Open House..

Last night we had open house for my Pre-Kinder kiddos. I knew that I would enjoy seeing the parents and giving the families their set of Eduplates http://www.eduplate.net/.

But I didn't think that I would hope it wouldn't end. I have enjoyed this year so much as a first year teacher. I am looking forward to next year! I know that I will feel more prepared and ready to serve my students and their families. There were a lot of moments this year where I was just trying to survive and get everything done that needed to be done. This summer I will be able to plan and prepare and do so much more than just survive next year.

I have learned SO MUCH, but mostly I have learned that I was meant to be a teacher. It is the right fit for me and that is a nice feeling..

Right now I am really debating on what I will do with my summer. It will feel so strange not to work, so I am thinking about picking up a summer job. However, would it be fabulous to take the summer off and get SO MUCH done for next year, hang out with my dog and be a newlywed? I mean.. I like the idea of Matt coming home to a clean house and a good meal. I go back and forth on a daily basis.. But I am sure that I will come to a decision at just the right time!

Tonight we are going bowling with Matt's dad and his family. It has been so great to see Matt have the chance to reconnect and for me to be a part of this family. We are blessed beyond measure and I am so thankful.

Lately, I have been hearing how un-stressed I look! That is so great to hear! I am committing to enjoy the next 2 weeks of being engaged. This is the last period of time that I will be Matt's fiance and I want to take in every minute. Everything will get done, maybe some things won't.. but in 15 days, I get to marry Matt. Everything else seems secondary to that very powerful and life changing reality.

I guess I am really moved by a blog I spent some time reading yesterday.. because this is the second time that I have shared an idea that I read there! I don't want to be enough for Matt.. or good for Matt.. I want to be great! I want to make his life so sweet as his help-mate, best friend and partner. I think that we will make each other very happy in this life and I trust that even when difficult times come, he will stay by my side and I will stay by his. I believe that we need strength that only the Lord can give to do this.

The weekend is here again and while it will be busy, it will be great! I plan on getting a lot done for my girls.. our luncheon is next Saturday! My mom has gone above and beyond to make that day perfect. I am so blessed! Okay, I have crammed as much as I can in this post..

L

16 days!

So today I decided that I really want to blog more. I get so much enjoyment out of reading old posts and seeing all that has changed and how I have grown.

In 16 days, I will be marrying the the man that I adore.. I can't believe the day is finally almost here! We met with Dennis, our officiant, on Tuesday to discuss the ceremony and some other things that are good to talk about before you enter into a marriage. I went with few expectations and left knowing that Dennis is exactly the man who is supposed to marry us. I also feel closer to Matt and while I didn't think I could be more certain, I am. Our journey has been so sweet and it started over 10 years ago. Never did I think that we would be here and I am thankful every day that we are.

I read a blog today and she said something that really got my attention... she said that she didn't take for granted, not for one moment, the love that people poured out on her and her new husband. I want to be able to say that.. I know myself and I am afraid that I will worry about small things that are so not significant.

In 16 days I become the wife to the man that I have adored for 10 years. How can it be sweeter than that? I am so looking forward to celebrating with all of our friends and family.. It will be a day that we will always remember and look back on. I have done all I can to make sure that the day is documented!!

But really, I can't wait to be his, to become one, to be a family and love and support each other for all time.

So much to think on... Can't wait!

L

Almost a new year... :)

I have decided to be less hard on myself for not updating this blog more regularly. It is more like a place for me to get my thoughts, that are usually floating around in my mind, into text form so that they float less.

Tonight I was doing some thinking about my summer in Namibia, Africa. While I was there, I was very distracted by things and people that I missed at home. I felt so isolated while I was there and sometimes I regret that I was not more in the moment. However, tonight I decided that I shouldn't apologize for who I was then and how I spent my time or what my thoughts were on most of the time. That experience was nothing like I thought it would be and I think that's what I needed most.

I think we all have the power to let our lives play out in many different ways. There was a time when I saw myself traveling a lot, being single and figuring out life this way. However, Matt came into my life in the most perfect of moments and now I am thrilled to do all my figuring with him by my side. I think about having a family one day and buying our first home. He is my best friend and I know that we will only grow closer with time.

A lot of good things are happening right now. I feel the Spirit of Christ working in my life and it feels so real and peaceful. I have been asking for God to show me how to have an authentic relationship with him. I feel that he is answering my prayer. He is also showing me how faithful He is, even when I am not so faithful.

Matt's grandpa is recovering from some medical issues. We visited him today and I was glad to hug him and tell him that we love him. He has the sweetest and most gentle heart.

Thanks for reading.

L

yikes!

I am not so good about updating this blog.. however, there is much to tell and share!

I am a teacher!!! I teach community-based pre-k in a-town and I love it! Matt and I recently purchased new living room furniture and did a lot of work on our little white house to make it better and we are very happy with it. We have been throwing around the idea of getting Ve a puppy sibling..

Last Sunday, we took our engagement pictures! Our photography, Colton, did an AMAZING job. I will post a couple of my favs, but so far we just have a sneak peak! You can see them here http://www.sixfourteenphotography.com/200
9/09/matt-lindsi.html ! We can't wait to see the rest. I love this man so very much and I cannot wait to be his wife, for all time.

Being with him is really teaching me a lot about myself. I am thinking so much about the wife I want to be. He is my partner and friend and I could not ask for more.

AND we are joining a gym and changing our fitness lives! I did bootcamp this morning and plan to go back tomorrow for another torturous class. We want to start our life together out right!

Have a blessed day and tell the ones you love that you love them.

l

hmm things have changed a bit..

Well, the lead I had is no longer a lead. However, more possibilities have come my way. At this point, I am trying to do what everyone keeps telling me to do.. and trust that the Lord has a perfect plan. How can I not believe this when he has blessed me in ways that I never thought possible: bringing Matthew into my life in the PERFECT moment and giving us a love that will last for all time, providing for all of my physical needs, filling my life with amazing friends and family.

It is interesting to me to see where my peers are in their lives: getting married, having babies, buying houses, getting their careers started. From the start of our relationship, I have thought about a future with Matt. It was obvious to be from very early on that we were meant for each other. Truthfully, there are times when I get a bit anxious that I don't feel as far along as I "should" be. But then I remember, that we all have our story and thank goodness that our stories are different.

I am excited to see where our lives take us, but I am so thankful that Matthew will be there through it all. When I look at him, I see so much love and committment, I see the father in him and the husband. I hear how much he cares for me and our relationship in the way that he speaks to me. I won't lie: being parents is going to be so much fun!
Life will not always be easy, this I am sure of. But I am committed to being a wife who loves and a wife who forgives. And there will be times when I need his forgiveness, too. It is going to be a great journey!

Thanks for reading!

lj

Life is so sweet...

You know that feeling? When life is so sweet that you want to freeze time and just relish in the joy and peace that you feel...



While the wedding is still 281 days away.. we already have a lot taken care of! We have selected our venue and I am SOO pleased.. We will be married in the sculpture garden outside a local art center. We will then enjoy a reception inside with dancing, drink and fun! But most of all, and I am being sincere, I could marry him anywhere... any day. And I would gladly do it now. We both just imagine a room full of the people we love there to celebrate with us.



I got my first "bite" yesterday when a teacher friend of mine told me about a possible job opportunity.. It is not a sure thing, however, it would feel so good to know that I have a teaching job for the Fall. M and I have decided that instead of looking for a house as soon as we thought we would (this Fall), we are strongly considering staying in our little house for a while longer and saving some money. We have a few things that we could get paid off if we were not trying to get into a house and furnish it.. and so on.

It would certainly give us a bit of a head start. We are so happy there, we have a backyard for V and a lot of love. AHH!!! I am so happy!!

lj :)

i love being loved by you...

I am overwhelmed.. but today I am saying this because of how overwhelmed I am by the Lord's goodness. I am not sure that I acknowledge His hand in my life the way I ought to. I know that He is blessing me beyond my greatest expectations.

A year ago, I was going through a difficult time in my life. I had hope, but I was deeply hurting and sad and feeling a number of different losses. I grew so much in that time and there came a day when I was overwhelmed with hope that something so sweet was coming. I felt as though my heart was being prepared and healed for my husband. I am very serious when I say this. Matt came into my life in the perfect moment, as he says and I agree, we needed each other and there we were. Two old friends who have always been in each other's hearts coming together. We knew very early that what was happening between us was something so different than either of us had ever experienced before.

My favorite place is to be by his side, whatever we are doing. We love to spend time with our friends and family and I cherish every chance we get. He helps me to grow and has the kindest heart. He sees the good in everyone... he challenges me. When I am worried or anxious, I can go to him and share. He speaks from his heart and helps me find my way.

He makes me better, I've said it before and I'm sure I will say it again.. Thanks for reading my gushes.. :)

lf