Time Flies when you're having FUN!

I can hardly believe that Gabe and I have been married for a YEAR already!! Craziness. We celebrated our first anniversary on Sunday, August 15th and I can truly say I love that man more than I ever have!

We didn't go too crazy on anniversary gifts because we have already booked and paid for a CRUISE to the Eastern Carribbean from September 5-12....which is in exactly 17 days, and 19 hours if you were wondering! We are SO excited!

Gabe did get me an amazing gift though...just in time for our crazy road trip weekend, he gave me an autographed copy of Bryan White's newest CD (Dustbowl Dreams...go buy it now!! its awesome!!). I had been hoping to get it for my bday/Christmas last year but no one got it for me and I guess the time has just flown by. So needless to say...I LOVED the gift! Not to mention...as sad as it was...Bryan White was actually performing in FL this weekend. In Lakeland and SEBRING of all places. Only 2 hours away!!! Sadly...I had to miss out to attend the crazy wedding weekend in Jacksonville and Sebring. Believe me...I tried everything to get out of it and go to the show instead! (haha love you Ben + Mo and Eric + Jamie!)

Anyway...I made a more sappy sentimental gift for Gabe and I on our "paper" anniversary. I'm really excited about it though! I started a new scrapbook (Entitled "Between Now and Forever" one of my fav BW songs and the one we danced to at our wedding) to document our anniversaries through the years. Basically...my plan is to keep it simple...just adding a new picture each year. We are also each going to write a letter of what we have learned during that year of marriage, major milestones, stuff like that.

I think it will be amazing for us (and someday our kids and grandkids) to look back to where it all started for Gabe and I...see how we've changed physically over the years, and also hear all that we have learned and experienced during our marriage. <3 Here's a pic of the very first page...where it all began (sorry I dont know why I cant rotate it!):

"I'd love to spend some more time together....so what are you doin between now and forever?"

Thursday is the new Friday!

For me at least!

Gabe and I both took the day off tomorrow to spend time together! Life tends to get so busy (see my previous post) it can be hard to just spend time cherishing the ones you love without feeling rushed. So this weekend I'm being selfish with my husband and we're having US time! I can't wait!

Who knows where we'll end up...on the boat somewhere tomorrow of course. :) Other than that...we've got no plans but to take time enjoying the love God has blessed us so greatly with. So...see ya next week!

BUSY life!

I really can't complain...Gabe and I are actually settled here in Ft Myers to where we actually have a life! Imagine that! :) Things have been super busy lately...but we are having a good time and taking it day by day!

Hence...my poor little blog has been neglected. I'll try to be good...but who knows when life will take off in a whirlwind again?!

So in an attempt to do a recap of the craziness...here goes!

July started out with a huuuuge party at the bank where I work. Every year for 9 years they have hosted a 4th of July cookout for the community and it was awesome! Here's a sneak peek of the crowd in line and the other amazing people I work with every day!

Next was Stephen and Kristen's wedding. A day none of us thought would ever happen lol... :) but they are perfect together and we are so so happy for them and lifetime they get to share together! Gabe was the best man and I was the wedding singer.

Check out that GoRgEoUs bride!!!

We also got to spend the weekend with all the Bedenbaughs! Daran, Becky and our nephews (and the babysitter!) stayed with us...it was so fun to spend time with them since we don't get to do that often. Of course the boys are already growing up way too fast. Ethan is almost 3 years old and Jack is 10 months!

This is Becky at the pool with Ethan (left) and Jack (right). Ethan just learned how to swim so he got quite a workout at the pool that day!

Here's all of us at the Courson wedding:

Gabe's parents also brought down their old boat for Gabe and I to keep for a few months. We are stoked because there is so much to see and do on the water around Ft Myers...so many places to explore! So the first chance we had...we took the boat for a spin!

The beautiful waters of the Gulf near Captiva Island.

El Capitano...

And then I just floated around in the pretty water :) A nice way to experience the ocean without feeling whats at your feet!!

Finally...this past weekend we took a day trip to Tampa. Gabe was going to Eric's bachelor party at Busch Gardens...so I spent the day with some sweet Phi Lamb sisters!! We had so much fun and it was so nice to be in the company of such sweet, godly women all day!

Me, Caitlin, and Nicole after a long day of shopping at the International Mall!

Me and my little sisters, Kristen and Nicole at dinner that night!

Love you girls SO much!

Anyway...life has been busy...but so so good. God has blessed us way beyond what we deserve. So in conclusion...its actually really nice to have a life! :)

I'm BaAaAck!

So I took a 3 month break from blogging. I'm still kinda new at this anyway...but life has just taken off lately and the last thing I've had time for is blogging!

Lots of amazing stuff has been happening though and I am super excited to getting back to some posting.
In short--since my last blog in March--we have: seen my cousin Katie get married (and at least 3 other couples we know have gotten married), gotten more involved in our church (and LOVE it!!!!!!), made new friends (crazy I know! people actually sort of like us!!), become the coupon King & Queen, started working out again, and the list goes on and on.

So life has been GREAT. And while I'd love to start recapping now...I've got to work out and get some dinner cooking for my man when he gets home. Soooo...see ya soon! <3

HOME at last...

On March 15, 2010, the world lost one of it's finest...but Heaven gained a precious jewel. My grandpa, Marvin Good, 91, went home to be with his heavenly Father around 3:40 PM.

God's timing couldn't have been more perfect. My family was given a week's notice, and my aunt and uncle were able to make it home from Cambodia with enough time to spend a couple final days with my Grandpa. On Saturday we shared a "Good Family Picnic" as a complete family for the last time. We set the table with white tablecloths and red plates and enjoyed our time together around the table and listened to my Grandpa pray, as he always did at family get-togethers.

Saturday night, his health began to decline quickly and we requested 24 hour care by a hospice nurse. On Sunday we shared a sweet worship service together...praying for this man who had prayed for us for so many years. On Monday afternoon, my aunt and uncle were sitting by grandpa's bedside and singing these words: "Oh Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee, that where Thou art in glory, there shall thy servant be. And, Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end; O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend." During that verse, he breathed his last breath and jumped into his Master's loving arms in Heaven.

It was a sad and difficult time, but we were so blessed to be able to be together as a family...to give Grandpa a complete send off to his new home. It is such a joy to KNOW that he is with Jesus forever now. I am so thankful for the hope that we have in Christ. 

We had a memorial service on Sunday, March 21, in honor of my grandpa and more importantly, in honor of his Master. It was such a sweet time...seeing pictures, hearing testimonies from SO many of the lives on which he made an impact. He was a true servant to friends and strangers alike, he loved and cherished his wife and his family, and he followed Christ with all that he was. And now I must carry on the legacy that he has left behind...so I am so thankful for such an incredible example to follow.

Love you, Grandpa.

Ready for a GOOD weekend :)

Post-marriage...there are no more "last name" jokes! How sad!! Seriously--if you can make Bedenbaugh into a funny one-liner...PLEASE let me know. I digress.

Anyway--prayers are much appreciated for my family. This past Monday, my sweet grandpa (dad's dad) was given about a week to live, according to his hospice nurse. he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in January 2009 and has been a fighter ever since! It's hard to tell if it's really the end for him or not...but according to the nurse, it looks like the day is approaching. :(

My aunt and uncle (who live in Cambodia) came home, and praise the Lord, were able to make it in time to see him. They plan to stay home for a month. We are excited to see them...but sad for the circumstances that bring us together again.

Gabe and I made a trip to Sebring to visit on Wednesday and had a nice afternoon/evening with my grandma and grandpa. Grandpa is definitely having trouble breathing...but he's still very alert and cracking jokes like always. We were glad to see them and spend some quality time together...especially not knowing when our last chance like that will be. :/

So tomorrow morning we are heading to Sebring for a very GOOD weekend. The whole Good family will be there (all NINE of us!) and we're having a family picnic! :) I'm excited to be all together to support my grandpa and just remind him how much he is loved.

We are so sad to see his 91 years possibly coming to a close...but he has lived such an amazing life honoring the Lord. He is truly a picture of servanthood and is such a wonderful example of a godly man. Gabe and I have been so honored to follow in my grandparents footsteps and learn from them what a marriage should look like. And they should know--they've been married nearly 67 years. <3

So...I hope to post next week with good news. It could be that my grandpa is still hanging in there and making us all laugh...or it could be that he is dancing in Heaven with Jesus.

Prayers are appreciated for my family during this challenging time. Thanks in advance.

The first 6 months of Marriage...

...have been AMAZING! Blessed beyond measure is all I can say to describe this experience.

It's hard to believe 6 months has already passed...but we celebrated in style on February 15th! I was off work (thank you for Bank Holidays!) so I had all day to prepare something special for my sweetheart while he was at work.

I cleaned the house, did some grocery shopping and designed a 4-course meal for dinner. It was a challenge because I tried to pick foods I could prepare ahead of time so I wouldnt be standing at the stove cooking while he was eating appetizers. So...here's the final product! It was a big hit and Gabe was so impressed with all the work I put into making the evening special! :)

First...I got all dolled up to make the evening extra special. I knew Gabe would be coming home from work in his shirt and tie so I figured I ought to fit the part as his date. :)

Next...the table settings! I used the roses Gabe bought me for Vday (and some candlelight of course...we just left the bright lights on for the pictures!). I also pulled out our goooorgeous toasting flutes from our wedding to use for our drinks. (and just to look at them again because I LOVE them!!) This is as fancy as it gets at the Bedenbaugh house, folks!

First Course--Appetizers: Shrimp Cocktails! The perfect way to start a meal!

Second course--Salads: Caesar Salad. Always a favorite at our house.

Third Course--Entrees: Mahi Mahi (Maui Style) with Asparagus (served with balsamic butter sauce) and Garlic Mashed Potatoes. My secret to saving time here: marinate the fish in the fridge early, then bake in the oven to avoid standing over the stove. I also used *shhhh* BOXED mashed potatoes. Thank you, Betty Crocker. I thought they were delicious!! And wow...so much easier than homemade potatoes. You've gotta try this at least once just to watch the instant transformation of powder, water and milk to *BAM!* steamy garlic mashed potatoes. Incredible.

Fourth Course--Dessert: Mini Cheesecakes! This was easily the best part of dinner. My sister bought me these cute red ramekins I've been dying to use but not sure how to use them. After some research and combining a few recipes...I ended up with these yummmmmy little cheesecakes. The crust is cinnamon graham crackers and the whole thing was just to die for. Definitely making these again!

That was the end of the [very filling] meal. Success!! There's nothing like a happy [and full] husband! The stomach is definitely the way to his heart, ladies! :)