First Charity 5K Completed



Happy Family after the Race! {personal photo}



Earlier, I mentioned that I was on a twofold mission to 1) get in shape and 2) support the community. Well, the first of my two charity 5K walks are done! I completed the race in 44 minutes 26 seconds ( my goal was 45 minutes!). Not bad for a couch potato ;-) TJ and my mother we in charge of keeping everyone hydrated; they passed out bottles of water along the route, and cheered us on as we hiked up and down the hills of Glenarden.

I had a really good time, and I was happy it was a family friendly event. T participated too, and his time got him a prize. Out of about 30 walkers, he placed third! I could see the military come out in him as he got serious and sped past me within the first kilometer, bopping to the beat of "Back That Thing Up". It's all good, though. Next time, I will have some music to get pumping.

Speaking of next time.... T and I have gotten so excited about this new challenge that we are starting to train for the March for Babies together. With less than two weeks to go, I am just trying to maintain what I've been doing, and we will use that 5K as a chance to recover from this one. Plus, there will be so many people participating that it will be difficult to run or jog and keep the pace in the crowd. And I want to fellowship with my sorority sisters while we walk anyway. We're walking for the babies!

It's not too late to donate! Check out the link to my fundraising page at the top of the blog to learn more.

Now I'm headed to drink more water. Yum!

My Mascot and Coach! {personal photo}

It's my Birthday!

Today, I turn 24! And it's also the one year anniversary of T.J.'s conception. I know that may be TMI, but T and I planned that weekend to the letter, and prepped for weeks because we knew it would be the ideal time to conceive. Well the prep (and the praying) worked, and I received the best birthday present I could ever ask for!

And now, I am sitting here cuddling with my adorable son and my handsome fiancé, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend a birthday.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes! I appreciate all the love.

Vistaprint Bridal Blowout

I have to say, I have been a fan of Vistaprint before the tv ads, before the mega sales, and before the mass popularity. I remember buying my first set of business cards in 2006 when I was about to enter college and I wanted something to represent my major. Both Vistaprint and I have come a long way as far as style and popularity.

Through my college years, I used them for this and that, but my biggest recommendation comes from Vistaprint printing my college graduation announcements/invitations. After spending a small fortune on invites to my high school graduation from Balfour, I realized that paper does not last, and I just wasted my (my parent's) hard earned money. So when I started getting ready for graduation from the University of Notre Dame, and their invite packages were through the roof, I went to my tried and true Vistaprint.

I know I didn't pay any more than $100 total, and I got SO much more than just invites and envelopes. I also got insert postcards with the weekend agenda, pens with my name and grad year, mugs to give out to family, a large congratulations banner, two magnetic car signs, and custom inspirational magnets. (I will post pics later so you can see the work).

I am giving this glowing endorsement because right now they are having a "Bridal Blowout" sale. I don't know if its the cheapest their prices will be for invites, but its worth a look. Plus, if you sign up with them, they will send you their weekly promotions so you can get the best deals for whatever is on sale. My advice is, unless you are short on time, do NOT to buy the package deal. Find a design you love, design everything, and save it to your portfolio. Then when that item goes on sale, buy that item. It will come out cheaper as long as you choose the slow shipping. And believe me, they just say it will take 28 business days, but it never does. I've never waited more than two weeks for my items, and I choose slow shipping EVERY TIME.

Check out the Bridal Blowout sale and tell me what you think!

Charity Fundraisers are Underway!

As the weather gets warmer, my motivation to get in shape increases. And this year, instead of my usual broken promises to exercise/go to the gym, I am commiting myself to a few charities that I support, and I am going to walk/run for a cause. The first two walks are coming up soon: Continentals Care Walk for Children is on April 28 (the day after my birthday), and March of Dimes March for Babies is on May 12.

Continentals Care 5K Walk/Run
On Saturday, April 28 at 8am, I will be walking/running for my Thrift Chapter Order of the Eastern Star Sister's fundraiser with the PG County Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc. and the City of Glenarden as they raise money for Education. I am reallye excited about this run because I am so worried that by the time T.J. is in school, the education system will be going downhill quickly. After reading the mission of The Continental Societies, Inc., I pledged my support to this endeavor in the hope that my small contribution may aid their goals to support our community's youth.

March for Babies
On Saturday, May 12 at 9am, I will be walking/running for the March of Dimes "March for Babies", along with my Sorors from Beta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. March for Babies is a fundraiser that supports prenatal care for underpriviledged women in order to reduce premature birth. I may have not mentioned it here, but T.J. was born a month early, and he was a week shy of "full term". He stayed in the NICU for five days after his birth, and thankfully never had to be in an incubator. T.J. was a strong baby, despite being on 5lbs 9ozs. And I could not imagine what the other parents were going through as they sat next to their tiny newborns. So I decided to take on this charity to help prevent other mothers from having to sit in a NICU with a premature baby.

Left: TJ in the NICU at two hours old (5lbs, 9oz) Right: T.J. at 3 and 1/2 months old (13lbs)

Right now, I am trying to prepare myself for these walks with some early morning jogging. It hasn't been easy, let me tell you. I have gotten lazy in my pregnancy/maternity leave. So now I need to really push myself, because April 28 is three weeks away! I just hope I don't eat too much birthday cake the night before, because then l wil REALLY have a hard time getting up to go running! I will update you as to how it goes... :-)