They're Baaaaaack

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Thank. God. :)

 NYC*2008*NY Yankee Press Box

Best. Day. Ever.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I worked out to the NYC Ballet DVD last night and am pleasantly sore today. :) It wasn't as fun as I thought it would be...especially since I am not particularly graceful, but it was worth it. The abdominal workout had me almost to tears and my tummy felt like it was on fire. It was a great first day on the road to a new me. :)

**PS - Thank you for the support I received yesterday. It's scary sharing about personal struggles such as weight loss, but you guys welcomed it with open arms. Y'all rock. To the ladies that reached out about joining me on this journey, I will be emailing you all today. :)

My Plan of Attack

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Every year, I make a promise to myself to become the best possible version of me -- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Each year is filled with highs and lows in which I discover lots about myself and my walk with God. However, the part I fail at every year is the physical part. And I hate it. I have never considered myself  "fat", but I know that I am not where I'd like to be. I'm a curvy girl, but I also have a few many extra layers of fat hanging around. My goal has never been to become a size 0, but I'd like to be a healthy 4. (Right now I'm a 6 on the border of an 8) 

On Sunday after I dropped Keith off at the airport I literally had a breakdown. (He will be out of town this week for work) I began eating my sadness away. What started out as being hungry quickly turned into a "I'm sad and I really don't care" mindset. I ate everything from Girl Scout Cookies (dang you thin mints!) to ice cream and Chinese food. When all was said and done I was so disgusted with myself. For me, this was rock bottom on the road to healthy.

So yesterday I did better. I ate only when I was hungry and made healthy choices. I even worked out -- in my underwear. I know it sounds crazy, but it really put everything into perspective. I am 25 years old and would absolutely never go out in public in a bathing suit in the shape that I'm in. I am not healthy. I am not happy with my body. And I never realized just how bad things looked.

So here's the real question: What am I going to do about it?

Am I just going to write this nice blog stating my concerns, only to come back in 6 months and realize I've done nothing? Am I going to be that girl who is constantly complaining about her body? 

The answer is simply no. I refuse to live this way any longer.

Every January 1st I vow "This is IT! This is THE year that I FINALLY reach my weight loss goal!" Well, you know what? Bump that. January 1st is nice and all, but how about starting over today, on this lovely March 29th?

Over the years I have collected quite the workout collection, so here is my plan of attack:

Mondays and Fridays

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Tuesdays

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Wednesdays and Sundays

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Thursdays

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Saturdays

Rest

Monday - 30 Day Shred

Tuesday - NYC Ballet

Wednesday - Tae Bo

Thursday - Pilates

Friday - 30 Day Shred

Saturday - Rest

Sunday - Tae Bo

I know that it takes more than working out, so I will be diligently logging my nutrition at SparkPeople.com. Furthermore, in order to hold myself accountable, I will be posting every Sunday about my progress. This way, I am held accountable by all of you, my sweet friends. I am hopeful that this time, I will be different. I am ready for a change and overjoyed that I will get to share this experience. Through thick and thin, I am making a commitment to do this.

**If anyone happens to be in this boat and would like to start an encouraging-support-you-daily group, please contact me. I would absolutely love to have you along on this ride. :)

Introducing...

I would like to introduce our new kittens, Torre and Abigail Christmas! :)

Keith and I went to the Charleston animal society on Saturday with hopes to adopt one animal. When we got there, we saw two of the cutest little kittens playing together, so we asked to see one. When we found out that they were sisters we just couldn't bear separating them so we got them both! :)

We've only had them for two days, but oh wow am I loving it. Torre was named after Joe Torre, a  great man of baseball and a fabulous manager (and former Yankee!), and Keith liked the name Abigail...although I like to think that she's named after Abby on NCIS. I have been taking Zyrtec and so far my allergies have been under control. (YAY!) I have never had a cat, and it amazes me how different their personalities are.

Torre is the "crazy one" who is always messing with cords, biting my toes, and pouncing Abigail...

While Abigail is very relaxed and is happy just sleeping. (She passed out on our homework)

I am loving these two little ones and am so very happy that they our ours. :)

1 Corinthians 2:9

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Filling in the Blank! :)

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1.   My most prized possession is a tie between my wedding rings and pictures I have of my childhood. My wedding rings are so precious to me because they represent the love Keith and I share. The pictures are of sweet memories of my childhood that I never want to forget.

2.  If I could be one age for the rest of my life, I would want to be...I'm really not sure. I don't think I've reached the age that I'd want to be forever. Sure, my 20's have been great, but would I want to stay this way forever? Nah. I am looking forward to what the rest of my life holds. If I had to guess, maybe I'd want to stay 31, 36, 41??

3.  The best way to spend a weekend is with my husband, relaxing in a productive kind of way. I love traveling, the beach, the mountains, and the open road. Any of these are a fine choice. 

4.  My outlook on life is don't worry, be happy. I tend to be an over-analytic person so this statement may sound contradictory, but I really do try to be worry-less and give my problems over to God. He is the one that controls everything anyway, so why waste time worrying?

5.  If you want to annoy me, just say one thing and do another, drive like a maniac, or be a psychology major. (No offense to anyone, but from my personal experience these people have a "I know everything" attitude, and it just reeeeeally bugs me.)

6.  I am completely defenseless when it comes to visiting Compassion's website. Every time I scroll through the children waiting to be sponsored, I sponsor one. I just can't help it! It's a good little problem to have, but financially we just can't afford for me to keep going on that website! :)

7.  When dressing for the day one should take more time to make themselves feel pretty. Usually, I give myself 30 minutes to dress, fix my hair, and put on my make-up. It's amazing what an extra 20 minutes will do to assist in a good hair day. (And a good hair day ALWAYS makes me feel a bit better)

Have a wonderful weekend lovelies!   

Loving My Crazy Life $

Hello lovelies. :)

I don't know about you guys, but this past week has been complete chaos. I have missed blogging so much, but sometimes you just have to take a step back and breathe. Here's a little life update.

* Last week I had two papers due, in addition to all of my regular assignments. I am taking Criminal Law (love!) and Ethics in Criminal Justice. I am enjoying both classes, but they are very demanding. It's times like this when I am so thankful that I attend a Christian school, and my professors encourage me with God's word.

* The hubs started his new job! Last week he trained in Charleston, this week he's all over South Carolina and Tennessee, and next week he will be in Tennessee. He is doing a fantastic job balancing his new schedule and I am so proud of him! The only downside to all of this is that he'll be traveling a whole lot. It's going to take some getting used to, but I think that this is absolutely going to benefit our little family.

* Speaking of our little family, I have an announcement. No, we are not pregnant, but we are adding a new addition!

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This cute little thing isn't my kitten, but this weekend I am hoping to have one of my own. With Keith traveling, I need someone to keep me company. My baby sister, Lacey, is coming spend the summer with us but I'd still love to have a snuggle buddy. :) (Disclaimer: I am 100% a dog person, but dogs require tons of attention, and we'd have to build a fence for our yard. Right now, a cat makes more sense, and I have a feeling I am going to fall in love with our new addition.)

* I saw this quote written on a journal at Barnes and Noble, and smiled knowing that very soon, I will get to tell you guys about our plans. 

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page."

St. Augustine

* Last weekend, Keith and I moved the most beautiful Victorian vanity into our home! Last year, I posted about redecorating a room in our home, and showed a picture of the vanity. Later that day I got an email from our friend Dawn telling me that she had the exact one and that it was mine if I wanted it! Check this beauty out! (Isn't it so Beauty and Beast-ish?)

I think that's ladies. Life is crazy, but life is good. How are you guys doing??

For Japan, With Love

Please click here to donate to this unbelievable crisis. Your donation will provide a ShelterBox to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. "Each large green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items."

Additionally, Living Social is going to match every $5 donation to the American Red Cross. As of 11:00pm last night, they have raised $920,000, and $1,373,840 as of this morning!!! (And every time I refresh the page it's more.) Let's come together and help as much as we are able. 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 

Philippians 2:3-4

Life & Law School

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Not too long ago, my husband and I were discussing our future and where we thought law school would take us. This conversation slowly turned into a little debate about the pros and cons of attending law school next year. How much money do we think we'll end up spending? What about time...will I have time to do anything else but study? When are we supposed to have babies? Everything was moving along fine, until Keith asked me this:

In order to do what you feel called to do, do you have to be a lawyer?

I sat in silence for a few moments and really thought about his question. My response? 

Well, I don't know. I think I'd be happy in a courtroom fighting for injustice...but then again if I ended up running an orphanage somewhere or working directly with human trafficking victims...well I think I'd be okay, too.

So here we are, about a week after that little debate, and a decision has been made. I am not going directly to law school after undergrad. I still feel in my heart that this is what I'm supposed to do, but I also feel like if this was 100% right now, then there would be no confusion. As much as I'd like to take the LSAT this summer and apply to my top 10 law schools, I am just going to have to wait. I am going to have to trust God.

Please know that my husband fully supports my desire to become a lawyer, and that in no way was he trying to be discouraging. The truth of that matter is that law school is a HUGE investment with both time and money. (Lots and lots of money) Additionally, the job market for lawyers has significantly decreased, and yet more and more people are applying to law school.  While these reasons are significant, they do not trump my main reason for waiting.

On the bright side, not going to law school doesn't mean sitting around and wasting time. It means that I can spend LSAT study time volunteering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation again. 

Volunteering as a Wish Granter in '08...what an amazing, rewarding experience. :)

It means that we will be able to travel way more over the next five years. (Post on this coming soon!) It also means that the road to parenthood may just come sooner than later. (I believe you can have a child AND go to law school/be a lawyer, I just don't know how I personally would handle giving 100% to both at this age.)

So while this decision is bittersweet, I am very hopeful. God has been challenging me lately with trusting Him, and I think that this is just one more thing I'm going to have to hand over. He is the one ultimately steering my car on the path of life, and if this is not the right time for law school, then so be it. :)

What Do You Have to Lose?

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 When you take that first step into the unknown
He won't let you go.
Britt Nicole

Yesterday around 1:30pm, I did something that I've been wanting to do for months almost a year. Most days on my way to and from work, I see the same man sitting in his wheelchair at different parts of a certain street. Sometimes he is sitting outside of the hardware store, other times he is heading down the sidewalk. Every time I see him, my heart hurts. 

For a little while I think it was a mix of curiosity and sympathy. The curious part made sense to me because I am always wondering about people and their stories. What happened in this person's life to get them to this moment? Are they happy? Do they know God? The sympathy somewhat puzzled me. Was I sympathetic simply because he was in a wheelchair? Or maybe because I thought he might be homeless? As far as I know this man could have a house down the street and be happy and content. 

Regardless, I felt that God wanted me to do something, but I just didn't know what. I prayed about it for along time and for Christmas, I decided I was going to buy him a Bible, some gloves, a gift card, and write a little note telling him that God loved him. Well, that never happened. Not only did I not buy his present, but during the months of December and January I never saw him. 

Until yesterday.

I was on my lunch break and was heading to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription. When I pulled into the parking lot I saw him, and I got really nervous! This was my chance! So while I was in Walgreen's I asked God what to do. I didn't want to just go hand him money and be on my merry way. I wanted to plant a seed. I purchased a large bottle of water and a gift card, picked up my prescription, and headed outside to meet the man that had been heavy on my heart for almost a year.

I walked up to him and asked how he was doing, and if he lived in the area because I saw him often. He told me that he lives around the corner. I asked him if it was okay to give him the bottle of water I bought for him, and he kindly accepted. We introduced ourselves. His name is Alphonso. :) He then asked me if I had a few extra dollars, and this is when I pulled out the gift card. I told him I bought it for him because I felt that it's what God wanted me to do. I told him that my heart strings get pulled when I see him, and that I had to meet him. I told him that this was completely a God thing. He was so very appreciative and the look on his face meant the world to me. 

I don't know what he's going to spend that money on, and quite frankly all I can do is pray that it was a blessing. Yesterday, I did my best to plant a seed for God's Kingdom, and hopefully, I will be able to talk to Alphonso more in the future about Jesus. This was the first time I've ever done something like this, and with any luck it won't be the last.

The reason I wanted to write this blog was not to boast about a good deed, but to encourage those of you that have felt convicted to step out in faith. I was so scared to approach this man, but I felt God carrying me through the conversation. If God puts a desire in your heart, pray about it, and then go for it. Stop second guessing yourself, and just trust Him. The next time you see someone and feel compelled to say hello, give a few dollars, or just smile -- do it. You NEVER know what kind of day someone is having or how a small act of kindness will be received...not to mention, the feeling of joy you'll be washed with is priceless. Absolutely priceless. 

Please watch this video...it is a favorite of mine, and is so very powerful. You know how athletes listen to music before a big game to get pumped up? Well, this is what I watch to get courage to be His hands and feet.

 

No. 4 - Go Sailing/Learn to Sail

On Saturday, I crossed #4, go sailing/learn to sail, off of my 30 Before 30 List!

In honor of our one year anniversary my husband and I signed up for a private Intro to Sailing course at a local sailing school. We met our instructor at the marina, and sailed from 2pm to 5pm. To say that we had a good time would be a huge understatement. Keith and I literally had the time of our lives on our little sailboat! From the start, our instructor had us backing our boat away from dock and we I literally steered the boat about 90% of the time. It was fantastic! 

Our boat

Our instructor Toby and the hubs

 

Me steering the boat!

Keith and Toby

Our sail

 

View of Charleston from our sailboat

Our view. :)

I love sailing!!

We went under the Ravenel Bride :)

Overall, I would absolutely rate this experience a 10! Our instructor was awesome, it was a gorgeous day, and we really loved being on the sailboat. Sailing is definitely my thing, and Keith and I are thinking about enrolling in a certification class. It feels great to scratch the first item off of my list, and I'm excited to tackle the next 29 things. :)

**Today is my husband's first day at his new job! If you can, please say a little prayer for him. He is a bit nervous/anxious/excited for this new journey. Thanks guys! 

On This Lovely Sunday

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Colorado in Pictures

 Colorado sunrise

Mountains by my hotel

My attempt at a jumping self portrait...

When in doubt, make a weirdo face

On my way to Estes Park

Driving through the canyon

Mountains!!!!

Sunset over Estes Park

love love love

At the lake!

I have a whole bunch more pictures, but they pretty much look the same. I loved Colorado and really enjoyed my trip. :)

*All pictures taken while driving were as safe as possible. I just pointed and clicked. :)

**Sorry that this recap was slack. School has started this week and I am just too busy/lazy to write. I hope you guys enjoyed the pictures!