Wedding Planning in Mobile

Hi friends! This past weekend was a great, fun-filled, non-stop weekend! I flew down to Mobile/Spanish Fort to help Shana with her wedding. It was so good to see her! Shana and I hadn't seen each other in about a year and when we did see each other it was only for about an hour and a half. Since we lived together our senior year in college a year is a REALLY long time!! Anyhow, I'm the Matron of Honor in her wedding and her cousin Allison is her Maid of Honor. Allison came in town also. It was so good to meet her. I felt like I knew her yet I had never met her. I flew down on Friday morning and flew back early Sunday morning. We had a great time running around looking at venues and trying on wedding dresses. I can't forget all of the delicious food we ate. Mmm, I'm hungry just thinking about it. I definitely broke my diet this weekend and had more than my allotted number of cheat meals. Eh, oh well...vacation, right? :) I hit the gym tonight to get back on track!! I'm happy to say that I've lost 6 pounds now and 6.75 inches. It's coming off slow but my clothes fit better and I feel better about myself. I'll take everything I can get. Anyway, I'm not feeling to creative tonight with my writing so I'm going to leave you with a few pictures. Much love!!

Progress

Hi all!!! I am happy to report that from last Tuesday night to tonight I have lost 2.4 pounds for a total of 3.4 pounds. Yay!! It isn't a huge amount but I feel pretty proud of that amount in barely less than a week!!! I almost did a happy dance in the locker room of the gym. I was afraid I would get some serious stares though so I restrained myself! :) My training classes are going awesome! I am always sore the next day and it's a great feeling to know that I'm really working. Even though the pounds aren't coming off as fast as I'd like I can definitely tell a difference in my body. My tummy is slimming back down, my arms & legs are toning up and my face has even gotten a bit thinner. I guess I should attribute the low number of pounds lost to how fast I build muscle. It's a blessing and a curse!! Anyhow, if anyone has any tips to keep me motivated I'll take them!

This past weekend was a fun weekend even though my hubby was out of town for half of it. Patrick went to Destin to go deep sea fishing! It was a successful trip!! His cousin Jack won a fishing rod & reel, his cousin Drew won 1st place for the teen division with a 33.5 lb amberjack, his Uncle Randy caught a 6 foot shark (eek!) and the rest of them just got some yummy grouper and amberjack. I'm looking forward to firing up the grill and heating up the oven! While he was gone I hung out with my wonderful neighbors (in case I haven't mentioned it, they are the BEST) on Friday night. Saturday, Sara and I went wedding dress shopping. The day started out bad from RUDE people in one of the shops but it progressively got better since we found her wedding dress!! It's absolutely beautiful!!! Afterwards, my mom and I got a pedicure. It was so relaxing and much needed. Finally, Patrick got home and then I went to dinner with Alli. It was a great Saturday! On Sunday, Patrick and I spent the day together. We met up with his mom and niece Kierstin to go bowling and go to the Halloween store. Kierstin beat them! :) I wasn't able to bowl since I had a migraine and I didn't want to risk messing up my shoulder. We made our second to last stop at Red Robin so Patrick could get his free burger and ice cream sundae for his birthday! I was a good girl and got a lettuce wrap burger and salad...although I did steal a few fries and 2 bites of ice cream. A girl only has so much will power! Last stop to my parent's house to move some furniture.

Anyhow, here are a few pictures from this weekend...yes, I have a camera now...my awesome husband surprised me with it the other day...isn't he wonderful?!

Our niece Kierstin! Isn't she precious?!
I was a great spectator and cheerleader
Kierstin in her Sharpay costume. What a little diva! :)

SOOOO BUSY

Wow! Long time no see!!! Things have been completely hectic in my life recently. It hasn't been in a bad way, just a crazy busy way.

I have been working my normal Marriott job M-F...working with my mom and her company at many Provider Fairs...getting ready for Patrick's birthday (which was a success...more to come on that)...trying to squeeze in some quality time with my hubby and maybe be able to see my friends...AND trying to lose weight! While all of this has been going on 3 of my friends have gotten engaged. Congrats to Sara, Shana and Leslie!! I feel very honored to be in each other their weddings. Leslie is getting married April 17th and I'm a bridesmaid Sara is getting married July 31st and I am the Matron (sounds so old) of Honor. Shana hasn't picked a definite date yet but is likely to be getting married on October 2nd or November 6th and I am the Matron of Honor. I don't know how I got so lucky to have such great friends but I feel very blessed!!

We celebrated Patrick's birthday this past weekend and I think it was a definite success! We had over a bunch of family members (14 people to be exact)! I made chicken cacciatorie (Patrick's favorite) and everyone else brought something. He even had 2 birthday cakes!! It was definitely a full house but it was completely worth it. Unfortunately, I STILL haven't gotten a new camera so I took these 2 pictures with my phone. They aren't the best quality, but at least it's something. The two other people in the pictures are Patrick's niece, Kierstin and his mom's husband, Steve.

So another thing that's been going on is I'm desperately trying to lose weight!! I've changed my eating habits and have been going to the gym for the past month or so and have only lost 4 pounds!! Ugh! I started this new class at the gym called Body Transformation. It's basically a group personal training class with about 7 or 8 people. I have only had 2 classes so far but I really think it's going to help a lot. I know he's definitely giving us a workout because I was VERY sore after both classes. I need all the motivation I can get so if you have any encouraging words or things that have worked for you PLEASE share them!

Here are a few pictures from Labor Day when our dear friends Baylor & Adam came to visit! We took these pictures at my parents house when we went over there to grill out for Labor Day!

I think that's all for now! I WILL write another blog tomorrow or Thursday. That's a promise!! :)