I am...

I got this post idea from my friend, Laura over @ The Every Day Joys. Sometimes its nice to share thoughts and feelings without writing a novel. Yeah, kind of in a funk today.

I AM...

• Frustrated at myself because I haven't worked out in 2 days, granted its that week that even if you do workout- its not really going to make a difference because I'm crampy, bloated and overall just feeling gross. I haven't been cheating really at all- but I just wish I had more energy after work. 

• Very thankful that I start my LAST MBA course tomorrow. Where has the time gone? It feels like 3 years ago when I took my MBA course and was wondering what I had gotten myself into. Lo & beyond, its about time to make my grad cupcakes and plan our celebration dinner w/ fam & friends :) YAY.

• Happy that I get a NEW phone on Thursday. I'm kinda sad already about wiping my IPhone clean but I'm ready to save $ by switching. Plus by dropping my contract, we save $50/mth to afford our Disney passes. So happy I live by Mickey :)

•  Exasperated with things I cannot change or control. I work really hard @ my job and I am just frustrated as I would really like to advance & I wish i could have an opportunity to do so. Instead I'm stuck working with immature people who bring their own issues on.

Happy tomorrow is Wednesday, meaning that my 5k is 3 days away :) YAY!

Already cannot wait for FAB Friday! ~Jessica

30 Things (pt 3)

Happy Sunday! Our plans were to originally spend time with family today but timing changed a bit. Last night I made my mom a cookie cake for her belated birthday party today :) She's not expecting it and I love surprising her this way for lunch!

Maybe two weeks ago, I wrote the original post of 30 Things and today I'll be continuing it with #15-21.

15) Describe when you knew your spouse was the one or when you fell in love: When I met Chris, he was literally weeks away from being done with the Disney College Program and we met on a Christian dating site. He told me that he'd be returning to finish up his last semester at college in KS in a month but that'd didn't matter to me. We got to know each other, talked every day and our first date was at Disney (perks of living in FL & he got in free) park-hopping with a few friends. There was just something about him that I caught early on. He has these amazing blue eyes and a smile that can make your knees buckle right away. But the chemistry we had from early on- I was immensely blessed I found someone this amazing- I had just graduated college 2-3 months prior. The day he left- he met my mom/sister for the first time and just being with him- I wasn't sure if I could handle months away until he came back. I drove him to the airport and when we kissed, it felt like part of me had disappeared. Two months later, I celebrated my birthday & moved half way across the country to be with him. The rest is history.

16) What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

Graduating with my Bachelor's in May '09.

Getting married in June 2011.

Buying our first house in Dec '11.

Paid off our car loan 18 mos early in 2012. 

Graduating with my Master's in April '13.

17) What is thing you wish the most you were great at? Art. I draw stick figures, I try to get inspired when I'm @ JoAnn's or Michaels and look at all the different areas of art but I'm just not blessed to be talented like my sis in law who is an amazing artist.

18) What do you think your spouse loves most about you?

He's told me before & there's a long list but at the top- its a 50/50 thing with my big brown eyes and my smile. There's no clear winner between the two. 

19) How did you feel when you became a parent? This will be answered hopefully Spring 2014. Until then, I have two dogs and that's the closest I am to a parent. When we got our first, Coco- I wanted to make sure that I did everything I could to keep her healthy and safe, but enjoying life (as much as a dog can).

20) Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood. The first would be when my grandma passed away when I was 11 from a long battle with breast cancer. She & I were very, very close so her death really impacted me. I remember saying goodbye and   it just hurt for a very, very, very long time. The second was when my sister was born when I was 14. I remember holding her for the first time and just excited to see who she'd become. Update: She's almost a teenager! The third would be: too painful to talk about, sorry. Just know that bullying is real and it does impact people's lives and mentality. 

21) Describe your relationship with your parents. Welp, I know that if It was 10 years ago, I'd be 17 and I'd give a typical answer. Thankfully its 2013, I'm 27 and those past days are very much behind us. My parents and I are very, very close now which I am so so SO thankful and happy for. I enjoy spending time with my family and I know that my best interest is always on their minds. We've come a long way & I know they've always got my back. 

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Now that my knee isn't bothering me, time to work out. I have my first 5k this coming Saturday and I really want to do well :) My LAST MBA class starts Wednesday, praise the Lord!  ~Jessica

So WHAT Wednesday

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if....

• I haven't worked out intensely like I was. I just deep cleaned part of my house that needed it for 2.5 hours tonight. 
• I've already helped myself to half a sleeve of Thin Mints, they freeze really well and 4 Thin Mints= 1 serving. Justified? You better believe it.
• I come home and slip into my comfy pj pants, life is more comfortable to pay bills, do homework and clean my house than having to do more laundry for a few hours.
• I've been specifically researching the perfect desserts on Pinterest, I fully plan on making My Top 5 whether if it goes on my 'while I'm pregnant' board, my general foodie board or if its just saved on my desktop. None of you may ever know.
• I haven't been the most 'productive' for the past 2 weeks but I am about to start my LAST grad class and if its below sitting in a tub full of scissors than the next 2 months will LITERALLY be a blast.

~Jessica

fab Friday :)

Today I want to talk about these FAB things:

1. It's February, Friday & a PAY DAY :)
2. One month of staying true to my weight loss goal.. Lost 6 lbs this month! February: DOUBLE :)
3. Been walking/doing abs for 3 days in a row. That's my FEB workout.
4. I got an 100% on my final paper & 1 week left for me :)
5. Our mortgage payment is going down by $50 starting in March.
6. Girl scout cookies get here in a few wks thanks to my baby sister.
7. Started watching One Tree Hill from the beginning *again!* & I just love this show :)
8.  I'm not working this weekend//thank God for Universal season passes.
9. My in laws will be here in 6 weeks & I can't be more excited!!
10. First 5K in awhile is March 2nd//all good practice for my first 1/2 marathon in Dec with my mom.
Hope you all had a FANTASTIC WK & ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!!! 

Mind overload.

Today wasn't my best day but thankfully I'm feeling better than when I got home from work last night.

I think I am going to start opening up my posts with encouraging scripture (to help keep me positive) & quote of someone whose achieved greatness. I feel like its helpful to share other perspective as no matter how bad my day is or whatever my thought process is--  it's important to be positive.

So, ever since I was in high school, one of my favorite verses in the world has been Proverbs 16:3.

Put God in charge of your work & what you have planned will take place. (The Message)

Sooo.. My mind has been feeling a bit of overload lately. So, I am just gonna unpack my head and talk through it all.

First, my husband feels I am starting to hoard. A few weeks ago, my parents brought some more of my stuff over to our house so that I could go through it and decide if I wanted it. One of those items was one of my favorite items from childhood: my dollhouse that I got as a little girl. When I grew up, I wanted to keep it and give it to my future daughters. This morning, my husband reminded me that most kids want new stuff and won't care about sentimental things. So, now I am torn what to do. Any ideas would be great.

Secondly, I am thankful for my job but its not what I went to college for. I realize that unless your a teacher, doctor, lawyer, etc-- that you could be in this boat too. Everywhere around me people in my life are working at something they are somewhat passionate about. I am passionate about writing but my day job is verifying/packaging financial aid. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful (especially in this economy) to have a job. But I just wish I was in a job that made me feel like I am accomplishing something big. April 2013 is when I graduate with my Master's & I just want to use it to be the best version of myself.

Thirdly, a few years ago, I had an accident at WalMart that involved slipping in a puddle and slamming my head against a door in the frozen food section. I also hurt my knee in the process, and every once in awhile, the pain comes back. This week its back when I am trying to wrap up my January with a big amt of pounds lost.

Fourthly-  Since my husband & I have seriously started talking about trying for our first baby, it just so happens my alternative home, Target is having their baby clearance sale & I'm also keeping Craigslist/garage sales on my mind. This is my first kid & since I've had hypothyroidism my whole life, I am just trying to stay positive and know that my first baby is going to come and change my life. I'm sure this is nervous for a 20 something lady to be nervous but I'm just ready to have a baby but to get pregnant, I have to be the best version of myself & finally lose the weight I've dealt with since I was 11.

On top of these 4 big things on my mind comes the typical thoughts of ... 'boy, my house feels really messy!' 'Boy, I am so ready to be healthy.' I've never been a runner but I am determined to change that. I am tired of telling myself I can't. March 2nd, I am changing that. I am running the Central Florida Children's 5k that my dad so graciously registered me for.

That's not all, I am determined to start training and working up to a 15 minute mile to run with my family at the OUC Half Marathon in Downtown Orlando this December.. :) & then Jan 2014- my first Color Run with my best friends.

So, I felt I wanted to encourage myself knowing that I am not gonna tell myself - I can't run and that I am going to be the best version of myself. I am going to jog/run in 3 runs. & I am going to lose the remaining 85 lbs by my birthday on 10/3.

Hope you all have an incredible week. Any tips or suggestions, feel free to send them my way.

[Longer weekend] Wanted.

So, I sit here watching 'Once Upon A Time' & my mind is spinning. I've had a weekend that has seemed to zip by and since I don't have MLK day off, I wish I did.

Let's see Saturday, I tagged along with my family to SeaWorld since they got a few extra passes for my husband & I. We got there & surprise! Our passes were actually FREE Fun Cards aka- basically many more FREE trips to SeaWorld until the end of 2013 :) YAY, many next trips are in the works.

I also got my share of workouts this week- approx 6 times of intense Zumba sessions/walking done. My first 5k for #operationbikini is Saturday, March 2 at Cru (ironically where my Dad works & he's paying for my reg fee). This week, I lost 2 lbs, would've been more but my dogs have been suffering from fleas :( & they bit me up to make my ankles swollen so I gained some un-fab water weight. Swelling has gone down but my month weight loss total is 6 pounds.

Only 84 remain to be at my goal for #operationredbikini :) :)

Last night I was so tired since riding a jerky ride at SeaWorld and screaming kids that I felt pretty sick. Got our laundry outta the way & kitchen cleaning craze. & I usually don't drink but I had my Malibu rum w/pineapple juice. Delish.

Today was one of those days where I feel I need another Sunday to recuperate from today. I had a Pampered Chef party and it went soooo well, but I was on my feet for about 4 hours straight & then grocery shopping. .

I do feel celebratory though. 2013 is a 10 year milestone for one of my very good friends, Katty G. I met her in youth group my senior year of high school, shockingly so long ago. We hit it off right away and our friendship has continually grown to be even stronger since then. She was also a bridesmaid in my wedding, and a great friend to have. She is (besides my parents) the longest friend I have known in life. Isn't that a great feeling to know someone in your life for a decade.

Hope you have a terrific week! ~Jessica

FAB Friday!

Time for another FAB FRIDAY :) Favorite post of the week. Today I want to talk about these fab things...
-I'm 2 weeks ahead in my current course. Gooo me!!  & I have an A :)
-Thanks to 3 days of 75 min Zumba sessions & downing water like a fish, I lost another  4 pounds.
{This month's total:  8  pounds}
-Saturday is my FIRST Pampered Chef show for January & it's a chocolate party. We'll be making triple layer brownies. I'm also bringing a brownie trifle & s'mores cookies. Can't wait to hopefully get more parties booked!
-Today I ended up having the day off (unfortunately for the dentist) but I'm being paid regardless.
-Since I've gotten back on track with working out, I have much more energy to tackle cleaning my house more often.
Hope you all had a great week!  Time to make my brownie trifle & s'mores cookies before my appt.
Blessings, Jessica

#operationredbikini

So, this morning- I did my first weigh in of the year. I lost 4 pounds this week :)

I'm pretty excited. I absolutely love knowing the weight is starting to come off, I was getting a tad nervous.

Definitely encouraged to keep it going especially because now I need to lose 86 pounds to be done (until I get pregnant). A lot of people have asked why I am aiming towards such a big number.

Let me answer that question as honestly as possible.

#1) I have struggled with weight since I was 11. I had a pretty unhealthy relationship with food in that I used it to hide my feelings or struggles in high school. I didn't have the best experience in high school, was bullied throughout middle school and some of high school. So, now I am changing my outlook on food and how many portions I have.

#2) I've seen the number on the scale & while I don't let it define who I am because its just a number; it does have a say in the sense of what size I am currently wearing AS OPPOSED TO the size I am aiming for-- size 8/9 :)

#3) As much as I would love to take a few months off & be on Biggest Loser-- I don't have the paid time off or the means to live on a ranch with Jillian Michaels. She'd be a bit too much to deal with 24/7.

So there you have it- I'm working my tush off to lose 86 more pounds because I need to be fit & healthy :)

& in other news...

-Usually I'm an overachiever with hw for school but trying to drum up motivation for my final paper wasn't there. However, I had to be at work 2 hours early today so I was able to get 4 pages done. YAY for being a month ahead.

-Tonight my husband & I had an impromptu date night. Nice to talk to him w/ great food & not w/ our two dogs watching/begging for food. Just saying, it was nice to shake things up.

-I met with my host after work today. We talked about the show next Saturday & I'm pretty psyched. I love being a Pampered Chef consultant. :)

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! Here's to another great wk towards #operationredbikini :)