Where does the weekend go?

Josh and I have had a fun filled, relaxing weekend as we prepare for the fall quarter to start Monday. It is crazy how quickly a weekend goes by!

Friday night after I got off work we headed down to Anaheim to see the Angels play a little baseball. Surprisingly they were playing none other than....Texas! How funny! We had a great time! We ate hot dogs and sweet potato fries (one of the only places I will actually eat a hot dog), did a lot of people watching along with watching the game, and had some good conversation. It was the perfect way to start our last weekend of summer.

Yesterday we decided to head down to Malibu for a day at the beach. The drive down is so beautiful. We were reminded again of how close we could live to Graham and Ashley. Now every time we drive by their old apartments we have a moment of silence recognizing how much we truly miss them!

As soon as we turned on to the pacific coast highway we realized it might now be the best day for the beach. It was really foggy and actually quite cool. We went to our favorite spot at Zuma and hoped that it would clear up soon. After an hour of sitting on the beach I still had all my cover up clothes on and a blanket wrapped around me because it was sooo cold! We decided it wasn't going to clear up so packed up our stuff and headed toward Santa Monica where we thought we might spend our afternoon.

As we headed back down the highway we noticed a bunch of people turning into a place called Paradise Cove. On a whim we decided to check out where everyone was going. We drove down this narrow winding road and came out to the most beautiful beach area we had ever seen. What an amazing place!! Judging by the cars in the parking lot alone we knew this must be the place where the wealthy go to lay out and be seen! There were quite a few people there with their long lensed cameras taking pictures and we felt sure we were surrounded by some famous people but are so clueless we would never recognize who they were. I guess because it is a small cove and set back enough it didn't have any of the fog and haze and made for a perfect sunny beach day! We have to say we have found our new fav beach spot!

Tomorrow marks Josh's first day of class as a PhD student. We are both excited and a little nervous. We were, however, reminded today at church that God has called each of us to unique walks of life so that through us He can be made known. University life seems to be where God is calling us and this is the next step in that journey. We are so grateful for where He has brought us in our life together so far and are looking forward to experiencing how this step will grow and change us and where it will lead us in the future!

It's been a while...

So it's been awhile since my last post. A lot has been going on...including not having internet for a few days. The past few weeks have flown by around the Strahan house. Josh has been busy finishing up his Latin and taking his exam. He took his test this past Monday and found out Tuesday that he passed!!! He was able to take and pass all three of his language exams this summer; Latin, German and French! I am so proud of him! He worked sooo hard!! Way to go babe!!!

This past Thursday night we were, as our friends referred to it, "baptized into Pasadena." We went to our first moving screening. During the week prior, people will be passing out fliers for a movie that is not yet out but that will be playing at a nearby movie theater for a screening. You take the flier, go online and rsvp that you will be attending. You arrive 45 minutes before the movie starts, stand in line and hope to get in. If you get in you see the movie for free and then take ten minutes or so after the movie to answer a questionnaire. Free movie that isn't even out yet?! So great!!! We saw a movie staring Matt Damon called The Informant. It was produced by the guy who did the Ocean's movies and Erin Brokavich. It was a true story and quite funny...a little long in the end but maybe they will change that before it actually comes out!Saturday we went hiking on the mountains in Altadena, the ones that line our view behind our house. It was a really great morning, cool in the shade and beautiful sunny skies (but then when
is it not sunny here!). We took Shiloh along and he loved it. It was a dirt path straight up the mountain and by the time we were making our way back down he had turned from white to golden brown! He was filthy but so happy! (Please excuse this horrible picture of me...but check out Shiloh's face! He was so happy!!!)

The past few days Josh has taken up the hobby of painting. He really enjoys folk art and has taken on some of this style in his most recent painting attempts. He has painted an old bucket we had that we actually used in our wedding (it used to be pepto pink) and and old door that we had been using for decor. He is quite talented and has enjoyed having a hobby completely outside of his everyday studying.We are hoping to do some relaxing things this weekend before the start of the school year on Monday! More to come soon!

Day of my birth...

This past weekend Josh and I celebrated my 26th birthday. I can't believe I am that old!! My mom informed me that I am now half her age, as she was 26 was I was born. Crazy!!! Where does time go? At one point this week I couldn't remember if I had already turned 26 or was going to turn 26. Even though it was a brief moment, it marked for me the time when birthdays stop becoming such a big deal and you start forgetting how old you are.

Josh took me out for a nice dinner on the town, sushi in old town Pasadena and then on to see Wicked! If you have not seen this play you HAVE to see it!! It was soooo amazing. The music is fantastic and the story is great. (FYI - if you have read the book - which Josh had - the play is way better than the book so don't let that stop you from seeing it!) We had such a great time! I would go see it again that is how good it was!

Tuesday was my actual birthday and we celebrated a little less in style that night with double cheeseburgers and fries from In and Out and brownies and ice cream, my favorite dessert.

My parents got me a Wii Fit and we enjoyed "getting in shape" after our dinner/dessert combination. (These are our Wii Fit characters. Look like us?!)
Love the Wii Fit!! Thanks mom and dad!!!

There is nothing like a birthday to remind you of how truly loved and blessed you are. I had so many phone calls, emails, and facebook messages from people I love dearly and people I am just getting to know. I feel so blessed to have been able to live the life I have for the past 26 years. Who knows what God holds for me in the future, but sometimes I can't help but think how today could get any better.

This past Saturday was also the first Saturday Josh and I stayed in Pasadena and didn't do much of anything. We slept in late, stayed in our pjs most of the day, and watched movies. (Watched Hairspray which was surprisingly funnier than expected).

Sunday we began our training for the Pasadena half marathon which starts right down the street from where we live! So great! We don't have to stay in a hotel or friends house the night before (which we have done for ALL our races in the past) and don't have to get up extra early to make sure we get parking and get there on time! We are really looking forward to having a goal that gets us up in the morning to run. We will let you know how the training is going!

Ok so this post has gone on a little longer than expected. I guess that is all for now...if you get a chance check out my brothers blog. It will change the way you see your day! Enjoy!

Back home...

Well, we are back home...in California that is. We went to Tennessee this past weekend to visit family and attend the wedding of Paige and Zach. We had such a great time!!! We got there on Thursday and went to a well known dinner theater with Josh's parents called the Chaffin Barn. We had some great conversation over dinner and laughed so hard during the play. What a blessing to spend such good quality time with people we love.

Friday Josh was able to visit with one of his best friends from college, Dave. You forget how much you truly miss someone until you get a few hours to be with them again. We miss you guys and wish we lived closer!!!
Saturday, the guys (aka Josh, his dad and his brother) played a round of golf, something they hadn't done together in a very long time. Though they were a little rusty in their game (from what I heard they laughed at Josh and his shots alot!), they really enjoyed being with each other which was so good to see.

Sunday was spent with church, more golf, shopping and watching the Saddleback debate with McCain and Obama. Wow!! I am not super into politics but that was great! I really appreciated the questions that were asked and was really able to see more of who the candidates truly are.
Through out the whole weekend we were able to meet and get to know the two of the newest members of the Strahan family. One was our nephew Ian (sadly I do not have any pics of him...hopefully at Thanksgiving!). He is so cute and so tiny! We look forward to watching him grow.

The second member was Matty Jo, Josh's parents new puppy! I fell in love with this guy instantly and am excited for the day when we have a yard and are able to have one of our own! He was so cute and so much fun! I can't wait to see him again at Thanksgiving and watch as he interacts with our little Shiloh. That should be a riot to say the least.

We were really sad on Monday when we had to leave. We had such a good time with both sets of parents. We miss them both so much. Jerry and Rebecca, we already miss being with you both and are anticipating our return at Thanksgiving! Both Josh and I had forgotten how much we loved Nashville. Our hope and prayer is that one day we will be able to return to the place where we fell in love and where our lives together began. Only time will tell....

We came home to our precious little dog who was so loved and cared for while we were gone! Thank you soooo much Katie and Matt! You guys are awesome!

Also, when we returned we found a little package on our steps from my sweet brother and sister in law. It was a little gift for my birthday that Ashley made herself. Check it out! Thanks Ash and Graham!


Now we are back and settling into a routine here in Pasadena and make this place....well feel like home!

Sweet treats...

This weekend we decided to head out to the LA Farmers Market. We had heard great things about it from Graham and Ashley while they were here, as well as everyone we've talked to since being here. What a neat place!! We walked around all the amazing stands of great looking produce and meat and decided to have a late breakfast at one of the local vendors. We had pancakes with fresh strawberries and an omelet with fresh tomatoes! So yummy! Graham and Ashley, we plan on eating at the Gumbo Pot next time we go in honor of you guys! On our way out we bought some fruit and veggies for the week, had our first celebrity siting (Christina Richy), and bought a little sweet treat for Shiloh, a "pupcake". Below are pics of Shiloh enjoying his tasty treat! So cute! This weekend we are heading back to Tennessee for a wedding and some time with the Strahans! We are excited about being with family, meeting our new nephew and catching up with old friends! Tennessee here we come!

Yummy Pupcake!!

Licked all the icing off then didn't know what to do!!!

A day at the beach

On the suggestion of our friends Whitney and Nick we decided to take a Saturday at the beach! We headed out to Zuma beach in Malibu. The drive out was gorgeous!!! On our way we passed by the apartment complex where Graham and Ashley used to live. It was strange to be so familiar with that part of LA and sad to think about how close we could have been to each other! Graham and Ashley we miss you!!

We got out to the beach around 10:30am. It was pretty quite for a Saturday and we didn't have to much trouble finding parking which we heard could be the worst part of a beach day. We settled in, took a walk, and dipped our feet in the COLD water! We had packed a lunch and enjoyed eating by the ocean, enjoying the view.After lunch, we were able to spend some time in deep conversation, something we both needed and hadn't really had since the move. It is amazing what being out in God's amazing creation can do to open up the senses and allow hearts to connect again.

Just as it started to get really crowded we headed out, having had enough sun for the day. We decided we will have to invest in an umbrella if we want to spend all day out in the sun! On our way home we stopped at a little yogurt place in Malibu that we found on our visit to see Graham and Ashley last year. Yum!! It was a refreshing end to a great day!

Tonight we plan on trying Wahoo Tacos, recommended to us by a professor back home. We'll let you know what we think!


Congrats to Justin and Allison on the birth of their precious little one's! Everyone is healthy and happy! We are so excited for the four of you! Can't wait to meet them!

Another week gone by....

Well, I am about to complete my second week at my job. I still have quite a lot to learn but my spirits are higher than they were at this time last week! I know God will grow me through this job and for that I am truly grateful.

Last weekend Josh and I went to the Getty Museum. Wow! What a beautiful place. We took a short tour of their gardens which are spectacular. What a peaceful place in the midst of such a busy city. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so I can only show you in words what we experienced that day. We ate lunch picnic style and then toured some of the many galleries of art. The great thing too is that it is free, you simply pay for parking! We had such a good time and know we will be spending many more Saturdays soaking in the beauty of the Getty. Hopefully next time I will remember my camera so you can share in the beauty with us!

This week we were able to have dinner with my boss Whitney and her husband Nick. They are such a neat couple and were so gracious to have us over and share their home with us. We really enjoyed getting to know them both and pray that our relationship will continue to grow!

God has been so good to us since our move out to California. He has provided us with an amazing place to live, a wonderful place for Josh to study and grow, a good job and steady income, and the opportunity to know some great people. We praise His name for all He has done for us and pray that we can share the blessings He has given us with all we meet.

Speaking of blessings, we are so excited for our cousins who will be having their beautiful twins tomorrow morning. We can't wait to meet precious little Jake and Mallory as they come into this world. To get a sneak peak of all that has been going on to prepare for their arrival check out Justin and Allison's link on our blog.

We are hoping to go to the beach sometime this weekend so check back for more updates soon. To all our family, we love you and miss you. Justin and Allison, we wish we were there to share in this joyous time with you. Ryan and Amy we are praying for your precious little one as she continues to grow. Mark and Rachel we are excited to see all that God is doing in little Belle. Graham and Ashley, we can't wait to hear about your adventures in Connecticut and look forward to coming to see you! To our parents, we love you and miss you dearly. Looking forward to seeing both of you in a few weeks! And to our family in Abilene, we miss each one of your smiling faces!