A Little Week Update

Since the lovely day off on Monday that I spent on the beach, I feel like I haven't had a moment to just sit and think. It is great to be busy though. It makes you feel important a bit. Feel wanted. Needed, almost. I have been doing my one on one boxing training every day this week afer work. I will be training tonight shortly after work actually too. I started this about three weeks ago and I absolutly love it. I currently train at a little place called Iron Glove Boxing in Tempe. I am not training to box though. I honestly don't think I could ever hit someone. I have never been in a fight before. Truthfully, I cannot even kill a bug when I see it in my house because I would feel too bad. I would rather just try to direct them towards the exit and then shut the door real quick before they have the chance to come back in. Anyways, I am doing this for health and fitness purposes. I love the muscle tone that some female boxers have. Their arms are lean, yet very defined in a non-bulky muscley way. I want that. If you are interested at all in training and you are in the area... Click Here. It is their website. There are also many tips and usefull information that is just fun to browse too.

Outside of boxing I have been looking at houses; trying to find one that I fall in love with and can't live without. There are just so many. Looking to buy a house keeps you busy enough as it is.

Also, I have been trying to keep up on my tan. Trust me, when you live in Arizona it's important that you keep up a tan for your friends and family that visit. Otherwise you never hear the end of it on how Arizona is sunny all the time, yet I remain so un-tanned.

Plus, I am now in my last week for the Battle of the Bulge Contest (as mentioned in previous blog). I weighed in yesterday afternoon, as I do every week on Thursdays. I am pretty sure that I didn't win this compition, but I am completely okay with it. I have seen a lot of changes and have had positive results from the diet. I will say more about my progress and what not once the compition is over. It will be it's very own blog. The last day is June 5th; Dustin's Birthday. The big 2-3! The diet that is provided in this compition taught me a lot about myself and I think that I will benefit greatly from it. Even if has only been a month. It has been tough though. Real tough. I discovered things about me that I never realized. That's a whole other story!

Last night was Dustin's friend Dustin (now this is where it gets confusing. My fiance Dustin has a friend named Dustin. I know. Crazy! Right!?) birthday. So we went out with him and some of his friends to dinner for his birthday at Buffalo Wild Wings. Mmm... talk about delicious wings! That was tons of fun. So, my week has been fun-filled and entertaining. I hope that this weekend brings me just as much entertainment, if not more!

Happy Memorial Day at Lake Pleasant!

Last night, I went and had a wonderful Sunday Dinner over at my step-sister and step-brother-in-laws house. (I'm not sure if that's how you would say it, but I don't know any better way to put it at the moment. Maybe, some good friends of mine? That's a bit more simple.) That turned out to be a lot of fun. Plus, it was the first time I saw their house, which is gorgeous. There was talk about possibly going to the lake the next day (today) on my other step-sister and step-brother-in-laws (good friends, again. hehe.) boat. I was excited and hoped that we really would.



Well, today has been a great day as I spent all day in a boat on the lake under the sun. B-E-A-UTIFUL! I actually got to wake board for my first time today too. I love it. I am a little addicted now though. I now want to go every weekend and spend the entire time on the lake learning tricks on a wakeboard. I had been water skiing before, but I was young and I hurt myself. But, wakeboarding was a great experience and I loved every minute of it. Although, i don't think my family knows what they got me into. I am hooked! :o)



At first, I wasn't going to try it. I was nervous. I remembered what happened when I tried water skiing when I was younger. Not pretty! Then, after I watched my family go and then Dustin. I had to at least try it. When Dustin went he wasn't able to get up even though he had done it before. I felt bad because I know his calf was still killing him from the other day when he skateboarded nine miles. So trying to wakeboard wasn't the best idea for him at the moment. He did almost get up though! Next time he will for sure. I will make sure we don't do any extravagent exercising before our next visit to the lake.



Being that I am natually a competitive person and that it was my turn to go right after Dustin, I knew I wouldn't stop trying until I got up. Wouldn't you know it, on my forth try I got all the way up! Before I quit I had to also show off with some sort of trick, so I even held on the the rope one handed. Ha! It was a great time and I am very thankful that I had the chance to go out with them and there two kids (who are two of the cutest kids I have ever seen). It definately keeps Dustin and I thinking about a family sometime in the near future! Hopefully we will get many chances this summer to go out with them again. We will see though!

A trip on the bike

Today I took a half day at work. I feel like I just needed to cut my work week a little short and get a bit more out of my three day weekend. Thank goodness for Memorial Day!! Plus, the fact that I knew Dustin had the day off of work and was just sitting at home; bored, alone.



When I got off work I really wanted to go on a bike ride since I just recently got a new baby blue beach cruiser and I have not been able to take it out for a nice, long bike ride yet. I really needed some fresh air and exercise; that is always a wonderful feeling. I did not know where I was going yet, but I figured I would eventually figure it out and I might as well head out before I think too much and then forget what I wanted to do in the first place. I have a tendency to do things like that, ya know.



Dustin wanted to come with me. He doesn't have a bike. Luckily he has a skateboard though. He decided to skate right beside me as I rode my bike. I love spending time with him! There is nothing better to me than going on long walks or doing something active with the person that you love. For some reason I feel like it just makes you that much closer. Anyways, our journey began.



Although we where originally headed no where, somehow we ended up at Walmart. It turns out that the nearest Walmart is a little over four and a half miles from where we currently live. Thus making our little adventure a total of about nine miles. Nine miles! Poor Dustin!! I know that on a bike nine miles isn't so hard, but it is still a pretty good ride. But on a skateboard... Needless to say I am very proud of him for staying with me the entire time and keeping strong. Even though his calf was killing him by the end of it, he was a trooper!



While at Walmart we decided to look around and we found a pair of cowboy boots for Dustin that are actually pretty nice (We both have been talking about how we want cowboy boots a lot lately). We decided to get his boots, but then didn't know how to carry them home. At that point I decided I needed a simple, yet practicle basket for my new bicycle. So I got one and we were off back to home.



Once we arrived home we decided to walk up to the starbucks around the corner from our home and get some tea. I love Starbuck's Passion Tea! No syrup, no water, Light Ice. Mmm! It's growing on Dustin too. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather while we drank our tea's. One thing that I love about Starbuck's and their tea is the 50 cent refills. Nothing beats that!

mp3 to ipod

Now, I have been talking a bunch about how I really need a new mp3 palyer and how I would love to get an ipod this time around as opposed to just a reglar mp3 player again. My current one is probably close to 3 years old... my grandpa had gotten it for me in Wisconsin for my birthday when I was visiting him. I have taken good care of it but I have definately used it to pieces, literally; it is currently held together by tape and the battery only lasts about 45 minutes before it dies and needs to be recharged. I have wanted a new one for a while but decided it would be best to use the one I have until it runs out and I can get the ipod that I want.

The friday before Mother's Day I get a text message from Dustin and it was this picture:

About a minute after I recieved that picture message I got a phone call from him and he said, "listen, every day i work, I work for us. It is our money. You're a bad-ass Woman. I want you to know that I love you and your my entire world. So, I bought you something. It's a 8GB Apple IPOD touch. So, Happy Mothers Day, I know your not a mom, but your the future mother of my children and I love you with all my heart." This is the sweetest thing I have ever heard in the whole entire world and I know every girl thinks that her boyfriend/fiance/husband is the best but I know that mine truly is!!! I love him! And I am very grateful for the way life has been working out for the two of us lately. It seems like we have been blessed with many positive things and I am enjoying every last minute of it.

Sillyness on the weekend

Tribute to Mom

Happy Mothers Day!

- From your daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law -

Mom. I just wanted to thank you for everything that you do for me. I am so proud to say that you are my mother. I hope one day when I have children that I can be as good of a mother as you have been for me.

Not everyone has a mother in which they can look up to their entire lives for support, motivation, advise, etc. I not only have an amazing mother for this; I also have a wonderful step-mother so I get twice the amount of support, motivation, advise, etc!! I even have many mother's of close friends out there who I would like to thank and wish a happy mother's day to. While growing up I would always be over at their house playing and joining their family functions; it was like I was part of the family! I am so thankful to know that I have such a strong support system behind me with everything that I do. If you are a mother do not be afraid to celebrate and spoil yourself a little because you definately deserve it!

One, Two, Three...

Dustin and I had our first private dance lesson for our wedding!!

Our Song: Like Red On A Rose - Alan Jackson

Our Dance: The Waltz

We had a lot of fun last night with all the things we learned. Steps. Twists. Posture. Twirls. Lead. Follow.

One, Two, Three... One, Two, Three... Turn, Two, Three... Etc.

We love the Waltz and are excited to keep practicing so that we can kill it on the dance floor our wedding night. I am a little nervous though, about the whole dancing in front of an audience and being center of attention. Don't get me wrong, I love dancing!! But, dancing in your most comfortable tank top and polka dotted underwear while listening to your favorite Taylor Swift song and playing the air guitar by yourself in your room is a little different than your 1st public dance with the man you love most.

First Friday in May

I have never been to 1st Fridays in downtown Phoenix before and I am extremely happy that I went this Friday. I have heard many wonderful things about it in the past and now I have witnessed many great things myself.

Dustin and I went after dinner and ended up meeting up with my brother, Adam, and a couple of his friends later that night and he (being more experienced as he has been there many times before) helped to show us around and figure out where to go. It can be a little confusing when you are not familiar with the area and have never been before.

There are enough things to keep you entertained from amazing works of arts, old cars, and original music to freak shows and talents.

(Our future car)

At a place called the Fire House there was a show with girl and a hoola hoop lit on fire. She did amazing tricks and literally kept the hoola hoop going while jumping, on the ground, moving it throughout her body, and much much more.

(Girl and flaming hoola hoop)

There was another kid who called himself the Cut Throat Freak Show and he makes your stomach clench and your eyes stare. Dustin and I had to watch his show twice because it was pretty unbelievable. He was on the corner of one of the streets and he did things like walk/jump on glass, hammer a nail/screw into his face, and pick up a heavy weight with his eyes. After his show Dustin was asking him questions about what he does and he seems like a pretty normal and cool guy. I would definitely recommend trying to see this.

(after jumping on glass, his feet are rather cut up)

(ready to lift up the box with his eyes)

Also, there was a group of people who were dressed up and walking on stilts. It was pretty impressive to me! I don't think I would be able to stay stable enough to stay on stilts all night. I mean, I trip walking in my regular shoes so I definitely couldn't manage on a smaller lifted platform. We say some interesting tricks though.

(Trick #1)

(Trick #2)

One other show that we witnessed was a weird family circus sort of thing. A lady had 5 double sided razor blades and she swallowed them one by one. Once she swallowed those, she then swallowed some string and pulled out 1 razor blade at a time tied onto the string.

(hard to see but the razors are on the string)

The night was filled with suprises and entertainment. There is so much there for you to see that we only made it around to a few of the exciting events that were happening. I cannot wait until the next First Fridays in June.

Dinner Date

Before we go out, we must have dinner...

We went to Applebee's which was actually really busy, but we decided to wait anyways. They ended up opening up the patio for seating and since it was a beatiful day out we decided to sit outside. It was delightful.

Chicken with Steamed Broccoli and Mango Iced Tea

Fire Burger with Fries and Pepsi

A trip to the moon

Tonight we were supposed to go to a dance lesson and beginning learning more than just the basic steps to the Waltz. Before our lesson though, we decided to go hang out with my mom and her friend at a place called The Moon since we were going to be near her home anyways.

(Jill and Mom)

It was a blast and we ended up losing track of time and not making it to go dance. It was okay though, we will make it next time.

(Dustin and his imaginary girl)

(watching Dustin with imaginary girl)

Sometimes you just need to goof around a little and forget all stresses in life.

(just pretend, don't worry)

The Vetrans Memorial at Fountain Hills

This is us:

These are of us playing war:

Fire in the hole!!!!

FFFFFFOOOOOORRRRREEEE!!!!

The Flags

Attention (sounds like a-ten-hut)


This made me think of my G-Pa

- A great Marine -

And now, back to reality...

Today was quite the little day.

This morning I got to start my diet for the Bridal Battle of The Bulge Contest. I must say I was suprised that I actually stayed full, for the most part, throughout the day. Also, one of my worries when starting was that I would not like the food that Natural Weight provides you during the course of your diet and if the food is gross it would be super hard to stick to it. Luckily though, they got these new bars in when I went to go pick up my food for the week and they taste delicious. It is almost like I'm eating dessert all day long. I have no complants. I am really excited for this and hope I can stay strong and stick to this. Dustin has been a great support from the moment that he found out that I was going to do this and that makes me happy because this would be hard if I didn't have him supporting me and making sure I don't cheat. Hehe.. I love him! I can't wait until our wedding! It cannot come soon enough!

After work Dustin and I went with my sister to try this ballroom dancing class at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio (click here to learn more). I will admit that at first we were a little skeptical about it and talked ourselves into just watching, but the class was a lot of fun and the instructors were amazing. The class is designed to teach you a little bit of everything there is in ballroom, but we started to learn how to Waltz and we learned the basics of the East Coast Swing. Those are our favorite for the most part and we definately plan on continuing. I can't wait til we are good enough to go try it out in public. Hehe..

The Yucca Tap Room

Saturday night we met up with a couple of my friends and went to the Yucca Tap Room to watch some local bands play. It was a blast!

(Chelsea, Dustin, Me)

If you are interested in local music/bands in phoenix click here. It is a great sight where you can meet others interested in music, listen to bands, and find out about upcoming events.

Slurpee for two, please

I'm the king of the world er.. queen

So, maybe I wasn't on a boat and I wasn't looking over the beautiful blue waters in the ocean but it was windy and I am positive that the rock I am leaning against in the picture was magically placed on top of this mountain for me to find when I got to the top. -- Leave it to Chelsea to always bring her camera for "bloggertunities." Thank you Chelsea!! --

Please note: While looking at this picture please pretend that all those houses that you see in the background don't really exist; they sort of take away from the peacefulness of the picture.

There is no I in TEAM

For work we got to do a team builder and our team decided that it would be fun to go to a baseball team and that is exactly what we did. Diamondbacks VS. Cardinals; although we did not win the game it was still fun to get to skip a 1/2 days work to watch baseball yet still get paid.

Chelsea, Me, Chuck

We were waiting for the camera's to be pointed at us so we could do the see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil pose...

we are still waiting...

Bridal Battle of The Bulge

A little bit ago I had entered this contest for 104.7 Kiss FM's John Jay and Rich Bridal Battle of the Bulge courtesy of Natural Weight for Optimized Living.

It is a 6 week contest and I actually got a call yesterday after work saying that I am 1 of the 5 finalist for this contest!! Woo hoo!!! I am super excited and cannot wait!!

On Thursday I get to go into the Natural Weight for Optimized Living to get my lab done to make sure I am good to start. If everything is great than the contest will begin on Wed., 04/22.

The WINNER gets a free 1 year program from Natural Weight for Optimized Living. Plus, A Bachelorette Party for 10 to Vegas (including the Rio Hotel and Casino, Chppendales -the show, and VIP treatment at the VooDoo Lounge).

To find out more about Natural Weight for Optimized Living click here.

To see the John Jay and Rich page click here.

WISH ME LUCK!!!!!

Save the date

Originally when Dustin and I have been talking about what date we would like to have our wedding we thought that November 21st would be a good date. It lands on a Saturday and the weather is beautiful here that time of here. However, last night while talking about it we decided it would be fun to have it on our anniversary which is 09/21. So, that is what we are going to aim for.

September 21st, 2009

Some of the positives are that we would be able to keep the same anniversary date instead of getting confused because that would totally happen and the weather is also beatiful at this time of the year. Plus, it is a little further away from those major holidays so it won't be as hectic. The only thing we thought about is that this happens to land on a Monday, so I think we are going to try the Sunday before which is 9/20 and just see if we can make it official and sign the papers on 9/21. I don't exactly know how that stuff all works, but we will see. If, when planning, things seem like they are going to take longer we can always extend it for 2 extra months just to be safe!

It's Official

We have been talking about getting married for a while and have mentioned the idea to a few people but the proposal had not yet been made until now...

My soon to be husband and Me

Yesterday morning while I was getting ready to go see the family for Easter we were just playing around making faces at one another in the mirror (one of our favorite things to do to make us laugh) when he decided to get down on one knee and ask. And of course I said yes!

We are so excited!!

Tonight we are going to finalize the exact wedding date as we have a few dates (sometime this fall) in mind, but want to figure out what would work out best for us.

We are just goofy

Leave it to us to try and make a photo work...

I was looking at the screen while he was prepared for the picture...

Now, I was prepared for the picture and he was looking at the screen...

Caught by suprise! By this picture you would think I didn't like him much, but I do, I swear...

See, I told you. I love him very much!!

Got Milk?

The other night Dustin decided he wanted a glass of milk and there wasn't very much milk left in the carton so I just told him to finish it off and drink from the carton like a bachelor (less dishes that way). He then was looking for a good snack to go with it and he found the rest of our cheerios which was poured into the milk carton to drink, of course!!

He just looked too cute that I made him stop what he was doing so I could run upstairs and grab the camera and take a picture of him drinking cereal out of a milk carton. Being the little model that he is he just had to throw a few poses in there.

These two pictures turned out to be my favorite.

Got MILK??

A Dozen

"If you stand in front of a mirror with 11 roses, you'll see 12 of the most beautiful things in the world." --Source Unknown.

Remember: You are B-E-A-UTIFUL!!

Free Hugs

I was watching a music video for the song 'All the Same' by the Sick Puppies. I loved it and it totally got me thinking; I mean everyone could use a HUG, especially a free one!! Right?!? I decided that one of these days in the near future I will find a fun open public place and imitate what was done in this music video.

I will hold a sign up in the air that reads: FREE HUGS.

I will offer a hug to anyone and everyone that walks by. I think it will be great, maybe even brighten someone day just a slight bit and that's all I want. Anyone that seems interested can join me and I will keep extra signs just in case someone else would like to try it too. I will try and capture some great pictures and video clips for memories. I truly hope this will turn out to be a successful event.

Wish me Luck!!

If you are interested in watching the video at all: 'All the Same' - Sick Puppies.

The Not So Mysterious Alarm

Embarrassing, Yet Hilarious!!

Last Night Dustin and I decided to walk to the market to buy some fresh fruit and ingredients for home made pizza. We realized that the market did not have the right kind of cheese so after we were done checking out we decided to walk to Bashes which is another market over the main road.

As we were leaving the market I started to hear a weird kind of an alarm noise and figured it was something in the store and so I kept on going but as we kept walking across the street the noise stayed at about the same tone and I thought maybe I was just hearing things so I asked Dustin if he could hear the crazy noise that I was hearing. When I asked he started laughing and was like "you hear it too!! I heard music first and then that started." He thought that he might have been dreaming and something was going to happen like waking up from a dream because his alarm was going off so he didn't want to say anything and sounds like a crazy boy. So we look around wondering if a car alarm was going off or if a building got broken into around the area or what it could possibly be, but there was no sign of anything so we kept walking.

Well, now we were across the street and in Bashes and I am STILL hearing the beeping noise. As we pass a store attendant I lean over to Dustin and whisper to him asking if I should ask the worker if they could hear the beeping too. Dustin quickly said no like I was crazy. We continued to the check out and then decided we were going to get a movie from the red box inside. He goes to get change from the cashier so I can get a little bingo game and when he is getting change he asks the cashier if she can hear the beeping noise that we have been hearing the whole time. The cashier stated that she think it may be a cell phone or something or even possibly a car alarm.. He continues and says that he has heard it since he left the market across the street and all throughout the store so it couldn't be that.

We leave Bashes and decide to go to Starbucks to get a tea and relax for a little bit before walking home. As we were walking we still heard the beeping noise so thinking it may be an alarm I checked cars again for flashing lights and then guessed maybe it was one of the buildings around with no one inside of it.

When we get inside of Starbucks to order we hear the beeping in there too... this is just bazaar and by this time Dustin has me believing this is just a dream and hopefully we can wake up soon. After ordering, I go outside and sit at a table as Dustin waited for our drinks and the beeping noise stops!!! While Dustin is inside he asks the lady working behind the counter if she can hear a weird beeping noise too; at first she said no but then when she stopped to listen she said oh yeah now I hear it maybe it is the radio or something in here. Dustin proceeded to tell her how we heard it everywhere we have gone thus far and then when the drinks are ready comes outside to join me. (Oh no!! I hear the beeping again!!) So, I tell him it had stopped when I came outside and now I randomly hear it again. Jokingly I suggested, "well maybe the beeping noise is just following you." Ha!

He looks down puts his hand in his back pocket and pulls out his cell phone. His phone alarm has been going off for thirty or so minutes now and that is the beeping noise we have been hearing. We look at each other and just both break out in laughter and continue to laugh for another ten minutes thinking about how dumb people must have thought we were. Neither of us had any idea what so ever that entire time!! Sometimes I wonder how we make it through life...

Bed of Roses

Today, on my way home from work I got a phone call from Dustin saying that he had to tell me something but he was nervous; then he proceeded to tell me that he has ripped a big hole in the comforter on accident because he went to jump on the bed and his belt buckle got caught and when he got up it made a ripping noise and left a hole. This totally sounded like something that would happen to him and I need a new one anyways so it was no big deal. When I got home from work I went upstairs to my room to put away my things from work and see this so called "hole." Dustin was sitting on the bed casually watching TV and as I am looking for this hole that didn't really exist I see a dozen red roses laying on my pillow and start to grin.

When I asked what the occasion was he simply remarked, "no occasion, just because I love you." Sometimes it is just these simple little things that make you feel like you are the luckiest person in the world to have everything in life that is truly important.

Materialistic, I think not!

The other day I witnessed what I thought was the most adorable thing I have ever seen. I love when I see an elderly couple that are still in love; Walking together holding hands and carrying on a great conversations while giggling with each other still just like they did when they were kids!! I feel truly blessed when I see such thing and it truly reminds me that in life it is the small things that are the most important and memorable.

Last Nights Dinner:

Plenty of Pasta

(simple, healthy, quick)

Conatains:

• Whole Weat Pasta
• Organic Four Cheese Pasta Sauce
• Chicken Breast
• Steamed Veggies
• Parmasian cheese on top if wanted
  
  

Directions:

• Cook noodles
• Heat pasta sauce
• Cut chicken and veggies; add to sauce
• Pour sauce on noodles
• EAT
  

Dessert:

• A nice walk to the market!
  

~SMILE~

Somebody loves you

Eventful Sunday

The Phoenix ZOO

Featuring:

AND
AND
OH MY!!!!


Dustin and I got so many great shots of the animals it was amazing. For some reason I don't think I could ever get tired of going to the zoo. I love animals so much and it's crazy to examine them just trying to figure out what they must be thinking.

Although there are also some feeling of sadness when the little guys look you right in the eyes like they know they are trapped and set in a fake environment just to be ooohh'd and aaaahh'd at.


Example:

(so cute, yet so sad)

The otters looked so friendly and viscious at the same time:

(cute and cuddly)

(mean and evil)

Giraffe:

Warthogs:

Parrot:

Rhino's:

Turtles:

Be one with the statue...

MONKEYS!!!!!!!

I got to save the best for last. Monkeys are definitely my favorite animal and I hope to own one some day soon. The most entertaining moment today was the orangutans; I probably spent a good half hour standing and watching them and would have stayed longer if I could.

We can't forget about this monkey...