Amazing Weekend, Amazing Friends

      

This has been an incredibly beautiful, relaxing and fun-filled few days. Friday began with the news that our friends Jen and Jeremy Kennedy were at the birth center, preparing to welcome baby Kingston after being almost two weeks late. He came just in time so that they did not have to go to the hospital and get induced (hospital would have equalled a very sad mommy). We are so thankful that Kingston and family are healthy and happy. We can’t wait to meet him!      

Kingston Isaiah Kennedy - Picture via KennedyBabyCo.com

 

 After that excitement on Friday morning, we went to chill with our friends Rob and Kristy-Lee at their house Friday night. We ate pizza, drank beer and rocked out on Rock Band. K-Lee can sing some Journey like nobody’s business, don’t let her tell you different.      

Saturday felt a little bit like a marathon. We started out bright and early at 7 a.m. to meet my family at the famous Townhouse Restaurant in Oviedo, chickens and all. We went to say goodbye to my mom and 12-year-old niece Skye who were leaving shortly after for a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. We are so glad that they have the opportunity to experience this trip together. We pray that Skye would be moved by the strength of people who have so little and come back with a grateful spirit.      

Oviedo Chicken

 

After breakfast, we ran some errands and then Gary went to meet up with his dude friends Dave and Jon to eat fried food and watch the U.S. vs. England World Cup match while I got my shop on. We then hustled over to Matt and Alison’s for some Frenchie craziness and Apples to Apples. The first game was almost a shut-out by Alison killing it with hilarious answers. Matt introduced us to the popsicle walk which is pretty much what it sounds like – whenever you eat a popsicle (pomegranate, yum!) you must take a walk outside while devouring  it. It’s a pretty simple tradition but one I think I need to incorporate into our popsicle-eating routine. Enjoying a frozen treat with great friends on a hot summer night is always a pleasure.      

Matt and Alison's Frenchie Nixon modeling - Picture via HardRock.com

 

 Sunday morning we were again up early to church and were surprised to see my Uncle Scott and Aunt Lisa standing in the lobby when we got there. My awesome cousin Josh and his equally awesome wife Rachel have been going to our church for the last few months now and his parents (the previously mentioned aunt and uncle) were meeting them for a visit. We don’t get to see Scott and Lisa that often as they live in Tampa so it was a nice reunion. After church we headed off to New Smyrna Beach with Matt and Alison to meet more friends, this time Kaci and Daniel and Kaci’s parents. They were staying at a friend’s beautifully renovated beach condo for the weekend. The beach trip began with stopping at the Mon Delice French Bakery for pressed sandwiches and tarts, continued with me trying to surf until I couldn’t stand any more salt up my nose, girl talk, relaxation and watermelon and ended with the ubiquitous stop at Frozen Gold Ice Cream Shop for a Reese’s Pieces Cyclone.        

       

New Smyrna Beach

 

After the seemingly crazy-busy weekend, I went home on Sunday night feeling rejuvenated. Gary and I are privileged to have some really amazing people in our lives who we have so much fun with but also know that they would be there for us through anything. And I feel lucky to live in a place where paradise is only an hour drive away. Some people don’t know what it’s like to (try to) ride a wave and get your feet buried in the sand. It’s so important to reflect on such things and to really appreciate the people around you and the positive experiences you have. It seems like something that should be a given but unfortunately isn’t always. Thanks to everyone in my life who makes me laugh and makes me feel loved everyday. I love weekends like these.