Chicago

There are only 2 reasons I enjoy waking up early: sunrise and when it's to catch a flight for a relaxing vacation! Waking up at 4AM this morning was a little of both! I headed for Chicago for work for the next week for work! I am so excited to embark on this new journey in my life and with such an amazing company!

I bought a coffee and oatmeal and waiting to board my flight! I hung out in the airport rocking chair relaxing watching the sunrise!

We finally boarded the plane and because of the snow we had to wait for them to de-ice it. I got this shot before we left of the sunrise!

I had a really great flight and really enjoyed the view!

Once I arrived in Chicago, I called the taxi an headed to the DoubleTree Hotel in Mundelein! After getting safely to the hotel I decided to head to the gym before training! I had an hour and a half so I jumped on the elliptical for 60 minutes! It felt so nice especially after a morning of traveling!

After a busy day I arrived back at the hotel and ordered room service and did a bunch of work before bed! I talked to Cyn and watched the Bachelor with her (through the phone), just as we would at home!

Tuesday morning I got up at 5AM to bust out a workout before training! I got in a 5K mile run and did some lifting sets to get myself motivated for the day!

It started snowing in the afternoon and it was so funny to hear the California and Texas residents as they were seeing snow for the first time!

After training a few of us went to Portello's for dinner! Seeing as Chicago is know for its hotdogs I said I can't leave without having one - even though I'm not much of a hotdog person! I have to admit I didn't hate it! I got their classic hotdog with everything on it, including: onions, jalepenios, pickle, tomatoes, mustard and relish! I also got a chili cheese dog that was delicious as well! Then my roommate, who is from Chicago, told me I couldn't leave without getting a Chocolate Cake Shake and boy was she right. They literally take a chocolate cake and put it in a shake form with ice cream! YUM! (This was definitely me fat kid night! :))

And the snow kept coming! This is from my window!

Wednesday morning knocked out another 5AM workout! A 45 minute elliptical and some abs and stretching followed by a fantastic breakfast to jump start a great day! Exercise releases endorphins that help "relieve pain; enhance the immune system; reduce stress; and delay the aging process." - http://kcossaboon.hubpages.com/hub/ExerciseandTheEndorphinRush

Check out this website for more information on the benefits of exercise!

By starting your day with a healthy breakfast and exercise you are getting your body to increase the metabolism, get your blood pumping through your body and giving you a motivate attitude to tackle your day!

Thursday was another busy day and we all went to dinner at Lou Malnatis Pizzeria! for Chicago deep dish pizza! It was so delicious!

Friday I got up for another 5 o'clock workout at the gym! I got in a great 5k! To start off my day! Followed by a yummy breakfast before my last day of training!

We all headed to the airport to wait for our flights! We grabbed some dinner and drinks and parted our ways!

We were loving the lights!

My flight ended up being delayed 2.5 hours! Everyone had left and I was still waiting to board my flight. I spent 5 hours in the airport! I was so ready to get home!

Saturday Cyn and I went to check on the house and spent time going through a bunch of pots, pans, appliances, silverware and glasses! We are so grateful to everyone who has given us stuff to get started in our new house!

Jenny came down and her and Cyn did some work with pallets! They made this beautiful coat rack! Who wants one?!

Saturday night we got some quiet time, made dinner and had wine! It felt so nice to be home!

Sunday morning we went to get furniture from Cindy and Dana! We are so grateful for all of the furniture they gave us for our house! We seriously could not do any of this without everyone's help!

This is a shot of all of our stuff were getting ready to move! Pretty crazy!

We are so excited and anxious to close this week! We are really thankful for everyone's support and cannot wait to move in!

"All the glory comes from daring to begin."

First off I want to send a very Happy Birthday to my Dad today! He's always been a huge role model in my life and I feel so lucky to have him as not only my Dad but my best friend!

Monday was Presidents Day and I started my work day at 7AM! I was jealous of very one who had it off, but I cannot complain because I LOVE my job! I went to yoga with my favorite teacher Heidi! She is the sweetest person I have ever met and I haven't seen her in what feels like months! I felt so empowered and strong after her class. She always concludes each class with a reading from one of her various books! I love this because it allows you to have some time to listen & reflect while applying the lesson to your everyday life! By doing this she challenges not only our bodies, but our minds as well - that is where we truly change and grow!

Once I got home Peter and Jack came over and we built a fort! It's so fun to see little kids enjoy the simplest things. It reminds us to slow down and enjoy every moment and stop worrying for once!

Auntie (Cyn) even got in the fort!

Tuesday morning I woke up not feeling well, but I made a yummy breakfast to keep myself motivated and to make this a fabulous day! It is a Paleo recipe that my mom gave me for breakfast!

1/2 cup Almonds
1/2 cup Pecans
1/2 cup Coconut Milk
1 Banana
A Sprinkle of Cinnamon

Put it all in a blender and heat it up for about 60 seconds! This recipe makes 2 servings and its quick and easy to have a delicious and nutritional meal in the morning! I love it!

I decided in hopes to get rid of this sickness before it gets worse I went to yoga again this afternoon! We did a lot of twisting to detox! It felt great, especially because my back has been killing me from sitting & driving all day. Don't get me wrong, I love my job but my back has been hurting lately from sitting in a car on and off all day.

After dinner I jumped on the bike to try to continue the sweat-fest (not as bad as it sounds) trying to kick this stuffiness! I seriously LOVE working out twice a day, there's something about it that makes me feel so incredibly good after a nice long exercise and knowing I've accomplished something that 3 hours ago I didn't think I would! It's about surprising yourself with your ability to make your dreams within arms length!

It even made me not want any of the cupcakes I made prior to dinner! And if that's not the best thing ever I don't know what is! :)

Wednesday morning I woke up feeling so crummy I wasn't sure that I would make it through the day at work! I ended up having a great day at work and even better night spent with family! We have started a new monthly wine night, rotating houses with My Sister (Mikayla), Murph (Jennifer Wescott), My Mom & I! Last month was at Murph's house and this month was at Mikayla's! We had so much fun! Everyone brought a bottle of wine and Mick made homemade Mac n Cheese! So delicious!

I seriously feel so lucky to have these amazing ladies in my life! They truly are the best! I am so happy to have this to look forward to!

Murph and My Mom definitely bonded! ;) Love being silly with family!

Thursday I was quite sick! I didn't let it ruin my day! Cyn and I have been using pallets to be creative for things for the house! First we started decided to make a wine rack for my sister! We are celebrating her birthday on Sunday any we finished it tonight! We are so excited - when I say we I mean Cyn :) But, it came out amazing!

Then we decided to make a headboard for our bed! We did most of it Thursday night and plan to stain it tomorrow! This is what we have so far, and were really happy with the outcome! This one I DID help with, which makes it even sweeter! :)

Friday I got to spend some nice time with my Dad! We see each other almost everyday but we haven't sat down and had a meal together in a while. He really is always the best company!

I got a delicious veggie burrito! Yum!

I also finally got in a 60 minute yoga class! It was nice to get my sweat on and to get in a good stretch! I always feel so grateful walking out of the studio because I feel so accomplished at the end of each practice! I felt like a million bucks!

Friday night we went to watch the USM Woman's Basketball team win the LEC Semi final game tonight! After the game Cyn, Meg & I went to Sebago Brewing to catch up! We are so lucky to have such a great friend as Meg in our lives and we always have so much fun together!

We're the 3 BEST FRIENDS that anyone could have!!!!

Saturday morning we went to Cyn's grandmothers to visit and got to hang out with her Aunt, Uncle and little cousins Adam & Emma! It was nice to see them and catch up! They get cuter every time I see them and I cannot believe how much they have grown! After Cyn and I headed to Manchester for a Spa Day! This was part of her Christmas present I got her and we had the most relaxing time! We started off in the Sauna with a glass of Pinot followed by an hour massage! We got a foot scrub, revitalizing hand scrub and a chocolate body mask! We felt amazing walking out of Exhale Spa! We had so much fun! I feel so lucky to have such an incredible person in my life to share those moments with! :)

Once we arrived home I started finalizing things for the closing on the house and packed for Chicago! I, of course, had to take a break to watch the McAuley vs. Cheverus Basketball Game! I thought what better way to watch it than on the treadmill! I did a power walk for 60 minutes while holding 2 lb weights in each hand!

Sunday morning we headed over to celebrate my dads birthday along with my sister and grandmothers birthdays! Cyn and I helped my parents cook this morning before everyone came over for brunch!

Muffins, Eggs, Pumpkin Bread, Fruit Salad, Pineapple wrapped in Bacon and lots more yummy treats!

We had such a fun day with the family! I didn't want to leave!

The snowfall was so pretty!

All in all a pretty great week! I think I am all packed for my early flight to Chicago tomorrow and am really looking forward to it! These next few weeks are going to be busy, but that's what life's all about right? :)

Stay motivated & your dreams will come true!

"The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done." - Arnold Palmer

Another fabulous week under our belts and looking forward ward to more steps in the right direction! Monday night was my Bike night – after a long day celebrating the beautiful life if my cousin Cheryl I feel so blessed to have such a strong, supportive family as I do! After an emotional day we came home and watched a movie and were planning of relaxing the rest of the night, but I decided to push myself. I got up and jumped on the bike for a 45 minute ride. It felt so good to get out some built up stress and energy. Sometimes it makes all the difference to get a little exercise under our feet to pick ourselves up!

Tuesday was gorgeous day at work I took some pictures on my travels! This one is at the Baxter Boulevard, one of my favorite places in Portland!

Here is another one I took down on Commercial Street in Portland! I wish I had more time to explore the downtown area, it really is absolutely breathtaking!

Tuesday after work I went to yoga class at Greener Postures Yoga studio for the most relaxing hour I’ve had in a long time. I had the opportunity to unwind and relax while getting an amazing workout! I am always so grateful when I am able to unwind at the end of my day with some Hot Yoga! After arriving home Cyn took me out for Valentines dinner because we had a busy week planned! I am so grateful to have such an amazing person to appreciate day in and day out!

Wednesday I took an hour for myself at yoga again and went on a wonderful Sunset cross country ski with my Mom! We had a blast! It was my first time skiing this year! It's always really special to spend time with just my Mom! And it's always a bonus when we can both get some exercise in!

Thursday was Valentine’s day and Downtown Portland was decorated with hearts all over the buildings!

This is a picture of my sister and I years ago on Valentines Day with our special dresses handmade by our Mother! :)

Thursday I got in a 4.5 mile run before work! I see it as there is no better way to spend the day of love by showing it first off to yourself! After work I met my sister and Mom for a 60 minute yoga class before we all went home to our significant others for the evening!

We must remember to celebrate ourselves everyday!

Friday morning began with a 3.6 mile run and ended with a 60 minute yoga class! There was live music at class and it was absolutely incredible! I felt so blessed to have been apart of it! With strengthening our body we strengthen out spirit and belief within ourselves!

"When we know ourselves we are empowered. When we accept ourselves we are invincible."

I came home to this, my two girls: Bela and Cyn snuggling!

Then we ha some visitors help us stack wood for the weekend! (Peter, Cyn & Jack)

Friday night we met with some of Cyn's work friends at Thatchers and had a great time!

Saturday was my second race of the year and my February race was completed! It was called Love on the Run! I was so grateful to have my friend Maggie and sister and her boyfriend participate in it with me! It was the most enjoyable race I have ever done! There was even a stop for a kiss, hugs & hot chocolate! We took our time and really enjoyed ourselves!

We were all going to put our lovers last names on our backs to run for them and show our love for them, but everyone chickened out and I ended up being the only one to make a shirt - but I wore it proudly for my girl! :)

We took plenty of action shots along the way!

Saturday night we spend with Murph and her sister Laura! It was nice to have girl time and of course some wine! We had so much fun and attempted to take a nice picture together which ended in a giggle feat! :) (Hence the blurry ness)

Sunday was spent at the home show and bingas for lunch with Cyn and her parents! Then Pam and I met up with Murph, Laura and Jenny to do some shopping and see Safe Haven. It was not what ANY of us expected, but a very good movie! And fun girl time!

That pretty much sums up my week! I look forward to this upcoming week, but do wish I had Monday off as my housemates do, but we are one day closer to becoming home owners and we cannot wait!

I plan to push myself this week with hopes of running more this week! I also look forward to going to yoga at least 2 times this week and beginning my search for a place to start swimming as I wish to start training for the Tri for a Cure!

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this and please let me know what you think/ if you have any questions or tips! :) Keep working hard and you will reach your dreams! PUSH YOURSELF!