4 weeks

Sadly, Tonight is my last night with this cutie for 4 weeks :( He moves to DC this weekend. 



I sure will miss him for 4 weeks, but its exciting to know that when he comes back, it will be to get married, go to SF and NAPA and then move together to DC. Whats 4 weeks in the grand scheme of things right???

This has been one of the most stressful weeks of my life.  We had one week to finish up marriage details that we both had to handle-- wedding rings, 2 marriage counseling sessions, wedding portriats (yes, I know we are horrible for seeing eachother pre-wedding), license, etc  PLUS hours sitting in my office every night trying to find housing.  We think we found something and it will work out -- but we have thought that 3 times now and it fell through, so we shall see !!!On top of that, DC is expensive and moving to DC is expensive! AND we have to decide when we are moving our furniture up.  It can't be done after wedding or immediately after honeymoon..... OH and the job search hasn't even begun! So, its been a stressful week....and despite my Joy over DC and pride in Dave, it has seemed like this is the wrong decision numerous times because of the crazy amounts of stress and details to be worked out!

BUT I truly think that this move is stressful and will be stressful for a few months while thinks like housing and jobs are being worked out...BUT in the long run, I think this move will be great.  We LOVE DC...We LOVE the idea of starting our lives together somewhere new.  And soon enough, we will have permenant housing and 2 jobs and not be separated.

So, despite our stress, we are still really really excited - about marriage, moving, life.  Even today, the Lord has answered some of our Prayers and we know He will continue to provide and protect us.

And despite the stress, I still want to be marrying this man :) I wouldn't want to be with anyone else.  Thats a good sign, I suppose!


So it will be a stressful 4 weeks, BUT in 4 weeks I marry my sweet Dave. Totally worth all the stress!

Why DC?

(excuse me while I spend time talking about DC the next few days.  After 9 months of not knowing where we would end up, its exciting to know!)

Why was DC our first CHOICE?  Let me tell you all the reasons we love DC.

(1) DC is a big enough city for Dave to do different types of architecture.  In most southern, midwestern or smaller American cities, a lot of architecture is good architecture, just more traditional.  Dave is not traditional at all.  A larger city would give him more opportunity to do a variety of work.

(2) Firms in larger cities are more likely to do work overseas.  Dave's top two firm choices both work overseas...and although Dave won't likely work overseas at first, he will have the chance to eventually do so. Why is overseas important? Apparently weirder (Dave would correct me right here to say "not weird, Katy, different") buildings are built overseas more often than in America.

(3) DC means I don't HAVE TO take another bar exam.  I can waive into the DC bar. It's a process, I'm sure, but not another bar exam.  I will likely take the Virginia bar exam eventually, but it's nice to know I do not have to wait until next spring to be licensed or find work.

(4) LIKEWISE, I don't even have to waive into the DC Bar to find a job in DC.  I AM DYING TO USE MY LAW DEGREE in different ways.  I want to try out other areas of law, legislation, etc.  I can do that in DC without a DC license.  I WOULD LOVE TO WORK ON THE HILL, in policy, for a lobby firm.

(5) DC was compromise.  There's no doubt about it, anywhere we moved, I was giving up a lot back home to go with Dave.  I would be giving up my world, my friends, my job, my license, my church home, my family.  And I was willing to do it, but it did create some disagreements on where we wanted to end up. DC is my favorite city and is a city with opportunities for me which is a large reason why sweet Dave took interest in it. He's too good to me.

(6) DC is livable. Let's not even pretend, we are SOUTHERN folks through and through. We like green space and friendliness and don't want dark hard buildings and sidewalk alone.  Also, DC is not too too big....and thats good for this MS girl: exciting but not overwhelming!

 (7) DC IS SOUTHERN....(and it's not southern, all at the same time)DC is full of people from all over- including southerners.  And what I learned in my 3 summers there is that Mississippians (and southerners, in general) find each other.  It's true. We hear a southern accent a mile away.  We spot searsucker and migrate to that person to strike a conversation. AT THE SAME TIME,  We see someone in an sec tshirt and immediately discuss football.  DC was always an adventure for me when I lived there - because I met different types of people from all over, but I always found comfort in being around southerners.

(8) DC has good churches.  One, in particular that I love: GRACE DC..but so many others.  No matter what city, Dave and I looked up for jobs, I always checked to see if there were churches, particularly PCA churches.  It was a must that we move somewhere with Christian Community.

(9) DC is a direct flight home.  Its far away, sure, but not too far that we can't come for important weddings, holidays, etc.

(10) DC has friends.  One of our reasons for moving away- even if away was just to Birmingham- was a chance to start our life together.  It seemed a bit unfair for Dave to move into Jackson, into a life I already established, and have to assimilate into my world. Moving away meant creating our own world.  But, I always hoped was would move somewhere where we each knew a couple people. DC has friends for both of us already, which is great, because I want to be with Dave, but sometimes I want to watch a chick flick or have a mani/pedi day you know?

We are moving to.......

..........WASHINGTON DC!!!!!

After lots of applying and about a dozen interviews in Mississippi, Alabama, DC and Florida, we finally know where we are moving!  America's capitol city!!  That's part of why I have not been posting - because I knew a job offer was in the works but didn't want to speak until it was in our hands. WE ARE SO THRILLED TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE LIVING TOGETHER WHEN WE GET MARRIED!!!! (and how lucky for me that we are moving to what is literally my favorite city in America!)

And we are so grateful.  Sometimes what you want and what God wants is not identical and that's a tough pill to swallow. I've swallowed it many times :) But, this time it worked out the way we both wanted, even though we had no hope it would turn out this way. When we first started discussing a city we both would be interested in -- we disagreed on different cites (IE, I could not seem to sell Dave on Jackson!) but we were in agreement over DC. However, our assumption was that it would be impossible to get a job there, so with the exception of a couple applications, we focused on the southeast - and actually became quite content with the idea of living here.  I think everyone thought we would end up in Alabama somewhere, including us! (and I do think if we weren't taking this job, Alabama would still be a good option and Dave would receive some offers) 

But, in the last month, God literally opened doors for us to move to DC.  One of those random applications he sent turned into a job interview.  Dave decided he would apply to a few more on a whim to see if he could get maybe one more interview (it seemed silly to fly to DC for just one interview) -- and he got 3 more interviews.  So 4 interviews in 3 days in DC which happened quickly - and turned into an offer quickly - and now turned into a job quickly - to start quickly (next week!)

SO, as I said, we are THRILLED...and quite ANXIOUS as we scramble around to get details together.  Dave is literally moving to DC for 4 weeks, coming home for a wedding and honeymoon - and then going straight back! (I think I will come home, pack up and meet him in DC a few days later) We spent this weekend doing wedding/honeymoon stuff since we only had one week to finish marriage counseling, buy rings, etc.  We also had to finish making reservations for our honeymoon- tours, restaurants, etc. AND we needed to find Dave some temporary affordable housing for the 4 weeks he is there.

We are struggling to find housing for Dave and then for us -- sublet, short term lease, etc.  At very worst, Dave will book an extended stay hotel and look when he is up there.  We don't want to sign a 12 month lease until we know where I will be working....but if we have to, we have to. I also am about to start looking for a job. SO TONS OF DETAILS TO WORK OUT.

When I start to get stressed, I remind myself how excited we are -- and that when the details are worked out, we can relax and enjoy our new home! This is a blessing and an answered prayer -- and I wish Dave didn't have to start until after the wedding, but I am glad he gets to start working at all!  When God blesses, I can't complain that the details aren't the way I would have planned them.....and underneath all the stress, I am downright giddy to be moving to my favorite city with my favorite person.  20 year old Katy (who swore she would move to DC after her first summer in the city) would be so excited right now!

So, sadly, 4 weeks with Dave in DC and me in Mississippi (which I think he conveniently planned so he could avoid wedding stress !!!) --- but when he returns, it will be to marry me! SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

And, so much to pray for. We are praying for a good sublet for awhile as we figure things out (and preferably in a private apt, not subletting a room).  We are praying that I find a job soon after arriving there.  We are praying that we find a good permanent apartment to live in after the sublet! We are praying for good attitudes as we have both gotten discouraged a couple times so far with the stress of searching for rentals and jobs as well as packing up, moving and being away from each other.  We didn't anticipate our wedding and first married days involving living apart at all or living in a sublet, but the most important thing is that we will be married and starting our lives together.

OH AND IT MUST BE SAID, I am extremely proud of Dave. He is extremely talented. And while interviews in architecture are hard to come by, he has gotten a lot of attention.  I think his talent, his maturity and his work ethic make him marketable.  I am so excited for his new job and I am so excited for our life in DC!  Leaving Jackson is quite bittersweet for me - because I love my friends and family and life here, but I am grateful that we have a chance to make our life together somewhere all on our own.  Additionally, I always wanted to move back to DC and never would have done so, unless Dave pushed us to, so I am glad that he is challenging me to move out of my comfort zone.

So, it's going to be a BUSY month -- one month til we marry, a few days til Dave moves, my last 4 weeks of work, traveling to SF/NAPA, and a move to DC.  What a comfort to know our lives are in the hands of the Lord as we make these changes! And what a blessing to walk through these changes with my best friend!

One month

One month from today, I get to marry my best friend!

I want this month to go quickly except I Kindof don't because we have so much to do!!!

But then again, I really do hope its a quick month :)  It feels we have been counting down forever and it's finally at one month.  (And to begin with, our countdown was "7 months til you move to Jackson..."!)

MIA

I am sorry Ive been MIA lately. I used to actually blog about faith, 20s, singleness, exercise, dating, etc... Even about my life some too... But I've been busy which makes for boring posting

Seriously any of my recent posts would have said... Work bla bla bla...wedding bla bla bla... Job search bla bla bla... And a few update posts like that are good but a bunch are obnoxious so I just didn't post.

Consider this my one obligatory update post before I move on to bigger and better posts (JK I've got nothing brewing) here goes:

- last weekend was my bachelorette weekend which was amazing and fun. I miss my sweet friends now that I live at my parents house so seeing them was such a treat!
- wedding invites went out. It's official y'all!!
- Dave has had a lot of interviews (4 last week and 2 this week). Plus interest from another firm. In addition we are waiting to hear from some firms he already interviewed with recently. Now that school is done he is able to focus on applications and interviews and has had several. Say some prayers that one of these firms works out. Now is the hard part. Waiting :( Firms have a little more control so they can make you wait awhile
- Dave graduated! It was great and ill post pics soon (I lied we will have a second update post full of pics sorry)
-I failed my diet kindof. I made it halfway through before I had graduation, Ansley's birthday, a wedding and traveling. Lost 5 pounds though so I believe it works well! i had always planned to take off for bach wkd and i did and Am back and committed to following a modified version of the diet a couple more weeks in attempts to lose the last 5 pounds!
- I'm in Thankyou note writing mode. I'm determined to get caught up before the wedding!


That's about all. Bored yet? Yeah me too

Ill try to be interesting again soon!

MODIFIED Jumpstart to Skinny

I talk about fitness and health and post recipes, but rarely to I endorse a certain type of diet.  This is just a blog for fun, not one to advertise.  But, I think that if I did not share this diet with you, I would be doing a diservice! 

Remember how I posted the Skinny Rules (just general healthy living diet tips from Bob Harper?), He also has a new diet book out that Mom saw on the TODAY show and we literally purchased the day it came out. The book is meant to be a quick fix for an event, something to jumpstart you, etc. It's far too restrictive for daily life!  This is the meal plan he puts celebrity clients on for the 3 weeks prior to a runway event - and it's meant to cause quick weight loss (UP TO 20 POUNDS!!) and then you move to a more permenant diet plan.  HMMM, someone with an event coming up and still has about 8-12 pounds she wants to lose? SOUND LIKE ANYONE YOU KNOW?

I eat healthy MOST of the time.  I have lost some weight but stopped losing the past few weeks--partly because I had 3 parties and a baby shower and was moving....but I still wanted to get a bit smaller! So I thought what the heck? And 6 days in and I cannot speak highly enough about this diet.  I usually lose weight SLOWLY. very little triggers my body to lose weight (IE, 15 mile runs did nothing for me) and so far I have lost between 4-5 pounds!  That's huge for me!  I know the last 2 weeks will be slower, BUT still, if I come out of this having lost 8-10 pounds, I would consider in a big success.  I don't have 20 pounds that I want to lose so that would be extreme for me.

Here's the rules in case anyone else wants to try it!

#1 - Take control with proper proportions--40/40/20 - 40% protein/40% carbs/20% fat plus unlimited vegetables on Bob's freebie vegetable list that you want to eat. Carbs you can eat DO include whole grain pasta, oatmeal and others he includes in recipes. The protein is not all meat-based, and he lists other protein sources for this plan.

#2 - Cut back on calories: 800 calories for women & 1200 for men - plus any additional calories from Bob's recommended vegetables.

#3 - Eat no complex carbs (in whole grains) after breakfast - eat whole grains with breakfast foods.

#4 - Get rid of water weight by drinking more water - he explains reasons for this based on research and names other beverages that meet this requirement.

#5 - Get your electrolytes - ensure you have enough electrolytes - Bob recommends a mix he likes that is fairly inexpensive that you can add to water.

#6 - Do 45 minutes a day of low-intensity cardio, preferably before breakfast.

#7 - Five times a week, do 15 to 20 minutes of Bob's Jumpstart Moves. Part III of book has seven distinct routines you rotate with over 50 photos of Bob doing the moves.

#8 - Cut the salt - recommended salt amount is explained.

#9 - Take advantage of the restorative power of fish oil - preferred amount is listed and why.

#10 - Fall back on veggies - a list of recommended unlimited veggies for optimum weight loss is provided.

#11 - No fruit during week three - the fructose (fruit sugar) in fruit can slow down weight loss. That's the only food that changed for the last week.

#12 - Lay off all booze - for a number of reasons including calorie count to optimize weight loss.

#13 - An espresso a day ... or two or three - Bob lists other hot beverages also acceptable for this three week plan.


I follow this diet about 80-85% and I am not changing how I do it until it stops working.

Rules I follow perfectly: water, limited salt, no carbs after breakfast, 800 calories a day, no alcohol, veggies, etc.

I TRULY BELIEVE ITS THE ONLY WATER, LIMITED COMPLEX CARBS AND 800 CALORIES A DAY THATS WORKING!!! Before I limited my carbs a lot even at breakfast but I think this is kickstarting my metabolism and 800 calories is enough to function on but not enough to stall weightloss.

Ways I modified the diet- you aren't supposed to have artificial sweetners or creamer so most mornings I drink the espresso. Luckilly for me I have kroger brand crystal light with added caffeine and on the couple mornings I forgot my espresso, I mixed a caffeinated drink at work.  I figured it was better than a diet coke or coffee with creamer and sugar. ALSO, I sometimes am travelling or at a meeting, etc and can't eat his 40/40/20 so I eat a balance bar and a piece of fruit or veggies (those bars are 40/30/30 so I think its fine especially if you add more carbs (via fruit and veggies) which evens it out)  I've done that twice and have to do it again tonight as I will be on the road.

Oh, and he gives you recipes and some are really good, but sometimes (particularly at lunch) I find it so much easier to just cook chicken or fish and veggies and maybe fruit.

I walk most mornings before work although I have missed one morning and the walks have been cut short if I was running late.  But I try to keep exercise in my diet every day, although because I feel a bit weak on this diet, its usually only walking.

Anyways I plan on finishing this round, eating healthy for a few weeks and if I feel I need to slim up a bit for the wedding, doing a week or two of jumpstart again. 

I know its not a sustainable eating plan (thank GOD because it would be miserable to never have a dessert or piece of pizza!) but I think its great short term and highly reccomend it.  Hoping to lose 4-5 more pounds.  I highly suggest this diet book if you are looking to shed a few pounds before bikini season!