The most wonderful time

It's been a year and a half since I've touched this blog. My life has been incredibly full. In lieu of a long-winded recap, here are some highlights.

In October, my sweetheart proposed! It was sweet and simple. He gave me a beautiful ring remade from one of his grandmother's rings. I cried a lot.  Here we are a few weeks later at a friend's wedding.

My last semester of college was a whirlwind. I was planning a wedding, getting ready to graduate and hunting for a job. I needed an outlet, so I took a floral design class. It was so fun. This bouquet was my favorite project.

I graduated in May. It was bittersweet. College was awesome but I had great things to look forward too. I don't have any pictures from graduation (both my family and my sweetheart forgot their cameras...) so here is a photo from my bachelorette in April.

Then in June, Sam and I were married. I couldn't have been happier. We have such wonderful family and friends. I was so serene and joyful. It was a wonderful day. (Allison Garrett did our wedding photography, she was great.)

We honeymooned in New York state in the Finger Lakes region. It was the perfect week. We canoed around the lake, went on a wine tasting, spent a day at the spa and toured the thousand islands. We ate so much seafood. It was better than we could have dreamed.

After our trip to NY, we settled in to our new apartment. Sam is an avid camper and we got some awesome gear as wedding gifts. Of course we were quick to try it out. While Sam is an eagle scout, I am learning to be outdoorsy. In our six months of marriage we've been camping together twice, its been fun to see Sam in his element. I am starting to like campfire cuisine.

Our summer weekends were devoted to weddings (I think we went to 12.) I became more sentimental after my own wedding. I could care less what kind of cake or flowers the bride chose, I was just so happy that others got to experience the joy and fullness Sam and I felt.  The summer of weddings culminated with Sam's sister's DIY block party reception. The whole family came together to make it happen. I got to use my floral design skills. The couple planned a parade from the church to to the reception and Sam's nephews wore "Just" and "Married" on their backs. It was charming.

Everyday life has been so different. I am still not used to no homework. I sometimes wake up panicked that I need to write an essay. Sam and I have been staying busy but it is a new kind of busy for me. I am falling in love with the simple things. Walks together, board games, and cooking experiments keep us laughing. As cliche as it may be, the little things are so much sweeter together. We have also gone on two spontaneous trips, to Santa Cruz, CA and Northfield, MN, to visit two of Sam's brothers. It was fun to throw our stuff into a suitcase and just take off.

Now it's Christmas time. I love having two families to celebrate with. My siblings are still young and so excited and wide eyed. Sam's family is fun and boisterous. It really is the most wonderful time and it has been a most wonderful year. I don't think I have ever been this excited for the New Year. I have no idea what next year holds. I do know that whatever it is, I will have Sam by my side.

It's SPRING!

Today is a glorious day!

 Its a Monday, and not only it is a Monday, it is the Monday after spring break. I have three essays and two midterms due this week. But this is all easily overshadowed by the sunshine and birds chirping. Oh, how I love spring. I really don't do well with winter but once the weather hits 50 degrees, I am a new woman. Food tastes better in spring. The world is a friendlier place. But mostly I love spring because I can finally pull out my skirts and dresses. I am having trouble keeping myself from this dress at the Limited. It's calling my name. Quite loudly I might add.


How could you prefer any other season.

So much for resolutions...

Okay, okay, you can laugh at the fact that it is now March, and despite having made wild claims about posting weekly as a New Years resolution, I am posting for the second time. Today was not the best of days and instead of pointless, mind-numbing Facebook browsing I think I will write a therapeutic gratitude list. I need remind myself that February is over (hooray!), the snow is melting, and spring break is in sight. Not to mention the fact that I am nearing the end of my junior year.

So here are a few things I can be thankful for today:

My youngest sister who greets me with an enthusiastic hug and kiss within seconds of my arrival. Today I stopped by my parents and she was waiting for me in the driveway. I love how sweet and genuine she is!

Blueberry Pomegranate tea at the end of a long day. I need something warm and cozy especially when it is this soggy out and my rain boots have a leak...

My oh-so hardworking and thoughtful boyfriend. BF scored a great job and is really excited (as am I.) I can't get over how responsible he is. I suppose opposites really do attract.

The fact that I am not (yet) caffeine dependent. After simultaneously running out of diet coke and cash I worried that I would be miserable all week but I am yet to suffer a headache. This is borderline miraculous!

The season of lent and the reminder I've gotten of the power of sacrifice. I feel so much more purposeful when I let the little snags in my day become an opportunity for love.

And finally I am thankful for the little green leafs I saw poking out of the snow today. The daffodils are coming  and I could use a little sunshine.

Beginnings.

I've been hoping to start a blog for a long time.

There is something about new beginnings and blank pages that makes my stomach dance and my mind whirl. But I am here pushing aside the anxiety because, well, I have been stuck inside for a few days thanks to the fickle Nebraska weather. The foot of snow outside my window and the noise of my seven siblings has driven me to the brink of insanity and led me to believe that publishing my thoughts online is a good idea. Thus, my New Years resolution is to write a new post once a week for a year.

So, dear reader (if you exist), I suppose you would like to know who I am and what I might possibly have to write about. Let's start with my family. I am the second of eight children. Yes, I said eight. No, there aren't any multiples.  I love my family, they keep things spicy.

I spend most of my time at the University where I study literature and psychology. You might be wondering what in the world I will do with these degrees after graduation. Fear not, you are not alone, I am also in the dark. Let me know if you've got any good ideas. You should also know that I am a nanny of sorts. Please forgive me if I forget that words like potty and tummy aren't typically used in conversation. Beyond that I sing at church, play su do ku  and crossword puzzles (but only the easy ones, they boost my confidence), lead a bible study, knit hats, read novels, and enjoy the beautiful people around me.

Oh, and I am dating a wonderful boy. Here we are in the snow: