Turning 27 on the 27th! :)

Wednesday, October 27th 2010 I celebrated my 27th birthday. It rained cats and dogs that day and Athens had multiple tornado warnings!  I had four people from the county come to observe me and evaluate me and right after school I had a meeting at the county office that late!  To say the least, I was NOT a happy camper when I got home!

Of course, Josh saved the day.  We opened gifts because I NOT a morning person.  I can barely focus in the morning much less open gifts.  Josh got me a new coach purse and wallet that I desperately needed.  I was using the same Louis Vuitton purse that I have had since college.  I guess I am just really picky about purses! 

After presents we went to the "Five and Ten" restaurant in Athens.  It was so nice.  The ambiance was beautiful and the food was amazing.  We have heard great things about this restaurant so I was really excited to try it out.  The oysters are OUT OF THIS WORLD.  I plan on taking anyone who visits us in Athens to this yummy restaurant!

Thursday evening our sweet friends that Hammarlunds threw me a birthday dinner.  We had a DELICIOUS Mexican meal with margarita's and Lindsay Ann made me the MOST DELICIOUS strawberry cake I have ever tasted in my life.  We had a blast and I felt so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends.  We had a great evening of eating, sharing funny stories about me, and laughing.  Unfortunately, FSU lost against NC State that night.  It didn't matter too much to me though.  I still had a great time and felt very loved.

Friday we didn't have school due to Fall Break.  We headed down to St. Augustine to visit my folks.  Friday night my parents went to a Stephen Curtis Chapman concert.  This is the musician that sings the song "Cinderella" that my Dad and I danced to at our wedding.  He called me when that song came on and played it for me.  SO neat!  Josh and I went to O'steen's.  It was an

 hour wait but so worth it.  O'Steen's is my favorite restaurant in St. Augustine.  Nothing fancy, just great southern food!  Saturday my Dad and Josh went golfing.  My mom and I hung out on by the pool and  drank coffee.  My best friend from Apopka came to visit me and made me a scarecrow cupcake cake.  It was so cute!  She said it reminded her of  a costume I wore when we were little.  She looked all over for the picture of me wearing the costume but couldn't find it!  Ash, my mom, and I headed out to get lunch and go shopping.  We ate at a great restaurant called the Floridian.  GREAT fried pickles and fried green tomato bruschetta- amazing!  My mom wanted to take me to a baby store and quilting shop she had been checking out.  She was "Gramma Fever" big time!  I love it... I can't lie!  Josh and my Dad both played the best game of golf they have ever had.  Overall, great day!

Went home to watch the Georgia vs. Florida game and grill out fish.   It was delicious!  I even got to eat off the special plate.  A tradition in my family.  Only downside - the Gators beat the dawgs. 
All in all I had a FANTASTIC birthday week.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by such great friends and family.  I am eternally grateful. 

Finish Line Glory!

I just finished running the half marathon in Athens.  It was amazing!  I tried to go to bed early last night but woke up every hour after midnight afraid my alarm wasn't going to go off!  Josh and I headed over to the Hammarlunds around 5:45 am and Lindsay Ann and I left early to go stretch.  It was packed - over 2,000 people which was a little intimidating!  
During the race I felt really strong and focused.  The conditions were perfect.  Not too hot and not too cold.  Lindsay Ann and I planned to stay together the whole time, but her knee started bothering her.  :(  I went ahead and ran by myself.  
Josh and Eric caught up with me around mile 10 and took some pictures from the car window.  It was so nice to see people I knew!  
There was a HUGE hill around mile 13 which I don't think they should include next year.  It was KILLER!  But, I finished in 2:26. 
Afterward, we headed to the Hammarlunds to eat a brunch with Meredith, Colin, Bailey, Alex, Cat, and Will.  It felt so good to be so supported! 
I feel pretty good now.  My legs are pretty sore and my feet are in pain.  Josh got me a massage to have sometime this week so I plan to use that very soon.  As for today, I don't plan to leave my bed.  Athena is already snuggled up next to me.  Life is good...

 The day has arrived! 

 Ready, Ready, Ready, Ready to RUN!

 Lindsay Ann, me, and our friend Meredith who also ran!

 2,000 people at a starting point can be quite chaotic!

 And we're off!

 Josh caught me at mile 10!  I don't look like I'm dying!

 So glad to be FINISHED! :)

We wore Smith and Goff shirts to support our friends new firm in Athens

Josh videotaped me at the finish line!  WOO HOO!

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Last night with our friends the Hammarlunds and the Nevels, we went to pick out our pumpkin.  I had never gotten a pumpkin from an actual FARM before!  This was just another reminder that I was no longer in Florida and was a GEORGIA girl! :) 

It was a lot of fun.  Josh and I found a cute pumpkin weighing 17 lbs.  The farm had a lot of other activities including a corn maze that you slide down a hay slide to get into, a hay ride, a pumpkin slingshot, etc.  We got there a little late so we just got our pumpkins and left.  We all agreed this would be a yearly tradition and that we would go earlier next year to participate in all the fun activities.

We got home and I made chili and rice which everyone tells me they really enjoy... even picky L.A will eat my chili!  She said it is the only chili she will eat!  We had lots of pumpkin treats, sat on the deck by the fire pit, and carved our pumpkins!  Believe it or not, this was the FIRST pumpkin Josh and I ever carved together!  I cheated and bought the kit you can trace your picture on the pumpkin with.  We made a silly face and it turned out really cute.

Today, Lindsay Ann and I picked up our bibs for our HALF MARATHON TOMORROW!  I am so nervous/excited.  It is the first half marathon in Athens and there are 2,000 runners participating! We drove the route we will run after we left picking up our bibs and there is a HUGE hill right at mile 13!   AH!

Our friend Bailey is sweet enough to cook us a carb filled meal at her house tonight.  I plan to go home and REST after that!  Say big prayers for me tomorrow!  The race starts at 7:00 a.m.

Busy Weekend!

Weekends seem to go by faster and faster.  We had a stock the bar party for our friends Matt and Lisa Friday.  The party took place on North Campus and was a lot of fun.  We are really looking forward to their wedding at Montaluce Winery in a month.  Saturday morning I woke up and ran 10 miles at 7:00 in the morning with my running partner Lindsay Ann.  She didn't feel well, but still trucked through all 10 miles.  I felt great and ran all the way.  I have found a new love of running and even plan on running in the Disney Princess half marathon with my sister Shannon!  Running is a great opportunity for me to talk with God, listen to my favorite music, and really challenge myself.  I have never felt stronger and I am thrilled!   Saturday night we went to our neighbors Jenna and Dell's wedding.  It was a beautiful night and we had a blast.  They both looked incredibly happy which thrills me.  The wedding took place at a beautiful plantation house that reminded me a lot of our wedding!  Sunday we slept in and went to the 11:15 service at church.  We met my friend Bailey and enjoyed a great service on making choices in life. 

Phew!  Such a fun/busy weekend.  Resting now to gear down for another week at work.  Parent conferences are this week and Lindsay Ann and I have our last few runs before the "big day."  Woo! Below are a few pictures of our neighbors wedding.   

Starting a Blog!

O.K, so I have wanted to blog forever, but could never find the time to sit down and create one!  I MADE some time today while watching the 'noles and the 'dawgs with my husband.  I am really excited about beginning it because it will help family and friends who aren't close know what is going on in my life!  

I am going to try my best to blog every few days!  Hopefully, this will force me to take more pictures where I go - I am terrible at remembering to do that!

Yea!  One more Saturday with a seminole AND bulldawg win!  This makes for a happy husband and a happy wife! ;)