Goodbye 2011!

I haven't forgotten about my dear blog, and how much comfort it has given me over this past year.
I've tried to write a blog over these past few weeks, but it has been incredibly difficult and for some reason I am at a loss for what to say. 
Then I thought over 2011, and I cannot deny that this year wasn't my favorite. I feel hurt and disheartened over these past six months alone because of personal things happening, but when I began to stretch back to the beginning of my blog, I smile. I really did have a good year.
For starters, we moved this year! A beautiful house was built and I feel incredibly grateful to call it home, and one of the first things we did was put together an amazing garden! (which produced some abnormally large zuchinni)
Then summertime came along and my world was turned around, I went to Honduras.The things I learned there have changed me forever. I cannot get over all of the memories made.
Then soon after that was the farewell party, or the movie premiere, of the last Harry Potter. Which is another great reminder of the amazing people I am surrounded by.

About a month later I made a drastic change in my life by quitting my job for another opportunity and all of the struggles and love that came from that. My mini vacation to to the beach, and how incredibly needed it was. I reminisce over how I finally opened an Etsy shop, something I've been dreaming of for quite some time.

Then last, but most certainly not least, the love of my life got down on his knee and proposed to me. Without a doubt the best weekend of my entire life.

I am so ready for this new year, I am ready for all of the opportunities, I'm keeping my heart open for the adventures. Bring it on. I am ready.


Tomorrow I am posting my resolutions. Are you planning on posting your resolutions? Do you have any favorite past times of 2011?


P.S.S My comments have FINALLY been fixed. So sorry! 

hickory nuts,

On May 18, 2008 my grandfather passed away.
If you knew him, you'd love him, but nobody loved him nearly as much as my grandmother, who lives with us today.
There are so many blessings in having your grandmother live with you and yesterday reminded me just how grateful I am.

Soon Jonathan and I will be getting engaged, something that excites me even as I type this, and this weekend when I see him we are going shopping for the ring. (Gasp!)
I'll pick five that I really like and he'll decide which one to propose with months from now.

When I told my grandmother of our plans she smiled really big and showed me her goosebumps (yeah, she's pretty cute)! She adores Jonathan like you wouldn't believe and tells me all the time just how much he reminds her of my papa, the first time she told me this was when I realized how badly I wanted a future with him.

A few minutes after I told her she began telling me of how she got engaged, which I was surprised I didn't know, and when she was done I had to share with all of you. I can't stop smiling!

She told me that he asked her in his car in front of her parents house where a huge hickory tree was rooted, and had been for a long time. About 40 years later, on one of their many road trips, they came across a field of hickory trees, and when she wasn't looking he grabbed a handful. After they got home he spray painted them gold, where they now reside in her bedroom. I had always seen these and never questioned what they were, now when I see them (as they are still there 20 years later) it just reminds me of how beautifully strong their love for each other was, and still is. I cannot wait for them to reunite, oh what a joyous moment that will be!

Hickory nuts. Something so seemingly unnoticeable to everyone else, except them. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

With an abundance of love,