Motivated & back on track.

Hello, lovelies!
Hope your week has started off much less stressful than mine. All I will say is I am glad tomorrow is Thursday. I feel like this work week has dragged on much slower than any other.

However -- I will say that I am finally getting back on track with my weight loss. Been blog-hopping per se to find different ways people are losing weight -- let's be honest, Pinterest gives me ideas but it also provides procrastination and zaps my time in other areas: Holidays, Home Decor, DIY projects and sometimes Food ;) So -- I'm back to Just Dance 4 and really excited to be off my plateau to lose 10% of my weight which is 24 lbs by Sept 30th. I've felt super motivated since being more intentional about my food choices, and holding myself accountable -- which is key for me.

3 reasons I've re-discovered my motivation is:

#1 & #2 are happening together -- the first is my BIG #28th birthday, which my husband makes fun of me because I get more excited about my birthday than most 5 year olds at Chuckie Cheese's :) This picture is of a previous birthday but it's a motivated picture because I want to be back at this weight by my 29th!

Secondly-- my husband & I are taking my birthday//much needed vacation to go on our first Disney cruise to the Bahamas :) We got a sneak peek of the ship last year. 

We had just a GREAT time on our first cruise for my last birthday that I cannot wait for 3 uninterrupted days with my husband and all things Disney! :)

Lastly, my bestie gets married in less than 3 months from now. That is insane how time has flown by. I cannot wait to watch her get married to her mister. Cannot wait to get my dress shopping on at Ross in November!

There you have it -- I'm back on track & it's been enjoyable thus far. Today at the office I got two compliments from coworkers which honestly made my day. It's great to be told how great you look after months of hard work & sacrifices. Plus with my hypothyroidism -- its not coming off the fastest but its coming off. 

Any tips or ideas are greatly appreciated. Time for #AGT! 

Not so GLEE ful.

By now, everyone has heard about the tragic death of Cory Monteith a mere 3 days ago.  My reaction, being that of a non celebrity influence, felt like I had been punched in the stomach repeatedly. Let me explain.

This post is about to get real based on the passing of Finn Hudson, aka Cory. Please don't read this as I am some kind of an obsessed fan.  That is not me whatsoever. I am one of the millions of Gleek fans that like most of the world are simply shocked by this news. Cory was one of my absolute favorite characters on Glee and it just feels like since I woke up Sunday morning to find out that he had passed away, that I lost a dear friend. Now since we found out that he had a drug problem, that's not up to me to judge because at the end of the day, he was a human being that just happened to make a fatal mistake.

I think the reason that this passing of Cory has hit me harder than I thought is that when I found out Sunday morning like the rest of the world, I cried. I truly felt like a friend was lost and one of the best. I'm proud to say that I've watched GLEE since the beginning because this show has impacted my life.

Allow me to explain and share a part of my past. When I grew up, even in elementary school, I was bullied. I did not look like the other girls in my class. I was taller, and by the 4th grade I was the only girl that I knew of that developed quite prematurely --- in 4th grade. I have never been a popular girl and I will not lie to you --- I struggled with that for a longer time than anyone would ever want to admit. I didn't have sky high confidence like I told myself I did. That being said. -- Shows like GLEE, Movies like The Princess Diaries were written for girls like me. They gave me motivation, inspiration and encouragement when I needed it most.  People disagree with me when I say this but Taylor Swift's earlier songs were ones I wish I had been able to write and ones that I relate to most because that's what I dealt with and faced alot.

I realize that when GLEE appeared on our TV's in 2009, I was 23. You might be thinking that's kind of older to be struggling with self confidence issues. I will say that I greatly appreciated the stories and the songs that the show has continued to share. The big reason that GLEE and this whole passing of Cory has pulled on my heart strings is that this show roots for the underdog just like that of The Princess Diaries. Characters from both were almost non-existent to the world around them but to that character having an opportunity be thrown to them where they can showcase their talents and finally be recognized for the true rockstars we've known they were this whole time --- THAT is why I appreciate GLEE so much.

Especially in a society where kids are having to grow up so much faster than when I was growing up. Kids these days who are 5 today, feel like with the media pressures from every angle may as well dress, talk, act like they're 18 tomorrow. Shows like GLEE are perfect for every young kid because of the underlying messages that kids need to understand with their own eyes and ears. *DISCLAIMER: Not every scene or relationship on this show is appropriate for all ages of children.*

With all of this said -- take a moment to hug everyone around you a little tighter today. You never know when your moment will come. #carpediem

&& lastly, I will miss you Finn this fall. Thank you for 4 wonderful seasons of GLEE where you taught us all to have faith in ourselves and faith in each other in spite of what makes us different.. #RIPCoryMonteith

Celebrations of all sorts

Happy early 4th of July :)

Sitting here watching America's Got Talent -- makes me feel inspired to work on me and my best talents which I feel is writing & being that of a rockstar wife. (Among other talents).

I felt like I'd do this post, which I am going to start doing every year to re-introduce myself and my blog from this slice of the internet to those who stop by and hear my voice. I think its important to know yourself and what makes you tick.

Hi, I'm Jessica! I became a wife when I met my husband online four years ago, and we just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. As you can tell we LOVE Disney, and each other. Right now we are working hard on ourselves before we start our family but right now we're also happy with our two dogs: Coco, Schnauzer mix & Lucy, purebred Beagle. We're big on celebrating birthdays in our house, traditions we'll carry on with our kids.  

They sure do make our lives enjoyable & they're just two cuties. 

A few other facts about me:

-I'm a first time aunt to a handsome little boy, Zachary.

- I recently just graduated with my Master's degree :)

- C & I bought our beautiful first house 6 mos after we married. 

-  I'm currently on my own Biggest Loser journey to lose the rest by Dec/Jan.

- I love to quote Bridesmaids. 'I got the first watch!' 

- Tijuana Flats, OMG, I could eat there every day. It's the cheese to my macaroni. <3

- I love taking pictures & browsing Pinterest.

- I love adventures especially w/ C :)

- I'm a Christian & reminded daily that my Savior loves me for exactly who He created me to be, & not of what the world may see me as. Big difference!

Hope you have a happy 4th of July, we're having a BBQ w/ friends + family to celebrate our Master's degrees  :) & FREEDOM!! Best of both worlds :) 

Hope you'll stay awhile ---- J.