high five for friday (link up)

1. Our fence went up on Wednesday. I can not wait to sit in the backyard, drink wine, and look at the stars. And yes that is a Christmas Tree Farm behind our house.

2. I went to look at Christmas lights with some of the staff and residents at the group home on Monday night. I loved listening to Christmas music and attempting to take pictures of the creations.

3. Furniture shopping, while fun and exciting, is stressful. Why must my taste be so expensive? I really try to like cheap furniture, but it is just so cheap.

4. We're supposed to close on our house today. Ready to have keys in hand and get everything moved on Saturday. It's all a tad bit surreal, and I keep telling people I can't believe it is all really happening.

5. I successfully completed the National Blog Posting Month. One post for every day of November. What an accomplishment. Feel free to check out some of my favorite posts this month (1 / 2 / 3 / 4).

high five for friday (link up) - thanksgiving edition

1. My husband braved Super Target with me at 9:45pm last night. It was a madhouse. We didn't get exactly what we were looking for (couldn't find the fire pit and the TVs were all gone - surprise!), but we did find a good Christmas tree. And I finally decided on my theme. It's going to be a mixture of vintage and red/green sparkly. I am beyond excited. Can I please move into my house now so I can decorate?

2. I am finally going to see Breaking Dawn 2 today. Looking forward to a bit of a girls day (plus a sparkly vampire!) with my sister-in-law.

3. I spent lots of time with friends and family Thursday. We had the privilege of going to two Thanksgivings. And we ate lots of delicious things at both. We also drank lots of delicious beer and wine. It also made me that much more excited for hosting holidays at my house. And I loved that I got to spend the entire day with my husband. I am loving this time off with him.

4. My husband and I each took a dog on a walk Thursday before all the eating. I think I logged about 2 miles. And then after finishing our second dinner, we took another walk with friends. I may not have eaten the best between the two dinners, but at least I was active.

5. Pinterest is currently one of my best friends. I've been pinning for the new house, the holidays, work out ideas, and etc. like a fiend. I'm loving all the creativity it's providing me and feel like I am finally enjoying the domestic life. I am also loving my drink menu and dinner menu for the holidays. I have FriendsMas, family Christmas, and New Years Eve to plan!

high five for friday (link up)

1. I bought two 80s inspired sweatshirts this week. And I absolutely loved rocking this grey and pink heart sweater. I always wanted to be a true 80s child - not just a child born in the 80s. And I feel like that dream is finally coming true.

2. I volunteered at Feed the Children Thursday night. We loaded up boxes with canned food, spaghetti noodles, rice, and cereal. It reminded me of the days I spent volunteering at the Regional Food Bank in OKC. Always fun to give back.

3. I spent most of the week wearing my hot pink gym shoes, and I lifted enough weights to be sore. Finally. I also spent about five hours at the gym this week. So thankful for sweat sessions. They clear out my head and give me fresh perspective.

4. While driving home from church on Sunday, my husband and I had a very dear chat. He said several things I needed to hear. The words came at a time when I am wondering if I need a change with working so much. And I do know I need more time to myself, but after talking with him, I remembered how much I love what I do and how wonderful it is that I get to work with teens. I don't think I would have made it through this week without his words.

5. I saw my husband off to work this morning with every intention of falling back to sleep for another hour or two. But all I did was lie in bed and think. Once I finally got up, I saw this verse in my email and the spent time with the Lord. I definitely needed it because this week has been trying and today will be all too busy.

(PS: I am so happy for the weekend. I plan on working out this afternoon, relaxing tonight, going to spin class and then having a session with the trainer Saturday morning, walking through our close to being done house, shopping at Hobby Lobby and spending a night out on the town and in a hotel room...And then next week is short; thank you, pilgrims!)

high five for friday (link up)

1. Saturday night, we watched the Oklahoma City Barons play the Houston Aeros from amazing seats. The night was spent with friends, and I might just have a brand new favorite sport. Can't wait to watch the Barons again on the 17th!

2. Tuesday night we voted and spent time with our Community Group and answered 35 questions of the US Citizenship test. There was lots of laughter. I am so thankful for the friendships we have developed over the past several years.

3. Thursday night, I spent time at home following a day trip to Tulsa for work. We sat on the couch together, ate homemade turkey chili, and took pictures with one of our dogs. I'm currently enjoying Grey's Anatomy - with commercials (something I haven't done in months).

4. I'm starting a new book tomorrow with a girl friend of mine. I've spent so much time praying for deep, meaningful relationships with other girls. And I feel like right now is the time when those relationships are growing. I am beyond grateful to have friends who love me, listen to me, pray for me, and challenge me.

5. They began putting insulation into our house this week! This means we're moving forward with the process of our house and that closing may actually happen this month. I am so happy to finally live in a house that will keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer - especially after living in an old house that had next to no insulation.

high five for friday (link up)

1. My husband and I carved a pumpkin with friends Tuesday night. I absolutely love getting together with friends in the middle of the week (even when I look like a hot mess following a sweaty work-out), and after not seeing them for a few weeks, the time was well spent. Plus getting our hands nice and messy is always a good time! I definitely needed the break in the middle of the week to enjoy some of the free things in life.

2. In case you missed it, I lost TWO FREAKING POUNDS this week. I know it's not a lot by The Biggest Loser standards. But for me it was a milestone. One I plan to continue. I am almost out of the 220s, and I vow to never see them again.

3. I ran a 5K on the elliptical on Tuesday in under 45 minutes. I haven't ever done that. One of my short term goals (I have a lot of them right now) is to be able to complete a 5K on the elliptical in under 35 minutes. I foresee a lot of speed training in my future.

4. I didn't work on Thursday night. Most weeks, I work Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night. It was such a nice and welcome break to have an extra night off during the week. I spent lots of time with my husband. We caught up on TV shows together, ate dinner together (thank goodness for Outback to-go... maybe I will cook next week?), took the dogs on a walk, and I got to go to bed early. I even got to fall asleep next to him! Having the night off also will provide me the extra rest I need to make it to an early morning spin class today!

5. I (finally!) hit all my goals set by my Body Media Fit. Completing 15 minutes of vigorous exercise was not easy, but I did it. How? Lots of running on the elliptical! Now I need to try for 20 minutes of vigorous exercise. That's what today's spin class is for!

PS: Can I just say how excited I am for the weekend? I get to see The Wizard of Oz tonight with my favorite kids. Saturday night we're going to watch the Oklahoma City Barons play the Houston Aeros with some friends, and we have amazing seats! And then Sunday, our church is having Orphan Sunday. I'm praying for changed hearts towards foster care and for God to make it clear to us how we can serve right now and in the future. My heart is going to be full after the next few days.

high five for friday (link-up)

This week hasn't been the easiest thanks to giving up diet coke and diet dr. pepper while battling a cold/upper respiratory infection. But this week has been wonderful. So I am linking up with From My Grey Desk and giving a high five to Friday!

1. I didn't eat any fast food this week. At least not the kind that McDonald's serves. I stuck to places like Jason's Deli and Panera Bread. And I stayed within my calorie range every day this week. A huge accomplishment for any week (weight loss is hard!) but an even bigger accomplishment when all I really wanted to do was eat lots of macaroni and cheese... (And for those wondering, I track what I eat with MyFitnessPal and wear the BodyMedia Fit to track my activity [I forgot to wear it Thursday so it does an approximation of calories burned; I know it's off by several hundred]. The combination of the two is what is helping me succeed. I feel so accountable to myself, and I can tell how much better I feel already!)

2. I haven't had a coffee or a diet anything since Sunday. I've been drinking water and green tea. There were a few times I almost caved - especially since I somewhat convinced myself that I was more sick because I was withdrawing from the bad for you diet sodas. But I didn't give in.

3. They (finally) started wiring our house with electricity this week! Originally it was supposed to be wired last week but there were some issues with the electrician. Our builder called me on Wednesday to give me the bad news that they didn't know when the wiring would start. Lots of talk abotu contracts and permits and the city. I was a little (okay a lot) frustrated. And I might have talked about it with people. But then, just a few hours later, the builder texted me a picture of an electricians van parked on our soon-to-be driveway. Closing is still pushed back I think, but we're moving along still. So our house continues to teach me about patience, and God continues to remind me that He has it all under control and that I need to stop freaking out.

4. I blogged this week. Four posts total. It's been a long time (too long!) since I made my blog a priority and that has got to change. I tend to do better with everything when I am blogging. Maybe it's because I feel more accountable? Not sure. But I do know I feel more like myself when I'm writing and engaging and just doing something for me.

5. I've run/walked a total of five miles this week. Some were with the dogs around the neighborhood and some were on the elliptical. I almost didn't go to the gym yesterday because I just didn't want to, but I had the time so I made myself go. Best decision I have made this week. It helped me realize that I have to do these things -- eat right, exercise, drink water -- even when I don't want to. I know that's not mind blowing but for me it was. I've thought about it before but never practiced it or claimed it as knowledge.