What?! It's the middle of September already?!

Yeah, that's what I thought this morning when I realized, wow, I really haven't written anything on my blog since AUGUST. I am disappointed in myself. I will try to keep up with it better, my blogger friends.

Here's a a little re-cap of what I have been up to these days......

- I fell in love with Arbonne. Haven't heard of it? I recommend checking it out. www.arbonne.com. The products are all natural, botanical and safe....gluten free and AMAZing for you. I have even thought about becoming a consultant (I love it that much), but after much time and careful consideration, I have decided my life is super busy and I cannot possibly add one more thing to my plate. 

- Matt and I recently watched our two nieces, Haley and Hadynn, overnight, so their mommy and daddy could take a mini vaca for their anniversary. We had so much fun taking care of girls and they were really good for us.

- I have been a running maniac, training for this 10k. It's THIS Sunday! Crazy! I can't believe it's here already. I am pumped! Matt and I are an awesome team. We have been running together and we really push and challenge each other. It's one of my favorite hobbies (and really, a regular routine for us) we do together.  Last week, I logged 20 miles! I don't think I've ever run that much in a month. LOL.

 

- We are slowly checking things off our wedding list. We got most of our flowers for our wedding. We just need to get some ribbon and more flowers for parents and grandparents. Our friend, Stephanie, is making all the bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres. Here's a sneak peek at our flowers....

- I went to the Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw concert with my best friend/sis-in-law, Amanda. OMW! It was AMAZing! We had floor seats. Best concert ever!

- I visited my family last weekend in Michigan. My brother, Bill, is home on leave for 1 week from the Navy before he is deployed until March. It was a nice little homecoming for me. My mom and I went to the town market......I ran both Saturday and Sunday in town and on my alma mater's campus (I LOVE Alma College).....we went to the town high school's football game like old times....my brother, Bill, and I played a few games of HORSE in the driveway (WOW! It has been years since we did that).....and I visited my old boss' at A.C. Alma surely is the happiest place for me. My heart smiles every time I am there. It's home. I didn't realize how much I missed it.

So.....I'm starting a book club

That's right. I want to get together some of my girl friends for a monthly book club. I know, it's a little "old school"...."old lady-like," but I am SUPER excited. I have always wanted to be in a book club, so I figure I will start my own.

I enjoy reading and I think with a book club, I will be motivated to read more. I look forward to reading books that I have never heard of, to learn new things, meet new friends and build a better bond with my girl friends in this area.

I am prepared for this group to be small at first, but I really hope that it will grow. I figure with meeting only once a month, people can find the time to read (and educate themselves along the way) to be part of this group.

My first meeting is Thursday, Sept 27 at my house. Wish me luck!

P.S. If you have any suggestions for our book list and/or starting a book club, please message me....I am open to ideas and advice.

A kind gesture goes a long way

Last night I made homemade applesauce muffins (my favorite). I made them for the staff over at the local mechanic shop. They have helped me out tremendously with my car over the last couple years, especially these last few months.

They are always honest and do dealership quality work (sometimes better, I think). I wanted to say thank you for all of their hard work and dedication to their values and integrity as a company. I recommend them all the time to people who ask for good mechanic work.

I also gave some muffins to the facilities management guy who is currently working in our office. He has been busy the last couple days patching holes in walls, painting and hanging up all the miscellaneous stuff us women want done. He is so kind, patient and polite.

My mom works in facilities management and my grandpa worked in that area as well until he retired. I know how challenging their jobs are and how hard they work.

An unexpected kind thank you goes a long way for people. I was so excited when I woke up this morning to take these muffins to these hard working folks. 

 

I also met a friend for an early coffee date before work this morning. Even though this meant no workout for me and having to leave the house earlier than usual, I was happy to spend time with a good friend who needed a break from her busy life of grad school, kids and house work.

My aunt has been sick for a few weeks now. I decided since I can't just stop in and bring her some soup (she lives out of state), I'd mail her a simple get-well card. She messaged me on FB ecstatic about the kind and unexpected card. It made my day.

What kind gesture have you done lately?

I encourage you to give someone a hug or mail a card to a friend or family member just because...buy a stranger's coffee behind you at Starbucks.....let someone go ahead of you in line at the grocery store....hold the door for someone. You'd be surprised at how fast the pay it forward gestures spread to other people.

Get your run on!

I officially registered for my first 10k yesterday (Matthew is going to run too). 

I decided the Run10/Feed10 race is a great initiative to run for. It is to fight hunger in the United States. Every person who registers automatically provides 10 meals to needy people in the U.S. That.Is.Awesome.

This morning was my first official training day. I ran 4.25 miles in 42 minutes. Not bad. I kept telling myself, "My run makes a difference. I am running to feed hungry people in my country. I can do 6.2 miles."

 

Blog name change???

So.....I am thinking about changing the name of my blog to reflect who I am today. When I started this thing, I was single again and needed a "project"...."hobby" to keep me occupied.

I have been thinking about this since Matt proposed. My life has changed tremendously over the last 2.5 years. Faith has become #1, next to Matthew, of course, in my life.

Any suggestions my blog friends??? Help a girl out! I'd love to hear your ideas.

Here's a few words to describe me/my life to help get your creative wheels turning:

- faith

- love
- fitness

- family

- friends

- happiness

- health/wellness

- mid-west

- feminine

- strong

- independent

- educator

- photography

- music 
- animals

Who doesn't love Instagram??

Oh my word! I am addicted to Instagram. I LOVE taking pictures using it. There's even an Instagram blog! blog.instagram.com HELLO! It's great for tips, updates, etc.

What IS Instagram? It's an app for IPhone and Android phones. My girl, Lyndsay, told me about it. I added the app and wasn't sure what I was supposed to do with it at first. I really wasn't sure how it worked or how it could be used.

You can post your Instagram pictures on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. If you like taking pictures or maybe you don't, you should check out Instagram. You will fall in love with taking pictures of your life, friends and family.

Here's my life through Instagram. You can follow me at 1nikkig83.

A child of God called home to heaven

It is with an aching heart and tears falling from my eyes that I write this in memory of my precious niece, Hannah Grace. 

Hannah's story: 
Hannah was born with severe brain damage caused by a possible prenatal stroke. With this, Hannah faced many challenges and was severely developmentally delayed.

 

Hannah's family and close friends were inspired by her sweet smile, bright blue eyes, and incredible strength. With that said, Hannah's Hope was born. Hannah's Hope is a nonprofit charity started in honor of Hannah Martinez. It is our mission to support community organizations that help other children with special needs, as well as raise money for pediatric brain research.

God opened the doors of Heaven to Hannah Grace on Monday, July 30 - she was only 3 years old.  Hannah was an amazing little girl. Her smile and her story touched everyone who knew her. She was an inspiration and hero to us all. May she rest in peace.

Click here: Hannah's Obituary

Donations:
Many have asked about making donations to Mike and Mary to help with Hannah's medical bills and funeral expenses. A benefit account has been opened at Centier Bank. Donations can be made to the Martinez Benefit for Hannah account at any branch. This account will directly benefit Hannah's family, and is not affiliated with Hannah's Hope.

Hannah's Hope will continue in Hannah's memory and will continue to donate every cent to helping special needs kids like Hannah.

Click here: Hannah's Hope