Five on Friday:

I am trying really hard to not spend money since I'm trying to save for a wedding and honeymoon this summer. I tried to not spend money this month but since today is payday and my birthday is coming up, here are five things I wish I could buy...or receive this month. 

Yoga Pants

The compression capris from Old Navy are my fav! 

Bathing Suit

I want a simple white top to wear with two new bottoms I got on clearance in the fall. 

Tennis Shoes

Dress Pants

As I start to lose weight my dress pants don't fit well anymore and i find myself wearing jeans to school more often. Just because the year is (slowly) ending I don't want to slack off in looking professional. 

A Vacation

I would love some sunshine and time off right now. I'm not sure what it is about this time of the year but even with 3 day weekends and Christmas break just a month ago I am really dragging. I'm dreaming of Disney. 

Linking up!

Happy Friday! :) 

Weekending: Thankful for Friends

On Friday night after work C and I had a date night. We went to see American Sniper, it was so good. I had really wanted to see it and was also nervous about it because I was worried it would make me really sad and while it was sad, it was done so tastefully and portrayed the story really well. I highly recommend it. We also got Coldstone...yum!

Saturday morning we went to the gym and then went to meet with a financial advisor. I wanted to get some information about what we should be doing with our money, what the smartest goals for us should be, etc. He told us right now our priority should be saving for a down payment for a house and that was pretty exciting for me. To think that we could be buying a house in a year sounds so grown up! :) 

We met up with friends for dinner at the cheesecake factory afterwards. So good to see them and catch up.

Sunday we went to church, cleaned up the apartment, I worked on grad school, and then one of my best friends/college roommates came over. We had dinner at home and played some monopoly deal, then watched out favorite show, Revenge! 

Our semester ended on Friday so I have today off as a grading day but my grading is all done so I"m having a girls day with my friend. :)

Linking up with Meghan!

Sweat it Out Sunday: 3

Does anyone else have a fitbit? I find that it helps me a ton because even on days when I don't want to work out I always want to find a way to get to my step goal.

Best day: Monday - 13,846
Worst day: Wednesday - 7,663

My workouts weren't the best this week. I got called to babysit last minute on Tuesday and missed Zumba then a late meeting on Wednesday prevented me from doing anything. I've been in a funk this week and I'm hoping next week will be better.

Goals this week
Monday: ZUMBA
Tuesday: ZUMBA
Wednesday: Day off
Thursday: ZUMBA
Friday: cardio and weights

...or in 7 months when I'm getting married! :) 

Have a great week! 

Five on Friday: First Semester Complete!

This week has been wild. You would think that after a 3 day weekend I would be refreshed but due to several things I am straight up exhausted. Thank goodness for another 3 day weekend this week where I Can hopefully recover some of my sanity. Here are 5 things from this week!

1. The semester is ending! I'm halfway through the year! But I am also being bombarded with kids trying to raise their grades when they've done nothing all semester.

2. I got to babysit my 'kids' on Tuesday night. I nanny-ed for them when I was in high school and always visited them on breaks. I've known them since the middle was two weeks old and met the youngest on the day she was born. Now they are 6,7,and 8. They are my flower girls. :) We had a dance party to Taylor Swift and read lots of stories. I love them so much.

3. I went to bible study for the first time in a couple of months and it was so wonderful. I forget how much I need Jesus and how much these people fill me up. Good times.

4. I ordered my first Jamberry nails and I can't wait to put them on next week. A few teachers at my school sell them and they look like fun. I got this cool chevron pattern.

5. Me and C are going on a date night tonight and I can't wait! I think we are going to see American Sniper and I know I will probably cry a lot but I just hope it doesn't end in a super sad way. After wards we are getting cold stone which is so unhealthy but one of my favorites.

Happy Friday!

Linking up!

Wedding Wednesday: DIY Bachelorette Party Tutu

A few weeks ago I was talking about my bachelorette party and one of my inspirations was this:

I really wanted to wear tutus! This weekend JoAnn's was having a sale so I decided to go and buy some tulle to try and make my first tutu. I did some research online and then just kind of made it up as I went. I came home with 8 yards of tulle and some satin ribbon.

I cut it into a yard and then cut that into strips that were about 6 inches wide. I took the strips and looped them over the ribbon. It was a lot easier than I expected. 

 After they are all tied this is the final result! I love the idea of using ribbon because then you get a cute little bow and you don't have to be as perfect with the size as you would have to be if you were using elastic. 

It is longer than I want it but some of my bridesmaids asked for them to be longer. Sorry for the bad picture but I don't have a full length mirror and I wasn't planning on posting it online...but here it is! 

I can't wait to wear them all dressed up in July! 

Linking up for Wedding Wednesday! 

 Check out my other Wedding Wednesday posts:

I'm Engaged!

The Proposal

Venue Dilemma

The End of the Venue Search

Wedding Expo

Bridesmaids

Dress Shopping

Engagement Photos

Pin-Spiration

Pre-Wedding Events

Recent Purchases
Honeymoon Plans
The Registry
Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
Save the Dates
200 days!

MLK Day Thoughts

Today I have the day off from school in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and I have been thinking a lot about this day. At school on Friday we had an assembly honoring MLK day and when they were playing the 'I have a dream' speech it hit me a different way this time.

Now don't worry, there aren't kids on the way, but one day they will be and they will have the potential to be judged by the color of their skin. To me, color doesn't matter. Since I was little my best friend was black, then I dated and am now marrying someone who is African American. I love to think about what my kids will look like, but I know they won't look like me and I know this world will judge them and treat them differently.

I know that I can't speculate and worry about what will happen. We are blessed to live in a country where we have so many freedoms and while everyone may not be free from all bias, I will let nothing hold my children back.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day and I hope everyone who has the day off enjoys it!

Sweat it Out Sunday: 2

I successfully completed my goals for this week! I switched my off days, but I still did worked out 5/6 days. According to the scale I lost about 2 pounds! Here's what my workouts looked like:

Monday - 35 minutes on the elliptical and arm weights

Tuesday - ZUMBA

Wednesday - off day 

Thursday- 20 minutes treadmill, squats/push-ups/abs

Friday - Mixxed Fit (new class at my gym)

Saturday - Ripped (resistance, intervals, power, plyometrics, endurance -- class at my gym) 

I'm feeling so good. It's crazy how even after just a couple of weeks it makes such a big difference. Maybe I'm alone in this one, but I feel like so much of it is mental. I know I'm doing good things for myself and it instantly makes me feel better. Yes, working out is tiring and sometimes after work all I want to do is lay on the couch, but I know how good I will feel. Now let's hope I can keep this up for the next seven months. 

Goals for next week: 

Monday: ZUMBA

Tuesday: ZUMBA

Wednesday: off day 

Thursday: ZUMBA

Friday: at least 30 minutes cardio

Saturday: at least 30 minutes cardio

What are your fitness goals? Anyone else a zumba fan? 

Have a great week! 

Five Friday Favorites: Three day weekend!

Happy Friday! We get a three day weekend for MLK day, woot woot! It will be filled with grad school work but that fact that I can be in sweats on the couch is good enough for me. :)

[Favorite Verse]

This was so fitting for some challenges that arose this week. Trying to remember not to worry and trust in Him and his promises.

[Favorite Pin]

I mentioned last week that I'm working on planning my mom's surprise birthday party and I think I'm going to do something like this. I already started searching for pictures and I'm going to get some super old ones from my Grandad this weekend.

[Favorite Moment]
My students did a make up End of Course exam this week and these are kids who need to pass the test to graduate. I was super nervous for them and they all came back and said it was easy. We were talking about it and one kid goes, 'I have a much better science teacher this year so I felt really confident.' That made my heart melt, what a sweet kid.

[Favorite Song]

Apparently this is an old song but we dance to it in zumba and it's so much fun! I hadn't heart it before but it's catchy! What does Jai Ho even mean?

[Favorite Snapshot] 

I've been kicking butt at eating healthy this week and this salad with leftover chicken from my mom's was delicious! 

Linking up with Friday Favorites & Five on Friday!

Happy Weekend! 

Wedding Wednesday: 200 days!

It's actually 199 now, but yesterday when I logged on and saw this message I was pretty excited. I remember when it was in the 300's so it's getting closer!

I feel like I have been non-stop and since I am a list maker, here are the things I have done and the things that are still left to do. 

✔ Venue
✔ Purchased my dress and I have it! (well it's at my mom's house but still...in my possession) 
✔ Registry started 
✔ Officiant
✔ Book Honeymoon, Kauai here we come! 
✔ Photographer
✔ Engagement Photos
✔ Save the Dates
✔ Invitations purchased
✔ DJ 
✔ Photobooth
✔ Guestlist 
✔ Bachelorette party booked!
✔ Bridesmaids dresses picked out (ordering in March)
✔ Linens and Centerpieces 
✔Cake Topper and Cake Cutter
✔Groomsmen attire
✔Groom's Ring 
✔Shower date arranged
✔Bridal Party Gifts
✔Card Box 

To Do: 
❑ Hair/Make up artists
❑ Figure out ceremony stuff (do we want a unity ceremony of any type, readings, etc.)
❑ Send Invitations
❑ Cake tasting
❑ Flowers 
❑ Dress alterations (appointment June 2nd) 
❑ Buy wedding shoes
❑ Decide on and buy wedding jewelry 
❑ Purchase my wedding band 
❑ Flower girl dress shopping
❑ Flower Girl Basket 
❑ Ring Bearer Attire
❑ Buy a garter
❑ Buy a veil
❑ Menu Tasting (yum!)
❑ Wedding license 
❑ Plan Rehearsal dinner
❑ Order Parent Gifts
❑ Order Guestbook
❑ Seating Chart 
❑  Make Programs
❑ Figure out Cookie Bar 
❑ Hotel Bags 

Is there anything you guys think I'm missing or should be doing sooner? 

I can't wait to marry this man. <3 

Linking up, happy Wedding Wednesday! 

 Check out my other Wedding Wednesday posts:

I'm Engaged!

The Proposal

Venue Dilemma

The End of the Venue Search

Wedding Expo

Bridesmaids

Dress Shopping

Engagement Photos

Pin-Spiration

Pre-Wedding Events

Recent Purchases
Honeymoon Plans
The Registry
Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
Save the Dates

Weekending: checking things off the to do list!

Friday night C and I went to the gym after he got off work. We've both been trying to eat healthier and workout so we decided to go even on a Friday night. Afterwards we came home and changed and went out to dinner. I got a salad, and it was even more delicious since I was starving. We came home and tried to watch Noah but fell asleep on the couch and decided to just go to bed, we never finished watching the movie.

On Saturday C had to teach drumline during the day so I worked on my masters for a while and went to the gym. I'm also working on planning a surprise party for my mom so I was chatting with my brothers about that. I'm really excited for her party, I think it's going to be a lot of fun and she is going to be totally surprised. I love the invitations that I got for her.

Saturday night we went to my mom's house to watch the Seahawks game. Was anyone else watching? The best part of the game was when Chancellor (31) jumped over the defense, TWICE, to try and block a field goal. It didn't end up working either time but it was still awesome.

Saturday night we went out for drinks with some friends. They are recently married so we chatted wedding stuff for a while. I love hearing from other people what they did and their opinions on some of the troubles we are having.

Sunday morning we went to church then one of our friends came over and we relaxed and watched football all day. I also finished another one of the classes for my Masters. Woo! It was super relaxing and a great weekend with a mix of fun, productivity, and relaxation. 

How was your weekend??

Linking up with Meghan && Lisa! 

Sweat it out Sunday

I am trying really hard to go to the gym and get back in shape. Since I was a teenager I have struggled with self-esteem and my weight, usually leading to dieting/exercising for a while to lose weight and then gaining it back. I've never been overweight, but usually on the top end of healthy and always wished I could be a little skinnier.

Knowing that my wedding is 7 months away I am trying to keep that in mind and not totally overwork myself so that I get sick of it. I'm an all or nothing person so I have to remind myself that off days are okay.

My goals for working out this week:
Monday - Cardio 20 minutes, weight machines for arms
Tuesday - ZUMBA
Wednesday - TBD
Thursday - Off day (evening meetings at school)
Friday - Mixed Fit Class
Saturday - ZUMBA

I'll check in next Sunday and see how far I've gotten. What are your favorite things to do to workout? Do you prefer classes, weights, running, or something different?

Wedding Wednesday: Save the Dates!

I sent out my save the dates a couple of weeks ago but never shared them on here so I thought I would. I had looked online forever to look at different prices, styles, etc. I knew that I wanted magnets because I think they are so handy and convenient. They were a little more expensive but I figured it was worth it.

I was so thankful when we got our engagement pictures and I had one that I knew I wanted to use for the save the dates, then the designing trials began. I ended up getting a groupon on vistaprint and I was really excited to use that for the save the dates. I ended up being able to get 100 for like $37 which was the cost of the groupon and then the shipping and anything over the amount the groupon covered.

When they arrived I was super excited! They looked good, but I was a little disappointed in the quality. The picture looked a little grainy, definitely not the highest quality. I know that for the price, I shouldn't be upset but I was a little sad they weren't prefect. Regardless they look awesome and they are really big! When you look from far away you can still see it well and then you don't notice it isn't the highest quality, I guess that makes up for it. :)

Linking up :)

 Check out my other Wedding Wednesday posts:

I'm Engaged!

The Proposal

Venue Dilemma

The End of the Venue Search

Wedding Expo

Bridesmaids

Dress Shopping

Engagement Photos

Pin-Spiration

Pre-Wedding Events

Recent Purchases
Honeymoon Plans
The Registry
Bridesmaid Dress Shopping