I found my sunshine.

Yesterday I accomplished something that I HAVE to share with you all. I ran three miles yesterday! I was so happy as this is the farthest I've gotten. And guess what!? I got 34:30 for a time! Not to shabby if you ask me! I was so proud of myself when I finished that run yesterday. It made me feel confident that I can and will finish my race that I have coming up in almost TWO weeks! AHHHH!

Last night Kellen started on our little garden. I hadn't planned on starting quite yet, but he got RIGHT on it when he got home and since this is supposed to be a "bonding" experience I greatly obliged. Here is setting up and planting our first little row of lettuce:

And of course Chloe had to see what was going on and make sure there was nothing edible being wasted:I'm not sure why this totally grosses me out, but we had some garlic on the counter and it started sprouting (EWWW)....so Kellen decided to plant it and see what happens.

While he did that I made dinner. I needed to use up some beef that had been in our freezer so I made teryaki kebabs and brown rice:

Yum!!

I also want to say THANK YOU to everyone who gave me a blog award this week, I am so thankful to know that I have some pretty awesome readers and I love getting to know you all through your blogs.

That being said, I'm not going to pass on all of them but I did want to pass on this one I received and mention some blogs that I absolutely love. If you don't follow these gals, you should because they are really awesome and have been so supporting to me!

This award came from Googie at Love Me For Who I Am:
I chose to do this one because...well...I love me some sunshine! And even when it's raining here in Washington State, these blogs put a smile on my face:

Patti @ Less is More
Kristen @ Change of Pace
Jessica @ CBGBlog
Alex @ just another FAT girl.
ContinuousChanges
Lucy @ Eat When Hungry
CinciMom11
Whitney @ Fat Girl in a Wedding Dress
Kaitlin @Everyday Grace
Tiff @ Project 365
Melissa@ Try Try Again
Alexia @ My Wicked, Wicked Ways

These are just ones I enjoy reading daily, but there are SO many more I'm trying to catch up on and that I really enjoy. I appreciate all of my readers so much!

I'm pumped for my weigh in on Monday--it's my fourth month healthy anniversary and the beginning of a new month. Plus...shhh don't tell but...I've been peeking! And it seems to be that my "starting intensity" has payed off this week! We will see!

An Award!

Woohoo! I got an award today. I am really happy that the awesome Sheridan at Real Me Breaking Free gave me this wonderful award, it definitely made my day! She is really an amazing mom and weight loss blogger. So inspirational! Check her out, you won't be disappointed!

The rules are to list 7 random things about yourself. I love these kind of little activities! Here is what I could come up with:

1. I got married to my high school sweetheart when I was 19 (7/7/07). Although he can be a big buttface sometimes (what man isn't?), I love him to death and have never regretted marrying young.

2. I just purchased my first home in April. I love it! It's been so much fun painting and decorating. Plus my hubby is a carpenter so he is always of thinking of new projects to keep him busy!

3. I have just discovered the board game "Settlers of Catan" and play it with my husband and our best "couple" friends like 3 times a week. Seriously, we are like addicted. It's so fun!

4. I am a really big travel buff. Kellen and I went on a month long dream vacation/backpacking trip in June 2008 to Europe...it was a condition that he had to agree to for me to marry him! He followed through with his promise. And NO, i didn't lose weight, too much Italian Gelato!

5. My husband is one of 14. Yes, you read that right. His youngest brother is 2. That is one reason why him and I have decided to wait a couple more years to have kids (among other factors).

6. I am an only child! But don't worry- i made up for the lack of siblings by marrying into kellen's family! They all treat me like their real sister.

7. I love Jesus. A whole lot. I don't really show it as much as I like, and I have chosen not to write about my faith on my blog yet, but His love has played a HUGE role in my life. Maybe someday soon I will write a blog on God+weight loss.

There ya have it! Now 7 blogs that I award! This is hard because there are so many, but these ones come to mind right away when I think beautiful bloggerettes!

1. Julia at JewliaGoulia. OK, this girl just freaking rocks my socks off. She is SOOO honest it might make you blush, but reading her blog is definitely like taking a nice big breath of fresh air.

2. Paula at PaulaWannaCracker. Another really honest weight loss bloggerette, I love reading about both her accomplishment and blunders. Plus I wish I could just try some of the food she makes, it sounds delicious!

3. Tiff at Project365 She is SO inspiring...I read her posts and I'm like man this girl knows her stuff...but heres the kicker...she just started! If it's this good now, I can only imagine what she's gunna be writing in a couple of months!

4. Lucy** at WitheringWaist. Lucy is one of my most supporting followers. She always makes me smile with her nice comments! Plus I also love seeing all her delicious food pics!

5. Kassandra at Not Your Typical, Average, Ordinary College Girl I've gotta add Kassandra in here because although I just recently started following her blog, she is a MAJOR inspiration. She is young and hip and has lost like 165 pounds. WOAH!

6. Alexis at My Wicked, Wicked Ways. Another young, hip chicka that is just starting out her weight loss journey. I've really enjoyed reading her posts the last couple of weeks, plus she posts a ton of really cool photos that I love checking out.

7. Ok, I can't get away without telling you about Laura at Life Happens. She is so sweet and although her blog is not necessarily "weight loss" she talks about pretty much everything in life (including it!). You should totally check her out!

I am loving blogging and all the amazing support around here. You guys rock!!

Happiness and JOY!

I got my very first award! It was from Laura over at Life Happens. The funniest thing about Laura's blog is that it is not a weight loss blog, which is really all I was expecting to read once I started my own. But once I found Laura's blog and started reading about her adorable kids and sweet photography tips, I was hooked!!

The rules are to list ten things that make me happy and five blogs that make me happy and pass this along to them!! Considering that my blog is focused mainly on my weight loss goals, I'm going to go with that theme as I make my list, so here goes...

1. The feeling in my lungs when I breathe now. I never realized how being in shape could actually just make me feel better when breathing!!

2. Stretching. It makes my body feel SO good and maybe this is TMI...but I feel sexy when I do it!

3. The feeling of a hot shower after you work it. It's such a refresher.

4. Discovering a new healthy, easy meal to make. My favorite right now are my Turkey Avocado BLT's. YUM!

5. Teaching my husband about being healthy. Even though I'm sure I annoy him, I love it when he WANTS to learn about calorie intake and such.

6. Celebrating other people's weight loss accomplishments. My friend Hollie has lost over 40 pounds! And of course my blogger buds too.

7. Learning more about my own body. Ok, this one is a stretch. But I really have enjoyed just being more "in tuned" with what my body is telling me.

8. Knowing that I am taking care of my pup. If I didn't get her exercise, I'd feel like a bad parent. I'm always happy to poop her out!

9. Blogging. I'm completely addicted and i LOVE it. I see it as a healthy addiction though...it keeps me totally accountable and inspired.

10. The scale. As I've said before, it's a love/hate relationship. But let's be honest, I have to resist squatting down and hugging it as the numbers go down!

Five blogs that make me happy...

Jen @ The Shape of Things to Come... OK, so I JUST found her blog but she is already an inspiration to me. Hopefully she doesn't find it a little to early to be declaring that! It just makes me so happy to see a woman who has accomplished so much and is now having a totally healthy pregnancy.

Melissa @ Do These Blogs Make Me Look Fat? She has been a really awesome support to me the last couple of weeks! I really have enjoyed reading about her weight loss challenges and triumphs.

Melissa @ Try Try Again She is just absolutely adorable! I love her weight loss blog and I feel like she is just SO honest with what she is dealing with. It makes me feel better about being so open on mine :).

Tricia @ Endurance Isnt Only Physical I found Tricia's blog randomly but it was one of the first weight loss blogs I read and it really inspired me. Plus she took the time to help me with some blogging details :). I love reading about her complete transformation and am inspired to run like her someday!

Kaitlin @ Everyday Grace Kaitlin was my first follower! haha. I really have enjoyed reading her blog and love that we are (around) the same age. She has worked SO hard and accomplished a TON in the last couple of months! She's awesome!

I am still just getting started on my blogging adventures and am SO thankful for all of the people who "follow" mine! You all make me SOOO happy!