A Whatsup Willmans Wednesday on a Monday!

Whats up with those Willmans?! I've been writing this post for two weeks hoping to get some pictures in here so it isn't so jam packed with just all those words down there ... yikes.

Work is good. I've been bouncing around so much that I've really gotten to know a LOT of the kids at our center. It seems that I'm usually in a handful of the same rooms so that's kind of nice. I have been in an infant room every few days for a lot of last week and I've gotten to know their schedule and how things work ... it's not my favorite but I don't feel so overwhelmed or lost by any means. 8 infants under age 1 is no joke. They'll kick your butt even if they're sweet! It's an assembly line in those rooms! Phew!

We have gotten out our fall decor and I love it. I love the shelves Jeff made me ... they make our whole first floor feel more like a home. I've also officially been obsessed with Yankee Candle products for more than a year now. They just had a $10 off no minimum purchase coupon and I went nuts with that thing. I got a wax warmer for dirt cheap, and a TON of easy melt cups for free at the PX and Bed Bath and Beyond of course. We don't have a Yankee Candle here but they'll take the coupons, score! I love having the house smell great .. especially the fall smells. (Obsessed with the apple one right now!!)

I've started volunteering with the USO and I'm loving it. They always have a reason to bake something and I love baking. I've made birthday cakes for Marines in the barracks at school here and Halloween cookies for a Halloween party they were hosting for the kiddos. I've also been working the USO at our airport and I am really loving that too. Giving back is such a great feeling and I feel like what I'm doing makes a difference to someone. If I wasn't at the airport, those Marines would be sitting on the benches at the airport and without snacks. I know how nice it has been for us while we were traveling to stop at a USO.

A few weekends ago, my friend Nicole gave me some free tickets to the NASCAR race in Charlotte ... it was a BEAUTIFUL day. We had a blast. It was my first NASCAR race and Jeff Gordon's last race in Charlotte. It was such a fun time, but I always say ... Jeff and I could have the best time in the most boring of places, anyways!

Recently I put myself out there and met some girls in our neighborhood. I'm so happy I did because I met my friend Mae. Shes so sweet, would do anything for you and is super fun. She also has a pup a little younger than Duke so we meet up at the dog park and hang out while we let the dogs wear themselves out. It's perfect really :) Sadie is a little smaller than Duke, but now that they know each other she really holds her own!

Jeff and I spent the week before Halloween making our costumes. This year we were Wyldstyle and Emmet from The Lego Movie ... It was a long week, but we had SUCH a fun time handing out candy at our house in those costumes, I can't even explain! The kids were SO excited and they knew exactly who we were, so we must have done a good job! :) After we finished handing out candy (Approx 150 kids!!!) we headed to a Halloween party with all the guys Jeff works with, which was a blast too.

Last Wednesday, I started back on Weight Watchers. It's what I know. It makes sense to me .. and it's been what I've been successful with in the past ... so I'm back. I've also started "C25K" which is the couch to 5k program. It's eight weeks and it is interval training that helps you end up running! Yesterday I finished day three of week one. I've been really focusing on my breathing and I think that's helping me. Jeff running with me is helping me too. Just knowing hes running next to me is so much more motivating than just running by myself. I like that it's something productive we can do together too. I've got to do SOMETHING .. I'm glad I've finally snapped back into reality. So, I'll hopefully update on this. Today is my first day of week two, so I'll be running and walking longer intervals. HOPEFULLY in 8 or so weeks I'll be able to run a 5k (haha that just sounds ridiculous to me ... hopefully I can stick with it!)

This past weekend we attended our second Marine Corps ball ... we had a great time. We traveled just under two hours away and got a hotel room for the night. When we got into town we got all dolled up and headed over for a delicious chicken and steak dinner, along with a nigh of tradition ... and of course drinking :) You know how Marine's get down.

Now begins our countdown to the happiest place on Earth! Jeff hasn't seen his family in eleven months, so it will be awesome to see him reunited with his momma :) We can't wait. We LOVE Disney and we haven't been back since we got engaged there in 2012!

In case you forgot :) 

I was just thinking about this yesterday, check it out:

November 2012 - Engaged - Disney World, Florida
November 2013 - Jeff was at USMC Bootcamp - Parris Island, SC - I was working 4 part time jobs.
November 2014 - We lived in Twentynine Palms, CA - I had just gotten one part time job.
November 2015 - We live at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina - I have an almost full time job.

Funny what can happen all in just a few years, huh?

A New Recipe, Zucchini Lasagna - WW Friendly

Hey Guys! Are people actually out there reading this? haha ... 

If you are out there - Are you one of those Pinterest People who pin a million things and never go back and look at them? I usually am. I want to work on that.

The other day I was looking through my Food-Drink Board {do you follow me?} and saw a pin I've been wanting to try for a while. I told Jeff about it ... Zucchini Lasagna! 

The pin was linked to {this site} where I found the recipe. 

The Ingredients I actually used vs. what she said:  

• 1.5 lb 93% lean beef
• 3 cloves garlic
• garlic and onion salt
• 3 small zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick
• 7 oz part-skim ricotta
• 8 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded 
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• Barilla Traditional spaghetti sauce
• 1/4 cup Egg Beaters

I used a 8x8 baker instead of the 9x13 she suggested
(fun fact: I've had this baker for like 10 years and used it for the first time tonight ... I've spent about 10 years, give or take - collecting Pampered Chef items that I knew I would want in my own kitchen one day. I knew that I wouldn't be able to afford all at once, and I was going to lots of parties at the time so I bought one thing at at time and have kept them all stored in my parents basement .. Hi Mom and Dad!) 

I really was pleased! I can't even tell you how yummy this was! Don't forget to salt the sliced zucchini and I layered the slices with paper towel .. and grill them all up before placing in the baker as well. Like she says, you need to get out some of the water the zucchini holds :) 

Mine all measured out and then divided in to 4 HUGE slices, made it out to be 13.5 WW points per slice.

Orange Beef & Broccoli - WW Friendly

We went to the commissary yesterday and this was one of the things I could make in our make-shift kitchen. Weight Watcher friendly and all ... so, I went for it!

This might be an actual Weight Watchers recipe ... I'm not claiming this one, although ... I wish I could! YUM

Sorry for the crappy pictures. I didn't think to post this recipe on the blog until after the fact.. this was my Instagram pic. {Do you follow me? Twillman87}

Here's the recipe! Nice and easy!

12 oz. broccoli
1/3 c. fat free low sodium beef broth
1/3 c. low sugar / sugar free orange marmalade
2 Tbl. low sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbl. cornstarch
1 lb. steak (we used sirloin trimmed and cut into thin slices)
cooking spray

Microwave broccoli per directions.
Combine broth, marmalade, soy and salt.
Place cornstarch in shallow bowl and dredge steak in cornstarch.
Heat a large non stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Coat pan w/ spray and add steak and saute 5 mins or until browned.
Add broth mixture, cook 1 min or until thick ... stir in broccoli.

About 6 WW points per cup ... We also made brown rice to go along with it :)

Enjoy! Let me know what you think! Jeff loved it ... that's why I love cooking for him :) He loves everything I make and he always makes sure to tell me he liked it! Love that guy!!

Randomness Since Last Week!

Last week we went to the "welcome aboard" presentation for people who are new to the base. It was really nice. We listened to a presentation and then were able to walk around to the different tables / booths for different groups. I'm really glad we went. I have done a lot of research online about MCAGCC but talking to PEOPLE about it is much different than reading things online.

We stopped at the MCCS booth which is Marine Corps Community Services. They do everything. They put on all sorts of events for couples, moms, spouses etc. They even gave me a free copy of "5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman (which I LOVE and can't wait to read again). They put together groups, help with job searches and even make sure there are classes at the gym. It was a really fun stop.

We also stopped at the Tricare booth, which is our military's insurance. I had a few quick questions for them and they were so sweet. I swear they didn't want to let us go, they were telling us all about the area and fun things to do too! 

We stopped at a lot of different booths and got a lot of pamphlets but I'm really excited about the information they gave us. Even Jeff admitted to being happy we went .. and he DIDN'T want to go :) 

We got our first piece of mail since the last time I've written!! It was a package from my Aunt Terri and Uncle Steve! How perfect is this!? 

Since last week we have been down the hill to both Yucca and Indio to do some shopping with gift cards we still had. I think that kind of stuff is best on the weekends. Leaving right after work to go down the hill and coming back home makes for a long day. It's much more enjoyable and we don't have to rush! We even saw a beautiful mountain sunset on the way home! 

We found out our shipment will be delivered THIS Friday! I'm VERY excited about this .. I can't believe our truck full of things is finally going to be here. I also can't imagine this house filled with all of that stuff, haha. We are so used to having two plates, two forks, two cups, two towels, two hand towels, etc. that it will be kind of weird to have cabinets filled with things! 

On the way out of the house the other day, Jeff heard something under a bush. I thought it was the sprinkler but it turned out it was this little guy! He was stuck in a mailer bag underneath the bush ... he probably saved his little life! It had to have been SO hot in that plastic bag...

Today I went to my first spin class on base. I really liked the teacher and will plan on going back next week. It was much different than I'm used to with so many men, but it wasn't a big deal. I was SUPER anxious about going though. The class is hosted at the "East Gym" which is at the top of the base .. and is where a lot of weight equipment is held .. so to me it's a "guys gym" and I don't tend to hang in those much! :/ It was a bigger deal in my head than it was when I got there.

I also researched some Zumba classes in the area and will be trying one out this week too. 

I don't think I mentioned but I met a friend at the pool .. we've been meeting up at the pool during the week while the husbands are at work. She's younger than me but very sweet and it's so nice to have a Marine Corps Wife friend! They are leaving in September. She is a nanny and I could possibly be taking her job when she leaves. Speaking of the pool ... we had free popsicle day at the pool last week - #awesome

I saw a desert quail ... they run so fast I can't believe I snapped a pic. I was sitting in my car in the carport when I took this, right outside our house!

I ate a happy omelette <3 Yes we are still striving to eat healthy .. we even signed up for Weight Watchers again and so we have the apps on our phones to scan things and looking things up to making it easier :) 

We went to a free Santana cover band concert at the casino right down the street from us .. and Jeff won at the blackjack table!! Yay!! 

Last but not least .... my addiction these days. Sugar free Watermelon Punch ... unreal. Delicious. I crave them. I can't even tell ya how bad I need one of these. Jeff doesn't even have to ask anymore, he just pulls into the 7-Eleven every night on the way home from whatever we have going on. AND a bonus ... if you have their app for your smart phone, they are giving away something free everyday for the rest of the month (I think?) .. You name it and we've gotten it free. Cookies, M&M's, ice cream bars, Slurpees, Big Gulps ... I've been saving my points each day to have whatever they're giving out! 

Yea ... that sucker's empty, because I couldn't even take the pic before I killed it :) 

{Crock-Pot} BBQ Pulled Chicken/Pork Sandwiches WW Friendly

I'm hoping to have my wedding pictures in the next few days .. Then I'll post!

Until then: This is one of my FAVORITE crock pot recipes and Weight Watcher friendly! Like I said the other day, I'm trying to get back on track. Having healthy and easy recipes handy is key!

It's fast, easy and we always have the stuff in to make it. When we make it, we use chicken - but if you want to make it with pork you totally can. Obviously, I can't take credit for coming up with this recipe ... it's just one that's a favorite around here.

 

 Step 1 - get this packet ... yummmmm

Step 2 - Mix together:

1/2 c. ketchup
1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/3 c. apple cider vinegar

1 c. water 

BBQ seasoning packet

Place 3 lbs of chicken into the crock pot ... (pictured is not the full amount of chicken)
Pour the mix above over the chicken and cook on low for 8 hours.

Remove the chicken breasts, thicken sauce with cornstarch.
Place chicken back into the crock pot and shred.

We eat them on Kroger slider buns ... 2 points each or just in a bowl by itself.

I count the sauce and chicken as about 1 point per ounce because it makes so much, when you divide it out it's hardly any points at all.

For more healthy / Weight Watcher friendly recipes click here

Let me know what you think! :)

Apple, Grape and Pudding Dessert

Hey!! I thought I'd take a break from all the wedding prep talk and get you a recipe. Whoever "you" are ;)

During the wedding planning, I was very busy and didn't have as much self control as normal. I actually gained 7 lbs and am exactly where I started in January. I've had a hard time struggling with this, but I'm here and I need to do something about it.

That being said ...

Here is one of my favorite zero point dessert / snacks!

 I didn't really know what the name of it is ...

First you make sugar free pudding - I use pistachio. I'm sure you could use vanilla, a fruit flavor or even chocolate. I make mine with fat free half and half because it is zero points and you can't taste the difference. We sub milk out for fat free half and half when it's mixed with things.

 Core an apple (mine is honey crisp), and then cut up into bite size pieces.

 I cut my grapes in half so they are closer to "bite size".

Mix all together!

It's really yummy like this and this is how I keep it in the fridge. Then if I have points left for the day, I can add a measured out miniature Snickers bar, or mini chocolate chips or caramel sauce into my own serving. {this way you can change it up!!}

Sound yummy? I think so! Do you have a favorite zero point snack / dessert?? Let me know!

For more healthy / Weight Watcher friendly recipes click here

Life Lately

Things have been crazy around here ... I forgot to write my update for last week, but as I explain what has been going on I'm sure you'll forgive me. I'll feel better once I have this post up and running, written and ready to go. I don't want to get away from writing it again, especially at this crazy/busy/exciting time in my life.

Last time I weighed in was last Monday (March 10) and I was about here:

My fitness life is truly lacking right now. I've been feeling guilty about it. I've been feeling like this is something I need to address. I don't know how to do anything but move forward in this area of life, because THAT is what I've been doing the past two years. When I haven't been focusing on it (for little amounts of time) I have always been worried that I would slide backwards.
I have been doing a great job at maintaining however while the "crazy" is going on, which is good news. I have also been feeling that if I were doing better in this area of my life right now that it might help with some of the stress in other areas.


Insert one of my best friends .. she says that our "self" is made up of three things .. physical, emotional and spiritual. And depending on what's going on, one self may get or need more attention. She thinks my emotional and spiritual sides may need some more TLC right now.

She said this to me and such a peace came over me, I can't even explain it. This makes so much sense. This makes me feel so much better about not burrowing forward but just staying where I am for this short stretch of time when I have the wedding planning and waiting going on.

{if anyone is new, my fiance is a PFC in the USMC and we are waiting for his orders so that we can get married April 12th .. yes 2014 .. and no it's not going to be a small wedding .. we want our friends and family to be there. Yes, if you're counting that is less than 4 short weeks away which is very exciting but without his orders it is extremely stressful too.}

So ... I haven't been at the gym! Don't even look for me there unless its Monday night.. because I'd die before I missed my Monday zumba class ;)

What have I been doing?
Gurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrll what haven't I been doing is a shorter list. But this way is more fun.
I've been:

Picking out chair covers! [actually, Jeff picked]

Chose our invitations ... not pictured because it's a surprise!!!

Registering at Bed Bath and Beyond

(more on this later .. because their customer service is truly amazing)

Registering at Target .. not as much fun ..

(more on this later .. because it was a major let down .. and if you know me, I'm a Target LOVER!)

I'm in love with these lamps at Target though .. seriously!!! 

(yes their on our registry)

 

Choosing our bedding.. which was tougher than it sounds.

Went a little nuts with the scanner .. because how often do you get to do this?!!? 

ONCE! 

Fell in love with our couples shower invitation ...

And then again when I saw my bridal shower invitation!!!

 Labled invitations, response cards and return addresses

Made a million lists ... this one was actually for registering.

My mom and I went and registered for a bunch of stuff that Jeff wouldn't care about. 

Then he and I registered for things online together (stuff I knew he would have an opinion about)

I did NOT want to do it this way, but it really worked out well.

Then last weekend I got really sick ... :( Out of commission for two days almost.

Looked into unity candles .. didn't buy this one ... lol

Got my hair cut .. wooo hooo!! and made all my wedding hair appointments :) 

Went to JoAnn Fabrics with my cousin Katie to scope out their "wedding aisle" 

They have a lot more there than you would think ... check 'em out.

Put on almost every piece of clothing I own to make sure it fits .. Purple Heart was coming and apparently I'm moving across the country in a month!!! Time to get rid of all that stuff that didn't fit anymore!

Took Anthony to church ... umm yes ... I took this pic.

{mass hadn't started yet .. get off my back}

Had a bonfire with one of my favorite people

Went shower dress shopping (ALL DAY .. sorry mom .. didn't mean to wear you out!!)

Tried on like 50 dresses ... :/ 

But I got two for our showers (and under budget .. hollerrrrrr!!!)

I also:

• Bought my wedding dress, shoes and veil
• Had my alterations appointment
• Dog sat
• Picked out where we will have our rehearsal dinner
• Went to BB&B like 4 times to look at different stuff on my list
• Got my nails done
• Quit my job at preschool (OMG .. so hard..)
• Went to a friends wedding shower
• Had dinner with my future mother in law and future sister in law to show them wedding plans
• Bought our card box, cake set, table numbers and unity candle
• People started getting their shower invites and texting me
  that they are so excited!!! :) :) :) 

and probably a million other things I forgot.

Now all I need is my groom ... We are so ready to close this 2,200 mile gap between us ...

 

We hope to get his final and official orders that say whether or not our 

April 12th date will happen .. within the next few days!!

Thanks for reading! :)