"I do this...to remind myself that I am strong"

This is going to be one of the most emotional entries of my entire blog.

I started back at Lifetime Fitness in Chanhassen on Halloween 2011. I hadn't been to the gym in almost 2 years, and I really wanted to get back in shape before our wedding. And I wanted to give myself about a year or more to do it. I joined a Team Fitness group with the encouragement of my good friend Carrie. The class was one hour, 3 days a week. It was fun because I met a few new friends. Shout outs also to: Aubrey, Jess & Sabra! ;)
I did the class for about 2 months I think. When it was over, I knew I could push myself harder, so I joined  the Bootcamp Class. This was the class we used to watch in fear. "Those people are crazy!!" That's what I used to think. So crazy me......I joined it. Welcome to serious military workouts.
During my first class (in the summer, we went outside for class a lot), I nearly threw up/fainted/I don't know what - and I had to stop and sit down for a few minutes until I could recover.
But slowly, I learned what to eat before class to help keep up my energy. As it was, over the coming months I drastically changed my diet. I met a few more friends, and I really started to enjoy the class.
From there I did Spin classes, Yoga, and Boxing. Little did I know, this was my saving grace.

Let's back up a little. Two winters or more ago, I joined an Alanon support group. I was in an emotional state of defeat and loss. I was probably at my worst in years, and I didn't know what to do. I felt like I had no one. I needed to know I wasn't the enemy, I needed to know it wasn't all my fault. So I went to Alanon at a local church in town for a few months, the people were amazing, but it just didn't give me all that I needed.

Let's go back to the present:

I met these three ladies in Bootcamp Class, and we started to run a few 5K's over the Spring/Summer. One race just led to the next. I became addicted. We just signed up for everything that sounded fun, and we did it together. I named us "the quad".

THE QUAD....and so it begins. Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: May 5th, 2012

The Color Run: July 15th, 2012

What was first just a couple gym gals getting together for a fun AM race, and then hitting up the bar afterwards for mimosas, bloody's, & breakfast - turned into friendships I won't loose for anything, and a mutual understanding that fitness CAN HELP YOU. Not just to tone up, loose weight, or eat better. But it can save you.

Lifetime Fitness Torchlight Race: July 18th, 2012

I noticed as I ate better, went to the gym, and did these races - I just FELT BETTER about my life. If I had a bad day, I just went and ran it out. It's a feeling of draining yourself of all energy. Negative energy. Afterwards, you feel self-worth and strength. This is what I needed.

Dirty Girl Mud Run: August 4th, 2012

The Glo Run: Sept 1st, 2012

After a few fun 5K's, I wanted to step it up, double the distance. So, I signed up for my first 10K. Even though in the last 2 miles, I hobbled in pain as one leg cramped and then I got some sort of horrible pelvic pain, and then I was sore for almost 2 days afterwards - I did it! I got my very first medal. I loved it.

My first 10K - TC Medtronic Race, October 6th, 2012

I remember thinking after the 10K, that I could possibly, probably run 10 miles. And I wanted to do it, to challenge myself. There was something in my head that said, "I bet you could go longer, farther, you could do it!!" 

So I did. 

This was my first 10 miler!!! Monster Dash: October 27th, 2012

Tina ("T") and I at the Diva Dash 10k: November 10th, 2012

Diva Dash: 6.2 miles!!

Sometimes it's a song that gets me through a challenging mile, other times I thought of my family, my anger, and all the negative things I've been through and been told. Of all the things I couldn't change, I could only change myself. I would think, "Look at me now. I am strong. I am better then all of that."

On one particular race, they had chalk messages written along the pavement. I remember looking down at one that said, "Who do you run for?" and I thought of my brother Kyle. I do it for him to. He's a runner, and he's a huge inspiration to me. He may just be the only family member that gets it. Gets me. Respects me. Understands why I did what I did. And I want him to be proud of me, if anyone can be.

With Witte & "T" on Thanksgiving Morning: November 22nd, 2012

I really want to thank my three new friends that I made over the past year. Witte, Alli, and "T". They are the ones who did it all with me, and who know exactly why we do what we do. Sure it's a blast, sure it's fun. But everyone has a personal reason to drive themselves. I know theirs, and they know mine.

"You are more then my friends, you helped get me through."

D.I.Y Centerpieces!!!

Sweet Peas Floral - highly recommended!!
http://www.sweetpeasfloral.com/

This cutie 'lil place was the preferred floral company that our hotel works with for weddings in their "reception packages". So I brought Katelyn with me that day for my appt. We went on August 8th.

Look at Katelyn's pretty hairdo that day :)

Katelyn & I were seated in a room at a large wooden table surrounded by different glass bowls and vases. While we waited, we flipped through books to get some ideas for the centerpieces. We met with employee Tara. Tara was super sweet and very nice. She was just as excited and creative as we were!!! She listened to my ideas, sketched things out, and quoted me for what the options would cost.



Here were the pictures for my inspiration:

These photos are from one of many Martha Stewart inspired wedding "themed receptions" that you can choose to have at our resort. But it was out of Erik & I's budget. That, and we are having our reception back home in MN anyway. At the bahamas, our themed wedding CEREMONY was included with our stay, and free to us. So, we wanted to stick with free :)

But I loved, loved, loved this idea sooooo much, that I wanted to re-create it back home in MN. Our hotel reception package gives you a certain amount of money towards your "cost per table" for centerpieces. So with Tara's help, we agreed to basically create this look together, and we could keep it within our budget if I provided the branches, shells, and sand. Sweet Pea Floral would set up, provide all glasswear, and some tropical flowers, etc.

So, what do I do? Head straight to Michael's and buy crazy amounts of shells!!! I also found a wholesale website where I was able to find the other - more specific kinds of shells (like in the above photos).
The only trouble I am STILL HAVING is finding GREY sand! Nearly impossible, unless you want to pay big time for smaller bags. So, it looks like it will be Home Depot that supplies regular bags of sand! But hey - I can't complain at $3 a bag.

http://www.etsy.com/ is one of my top favorite websites, and I was able to find the exact kind of branches I needed....but they weren't red of course! So with Erik's help + Home Depot spray paint =