Here come the BABIES :)

I have a group of friends from college.....who yes were in my sorority Chi Omega :).......and all stay in touch with each other to this day. We all actually do realize and talk about how lucky we are to have a pretty good size group of girls that all get along really well, can travel together (some more than others), and have continued these friendships this far out of college and with distances ranging from NYC to NC. The past few years have been wedding overload for us.....with one in 2012 still (Yeah Kim and Lee!!)......but we ended 2011 celebrating the birth of our second Chi Omega baby!! Instead of having a traditional baby shower with all of us.....Terra decided to have a "Meet the baby" shower so that we could all meet her since we are spread out over the East coast. I thought this was a GREAT idea!! So almost everyone was able to come in town to meet Terra Rae's new baby girl Mary Kathryn. It was great to catch up with everyone and meet her baby girl!! So thankful for having great friends to go through every stage of life with :)

All of the girls at Terra Rae's mom's house for the shower :)

Dinner at Milner's in Winston with the girls after the shower!

*New goals for 2012* AND weigh in updates!

 Ok.....so I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions......because I'm one of those people that says....no junk food, work out every day, and basically.........be perfect. Well, who am I kidding.....typically within the first week I "fail" and my resolutions are out the window.......SO instead of resolutions.....I have goals......three to be exact!

1. Lose 76 lbs by November 1st.......it will actually be a total of 85.4 lbs once I'm done......but as of January 1st I was already down 9.4 lbs. I have finally sat down and figured out an end goal weight for me based on a lot of things, but mainly that it will be a healthy weight for me and my body. I've never really sat down and had a goal number.....I've always just said I have to lose weight......like for the past almost 31 years!! So......yes I know it's good to break it down into smaller goals.....and I do, that's just my end goal. I say November 1st because healthy weight loss is 1-2 lbs per week.....yes you'll have more some weeks and less on others....but that's an average. If you break down 76 lbs.....two pounds per week.....that is about 91/2 months......I realize I'm human and not perfect which is why I'm giving myself a month and a half extra to lose it!
 
2. Run a half marathon.......as I said in my previous post......I want to "be a runner" again because I know when I was.....I made healthy choices and felt great about myself!

3. Always think the glass is half full.......I think this is self explanatory......I used to think this way......then I graduated from college and moved on to the real world :) I can be a debbie downer sometimes and it's not really a good feeling........so time for me to always think the glass is half full and be thankful for everything!!


Now......for my weight loss visual. I would've put these all as separate posts, but I'm three weeks behind and it's kind of silly for me to do all separate posts at this point. So, from now on there will be a weekly Friday weigh in post.....but today......it's three combined in this one. I need goals and visuals......so I was looking at my fav website Pinterest.......and honestly I wish I could give credit to whoever's idea this was, but I found it before I was a "member" and could not save anything and can't find it since......so if anyone finds it.....let me know.....I'll give them credit. I put 760 gems in the jar each representing 1/10 of a pound and decorated with my goal weights and a couple of my favorite quotes: "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!!", "Success lies just past the point where others quit!", and "Don't trade what you want most with what you want that moment!" Throughout my weight loss journey.....I will take the gems out as I lose weight.....and hopefully NEVER have to put any back in :)

Weight loss jar decorated and full of 760 gems!!

First week weigh in: -3.0 lbs :) Got my second 5 lb star and 5 % star for losing 5% of my weight!! Total: -12.4

Second week weigh in: -1.8 lbs woo hoo!! Total: -14.2

Week 3 weight in: -2.2 lbs!! Total: -16.4

AND I got to put a third 5 lb star on my jar :)

 

 

 

 

 

 Ok.....so there's the first three weeks all in one! I'm super excited about this......and for some reason this time feels like it's it......I've battled weight issues for a LOOOONG time.....and I know I will always have to be aware, but this time is for good :) So thankful for my very supportive husband (who actually just sat through a WW meeting with me AFTER we went to the gym at 6 am!) And to all of my friends and family too......thank you for being understanding in the choices I have to make!! (Oh, and thank you Mason for being an EXTREMELY good ZUMBA teacher and having kick butt classes so that I can look forward to working out in addition to running and have fun!!)

Looking for my long lost love of running!!

There was a time about six years ago that I would've considered myself an avid runner. I was disciplined to do it, pushed myself to new goals, and really truly enjoyed it. I ended up being diagnosed with a spot of basal cell skin cancer on my face and had to have it removed (everything is fine.....just no tanning for me :( I could not do exercise of any kind for a month because the increase in blood flow would affect the scaring, etc. Of course since this was on my face and I was extremely worried about the scaring I listened to the doctors. WELL......I know that some of you have consistently exercised and especially ran, but......have you tried taking a month off and then picking up with the 10 miles you could run before?? Uh.....not happening......so I got extremely discouraged and essentially gave up. Since then I have tried numerous times to get back into running, and I just have not gotten to the point that I want to be at......where I get a runner's high and can run 30 miles if I have too. This year in 2012 I'm determined to run a half marathon again (more about my New Year's goals to come!)......I realize I need to start off slow and not have the expectations I used to have......but I can run 2-2.5 miles now......that's a good start, right?!?!?!

In order for me to do this there are a few things that I know from my last stint in running that I'm going to need:
1. A good pair of running shoes that is right for me!

Thanks to my awesome brother I got a new pair for Christmas :)

2. A plan. I acquired a 1/2 marathon training plan years ago when I was running. It worked great for me and got me to where I wanted to be as a runner.......luckily after a lot of searching and dusting off cob webs.......I found it......which I'm so excited to use once I officially start my training. Until then.....I need to get to 3 miles and be able to run that comfortably.

3. A good, reliable running partner.......not necessarily someone that you run with EVERY day, but someone that you can schedule runs with to keep you motivated. I am fortunate to have the best sister-in-law in the world who also enjoys running, so we both have our individual goals and weekly find time to get some runs in together. This year, my wonderful hubby and I have signed up for the Rugged Maniac 5k which is basically a race with obstacle courses......so I now have someone else to run with because he has to catch up and be able to run a 5k :) Here are a few pics of Chris and I at the Women's Only Race for Breast Cancer (5k) in Greensboro......

 4. Support. Everyone needs support and encouragement when reaching their goals especially when you may need to make sacrifices along the way. (ex. limit alcohol consumption, limit late nights.....who are we kidding.....I haven't been able to stay up past 10 for the past five years!!!) My biggest supporter is my wonderful husband. He is always so encouraging and helpful when I'm trying to meet my goals which is a huge help!! This year......he's going to serve two purposes.....as an occasional running partner AND my biggest fan......always there cheering me on :)

5. And of course.......a few little gadgets that I have found make my running a little easier :)

Got this for Christmas from Chris with a pair of short headphones to go with it.......absolutely the best thing EVER!!!

Always have to have a motivating playlist!! My iPOD shuffle is my fav.......fits perfectly in my new headband and my mom had it engraved with "Nothing good comes easy" when she got it for me years ago........isn't that the truth!!

L.O.V.E. my Garmin........helps me with everything from time, distance, interval training.......couldn't run without it......unless I was on a treadmill :)

On that note......I would love to keep blabbing on about my running goals this year.....but there's more to come......in the mean time.....I'm off to the gym to run on this rainy miserable day :)

Carlos and Morgan get hitched.....finally hehe :)

2011 was a year FULL of weddings for Jason and I.......I mean literally......we had 9......including our own!! Unfortunately because of the large number and the fact that we got married two.....it was virtually impossible to attend all of them. Hopefully everyone understood the circumstances and knows that we were extremely happy for all of our close friends and family that got married in 2011 even if we weren't able to make it. One of my wonderful hubby's best friends in the whole wide world.....might as well be brothers......got married this past October. We were both so excited when we found out they were engaged and getting married!! Jason was especially because they had been dating forever........I mean........let's be honest.....they were practically already married.....it was just a matter of time. Carlos asked Jason to be his best man which was a huge honor for him and he was even more excited about that responsibility!!

They had their rehearsal dinner at a great Italian Restaurant in Greensboro called Cafe Pasta.

Jason and I at dinner.

Typical Adam being difficult.....at least he has a wife that always smiles :)

Being silly while we were waiting for everything to start! And yes, as requested......I had to leave some out!

Wedding Day!! Carlos and Morgan got married outside at Castle McCulloch and the ceremony was beautiful!! Unfortunately I still have a cheap-o camera.....so my pictures of the actual ceremony are very dark.....but here's some pictures of us before!

Momma Smith and Chris

Kristi and Ozzie

Paul and Felipe

Pretty girls! Kathy and I(minus our hubby's because they were both in the wedding)

Chris and the Jolly Green Giant!

OK......that might be a little better.....without the shoes!

Kathy, Kristi, and I

Arton, Amanda, and Baby Lilly

Jason's entrance

Mr. and Mrs. Morales!!!!

Jason and I

Jason, Momma Smith, and I

Chris and I

Felipe teaching Kathy how to.....Salsa??

Me and the beautiful bride

Morgan and the boys!

The boys!

Felipe challenging a 10 year-old to break dance!!

The four of us

Congratulations to Carlos and Morgan!! We are both so happy for you guys!! Love you both!!

VIA TECH :)

 I have been very fortunate everywhere I have worked to meet great people and end up with lasting friends! Northeast Guilford High School was no exception. That's where I met my BFF Laura Beth and so many other great friends! One of the football coaches, Coach Via, has a son that plays for VA Tech football. (#67 Michael Via to be exact!) This year they played at Wake Forest University which is right around the corner for all of us! He invited a bunch of us to the game and we all had so much fun with a lot of laughter, cheering, and of course awesome seats!!

Via, Ramsey, and Little enjoying the game!!

 My hubby and I.....look at how close we were......LOVE this picture :)

 The new proud parents.....the Dukes!!

Ramsey and I

VA Tech ended up winning 38-17.....woo hoo......and we all had a GREAT time :)

Dad visits Greensboro :)

Ok, I am sooooo extremely behind in this, but I have been beyond busy and have finally somewhat caught with everything that I think I can do this for a little while. Ever since I graduated from college my mom and dad come and visit usually once a year where ever I am living!! This fall my dad came down and we all had a great time!

The first night he was here my high school was playing a high school right down the street from our house, so Jason and dad came to watch our game......and of course.....yours truly in action :)

Saturday Jason and I decided to take him hiking at Hanging Rock because he LOVES being active and sight seeing.  Oh.....and we can't forget Tego......the border collie......who absolutely LOVES hiking too!!

It was a beautiful day in NC and dad really enjoyed the view at the top of the rock.....even though he may have been a little scared to go to the edge :)

Saturday night we had a great dinner at the Bean's house with my sister-in-law, her fam, and Momma Smith!
Anyone that knows my dad knows that he enjoys at least a drink.....be it wine, gin, vodka, etc.....a day. So, when Jason and I were trying to think of where to take him on Sunday.....we thought the vineyards would be perfect!! Childress vineyards (yes, owned by Richard Childress for you avid NASCAR fans) is about 30 minutes away from our house......so we headed out on another beautiful NC day and enjoyed brunch at the vineyard......

Then went on a tour.......

 Walked around the vineyards enjoying the scenery and weather!!!!

 And of course......you can't go to a vineyard without doing a wine tasting :)

We had a great day and were super tired by the end, so we decided to grab dinner at a local restaurant Fishbones and come home and watch football. And of course......my dad had to spoil the dogs a little by letting them on the couch.

The weekend went by very quickly, but Jason and I really enjoyed his company. Can't wait for the next visit to show him more parts of NC!! Love you Dad :)