Reflections on a Year

So as I was preparing myself to write this, I realize what a year it has been!! Last January I was returning from my 2 week vacation in Tennessee back to Belcourt, North Dakota. I spent the next 5 months finishing out the school year at St Ann's Catholic School. (While Chris was in South Carolina working and waiting for his marine brother to return from the Middle East.) Teaching was a true blessing and though it was not always easy, I would not trade that time. In May promptly after attending one of his best friend's weddings, my wonderful boyfriend, flew to North Dakota from South Carolina to make the drive back with me. That night I do believe my life changed forever, he asked me to marry him, to be his wife. I SAID YES of course!!
The next several months were hard, there is no other way to put it. Between family drama and trying to put all of my trust in God, I was a bit of a mess, and not the hot kind! I blew through my hard earned savings trying to find a job in a very difficult market. Finally, God provided me, a part time gig at the public library. Right up my alley, right? Well not so much. I don't know if nothing can compare with the La Veta Public Library and my time their or if I was not destined for the world of libraries, but I was soon moved to find something else. After many exciting interviews, I landed the dream job! Full time doing all of my favorite things! Organizing, shopping, running errands, cooking, driving and hanging out with kids! Not to mention my boss is pretty dang amazing! 
In between looking, finding and landing a job, Chris and I were getting used to being the same place! We had spent all but 2 weeks of our entire relationship several states and thousands of miles between us. 
We have finally gotten a groove to our lives. We made our first big purchase together, a new to us car, after his lil Honda died out of the blue. Several months later, we made our second big purchase, a new car for me after again out of the blue, my car died!!! Chris moved into the apartment we will live in as a married couple and we have had a ton of fun decorating it and combining our tastes. His penguins and my elephants USUALLY get along well. His housewarming present, a beta fish named Benny, as become a very important part of the family. I can't tell you how many times I have caught Chris talking with or just staring at the lil guy.    
 In October, Chris' grandmother went in for a routine surgery. Some 50+ days later, after weeks in the ICU and several more weeks of recovering and therapy we were all blessed with her return home.It's amazing what a bond illness can bring to a family. We are filled with gratitude that she has returned home and we get to spend more time with her here on Earth.
 Chris and I have starting forming our own traditions and finding hidden gem restaurants in our new surroundings. I try not to drive him insane eating Mexican food, ALWAYS! He's endure my cooking, the good the bad and the breakfast that flew across the dining room (broken table, hilarious story).We have spent every weekend in mass together and getting chicken on Sunday. He's endured my wedding meltdown moments and my crazy obsession with food network. 
We spent our first Christmas divided up between our traditions and fitting in 3 families all within driving distance of us. We've met some wonderful friends and found a best friend within each other. 
Regardless of whether we were having an up or down, we were 2000 or 10 miles from each other or we were laughing or frustrated beyond belief, we are relying on God for His goodness and the ultimate reminder that when we turn to Him for all things, all of our prayers will be answered. We know that God is the one who brought us together and we know that God will keep us together and continue to bless us more than we could ever imagine. 

2012 has some great things in store for us as well. The most obvious being our wedding, April 28th. The not so obvious being Chris getting a new job and hopefully starting school again in the fall. As always, we have no idea exactly what God has in store for us all we know is to trust in Him and keep on a paddling.