Aaron was very surprised to see his parents and Brooke at the door on Friday night! After getting over the shock, we had a great birthday dinner at the apartment. The birthday cake was a pumpkin spice cake, although it tasted just like carrot cake! Brooke played the Happy Birthday song for him on her clarinet, and he opened presents. He has been wanting an iPod to use when running, so he got that and the Nike+ censor to go along with it. This means that his iPod will tell him his mileage, pace, time, etc. while he's running. I think he liked the gift! It was a fun party.

It's getting cooler in the mornings here in Atlanta, and we are glad that fall has arrived. I appreciate this season more this year than I ever have...not sure why, but I love the feeling of it! I have enjoyed placing a few decorations around the apartment. This is our humble table centerpiece.

Last night we were invited to a new godly home to break bread with two couples. The hosts were Dave and Penni (pictured). They are from Australia and have one young boy with another baby on the way. The other couple is in the same situation as we are...recently married and no babies...so we really clicked and plan to hang out again soon. I had my first taste of an authentic Australian recipe! I am hoping to get it from her to try for me and Aaron. The night was filled with stories of salvation and engagement proposals...our favorite topics!
I heard that Penni really likes cheesecake, so I made these mini-cheesecakes at the last minute. They are so simple to make. Thanks to Jana, a co-worker, for the idea and tips. She made them a couple of weeks ago (hers were much prettier than mine...I'll need some practice).

Aaron was a sports fan this weekend- one of his vendors at work invited him to a UGA football game on Saturday, and yesterday a group of guys from church invited him to play golf for the afternoon. In between, we did get to spend some time together (see post below about Sat. night, and Sunday we went to church together and went out with David and Laurel for dinner and coffee together).
On Friday night we had a 24 party in our apartment. Aaron has been renting season 1 of this TV show, and Friday night I made a picnic on the floor in the living room (blankets, every pillow we own, pizza, sodas, candy, etc.). It was a treat for him, but secretly I enjoyed it, too.

On Saturday night we met Suk-Hyun, a new friend from Korea (a match from an International Friendship Program that we signed up for in metro Atlanta). We went to Atlantic Station for an American meal and then had dessert at our apartment. He is fun to hang out with! He is a Master's student at Emory University, studying theology. He is an associate pastor in a Presbyterian church in Korea. His wife Yun-Kyeong and 5-year-old daughter Hana will join him here in December. We can't wait to meet them, as well!
Look at this beautiful fall arrangement he brought!

Last night we went to see GT play in their first conference game, against Virgina. Allen and Terrell (from Aaron's work) went with us. None of us had a team preference...we just went to enjoy a football game. It was a little chilly, but we were entertained! Sorry, Stephen...the Cavaliers just didn't have it in 'em (GT 24, UVa 7).

"Nuri is being used to daycare...

She can roll over and holds head upright.

She smiles A LOT.^^ She is really lovely.

I'm attaching two pictures, please see how she is wonderful." -Acella Moon, about her 6-month-old daughter.

On Saturday night we were invited to a Connect Group, which David and Laurel lead once or twice a month. We met two new couples and enjoyed Laurel's chili. The church we are attending uses these groups (they have hundreds of them- couples, singles, men, NASCAR fans...you name it) to make sure their members are involved in a more intimate way than just the big service on Sunday mornings.

On Saturday we planned to go on a picnic in a park near downtown, but we got sidetracked when we drove up to North Ave. and Aaron spotted some football tickets for sale. We ended up spending the whole afternoon watching college football (Georgia Tech vs. Troy...GT won) under a beautiful blue sky! What a great surprise.

As I posted on Friday, we went to Six Flags for the night's entertainment. It was really strange to be at a park like that at night, but we had a great time. We rode everything that we wanted to ride, except one. However, since we were wearing GT colors (I didn't have a single piece of yellow clothing, but I guess they counted white) they gave us free passes to come back anytime before the end of October, so we will save that ride for later. We ended up staying until after midnight! Here are a few good shots:We loved the swings! David used his camera to make a video clip of it, so if I can get it from him I'll post that too.That's me on the left with the wild hair, then Allen (Aaron's operations guy), and Laurel. They were looking at another camera.The Batman roller coaster was my favorite because we were able to ride in the front row. It makes a huge difference. Allen is fearless in the moment this picture was taken!

Today Aaron is having lunch with Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. You should have seen how classy he looked this morning in his shirt and tie! I'm not really sure what the purpose of the lunch meeting is, but I do know that he is up for re-election and needs to win over the environmentally conscious voters (gotta get that trash off the street!).

We've been working hard all week, and it's time to play! Georgia Tech has rented out the entire Six Flags park here in Atlanta for one night. We're going after work today from 6pm-midnight. Since I work here, we were able to get majorly discounted tickets! David and Laurel are joining us, as well as Aaron's operations supervisor, Allen.

David and Starla came to Atlanta this past weekend and we were glad to be able to see them! This is a couple from our Sunday School class in Albany. We hung out with them on Sunday night and also last night (in the hospital near us...they brought one of their little girls here for surgery). They have been a great encouragement to us this week. Briley is recovering like God's champion!

Things are going well in the kitchen for the Fernandez family. The organization that I shared about earlier is working out great. Here's how I've been doing it, and then I'll make a brief list of positive results:

Every other week I go to the grocery store with a list of items in my hand. The list comes from a meal plan that I create for the next two weeks, which was made using another list of possible main dishes/sides/bread/desserts. The list has about 30 main dishes to choose from, and they are all things that I know how to make (in the two week meal plan, however, I include one thing that is new and I've never made before). When I get home I put the meal plan on the refrigerator and reference it for the next two weeks. Of course, sometimes things come up and our preferences for the day are different, so it's flexible and we rearrange it- but at least I have a plan for back-up!

Results:
1. We always have something good and balanced lined up to eat.
2. The grocery store trip is much shorter because I know exactly what to get when I walk in.
3. I never have a need to "run by the store" after work to get a missing ingredient.
4. When I put the groceries up, I know which foods to keep in the refrigerator and which to freeze, based on the amount of time before I make it. It's easier to not let a meat accidentally go bad, and I also know when to thaw something the night before to be ready.
5. The budget is being more closely followed. Interestingly, the total price for groceries every other week is almost exactly the same, and so we are able to keep better track of spending.
6. I feel less stressed about cooking. And, I enjoy serving my husband!

Aaron started his marathon training this past weekend despite being sick with a cold. Please pray for him the next few months! He will be participating in the same marathon as last year:

Perfect for celebrating Friday (although I'm sure they would be good on Saturday morning, if you can't wait until next Friday). Make sure you get the ones with the crumb topping...it makes them all the more delicious!

one more time, so you know we love you

take 2

Happy Birthday, Dad

We aren't great videographers, but we are thinking of you dad on your birthday! Hope you have a great day.