Our Love Story (Part 5)

First Read...
Part 1 (Click HERE)
Part 2 (Click HERE)
Part 3 (Click HERE)
Part 4 (Click HERE)

During the summer I found a little house in downtown Greensboro, GA to rent. The house was tiny, the roof leaked and it wasn't in the best neighborhood. I knew absolutely no one in the entire town but all that mattered was being near Chris. 

Sorry I could only find a pic of the
house from when it snowed that winter. 

Shortly after moving, Chris and I drove down to Fernandina Beach, FL to meet my family for our annual vacation. The second night we were there Chris took me to one of my favorite restaurants called Barbara Jeans. Afterwards we went to the marina to walk around and look at all the sailboats. We were holding hands, looking at the boats and walking down the boardwalk when Chris bent down on one knee. At first I wasn't sure what he was doing, but then my heart started to pound. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a beautiful ring. He then asked me to marry him. I was ecstatic and, of course, I said yes. 

Around 270 pounds the
night we got engaged

After getting back from vacation it wasn't long and the new school year started. I was driving an hour one way to get to work and, I won't lie, the drive got old, BUT getting to see my "fiancé" everyday was worth every minute of it. Each day, when Chris got off work, he would come over to eat dinner with me and we would walk at a park behind the police station. It wasn't long and I started to feel better, much better!

One good decision led to another and I decided to join Weight Watchers. Somehow I also talked Chris into joining so I would have a buddy. I honestly didn't think it, or anything for that matter, would work but I decided what the heck. I just wanted to try and get 20 pounds off before the wedding in May, so I gave it a shot.

Every Tuesday Chris and I would go weigh in together, then go get $1 tacos at a local Mexican restaurant at Lake Oconee. It became something we looked forward to each week. I also started cooking simple meals from a hungry girl cook book my mom bought me, packed my lunch every day, Chris and I continued to walk and within two months I lost over 20 pounds. I was shocked that it was working and I was actually losing weight. I never had a true weight loss goal up until that point. I just took it one day at a time, but as I started seeing more results something inside my head just clicked. I was determined to be a pretty bride!

For the first time in a very long time I had faith in myself. I pushed myself hard for 10 months. I started doing things I had never done before, like 5k's and group fitness classes. I was starting to love myself again. I went from walking at the park each day to challenging
myself to run a lap, walk a lap. I had occasional slip ups but for the most part I stuck to my points at meal time. I went to every weekly weigh in and continued going to the park each afternoon. I loved challenging myself a little more each day.

I didn't realize it until later, but during that year Chris and I became very close. Waking together each afternoon we would talk about our day, life and what our dreams were. We were so young but we were both learning to lean on each other. Chris became more than just my fiancé, he became my best friend. Now don't get me wrong, we had our share of knock down drag out fights but our love for one another just grew from it.

By the time May of 2010 came around, the count down was on for our wedding on the 29th. By this time I had lost around 100 pounds and was ready to say "I do" to the love of my life who had loved me big, small and everything in-between. 

To be continued...

Where did Weigh In Wednesday Go?

Well, here's the truth folks...
I have had a VERY hard time losing weight for the past, say 4 to 6 weeks? The reason...me!

When I first started this journey my weight loss took off. I was gung-ho and couldn't wait to workout. As time went on I got tired and slowly but surely lost my motivation. I'd have days where I rocked it and other days where I  just gave up the fight. When weigh in Wednesday would roll around each week, I would be so disappointed with myself for the number I saw on the scale that the rest of the day I would feel like a complete failure. Every time this happened I would vow to do better the next meal, day, or week. Problem is, I would do great for a little while and then fail again. I was stressing myself out!

So, because of all that, I decided to cut myself some slack and, until I was ready, not do another Weigh In Wednesday.

TODAY I'm happy to report that I am finally ready for Weigh In Wednesday again. I am also ecstatic to tell everyone that as of this morning I no longer have a 2 in front of my weight!!! I am down 36.6 pounds and now weigh 199.8. Hallelujah!! 

Excuse my dookie colored toenails.
Ain't nobody got time for painting
their piggies in the winter!

It has taken almost 5 months to get the weight off but I am so glad that I stuck with it. I'm beginning to see a light at the end of a very long tunnel. Being over 200 pounds was discouraging. I still would like to lose around 60 more pounds, and get down to my goal of 140, but after getting out of the 200's it now seems more doable. 

Left-July 2013, Right-This morning
My face is finally starting to slim down and
I am feeling more like myself again each day! 

I am all packed and in about two hours the hubs and I will be headed out to good ole Milledgeville, GA for Thanksgiving. I'm excited to see all of Chris's family, and to take a little road trip, BUT before I go I have been thinking about my plan of action. For some reason, when November gets here I have in my mind that the next two months are a holiday and I can go nuts. I've worked WAYYYY to hard to gain the weight back I've lost. So, for all the upcoming get togethers here's what I've decided to do...
*I am going to eat whatever I want for LUNCH on Thanksgiving and I am going to eat whatever I want for DINNER on Christmas Eve at my Grandparents. After each of those meals I will get right back with it.
*At parties I am going to try and eat only half of my meal. 
*I am going to continue to workout at least three days a week but if it's not at 5AM that will be okay. 
*I am NOT going to feel guilty for saying no thank you.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY I am going to look back and be PROUD of the decisions I made because I planned ahead for what was to come!

In my suitcase I have...
boots (Belk) and leg warmers (TJ Maxx)

Top Pic-
Green shirt (JcPenny), Skirt
and Jean Jacket (Old Navy)
Bottom Pic-
Boots (Online), Aztec Sweater
(Forever 21)
and Leggings (Ann Taylor Loft)

I think I'm all set, so until next time HAPPY THANKSGIVING from two happy TURKEYS!!

Our Love Story (Part 4)

First read...

Part 1 (Click HERE)

Part 2 (Click HERE)

Part 3 (Click HERE)

After graduation Chris moved two hours away to Brunswick, GA for his very first job as a banker. I stayed in Statesboro to finish school but everything was different without him. Statesboro wasn't fun anymore and all I wanted to do was graduate. I would still go out with my friends but he was always on mind.

On the weekends we drove back and forth to see one another. I remember crying every Sunday night because I knew it would be a week, or sometimes even two, before I got to see him again. I thought, "Why couldn't we have met earlier in college? At least then we would've had more time together before he graduated."

It wasn't long though and Chris started working on his master’s degree. He was driving to Statesboro for class two nights a week and after his classes got out he would always come see me. I was so glad to get to see him but the new work load, driving two nights a week and school was a new world. Honestly, I'm not real sure how he managed it all. At the same time, I was entering my senior year of college. Student teaching started and boy did the workload increase. I was driving each day to my assigned school, and staying up until two and three in the morning working on my lesson plan units. Those two years were rough and we were both, for lack of a better phrase, give out.

After two long years of being apart, me finishing school and Chris working on his masters we both finally graduated in the spring of 2008, and believe it or not, with honors. I just knew that now, after graduation, things would get better and we would be able to live our fairy tale. I could picture us getting married, buying a house and starting a family. I mean, that's how it's supposed to happen right? Not the case! 

Georgia Southern Graduation May 2008-
I had already started to put on weight by the
time I graduated. I was weighing around
220 pounds here. 

I landed a job at a great school BUT it was outside of Savannah and Chris was still in Brunswick. It was thirty minutes closer to him, but still an hour and a half away. And to make light of the situation, my first year of teaching was hard, really hard! I was also poor. I'm not just saying that either. I was a college graduate and I could barely pay my bills. I didn't have cable/internet, I never ran the air/heat and if my car hadn't been paid for I wouldn't have made it. On top of that, now not only did I miss Chris but I also missed my family.

One night, I sat on the steps outside of my apartment and talked to my Mama for hours while balling my eyes out. I begged her to let me come home and said if she would just let me I would work at Dairy Queen, wait tables or whatever I had to do. I was so overwhelmed and lonely but I had enough fight in me to know I couldn’t just quit. Only thing is, after that night I slowly started to slip into depression. Each day I would get home from work, binge eat for about an hour and then get in bed around five in the afternoon. Within that first year of teaching I gained around 50 pounds.

I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it because I remember exactly how I felt...worthless! I was miserable and as a result mine and Chris's relationship started to suffer. There were times when I just didn't know if we were going to make it. There were also times I didn’t even care what happened to me one way or another. I knew that I needed help but I was way too prideful to seek any.

Towards the end of that first school year things started to get better and surprisingly something great happened. Chris called me and said he had gotten an offer to work at a bank in middle Georgia. I knew there was a teacher opening in that same area so I took the chance and applied. Around March Chris took the offer, I interviewed for the teaching position and by July we were both living in the same town. Things were finally starting to look up and little did I know all of the wonderful things God had in store for our relationship. 

Summer 2009-
Lake Sinclair in Milledgeville, GA
Weighing in around 270 pounds 

To be continued…

Chicken & Spinach Penne Bake (Intermission #2)

I promise I'm going to get back to "Our Love Story" but I made this recipe last night and it was A. MAZ. ING!! It's so easy and such a crowd pleaser. I'm thinking of even making one and freezing it. That way, on one of those nights when I don't even feel like leaving the house to go pick something up, I can just pop it in the oven. It's not low cal but a small 
(1 cup) serving will run you about 350 calories. That's not too bad for something this delicious!

Chicken & Spinach Penne Bake 

I normally just add everything to the
bowl all at one time BUT so you can see what the ingredients look like before
mixing them all up...here ya go!

To me it's easier to mix in the
cream cheese first but whatever
blows your skirt up!

Save some cheese to sprinkle on the top.
I actually add 1/2 cup more cheese
than the recipe calls for. 

 

My man child kept photobombing me
with his grilled cheese so I gave up! 

I bet you a dollar to a doughnut if you ever make this you will LOVE it!

Our Love Story (Intermission for Operation Christmas Child)

I'm gonna take a quick little intermission from "Our Love Story" to share a great ministry with you...

A sweet lady at church introduced me to Operation Christmas Child. I'd heard of the "shoebox ministry" but didn't really understand it. She sent me home with a DVD to better explain the process. After watching it, I had a burden to help these children and decided, not only to pack one box but to also get my classes at school involved.

Operation Christmas Child is a powerful way to introduce children to God’s greatest gift,  salvation through Jesus Christ. The process is simple:

1. Shoebox
Use an empty cardboard or plastic shoebox (average size). You can wrap the box, lid separately, but wrapping is not required.

2. Boy or Girl
Decide whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Download and print the appropriate boy/girl label (Click HERE). Mark the correct age category and tape the label to the top of your box.

3. Fill with Gifts
Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child.

4. Include $7 Donation per Box
Help cover shipping and other costs related to delivering your shoeboxes to children overseas by donating $7 for each gift you prepare. You can give online to discover the destination of your box. Or, you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on the memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the items inside your shoebox.

5. Drop Off
Place a rubber band around each closed shoebox and bring it to the drop-off location nearest you during National Collection Week, November 18–25.

Visit the Operation Christmas Child website for more information by clicking HERE or call 1-800-353-5949. 

Chris and I both packed a box and decided that we wanted to continue the tradition each year. One day, when have children, we want to let them pick out toys for their very own box to send. What better way to celebrate the TRUE meaning of Christmas. 

This is the picture we included in both of
our boxes. We also included a letter saying
we were thinking of and praying for them. 

Our Love Story (Part 3)

Before Delta X-mas we went on a double date with friends to Ruby Tuesday. Like a gentlemen, Chris opened doors, pulled the chair out and paid for my meal. He also kept us laughing the entire time, which is one of the biggest reasons I fell for him. He always made me smile. Around 9 we left the restaurant and headed to the party. On the way there I kept getting more and more nervous. I had never been to a fraternity party, much less one of their big events. I was so worried I was going to feel out of place and not fit in. 

When we arrived I was overwhelmed at the number of people. Chris was the "big dawg" being president, but surprisingly he never left my side. In the back of my mind I thought, "Why in the world did he ask me to this? Is this for real or am I about to get my heart broken? Does he know he could have gotten someone much prettier and skinner to go to this with him?" BUT, regardless of my crazy thoughts, the night was so much fun. We danced, Chris introduced me to his friends and around 2 in the morning pledges took us back to his place. 

ALWAYS the jokester!!

Go ahead and ask. I know what you're thinking.  Did you stay the night? NO, I didn't stay the night. Chris has always been a true gentleman, and after hanging out for a while he took me back to my apartment. Now, don't think I'm trying to be all "holier than thou" because I wanted to stay...really, really bad wanted to stay!! AND...when Chris dropped me off I laid in bed all night thinking about him. BUT...looking back I'm so glad I went home. I guess for a 19 and 21 year old we both made a pretty good decision that night. 

Rookes, Chris and Pete-
Fraternity brothers back then 
and still best friends today

The next week Chris and I were so busy studying for finals we really had only gotten to see one another at work, or when we ran into each other at the library. So, while on the playground one day, I sent him a note and asked if he would like to come to my “forget about finals” party Friday night. In true CJ fashion there was even a check yes or no section. He sent the note back checked yes and, of course, I was beyond excited.

That week felt like the longest week of my life waiting for Friday night to get there. It also seemed so much harder to keep focused while studying with “him” constantly on my mind. BUT Friday finally came and finals finally ended. When Chris walked in the door of my party I got the biggest smile on my face. I may have even swooned a little when he looked at me with those big brown eyes and that half smirk smile. How he could do that without even saying anything was beyond me?!

We played card games, and mingled for a while, but it wasn’t long and an entire 4-runner full of us decided to go dirt road riding. That's good ole Statesboro, GA for ya! Chris and I crammed into the very back, not even sitting in a seat because the vehicle was so full. Regardless of being cramped we were oblivious to everyone else in the car and our very first true kiss happened right there. We finally realized everyone was watching us when we heard, "Awwwwwwww look at them." All I knew was that I was crazy about him and I could have cared less who was watching.

By the end of the night I officially became Chris Jacobs’ girlfriend. Every minute after that literally flew by and in the back of my mind I knew that only one thing could mess all of this up. Graduation!!

Would we stay together? Would he want to stay together?

To be continued...

Our Love Story (Part 2)

First read Part 1 by clicking HERE

The next couple weeks flew by. I realized, first and formost, that "the jerk at work" was actually not a jerk at all. It finally hit me, that was his way of getting to talk to me and he was actually really sweet, hilarious and super smart. I was smitten! 

If my first graders were in the computer lab, it wasn't long and here came his second graders to the computer lab. If we were on the playground, it was't long and here came Mr.Chris's group to the playground too. He liked me!! He really liked me!! In return, I made every effort to look my best at work. I mean, who washes and fixes their hair before going to play with kids all afternoon? Me!! Because I was head over heels and we hadn't even been on a date, not yet anyway.

One afternoon my kids were playing in the gym. I waited and waited but Mr. Chris's group never came. I got a little discouraged and thought, "Well maybe I was wrong, he probably is just being nice to me at work, and nothing will ever come of this." About that time a little second grader walked in the gym and handed me a folded up piece of paper and a crayon. I opened the note and it said, "Miss Kelly will you go to Delta X-mas with me? Check yes or no. Mr. Chris." I checked yes so fast I thought the crayon was going to snap in two. Then I sent the note back with the little girl.

In a few minutes a group of second graders and a tall, broad shouldered Chris Jacobs with curls from under his hat came walking into the gym with the biggest smile on his face. My heart fluttered and I was smiling so big back at him I had to look down because I was a little embarrassed. 

To be continued...

GSU Homecoming & Our Love Story (Part 1)

This past weekend was Georgia Southern Homecoming. As soon as I got off work Friday I dropped by the house to change, threw my bags in the FJ and was off to good ole Statesboro, GA. The hubs was already in the Boro for a work conference, so I was ready to see him and I couldn't wait to see my besties either. On the drive, I couldn't help but reminisce about my college days, the fun times, the times I called home crying and best of all the time I fell in love with my now best friend.... 

When I was in college, I worked for the rec dept. for three years in an elementary after-school program. The way the program worked was the kids would come to the cafeteria when school was over. They would sit at a lunchroom table with their age group and the after school staff passed out snack, helped them with their homework etc. After that we
would break off by age groups to do different activities and would rotate about every 30 minutes. It was the perfect job because I worked Monday-Friday 1:30-6:00ish. I made so many friends working there and learned A LOT about lesson planning and working with children.

I had been working there for about half a year when this new guy started working at my school. He was tall, broad shouldered, had curls that came out from under his hat and was the president of his fraternity. His first or second day on the job our program director introduced us. The new guy asked me my major, where I was from etc. After that I caught myself looking his way quiet a bit, but never really said anything to him because I had a boyfriend at the time.

The weeks went by and each day he picked on me by saying, "Do you take like cooking and cleaning classes at GSU home ec girl?" At first, I thought he was cocky and didn't give him the time of day but then I developed this little crush on the "jerk at work". Yes, I was still in another relationship, but long story short, my relationship with the other guy ended. He broke up with me and I was heart broken. I cried myself to sleep for about a week. The only thing I looked forward to was going to work. Wonder why?!?!

One day when the "jerk at work" was picking on me about my cooking and cleaning skills I offered to make him dinner. Later I thought, "How stupid are you, he doesn't like you or want for you to make him dinner...you can't even cook (surprisingly at the time I truly couldn't)!!" BUT believe it or not he stopped by my apartment one night after his fraternity meeting to pick up his promised dinner. I acted like it was just leftovers but, dear Lord, I had slaved over that meal all night. I had no clue how to cook and this was way before the days of Pinterest or me attending culinary school.

When he knocked on the door my heart started racing. He walked in wearing a long sleeved royal blue delta chi shirt, khaki shorts and rainbow flip flops. I was all like, "Yeah here's your food, hope you like it." I wanted him to stay sooo badly but didn't have the courage to ask him. He said thank you, we chatted for a minute and then he was gone.  I danced around the apartment like a crazy person and I could hardly wait to get to work the next day.

To be continued....

What I Like About ME

One of my friends, who reads my blog, asked me this week why in the world I put myself down. She said that when she looked at me she saw a perfect girl who was beautiful and had it all together. Me?? Really?? It made feel really great, and was so sweet of her to say, but more than anything it got me to thinking. 
Do I put myself down?!?! Yes I do!! 
So no more, no more because however I feel about myself impacts everything I do.

Cheesy yes, but I decided to make a list of everything I like about myself.
Eye roll (it's okay I did it too)
I want to be a happy, positive person. I don't want for people to see me coming and think, "Oh great what does negative Nancy have to say bad about herself today." 

Have you ever heard the saying, Happy girls are the prettiest? Ummmm it's true!! So here goes my happy, positive, what I like about myself list....
1. My legs are thin and long.
2. My hair does about whatever I want it to.
3. I make people laugh.
4. I have long eyelashes just like my Daddy.
5. My skin is clear and tans easily.
6. My toes are cute.
7. I feel happy when good things happen to others.
8. I am very creative and can cook, sew and decorate.
9. My outfits are Pinterest material.
10. My teeth are white and I have a pretty smile.

As women we beat ourselves up all the time. Why is it so hard for us to just be confident and happy with ourselves and the way we look? Right now I want for you to think of 10 (yes 10) things you like about yourself. Then...

Smile!! 

GSU Homecoming is only 1 day away...
Go Eagles!!

Getting REmotivated

Truth be told I haven't been very motivated, for ummm let's say, the past three weeks. I've been on an up and down "fluctuating between a few pounds" plateau. Not sure why but all of my motivation vanished. Well that's a lie, I do know why.
1. Clean eating was MUCH harder than I thought it was going to be and I was only able to stick with it for a week.
2. I worked so hard to lose 30 pounds but I still feel as if I'm always the fattest person in the room wherever I go.
3. I'm simply not trying!
I know if I keep pushing forward, and keep working my tooshie off, that I will reach my goal. BUT the weight loss process can be rewarding and frustrating all at the same time. Why does it not come off faster? Why do I still have a muffin top? Why do some people not have this problem? Sigh. I need to take a breather and chill because this all stems from one thing...

I feel sorry for myself!!

AND...that's just not going to do. I can blame not losing weight on a million things but the only person who can motivate me is ME! I absolutely believe that 99% of weight loss is a mind thing. If I believe I can lose weight I WILL. If I believe I can get up at 4:30 and be at the gym by 5AM I WILL. If I believe I can cut my portion sizes down I WILL. It's all in the MIND!! 

Left-1st GSU game of the Season
Right-Saturday
Why the heck am I 10 pounds lighter
and still look the same?!?! My cheeks feel like 
that dog droopy. Looking at this
comparison I felt so mad at myself for not making
as much progress as I thought I should have.
But then... 

Saturday at the game all of the girls were given
a bracelet made out of John's ties. John was our
dear friend who passed away from a brain tumor.
His sweet Mama made these for us. My
pettiness doesn't compare to losing a child
and I felt silly for even once feeling
sorry for myself. 

The Besties and Mrs. Joy (John's Mother)

When I lost 110 pounds I had people ask me all the time how I got motivated. 
My answer...
I hit rock bottom and I wanted so badly to lose weight that nothing was going to stop me. Period! I've got to get back in that mind set because losing weight is a DAILY struggle. BUT each time you do something to better yourself you want to do something else to go along
with it. No one starts a lifestyle change and ends up being the bikini model they dream of in a week. It takes work! Lots and lots of work! And lots of no "thank you's" while everyone else chows down. That's just the way it is.

As my mama has always said, "It's time to buck up sister girl!!" 
No more feeling sorry for myself!! I CAN and WILL do this!! 

Plaid Shirt-Old Navy
Jean Jacket-Old Navy
Red Skinnies-Cato
Ugg Boots-Online I think