"This has gotta be the good life..."

 

 There have been recent events that have reminded me just how wonderful life truly is, how important friends and family are, and how important it is to put your faith in God.  While I do not wish to go into detail here, the week before I was hit with two very nerve-wracking and scary situations.  Both of these events occurred on the same day, and I confided in good friends and prayed for strength and good outcomes.  I kid you not, literally the very next day both issues were resolved with good outcomes for us.  Thank you God!  (It was as though I somehow managed to foreshadow these events with my previous blog post?  Luckily, like my previous post mentioned, we were there for each other and made it through the difficult situations.)  It is moments like that that help put the world and worries into perspective and make you appreciate life.  In addition, I felt like on that very rough day God was reminding me that he is always there... that same day we were blessed with an amazing early wedding gift.  One of Chris's dad's patients decided to donate money to our wedding as well as to his sister's wedding (Amy is getting married this October).  This was completely out of the blue, and honestly could not have occurred on a more appropriate day.  I am so grateful for all the amazing people in my life!

I am currently quite obsessed with the song "Good Life" by OneRepublic.


Life is currently quite fantastic.  Chris and I have been meeting up with the running group every Tuesday and Thursday evening.  It has been great to meet so many wonderful people.  Last weekend we decided to go for our own trail run.  I'll be honest, it turned into more a disaster than a nice run, since the trail I picked turned out to be mostly soft sand in direct sunlight.  Not to mention we also stayed up too late the night before which resulted in a late start and too hot of weather for our run.  In the end, we did have fun and concluded that we would save that particular trail for cooler weather. 

Ironically we saw this the same week The Pioneer Woman posted about one.

I nearly stepped on this guy.

This past week we also celebrate his friend's birthday at Dave and Busters, which was a lot of fun (except when the stall door lock broke in the bathroom, and I had to crawl out...it was pretty funny though.)!  This weekend we celebrated Chris's mom's b-day and met up with some of friends we have not seen in over a year. 

25th... hehe

Chris's dad makes The Best food!

Chris's mom and sister Jessica

I am currently writing this blog in Sarasota, sitting outside on the lanai at his parents' home.  I must say that I absolutely could not ask for better future in-laws!  Chris's mom also surprised me and gave me the most beautiful watch that belonged to her grandmother.  It will be my "something old" for our wedding.  I am a very lucky girl. (o:

Speaking of being a lucky girl, I seem to have lost a previous blog post that I had written.  I don't know how I managed to do that.  A few weeks ago one of my very dearest friends, Alisha, came to visit from Austin with my godson, Nick Danger.  (Unfortunately, Nick's dad, Bryan, was unable to make it.)  I have not had quality girly time with Alisha in AGES.  We had a terrific time!  She is by far one of the most brilliant, generous, and kind individuals I have ever met.  She and her husband have had such a positive impact on my life and have been there for me through the most difficult moments in my life.  While Alisha and Nick were in town, we did lots of wedding planning.  I was able to show her our wedding venue, and she tried on dresses since she is going to be my matron of honor.  We had a great time!  My godson is getting so big, and he is such a little gentleman!  (He does have the best parents!)  I just cannot say it enough... I am so blessed for all the wonderful people in my life!

Nick at our wedding venue

Well it is quite warm outside, so I think I'll go for a dip in the pool.  I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend and will have an even better week!

P.S.  Did anyone else absolutely love the I Love Lucy tribute on Google yesterday?!

In other news...

I started running with a running club, and I love it!  We meet up twice a week and run and then you have the option of grabbing food with the group after the run.  I love running with the group!  There are people of all paces, so there is always someone to run with.  I love meeting new people, and I was sick of running on my own, so this group is a perfect match for me.  Chris and I are running a trail run with the group tomorrow morning.  I hope to post about that tomorrow.  (I am going to try to blog a little more often.)

Oh yes, and I registered for the Disney Princess Half Marathon!  I cannot wait!  I have been wanting to run this race for two years now.

[source]

In addition to running, Chris and I took a trip to Jupiter to visit my family the weekend before the 4th of July.  We celebrated the 4th with our friends Nick and Federica at Lake Eola.  I watched the last shuttle launch from the roof of our building at work.  Oh yes, and we got evacuated from our building at work due to a chemical spill.  Luckily everyone was alright.  Chris and I also went to the Winter Park farmer's market. 

Our seat for the fireworks. 

The best dessert ever!  And my awesome Aunt Nora!

I spy strawberries, blueberries, angel food cake, yogurt, cool whip, and amaretto... YUM!

Family picture!  We went to visit my cousin's new home.

Lake Eola

The fountain works again!

The last shuttle launch from the roof of the building at work.

Farmer's Market

Chris found some fun glasses at Pottery Barn

All purchased at the farmer's market.  Sadly, I already killed my basil plant.

Sadly I forgot to buy balsamic so I had to use some dressing I already had.

In wedding-related news, we have a new wedding date.  The new day is Friday, November 9, 2012.  We had to change the date in order to get the photographers we really wanted.  For both of us, the photography is the most important aspect of our wedding in terms of planning (obviously the fact that we will become husband and wife after exchanging vows is the most important).  The photographs will be what is left to remember this momentous occasions in our life, and we have found the most perfect photographers!

And I know that some of you are thinking that our date is pretty far off so planning seems early, but I want to plan as much as I can before defending my dissertation and finding a job.  I also bought The Dress!  Eek!  I tried on several dresses... and I kept comparing every dress to one.  This dress makes me feel beautiful!  I do not want to say any more, because Chris reads this blog (well sometimes when I bug him enough).  Since I fell in love with the dress, I decided I might as well buy it before it is gone.  The weekend after we returned from Italy, my mom and Chris's mom came to town and we met up with Chris's sister Jessica, my friend Diane, and my friend Aurora to get my dress.  Then we went to show my mom the venue.  It was a very nice weekend!

Mom and I after we said Yes to the dress.

Chris and I also checked out Bananas this weekend.  It is a really fun restaurant with good food.  I want to go back when they have one of their drag queen shows. 

I do not know the last time I had cotton candy!

I hope that you all are doing well! Chris and I are going to finish watching one of the Harry Potter movies (we are marathon-ing the movies before we see the new movie).  Then we have our trail run in the morning!  I hope you all are having a lovely weekend!