Striving to Find out Who I Really Am

The Post You All Have Been Waiting For...well, maybe

2011-07-28T15:07:00.001-07:00

NO, I'm not pregnant! BUT, on Friday July 8th, me and my sisters, my best friend and my sister Stacey's best friend all hopped into the car to make the 4 1/2 hour drive up to Tacoma, Washington. Why you ask?? WELL, to see New Kids On The Block, of course!! These pictures will probably be out of order, but oh well...we had SOOOOOOOOOO much fun!!!

These pictures are totally out of order, sorry about that!

Me and my best friend Kathy at Red Robin for dinner

My awesome sister Stacey and her best friend Tiffany

My funny and awesome sister Kelli and I

Sisterly Love <3

We got to meet up with an old friend/neighbor who lives up in Tacoma for dinner...here is all of us L to R: Kathy, Me, Stacey, Tiffany, Kelli and Angie

Kathy and I before we left...NO makeup or crimped hair yet :(

Woo Hoo Concert Time!!

Very blurry picture, but I crimped my hair, its awesome!

Kelli and I decided to take shots of Patron

YUMMY

Kelli Dancing!

Stacey and Kathy

Getting our drink on...well, except for Tiffany, shes with child :)

On our way in!! I made my own shirt because I lost my NKOTB shirt :( then my hubby found it just this week...bummer...I hate that my hair is in my face!

Me and my sissy

Me and my bestie Kathy...did you know? Jesus cares about you!!

The End...what a great time full of wonderful memories.

Thank you girls for being a part of this awesome experience with me!

Enchanted Forest

2011-07-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

There isn't a whole lot of fun theme park type things to do here in Oregon. We have one place up in Salem called Enchanted Forest, I hadn't been since I was 5. My best friend Kathy and her family decided to go last weekend. I borrowed my nephew for the day and we had such a blast, I can't wait to go back. It's a super cute place. Here are some pictures of our adventure :)

Humpty Dumpty

Austin, Avery and Kylee

Me and my nephew Avery

Avery in the crooked house

Me being a total dork in the crooked house

This was one of our favorite things, the log ride...you get super soaked!

This was SO cute, all Kylee wanted to do was hold Avery's hand

Panning for "gold"

Me and Kylee watching the gang go on the log ride...she was too little to go :(

Bumper boats!!

My beautiful best friend Kathy and her daughter Kylee

Kathy, Brandon, Austin and Avery on the log ride making a big splash!

Alice in Wonderland's rabbit hole

Me and Aves in the "witches mouth

It sure was a great time and I so cant wait to have more fun adventures this summer...now that the sun has finally decided to show up in the Pacific Northwest!!

WINNER WINNER!!

2011-07-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

I used Random.org to get the winning number...I used #'s 1-5 because my friend Pam from Womens guide to surviving motherhood couldnt get her comment to work...anyway, without further ado...

the winning number is #4!!!!! Congrats Sarah!! email me at murphia3@yahoo.com with your email address and favorite color...woot woot!!!

Also...I did my first 10K this weekend, holy moly, my body HATES me right now, like literally hates me. I wasnt able to run the whole way but probably ran a total of 5 of the 6.2 miles...not too bad, now onto the 1/2 marathon in September...YES I AM CRAZY!!

GIVEAWAY TIME

2011-06-29T16:34:00.001-07:00

I haven't done a giveaway in awhile...but figured since I reached a big goal of mine (NOT DONE YET) and one of the things that has helped me get there is drinking LOTS of water-why not do another Camelbak giveaway?? (This has been purchased with my own money) All you have to do to enter??

Leave a comment and/or blog about it, also, become a follower of my blog, its that simple!!! Leave me a comment for each that you have done...The winner will be chosen July 5th at 12:00pm PST. Good Luck!!

100 pounds gone photo shoot

2011-06-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about having a photographer for a sister is well...pictures!! Stacey did some family pictures for the Cone side of the family on Saturday out at my sister in law's house since everyone was in town for once...I asked her to take a few pictures of me to document my 100 pound goal, oh and also for my upcoming 30th birthday party invites...enjoy!!

Photos courtesy of little avocado photography. littleavocado.com

Almost 30...

2011-06-27T16:29:00.000-07:00

And Honestly, I cannot wait!! I KNOW most of you (like my whole 3 readers) think I am crazy, but I have always said that I cant wait to be 30...figured I would be where I would want to be in life by then...I am ALMOST there...

I have a wonderful husband...a beautiful house...but there are 1, 2, or 3 maybe even more things missing...KIDS. I cant wait to be a mama, its all I have ever wanted. I just get depressed thinking that it hasnt happened yet, but then I have to think "everything happens for a reason. I KNOW I was suppose to lose this weight first (which I would like to lose about 40 more before having a baby) but I sure am glad that I have nieces and nephews to fill my time...which by the way, our family has grown by 1 new niece...Matt's sister and brother in law adopted a little girl from Korea, she is beautiful, her name is Gemma. :)

My WONDERFUL husband (with a crooked tie)

I LOVE my kitchen, too bad I have no idea how to cook...

thats where Matt comes in real handy :)

The front of my house-not too shabby for our first place

A new picture my sister took of me the other day

XOXOXO, Julie :)

wow...what an accomplishment!

2011-06-22T09:18:00.001-07:00

Today...I reached a MAJOR goal in my life...Today is the day that I am officially down 100 pounds!! HOLY CRAP!

Dave Matthews - I'll Back You Up 10.24.02

2011-06-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

Steven Curtis Chapman Cinderella Music Video and story

2011-06-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

WC #11

2011-06-10T08:52:00.001-07:00

11. your song and/or the first song you danced to at your wedding: share a music video or lyrics if you can!

Our song is "I'll back you up" by Dave Matthews...I've always known that I wanted to dance to this song at our wedding...Its so meaningful to us

Here are the lyrics:

I remember thinking I'll go on forever only knowing I'll see you again But I know The touch of you is so hard to remember But like that touch I know no other And for sure we have danced In the risk of each other Would like to dance Around the world with me I'll be falling all about my own thing And I know your the heaviest weight When your not here that's hung Around my head And your lips burn wild Thrown from the face of a child And in your eyes The seeing of the greatest few Do what you will, always Walk where you like, your steps Do as you please, I'll back you up I remember thinking Sometimes we walk Sometimes we run away No matter how fast we are running Somehow we keep Somehow we keep up with each other I'll be falling all about my own thing And I know your the heaviest weight When your not here that's hung Around my head And your lips burn wild Thrown from the face of a child And in your eyes The seeing of the greatest few Do what you will, always Walk where you like, your steps Do as you please, I'll back you up.

Also, In my family...since my daddy had 3 daughters (Im the youngest) its been tradition that he gets to pick the song that he dances with us to. He picked a song I had never heard before, but he heard it and it made him think of me. The song was "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman

Here are the lyrics:

She spins and she sways To whatever song plays Without a care in the world And I'm sitting here wearing The weight of the world on my shoulders It's been a long day And there's still work to do She's pulling at meSaying "Dad, I need you There's a ball at the castle And I've been invited And I need to practice my dancing Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella While she is here in my arms'Cause I know something the prince never knew Oh, I will dance with Cinderella I don't want to miss even one song 'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed She wants to know if I approve of the dress She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away And I need to practice my dancing Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand Just glowing and telling us all they had planned She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away But I need to practice my dancing Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella While she is here in my arms 'Cause I know something the prince never knew Oh, I will dance with Cinderella I don't want to miss even one song 'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight And she'll be gone

Since Im still kinda blogger dumb...I cant figure out how to post the video's in this post, so I may make another post with them in there :)

WC #10

2011-06-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

10. the cake/food: i love food. so tell me about what you had at your wedding!

The cake didnt really turn out how I wanted it to, but oh well...I didnt eat hardly any of it except the first bite that Matt and I took together, we had 3 laters, raspberry poppyseed, chocolate and carrot cake, all with cream cheese frosting.

For the food we had a choice between turkey and steak...it was hard because most of Matt's family has celiac disease which is an allergy to gluten. So we kinda had to have things they could eat to...but basically just the meats, some veggies, rolls and fruit. Pretty boring :)

The cake...looks like it was lopsided to me :(

We were very nice to each other and didnt shove the cake in our faces :)

I love him!

WC #9

2011-06-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

9. the ceremony and reception: where was it at? show us some pictures! what day did you get married?

So...I told you there would be more of the "Cone" reference later on in my posting. Matt and I got married in Salem, which is about an hour north of us on a college campus, Willamette University. We got married in a chapel that is called "Cone Chapel" its named after his grandparents who both went to WU and donated a great deal of money to have the chapel renovated. I LOVE that we were able to get married there. Matt is the only grandson who carries the last name Cone and it was everything I ever wished for. We got married on May 22nd, 2010 9 years and 2 days after we started dating :)

The campus was beautiful and with lots of old beautiful buildings for pictures...warning this might be a picture overload :)

The back of the chapel

Our "Love Tree"

Daddy walking me down the isle

for some reason I love this picture...all the guys waiting

in the side room for the ceremony to start...Matt looks nervous

The inside of the chapel...sorry its a dark picture

Whats that you say?? GIVEAWAY??

2011-06-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

My friend Trish...over at Endurance Isn't Only Physical is having a giveaway...go check it out!!

Just go here http://www.enduranceisntonlyphysical.com/2011/06/silver-maple-jewelry-giveaway.html to enter!!

WC #8

2011-06-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

Been down a week with the sickies...YUCK!!

8. the little accessories: you know, veil? shoes? jewelry? what did your bridesmaids wear?

I didnt have many accessories, but one of my FAVORITE things I did have was my garter. My mom made it for me out of her wedding dress, how special is that?

I loved my veil. It was simple with ivory lining on the outside of it.

My jewelry I wore was my mom's pearls, earrings and necklace.
I
had one of my oldest and dearest friends Tiffany from True to You design make all of my bridesmaids and my flower girl necklaces...I think they turned out pretty cute :)

I dont have all the pictures on this computer, so I will download what I can find :)

My beautiful niece Peyton, wearing her necklace :)

Not my favorite picture, but you can see my necklace and earrings...

This was when we were saying our vows

The necklaces my friend Tiff made

The amazing garter my mom made for me :)

WC #7

2011-05-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

7. the dress: was it what you always imagined? did you have it made for you? white or ivory?

Oh my gosh, YES, it was everything I had wanted...I knew I wanted a halter top, and a spilt front. I didnt like the pure white and liked the Ivory coloring better with my skin tone...I tried on a few dresses and found this one at a little botique in a small town about 45 min. from my house. I LOVED my dress!!

The back of my dress

Not the best picture in the world, but finally Mr. & Mrs.

One of my favorites

WC #6

2011-05-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

6. the colors: show some of the flower and colors you used
Haha, this is a funny one...I couldn't get Matt to agree on any colors...finally he said as a joke, orange and black (OSU Beaver colors) and to his surprise, I said yes!! So, we did orange, black and ivory...I think it turned out good

Me and my bridesmaids

The cake table

Bridesmaids flowers

My flowers...I LOVE them!

WC #5

2011-05-26T09:19:00.001-07:00

5. engagement/bridal pictures: let's see em

We didnt really have that many done, my awesome sister Stacey did them for us...here is what I could find...Matt didnt really want to take them, so of course he wore his Oregon State shrit...but, thats Matt, so yeah :)

Gosh, how I wished I would have lost the weight before the wedding :(

This one is my favorite...probably cause it was my idea...Since our last name would be Cone, I found a pine cone and said, hey lets put my ring on it! This is the picture we used for our save the date cards

WC #4

2011-05-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

4. the ring: tell us about it! did you pick it out? did he? pictures! tell us about his ring too!

OOPS, I guess I already did this in the post below...but Ill just tell you again how very special my ring is to me...Since both Matt's Grandpa and Grandma passed away before the wedding, I feel a connection to them by having his Grandpa's diamond. I got to meet his Grandma before she passed away, I know that she liked me :) BUT I never got to meet his Grandpa...I ask Matt all the time, do you think he would have approved of me? Of course Matt says YES...

Matt picked out his own ring is palladium just like mine, VERY simple...I dont know if I have a picture of his ring or not. My ring is in the post below.

WC #3

2011-05-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

3. proposal: how it happened, how long were you engaged for? was it a total surprise? pictures of that... etc

I KNEW that Matt had the ring...my ring is VERY special...the diamond in my ring used to belong to his grandpa before he passed away. He wore it in his tie tack, he wore it when he met 3 presidents including JFK...pretty cool huh? Anyway, the diamond had been given to us a few years prior to him actually asking me to marry him. I went and picked out the setting I wanted, VERY simple. I wanted the diamond to be the star of the ring. I was on pins and needles just waiting for him to ask me, every time we went to dinner-everytime we did ANYTHING I was thinking...nows the time! Just to be dissapointed every time. He wanted to surprise me...ha!

I left for a week to go to Ohio to visit my "puppy friends" as I call them, a group of women who are also very into animal rescue. I had a great time while I was there, but missed my man so much.

My flight got into the Eugene Airport about midnight. I was just expecting my parents to drop off my car and I would drive home. When I came down the stairs, I saw Matt standing there. I thought to myself "oh how cute, he missed me" and I ran upto him and gave him a BIG hug...I could tell he was nervous, but I didnt know why, surely he wasnt going to propose to me, that was the FURTHEST thing from my mind at the time (jet lag) then in front of everyone at the airport, he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Of course I said yes, although if you ask him, he will say I hesitated...I didnt, I was just in shock...he actually SURPRISED me...I had no idea!! We got engaged in April 2009 and were married in May 2010
Here is a picture of my ring...I just LOVE IT!!

WC #2

2011-05-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

2. when you knew he was the one: self explanatory.. but how and when did you know?
Ours is a story of what I believe is absolute FATE...29 years (almost 30) ago, a cute little girl was born to some very awesome parents...said parents had just bought their first house on CONE Ave. Said little girl grew up on Cone Ave. until she was 16 years old...I LOVED that neighborhood, lots of kids to play with, lots of fields, just an all around great childhood...best anyone could ask for.

Fast forward 19 years, when said girl met a man name Matthew Cone (interesting??) One of the first things I told him was "I grew up on Cone Ave. how funny" then he tells me that the street was named after his grandpa Ed Cone who used to be the mayor of Eugene in the 60's and his family was pretty well known in the area...at that moment I thought, wow, could this be fate??

Then I realized that both his family and my family were hard core Oregon State Beaver fans...and that is a VERY tough thing to be living in the Oregon Duck country (Eugene). Then I thought again, wow, could this be fate?? YES YES YES, absolutely!! I always knew I wanted to marry this man, and Im so glad I finally got the chance to do that. I LOVE YOU BABY!!! (More on the CONE reference at later blog posts, its crazy!!)

Matt and I at one of our favorite things to do together, go to OSU football games,

GO BEAVERS!!

WC#1

2011-05-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

1. how it all began: how you met, first date, first kiss, how long did you date? first picture together.....etc

well...our story began LONG ago...10 year almost exactly. I was a nanny living in Venezuela-I got home in April after being gone for the longest 6 months of my life, I was young, just a babe, 19 years old. My sister Kelli and I had always been close and she was living with her boyfriend Ben (who is now her husband) and their room mate Matt. She invited me over for Matt's 22nd birthday party they were having, which was on May 6th. I went, mingled...Matt was on the couch with another girl Liz (Kelli's best friend, she really wanted Matt to find someone, to put it in nice terms). Things didnt click well with Matt and Liz, and Kelli had an idea...she was going to hook her little sister up with her friend Matt. Problem was, we were both so shy...she had to come on our first few dates with us, pathetic huh? I was still kind of dating other people, nothing serious...Matt asked me to be his girlfriend on May 20th, 2001...I said I had to think about it...I was young (stupid response) but finally the next day I realized that I DID want a boyfriend! We went camping together the next weekend with some of my friends and shared a tent...It was so sweet as we were going to bed, he asked if he could kiss me-I will always remember our first kiss, it was magical :) Matt and I dated for 9 years before we FINALLY got married last year!! I'm a patient girl!!

Gosh, that was long before digital pictures, I dont think I have our first picture together!! How sad is that?? The first one I can remember is from my 21st birthday and I will have to find that and add to this post later.

Wedding Challenge

2011-05-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

When I started this blog,
I never told the story of Matt and I, how we fell in love, ETC...
SO,
I stole this challenge from a friend and I'm going to do it!

Now that we have officially been married a year...I feel like its time!!

SOOOOOOO...
HERE WE GO!
Tell us:
1. how it all began: how you met, first date, first kiss, how long did you date? first picture together.....etc.
2. when you knew he was the one: self explanatory.. but how and when did you know?
3. proposal: how it happened, how long were you engaged for? was it a total surprise? pictures of that... etc.
4. the ring: tell us about it! did you pick it out? did he? pictures! tell us about his ring too!
5. engagement/bridal pictures: let's see em!
6. the colors: show some of the flower and colors you used
7. the dress: was it what you always imagined? did you have it made for you? white or ivory?
8. the little accessories: you know, veil? shoes? jewelry? what did your bridesmaids wear?
9. the ceremony and reception: where was it at? show us some pictures! what day did you get married?
10. the cake/food: i love food. so tell me about what you had at your wedding!
11. your song and/or the first song you danced to at your wedding: share a music video or lyrics if you can!
12. favorite part of the day and least favorite part of the day: can be anything.
13. honeymoon: where did you go? was it good? ;) haha...jk.
14. thoughts on marriage: what is the easiest/hardest part? if you could change anything, what would it be?
15. first place that you lived together: pics if you have them!
16. kids: do you have any yet? if not, when do you plan on it? how many do you want? any tips on good/bad birth control?
17. most recent picture of you and your significant other and what you love most about them :) and any other thoughts

I AM A RUNNER X 2

2011-05-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

I cant believe that I went from doing NOTHING, to running 2, count them 2 5K's in ONE WEEK!!! I did my first one last Sunday at the "Bark in the Park" that day my sweet sister Stacey asked if I would walk one the following Saturday for the "Born to run challenge" for the Lane Pregnancy Center...I thought, oh man, will I even be recovered from the one on Sunday yet? But I figured, what's it going to hurt to walk it??

We got there, and I got all excited and decided, IM GONNA RUN IT!!! At first I just thought Ill do it half way, then see how I feel from there...I may be a slow runner, as I finished LAST of the runners, but I did it damn it! AND I beat my time on Sunday by 2 minutes!! Im so proud of my sister Stacey and sister in law Sarah for doing it with me...they were SUCH troopers!! Here are pictures from the day. Its funny, this is the FIRST time I have actually seen the weight loss in me, Im starting to look more like my beautiful sister!

Me and my beautiful sister Stacey, I just ADORE her!

Stacey, me and Sarah, ready to run!

Ok, so this picture needs some explaining...this is my nephew Porter, Stacey's youngest

He is SUCH a mama's boy...like litereally I think I have held him once without him crying for mom. Since Stacey and I were wearing almost the exact same thing, she was taking pictures of the event, Porter came up to me and put his arms out, I couldnt believe it! He wanted me to hold him, and of course he was crying. As soon as I picked him up and put him on my hip, he stopped crying! All was well for about a minute, until he actually looked at my face and realized I was NOT his mother, then this is what happened! HAHA, I love my Porter man!!

Sadness

2011-05-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

I KNOW what I am doing with my body is the best, I know it will help me to be healthy when I finally can/do become pregnant...but Im sad, I want to have a baby now-I want to get pregnant now...I know that I am still not healthy enough, another 40 pounds or so, and I believe I will be ready to start trying. But with my 30th birthday coming up in August, Im overwhelmed with sadness, I always thought I would be where I wanted to be in my life by the time I was 30, married with a couple of kiddos...Like my sisters. I FINALLY got the married part down (FYI our 1 year anniversary is on Sunday!!) but I just want a baby :(

sorry for the whining, Im just feeling sorry for myself lately

I think motherhood would look good on me :)

Me with my nephews Andrew and Porter Thanksgiving 2009

I AM A RUNNER!!!

2011-05-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would ever ever say those words...I did my first 5k this weekend. I started training about 4 weeks ago-going from not running at all to RUNNING THE WHOLE WAY!! 2 of the 4 weeks of training I didnt run at all. 1 week I hurt my back really bad, another week (the week right before the race) I was emotional too damaged to run...we got some more bad news on Matt's mom, and drama surrounding my life has exploded. BUT, I put my big (not so big anymore) girl panties on, and got up early Sunday morning and went to the "Bark in the Park" a 5k to support our local humane society. The farthest I had ever got on the treadmill was 1 mile...1 mile running, how was I going to get through 3.2 miles??? My first goal was to make it to the half way point, not so bad right? Then I would take a little break and walk, well, got to the half way mark, and thought to myself, just a little further, then just a little further, till I was finally at the finish line. Im not going to lie, I wanted to stop and walk a few times, but I DIDNT! My time wasnt the best, but I did it!! My official time was 48 minutes and 37 seconds...What an emotional journey, I cried tears of joy at the end (SHOCKING, me, cry??) Thanks to my good friend Sonja for being there for me every step of the way! Now, onto the 10k in July and the 1/2 marathon in September!! I AM A RUNNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before the race, with my dear friend Sonja...A little nervous!

Me in my running garb...ready to run!!

After the run...still smiling!!

Am I crazy??

2011-04-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

Quite possibly! I just signed up for my first half marathon!! I've NEVER done a race...ever. I was working out with my friend last night and said "I'd like to do a 5k someday" and she said there is a race in September, lets do it...she was already signed up, so I said...OK!! Well, its NOT a 5k! Its a half marathon! Call me crazy, but I signed up and Im gonna finish it! I know I wont be able to run the whole way, or even half of the way, but my main goal is to just FINISH!! Wish me luck!

cha...cha...changes

2011-03-16T16:50:00.001-07:00

wow, its been awhile-sorry about that...lots going on here in my neck of the woods. I FINALLY did it, I quit my job. I put up with so much from my former boss that no one should ever have to put up with. It made me physically sick to my stomach to go into work everyday. When you go in and are unappreciated, made fun of for your weight and harassed-its not a good combo. Anyway, I took a pretty big pay cut but it was worth it to be out of there. Im very happy where I am at now and my boss really shows his appreciation for me everyday, we are a good fit :)

On the weight loss front, I am now down 54 pounds, yay go me!! here is my new photoshoot that I did with my sister:

I hope you all are doing well!!

xoxo

Julie :)

30 down!!

2011-02-06T21:41:00.001-08:00

And starting to gain a little more confidence in myself

na na na na...na na na na...hey hey hey, GOODBYE!

2011-01-31T19:40:00.000-08:00

My sweet puppy Morgan

down 25 pounds now...starting to feel pretty good about myself, still have lots and lots to go, but Im on my way, go me!

going down down down down down...

2011-01-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

I wanna look like this again

me and my beagle Abigale probably 1997-1998?

I have lost 15 pounds since Monday January 10th...yay go me!! I have been sticking to a strict liquid diet packed with protein (under doc supervision) and been working out 4-5 times a week...Im finally starting to feel good and see a little bit of a difference. I still have A LOT to lose, but Im doing this for ME, and I will do it this time.

I want to have a baby so bad, but I know at my current weight it would not be healthy for me, not to mention the fact that it hasnt happened yet, so I figure something needs to change. I will be a better me, a more healthy me, a more confident me, A HAPPY ME...

Ill keep you updated on my progress as it continues

Photo Challenge

2011-01-15T19:00:00.000-08:00

Im participating in a photo challenge that my sister Stacey set up...a group of about 15 people and each week is a different subject, I thought I would post my photos here too. I dont claim to be good, but Im getting better...enjoy!

Week 1...Faces

Week 2...Fur

My new motto...courtesy of Eminem

2011-01-12T10:39:00.000-08:00

And I just can't keep living this way
So starting today, I'm breaking out of this cage
I'm standing up, Imma face my demons
I'm manning up, Imma hold my ground
I've had enough, now I'm so fed up
Time to put my life back together right now

Virtual After

Virtual Before

BIG changes

2010-12-27T15:01:00.001-08:00

2011 will bring some BIG changes for me in my life...stay tuned!

p.s. NO Im not pregnant :(

And the winner is...

2010-12-20T09:39:00.001-08:00

BOTH Mandy and Jodi!!

Since I only had 2 entries, and 2 of the same things to give-away, Im sending one pair to each of you!

Merry Christmas!

Oh, and I chopped about 8 inches off my hair this weekend! (warning, DORKY self photos below)

Giveaway!!

2010-12-16T12:37:00.000-08:00

Well, its been awhile since I have done a giveaway!!

This giveaway is for 2 super cute pair of Christmas Babylegs! All you need to do to enter is to leave a comment...its that simple, I will close the giveaway Monday December 20th at 9am pacific time.
I will use random.org to choose the winner! :)

Good Luck!

Call me a dork and a nerd all you want..

2010-12-16T09:02:00.001-08:00

BUT...I am SO excited to be going to THIS concert!! July 8th baby! Im going with my 2 amazing sisters Kelli and Stacey and Stacey's friend Tiffany and my best friend Kathy, it is going to freaking ROCK...Im so stoked. When I was 8, my sister Stacey won tickets to the show in Seattle...she took her friend, my dad felt bad for Kelli and I, so he bought 3 more tickets, Kelli got to bring a friend and I got to be the annoying little sister tagging along.

It was actually one of my fondest memories from my childhood...my AMAZING daddy drove 5 of us screaming tweens up to Seattle for the concert (5 hour drive). We were well equiped with BIG bottons of our favorite boys (Joey will always be my main man...sorry Matt), signs we had made for the trip up saying stuff like "Honk if you love New Kids on the Block"...much screaming of anticipation and a lot of "are we there yet's" from the back seat. My daddy sure was a trooper, I hope that someday Matt will be doing those same type of things for our children.

Anyway, can I get a WOOHOO for NKOTB??? YESSSSSSSSSSS

Can I just say...

2010-12-14T08:59:00.001-08:00

I really want a baby...like now :(

Projects, Projects, Projects :)

2010-12-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

Ive been keeping myself busy lately, with the Christmas Season upon us, I have gotten back into making rag rugs...they make great gifts and keep idle hands busy. My mom taught me how to make them and my great grandma GG taught her how to make them, they are super easy and super fun!
I also have started dabbling into photography a little bit...IM NOT GOOD YET, but my awesome sister Stacey (who is a professional photographer, Little Avocado Photography) let me borrow her "backup" camera to play around with...like I said I am not good yet, and none of these photos are edited yet, but I thought I would post a few...enjoy!
Hugs and Kisses! Julie ~

My sweet sweet sweet nephew KK

My Mother in law's Cat Henry

Mommy and Daddy's house for Thanksgiving, so pretty

My absolutely adorable niece Peypey

Life

2010-11-24T12:47:00.001-08:00

Im A BADASS And Ill Get Through This!

Recently...there have been a lot of changes going on in my life...some small some big...but all meant to be.

I have finally come to realize that I am a person who deserves respect, deserves to be taken care of, deserves to be treated like a good person, who IS a good person. I have had a hard time coming to this conclusion, but with the recent changes in my life, I have realized that the good things, the good thoughts, the small things, the things that I ADORE doing for people aren't taken for granted anymore and are appreciated by the people I am doing them for.

I'm having some minor health issues right now, and hoping that they will be done SOON, thinking its a negative reaction to a medication that I'm taking...after many doctor visits, an ER visit, ultrasound, blood & urine test, etc...Im hoping to find out some answers soon. It shows a lot about people when they are there for you and care about your well being...It makes me feel very loved, and I LOVE my family and friends who are concerned about me. Im hoping things will be back to normal SOON~

Hugs and Kisses!

Julie

"Some days you gotta dance

Live it up when you get the chance

'Cause when the world doesn't make no sense

And you're feeling just a little too tense

Gotta loosen up those chains and dance"

Dixie Chicks

Finally...some professional pics! warning picture overload!

2010-10-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

I got them a few months ago, but things have been insane for me these past few months...hence the blog neglecting :)

I just recently got diagnosed w/ degenative disc disease which pretty much sucks...Ive been seeing a chriopractor for years for my headaches and it was the only thing that would help...well, now my doctors dont want me to go :( so going on 3 months now w/o the chiro is no fun. Been doing all sorts of fun treatments, injections into my neck, pain meds, numbing patches, etc...

Ayway, enough about me, oh wait...this is MY blog, so MORE about me...without further ado, here are some of our professional wedding pictures :)

~The Kiss...that was almost forgotten~

~Wedding Party~

~Matt's sister Heather, Matt, His mom Cathy and his sister Erin~

~I heart this picture~

~All the boys~

~My beautiful ring...the diamond was Matt's Grandpa's~

~The garter my mom made for me, out of her wedding dress, its so special~

~My boquet~

~Me and my new father in law Rich~

~I love my mama~

~And my daddy~

~Matt and his beautiful Mom~

~The Cone Family~

~Heather, Matt, Rich, Erin~

~Me and my Daddy dancing~

(its tradition in our family for our daddy to pick the song he wants us to dance with him to at our weddings, one that reminds him of us...my song that he chose was "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman, GO LISTEN to it if you never have, its beautiful)

~Mommy daughter love~

~Again, I love this location~

~Lowell Family~

~Smooch!~

~First Dance~

(We danced to "Ill back you up" by Dave Matthews

~All the boys at "Cone Chapel" where we got married,

named after Matt's Grandma and Grandpa~

~Finally a Cone!!~

~Smith/Lowell Families~

~Flowers~

~Me and my Maids L to R, my sister Kelli, my friend Marsia, Me,

and my MOH and sister Stacey~

~The boys waiting~

~The back of my dress...beautiful!~

~After the Ceremony~

Hi my name is Julie and I have been missing!

2010-08-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been neglecting my blog lately, there have been a lot of things going on lately in my life. Matt and I have now been happliy married for a whopping 3 months now!! How exciting! Yeah Im a dork I know...I just love him so much!

About a month after we got married we found out that his mom has terminal cancer...The doctors gave her 6 months to live...I have been having an extremely difficult time with this and have fallen into a deep depression. It really sucks, I have had entirely too many people in my life die way too early...Its bringing up a lot of emotions for me and I have been crying 15-20 times a day lately.

ANYWAY...I have decided to do something for MYSELF...I am joining SYL's challenge again, but this time I am going to finish it!! Check it out here if your interested in seeing everyones progress...wish me luck!!
http://www.livesmilerun.com/
and a picture for the hell of it, cause whats a post w/o a picture?

Trash the dress?

2010-06-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

Im thinking of doing a "trash the dress" shoot with my amazing sister Stacey...at the beach...what do you guys think???

professional wedding pics

2010-06-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

the FABULOUS Anne Nunn did our wedding pictures...here is a post to her blog of our pictures, give her some comment love people! Also check out the slide show at the bottom there are many more pictures in it.

http://annenunnphotoblog.com/?p=4239

Its official!!

2010-06-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

Im a Cone...FINALLY!!!!!

The wedding went exactly how I had wanted it to...although come to find out later a bunch of people didnt get my invites and I was so sad they werent there...although I know they were in spirit.

Matt was so handsome and Im so proud of him for putting up with the whole wedding...We are both so happy-like more happy than I could have ever imagined...

the honeymoon was great we went on a week long cruise to Alaska-we had beautiful weather, even set a record high one day.

I dont have very many pictures...but here are a few

Show us your life...

2010-05-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

Kelly over at Kellys Korner (http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/) has a show us your life this week all about baby names.

Since the wedding is around the corner, and well, I pretty much want to start trying to have kids right away (although Matt doesnt, but heck, I have waited LONG ENOUGH, 9 years to get married, I say that I deserve to at least try, plus it will be fun for him)

anyway, dont think I have posted this here before, but I am almost 100% convinced that I we are going to have twins, I have had a weird feel about it my whole life and certain things have happened lately that just make me think its going to happen...

Matt and I cant really agree on boys names ever, but here are some that I really like

Boy

Jacob
Mason
Ethan

Girl

Ellisen Grace (Grace is the name of Matt's niece who sadly is in heaven now) I have been in love with this name for about 8 years now, and I dont think Matt could convince me of anything else

anyway, I need more ideas cause I dont really LOVE any boy names...so help me out a little, IF/WHEN I have twins, pretty sure it will be a boy and a girl, so whats a good boy name to go w/ Ellisen?

Most Amazing Party EVER!

2010-05-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

My sister Stacey is so sweet and threw me the best bachelorette party in the world! We went to the casino for the night-had lots of fun!! 3 people got banned from the casino floor...I dont remember most of the night, but I do remember having a ball.

the pictures are in reverse order, so starting at the bottom is the least drunk, top...most drunk! :)

Me SUPER drunk in the bar

Kristen, Stacey and ? (Phil James' sister, dont remember her name)

My sweet friend Sonja...feather boa's and ring shot glasses and crown courtesy of her

Matt's awesome sister Erin

Yummy big drink!

Group shot...Erin, Christi, Stacey, Me, Sonja, Kelli, Marsia and Kristen!

Kristen and Erin

My sister Kelli and my friend Marsia

Sweet Sonja

Marsia...maybe a little drunk??

My sweet friend Christi!!

My sweet friend Kristen

Me and Sonja

My sister Kelli and I being silly

Kristen...wearing the pinata as a hat...with her shot glass ring, and Malibu Rum in her ta-ta's

Best Buddies...Kristen, Christi, Marsia and I

Me and the Glenlivet...my best friend, and worst enemy!

Stacey my sister, Erin my future sister in law and me

Stacey and I

Stacey and I again

My adorable sister Stacey

Dorky Self-portrait

Stacey and Christi testing out the ring shot glasses

Me and Sonja

Group shot before Sonja got there...Erin, Marsia, Christi, Kristen, Stacey, Kelli and me

Group shot...in the bathtub in the awesome suite we got, Me Christi, Kristen, Kelli and Stacey

:(

2010-04-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

My dear sweet Grammie is now in Heaven...My heart is sad, but also releived that she is no longer in pain and she is now with my Grandpa rejoycing and reconnecting...Please keep my family in your prayers, we knew it was coming, but its still never easy. She hung on long enough for all of the family to come over and say goodbye last night. I love you Grammie and I hope you know how much of an impact you had on my life. You were a wonderful person and I hope one day and I can be at least half of the woman you were. Your spirit and kindness influenced me in a way that you will never know. I am so greatful that I was chosen to be in your life. I have many fond memories of my childhood and adulthood that were made wonderful because of you. I only I wish that Matt and I were getting married sooner so you could be there, but I KNOW you will be there looking down on me in Heaven. I love you Grammie Joyce Rosalie Wells Lowell Kelly. You will always be in my heart.

My heart is breaking :(

2010-04-01T08:57:00.001-07:00

My sweet Grammie is in the hospital again...I dont know if she will make it out this time. Matt and I went to see her last night, and I think it may be the last time we will have seen her. We hugged on her and loved on her-and said our goodbyes. She told me to have a good life...thats when I broke down. Could you please say some prayers for my Grammie Joyce? That if it is her time to go (shes 90) that she goes peacefully. Please say some prayers for my daddy-he is her youngest and I know (being the baby myself) that it is going to be extremely difficult for him, although I think he has come to terms with it. I wish I had a picture of my Grammie on my computer so you could all see how beautiful she is. Thank you so much for your prayers

Give away give away!!

2010-03-10T09:46:00.001-08:00

My friend Pam is hosting another give away over on her blog...this one is really awesome, go check it out!

http://guidetosurvivingmotherhood.blogspot.com/2010/03/home-party-prize-pack-giveaway.html

Im SO excited...and I just cant hide it!

2010-03-01T18:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my awesome sister Stacey I won a contest for FREE wedding photography...this is huge to me as I want to be able to have awesome memories but I am too cheap to pay for a good photographer...

anyway...I WON I WON!

check it out

http://blushbridalevents.com/blog/2010/03/01/contest-winner-for-free-wedding-photography/

I am so excited!!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

2010-02-16T09:01:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a special day with the special people in their lives, whom ever they may be. I had a great V Day...Matt and I dont usually do much, and we usually dont get each other anything-just special little gestures or love notes or sappy stuff like that. But, Matt really out did himself this year...he got me this...

Needless to say I was shocked...its so pretty!! The diamond is the same cut and the same setting as my engagment ring-he did so good...so proud of him! Then we went and spent the day at the casino (one of my favorite places to go) and had lunch with my sister and her hubby and spent some time at the slots-it was a good low key day, and lots of fun (even though we lost $...bummer) So...how about you? What did you do/get?

Whats that you say??? GIVEAWAY??

2010-02-09T15:42:00.000-08:00

sweet action!

My friend Pam is holding a giveaway on her blog http://guidetosurvivingmotherhood.blogspot.com/ she is giving away one of my friend Tiff's pieces! Tiff's blog is http://truetoyoudesign.blogspot.com/ if you want to go check out her awesome stuff and make sure to tell her I sent you!!!

Go and enter the giveaway...do it now!!

Oh and while your at Pam's blog-sponsor her for her march of dimes walk too!

p.s. can anyone tell me how to work my blog? haha instead of posting the whole web address how do i link it to their name? You know what Im talking about?

Its all coming together nicely

2010-02-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

So with the wedding only a few months away I have been kinda freaking out how I have nothing done for the wedding...well, its finally starting to come together.

I bought the bridesmaid dresses (my sister Kelli found them and they were CHEAP, my favorite thing!).

My sister Stacey has set up a meeting for me w/ a lady that does cakes in Cottage Grove (plus, she is being sweet and offering the lady photography work for a discount on the cake...discount, YES!), we are meeting with her this weekend...below is a picture of what I think I would want my cake to look like, do you like?

My sister Kelli also found me a DJ-her husband use to be in a band with him, and he is awesome...another bonus...only $200!! (although we will probably pay him more than that)

Matt and I met w/ the Reverend this weekend who we want to marry us-he married Matt's sister, and has done several family funeral services for his family. I was really nervous to meet with him this past weekend, but after meeting w/ him for an hour, I feel so comfortable with him and I am really happy he will marry us.

Anyway, thats my progress...slowly but surely coming together!

cake
bridesmaid dresses

What a crap-tacular weekend!

2010-02-08T08:41:00.000-08:00

Man, sorry to be such a Debbie Downer lately. Im having a hard time. My best friend was suppose to be home this weekend from her mission trip in the Dominican Republic-shes not home...in fact, she has been in the hospital for 6 days now in the DR. Asthma attack put her there-and they wont clear her to fly home. I talked to her on the phone yesteday and she sounded good, but SO ready to come home. She is going to check herself out of the hospital today and try to get a flight out of there tomorrow. I hope that her lungs can handle a flight home :(

My dear sweet grammie is in the hospital here, she had a stroke, she is almost 90-I havent been able to go visit her lately because she is so frail and I have been sick-I cant get her sick because something bad could happen to her if I got her sick. I hope I can go visit her soon, and I hope she will be able to make it to our wedding :(

Saturday I went to a funeral of a family friend...what a sad day-it was a sudden thing and the woman was so full of life and so loved and her passing was so sudden-it was a really sad day :(

Can you all please keep my best friend, my grammie and the Devereux family in your prayers that would be greatly appreciated

whats wrong with me??

2010-02-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

okay, so...I drink A LOT of water...A LOT...I try to do at least 100 oz a day. Odd thing, which may be TMI, but Im super curious about it is...even though I drink a ton of water, dont drink soda hardly (maybe one at lunch? sometimes) and like a half of a coffee in the morning, I dont pee very often. Take today for example, I pee'd when I got up, got to work, drank 3 of my camelbak water bottles full (no ice and 24oz each) and I didnt even pee until 2:15 pm. Tell me, thats weird huh? Any ideas as to what could be wrong w/ me?

blah!

2010-02-03T14:56:00.000-08:00

That is how I am feeling lately, just blah...continue on, nothing to see here.

On a side note, one of my bestest friends Marsia comes home from the Dominican on Friday, yippee skippy, can't wait to see her!

Wanna win a cool sack lunch??

2010-02-01T11:52:00.000-08:00

Then head on over to TJ's blog!

Shes having an awesome giveaway!

http://tjstestkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/01/tjs-giveaway.html

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!

2010-01-29T13:03:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to....

Congrats Pam! I will have Tiff mail the necklace to you!

yay! Thanks for playing guys :)

Told ya it would be real soon! GIVEAWAY!!

2010-01-27T10:04:00.000-08:00

yup...as promised my SECOND ever giveaway!!
Since I love my friend Tiff so much, but not only that I LOVE her pieces...Im going to be giving away to one of my...what 13 now? blog followers one of her amazing pieces!! All you gotta do?? Leave a comment on this post, and/or post a link on your blog to this giveaway! If you leave a comment AND post about it, you get 2 entries...just make sure you leave another comment letting me know that you have posted it on your blog. Thats it! This will be a short entry time, Im closing this giveaway on Friday the 29th at noon Pacific Time. Hurry hurry, not much time!

Haiti Donation...

2010-01-27T09:21:00.000-08:00

One of my oldest and dearest friends Tiffany has recently started her own business making jewelry. One of her latest amazing creations is up for bid on ebay, and she is donating 100%, YES 100% of the proceeds to the releif efforts in Haiti...This is an amazing hand made piece that is truly one of a kind. Please visit her blog True To You and browse some of her amazing pieces, also check out the auction, and place a bid! Its for charity :)

here is a link to her blog

http://truetoyoudesign.blogspot.com/

and the link to the ebay auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320479241696&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Also...stay tuned because I will be doing my SECOND giveaway sometime here real SOON!

Plagiarism

2010-01-26T10:30:00.000-08:00

yup...you heard me right.

I saw this on another person's blog, and I HAD to post it here...the blog I saw it on is

http://bullockpartyof5.blogspot.com/

here is the funny post:

I've been "fat sitting" for far too long.

Far. FAR!! Too long!!

It's high time I returned this fat to it's rightful owner.

There is some skinny bitch out there who is missing her fat!! Bless her heart!! She's probably cold. Having trouble deciding which dude to lay. And wants a burrito.

Well, here ya go, sweet cheeks...I'm done with this shit. It's all yours!

Uh...actually...I'm gonna need just a couple more weeks with the fat, so I can give it a proper goodbye. After that...I SWEAR!! I'll return it!

**Please remind me that I declared this publicly...and hold my fat ass accountable to shedding some LBs!! Deal?**

Day ONE of Detox

2010-01-19T15:50:00.000-08:00

so Im doing my Tahitian Noni Detox again...I have to drink this drink 2 times a day and eat lean meats/veggies...so far today here is what I have eaten:

3 boiled egg whites
some roasted chicken
cucumbers
broccoli (no butter)
grilled chicken breast
a handful of almonds
I

ts funny, cause I dont USUALLY eat like crap, but whenever I know I cant have something, I want it...like I never eat chocolate, but its all I have been craving today! NO FAIR!

and a pic just cause :) We had this picture taken for Matt's Mom and Dad for Christmas, it is all of us, Matt and his 2 sisters, his brother and law and 3 nephews Kellen, Noaln and Greyson, oh and me :)

Greg, Greyson (on shoulders) Erin, Nolan, Heather, Kellen, Matt, Julie

finally back from the sick...well kinda!

2010-01-18T09:12:00.001-08:00

oh my goodness, the sickness consumed me...I have been feeling so so yucky lately and I feel horrible Kimert that I havent gotten your water bottle out yet...It WILL happen today, so please forgive me? I hope you are all having a wonderful day...Im headed back to the gym today, hopefully I wont die from coughing...but I got a new Ipod touch, and I am so excited to use it!

Sick :(

2010-01-11T09:27:00.000-08:00

I hate being sick! Although I dont feel really that sick, my throat hurts like a SOB!! I havent really been able to swallow for 3 days. Finally went to urgent care yesterday and they told me it was a virus in my throat and it would have to run its course, nothing they could do for me. UGH! Sorry just complaining :)

And the WINNER is...

2010-01-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

The winner of my FIRST EVER giveaway is...drumroll please...

Congratulations!!! Please send your name and mailing address to my email murphia3@yahoo.com

and stay tuned...Im liking this giveaway thing-may have another one here soon...

Giveaway Time!

2010-01-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I know I only have like 3 followers, but I want to do a giveaway anyway!!

okay, so here is my giveaway, you all know how I LOVE my camelbak water bottle? It makes drinking water so much fun, and I want YOU to have as much fun as me in this fitness journey...so here it goes, just leave a comment here on this post and I will draw a winner this Friday Jan. 8th at noon...pass it on, these are super dooper cool!

My Legs Are Like Jell-O!!!

2010-01-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

I had my first visit w/ my personal trainer Logan last night...and um yeah he pretty much kicked my ass! After just 1 hour I felt great! I was like, sweet I CAN do this! Then I got home and it started, as I walked up my stairs to my honey-bam, its like my legs gave out of me! I looked like a complete fool walking up and down the stairs at our house last night.

This morning I wake up, and I can barely get out of bed, the way Im walking reminds me of when I had my knee surgery...but...I will put my big girl panties on and suck it up, and GO TO THE GYM tonight~with my good friends Kristen and Brad. YAY~

Come one...come all...NEW CHALLENGE!!

2009-12-30T19:20:00.000-08:00

One of my most favorite people in the world Miss Tina Beth, has set up a new challenge...I used to babysit for Tina's kids long ago, and she has always been the type of mother I hope that I can be. Lets all join together and kick our butts into gear...I have LESS than 5 months till the wedding day. If you want to join, just come sign up here...

http://slimseason.blogspot.com/

I got my wedding dress!! And some more engagement pics

2009-11-20T09:51:00.000-08:00

Matt and I got some of the rest of our engagement pics back and I love them, here are a few for your viewing pleasure :)

thats all Im posting of it...I love it and it fits me perfectly! I got it from this cute little bridal shop in Lebannon, Or. The woman was wonderful! I went up there w/ my best friend before she left for the Dominican and found this dress that I really liked, but it was like 6 sizes too big, I couldnt tell what it looked like and it was so frumpy on me. The woman offered to order it in MY size and she did! I drove up there w/ my mommy and tried it on and it just felt right...my perfect dress, everything that I have ever wanted!

Happy Almost Halloween!!

2009-10-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

happy almost halloween everyone!!
Things for me are going well, wedding plans are coming along, however I need to go dress shopping again really soon!
dont have much to say today, just thought I would post some pictures of halloween past's...Matt would KILL me if he knew I put this picture up! We dont usually dress up, but a few years ago, we decided to...any guesses on who we are?

Yeah, Im pretty much a bad ass!

2009-10-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

babies babies everywhere!!

2009-10-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Andrew Jace 4 months old, my oldest sister Kelli's baby

Brand new Porter Lowell

Side by side...they are only 4 months apart!

yup, still here :)

cant believe its been almost a month!!

my sweet sister Stacey had a beautiful baby boy on October 13th his name is Porter middle name Lowell, he is so precious and big sister Peyton is so proud!

I swear I am still here!

2009-09-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

Still been doing my shred, but I have noticed that I am just NOT giving it my all...SO, I am making a re-commitment to myself-I need to start doing daily posts again WITH pictures-this last week I am going to give it my all and then some. It has been a very very busy week week and a half for me, but things are settling down so thats good...On top of the shred I have been using my NEW bike, its so cute, orange and black (my favorite colors!)...Matt has yet to join me on a bike ride, but Im hoping to get a nice long one in this weekend!

hope you all are doing well

long time no blog!

2009-09-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

hey ya'll just wanted to let you know Im still alive and YES I have still been shredding! Feeling great is awesome!

yesterday my awesome sweet VERY pregnant sister did a few engagment pictures for Matt and I...here is a sneek peak of one of them and a sample save the date card-let me know what you think. My sisters website is www.littleavocado.com shes awesome!

Day FOURTEEN!

2009-09-14T21:14:00.001-07:00

got my workout in today-it felt good...

here are todays pics

my sweet Dexter boy

Crazy Mogwai

Pre workout

Post workout

Sweet Peyton

2009-09-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

hope my sister doesnt mind me posting her pics from her blog (http://www.littleavocado.blogspot.com/)

my sweet niece Peyton is now 3...of course, she is her mom's favorite model, shes so beautiful! My sister is having a new baby boy in like a month, SO excited for her! Cant wait to meet the new little guy. I cant wait to have kids of my own, but until then, I have to live through my sisters :)

so finally getting around to posting 10-day results, and a big oops!

2009-09-14T10:06:00.001-07:00

I have only lost 3 pounds, but I feel a lot better and I have actually lost a few inches in the process too!

Waist -3"
Arm-1"
Thigh -1"
so a total of 5 inches lost, yippee~!

I have to admit this weekend was pretty crazy and I did not get a workout in on Saturday (I wasnt even home all day) and yesterday I did not feel good at all, I couldnt keep anything down, so I didnt workout yesterday either, but you know what? Im not going to beat myself up over it and I am going to just add 2 days to the end of the workout...but today Im ready to workout and I should have my bike today or tomorrow so hopefully Ill be riding my bike to/from work too :)

Since I dont have any pics to post from this weekend, here is a few from last July when my family came to town from Nebraska-my dad...ahhh, I love my daddy (as you all know) but man he is such a dork! Since we live in Eugene aka Hippy Town USA, dad decided that while the Nebraska family was in town, we should all make our own tye dyed t shirts...yup, then-all go down to the Saturday Market wearing our t shirts-LUCKILY, I was at an adoption event that day so couldnt make it to the SM, oh bummer! haha

Me and my awesome cousin Austin

the Nebraska kids with my mommy

Me and my mom and daddy (love this picture of my mom cause it captures her silly self, one of my favorite things about her!)

Days TEN and ELEVEN!!! A little behind on posting

2009-09-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Its been a busy busy week and will be a busy weekend! Going to Matt's step brothers wedding reception tonight in Portland, going to pick up Matt's new bike on the way, yay!! Mine should be here next week. Excited to start riding with my honey!

Well, here are dorky pics from the last 2 days

Day ten!

Day eleven!!

Day NINE!! And its a good thing

2009-09-10T10:29:00.000-07:00

I usually work out in the evening, but yesterday for some reason I got up early and so decided to do my workout in the morning-GOOD THING cause by the time I got home from work my head was pounding SO bad I could hardly move...weird how things hapen like that huh?

no pics today from yesterday :(

can I ask ya'll for a prayer request real quick-Matt is going into the doctor tomorrow, but when I got home from work yesterday he had this weird growth on his face near his cheekbone towards the upper part. It appeared suddenly and is pretty large not quite the size of a golf ball but a little smaller. Im sure its just a cyst or an infection or something like that, but I always tend to be a worrier, so I am trying not to this time :)

Day EIGHT!!! And I cant believe I did that!

2009-09-08T20:03:00.001-07:00

Day eight done and over with...I really wanted to work out but Matt was being a turd and wanted to play on the computer on the couch to find a bike (we are BOTH getting bikes, yay for doing active stuff with my honey) anyway, I cant believe it, but I let him stay in the room while I worked out...of course with lots of rules (no laughing, no making comments of any kind etc...)

anway, here are todays pics :)

pre workout

Post workout

Day SEVEN!!! And a huge mistake~

2009-09-07T19:25:00.000-07:00

I was getting a little bored with workout one...and I didnt want to work out at all today...but I did, and I decided to check out workout 2...Big mistake, big, HUGE! I am so not ready for that yet, I did it, although I didnt give it my all cause I was just pooped. So tomorrow, back to workout 1! :)

no pics today cause my battery on my camera is recharging. Happy Shredding all!

Day SIX!!! and going out!

2009-09-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

Post workout Pre workout

gettin all gussied up to go out for a friends birthday :)

Day FIVE!!! And FOOTBALL

2009-09-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day! The Beavers won their first football game and Matt and I got to take my most awesome parents with us, it was a great day!! I didnt do too bad on food, had a few drinks-SO did not want to work out when I got home, so I took a little rest and then did my workout. It was a great workout...here are a few pics from the day

My awesome parents, we love them so much, so glad we got to spend the day with you guys :)

The love of my life and me

Just me

Pre workout

Post workout...all sweaty :)

Day FOUR!!!

2009-09-04T20:01:00.001-07:00

So, I have to admit-I really did NOT want to work out today after my 3 pound weight gain, but I did it and I am proud...plus tomorrow is the first Beaver Football Game! Yippee!!

Pre workout

Post Workout

So unflattering, but I was pooped!

Frustrated!!!

2009-09-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

I know I shouldnt have done it, but I got on the scale this morning...Seriously?? I have GAINED 3 pounds!! UGH!

Me...and my pups!

2009-09-03T21:28:00.000-07:00

I love my puppies!! Sure, they are crazy, insane, chaoitic and well, just plan silly! But seriously I couldnt imagine my life with out my crazy rescue pups!

Day THREE!

2009-09-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

Got my workout in tonight (even though I secretly didnt want to)...Feel great!!

Pre workout

Post workout
Post workout!

Its almost that time...

2009-09-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

only my most favorite time of year!

A time for ORANGE and BLACK...

No...not Halloween Silly's!

Oregon State Football!!!

Go Beavers!

Love my niece Peyton!

Day TWO!!

2009-09-02T18:06:00.000-07:00

I had a great workout tonight, and surprisingly enough, I felt like I gave more to it today, didnt rest much at all...so anyway, here are my workout pics for your enjoyment (or disgust) :)

dang pics are in reverse order...

after workout

Doing crunches-damn my boobs look HUGE!
Post workout
Pre workout!

Inspirational Quotes

2009-09-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few of my favorites that I turn to when I need some motivation

"Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it"

"I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure--which is:Try to please everybody"

"The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live"

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us"

"There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying things which are beyond the power of our will"

"Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true"

Day ONE!

2009-09-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

got my workout in! Feels great, but oh do I have a feeling I will be sore tomorrow!!

30 day shred!

2009-08-31T18:07:00.000-07:00

alrighty, so I have joined a challenge over at Syl's blog http://www.livesmilerun.com/

I am going to do the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, so excited about this, but really embarassed to post my "before" photo, but it needs to happen, so without futher ado...

Back in the day...

2009-08-27T16:18:00.001-07:00

just cause I have these pics on my computer...and cause Im bored at work today. Walk down memory lane

A Rant of Sorts

2009-08-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

I cant help but feel disappointment today after hearing the news yesterday that the Philly Eagles (one of my fav teams) signed Michael Vick...that just pretty much seale their fate with me and I will NEVER watch them again...boycotted, forever.

I keep hearing people state the reasons why Vick deserves a second chance (he grew up poor and didnt know any better) but really, you KNOW right from wrong, you KNOW its wrong when your drowning, electricuting, fighting and KILLING innocent animals...I dont buy it, not one bit-I will never buy it. As a loyal football fan, I am equally disappointed in the NFL for even allowing him to come back period.

I dont know if any of you have ever watched a video from a pit fighting ring...but they are horrible, HORRIBLE-I watch them and I am just so sad and in tears. People ask me why I do that to my self, why watch it, why not just pretend it doesnt exist?? Well, the reason for that is if I DONT watch it, then I dont know what to do to help CHANGE it...as the owner of 2 pit mixes myself, I get odd looks when I walk them, or when friends come over, my neighbors all hate me (Even though my dogs are never outside unattended, always on leash, but their dogs are out roaming the neighborhood pooping in my yard and terrorizing my dogs through the front window) but I tell you they are some of the greatest most loving dogs ever and I just cant imagine that people can treat them this way...Vick should be electricuted and drowned-and then tell me that he deserves a second chance...Im just saying

okay, rant over :) thanks for listning

Please pray for baby Stellan

2009-07-27T09:36:00.001-07:00

Hi all my 2 readers out there :)

if you could take a few moments out of your day and please pray for baby Stellan? He and his family need all of our thoughts and prayers right now. Please go here to read baby Stellan's story

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

5lbs one day?

2009-07-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

holy crap!

So Im doing this detox thing...more to satisfy my mom more than anything, but its been one day so far, I am down 5lbs! yay! And last night was the 1st night in 2 years I havent taken something to help me sleep...I am now on day 2 and I feel great!

a new me??

2009-07-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

well, yesterday I made a new commitment to myself...I really want to be HEALTHY-I want to lose this weight so bad...I really want to lose 100 pounds in the next year, so according to my calculations, that would be 8.33 pounds a month or 2.08 pounds a week...do-able right? I certainly hope so. I have a WEDDING in 10 months!! One of my best friends Tiffany and I are doing a 12 week challenge with her sister and a few other friends-and there is not only weight loss on the line, but $$ too!! Cant beat that, I am motivated by money!

I have always been the "token" fat girl...always-and I think I have just become accustom to that, but why? why should I be? Why cant I be the beautiful, confident girl? I dont see why not!! SO...here we go! This blog may take a turn to journey my weight loss goals (still wedding stuff though)...so sit down, strap on your seat belts and hold on for one hell of a ride!

2nd place-not too shabby

2009-07-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

I qualified for this contest called "Lucky in Love" that our local radio station was giving away. There were 30 people who qualified. They were giving away a free wedding at Three Rivers Casino, paying for everything!! I thought sweet, I would love a free wedding...So yesterday me and my friend Marsia headed over to the coast to go to the casino, you had to be present to win. It was so exciting, everyone had a raffle ticket-they called 7 semi finalist up stage, and my # was the last one to be called, my heart was beating so fast! They had us all pick a seat on stage (I didnt get to choose since I was the last one to be called) and had us all open envelopes at the same time...I got runner up-bummer :( but the girl that won had been with her boyfriend for 12 years, so I definatly think she deserved to win. Im also kinda glad I didnt win, cause then I couldnt really do things the way I wanted to...and the photographer wasnt very well at all-it was all kinda cheesy...plus, who wants their wedding dress to smell like a smokey casino anyway, right? :)

so sweet!

2009-07-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to put up a sweet picture of my sweet niece Peyton...or as I call her in this picture, Cookie Monster!

So...I get back from lunch today and have someone waiting here for me-its one of my favorite clients son's...she followed me over from John's office after he passed away and is such a sweetie...I open up the card and it says "thank you so much for always taking such good care of our family and caring so much about us, and congratulations on this new chapter in your life". I thought that was so sweet...well, then I see a gift card in there-to Bed, Bath and Beyond for $100!!! Oh my gosh, that was so sweet, I just dont feel like I deserve it-but I am so grateful for it. It was such a sweet gesture from a wonderful client. I love my clients!

my daddy

2009-06-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

I have always been a "daddy's girl"...dont get me wrong, I LOVE my mom so much and she is one of my best friends...but in my heart there has always been a special place for my daddy. Most of the pictures of me when I was a little girl are of me and my dad. I admire him for the person that he is and the person he helped me to become. I cant imagine being the only male in a household of ALL females (seriously, even all of the pets were female) and ONE bathroom!! My dad was always there for us, through all of our adventures and all of our sporting events (even coaching all 3 of us girls at the same time).

I have been having a hard time lately since fathers day. My dad found a lump on or near his lymph node in his neck...this week has been a whirlwind of emotions and feelings...often brining up my memories of another man in my life who treated me like his daughter, my boss John who died 5 years ago of brain cancer. We dont know any news yet and wont know anything until Monday (HOPEFULLY). So my whole like 3 readers out there, can you please keep my daddy in your prayers...Ill update when we find anything out.