Anniversaries and Excursions

August 6, Taylor and I celebrated 5 years of making fun of each other and being best friends. How did we celebrate this wonderful occasion? By attending his cousin's rehearsal dinner, obviously. No, but really - it was such a wonderful night. I know that last sentence made it sound dreadful, but we weren't mad at all! It was such a beautiful night and they are such a great couple.

However, we took some pictures to commemorate the special occasion.

The next day, Tiffany and Reagan got married!

And many people enjoyed their photo booth and props.

(Taylor and Reagan's Aunt and Uncle)

We managed to get a few pictures with them out of the thousands they took that day.

Their wedding and events surrounding it was so beautiful! This is the only wedding I've been too where I felt I knew both the bride AND groom well. (Usually you are just friends with one of the other.) It was so neat to see two people who I know are so wonderful for one another marry each other.

The rehearsal dinner was such a cry fest (happy tears, of course), and I did my fair share. It's such a true blessing to see two Christian people promising a life-long commitment to one another. I hope I never forget to remember that with all the weddings I have/will attend.

Onto another adventure....

Just two days after the wedding, I left with two friends on a road trip through eight states: Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Kansas. Whew.

Here's just a few pictures. I haven't uploaded them all, but here are a few that will do the trip justice. Note: We never took a picture with all three of us together...how unfortunate.

Stopping at a gas station while we were going the wrong way trying to get fro Flagstaff, Ariz. to Las Vegas. (We didn't know we were going the wrong way yet.)

Accidentally stopped at the Hoover Dam after going the wrong way... I desperately wanted something that said "Hoover" on it (obviously), but everything was ridiculously priced, or turned into a "dam" joke. No thanks.

THE BUFFET! And my seven desserts...

We went to the Wynn, which was supposed to be the best buffet in Las Vegas by some magazine, so we went with it. It was $35, but the food was so worth it! There was an ENTIRE ROOM of desserts being freshly made- creme brulee, cookies, tiramisu, fresh fruit, strawberry shortcake....paradise. All kinds of crab legs, prime rib, sushi, a pasta station and more that you could ask for.

Not to mention, the hour wait in line gave us some people watching time. There was a "person" we saw and tried to decipher his/her gender. We still have no clue.

After, we walked around Vegas a bunch to see all the hotels we'd only seen on movies and television.

We stayed at the Luxor - the pyramid shaped hotel. The hotel and staff were so great!

The next day we headed to Utah and happened to find a scenic lookout around sunset.

There are few things I rarely enjoy more than a good sunset or sunrise. Especially over something that resembles the Grand Canyon.

If I had to chronicle one of the best moments in my life, seeing the sun rise over the Grand Canyon is definitely in the top 5. It's just indescribably beautiful and I will always love the Grand Canyon forever because of that moment.

After Utah, we went to Colorado and stayed in Grand Junction, then Estes Park with Ashley!! I don't have those pictures uploaded, yet, but it was so wonderful to see her!

Now, I'm home, tired and have a to-do list for next week. School starts very soon and I have a lot accomplish before then. Trip home, buy books, apply for MY LAST LOAN EVER and finish MY LAST SEMESTER of school.

Yes.

Flash Forward

Since school let out my life has been complete nuts! There's been something different everyday or every week and it's just never ending.

Although, there have been some happy moments. I guess I can't complain about my life that much.

Last weekend I witnessed one of my best friends get married! It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to! The reception was totally fun and we all had a great time dancing around with our friends. For once I wasn't that conscious of looking like a total idiot on the dance floor. I guess cause about 85% of those people I will never see again, so there's some incentive.

Precious newlyweds.

After the wedding we headed home from Denton on Sunday. The drive which normally takes about 3 hours ended up taking 6 thanks to the stormpocalypse moving in. We had to take shelter at Stephanie's house in Moore and wait out the storm. Then on the way home we got stuck on the highway for what felt like an eternity.

The reason we were stuck for so long - hail clogged the drain systems.

This week, I also started my new job! I'm a PR intern at the Oklahoma Dental Foundation!!! I love it so far, even though I've only worked 3 days. The people there are really nice, and my boss went shopping with me for desk supplies! So fun!

The last bit of good news; my dad.

As you read in my last blog post, my dad was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. Since I found out I visited him at home and it was so great to see him. He has definitely lost some weight, but is still feeling strong and has gained some of it back already.

While I was in town the doctor's did a liver biopsy (they noticed some spots on a previous scan) and a brain and bone scan to see if any other places on his body had cancer.

I'm happy to report the results of both tests were as good as they could have been! The biopsy said that he did have some cancer spots in his liver, but that it was the same kind as his colon so the chemo should respond better to it. The other news is that he doesn't have cancer any other place in his body!!

Now that his medical team has this information they can start a treatment plan. He begins chemo on Monday, so please continue to lift up my dad in your prayers. They have been working, but we need your continued blessings.

My dad has been remaining strong and while his cough probably won't go away for some time, his spirits are still high and he believes that he can fight this disease.

I love my dad so much and watching KP get married last weekend gave me a reality check; her dad walking her down the aisle, dancing with him at the reception - it all felt like it could be taken away from me. I know I sound selfish, but I can't help but feel that way. He's my dad. I want those moments with him.

I'm planning to go home next weekend for a visit and I hope he's feeling up for company since he chemo is starting. I'll keep you guys updated for sure!