Moving...

I am in the process of moving back home, one step closer to being married & living with the husband-to-be. It's a surprinsingly odd feeling that I will be not leaving in Milwaukee anymore. I've been cleaning out my room the last few nights and am purging anything I won't need, haven't needed, and haven't touched in years. Looking through all my old college pictures, stumbling upon keepsakes from my college years, old texbooks, etc. really solidifies that my college chapter has completed. The move is what really seals the deal. I know I will see my girlfriends (hopefully) often, but I won't be coming home to them and catching up with them everyday. I am looking forward to my future with Brandon & getting to spend more time with him. I am counting down the days until we get married & cannot wait. :)

It Really Pours...

So, per Grandma Rose's request, it's time for a new blog entry. Some big changes have happened the last few months, which is why I have been busy! First...I started a new job a few weeks ago doing web editing (my first career job!) I am loving what I am doing & the people are really welcoming. Second, I am a home owner! Brandon and I purchased our future abode together last week. We celebrated with pizza, wine, & candles. It was perfect. So, we have been busy picking our paint colors and planning the decorating. It will be a great feeling to put our creative minds to work. (Really this is just me since I am in charge of decoarting). Third, I decided to have a stand in the Farmer's Market in the summer to sell Gina's bags & my jewelry. Time to put those beading tools to work again! Spring is here and I couldn't be happier. The warm weather has rushed in and it feels good. Time to update the wardrobe :)

So, things on the homefront are good. Wedding plans are coming along and less than 7 months to go!! Woo hoo!! :) I found my wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, and have mostly everything else figured out. I can't wait to actually be on the beach & marry Brandon in the company of the ones we love. Ahh....how many days again??

It's also Brewers & LM outdoor season coming upon us. I can't wait!*-

Never Been Happier!*-

"Engagement" pictures taken on the beach thanks to my wonderful maid-of-honor, Gina! :)

Love List & Vision Board

Watching Oprah on my early arrival home from the blizzard-like conditions, Kim and I listened to authors talk about the "Love List" and creating a Vision Board. A love list is a list of qualities/attributes/characteristics you want to find in a man that you want to spend forever with. Women across the globe created a list of what their ultimate man had to have, tucked it away, forgot about it, and eventually ended up with that man described in the list. It sounds kind of crazy doesn't it? A magical list? On the show, they discussed that you have to put out positive thoughts to the universe and you will receive positive outcomes in return. It's all about how you think of things. You have to change your way of thinking. It is true though. When you become a Debbie downer, everything in the day becomes awful and unbearable. Instead, release what went wrong, learn from it, and move on. Easier said than done. It's funny though because I began journaling again and came across old entries after I broke up with my last boyfriend. What I wanted after that last boyfriend I came across in Brandon. It's so crazy how things work out. Now to the Vision Board. It truly is a neat idea. You pull things out of magazines that you want (not so much superficial things) but places you want to see yourself or positive words of encouragement that you can look at every day. What a brilliant, positive way to start your day to be reminded by the things and places that you want to be. It brings you closer to that goal. Too cool.

Divine Perfection

A very peaceful song...check it out.

Divine Romance by Phil Wickham

The fullness of Your grace is here with me
The richness of Your beauty’s all I see
The brightness of Your glory has arrived
In Your presence God, I’m completely satisfied

For You I sing I dance
Rejoice in this divine romance
Lift my heart and my hands
To show my love, to show my love

A deep deep flood, an Ocean flows from You
Of deep deep love, yeah it’s filling up the room
Your innocent blood, has washed my guilty life
In Your presence God I’m completely satisfied

Plan & Search

Happy New Year! And what a great start to 2008 it has been. I have been wedding planning, house hunting, and figuring out my career. The best part? Getting to look at fun wedding stuff and figuring out how to make it my "perfect" day. I have become more excited as I feel I'm making progress in picking out colors, styles, themes, etc. The sans shoes part is favorite! We are getting our engagement pictures taken soon on the beach and will stake out our reception location. So excited! :) My wedding planner has become my best friend! Just kidding...

I've joined a bible study (small women's group) on the Eastside that starts next week. Definitely a step in the right direction and I can't wait to get started. Brandon and I are trying to get more involved in the church's youth group but open houses on Sunday afternoons have been preventing us from doing so. Which leads me to the next big thing going on. We have agreed on a style of house we are looking for & the general vicinity of where we want to live. The hard part is finding a home we can make ours that doesn't need too much rehab. We were debating between getting a condo (townhouse) and having more free time to volunteer, help out with the youth group, and spend more time together and being active outdoors...or....renovating a house that we can call our own and show what we've done (and also have a better resale value). Our biggest problem is having a big enough yard for the Sunday afternoon hammock. After freaking out when hearing about mortgages and fixed income rates, it's been easier thinking about finances and getting a home together. It will be a new adventure together. I'm sure we'll have our ups and downs but we'll have a lot to show and a house that truly represents our our style. So if you know of any cute little houses---let me know :)

The holidays were delightful and went way too fast as usual. I received a lot of gifts for our future house which is cool. Brandon began spinning which is awesome. Another hobby we can do together. The true test will be him & my Dad and a bike race this summer. Matching family jerseys would definitely be tacky but fitting. I'm trying to do more with my free time as there is no more school: spinning, bible study, cooking, wedding stuff, applying to jobs, and beading. I don't like to make New Years resolutions because each new day should be a day to improve. Every morning you have a chance to do something great, change that attitude, or become a better person. Thank God for everyday you are given.

Alright, back to all the planning :)

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