411

My internet friend Becky is hosting a fun blogger link-up today. Since I have fallen off of the blogging wagon a little bit, I thought this would be a fun way to get back to it.



1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?
This is a fun question. I started blogging a long, long time ago on Xanga. One of my biggest life regrets is deleting that Xanga. It was all about our newlywed days! I just got paranoid about IRL friends reading it and deleted it one day. Big mistake. 2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?
I went to Missouri Western State University for my Bachelor's degree. It's in Business Administration- Marketing Major. 

My MBA came from Northwest Missouri State University, but I attended through the online program with only a few classes on campus. 

3. Where have you traveled?
I've mostly traveled in the US, but I've been fortunate to visit a lot of places. Some of my favorite domestic locations are Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA and Outer Banks, NC. I would love to live near the coast someday. Nathan and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas and that was fun. I'd love to take a big European vacation someday soon as well as travel more in the US. I have never been to California, Washington DC or the upper East coast like Maine and Maryland, and of course I want to see NYC!

at Disney World

Cruise- snorkeling off of the coast of Key West

Tybee Island

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?
I'd pay off debt and then we'd definitely buy a bigger house. 5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?
Bad grammar, toilet paper unrolling the wrong way and people who take others for granted.6. What is your favorite movie?
I could never choose just one, but my cop out answer is always Grease.

7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?
I just gave up drinking my love, Dr. Pepper, so I guess I'd say water or sweet tea.8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?
SLEEP9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?
Probably a furniture store like Pottery Barn, but I'm not sure how far $10,000 would go there.10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.
Nothing comes immediately to mind other than running as hard as I could straight into a brick school building with my eyes shut.11. What day would you love to relive again?
I guess Deacon's birth. I choose it over Manning's because I was in labor for zero hours with Deacon's compared to 18 hours with Manning. ;)

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?
Well...the only actress I've ever been told I resemble is Julia Stiles and I think she's ugly so I'm going to go with who I WISH I resembled- Scarlett Johansson. 13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?
I worked at McDonald's, Hy-Vee (grocery store), and Golden Corral before getting married. Since marriage at age 19, I've worked at Carlos O'Kelly's (Mexican Restaurant) and in banking. Now I work at a church!14. Show us a picture from high school or college.
Well, I've only been out of college for a year, but since this is all in good fun...here's one from our before kids days. Super flattering of me, I know.

 15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?
Fiji, Bora Bora, or Turks and Caicos...someplace remote and tropical like that.16. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you. 

Me and my two sweeties on Mother's Day

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?
I don't really know, but hopefully Nathan and I have grown together and have accomplished some more of our dreams. Knee deep in the water somewhere would be nice. :) 

Shake It Up

Disclaimer: I've had less than four hours of sleep in the last twenty-four hours thanks to two precious little boys that decided to make their appearance seven weeks early last night. I was blessed to be there for the birth of my friend's precious twins, Maddox & Sawyer. I could not be more thrilled for them. Congratulations Aimee & Chad.

Several months ago I decided that it was time to lose some weight. A combination of seeing some scary numbers on the scale that weren't much less than what I weighed the day I delivered each of my kids and being tired of my jeans being so tight was the final push I needed. I decided to try the Couch to 5K approach, and I joined a gym. For about four weeks I followed the program religiously. In that time, I was becoming a better runner, but seeing no results. Well, actually the result I saw was a higher number on the scale. Now, before any of you go on a spiel about "muscle weighs more than fat" I don't care. I was not at a healthy weight for my height and build. Period.

So...I quit running. I decided I'd get more serious about watching what I eat and working out. I have been doing the elliptical every night between 60-90 minutes for the last three days, and as a result I've gained three pounds. I know three pounds isn't much, but a pound a day?! What gives!?

The other day I was talking to my friend Shannon, and she was telling me about these shakes she's drinking. I've tried the shake route before with no success, but Shannon assures me these shakes are delicious. I was still a little apprehensive, but I decided to contact Heather with Body by Vi to try out the Vi Shakes anyway. Heather gladly sent me a sample package, and I cannot wait to get started.

Have any of you had this happen...where you're watching what you eat and working out but can't seem to lose any pounds? I think it might be the single most frustrating experience of my life. I'll be posting in a week about my progress after one week of Vi shakes.

Speaking of shakes, I have to tell you I was really disturbed to come home from the gym yesterday and find my husband watching Shake It Up despite the fact that both boys had been in bed for over an hour. If you don't know what Shake It Up is, just know that Nathan is not their target audience. :)

Seven Years

Seven years of marriage today. People are often surprised that we got married so young...I was 19 and Nathan was 21. I just consider myself lucky to have found my perfect match at such a young age. Happy anniversary Nathan. You're my best friend and the best husband and daddy I know. I am truly proud to be your wife. I don't deserve you and I'm thankful for God's grace to give you to me anyway. I love you.

Best Pasta Salad Ever

I promised some people I'd share this recipe awhile back, and I just haven't had a chance before now. I think this is the best pasta salad ever. A lot of people use Italian dressing in their pasta salad, but after having this I don't know why you'd even waste your time with that. This is SO much better and very easy. Maybe some of y'all will make it for the 4th and let me know what you think!

Best Pasta Salad Ever

12 oz. tri-color rotini
3/4 Cup each- oil (Canola), apple cider vinegar, and sugar
1 t each- garlic powder, pepper, salt, parsley, dry mustard, accent
vegetables as desired- I use one peeled/chopped cucumber and two peeled/chopped roma tomatoes- could also use onion, green peppers, and black olives


Cook Pasta. Drain & run over with cold water if serving immediately. Pat pasta dry with paper towels. Add chopped vegetables.

Dressing: Combine dry ingredients. Combine oil and vinegar. Combine dry ingredients with oil/vinegar mixture. Pour over pasta & vegetables. Stir. Refrigerate until serving.

This pasta salad really is so good and perfect for hot summer days. Also, it's great to make ahead. I think the flavor gets better after a day in the fridge.

Enjoy!