June Adventures

June has been full of many unique adventures.

Our first adventure was a trip to the Greyhound Dog Races!

 I had been wanting to go since we moved to Galveston.

You drive right by it on 45 in La Marque.

It was so fun! It was only $2 to get in and we went on $1 hot dog night. Cha-ching!

We went with our small group from church, whom I love dearly.

The whole dog racing culture was so neat to experience.

The different dogs, the betting (we still have no idea what all the numbers on the board mean), the old lady using binoculars to check out the dogs- I mean we were only a couple feet back. 

Overall, super fun!

Next "adventure"...

 we are calling it an adventure in the hopes of trying to stay positive. :)

An animal died underneath our house!

That's all the detail you need to know

besides the fact

that it was the most disgusting thing Chad and I have ever had to experience.

Luckily, I have the BEST husband you will search out where the dead animal is located, call our rental company repeatedly, and then clean with 4 gallons of bleach. 

Wedding Adventure

We have loved watching some of our couple friends get married.

Weddings are so fun! 

And I do love dancing with my hubby. :)

Last night, Jeff and Jen got married.

It was a beautiful wedding and we had so much fun with all our friends.

They even played Dirty Dancings "I've had the time of my life."

One of my all time favorites!

Jeff and Jen had a fun photo booth that I took advantage of more than once.

Tonight we get to use one of our free Galveston dates and go to the Opera House.

We get to see the Addams Family and take one of our favorite couples with us. :)

I'm excited. I grew up watching the Addams family and can't wait to see it! 

Another adventure was running 10 miles today! Half marathon is next Saturday!!!

13.1 miles and I can't wait. 

I called the running company to ask a question. After answering the question, they ask "After you run, will you be participating in the jalapeno eating contest?"

I laughed- don't think so!

To many more adventures as the summer rolls on...

Spoiled

Ever have those days where you are blown away by people's kindness towards you?

Days where you stop, actually stop, and think:

Wow, I am blessed. really blessed.

and spoiled.

Today was one of those days for me. 

I walked into a friend's office I was helping out and this was waiting for me on her desk.

A bouquet of things to do in Galveston!!!

I had told my friend a couple months back that I was looking for something to do for

 Chad's and I 3 year anniversary and ask if she have any suggestions. 

She gave me a few suggestions and then we went on with our day. 

 Little did I know she secretly started plotting. 

She is a BOI (born on the island) and loves Galveston 

so she thought of some fun Galveston things for us to do.

Included in the bouquet is:

2 tickets to Schlitterbahn

2 tickets for a Duck Tour

2 tickets Dolphin Bay Watch

Sonic gift card

Island Game Board Gift card 

(a cool new shop you can go and play board games for free. They have food and drinks, too.)

4 tickets to the Grand Opera House to see the Adams Family

Money to go to the movies

blessed. really blessed.

I am trying to put into words my feelings of thankfulness but I come up short.

You see, Chad and I came to Galveston and we were alone.

No community, no friends, just us.

We have grown and stretched and learned to be a team 

but

it's been hard.

And for the first year here on Galveston Island I had a hard time. 

I was lonely and unhappy and was sick of mold, humidity, and PA school.

I'm still sick of mold, humidity, and PA school but now I, we, have a community.

We have friends, people who care.

Care about us, our marriage, who we are and where we are going.

It has changed everything.

Some days I think do I really want to leave here once Chad is finished with school? 

(Yes because I remember the mold and humidity)

Do I really want to leave this community that has formed after I have waited a year for it?

Those questions have time to be answered later. 

As for now I sit here and think God is good and I am blessed. really blessed.

Pictures of our Galveston adventures to come...

Summer Bliss

Summer!!! 

It is wonderful.

I mean won-der-ful. 

This is my first week off. Next week I start working at our school summer program part time.

This week has been heavenly. I keep thinking I am forgetting something because I have no obligations. 

I am loving it. :)

I have gone to the beach twice so far. My friend told me about this beach that hardly any one goes to but is still really nice. We are now going to  make it a weekly thing. So every Wednesday afternoon I will be relaxing on the beach. :) Only down side...sand. Man, it gets everywhere!

Food! I have really enjoyed cooking since I have more time. I have been making frappes with my frappe maker every morning (Galveston is starting to get HOT again), chicken salad, and our new favorite dessert marshmallow popcorn. (It's addicting!)

Healthy Chicken Salad
Here is the link to the recipe: (even Chad ate it and he is highly opposed to "girly" food!)
http://blog.naturebox.com/post/35207819367/harvest-chicken-salad

Marshmallow Popcorn. Extremely UN healthy :) but oh so good.

And yes last night I might of eaten a batch all by myself. 

Recipe: Pop a bag of popcorn, get all the kernels out

Melt a couple tablespoons of butter in a saucepan

Add a half to a full bag of marshmallows in the pan (depending on how much you like marshmallows)

Melt the marshmallows down with the butter, add about 1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour over popcorn

Enjoy!

Last weekend we bought our 1st car together! Oh so stressful. I was in a wreck, not my fault, but it totaled Chad's car. So we bought Chad this car. So far we have loved it! 

Here is what it looks like.

Buying a car was a not so wonderful part about summer but we had to do it.

Another step into adulthood conquered.

I am still running. 3 more weeks until my half. AH! So excited/nervous.

I ran my first 8 miles last weekend in Wichita Falls.

It wasn't too bad. I really enjoyed running without being drenched in sweat at the end.

In Galveston its so humid usually my hair is completely wet by the end of the run. 

I have my first running blister and let me tell you it hurts-

But I'm kinda proud of it because it makes me feel like I'm a "real" runner.

Haha- weird I know!

I have read Friday Night Knitting Club. I liked it- kinda a modern Steel Magnolias. 

Over all a good mindless read.

I am half way through Call the Midwife. 

I really like it and it's a true story which makes it 10X better.

I finished The Great Gatsby and our book club went and saw the movie. 

Loved the movie- it made the book better.

Next book for book club- The Princess Bride. Did you know its a book? 

It should be an interesting read and then we will watch the movie.

Our book club really likes movies too!

I am starting to plan Chad's graduation party. It's going to be medical themed.

I am having lots of fun with it! 

I am so proud of him!!! This is going to be a big party! He deserves it after all his hard work.

Pinterest has so many fun ideas.

I will start sewing in July when I get my machine. I plan to start volunteering at GUM in July as well.

This summer thing is really awesome. really awesome.

I hope all of you are having a great summer too!

Summer plans

3 more weeks of school left! I am so ready for summer. The other night I started making french toast and bacon at 9:30 at night, like I didn't have to go to school the next day. It was a sign...that summer should be here!

In honor of summer being just around the corner, here are my summer plans/goals.

I want to stay busy and be productive.

1. Learn to sew. I am getting a sewing machine for my birthday. My mom is going to give it to me early so I can start learning over the summer. I am pinning projects on Pinterest. I am so excited. I think I will start out with pillows and see how I do. 

2. Change the "junk" room to the sewing organized room. Our junk room is located in the back of our house. It's also Georgia's room, my extra school stuff room, and the office supply room. I plan to organize the room and set up all my crafts and new sewing stuff. Bring on the boxes and the labels.

3. Volunteer at GUM (Galveston Urban Ministries). I have been wanting to volunteer there every since they came to our church in December but have just been too busy. This summer I want to volunteer at least once a week, hopefully with Chad too. We found out he doesn't have to report to class in the month of July. :) :) :)

4. Keep up running. Our half is at the end of June. I'm so excited and really want to run another half in the fall. We will see after I run the first one if I feel the same way. 

5. READ!! I am so excited about all the books I want to read this summer. Here is my book list for the summer: Call the Midwife, Little Bee, Bossypants, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, The Night Circus, Cutting for Stone, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Book Thief, The Friday Night Knitting Club, and Divergent.

6. Go to the beach once a week. I feel I have not taken advantage of living on an island so this summer I will. I plan to buy a new swim suit- dread- hate shopping for swim suits!  

7. Traveling. We will be making the trek up to Amarillo. While we are in Amarillo we will go see my sister who will be working at a camp in New Mexico. On the way back from Amarillo we plan to stop and spend some time in Wichita Falls with Chad's family. Love family time.

8. Try some new restaurants in Galveston. I want to try Shy Katz, Mosquito Cafe, King's, and Maceo Spice and Import Company. Galveston has so many unique and local places to eat. I want to get them all in before we leave! That is one thing I will miss when we move, the locally owned uniqueness of Galveston!

I will also be working the month of June at our school's summer program. Gotta pay for all my new running stuff, right? 

I am going to have a busy but fun summer and I can't wait. Bring on the late nights of laughter and fun!

HURRY JUNE!  

April and what got me through it...

This month...man, let's just say I am glad it's over.

Chad had a rotation in Dallas for the month of April so I have been holding down the beach house all alone.

You know that saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder"?

It's true. 100%

I miss Chad like crazy but thankfully tomorrow he comes home! 

Hooray, hooray!

So here is what has gotten me through the month of April:

1. PEANUT BUTTER!!! 

Chad is allergic to peanuts so as a precaution I do not have anything in the house that has peanuts. Well, Chad left and the peanut butter came out... in all forms- Reese's, Jiffy to go cups, on toast, off the spoon... however I could eat it, I did. And it was delicious.

I will miss you peanut butter. You and Nutella do make the perfect couple :)

2. Reading of course. My friends and I are attempting to start a book club and our first book is:

We chose it because of the new movie coming out soon.

I really enjoyed reading it and can't wait to discuss it with the girls on May 8th! 

3. Revenge

I'm addicted. For sure. 

It all started with Netflix, as it always does. First season is an instant watch and I was hooked. 

22 episodes of 43 minutes each- don't mind if I do.

Thank you, Revenge, for letting me waste, oh I mean spend, so many hours with you.

Emily Thorne you are crazy.

 Warning: you will get addicted if you start watching...

4. Chai Tea

Ever since visiting Africa, chai tea has been a night time comfort drink.

My friends bought me the authentic tea bags and spice from an African market place in Dallas. 

I heat my milk with 2 tea bags and sleep is sure to follow...

Now, if I was only in Africa! I have not traveled overseas in over 2 years- I'm dying!

 I need to travel- somewhere- now!!!

These were my little things that slightly eased the pain of Chad being gone. 

I am thankful for my job, the time it takes, running (we ran 5 miles last Saturday- woop!), and most importantly friends. I really would not have made it this month without the blessing of some wonderful friendships. :)

April, oh most dreaded April, I conquered you! HA!

Tomorrow our sweet little family will be back for good!

No more rotations away- yeah!

Watch out May- it's gonna be a great month!

The Great Gatsby Movie Trailer to tease you with...

Easter 2013

Happy Easter, Everyone!

I do love this holiday and celebration of faith and the empty tomb! 

I am blessed by our church home at Coastal. It was a great service this morning.

After church, we had our friends over for Easter lunch. 

It was a feast and all soooo yummy.

We had ham, green beans, mac and cheese, rolls, and

twice baked potatoes casserole. Delicious!

I have already pinned the recipe of twice baked potatoes on my Pinterest.

So good!

For dessert, I made a red velvet cake. I love the cook book, The Cake Doctor. 

It always makes great cakes!

After being super full, Megan and I took a walk with the dogs.

I was so excited to walk in my NEW running shoes.

Pretty snazzy, huh?

An update on running, Megan and I have signed up for the Jalapeno Half Marathon in Fort Worth

 in June.  13.1 miles baby!

(Yes, what were we thinking...Fort Worth...June...hot!!!)

Our training starts in mid April. Right now we are getting comfortable running 3 miles.

So far we have run a little less than 24 miles these last 2 weeks- about 3 miles every day for 4 days a week.  I am so proud :)

I bought new shoes and super high tech sweat absorbent socks (or so the sales lady told me).

I am ready to run! 

That was our Easter. I am going to relax the rest of the day and enjoy my husband.

Chad leaves next weekend for his month long rotation in Dallas. :(

So I am enjoying him all I can!!

Happy Easter- 

May the Lord bless you on this glorious day!

Easter Egg Party!

Last night the girls came over and we dyed Easter eggs. It was super fun!

We are still not sure if our eggs were actually hard boiled. :)

Is it bad if some were floating?

We ate, talked, and dyed...

Megan and Janey's top eggs!

Amy, me, and Jen's top eggs!

Chad came in and judged.

(If only one of mine would not have cracked!)

All the beautiful eggs! 

The Top 3 Winners!

1st place is in the middle. Amy's

2nd place is on the left. Jen's

3rd place is on the right. Megan's

It was fun to get creative and eat lots of chips and puppy chow. 

I am so happy and blessed to have these friends!

Now for a day off! Lunch plans with the girls and then date night with my smokin' husband!

Excited- he has no idea what I've planned! Muahhahahaha! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter as we celebrate the blessing and joy of our resurrected Lord!

Happy Easter!