3 + 1 = The Rich's Are A Family Of 4!

That's right! We now have 2 little furbabies in our house! Welcome to the family, Madison!

Last weekend, we adopted miss Madison from the Little White Dog Rescue here in town. It's no surprise that we've always wanted another dog, it was just a matter of when we would get one. I've been after Brandon ever since we got Gia that I wanted a play mate for her. We always agreed on 2 things when it came to a second dog 1) we would have a second dog before we have kids, 2) the dog needed to come from a rescue.

About a month and a half ago, I finally convinced B to let me apply for a dog. I applied to the rescue and it was quite a process. After a long application to fill out, they contacted our references, then we had a home tour in order to be approved to adopt. While the adoption process was going on, we went to a meet and greet with the rescue at a local pet store. This gives potential adopters the chance to meet some of the dogs in foster care before they adopt on.

We actually fell in love with 2 dogs at the meet and greet, both Maltese's, one was a boy and the other a girl. We debated for days about which one to get and I would look at the website daily looking at their sad little faces. Madison (formerly named Meghan) was listed on the website but we didn't meet her at the meet and greet but B was interested in her. I was set on one of the other 2 dogs and didn't want to throw a third dog that I loved too into the mix as well.

Long story short, once we got approved, I called the rescue back and said that Madison was one we were interested in, even though we were set on one of the other 2 dogs. After talking to the other foster dog moms, there was no doubt in our mind that Madison was the right dog for us. She was 4 1/2 years old, and was rescued from a puppy mill and was doing well in her foster family's home.

Two days later, Madison came to our house and we adopted her. And it's been love at first sight ever since! I can't imagine not having her around!

It's been a learning experience having a puppy mill dog. Madison lived in a cage her whole life and she is scared of many things. She absolutely hates her leash and doesn't know how to play with toys. We've been taking baby steps with her to get her better acclimated to living in the real world. We've been going on walks and she's getting much better and not being afraid of outside sounds. She's starting to play with toys and take treats from our hand. The second day here, she taught herself how to jump on the couch and she's doing well with her potty training. Madison is still scared of us when we try to pick her up, but we know that it'll take awhile for her to learn to trust us. But we absolutely love that little face of hers!

While she's not quite the snuggle bear as our other dog Giavanna (I know we'll get there: she just started to give us kisses when we ask!, it makes me happy knowing we're giving her a good life. I can't even imagine the life she had in the puppy mill and it makes me so sad knowing that some dogs live like that. 

If you're looking to get a dog, I highly encourage you to adopt from a rescue. While we didn't choose to adopt one of the other 2 dogs, I still worry about them finding a good home. Luckily, all of the dogs from the rescue we adopted from, they all live in a foster home so they're not living in a cage. Like Bob Barker always said, control the pet population! 

Marathon Monday: Weekly Recap

Monday: rest day

Tuesday: 3 mile run outside

Wednesday: 5 mile run outside

Thursday: light weights at home 

Friday: rest day

Saturday: 6 miles on the treadmill + stretching

Sunday: 30 minutes cross train on elliptical + abs and arms

Since my marathon training started late, I know I'm not quite where I should be with my mileage. But, I figure what I have is better than nothing. I'm quite proud of myself for pushing myself harder during my runs and making myself run a little farther with less breaks in between miles. I think it's starting to help because during this morning's run, I had an excellent 5k time. Maybe I'll start to log my mile times too on here to help myself see how I'm improving.

I'm also proud of myself for getting up early in the morning and doing my runs before work. It's been nice to get it out of the way and not have to do it on my lunch hour. I did run outside after work last Wednesday, which I'm not a fan of working out after work, but hey at least I got my mileage in. I'm trying not to push myself too hard because I don't want to get injured and so far so good!

Today I actually met up with a trainer at the gym. When I mentioned to her that I was training for a marathon, she mentioned to me that she wanted to get together to give me some tips. Today she showed me some single leg movements that will help with my stability and balance. She really showed me how my right leg is stronger than my left which I never knew before! She also was able to pinpoint where I was most tight in my legs. 

She was super helpful and gave me some pointers on what strength exercises I should do for my legs as well as some stretches to help me out too. It was super helpful and insightful. We decided we're going to get together once a week up until my marathon to work on my legs. It's been a few years since I worked with a trainer, and this will be a bit different for me since I'm not trying to tone up or lose weight rather gaining strength so I won't get injured.

Once interesting thing she taught me today was that I have a tight IT band. It's a muscle that starts up by your hip and goes down past your butt, thigh and ends near your ankle. She told me one of the biggest things for me is to get this muscle loosened up. She said people who have desk jobs have tight IT bands  (points to self) - that's me! She showed me how to use a medicine ball and use it the same way you would use a foam roller on your butt so roll it out. WOW! Once I started rolling, I really felt how tight it was which I never knew before. After rolling it out for awhile, my legs felt so good! I'm going to start doing it on a daily basis and hopefully my leg muscles will start to loosen up! 

Wedding Recap: Getting Ready

Our wedding day started bright and early for me, my mom and my four bridesmaids. We all got our hair and makeup done at a hotel out in Brookfield. It was a nice relaxing morning with all of us. We snuggled in bed and chatted while we each munched on breakfast and got glammed up for the special day. While we were getting ready, it never quite seemed like it was my wedding day. It really just felt like I was getting ready for a pageant!  

My favorite girls all ready to walk down the aisle! 

All dressed and ready to go see my man! 

Getting into my dream gown!

When I was packing the night before the wedding, I saw B wrote me this sweet note on the bottom of my shoes.

Bestie Breanne and I

All snuggled up together! 

Getting my glam face on

My special getting ready top..a monogrammed button down from my mom

All of my girls with their infinity rings I got them when I asked them to be bridesmaids

In the car and off to the HD Museum! 

A few Bridal shots before I went down to our First Look 

Mom putting my veil on 

With our papparazzi for the day..2 photographers and 3 videographers. 

I could get used to that!

All done..let's go! 

On the phone with my man checking in with him

All glammed up! 

Ready to hit the road to the ceremony! 

Almost all of us after getting ready 

My present from B..new diamond stud earrings 

"Guys this was my face when I was trying to read what he wrote on my shoes"

DISCLAIMER: B originally wrote his note on the bottom sole of my shoe which has a special stick on that makes it so you won't slip in your heels. I couldn't really read it but he said he wrote it on there because he didn't think I'd want my shoes ruined. Sadly, the original writing wore off from all the walking that day, but he re-wrote it on another part of the shoe a few days after. 

All my girls dresses

Wedding: The Rehearsal Dinner

We had our rehearsal dinner at Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Milwaukee the night before the wedding. Fun fact: The first time B ever came to Milwaukee to visit me, we went here for dinner the first night he was in town. I had never tried salmon before and it was here that he made me try it and I've loved it ever since!

Our rehearsal dinner was a casual time with our bridal party where we handed out presents to them. It was nice for us all to spend time together as a group before the big day!

With my soon to be husband! 

My matron of honor, my sister Kristy 

My peacock cocktail gown, setting the tone for the wedding colors

With my favorite girls

With my two besties from college 

Marathon Monday..The Training Begins

Allow me to interrupt my wedding recap for a new weekly special I'm going to be including on my blog. We all know that running, fitness and exercise are something I'm passionate about. Well, about a month ago, I stepped out of my exercise comfort zone and did something I never thought I would do..I signed up to run a marathon.

Ever since I started running, a marathon was a thought I always had in the back of my head that I might one day do. However, I would think of how exhausted I am after running a half marathon and thought there was no way I could ever run another 13.1 miles after that.

But once I got to thinking about it, I decided I really wanted to challenge myself. This is something I only want to do once and now was a better time than ever.

At the beginning of June, I signed up for the random draw lottery for the Nike Women's Marathon and Half Marathon in San Francisco. After signing up for the lottery, I had to wait a month to find out if I made it in. I was excited to hear if I made it in, but another part of me knew if I didn't make it in, that was ok too.                            

Photo from Nike Women Run Series Facebook page

After a long time waiting, I received the email saying I got in. 

Am I nervous? Duh! I know that I'm the only one holding myself accountable for training for this race. It's going to take a lot more commitment on my part. I know there will be days I don't want to run because I'll be tired or the weather won't cooperate. But I'm going to try my hardest to stick to the schedule I've made myself

Am I excited? Heck yeah! I've never pushed myself this hard physically before. I'm proud of myself for trying something new and I know I'll learn more about myself as I prepare for the race.

Why did I pick this race? I always said if I ever did a marathon, it had to be a memorable one. My husband and I have never been to San Francisco so it'll be a nice weekend away. I also like how this race is catered specifically to women and the Tiffany necklace you get at the end isn't a bad reward either!

So, enter Marathon Mondays. I think this will be a good way for me to keep track and hold myself accountable as well as I train these next few months. I'll be sharing my workout plan and other ways I'm helping myself to prepare for the race.

And of course, here's to new tennis shoes and a cute running outfit!