J&H Wedding Weekend

So, for today I had planned to share all of the pictures from my cousin's wedding weekend. Well, typical me, I came back with ZERO pictures. Always the sign of the best weekends. (I stole the ones about from her insta, holla!)

My mom and I traveled up to Cincinnati for nails and to host the bridal luncheon at Cooper's Hawk on Friday. We then had the rehearsal at 21C that night, where we indulged in sliders, wine, macaroons, cupcakes, and so much more delicious food. Seriously y'all. THE FOOD.

Saturday came and we spent the morning with the best donuts from Holtman's, before heading to Knockback Nat's for the game. Basically, we ate all weekend.

Once UK pulled out a win, it was wedding time. The wedding was at The Phoenix, and the venue was stunning. Jessica's black and white theme was gorgeous and perfectly done. We were greeted with champagne as we walked into the ceremony, had "Bride & Groom" cocktails during cocktail hour, and then headed upstairs for a fabulous meal and a fabulous party, complete with my tipsy uncle's twenty-five minute speech. Tyler and I, in our usual style, did not leave the dance floor once. Nope, that's not an exaggeration. We had to work off all the food somehow right!?

It was such a sweet weekend and I am so excited for Jessica and Heath! Wishing them a lifetime of happiness! I wish I had a single picture to share, but hey, you know what they say...

The Best Goal Setting Resources

Lara Casey: Goal Setting Series

Nancy Ray:Goals

Bloom:2015 Goals

Em for Marvelous: Goal Setting Systems

Jess Connolly: How To Do New Years

January | GOALS

1. Clean out my computer in preparation for a new one!!
2. Take two social media free days per week.
3. Wedding plan.
4. Wedding plan.
5. Celebrate others through my first bridal shower!

That's it. January, I think I can.

2015 | GOALS

I have been patiently waiting for the time to spend a few hours at Starbucks alone to really look back at 2014 and dream for 2015, and the Lord so graciously has provided me with that time! 2014 was a good, good year. My life went from college student dating a boy, to engaged college graduate quickly and I am still in disbelief at how the Lord blessed me this year. While it certainly has a lot to live up to, I am certain 2015 will be a terrific year. I know that in thirty years I will look back at 2014-2015 and be amazed at all the change that took place.

While there are some known changes happening (!!), some things are still up in the air. From December 2014 to December 2015 here's a little run down of life:
1. Graduate college
2. Move to Louisville
3. Move into an apartment
4. Get married
5. Get a teaching job?
6. Buy a house?
7. Get a dog?

Ha! Okay so maybe some of the uncertain aren't necessities, but this will certainly be a time of change and growth in my life, and with that, I will be giving myself TONS of GRACE in 2015. Grace might be a cliche word, but it is most definitely going to be my word of 2015.

"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" 2 Peter 1:2

"And God is able to make all grace abound in you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

These are my verses of the year. I couldn't pick just one! I pray that I would fee more peach and grace as I grow in knowledge of God and Jesus. This grace will not come from a finished to-do list or a productive morning, it will come straight from the Holy Spirit that lives inside of me- that's the kind of grace that's really life changing. That's the kind of grace that's worth it. Also, I know the second verse is about giving financially, but I think it applies to giving anything we've got- time, resources, or money. It is God that will make this grace abound in me so that I may accomplish these goals. "Grace" isn't just my catch word because it's cute, all over blog land, and "sweet". Grace is messy and grace is real, but grace isn't really grace unless it stems from Jesus, the giver of life and the giver of grace.

So, onto my goals! I did them in themes and I kept them simple. I plan to keep up with monthly goals that are a lot more specific and that will (hopefully) fall under some of these bigger categories.
1. Spiritual Life: develop patterns and routines for my daily time with Jesus, do a daily devotional with Tyler once we are married, continue to keep a gratitude/prayer journal
2. Tyler: serve Tyler well, make him my first Earthly priority 
3. Others: Love others well, celebrate others, thank others
4. Family: make spending time with our families a priority
5. Self-care & Rest: Develop patterns and routines for self-care, make it a priority 
6. Work: Work as though I was working for the Lord. Learn to turn work OFF and focus on what matters most. 
7. Adventure:Be spontaneous . Make memories. Have fun
8. Community: Get plugged in with our church, join a community group, find ways to get involved 
9. Health & Wellness: Take care of myself and Tyler with exercise and food that will fuel us
10.Home: Keep our home clean & organized to keep our minds clear. Host others often. See our house at not our own. 

So, they might be a little vague, but there are my domains for the year:
Spiritual Life, Tyler, Others, Family, Self-care, Work, Adventure, Community, Wellness, Home. Here's to bettering all of these areas, and giving myself a whole lotta grace while doing so in 2015.

Let's do this 2015!
xox

2014: In Review

January:

Rang in 2014 on a mission trip in Nicaragua.

Celebrated Gary and Melissa's wedding!

Started my last semester on UK's campus.

Went hiking at Raven's Run with my roommates.

Attended a few UK basketball games.

February:

Added 3 new members to my Wyldlife team. 

Went on a Valentine's date with Tyler.

Started practicum. 

Celebrated Kenzie's birthday.

March:

Went to Florida for spring break.

Stormed state street after a few UK wins. #noburnedcars

April:

Got engaged!!!

May:

Asked my bridesmaids!

Finished the semester with a 4.0!

Went to Churchill Downs for mother's day.

Moved home for the summer.

June:

Led at Wyldlife camp.

Celebrated Emily and Dylan's wedding.

Nailed down lots of wedding details!

My best friend got engaged!

July:

Tyler and I bought kayaks!

Said Yes to the Dress at Bridals by Lori!

Celebrated my birthday in Nashville!

Tyler started dental school.

August:

Celebrated Tyler turning 23!

Moved back to Lexington.

Started student teaching in kindergarten. 

September:

Threw a bridal shower for my cousin with my mom.

Tailgated. Got to celebrate some UK wins in football!

October:

Went to the pumpkin patch with my roommates.

Started student teaching in fourth grade.

November:

Celebrated Thanksgiving. 

December:

Finished student teaching.

Graduated college!

Moved home.

Celebrated Christmas. 

That one time I graduated college...

Oh what JOY! Last night was one of those nights where I literally came home and just cried the most joyful tears. Yesterday was overwhelming in all the best ways. I am blessed far beyond what I deserve with the best family and friends who celebrated my graduation! I still cannot believe it! I am SO thankful to everyone who has loved and supported me throughout the past sixteen and a half years of school and I am thrilled to spend my career in the classroom!

My MOH and roommate also graduated! So proud of her!!

Could not have made it without my parents!

When choosing colleges, I was really stuck between three. I know I would have loved any one I would have chosen, but I am so thankful for that sale at Campus Warehouse that helped me make my final decision (I wish that was a joke...). The past three and half years have grown me and shaped me into who I am today. I never would have guessed I would have spent college hanging out with a bunch of middle schoolers through the ministry of YoungLife, studying to become an elementary education major, or have been immersed in such sweet relationships and community. Oh, I am so glad I chose UK! 

I still am in shock sometimes when I remember I am going to teach elementary school! That was never in my plan, but I am so thankful that one random afternoon freshman year, I randomly decided to take on my fourth (!!) major and have not looked back. Teaching is my passion; I never feel more at home than when I am in the classroom. (Expect a full post from what I learned in student teaching coming soon!) My major also brought me some super sweet friendships! We had so much fun in our classes and we continued that last night! I was so blessed to walk across the stage with some of my favorite ladies and the best future teachers EVER!

Then, there is my family. My parents, Godmother, brother, best friend, fiancé, and his parents met up after graduation at a local Italian restaurant where we indulged in yummy food, wine, dessert, and where I was showered with gifts that were certainly unexpected It was the BEST. My people are the best! Just having dinner and talking with them was one of my favorite nights ever! It was far beyond what I expected and just perfect. 

I have the best roommates, too! They loved on Hayley and I and celebrated us all week long! I am so thankful for the Cottage! So many of my college memories take place in that house!

Oh, and this guy! He is pretty great, too! He was my rock throughout college and I legitimately could not have done it without him!

I am so excited to officially be a college graduate (what!?!?)! I cannot believe that after seven semesters and four majors, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education! Now, while my to-do list is long with steps to becoming a certified teacher and applying for jobs, I am looking forward to a low stress few weeks to enjoy the holidays!

xoxo

December Goals

"December makes me feel alive again. Like the whole year of pushing and planning and working was worth it to get to this. To celebrate what we've been given and to dream about what's to come. I'm so glad December is here." Jess Connolly 

November:
Make a meal for someone else
Complete my graduation binder almost there!!!!
Have only my solo week left in student teaching well...I tried!
Enjoy a day wine tasting details coming soon. best. day. ever!
Publish Hayley and Cameron's engagement shoot!  coming soon!
Take a car load of things home all three times I am home this month. ha!
 Complete my Christmas shopping & wrapping, and give my list to my mom. BOOM!

December:
Complete the She Reads Truth Advent Devotional each day. Soak in the season.
Finish "Follow Me" by David Platt.
Finish "Thing I Wish I'd known before We Got Married" by Gary Chapman
Finish "The Best Yes"
Finish "Daring Greatly" (almost finished!)
Start Reading "When Sinners Say I Do"
GRADUATE college! (!!!!)
Move home!
Send Christmas love letters.
Purge everything I own!
Have pre-marital counseling & make a reading plan for the rest of our engagement!
BLOG!
Apply to work in JCPS as a TEACHER! Look into other districts as well.
Eat as clean as possible, with plenty of treats!
Work through a goal setting series- (but do not start until Dec. 26!)
xo