best weekend!

This weekend I went home with Nathan to see my mom and my brother! It's been a long time since we both got to go home, so it was wonderful! We went to Longhorn and ate the best food, and played music and drew on our old etch-a-sketch that we found (some of us were better than others...) which super made us laugh, and then on Saturday I adopted a kitten!

Pardon my hair, but meet Tango!

He's such a little love bunny (kitten)! He's the sweetest! Well, except for when we were trying to leave and he got under the bed and INTO the box spring... needless to say we were a little late to drive an hour and a half to Nate's house to eat dinner! I think he's a little jealous of Tango... but tonight he loved all over him. He'll get used to it ;)

We stayed up at Nate's house until like, one in the morning. I am far too old for that, and Nate would agree. But we had fun eating burritos and talking a lot about family and things with his mom (while Tango was sleeping on our laps... did I mention how wonderful he is?).

Then Sunday I got up early and cleaned my room so Tango wouldn't get lost in my disarray, and took a nap with Tango in my armpit, and then Nathan came over and we explored downtown Athens. I super love doing that now! I don't know why, but I used to hesitate to explore downtown. I just wasn't into it. But I love just having my boyfriend on my arm and no ideas in our head to where we are going, and we just wing it! They are the best dates! We were both super hungry so we went to the Transmetropolitan, which Nate had been to before, but I hadn't. I got some pasta that was AMAZING, and he got a chicken panini that looked pretty great too. I think we are going to try somewhere new next time we go downtown.

We had a super long talk about ex's and things... it wasn't a terrible conversation, and it definitely wasn't heated or anything. I don't really even remember what got us talking about it, but it was kind of enlightening. It definitely made me realize again how lucky I am to have met Nathan after praying and praying and praying for God to send me the right man for my heart! I take these things for granted sometimes, and just talking about our pasts made me realize how much we both have grown; even in the past year of knowing each other. I am especially proud of Nathan. He seems to have grown into a super wonderful man in the past year. He's becoming more sure of himself, putting priorities in order, etc. I like to think that I helped with that, but that's being cocky ;)

Seriously though, it was an overall good talk. I think a lot of my growth happened over the two years from 2009 to the end of 2010. I had a lot of loss in 2008 and kind of lost my mind. Getting back into church and solidifying my faith in God made ALL of the difference in my life. I knew that I couldn't get anywhere good without giving it all to God. My faith never really faded or was lost; it was just realizing what exactly being a woman of Christ meant. I had a friend bring me to the door, and I went through, and after prayers and not thinking about finding someone for awhile, God led me to the right one through a very unlikely door. And I am ever so grateful for it.

Also, notice that it is 2:00 a.m. and I have to be at a clinical at 6:30. My roommate's cat has a bell on her collar (DUMB... she doesn't even go outside. What the heck do you need that for?) and she came prancing in my room to get Tango and woke us up. Tango has no problem falling back asleep. I on the other hand...

ANYWAY, then Nathan and I went home after paroosing downtown and drinking some Starbucks and watching hipsters and cuddled with Tango and did some Mad Libs which made me realize how much the "S" word makes me giggle when used as an adjective. Seriously, I try not to cuss (or curse), but that word is just so funny when used in certain sentences.I need a big ol' giant book of those so that I can belly laugh all the day long instead of studying for Psych or Med-Surg. When am I going to be done with school?! Guh.

So, it was the best weekend I have had in a long while. ALSO, I WEIGH 136! I'm still not happy. I'm so dumb. I remember when I weighed like 150 and I said, man, I really wish that I weighed 135. I'd be so happy! But, I'm a pound away and am really hoping for more of 125. Being a woman blows. Good thing I have a supportive boyfriend who thinks that I'm pretty no matter what I say about myself. What a gentleman!

Oh, and I'm making a bucket list of sorts on Pinterest since everyone else is and I think it's kind of cool.

Long post is over. I have to cuddle with Tango and try to sleep for 3 hours or something.

antique shinies omg (boyfriend don't read because you don't care)

;)

I have been super obsessed about antique things, and I found this apparently new website that has antique rings but also makes their own antique-style replica rings! I. Am. In. Love. It's antiqueengagementrings.com, and somehow no one had this site before. I hope it's real because these rings are beautiful!

1930's art deco ring

Pretty!

Fav!

One of their replicas! So pretty!

Another 1930's ring!

My most favorite ever ever ever!

They have beautiful bands too...

Someday! Now to eat and study for OB... guh.

rainy days and love

During the terrible rainy stretch over the weekend, Nathan and I hung out and had one of the best days ever! We went to Little Italy downtown and stuffed our faces (I ate a meatball sub the size of a leg and I was so full, it hurt, and he had pizza, which is what I should have gone with). Then we walked around downtown together in the rain (under an umbrella) and got lost trying to find Gigi's Cupcakes since I had only been there one time and Nathan had never been there. That place is amazing! We finally found it, and we got a kentucky bourbon cupcake, a pumpkin cupcake, and a tiramisu cupcake! Tiramisu was the best!

Then we went to Trader Joe's so I could get some wasabi seaweed snacks. It sounds gross, but they are pretty good! I also saw some calla lilies and I was super tempted to buy some, but I still have my beautiful roses from Valentine's Day, so I refrained even though they're my favorite! I really want to find some peonies somewhere. They are the most beautiful flowers ever (besides calla lilies)!

Then to Home Depot to find stuff for Nate to build a coat rack. Anyway, even though it doesn't sound like the greatest day (besides the food), it was one of those days where I just fell in love all over again! The whole time we held hands and skipped in the rain and told stories and hugged a lot and talked about lots and lots of things like family and friends and love and God. It was the best day I've had in a long time, even though it was cold and rainy.

I can't wait for a blessed day like that again!

home

I spent most of the weekend home with my mom! I miss being at home...

We went to Red Lobster and talked a whole lot about relationships and babies and marriage and being married and old stories. Today we went to the mall and shopped and tanned (yes...) and talked like a couple of best friends. I value this time so much!

Tomorrow, Nathan and I are going to make the best of the day and do something fun like walk around downtown or something. Who knows. Anyway, sleep!

valentine's day

It'll be Valentine's Day in an hour.

Tomorrow I will be doing a clinical from 6 in the morning until around 3, unless God makes it so it snows and freezes the roads and I don't have to go. Please please please please let it happen, Oh Lord.

The rest of the day will be with Nate, and having dinner at home.

I'm going to bed.

marriage ideas

I mega can't sleep.

I'm sitting in a swanky hotel watching law and order and laying in a swankier king bed and looking out at Virginia... and I don't know what I want. I mean, I DO know what I want, but I don't know what to do, I guess. I want to be married, but that is a one way thing at this point. So, I feel like I just need to take time for me and read and learn about God and make jewelry and focus on things other than... my happiness? I don't know. That sounds stupid. My heartbreak is huge. I have this complete apathy right now and I hate it. I really don't know what to do. Do I deny myself happiness? I keep saying I won't talk about it, but it keeps coming up, if only in my head, and I can't get away from it. It makes no sense not to talk about it, but it hurts TO talk about it. What am I supposed to do?

Things like this make me want to scream and cry and just walk away from everything so I don't have to deal with it. Today just hit really hard, with my cousin getting married and all. I just want that happiness, and when you know, you know. But what happens when that's only one way?! Not marriage. Marriage doesn't happen when it's one way. And then I get heartbroken, again. And again and again. Maybe time is what I need...

Or solitude.
Or prayers.

Just...

I don't know what to do.

ANNIVERSARY!

Last night was my one year anniversary with Nathan! We made each other cards (he made me one with giraffes and it made me cry a little bit!) and he took me out to NONA which is a super nice, super tasty New Orleans style restaurant! I had the best anniversary ever!

I just love him so much! I spent all day talking about him and how we met and all the little things we do for each other to the girls in my nursing class, and it made me fall in love with him all over again! He really is wonderful and God has blessed me immensely with him. I can't wait to spend a lifetime with him and make him my forever love someday! :)

hallelujah

I just love the lyrics to this song:

A purple sky to close the day
I wade the surf where dolphins play
The taste of salt, the dance of waves
And my soul wells up with Hallelujahs

A lightning flash, my pounding heart
A breaching whale, a shooting star
Give testimony that You are
And my soul wells up with Hallelujahs

Oh praise Him, all His mighty works
There is no language where you can't be heard
Your song goes out to all the earth
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Oh cratered moon and the sparrow's wings
Oh thunder's boom and Saturn's rings
Unveil our Father, as You sing
And my soul wells up with Hallelujahs

Oh praise Him, all His mighty works
There is no language where you can't be heard
Your song goes out to all the earth
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah


The pulse of life within my wrist
A fallen snow, a rising mist
There is no higher praise than this
And my soul wells up, oh my soul wells up
Yes my soul wells up with Hallelujahs

Oh praise Him, all His mighty works
There is no language where you can't be heard
Your song goes out to all the earth
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Oh Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

wait, it's superbowl sunday?

I don't know, I didn't even watch any of it. Today was spent with me going to bed at 9 in the morning, taking a 4 hour nap, watching some Law and Order (there was a marathon!), and then driving over to Nate's house so we could go from there and see his grandmother. I am trying to become a better, more spiritually fulfilled person, especially in my relationship with Nathan. I feel like if we are (spiritually whole) we will have the best foundation for a super awesome relationship. I instantly feel better, and it gives me the drive to do better and be happier and have faith and trust just by taking the smallest initiative to educate and read and get closer to God. Today was a perfect day weather-wise, and I drove with the windows down and the 70 degree wind blowing in my hair and taking in everything. It's bizarre how I notice so little most of the time. I drove by the prettiest pastures, and saw an old couple holding hands on their porch, and the sun was reflecting off the water, and animals were grazing in the sun, and I just wanted to BE in that moment forever. No worries, no responsibilities... just carefree driving with my arm hanging out of the window and singing praise at the top of my lungs. Sweetest bliss.

Nathan and I got to go see his grandparents and listened to stories about how they had to kill their own chickens if they wanted to eat, and his grandfather told us a story about when his wife (Nathan's grandma) had a mastectomy, he wanted to get her something nice. So he went and got her a gold ring and said that he married her once, and he wanted to marry her all over again ("or something sweet along those lines" he said). That is just THE BEST. I want that.

We finished the evening with spaghetti and garlic bread and a fat salad, and laughing, and cuddling, and talking. The best. The best. The best.

P.S: Boyfriend says we are going somewhere for Valentine's Day weekend. It's a surprise, so I have no idea where, but I am so excited!

times like these

I made some more rings today! I sure can't wait to open my Etsy shop ;)

Then Nathan came over, and I gave him his ring I made, and then we took a much needed nap, and then we talked a lot and then we ate pizza (oh how I love pizza!) and then we came home and cuddled on the couch and listened to good, healthy, music and talked and held each other. It was my favorite! I think our couch dates are becoming my favorite, well, next to mountain dates. And, and, and oh my goodness! Nathan and I will be celebrating our anniversary on the 9th! It's bizarre to think about how much we have grown together in just a year! I met an amazing man, got into nursing school, and moved out on my own. Nathan was amazing when we met, but he's grown up a lot, as have I. I am so blessed to say that he is mine, and I am so thankful for how much we have both gone through together!

I remember way back in the beginning I would use a code name when blogging about him, and he was Beard and then Hipsterjack (or vice versa). I couldn't wait to see him for our next date (I still feel that way!) and I would get so so so so nervous when I saw him. I'm glad we are way past that stage :)

Well, it's 4 in the flipping morning and terrible movies are on TV and I can't sleep, but I guess I should try.

moments and rings

So, I got my jewelry stuff and I made a few rings! I am going to take some pictures and post them sometime. I made a few 1.5 mm staking silver rings, and a couple of 4 mm silver bands. I have been interested in this for awhile, and then I found an instructables thing about how to make rings (will post link later!). I am in love! It's so fun! I even set one with a diamond (I had one diamond earring, and just used it)! I am seriously thinking about opening an etsy shop just for funsies and seeing where it goes. Nathan is super supportive, which helps a lot!

Man, today...

I had a test today in mental health nursing, then I had a mental breakdown this evening! Moments like that are hard to describe. The feelings that I felt tonight were a mix of sad, numb, love, etc. Hormones... awesome friends they are. Especially mixed with life crises. GOD hear my prayers, and please keep my brain from wandering to places they shouldn't be. AMEN. This month is a busy one. I have my cousin's wedding next weekend, my one year anniversary with Nathan, Valentine's Day, projects and tests galore... phew!

I am exhausted.