It has been a LONG TIME friends!
Great news though! I got married this summer and have moved to California. Maybe all of the crazy busy-ness of a new life is the best excuse for why I haven't blogged in a while.
I did start a new blog though! Come check it out and follow me over at:
http://mylifeasawifetheblog.blogspot.com/
See you there! :)
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
it's a love story
My love story began before I ever even saw it coming. If someone had told me 2 years ago that I was about to meet the man of my dreams I might've laughed and rolled my eyes and thought 'yeah right.'
I had struck out on love and didn't expect that to
I had struck out on love and didn't expect that to
change anytime soon.
It was two years ago this spring that I met him. Two of my girlfriends, Taryn and Havilah, had
invited me over to a game night at Havilah's boyfriend's (Brett) apartment. Before I went I had to pick up one of their friends (who was a guy-Phil) and bring him over to the apartment.
Now I know what you're thinking; but no this is not the guy I met who forever changed my life.
Warning: I don't remember much of the next part. This has all come from the man who remembers the first time he saw me.
Anyway, so I arrived to game night with Phil. Everyone was already there and so the introductions were made. Brett introduced me to his friend Garrett and then I met Nick. Nick says he remembers everything about that night and how he thought that I was with Phil because
we had come together. Sadly, I barely remember any of that.
A few weeks later everyone got together at the girls' apartment to hangout by the pool and grab some
frozen yogurt. There was a baseball game that afternoon that I had been planning on
going to and boldly I remember asking Nick if he'd want to go with me and my friend. Later we
met at the stadium and started to get to know each other; we continued the conversation all the
way to Applebees and back to his fraternity.
I liked this guy a lot. But there was definitely no way that I would ever date him.
I resolved that we'd stay friends and that would be the end of it.
And it was.
Every once in a while we would get together and get ice cream and talk. Or I'd take my little TV over
to his house and we'd watch movies. He even got a job at the catering company I was working
at on campus (which crazy enough- I had been working there with his brother for almost a year and didn't know it!). Back and forth, we would seem to always have an
attraction for each other, but neither of us was ever in a position to pursue anything other
than friendship.
Until last June.
I had a few friends over for a graduation party and he came. My parents were hesitant and I was torn.
That's when Nick decided that he was going all out, which honestly freaked me out a little.
I knew that I couldn't date him, but I didn't want to lose my friend. Our lifestyles were polar opposites. We didn't have many mutual friends. Everything was pointing at us not working out.
But that didn't stop him.
Even my continual "no's" didn't stop him.
We hung out almost everyday that summer. We snuck into apartment complexes and went swimming, floated the river, went to a baseball game, went hiking, watched movies, looked at stars, cooked dinner, baked cupcakes,
and I even broke his heart almost every week it seemed like.
There's one night that is vivid in my memory. My parents sat me down and suggested I stop pursuing this "thing" with Nick.
I was furious. I ran out of the house without any shoes, crying my eyes out, and drove all the way to Corvallis to tell Nick that we couldn't hang out anymore and that it was over.
I picked him up, we went to a park, and I poured out my heart to him (crying the whole time) and told
him that I didn't want to see him anymore. We were just too different, didn't want the same
things out of life.
He said that I was wrong. Little did I know, the things that I wanted out of life were really what he wanted too. He told me that he never felt like he was living to be who he was meant to be
until he had started seeking God and hanging around me more.
yeah right.
That's what I thought after I heard that. After a few hours of talking things out in the park, I left
and things were over.
At least that's what I thought.
Nick continued to call me almost everyday and told me that he wanted to date me more than anything.
I was so confused because the more that he pursued me, the harder it was to say no.
But over the course of the entire summer I saw a new man begin to emerge.
One who wasn't afraid to be himself; one who was strong, compassionate, and loving. One who put my desires above his own. One who loved God more than the hindrances from his past.
Nick was so sweet. Never once did he pressure me. He never told me that he would leave if I didn't make things official with him. Which shocked me considering that he asked me
to be his girlfriend four times before I said yes.
He was gracious, kind, and patient. A far turnaround from the man at the beginning of the summer that my parents didn't like. Not only did he woo me that summer,
but he also had my family falling for him.
Fast forward a couple of months., which puts us at last October. We had been in our last term of college and were gearing up to graduate. Both of us were still working at our same job and one night
he had to work til about 9 or so. I remember because he was supposed to call me
when he got off before I went to bed so that we could talk for a minute. But
he never called. So at 9:45 I finally texted him and asked if he was almost off
work. He called me about 5 minutes later and I just remember his voice.
"Jenn, would you be mad at me if I told you that I was in your driveway?"
Confused, I went out to greet him. He came inside and I could tell that something was definitely up.
He just started talking to me, asking me how my day was and making small talk.
So not like him.
But I saw something in his eyes, and I knew exactly why he had come.
After talking for a few minutes, he looked me straight in the eye and told me that he had come over because he needed to tell me something.
He told me not to say anything back.
He told me that he had been feeling this way and needed to tell me.
He told me only to ever say it when I meant it and that he would wait however long it took.
He told me he loved me.
I didn't say it back, but the feeling inside of me definitely had me thinking. I did say it back eventually, but every day until then he would just tell me how much he cared about me
and loved me.
Since then, the man has been romanticizing me and making me fall in love more and more everyday.
He's taken me on the most romatic dates.
He's written me letters and poems.
He's brought me flowers.
He's held me through my tears.
He's played games and cards with my family.
He's made me laughed until I cried.
He's inspired me to grow more in my relationship with God.
He's taught me to not be afraid to love with my whole heart.
He's the man of my dreams.
Almost a month ago, Nick moved up to the Seattle area and I stayed down by Salem.
We've had to learn to communicate on a whole new level, and it's been a huge test for our
relationship. But we've been trusting God to bring us through and know that it won't last for long
until we can be together for the rest of our lives.
He still pursues me, though, which never ceases to amaze me.
Everyday I get a poem that he writes for me to encourage me.
We write each other snail-mail letters.
He even learned a song and played it on his guitar over Skype for me.
I'm so excited to see what the future holds for us and what adventures God has in store for us next!
I'm telling ya...
I'm totally smitten.
It was two years ago this spring that I met him. Two of my girlfriends, Taryn and Havilah, had
invited me over to a game night at Havilah's boyfriend's (Brett) apartment. Before I went I had to pick up one of their friends (who was a guy-Phil) and bring him over to the apartment.
Now I know what you're thinking; but no this is not the guy I met who forever changed my life.
Warning: I don't remember much of the next part. This has all come from the man who remembers the first time he saw me.
Anyway, so I arrived to game night with Phil. Everyone was already there and so the introductions were made. Brett introduced me to his friend Garrett and then I met Nick. Nick says he remembers everything about that night and how he thought that I was with Phil because
we had come together. Sadly, I barely remember any of that.
A few weeks later everyone got together at the girls' apartment to hangout by the pool and grab some
frozen yogurt. There was a baseball game that afternoon that I had been planning on
going to and boldly I remember asking Nick if he'd want to go with me and my friend. Later we
met at the stadium and started to get to know each other; we continued the conversation all the
way to Applebees and back to his fraternity.
I liked this guy a lot. But there was definitely no way that I would ever date him.
I resolved that we'd stay friends and that would be the end of it.
And it was.
Every once in a while we would get together and get ice cream and talk. Or I'd take my little TV over
to his house and we'd watch movies. He even got a job at the catering company I was working
at on campus (which crazy enough- I had been working there with his brother for almost a year and didn't know it!). Back and forth, we would seem to always have an
attraction for each other, but neither of us was ever in a position to pursue anything other
than friendship.
Until last June.
I had a few friends over for a graduation party and he came. My parents were hesitant and I was torn.
That's when Nick decided that he was going all out, which honestly freaked me out a little.
I knew that I couldn't date him, but I didn't want to lose my friend. Our lifestyles were polar opposites. We didn't have many mutual friends. Everything was pointing at us not working out.
But that didn't stop him.
Even my continual "no's" didn't stop him.
We hung out almost everyday that summer. We snuck into apartment complexes and went swimming, floated the river, went to a baseball game, went hiking, watched movies, looked at stars, cooked dinner, baked cupcakes,
and I even broke his heart almost every week it seemed like.
There's one night that is vivid in my memory. My parents sat me down and suggested I stop pursuing this "thing" with Nick.
I was furious. I ran out of the house without any shoes, crying my eyes out, and drove all the way to Corvallis to tell Nick that we couldn't hang out anymore and that it was over.
I picked him up, we went to a park, and I poured out my heart to him (crying the whole time) and told
him that I didn't want to see him anymore. We were just too different, didn't want the same
things out of life.
He said that I was wrong. Little did I know, the things that I wanted out of life were really what he wanted too. He told me that he never felt like he was living to be who he was meant to be
until he had started seeking God and hanging around me more.
yeah right.
That's what I thought after I heard that. After a few hours of talking things out in the park, I left
and things were over.
At least that's what I thought.
Nick continued to call me almost everyday and told me that he wanted to date me more than anything.
I was so confused because the more that he pursued me, the harder it was to say no.
But over the course of the entire summer I saw a new man begin to emerge.
One who wasn't afraid to be himself; one who was strong, compassionate, and loving. One who put my desires above his own. One who loved God more than the hindrances from his past.
Nick was so sweet. Never once did he pressure me. He never told me that he would leave if I didn't make things official with him. Which shocked me considering that he asked me
to be his girlfriend four times before I said yes.
He was gracious, kind, and patient. A far turnaround from the man at the beginning of the summer that my parents didn't like. Not only did he woo me that summer,
but he also had my family falling for him.
Fast forward a couple of months., which puts us at last October. We had been in our last term of college and were gearing up to graduate. Both of us were still working at our same job and one night
he had to work til about 9 or so. I remember because he was supposed to call me
when he got off before I went to bed so that we could talk for a minute. But
he never called. So at 9:45 I finally texted him and asked if he was almost off
work. He called me about 5 minutes later and I just remember his voice.
"Jenn, would you be mad at me if I told you that I was in your driveway?"
Confused, I went out to greet him. He came inside and I could tell that something was definitely up.
He just started talking to me, asking me how my day was and making small talk.
So not like him.
But I saw something in his eyes, and I knew exactly why he had come.
After talking for a few minutes, he looked me straight in the eye and told me that he had come over because he needed to tell me something.
He told me not to say anything back.
He told me that he had been feeling this way and needed to tell me.
He told me only to ever say it when I meant it and that he would wait however long it took.
He told me he loved me.
I didn't say it back, but the feeling inside of me definitely had me thinking. I did say it back eventually, but every day until then he would just tell me how much he cared about me
and loved me.
Since then, the man has been romanticizing me and making me fall in love more and more everyday.
He's taken me on the most romatic dates.
He's written me letters and poems.
He's brought me flowers.
He's held me through my tears.
He's played games and cards with my family.
He's made me laughed until I cried.
He's inspired me to grow more in my relationship with God.
He's taught me to not be afraid to love with my whole heart.
He's the man of my dreams.
Almost a month ago, Nick moved up to the Seattle area and I stayed down by Salem.
We've had to learn to communicate on a whole new level, and it's been a huge test for our
relationship. But we've been trusting God to bring us through and know that it won't last for long
until we can be together for the rest of our lives.
He still pursues me, though, which never ceases to amaze me.
Everyday I get a poem that he writes for me to encourage me.
We write each other snail-mail letters.
He even learned a song and played it on his guitar over Skype for me.
I'm so excited to see what the future holds for us and what adventures God has in store for us next!
I'm telling ya...
I'm totally smitten.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
sometimes I eat too much
Let's just say that sometimes I eat way too much. And Sunday was one of those days. :)
For dinner we had Cajun Chicken Alfredo, homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread, Green Beans from the garden!, and homemade ice cream.
And afterward I slipped into a food coma.
Monday, August 15, 2011
bachelorette partayy!
My friend Nicole is getting hitched next weekend! So of course it was absolutely necessary to
throw a bachelorette shindig.
First we went to dinner at a cute little restaurant called Magenta, where Nicole opened some gifts and
most of us had delicious lemon drops. I enjoyed some Pad Thai and Spicy Tuna for dinner.
After dinner we went on a scavenger hunt where we had to find different bachelors, get marriage advice, and collect items from different places. Along the way we got some good video footage, made new "friends" and got a few more drinks.
The last item on the scavenger hunt was to end up singing karaoke. my worst nightmare!
We sang white wedding and had a blast!
Then we ended the night just dancing our little hearts out.
Congrats Nicole! You are going to make a BEAUTIFUL bride and a lovely wife! I couldn't be more happy for you!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Happy Birthday Alyssa!
Today one of my best friends turns the big 2-2!
Alyssa and I have been best friends since high school- mostly since our first mission trip to Alabama together
freshman year.
I am so so thankful for this girl and all of the joy that she's brought into my life.
She's always been there for me through the thick and thin and I'm so thankful that God has grown our
friendship more and more over the years. She's always been a friend I could cry with, have facials and read People with, go to movie stores in my PJ's with, and prank teacher's with.
We've had so many fun times and I am so excited for the one's that are still to come!
I love you Lyssie! Happy Birthday!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
silver falls hike
On Thursday Nick and I decided at 3 in the afternoon to spontaneously go on a hike to Silver Creek Falls.
This is one of my favorite places to go on a nice day and honestly is one of the prettiest and most peaceful
places that I've ever been to. There are several waterfalls, lots of trails and great scenery all around.
We only made it to 2 of the falls since we got there a little late in the day, but they were still so neat to see.
As we hiked around and looked at all the beauty, I just couldn't help but think about how great
that God is to give us a glimpse of himself through creation.
Have a happy weekend! :)
Monday, August 1, 2011
Kenny Chesney: the concert of my dreams
Last weekend I went and saw Kenny Chesney in concert.
One word: awesome.
My dear friend Kendra (over at the knowing woman) and her lovely parents were gracious enough to
let me tag along. We had a delicious dinner before the concert and the show was spectacular.
Billy Currington opened
Between the drunken bra tosses, the dancing drunkies, and the girl who got dragged off stage trying
to get to Kenny, I'd say this night was a success!
And the music of course was fabulous. :)
Monday, July 25, 2011
little things that make me smile :) link up!
...floating the river with amazing friends
...road trips
...the way you feel the next day after a good workout
...a tall glass of lemonade on a hot day
...watching little kids play and laugh
...cuddling in a load of towels that just came out of the dryer
...the view from a mountaintop
..the smell of a BBQ
...laughing so hard that you cry
...playing cards
...standing up for what you believe in
...making other people smile
What makes YOU smile?
LINK UP! :)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
my not so exciting beauty secrets
I've been asked recently about what I do in the mornings while getting ready for the day.
And how my skin is the way it is.
Honestly, I don't really do anything that special.
My real secret is that I eat healthy most of the time and I work out at least 6 days a week.
That and getting plenty of sleep like me and my grandma self is what really helps make skin glow and helps you to look
revitalized each day.
But here's what I use to get ready in the mornings anyway.
It's always a good idea to wash your face in the mornings and also at the end of the day. These are two of my favorite face scrubs and both also have moisturizer to help keep my face from drying out.
I'm a lotion fanatic. These are some of my new favorites that I just bought from Bath & Body Works. I forget to spritz on perfume a lot of the time, so these kind of make up for that. They also work really well to keep prevent dry skin. duh.
My make up is usually really simple, unless I'm going out on a special occasion. But these are the basics that I wear 99% of the time. I have found that liquid foundation tends to stay on longer, and by lightly dusting over it with a shimmer foundation powder it helps to even things out and give a little glow. Then I use warmth by bare minerals to highlight my cheekbones and a little on my nose and forehead. Then I use a shimmer powder to go over that on my cheeks to finish it off. I don't use very special mascara really, usually just define-a-lash by Maybelline.
If I decide to use eye shadow usually like twice a week then I tend to go for more neutral colors. In case you haven't
noticed, I love shimmery stuff! I usually go for gold and highlight it with soft vanilla tone. Sometimes I like
to wear purple or green to bring out my eyes too.
Being a girl and primping is fun, but never forget:
xoxo
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
facts 5
I realize it's been a while since my last promised facts post.
But don't fret because I'm back.
at least for now, while my computer decides to cooperate.
41. My closet contains a lot of white clothing. shirts, pants, shorts, you name it.
42. I have a freckle in my right eye.
my favorite is when people ask me if I know I have something on my eye. Really? I never noticed... :)
maybe it's hard to see in this picture. oh well, it's really there.
43. I love anything and everything coconut. I'm really into drinking coconut water after a long workout right now.
44. Sometimes the best nights are spent to myself watching chick flicks and eating cookies.
like the other night when all I did was watch the notebook and eat sweets. and be super girly.
45. I swear I'm in love with Kenny Chesney. And I will confess that this weekend I get to see him in
concert!
my dream.
46. For the first time in my life I am actually considering getting my Master's Degree. And I'm more
confused now than ever if I should do it.
All I can do for now is pray.
47. I love to read. In fact earlier this summer I read 7 books in like 4 weeks. nerd status. Any recommendations though for what to read next?
48. I really wish life had music to play along with it. I can only imagine what songs would be playing lately to the tune of my life!
49. I'm obsessed with sticky notes.
50. I love zebra print.
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