Five on Friday

Well, we made it.

I think we should all get a trophy on Friday for making it through the week.

Maybe a ribbon? A sticker? Hey, it works for 2nd grade.

I think I deserve something for surviving this week.

It was tough.

I've been grouchy. Irritable. Tired.

What a joy I've been.

I apologize to everybody that came across my path this week.

But the good news is... it's almost the weekend, so how could anybody be upset about that!?

Today, I'm putting my grouchy-tude to the side, and linking up with Christina & the Five on Friday ladies.

one.

Today is kind of special because five years ago today, Cody and I went on our very first date.

March 7, 2009 was the day.

I remember what I wore. What he wore. Where we went. Where we sat.

How I felt. That I thought it was going to be a terrible date at first.

And now look at us.

Getting married on June 7th.

How 'bout that. :)

two.

Speaking of wedding... We're going Saturday to pick out the groomsmen attire.

Honestly, I'm not super excited about this... Is that bad?

I just want it done. I want the groomsmen to get it ordered. And call it a day.

This is our inspiration for the groom & groomsmen.

via

three.

Last night, I came home to a delicious crockpot full of Chicken Tortilla Soup.

It was beyond delicious. And not filled with calories.

via

This was the inspiration I used to make the soup.

I make a similar one on the stove, but found one for the crockpot that was perfect for a couple that has worked 10+ hour days recently.

I did change it up a little bit, and I'll try and share it with y'all the next time I make it.

Normally,  I would have added handfuls of cheddar cheese and spoonfuls of sour cream. 

But since I'm doing Weight Watchers these days, that wasn't part of my daily point count.

So, I made it without the extra calorie-filled dairy goodness, and I have to say that I didn't miss it at all. It was that good. And that easy.

Definitely a new weekday favorite for us.

four.

As you know, I'm trying to shed some pounds these days.

Eating healthy. Exercising. The whole nine yards.

In the past when I've worked out, I've lost the pounds pretty quickly. 

But this time around, it's coming off very slowly.

I know I'm not working out as hard or long as I could, but I'm moving a heck of a lot more than I was before I started this journey. I've cut so many calories out of my diet that I didn't even realize were harming my body. Those extra snacks. Extra cheese. There was a limit, but in some ways there wasn't. I knew not to push my snacks too far, but a lot of little extras add up to be a lot. So I feel like I'm making big steps, and I'm hoping this turns into a lifestyle change, and not just a youhavetofitinaweddingdress change. But it is discouraging to see the weight not coming off as quickly as I'm used to. So in order to stop getting discouraged, I found this on Pinterest and it totally flipped my attitude upside down. 

It just makes so much sense, and calmed my uneasy feeling about the number I was seeing on the scale.

via

Just keep going.

five.

Has anybody ever used Groupon for a getaway?

Is it legit?

Should I be worried that I'm going to get ripped off?

 I'm considering some of their getaways for our honeymoon, but I'm way too skeptical. 

I'm probably being too cheap, and thinking about this honeymoon location way too seriously, but I want to make the right choice!

 So Groupon advice? I'm all ears. Or eyes in this case.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday & a wonderful weekend!

Throwback Thursday: L+C {Year Two}

So, blogging definitely wasn't on my agenda yesterday.

Or the day before.

After coming home late the last few nights, having Cody come home late all week since it's week one of the new position, squeezing in some exercise and grocery shopping last night - the last thing on my mind was blogging at 9pm. 

My pillow and blanket sounded much better.

But tonight, as I'm waiting on Cody to come home, the dogs and I are all snuggled up on the couch with the heater blowing directly on us (oh spring, please come back), I felt like it was the perfect time to whip up a post.

A couple weeks ago, my friend Ashley at A Thousand Words started the Throwback Thursday link-up, which I desperately missed. I was so excited to share some of Cody & mine's pictures from our five years of dating, especially since March is the month we first met, had our first date & became "official." ooohhhahhhhhh.

Now, I'm sure some of you want to gag, throw up, unfollow me, whatever.

I just can't help getting all mushy gushy this month and not to mention, we're inching closer and closer to our wedding day. Holy cow.

So feel free to skip on over this if you wish - or some of you may already have. :)

Que the mush. And the gush.

 

Easter 2010

The second year of our relationship was by far the hardest.

I was ending my second year of college, living with three roommates that I couldn't stand.

Cody started a new job that was pretty exhausting. I had a part-time job on the weekends.

We had the stupidest fights half the time. Over STUPID stuff.

It was a lot of growing up and maturing through this year.

Somehow, we stuck it out and survived, and it actually made us stronger.

Alan Jackson concert, April 2010

We had some fun times though and some firsts.

[I apparently wore the same tank top all the time...]

We went to our first concert together. Cody's all-time favorite musician - Alan Jackson.

And we went on our first vacation together in the fall - Pigeon Forge, TN.

Pigeon Forge, October 2010

We tried to spend a lot of time with family, including the holidays.

Holidays were always tricky for us because of Cody's work schedule at the time.

He would either leave right from work to come to a family get-together, or we wouldn't spend family time together at all. It was hard for us to get used to, but it makes us appreciate what we do get to spend together now.

Sister's high school graduation, May 2010

Halloween 2010

Thanksgiving 2010

Christmas Eve 2010

Oh, and did I mention - I got Maci this year!

As much as Cody thought I didn't need a dog, he knows he was wrong now. :)

[He tucks her in at night...]

My little babe at 3 months

He even still loved me when I cut all my hair off! ;)

He actually prefers it short because it didn't "take me as long to get ready"...psh.

January 2011

February 2011

But through all the ups and downs, we made it through.

A lot of lessons learned.

The second year together definitely made us who we are today.

March Goals

Another month means new goals.

March is going to be a big month with making wedding decisions, so it's going to be geared mostly toward that. With a few extra bonus goals thrown in.

If you haven't set up monthly goals for yourself, but have been thinking about it, I highly suggest it. Sometimes I forget what I wrote down for my monthly goals, so I have to remind myself by looking back at my blog. But normally, I'm accomplishing goals that I set because they're in the back of my mind anyway. I love the feeling of crossing things off throughout the month, and looking back to see what I accomplished in those 30 or so days. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :)

But enough with the rambling, onto March's goals.

1. Have a wedding invitation stuffing party.

I've had a lot of family and friends ask if they can do something to help with the wedding.

Before now, I had nothing to tell them. We had gotten the big stuff squared away, but now we're preparing for the little stuff. Our invitations are going to be mailed April 1st, so I thought it would be fun to recruit some sweet ladies to help with the stuffing process. And why not have a few snacks and drinks along the way.

2. Order wedding shoes.

I had some. The cutest pair. Matched perfectly with my wedding colors. They arrive. Impossible to walk in.

As much as I love five inch heels, I don't want to look like a 13-year old teeny bopper in giant heels at her first school dance walking down the isle. My dress will be heavy enough, so lets not add any more obstacles to the walk. Nor do I want to get stuck in the grass along the way. So as much as I loved the pair of heels, and was disappointed when I realized I would have to send them back, I want to find a more realistic pair that is still fashionable and cute.

3. Book a honeymoon!

I know. This has been on the list for the last two months.

We've finally figured out the week our honeymoon will have to be, so all we have to do is decide on the location. Sounds so simple...

4. Pick a flower girl dress.

This needs to be done rather soon I feel like.

We need time for alterations if needed and incase the dress just looks terrible.

She'll be cute in anything I'm sure of it, but the bride needs to get on it.

5. Save. Save. Save.

This has to be on here for March.

We can't start the big spending trend now, especially with our wedding inching closer and closer. But we've been doing so good so far, I want us to keep it up. I haven't bought new clothes since 2013 people! I'm owning this.

6. Continue eating healthy & exercising.

I finally weighed myself again, and I FINALLY saw some weight loss. 

I've lost five pounds so far, and it really has motivated me to keep on going.

Cody has been super supportive, and I think I've even inspired him to make smarter choices [he chose wheat bread for sandwiches y'all...that's unheard of], and he's been exercising with me, which always makes it more fun. 

7. Pick our groom's attire & groomsmen.

We plan on crossing this goal off this upcoming weekend, so I'm hoping all of our groomsmen get in their quickly and get their stuff ordered. Crossing my fingers. And my toes.

8. Have a date with Cody at a new place.

I love how the last two months we've been venturing out of our comfort zone. Somehow we always manage to go on dates at the same restaurants we always go to. So I would like for us to pick a new place to try and experience together. And maybe we can do this for our 5-year dating anniversary. ;)

9.  Begin thinking about Bridesmaid gifts.

I have an idea of what I want to go with. And I have a theme I want to stick to. I have part of their gift, but I know I want some other items to throw in.

10. Look for bridesmaid jewelry & shoes.

I don't have a vision for this, and it's killing me.
I can't make a decision if I don't have an idea of what it's going to look like.
I may need to spend some extra time on Pinterest for inspiration.
Can't complain about that!

I'm going to keep March at 10 goals for now.
They're all very attainable and will help out majorly with wedding plans.
Bring it on March!

February Goal Results

I totally can't believe February has come and gone, and we're already into March.

Helloooooooo spring.

February was fun & memorable, and of course I set goals for myself to accomplish throughout the month. Honestly...By mid-February, I forgot what my goals even were. Which probably isn't good for accomplishment purposes. Oops.

 So looking back on these goals will be news to me...

1. Begin eating healthy & setting up a workout plan/routine.

 Check. I joined Weight Watchers about two weeks ago, and have been really motivated to stick with the plan of making smarter choices. I'm working out as much as I can, but haven't set up a complete routine. I'm still waiting to see weight loss results, but like how I've been feeling eating healthier.

2. Save. Save. Save.

Money into the savings account. Done at the beginning of the month.

3. Order Cody's wedding band. 

Finally. We did this last Friday night and I love the choice he made. It looks beautiful with my ring, and I know he truly loves it too, which makes it even more special.

4. Continue going to bed early.

I failed at this. There was no routine to my bedtime AT ALL.

I'm going to blame the week off from the snow/ice storm & a week of parent/teacher conferences.

5. Honeymoon? 

Psh. We are having the hardest time making this decision. We're trying to research as much as possible, weigh all our options and figure out what is best for us. Maybe March will be the month of the honeymoon decision.

6. Register! 

We knocked this baby out at the very beginning of the month.

We planned on registering at a couple places, but inevitably found everything we wanted at Target. I mean, how could you not...

7. Food Tasting for wedding. 

This was my favorite part of the month almost!

Probably cause I love food so much...But really it was just the best food I've ever eaten in my entire life. To know that our wedding food won't be "typical wedding food" makes me so happy, and excited for everybody to try it!

8. Groom & Groomsmen Attire. 

Half crossed out? Does that count?

Cody and I stopped by last Friday night, and looked briefly, got an idea of how much it would be, and decided to head back to make some decisions next Saturday.

We're going to be going with grey. Cody's request from day one. 

9. Read a book. 

Ha. Does The Three Little Pigs count? Diary of a Worm? If so, I read a lot of books to my second graders! Now if I wanted to read a book for me...yeah, no.

10. Spend an evening in Athens. Again. 

  
Well, we were technically one day late. Cody and I headed to Athens Saturday night (March 1st) for a date night just the two of us. We're trying to venture out of our normal Longhorns, Chilis & Cheddars comfort zone and try new things. We're planning on moving to a town near Athens in the fall, so we want to be more comfortable with our future home. :)

 

11. Pick a flower girl dress. 

Wow...major slacking off with these goals.

Haven't picked one. Can't make decisions. Suck at wedding planning.

The End.

12. Enjoy a simple, relaxed Valentine's Day at home.

We did do this!

Luckily, we both had the day off from the winter storm which made it even more relaxing and simple. Dinner at home & Netflix was perfect for us.

So overall - 8/12. Not too bad.

March is going to be a BIG month with wedding goals, so onto those tomorrow!

Happy Monday y'all!