Picture Perfect

I mentioned earlier this week that Lauren and I went out last Saturday to take some new pictures.  We both felt like we needed some new ones for our blogs.  Have I mentioned before how much I love this girl?  She is seriously one awesome friend.
It was an over cast day, which apparently is perfect for picture taking.  Our goal was to get good pictures without you being able to really tell where we were.  You see here at Milligan there are some iconic picture taking spots.  
And of course we wanted to use those spots because they really are great for pictures.  Overall I think we both did a great job of capturing each other (even if it was my first time using such a nice camera).

You can't expect me to be serious the whole time now can you?!

This lady is so use to being behind the camera and hates being in front.  But I think I got some good ones for her:)

Outfit change time!  And like I said...I'm not a serious person.

Bottom left has been deemed The Mosby Face.  Apparently I make this look quite often...

So tell me what do you think?! Which ones do you love the most?  I will be getting a blog makeover soon and want to know which one to use!

Dandelion Detox

I posted last week about this Dandelion Detox that I was doing.  I have seen all over Pinterest and other blogs different kinds of detoxes and I really wanted to try one.  I think it is always a good idea to clean out our bodies, as long as we do it healthy.
I wanted something simple and that is what I found.  It originally comes from Jillian Michaels, but I found it on this site.  I was a little nervous at first that I would not like the taste, and then not be able to finish it.  But I LOVED it!
Here is what you need (pictured above) Dandelion Root Tea No Sugar Added Cranberry Juice Lemon Juice Water
You combine together 1 tea bag, 1 tablespoon of Cranberry Juice, 2 tablespoons Lemon juice, and 60 oz. of water.  I let it sit over night to get the best flavor possible. ( It really just tastes like unsweetened tea with lemon)
You do this for 5 days and can lose up to 5 pounds.  And I actually did lose the 5 pounds.  BUT  when I started this I also started back up my seriously clean eating like I had done this past summer.  I do believe I would have lost at least half even if I was eating like I had before.
One key is to make sure this is added to your daily water intake, not a substitute.  60 oz. is nothing for me.   I usually drink around 100 oz a day.  The more water you drink the less you retain.  Again DO NOT substitute this for you water intake.
So what does it do?  Well Dandelion Root helps with your digestive system.  It goes in and tries to clear out.  According to Livestrong.com here is what it can do: 1. It is a mild diuretic (makes you pee) During this increased urine production, there can be reduced fluid retention, flushing of toxins from              the bladder and kidneys (helping them to work better) 2. It is a mild laxative (makes you poo) It aids in digestive discomfort and helps increase healthy bacteria in the digestive track which imporves digestion.
So your probably wondering if I was having to poo all the time (TMI?).  The answer is no.  It just made me more regular.  It may make you poo a little more than usual, but you do not need to sit by the toilet while drinking this.  Also, yes I had to pee all the time but that is completely normal for me.
If you are wanting to try a detox I definitely recommend this one to everyone.  It clears you out without you having to do anything extreme.  If you try it let me know so we can compare notes about it!

Let's Talk Food!

Oh how I love this link-up!  And it does not get much better than talking about food!  As promised in the video, below is the recipe for Baker's German Chocolate Cake.  Like I said TO DIE FOR good!  (And I don't even like coconut and pecans all that much)

Ingredients for Cake

1 pkg. (4 oz) BAKER'S GERMAN'S Sweet chocolate

1/2 cup water

4 egg whites

4 eggs yolks

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup butter milk

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Microwave chocolate and water in a large microwavable bowl on high 1-2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 minute.  Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

Mix flour, baking soda and salt.  Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy.  Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each.  Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla.  Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating until well blended after each addition.

Beat eggs whites in small bowl with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. (Sounds hard but you can do it! Stiff peaks means they will stand on their own and not fall down.)

Add egg whites to other mixture; stir gently until well blended.

Pour batter into 3 (9-inch) greased round pans.

Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean (You almost can't overcook these cakes.  I thought I did but the icing works wonders on it!).  Cool cakes completely before adding icing.

Ingredients for Icing

4 egg yolks

1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup butter

1 pkg. (7 oz) BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Whisk egg yolks, milk and vanilla in large saucepan until well blended.  Add sugar and butter; cook on medium heat until 12 min. or until thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.

Add coconut and nuts; mix well.  Cool to desired spreading consistency (this takes a while to do...as in almost an hour.  You can towards the end put in the fridge for a short period of time)

Add icing to your cake and you are done! I got this recipe off this site, but if you buy the BAKER'S GERMAN sweet chocolate and look on the back that is the recipe I use.  They are pretty much the same thing.

Weekend Recap

Weekends always seem to go by way too fast.  No me gusta.  This one was quite a fun little one for me with lots of reasons to be proud!

1. Friday I headed to the gym to get my workout on.  I have figured out that by adding weights into my routine I do better running.  Yeah no brainer there!  But I got in over an hour at the gym and felt so great after wards!

2. Lo and I went running on Saturday and our goal was to hit 3 miles! As you can see I did that plus some! I am SO beyond proud of myself for how well I have been doing.  I have been going at this for almost 2 months now.  I am even prouder of Lauren.  She ran 4 miles on Saturday!! Love her for being there and pushing me!

3&4.  Before running on saturday Lauren and I did a little photo shoot.  We were both in need of some new pictures for our blogs and decided to make this happen.  I had never used such a nice camera before and it got me so excited to get one of my own!  Can't wait to show you all the other pictures taken:)

Hope everyone else had a great weekend too:)

Prayer Chain

Linking up today with Amy and Melissa for the Prayer Chain! I love this linkup and have been so busy the past weeks that I have not been able to link up.  But today I have lots of praises and requests!
Praises I have finally chosen a grad school! It is so refreshing to know where I will be going after I graduate!
I ran 3.2 miles yesterday! It has been so much fun learning how to run and seeing myself improve over time!
Requests I am in the process of looking for a job back home.  My problem is I cannot take a 9-5 job because starting the second semester of grad school I will have a practicum and internships to do.  I know God has something out there for me, and I am praying He will reveal it all soon.
Motivation to make it to graduation.  I have major senioritis! I don't want to do anything that is school related ever...but I have to make the grades in order to stay in grad school!
Thank you for all of the prayers and please know I will be praying for all of you who link-up as well!!

H54F First Timer!

This is my first time linking up for High Five For Friday and I am super excited about it!  Though this week has not entailed all too much, I am still thrilled for it to be Friday!
1. Dandelion Detox I will be posting more on this next week.  I started this detox that I found on Pinterest and I love it! So easy to do and it has actually worked!

2. I did my second lesson plan for my practicum this week and it went SO good.  My little lovelies were having a long week of testing so I had a fun activity for them to do.  We reviewed over the characters of the book they have been reading and then the girls made charm bracelets and the boys made balls.  They LOVED it and had so much fun!

3.  Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches.  I am obsessed.  Mom and Dad got me hooked on them over Spring Break and they are truly awesome.  Such and easy morning breakfast!

4.  Random workout and dinner date with Ashlee.  I didn't get my run in yesterday morning like usual so I needed to head to the gym to try to run on the treadmill (no me gusta).  She needed to go too, so we worked out together and then got hungry.  We were craving a good salad (yes we are weird) so we went to Earthfare.  It was so nice to hang out and talk!

5.  My bestie Lauren has been doing blog designs and she is soon going to be doing one for me! Oh how I love having an in real life friend who blogs! We are going to take some pictures on Saturday for the new design and I cannot wait!  Here are the colors I am thinking!

Hope everyone has a great weekend:)

Need Some Inspiration?

Last night while writing this post I had no idea what to write.  Seriously drawing a blank the whole night.  And then I realized that was what my whole day had been like.  Drawing blanks all day.  Did not want to do anything and did not want to go anywhere.

So I think I am in need of some inspiration to get through the rest of this week.  How about you?

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8 Weeks

In 8 weeks my whole life is going to change.  In 8 weeks I leave the place I have called home for the past 4 years.  In 8 weeks I leave the girls who have held me together for 4 years.  In 8 weeks I graduate from college.

First Day at Milligan

I cannot believe the time has almost come.  I still remember stepping foot on campus that first day of Freshmen year.  I remember meeting "those girls" and the laughs we shared while getting to know each other.  I remember the life changes of Sophomore and Junior year.  And I cannot believe it is all in the past.

They say this time goes by faster than you think...it's true.  I am growing up.  I am REALLY growing up.  Sometimes I don't want to, and other times I am DYING to!
Now I don't want this post to be a sad one.  I want it to be a happy one.  I am beyond grateful for the past 4 years.  I would not trade them for anything in the world.  I grew up a lot here at Milligan.  Yes, I still may be a princess, but I am a strong princess.

I am going to miss this place and "those girls", but I know I can always come back and visit and that the girls will always be there.  
Looking back I feel so lucky that I got to be here.  I feel lucky to get to be friends with "those girls".  I feel lucky to also be going where I am going.  God has definitely been looking out for me.

While my whole world may be changing, I can't wait to see what happens.  And I really cannot wait to grow even more.  Watch everyone (and hopefully myself) get married and have babies and always come back to out "home".

For those of you who have made this transition, PLEASE tell me all will be ok?!

Spring Break 2013

Sorry I have been a little MIA lately.  Last week was Spring Break and I really just wanted to enjoy the time I had with my family.  I needed this break more than anything and it ended up being just perfect.  Oh and it doesn't hurt I will be heading back home in a week and a half for Easter!

I stared my week off right by making my decision about grad school!  You can read more about that here.
The rest of the week was spent relaxing, car shopping, and exercising.  My dad has offered to buy/lease me a new car for a graduation present.  We had to wait and see where I decided to go till we could pick a car.  I am so excited to be hopefully getting a Volkswagen Beetle!!!

Mom and I went to do some shopping on Thursday.  I got a new running shirt and shoes! She had to match me on the new shirt!  This plus the beautiful day on the island helped me make the fastest longest run ever for me! I was so freaking excited about that run!

Dad picked up his new boat, The Reel Hard II, on Friday and we took it out for a ride.  It's the same kind of boat I grew up on so it brought back a lot of memories being on one again.  I am so excited for this summer and riding around in it!
It was so nice to be back with my family and in Florida! Hope everyone had a great weekend too:)

It's Officially Official!!!

Friends and family it is official.  I HAVE CHOSEN A GRAD SCHOOL!!!! Ah I cannot believe I am typing those words so soon.  I thought it would be another couple of weeks, but really my mind has been made up for a while now. 
As of Fall 2013 I will be attending Southeastern University back home in Lakeland, FL!!!

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I am So ready for my new adventures.  I am so nervous and excited all at the same time.  A new place, new people, a new home are all coming my way.  I have prayed and prayed over this.  Many of you have as well and I thank you so much for those prayers.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is the place God has called me to be.  This is where He needs me.  He has got some big plans for my future and I cannot wait to see what it all entails!  And only He will be able to get me through this time in my life.

Grad School Interview #4

Friday was my fourth and FINAL Grad School interview! Here are links to the other 3 if you would like to get caught up and hear all about the fun stress I have been through
Interview 1Interview 2Interview 3
After coming off a completely AWFUL interview and rejection letter, I was really nervous about this interview.  I did not want to have another bad day, I wanted to impress these people, and I just did not know what to expect.  I think because my expectations were kinda low, it helped me become very impressed by ETSU.
We had a 4 hour group interview process.  Yes 4 hours.  But it flew by!  Twenty of the applicants gathered in one room together (we later found out another 20 applicants had an afternoon interview and there was a third group after Spring Break).  It was kinda nerve racking to see everyone I could possibly be in class with.
Our first task was to introduce ourselves.  "Hi my name is Mosby Hardin, I am from Lakeland, Florida, and I am currently obtaining my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Child Development at Milligan College."  NAILED IT! Whew so glad I got that one right:)
We then had to look at a set of eyes and determine what emotion was being shown.  We had choices on the emotions that could be shown.  A little confusing but fun too.  Not really sure what the purpose of this was.
After looking at eyes, we were separated into 4 groups of 5.  There were 4 rooms that held professors and activities in them.  We traveled from room to room with our group and stayed in each room for 20-25 minutes.  
The first room my group went into we were asked to discuss with the professor what we think, how we feel, or what we have experienced when it came to discrimination of any kind.  One girl discussed homosexuality, myself and another girl discussed out work with international students, the one guy in the group has worked with Youth Villages, and the last lady has not experienced much.  
After that room we made our way to what was the hardest room for me to be in.  I did not really "get" or agree with what was being talked about, so I struggled to actually make some points.  The professor told us all he believed everyone could speak four languages.  The language of the mind, language of the body, language of the heart, and language of the spirit.  
The professor asked us to define what spirit is.  When the first guy started talking about animal spirits, I knew I was out of my comfort zone.  I didn't agree with anything anyone said.  They were way out there.  Fortunately this was not a right or wrong question and I could answer what I really thought.
After that we listened to a recording of a husband and wife discussing the husbands brain damage and suicide attempt.  We then had to discuss the recording using our 4 "languages".  I understood mind, heart, and spirit.  Totally did not get the body.  I am kinesthetically challenged so I wasn't surprised.  
I know I struggled and did not do well in the second room.  The professor had to engage me because I felt weird talking since I disagreed with what the majority of the people were talking about.  I forgot that this wasn't class...it was an interview.
I revived myself in the next room with the role playing.  I'm a good talker and listener, so I felt that while this challenge was a little difficult, I did my best and felt great after that.  
The last room I am pretty sure I shocked the professor.  We were the last group that she saw, and I would bet money I could tell you everyone's answer to her second question and that I did not answer it that way.  She first asked us which clients do we think would be most difficult for us to see.  Not too bad.
Then she wanted to know if there is any client we would never see.  For no reason in particular everyone in my group answered before.  They along with probably every other applicant said something along the lines of "I do not think there is anyone I would not be able to work with.  Some would be difficult but I would not turn anyone away."
Yeah that was not my answer.  I thought about it and I had to be honest.  I told the professors in there that I absolutely refuse to work with rehabilitating child molesters.  I have been in a class where this was intensely discussed.  I talked to a man who counseled child molesters in hopes to rehabilitate them. I WILL NOT DO THAT!  Some people are called there, I am not.  I love my kids and could not imagine working with someone who harmed them on that level.  
All the professors said back to me "Wow.  Thank you for your honesty."  Oh and everyone else in my group was shocked I said something.  Yes I know that was not the "correct" answer, but it was the truth.  And I was not about to lie.  
3 hours and 4 rooms down, all we had left was financial aid talk and hearing from current students.  I learned quite a bit form these sessions, but really I was starving and ready to go.
I was so happy I had such a good interview process.  It really opened my eyes to the school and what my options would be.  I felt like I had a good idea of whether I would like it there or not.  ETSU has an amazing program.  But I have to wait till the end of the month to see what they have to say about me!
Sorry for such a long post.  I just thought the interview process was worth writing down and I wanted to be able to remember it all:)
Come back tomorrow for a HUGE announcement!

Weekend Recap

Oh what a crazy weekend of traveling it has been! I swear I have barely stopped until now as I write this out!  Getting to Spring Break took a lot more effort than I ever thought it could.  But I am so glad it is here and I really look forward to this week.

Friday I had my FINAL grad school interview.  Of course I will have a whole new post about that coming up tomorrow.  Let's just say it went a whole lot better than the last one!

After completing my 4 hour interview I hit the road at about 1 p.m. to head towards Atlanta to see Mattie and Boone.  I really just wanted to get out of TN and I like cutting my drive in half so it worked out perfectly for me to drive to her.

Unfortunately when I hit that beautiful skyline above, I hit the worse traffic.  Sat there for over 30 minutes, thought I was in the clear and then hit another 30 minutes of traffic.  I am not the most patient driver ever...so this was torture to me.  I was suppose to get in around 6:30 and did not meet up with Mattie till almost 8.

We went out for some sushi and catch up time.  It was great to be able to spend some time with her and catch up on life.  When we got home she told me Boone would be sleeping in the bed with us.  He refused to go to his kennel, so I spent the night with a dog laying on top of me.  A 70 pound dog laying on top of me.  

I had to leave early the next morning to make it to FL at a reasonable time.  Another 6 hour drive turned into 7 when I hit traffic.  Seriously hate me some traffic!!!

After getting to FL I had a nice relaxing evening with my parents and friends.  Yummy food and drinks were involved.  I only spent one night at the beach house, but cannot wait to be back on Thursday.

Sunday I ran 2.25 miles in 24.04 minutes! Seriously proud about it not only being my longest distance but also shortest time!  I am seriously in love with running and the high that comes with it.  Tuesday I am hoping to hit 2.5 miles...wish me luck:)

Hoping yall had a little bit more relaxing weekend than I did:)

I Got My First No Ever

Today I received my first ever rejection letter. Four years ago when I applied for undergrad I never received a no from a school.  I got into all three of the ones I applied to, and got to choose where I wanted to go.

Well during this grad school application process I knew I should expect to get a no.  In fact the one I got I actually wanted.  I did not want to be accepted to USF.  I did not want to be part of that program after the interview I had with them.
I am 100% completely OK and even happy and even relieved that I did not get into USF.  I could not have had a worse interview with them, and I didn't want to have to make the choice about going there.  Sometimes having decisions made for you can be a good thing!
Tomorrow I have my last interview with a school here in Tennessee.  Pretty sure it cannot get worse than last week, but none the less I am praying for it to go well! After that I can FINALLY make a final decision and move forward!

Losing Weight Sucks

In case you haven't gotten the memo the past 9 months...I'M TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT! Yup and it sucks. Especially when you put on the holiday pounds and they don't want to come off. Especially when those said holiday pounds was almost 10 pounds and they don't want to come off.

206//196

I feel SO discouraged right now.  I hate that I am not losing weight.  I feel like I have let myself down and others who have helped and supported me as well.  I had so many goals to reach and I have yet to do so.

I know what has caused this...that's the worse part.  It's all about my diet.  I am not necessarily eating bad, I am just not eating the best I can.  I also have problems saying no to food. If I'm hungry I eat.  If I am bored I eat.

206//191

Also being surrounded by people who are not on the same page as I am is hard too.  It sucks having skinny friends who can eat whatever they want and still look amazing.  That is so not my life and never will be.

Also my workouts have not been what they were.  I just have hardly anytime.  I go from 6:30-5 Monday-Thursday.  And by the end of the day I am exhausted.  I have been running three times a week which is good, but I know I need more than that.

206//186

I miss being around my family who supported and encouraged me every step of the way.  I miss having a trainer who was always on my butt making me do things the right way.  I am the first to say I cannot do this on my own.

I wanted to be down 50 pounds by graduation which is in 3 months.  Is that going to happen? Probs not.  And while that is completely ok, I know I do not want to be sitting at 190 still come graduation.

206//186

Fortunately all of this is can be fixed.  I know what I have to do and now I just HAVE to do it.  I need to eat better and stick to my diet.  I need to get some more workouts in too.  I need to do this and I need to do this NOW!

I want to be the hot skinny girl at graduation.  I want to be the best looking bridesmaid in Becky's wedding.  I want my confidence from 4 months ago back.  I NEED to do this to be healthy most of all!

So here is to refinding all of this and a restart.  I WILL do this.  I WILL reach my goals!