s + j's year in review

january: he cut his hand open and it got infected. she was worried. he was in the hospital. she took care of him. they were not happy about his medical bills. 

february: she planned and hosted a valentine's day party. he bought her a polaroid camera for it. they had a lovely time together.

march: they joined a gym. she started a new job (hooray!). he was happy she did. they visited grandma june. he wore the anne hat much better than she did.

april: he had a birthday! they spent the night at wisconsin dells. she surprised him with a party. he had the best birthday ever.

may: he bought her a fancy camera. she went on her first trip alone! he stayed home. she flew to colorado to see her family. she fell in love with colorado and has been begging him to move there ever since. ( don't worry family, he won't budge )

june: she went on her first missions trip. he missed her. while in nyc she learned a lot and cried a lot.

july: they went to tracie's wedding! she planned and hosted kelly's baby sprinkle. she went crazy with decorations. he was not a fan of all the confetti. he surprised her with a birthday trip to door county. she got butterflies. he felt proud of himself.

august:  they didn't do much in august.

September: they spent a weekend in door county with friends. she celebrated her best friend's birthday by driving down to schaumberg where she: helped stranded men at a gas station, witnessed a toy soldier convention, and shopped too much! he graduated. she watched. they went to brenda's wedding. they patiently waited for bella june's arrival. she held her. he did not. 

october: they celebrated 1 year of marriage. she planned a big weekend. he let her. they enjoyed dining on a boat, a train, and on land.

november: she took him to colorado. he loved it. she loved that he loved it. they went black friday shopping. she thrived. he's never going again.

december: they attempted 12 dates of christmas. they made it to 6. she got the flu. he took care of her. they decorated their place for christmas. she wanted more lights. he didn't want to start a fire. they opened presents. she refuses to take down her tree or lights. he doesn't mind.

they spent the year making new friends, exploring new places, loving, and always laughing. she will always hold 2013 close to her heart.

they are ready for 2014 to bring it!

Little Bike Rides, Big World.

Since Sunday, Justin and I have been taking bike rides together after dinner. It started as a way to teach me how to ride a bike and get me in shape. However, Jesus has used these bike rides to take me on a very different path.

We roughly go around the same time each night. On the same 2 mile route. At first, I just focused on not dying and watching where Justin went so I didn't get lost. Now as we go, I'm discovering this wonderful community of people who live not far from us. A community of old and young. Families and couples. People who have after dinner routines too. We say hi to the same couples walking. We see the same kids playing outside. The same men doing yard work. But my favorite is the little park. Everyone is completely engaged. No one is on their phones. Everyone is interacting and participating . There is a baseball team with parents coaching. There's a group of preschool age kids with parents chasing them. Even teenagers with their boyfriends and girlfriends walk around. Different people coming to the same place to get outside and have fun.

Growing up, I lived in a neighborhood with a bunch of kids my age. We all played together until the streetlights came on. If we were lucky we even got to sneak a game of night kickball in the street. It was a tiny community of people from all different backgrounds having fun together. I loved my childhood! We moved when I was in high school. The new neighborhood wasn't as friendly. Sure, we waved to people as we drove by but I honestly don't know any of their names. My parents got to know them better than I did. We were in our house, our yard, and minded our own business. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing but it wasn't a very good thing either.

As Christians we are supposed to go out and shine our light to the world around us. How can we do that if we come home from work and hide in the safety of our houses? Social interaction that makes the biggest impact isn't over the Internet. It's face to face interactions. Becoming a part of people's routines. Getting to KNOW the people around you. Show them the love of Jesus and help make this dark world a more loving place.

I believe that starts right where we live. Even in the little 2 mile radius around our house. We have the ability to impact so many lives! Something that started off for selfish reasoning has now become much bigger than myself. I am so grateful Jesus has opened my eyes to this little world around me. I want nothing more than share His unfailing love. Praying I can be a vessel or even a mustard seed. Now, don't get me wrong I'm terrified. Scared of rejection. Scared of putting myself out there and meeting new people. I'm not what you would call a "social butterfly". I'm more of a hermit but we all know God has a sense of humor. Giving the most socially awkward and unliked person a mission to friend strangers...this should be interesting. Good thing I know HE is going to do all the work ;) on my own I would crash and burn, literally.

Sorry for the personal rant. I just really wanted to encourage anyone (if anyone even reads this) to go out and be engaged in your community. No matter how big or small. Also, if you get a chance pray for me. I'm going to need it!

Happy Wednesday
xo

tips for a valentine party

Disclaimer: I am by no means calling myself an expert on anything. My "tips" are mostly sarcastic and light-hearted. I'm just giving my opinion and sharing my knowledge of life experiences. I hope you find them entertaining. 

Last weekend I planned/hosted a Valentine party. I put my heart and soul into that party. You could say it was my baby and I loved every second of it.

Tip #1 of planning an awesome holiday party: come up with a super creative name for it that only you know about. I decided to call this Be Mine Valentine 2013. Took me a while to come up with, for real.

Tip #2 Don't over do it! Originally, I had planned an extravagant meal plan. Appetizers, a main course, and desserts galore! Thankfully, my older sister Kelly talked me into just doing desserts. It was perfect and I didn't drive myself crazy in the process.

Tip #3 Plan ahead. I was inviting people, buying decorations, and ordering desserts a month in advance. 5 wonderful couples were able to attend, my decorations came just in time, and the desserts were marvelous!

Tip #4 Have an amazing, supportive husband who is willing to finish painting your house, buy you a Polaroid camera (specifically for the party), and surprise you with roses. Without him the party would have fallen apart.

Tip #5 Prepare entertainment. People love to be entertained. My choices were pictures with props and my own version of the newlywed game. Both were a hit! (I think) The pictures gave them something to take home as a memory and the game was hilarious. Also, adding a prize for the winner encourages the too-cool-for-school attendees to participate.

Tip #6 Have a super awesome friend run to Walmart to buy yet another helium tank when your giant balloons drain the first one after a balloon and a half. Thanks again Julia!

Here are some photos from the party with links underneath as to where I purchased items in case you are curious. Enjoy!

my favorite party planning partner Julia. 

The pink heart straws, red stripe straws, and bakers twine were purchased from the Cupcake Social. Great prices, adorable products! 

pictures taken with my new instax mini polaroid camera

The frame was purchased at Good Will then taken apart and painted by me. 

Some were more creative than others with their picures...

The giant balloons were purchased at Balloon Maniacs

funny story: the purchase to balloonmaniacs.com was flagged as possible fraud on my credit card. Had to admit (on speaker phone) that purchase was legitimate. 

The Crush soda bottles were purchased at Walmart.

A fun little detail I probably appreciated more than anyone.

The candy tower was donated by the lovely Kelly 

The heart shaped macaroons were purchased at Le Reve so delicious. 

The wonderful cake pops were made by my talented Aunt Karen. She does not have a website but she should. That woman is amazing.

Rock candy stir sticks were purchased at Fuzziwigs Candy Factory

xoxo

Double date in Milwaukee

Sunday Funday we went on a double date with our friends Nick & Deb. They are from California so it was fun to show them around. We took them to eat at Water Buffalo and then went to Discovery World. It started to snow and it was so pretty out. Such a fun day!