Everyone has a blog but not all blogs are good.

Yup. That's me. For four and a half years I kept a journal for Bryan documenting our dating relationship, but somehow I can't keep a blog. I blame technology. Just give me a good ol' fashion pen and paper.

Anyways, let's catch up shall we?

They are here!

Yay wedding pictures! Honestly, Bryan and I could not have asked for a better wedding. It was the best day of our lives and we have so many people to thank (like Denise for the awesome photos!) All the hard work and tons of planning paid off. It's amazing to see something you've worked so hard on come to life. It makes me excited for future dreams that Bryan and I get to work on.

Holy COW!

We're married! It's great! No, it's fantastic! It's possibly the best decision we have ever made! There is so so so much to update you all on! However, with building the loveshack, moving out of our place, no internet in our tent, work starting as well as school, LIFE is CRAZY! But so so good!

I'll do the whole blog thing when life settles a bit, but till then just give me a call ;)

Engagement Pictures!

Here are just some of the engagement pictures that Denise Bovee (our very wonderful photographer)! They were so fun to get done! I remember when my sister got married that she felt overwhelmed by her photographer. The lady took great photos, but gave them little space through out the day. Bryan and I felt like we were on our own little private date for these photos. Denise knows just the right amount of space to give you with getting fantastic photographs. She is really sweet too and I loved her tattoo!

On side note, Bryan and I have become a little obsessed with these. We kinda can't believe that's us in the pictures! Thank you Denise!

One Month

Can you believe it? One more month. One. At times Bryan and I have felt like time was inching it's way towards the wedding and other times it was flying towards it. We have gotten a lot done and a lot more to do.

We've been asked a lot about what we are going to be doing post-wedding. And after our honeymoon in Cabo (thanks to Bryan's parents), we have decided to stay in Davis. I still have school and a job here that works really well for my crazy schedule and Bryan wants to find a job that involves teaching, ag, and/or mechanics. Unfortunately, Davis is super expensive so we are trying to find a place on the outskirts. We are hoping to live on a farm doing something like maintenance or care taking. A dream come true is what it would be because we hope to one day own our own farm (more about that later on when I have time). It would be the perfect way to start a marriage--living simply, close to the land, developing community. All things that we truly believe in.

Speaking of community, I've realized how blessed I have been being a part of the Davis community and a beautiful church community--getting to know so many people from all walks of life. I really am starting to fall in love with Davis. I use to want to get out and travel travel travel, but now I just want to be a part of something bigger. Bryan and I are in love with the idea of community and want so badly to strive to make a place where every need is met. It's idealistic, but it can be done. If it's done with love. It starts with being content (maybe a better word is thankful) with where you are at in life. Even if right now your life isn't looking good. It is only until I am thankful for where I am, that I am able to give to those around me. Community is something Bryan and I can talk about for days and we hope that our wedding will reflect just that.

So with that
Turn off your TV. Leave your house. Know your neighbors, Look up when you are walking; Greet people; Sit on your stoop; Plant flowers; Use your library; Play together; Buy from local merchants; Share what you have; Help a lost dog; Take children to the park; Garden together; Support neighborhood schools; Fix it even if you didn't break it; Have pot lucks; Honor elders; Pick up litter; Read storeis aloud; Dance in the street; Talk to the mail carrier; Listen to the birds; Put up a swing; Help carry something heavy; Barter for your goods; Start a tradition; Ask a question; Hire young people for odd jobs; Organize a block party; Bake extra and share; Ask for help when you need it; Open your shades; Sing together; Share your skills; Take back the night; Turn up the music; Turn down the music; Listen before you react to anger; Mediate a conflict; Seek to understand; Learn from new and uncomfortable angles; Know that no one is silent athough many are not heard. Work to change this.

Crafts and more crafts

A lot of our wedding is DIY. Bryan and I like the thought of putting a lot of meaningful details into the day. Here's just a bit of what we are working on...

In the process of sculpting the cake topper

boutonniere!

Family & friends,

There are 2 and a half more months till we get married!

Since we've been engaged, we haven't stopped smiling. Life is so good when you know you get to spend the rest of your life with your best friend. It's also good when school is wrapping up, work is enjoyable, hanging out with kids is your job, and God is shaping you into a better person and preparing you for marriage. Bryan and I can't even begin to tell you how beautiful life is. Half of our conversation revolves around how lucky we are to have such amazing friends and family.

Last week, my parents came down to help with wedding plans. Bryan and I took the day off work and spent it with them. We were suit shopping, so it had potential to be awful because Bryan and I both hate shopping, but alas! it was wonderful (and painless!). Now the P's (as my siblings and I always call them) are in Costa Rica and we all miss them a lot.

Even better, Bryan's parents came up to Davis for Mother's Day. There were four fantastic things about that day. One, we had a picnic in the rain with yummy food. Two, we showed them the venue for the wedding! Three, we went and saw the old paint bridge (a favorite Davis spot that Bryan and I tandem to a lot) And four, I got to celebrate Mother's Day with my soon to be mother-in-law. Who is not only awesome, but someone who I owe a lot to for giving me such a wonderful man. I am also really excited that in two and a half months my family will double in size! Eep!