making it official

So because no news is actually official till you blog about it, here's the engagement post. JT and I decided it was a good idea to keep each other around for a bit longer. Like the rest of our lives kind of longer. eeeeeeek!

He took me to one of our favorite spots in the city and made us get out of the car (which in any other circumstance would not have happened because it was freezing cold and windy enough to knock a moose over.) We sat on the same bench we did two years ago when I was leaving for Honduras and he had plenty of his own adventures ahead of him. There was so much uncertainty and so much giving over to our Lord and prayer and sweet words back then.

So this week we found ourselves there again, with so much gratitude in our hearts for the blessing of each other and the strength that comes out of trust and surrender. He pulled out one of his journals that he had written in a month after we had met and read some words that of course made all of my emotions come pouring out of my eyes. And then, like any man should, he got down on one knee, used my whole name, and asked me to be his wife. (!)

I know I said yes because I've got this gorgeous piece of jewelry on my finger now from a man that I love very much. We felt obligated to take pictures because that's just what you do but it was so cold, this is, in fact, the only one we snapped that night.

J, you are a good man. You are my man. My life is better with you in it and I thank God every day that he has blessed me like he has. I am so excited for all of the adventures to come -- for the crazy stuff and the really normal stuff -- because you're going to be there. I can't wait to be a pastor's wife. To be a mama for our kids. To be supported by you as I pursue my own passions. To be on your team. You're going to be such a good husband and a good dad because of the kind of man you already are. I trust you and will follow you to the ends of the earth. Love, E.

away from the daily

Well it sure is amazing what a few days away from the daily can do for ya. Happy flippin' long Easter weekend! 

JT and I had such a great time visiting family and some new and old friends -- one of those times where you feel like all these people from different seasons of your life end up in the same place over the same weekend. Just awesome. 

Also, having a road trip buddy that will sing along to your entire CD collection with you makes the ride exponentially more enjoyable.

Now that I'm back at 'em, I thought I'd share with you all my somewhat new adventures in blog design.  Since this is still a bit of an organic process for me, I am offering FREE designs right now for anyone who wants one. Take me up on it, seriously. I'm kinda loving this. 

Elsha was kind enough to let me work with her blog, below is the finished product of her header, nav bar and bio. Check out this lady's blog here.

successfully reaching the mid-twenties

This weekend was full of birthday fun. I am again reminded of how blessed I am to have such wonderful, creative, loving, generous people in my life here. 

As a friend of mine gladly pointed out, I have officially reached my mid-twenties. Why does that sound so much older than early-twenties? I don't know. I'm sure turning thirty someday will be a way, way more traumatic dramatic event.

Some birthday highlights are as follows...

Flowers delivered to the office from that very thoughtful man of mine >>

Playing a few rounds of pool. I'll let you notice that creep-o in the background on your own. >>

So many beautiful and kind birthday cards from my oh-so-artistic friends >>

Night walks after a late dinner >>

Saturday shopping spree with the roommates >>

The most creative little gifts >>

more beautiful cards, I really can't tell ya'll how lucky I am to know such kind and flattering people >>

 A little out of town trip with this man to visit some good friends >>

 These fabulous roommates >>

So many people I love in one place >>

24 year resolutions are as follows:

Keeping the athletic sock wearing to just workout times.

Liking tea.

Reading more books.

Running longer.

Cleaning regularly.

Learning a bit of graphic design.

We'll see how that pans out.

thoughts for monday

This morning I decided to kick Monday in the backside. Like hit it with so much productivity that Monday didn't even see it coming. And you know what? It worked. Take that Monday. You rocked.

Positive energy is fo-real. So are bright red heels. And from here on out I will remind my down-in-the-dumps-wallowing-self that truth. It sure is a great one.

Also, let me just announce to the world that as I'm surround by sweat-pant wearing coffee guzzling students buried in books that say advanced physics on them and laptops with 6 cords streaming out of both sides of the poor thing,  I am thanking the good Lord that I'm not a student anymore. I mean it. Life really can be grand on the other side of it all. Though I won't deny missing the adventure of it all.

On a completely different but somewhat related note, my entertainment tonight is sitting across from me, tossing around seminary books and simultaneously humming along to every random song that comes on the coffee shop shuffle. Fascinating man I tell you.

making history

My Christmas present from JT this year was a pair of tickets that would cure the phrase "I've never been to an NFL game before."

 Best. Gift. Ever. 

We went to go see the last regular season Packer/Viking match-up --  a bit of a nail biter if you ask me. Packers lost. I'm still in denial. But it will still make the history books as the first Packer game I've ever been to. 

I didn't take more pictures because I was too busy screaming at a bunch of players on the field who couldn't hear me.

Rematch this tonight at Lambeau. 

What are ya'lls opinions about football? {it' okay if you really hate it ;) }

What kinds of things do you like to do with your men that you both enjoy??

get together

I know it's Wednesday night but I'm still dreaming about last weekend. One of our dear friends Kayla came to visit after her recent semester in South Africa. Since it was also her birthday, there was much to celebrate with old and new friends, some great food and a lot of memory-making adventures.

We went out to brunch on Sunday morning at one of our favorite spots with one of our favorite servers {cough*JT*cough}. Before we left Kayla asked if it was turning into a blizzard outside. I, naturally, scoffed and denied it. When we went to go fetch our car and drive home there was too much snow on the ground to make it there. So we park the car and have to walk back, in the blizzard, to our favorite brunch place with out favorite server and and ask if he would use his manly man skills to rescue the three, wet, drowned rat looking ladies. {see below photo} He obliged and a couple hours later we were back in our cozy house with a bowl of popcorn and a good tv series. 

Good company makes it all worthwhile. 

photo credit goes to kayla and several other bystanders. we love you. glad you came.

give thanks

JT and I took a little jaunt over to Seattle for Thanksgiving this year. These were pretty much the only pictures I took on the whole trip. I really need to get better at that. It was such an honor to be able to meet and spend time with his family and although I may have missed the beginnings of Minnesota snow, there was no shortage of rain on the west coast. Shocking, I know. Also shocking, I ate my weight in mashed potatoes. Okay, that one's not true.

Hope you all had a wonderful time spent with people you love.

Now let's get this Christmas show on the road! Next up: tree hunting with the roommates tomorrow. Yes!

little favorites

All you full-time workers out there...I don't know how you find time to blog! Man! For the record, I am loving my new job but it has sure seemed to put a large dent in my free time.

Thought I'd share today a few little things that are making my life just spectacular...

The fall colors right in my driveway...I think I'm finally accepting the season >>

These new soaps from anthropologie >>

This silly rose gold Target watch >>

Little dates to JJ's after latino church service with my white boyfriend >>

Roommate's birthday decorations >>

Saturday mornings on the porch that look like this >>

>> What are your little favorite's lately?

little traditions

If you would so kindly allow me to be a little mushy for a hot second...

Last fall, I took a trip up to Minneapolis to visit a very kind and intriguing man of interest before I left on my year-long trip to Honduras. This was the first time we hung out together after meeting in Washington state that summer. We were both nervous. And both knew I was leaving for a long while. But, ya know...we've all been there, right?! Sometimes doing irrational things is good for you. And I said he was intriguing, did I not?

Well we went to a Twins game during that visit. And I don't remember much about that game but I do remember it as a night that we I knew we had something real special on our hands. I of course mean between us, not the game...even though baseball's great and all. 

Fast forward to a year later: I live here now {not because he does, it just ended up that way.} We live in the same city and I'm tell ya folks...it's the best thing ever.  Last night we went to the same Twins game, partially in memory of last fall, and I think it's become a little tradition now. 

Maybe someday I'll give ya'll the full lo-down on what the last year was like for us but for now it's tucked away in my heart as a very meaningful time. Our hearts are full and so thankful for what has been given to us to hold onto. All things really do work out for good. I really believe that.

{mush-fest ends here.}

I wanna know, what little traditions do you have?

P.S >> I'm guest posting over at Crossroads of the Heart about transitioning to a new city. Go check 'er out!

fall resolutions

Oh hey there, is anyone else not ready for summer to be over?? I mean, I get the whole pumpkin spice latte, warm socks, sweater and pumpkin thing. But I'm not exactly ready to put away those light as a feather dresses and ordering overpriced iced coffee drinks. I'm just not.

 I'm also working on saying goodbye to my hometown and doing whatever comes to mind during my last week here -- like taking a random trip downtown to eat at my favorite spot. Yes I did.

SO, to get excited about the seasons changing I made a fall resolutions list. Kind of like a new years resolution except it might actually happen. With all this change in my life, and the change in weather, some of this might actually stick. So here it is...

What are your fall resolutions? I wanna know! Heck, do a link-up if you want! Lets hear 'em.

ps...has anyone seen the show when animals attack? It pretty much makes me want to not go outside for the rest of my life. Which contradicts the first thing on my list. So maybe I should turn it off.

In other news...some completely unrelated pictures for your viewing pleasure.

 These ladies...they are my favorite. And my gigantica shoes were a hit. I think between the two of them, they wore 'em more than I did. Just don't twist an ankle, k?? K.

Oh and this man...well, I think I'll keep him around for awhile. And this is what happens when you do an apartment inspection before moving in. And are really happy to finally have your own bathroom. 

Well I think that about wraps it up. Happy Monday!

home is wherever

Well you know what they say...when you're unemployed you might as well galavant around while you don't have to take vacation days to do it. Right? Right. I won't mention how the gas monayyyz is almost making me dip into my non-existent retirement fund. oops.

This week was spent exploring my soon-to-be new neighborhood, looking for a big girl job, and hanging out with some of my favorite people. Can't wait to finally {after several broken promises} move in with one of my best friends from college and live near mr. JT {finally. finally!} We can talk about that more later.

Despite all the changes, scary growing up stuff {like car insurance for example...yuck!}, getting lost in new places, feeling like I for real live exclusively out of a suitcase, and wondering how this whole new chapter thing is all going to work out...I can tell it's going to be good. Like real good. 

 

Ah yes. Maybe one of these days I'll actually bust out my "real" camera and stop posting instagram as an excuse for a real blog post.

Until then...