Day 50

Halfway through the countdown and today is pictureless. :/ not that there wasn't anything "picture-worthy" in fact there were several things I meant to take pictures of...

First was my completely empty and spotlessly clean apartment. I woke up early to go finish cleaning and turn in my keys today. And I meant to take a picture, but I took my phone to my car and was too lazy to go get it. 

So then I planned to just take a picture of the building. But I forgot in my haste to make sure I was turning everything in correctly.

Another chapter closed. I loved my apartment. It was fun and I loved the kitchen (and all the space). It was lily's first home. And where David picked me up for our first date. And where I spent many days and evenings with good friends- on the couch, on the balcony, by the pool. Not to mention that after 5.5 years my days of living all by myself are officially over. For good. It's wonderful. But crazy!

So after all my slacking this morning, I meant to take a picture of good friends gathered at communion dinner- but when I thought of it my phone was across the room and then the thought was gone. But it was a great night with lots of people I love. 

So day 50 was a lot of living life and not so much capturing it on "film". 

Just like a lot of days are for me. 

Day 51

Tonight I made some gifts for some of my favorite people. More to come on that later since some of them might read this ;)

I also took my car in for an oil change. And came out with a list of things that need to be repaired. Poor old 6 years young mazda tribute has taken almost 150,000 miles of abuse and it's just not handling it well :(  so now I'm just waiting for it to fall apart day by day. So far it's running fine though, so that is good!

Day 52

Tonight we did our wrap up of Hebrews over dinner. We've been studying the book since January and it was good to look back on it as a whole and talk about meaning and lessons. 

I've really enjoyed the Hebrews study and  seeing the portrayal of Christ and His supremacy through the letter. Onto the next study now!

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:12-16 ESV)

Day 53

Going back to work after a holiday weekend was harder than I expected. But at least we're closer to Friday!  

Today I moved over to my mom's officially so I came home to all the wedding rsvps and another fun package

My wedding shoes!!  

And someone else is getting settled in to her new home:

Day 54

Happy Memorial Day!

It sure is nice to have a Monday off work :)

We enjoyed lunch with Erin and Mike today.  They came over to David's apartment so the could see the new place.  We grilled turkey burgers and they brought salad and potatoes.  And I made blueberry peach cobbler for dessert!

Then we played a game and caught up.

Then I met up with my mom to look for her dress for the wedding

We found a couple we liked, but she's gonna think on it and decide.  Now for a relaxing evening in--it's my last night housesitting.  I'm trying to convince David we need to watch the premiere of the Bachelorette ;)

Day 55

Less than 8 weeks away!  Today we went to church, had a relaxing lunch at home, met up with my brother and sister in law (and nephew) then had our second and last dance lesson. 

She danced through it with each of us and then we danced it. It's nowhere near perfect or in step with what we're supposed to be doing, but we had fun. And we were able to video it so we can watch when we have question. 

I'm grateful for a Sunday night where I don't have to go to work tomorrow. Love 3 day weekends!!

Day 56

My Saturday started off here:

I woke up to an email that old navy had all their swimwear on sale for 50% today only. I looked online, but decided to go in. I got TWO new bathing suits for a great price. Now I think I'm mostly stocked for our honeymoon beach trip. 

Then I went to my old place to clean. I cleaned out all my kitchen cabinets and drawers. Made me realize how much I'm gonna miss my big, nice kitchen. 

Then David joined me to help take my bed to the dump. So we packed it up. And when we moved it here's what David found:

My Baylor ring has been missing since October. I had searched through all my drawers and the floor in the kitchen and bathroom because I thought I took it off one day and then it fell since I really didn't remember the last time I'd had it. I eventually gave up and figured I would maybe find it in the move. I'd emptied all my drawers and it was nowhere to be found. Apparently it was under my bed!  Crazy. 

We grabbed lunch then headed to our first dance lesson (more to come on that)

Now we're spending the night in-ordering pizza and watching TV. With all 3 puppies that I've got this weekend

Day 57

So I completely forgot to post before crashing last night. 

Yesterday we were supposed to go to the drive-in in Ennis and see Star Trek with some friends. But as we were sitting at dinner the chance of rain went from 30% for just 1 hour to 40-85% for 3-4 hours. 

We decided the drive in in the rain probably wasn't very fun. So we set out to see the movie at a nearby theater

I really enjoyed it. And it was nice getting home before 1 am since we didn't have the hour plus drive home. 

Day 58

Today we put the finishing touches on our evaluation room at work. So here is where I will spend my days:

After they knocked down the wall to expand the room, we hung curtains, framed scrapbook paper, hung vinyl lettering, recovered a chair and bulletin board, mod podged the table and hung a mirror.

It is a definite improvement!

Then tonight my friend Katie came over to catch up. We've both been so busy lately it's been far too long since we've met together. So tonight we enjoyed dinner in our comfy clothes. And I found this drink recipe on Pinterest (moscato, raspberry lemonade and sprite) and it was a perfect drink for girls night in!  I am so blessed by the friends in my life!

Day 59

Today was full of more packing and cleaning at my old apartment.  I took off to be home for the Salvation Army to pick up my mattress.  Which means I got almost everything packed up and taken to my mom's, a load to David's, and a load of stuff to donate.  Unfortunately, when the guys finally came to pick up my mattress they informed me that they can't take things from the 3rd floor because they only pick up from the 2nd floor down.  Ridiculous.  So now I'm trying to figure out what to do with my bed if anyone knows of anything ;)

Tonight we had Bible Study and David led on Chapter 13

We've been walking through Hebrews since January and it's crazy to think we've finished it up.  

And that was our Wednesday (interspersed with fun messages and comments from people who received our invitations!  Now for the RSVPs to start coming in and being counted)

Day 60

Stormy afternoon. I went home from work a little early and am already in my pajamas with the puppies gathered close. 

Settled in for a relaxing night in!

Day 61

This morning I packed up my laundry for what is hopefully the last time I will have to transport my laundry between 2 places for a long time!  Lily and I are dog sitting til next week and then we move in with mama reed until the wedding. 

2 months from today David and I will be getting married!  

Invitations were put in the mail today (no picture since my fiancé took them for me)

Then he came over and we made breakfast for dinner:

Tonight we've been working on the beginning of wedding programs and vows while we watch TV. 

It's been a good Monday 

Day 62

It's been a much-needed laid back Sunday after a crazy Saturday. 

Our young adults group has started a weekly thing of having lunch at a local park on Sundays after church instead of eating at a restaurant. So we did that. And then a small group of us headed for drinks on the patio. It was a great afternoon of catching up with a few good friends. 

Then we came back to David's to unpack the stuff we moved yesterday. 

We now have dining room and living room furniture: 

David and I watched a movie then headed out for dinner and then dessert:

We managed to re-visit parts of our first 3 dates this anniversary weekend:

Last night's Rangers game (2nd date)

Watched Bernie this afternoon (3rd date)

And pizookies at BJs (1st date)

Day 63

One year ago today, when I went on a first date with a boy from church, who would have ever thought that it'd be my last first date?  

Or that we would be planning a wedding for just 14 months later

Or that exactly one year later we would be moving all my furniture to his place leaving my living room looking like this...

... A full 4 months before my lease was up?

And who would have ever thought that I would have been to 5 Rangers games in the course of a year? (Definitely not my mom!)

I for one, am glad that things don't work out exactly like I think they're going to.  Because some things, even I can't plan!  Like having the best year yet with the best guy I know. 

Day 64

Happy Friday!

Tonight we're staying in and watching TV. 

Specifically this:

The office finale!

Day 65

This little girl really has no idea what's she in for over the next 65ish days. Next week we head to dog sit for a week and a half. Then we move in with grandma (aka my mom) for about 7 and a half weeks before the wedding. And then lily will move again to a different apartment. With David. And her own room. 

Yesterday our living room was cleared of furniture and this picture was pretty much her response to that plus last night's storm. 

Good thing she's a happy dog. And chances are she'll be just as happy even with all the changes coming for her. 

Day 66

David and our friend Matt moved my couch and shelf over to the new apartment today!  So now I won't be as resistant to watching movies over here since there's somewhere comfortable to sit 

And we combined all of our movies and books and quickly filled the shelves

This weekend we will continue moving things over and getting it set up, so more pictures to come I'm sure!

Day 67

Today at work we started decorating our evaluation room!  More pics to come once it's done :)

Then I spent time getting some of my furniture ready to move tomorrow when David and one of our friends come to get it. 

Now for an evening enjoying dinner with my fiancé! :)

Day 68

Today was actually a pretty good Monday. My day at work was busy and went by quickly. 

Then David came over and we took lily for a walk

She couldn't have been happier walking between us. 

We just finished up dinner and are getting ready to head to our premarital counseling session. We love meeting with our mentor couple- definitely a highlight of our week!

Day 69

Happy Mother's Day!  Today after church we headed to meet David's family for lunch. It was a good afternoon of lunch and then hanging out at his parents house. 

I am blessed this year to get to celebrate 2 wonderful moms!

After we got back home, we spent an hour packing up more of my stuff to bring to the apartment. It's crazy that we're moving most of my stuff this week!  

Then we decided to test out the hot tub at our new apartment. It was not too hot, but hot enough. 

A very relaxing end to the weekend!

Day 70

We spent today with my family celebrating (early) Mother's Day.

We started the morning with brunch and then played games at my brother and sister-in-laws house until mid-afternoon

After that my mom, David and I sealed and stamped all the invitations. So they are ready to go out later this week!  So crazy!!

Then we enjoyed dinner with my mom before heading to watch Star Trek at a friends house. 

It was a good Saturday. But of course no day with the family is complete without a picture of this handsome boy

Day 71

Happy Friday!  I spent most of today with my favorite guy. We saw iron man 3 and picked up our wedding bands!  And now we're relaxing. 

It may seem boring. But pizza and sonic drinks...

...And my ring back on my hand all make for a pretty great Friday night!

Day 72

Stormy rainy Thursday. It was a crazy day at work. And I'm enjoying an evening in hanging out with my mom. 

There are times when I feel bad making lily live in an apartment and I wish I had a yard for her. But then we go somewhere with a yard and she reminds me she' ready to be back in within about 3 minutes. 

And I don't feel so bad anymore. 

Day 73

Another Wednesday. Today was a good day at work. We had an evaluation cancel so my friend Jill and I went shopping for decor for our newly expanded evaluation room!  We found a few things and are still deciding on the final outcome. 

I ended up staying at work late for a conference call, so it was a rushed evening. I ran home and let lily out then rushed over to David's to make dinner. We grilled burgers and enjoyed eating together before bible study. 

Then we headed off to study Hebrews 11 with our group. It was a much-needed passage and discussion this week!

For our girls life group we had another birthday to celebrate. So even though it was a small group we enjoyed pizookies. 

Who can resist cookies and ice cream?? Tonight I went for all chocolate. Yum. 

Day 74

Today has been a pretty good Tuesday. The chick fil a near my apartment does a free breakfast item every Tuesday and today was the chicken biscuit. And to make it even better I convinced my sleeping-in loving fiancé to join me for breakfast!

Then after work we headed to a birthday dinner for a friend. It was a great crowd and so fun to catch up with so many good friends!

Day 75

Tonight my wonderful best friend and matron of honor came over. We enjoyed dinner and then she helped with the task of assembling invitations!

We got all of them in envelopes thanks to our assembly line. And catching up while we did it made the time go by quickly!

Day 76

So these picture aren't technically from today, but they say Cinco de Mayo so it counts, right?  

David and I had an impromtu date night at the last minute on Friday at Shenaniganz.  It's become a "tradition" to take photo booth pictures when the opportunity arises, so we didn't skip out on that.

So happy Cinco de Mayo from David and Laura! :)

Day 77

Today was a beautiful and productive day! I got up and walked lily then ran some errands. I got to buy some fun things at kohls without spending money because of a $10 card they sent me in the mail and some "kohls cash" David got when he shopped there last week.

This afternoon I addressed all of the inner envelopes for our wedding invitations and set up the template for printing addresses with my mom.

Then I packed up a load of stuff to take to the new apartment. Trying to make the move slowly so it's less tiring :)

And here is my canton purchase:

Making the best of the fact that our apartment doesn't have a drawer big enough for silverware

And my numbers-loving fiance told me today that we are exactly 2/3 of the way through our engagement.  22 weeks down, 11 to go!  

Day 78

I'm spending the weekend in canton with my friends Katie and Melissa. Melissa and I spent the morning checking everything out and I bought 1 thing for our new apartment.

And a view of some of the treasures I found and texted to David:

Day 79

Perfect way to spend a cold and rainy evening: coffee with my good friend Sami. She is such an encouragement and I love every time we meet and catch up.

And I'm off work tomorrow so today is my Friday! Looking forward to a girls weekend away!

Day 80

Hard to believe we're a fifth of the way through the 100 day countdown. I'm so glad we're also more than halfway through the week! I'm getting away this weekend and I'm so excited.

Wednesday nights we have bible study and since we don't see each other Tuesdays or Thursdays we go get dinner together before bible study. Tonight was a dinner date at Wendy's. :)

Then after bible study he came and helped number RSVP cards which I know was not high on his list of ways to spend his evening, but I'm grateful for the help!