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!

Date Night (number three)

Oh man, hello date night! I've been excited about you for a week! Bryan took me to the river yesterday. We oogled over the beautiful farm land dreaming of the day when we have our own. The day ended with a fantastic taqueria and a beautiful sunset.

Family

(My dinner)

(Dad's dinner)

Here is a few pictures of our weekend. We really missed my parents. Well, I really really missed my whole family. So it was so good to be able to go up to the ranch this weekend. This picture, however, was not from this weekend. I just wanted to show you how grossly awesome Bryan's 24 hour 'stache was. Possible wedding day look???

Date Night (number two)

Date night this week was almost canceled on account of being swamped with midterms and papers. But Bryan insisted that he would go crazy if we didn't see each other for a whole week (man, I love him!). So we did! We had a date in the library. I came over with yummy fixin's to make shish-kabobs (a lovely idea from my dear friend, Sara). After grilling, we packed them up (along with our homework) and studied at the library. It was lots of fun! I'm pretty sure we looked like dorks to everyone else considering we brought a table cloth, vase, and flowers to make our library date complete. Sometime you gotta do what you gotta do.

Busy Little Bees

I know we haven't written here in awhile. That is because our lives are crazy at the moment. And if we had to chose between blogging or going outside and enjoying the beautiful weather--we will always pick the latter. But we will try our best to keep friends and family updated.

Last weekend was Picnic Day--a favorite in Davis. Bryan's grandparents came up and it is always such a joy to hang out with them. They have been together for over 50 years! Definitely, something to aspire to! We also hung out with some aunts, uncles, and cousins. I'm kinda excited that in three months my family size will double.

A few changes have happened in the past couple of weeks. First, Bryan and I have been so busy that we have hardly been seeing each other, so we made Mondays our date night (and soon enough it will be our premarital counseling night also!) Last Monday, we went to dinner at Cool Hand Lukes. My parents gave us gift cards to different restaurants for date (so awesome!) so this was one of them. We've never been there. Pros--water served in wide mouth mason jars, sweet potato fries, and country music. Cons--everything is cooked with bacon, small appetizers, and dark lighting.

The second change is that I have moved up to Summit, the highschool youth group. About a year ago, I started working with junior high kids at our church. Soon enough Bryan joined in too! We love love love doing ministry together and even more so we have fallen in love with the kids. My girls are going into highschool next year, so with that I moved up to the high school ministry with them. Our kids have been one of the biggest blessings and if you come to our wedding you will sure meet all of them!