A Not So Awful Monday

Normally I hate Mondays. But as I sit here waiting for Justin to make Brave appear on my TV I find myself being very grateful. And happy.

First of all I had a great weekend. It was the first weekend in a long time where Justin and I didn't have any appointments, plans, or engagements. We just relaxed and did what we wanted to do. We saw two movies at the theatre; Zero Dark Thirty, and Silver Linings Playbook. Both were really good. We went out to eat twice, at Red Robin (Yumm!) and and Moon Time, and we got FroYo twice. My fave.

But probably the most exciting part of our weekend, we got to meet and spend time with our brand new nephew, Ryan Andrew Minert. Also known as Baby RAM! =) He is absolutely so wonderful and we love him so much already.

Seriously how cute does he look holding that adorable baby?!

Such a cutie baby! Good job Andrew and Cassy!

Also, while we were comparing Andrew's baby pictures to his new son, I found this little gem.

This is Justin holding his little brother, in case you couldn't tell. Presh.

As for today... yes, I had to work, and then had to go to a meeting until 6. But when I got home Justin was already making me dinner, now I get to watch Brave, AND The Bachelor is on tonight. It doesn't get much better than this! 

Engagements!

So this last weekend Justin and I took our engagement photos. For the second time. The first time around was in October. The leaves were beautiful, we had perfect weather and.... I went a little crazy, put way too much pressure on myself, and didn't speak up when I should have about what I wanted them to look like. I ended up looking really phony and it did not look like Justin and I loved each, like at all.

Thankfully, I have a wonderful photographer, (Shout out to On the Edge Weddings) and he let us try again, no questions asked. This time I went in way more relaxed, told him what I was looking for and we had such a good time. We drove up to Mount Spokane so we could get a lot of snow in our pictures. I was worried that we would look freezing cold and not cute, but they turned out really well!

Here's a sneak peek:

More to come!

2012: What A Year

As we start 2013 I'm taking a page from my fabulous friend Karissa, who's great blog you can read here, and reviewing 2012 month by month!

January: In January I was enjoying another Christmas break, and then I started my second half of my student teaching, this time in Special Education.

February: We spent our first Valentine's day together, and 6 months! At the end of the month some friends from Moscow came to visit too.

March: In March Justin and I went to San Francisco during my spring break. We went wine tasting in Napa, explored the city, and went to a Giants Football game. It was my first time in the city and we had such a good time.

April: I made a trip to Moscow in April for Mom's Weekend. I am so lucky I still have siblings at the U of I. I get to still enjoy all the super parent weekend activities! April was also great because Justin and I officially moved in together.

May: On May 15th Justin turned 25, a quarter of a century old! Erica and Bailey came to visit at the end of May, and we went to a Girl Talk concert.

June: June was pretty awesome. I got my sister Veronica a summer job working with me at Black Rock, and she moved in with us for the summer. I had missed living with her so much, it was wonderful. I also got offered and accepted my teaching job in June! Ahhh!

July: If June was awesome, July was superb! July was spent on the boat, soaking up the sun. Veronica, my future mother and law, and I got in a girl fight, and Veronica was still living with us. Also, how could I forget... We got engaged in July!! Great month.

August: In August I got to travel to Boise to attend the wedding of Karissa and Krieg. As well as attend the bachelorette party. It was a grand time had by all!

September: In September I started my job teaching Special Education, we went to Seattle for Labor Day. Also, we got our adorable poodle, Doodle!

October: In October I went to Moscow to celebrate Homecoming! And my mom and Greg came to Coeur d'Alene to celebrate my mama's birthday, and our whole family got to be together which is a rare occasion.

November: I traveled to Moscow again in November, this time with Justin, to celebrate Dad's Weekend. Next, it was my birthday week! Justin spoiled me with so many wonderful gifts! Then, for Thanksgiving we celebrated with my dad, all of my siblings, Chloe, and Justin's family. It was the first time we had a holiday with both sides.

December: We got our first Christmas tree! When U of I's break started Chad and Veronica came to Coeur d'Alene to pick me up and we road tripped to Tacoma, with our two dogs, to celebrate an early Christmas. We spent Christmas with Justin's family, and we both were very spoiled.

I'm so glad that I did this because it reminded me of all of the great things that we got to enjoy this last year. Justin and I are so blessed and we cannot wait for 2013!