Greetings!  

The stage was set.  It was the most beautiful day in March.  Was I nervous?  No, I was about to marry my best friend.  What was there to be nervous about?  Mom and I had the cakes in the car, they were better than I ever dreamed.  Mine was so beautiful and Chris' was a black chocolate kettlebell.  What more could we ask for? 

Hair and makeup done.  I felt so beautiful.  It was perfect.  Mom was with me and she was as beautiful as ever, too.  Now on to the church.

All of my family arrived and the photographer was there to capture every moment.  I saw Chris and my heart started beating a little faster.  He is the man of my dreams.  He looked so handsome.  We had our pictures and then the family pictures.  They are beautiful, I cannot wait to share them with you.

We were ready a little early, so we decided to get the show on the road.  My dad and I waited in the back of the church for everyone to get ready.  Gram was still talking to the pastor, so I prompted her to the front so we could get married.  As I walked down the aisle with my dad, our families hummed "Here Comes the Bride."  Of course, I started laughing...luckily, I did not fall on the ground in my dress!  :) 

The pastor started, soon to be interrupted by grandma asking him if he could talk louder.  :)  He obliged, then asked her if it was loud enough.  Pastor Glen is the pastor at my grandma's church, so he knows her very well!  Chris and I exchanged our vows.  We promised to love each other every single day for the rest of our lives.  There were no tears on my part.  Just confidence in pledging my love and faithfulness to him.  I am the luckiest woman, I would not be who or where I am today without him!

Pastor Glen announced us as husband and wife.  We kissed.  We hugged our families and we fed each other a bite of cake.  It tasted SO good!  That was the first bite of cake that I had had in a long time.  It was worth it!!

Then on to Monical's.  Dinner was great and the company was even better.  It was wonderful to share this day with our families.  They are so important to us.

Mexico here we come!!  Yes, I worked out every single day, and sometimes twice.  It is what I do, my days are just not the same without a workout in the morning.  Then we ate at the same place for breakfast each day.  Pelicanos, open air, right on the beach.  I started my day with the most delicious green salad I have ever had.  They put a pesto dressing on it that was incredible!  That salad was the reason we went there every single morning (and lunch there too, I had two salads at that meal, yes, it was THAT good!).  Along with the salad I had "Champion Eggs."  Poached eggs on top of a grilled chilli with tomatillo salsa.  I was in heaven!  Starting out with protein and veggies every day was the very best thing that I could have done.  I felt great and I did not crave sweets all day long!

I did have a few chips the first couple days that we were there, and we found the absolute best creme brulee at one of the restaurants that we ate every night, but aside from that, I had my protein and veggies at every meal and I was extremely satisfied.  I did not feel like I missed a thing.  And our treat the last night we were there was to walk to an authentic Mexican restaurant.  We had the best tacos and nachos.  It was well worth eating healthy all day to splurge a little for that.  :) 

Chris and I walked on the beach and played in the waves every day.  We walked through the cute little town.  We napped and we relaxed!  It was wonderful.  The days seemed like they were three times as long as they do here.  We felt like we were away forever.  It was by far, the best week of my life.  One that I will never forget!

Now, back to it!  Eight weeks out from my first pro show!  What should the eight week competition be this time?  Attendance?  Push-ups?  Nutrition?  We will be weighing this week to mark the beginning, so be sure to jump on the scale and report to me.

Chris found a wonderful kale slaw at Sam's this weekend.  It tastes so good!  I made my massaged kale salad with a big bowl full of the kale, the juice of half a lemon, some sea salt and a small drizzle of olive oil.  Then massage the kale - yes with your hands.  It helps break down the leaves and make them easier to eat and digest.  It is so good.  The original recipe called for pine nuts as well, but I forgot to buy some, any chopped nut thrown on top would be great though!

Love, Emily

Be sure to follow the boot camp blog!  There are some new recipes, pictures, and interesting stuff up there!  Check it out.  http://myleanbodybootcamp.blogspot.com/

P.S.  The MyLeanBody Boot Camp T-shirts are now available online.  Please visit:  http://354281.spreadshirt.com/ to see them and order your favorite! 

P.S.S If you have not joined the MyLeanBody Boot Camp on Facebook yet, please do so.  Julia and Heidi were so kind to create it for me.  :)