words of wisdom

"Sometimes the things you want the most don’t happen and what you least expect happens. I don’t know — you meet thousands of people and none of them really touch you. And then you meet that one person and your life is changed."


"She’s one of those girls who doesn’t know what she’s doing, but she wants to know everything will be worth it one day. She isn’t amazing at one thing, just good at a lot of things, and that’s all she’ll ever be. She wishes she could be different, but she lives her life to the fullest anyway. All she truly needs is love to keep her sane. She looks at her world like it’s a book, with pages being read every day. She’s her own worst enemy and hardest critic. She knows she has flaws and tries to accept them, even though she knows she never fully will. More than anything, though, she just wants to make a difference one day, and she wants someone to remember her name."


"Keep your heels, head, and standards high."


"When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow."


"Yes, it is hard, but God is mysteriously loving and sovereign in all that comes our way. To lose him as sovereign in that moment is to lose your hope for the future."


"We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love." 

I'm cheating...

I feel like this should be the title of my blog at least every 3 days since I started marathon training. I tried to give up sweets till the marathon...not working so well. I'm DETERMINED to go the whole last month with out sweets. 

EEEEEEEEEK!

Anyway as you can tell sweets have been on my mind today, and I decided to go ahead a whip up a cake ((I remembered we had some mix and icing in the pantry already)). While wipping up the cake batch that is currently in the oven I got to thinking, this is a workout AND not to far off my diet ((you need to think outside the box with me here)). Here's why:

1. It's sugar free mix and icing. That technically can mean I'm not eating sweets right?!? RIGHT!

2. If you hand mix the batter it's quite a workout for your arms.

3. While your pretty creation is in the oven, do a couple of squats in order to check the status of your cake. BOOM! Leg workout!

I'm considering making a workout video. Anyone interested in buying it?

And the timer is going off. I need to get this baby out of the oven and myself in the shower. You see after I eat this whole piece of cake, I'm going to a fashion show of my dear friends. I'm going to LOVE showing off my cake infested body around all the hungry/skinny people.

my sweet tooth is calling...

I just fell in love with a new blog! This no sweets till the marathon thing is about to go OUT the window real fast.

Head on over to Ourbestbites. These ladies are AAAAAmazing and create the most fascinating foods and snacks you can imagine. 

These beautiful pieces of pure sugar caught my eye right away: Colorburst Cupcakes. 

My oh My...

I really don't think life can get any sweeter than this. 

I plan on attempting to make these this weekend. I'll be sure and let you know how they turn out.

running weekend

BIG running weekend ahead friends!

20 miles on Saturday...my oh my. And if I'm still able to walk after that, I have signed myself up for a 5K Sunday morning. If your in the Austin area, or feel like making a trip this weekend I highly recommend signing up and participating in the 2011 BunRun. You can walk, run, bring your dog, bring your kids, and even skip if you want to. Just click here: BUNRUN and you can get all the information needed. It's a fun race benefiting Austin Sunshine Camps. 

Sign up! I'll be there.

P.S. I'm soooooooooooooooo incredibly close to my fundraising goal. Don't forget to donate and help stomp out blood cancers. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go above my goal and raise more. Remember only 1 month left to donate and 5 weeks till the big Marathon day!

testing 1.2.3.

Follow my blog with bloglovin

feeling blessed today...

I have been blessed 
And I feel like I've found my way 
I thank God for all I've been given 
At the end of every day 
I have been blessed 
With so much more than I deserve 
To be here with the ones that love me 
To love them so much it hurts 
I have been blessed

The best things in the world:

1. Last minute plans that end up being written on my heart.

2. Falling asleep to the sound of rain.

3. Indulging in a sugar filled chocolate dessert with a glass of wine.

4. Snuggling up with my soft puppy.

5. Soaking in a bubble bath, lights out, lost in thought.

6.  Dates on a weeknight with the most amazing girlfriends in the world.

7. Finding great pieces on the clearance rack.

8. Sundays spent with Jeffy roaming through the grocery store.

9. Mastering a new recipe and keeping it for the books.

10. Clean sheets after a long day.

11. Monday night movie nights with Jeffy.

12. Sitting on my parents porch with BBQ, friends, and family.

13. Laying in a hammock.

14. Staying in my pj's, watching movies on the couch, on a rainy day.

15. Perfect outdoor eating weather with great company.

mistakes

I got to thinking yesterday about mistakes, judgement, forgiveness, and such. I don't know what got me on this track but it became an off and on process through out the day. 

I'm 26 years old and I have made my fair share of mistakes. We all have. Those high school days where your life was so dramatic. Freshman year of college when you have all the freedom in the world. People make mistakes, do things that can't take back, losse friendships over boys, and disappoint their parents a time... or two. I think the most important thing is to learn from each mistake we make AND not to judge others for making mistakes. I'm guilty of the judging part. I forget that sometimes we need to learn things on our own and in our own time. I will admit I'm quick to judge and that's something I'm working on. I am, however, very good at seeing both sides of things. Which can be good and bad. I don't wish to change anything though. Yes I wish there are some things I never did or said, we all do. But I love the person I have become. I think all of the mistakes I made are what made me who I am today, and put me where I am today. I have an appreciation for life I don't think I would have without hitting a few, maybe lots, of bumps in the road.

I guess what I'm getting at is when are we at the age where we forget the high school mistakes and move on? If your over 25 and making the ame mistakes will you ever learn from them? How long dose it take to forgive someone who really hurt you? Do we ever grow out of the high school/ sorority drama? Gosh I hope so but I know lots of girls who just can't seem to shake that part of their life. Every time I would come home crying about some silly girlfriend drama my mom would always say it's just a phase.  It's not a phase though. It's who you choose to associate yourself with. If you surround yourself with people who are constantly having problems and creating drama, then you will always be contained by it. 

You are who you surround yourself with. 

But then I can argue, who am I to judge the way some people live their lives? I hate the way some people, I'm sure, viewed my life when I bar-tended. Some people look at stay at home moms and say it's not a real job...please for one second let me vent on that. Staying at home with your children is the MOST important job in the world. It is hard-work with hardly a moment of peace and quiet. My rule of thumb is until you have experienced a job or situation yourself, then you are not entitled to judge it. 

I know that in the past I have hurt friends, boys, my parents, and others. There is one incident I wish I could take back and change, I always have wanted to. I've accepted that I can't and made peace with my childish mistakes. You have to, or what kind of life would you lead? My mistakes are also all in the open now.  I have no secret past that I'm hiding, which makes it easier to forgive yourself for mistakes you've made. I know some old friends who have made mistakes that have remained secret, they think they are better then others because no one knows.  You're only cheating yourself. 

I know this post jumps form subject to subject. That's how it was in my mind yesterday. Sometimes I just find it therapeutic to out things in writing. 

I'm signing off. Gym and a double date tonight for Austin Restaurant Week! 

48hours

What a weekend it was! Lemme tell you a story about a great weekend with great friends and family. 


It all started at 5am...that's right 5AM on saturday morning. I woke up full of energy and ready to run my first official 1/2 marathon! Kelly, Kyler, and I drove out to Bastrop (about 30mins from Austin) for the Zoomba 1/2 marathon. It was awesome! Obviously not my favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning, but I loved it. I had a good run and finished in 2hours and 27minutes. It was such a cool feeling crossing that finish line and now I am even more excited about the full marathon coming up in ONLY 6 weeks! That's right 6 weeks left to donate friends, so if you haven't please feel free to click the link to your right and donate to help stomp out blood cancers!


After the race we scooped up Jeff and made our way to Houston for the LiL Wayne concert ((I'm not a big rap person by any means)). Jeff and Kyler love this rapper, so Kelly and I bought tickets for their birthdays. I must admit it was an AWESOME concert. There were multiple performers and they all put on a great show. We all had a blast and enjoyed a night away from Austin. We stayed in downtown Houston walking distance from the Toyota Center, where the concert was held. It was nice to take a little walk back to our hotel after the show. Yes I know this dose not sound safe at all, I was against it  all along, we made it ok. 


Sunday morning we all woke and up, packed our things, and headed to my parents for some BBQ before we hit the road back to Austin. I love my home in Houston and I hope my parents never leave there. Mom and Dad of course were the best hosts. We had food, drinks, snacks, cookies, pie, and everything you could imagine. My, oldest and dearest, friend Lara and her hubby Charlie came by for some BBQ as well. We all had a great time catching up and eating yummy food.


All in all it was a super weekend/48 hours and sadly I have no pictures to show for it! My camera died after 2 pictures at the concert :( I am determined to get better at taking more pictures, I have been slacking lately. 


Have a great week everyone!

spoiled

He really dosen't sleep with an eye mask. He does however sleep in the middle of the bed with his head on a pillow and sometimes under the covers. Pretty sure he thinks he is human. 

Love this little pup!

it's only tuesday...

It's only Tuesday and I already want to start packing for the weekend haha. What  a weekend it's going to be. Hear this my friends...well read this I guess:

Friday night it's bed time as early as possible, Then Saturday morning BRIGHT AND EARLY I'm heading to Bastrop for the Zooma 1/2 marathon! So excited to run my first 1/2 marathon. I'm very nervous but so anxious to be at the start line. After the 1/2 marathon (and a shower) Kelly, Kyler, Jeffy and I will be heading to Houston for the Little Wayne Concert. Weird and random I know but Kyler and Jeffy like the rap music so Kelly and I bought the tickets for their birthdays. I think it'll be a fun adventure though. A lot to take in for one day but it'll fly by and I'll want to turn back time I'm sure. We're stoping by my parents on our way out Sunday afternoon for some BBQ and relaxation before we hit the road. They are so cute and excited, always love hosting those two. 

So much to do between now and then, mainly making sure I have everything I need for the 1/2 marathon on Saturday. Energy boosters, chafing cream, extra clothes, plenty of hydration, the right socks...goodness so much to think about besides just running. 

Anyways sorry I've been a bad blogger, life catches up with you sometimes. But I'll keep you updated on how the weekend goes!

10Things

1. The chocolate moose last night was amazing

2. Glad I had it last night because I will not be having it for 2 months now...

3. I am officially registered for the 2001 Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego this June!

4. So excited that I'm bursting with energy today

5. My spin class teacher is going to be amazed at how fast I'm going tonight.

6. My company signed the check to be a corporate sponsor today as well which is amazing.

7. I'm a little terrified of our training schedule the next 8 weeks, but stoked at the same time.

8. I'm hoping Jeff gets me something pretty from here after my marathon as a "you just ran a marathon present"

9. We bought our plane tickets to the marathon on Monday...phew

10. I'M RUNNING A MARATHON IN 60 DAYS!!!

Don't forget DONATE DONATE DONATE!

chocolate and future

Oh the Jeffy of mine is simply amazing. He's on his way over from work right now and stopping at whole foods just to grab me a little cup of chocolate moose. Have you had the chocolate moose from whole foods? MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM it is amazing. He s such a sweet sweet boy. So blessed to have had him in my life for the past 3 years! We were laughing the other day leaving the gym about how much our lives have changed since we first started dating. This June marks our 3 years anniversary, my first marathon, and we will be moving into our first place together. If you would've told either of us these three things we would've laughed in your face.

It always surprises me how much things can change in such little time. I think about 3 years from now and where our lives might be. Married with kids maybe? Well married for sure but the kids thing might be a little bit longer then 3 years (not if I have anything to say about it though). I hope to keep running marathons. My plan is 1 marathon a year, 2 half marathons, and multiple 5 and 10K's. I want to keep training with team in training, raising money for Leukemia and Lymphoma for as long as my body will take it.

Annnnnnnnnnnnd my chocolate moose is here. I'll let you know how it was tomorrow.

16 miles OH MY!

This past saturday we ran 16 miles for our long run. 16MILES!! I am beyond proud of myself you have no idea. The first 4 were warm up, it usually takes me  4 miles to get into the swing of things and get a good pace going. The next 8 miles were great. Not hard at all, it was more repetitive than anything since we were running 4mile loops. That last loop, 4 miles, was tough. But Kelly and I powered through it and made it to the end and thank goodness we weren't the last ones!

I couldn't even relax when I got home that afternoon, I was beside myself that I had just done that. It was and still is such and amazing feeling. This training and marathon has really made an impact in my life. I know I am doing something amazing and for such a great cause but trust me I have my bad days where I just breakdown. Mainly over my fundraising. I still have time before all the money is due, I'm just a planner. I would've loved to had all the money by now and still be collecting above and beyond. After this first race and can train and race and not have to fundraise. But to me that's the whole point of training with team in training, raising money for a cause that affects everyone. Helping save someones life. I have family and family friends who will help out in the end if I don't reach my goal but I would like to do it on my own.

I have a new goal. Not to raise the most money but to have the most donators. I want to be the person who had the most caring group of family and friends. I want to show my team that I have an amazing support system full of people who all took the time and any amount of money to support me and this cause.

So please please please take 10 minutes out of your day, go to my donation page on the right hand side and donate anywhere from $1-$100. I can't imagine how amazing it will look to have my page full of donors! Please pass this to family and friends and help stomp out BloodCancer!

XOXO

Reesa