Midweek Confessions

It seems that with my new job, taking care of Harper, and planning my father-in-law's wedding I have been neglecting this portion of my blog.. So, as you can imagine I have alot of confessions to make up for.

Here is goes...

- My newest pet peeve is people not responding to an event. I am currently planning my father-in-law's wedding and was in charge of the RSVP. I even included a self addressed and stamped envelope for the invitee to respond to . Out of 150 people that Tom and his finance invited we have only received 80 back. I just do not understand why it is so hard for people to check yes or no and place the card in the envelope and mail it back. I guess some people just need a class on how to be proper.

- I am really getting annoyed about other "mother" friends who try to express their own opinions on how to raise a child. Being a teacher, I saw this type of behavior with those "helicopter" parents. I mean I appreciate the advice but sometimes it can be just rude and pushy. My philosophy is " I am not telling you how to raise your child, so don't tell me how raise mine."

- Planning a wedding for my father-in-law has been rather stressful. See, Tom is marrying a lady who has no interest in planning this event,just getting married, so it was left up to me and Tom. Needless to say, this has been rather challenging and I cannot wait for it to come. It is this weekend , so I will let you know how it all goes.

- I have worked out for the last 2 weeks and have not lost 1 pound. I cannot figure out why. I literally do cardio for 45 minutes and weights for 20. I am now starting to think that my eating and drinking habits need to change.

- Since, I am now working from home, working out in the morning, and taking care of Harper, I sometimes do not even shower until 5pm.I know this so disgusting but sometimes that is the only free time I have all day. It is so amazing how hard it is to watch a 6 month old while answering emails and phone calls but I am not going to complain since I am the one able to watch her each day.

- I really want to read " 50 Shades of Grey" when I go on vacation in two weeks. My problem is that I am going with my parents and I do not want them to know I am reading such a naughty book. Maybe, I will buy it and put a book cover on it :)

- I have a business meeting next Tuesday morning in Harrisburg, Pa with a very large customer. I am really nervous because this is going to be the first night that Harper stays with my parents overnight without me or Will. ( Will is also travelling for work in the Carolina's) I know she will do fine since, my mom runs a daycare and preschool each day but I still just worry she may need me..Oh, I need to really let go a little :)

That's all I have until next week...

My Personal Weight Loss Challenge

Well, it has come to this... I have had to join a gym to lose the remainder of my "baby" weight.

Love this!

I have tried the last 5 months to lose weight on my own, but that is just not cutting it. I need more exercise than what I am currently getting to lose it all. During my pregnancy, I gained a total of 30 pounds. I have lost 20 pounds but still need to lose the last 10. For some reason, that last 20 came off  without any effort on my part unless that means eating a cheese-steak, Chick-Fil-A, pizza, and enjoying some sort of alcoholic beverage with dinner.  However, I do walk our Lab every night which is quite a workout but just not enough for me to lose the weight. So, I decided to go and join a Gym.. Gold's Gym..and I love it!

I work out!

 I used to be a member of this gym before we had Lilly. Once, we got her I decided to drop our membership so I could come home from work and walk her. Now that our lives have changed I decided to rejoin. The main factor was that they have a childcare program for when you are working out. The great thing is that one of the girls watching the children is one of my past students who I would recommend to anyone. So, it is a win - win for both Harper and I.

Harper loves watching all the kids

So far , I have worked out at least 4 days a week, since we joined whhich was last week :)... I have also continued to walk Lilly in the evening so that she continues to get her exercise. So, hopefully I am on my way to major weight loss.. We will see!!! I will be sure to keep you updated with my progress..

This is seriously how I feel about my own weight loss :)

Our Last 5 Years..

It really is amazing how much life changes in 5 years , both good and bad. Here is a look back at the main events that happened to Will & I as a couple.

**Warning Photo Overload**

2007

Summer

On May 25, 2007 , we purchased our very first house, which I love. Due to our growing family,  I think that this could change in the next 5 years. When we purchased our home we did not have Lilly or Harper, so our home was just enough space. Now we are going to need a bigger yard and another bedroom. So, we will see what happens.

Our Lovely Home

Fall

In August, I started my first teaching job at Cave Spring High School teaching 10th grade History . This school is one of Virginia's highest ranked schools academically and has a wonderful student body.  It was so much fun to work with great students who made me laugh everyday. Still, when I see my past students it brings a smile to my face because I remember all the memories I made at this wonderful school.

Go Knights!

Winter

The week of Christmas,  Will and I joined his family at The Greenbrier to celebrate the holiday and his mother's birthday. We created so many fond memories while staying at this resort.

My in-laws and I at The Greenbrier celebrating Christmas

2008

Sadly, on January 23, 2008 Will's mom, Freda passed away with cancer. This has been one of the  hardest obstacles we had to deal with as a couple. Will's mother was one of the most beloved women I have ever met. Will is from a small town in Southern Virginia and we often joked that she was this town, since she was  very involved in the community. Recently, we have really felt her presence with the birth of Harper. We just know that she is looking down smiling at us and loving her.

Tom, Freda, Will, Thomas & I at our wedding

Spring

In May, Brandon graduated from Lee University with a Business Administration degree. Currently, he is  employed by Chick-Fil-A Corporate in Atlanta , Ga. My youngest brother Bryan graduated from high school in Northern Virginia and is currently a Senior at Shepherd University majoring in Business Marketing.  Growing up , I was always so close to both my brothers, so this was an emotional but happy time.

Brandon & Bryan

Summer

In July, Will's family and I traveled to Cabo San Lucas.  We had a great time and decided to always have an annual family trip.

Getting ready to go downtown Cabo

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo

Fall

In October, we went to the Homestead Resort in Convington, Virginia for a convention. It was so nice to get away and play golf during the beautiful fall season.

The Homestead Resort Course

Winter

Christmas Time

2009

To celebrate the New Year, Will, Thomas, Tom and I travelled to San Francisco and Napa, Ca. It was a wonderful trip and I hope to travel there again one day.

Golden Gate Bridge

Welcome to Napa!

Beautiful Vineyards..

Happy New Year!

Summer 

In June, we were able to travel with my family to Bermuda. It was so nice to spend a week with my parents and brother Bryan. (Brandon was working for Chick-Fil-A for a summer internship and could not make it)

Bermuda Loving..

Bryan, My father, and Will enjoying our vacation

In July, we went to Myrtle Beach, Sc with Will's family. To celebrate the 4th, we all went to The Dunes Club and had a great time. This is my all time favorite golf course and club in Myrtle Beach.

The Dunes Club, Myrtle Beach

The Dunes Club

Tom, Thomas, & I celebrating the 4th of July

Fall 

In November, Will and I went up to Washington DC and cheered on our team, The Washington Redskins. Sadly, they played the Pittsburgh Steelers and lost the game, but it was still fun.

Go Redskins!

Our Seats

Winter

We spent our second Christmas with my family in Northern Virginia. Our annual tradition is to go to a local hibachi restaurant for Christmas Eve just like the family in the movie Christmas Story.

Merry Christmas!

2010

To start of the New Year, we travelled to Scottsdale, Arizona with Will's brother and dad. It was one of the best trips I have ever been on . From the beautiful scenery, excellent South Western food, gorgeous golf courses, and great times with family it was all unforgettable. 

Sedona, Az

Night View of Scottsdale, Az

For my Valentine's Day gift I got Miss. Lilly. Lilly was our first "child" and has been the best Lab a family can have. She is sweet, protective, loves to play golf, rides the waves in Myrtle Beach, and kisses Harper's feet. Yesterday, Harper actually laughed out loud at Lilly when she was kissing her. In a way, Lilly is the reason why we decided to have a baby.

Lilly's first night home

Loves riding in the 4 Runner

First night in our home

 Spring- Summer

Loves Myrtle Beach, Sc

Loves rolling in the sand

Fall

For Halloween, we both decided to dress up and go to a friends party . I was a 1920s Flapper and Will was a 1930s football player. We really enjoyed our costumes :)

Winter

Merry Christmas!

2011

In February, we decided to celebrate Valentine's Day at The Greenbrier. We had a wonderful weekend wine tasting and gambling in their new casino. These are memories I will forever cherish pre-Harper.

How good do you think I felt after this?

Love The Greenbrier

Spring

For Spring Break, we decided to spend our last one (hopefully without children) in Bermuda. It was  a wonderful vacation where we played golf and were able to just be us.

Ah, Spring Break!

Just the two of us.

Summer

In June, we found our that our prayers had been answered and we were Pregnant! 

It's Positive were having a Baby!

On June 25 , Brandon and Anne got married in a beautiful ceremony in Chattanooga, TN. It was such a gorgeous event filled with so much emotion. We were so happy to add such a sweet person to our family.

2 months pregnant

In July, Will and his good friend Mark played in the J.J. Redick charity golf tournament and by chance they won! So, we were able to meet him and other celebrities. It was a fun night, even though I was the driver :)... Pay back this coming summer!

JJ Redick Tournament Winners!

JJ with Janet and I

In August, we decided to go to Myrtle Beach with my brother Bryan and play some golf. Since, I am not sure how much golf lies in my future it was so nice to get out and play at least 3 times that week.

Playing Grande Dunes

Fall

In October, we went to The Homestead with our friends Mark and Janet. This was one of the last times I was able to play golf before becoming to pregnant. It was a great weekend!

Playing The Old Course and shot a 94...

5 months pregnant

Winter

In December, my mom threw me a beautiful baby shower. It was so nice to share this day with my entire family and close hometown friends.

Only 2 more months to go!

For Christmas, we decided to go to NOVA and spend time with my family. It is always nice to go home.

Merry Christmas!

2012

In January, our friends Mark & Janet threw us a beautiful couples baby shower. We feel so blessed to have such a great group of friends and family who will be a great influence on Harper.

And of course in February , we were blessed with the birth of Harper Nicole..Words cannot describe how much I love this little girl and how much joy she us brought to our lives.

Oh, I could just kiss those checks all day long!

In the next 5 years, I hope that we are blessed with all the joy life has to offer and that when we look back we have as many wonderful memories as I have had so far.