Congrats to Ryan & Lisa!

We ventured up to Tallahassee this weekend to spend some time with family and see my cousin Ryan and his long-time sweetheart Lisa get married… finally!

Of course, the wedding was beautiful.  As faithful FSU fans, the ceremony took place at the Lutheran church on campus. Skye and Aidan were even well-behaved… so, wow.

My family is fun, and I don’t get to see them too often.  So, in between the bonfire and s’mores and catching up on the latest gossip, I’m going to say the reception was pretty fabulous as well. :)

Congrats to Ryan & Lisa… Despite me forgetting to bring the gift (among other things), I wish these two all of the happiness in the world and a lifetime of rainbows and unicorns.

(Pics)

New Year’s Resolutions – 2012

As many of you already know, Luke refuses to participate in making resolutions.  I can’t argue their self-defeating purpose, but I do participate in the tradition each year believing that I will somehow become a better person for it.

My resolutions are pretty simple this year.

1) Quit biting my nails (don’t judge).

2) Get everything submitted for the doctorate program in 2013.

3) Do at least one thing I’ve never done before.

4) Take Luke’s advice…  Put on your oxygen mask first. (paraphrasing)  I finally get what it means to “be the change you want to see in the world.”

I posted a few professional goals as a separate post on ijenn.

As for Aidan and Skye, I thought just asking them would be best.  Here’s what they had to say…

Greetings of love and peace for the holidays…

About a week before Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on the happenings of the year… By mid-December, I’m infected with the holiday “spirit” and can’t help but get caught up in the season.  I could do without the hustle and bustle of consumerist gluttony, but I do love that it’s a time that we dedicate to catching up with all of the people we haven’t seen as much of as we would have liked to throughout the year.

As for my reflection of 2011, I exit this year with fond memories.  I’ve joyfully welcomed new people into our family, and I also said good-bye to my grandmother who passed away earlier this year.  The realities of life and death are never more real than when you experience loss.

Aidan and Skye continue to grow in leaps and bounds.  I see more of Luke and I in them each and every day.  Aidan is such an amazing, curious kid… he loves to read and explore new things.  He’s doing really well in 2nd grade and even enjoys the chess lessons I thought I’d have to cajole him into taking. This year, he started exploring more on his own around the neighborhood (via walkie-talkie, although he’s asked Santa for an iPhone).  He and his friends patrol the hood each afternoon and often find themselves building forts and going on “survival missions.” He’s growing up so fast!

Skye started preschool this year and couldn’t be having more fun! She takes tennis classes and spends all the time she can outdoors.  She loves being outside! She insists on doing everything herself and has developed a sense of style all her own. She rocks the tutus and leggings like nothing you’ve ever seen. And, she gives the most amazing hugs.  Oh, and her smile lights up the room… if you’ve ever seen it, you know what I mean!  She’s a smart, adorable, often incredibly snotty, little princess.

So, Luke and I aren’t really that interesting… All is super fabulous and continues to get better and better as time goes by… Healthy (for the most part), happy (couldn’t be happier) and busy (better busy than bored)!

As we close out the year, the whole crew joins in sending love and wishes of peace and happiness to all of the special people in our lives!

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”

~Buddha

 XOXO

10 years… and, we still togetha

On September 1st, 2001, Luke and I were married at Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL.  We (I) wrote the ceremony content and had incorporated the Apache Song that I still enjoy reading today…

Now you will feel no rain

For each of you will be a shelter to the other

Now you will feel no cold

For each of you will be warmth to the other

Now there is no loneliness for you

Now there is no loneliness

Now you are two bodies

But there is only one life before you

Go now to your dwelling place

To enter into your days together

And may your days be good

And long on the earth

We also talked about marriage during our ceremony and noted that…

“Marriage is a commitment to life… to the best that two people can find and bring out in each other.  It offers opportuntiies for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal, a joining that is promised for a lifetime.  Marriage encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences and new ways of expressing love.  When two people pledge to love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique to themselves, which binds them closer than any spoken or written words.” 

So far, so good… I’m very lucky to have found someone so awesome to spend my days with! Happy 10th Anniversary sweetie… the last 19 years have been quite an adventure!