BIG Life Changes!!!

Hello everyone!!!

I wish I could have gotten this post up sooner, but hopefully you will see it today. 

I have some exciting news to share with you all. 

I have quit my job. 

Remember that job that made me stress so much and my anxiety level an all time high?  That job I worked 6 days a week?  That job that I loved yet, it made me a crazy person with no life?

Yes, the job I worked at for almost 3.5 years I just left.  I put in a 2 week notice on June 30th but worked up until last Friday.  Ok so enough about the boring details.  I had just literally hit my breaking point and I couldn't deal anymore.  We had always said I would stay home when we had kids, so we are just getting a jump start on the staying home part. 

Hubby's work has changed and he has his own business now and I can help him with that now too.  He works a lot and someone needs to be able to run this house and make sure he has what he needs.  We both run better when things are organized and clean. Plus I have been feeling convicted a lot lately. 

Genesis 2:18-19 "The Lord God said, It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

I am my husbands helper.  Every married woman is their husband's helper.  I see no problem with women working, unless it interferes with running your home and helping your husband.  My husband needed me and wanted me to work for years but now we have been married almost 8 years and he sees that I am struggling. I have no time, I have no energy and I was grasping to have joy.  I have a house I want to fix up, clean and keep maintained and he has a business and we have pets and I have a lot to do here, not to mention take care of myself and my needs.  He agreed it was time for me to quit.  I am going to stay at home, hopefully forever. I want to blog too but I want my focus to be a housewife.   I hope one day we will have children but until then I am going to try to be the best housewife I can be.  That may sound very 1950's to you but its what is in my heart and what I desire to do, and what I feel like I am called to do.  I am so incredibly thankful for this opportunity that I have prayed about.  I am so looking forward to staying at home and also seeing more of my family!

Ok so my question to you guys is...do you want to see more about my day to day life on here?  Or just food and workouts?  I joined the gym today!  I am so excited.  I already did a dance cardio class this morning.  I will be back on later tonight to post my workouts/eats for the day. 

I hope you are all having a wonderful week and thank you for reading!!

What I ate: Random Thursday Edition

Food blogging might be back for gooood peeps!  We will see but yesterday I decided to do one for yall and for myself to keep myself accountable!  So this is what I had yesterday.  I totally did myfitnesspal however I forgot to add in the cereal at the end of the night.  I am shooting for around 1500 calories, at this point just logging my food would help tremendously.  I had gotten out of control yall!  Ok so here goes. 

Breakfast, eggs and pb toast!

 

Lunch was eaten very late but it was leftover baked spaghetti with almost an ounce of cheddar cheese on top.

 

 

Then to go along with it I had some fruit and a peach!

 

 Not all of that melon lol that is the big bowl I got some from.

 

I am loving peaches right now!!!

 

For dinner me and hubby went on a date night because he went out of town this morning so we ended up at a Mexican place of course. 

 

 

free cheese dip!

 

I got the enchilada suiza which is basically two chicken fijitas rolled up with cheese and red sauce.  However I never get the red sauce.  It comes with rice and beans and a little guac salad.  SO GOOD! 

 

I also had chips salsa and cheese dip. 

 

BUT I totally passed up dairy queen and we instead went and looked at a fitness center we are thinking of joining.  We used to be members there but now it is super close to our house and it has workout classes and a pool and a waterpark and I really want to join again!

 

I miss my group fitness classes!!!!

 

Ok so then we went home and instead of ice cream I had opps all berries cereal that I measured and a 3/4 cup of milk. 

 

 

I am measuring things again peeps this is big haha.  Ok so anyways I just wanted to touch base with you all and see who is still here?  I have some news to share with yall soon (would share it now but don't have time to write the post) and lets just say there should be more blogging in the future!! I am super excited but I will talk to yall later! Have a lovely Friday!

A Weekend Mountain Getaway!

Boy were we in need of a vacation...and now I feel like I need a vacation from vacation, ha!  We truly had a great weekend though and I thought I would share it with you all! 

We decided to stay in Maggie Valley, NC this weekend.  We usually drive through the small mountain town on the way to Gatlinburg, TN but have never stayed overnight there.  I picked a cute hotel that was #5 on Trip Advisor called the Valley Inn.  It was precious!  It looked like a cute BIG red barn almost.  It was super affordable too.  A man and woman own it, who are from an area not too far from my hometown, which is cool.  The room was small though and the bed mattress was terribly uncomfortable.  It was not the Ritz, but for the price it was a great deal.  The only negative was the mattress!!  I will say everything was incredibly clean!!! Which is a huge plus for me!  And the best part was that our room overlooked a beautiful creek, gazebo, swings and a firepit!  He even had a grill if you wanted to cook out.  It was a really cool deal, yall! 

We left around 9 am Saturday morning and got into town around lunch time.  We got some iced coffees (iced vanilla latte for me) at the Organic bean coffee house (which had great reviews) and I loved it but it was 11.00 for me and Jacob!  We both got mediums (his was a caramel macchiato) but I seriously feel like it should not have been that expensive. LOL. Oh well.  Then we went to Cherokee, NC which is about 30 minutes through the mountains from Maggie Valley.  We tried to get tickets to see the outdoor drama Unto These Hills, which is about the Cherokee Indians & the Trail of Tears.  Unfortunately they didn't start selling until 4pm so we went shopping around Cherokee.  We got a late lunch at Burger King.  They have a Wendys near the Casino (and no we didn't go in there ;) and then they also have a KFC but that is pretty much it for fast food!  I love walking to all the little shops and seeing Indians out walking around.  Pretty neat too because I am part Cherokee, a very small part!  They had an awesome creek in the middle of Cherokee that everyone was swimming in and walking in, so we decided to get our hot little feet wet too!

 

It was cold but fun!

 

 

 

 

Later on we got our tickets and then around 7pm we came back to watch the show.  It was great!!!  I highly recommend.

Very cool, seeing an outdoor drama!!! I loved it!!! We were super excited as you can tell...

 

 

This play has been going on since the 50's!  Very cool to see real Native Americans play in it as well.

 

We drove back through town and went to a few shops before getting to our hotel. 

Sunday morning we got up like a bunch of old people super early haha.  We ate breakfast at Joey's Pancake house in Maggie Valley, which totally lived up to it's hype, it was delicious! Its only open from 7am-12 noon! 

 

 

 

 

Loved the pancakes and that hashbrown casserole!

 

After that it was around 10:30 so we went to check out Ghost Town, one of the other reasons we chose to vacation here!  It had just re-opened 4th of July weekend! None of the rides (except the chairlift) were working but we rode the scary chairlift up to the top!  The only western theme park 5000 feet up on top of a mountain! 

 

I have ALWAYS wanted to go as a child, seeing the commercials on tv!!! 

 

 

The view behind us...on the way up!

 

 

The views are amazing though! 

 

We had such a good time.  We saw two gunfights, a can can girl dance show and a lady perform on the guitar and sing.  They had fun things to see and explore and a little museum too.  They had food and old tyme pictures as well as numerous gift shops! 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately both of our phones died almost as soon as we got there! UGH!  I would have loved to take pictures in the saloon with the can can girls dancing!  All the actors are so nice and offer to have pictures taken with them. 

 

After ghost town we went to Gatlinburg!  It is a bit over an hour drive through the National Park (but its a gorgeous drive!) and when we got there we ate at one of our favorite places-The Smoky Mountain Brewery & Restaurant! 

 

We got burgers and the broccoli with beer cheese.  SO SO GOOD.  Love that place.  Then we went walking around town and I checked out the new Paula Deen store. 

 

 

A little over priced but I got me a mug that says Butter Y'all.  Hahaha.  It was a neat store though, I cant wait to go back.  Then we drove to Sevierville which is right past Pigeon Forge and got a delicious apple dumpling with ice cream, and some apple cider, and bought a half dozen apple cider donuts to take.  This is a favorite desert of ours, highly recommend you go there!  We also brought home some apple butter from there. 

 

And the kicker was on the way back into Maggie Valley we saw a HUGE elk on the side of the road, we had to stop, along with everyone else and take a picture!

 

 

We got back to the hotel and ended up roasting marshmallows on the bonfire right by the creek with some other guests.  It was a great way to end the night!

 

We drove back this morning and I miss it already!!

 

 

 

 

Day 1

I am happy to report yesterday was much better after I wrote that blog post. 

You guys are so sweet and supportive. 

I am glad/not glad that I am not the only one! :(

Us women have a lot on us, pretty much all the time. 

Well, yesterday book club was cancled so I went shopping at Ross when I got off work for some curtains for the living room and our bedroom.  LOVE the ones we put up in the living room.  Also got some curtain rods super cheap.  Taking the expensive LOWES ones back.  Anyways. 

We even changed the living room around a bit and that worked too.  Very happy, seems like a whole new room! I will have to take a pic for you all. 

Anyways I did what I said I was going to do--ate a healthy lunch at subway!

I got the ham because it was on sale, and chose whole wheat bread and provalone cheese.  I added mustard, lettuce, spinach, green peppers, olives, banana peppers and cucumbers.  I also added mustard and vinegar.  SO GOOD.  I got baked lays BBQ chips.  The sandwich was like 340 cals and I thinkthe chips were 140.  Loved it.  Also got a large diet cherry coke at sonic.  Which had no cherries in it.  Pretty dissapointing. 

Had one of these for a snack.  Got a box of 12 of these at Costco this weekend.  They are like 140 cals I think.  SO GOOD. 

Oh and for breakfast I had oatmeal and a banana.  Coffee of course.  And a bottle of starbucks light mocha frappe, for 100 cals (from the grocery store). 

I didnt take a pic of dinner, phone was about to die and I didnt feel like fishing it out of my purse lol, sorry.  But it was a costco salmon burger, with squash fried in a bit of PAM and then some olive oil (pam wasnt working too good) and green beans (with brummel and brown) and a slice of tomatoe and come cucumber.  The cucumber and squash was from my aunts garden!  SO GOOD.  Love summertime for veggies. 

Then really late last night I broke down and had a single serving trail mix.  You can get a box of 18 kirkland brand for like 10.99 at costco I think, but they are supposed to be for hubbys lunch ;) . I love that they are portion controlled!  I ate all but the almonds.  So not too bad. LOL. 

I also got a lot done:

Did dishes
Cleaned off counters with my Ms Myers spray I made :)
Cleaned off kitchen table (its so much more pleasant without crap piled on it)
And then we hung the curtains and I kind of de-cluttered I feel like
Also did some laundry

I hope today is great as well.. already had coffee and oatmeal and a banana.  Oh I also got in my quiet time this morning with Bible Study and the Lord as well :) 

Getting ready to go on lunch....maybe subway again, it was so good yesterday. 

What are yall having for lunch???

Not 100% Anywhere

Ugh.
Blah.
Ehhh.

That is how I feel right now. 

Just a little depressed.  Not really even depressed just...meh. 

I feel like I am not giving 100% to anything in my life right now. 

I feel like I could be a better wife and homemaker but when I get home from work I am spent and tired. 

I feel like I could be a better worker at work but when I am here 6 days a week I am constantly burnt out. 

I feel like I could be a better Christian if I really put a lot more time and thought into my prayer life and Bible study. 

I feel like I could be a better sister/daughter if I called my relatives more. 

I could be a better friend if I put more effort into going to see people/call people. 

I even feel like I am letting Grandma down because I havent called her in forever!

WHO AM I??

I know the grass is always greener on the otherside. 

I get it. 

But right now I want to just try the other side.  Its like a pillow. 

Its hot and flat but when you flip it over its instantly coler and more cushey!

I really feel like I should be a stay at home wife now. 

I know it sounds cray.  I could work.  But I know my boss would probably not hear of me changing my schedule and I am SO. Burnt. OUT.  With. WORK. 

Thankful to have a job! So thankful.  But Hubby has his own business now and life is extreemly chaotic.  I barely see him and when I do we are organizing the house and still trying to get it straight or going to see other people. 

I just want to stay at home and enjoy my house and organize things and garden.  LOL.  I know it sounds crazy but I feel like I could at least focus on something 100% then!!!!! 

Who knows what the future holds but I hope I get that opportunity one day. 

I also feel like such a slacker BLOGGER.  Not to mention DIETER. 

After the wedding (I will try to do a post on that soon) I just totally fell off the wagon and hit every rock on the way down.  I have been eating HORRIBLY.  And exercize?  Zilch.  Even cancled my gym membership.  Because I have an elliptical now, bought from my mother.  Have I used it?  NOPE! 

FAIL.  LIFE. FAIL. 

Besides the fact I am even scared to weigh right now...

One day last week I ate two taco salads.  With the shell.  Two.  One for lunch, one for dinner. 

I am also hosting a book club once a week at a starbucks and then Bible Study once a month. Which each of them get about 50-75% of my effort. 

Anyone else feel like this latley?? I hope I'm not alone! 

Well I am going to try to turn this around today.  I am have already tracked MFP and I am going to get subway for lunch.  Lets make it a great day!

 

My cute wreath I made for around 12 bucks for Independence Day!

30 DAY SHRED RESULTS

OK yall...are you ready!?????????????

I finished the shred yesterday completing all thirty days in a row:


BEFORE

Starting weight: 178.2

Arms: 12 inches
Waist: 39 inches
Bust: 42 inches
Stomach: 41 inches
Thighs: 23 inches


AFTER

After weight: 174.2

Arms: 11.5 inches
Waist: 38.5 inches
Bust: 39 inches
Stomach: 38.5 inches
Thighs: 22 inches

So in case you havent noticed that is a grand total of 4 lbs lost and 7.5 inches!

In a span of thirty days....I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THAT!

Also I went and picked up my dress today and it zipped no problem!!! SO HAPPY!!!

The Lord totally helped me get through this, I have no doubt that it would have been impossible without his help.  I have willpower but not that much!! LOL. 

Oh but this past saturday it would have been a 5lb loss but we helped my parents move to Charleston and that night we ate at a cute little Mexican restaurant and I had some fijitas and some cheese dip and chips UGH but then i also had a lil bit of ice cream (jr cup) and then the next day a delicious plate of shrimp and grits.  So it was not the best but could have been worse. 

I also bought a cute tankini at walmart, I love it and it actually looked good !!!! First time in years I felt really good in a bathing suit! 

But really annoyed at the prices of bathing suits!! grr why so expensive????!

Ok so monday me and hubs got a grill (38.00 walmart, holla!) and fixed up the back patio and put our chevron rug from target out! I love it, whatcha think?

Lingerie Shower & Life Lately

Hey guys!  I wanted to give yall an update on what has been going on lately!  A few weeks ago I gave Bestie a lingerie shower at my aunts house and I think  it turned out fabulous.  I wanted to share some pics with you all!

We made this cute banner out of Victoria Secret bags and printables off pinterest.  It turned out sooo cute!  We also hung one that said from Miss to Mrs.  I found Victoria Secret body spray for 5.00 a piece and had some coupons so I got a great deal on some prizes for the games!  I even had a coupon for a free one! 

This was the cake.  It was white chocolate raspberry with real white chocolate chips and real raspberries baked in.  It also had vanilla cream cheese icing underneat the fondant.  SO delicious!! The same people are making her wedding cake. 

This was the food table.  I love the poofs I got!! They really are adorable and I think they make decorating really stand out! 

I made a delicious pink punch from a recipe I got off pinterest.  It was pink lemonade concentrate, sprite and raspberry sherbert!  I also threw in some real frozen raspberries, it was a HIT!

Soooo..the bridesmaid dress.   YALL.  What a scare.  I am not even kidding you.  When I tried it on...this is what I got...

Ok that is like FOUR inches yall!!!!!! I was freaking out!!!!! This was at the end of April. 

I called my brother literally crying becuase I was so scared and I needed help with weight loss and getting in this dress!!! I had ordered it a size smaller because I just "knew" in 4-5 months I would loose weight!! UGH.  He helped encourage me a lot and followed up with me and encouraged me to eat better and run. 

I prayed yall.  I prayed SO much.  And the Lord totally came through for me.  He has helped me get up and do the shred every day since then.  He has helped me resist a lot of temptation and he has helped me....

GET IN THIS DRESS!!! Yes there is some back fat but I am working on that and at this point it FITS!!! I mean yall...they let it out as MUCH as they could and the lady prayed over my dress because she knew that even if we let it out there was a huge chance it still wouldnt fit!!! 

Right now I have 5 more days left of the 30 day shred!  It has shaped my body a lot!  I know I have lost some inches and I had lost 5 lbs but my weight has been fluctuating.  However.  I got in the dress and that is what matters.  I will let yall know my resluts when I am done though, which should be tuesday next week.  The wedding is saturday next week!!!! 

God is SO good yall, nothing, including weight loss is impossible when you give it to him and pray for it!!!

So ...we also were given a housewarming by our family and friends!!

It was so much fun and we got some awesome stuff!

I was so happy to have everyone finally get to see our house!

Had to show yall my new lamps I am really liking!!! Target!  Got one for each night stand. 

Anyway speaking of houses, my parents just closed on the sale of their house this morning.  My home I grew up at.  It makes me happy for them but SO SAD.  I cannot believe I really cant go over there anymore!

Its time for a new chapter guys.  This afternoon they are going to Charleston to close on their other house they are buying.  God is so good to us, I know everything will work out.  We are blessed.  I hope you all are doing great.  Please leave me a comment if you are still here! haha :)