Good Morning!!

I've officially turned into a morning person! Woo hoo! I get up every day at 5:30 and so far, I LOVE IT! I start my coffee, do my quiet time, go for a 30ish minute walk/jog, then shower and get ready for the day. It's a great new routine and I plan to stick with it!

Instead of trying fad diets and specific eating plans, I am simply starting to cook at home and not eat out. I can tell a huge difference in how I feel and look! Even if the recipe has butter or milk or cream cheese in it, eating small doses of that at home is healthier than picking up fast food. Every day my jeans fit better than they did the day before!

I also found a new workout website that I LOVE! It's called Blogilates. Google it and it's the first site. She is pilates based but she has all different types of videos. She has longer pilates videos that focus on the whole body. Or, shorter challenge videos that focus on one body part. You do your workout to the beat of a current pop song (call me maybe, what makes you beautiful, etc) so it's upbeat and fun! I just did the inner thigh challenge - holy moly.

This week has been a pinterest recipe win week! No pinterest fails!! (I'm about to eat what I made tonight. it could be a fail but it looks and smells great!) I made Jalapeno Shrimp Enchiladas tonight. Earlier in the week I made Broccoli Cheese soup. And, last night, I made Creamy White Chicken Artichoke Lasagna. I love cooking!!

Tonight, I'm going to brew some decaf coffee, sweeten it with Pumpkin Spice creamer, read, and prepare for this storm/cold front coming in!!

For Saturday: Go Hogs! Beat Ole Miss!!!!!

Out of Shape

It's amazing ridiculous what months of inconsistent workouts can do to you! I started Jillian's 30 Day Shred back up today and thought I was going to die (or throw up). Man, I'm out of shape. But....I'm back in the game! I've picked out all the recipes I'm going to cook this month & I'm challenging myself to 30 Days of Jillian. Then, a day of rest and a new 30 Day Jillian DVD in November.

Here we go!

How Refreshing!

This past week has been one of the most refreshing I've had in a while! It was an incredible mixture of productivity, relaxing, hanging out with dear friends, and shopping :)

It all started last weekend. I went to NWA with one of my best friends, Sarah. Saturday night we had a wedding to go to of a good college friend and Sunday was Sarah's birthday! The wedding was A BLAST! Our friend met his wife after college, so we didn't know her or their new circle of friends. So, there were only about 8 of us there that knew each other. It was perfect! We sat at the same table for dinner and all danced together. It was so fun to hang out and catch up on life!

Sarah and me!

With Victor, the groom!

Sunday, Sarah and I went to church and then her parents had a birthday party for her at their house. It was so sweet to meet her neighbors and family friends and to celebrate her day!

Monday night, I went to coffee with Allie, Haven, & Merritt. It was so good to hang out and catch up and get an hour together.

Wednesday night, I spent hours browsing Old Navy, TJ Maxx, and Target. PERFECT night! I got a new dress from Old Navy and a cute dress from TJ Maxx! Can't wait to wear them! I love browsing and shopping with no agenda and no time frame.

Last night, I went to Chris & Melissa's house and hung out with them and baby Evan. He is the cutest child! :) His personality is starting to come out and he was loving me ;) He was talking and smiling and laughing at me - melt my heart.

Today was SUPER refreshing. I woke up around 7 (no alarm) and started the day by grocery shopping. I know I sound like a mom (or grandma!) but I love shopping on Saturday mornings before the crowds hit. Then, I DEEP cleaned my apartment. I vacuumed, dusted, did dishes, did laundry, organized, straightened...everything. It feels so so so good! I looooooooove a clean apartment!

Thank you Jesus for giving me a refreshing, enjoyable week! 

25 for 25

In honor of turning 25, I'm giving you 25 random facts/confessions about myself:

 1 - My favorite animals are elephants and giraffes. I really want to go on an African safari one day!

2 - I can touch my tongue to my nose. 

3 - My sophomore year of college I dyed my hair. I will never do that again. 

4 - I lived in Breckenridge, CO for 3 summers during college. Summit County will always have a piece of my heart and I'm itching to go back asap (just not in the winter....)

5 - I am NOT an animal person. Yes, I do have 2 fave animals but notice they are not ones I will run into on a normal basis and have to pet (except in India and when that happens, you pet and ride the elephant!) Yes, I had dogs and cats growing up and I love my own animals. But, I don't do well with animals and I just don't love them. Sorry. 

6 - Pink is my favorite color. 

7 - I worked at Dairy Queen for a summer (in CO).

8 - I also worked at an Oxygen Bar for a summer (also in CO).

9 - Summer is my favorite season. I would be happy to never experience winter again. I would also be happy to find a way to have snow days during summer weather. 

10 - When I read a book series or watch a TV series, I get attached. The characters become my friends. I start referencing them by first name, like we know each other, and I'm always telling their stories (I can relate any life situation to a Friends episode.) So, when they're over, I cry. And, I don't mean just a few tears...I'm talking sobs. I still cry like a baby during Michael's last 2 episodes of the Office & the last episode of Friends, no matter how many times I watch them. 

11 - I love writing with colored pens & I love marking out my to-do list at work with colored sharpie.
12 - When clothes shopping, I navigate towards blues, without even realizing it. My closet is full of shades of blue - stripes, solids, plaids, polka dots.
13 - I love to read.
14 - I love candles. Any time I am home for a few hours, I'm burning a candle.
15 - I'm very clumsy & I bruise 'like a peach' (name that show...hint - see #10).
16 - I was on Drill Team in 7th & 8th grade. I was a cheerleader in 9th grade & 11th-12th grade. My sophomore year I took off, had foot surgery, and was football manager & water girl.
17 - I miss cheerleading - stunting, cheering, dances, jumps, all of it.
18 - I enjoy getting older - it means I'm wiser ;) (hopefully). I don't like drama that the younger years often bring.
19 - I've cut my hair 3 times to donate it.
20 - Country music is my favorite music of all time.
21 - Sweet vs. Salty = sweet every.single.time. I rarely salt my food. I could always eat something sweet.
22 - I really like naps.
23 - My family means the world to me.
24 - I enjoy trips to Wal-Mart or the grocery store. I like perusing the aisles and taking my time (unless there are a million people there.)
25 - I want to live in India. 

Phelps vs. Lochte

I will ALWAYS choose Phelps!

24 races.
22 of those brought him medals.
18 of those medals are GOLD.

I don't care who you are...that's freakin' impressive!

Yes, I choose Phelps.

It's a Daily Choice

Getting up early to spend time with the Lord instead of pressing snooze...it's a daily choice.

Working out when I really really really don't feel like it...it's a daily choice. 

Making a fruit smoothie instead of eating something chocolate...it's a daily choice. 

Cooking dinner at home instead of driving through a drive-thru on the way home...it's a daily choice. 

Loving people when they hurt you instead of getting frustrated/mad/angry/bitter...it's a daily choice.

I know I should have learned this lesson a long time ago but in the past couple of weeks it's really started hitting me. All decisions have to be made daily. I may fail one day but the next day is a new day and I have the chance to make the right choice. Today, I chose to get up early to be with the Lord. I chose to work out. I chose to eat at home. I chose to make a fruit smoothie. Tomorrow might be completely different. Selfishness or laziness might take over. But, it's okay because Saturday will be a new day. All I can do is make choices for the day I'm in. Good choices day after day after day will turn into good habits and long-lasting change. This is what I'm going for. 

Happy (almost) Friday! Remember, if you messed up today, tomorrow is a new day!

2 weeks from today...

is my 25th birthday!!!! Wow! I can't believe it's already almost here.

Last year, I wrote out a lot of goals for year 24. Around my birthday, I'll do a recap post and see what goals I accomplished, didn't accomplish, and got started on.

I definitely didn't accomplish my weight loss goals. However, I did challenge myself a lot, made some progress, backtracked, and learned a lot of what works and what doesn't work for me in the weight loss department. So, year 25 will be the year for the get healthy switch...for real this time!

I just finished Day 2 of Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30. Gosh it is SO MUCH harder than 30 Day Shred. However, if I completed 30 Day Shred in 30 days, I can do this one 5 days a week! This one has 4 weeks of workouts instead of 3 and it's A LOT more intense. I might even stretch it out more than 4 weeks so that I can really improve on each week before moving on. This will decrease my risk of injury (since I'm old now! ;) ) and will increase my stamina, endurance, and confidence.

Welp, I'm off to figure out what's for dinner. What can I make with an egg, salsa, cheese, chicken, pork chops, and berries? haha that's about all I have in my apt...I just can't get myself to get back out into the 110* heat for the store tonight.

My Favorite Spot

My favorite spot in my apartment is the right side of my couch. Weird? Maybe! Let me tell you why...

The right side of my couch is where I sit in the mornings with my coffee and my Jesus. This is where I sit with my Bible, my praise music, my journal, my colored pens, and my scripture memory. I love my times here in the morning. I love sitting here and reading chapters and chapters of God's Word. I love writing in my prayer journal and pouring my heart out to Jesus. I get up from the right side of the couch and I am refreshed and ready for the day. Thank you Jesus for meeting me each morning!!!

Weekend in NWA

I had the best time in NWA this weekend!! I got to do so many fun things and spend time with such fun people!

Friday, I got to Bentonville, a little after noon. Jason, Sarah, and I went to Crystal Bridges, a new art museum up there. It was so cool! I'm usually not into that kind of stuff but I really really enjoyed it. Next, we went to the pool! What else do you do on a warm sunny afternoon?! :) That night we met up with Megan for dinner then headed to the Naturals game. Shawn met us there and after the game they had an incredible fireworks show!!! Since I didn't get to see fireworks on the 4th (burn ban), this was a great replacement! We went back to Sarah's house and stayed up late talking.

Sarah and I outside Crystal Bridges

Meg, Sarah, and I at the Naturals game

Meg, Sarah, me, Jason (a little kid took this so it's kind of blurry)

 Saturday, we slept in, then went to the original Walton's 5-10 store. It was cool to see the history of Wal-Mart. I learned so much about that family and the store and am amazed at how it's grown! We walked around the Bentonville square and then grabbed lunch at the Flying Fish. That afternoon, we went our separate ways until we met up at our friends' wedding. Sarah and I went to the pool. Literally, as soon as we walked through the gates, it thundered. So, we weren't allowed in the water - instead, we laid out and sweated off lots of calories! That night, we went to the wedding. It was a blast! There was great food, yummy cake&cupcakes, lots of dancing, and tons of great friends.

Me and Sarah! Reunited at last! 

Me and Allison - great friend!!

My weekend in NWA was fun, relaxing, and refreshing! I'm so blessed with incredible friends!

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July!! I love this holiday! It's smack dab in the middle of summer (my fave season) & there are so many great things about it:
Fireworks
SUN
Laying out
Music
Fam & Friends
Day off :)

It's the first time, that I can remember, being in Arkansas and not being at the lake. In college, I was always in Colorado or India for the 4th. The rest of my summers, I am ALWAYS at the lake! But, the mid-week celebration threw some glitches in the plan. So, I'm laying out solo today and making some plans for tonight.

Happy 4th! Don't get too hot, stay safe, and remember the people who fought and still fight to keep us free.

Just Living Life

Welp, I haven't been on here in a while because I just don't feel like there is much to blog about. I'm spending my days working and my nights cooking, hanging out with friends, watching TV/movies, reading, doing puzzles (crossword & jigsaw - and yes, I'm like a grandma), and the occasional working out.

I've been SUPER dizzy lately from the antibiotic I've been on for acne so no exercising for me right now or I'll literally fall over (which is highly likely for me even when I'm not dizzy...). However, I cut the meds down and dizziness is going away so I plan on starting up Jillian's Ripped in 30 for the month of July! Great news on the acne front - it's FINALLY clearing up! After over 3 months of antibiotic, nightly Retin-A cream, and very mild face washes, my face is looking better. For all those that experienced acne as a teen, I AM SO SORRY. I can't imagine having the face issues I've had recently while going through the harshness of middle school/high school. I mean, yes, I'm SUPER annoyed at being (almost) 25 and having terrible acne, but I might rather have it now than middle school!

Tomorrow is Friday and I'm thrilled! I have a wedding to go to Saturday and I have lots of meal plans with lots of different friends over the weekend! Then, Sunday, you can find me by the pool since there isn't a 3 day weekend for July 4th this year!

Back in the Kitchen

The above pics are a depiction of my Saturday...it was glorious. That was my plan for today too until my body decided it wanted to wake up the dizziest I've been in a long time. So, no sun & heat for me today :( but I did nap (twice) and plan meals for the week! (more on that later) So, it was an equally relaxing and enjoyable Sunday afternoon!

Now on to the main point of the post...the craziness of the past 2 months of my life (out of town ALL.THE.TIME) kept me from cooking. I've come to love cooking over the past 1.5 years of living on my own so 2 months without it is too long!! Well, I'm back! This afternoon, I spent a good 1.5 hours browsing pinterest & food websites for new ideas & recipes. I made my menu for the next 2 weeks and I'm heading to the store soon for this weeks list! I'm so so so excited to be back in kitchen! (my waistline and scale are also excited...)

Lifestyle update: The last 2 months led to little-no exercise and lots of fast food. The weight I lost....well, some of it has been found again. However, the next 6 months of my life look to be conducive to eating healthy and exercise. This girl is thrilled! I have 3 new Jillians I'm about to start (well, 1 at a time. Otherwise, I might die). I plan on nixing fast food and eating at home. I'm not going to cut out sweets or breads or drastic things like that. When I do that, I crave them. BAD. So, I'm going to eat fruits and veggies, drink water, practice portion control and smart eating...THIS will lead to a doable lifestyle change and to weight loss/control.

Also conducive to eating healthy & cooking at home is our new KROGER MARKETPLACE! Guys, if your town doesn't have one, visit Central Arkansas. We have 2 (1 in my town and 1 30 minutes away). LEGIT grocery store. The first few times you visit, your trip will be about 3 times as long as normal because you have to find where they put everything (oh, just me? whoops...) But, it's well worth it for all the  items they offer and the huge produce section. And, I don't mind the long trips. I enjoy my wal-mart and grocery store trips. I know I'm weird for this but something about it is enjoyable to me!

I'll leave you with this weeks menu and I'll post updates later:
Breakfast:
Cereal or Crockpot Morning Casserole

Lunch:
Leftovers
PB&J (my new obsession for another post)
Salads - spinach leaves, strawberries, blueberries, sunflower seeds, etc

Dinner:
Shrimp & Pesto Pizza
Ranch Chicken Tacos w/salsa & guac
Double Crusted Honey Pork Chops w/brown rice & steamed broccoli

Have a great week!

Will There Be Beaches in Heaven?

I really hope so! If there aren't, I know there will be things even more beautiful! But, I really really really love the beach! Yesterday, I went to a town outside of Destin, with some staff friends, called Rosemary Beach. It's the cutest little beach town with cobblestone streets and buildings that look like Italy. We laid out on the beach for a while and then explored a bit. We sat in a cute cupcake shop (and, of course, got a cupcake). Then, we had dinner at a little restaurant called Cowgirl Kitchen. We passed our plates around and ate family style. It was a perfect 1st day in FL! So refreshing and encouraging to be around staff friends!

Today, I'm going to spend some time doing office work (can't forget my normal job duties even though I'm at the beach!) and then spend some time with Molly, my dgroup leader 5 years ago!!! There might be some pool time, some dinner, and a little OKC Thunder watching going on too! :)

Happy Monday friends! 

ps-Mondays would be a lot better if they were all spent at the beach ;)

If Every Weekend Were a 3-Day Weekend

Why can't every weekend be a 3-day weekend? My SIL & I contemplated this very question at lunch yesterday, while sitting on the screened in porch after a long boat ride.

If every weekend were a 3-day weekend:
-I would be uber bronze in the summer.
-I could deal better with being tired during the week.
-I would have more time to cook and clean and would ultimately be more productive (as a result of being able to deal with being tired because I know I'd be getting plenty of sleep on the weekend).
-There would be more time with fam & friends.
-I could travel even more. 

However, every weekend is not a 3-day weekend so I'm going to cherish the ones I have!

This past weekend was PERFECT in every way.

Thursday night, I headed to Hot Springs with my bros. We met up with my SIL for dinner, then headed to the gparents house. We just hung out, laughed, watched some TV, & went to bed.

Friday, I had my DOP on the screened in porch. It was incredible. Great day! That evening, the kiddos, aunt & uncle, & my mom arrived.

Saturday, I woke up and cooked cinnamon rolls for everyone. I had a great time letting Joshua help me out! (love that kid!) We spent the day on the dock laying out. Literally, all day. LOVED it.

Sunday, we went out on the boat! There are 2 lakes that back up to each other in HS - Ouachita & Hamilton. We grew up going to Ouachita but now my gparents live on Hamilton so we go there. Where the 2 lakes meet, there is a dam that pulls water from the bottom of Ouachita into Hamilton. We call it the "cold water." It's become a tradition to go there and jump in whenever we go out on the boat as a whole fam. However, we've never done it this early in the year. We normally go for July 4th or Labor Day. Guys, the water was FREE.ZING. (yes, read that as 2 syllables for the full effect). I'm talking colder than white water rafting or intertubing the Blue River in Colorado. It takes your breath away. But, I did it! And it was worth it because once you get out into the 90* heat, you feel fine. Such a fun day!

Heading to the cold water!

Sunday night we went out on the boat for fireworks. They weren't as good as years past but it's still fun to go out on the boat at night!

Since Monday was the last day, I started it early. On the dock at 11, out on the boat around noon, short lunch break, back to the dock until 3:30.

Incredible weekend full of family, food, SUN, boat rides, laughter, & sleep! I loved it. Now, I have a great base tan to take with me to Destin! Counting down until I leave on Saturday. Can't wait for 10 days in Destin & lots of fun times with our staff and students!

Today is Dragging....

Lately, my work days have been FLYING by. However, today, it's going so so slow. I think it's because tomorrow is my DOP, so I won't be in the office, and then it's a 3-DAY WEEKEND ON THE LAKE!!!!!!!!!!! Man, I can't wait to lay on the dock for 3 days straight - sweating, swimming, and soaking up the sun. Pure bliss.

that dock right there...that's where I'll be if you need me!

Happy Memorial Day!

I Heart Weekends

I LOVE weekends. Whether it's a calm, lazy weekend around my apt or a weekend out of town for something, I love them! I love the fellowship it allows. I love the adventure. I love the events and special times. I even love the later nights which lead to later mornings and naps.

This past weekend I was in Tulsa, OK for one of my besties weddings!!!!! Oh my. It was such a fun weekend. I got there Thursday night to start on the festivities. We stayed up late watching movies & hanging out. Friday morning, the girls went to get our nails done & then headed to the Bridal Luncheon. Friday afternoon, we headed to the wedding site (also where we were staying for the weekend) and got settled in before rehearsal. The Rehearsal Dinner was a flippin'  blast!!! It was western themed so most people had on cowboy boots. Then, we square danced!!! Holy cow. What a fun time!! I loved it! After square dancing, the wedding party went to the hot tub/pool and hung out!

Saturday was WEDDING DAY! We decorated the ceremony site and reception site in the morning and then spent the afternoon getting ready and taking pics. The wedding was BEAUTIFUL! Everything was perfectly Taylor and Hayley and so sweet. The reception was fun and the site was so cute. After the bride & groom left, we cleaned up and did what anyone would do...went to QT. So fun!

Sunday, I met up with Laura at Utica Sqaure. We went to church, lunch with her fam, Mayfest, Blue Dome District fest, & headed to Tad and Emily's wedding at the Tulsa Rose Garden.

The weekend of weddings was a blast but less than 6 hours a sleep each night caught up to me! Yesterday was  a rough day at work and I needed lots of sleep last night. I still plan on going to bed early tonight too :) My body can only run off of adrenaline for so long.

I'm pumped for this weekend of relaxation ahead...3 days on the dock in the 90 degree weather with 0% chance of rain. I'll take it!!!

The Day I Couldn't Get Warm

Yep...that would be today. It's 84* outside and I have my space heater on full blast in my office. I'm now that girl - you know, the one that's cold ALL the time. Thank you hormones. Thank you sped up metabolism (seriously, thank you for speeding up!). Thank you almost-25-year-old body for changing your mind this late in the game. I used to be the other that girl - yeah, the one that was HOT all the time. Don't get me wrong...if it's hot outside and I'm outside, I will still be hot and sweaty (I sweat like a man). But, I now find myself freezing inside most places. Guess I'll have to start carrying my pink polka-dotted blanket around ;)

Stay warm, friends!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

I have the best friends ever!!! Huge thanks to Chris & Melissa and Nick & Megan for letting me use one of their cars while mine was in the shop!! Holy cow are my friends servants. Their willingness to let me use a car for 1-2 days at a time is such a blessing. Even in the midst of frustrating car problems, God reminded me of His faithfulness and provision through these amazing friends! Love them!

And...skyping with friends in India always reminds me of how blessed I am too! I got to Skype with Alison this a.m. and Grant, Nicole, & Baby Jack and Kelsey tonight. Love my friends!!

Basking in God's faithfulness and His blessings as I drift off to sleep...

It's a Monday

Symptoms of a Monday:
-I woke up after CRAZY dreams 4 different times last night
-My contacts wouldn't go in this morning
-My car needs to be towed
-My car's water pump blew it's gasket

But:
-My God is Sovereign
-My God provides
-My God speaks to me
-My God loves
-My God hears my prayers
-My family & friends are incredible and drive me around and let me use their cars
-I have the money to pay for my car (because of point 2 above)
-My brother, Chandler, helps me deal with my car needing to be towed and water pump replaced
-I get to eat at Marketplace Grill tonight with 2 incredible friends, courtesy of my amazing boss
-After the water pump is replaced, basically everything under my hood is new within the last 3 years

So, in the midst of a terrible case of the Mondays, my God is with me and He knew how this whole day would pan out way before all of this happened. Thanking Him for His presence and His plan, even in the midst of frustration!!

no motivation

i've been m.i.a. because i've had NO motivation to write a new post. life and work and sleep habits and eating habits have been crazy crazy busy and out of whack. so much so that i sleep in any free time i have. hence the no posts in a million years.

recap:
-i've been out of town the past 17 weekends (exaggeration but it's been at least the past 5)
-april staff training in tulsa 1.5 weeks ago for 6 days
-a million projects and to-do lists at work to prep our summer events
-finishing perspectives (it's over! i loved it but i'm pumped for the extra time)
-sleeping and relaxing all weekend at the lake this past weekend (to recover from april staff training sleep deficit)
-staying up 'til at least 12 or 1 or 2 every night at AST (i quickly found out i'm no longer a college student)
-still loving my macbook pro
-pumped to start eating healthy and working out again next week - will be using some healthy pinterest recipes now that i have a working computer
-love my fam - loved the time with them at the lake

random: i took a nap after work today and now i'm getting everything crossed off my home to-do list...at 9:30pm when i should be winding down

next post...my plan to switch all my makeup products to e.l.f. products. get excited! :)