Bits and Pieces

There are a few things that I've been meaning to share on my little blog, but instead of turning each topic into a separate post, I wanted to just unload everything today. :o)

* I have booked a photographer to shoot my Trash the Dress session! Back in July I asked you guys whether or not I should keep my wedding dress, or trash it. I got a great mixed response and ultimately decided to trash it. While I think it's beautiful and would like to keep it, I am more of a picture person and feel like this is the best way to "keep" my dress. The session is at the end of October and will be held at the beach. Yay! Does anyone have recommendations for waterproof make-up?? The pictures below are what I have in mind.

via

* Speaking of trashing my dress...this means I'll have to fit in my dress again. Boy do I wish that I wouldn't have lost 10+ pounds right before my fitting. I'm pretty sure I gained that amount back on the honeymoon. (Okay, maybe not, but you get what I'm saying) I have a little over a month to get my lazy butt back in gear and I'm pretty excited about it. This is just what I need to stay committed and to jump start my plan to eat healthy and exercise regularly. **Pray for me.**

* Back in June I told you guys about my oldest sponsor child, Wilkemberg abruptly leaving the sponsorship program. My heart was broken and I felt like I could have done more. I could have written more often, donated more to his family, gone visit him....just more. Well, on Monday I received the most amazing phone call from Compassion! They told me that Wilkemberg has rejoined the program!!!! :o) I am beyond exited about this!! Wilkemberg will be going back to the project and begin to learn about Jesus again! When I found out this exciting news, I was overcome with emotion. I felt pure joy, love, and embarrassment. I felt God say "Did you think I couldn't handle this?" This was a very humbling experience, and I cried for a long time. Praise Him for this amazing little boy coming back!

via

* Marathon training began a few weeks ago, and I have already hit a very large bump in the road. In 2008 I injured my IT band in my left leg after my first 10 mile run. While this is a pretty common runner's injury, it is very painful and makes it very hard to run. I have been taking it easy with running in general, but I'm worried if it doesn't get better soon that I won't be able to catch up on my training. I am hoping that this gets better soon so that I can rejoin my team! Check out this article that was written about Team SP's efforts to raise money for clean water projects. Yours truly interview for this! :o)

That's pretty much all of the tidbits that I wanted to share. I want you guys to know that I really do appreciate all of you. Your kindness, support, and honesty really makes my days so much better. You are all lovely and I hope that today is wonderful. <3>

Weekend Wrap Up

I know this is a bit late, but here's my weekend wrap up! I don't know about you guys, but I very much enjoyed this extended three day weekend! :o)

Friday during my lunch break I decided to take advantage of my Bi-Lo fuel perks and filled up my car. Please see the picture below and be amazed!


I FILLED UP MY CAR FOR $5.68!!! Now, I do drive a little Toyota Yaris and it was only 8.367 gallons, but still! The gas was $.68 per gallon...I saved $1.70 per gallon! If you don't have Bi-Lo Bonus Card then I highly recommend signing up! It's definitely worth it and really fun to see the gas price drop!

Friday night Keith and I went to a high school football game and had such a great time. To be honest I didn't really watch the game thanks to girl talk, but our team won 36 to nothing. :o)

Saturday was a hectic, but great day. I woke up pretty early (for a Saturday) and met my friends Rachel and Dana for a group run. We're all three running in the 2011 Georgia Marathon as members of Team Samaritan's Purse. We were suppose to run 3 miles, but since we got lost we ended up running a little more. This run was a serious wake-up call! I am so out of shape, and I had no idea it was going to be so hard to run again. Because I ended up causing the group to walk the majority of the time we're going to try 3 miles again this coming weekend.

After the run, I went home and got ready for a day date with my husband. It didn't go exactly how I imagined, but we still had a blast. We drove out to Sullivan's Island and planned to eat lunch and then tour Fort Moultrie. I pictured a nice, quaint little island where everyone is laid back and dressed like they belong in a J. Crew ad. Well, we arrived to a busy, beach community where everyone was in bathing suits and seemed to be in a rush. To add to my disappointment, the pub we went to was short staffed and we had to sit at a table outside...in the 100 degree weather. We left not too long after we got there, but I'd like to go back one day! The pub was cute and the food smelled good.

via

We decided to leave and head on over to an awesome restaurant, California Dreaming. Check out our view...

Not too shabby, eh? We had a wonderful lunch and then headed home for a nap. Our day date was short, but ever so lovely. Keith and I spent Saturday night doing homework, but it was still a good time. Keith makes everything better. :o)

On Sunday we headed to church, relaxed, and did a bit more homework. Monday was spent editing for me, and Keith spent some time with a few guys from the small group he leads. I actually completed a wedding that I had been working on, so that was awesome. Here's a little taste of this gorgeous wedding that was held in Savannah, Georgia.

All in all it was a great weekend! I am so thankful for all of the blessings in my life...especially this guy.

Thursday 5

It's that time of the week where we look back and reflect on five things that have made us...

1. Excited - I am excited that there are only 113 days until Christmas! I am the girl who decorates in October and listens to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" all year long. I absolutely love the Christmas season, and I think it'll be even better this year since my last name is Christmas. (Funny how things happen, eh?) :o)

via

2. Exuberant - (I have to agree with with Jenna at Legally Brunette) I am exuberant that school has started! I am really enjoying my Criminal Justice classes, and I love that Keith is back in school as well. Only a few more semesters to go until I finally graduate!!

3. Ecstatic - I'm ecstatic about my 3 day weekend and my Saturday Day Date with Keith! Three day weekends are the best, and I can't wait to spend the day with my love on Saturday. Yay for sweet husbands!


4. Enthused - I'm enthused about raising $100.00 for Team Samaritan's Purse thanks to my hubs and Chloe! You guys rock and I am so very appreciative! My goal is to raise $1000.00, and while it is intimidating, I know that this goal is being guided by God and that He will provide.

5. Encouraged - I'm encouraged by last night's worship service at church. It was an hour filled with praise and worship to our Lord and it was just amazing! The band did an excellent job, and my spirits were lifted so high. I've been having a rough time and this was just what I needed to remind me that impossible does not exist, I am loved beyond belief, and what my purpose in this life is.

The King's Daughters

via

Last week I was reading Chloe's blog over at Tryin' to Throw My Arms Around the World and I stumbled upon her post about Team Samaritan's Purse. Team SP is basically a group of people who put their athletic ability to use by raising funds for Samaritan's Purse projects. I love the way Chloe words this:

"Team Samaritan's Purse is more than raising money. It's also about showing those around you that you care enough to do something about this world we live in, and opening doors for people to see & understand the suffering all around us. Not all of us can serve as missionaries in third-world countries. But many of us can make the sacrifice to give much of our time and plenty of effort in the name of Jesus, and for His precious children around the world. Or as they say on their website, "Our mission is to provide athletically minded individuals a mechanism to take their training and competition to another level, impacting the world with the love of Jesus Christ, and supporting the ministry of Samaritan's Purse."

After reading this I was completely inspired. Back in 2008 I was a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. They trained me for a marathon and I raised money for cancer research. Due to a leg injury I was unable to compete, but wanting to run a marathon for charity is always something I've wanted to do.

So, here we go again!

I will be running in the 2011 Georgia Marathon as a member of Team Samaritan's Purse! Not only this, but I will be training and running side by side with my awesome friends Rachel and Melissa and my sister-in-law, Ivey!

via

Together we make up our own team called The King's Daughters. We have the opportunity to donate $8,000 for clean water projects in Uganda!!! How amazing is that? (* Click here to check out my fund raising page*)

I am not going to lie -- I'm really nervous. I will need to pay extra attention to the leg that I've previously injured, as well as keep up my cross training. Although running 26.2 seems impossible, nothing is impossible for my God. I know that His hand is upon this decision and He will guide me, protect me, and help me succeed.