A few of my favorite things...

I had a wonderful time in Atlanta, training for my new job. I got to shop at eat and shop at Ikea with my co-worker, go to the Varsity and end the week with one of my bestie's Amanda at Nighfall in Chattanooga! Lucky girl. 

bad dog.

I am fuming and Brett is ready to take his gun to someones dog. We were getting ready to take a family trip to the dog bark when Molly stopped and took a leak in the grass outside the apartment building. As she stood there minding her own business the bully(also a dog) of the complex came up sniffed Molly, then went to take a bite out of her. Luckily my dog is quick and senses danger. The owner then pulled his dog away and Brett told the young man he needs to do something with that dog.

{a previous trip to the dog park}

We walked a few feet away and comforted our sweet girl. Her hair was standing up on her back and she was scared to even sit down. We  checked her body to make sure the dog didn't get her, but my heart broke all the same. Here is Molly terrified and acting as if she did something wrong. She's ok, but something must be done.

This guy has admitted that his dog has been abused and that his dog is also aggressive. He apologized, but what good is that apology going to be when he actually hurts someones baby.

For now we will steer clear of this pup. It's a sticky situation because I live where I work, but I have every intention of contacting animal control if something isn't done first here on property. I just want to ensure my Molly has the safest living environment possible and if it means being the bad guy then I will just have to live with it.

learning and loving.

It's a funny thing, the mind. My whole life I thought that people that accepted what they had in life were weak and unmotivated. I didn't understand why people were quiet when things didn't always go their way. I thought they needed to stand up for themselves. Be bold and take a stand.

As I sat at church today and Ryan preached about being content, I realized something. These people I considered "weak" and "not motivated" were really just content. Take Brett for instance, I have many times referred to him as the calm to my storm, but I never truly appreciated it as much as I do this morning. He knows that he is doing his best every single day and is a good man. He is content. He never compares himself to others and what others have. Not because he doesn't want more, but because he is content. Not because he is weak, but because he is content. He doesn't need a sermon each week to remind him not to judge, to love himself and to love others, it's the core of who he is. I'm still in awe. {And in love}

This made me look at myself. I can be too critical for no reason, quite often. I have embraced the idea that I want to be involved in an outward focused church, but realized today I haven't embraced it for myself. I don't want to judge others. We all have our own journeys and who am I to assume you aren't living your life the right way. Only child syndrome maybe. Who knows... and quite frankly who cares, I just want to make sure I do good by others from here on out. Judgement isn't for this Earth anyways.

I feel really blessed to have had be introduced to Brett. He is authentic and genuine. He loves unconditionally and forever. He has taught me these things, too. I will be eternally grateful to Jarrod Turner, who for whatever reason set me up with his best friend. They no longer talk, for reasons no one remembers, I just hope one day I will be able to thank him for giving me the love of my life, the man who reminds me daily that I want to be a better person.

a dream of a day.

I woke up completely inspired to cook... yea, not quite sure what has got into me, but I love playing around with ideas and setting it all up on my cute plates, on my cute table. Who knows, but breakfast was wonderful.

egg, bacon and cheese burritos and fresh strawberries.

After a very refreshing breakfast I went to David's Bridal. I am going to be the "Best woMan" in my best friend's wedding. I got my dress and it is the most beautiful and flattering dress I could of asked to wear standing up there with three of my favorite people in the world. Did I mention Cindy is the maid of honor or that I walked out of the store with the dress because they had it in stock... what?!?!

Since I was so excited about the dress fitting and being able to take it with me, I treated myself to some shopping at Kohl's. I typically hate this store, but I really needed to get started on Brett's birthday presents. Mission accomplished. I also found a pair of wedges with a wonderful bow for $20, super comfy yoga pants and a dress top for work. I spent $88 and bought 8 items!

So excited about my great deals mom, who met up with me at Kohl's, and I went to Rugged Warehouse to continue the madness. There we picked up more great deals for Brett and some cheap lip gloss. I got him 4 pk of Hane's pocket tees for $3 and myself a 5 pack of e.l.f. lipgloss for $4.99.

Still riding the high we went to Hobby Lobby, but no luck. Just a bunch of rude women working there.

After a salad at Souper Salad, we went to Office Depot for pens, Academy for Brett's birthday present from mom, then to my favorite Marshall's and Ross. At Marshall's I found two platters for $3 a piece and at Ross I got a dress that wasn't black for $8.99 and a a workout top for $5.99. {I mention a non black dress, because that's all I wear and even Brett noticed and asked me to wear some color... guess it's the ninja in me}

Sorry for this long list of great deals, but I love sharing where you can get steals of a deal. I didn't pay over $10 for anything all day(excluding groomsman dress, ha) and walked away with some wonderful finds.

here is my pile o' finds. I enjoyed unpacking it all and relishing in the fact that I didn't spend much money at all because I strategically saved my birthday gift cards!! LOVE IT!

To top off this great day of deals, I came home to find out Brett got off work early. So I for cooked for us.

Chicken tacos and fruit salad. Trying to eat better so adding fresh fruit to each meal!!

Now it's movie and popcorn time, added with a lil' blogging. Perfect end to a perfect day.

don't mind if I do.

My favorite part of my week.

 My days are longer than I am use to and more difficult than I anticipated, but it makes me appreciate me time and my family time more. I never thought I would be so excited to rush home to do nothing but cook dinner with my man. Wednesday night we were fortunate enough to have a night off together. I had been begging for breakfast for dinner, but he kept wanting something else. Well I finally got my wish. Blueberry pancakes and eggs wrapped in bacon. It was wonderful! Following dinner we ended the night at the pool and then a nice relaxing stay in the hot tub. {perfect evening}

Piper's world.

This is just a tribute to the beautiful girl, Piper, and her amazing parents.

200 days ago, on December 23, 2011 I got the best news ever... Annie and Justin were having a baby!Piper will be joining us all in this world in a few short weeks and I can't help but think of what the world has to offer her.

Annie and Justin have been a source of inspiration for myself for a long time now, but especially through this pregnancy. Every step of this journey they have been hopeful and positive. When given bad news, they prayed. When having bad news taken back, they thanked God and understood people make mistakes. They amaze me with their understanding of our world. They realize that life isn't always what you want, but they make the most of it and try not to get down on themselves. There is always a sense of hope and love when you speak with them.

I can't help but be excited about the world Piper will be blessed to enter. She will be entering a world of love. She may encounter situations where the outcome isn't always what she wants, but she will have a support system that is unmatched and that will assure that she gets through anything.

I think what amazes me the most is the presence of the Lord through this all.  He is good and has brought together two amazing individuals who share ideas and morals that will make them the best parents for Piper. She will always know she is loved and will always be heard. Her life will be one where she knows the Lord is good and that she can have an amazing relationship with Him, just as her parents do. She will want to know more about the world and her parents will share all they know to best answer her questions. She will be heard and respected. She will have a voice and learn to love herself, others and the world around. I know this all because her parents shared these same things with me. They have always shared their love of life with me. They have let me into their family from the start. Loving me more than I loved myself, at times. They are two amazing individuals and will be just as amazing parents and I cannot wait to witness it.

the fight.



On a whim last week I signed up for five yoga classes this month. I was easily motivated at the moment, because I want some health and fitness in my life. Well tonight I went. I conquered it and absolutely LOVED it. I carry stress in my shoulders and at this moment they are relaxed. I can't tell you the last time I didn't have tension in my upper back and shoulders. It feels great.

The experience was amazing. I sat at truly looked at myself for the first time in years. As most of you know I have put on nearly 50 pounds, of which had previously  lost years ago. It has been frustrating and disappointing. Tonight I looked at myself different. I saw a young woman trying to follow her dreams. Those dreams include living a healthy and long life with my family and hopefully children one day. It is reachable, but only through positive measures, not through beating myself up for putting the weight on. So as I sat there at the end of the yoga session relaxing and thinking and it came to me. "Cate let other people deal with their own problems...it's not your fight."

My fight has got to be to get healthy.

I am fighting for my life. I started over a year ago when I quit binge drinking. A year ago in June when I moved to Chattanooga. Nine months ago when I allowed myself to love a wonderful man, who not only loves me back but respects me. Six months ago when I quit smoking. Four months ago when I accepted Jesus Christ into my life and then again today when I made the decision to get healthy.

I want to live to be one hundred. To tell my great grand children stories of the old days and to sit on the front porch with Brett in our matching pj's. It won't happen by chance it will happen because I take care of myself and that I am doing today.

enjoying the little things.

I just haven't been inspired to write lately,

but I want to share some pictures of what's been going on in my life.

the steps at the Tennessee Aquarium

one of my fave's in town

downtown Chattanooga

cracker barrel breakfast 

fireworks on the river

my first car show...EVER.

curious pup

curious pup just wanting to help mom make no-sew flowers