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! 

Cheat Days

Running after a cheat day is HARD. I gave myself a cheat day last Friday because friends were in town & I had a wedding shower to go to that night (cake...duh). Saturday, I was regretting that cheat day. I had the worst run I've had in a long time. I could barely run 5 minutes. TERR.I.BLE. No more cheat days for me. I'm increasing the fruits, veggies, & lean meats & getting strict again!

I only have 5 days of 30 Day Shred left. Woo hoo! I can't believe it! I am obsessed with Jillian now...can't wait to get more DVDs!

This weekend is Ganson's wedding!!!!! YAY! Cannot wait...I've been waiting for this since the summer of 2010 ;)

I found a dress yesterday for the Rehearsal Dinner. I ran to TJ Maxx on my way back into cway & tried on like 9 dresses. None of those were screaming "buy me!" As I handed them to the worker, a random dress on the dressing room "no thanks" rack caught my eye. I tried it on & LOVED it! I brought it home & figured out I literally have like 11 different jewelry options. This dress will probably end up being one of the best purchases ever. Score. I'll try to post some pics from Friday - or you might have to wait until Easter (yes, I already know I'm wearing that dress for Easter too).

God & I are getting close. As an almost 25 year old single girl whose future is only known by God & who is coming up on the end of her 2nd year of her 3 year contract, I'm going to God with questions & requests for wisdom, clarity, understanding, discernment, etc. to know what the next step is. It's scary. It's exciting. It's weird. It's faith building. It's trust building. It's mysterious. It's part of life. It's drawing me nearer to Him. I love it.


Other than the storms in the middle...I'm loving this 10-day. Bring on summer!

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Sunny

Isolated T-Storms

Isolated T-Storms

Isolated T-Storms

Sunny

Partly Cloudy

Sunny

Sunny

85°

86°

86°

82°

79°

83°

81°

77°

78°

Happy 20th!

My YOUNGEST bro turns 20 today. Did you get that? My youngest brother is no longer a teenager. All the sibs are in our 20's. Where has the time gone?! Happy Birthday Bro!!! (He doesn't read this but it's the thought that counts) Tonight, we're going out to eat for his bday - I was officially invited by the sis-in-law, despite Chan's not wanting me to come. Oh well...I'm going anyway because he's my brother & I love him & he deserves to have me it's an  honor to drive to LR to be around on his bday.

Happy 1st day of Spring! I'm celebrating by wearing a coral & mint scarf (from India, of course), my coral cowboy boots, & a size smaller jean!! Woo hoo! I'm officially down 11 pounds & a pants size. The lifestyle change is still going well. I haven't been quite as strict on the sweets (my downfall) which is probably why I feel like I'm plateauing. So, I'm about to decrease the carbs & save the sweets for the most special occasions (bdays, weddings, & showers). I'm enjoying this change, the results, & my increased love for exercise & all things healthy!

Today is the last day for Level 2 of Jillian. After tonight, I'll be 2/3rds of the way done with the 30 Day Shred! I can't believe it. I've LOVED Level 2. I'm a little terrified of how difficult Level 3 will be but I'm ready! I'm ready for more muscle definition, more energy, & more results. LET'S GO!!

In honor of spring, do something 'springy' today! :)

Leap Day

There isn't much to write about today except that it's LEAP DAY! A day that only comes once every 4 years deserves it's own post, right? I kind of think it should be some kind of holiday ;) It's been a great Leap Day!!

I had some great time with God this morning.

I'm wearing my new leopard flats & a scarf and bangle from India today (any day I wear an India item is a great day!).

I got to Skype with Kels & get some great updates on life.

There have been some great convos/hang out seshes around the office today.

There is an Adam Hambrick/Andy Davis Leap Day Concert in LR tonight that me & the girls are going to! Fun times are def ahead.

It's also the last day before the 30 Day Shred. Which might warrant me eating something sweet ;) but probably not, since I'm trying to be disciplined.

Happy Leap Day!! I wonder what I'll have to write about on Feb29,2016?! That's fun to think about :)

Let's Dance! & other weekend festivities

I took a Ballroom Dancing class in college & had a lot of fun with it! It was a simple, 1-hr class that was a much needed break in the midst of nursing school. Since that semester, I've done 0 ballroom dancing...until Friday night! There is a community center in LR that does Ballroom Dancing 3 Friday nights a month. A bunch of 501-ers went last week & had a blast!

Haven, me, Courtney, Allie, Laura

love these friends dearly!!

Saturday, I got brunch with a dear friend & then headed out to shop! Even without getting anything (that was not the case this time!), shopping is so therapeutic. I love to wander & peruse through stores & get inspiration for new outfits. I thrifted a couple of great shirts from Savers & got 3 great pairs of flats from Target! They may or may not be the exact same in different colors.
        

Yep, all 3! Leopard, nude, & black. No buyers remorse or guilt here!

Saturday night, I got to celebrate the birthdays of 3 friends by going to a joint party! It was a casual, laid-back night but still fun! I started getting tired around 10:00 so I peaced out pretty early...it might also have had something to do with where I was in Mockingjay (Book 3 of The Hunger Games) & the fact that I was so ready to finish! However, I read 10-20 pages & fell fast asleep.

Sunday, I went to the early service at church so I could get back to cway to get everything accomplished on my to-do list. However, half of those didn't happen because it's ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE to put down Mockingjay during the last 200 pages. So, I finished the book. I'm sad it's over - I get real attached to the characters during series & I'm always sad to finish. That afternoon, I went on a long walk/run in the beautiful 70-degree weather & lifted some weights. Loving the spring-like weather!!!!

also, loving this quote! i love lifting weights!

Friends, have a great week! Enjoy your extra day in February! :) This Thursday, March 1st, I'm starting the 30-day Shred w/a friend. If you want to say a prayer for us, we're gonna need it! ;)