Thankful

The ABC's of things I am Thankful for...

A-Airplanes: What a wonderful form of transportation. I mean really, you are FLYING in the air to another place. So cool and so thankful! Oh, and one day I hope to sky-dive out of a plane! :)
B-Brother: My Brother, Steven is one cool dude. I love him so much! I will forever cherish the times where we have "us" time, whether it be a short ride in the car jamming to our favorite music or playing ladder ball outside. Most of my favorite memories growing up include my little bro.
C-Communication: Communication has grown tremendously thanks to technology. Emails, texts, skype, phones, social networks etc. I am forever thankful for communication in every form. Thankful that I can send a sweet email to my out of town family or record a video and share it with friends via Facebook. Very thankful that I can pick up the phone and talk to my best friends and loved ones on a daily basis.
D-Dad : I am thankful for the precious relationship I have with my Dad. He is probably the funniest person I know. He will make a crappy day better...he just knows what to say or do. I love that my Dad is not just my Father but also my friend. I am thankful for the past 2 years where we have lived together...in this time we have grown so close and have created some of the best memories! Waffle House trips, America's Funniest Home Videos, yummy dinners, karaoke, GA football tailgating, grocery store trips and so many other little things.
E-Education: Thankful for the education I have been given thus far. And thankful for the fact that soon I will be continuing my education.
F-Friends: I have been blessed with some amazing friends. Some I have known since birth and some I have known for just 5 years. Those friends who have been there through every season of my life make me who I am today. I am forever grateful for the memories, the love, the stories and the support. I love my friends!
G-Grandparents: My grandparents love shows no end. All of them are so special to me in their own little ways. Life would be so boring without them!
H-Health: Thankful that I am healthy and able to get care if for some reason I am not healthy. So many people in this world aren't as fortunate.
I-Iphone: I am just slightly obsessed with this thing. Phone, Email, Facebook, Twitter, games, and whatever APP you want all wrapped into one little phone. LOVE IT! And I should probably throw in there that I am thankful I have not broke it!
J-Job: It may not be my dream job but with the unemployment rate and the economy, I am grateful that I have a job. My job provides for me. I can pay my bills, sleep soundly under a roof in a bed, buy food, save money etc.
K-Kids: Kids make the world a better place. They bring so much joy, laughter and love to any room. My favorite job I have had was when I worked at an after-school program for 150 kids. Everyday was an adventure and I never left unhappy. I can't wait to have my own kids someday!
L-Love: I have a love for so many things. The things I love bring so much happiness in my life and the people that love me do too! Love is powerful.
M-Mom: My Mom is beautiful. My Mom is my rock. My Mom is funny. My Mom is unconditional love. My Mom is a great cook. My Mom is my best friend. My Mom gives the best hugs. My Mom is so many other things but best of all she is MY Mom.
N- Nail Polish: I love fun and new nail polishes. With pretty nail polishes comes manicures and pedicures and those are my favorite treat! My favorite nail polish color is by OPI called "Lincoln park after dark"
O-Our Home: Thank God I have a roof over my head and bed to lay my head.
P-Prayer: The power of prayer is amazing. God is good.
Q-Quiet Time: Love it and need to do it more often.
R-Ryan: There is so much to be thankful for when I think about Ryan. He has brought so much happiness to my life. I thank God for him everyday. His sweet blue eyes and curly blonde hair are just a couple of MANY things I am thankful for. The thing I am most thankful for is his love for me. He loves me like no other ever has and he is not afraid to show it. I hope to grow old with Ryan and watch our love grow.
S-: Step-Dad, Bro & Sis: I'm thankful that Doug make my Mom happy and loves her unconditionally. I'm thankful for my sweet, little step- bro & sis, Conner and McKenzie. They are so much fun!
T-Technology: Laptops, Iphones, security cameras, DVR's, digital cameras, TV's etc...I am thankful for it all!
U-Uggs: The most comfortable boots in the world. I was so thankful to have some after I finished the 3-Day walk. They were heaven to my feet!
V-Vacations: 2 days away or a week is always nice. I'm headed to Amelia Island with Ryan's company in just 7 days and I am so thankful for this vacation! Every meal is provided and delicious, great speakers, fun activities, sweet people and the beach! :)
W-Water: CLEAN water. After reading some blogs of Compassion Bloggers and seeing how these children and their families do not have clean water it breaks my heart. Everyday I take a clean shower, brush my teeth with clean water, make sweet tea with clean water and everyday I take that for granite. Heck, when I go to the lake I SWIM in water cleaner then what some of those kids are drinking. Sometimes it's the little things that really are the most important and those things are so easily forgotten!
X- Xtra sweet tea: mm sweet tea! My favorite drink
Y-Yummy Food: I am thankful for all the yummy food that will be eaten on Thanksgiving day. My Memaw's always work so hard to make the best food....and it always is the best! mmm I can't wait!
Z- ZzzzzzZzzz: SLEEP! Thankful for sleep in my comfy bed!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

New Look

I decided to change the look of my blog from warm colors to purples, whites and greys....I am really feeling those colors! So today I made a collage on Picnik and am now using it for my header but now I am getting frustrated because I can not figure out how to download a background image. I have a cute grey plaid background ( the same background that I use on my twitter profile) that I want to use but have NO idea how to get it to an HTML format. Anybody want to help a sista out??? It's driving me crazy!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!!

MAC

I decided not to use Bare Minerals. No, I did not try it but after I thought it about it...I don't do so well with loose powders. I had several powder based eye-shadows that are now all over my make up bag and always got all over my counter every time I used them. SO...I decided not to go with Bare Minerals for that sole reason...seems messy for me!

So, MAC it is. Weird huh? haha I mean all my other make-up is MAC. I went to the MAC counter and asked if they had any mineral make-up and they do! They have a whole line of mineral based make up! I looked at them all and asked my questions and decided to try the Mineralized Satinfinished SPF 15 Foundation. It is a liquid based mineral make up and so far I love it. The MAC lady gave me a sample of the make up and I have worn it 3 times now and REALLY like it! It's not too thick, just the right converage, has SPF and contains antioxicdants...everything I am looking for!
I decided to put this on my Christmas list since I still have a good amount of my Studio Stick foundation left. If you are looking for a new make up go by MAC and have them give you a sample of the Mineralized Satinfinshed Foundation!

Make-Up

I'm looking for a change in my face make-up. Currently I use the products below but I am considering switching to a mineral make-up. When I wear make-up I like it to look very natural. I do not wear any eye shadow or liner but I LOVE mascara and lip gloss. I love the make-up I am using now on my face because it conceals good but it does not look cakey...I can't stand for my face make-up to look cakey or thick on my face! When I did pageant it used to bother me to have to cake on my make-up but you had to do it because of the stage lights! ANYWAYS... I am posting the make-up I wear now and I would love to hear what make-up you wear ( all 5 of you...Katie, Missy, Mrs.McIver, Racheal and Emily! haha) or what you suggest.
I love Clinique's Super Rescue moisturizer. It is awesome! Helps with aging too! :)

I use this Foundation Studio Stick from MAC. I like it because I can just wipe it on my face and rub it in with a foundation brush...it gives a very even and natural look.This is Perscriptives Trio Bronzer. I like this bronzer because you can use the lightest shade for highlighting or if you use all three it give a pretty color...not orange!



I use this make-up brush set from MAC. I got it last year during one of their specials. I use the 3rd brush as a foundation brush and it works great! It is also really easy to clean with soap and water.

MAC's Plush Lash mascara is my favorite! It make my eyelashes so full....pretty sure I will never use another mascara!
MAC's Tinted Lip Conditioner is another favorite. It has SPF 15 and just a hint of color.
And lastly, Stila's Lip Glaze in Peach. This lip gloss is very thick and stays on for a long time. Very pretty for a night out!

I think this weekend I may go by Bare Minerals and get a "makeover" to see if I like the make up. Do any of yall use mineral make-up?

Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk: DAY 3

Day 3 started at 5:00 am. We woke up early because we had to pack our bags, take down our tent, bring our luggage to the trucks, eat breakfast and get ready for the walk! We were all up before the lights were on in the building! The last day is supposed to be the "best" day so I was really pumped! We loaded the buses and were dropped off in Chamblee.

Ready to grab some breakfast!

Breakfast line. Breakfast was my favorite meal offered by the 3-Day. They had eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, fruit, yogurt and cereal! I usually skipped breakfast but with a spread like that and 20 miles ahead of me, I never did.

Good Morning!!! Still dark outside but we are READY!

We enjoyed a beautiful sunrise as we waited in line to load the buses.

This is Jenne, the National Spokesperson for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. She was so much fun! Every morning she would be up dancing with us and each night she always delivered inspirational words to keep us going. Not to mention the fact that she got EVERY man on stage

**CLICK PICTURE TO SEE VIDEO**
Here is a video of Jenne dancing the Morning of Day3

We walked a couple miles and then arrived at the first cheering station! My Mom, Dad, Aunt Tandy, Ryan, Chris S., Chandler, Chris D. and Mrs. McIver were all there! It was an early morning for them so I was so thankful and excited to see each and everyone of them! They had a full breakfast spread and awesome signs! Mrs. McIver made a HUGE sign that read "Rah Rah To The TaTa's" and my Mom had her sign too! The boys brought us balloons and my Aunt Tandy made me some super cute wings to wear.

My Mom and Aunt Tandy at the first cheer station on Day 3!

My sweet boyfriend! The best cheerleader!

Me with Ryan and Mrs.McIver

Chris, Ryan, Me and Chandler. Chris is Ryan's roomate and Chandler is his girlfriend.

Cheerleaders!!!

The AWESOME sign Mrs. McIver made! Thank you so much!!!

The pretty wings my Aunt Tandy made me for Day 3! I loved them and so did all the little girls I passed! One little girl was wearing wings too and she stopped me and said " I am an angel and you are too!" It was cute!

After the support of the first cheer station, I was ready to tackle the rest of the walk! On Day 3 Jessica and I walked at a slower pace than the rest of our team. Jess had a hurt ankle and I had a blister UNDER my toenail...no speed walking for us. Jess and I made it to Buckhead and decided to take a sweep van to the next pit stop. That sweep van was the best decision we made...it cut off about 2 miles from our walk and we were able to rest our feet for a little while. We ended up meeting up with Janice and Sadie at that pit stop and walked with them the rest of the day.

Jess and I at a church pumpkin patch

This was a pit stop at Oglethorpe University...such a beautiful site!

Jess and I with the balloons the boys gave us. :) Those balloons made it so much easier for us to find each other!

We made it to Buckhead!

This lady was handing out bloody mary shots!

During the last 5 miles of the walk I was really starting to feel it. Each step hurt but each step was worth it. I was pretty quite the last few miles,I was in my own world thinking and praying about why I was walking. The last mile I became very emotional...I could not hold back the tears. I couldn't help but think that with the completion of this walk, we are THAT much closer to a cure. We are THAT much closer to giving everyone the lifetime they deserve. I walked for you, for me, for the tatas that have been lost before this walk and for the tatas that will be saved! Breast Cancer has affected one too many people in my family and I'm willing to walk every year until there is cure, to make sure NO ONE else in my family will ever have to undergo what those before us did!

We are getting closer to Turner Field!

This was on the side of one of the building in downtown Atlanta

Sassy Sadie!

So CLOSE!!! No giving up yet!

Dancing at the cross walk!

The support of everyone was amazing!

Kat's Courage Double Bubble Breast Cancer Bus

Finally at Turner Field!

Mrs. Mihalak was the first person I saw when we walked into Turner Field. Mrs. Mihalak and my Dad grew up together and her daughter, Melissa and I did as well. I had not seen Mrs. Mihalak in years! Once I saw her, big crocodile tears were flowing down my face! Her Mother is a breast cancer survivor.

Then I saw my sweet Memaw and Dad. My Memaw is a breast cancer survivor and I walked in honor of her!

Here are all the 3-day participants in the holding area before the closing ceremony starts.

The cute 3Day shirts the gave us after the walk.

The TaTa Sisterhood team!

The Fabulous Four! Janice, Sadie, Jess and I walked together everyday! I could not have made it without them!

Closing Ceremony is about to begin!

Shoe off to the survivors...a very emotional moment.

The best picture I could get of the stage.

Survivors circle

Survivors!

Bella was at closing ceremony! :)

Ryan and I

What a precious family they are!!! Love yall!

The 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day walk is the best thing I have ever been a part of. This walk opened my eyes in so many ways... I was so inspired. to start off the dance party! :)I will be walking in the Breast Cancer 3-Day in 2010!!! Who is with me???

Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk: DAY 2

Day 2 we were awoken by whispers, phone alarms, tent zippers and the shuffling of feet. We rubbed our sleepy eyes, got dressed and grabbed some breakfast. After breakfast we stood in line to load the buses, while waiting in line we danced to Michael Jackson's "P.Y.T" and Miley Cyrus' " Party In The USA"...so much fun!

Lines to get on the buses

Grabbed a picture while waiting in line. "Everyone Deserves A Lifetime!"
We started our walk on Day 2 somewhere around Duluth. On Day 2 I was taking it 2 miles at a time. Every 2-3 mile there was a pit stop. If I thought about it this way then I was fine! At each pit stop they had PBJ's, oranges, chips, peanuts, bananas, powerade and water. They also had medical tents and port-a-potty's galore! At every pit stop I grabbed a couple orange slices and it was heaven to my mouth! At one of the pit stops they had some cheerleaders from a local high school and I recognized one of the cheerleaders...she was an employee at one of my favorite stores Charming Charlie. After one of their cheers I grabbed her to get a kick line picture!

mmm oranges!

Thank God for port-a-pottys!!!

woo kick line with the cheerleaders! This killed my hamstrings! haha

My favorite part of the 3-Day beside all the inspirational stories and the possibilities of finding a cure? THE CREW MEMBERS! Crew is fabulous! They have the best costumes and music! The crew members rode around on motorcycles and bicycles with music blaring. They were dancing at every crosswalk and rooting us on. Without crew it would have been one boring walk!

This was my favorite crew member. I forget his name but everyday he had a different kilt. He was a dancing machine!!!

We were all told by the crew members to give the cop a hug as we crossed the street. It was soo funny to see him be bombarded!

We crossed the Chattahoochee River

Stretch it out! Stretching is sooo important!

Here we are at the end of Day-2! "Live will be spared because we cared!"

**CLICK PICTURE TO SEE VIDEO**
At the end of Day 2 we walked into camp and waited in line to get a massage! YES, a MASSAGE! Energizer is one of the Breast Cancer 3-Day sponsors and they had a tent for massages. It was fabulous! After the massage we ate a late dinner and joined in on the night fun! Missy came to be with us that night and I was so happy to see her! She brought us cappuccinos, coffee and doughnuts...now that's a sweet friend! The night was kicked off with karaoke and followed by an awesome dance party! First all the men were called to the stage....they weren't sure why they were called up there but later found out it was to start off the dance party! All of the men were good sports and shaked what their mama's game 'em! They played all the good music...single ladies, cupid shuffle, YMCA, pretty much anything you could shake your hips too. It was a GREAT time and it actually made me feel like a million bucks! All the dancing really loosened all my muscles stiffness!

Dance party begins!

Missy and I doing the Cupid's Shuffle

Sadie and Janice shaking it!

"YMCA"

**CLICK PICTURE TO SEE VIDEO**
Single Ladies! This was soo much fun!

**CLICK PICTURE TO SEE VIDEO**
Cupid's shuffle! Look at Sadie, Janice and Missy getting down!!!

Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk: Bernie

I forgot to tell you on my Day 1 post that I met an amazing person...his name is Bernie. I met Bernie with only a mile left to the bus when he made the comment that we were almost done! I noticed that Bernie was walking alone so I asked if he was walking with a team and he told me "no, I am walking alone". I asked if he was from Atlanta and found out that he was actually an out-of-towner...he is from Boston! After we talked about him being from Boston I asked why he walked. He walks in Memory of his wife, Mary. Mary battled breast cancer for many years and eventually lost her battle. Since she has passed away Bernie has walked in 5 3-Day's all in different cities. After the Atlanta 3-Day he has walked a total of 300 miles for his one true love. He was sporting the pink like a real man and told his story with so much joy. Bernie is a true example of what the 3-Day is all about. I feel so blessed to have met Bernie on this journey. His smile was contagious, his story was inspiring and his positive attitude was uplifting. God placed Bernie in my path for a reason! Each day I ran into Bernie at least once... on Day 2 I saw Bernie dancing on stage at the dance party and then later ran into him that night. On Day 3 I saw Bernie as I walked into closing ceremony. I got it all on video and wasn't planning on it but I am SO glad that I did. Here are a couple videos to enjoy....

**CLICK PICTURE TO SEE VIDEO**
This is Bernie shaking it with all the men on stage. So fun!

**CLICK PICTURE TO SEE VIDEO**
Here we are walking into closing ceremony and I see Bernie! woo hoo