engagement photos & moving

Well, I'm moving back to San Antonio. It has all happened very suddenly, but last Friday I got offered a temporary job as a "personal assistant" for a couple that I used to babysit for. They are being extremely generous and allowing me to work Monday through Thursday, so that I have Fridays off to set up interviews for a job that's in my field. They needed some extra help and I needed a job, so it's a perfect fit!

It's such a wonderful opportunity, especially since I've had such trouble getting people to agree to phone interviews. Finding a job from a different state is REALLY difficult.

This is an incredible blessing, but I must say... this is tough. I'm leaving my (almost) new family and some very good friends; not to mention, I'm leaving my job at the nursing home. I'm going to miss so many people. I'll probably go on and on about that later, but for now... I'm trying to focus on the fact that God's had my back, even when I haven't been the most (at all) faithful person.

Anthony isn't coming with me until later on when HE can find a job, so there's that, too. This is already a stressful time-- planning a wedding (111 days. YIKES!), starting a new job, looking for an additional job for later on, and moving 12 hours away from where I've made my home these last few years. But anyway, there's a lot going on in my head that relates to spending my life with someone, and being away from my support (Anthony) is going to be really rough.

BUT, God is good. And I am ever so grateful for my friends that have provided this job.

So, in other news... 

We finished making our invitations!! It was a ton of hard work, but it's so, so worth it. I'll be sending those out next month, and after a while, I'll post a DIY. I'm so proud of them! (ha)

And the best part about this month was our engagement photos. Amy did them, and she was amazing. Seriously, she's incredible! Not to mention-- she's about to be my new seester. And I can't wait. (All of these images are HERS!)

Here are some of my favorites:

:)

souls

It's been a beautiful couple of weeks. Although there has been death and trauma, due to the numerous tornadoes around areas close to us, we have been blessed to have been left out of all of that.

You know those types of days where you're driving with the windows down, and your hair is flowing in the wind? Your face feels clear, you're sure that your eyes are shining, and you're quite possibly the most beautiful and joyful being that ever was?

I've had about a week of that.

In reality, my hair is matted and tangled, because wind does things like that to hair. And my eyes are red and watering, because allergies are BAD right now. My skin is broken out like it usually is, and my stomach hangs over my jeans.

But I FEEL invincible this week. I don't know what it is... or maybe I do, and I just can't explain it. I'm so happy. I have wonderful, supportive friends and family, and I'm preparing to marry my best friend. This is a truly wonderful time. I've got some bittersweet thoughts running through my head, too, but it's a back-burner type of thing. Maybe I'll write about that, later.

So here are the highlights: antiquing, nature center, Buffy the Vampire reading, Wahoo with my future family, Anthony "teaching" Avery how to walk at 2 months, getting my tattoo touched up (FREE!), getting my nose re-pierced (I can take it out in time for the wedding, mom. And I can cover it up for work. Don't freak out.), seeing an incredible puppet show of one of my favorite children's books with my amazing friend, and simply enjoying the trees.. the deer.. the sun.. the grass..

Everything feels pretty good right now. I have bad, bad days, and I write about those a lot. Today's a day for happiness.

Oh, and in case you want to hate yourself, or simply be in AWE of some incredible talent, check out this video. It makes me want to bust out my electric violin... although it wouldn't be nearly this awesome.



Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard. ~Anne Sexton

Thanksgiving

My Thanksgiving in (poor quality) pictures:

Ant and I met my family at Cracker Barrel for my brother's 16th birthday.

We went back to my apartment for cake.

We had Thanksgiving lunch/dinner at Anthony's house. He did a phenomenal job with the smoked turkey (thanks, Amanda, for the smoker!!), and my mom and his mom contributed other sides. I made some desserts... everything was awesome!!

Our dads talking; our families met for the first time!

My mom's short-lived attempt to play Halo with my brothers.

Heather and Antho's mom aren't pictured, but we had an awesome time playing games. Seth (Ant's roommate) joined us later, and we had a blast playing some crazy games.

My parents singing and listening to their records from high school and college on our record player!

My mom snuck mine and Anthony's initials on my apple pie... HA.

My youngest brother eating his "medieval" turkey leg.

It was such an awesome Thanksgiving... I don't think that it could have gone much better. I'm grateful for so many things this year.

I hope you all had a great holiday!

schtuff

Schwell, I am currently in Jefferson City, MO, attending a social work conference for the week. I am trying to soak as much information up as I can, while making some "life" decisions regarding my future in school and location and jobs... My brain is a'splodin'. (But) I am enjoying the nice hotel and the room service! Ha :)





Anyway, this last weekend was spent with my wonderful mother and aunt. They decided to drive all the way to Springfield to visit me, as sort of a congratulatory trip for my graduation in August. It was SO wonderful to see them. I miss my family dearly.

These pictures aren't very flattering, so sorry in advance for that... I have what I have, though.

We got to hang out with Amy and Dave, too, and that was fun. I like for my family to spend time with his family. :)

My awesome grandma sent me a hand mixer!! WOOHOOOO!!! More baking, here I come.

Sunday was spent celebrating six blessed months with Anthony. I had to leave that day to go to the conference, so it was short-lived, but we've spent the last six months celebrating each other, so that was perfectly fine with me.

That's about all that is new in my life right now... Things are going well, and I am happy to be doing what I'm doing.

I'm sure I'll be blogging more this week, as I'll have more time on my hands... I'm stuck in a hotel! Ha.

Have a great week!