Back into running!

So I haven't updated this in a long while regarding my exercise and running.  At the beginning of December, I joined Aspen here in Des Moines and have been back into my regular exercise routine.  I have been running 3 days a week for almost two whole months now and am up to 3 miles each run.  I am averaging 12 minute miles, which is a vast improvement from my 15+minute mile from October and the half marathon.  I am also still doing Curves three days a week also, which is helping the whole strength training issue.  I hate to say it but I wish I would have done this months ago.  My sister-in-law used to work at Aspen here in town before she moved back to Chicago.  If I would have listened to her, I may be better off but at least I'm there now!  I also bought a Body Bug, which is the calorie counter that the contestants use on Biggest Loser.  I have to say I don't think I would be making progress without it!  I keep track of my food, which I have done before, but this little guy keeps track of my calories burned.  So I can always make sure that I am in a calorie deficit to ensure weight loss.  I have never had success losing weight and getting healthy before.  I am so proud of my accomplishments thus far and can officially say that I have gotten out of the Obese BMI range.  Of course, I want to celebrate with a big dish of Cold Stone ice cream, but I think I will get a manicure or something instead.  Much better reward and definitely helps the motivation!  

Just wanted to update you all!  Best of luck to all of you out there with similar goals!  We all gotta stick together!

Food & Friends

Preparation and "scrunching" of the pot pie.

Ah, that looks delicious!

This is a picture of Ben, Me, Matt and Morgan at Nick and Beth's wedding on January 3rd.  It was a great time, despite the ice storm that moved in that afternoon.  We all made it there and home safely and had a great time celebrating with Mr. and Mrs. Sywassink.  Can't wait for summer camping trips and spending time with our friends.
Since I've had a slow caseload since before Thanksgiving, I've been cooking and baking up a storm.  As much as Ben appreciates this, it means more dishwasher cycles and a seemingly constant rotation of utensils and dishes being used, washed, reused and many "I thought this was already cleaned"s.  I thought I would post some pictures of the things I've been making.  I will share recipes if asked, but as of now, it's too much work to try and find them again.  Often I just "wing it" and make things up as I go.  Hope you enjoy the photos.

Family Visits

We have officially survived the holiday season and all of the inevitable travel that comes with it.  This year, we managed to visit both parent's houses, and both of my grandparent's holiday gatherings within five days.  Honestly, I'm pretty impressed with our skills.  :)

We traveled to see Ben's mom the evening of the 23rd and enjoyed spending time with Jacque, Connie, Mike, Jenni, Levi, Skyler and Kyden.  We missed Rob, Sara and Aidan but hope to see them this coming weekend, as they will be visiting after the 1st of the year!  

On Christmas day, we ventured up the road to Ben's dad's house and as usual, we ended up playing Wii and taking apart things to try and get them to fit into a car.  Good food was eaten and soon enough, it was time to make the trip back to Des Moines.

We arrived in Des Moines on Friday evening and got to spend a little time playing with our new Christmas gifts before going to bed.  We woke up bright and early, packed up the car and then traveled to LeMars to see my family.  I got to go with my mom, sister and future sisters-in-law to pick out bridesmaids dresses for Jess's upcoming wedding.  We were successful and glad to have one more thing accomplished.  We had a gathering of my dad's side of the family that evening and I managed to kill all of my cousin's in Wii Boxing...yeah I rock.  The next day, we spent time with my parents and also had family from my mom's side at the house.  It was fun to see my cousin's and all of their children.  We are going to have to start getting kid's toys again to keep them entertained.  

We also found out that our friends Matt and Morgan are expecting their first child later in 2009.  We are so excited for them and can't wait to be an aunt and uncle!  We wish them the best of luck and look forward to spending lots of time with the new little one to spoil him or her!  This has also sparked my desire to have children immediately but we are trying to be responsible and wait until one of us is done with school.  Ben definitely is putting the blame on Matt and Morgan for this one and to them I say Thanks!  :)

Sunday we finally made it home and spent a week working before having another busy weekend, with our friends Nick and Bethany getting married.  I can't wait to celebrate with them and welcome them to the "club" where we all get together for dinner, watch a movie and then call it a night, all before 9!  Welcome to old married life.  We love it!  :)

That's life's update so far.  Stay tuned for more!