Friday Funday

This last Friday, Russell and I decided to take one full day and make it a celebration day. We dubbed it Friday Funday!

On Thursday night, we camped out in our living room. We dragged all our beddings from our bed and made a comfy little blanket-bed on our living room floor. Instead of waking up to our bedroom surroundings, we woke up to a nice view of our dining table on Friday morning. It's nice to have a change of scenery once in awhile. I didn't have work this week and Russell decided to take Friday off work so that we can spend a three day weekend together.

Our first stop on Friday morning was to grab brunch at one of my favorite breakfast places--the Original House of Pancakes.

I got my usual, the giant German Pancakes:

It's bigger than my head.

Afterwards, we decided to go bowling. Because, you know, who else goes bowling on a Friday workday? It was wonderfully empty except for a birthday party happening. Needless to say, Russell won all of the rounds.

Russell bowling.

Our day didn't end there. Nope. We then went to the movies where we watched The Great Gatsby.

At around 5 pm, we decided to grocery shop for our dinner. We were feeling pretty adventurous so we bought some mussels and shrimp to cook at home. Russell sautéed the shrimp (mmm) and we made baked mussels (yum). It was delicious and luckily, Russell took pictures before we gobbled it all up.

Appetizers:

Shrimp.

Salad. We needed some greens.

Main Course:

Baked mussels.

We also had some garlic bread.

It was a long and fun day. Our celebration weekend is still continuing. While I'm writing this blog, Russell is painting. We were out and about most of Friday so we decided Saturday would be a relaxing day in. We also painted our bookshelf yellow earlier this morning. Pictures soon to come.

Now reasons why we are having a celebration weekend...God has been so good. So many blessings have been pouring in, reminding us not to worry about anything but to pray about everything. God continues to supply all our needs.

This past week, Russell got a new title at his work: Director of Motion Graphics. Woo! Russell is a creative and innovative guy and it's absolutely awesome seeing him use his talents for a job he loves.

As for me, I start a new job on Monday. I'll be a Marketing Coordinator, and I'm excited for the new opportunities I get.  I was able to take a one week vacation in between switching jobs which allowed me to spend quality time with lots of different people.

It's an exciting period in our lives right now. There are just so many things to write about! We are now part of a new church where we get to live our lives with a new community group. The people we have been meeting are so encouraging and lively and...happy. It's the kind of joy that reminds you that God is good.

Alright, time for me to end this lengthy blog post and continue my celebration weekend with Russ.

Turning 23

This blog post is a bit late, but better late than never! On July 14, I turned 23. There's nothing special about that age I had thought, but Russell made sure I had a special birthday weekend. The reasons why I love this man increases infinitely everyday.

He surprised me my taking me up to Santa Barbara for my birthday weekend. We stayed in a cozy little Bed & Breakfast that was a block away from the beach and a couple blocks from the zoo. They even had bikes we can borrow for free and ride along the beach.

   

Look at the pretty scenery. And Russell.

Pretty Santa Barbara beach.

Making faces

 We also ate a lot of food and walked around little crafts stands. The zoo was one of our favorites. I'll always have a soft spot for elephants and turtles.

At the zoo

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday. As for my presents, Russell got me a pink phone case and a pink bible. My sweet husband is the best.

We Interrupt This Program...

One day, I will get back to blogging regularly. But for now, check out this beautiful sneak peek of me and Russell's wedding day. Our photographer, Sarah Tamagni, is about finished with our wedding photos and was able to put a few up on her blog for us to swoon over.

The wedding day went by so fast. Russ and I are so lucky to have had a talented photographer help capture these moments for us--beautifully and skillfully so. And without further ado, enjoy!

Russell and Katrina wedding photos: http://www.sarahtamagniphoto.com/?p=2853

The Wait by Richard Brautigan

It seemed
like years
before
I picked
a bouquet
of kisses
off her mouth
and put them
into a dawn-colored vase
in
my
heart.

But
the wait
was worth it.

Because
I
was
in love.

Movies, Beach, and Driving

This past weekend has been so good for Russell and I. He's been doing better and has more energy to go out now.

On Friday, we went to a free event at the OC Great Park. They were playing E.T. at the park and were also offering free stargazing at night. They had brought in a group of astronomers with high-powered telescopes and we were able to see the Ring Nebula, Saturn, and Venus. There were other telescopes pointed at other planets but we weren't able to get in lines for those.

E.T. and star gazing at the Great Park.

 On Saturday, Russell wanted to go to the beach so we went to Laguna Beach in the morning. Russell packed us a lunch and we ate on the sand then walked around afterwards. Later that night, we were able to go out with some old friends and meet new friends.

An overcast morning. 

And on Sunday, Russell drove for the first time since he's been out from the hospital! Look at the artsy photo I tried to take:

Russell driving.

It's been an event-packed weekend filled with lots of laughter and fellowship with new and old friends. It's been helpful being surrounded with people who have prayed for us and encouraged us. We've been blessed with great families, a loving church, and a wonderful community of friends. We're so excited to see where God will take us!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
                James 1:2-4