we left on Saturday morning.
It was so fun to get to see everyone in Temple this weekend! I can't wait until the next visit...

Assisted Pull-Ups

We were busy at work today...but Brody still found time to get in a workout!

Wind & Rain

Last night we had a few crazy storms roll through our area. We didn't realize that it was supposed to storm last night. The first time we looked at the radar there was a small storm southwest of us. Before long there was a line of storms that moved right over head. The largest of the storms brought an inch of rain in about 15 minutes along with hail and at least 70 mph winds! I was in the shower with Brody when I heard a constant thundering boom. I called out to Mike (I'm always paranoid that we're gonna be hit by a tornado). He came in there to tell me that I was hearing the hail. When I got out of the shower, I walked into the living room to find Mike soaking wet! I missed the exciting part of the storm. The winds blew so hard that the front door blew open soaking the entry way of the edition (thankfully that floor's not finished yet!). It took our wheelbarrow (that was turned upside down) over 100 yards into the field to the east of our house. The craziest thing that happened is what it did to the lawn tractor (mower). The mower was facing north. The wind turned the mower to the east and scooted (you can't roll it when it's in park) about 5 feet to the east. It flipped the sprayer that was on the back of the mower and busted the cap. WOW! That is powerful wind!

The same storm went over St. John. Jim (Mike's dad) called last night to make sure we were ok. He said that they lost shingles and siding off of the house. He said it also ripped the cover off his hot tub and tore it in half then turned his lawn tractor on it's nose! He said they had a lot of trees/limbs down.

Of course we lost power (most of the county did)...but they had it back on within the hour. I looked at the rain gauge again this morning and there was a little over an inch in there. I think Mike emptied it once last night...so that puts us at a little over 2 inches in about an hours time. I bet it was more than that. I have no idea how ANY water landed in the rain gauge with as hard as the wind was blowing. It looked like it was raining sideways outside!

Date Night

Mike and I had a lot of fun yesterday. My day began by finding a surprise blog entry from Mike with a poem that made me cry! Before I left work, the UPS guy walked in with a box for me. Inside the box was a bouquet of stargazer lilies! (I've never gotten flowers from UPS...so this was a fun experience!) The flowers in my wedding bouquet were stargazer lilies and I thought it was very sweet for Mike to remember this!


I picked up our babysitter, Hannah, around 5:20 and Mike and I were on the road to Hutch by 5:40. We decided to eat dinner at Applebees (we were really craving Italian...but there's not an Italian restaurant in Hutch). It was a memorable experience...the waitress was very standoffish and the air conditioner wasn't working properly (on a 104 degree day)! It's a good thing I had a sexy guy to look at and talk to during dinner ;)

We made a rushed trip into Lowes after dinner (trying to make it to our 7:20 movie). We arrived at the theater at 7:20 only to find out the movie didn't start until 7:30! If you know how the Hutch theater usually works...the movie didn't actually start until 7:50! I was beginning to worry about falling asleep during the movie! lol We saw Bourne Ultimatum. It was really good! After the movie we HAD to make a stop at Wal-Mart (can't go to Hutch without stopping at Wally World!) and then we decided we needed a mix from Braum's to help us stay awake on the drive home ;)

As we drove up the drive I could see Hannah sitting on the couch thru the window. I told Mike that she looked scared?! Hmmm. As Mike pulled the car up to the garage door I noticed a HUGE rat (not mouse...even Mike admits to this) sitting on the sprayer attached to the mower. I got out of the car, grabbed Hank (one of our cats) and tossed him towards the rat. He chased after it and caught it. YAY HANK!!! I went inside to get Hannah and promptly went back out to ask Mike to come inside. I was right. She was scared! Apparently another little friend was visiting inside! There was a small mouse running between the TV and the fireplace. She was trapped on the couch! Luckily she hadn't been trapped there all night (only about 5 minutes). She said she'd called her mom who told her to get a broom (which she couldn't find), a ball (she didn't think a plush football would hurt the mouse), or a book (she was going to use our Biblical Portrait of Marriage book) and fight the mouse if it showed its face again! Mike couldn't find it...so Hannah climbed off the couch and Mike took her home. As soon as he left the mouse scampered across the floor! I stayed on base (the couch) until Mike got home and set some traps!

I was afraid I'd have trouble falling asleep (thinking about the mouse)...but I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Probably because it was 11:45! I'm going on about 4.5 hours of sleep today...but it was worth it! I had so much fun with Mike last night! It was fun just to be alone for a few hours :)

Play Date

Yesterday morning I went to McPherson to check out a new piece of exercise equipment. While I was gone, RaeAnn watched Brody for me (thanks RaeAnn!). Be sure to check out her blog at: http://hayesfamily06.blogspot.com/ to see pics of Brody and Cheyenne playing together. Looks like they had lots of fun!

I'll post more later about our date night last night.

8 years

Today marks 8 years since the day that I married my true love!

We have done so many things together over the past 8 years from climbing mountains to building a house! We've laughed together, cried together, prayed together, and rejoiced together! We've been blessed with wonderful friends and family...and now a beautiful son!

Not only is Mike my husband, he's also my best friend. He holds me accountable in areas of my life where I'm tempted by sin and encourages me to live my life for Christ.

We were privileged to have Dad perform the ceremony. I think I only broke down crying once during the wedding...pretty good for me!

This is a picture of our family on August 7, 1999. I think Tyler's grown a little in the past 8 years!

Mike,
Thank you for loving me with a Christ-like sacrificial love. My heart is filled with joy every evening when I hear your truck pulling into the drive. I can't wait for you to come inside and envelop me in your arms. Every day that we get to spend with one another is precious to me. You bring joy, comfort, security, peace, and love to my life on a daily basis. I'm so glad that God led you to ACU...and to me! I am blessed to be called your wife!
I love you with all my heart!
Staci

August 7th, 2007 - Happy Anniversary

God Has Always Known

Who is this woman? Why would she love me?
The called are many, but the chosen few
who know her love love her. I love her, too.
I knew her love, and it could only be
the love of Jesus reaching out to me,
a kind of love so old, yet always new,
that it is like a love I always knew,
but love to learn again, that He loves me.
For she loves me, and I have heard that call,
a still, small voice which echoes in her own
and chooses me to be the one to fall
in love with her, though I am not alone
in thinking she would love me. Not at all.
But I know God, and God has always known.

~ by Michael Rew


Happy 8th Anniversary Staci!! I Love You!!

Butterfly Kisses

Most Sunday mornings we put Brody in the nursery for Sunday School. Then he'll come into church with us for awhile. He's usually had enough "being quiet & sitting still" about sermon time...so back to the nursery he goes! Yesterday I was holding him while we were standing up singing hymns. I can't even remember what song we were singing...but as I was singing he kept leaning his head in very close to mine. So close that he was giving me butterfly kisses as he tried to intensely watch my mouth while keeping his cheek against mine! It was like he was trying to soak in every word I was singing. I couldn't help but let a small tear roll out of my eye as I hugged him close. These days are so short!

Chef in Training

If you've ever eaten at our house...you know that Mike is an amazing cook. He's already trying to foster this quality in Brody. I'll walk into the kitchen to find Mike holding Brody on his hip while he tells him the secret spices he adds to the dinner he's making. He won't share these secrets with me...only Brody. I walked in the kitchen the other day to find this: Brody was helping Mike mix up the flour and spices to fry chicken! I think that we need to buy or build (I just laughed when I wrote "build". Do I actually think Mike has time to build something like this right now?!?) the learning tower that Anna had on her blog awhile back. Brody is much happier when he can watch us cook than we he's left on the ground staring at our legs!


Brody is at the age where it's fun to climb all over things. He rediscovered this little chair the other day. It was a gift from Sharon and it sits in our bedroom right now. Brody spent 1/2 an hour climbing on and off of the chair!

Yesterday Mike had his sunglasses on his head while he was sitting at the table. Brody was sitting in his lap, so Mike put the sunglasses on Brody. Brody quickly climbed down off of Mike's lap and started walking around the room. I wonder if he thought we just turned all the lights out?

Kisses

I need to get this on video! Night before last Mike was blowing Brody a kiss goodnight...and Brody did it back to him! Last night he kept blowing us kisses over and over again. It's just the cutest thing! I took him upstairs last night and put him in his crib for bed. As I was leaving the room he said, "Mama". I turned to look at him (he was standing up in the crib) and he blew me a kiss! My heart melted!

Toad Strangler

When I started working for the rec almost 7 years ago I was introduced to quite a few new saying. Junior would say something and I would have no idea what it was talking about. He'd look at me like I was crazy because it was some phrase he'd heard his entire life.

One of my favorites is when he comes into the office and tells me about the "toad strangler" we had the day before. I've learned that this means "it rained hard last night"! Here's the saying in context:

"Did you get much rain at your house last night, Staci? It was a real toad strangler at our place!"

Monday I discovered the reason for the saying "toad strangler"! We had a HARD rain! It rained so hard that water came under the front door of the gym and flowed under the mats in the weight room. See RaeAnn's blog for pictures of the clean up. Anyways, I had to keep cleaning out the drain in front of the gym front door so that the water wouldn't keep backing up. I cleaned it out one last time after the rain stopped and noticed something peculiar. There were about 10 little toads bloated, dead, and lying on their backs! I'd say we had a "toad strangler"!!!