Small Blessings

     God works in many different ways. Some big, some small, but all are amazing reminders of his love for us and how he's always watching over us.

     Over the last couple of months, we've been looking for a small breakfast table-for-two without much luck. I really didn't want to spend over $100 for one and we just kept striking out. We tried name brand furniture stores (big mistake), small no-name businesses, second-hand stores, everywhere. All were asking prices upward of $180+. We looked at Big Lots time and time again, so I knew they had one that I loved for $165. I passed it up 3-4 times because, again, I wanted to spend less.

     After a couple months, I finally decided I would spend the extra money and splurge for the table at Big Lots. I was mentally prepared to spend the money and excited to finally have a place to eat besides the living room couch! We got in the car and headed to Big Lots...no table. The floor display was gone, there were none in the back; it was like the thing never existed! We checked two other Big Lots stores and no one had this table in stock. WHAT!?? Was I upset?? Yes, a little, but I strongly believe that there's a reason for everything. If it's not available now that I want to get it, there's a reason for it....and I was right this time! 

     About two weeks later (Thanksgiving Day), I was looking at the Black Friday ads online and what did I see!? Kmart had a breakfast table (almost identical to the one at Big Lots) on sale for $90! I was so excited, I ran to tell KC. We jumped in the car, drove to Kmart, and when we got there, they had 6 in stock, BUT this sale didn't start until 7pm! Ugh, I can't get a break! We had tickets to see Pippin at 7:30pm that night on the other side of town. The table was still on sale at this time, but it was $100. KC told me to just get it, but I refused. I wanted this table for $90 and if it isn't here when we get back after the show, then this isn't our table either.

     I stayed positive all night. We enjoyed ourselves at the show and made it back to Kmart around 11pm. ALL six tables were exactly where we left them! So happy! We grabbed one as quick as we could, then finished looking around. KC put it together for me the very next day while I was showering. He's the best!

     I know it's not much, but sometimes God says no to one thing because he's got something better in store for us. The day after this, I got my vehicle renewal notice. Guess I'll be using the money I saved to pay for that!

xoxo

Holiday Season

     When you live far from family and friends, the holiday season is always the time of the year that you miss them the most. Homesickness really sets in when you think about the family get-togethers you're missing and the socializing going on over all the food that smells so yummy. KC and I have been talking about how nice it would be to live closer to family. Our only dilemma...snow! We both have had our fair share of snow and have NO desire whatsoever to live anywhere that it snows, ever again! This really limits our choices.

     I haven't been home for the holidays since 2009 when I still lived at home. The reason for that comes down to two things: 1) snow and 2) plane tickets are so much higher around the holidays. I wish airlines would drop their prices...wouldn't that be nice!? Not to mention, all the other expenses that go into traveling; it can get pretty pricey. I'm thinking, I might try to go home next year for Thanksgiving. It's definitely long over due.

     I keep myself busy during holidays to help distract myself from missing family. This year, I booked us tickets to see Pippin, we've lined up some light shows to check out, we're eating at a buffet for Thanksgiving dinner, we plan to check out some Black Friday deals, and then Friday afternoon, we're heading to Laughlin for a weekend getaway. It should be a great time; I can't wait!

     I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Be sure to hug your family and let them know you're thankful for them!

xoxo

Race Results & Exciting News

     Race weekend was amazing! I loved spending time with my friends and old roommates. We had a great time. We tried a Raw Cafe and it was surprisingly delicious. Also, took a ride on the High Roller at the Linq; it was pretty cool. The race didn't go as well as I was hoping/expecting it to. An extreme cold front came in on Sunday so it was freezing! My bones were so stiff by the time our coral made it to the start line (an hour and a half after the first coral started), so I think this played on the pain I experienced in my hips. I did really well for the first half of the race. I didn't stop to walk until after we passed the 5K mark! This is a first for me; in training, I never made it pass one mile without walking. I made it to the 10K mark (about halfway thru the race) in an hour and twenty-four minutes. If I would have been able to keep my pace up, I would have made it to the finish in the time that I wanted, but after the halfway mark, I hit a brick wall. My hips were hurting so bad that I couldn't run for very long without a walking break. Overall, I finished in about the same time as the one I did 3 years ago, so I wasn't too disappointed. The main thing is that I didn't give up and I crossed that finish line strong!

Before the race

After the race with our metals!

     Saturday, I got some exciting news....twice! My best friend of 21 years, told me her and her husband are expecting again! This will be their second. Then, later that day when my old roommates got into town, they told me they're expecting again! This will be their third. I'm so, so, so excited for all of them! I can't wait for them both to get here and to meet them.

     I took yesterday and today off work because I knew I'd be super sore following the race....and I was right! I couldn't get out of bed yesterday until about 3pm and even then I was still sore; my lower back and thighs. BUT!! I got some more exciting news yesterday that made it all better... My brother and sister-in-law had their little baby boy!! Another nephew for me. He's so adorable! I can't wait to meet him in January. Today, I'm still pretty sore, but at least I can move around more and get some cleaning done around the house. This extended weekend has been absolutely amazing! I couldn't have asked for a better one.

xoxo

Look how cute he is!!

Race Day Weekend!

     Well, it's finally here. Race day weekend. I'd love to sit here and say how ready and in shape for this I am, but that isn't the case. I also can't say I'm surprised. It seemed so far away in August, like I had a lot of time to train and get ready for this half marathon, but of course I procrastinated...A LOT. 

     However, I do think I'll do better than I did the last time I ran a half. It was almost three years ago and I didn't train at all before that one. My goal this time around is just to do better than last time. That means I need to finish in less than three hours and fifteen minutes! I'm thinking I'll be able to accomplish this. Looking at my training times, I think I'll be able to do it in just under three, but I guess we'll see. My main goal is to just cross the finish line and get that free beer! That's all that really matters right?! KC is worried about me and it's kind of cute. He told me not to end up in the hospital...LOL. I think I can handle that one too!

     This week, we have been getting the house ready for my friends. Cleaning, cleaning, organizing, and more cleaning! It's been a long week and I'm ready for my friends to get here and the fun to begin. Two of the girls will get here tonight and then my old roommates will get here Saturday night. I'm so pumped to see everyone. It's been far to long since I've seen any of them! Catching up with friends is always a good time.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. I'll update you on the race sometime next week...that is, if I survive ;)

xoxo

10 Facts About Me

     Want to know some random things about me? Here's a list of 10 facts you might not know about me:

1) Fall is my favorite season and is the only time of year that I miss living in Indiana. The fall in the desert just isn't the same. For the last few years, I've planned my visits to Indiana during the fall so I can see the changing leaves and experience the real fall weather

2) Apple cider and caramel apples are my favorite! It just isn't fall without having a glass of apple cider and some caramel apples.

3) Yellow is my favorite color, but I absolutely dislike yellow vehicles (sorry Dad).

4) I have a single blonde eyelash on my left eye. It falls out and grows right back in blonde. It's the weirdest thing.

5) I'm an extrovert hidden inside an introvert. I'm super shy/quiet when I first meet someone, but once I get to know you -- watch out! I never shut up and I'm completely outgoing. So, don't judge a book by it's cover; first impressions are sometimes wrong.

6) Fairs. If there's a fair in town, I'm probably there. I love walking around fairs, playing games, and eating the delicious food. I'm not real keen on the rides though; maybe the ferris wheel every once in a while, but that's it.

7) I'm completely in love with flying. There's just something so magical about it. The whole experience, from take-off to landing, blows my mind.

8) Hiking and being outdoors is my way of life. I can't stand being cooped up for too long and I can't think of any better place to be than in the mountains. The views, God's masterpiece, are simply amazing and I can't get enough.

9) I'm so stubborn! Not something I'm proud of, but something I've come to accept. If I want something, I won't stop until I get it. If I know I'm right (or think), I won't give up until everyone agrees with me or sees my point. I like to have the last word. "Hard head" has become a common nickname KC calls me. LOL

10) When I put my mind to something, I accomplish it. This kind of ties into me being stubborn. No matter how long something might take me to complete, I always finish what I start. Giving up isn't a solution.

xoxo

A Horrible, No Good Day

Nothing went as planned for us yesterday...

     Britney Spears was accepting an award down at the Linq (on the strip) at 5:30pm last night. KC and I have been planning on going for about two weeks and we were super excited to see her and get some pictures. KC got home from work a little early and we left for the strip. We didn't anticipate the rush hour traffic, but got down there in good time...until we tried to park! We were stuck at a stand still trying to get into the parking garage. Then, when we finally got up to it, we were turned away because it was full...seriously?! Not to mention, we almost got hit about three times because people can't drive We ended up having to make our way over to the next casino to park in their garage. By the time we walked over to the Linq, it was 6pm and we had missed everything! Sadness. We did see an impersonator, but it wasn't the same.

     Since we were pretty bummed, we thought we'd stop at the one place on the strip that has our favorite beer (Redd's Ale) on tap to make us feel better. I ordered one and five minutes later the bartender broke our hearts even more...they were completely out! Ugh, really?! We had initially planned on eating somewhere new on the strip, but after all that had happened so far, we decided not to press our luck. The way things were going, we'd probably spend a ton of money and the food would be disgusting. We stopped at Taco Bell on the way home and watched Netflix until bed. Better luck next time, right? We're planning on going to Britney's show soon, so that should make up for yesterday a little bit. I hope you all had better hump days than we did!

xoxo

A Busy, Fun Weekend

     This past weekend was jammed pack for us. Friday, of course, was Halloween! We got dressed up in our costumes and passed out candy to the neighborhood kids and then we went to Fremont Street to celebrate. It was so much fun! People kept stopping us to get our picture, especially KC (he looked so ridiculous, you couldn't help but love it). We got our favorite drink, Tom Collins, and walked around looking at all the creative costumes. Some people had amazing ones that were nothing short of perfect. We had a really good time. And as promised, here's a few pictures of our outfits:

KC won the costume contest at work; yes, he wore this to work!

     Saturday was freezing! We went to the UNLV Rebels football game and I froze my butt off. I'm so thankful the lady beside me had a blanket she wasn't using and offered it to me. I'm pretty sure it was only in the low 70's, but my body can't take that cold air anymore. The Rebels lost, but we still had a great time!

We started our Sunday at church. Then we went grocery shopping and relaxed around the house watching Netflix. Sunday night we had tickets to go see Wicked! I absolutely love this show. I went a year or two ago and saw it with my roommate, but KC hadn't seen it yet, so we had to go. It was even better than I remembered it being. It was also nice to get dressed up and actually have somewhere to go (lol). 

I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! I'll post more when I have more time :)

xoxo