Random Thursday...

Well...here it is, another 2 weeks since I've posted, surprise, surprise. Oh well :)

Update- 30 day Shred is getting loads better. I'm still have lots of trouble with the push ups. I think my body just wasn't made to do push ups. I actually haven't done the workout this week due to being, well, quite frankly, a little lazy (I know, I know I said I wasn't going to be, but I just haven't been motivated at all this week to do anything). I do plan to start back Sunday and I hope to progress to Level 2 next week. We'll see how it goes :)

-I have a cake/cupcakes to do for a 4 year olds birthday party on Saturday. It's a barn yard animal theme and I'm looking forward to it. I'll post pictures when I'm done.

-I'm loving this nail polish right now. I think it's the best summer time color. It's not too pink and not too red. It's called Jelly but I think of it as more watermelon.

-I'm also LOVING these pretzels. I eat a handful a day. I think they're best cold. I know, that's a little weird, but I like my peanut butter cold.

-I'm so excited my sissy is coming up to hang out tonight. I absolutely adore my little sis and LOVE to spend time with her. I can't wait until December when we get to live together again. Love you Merg!

-Speaking of sister. I can't wait to go see this movie with her. We love Transformers and have gone to all of the movies together. Only a few more weeks until it's out!

-Then I'm excited because Harry Potter will be in theaters. My bestie and I have gone to see all of these together. Woohoo, love me some Harry Potter (even though the books are so much better)

-In 1 month I will be laying on my favorite beach soaking up some sun. My family hasn't been on a family vacation since I was in high school, but this year we are taking the time and going to our favorite place, Tybee Island. When I was in high school it was a yearly tradition to go for a week during the summer. This trip will be a little different. My parents are going for the entire week. I won't be down until Tuesday night so I can work Monday and Tuesday and my sister will only be there from Monday to Thursday so she can work. The older we get, the harder it is to plan things around each others schedules, but I'm so looking forward to this getaway!

-I'm loving that I can wear linen pants now. It makes the day so much more comfortable

-I'm loving that it's summer, so I'm wearing my hair curly everyday. I'm hoping this will help with the growing department, since my hair has decided to be stubborn and take it's sweet time to grow out

-I'm loving that it's Thursday and tomorrow is the last day of the week. I've been in a funk this week and am ready for it to be over

Hope y'all are having a wonderful Thursday...one more day!!!!

30 Day Shred

Ok, so laziness is OVER! The month leading up to the wedding I took a break from my 5k training because I was so busy and then the past month I have been busy with unexpected things and laziness has set back in. Well....no more! I've got 40 more pounds to go and I am determined to get as close to that as possible before my cousin's wedding at the end of August.

I bought Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred months and months ago, but I don't have a ton of room in by bedroom to do the workout so I hadn't tried it until Tuesday night. My parents are out of town so I knew I would have the den to myself, so I moved the furniture around and popped in the DVD.

WOW!!!!! Totally kicked my butt! It's only 20 minutes and it is old school moves like jumping jacks, lunges, squats, jumping rope, boxing, push ups, etc. but boy oh boy was it more difficult than I thought. I am still incredibly sore today (which is a good and bad sign, right?). I took last night off so that my muscles could relax and I plan on doing it again tonight, even though my legs are still killing me.

So...the countdown begins, I have rougly 12 weeks to lose another 40 pounds. I won't be upset with myself if I don't quite reach that goal, but I want to work as close to it as possible. I'm really proud of myself so far, but I don't want to quit until I reach that ultimate goal. I know my body can do it because I've been there before and I WILL be there again :)

I do hope to hop back into my 5k training, however, it is unseasonably hot down here and the snakes are out in full force in the boonies so I'm nervous to run in my neck of the woods (almost literally). I'm thinking of buying a used treadmill and setting it up in my room (if I can convince my mother), then I would like to get back on board and train to run a 5k. We'll see how the next few weeks go. Alrighty...wish me luck tonight :)

Erin

Calmness...

In my last post I mentioned that the past few years have been somewhat difficult. I've been in a place where I haven't been truly happy. Being how I am, though, I have always tried to put on a happy face and just continue through life. Yet, deep down, I haven't been happy. I am not sure where it stems from, maybe it just built upon itself over the last few years.

This weekend changed all of that. After talking with my good friend Saturday and then just driving down old winding dirt roads with the windows down and music blaring, I realized...I am happy. Deep down, truly happy. Again, I can't pinpoint a reason why, but I just feel calm and at ease and blessed with my life. I feel like I have a purpose and that I am where God wants me to be right now. Sure, there are a few minor details that I wish were a little different (like my hour commute :), but overall, I can say that I am at ease with who I am and where I am.

I am looking forward to what the future holds, and I know that God has some amazing plans for my future and I can't wait to see what they are. Until, I'm going to enjoy the sunshine and driving down my dirt roads :)

Erin

Oh what a life....

So...I started this blog to right my feelings down. I did a good job in the beginning of posting, then somehow I can to a wall. I just don't feel that I have much to say and honestly, in my personal life, I don't have much going on.

For the past couple of years that had been the case. My life is "boring". Not sleepy boring, and luckily there hasn't been any "turn your life upside down" events happen. It's just been an up and down flow of same ol same ol. I know that I really shouldn't complain. All in all, I am very lucky to have the life I do. I just want a little spice added, ya know?

The past couple of weeks I have felt at peace. I'm in a steady routine of waking up at the crack of dawn (4:45 am, people), getting ready for work, commuting an hour, working the same job, commuting an hour and a half home, eating, playing with my dogs, going to bed, and starting over. Sounds mundane, but lately I've felt ok with it all. I am officially in up to my eyes with my new job, and am surprisingly loving it. NEVER would I have thought I would be in the law field when I love teaching so very much. I do hope to one day give teaching another go, but as of right now, I really feel God is keeping me where I'm at.

I've worked really hard on accepting where God has put me in life up to now. I still have a few days where I will start having doubt and be upset that I am not at the place where I thought I would be, but I have to remind myself that everything truly happens for a reason. This verse is taped to my computer, and I read it constantly and remind myself that He really has a plan for me and if I continue to love and grow through Him, He will continue to point me in the path I was made to have.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

I have found a new favorite song that I crank up in the car when I'm feeling a little down. If you haven't heard it, listen, and I'm sure it will make your day brighter.

Randy Houser- In God's Time

It's really amazing, and gives me an all over feeling of peace and calmness that I need.



This past month the south has been hit with storm after storm and it breaks my heart to hear of all of the people that have lost their lives during these terrifying tornadoes. We have been fortunate enough to have been spared in my immediate area of Georgia, but just an hour or so north was hit pretty hard a month ago. It brings things back into perpective quickly when you hear of all of those stories. Please keep everyone in your prayers during these difficult times. I know that they are all in a much better place, but it is hard for the loved ones left behind.

Also, my best friend's grandfather recently passed. In a way it was unexpected and again we all know that he is living with God and is no longer in pain, but his loved ones are left hurting and sad, please pray for this family as they lean on each other during this time.

This seem like a random post, but it's what's been on my mind lately. I hope that everyone has had a great week and have a fun and safe Memorial weekend.

Erin

Where do I start??????

Hello blog world, it's me!

Wow, this past month has been INSANE!!!!!! I have so much to cover, but don't want an extremely long post...so here goes.

Wedding

 
   My best friend got married almost three weeks ago. It was an amazing weekend. I enjoyed getting to spend some great quality time with her before she became a married woman.

Swan Coach House for the Bridal Luncheon

  She was the most beautiful bride EVER! I seriously was in awe of her. I cried through the whole ceremony, but was so happy that she was marrying her best friend (next to me of course me :)he he).

Stunning

She's home now, and I miss seeing her almost every weekend. Guess it's time for a roadtrip to Macon :)

                         Lovebug's 2nd Birthday

My lovebug turned 2 on the 7th. We went to the zoo for her party. She was so adorable and knew it was all about her. She showed off her sassy walk and I think enjoyed herself. I have made every one of her brother's birthday cakes and now I'm making hers.

                                                       Pink Ballerina Hippo

Work

Well, it's offical. I have a new position at work. Growing up I told myself time and time again that I NEVER wanted to do anything involving law. I have always found it boring. God has been laughing at me a lot lately. I started at my law firm as an in between job, until I could find another teaching job. Soon, a whole year had past and I was still there. I have now been promoted to Jr. Paralegal and at the moment it feels right to be where I am. So....until I hear from God otherwise, I'm in the law field. Crazy :)

Prayers

This past weekend we had a major scare. One of my best friends was rushed to the hospital. I rushed to her house and stayed with her kids (my B-Bop and lovebug) for a couple of days. We were literally on a roller coaster ride. One day is was bad news, then good news, then bad news, so on and so on. I finally was able to see her later in the weekend. It always gives me goosebumps to see God's work in action. Numerous times we had a room full of people just praying over her, asking God to heal her or help us understand.

Our prayers were answered.

She was finally able to come home Sunday night after being in the hospital since Thursday. It ended up not being the extremely serious problem that we at once thought. She is doing a whole lot better and we are all so happy and blessed that she is ok. I love her dearly and hated seeing her in that position.

In a nut shell I think I have summed up everything that has been going on lately. Busy, busy, busy. Luckily it looks like things will be slowing down for a little while around here.

The next few weeks I'm going back to working hard to lose weight. I have lost 50 lbs. and want to lose another 40. So I started weight watchers and 5K training watch out, I'm coming for you!

Happy Hump Day!!!!!

Erin

Soon to be Mrs. Kessler

This post is dedicated to my bestie!

J and I have known each other since we were 12. Gangly things in the horrors of middle school. We bonded over French :)

She is truly my best friend and has literally been through thick and thin with me. We were friends all through middle school and hung out in the same group the first couple of years of high school. To be honest though, those first few years in high school she annoyed me :). She was still my friend and we still had fun, but I was insanely jealous by how beautiful, outgoing, and incredibly smart she was. She had all of our guys friends falling at her feet and was a shameless flirt, even though I've come to realize that's just her being sweet to everyone. However, senior year arrives and our group has fizzled. She and I became fast friends and I have amazing memories of our times during senior year. Late nights at Caribou and Dunkin Donuts. Crazy drives down Peachtree Street blaring Britney Spears. Racing away from a party house after graduation in fear of the cops (even though we were complete goody goodies, just didn't want to get into any trouble).

College came and we moved two hours away from each other. A few months passed before we talked again, but soon our friendship grew even stronger. I honestly have to say that during college is when we became "best friends". Whenever she was home from school we always hung out.

Now, we're grown up and she is getting married. I adore her fiance and am so unbelievably thankful that she has found the perfect match for her. They love each other endlessly and will be so happy together. We've shared so many amazing memories together and I am looking forward to this weekend when I get to be a part of their wedding. Congratulations Bestie!!! I'm so happy for you and love you dearly :)

Erin

Miscellaneous Monday

It's a three day week for me!

-My best friend is getting married in 5 days. FIVE DAYS PEOPLE!!!!!!! Crazy.

-I'm on my own this week with my newish job. I officially move into my office Monday, but I have many tasks this week to accomplish since my mentor is on vacay.

-I had an awesome time with my loves Friday night. We ate Mexican, shopped at Kohls, laughed at the love bug :), then tried Menches for the first time. I got the coffee yogurt with no toppings (still trying to watch what I eat)

-Easter was quiet. I got a lot of deep spring cleaning done and enjoyed it. Then my sissy came for dinner which was the best way to end the day!

-I've gone on hiatus with the 5K. With this wedding and preparing for it, I've been really busy. So, starting May 2, 5K training is BACK on!!!! (I'm really looking forward to it)

-Bought my bestie's wedding present this past weekend. It was a find for sure. I think she'll love it!

-We're supposed to get some bad storms this week. Is it weird that I'm excited about them? Not about damage or people getting hurt, just the thunder and lightening. Growing up I thought about being a meteorologist and would LOVE to hunt tornadoes :) Yes, I'm a little odd.

-Luckily for the bride to be, Friday and Saturday are supposed to be GORGEOUS!! So glad too.

Hope everyone has a lovely week. I'll post about the wedding when I get the chance :)

Erin