Finally!!!

I've been MIA from the blogging world for awhile, but things have been pretty stressful around here!  I'm very happy to report that one stressor has been removed...

 

My townhouse has SOLD!

 

Since we bought the forever house in December, we did a few surface renovations, and moved in.  My townhouse went on the market in mid-January, and had a contract on it in 6 days.  6. Days.  Plus, we got what we wanted for it, which was a huge relief.  The inspection asked for an AC service, but that's it, which made it very easy.  I am so blessed that we got a quick contract on it, and then even more blessed that the 10 day option period expired before the townhouse next to me went into foreclosure, that would have been dreadful if I didn't have my contract. 

 

The process of closing on the house was the most stressful part, especially when the title company calls 2 hours before I'm supposed to be signing papers to say the closing has been post-poned.  Then my realtor tells me she is going out of town, so the closing is pushed back a few more days. 

 

The closing was re-scheduled for Friday at 4:30, the last possible appointment of the week.  My stomach was in knots all day on Friday, and every time my phone went off, my heart dropped a little.  I was still on edge when we walked into the office, but relaxed when they told me they were gathering all the papers for me to sign.  It was finally done!  I never imagined that it would sell so quickly! 

 

While I am sad that I no longer own the townhouse, I am so excited to close that chapter.  I had a great life in that little house, and it was perfect for what I needed at that time.  Those walls heard many laughs, many tears, many friendly voices, and much love.  I am so thankful that I was able to be a homeowner at such a young age, and it really helped me know what I really want in my forever home!  I'm so excited about our new home and can't wait to make even more memories here in this new chapter of my life! 

I like being Catholic

 There certainly has been lots of media attention on the Catholic Church lately, with the announcement that Pope Benedict XVI stepping down as the Bishop of Rome at the end of the month. 

There has been speculation that with the election of a new Pope, the Catholic Church will be making major changes.  Not only is this grossly untrue, I find it hard to believe that the majority of Catholics around the world will want it to happen. 

As a practicing Catholic, one of my favorite things about the church is our traditions.  I like the fact that the Church doesn't change with the wind, and doesn't change her whole belief system because it's the "popular" thing to do.  I love our liturgy, and knowing that I can go to any other Catholic church in the world and hear the same mass readings and participate in the same traditions as if I were in my home parish.  I like knowing that no matter what is going on in the world, I have a church that is firm and is my rock.  I love the celebrations we have in the Holy Trinity, Advent, Christmas, Easter, and Lent.  I love recieving Christ every single week in the form of the Eucharist, not just saving it for "special occasions", every day is a reason to recieve Christ.   

I am certainly not the perfect Catholic representitive, I am VERY far from it.  I have been hurt by the Catholic church, and I have found healing in the church as well.  I know I do things that don't represent the Catholic church on an everyday basis, but I still love being Catholic.  Where there are certain aspects of the church decisions I disagree with, I don't want to leave the Catholic Church. 

I pray that whoever God chooses to lead the Catholic Church in the coming years, continues to lead the church down the same path.  There is much specuation that withthe election of a new pope, the church will make major changes (the most common speculations being lifting the ban on birth control, allowing women to be deacons, not requiring priests to be celibate), but frankly, I will be disappointed if the church changes its teachings.  One of the great things about the Catholic Church is that it doesn't change with the wind, it doesn't change its teaching because of what is popular at the time. That's not the job of a church, a church shouldn't have to "campaign for votes", that's not what true faith is.  If you don't agree with the church teachings, you are free to explore other religions.  

Many people leave the Catholic Church because the teachings don't mesh with what they believe.  I don't think this is "right or wrong", it just is, I'm not in a position to judge people because of their beliefs.  This is why we have so many factions of the Christian religion, because people didn't agree with what a church was teaching and they broke off and created a new branch.  There are some faith traditions that are very similar to Catholicism, and there are some that are very far from it.  I certainly don't believe that I am right and they are wrong, or vice versa, we just have different beliefs, and I respect that, everyone has their own faith journey.  We love the same God, and in the end, that's what is important.

My prayer is that God lead the College of Cardinals to prayerfully select the next leader of the Catholic Church.  I trust whoever is chosen will lead the church as gracefully as his predecesor in the coming years.

Red Spills

I have never been a clumsy person.  I have great balance, I don't drop things often, and I generally lead an accident free life...until this week. 

I don't know if it's stress and trying to do too many things at once, or if I'm just off balance, but this week has been crazy!  Tuesday evening, I was unpacking from a quick trip to Houston for a conference.   As I was putting away my bathroom stuff, I dropped a small (thankfully) bottle of red (and I mean RED) nail polish on the tiled bathroom floor.  RED. SPOTS. EVERYWHERE.  One trip to Walmart at 9:45 PM, two bottles of nail polish remover, and about an hour spent on our hands and knees later, my bathroom floor was cleaned.  Other than the tinges of red in the grout, you really can't tell.  Then of course I had to clean the floor since we were using acetone remover. 

This morning, I decided to actually use the Keurig coffee maker we received as a Christmas gift.  We have been using our regular coffee pot, but we are out of coffee since I didn't go to the store this weekend (let's face it, if I didn't go grocery shopping, we would starve...or at least be a little thinner).  So as I am pulling the box out of the pantry, I knock over a bottle of red wine.  RED. WINE. EVERYWHERE.  Are you seeing the red theme?!?  So I had to clean red wine off the floor at 7 AM today, BEFORE I had even had my coffee. 

I'm staying away from the color red indefinitely. 

On a positive note, my floors are incredibly clean!

St. Joseph is now buried in the front yard of the town house. It goes on the market this week! Prayers for a quick sale!!!

New Diet Plan

I have a new exercise/diet plan that seems to be working. I will let y'all in on the secret...
Step 1- the exercise portion- move every single thing in your house to another house. Bonus points if you have stairs in either house.
Step 2- the diet portion- be so stressed out about everything that you simply forget to eat.

It works, I promise!

A Year in Review

Disclaimer: I stole this idea from Kate, aka The American who lives in Canada, my amazing cousin (love her)!

January:
We started the year off celebrating with some great friends in Marble Falls, TX.  We spent NYE visiting wineries, grilling steaks, and spending quality time with our friends!

In February, we traveled to Mississippi to celebrate my dear friend Kellee's wedding! The weekend included the wedding, a painting party, a crawfish boil, and lots of great drinks!  

 

 

In March, I was a chaperone on Good Shepherd Catholic Community's youth ski retreat!  I spent a week with 60 high schoolers, and learned to ski (I use the term "learned" very loosely, more meaning I didn't die on the mountain).

 

 

 

In April, we spent Easter weekend in Lafayette, and Will proposed in the garden of one of my favorite restaurants, Cafe Vermillionville!

 

 

 

In May, we finally got away for the weekend to use Will's birthday present, a weekend in Hill Country ziplining, wine tasting, and spending a relaxing weekend together!

 

 

 June was pretty low key, and I can't find any great pictures from June, so here are our babies, they are way cute!

 

 

 

 

In July, I made my annual trip to Alabama and spent an amazing 11 days at Camp Smile-A-Mile.  We laughed until we cried, we cried until we laughed, and a piece of my heart will ALWAYS be at Camp.  They truly are my Camp FAMILY!

 

 In August, we traveled to Seattle to visit my parents in their new home!

 

 

 

In September, we celebrated our engagement!  Thank you Ann, Amanda, and Becky for a great party! We also ran the Color Me Rad color run!

 

 

In October, we sold Will's house, kept busy with work, and went to a few Halloween parties!

 

 

In November, we were apparently very boring...

 

In December, we signed the closing papers and bought a house!!!

 

 

Bring on 2013!  

 

 





 



Resolutions

While I never really "seriously" make resolutions, I always jot down a few things I'd like to accomplish in the coming year.  Usually they are pretty typical like get back into better shape, budget better, keep in touch with out of town friends better, etc.  This year was slated for the same, until about 2 AM this morning. 

We spent a great NYE at our friends' house, with several other couples.  Shortly after midnight, we did a champagne toast, where each couple stated their highs from 2012 and their hopes for 2013.  We had lots going on in our little group this year and even more coming up in 2013. 

We arrived back home around 2 am, and I thought I was ready for bed, but  I just couldn't turn my mind off.  Part of me was feeling down on myself due to recent events and scenes just kept replaying in my mind.  I've been feeling quite invisible lately, even when I talk, I felt like no one was listening, so I just stopped talking.  I stopped giving my opinion, I stopped giving my suggestions, I just stopped, and if you know me, that takes quite a lot! 

As I lay in bed feeling sorry for myself, I began to realize how selfish I was being.  I have been blessed in so many ways this year, I cannot even begin to express how amazing 2012 has been to me!  In April, Will proposed in my home town, we've had nearly  somewhat flawless wedding planning experience, we've grown stronger as a couple, while still remaining strong individuals, we survived putting his house on the market and selling it fairly quickly, and house hunting and purchasing our "forever" home (although getting it ready for us to move in has been a train-wreck...one of us may not make it out alive).  I've found myself opening up more to friends and making myself more available when people need me.  While I will still never claim to be a "good Catholic", I think my relationship with Christ has grown.

At 3 AM, I decided on new "resolutions".  I want to be more thankful,  not just spiritually, but to others around me.  I wonder sometimes if I take too many people for granted.  I want to unplug more and connect with those in my life better.  I want to be a better person and not take so many things personally (something that is very difficult for me). 

If you have any ideas on how to help with these resolutions, I'd love to hear them!!!