the girls.

Last weekend, I went to Flat Rock, NC with my mom and my little sisters.  The girls are in the AG program at school and participated in Destination Imagination, a competition for the "smart kids."  The girls were on a team that performed a silent skit in which they had to write the plot, design their costumes, and create a disguise for at least 2 characters...I think that was the requirement, anyway.  They did an awesome job, bringing home FIRST place!

How cute are they?!  They had such a good time, and I am thankful I could be there to share the experience with them.  On a side note, it is truly the first time I've realized how much they are growing up.  Ten years old doesn't sound very grown up (and I realize it's not that old), but it's a long way from the little babies they were yesterday.  They've developed very unique personalities.  They have different interests.  They're silly, but they're smart.  They are absolutely beautiful, and I feel sorry for the boys who will meet my dad one day.  What I love most though, is that they all three have a heart of gold.  They love each other, they love their family, and they love Jesus.  It doesn't get any better than that!

On the way there, mom and I did some shopping...always a plus...and we spent quality time together while we were there.  We don't get the opportunity to do that often.

It was hard to go back to work this week after two long weekends.  Back to reality.  Yuck.  On the plus side, Spring Break starts in exactly one week!  We've got some pretty exciting things planned for the break, most important being me and Bo's ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!  Yep, we made it a whole year :) I can't wait for all that God has in store for us for many more to come.

bittersweet.

This weekend was the big weekend.  The team left New Bern, excited about the experience ahead of us.  Unfortunately, we didn't leave Florida today with a trophy; however, I left feeling incredibly proud of the 16 girls I'm lucky enough to coach.  They spent a lot of time preparing and practicing for the moment when they took stage at Hard Rock Live.  While they didn't win the competition, they certainly walked away from this experience with so many good memories.  They've also learned a lot about hard work and dedication in the process.  

Here's our weekend in a nutshell...

At the park with Danielle, our choreographer, who has become a great friend <3

The girls 

Supportive husband <3

Right before competition...

Cuties.

Catching some waves!

Favorite ride!

Butterbeer at Harry Potter World...my favorite.  A MUST-HAVE!

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I can honestly say that I learned a lot from this experience too.  I'm learning to be ok with the fact that there's not always an answer for everything, but God always has a bigger purpose and plan.  For that, I'm so very thankful.

fresh look.

What do you think?!  Thanks to Little Leaf, confessions & freckles has a new look.  I'm in love with it...it's super cute, but not overdone.  I've been holding off posting until all of the changes were complete.  So, here we are.

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Bo and I have been two very busy bees the last several weeks.  He's been getting ready for the Individual State Wrestling Tournament and I've been spending much of my time getting my girls ready for Nationals next week.  Between working full time, long practices after school, and being full time grad students, we are stretched thin right now.  But we are truly enjoying every moment of the ride.  Since my last post, so many things have happened--Valentine's Day, my brother's birthday, visits with out-of-town family...the list could go on.  Rather than recap on it all, I thought you might like a peek into the madness.

Heart-shaped bagel for breakfast

Conversation hearts + glue gun + love = perfect card

Heading out for our V-day date <3

Hello SLEET and SNOW!  It was SO cold that night!

Perfect ending to a perfect night :)

There's been lots of Bachelor-watching going on at my house...and you can see what the rest of the family does during this time.

Stopped to snap this picture on the way to work...thankful for what God created.  

Holy frozen yogurt.  Get in my belly!

Sisters' Day Out

A card and flowers from my best friend...just because.

The team that prays together, stays together.  

My beauties

Before the match...

Coach love

State Champion and teammate/drill partner/friend

Mommy/daughter love

Currently reading and LOVING it.

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Like I said, just a peek.

This week, my girls will put the finishing touches on our routine and we leave Friday to head to Orlando.  Preliminary competition starts Saturday and finals will be held on Sunday.  The girls have worked so hard to get ready, both mentally and physically, for this competition.  They'll compete against teams from all over the nation in the category of Pom.  We are more excited than ever for the trip.  I'll be sure to post updates and pictures while we're there.

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On another note, I've just started Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Push Challenge.  I know a few who've taken the challenge already and they said it helped them to make the changes they needed in order to reach some of their personal goals.  Today is only my first day of the challenge, but I'm committing to finish it.  I hope to post feedback along the way.  If you're interested, check the site out.  The best part about it...it's FREE.

Ok guys, I've got a school yearbook to finish, a gym visit on tap, and a trip to the grocery store calling my name.  Hoping to sneak some reading somewhere in there too...

a whim.

First thing's first.  We celebrated a very important date since my last posting.  We celebrated Bo's 33rd birthday last week at Arturo's with a mini-fiesta!  I'll give you a brief recap in pictures...

The birthday boy is SO handsome ;)

(don't mind me...sweaty...in workout attire...looking rough)

The drink that did him in...

                      

                          

By far, my favorite picture of the night.  And PS, it was an action shot, not a pose (if you can believe that!).

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I cannot describe just how good it feels to be home on a Saturday...no wrestling tournament, no cleaning to do, and no homework.  It's amazing, and highly unusual during this time of year (a.k.a wrestling season).

Bo and I still got up fairly early this morning to go to the Farmer's Market downtown.  We went prepared to watch the cupcake war, judged by New Bern's very own winner of the real cupcake war.  Unfortunately, the weather last night set everything back a couple of hours and we were too early.  Needless to say, we missed it.  But, Camryn still managed to swindle her way into getting a cupcake from one of the contestants.  It pays to be cute AND sweet :)

When we left the market, I snapped some quick pics of the record-breaking cold.  Brrrrrrr!!!!

So, we enjoyed breakfast with mom at Carolina Bagel, then came back home to relax.  I'm watching Runaway Bride and simultaneously trying to get mentally psyched up to head to the gym in a little while...chances are looking slim.

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I am famous for my diet and exercise whims, none of which stick for very long.  Last week at a training session for work, a girl was sharing with everyone her reviews of Jillian Michael's detox water.  She lost 12 pounds in seven days just by drinking this water -- no change in diet and no added exercise.  I, of course, was immediately interested and set off to find the ingredients to this miracle detox.  The main ingredient, dandelion root tea, was the hardest to find.  I was super excited to start my detox, and I was very disciplined about drinking it.  My reviews = 2 thumbs DOWN.  I don't think I used the bathroom all week long.  TMI, I know.  But seriously, what was I thinking?!  I might have actually gained a few pounds.  I think the lesson learned here is this:  no whim, as good as it might sound, ever produces real results.  So, I've resolved to stick to 80% healthy eats, 20% splurges + daily exercise.  I'm down 12 pounds from a few months ago and I feel a TON better, so I should probably stick with it.

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Ok, off to change into my gym clothes.  I'm one step closer to my goal for this afternoon...

Stay warm this weekend :)

veggie heaven.

Happy Monday, folks!  I'm one happy girl right now because a) I just finished off a big bowl of my homemade low-fat veggie stew and b) I'm watching Biggest Loser, which is one of my favorites!  I had to make a decision last week--follow the Bachelor or follow Biggest Loser.  I knew I didn't have time to follow both shows, so Biggest Loser won out.  I figured it's much more positive PLUS it motivates me to get my butt moving.

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So, let me catch you up from yesterday.  I left you all to head in to the kitchen to do some prep work for my crockpot concoction I would be cooking today.  Veggies were chopped successfully with no cuts or bandaids needed.

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Post-chopping, I was able to sit down and enjoy a meal with my best friend.  Did I mention he made it with all kinds of love???

 Fresh veggie stir-fry...

Add half a sweet potato and baked salmon...now that's what I call a dinner!  A glass of red wine really topped it all off.

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Ok, so back to the stew.  This morning, all I had to do was add 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth, a can of Italian seasoned diced tomatoes, and some seasoning.

It looks crazy-good, right?!  Turn the crock-pot on low for 9 hours, and voila!  To thicken up the soup some, I added a mixture of 3 Tbsp. cornstarch and 3 Tbsp. water.

The tiny sliver of bread is a piece of the Ezekiel bread I got at Harris Teeter tonight...decided to indulge and buy myself some after hearing the rave reviews from an old co-worker.  It's reallllly good!  Two thumbs up from me :)

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Ok, I can't go without mentioning my breakfast this morning.  I honestly didn't intend to talk only about food today (that's what happens when you're in love with food), but it just kind of happened that way.  I went to an early morning breakfast with Bo and his mom on Sunday before she left town.  She and I splurged and bought scones at the restaurant--she chose cranberry-orange and I, of course, chose the chocolate espresso.

I couldn't justify eating the WHOLE thing this morning, so I cut it in half.  I could eat one of these things everyday for the rest of my life.  20 seconds in the microwave and it's perfection.  I enjoyed mine with a cup of coffee.

 

Enough with the food yap, I've got some things to get done to get ready for the rest of the week.  On the agenda for this week:

• Dinner with some great friends at Ratty's in downtown New Bern.
• Small group on Wednesday night...and I'm leading it.  Yikes.
• Thursday -- BO TURNS 33!!!! He's decided on Mexican and Margaritas (score!).

Bring it on :)