Goodbye Norman, Hello Kansas

I had this quote in my office.  I thought it was appropriate for new freshmen that sometimes hang on to the past "good thing."  Today it applies to me too.  

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

In the fall of 1995, I arrived at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.  I went pot-luck with roommates and really didn't know a soul there.  My home town had about as many people as I had in my new freshmen class.

Like it was yesterday, I can remember thinking Norman was SO BIG.  I couldn't remember how to get anywhere but to my car to the road to my hometown.

That was 16 years ago.

Today all my earthly possessions are packed into a truck.  Tomorrow my soon-to-be-husband, my mom, Mick (my dog), and I are driving to Kansas to move me into my new home.  My new life.

Norman, I will miss you.  You've been good to me.  You've become home.  But I have a new beginning that is waiting for me.  And I cannot wait to start the journey. 

Shower of Love From my Hometown

I had an amazing weekend and wedding shower in Marlow this weekend.  I am so blessed to have so many people in my life that love me. 

Many of the hostesses have literally known me my whole life....and they were a large part of who I became as a women.  It's times like these that remind me again the importance of relationships.

My call is to touch others lives.  I have been given so much by others, and I want to continue to be the kind of person that gives my life to those that cross my path.

And the envelope please.....

Invitations are ready for the mail!  Woo Hoo!

Mick's first trip to Kansas

We know in a couple months that Mick (my dog) and Rowdy (Jacob's dog) will become doggy-brother-and-sister.  Jacob brought Rowdy to Norman, and it was a very good first meeting.  So this weekend I decided to bring Mick with me to visit his new home.

Overall, the dogs get along great.  Mick can't get the hang of all the stairs just yet, but he will get there.  We think they are soooooo cute together!

New friends:

Stop and Smell the Roses

Three years ago today, I lost my precious Daddy. 

His death came at the end of the hardest year of my life.  The following year was also difficult--trying to find my footing again without him in my world.  There were times that I wondered if things would ever be good for me again.

But they did improve.  Time began to heal. 

God brought Jacob into my life in September of 2010, and we will be married in a couple months.  Man, how I wish my dad could have met Jacob.  He would have loved him.

Today I am with Jacob in Kansas, and he said he had a surprise for me.  We went outside and he had a rosebush that he wanted to plant in memory of my dad.  He wanted me to choose the spot at his house (soon to be OUR house).   The spot I picked had a plant, but Jacob eagerly dug it up and moved it so my rose bush is right in front of the house where we can see it every day.

I love you daddy.  I miss you. 

I love you Jacob.  You are the love of my life.  I'm so thankful for you.

Some More Peeps Please!

I am not a fan of Peeps, the iconic Easter treat.  But THESE....I could totally get behind.

Engagement Photo Shoot

My friend Jenny is an awesome photographer and volunteered to take our engagement photos for us.  It was the COLDEST, most windy day possible!  The first few shots I was so cold I was literally almost in tears.  But somehow we got some great shots. 

Here is one of my favorites: