TIME FOR JUST A QUICK UPDATE

It's been a while since I've updated...life has been going by at mock speed...I am so ready for some normalcy in my life again...you know, the life where you're not planning a wedding and trying to train your replacement at work and also trying to finish up all of your projects too!

Well...for starters, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with CJ and his family.  CJ came into town the early part of the week and we hung out, did some stuff for the wedding and laid on the couch and watched a movie each night...I loved having him around for 5 days straight!  When you're in a long distance relationship, more than a weekend together is a def. treat! :) CJ's parents and sister came into town and we had a nice time...they brought gifts from Baltimore and had a little 'mini' shower for us...that was fun!  We had a great meal and my mom, CJ's mom and sister and I had a day of shopping on Friday after Thanksgiving...that was a lot of fun!  We found a store that was a Dillards Clearance store and got a lot of great deals!  I walked away with several great things for our home and a nice large suitcase! 

The second day CJ was here I found out that my storage unit had been broken into!  I have packed up all of my belongings and put them into a unit while I rented a room from some friends in order to save $$ before we get married.  So, everything I owned practically was in the unit...thankfully they didn't take a whole lot of stuff, but they did take some things that I really liked!  I've been back and forth on the phone and to the Sheriffs Office, they were actually able to find a few of my missing items at a mans home about 30 min. away!  It's a terrible violation and I had to work through forgiveness!!

We had my lingerie shower and that was a lot of fun!  I got many nice things and most of them fit!  I was thankful for that!  We've also been so blessed with 3 other household showers and we have a gift card shower this week coming up.  God has been so good to us!

I am still working with my trainer, it's been 10 months now and thanks to God first and my trainer second...I have about 15lbs to go until I'm at my goal weight!  It's been the biggest challenge of my life thus far, and I am so thankful God has given me the strength to accomplish such a hard feat!  I'm in a size 10 now...a size that I haven't seen since I was in Jr. High! (I developed early and have had hips ever since! :))  For my height of 5'7--this is as small as I need to go, I'm just looking to tone a few more areas!  Although, when I tried on my dress, it fit perfectly and I was told, quite sternly by the lady who did the alterations to NOT loose any more weight before the wedding because if I did, it wouldn't fit!  I told her I was still going to try--but she prob. had nothing to worry about because with Christmas, the best most of us can do is to maintain our current weight! :)  I am just so thankful that I have developed new habits to help maintain the weight loss.  I've learned so much through this process...mostly that everything in moderation is the way to live life! I still allow myself good food and sometimes a sweet treat, but I know that if I do that, I have to go to the gym or get active somehow and work it off...an active lifestyle is the way to go and to keep it off! I'm so looking forward to having my own kitchen again and being able to try new and healthy meals in the new cookware that CJ and I got! I can't wait to learn new things as he is patient with me in eating what I learn to cook! :) 

Speaking of cooking...anyone have any good tips on practical meals or cookbooks that they liked??

They have hired my replacement at work and I really like her!  I know she will do a good job and it's good to know that when I leave, I can pass this on to someone who will be great at it!  I have really enjoyed my job, but I am SO ready for something new and something that doesn't deal with brides!!  I just closed my biggest account this past weekend and I breathed a sigh of relief in knowing that I only have 12 days left and then I can move on...now for the job hunting (which I am praying a lot about!)

I had another fitting with my dress...I could wear that thing everyday...I love it!!  All my bridesmaids are in final fittings and all else with the wedding is coming together.  We met with the DJ, the decorators, etc.  I just have a list of final things to get done!  I can't wait!!  People keep asking my if I'm scared, I'm like no...I've waited for the right person, I know God has done this and I'm ready for this new season.  God has def. planned my life well!  I did wonder at times, I admit, when I was waiting and waiting and waiting....now, looking back, I can see His hand in all of the circumstances in my life and He has been incredibly faithful to me.