coldplay concert

Daniel surprised me with Coldplay tickets yesterday afternoon. He had received them as a congratulations gift for ordination from some friends of ours. He kept that little secret hidden until I was leaving work and told me we had to be ready to go by 7pm - yes, he had babysitters lined up and everything. 

Now, we are definitely concert snobs (see this post here). Once you have good seats at a concert, you really can't go back. He had said that he tried to get floor seats but it didn't work out but we would still be on the lower level - I really didn't care about the seats - I was just so excited about being able to go see Coldplay. We arrived, were escorted down to the floor and then shown farther and farther up toward the stage. Daniel loves to surprise me and he had such a grin on his face! The stage had a long walkway that shot out into the floor. We were right in the center of that walkway, about six rows back. It was perfect. When Chris Martin came up to sing, I could see how blue his eyes were - incredible!! They even came up to the front and played an entire set up there - so awesome!

We saw Coldplay back in 2008 when they were doing their Viva la Vida tour and that was one of the best concerts I've been to. This concert last night was even better. They gave every audience member a bracelet that would light up... it was controlled by the lighting people and would go off periodically throughout the concert. We were also showered in confetti over and over again. Daniel and I both are exhausted this morning from the crazy dancing, singing, screaming and shouting, clapping, stomping and head-banging last night. If you have never been to a Coldplay concert - they do not disappoint! Here's to the next one, Daniel! 

before the concert started - you can see where our seats were
guy in front of us (with arm around girl) drunk-dude-danced the whole time... it. was. awesome.

about to come on stage - so excited!

opening set - the lights in the background are the bracelets I was talking about

when they played the set in front of us

thanks, Coldplay, for two new toys for Emma and Claire :)

work it, girl

"Run, Fat Boy, Run" is such a great movie!
Very funny and fun to watch if you are a runner.

I'm patting myself on the back for taking my work out routine more seriously recently. In college, I hit up the gym every day. It was fun, a social time for me with friends and at SMU we had the most awesome gym with the most awesome pool. Pre-babies I was really good about working out, too. 

For whatever reason, in November I realized I was tired all the time, feeling sickly constantly and had put on a few pounds. I went to the doctor to have a physical done to see what was going on. I was actually hoping she would say it was a thyroid problem, but no, all my blood work came back to show that I am "perfectly healthy" - bleh. 

Soooo... I decided that I needed to up my time at the gym from just once, maybe twice a week to 3-4 times a week and become more committed to getting as healthy as I was pre-babies. My hope is from this post that those of you who have resolutions related to working out that this will be of help and encouragement!

In December, I started going to the gym earlier. Like roll out of bed at 5:50 and and out the door by 6:15 early. The first few times were rough. One time I was in the car about to leave and realized I forgot to put my contacts in. But after a few times, I feel like I'm on a routine and it's actually pretty easy to get up and go. I'm home by 7:30-7:45, right when the girls wake up. 

I am NOT a runner. As much as I'd like to go on long runs, I tire easily and feel like I'm the most awkward runner there is. (Although I'd like to try a 5K sometime before I'm 30.) I do have much love for the elliptical machine. I balance my time with cardio, pilates and strength. Our gym offers great classes and online youtube videos showing you a cardio/strength routine you can use each month. 

Also, the Tracy Anderson Post-Baby workout is awesome. I borrowed it from my friend Amy after the girls were born and used it for awhile. Well, I'm back to using it and, after a couple of weeks, I could tell a difference. I think anyone can use it and it will kick your butt!! It's tough stuff. I may or may not have skipped entire reps - Tracy Anderson is ripped!  

Lastly, this is my most recent cardio playlist. I'm always up for hearing what songs get people moving (please share!), so I thought I'd share my favorites for when I do my interval training on the elliptical:

1. Explosions in the Sky, "Your Hand in Mine" (warm up - 8 minutes)
2. Coldplay, "Every Tear Drop is a Waterfall"
3. Beyonce, "Run the World"
4. Coldplay, "Hurts Like Heaven"
5. U2, "Where the Streets Have No Name"
6. Radiohead, "15 Step"
7. Coldplay, "Paradise"
8. Coldplay, "Charlie Brown"
9. Miranda Lambert, "Baggage Claim" (cool down)

*Can you tell I like the new Coldplay album?!

So good luck to you who are starting fresh with getting fit and hopefully this will keep me accountable! 

Must Buy: David Crowder, Church Music

This is all I've been listening to since it came out!