Bryan Gets Married!!!

This weekend has been crazy! Friday, Momma, Daddy, and I headed down to Mendenhall, MS for the rehearsal dinner. It was awesome, but I knew we had a night ahead of us for decorating! There was a lot of burlap, tool, lace, and ribbon. At the end of the night, it was beautiful! Here's a picture of me and Emily after the rehearsal dinner!

The morning of the wedding started at 6:44---and off we went to the reception area to set up! The venue was an old 1930s cabin-like house owned by Emily's parents. It had a new wrap around porch, but it was rustic, country, and chic. Emily's vision really came together, and I was very impressed. I got to use powertools and see baby birds (which had nothing to do with Emily's wedding vision), so it was a success. Here are some pictures of the reception area.

Centerpieces varied along the tables. One example is a classic novel, small vase, and picture frame containing a love quote.

Instead of picture frames everywhere, Emily use old doors to display photos. Twine was strung across the door, and pictures were attached with lace-inspired clothespins.

To add attention to the windows, but still maintain the simple, country theme, white daisies and carnations were placed in an older vase under lace curtains.

Another example of the centerpieces: One large vase containing white daisies and carnations, bordered by smaller vases with more flowers, all sitting on antique silver platters, along with a small ivory picture frame containing a love quote.

The third type of centerpiece contained antique milk-colored vases hold barely opened carnations, bordered by smaller vases with opened daisies.

This is another example of centerpiece two, except instead of the multiple smaller faces, cylinders of wood twined together sat on the antique silver platters.

The other rustic picture door

A close up of the ivory picture frames containing handwritten love quotes.

Finally, we were able to go get ready for the big day! Emily's photographer was there to catch some moments. The bridesmaids were dressed in pink button-up shirt with our initials embroidered in the shirt pocket. Emily was dressed in a white button-up shirt embroidered with her new initials in the shirt. Here's a picture by Studio9:

The wedding was beautiful! The colors of guava berry and khaki blended well with the burlap and lace. The couple exchanged hand-written vows, which brought tears to several ladies' (and maybe some men's) eyes.

My new sister in law!

The bridesmaids, flower girl, and bride

The Wedding

The night was not over though! The reception was amazing. We took cute pictures, ate delicious barbecue cooked by the bride's father, and laughed a lot. Everything came together and could not have been better.

The Groom's Cake was based off of his love for the Red Sox. It was red velvet cake with chocolate icing.

The Wedding Cake, adorned with a bow, pearls, and rhinestones

Of course, Alex was there! He actually videotaped everything. Oh and that's Joseph in the background.

I almost felt sorry for him. People kept saying, "Alex, you're next."

Kayla and I 

I flirted a lot with the videographer

The cutting of the cake! Emily made the topper herself!

He was such a good sport about taking pictures.

This was after he didn't catch the garter. I still love him though.

Jean Ann, Giffin, and I

The couple drove to and from the reception in a classic, red and white car.

The happy couple leaving the reception

All in all, it was a wonderful event, and I wish my brother and Emily a long and happy marriage!

Love always,
Chelsea Leann

P.S. Alex....wanna be next? ;)

90 Day Challenge: Check

Alrighty! I have lost 10 lbs on my 90 Day Body by Vi Challenge! I feel a lot better, and it's amazing how only 10 lbs have made such a difference. Here are pictures!

If you happen to come by this blog, see my results, and are interested, check out my website:

http://www.chelseacollins74.bodybyvi.com

It's WORTH it.

Love, 

Chelsea Collins

My First 5K

About 5o days ago, I started Body by Vi. Since starting Body by Vi (Shape Kit), I have lost 9 pounds, earned $70, and trained to run a 5k. Needless to say, Body by Vi has helped me begin a healthier lifestyle that's pretty easy to follow. If you want more information (even though no one reallllly reads my posts), you should check out my website http://www.chelseacollins74.bodybyvi.com. It has a kit that fits different goals, and it really does taste like cake.

 Anyway! Today, I ran my first 5K. For those of you who don't know how long that is, it is relatively short compared to most races. It's 3.1 miles....a race for beginners. I decided during spring break (about five weeks ago) that I was going to run a 5K. Now, you should know right now that Chelsea Collins is not a runner. She is not an athlete. She is a nerd that likes to SIT on her couch and READ romance novels about damsels in distress. I was not a runner in high school. I didn't even play SPORTS. I wrote about sports in the local newspaper. I was that kid. Nobody really cared, because no one wanted slow, asthmatic me on their team....and I really was slow!

Back to the present. I started training at the walking track in Sturgis and the treadmill at school by powerwalking. I talked the bestie, Amy Bowling, into joining me on this (at the time) ridiculously short-termed goal. She told me about an app called MapMyRun, which times and measures how far you go, how many calories you burned, your average pace, etc, etc. After I downloaded that app, things really picked up. Somewhere along the line (I'm not quite sure when), I stopped doing the treadmill and track thing, and I branched out to different terrain. I walked around my school (which has a sort of steep hill by the band hall), around my school's town, and around my town. When I started during Spring Break, my time for three miles was 60 minutes. After three weeks of training, my time was 45 minutes. After four weeks of training, it was 41 minutes. I started running a lot more and walking a lot less, but I was still walking most of the time. However, my goal wasn't to be the fastest runner at the race. I wanted to a) finish the race and b) not come in last!

 I woke up this morning at 5:15, which is amazing for me on a Saturday because I don't even get up that early on a workday. I got to the Natchez Trace Festival at 7:15 and got my packet. It was so silly how excited I was to pin on my number. I felt so official. I warmed up, met up with Amy and her boyfriend, and Alex's cousin, Rebecca, and we all went to the starting line. The man said go....and we went. And went. And went. I admit, I was probably the first runner who started walking. I had never started my daily 3.1 mile run actually running. I always walked for a minute or two. I felt like a huge loser when a woman who had to be at least seventy passed me, so I started running again. I found Amy walking a little later, who had been left behind by Nathan. Shame on him (just kidding, Nathan). By the time Amy and I had reached the 1.25 mile marker, Nathan was on his way back to the finish line. However, he decided to do the gentlemanly thing and turned around to run with Amy to the 1.5 mile marker and finish the race with her. We may pause for a moment to say aweeeee. He ended up pushing us to run A LOT more than we wanted to until we were almost to the finish line. They finished a minute before me because I kept slowing down to a walk, since the last stretch is a gigantic hill....a slowly sloping, calf killing hill. My time was 38 minutes and something seconds, but it was DEFINITELY under 39 minutes.

So I shaved 4 minutes off of my best time, AND I did not come in last. I'm not exactly sure what happened in the following moments. I was so tired and zoned out....I just remember all the sudden finding myself eating a banana and drinking Gatorade. I'm going to attach some pictures, of course. I can't wait until my next 5K. The feeling of finishing it was amazing. My new goal is to get it down to thirty minutes! :) Wish me luck!

Alex and I after the race. <3

Amy and I after the race...This was actually after I called Nike Shorts "diaper pants" so, this is "take one".

These are out of order, but this is Amy and I before the race.

This is "take two". No diapers mentioned.

Amy and Nathan (who ended up getting third in his age group's division) post-race

Rebecca, Alex's cousin, won overall in the women's division. Hard core!

Love always,
Chelsea Leann.

And, as always, thank you, Alex, for reading my blog. You're the best boyfriend ever.

Body by Vi

Hello everyone...and by everyone, I mean you, Alex, the only person who reads my silly little blogs. Thank you though. I love you for it :)

Anyway, today, my 7h graders took their state writing test.We've been preparing, and I almost feel sorry for them. I hear they did well though...atleast they did what I begged them to-pre-write, draft, revise, edit, and publish. They know the writing process, alright!

I've been exercising and eating better for two weeks. I have lost two pounds. This stinks! So, when I got paid, I ordered a month's supply of body-by-vi. I know a teacher who sells it; so, we will see how it goes since it ended up on my door step today. I didn't even ask for overnight shipping-so, GO ME! And go whoever was on top of their shipping stuff...

Current weight: 159.
Goal weight: 129

I'll be back with an update soon.

Love,
Chelsea Leann Collins (still)

Being a Teacher: The First Month

Well, I am a teacher. I hear my new name, Ms. Collins, more than my familiar name, Chelsea. Although, I am sure if I gave my seventh graders the opportunity, they would gladly call me Chelsea.

The name thing is something that is hard to get used to. There are some high school students that have known me since they were little as Chelsea. Some didn't even know I was a teacher. One student called me by my first name in front of my principal and didn't understand why I glared at him in the way teachers do. I had to explain it to him later, but this process is very agitating.

It makes me wonder if getting a job in the school district that I grew up in was a smart idea. I mean, I thought that teaching where I already knew people would be easier. Instead, it is much harder. I am Chelsea...not Ms. Collins. I am young, inexperienced, and reminded of that every day.

I hope to find a job teaching history. That is my dream subject.

Onto other teacher related things...such as my paycheck. I have come to realize why people don't quite like the government officials that create taxes. Since I have no dependents, and am now independent, the government sees fit to take about 550 dollars in taxes. Therefore, my check of about 2100 goes to 1500. So, instead of making the prescribed 31,000, I only get 18,000 of that. Not fair! I knew I wasn't doing it for the money, but that still is ridiculous. At least I have extremely affordable health insurance and summers off, right?


On to non-teacher things...

Alex and I are still going strong. Kayla's Mrs. Dillinger now, and our hang out time has been limited (insert cellos and violins). I haven't been able to hang out with my Amykins because of my busy life and her busy life. (insert dramatic piano). This is getting sad.

I have started to work out (don't laugh, now). I have a goal. When I began one week ago, I weighed 161. My goal is 130. I weighed myself this morning, and I was 157. Not a big change and probably mostly water weight, but it was a booster. If any of my readers known anyone who likes swiss rolls, I have a box that I've been avoiding in my kitchen cabinet. Those things are dangerous.

Justin and Robin's wedding shower is this upcoming weekend! Only two people have RSVP'd, and I am very agitated. Y'all know how OCD I am, and how I hate surprises. So, now, I have no idea how many people are coming, how much food I need, and I'm almost broke. I dislike this business.

Anyway, I'm going to go get on pintrest while my boyfriend ignores me and watches golf, cause that's how we roll.

Love,
Chelsea Leann

Graduated, Hired, and Waiting

It's been about a month since my last update, so I guess I can go ahead and update again. It's hard to type because of the fake nails I got put on for Kayla's wedding. They make my hands look nice, but I'm not used to them in the least.

Anyway, I graduated! I am now, for the first time in my life, no longer a student. I refuse, however, to admit to being an adult. I was hired by a school district as a 7th grade Language Arts teacher, and I couldn't be more excited. Graduating from MSU was an accomplishment for me, I guess, but it was probably a bigger deal for others. Graduating from college was always expected, so I guess I just felt like I had a completed a task (3.5 year task). Here are, of course, some pictures from the wonderful event that I made my family sit through!

(L to R) Iver, Me, and Kayla

My Daddy and I

The star of my blog :) Alex!

Me and Kayla!

Me and the best mommy ever

Shot of my graduation cap. It's the purple sparkly one.

After graduation came another important event. Kayla got married! She is no longer able to be KB, K-bear, or anything as such. She is now Kayla Dillinger. I can't call her KD, because she is NOT a Kappa Delta. She  is a Pi Phi, and that'd be wrong in so many ways. So I guess she can be K-Dill, or....well I will think of something. Her wedding was pretty and exciting. I'm so glad that she and Patrick found each other. Here are some shots from the wedding. I was in it, so I wasn't able to get many of the ceremony.

Alex and I at the reception

Cake!

Isn't her dress gorgeous?

Kayla, Patrick, Hunter, and Tiffini

Kayla, Patrick, Colton, Kimble, Lane, and Neelie

Pi Phi Sisters! Won't you be my baby?

Christmas is coming up, fast and furious. And I'm EXCITED (of course). I'm ready to give Alex his presents and his family theirs. I feel like I did a great job this year, and I am going to slowly drag through these next few days. Alex says he won't open his presents until I can open mine. He's trying to kill me, I just know it. I told him he could just get me a shiny ring that symbolized forever....but I don't think the idea caught on. Oh well, maybe next year. 

Until...I get a chance to update again,

Chelsea Leann (still) Collins