Weekend Re-Cap

I had another one of those FABULOUS weekends that I could put on repeat and do it all over again!!

Friday: I finished up with work and had an evening with my awesome roomie and BFF, Elizabeth! Gym time, some much needed shopping and dinner. I just love her! She's the greatest!!

Saturday: Started bright and early celebrating this beautiful girl's graduation from Stratford High School! I am so proud of her! Words can't even describe!!

 



Way to Go Sweet Girl!! :-D

After graduation there was a small beach trip, followed by much needed Pedi's with my Steele Sisters and Dinner at Mellow Mushroom with friends where we did get to catch the Gamecocks pull out a victory over the Tigers in baseball!! Working on a 3-Peat again!! :-D

Sunday: Started even earlier!! I finished the cake decorating for our sweet Wyatt's dedication to the Lord!

Again I say- the hardest part is the transporting!! But I love the honor of doing this for my family!! Even if it's not the most professional- they say it's pretty good! :-P
After a yummy meal by the great host and hostest- seriously, my cousin always puts on such a great spread; she is such a gracious hostest and welcomes everyone- we headed to the church for dedication!

This little boy is so loved by all around him- just like his big sis!

They have stolen lots of hearts and are such blessings to our family!!

 I love this family! They are so wonderful and have taught me so much!

 Snuggles with a sweetie!!

 You can't see in the pic how big my heart is for these two, but it would burst through the screen! I love them so very much!! I thank Annie for letting me love and spoil them all I can! Tee Hee

 Cutest lil man around- if I do say so myself!!!

Want to talk about some amazing women- these two right here! They are such wonderful examples of God's love and are shining lights! I am so thankful for them as well! I can't wait to see what God has in store for each of our futures!!

That was my amazing weekend in a rap up! See why I'd wanna to it again?

I ♥ love ♥ my family!! They are so wonderful! I know God knows what He's doing- but He outdid himself with mine!!

So What Wednesday!

On this short week and hump day- I decided to link up to Shannon and her "So What Wednesday" Post:

• So what if the week's a short week- it still made my awesome weekend come to an end!
• So what if it's been forever- we still get right back like we haven't missed a beat!

• So what if we were in the middle of a technical "tropical storm" last night- I still got awesome sleep with the sound of the rain on my windows!!
• So what if I don't have the coolest running shoes- YET- I still did my first mile with NO STOPS yesterday- and can't WAIT to go running again today!
• So what if I love taking self-pics on my iPhone! It's who I am!
• So what if I'm a little toasty in areas, I spent every day in the sun this weekend and plan to spend many more!!

• So what that my tongue and fingers have paper cuts- I have over 100 Team In Training Envelopes to stuff!! Be looking out for yours!! Or save me time and donate here!!!
• So what if I'm biased- this is the cutest ballerina in the WORLD!!
• So what if it was my first time- I'll be doing it again! Having photo session with the awesome and talented Ramsey Winn- get your mind outta the gutters!
• So what if there are only 2 days left til the weekend- I want a fast forward button!!
• So what if I "feel" young- I'm getting old! They're planning my 10 YEAR REUNION!
• So what if I love trashy romance books! A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! And you'd love them too if you read them!

So what if this bored you- it entertained me! :-P

Time for me to start working on the cake for the cutest little boy I know!! :-D

Holy Bookworm, Batman!

I did it! I actually completed one of my resolutions!
12 in 12 in 2012!
I wanted to read 12 books in 12 months in the 2012 year- and I actually did it! In half the time no less!

Not gonna lie, some of these were some EASY reads- mainly b/c they were soooo freaking good!! I couldn't put them down! Hunger Game Trilogy in a week! 50 Shades- 5 days! I love a series, I love investing in the characters. I have NOOOO idea where to go from here but would LOVE any suggestions!

If you're interested in what my nose has been in and what my opinions are of each- keep reading!

1. Tim Tebow's "Through My Eyes"

I'll say it again- stick to football Tim! I reviewed this one here

 2. Jane Green's "Promises to Keep"

This as well

3. Nicholas Sparks "Safe Haven"

Already told you my thought here

4. Suzanne Collins "The Hunger Games"

and here

5. Suzanne Collins "Catching Fire"

And was in the middle of this one here! I did finish this, obviously and LOVED it! It was a simple read, but I really loved the characters!

6. Suzanne Collins "Mockingjay"

Oh sweet Mockinjay! You did me proud! I was DETERMINED to finish the entire series before the midnight premiere of "The Hunger Games" and just barely, I did it! I was so happy with the way things ended and that's all I'm gonna say- b/c I don't give away things- even in a review! You go read them!

7. E L James "50 Shades of Grey"

You heard my review of this...

8. E L James "50 Shades Darker"

this...

9. E L James "50 Shades Freed"

and this here! But that's not going to keep me from saying again how much I LOVED them!!

**I'm going to go on a little soap box here- and because it's my blog- I can!**

I recently read a short article in Redbook titled: "What's the deal with Fifty Shades of Grey?"

My first thought was- umm, it's amazing! But, I read on to see their thoughts and had to quote the article b/c I feel like judgement is made on women who chose to read it.

"Just by reading this novel, some women may experience the thrill of taking on something new, taboo, and adventurous. They're saying, 'I'm going to read this, dammit, and I'm going to tell people if I like it.' That feels empowering" -Jerilyn Fisher

AMEN SISTA FRIEND! I am 27 years old and if I want to read a book I am gonna read a book. You don't have to! I am NOT going to judge you for NOT reading it, so don't judge me FOR reading it. I loved the books! I thought they were romantic, sexy, sweet, sad and will probably read them again if *fingers crossed* they make them a movie!

**OK- stepping off the soap box!- now accepting interviews for my Christian Grey**

10. Jamie McGuire "Beautiful Disaster"

So! After 50 Shades, I was in serious withdrawal! I've see several people with this attitude:

That's where this and the next two books I read came in! Good old Google and Amazon helped in my "what to read next?" Beautiful Disaster was- OK, it was a very easy read and I did LOVE the end- but it ENDED there- no hope for a series to come! It also focused on people in college- which is fine, but I really felt like reading them I was 21 again, and that's just sad that I can't be! LOL It's not bad, but not the best of my latest reads.

11. Sylvia Day "Bared to You"

Holy sexiness! When I started this, I didn't know if it was a series or not- but as I fell in love with the characters, I discovered, the author is in the works of the next book- Deeper in You! I can see what happens come fall! YAY!

12. Sylvain Reynard "Gabriel's Inferno"

I just finished this last night! So great! This was a change of what I was expecting and what I had been reading. This book was so romantic and just beautiful! I will admit, the author could get long winded as she described the correlation between Dante's Inferno and the characters in the book- and not having ever read Dante's Inferno (I hope this was never a reading assignment, b/c I skipped it) I was a little lost on those parts. But the underlying love story is what I love!

Even better news- the sequel to this came out THIS WEEK!!

I cannot wait to start reading this!!

Something about reading just calms me! I get so involved with the book and interested in the characters lives! I love that connection and that escape from reality.

I musta done lost my mind!!

13.1... a half marathon! I am voluntarily choosing to run in a half marathon!! Please sign me up for my CAT Scan now!!

Why have I chosen to do this? For her:

This is my dear, sweet aunt Lee! She lost her batter to Multiple Myeloma in 2006 and I'm running this race in her memory. I'm doing my part to help find a cure so no one ever has to say goodbye to someone from blood cancer.

Want to help?
~Say a prayer (or two or three or four) for my teammate and I!
~Offer up a word of encouragement on days I don't want to go running!
~Donate HERE

Thanks for all of your support during this journey! I can't wait!!

Dear Monday

My friend Amy links up each week to Megan's "Dear Monday" blog and I love reading- so I thought I'd write a letter to Monday too!

Dear Monday: I am not your biggest fan today! You took my weekend from me way too soon and I had much more I wanted to do!

Dear Sun: Why do you tease me with being out today all beautiful and hid all weekend! I had not one- but TWO failed pool attempts!!

Dear Kickboxing: I think I have finally found a class to try- and at my gym so it's FREE included in my monthly fees. We will see what kind of relationship we will have on Thursday!

Dear Dogs: In particular Kally, if you wake me up at 4am barking again, I may just open the gate for you to run and be eaten by the alligator in the pond!! (Totally kidding!)

Dear Fridge: Please start working again! You are killing me and the "fix-it man" that's come not once, not twice, but three times now! RIDIC!!

Dear Life: I'm loving you right now! I'm trying to ignore the "waiting for the other shoe to drop" philosophy I often frequent and am trying to just enjoy you! You only get one, so I'm going to enjoy it to it's fullest!

Dear Week: Please go by fast so I can get to the beach ASAP!!

<3s ya!

What I'm Loving...

I've never done a "What I'm Loving Wednesday" but since I haven't posted in so long- I figured this is a good way to get started back up!

1) I am loooooving life right now! I hit a number on the scales I haven't seen in- well lets face it- I've never seen this number as an adult! And it feels great!!

2) I'm loving my moma! It's Mother's Day this weekend y'all! Don't forget about your madre's! Mine will be bandaged up from surgery, but not gonna love on her any less!!

3) I'm loving "50 Shades"- Y'all- I for reals read these books in 5 days! They were sooooo good! Yes- there was sex in there and yes- it was INTENSE- but the love story underneath?! I laughed, cried, and said "OHEMGEE" maybe twenty times!! Get them- read them- you'll thank me! (So will your significant other)

3a) Speaking of- there's talk of a movie about them-- who's your vote for Christian Grey?!

I'm sorry, look at those Chris Pine eyes! He wins no matter what in my eyes!!

4) I'm LOOOOVING running! I got me a snazzy new iPod nano and have really picked up my distance I can go! I have another 5K this weekend and I can NOT wait! I just get such a freeing thrill from them!!

5) I'm loving that I finally got some "goal pictures" taken by the fabulous Ramsey Winn!! We had such a fun time and she did absolutely fabulous! Here's a sneak, but seriously- check out her talent!!

6) I'm loving my little loves!! Even if I have to call poison control at 6 in the morning b/c my Chihuahua ate the tube of Neosporin!! They keep it interesting (and messy) at my house!

7) I'm loving my friends! I seriously have THE MOST BEAUTIFUL people in my life! I'm not even talking about their looks either! They all have such wonderful hearts and just make me smile every time I'm around them! They each offer somthing different to me and I thank God for them all daily!!

 Don't be a Theta Hata

 The Beautiful Bride!!!

 Lauren, Ashley and Me- Love them!!

 My date! LOL

 Beautiful ladies! Nicole, Ashley, me and Crystal

 I love love love these sweet women!! Amy, Elizabeth, Christina, Becky, Donna, Me and Maria! Thursdays are my favorite night b/c I spend it with them!

 This gal here is pretty much the awesomist! (Yes that's a word) My BFF, roomie and my sister from another mister! I'm so proud of her! She's Teacher of the Year BTW- in case you haven't heard me bragging on her enough! 10+ years of friendship through UPs and DOWNs!! I cherish her friendship!

8) I'm loving the sunshine and wait for it... the BEACH! I know, I hated the beach! But I can't get enough of it lately! Now, that opinion might change after July or so and it's 900 degrees out with no relief!

Yes- I love self pics- it's a sorority thing- I've done it for years! Don't hate!

8a) I love that I get to spend another beach day Saturday with my awesome Steele ladies and the long lost Christina! I THINK I remember what she looks like! :-D It's been too too too long!

I'm loving all of y'all for reading this long behind post of my life lately! I gotta do this more often! I love capturing my memories!!

Nothing like a good book... except maybe a good workout!

Or two or three or four!

I'm moving along on my quest to read 12 book in 12 months in 2012. At this rate- I'll either be able to take a break for a few months, or read more than 12!

Up first- #3... Old Faithful, Nicholas Sparks...

Oh, Nick, you never let me down! I had this book done in 4 days- because I couldn't put it down!! I get so invested in his characters, it's hard to close the book, b/c you want to see what's going to happen next!

And OhhEmmGee!! Look what I just found!! Not due out until 2013- but I am so excited for another book to movie creations of his!!

Next up- #4... A little later than the rest, but still before the midnight premeire...

I surprised myself with reading a book in 4 days... well that was nothing compared to the 2 days it took to read "The Hunger Games"!! WOW! I admit, it was an easy read- but so very good also! I was instantly hooked and luckily, my ticket to the movie next week has been bought!! Can't wait to watch!

#5- No real surprise here... 

I had to see what was going to happen- and I am already 5 chapters in!!

Very excited to keep going!

In other news... this girl is moving along- by foot! I made my first trip over the Bridge last week with my friend Amy and it was A-MAZ-ING!! I was instantly hooked! I was also instantly sore! So, to fight that off, I decided to walk 3 miles around my neightborhood on Sunday. Followed by 3 on Monday, another bridge trip with my cousin Lauren on Tuesday and a lovely mile last night!

What to do next, but catch a leprachaun! Amy and I are going to be walk/run-ing in a 5K tonight in Mt. P to Catch the Leprachaun! We've got green shirts, make-up and a few other tricks! I can't wait. I may have a new addiction!!

Gotta snap a pic at the top of the bridge!! WOO HOO!!