Five Things Friday ~ 7

Beach Time
We went to Destin for beach time on Sunday, then I hung out with a friend at Pensacola Beach on Monday. I got some color and I'm liking it. I'm not liking the tan lines but maybe that is the mark one has to have to be a beach girl. The weather has been amazing and I predict I will be at the beach at least twice a week! Jealous anyone?

Hubs Started Training
My husband started the next phase of training (next 6 months) on Monday and while I missed him this week, it was nice to be able to get my routine in order with him not around. I'm happy for him to get it going and I'm hopeful that I will be back in the game, especially with this blog!

Back to Running
For some reason, not sure why, I stopped running for a couple weeks. I really missed it but couldn't bring myself to get outside with the new high temperatures and increased humidity. I hate it. But I am back in the game and hunting for a race to sign up for to motivate me to fight the humidity here. I'm thinking as much as I feel miserable when I run now, I keep fighting a smile off my face. That means I must love running right? Yep. I do!

My running path around the neighborhood

New Business Plan in Action
I am now about 8 weeks out to my certification exam for becoming a personal trainer and shortly after that I will be in business. I'm freaking out but I am so ready to start something that betters myself and others and gets me employed! Never thought I'd branch into fitness for a career but if I can make money, I can do the fun stuff I really wanna do for this blog! (DIYs, styled shoots, etc)

Beer Treat
Somehow, somewhere my lovely hubs read an article that said drinking a beer before bed helps with falling asleep and is okay for you. I'll be the first to admit that I LOVE beer! I hate the bloated feeling and the heavy feeling if I have too many, but enjoying one nice, cold beer makes me just smile. So he decided we'd drink a beer before bed every night. I'm not gonna fight him on that one! When my muscles are sore and I can barely move on almost a daily basis, I feel I deserve a treat! :-)

Grand Finale. . .

Mila Pic of the Week:

Loving on her daddy! She just stayed there like that for a while!

I have to say I feel so blessed at the growth of likes on my Facebook page when I have been absent. You all found me/this blog for a reason and I intend to deliver! If you don't already, be sure to Like Wedding Pickle on Facebook!

Have a great weekend and I'll see you tomorrow for some cake!

Five Things Friday ~ 6

I'm back with my Five Things! I haven't done these in the last couple weeks so if you are new around here then let me tell you that this is the day that I like to look back and find five things that made me smile and/or made me feel blessed. Try to do this challenge with yourself and it really forces you to look at the positive in life!

MyCAA
My husband and I had to go to a family readiness for spouses class and we were introduced to many resources to help couples get through the flight training phase that my husband will be starting soon, hopefully this coming Monday! One of those resources I learned of was something called The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts. Basically it is $4,000 available to a spouse to get a degree, certification or training for a mobile career that she can carry with her as she moves around with her hubs. I signed up right away and was approved! I am so excited to get to take advantage of such a blessing! Even more, I am excited to know that I will be equipped to have a job even in this tiny town of Milton!

Spring Break
When the hubs and I were in college in Oklahoma, heading to the beach for Spring Break was not an option. We were also not willing to spend the money it would take to travel with friends to a coastal spring break location. So this past weekend, my husband's best friend, who now lives a couple hours from us, came down to visit and we spent a day at Pensacola Beach. As a local at the present, I have never seen Pensacola Beach so busy! It was really a ton of fun to have a taste of Spring Break even if we aren't college kids!

Family
My family also came down this weekend on their way to Disney World. We had enough time together to enjoy lunch on the beach. I was so excited to see them again even if it wasn't for very long. :-)

Hair
I hardly ever get my hair cut these days but I was more than bored with my look. With the season changing and many other things changing soon, I decided it was time to give myself a feeling of a new me. Even if it isn't often, I typically always get the long side bangs. I decided to do something different and go with short bangs. I know the hubs doesn't like it but I like the new me feeling. I even got some color rub for my hair to make me feel all rebel like, lol! :-)

Spring
Who wouldn't be thankful for Spring? It is the season of life and rejuvenation. It is the time for fresh starts and new changes. This will be a big season for me seeing as how, assuming I pass my certification exam, that I will be starting my own business and finally be working.

Mila Pic of the Week

What five things made you feel blessed and happy this week? I welcome you to share below in the comments or to share with me on the Wedding Pickle Facebook Page!

Five Things Friday {5}

Since I've been absent to take a mini-vacation from blogging and spend time with my hubs who just graduated the first phase of his flight training. I just realized I haven't shown you my hubs in his flight suit!

I see him in that thing and couldn't be more proud! I married a pilot! Wow!

So, my 5 things this week is more from the last couple weeks. I'm hoping my break is enough to get me back into the swing of things. Sometimes a blogger needs to get away from the blog they write as a novelist needs to step away from the novel they write. Characters take a new life of their own in creative writing and an author needs to learn more about them before continuing. Just as I need to learn to adjust to the direction the blog is going. :-)

Biblical Homemaking
In my quest to be a better housewife, I have been browsing blogs, clicking on sponsor ads from blogs leading me to new blogs. In that venture, I came across the most amazing blog called Biblical Homemaking. I love that the blogger is a christian wife, a mother, a fitness instructor, a thrifter, and has such beautiful words to share of Christ. Honestly, I want to be like her! lol. The blog definitely inspires me and I am so thankful God brought it to my attention. I definitely recommend it to all of you!

New Calendar Plan
Since I dont' have a job and figure I won't land one anytime soon, I decided, in order to reach my resolution to be a better housewife, that I would make it like my job with a schedule that would motivate me to actually want to get up in the morning and stay up. I downloaded a weekly routine printable from iHeart Organizing (another one of my blog finds). Then I put in my own labeled blocks of time for each thing I want to work on each day such as blogging, cleaning house, working out, and studying for the personal training exam I plan to take in April. I'm hoping being more organized will make me more productive. I feel good already!

4 Day Weekend
As you know I had a break with my hubs and it really was much needed. Sometimes a change in atmosphere and routine is enough to recharge and get re-motivated. That is a blessing in itself.

Work out with Hubs
My husband will actually be able to have time to fit in a workout routine in this next phase of training. I'm so happy to get back to doing this together because we really feel better when we do. I'm good with running and doing weights on my own at home, but I really am bad about getting to the gym to do different kinds of cardio training. I am working on adding the stair stepper and the bike to my cardio just to shake things up. I am just so excited to see how we can both support each other's goals.

No Words
As a part of my break I got to experience such beauty. This picture does not do it justice and neither can words. Let's just say I love it here on the Emerald Coast!

Mila Pic of the Week:

Give mommy a kiss!

Thanks to all of you for being patient with me as I work on liking my computer again. I miss reading blogs, blogging, posting to Facebook and Twitter and my poor email inbox has cobwebs. I'm back now and it's time to get back in the game for all of you! See you tomorrow!

~Melina :-)

Blessed Five Friday {4}

It was actually tough this week to assemble a list of 5 things I feel blessed for, but it is amazing when you actually sit down and think about it, you can find blessings even when you have felt down. I have to admit, I've been pretty down all week with the whole unemployment thing catching up to me. :-/


Passing Tests
My husband had his last two tests of his 6 week training. It has been stressful on the both of us because he couldn't fail them without losing his career. After 4 weeks of studying non-stop, he made it! We get to celebrate with his classmates today and in just over 2 more weeks he'll begin 6 months of primary school! So thankful for God being there to keep my husband strong. I've never been more proud. Though I think I'll be saying that a lot throughout my husband's career in the Marines. (I'll probably be tweeting a pic of us later with him in his flight suit!)

Craft Day
I was so blessed to get to hang out with a new friend I made here. We have so much in common and one of those things is that we love crafts. So we got together this week to browse Hobby Lobby and hang out to put our ideas into reality. Not only am I happy to have a new friend, but it is so nice to be able to get out of the house and have social interaction with someone who "gets" me! It's not often I can talk about weddings and blogging and not confuse people. The relationships I have formed with other women since leaving Oklahoma has been few but very important to me. I know I'm making lifelong relationships. I feel blessed. :-)

Back in the Game
Last week was a bad week in that I only worked out and ran once. That's right just once. I was lacking motivation. But this week, like any week, is a new week to do the right thing. I am happy to be back into lifting my weights and running the course towards my first 10K race. Feeling sore is the best feeling in the world right? Oh, to be alive!

Life Isn't a Race
Whenever I am feeling down or unmotivated, Pinterest is my muse to inspire me. I keep getting down about not being able to find a job or even land an interview. I also have all these things I wanted to accomplish for this year. I went into this year with the It's-My-Year! mentality. However, with as slow as things are going for me right now, I feel like many things I wanted to do in 2012 won't happen in 2012. Then I saw this pin and realized that I don't need to rush to get to the point. the joy is in the journey where we grow and learn. Back to sitting back, enjoying my life and trusting in God's timing.

Source: meetvirginiadesign.com via Melina on Pinterest

Tax Return
Maybe this one is materialistic but after getting our tax return ready I learned that we will be getting enough to pay for one of my loans off and to put in a good dent in our other debt. It really feels good since about 95 percent of the debt is because of me (college loans and car) and I can't even contribute a cent!

Mila the Pug Pic of the Week

Now on to the love of my life (other than my husband of course!) I didn't get a good picture of her this week, she hasn't been a very good model lately. So I whipped up a past one from early in January that always makes me smile!

Girl look at that body, I work out! Lol!

Stay tuned for tomorrow. I can't decide between a Color Me Cake post or a Blessed Moments post. I have the cutest wedding photo to share that I found for Blessed Moments that I have been anxious to share!

So what blessings from this week are you thankful for? Got that vendor you wanted? Finally found your dress? Had a sweet moment with your spouse? Do share!

Five Things Friday {3}

I'm late to post my 5 things that I'm thankful for this week but here they are!

Textbook Binge
We covered a textbook in 3 weeks for my personal training class and I got to check out the book for a week. Since we are moving on to the next text book I wanted to read the entire book before having to turn it back in. Believe it or not I actually like reading textbooks when it is information I find interesting. The book was on the essentials of exercise science and I feel like I have learned so much! It really took the whole week to read it and do all the study questions that I didn't have time to blog this week because of it. I have this new appreciation of my body now just having learned about how it functions. Truly fascinating and it makes me wonder how anyone can say there isn't a God when we are living miracles?

Devotional Quote
I've really been working on keeping up with a daily devotional through You Version and so far so good! Not a missed day this year yet. The other day was one that just spoke to me so much since being unemployed keeps making me feel inadequate. If not even Pizza Hut will call me for an interview than I don't know who will! It gets me down sometimes but then God speaks to us to reassure us.

Photoshop Flowers
I have been obsessing over Pugly Pixel's tutorials and downloads lately and it is really helping me to have fun with Photoshop and learn lots of new things. I recently have been playing with the wonders of water color brushes. Being able to learn new skills just makes me feel so good!

Isn't that water color flower for this blog button cute?

100 Things
I started this challenge this week as February started and the first day is to list 100 things I love about my man. Sounds easy enough but as I started it, I am realizing that it really does force you to think about why you love someone they way you do. Something we all need to do. It can be difficult when it is so much easier to just say I love him because he is everything I ever wanted in a man! Which brings me to the next thing . . .

Pinterest Quote
Found this and had to pin it since I need to better appreciate how lucky I am to have found such a man. I'm glad I'm doing this 14 Day Love Challenge! You can join me too if you like!

Source: rufflesandtweed.blogspot.com via Melina on Pinterest

8 things right there!

Mila the Pug Pic of the Week:

I'm not sure why she is looking guilty when she is actually chewing on something she is supposed to chew as opposed to my husband's socks!

What are your Five Things this week? Comment below or share on the Wedding Pickle Facebook Page!

Five Things Friday {2}

As some of you are saying to yourselves, "Thank God it's Friday!" I'm actually bummed. During the week I do so good staying on top of my proper eating and working out, then the weekend comes and my husband and I get into slacker/cheat mode. I am having to work to fight the weekends just to be able to reach my goals much faster!

That's not to say I don't LOVE Friday! I get my husband to myself for a couple days even if he can't do anything but study like there is no tomorrow. My Friday is off to a good start. I just got done with class, and am sitting here typing this post having some Starbucks. Then I'm going to head off to buy some new workout clothes (much needed) and meet with a new friend for lunch! How are you spending your Friday?

Well, this week I did have a few wonderful things and moments to be thankful for. Here are my 5 Things this week:

Study Blue
I mentioned last week that I have started a class in Personal Training and I realized that there is sooo much for me to memorize. I didn't want to start the whole write out all these flash cards and carry them everywhere so I googled online flashcards and what came up was this awesome program/app called Study Blue. Seriously, it is the best because I can carry my flashcards, notes, and slides on my phone and study everywhere I go. If you are a student, I recommend you check out Study Blue! It is a life saver and a good way to go green. :-)

Workout Chart
I started an 8 week program this week to train for a 10k. Along with that I made a chart of the miles to run and the workouts to do each day and set them up so that I would check them off as I go. Somehow seeing the visual of the marks and/or non-marked boxes keeps me motivated. It was kind of that boost I needed knowing that I am training for a goal other than just to lose weight.

"I'm running to your arms"
I began running in the mornings this week. One, because I know races start in the morning and I want to get my body used to getting ready for a run early. I also chose to begin running mornings because soon this state of Florida is going to start getting warmer and more humid. I began running last fall so I have never experienced the run in the heat. I figure I should make a habit of getting up at sun-up to prep for possibly doing 5:30am runs this summer. I hate waking up so early, but it seriously is like no other feeling to run in the morning and listen to songs of worship. Somehow God gives me so much life that now I am slowly becoming a fan of morning runs.

In that run listening to Pandora, I discovered a new band, One Sonic Society. Their song "Forever Reign" played and as I was running and listening to it, I nearly cried as I ran. It had been a while that I had felt such a movement of God's Love move through me. . . "I'm running to your arms, I'm running to your arms, the riches of your Love will always be enough. . ."

GOD'S STORY your story
Ever since God spoke to me, telling me what to do. I began to really focus on who God is and to keep my heart planted there. I went to the library and checked out Max Lucado's book, God's Story, Your Story, (not a sponsored link) and reading a chapter everyday from it is really becoming one of those feel good moments!

Pugly Pixel
Last but not least, one of my goals this year is to become more proficient with Photoshop so I can do prettier things with the images I post on the blog. I have become a fan of Pugly Pixel, where there are free tutorials and downloads. I did a tutorial this week that left me all giddy! You will see tomorrow what I mean. This will be why the cake picture of the week will be tomorrow instead of a part of my 5 things post. I'm starting a new series just on the inspiration of wedding cake! How amazing is that! So be sure to check in tomorrow to see a pretty cake and my latest photoshop endeavor!

I was horrible with pictures this week and didn't get a picture of my pug baby, Mila. So instead I'll do a flash back picture of when she was a baby. . .

Oh man! My heart leaps out of my chest! She had to be like 12 or 13 weeks old there (about a year ago)! I really miss when Mila was a pup but I still find her to be the cutest thing I ever did see!

Wondering what has happened to Bride's Prayer? That post will be up tonight! Until then, share with me your five things this week! What things or moments this week are you thankful for? Share below in the comments or join me on Wedding Pickle's Facebook Page where I like to stalk the newsfeeds! ;-)

~ Melina

Five Things Friday {1}

I have decided to start a new series on Fridays to be posted weekly along with Bride's Prayers as a way to share more of myself to you. I'm calling this series Five Things Friday where I will share 5 things from the week that made me smile, that I am thankful for or that has blessed me! As a part of this, I challenge you to also list your 5 happy, blessed things from your week in the comments below! Forcing ourselves to look at the positive allows us to really see how joyful life is even while being stressed from planning a wedding or keeping up with wife-dom. :-)

So here goes,

My 5 Things:

1. Finding photos from my favorite wedding that I worked at
Virginia is such a beautiful state and I felt so blessed that I not only got to live there near D.C. for 6 months but that I also got to intern for Ritzy Bee. The last wedding I worked with them before moving was my favorite wedding because it was small, outdoors in the beautiful country side of Virginia and had such darling decor that appealed so much to my style. The flowers I brought home from the wedding had my apartment smelling amazing for days! A Bryan Photo just posted the wedding the other day and it brought back such wonderful memories! It was nice to finally be able to see the professional pics from that day other than my iphone pics.

My iphone pics from that wedding!

2. Beginning a fitness challenge with my sister
My sister and I started to race each other with the Nike Training Club app to get to each reward before the other. The workouts are very challenging but I am excited because it is always fun to have a partner but even funner that my sis and I text about how sore we are, lol. No pain, no gain!

3. Laying in bed until 3am
I am in the midst of a new vision for this blog and this includes a re-design when I make the switch over to Wordpress. It's gonna be epic! I am excited to be busy with ideas, brainstorming and when I can't sleep, I know my heart is a-stirring again. I have been praying for a boost in my motivation in life, and I'm starting to feel that fire again. Praise Him!

4. Support on Facebook from friends and family
I have been looking for a job since I moved here to Florida, but I live in a small town and the competition to get jobs against the local college kids and other military wives leave me unemployed. I have applied to substitute teach and to places like Chili's, Kohl's, Petsmart, Starbucks and Pizza Hut. I never even get a phone call for an interview. It is quite discouraging when I really want to work to save my own money to fund my dreams, but it is really hard to do. When I posted on Facebook that I recently applied to Petsmart and for all to pray for me, I got responses that made me smile. I never ask for help when I need it, let alone ask for prayer requests. Seeing that people care reminds me that God is present. This is me asking you to please pray for me that I find a job ASAP!

5. Starting a class at the local university
Perhaps this would be the most random of things that I've done, but I started a personal training course at the local university. Not because I want to be a personal trainer, but because I am addicted to knowledge and I am determined to arm myself the best I can to finally be the fit person I have always dreamed of being. Not skinny, but fit and strong! So I saw this as my way of changing the way I've always done things to see different results. (Now if this certification that I can potentially earn lands me a job, I would be more than ecstatic!) It feels really good to be on a campus in a classroom again!

Oh and just because my baby and cakes make me happy, I'll share these every week too!

Here is Mila . . .

. . .  and here is cake!

Source: stylemepretty.com via Melina on Pinterest by Jessicakes

What are your 5 things for this week? Or you can share one, however many you want to share. It can be as simple as having had ice cream with sprinkles! (Always makes me happy!) Go ahead, try it! Can't wait to see yours! :-)