Mend

I got a sewing machine for Christmas!!! (and subsequently a sewing room AKA I claimed the guest room as mine before Adam knew what was happening) Adam's parents bought me the sewing machine and his mother gave me tons of sewing lessons over the weekend. I used it as soon as I got home to make that cutesy little owl guy on my sewing shelf. He was supposed to be a pin cushion but I feel bad sticking him with needles so he is just going to be for decoration...and friendly company while I sew. I love doing crafty things and I can't wait to do them with my sewing machine. One of my goals for the year is to complete four sewing projects. I wanted to start with a small number due to my graduate school-ness that gets in the way of hobbies...doesn't make sense, I know!

Farewell 2011

This past year has been the most eventful year of my life thus far and I have a feeling it will be hard to compete with in the future. 

          In 2011.....

   I had my first college snow day ever! 

   I planned a wedding and attended a million bridal festivities. 

   I graduated college and said goodbye to my best friends as they scattered to the four      

   corners of the United States. 

   I got married. MARRIED. 

   I moved for the first time ever (besides college, which doesn't really count in my book)...      

   packed boxes and moved furniture around -  even rented a U-Haul!

   I started two new jobs. 

   I embarked on the adventure that is graduate school and completed one semester. 

   I spent every holiday with Adam for the first time ever and enjoyed every second of it. 

    I think if I have another year like this any time soon my life will be insane! But as I was looking back on the year I realized that I don't want to let 2011 be the peak of my life experiences. I'm only 23 for crying out loud! So I've made plans to have adventures this year, and love people, and be productive, and enjoy each of the 52 weeks I have between me and 2013.
I'm going to live 2012 with intentionality and gusto. 


So long 2011, it's been real. 
And HELLO 2012, let's live it up!

Three Years

Who would have thought that at this spot three years ago I would begin such a marvelous journey with such a remarkable man? 

Peace

I feel like I am re-surfacing for the first time in a long time. 

Here's why: 
-Christmas time for a graduate student means long presentations, big papers, and finals. 
-Christmas time for a children's director means putting together Christmas programs and planning Christmas parties. 
-Christmas time for a newlywed means double the shopping and wrapping and baking. 

        Now don't get me wrong, Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love the beauty, the joy, and the warm fuzzies that come with Christmas time. I love that people think of other people, even if its just to buy them a gift. I love that we light our houses and our streets to keep the dark from overpowering this winter season. 
     But its so easy to forget what this season means in the midst of a million to-do's. That's why I listen to Christmas music on my way to work, or school, or running Christmas errands. They remind me how joyful this season is, the meaning of Christ's birth for the world, and fill me with the coming excitement of Christmas day. One of my favorites these past couple weeks has been "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." The last two stanzas make me want to cry every time, literally every time. 

"And in despair I bowed my head; There is no peace on earth I said;
For hate is strong, And mocks the song 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then peal the bells more loud and deep:

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

       So often I feel like I live in between these two stanzas. I am discouraged with the state the world is in, I want to cry about all the pain I see, I get overwhelmed with all the things there are to do in a day, I want more for the people I know, and I wonder why there is no relief. But then God reveals Himself in the midst of the chaos and the pain and brings peace. It's a beautiful thing - a Christmas thing. So I'm going to practice peace during my Christmas break. I'm going to rest and not worry about it. I'm going to spend time in quiet. I'm going to take deep breaths and sit a lot more than I have in awhile. Peace. 

My favorite version of this song is Adam's (of course, right?). But really, when I listen to it I feel despair and then victory and peace. I get so caught up in the beauty and truth of it all. Check it out: 

Thankful

I am thankful for my first Thanksgiving with Adam. 

I am thankful for family and new family. 

I am thankful for a husband that loves me to no end. 

I am thankful for a holiday set aside to be thankful. 

I am thankful for a time to reflect and realize that despite all the comparing and complaining I am blessed beyond measure. 

I am thankful that I spent yesterday with Elle and Kayla Maree, my heart was overwhelmed and spilling over with joy. 

I am thankful that I am able to continue my education and eventually do something I love. 

I am thankful for a job and co-workers that are fun and encouraging and make hours at work fly by. 

I am thankful for holiday traditions and the beauty of this season. 

I am thankful for my country home and our farmer neighbors. 

I am thankful that my life is extraordinary and beautiful and fun and busy and full of love. 

I have so many more things to be thankful for and I plan to make this a year round attitude but Thanksgiving is a good starting point I suppose. Happy Thanksgiving!

Parting is such sweet sorrow

The weather has been hinting that I am going to have to let go of Fall soon, so today I said my farewell with the last of the pumpkin frozen yogurt I have in my freezer. It was sad and delicious......but mostly delicious

Small Town Livin'

So I'm going home from work, driving through the bustling metropolis that is Upland Indiana when my eyes spy something out of the ordinary at Ivanhoe's. A white suburban limo is sitting in front of Ivanhoe's, just chillin'. A driver dressed in a suit gets out of the driver's seat and opens the passengers doors. At this point I'm expecting a local celebrity to hop out (like Garfield or something) but instead an average family of four, dressed in jeans and t-shirts exits the limo and goes into Ivanhoe's like nothing is strange about their mode of transportation. I couldn't believe it. My only theory is that perhaps they were hoping since they arrived in a limo they would be able to cut the never-ending dinner line at Ivanhoe's, if so....I think it was a solid plan. I'm hoping to find out the real explanation in the paper next week, because I know there is no way something this big would escape the Upland paper!