Finding the Happiness (The First of Many)

One day (recently) I was sitting at the table working on our monthly budget when I realized something: Starting soon (today) I will begin my position teaching with the summer program, start my Masters, coach 2 sports, teach first grade, and be a wife to a coach that has two of his own sports. Oh, and train for a small marathon taking place in November. 26.2 miles my friends. What's a life that's like a marathon without ACTUALLY running one??  Then I may have cried.
And opened a web browser and went straight to JCrew. 

Then I decided OH WELL! God made me a REALLY happy person. So no matter what.... I WILL find something to be happy about to keep me being the SAME overly positive person that I am. So folks, today I bring you the first bit of small happiness that I have found:

This weekend these beauties bloomed. Just simply making my back patio a small slice of Heaven. 

Thanks to Real Deals, gift cards, and a 25% off sale, the chairs got some new highly adorable cushions. For like free. (With gift cards.)

This baby always makes me happy. Unless he's opening the pantry. Or chasing the neighborhood cats out of the yard. 

I can't wait to spend some summer evenings here... while writing a college paper, or lesson plans, or making practice schedules. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. #JustFindtheHappiness! 

Love love, 

C^2

Thankful Thursday: The First Day of Summer 2014

I wanted to take a second to remember one of the nicest people I ever met. Like legit 100% we should all try to be more like KP and always smile. Coach and I love celebrating May 21st, but will forever have a heavy heart on May 22nd. We miss you KP! We are sending lots of prayers to Potts Farm today!

Today on this Thursday I am thankful for: 

Three (plus several of dating) years of married bliss with this stud.

A handsome Coach that understands paying $20 more dollars for a pair of white pants that are a size smaller than the cheaper ones..... And understands that manicures and pedicures don't have an envelope; they are just as necessary as food.#SorryDave

 He gets me. Like 100%.

That with this marriage came a grandmother that I love. I love how her and Coach can discuss the Braves for a few minutes then we can pass the phone and her and I can discuss Y&R. She's the best and makes up for me missing my grandmothers.

That being a runner means I can down a massive plate of pasta and easily call it "carb loading." #ThatsNotRealCarbLoading

That we bought this beautiful house from a landscaper. Ummmmm..... thank you for these beautiful flowers and shrubs!!!! I love them.

These glorious but short few days that I can somewhat sleep in and still manage to lift weights and get a good run in all before 10am. I'll miss these days starting next week.

Lastly, this week was Future Trojan Stars Baseball Camp. One of the sweet babies said they had to wear their sunglasses on their hat because that's the way Coach did it. I think I witnessed Coach's heart melt a little! I'm thankful for this amazing community and all of the 'amazingness' that is here.

Love Love, 

C^2

Happy Anniversary! 2014

3 years ago... We were in our favorite city, then on the stage of our favorite place of worship, then danced the night away with our favorite friends and family. 

In three years I have learned....

An empty hamper means a happy husband. 

I'll never win the TV war. Just read a book. 

His Ipod is equivalent to my Ipad. 

I can't watch Coach do jumping jacks without laughing. Sorry. #truth

Life is better when you win. But I'll always be there for the loss. 

Here's to many more dances, even more wins, and an abundant amount of laughs. Because that is what we do best: dance, win, and laugh.

3 Years of Marriage

This guy....

and I went to the movies with a group of friends summer of 2005.







Now this guy.....

and I have been married for ALMOST 3 years (tomorrow). And we still can't leave the field.

We may even umpire a game together... :) 

Happy Anniversary! 

Love love, 

C^2

Running Faves

Note: Although it would be super nice, I am not paid for these opinions. You should always ask a doctor before starting a new running plan.

I think we all have our hobbies. Or, instead of “hobby” let’s refer to it as an obsession. Well my friends, my obsession is running.

Run*ning- the action or movement of a runner.

Can I call myself a runner?  Many people ask me about running. Or, well, they mention the word run (running, runner, wanna run, I ran… you get the picture) and I jump all over the opportunity to share a passion. (I think I like that word better than obsession. Let’s use that shall we?!)

Here are some things that I have learned over the past year.

and yes... a year matters. 

1.    Running starts in the kitchen.

You gotta eat right if you wanna run. Stomach cramps always occur for me when I don’t properly fuel my body. If I eat crap, I know I’ll feel like crap when I run. Weekends are always tricky. My long runs are on the weekends. This is major motivation to eat properly.

2.    Water. Water. Water.

I can tell if I've properly hydrated in the first ½ mile. School days can be hard because I know I don’t drink as much water as I should. I like to drink Re-hydrate to help. But nothing is better than water peeps.

3.    Buy nice gear.

Coach and I 100% believe that you get what you pay for. We always try to save money to buy the higher quality of things. Shoes, running clothes, socks, watches. Just buy for quality. Plus, when I have nice new gear, I am motivated to put it to use! Hey… you spent the money… don’t waste it! (Note: After reading this, I feel it sounds a bit snobish... I don't mean that at all. I just believe that it's worth avoiding the blisters when you buy $$) 

4.    Find some motivation.

Friends, husband, dog, Pinterest. Just find someone or something to motivate you.

5.    Good music.

I am constantly adding songs to my playlist. I’ll never tell him this, but Coach has legit the best ipod ever. I love listening to some jams while I run. It is motivation to keep going.

Here are some things that I COULD NOT live run without.

1.    The Big Girl Garmin.

This watch is a dream. It’s just perfect. I am excited to put it on and go for a run. Sure it cost more than a small diamond, but whew….. Running with her is amaaaaaazing.

2.    My shoes.

My feet are 100% runner’s feet. Not pretty. But these babies are my fave. I also have about three other pair that I will run shorter runs with. But these are the new “Carley WILL run a marathon in 2014” shoes.

3.    Nike Pros and Body Glide

Just get some. I cringe when I think about all the runs I did before I knew about Body Glide. We buy 5 bars at a time. It’s amazzzzzzing.

4.    DogNamedDub aka: My Poor Running Partner

Dub is a decent running partner, but an even better photo prop. 

 Now that you're ready to like totally go out and kill 5 miles... you need a social media account so you can take craycray pictures like these, post them, and make your awesome-ly supportive husband roll his eyes. 

First day over 90* in 2014

As always: 

Love love, 

C^2