The Past 7 Months

It doesn't seem like 7 months have gone by since our wedding day. Our lives have been a whirlwind since May 29th, 2010 and I am just now coming to a point where I can look back, amazed at everything we have been able to be a part of. So here's what we've been up to:

We set off on our honeymoon adventure still flying high from all the excitement of the wedding. After traveling many miles and through many states, we ended up in Georgia where we experienced extreme southern hospitality and memories that will not soon be forgotten. Upon arriving back home in Madison, we began organizing our new living space and were thrown into the incredibly frustrating task of job hunting. It took about two and a half long months but we are both fully employed, remind us that good things really do come to those who wait.

July was a big month for us...We became an aunt and uncle! On July 1st, Brad's sister gave birth to a beautiful little girl--Brylie Meranda June. Holding her for the first time brought joyful tears to our eyes. We were also blessed in several more ways this month. We volunteered with the Ulster Project, which is a reconciliation program that brings Northern Irish students to America and pairs them up with an American host family. We helped as counselors for their "Time of Discovery," which is a fancy name for peace building. We had the opportunity to invest in several students, and saw major changes in the mindsets of these teens. Not only did we volunteer our time, but we also opened up our home and hosted one of the American counselors for the month. We were completely consumed by this project the entire month, but it was rewarding. We are both now on the Ulster Board--Katie as vice president and Brad as fundraising chair.

August started off with a bang, or more of a sister yelling from her bedroom. That's right, Tracy and Rick (Katie's parents) abandoned Emily and all the animals to travel the Oregon Trail by airplane, which meant Emily was left in the loving care of her sister and new "bwa-der." We had two full weeks of Dora the Explorer and coloring outside the lines. This time of our lives was spent learning about patience and being humble. Not to mention, our newfound respect for Rich and Tracy!

Nothing too exciting in September or October, other than the fact that we started up a monthly Friends reunion weekend. A group of our favorite college friends got together down in Evansville for the epic Evansville fall festival. It was full of donut burgers, pyrano pups, good talks, and laughter. And it sparked a tradition. Each month we meet in a different city to catch up, hang out, and enjoy each other's company.

November brought on the holiday rush and we found ourselves scrambling all across the state of Indiana to visit family. We learned the value of traditions--both the keeping of the old and the beginning of the new. One of my favorite traditions is cutting down a live Christmas tree! Brad was thrilled (or not so much...) to participate in this tradition with me this year. It was a cold cold day and we definitely made some memories in the process!

Brad surprised me on my birthday with a house full of family and friends--and cake and ice cream of course! It is good to be in the presence of those you love.

We rang in the new year at my best friend's house in Indy. It was a night filled with karaoke, good food, and good friends. What a perfect way to start 2011! January has already been full of change and surprises. On January 10th I packed up my desk and said my goodbyes at the Boys & Girls Club, where I was the Resource Development Assistant/Americorps member. Leaving there was harder than I thought it was going to be. I really enjoyed my time there, and I learned so much, but it was time for something new. Which brings me to the next chapter of my life: Ivy Tech. I am currently an adjunct faculty member, teaching Life Skills courses. It is hard to believe that I am teaching college. Most of my students are older than me! But life is a funny thing and I am waiting to see which door God will open next.

<--- This is Tuna Charlie. She is the newest member of our family. I never thought I would be a pet owner, but I've got to admit that I am quite fond of her. She is a feisty little kitten, and she loves to make me bleed. But now I can't imagine life without her.

Well, I suppose that is all for now. It is strange to look at the past 7 months of your life mapped out on a computer screen. If nothing else, this blogging thing has been therapeutic for me.




Until next time.....

Love and peace,

New Blogger Alert

So, I am new to this whole blogging thing. And to be quite honest, I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I mean, is blogging just an arrogant way of expressing yourself? Everybody look at me. Everybody read my thoughts. Or is this an opportunity for an online community to form where like-minded people can express their thoughts? I am hoping for the latter. Either way, here it goes. A glimpse into our new life together...