5 on a Friday

 

Party people! It's FRIIIIIIIIIIDAY! Let's link up with these lovely ladies and do the damn thing.

 

1. Thank you all so so so so much from the bottom of my little black heart for all the birthday love!!! I was a nervous wreck going into this birthday since it was literally my first one being single in 11 years. I wouldn't say it was the most exciting one since I had to keep it kinda low key on a Wednesday night, but my expectations were definitely exceeded by ALL the kind words, birthday wishes, texts, emails, presents and flowers. I can't breathe because my office has so many flowers in it. Y'ALL ARE AMAZING! THANK YOU!

 

2. JT's new single - y'all heart it yet? TKO - I love it!

 

3. I have a first date tonight! EEEEK! He is a super cute, tall, country boy - sounds right up my alley, right? Wish me luck and I'll update you next week!

 

4. The season of candy corns is back upon us....ugh! I must channel all my willpower and not let these little devils cancel out my 5am workouts!

5. Tilly shot - you haven't had a Tilly shot in a while so here you go! My sweet baby eating her pumpkin treat from Manda.

 

Happy weekend my loves!!! GO VOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSS!

Birthday Love

Since it's my birthday and I run this show I am spreading some wisdom today. This year has been a year of great change and growth for me. It completely blows my mind to think how different my world was one short year ago. But ya live, ya learn and ya move on from things that hold you back in life. I hate getting older. I've always struggled with it. 29 scares the hell out of me! But at the same time, I know this will be a year of great change too, in a positive way! And I am ready to make things happen!

My new lock screen says it all

20 birthday wishes + 9 life lessons = 29th birthday

20 Birthday wishes:

1. Luke Bryan - you know I HAD to!

2. gold iPhone 5s

3. fall in love

4. meet Kasey Kahne

5. travel somewhere new

6. stop lying about my age - YEAH RIGHT...

7. run the hell outta that half marathon in March

8. a winning season for the Vols - a girl can dream!!

9. blogger meet up this year in Nashville

10. more craft nights with my girls

11. find a skincare routine to prevent wrinkles since I'm old...or get botox

12. give back more

13. tithe regularly

14. treat myself regularly - massages, facials, pedis - I deserve it!

15. spend more time with my grandparents & cousins

16. more hugs

17. maintain the 5am club

18. visit a vineyard

19. go to an NFL game (can you believe I've never been)

20. tell every single one of you how much I love you as much as I possibly can

 

9 Life Lessons:

1. If God brings you TO it, then he bring you THROUGH it. I promise, I have been through PLENTY of bad things in my life and every time, with HIM I’ve landed on my feet at the end of the day. Psalm 18:2 “The lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.”

2. Don’t be a fair weather fan. Pick your team, run with them always. Coming from a Vols fan, I feel like I have mucho experience in this area.

3. Hand written thank you notes will get you far with people.

4. Always pick the boy who makes you belly laugh.

5. Cute panties can change your mood, always invest in cute underwear.

6. Love with your whole heart. I’m probably not the best person to give that advice, but it’s true. There is nothing better than loving someone so completely and getting that same love in return. It’s scary, but worth the risk.

7. Work to live, not live to work. This is my daddy’s advice really. I love my job! I am very blessed with it, and I get paid well to do what I do. However, family and home must always come first.

8. Learn to drive a stick. It will pay off

9. At any given time keep these in your purse/desk/car: compact, mascara, lip gloss, tampon, ponytail, floss – you never know when you’ll need those items. Oh and an airplane bottle of JackD – kidding…. Sort of…..

Got my free Birthday Starbucks so I'm ready to rock today!

Getting My Groove Back

How many times have you heard me say "I'm sick of being chubby" "I'm getting back on the work out train" "I'm going to meet my goals"?? Probably 10 million. That's also the number of times I have failed to follow through and stay on track.

 

The struggle is REAL y'all. I was not born with a naturally thin body. I've never had skinny legs, which I have talked about before, and it really bothers me. I had lost some weight back in 2011, and was pretty much at my ideal size and happy. Then my breakup happened. I lost a ton of weight initially and I was skinny! But then it came back (and then some) after maaaaaany months of late nights of drinking away my feelings. And now my body feels like a stranger to me. It's not cute, it doesn't make me happy and it's embarrassing - but I have no one to blame but myself and I take that responsibility.

 

 

But this morning, I was in the gym by 5:15am LIKE A BOSS! My girl Manda always helps keep me motivated & we checked on each other this morning to make sure we followed through. In the back of my head I just kept thinking about Jordan & Nikki and wanting them to be proud of me for trying to get back in the 5am club, for real this time. And it feels damn good!! I think I'm back on track finally, and I need this to stick. I'm ready to be proud of myself again!

 

I know it can be annoying when someone talks all the time about their workouts, but I need the accountability. So when you see my post, my IG pic, or tweet - give me an atta girl instead of rolling your eyes. And I will do the same for you! There is absolute strength in supporting each other.

 

This morning

My simple goals:

1. Look good naked - I'm single, it's important. For me, not him.

2. Keep up with the 5am club

3. Be happy with my progress

4. Make 4 miles my short run

 

 

Weekend Shenanigans!

 

There were LOTS of shenanigans to speak of this weekend! I don't even want to talk about the Tennessee game because it was just U-G-L-Y!! My best girls surprised me Saturday night with a pre-bday dinner and drinks! They are just the sweetest! I have so many people in my life right now who just love to spoil me and make me feel loved when I need it most. It's such a blessing! Then I went to my brother's bonfire Saturday night, absolutely PERFECT weather for a bonfire. Yesterday called for church & lunch, then a niccccce nap. I have every intention of going out to run in the perfect weather, but football wouldn't allow it. It was a pretty perfect weekend!

Breaking out the seat heaters for the first time this year - even though it was still 64, my booty was cold in shorts Sat AM

my sweet Aunt and I watching the TN vs. Oregon game

 

cupcake tower made by my friend Meghan for my surprise dinner! YUMMY!

All my babies and our mustaches!



Pre-birthday girl



Special outside service at World's Fair Park for the 200th service for my church - PERFECT weather to Praise Jesus outside