Picture Day

I totally forgot that it was picture day at work today. I literally spent about 10 minutes getting ready this morning. Thank goodness I had some hairspray, mascara and lip gloss at work. This was the finished product:

I love Instagram... it has a way of hiding some flaws. I could still pick apart this picture but I will refrain. Trying REALLY hard to see myself the way God sees me. Imperfectly perfect and precious in HIS sight.

Psalm 139: 13-14

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

Decisions

Mom and I hit the mall this weekend on a mission: To find me the perfect 30th Birthday present.

First stop, COACH

I was like a kid in the candy store. The smell of leather was intoxicating. I felt completely out of place but acted is if I knew what I was looking for and that I had been to the store thousands of times (I wish!). The sales lady even commented on my taste level. Apparently I have good taste? Ha... I just like pretty things. I drooled over many a bags before in my life, but none like this. Can't really explain my obsession with Coach, it's just something I've always admired. After a good hour I narrowed my options down to these 2 lovely's



Madison-Maggie Shoulder Bag Black with Gold Accents





New Willis-Dark Brown





















I love the simplicity of both of them. They both are classic purses that will never go out of style.

After playing dress up with fancy bags, Mom and I headed over to Helzberg to check out some sparkly pretties. Jewelry stores always make me feel uncomfortable for some reason. Probably because I have spent so little time in them. My Mom is on a hunt for a 50th Birthday present for herself from my Step Dad so she was busy trying on necklaces and rings and I found myself pretending in the engagement ring section. (Pathetic, I know). After realizing how idiotic I looked, I steered my way over to a different counter and came across the below Cross Diamond Necklace:




10kt White Gold 1/10ct TW Round Diamond Cross Necklace

 

This picture really does not give this cross justice. It is truly beautiful in person.  The chain is also beautiful. So delicate. I may be a tad nervous to even wear it for fear of losing it because it is just so pretty.

Decisions, decisions. I'm giving my Mom a hard job, aren't I?! I'd rather her choose. Takes the pressure off of me. Either way, I have a feeling this Birthday is going to be extra special for many reasons.

Run for Fun?

Guess what... I'm not going to reach my 30 by 30 goal. Unless I can somehow lose 22 lbs in 4 weeks, I am pretty much throwing the towel in on this one. I've been beating myself up pretty bad about it the past few weeks. Many pity parties. Many moments of looking in the mirror and picking a part all my physical flaws. Satan stole my joy. I dug myself into a big hole of self hatred. It wasn't pretty. It never is.  BUT... I woke up yesterday morning and decided that instead of giving up on my 30 by 30 goal, I am going to modify it a bit. Lose 30 lbs within my first year of being 30. That means I have exactly 13 months to achieve this! Totally doable, right?! I'm down 8 lbs (ehh... yeah I gained 2 lbs over the past 2 weeks with my self loathing) so I only have 22 lbs to go. I can do this. I WILL do this. I will continue to check in with ya'll from time to time to keep you posted on my progress and also probably to vent my frustrations with the whole process.

Now onto to some other "News." I have decided to start running. Ugh. I'm not a runner. The Sparling's are typically slow moving objects. It's a fact that I walk faster than I run. I've tried to jog here and there when I've felt inspired to, but it was always short lived and I felt like I wanted to die afterwards. Everyone and their mother seems like they are running 5k's or training for Marathons lately. I admire their strength, courage, and determination to train and then successfully complete their races. A close friend of mine is a runner and she recently had a baby a few weeks back. Before her son was born she asked me if I wanted to train with her to run a 5k. At first, I laughed. Running a 5k seems impossible. I let the idea marinate in a bit and decided that I will commit myself to training and running a 5k sometime this summer. To some, a 5K may seem like no big deal. But to me, this is HUGE. I've heard wonderful things about the Couch to 5k training program and have decided to follow that as my guide. I had my first official "Walk/Run" last night and it went surprisingly well. I felt I paced myself well, but still pushed myself more than I thought I could handle. After my first training session I didn't feel like I wanted to die. I actually felt quite good. I felt accomplished. I felt motivated. I felt like I could continue to do this program.

Today is my off day. My muscles are tired and sore, but it's the good sore you feel after you've had a great workout. It's suppose to be 70 and sunny today so my plan is to at least go for a walk tonight. Stretch those muscles out a little bit more and just breathe in the beautiful weather.

Happy Friday!

Nifty Gifty

I turn 30 in exactly one month from today. Gasp. I'm starting to freak a little LOT. I have tons of anxious energy surging through my body and instead of exercising like I SHOULD, I've been eating. But, enough about that.

My Mom proceeds to ask me the following question last night:

"Ok, Jess. For your Birthday I have 2 gift ideas for you. Since you are turning 30 I wanted to get you something big. Would you like to pick out a nice REAL piece of Jewelry OR a Coach Purse."

Say whaaaat??! I was shocked. My Mom has always been extremely generous whenever it comes to gifts, but this blew me away. Both offers are so amazing. I'm so loved (and spoiled!!)
Here is my thought process surrounding these offers.

1. Besides a little gold cross with a tiny emerald in the center, I do not own a REAL piece of Jewelry. Makes me a bit sad, but I know that someday I'll get a REAL piece that I will forever cherish. Call me old fashioned, but when it comes to jewelry, I have always believed that it is a gift that should come from a significant other. Jewelry that comes from a parent or relative should be something that is handed down, an heirloom so to speak. I have a few pieces that will be handed down to me eventually, which I can not wait (but WILL wait) for. They are truly precious pieces with special meanings and I will forever hold them near and dear to my heart.

2. For whatever reason, I have always been drawn to Coach purses. Even as a little girl, I remember vividly saying "Someday, I am going to make enough money to be able to have a Coach purse, then I'll know I've made it!" Even though I technically able to purchase a Coach purse, I still can not justify paying for one, no matter how pretty they may be. I just admire them from afar.

I'm a bit torn as to what I should choose. Both offers are amazing and I would be thrilled with either. What would you choose?  Either way, I feel special and loved. My Mom's thoughtfulness and generousity always blows me away.

"Status" Update

E and I are playing on Kickball league. Cute, right? I haven’t played since I was in 6th grade. I feel like a total girl playing the sport but it’s a fun excuse to get off my butt on Monday nights and socialize. Also, another activity E and I can do together. The more time I am spending with him, the more I am realizing that we are just meant to be friends. Though I feel there is an attraction on both ends, some of the things he has said to me lead me to believe that we will remain in the friend zone, forever. I will admit that when E and I first started hanging out and spending time together, I had butterflies, and was super optimistic and hopeful that there could be something more. I am a tad sad that those feelings will never develop to anything more than what they currently are. I will say that I am proud of the way I handled this whole situation. I played my cards close to my chest. Let him in, but not completely in. I set up boundaries for myself and didn’t allow myself to fall too fast too soon. I listened to my heart but more importantly listened to my head. I’m sure there is a lot of disappointed peeps reading this hoping there could’ve been a different outcome. I’m right there with you, BUT… as I’ve said all along, if nothing else I am thankful that I have a great new friend in my life.

So here I am… still single, still fabulous, still searching for my hearts desire. I will continue to choose happiness. I will continue to be ME because I am good enough and someday, someone will come into my life and make me realize why it never worked out with anyone else. God’s plans are so much bigger and better than anything I ever could imagine. Holding onto to that truth.
Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God is good. All the time.