Latest Happenings!

       Things have been super busy lately, but at the same time I couldn't really tell you what I've been up to. Dustin and I got an apartment out in The Colony that we are super excited about. Neither of us have ever lived with someone we dated, so we are waiting for this new adventure. Right now we pretty much only see each other on the weekends, so it will be quite the transition going to 24/7. Dustin is moving in in 2 weeks while I'm at my bachelorette party. (I lucked out don't ya think?) I'll move in once after the wedding. I think I'll probably take over nearly everything from my parents house and just live with a few clothes or come and go as I need. We are at 56 days until the wedding. I cannot wait to be married to my very best friend. I'm so anxiously waiting for the day to be here, and it can't happen quick enough. Although when I look at my "To Do" list I can't believe we only have 56 days left to do it.

    We are getting two weekends in a row in Fort Worth. Dustin used to live out near Fort Worth and we loved the lifestyle. Work wise it makes more sense to live in the mid-cities area. We definitely miss the life we had out there. Last weekend Dustin's parents came into town and we hung out at his sister and brother-in-law's house. We had a great day just cooking out and playing that bean bag game. I have no idea what it is called. Throw the beanbags into the hole? That night Dustin's parents babysat while we got to go out. Today, we are having our engagement pictures taken in downtown Fort Worth and the Stockyards. I'm super excited for it! I wanted to wait until it was warmer so we didn't look like we were freezing in our pictures. Tonight we are going to go out with our friend Katie and Alex hopefully.

Half marathon training is going great! I ran 6 miles last week and took off 9 minutes. Was supposed to 8 today, but couldn't get up and it was super humid so hopefully I'll get to it tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!

A Weekend of Firsts!

      I had a super relaxing weekend and it was much needed. I've been going and going so much lately that it seems like I can't catch a break. Friday night Jasmijn and I went and saw Water for Elephants. Ok so I have to explain once again how much of a total freak I am! I had started reading the book Water for Elephants the weekend before. Jasmijn and I had talked about going to see it, but I was so exhausted from TAKS testing that I completely forgot to really keep up with reading. Then Friday came, and I was on page 114 out of 330. Total freak out. Now I know most people probably would have said forget it and just went to see the movie. I can't. It literally pains me if I haven't finished the book yet. I know, pains me? I'm a freak I told you. A book freak especially. One of the greatest things for me is to read a book and then go and totally hate the movie.Why do I do this to myself? For the hope that maybe, just maybe, this one time they actually stayed closed to the book. Sometimes I am pleased. I know that it won't be the exact same. They have to hype up the story a bit for Hollywood and put some things on screen that are harder to get through with the books and vise versa. Most of the time I'm furious throughout the whole movie. Other times I'm amazed. A Time Travelers Wife... absolutely loved! It was of course a little different, but I thought pretty close. I loved Last Song (minus all the acting done by Miley Cyrus) this could be because Nicholas Sparks actually wrote the movie as well though. Other books I loved the movies for... A Walk to Remember, The Twilight movies, Harry Potter, Most Jodi Picoult movies, Little Women, and I'm sure there are a few more that I can't remember. Ones that I absolutely hate more than anything... Dear John, P.S I Love You (probably hate this one the most.... completely ruined the story in the movie) , My Sister's Keeper (were they serious with that ending?) The Lightening Thief, The Tale of Despereaux. I am sure I can think of a few others once I really get going.
       Anyways, back to the point of this.  I was bound and determined to get the book finished. I read and read every chance I could at school and even came home to lock myself in my room and finish. A few years ago Annie and I went to see the 6th Harry Potter movie. About a week before I hadn't read any of the books and got started right away. I couldn't finish, and was even still reading during the previews. Still didn't finish though. I wish you could have seen my shock when Dumbledore died at the end and I had no idea it was going to happen! So I have vowed to never do that again. I loved the book Water for Elephants. I thought it was intriguing. It was the same love story we have seen a thousand times, but was so much more interesting when you add the element of the circus in it. I thought it was enchanting and addicting. The movie was too. It was a little slow moving, and of course had parts that were changed, but I LOVED it!
        So why the "Firsts" title for this post? Saturday I actually got up and ran 6 miles! It totally motivated me for this whole half marathon thing. I felt so amazing and relieved during the run and after. I felt like I could do it. It was such a great feeling running. I also had my first bridal shower. My Aunt Rose and cousins Jocelyn and Celine threw it. It was a close group of friends, and I think went great. We had so much fun, playing games and the food was amazing. We got some really good stuff and I was so excited to finally get to see my dishes! Also, Dustin and I finally got an apartment! I am so excited. I had to give my first sacrifice though. Well, I say sacrifice, Dustin says compromise. The first apartment we looked at had a really small living area and kitchen. The bedrooms and bathrooms were big, and the closets.... the closet space was magical. It was everything I could have dreamed about. Two walk in closets and one closet that took up a whole wall. I was truly in love. The second apartment had a huge kitchen, living area, and a separate dining room area. Oh and a huge patio. The bedrooms, bathrooms, and closets were smaller. (significantly in the closet area) Dustin and I talked and I realized most of our time we are on the couch watching TV. So sadly, I gave up my beautiful closet space. I think I'm happier that I did though. The closet I get is still decent sized, and the apartment is on the corner and has a pretty good view with lots of windows. I cannot wait to actually live with Dustin and be with him all the time. I have not been able to sleep because I keep thinking of ways to decorate! Dustin moves both of our stuff in June 3rd (I'll be out of town.), but I won't move in until the wedding.

Wow... long post or what?  I don't have the pictures from the shower, but here is a cute one of my niece Morgan at the shower.

I Think I Can! I Think I Can!

I've decided to run a half marathon! A few coaches from school and I decided to run the Wounded Warrior Project Half on June 12th. I'm super excited! My training is coming slow... very slow, but as long as I finish that is all I care about. I'm asking that you guys keep my old lady legs in your thoughts. Ever since I was little I was unfortunately cursed with the "Roden legs." Basically, my knees, ankles, big toe, and hips hurt and ache ALL the time! I've finally reached 4 miles (Yes, I'm aware that I have 9.1 left to go), but I can do it! Just remind me every once in awhile that I can? A half is something that I have ALWAYS wanted to do. I figured what better way to get ready for the wedding. Dustin got me a Garmin GPS running watch that I am absolutely obsessed with. It tells me where I am, my distance, my pace, and my time.

Running is always something that I have loved. I ran in high school (still have a record for the 3200m relay thank you!) and it was something that I was completely dedicated to. When I got to college, I let the partying and the busy-ness get the best of me. Then the lbs started packing on and I've had a hard time getting back into it. I've always tried to start running for other people or to look good for something. I feel like this time it is about how it makes me feel. I enjoy running now. I have to admit I'm still competitive. I still like to "catch" people as I'm running even though they don't seem to know we are racing. This is the first time I'm just in it for how it makes me feel. I want to run and complete the entire half, but part of me thinks if I feel good with however I finish then that's ok. If I lose weight from this, awesome, but if I don't I'll be ok as long as I feel good. I've been a person that has dealt with depression and ever mounting exhaustion and self made stress all my life. I either get too depressed or too stressed to the point I don't sleep and just stay up and think about everything. Running has taken a lot of that away from me. I'm sleeping better, and I just feel happier and less stressful when I'm done.

I'll keep you updated on how the half goes and all the encouragement I could get would be much appreciated. These old lady legs can only do so much!