New Year, New Me!

Hey guys!

I decided to start off 2012 by getting a grip on my weight and fitness before it spiraled too far out of control. A year and a half ago I was the smallest I had ever been, and just in time for my wedding in June. I worked out twice a day and literally ate nothing unhealthy. As soon as the wedding was over, I ate everything in sight! Immediately after the honeymoon, I moved to a new town, did not have a gym membership, started a new career, and started graduate school. All factors that lead to one thing: WEIGHT GAIN. At first, it did not bother me. I knew there was no way for me to work full-time and keep up my crazy wedding diet plan. I also knew that I actually needed to gain a little bit of weight to be healthier. However, I just could not get a system that worked for me and my crazy schedule in Memphis. My husband kept saying that I looked great, and I believed him. Afterall, isn't he the only one whose opinion really matters?

Over Thanksgiving, I heard some family members discussing my weight gain. Not even in a bad way, but I heard it nonetheless. They were basically just saying that I'm not the insanely small person I once was. But their comments were my first bit of motivation that I had been lacking for so long.

On December 5th, I had my annual check-up at the doctor. They weighed me, and of course I was not happy with the number that was staring back at me on the scale. I knew I had to do something. That day, I started my diet. However, I do not like to call it a diet, because that's so restrictive. I like to call it my healthy eating plan. When I have earned a cheat day, I allow myself to splurge. Until then, it's healthy eating. As soon as I wrapped up my grad classes on December 14th, I started my work out as well. Boy, how I had missed working out!

Over Christmas and New Years (the hardest time to watch what you eat AND the busiest time of year to find time to work out) I ate extremely healthy and worked out as much as possible. Then school started back. To my surprise, my coworkers were already noticing my weight loss! Then, we all decided to start our own version of "The Biggest Loser" at school. More motivation!

Since starting my healthy eating/working out on December 5th, I have lost 12 pounds. I am thrilled with my results. I definitely have a few more pounds to shed, but I feel like I have already done the hardest part: actually starting my healthy routine.

So, here's to hoping that I can keep this going until I reach my goal weight!

---KPG

Christmas 2011

Once again, the Griffith family had a superb holiday season. We were busier than ever, but hey, that's just the way I like it! :)

For a recap, I did not get completely finished with my grad school work until the 14th. Alex and I held our 2nd Annual Christmas Gathering on the 16th, so I was one busy lady cooking and cleaning!

We had such a good turn out for the party. I LOVE seeing everyone together with no stress and all fun. I also thoroughly enjoy cooking, and the party just gives me the perfect excuse to bake up a storm! This year's menu:

• Hot Onion Souffle
• Beer Cheese Dip
• Bacon Cheddar Dip
• Jalapeno Poppers
• Cookie Dough Dip
• Oreo Truffles
• Mint Chocolate Truffles
• Peanut Butter Truffles
• Chicken Minis
• Fruit Tray with Dip

Needless to say, we all stuffed our faces. I look forward to next year's gathering!

Alex and I headed to Kennett on the 22nd to be with my family for a few days. It was so nice to be home without having any work or homework to do! My mom and dad cooked all of my favorite foods and we watched tons of Christmas movies.

On Friday, my family went to "Hallelujah on the Square". I had so much fun seeing people I had not seen in so long! Another highlight was seeing and singing with Sheryl Crow... Alex was pumped.

On Saturday, I helped mom cook all day. That night, Alex and I attended the Christmas Eve service at church. It was an absolutely beautiful service.

We had a wonderful Christmas in Kennett, but had to return to Memphis on Christmas night to prepare for our trip to MIAMI!

On Christmas night, Alex had a little accident and fell through the ceiling. Yes, a typical Clark Griswold move! He thankfully was not hurt, but we had a gaping hole in the ceiling for several days. We then went to Shogun for our famous Christmas night "I'm Sick Of Leftovers" meal. So yummy!

On the 26th, we were on our way to Miami with Alex's family. We did things a little differently this year. Instead of celebrating Christmas in Memphis and opening a bunch of gifts, we did everything in Miami. We shopped and bought our own gifts, laid on the beach, ate well, and basically got pampered for 4 days. It was marvelous!

Here are a few pictures of our holiday season:

{Front of Christmas Card}

{Back of Christmas Card}

{One of my favorite things about the holidays: receiving Christmas Cards from our friends and family!}

{New trees for the fireplace}

{I'm kind of obsessed with our front door. I love everything about it: double doors, color, two steps up to it, the detailing... I could go on and on! Special thanks to my mama for helping me decorate for the holidays!}

{The formal living room Christmas tree... I love the gold}

{My Pinterest-inspired holiday mantel. I painted the canvases and letters, and bought everything else at Garden Ridge}

{The desk in the family room. Please excuse the mess and clutter... this desk has had a little too much usage from my grad classes!}

{The family room tree. I CANNOT wait until this tree is full of handmade ornaments made by our future children! Our holidays will definitely be more entertaining in a few years!}

Well, that's our holiday wrap-up. Overall, it was a very good, not-so-relaxing, holiday. I started back to work today, and start my next set of grad classes next Wednesday. EIGHT more weeks of night courses, then I am smooth sailing! I think I can, I think I can..... :)

Until next time,

---KPG

MIA

I want to apologize for being so MIA these past few months. With being a full time teacher, and full time grad student, and moving into a new house, I have been more than busy! And I still am, but I am learning how to juggle all of my duties!

Soon I will have pictures of our new house. We have been living there for about 2 1/2 months now, but our living room furniture is currently being refinished and we are still in the process of fixing it all up to our liking! Let me tell you, though, I am in LOVE with our new house. I love that feeling!

I also love my absolutely wonderful job. I wake up everyday ready to go to work!

In 4 weeks, I will be completely finished with 2/3 of my graduate school coursework. I cannot wait for the day when I can say I am finished with ALL of my coursework! It will be here before we know it! :)

Love you all!

---KPG

New Job!

I am so excited to be able to announce that I am officially a Junior Kindergarten teacher at PDS! I have had the privilege of working at this school for year now and already had a job for next year, but this is THE job that I have been praying, dreaming, and hoping for! Nervous? Ohhhh yeah. I have big shoes to fill and just want to do the best job I possibly can. But lucky me, I work with the best girls ever. They are awesome friends, mentors, and confidants and I just know they are going to guide me through this year! I feel so blessed and cannot wait for August to get here so I can get started.

Love you, bloggers! Now back to studying.... :)

---KPG

June Already?

Whoa.... it's June. As in the month of our one year anniversary. How is that even possible? Time surely is flying by.

I have no new pictures to add to my blog, mainly because we have not done anything too picture-worthy lately and we have been busy and scattered during the month of May. So I'll just give a brief update! :)

I have officially finished my first year of teaching! I cannot even call the ending bittersweet, because I definitely did not want the year to draw to an end. I have learned so much from those sweet boys, my coworkers, and administrators and am truly blessed to work at such a wonderful school. I am counting my blessings and thanking the good Lord for giving me this amazing opportunity.

Alex has been traveling so much lately that I almost forget where he is traveling to! He and his company are doing amazing things and I am so proud of him, but Charlie and I sure do miss him when he's on the road! I know it will all pay off, though.

Our first house is now for sale!!!! As much as I love our cute little house, the key word in that statement is little. It's great for the two of us, but since it's buying season we thought we'd put it on the market and see if we got any bites.

I've started grad school summer classes and know this is going to be a looooong summer. I just keep telling myself that it's only one summer and it will be SO worth it next May! Plus with Alex traveling so much, there couldn't be a better time for me to be super busy with school. Ya'll just be praying for me! :)

I'm going to try to do better with blogging/taking pictures, but no promises for the next 2 months!

Love ya, bloggies!

---KPG

Spring Happenings

The Griffith family has been busy this spring. Alex's company has now opened yet another location in Little Rock, AR. This covers central, south, and northeast Arkansas. Needless to say, he has been gone ALOT lately. I've gotten very comfortable (with the help of my new alarm system) staying alone for weeks at a time, but I sure do miss him!

I finished my first semester of grad school (with a 4.0 I might add) and couldn't be happier about it! I will now be transferring over to Christian Brothers University to finish up my MAT. I'm taking 13 hours this summer, so I could use all the prayers I can get! :)

This past weekend I went home to Kennett for several things. I judged twirling try-outs (which I absolutely love doing) on Saturday morning, had a wedding on Saturday evening, had several high school friends in town, and celebrated Mother's Day with the best mother around on Sunday! It was a wonderful, fast, relaxing weekend in Kennett. One thing is for certain: I will never grow tired of going home for (short) visits. I love seeing my family, friends, and town so much!

{Mom and I at the gorgeous wedding}

{Two of best friends, Sally and Jordan}

I have also been doing some serious babysitting lately. I love babysitting, and I love it even more when Alex goes with me! The kids love him so much and get sad when he is not able to come with me (maybe because I have to be the mean babysitter and he's the super hero!?) Anyway, I'm saving up for several little trips this summer and have found babysitting seriously helps the bank account! Plus, I get to spend time with the kids I love.

I am wrapping up my first year of teaching and get sad just thinking about those sweet boys moving to Senior Kindergarten next year! Gosh, I've been so spoiled to such a wonderful first year. I have so much to look forward to next year.

Have a great week!

---KPG

Easter Weekend

This year, we did something a little different for Easter. My family decided to take a mini-vacation to New Orleans. I had Friday and Monday off from work, we had not taken a trip in a long time, and we love any excuse to get out of town! :) We couldn't have asked for better weather, and we did lots of fun things!

One thing is for sure: my family is one of a kind! No other family could even begin to come close to the Privett/Griffith clan. Love these folks.

{Here we are having drinks before dinner on our last night}

{Alex got asked to help with this man's performance. And, oh my, what a wonderful job he did!}

{Before a day of adventures}

{Archie Manning's home}

I cherish every minute I get to spend with my family. We had a wonderful Easter trip and I can't wait to begin planning the next one!

---KPG