The Garden of your Mind.

I can't help sharing.  I just love this!  It feels like a bit of my past got auto-tuned, remixed, and immortalized on YouTube.  I loved the Mister Rogers days...

52 Reasons.

March has just been a great big, wonderful month!  I've been attempting to document each day with the #marchphotoaday challenge... which has been surprisingly harder to stay on top of than I thought!  I'm also way behind on getting wedding/honeymoon/life pictures online.  I suppose someday I'll get it together, but life is so full and beautiful and I'm just not too worried about those details.  :)  

In the meantime (and because I'm secretly proud of myself), I wanted to share a little project that was totally not my idea.  At all.  In fact, when I googled "52 Reasons," several pages of these little books popped up, ranging in all sorts of style and creativity.  I first found this idea on pinterest months ago, and tucked it away in my mental to-do list for Jack's birthday in March.

The project: create a "booklet" out of a deck of cards with all the reasons you love someone...  52 reasons.

I started with a word doc. of a handful of reasons I love my husband, then added to it until I reached 52.  I came up with all sorts of reasons, ranging from from his laugh, to the fact that we eyeroll at all the same things together, to his patience, to his love of the Lord.  

At that point, I went shopping for supplies: a deck of cards, kraft paper, adhesive, and book rings.  Simple enough!  

I hole punched each playing card, then measured the size of the "reason" cards and chopped them up with my paper trimmer.  I corner rounded the edges, then began writing.  Lots of examples I saw online used labels or were printed through photoshop, but I opted for the handwritten look.  Once they were finished, I stuck all the reasons to the deck of cards.  Due to the thickness of the kraft paper I purchased, it caused the booklet to have a sort of "bursting at the seams" look which I kind of dig.  :)  Finally, I clamped the cards together with some book rings.  And voila!  A cute little heartfelt book.  

And he loved it!

Thank You Notes.

One weeknight last week, we decided it was time...  to order our wedding thank you notes.

I figured this would be a long, arduous project.  But...  this has not exactly been the case.  They arrived in our mailbox on Tuesday.  And already, we've written and mailed 102!  Ha.  I've written a bunch, but truth be told, Jack has been all over the thank you writing, for which I am very grateful.

Our new custom return address stamp (awesome wedding gift) has expedited the process a bit, but in general, postcards seem to be the way. to. go.  So fast and easy!  Just 30-something more to write and we're done...  What a nice surprise.  :)

#marchphotoaday

I need a simple project to infuse daily, consistent creativity into my life.  Enter: The March Photo a Day Challenge.  I've never done one of these before, so I think it's high time I give it a whirl.  :)  Stay tuned...

December 17.

In the midst of making wedding decisions a few months back, the topic of videography came up.  Should we have someone tape our wedding or is that something we could do without?  We went back and forth, but as the day grew closer, we decided it was important and asked a friend to videotape.

...SO glad we did.

We got the "highlight reel" back today and love it!  Our friend, Daniel, did a beautiful job of capturing little moments, details, laughs, and joy.  I'm so glad we have this tangible reminder of our wedding day!

Welp...

A lot of major "life events" have taken place in the last 1.5 months!  So, um... We got married.  We went on our awesome honeymoon to Europe.  While in London, I had a birthday and turned 25 (eek!).  We came back.  We merged our bank accounts.  I changed my name.  And now, we're settling into our home and "married life."

And it... is... awesome.

:)

Jack moved into the house back in 2009, but I still feel like I'm "moving in" and trying to find spaces and homes for things.  But... it's really fun.  I love having a space to call our own.  I love figuring out life together!

I'll share some wedding/honeymoon pics soon, but for now...  here's one of my fav's from Ireland!

Countdown.

1...  More day of work this week.

2...  Days until the Rehearsal Din.

3...  Days until I get to marry Jack.

12...  Days until our honeymoon in Ireland.

...  I'M FREAKING GETTING MARRIED.  REALLY SOON.  AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deep breath.

So, so, so, so, so, so, so, so stinking excited.

Can't handle my life right now.  :)

Life lately.

Life has been zany lately.  Not in a bad way.  Just... reallyreallyreally busy.  And tiring.  And crazy.  And a little bit stressful.  And exciting.  I have so much joy and anticipation in my bones.  25 days till I get to marry my best friend.  I can hardly stand it!

I'll blog more... someday.  But for now...  enjoy this fantastic light show from the 6th Annual Castlegiving celebration.  You're welcome.  :)

October baseball.

Sorry for being MIA lately.  It's because of this: 

Rats in the Cellar.

“We begin to notice, besides our particular sinful acts, our sinfulness; begin to be alarmed not only about what we do, but about what we are. This may sound rather difficult, so I will try to make it clear from my own case. When I come to my evening prayers and try to reckon up the sins of the day, nine times out of ten the most obvious one is some sin against charity; I have sulked or snapped or sneered or snubbed or stormed.  And the excuse  that immediately springs to my mind is that the provocation was so sudden and unexpected: I was caught off my guard, I had not time to collect myself.  Now that may be an extenuating circumstance as regards those particular acts: they would obviously be worse if they had been deliberate and premeditated.  On the other hand, surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of a man he is? Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth? If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly.  But the suddenness does not create the rats:  it only prevents them from hiding. In the same way the suddenness of the provocation does not make me an ill-tempered man:  it only shows me what an ill-tempered man I am.  The rats are  always there  in the cellar, but if you go in shouting and noisily they will have taken cover before you switch on the light.” 


Humbling/challenging thoughts this morning.  Thanks, C.S. Lewis.  :)

City girl?

This past weekend, Jack & I attended an ever-so-lovely wedding out in St. Albans.  Very fun and fancy.  Lots of new friends, hilarious memories, and a whole lot of dancing.  We decided it's one of the most fun weddings we've been to yet!

I guess technically, St. Albans/Wildwood area is considered St. Louis County, but my goodness...  it's quite a drive!  More than I remembered it being.

On the way back, we stopped at the Chesterfield Mall to drop off Jack's suit, and then the Chesterfield Chipotle for a hefty burrito lunch.  While there, I mentioned to Jack that it was just "so crazy" there were so many Cardinal fans!  (I briefly forgot we were only 40 minutes from STL city.  Ha.  It seemed so foreign!)

He laughed.

"Well," he said, "It's good you think that way.  Just means you feel at home in the city."  :)

Just 89 days left until I get to finally LIVE in the city!  So. Stinking. Excited.

New favorite youtube vid:

:)

Thoughts on blogging.

I've blogged since the spring of 2005.  2005!!!  I cannot believe that.  I recently looked up my old xanga to reminisce.  (Yeah, remember xanga?)  :)  Hilarious.

Throughout my blogging "life," I've blogged multiple times a week and I've gone months with not a word.  I was better back then, with the ritual of sitting down, most likely a mug of coffee in hand, soft tunes playing over my macbook speakers, inspired to put my thoughts on the screen.  These days, I'm sporadic at best.

I want to change that.

To save money for the wedding, I moved home a few months ago.  Consequently, I've been sleeping in my old bedroom, filled with old pictures and magazine clippings, old notes and journals and memories.  I used to be so good at capturing my day-to-day life on paper.  In high school and college, I wrote constantly.  About everything.  Pages and pages!  I don't really have time to do that these days, but what I do have time to do is this:

I found this on my new favorite website, pinterest.com.  Go there, and you will be hooked, I promise you.  It's a treasure trove of DIY project ideas, style & food inspiration, and lots of dreamy things that make you go ooh and ahh.  ANYWAYS!  This is "week at a time journaling."  My Grandma actually does this.  She records what she does all day: if she had a meaningful conversation, what the weather was like, what's going on in the world.  I am seriously considering this. How fun to look back on!  I like it.

In addition... I am going to make a bit of a blog comeback, here.  I miss it.  And there's much going on these days to write about.  :)  More later!

Best Day of My Life.

On an unseasonably gorgeous March 17, Jack and I marched alongside an Irish dancing float in the Dogtown St. Patrick's Day parade.  He has asked me a few days earlier if I'd march with him.  I didn't ever really understand why we were marching, but I didn't ask questions...  I thought it would be fun, so I went along with it!

After about 15 minutes of bead throwing and waving, Jack grabbed my hand.  "Hey, let's go see our families!" he said.  "You know where they are?!" I asked.  He knew the exact intersection.  Weird...  He began taking huge Jack strides, while I ran to catch up.  (Confused, but still oblivious.)  Upon finally spotting our families, what did I notice first?  The huge "Blake, will you MARRY ME?" banner???  Nope.  In the excitement of the moment, I immediately spotted my brother in the crowd, in town from college.  I freaked out.  "PAUL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"  Ha.  :)  ...Upon taking a step back, I read the banner.  And well.  You should probably just take a look at the pics and video.  All captured for your viewing pleasure.

TOTAL SHOCK.  He got me goooooood!  And now we're freakin' ENGAGED!!!  I get to marry my best friend on December 17, 2011!!!  Christmas wedding!!  And then guess where we're honeymooning?  Yep, Ireland.  SO excited.  :)

When I'm old...

I want to be this lady.



(Shoutout to my sis!  Thanks for sharing this, El.)  :)

Lately.

Per usual, I have fallen into a blog drought.  ...  Aaaand, no one is surprised at this.  Ha.  I keep getting nudges to write from my sister and a couple other friends who may or may not even read/check this blog anymore.  I don't blame you!  However sporadically, I promise I'll keep writing.  So, feel free to check back from time to time.  :)

Life lately...  It's been good.  I've been so deeply encouraged and challenged by my church and Bible Study group these past few weeks.  I'm in a really good place.  In Bible Study, we've been discussing and dealing with our own personal roadblocks that are in the way of total freedom in Jesus.  I've wrestled with some things.  But I've also experienced total peace and freedom... the kind that just washes over you.  Know what I'm talking about?!  So beautiful.  OH!  And I'm about to start membership classes at church.  Exciting things.

This past weekend was unbelievably beautiful.  70 degrees and sunny in mid-Feb?  I'll take it!  I know it's inevitably going to get cold again, but I'm hopeful that at least the ice and snow are over.  I doooon't really know how much more of that I can take.  Once March hits, it really better be over.  Too many fun things happening!  In addition to all the usual St. Pat's parades, parties, and festivities, Jack and I are going to see the "trifecta" of Irish bands.  Flogging Molly, Gaelic Storm, AND Dropkick Murphy's!  All in March.  All in St. Louis.  Sorry we're awesome.  I can't even tell you how excited I am for March.  15 days till it alllllll starts.  (Oh, and did I mention that all of this is tucked in between Mardi Gras on March 5 and Opening Day on March 31st?!)  Geeze Louise.  Slowly exhale.

Ok.  It's this working woman's bedtime, but before I sign off...  a few pics from the past few months to catch you up on my life.  :)

 TBOX in Chicago: Ethnic Santas.  

 Christmas Day in the Dominican Republic!

 My 24th Birthday!  Celebrated at McGurks, of course.

 Indy with the girls.

 Aaaand these last two are random...  but I just finally hung things on the walls last week.  (Yep.  Been here since Sept!)  Anyway, this is my cute little room.

Don't you love that retro flower chair?!  Courtesy of the g-ma.  

Alright.  Now, goodnight!

Little Women.

Lately, I've been sick.  (Hence, the absence from the blog that I so convincingly promised I'd be better about writing in!)  Anyway... sick.  Real sick.  And when you're sick, what better way to spend your time than on the couch, watching movies?  Like Little Women.  LOVE!!!!  Seriously.  I have loved this movie since the first time I saw it, when it came out in 1994.  Little 7-year-old Blake!  Haha.  I vividly remember unwrapping the VHS at Grandma's house on Christmas Eve.  And then, of course, watching the movie until it literally wore out.  (No joke.)

All these years later, it remains my favorite.  And I don't forsee that ever changing!  It's just too good.  I watch it a couple times a year...  sometimes when it's raining out...  or I'm sick...  or I'm sad... or need to be inspired.  It's the perfect cure.  I highly recommend.  And can also quote the whole thing.  Ha.  But really...

An update of more substance to come later.  :)

Pic update.

I promised some pictures of life over the past several months...  Sooo, here's a small smattering of the favs.  :)

 Niagara Falls!

 A trip to Toronto to see the Cards play the Blue Jays!

 Summer vaca in Myrtle Beach.

 Beach cheers!

 The whole fam!

 Kristen and me on Uncle Tom's boat.

At the Forest Park Balloon Glow!

  Schlafly's Hop in the City.

 Friends, cousins, and fam, tailgating before the MIZZOU game!

 Wedding in Kansas City.

In front of the Wheel of Fortune bus after the tryouts!  Yeeeah!

My bad.

Geeze Louise!  7 months, missing in action!  A new record?  Probs.  I know you all have been dying to know what is new in my life.  All.... 2 of you?!  Ha.  My bad.  I don't know if anyone still reads this, but here goes!  In the spirit of new beginnings and a fresh update, I redesigned the blog a little.  I mean, who doesn't like a hearty, solid background of... wood?!  That's what I'd like to know!

Ok.  Well.  Since my last bloggage, a few things have happened.  A lot of traveling and even a move to a new address!  Recap.  Let's start with... March.  Going off of memory, so just the highlights!

March... A month full of Irish/St. Pat's festivities and general merriment. April...  Cardinals Opening Day... my first ever, which included beautiful weather and some tailgating!  (Went to many more great Cards games in April.... before they started sucking it up.  Ugh!)  May...  Ellie graduated!  (I think??  Or maybe it was June...  oops?)  She's at Mizzou now, by the way... and joined a sorority - Theta!  All grown up!  Sheesh.  June...  Weddings, A trip to Canada to see the Cards play the Blue Jays (SO MUCH FUN) and Niagara Falls (one of my dreams - check!).  July...  Work conference in D.C. and family vacation in Myrtle Beach!  August...  Irish Fest in Milwaukee!  September...  Moved into a cute new house in Webster Groves!  Pics to come soon!  Joined a new community group/Bible study at my church.  Annnd also a visit to Mizzou for fam weekend!  (Which means tailgating like pro's and some great Tiger football with fam, cousins, and friends!)  October...  ANOTHER fam weekend at Taylor (haha...).  And as of yesterday, Jack and I have been dating officially for 1 year!  Time flies when you're having fun, eh?!

Once I get my pics organized, I promise I'll post a few from the past few months. 

Welp.  Guess that's it for now!  More to come... and more frequently, I promise!  Well... at least something new before another 7 months pass.  ;)

Oh well.

So many things have happened in the past month...ish. Dumb things... where I wish there was an "undo" button for my stupidity or that I could just go back 3 seconds and make a different decision.

Case in point: tonight. Because I didn't want to wait for a train, I sped through the railroad crossing as the lights were flashing (right before the bars started coming down). Aaaaand I'm about 99% sure I got a TICKET. I saw a bright, white flash. Really, Webster Groves??! I've never even heard of that before. But the matter been googled. I'm screwed.

I was SO annoyed at myself for not just waiting. I beat myself up about it for about 15 minutes... And then? I realized that there was nothing I could do about it. Nothing! I mean, I'll never go through a railroad crossing again when the lights are flashing. And when my ticket comes, it sucks, but I have to pay it. And... oh well. It happens.

So, I'm learning that when you view life this way, it's freeing. This isn't to say you don't learn from your mistakes... just that you don't dwell in the past and the "what if's" or "I wish's." There's great freedom in that. Some things just don't matter as much as I think they do.