Divine.

"Friendship is acting out God's love for people in tangible ways. 

We were made to represent the love of God in each other's lives, so that each person we walk though life with has a more profound sense of God's love for them.

 Friendship is an opportunity to act on God's behalf in the lives of the people that we're close to, reminding each other who God is. When we do the hard intimate work of friendship, we bring a little more of the divine into daily life."

 - Cold Tangerines 

     I love this quote and I thought about it nearly every day for four years because I had the most incredible friends. I thought every day about how each one of them showed me the character of God in small and big ways and how my growing relationship with them made me feel closer to God. I was so incredibly and remarkably blessed to live with and spend my time with some of the most beautiful people I have met. 

   All of this is to say that I had another little taste of this divine on Saturday when I spent time with Brittany and Kayla. It is such an incredible feeling to be in their presence. Who they are is astounding, really. And to be with friends who know you is one of my favorite feelings. There are no need for introductions or explanations. No need for first impressions and nerves. It's easy and relaxed and soothing to the soul. 

One Charming Party

Ok this site is the most adorable thing I have ever seen! It has millions of perfect party ideas with free printables and recipes and whatever else you need to have fun! Seriously though, who doesn't want to have a cutesy Valentine's breakfast? 

But I promise you, the truth is that you're loved. so loved.

I needed this today. Such a beautiful song with such a beautiful truth. Listen up

Bacon

Fact: I am a vegetarian.

Fact: My husband is not a vegetarian. 

Fact: My husband recently discovered a renewed love of bacon. 

Fact: When I come home everyday my house smells like a bacon factory. 

This is my current life situation. 

If you love bacon or bacon perfume come sit in my house right now. 

Pro-fessional

    It is amazing how having one semester's experience can make you feel like a pro the next semester. I remember feeling that way in undergrad and I'm feeling it again today - on my first day of second semester in grad school.

    On my first day last semester I was nervous most of the day and stared at my closet swearing I had nothing that was appropriate for grad school. I kept trying to strike the balance of dressing like an adult but not stuck up and looking casual but not like a slob. And I brought all my books with me as if the professor was going to ask us for evidence that we had purchased our books or give us a pop quiz over everything that day.

    Today, however, I spent most of the day in my PJ's reading a book, listening to Rosie Thomas and chatting with my husband over his lunch break.

So today I feel confident to face graduate school yet again.

This of course may change after the syllabus shock kicks in but right now I'm feeling like a pro!

Ready. Set. Go.

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!