A Dinner Party, A Homemade Race, and an Egg-splosion

Time flies! Today is our second wedding anniversary! 

My husband knows me well:

He walked in the door with these a day early! I was seriously impressed. The roses ornamented our table perfectly! We hosted a small dinner party last night, so Ty couldn't have timed that any better. 

I'm a morning person. (Surprise!) Ty has been forced into one because of his early work schedule. Now he even chooses to hit up the gym before work. (Again, I'm seriously impressed.) I couldn't wait to start the celebrating today!

7AM on the trail! There was a local race happening at our other go-to running spot. Initially we had planned to participate, but instead we decided to design our own race! It was so peaceful and shady! Practically perfect in every way!

Readers, please note that it was Tyler's idea to wear our coordinating "We Go Together" shirts. Our version of race day shirts, I guess you could say.

In race recap fashion, I suppose I'm obligated to share the highlights.

Mostly? Being with my family. And finishing. 

We had a good time, but neither Ty nor I set any records today. Brooklyn, however, did!

Official time: 24:05. 

Everyone knows that race day is incomplete without a killer post-race meal. Let me say, folks, this one did not disappoint. I am still daydreaming about my mouth-watering breakfast. 

Good food and a good-lookin' date. That's about as good as it gets!

Here she is! The "Sammich!" A gluten-free bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit! Ty tasted mine and admitted it was delicious. So go easy on the cyniscm, gluten-eaters! This restaurant is known for its GF menu items! The most famous seems to be the chicken fries waffles. (I'll save that for a post-marathon meal, I think.) Ty had venison sausage tacos and enjoyed them.

Arguably the most memorable moment occurred right after I put the camera away and took my first bite. (Please note that I ordered my fried egg "over-medium" and implicitly stated that I didn't want it too runny.) 

My heavenly biscuit exploded and shot a stream of egg yolk all over my plate, onto the table, and into my hair. I was so startled that I just sat suspended, biscuit midair, eyes darting to my sunny hair in my peripheral. Ty looked at me with yolk-sized eyes, and we both began laughing hysterically. And continued to do so for ten minutes. I dabbed some water in my hair, called it a conditioning treatment, and bravely moved onto bite number two. It was ridiculously good! I wasn't about to cry over a little spilled egg.

After breakfast, we joined our new church family in worship. I can't think of a better way to have ended the morning. I am so thankful for for the LORD's patience and goodness toward us and the ways I daily see that reflected in my husband. I am one loved and blessed gal! 

It has been a totally fun, delicious, and restful anniversary thus far.

Up next: The Return of the Jedi. 

The Waiting Game

When I was young, I saved my pet sitting money and dreamed up my next big purchase - like a Razor Scooter, a security camera for my bedroom (true story), a phone-booth telephone for my room, a CD Walkman, and eventually a laptop.

Thankfully, my parents thwarted some of my crazier ideas, and in the process taught me a great lesson about patience. My dad required me to wait ten days and think about my purchase. If I still deemed the purchase worthwhile at the end of the ten-day period, he would drive me to the store to spend my hard-earned dollars.

Frustrating, to say the least! Today, however, I am grateful for this lesson. Not only has it saved me from numerous impulse purchases and rash decisions, but it has also proved that waiting for something you care about is worthwhile.

But what about big life decisions?

Often we're asked to wait: by parents, employers, institutions, or our Heavenly Father.

Tyler and I wanted to wed sooner. I had dreamed of a December wedding.

Instead we were asked to wait. In return, we received the blessing of our parents, the presence of our beloved families...and a July wedding. Looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way. God's timing was perfect.

It is always perfect. The wait is always worth it in God's story. He loves to bless His children.

I trained hard for my marathon and planned to cross the finish line in under four hours. Red light. You can't plan around hospital visits.

While I still feel some disappointment, I also have an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my returning health. The fact that I was well enough to audition was a gift straight from Heaven.

Now I find myself in the waiting game yet again. We have some direction and information from my school choices, but not enough to make a decision or move forward. Schools operate on their own timetables, and I will not always be first on the list.

It would be easy to mope around or wallow in anxiety. Sometimes I'm halfway there. I'm taking it one day at a time, loving the opportunities and relationships in front of me.

On a perfect Friday afternoon, Brooklyn and I headed to my parents' neighborhood lake and soaked up the beauty of it all.

Brooklyn is my daily reminder that, "LIFE IS AWESOME!!!!" because she embraces every moment as if it is the best moment of her life.

February Is My Favorite

I know this month is short a few days, but February has gone by exceptionally fast this year!

We returned home from all the audition craziness and hit the road running!

I celebrated Valentine's Day with my Papa at his memory care facility. Being far away made me remember how important family truly is.

Ty's cousin, Meghan, came to visit, and we enjoyed canoeing and ice cream with the fam!
Brooklyn even went on her first canoe trip, but there is no photo evidence.

(Would you have taken your phone in a canoe with a crazy Weimaraner? Didn't think so.)

The very next day, our Japanese exchange student arrived!

Meet Moe!

(Pronounced Mo-eh)

Brooklyn is already quite attached.

Okay, so the main reason February is my favorite is because it's my birthday month. And the way I was raised was to celebrate all month long. (As I've aged, the celebrations have shortened to about a week. Growing up stinks sometimes, doesn't it?)

Birthday mail from Laos!

Check out how much Brooklyn has grown since my last birthday!

Did you know just how many free things you can get on your birthday? It's amazing, really. I ran out of time trying to do them all!

The morning began with a free breakfast (with my fab parents!) and continued with a free car wash, free smoothie, and a free sub! Ty was the lucky beneficiary of my free sub from Firehouse.

Then it was onto the happiest place on earth on my happy day!

(And yes, for free! My favorite cast member is awesome!)

EARS!

Please notice Ty's button.

It doesn't get any better than this, folks!

Ty's very first time on Small World!

We both maxed out the points on Buzz Lightyear!
In all honesty, the ride broke down in the middle, so we had a little extra time. :)

The main event for the day was dinner at Be Our Guest. I love this restaurant at lunch time, but I had never been for dinner due to the fact that reservations are so limited.

I was slightly disappointed with our seats, but I blame myself for not specifying.

Overall I loved the food and atmosphere. This is definitely one of my favorite places to eat at Disney.

Per Disney protocol, the chef came to our table and listed out my numerous gluten-free options. He even brought me GF dinner rolls to enjoy before the meal! I highly recommend the potato soup.

When your reservation is called, you are handed a Lumiere to help guide you to your seats.

Tale as old as time...

One of the features of this restaurant during dinner hours is that the Master of the House is present.
He is dramatically announced and shown through the dinning rooms to his study where he later greets guests.

We met him post-dinner!

Moe's homestay group just happened to be at Magic Kingdom on my birthday, so we planned to meet up with her after dinner and stay at the park late.

We may or may not have had some sweet fast-passes from our favorite cast member...

In line for Big Thunder 

Space time!

So fun to share in Moe's Disney visit!

It seems I always have soaring expectations for my birthday and then wind up disappointed.

Not so this year!

I could not have imagined a more wonderful day.

We we arrived home, Moe gave me this:

My new favorite morning mug!

Several families from our church are also hosting, so we have tried to organize events together with our students. Of course we had to introduce them to Tijuana Flats!

In the midst of the celebrations and get-togethers, there has also been some sweet time of rest.

We've needed it! Big decisions are ahead, but for now it's soaking in the sun and pestering our families as much as possible!

 

Farewell, February! You are one fine month!

My Funny Valentine

We celebrated Valentine's Day last night.

Our festivities included a trail run, spaghetti (hey, sauce is red!), chocolate, and Lord of the Rings.
A fun and frugal night, I'm happy to report.

Post Run

I always give Ty a card and peanut butter chocolate candies (his favorite!).
I told him not to get me anything.

I'm still loving my gift from last year. It's the best gift I've ever been given.

Happy Adoption Day, Brooklyn!

Feb. 14, 2013

Feb. 2014

Post 18-degree run. Note heater placement.

My Valentines!

And just for fun...

Valentine's Day 2009!

My handmade candleholder gift!