Weight Loss :)

So as I mentioned before Burke and I started a Boot Camp back in November, we have stuck with it and get up every week day morning at 4:15. We are CRAZY right?? But oh my goodness we have LOVED the results...let me brag a little... Burke has lost 30 lbs and is looking good! He wants to lose 10 more lbs. to get to 190. I have lost about 15 lbs and I want to loose about 5 more to get to 150. We were looking at some pictures after we had first moved here to Oregon, and we couldn't believe how different we look now. When we reach our goals I will post some before and after pictures.... I have yet to figure out how to do that yet, maybe I will play around with that later. But anyways! We feel so much more energized and motivated it's amazing how much better you feel when you shed those extra pounds and cut out all the crap from your diet, we haven't had pop in I don't even know how long. And I haven't had a cheese burger or fries either! The thought of eating a greasy hamburger seriously makes me want to gag now. BLAH. But anyways, we are doing good, I have been officially been going to school for 1 year now, I'm getting there slowly, but surely. Burke is still doing great at his job! So WAHOO for us! :)

Christmas Time :)

 Hello Friends and Family and whoever else looks at my blog! So just a recap on Burke and I's life...we started a Boot Camp! We get up at 4:00AM to be there at 5:00 and work out! Its been a trial to say the least...but a wonderful trial! I can't believe how much better we feel about ourselves and the changes we are making! Just to brag a little about myself...I did 24 REAL pushups and 100 squats each in 2 min ! Now, that might not seem like a big deal, but it was amazing for me! Wahoo! But anyways, I just LOVE Christmas time, I especially love it this year because I'm not working non-stop and actually have time to reflect on the holidays and enjoy it! This last weekend Burke and I went to my Allard Christmas party that was at Pacific City on the coast. I wish I had pictures to post, but even if I did I don't think I would know how to get them on here! Just take my word for it...B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! Gorgeous weather, gorgeous beach, I found a beautiful seashell while I was walking on the coast with my hubby. It was such a good little "mini-vacation." Speaking of vacations... we are heading up to good-ole Idaho at the end of this week and to say the least, we are SO excited! I can't wait to get together with my long-lost friends and family. However, there better be SNOW there! Big, fluffy, white snowflakes! (After we get to Idaho of course) but I want a white Christmas! I'm excited for the anticipation of wrapped presents under the tree, homemade goodies, fuzzy socks, Christmas PJs (HINT HINT BURKE I want Christmas Jammies HA!), I'm excited to watch my nieces and nephews open up their presents. I AM JUST EXCITED FOR EVERYTHING! However during all my excitement I have a hard time remembering the TRUE meaning of Christmas. My wonderful mother-in-law got us all a little book called "A Christ Centered Christmas" by Emily Freeman and I just adore it. Just to give a short summary the author started a tradition one year when her daughter said "Mom, I believe in Santa Claus, and you believe in Jesus Christ." The author realized that in past years the main focus was on Santa Claus and not on our Saviors birth. She started a new tradition in their home that I just think is an excellent Idea. They take seven days (or seven weeks) and talk about 7 of the nativity figures. Each one has a different value about them that we can take away from the story. Here is a short summary I'm taking from the book of each of them:

MARY- Reminds us that we need to find a moment to ponder the events of that sacred night in Bethlehem. In that moment we celebrate the miracle of Christ's birth, and the gift that Heaven gave.

Joseph- Represents the desires of our hearts. He reminds us of the secret acts of Christmas kindness given with sacrifice and love to the broken, the weary, the lost, or the lonely.

The Angel- Embodies a heart that runneth over with the good tidings and great joy of the season. The angel is a reminder that the anticipation of good things to come should fill our hearts with warmth and overflowing.

The Shepherd- Symbolizes a testimony within, an inner conviction that we have come to know Christ. The shepherd is a reminder for us to come closer to the Lord, now and with haste, and then to share our testimony with others.

The Wise Men- Exemplify the journey each of us takes as we seek the Lord. They remind us that as we draw closer to Him, and will be led to continue our journey another way.

The Lamb- Reminds us to prepare our hearts to recognize the hand of the Lord in our life, and then, in that instant, to give thanks.

and last but certainly not least...

The Christ Child-reminds us to offer a gift to the Lord this Christmas season: A gift based on the true work of Christmas, one that will allow us to focus on Christ all year long.

I hope everyone this year has a very merry Christmas and among the hustle and bustle of the presents, goodies, and Santa, that we can remember our Savior Jesus Christ and celebrate his birth and the gift he gave to the whole world. I love you all!

What to say?

So right now our life is just busy and boring! I haven't updated this forever because I really feel like there is nothing new or exciting happening in our lives. So here is what went on during our summer... I went to school for the summer term and worked on campus for the grounds department. Burke is still working at Oregon Water Services and loves it. He has really proven himself to his bosses and they love him! After my summer term got over we took a few days off and made a trip to good ole Idaho! It was so good seeing everyone! It's crazy how much life has changed over the last year...which reminds me...it has been a little over a year sense we moved to Oregon! Crazy Huh?! Anyways, so much has changed! My friends all have their own little lives and some have babies! I don't feel like we have grown apart, just grown up. I guess it had to happen sooner or later right? Anyways right now I'm still going to school and Burke is still working. Hopefully something fun and exciting happens soon so I can have something entertaining to blog! :)

The Newest News....

No, i'm not pregnant! I have just decided for sure for sure that I'm going to school to be a dental hygienist! I'm starting school at the end of March, and i'm not going to chicken out this time! Hmmmm not a whole lot else has been going on, Burke's work is still going great for him, he loves it. Shane(my little brother) had a basketball game yesterday and he rocked! He is such a great ball player! I just hope I didn't embarrass him when I screamed "GO SHANERS!" ooopsss! Not Shaners, just shane :). I love being so close to my family I feel so blessed to be so near to them. I have such an amazing family, and I have such an amazing husband! Im so very thankful for his support with me deciding to fulfill my dream in becoming a Dental Hygienist, and moving me here to be close to my family! I love him with all my heart! 

Laugh, Love, LIVE!

So here is me blogging...kinda weird! But I like it! So here is what has been going on lately with me and burkey boy. We are living in Oregon right now and Burke is working for Oregon Water Services, which is a great job and he is learning lots and likes what he does! I'm working for PictureMe Portrait Studio(its like a JC penney's photography) I also am learning lots....although my job really wasnt NOT my favorite at first, I finally figured out what I am doing and feel comfortable in what i'm doing! I'm going to start looking for another job however because PictureMe really doesnt give me that many hours. I was going to start school at Lane Community College this winter semeseter. But it just didn't happen. We are just living life one day at a time right now and living it to the fullest! We are having a great time being married and starting our own adventures of a life time. Who knows what we will take on next :)

Blogging

So this is blogging..... :) haha