So Lucky

What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

I've flown home from Mexico just in time to spend tonight ringing in the new year with my love and some great friends {and some bubbly, of course!!}. I'll pop back in tomorrow with pictures of my trip and some resolutions for 2012 that I've been pondering.

2011 has been quite a year. 2012 has big shoes to fill!!

Thanksgiving 2011

Last year I made a point of making a list of everything I was thankful for. It is a nice little reminder for times when I start to feel sorry for myself {do all girls do that?} but this year I am just thankful. I didn't make a list, I am thankful just for having the opportunity to be a wife, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, employee and student. I am thankful that I understand that not every single day is going to be a good day. I am thankful that I have trials and tribulations so that I can truly appreciate the blessings in my life. 


We spent Thanksgiving in a small farming town in western Kansas. This will probably be the last Thanksgiving we spend at my Grandparents house because of their health, so this year was extra special. 

 Please note Grandpa's turkey-hat!!

 I guarantee this will be my parent's Christmas card this year.

A Year Ago Today...

I said "I DO" to JJ and it has been a fun, scary, loving, frustrating, encouraging adventure. It doesn't seem possible that a year has passed already. I feel lucky that he chose me.

Surprise!

This weekend I took a little road trip to surprise one of my close friends on her engagement. Her sweet fiance set the whole thing up and it was hard to keep the secret from her for the last few weeks. She is going to make such a beautiful bride!

 The Birthday Girl, The Bride-to-Be, and Me

The happy couple!

Greedy List

I apologize for letting another week go by without popping in to say hello. I started my graduate program this week via an intensive 40 hour week of lectures, role plays, and a test. It has been an overwhelming test on my patience, my competence and motivation. 

Then yesterday husband and I drove to my hometown to help my parents and sister create a "greedy list." My parents are going to Italy for my Dad's 60th birthday and insisted that they complete their will and divvy up all of their valuables before the leave {and die?}. We spent 24 hours talking about death and "arguing" over which sister got which set of silver flatware. Even though my sister and I poked fun at how silly the whole ordeal was, we both left feeling sad that the reality is that someday we'll be dividing up my parents house for real. 

But then I got to come home to this beautiful scene and I was reminded to take a deep breath and enjoy all that life is throwing me right now. Life is good. 

 

View from our living room window tonight

My job is muddy

I know that I talked here and here about how much I love my job but today I'm really going to make you jealous. I'm organizing/running a 400-person mud volleyball tournament....in a thunderstorm. 

I bought some killer shoes at GoodWill just for today's event. That's right, my job enables me to shop at GoodWill. 

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad. You're a cool cat and I'm grateful for you in my life!