Year End Review 2011

What a year 2011 was!

I am grateful for all the amazing people in my life and all the opportunities both Brandon and I were given this year. I know I'm still a little behind, but I hope everyone had a fantastic 2011 and here's to an amazing, exciting, prosperous, life-changing 2012!

Our 2012 Highlights:
-Brandon got a new job
-Lisa got a new job
-Lisa got a new car
-We added Timmy to our family
- I ran my 2nd half marathon
-We had our first holiday with both sets of parents
-We took our first vacation together
-My best friend had a precious baby boy
-My Godson turned 1
-Girls trip to TAMU for football and fun!
-Dad turned 50! (Whoa!)
-Mom and Dad had their 30th anniversary!
-Oh - and we got engaged!!!!

Some of my favorite pictures from the year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Things I'm looking forward to in 2012:
-Buying a house
-Getting married!
-Going on my honeymoon
-Turning 7 - that's right - I have a real birthday this year!! Woo hoo!!
-Being done with wedding planning!!!!!!!!!
-Starting the rest of my life with the one I love

Resolutions:
How many of you make new year's resolutions? I don't like to call them resolutions so much as goals for the upcoming year. Some of my major goals I hope to accomplish are:
-Being a better blogger - I'm not off to the best start, but I'd like to start blogging more frequently. I really enjoy the outlet!
-Creating more! Thanks to pinterest I've been inspired and I'm proud to say that I am actually a pinner that can say: "I've made some of the things on my pinterest page!" There are so many great gift and craft ideas for the home and I'm excited about moving into our new home, so that I actually have some room to create and let my inspirations flow!
-Making healthier choices - this is really an ongoing goal. I'm always looking for easy, delicious ways to be healthier as well as finding fun, interactive ways to be more fit.
-With the last goal in mind, I've already come up with a fun way to keep active! 12-n-12! It's the year 2012 now and the past 2 years I've run a half marathon and done a couple of 5k's. My goal in 2012 is to run 12 races, with at least 1 being a half marathon! My first race of the year will be Jan. 28, which will be a 5k. Then another 5k in February - the color run...look it up! I can't wait!!!! March and April aren't scheduled just yet, because of trying to schedule my wedding showers, but I plan to get it all worked out this weekend! I'll probably also do the 10K at cowtown in Ft. Worth, the weekend before my real birthday! yay!
-Being the best I can be as a wife and a mom to our fur-babies! I'm always trying to improve myself and my home!

Make 2012 the best year yet! I think taking things back to simplicity is one of the most amazing things anyone can do! When you just stop, breathe, take in the moment and believe, the simplicity of life will overwhelm you!

Love,
Lisa

Pity Party for One, Please

Friday Night. 8:57 pm. Pajamas. Wine. And the clincher? LMN! And for those of you that don't know what that is...Lifetime Movie Network. Sigh....ladies, you've all been there. Pity party! Ah yeah!

So the boy is out of town at a video game tournament. And I have at least 100 things on my to-do list, but on this chilly evening all I could manage was a glass of wine and some lifetime movies.

Now, every girl knows that once lifetime is on, good luck turning it off! It's ridiculous seeing as how most of them are not even of decent quality. For example, the one I just watched was clearly from the 90's and had John Stamos in it (must have been his first gig after Full House) and the acting is horrendous! And the titles...the last one was Fatal Vowels and I just broke the cardinal rule of LMN and watched more than 3 minutes of the next movie, cleverly titled Fatal Error and now I'm hooked. DAMN YOU LMN!!!!!!]



So - I've decided that tomorrow is as good a day as any to get it all done! And the doggers agree...

She's watching LMN too!

Poor Timmy is trying to avoid us! ;)

As much as I'd love to write all that's been going on - I'm going to finish up this movie and get to bed. My new running buddy (Timmy) and I  have 4 miles to do tomorrow!

Catch up blog to come soon!

Love, L

Couch to 13.1?

I took a hiatus from running the past few months. MISTAKE! I feel like I have a love/hate relationship with it, so in the mix of moving, wedding planning, etc., I pushed it to the back burner. Our puppy Timmy however, has re-motivated me... The kid has some energy and as I always wished Chloe would run with me, I decided that if I was going to turn him into a running partner, sooner would be better than later! I've somewhat initiated him into the habit of it over the past couple of weeks and he is getting the hang of it!

I have a couple of friends that are involved in Team in Training. I'd love to participate in a group such as that, but the fundraising aspect of it is difficult for me, time-wise. Regardless, my friends have been a huge inspiration and they somehow convinced me that I could do it. What the hell, right? ;) So - on January 1st 2009 I decided I'd sign up for a half marathon. How hard could it be! I'm sure many of you have heard of the "Couch to 5K" program, well - I jumped from couch to 13.1! I mean, I worked out pretty regularly, but I had never enjoyed running, let alone running long distances. I gave myself 2.5 months to prepare and that March I ran my first half marathon. I had bronchitis a week before and my lungs were still feeling it that morning, but my amazing friend Shannon stuck through it with me and coached/motivated me the whole way!

A few things I quickly learned:

- TMI, but running jostles things up a bit and between carb loads and being in constant motion for 13.1 miles, it's a good thing pit stops are placed along the way! ;)
- Do not, I repeat....DO NOT go stagnant after a long run. Stretch immediately! It's going to hurt and it won't be fun but 2 hours later, 24 hours later and above all, 2 days later your body will appreciate it. I half-assed stretched after my first 13.1 and I was definitely sorry!
- Walk or take an easy jog the next day. Your body will thank you!
- Do not be intimidated by other runners. Marathon runners come in every shape, size and/or age. People 300 lbs and/or 75 plus years may pass you. Smile as they pass and push yourself to keep up!
- Thoughts that may go through your mind while running a distance run:
1. Adrenaline: Holy crap...lots of music, cameras, cheering...let's do this! SO MUCH FUN!
2. Crowd spreading out some, get your running groove, no problem.
3. Hmmm, my body is feeling it, but I've trained for this, so I know I can keep going...let's go.
4. If I have to run up one more hill....$&^#(&
5. Ah, downhill! ;) Make up some time.
6. I'm hungry...
7. I'm thirsty...
8. Biofreeze anyone?
9. Oh - only 3.1 miles left? Got this!
10. F! F running! F moving! F chatting with your running buddy! F the music coming from iPod! F signing up for this thing in the first place! F!F!F!!!!!!!
11. I'm hungry...and thirsty...again
12. So close to finish line! So happy!
13. ONLY .1 to go. Should go by fast!!!
14. Really....I haven't gone .1 yet?!?!?!?
15. OMG!!!! SEE FINISH LINE!!! SPRINT!!!!
16. I finished? I'm alive?
17. I finished!!!!! I'm alive!!!
18. Nice medal!
19. Let's eat.
20. Let's sleep!

The second half I did was over my birthday weekend this year. Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon! Traveled to Orlando and ran through disney world! ZOMG!! So amazing! I had a better idea what to expect, but this race was packed! Half-way through I ran through the castle at Magic Kingdom. Definitely a highlight of my life! :) Mostly a women's run, but there were a few gentlemen dressed up in their princess gear. There was even a guy in a full frog suit with a sign on his back saying "accepting kisses from princesses!" There was plenty to keep me laughing and going the whole way!

My cheerleader! :) (Don't judge me...it was 4am)

About mile 6 - about to run through the castle! Just a few  thousand people around!

I have 2 medals hanging up on my wall now! In March, B and I did a 5K together. He's never really run much, but he did great and we had a fun time together! I'm still trying to work him up to run a half with me, but he still laughs every time I approach the subject! haha. We'll see! I plan on running another race in a couple of months. Another 1/2. Everyone keeps asking me if I'll ever do a full. My response?

Really though - I don't know that I'll ever take on a full. I'd like to...but running really is hard. And time consuming (which is great motivation to run faster...ha). I feel pretty decent after a half. Sore, yes but able to move. I really think I might die if I tried to run 26.2. We'll see though. Honestly, 2 years ago I'd never even think I'd be able to say I could go 13.1 miles...at once!

Again - it is hard. Hence the "hate" part of the relationship I have with running. It is excellent for your health though and as long as you stretch and take care of yourself, your body will adapt to handling it. A little motivation/humor regarding running....

AMEN! If I can get myself out the door, then I'm good to go and always grateful that I did it! 

This makes me feel better when my iPhone app chimes in my min/mile! ha

No caption necessary!

And last, but not least...my current "like" to go along with the theme of this post:
www.rockmyrun.com
Free (like no catch kinda free) playlist downloads. Great fun running music! Can't wait to listen to mine tomorrow morning!

Go run people - the weather is cooling off and you'll be happy you did. And when you wake up to head out the door for your run - call me to make sure I'm up and on my way out as well, please! ;) ha. Thanks and gig 'em!

Until next time,

Lisa

Lunch Break = Blog Catch-Up!

It seems like all of these blogs are just "catch-up" sessions now. It's crazy how fast time flies by!

 

Where to begin?

 

Wedding Planning:

 

Some things I've learned....

 

1. If I have daughter's one day, I will HIGHLY encourage destination weddings! With that being said - here's to having boys!

 

2. DIY projects seem like a lot of fun and somehow they are all "just 4-10 easy steps", yet they NEVER turn out like those pictures!

 

3. In reference to above - video tutorials are much more effective (still not 100%)

 

4. All boys care about (ie Dad and Brandon) is whether or not the girls (mom, me and sisters) are fighting and when the cake tastings are.

 

5. There are too many options...I feel like I'm in an endless sea of veils, shoes, cake designs, dresses, flowers, centerpieces, invitations, dj's..oh my!

6. There's something called a house party - and I'm going to have one! ;) http://bellsandbouquets.blogspot.com/2010/01/whats-house-party-and-what-do-they-wear.html (I had intentions on dedicating a full blog on this subject matter, however time has been about as scarce as rain or sub 100 degree weather in Dallas, lately, so read about it if you care to know more!) The members of said house party have yet to be notified.

 

7. Which leads me to, yes, people do ask if they can be in your wedding/invited to your wedding. I'm not talking about a friend saying "um, am I going to be in the wedding", but people actually saying "can my kids be your ring bearer/flower girl" or "need an extra bridesmaid?" or "We're invited, right?!?!" A-W-K-W-A-R-D. I'm almost certain there is an etiquette pertaining to these things...people should read up on that kind of stuff!

 

8. Don't sign a contract too soon! We got luck with getting our deposit back from the first venue we chose. We're now officially contracted with the Las Colinas Country Club and I couldn't be happier! It's Ah-mazing!

 

 

9. I know how people make full time livings off of planning these events and I should really consider a career change/starting up a business, because stuff really shouldn't be as expensive as some of these places make it! I would make a killing in the wedding business.

 

10. I'm so glad I know that B is without a doubt THE ONE because I am NEVER putting my self through this mess again! ha.

 

I've already notified the girls that will be my bridesmaids. My sisters, my cousin Alyssa and of course Mary will be my MOH. Brandon knows 3 of the 4, so we'll wait to make that announcement! haha. And yes, as I mentioned I will be having a house party to honor and recognize all the amazing girl friends that I have who have been there through it all and if Brandon had, hmmm...15ish(?) really close guy friends, they'd be bridesmaids! haha. They haven't been told who they are yet, so still TBA.

 

August is booked up, September is starting to and there's already 2 weekends in October even that we have plans (one of which will be our engagement session). Last weekend was Mary's Mansfield Baby Shower.

 

 

Mary = Super Cute Preggo!

Got to see a couple of old friends from high school and college and it was SOOOO great seeing Mary (and Andy) and getting to spend some time with the Bridges! The Houston shower is in 2 weeks! This weekend coming up is Chris and Kayla's wedding in Waco! I'm super excited as I know it will be a blast. They are 2 blasts in a glass, so it's 2x the fun really. And there's sure to be some fist pumping, so really, you can't ask for a better time! haha.

 

 

Brandon's b-day was this week. I've been bursting trying to keep in the surprise b-day gift I got him/us. We had dinner at the Dallas Executive Airport and THEN...went on a sight-seeing FLIGHT over Dallas! We were in one of those teeeeeny tiiiiiny airplanes, but neither one of us were nervous. It was something fun and different and way better then cologne and a dvd, I'm sure! ;) PLUS we had perfect timing with the sunset and I got some really incredible pictures!

 

Much prettier when I'm not in one of those buildings! ;)

Pretty awesome pic, if I do say so myself! Got so lucky with the sunset!

Legit! ;)

 

Last night we met up with some friends at Fuzzy's Tacos to celebrate! I hope he had a great bday and I hope B has a great last year of his 20's. Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnn! Next year he'll be married and turning 30! haha.

 

B had 2 interviews today, so our fingers are crossed! Also excited bc I got my new running shoes yesterday and the countdown to half marathon #3 has begun! White Rock in December! :) Ya know...cuz I have tons of time to run! ;)

 

Well, my lunch break is about up, so there ya have it!

Catching up on Everything but "THAT"

"That" being...wedding talk. I am wedding'd OUT right now!!! I spent a large portion of yesterday doing wedding stuff and then went to the Dallas Bridal Show with my mom and two sisters today. So - I'm going to doing a little wedding detox before thinking about it again...at least for a day or two! ;)

So, in other news I'm also planning a baby shower (or 2). Mary's first baby shower is here in the DFW on Saturday. I'm super excited because I got one of the best presents she's going to get. Mary - I know you'll read this...and no, it's not on your registry, but I hope you love it (and I'm pretty sure you will!!). Still working out a few last details on her Houston shower at the end of August! I'm pretty excited about it and can't wait to see how it all comes together. It's nice to have a distraction from the wedding planning.

I think I'm going to start a new topic when I blog. It'll be the "new cool thing" of the week or month or whenever I find something cool. I REALLY need to come up with a catchier nickname for it, but for now we'll go with "Lisa's Latest Likes." I already mentioned instagram a week or so ago and the latest is Pinterest. Website: www.pinterest.com. You download the application to your bookmark tool bar and then when you're browsing the internet and see something you like, be it an arts and crafts project, a fun date night idea, a DIY project, wedding decoration ideas, etc. you can "pin it". It saves the picture to your page and you can follow others and browse the pictures they've pinned and then visit the websites if it strikes your interest. It's harder to explain then it is just to go look at the website, but I'm a little addicted now and it's a GREAT way to share ideas! There's also a phone app for it! What did we do before smart phones?

SYTYCD: Just have to say that I'm loving the direction it's headed. Melanie and Sasha are phenomenal and there's no doubt they'll be the top 2 girls with Tad and Marko most likely being the top 2 dudes. I'm about 98% positive Melanie is going to win though. She's incredible! Why is reality tv so addicting? We're also sucked into Master Chef right now too. Definitely entertaining, but I can't say that I'm quite as invested into who wins that one.

Exciting things coming up this week:

Brandon's best friend James is moving back to Dallas. So excited for him and pretty excited about seeing less super hero movies! ;)
Also - Brandon's bday is a little over a week away. I am SOOOOO ecstatic about what we're doing, but it's a secret, so you'll have to wait until after his bday to find out what it is!
Nothing much planned, meaning I can get back into my normal workout schedule! Pushing the AM workouts again and although an adjustment, I'm enjoying having the evenings back!

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Hello Blogger World...

I've missed you so...however my precious little puppy decided to have a midnight snack...that snack was my $85 macbook charger. So...I was computer-less for a few days. That is NO fun!

So much to catch up on:

-Wedding Plans/Planning
-Baby Showers
-Birthdays
-Weddings
-Job Hunting
-Working Out/Running
-Football
....oh my!

Unfortunately I have an early morning wake up call awaiting, so I can't really get into it all now, but I'm off on Friday, so hopefully I'll be able to catch everyone up on all of our shenanigans.

Until then...

Lisa