Oh Hey, Christmas Tree

So, Christmas was a while ago... but obviously if you follow my blog you will see that I'm very behind lately.  I have had trouble keeping up with everything that has happened—all blessings, but busy ones :)

Anyway, here are some pictures from our very first Christmas tree!

 And, of course, a picture of my wonderful hubs and me with our tree:

Merry ...er... Christmas

Today I Drew A Spoon

You may not know this, but my SuperMan is also a SuperCoach.  And because he is so dedicated to coaching and to being the best he can be, he often attends track and cross country conferences to meet with other coaches and to grow and improve.

They're great!  He learns a lot!  He loves them!
They are 3.Days.Long.

And I go along with him.  I don't attend the conference or anything like that—it's really not my cup of tea and why spend the money when I will likely be sitting there thinking of how much I am not a runner (a dedicated / competitive one anyway) and wishing I had an actual cup of tea.

So instead, I brought some yarn and my laptop so that I could do some design work.  And should I happen to hit the shops around town, so be it :)

Only, there was a little blizzard that hit all of Michigan.  Seriously, big storm—they even named it!  [And Nemo was his name-o]  So I'm kind of kept from visiting or shopping today... oh, and the design job?  Well that didn't happen either—the client is currently MIA and doesn't want to share any design information with me at this time.  And last, but not least, the yarn I brought? In natural lighting, the two scans look the same, but in lamp lighting they are COMPLETELY different, so my project is kind of on hold.

So... I drew a spoon.

 
Skype date anyone?

Coded Love Notes

S-H-M-I-L-Y
A simple, seemingly meaningless phrase that means more a piece of chocolate to me.

Okay, maybe not quite THAT far, but it means a whole lot to me after reading this story together and having 2 months of marriage to live it out.  After reading that story, we both threw ourselves into the creativity of hidden codes with admirable gusto.  Both of us, as later confessed, were wondering if the new trend would last very long.  Because this hits at a particular love language of mine, I knew that I would probably continue to add the code to the end of little notes or to the mirror via dry-erase markers after a hard week—but I did not have a large expectation for it continuing from the side of my husband as much.

Apparently, I have underestimated the powers of Superman!  Below I have attached some of the SHMILY notes (that I remembered to take a photo of) that I have found in various places over the past two months.

 

 A good SHMILY makes even the sock drawer exciting :)

 Dry-erase markers have become an important aspect of our marriage...

I found this one this morning during my shower—completely made my day

See How Much He Loves Me? :)

It's great!  A way to show that you were not only thinking of the other, but that you took the time to find a good hiding place for the code to sit until discovery.  (and the nice thing about it being "in code" means that I can hid it all over his classroom in little ways without worrying about his hormonal students finding one—because if they do, it doesn't really matter, does it? :) )

"Kissimmee" Honeymoon

Our honeymoon was spent in a condo in Kissimmee, Florida

The honeymoon was the perfect balance between scheduled fun (Epcot for a day, ocean visit, ect.) and hanging out at the condo and in the pool.  I loved it.  Really, the first day as Man & Wife was wonderful, and the next day was even better, and the next? Better still!  Not every day or moment has been visited by cloud nine, but I still enjoy his company more.  Even little things, like racing to get chocolate from the fridge for example :)

 
Some things that we have learned together:
—Todd hasn't cried in... well, years.  I make up for that in full.
—A sense of humor is very important
—Katrina has a lot of clothes.  Todd has more.
—I now miss Todd at meals if we don't pray together
—Nerf gun wars are a good way to take a break from school work / "thank you" note writing
—Chocolate and desserts come to those who are newly married (woo-hoo!)
—Fighting about if you're fighting or not is... well, fighting (we haven't done this, but I've acted out the scenario with a friend and it was hilarious)
—We both spread out in piles as we work
—Creamy peanut butter is best, but Todd loves crunchy.  We have both.
—Prayer is powerful and extra good after / during a misunderstanding
—Katrina is messy in the kitchen, aprons are worn daily
—Pizza is best recovered with a giant spatula (in my opinion)
—Weekends book quickly unless we are extremely careful... we're still learning to be careful
—I love him more every day
—A surprise SHMILY note means more to me than I ever would have guessed (more on that later)

See? Giant spatula = win

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Busy? Me?

There is no way to describe the flood of emotions and happenings that have taken place over the past month, but before I attempt to give you a glimpse of what it has been like to be "me" over the past few weeks, I have a dozen blurbs of advice:

1. Don't try to plan your wedding right after the last semester of your college career
2. DO laugh off wedding nightmares.  It's one day, who cares if you remember to shave your legs or not?  The groom? psh
3. Don't go to Italy right before your wedding
4. DO be nice to your mom, she may just be doing everything for your wedding while you're in Italy
5. DO go the cheaper route when planning your wedding, because last minute expenses add up and it's better tot have a cushion.
6. Don't depend on friends to do everything, it stresses them out and it stresses you out.
7. DO find a super guy, because he'll have to calm you down as you look over your To-Do-before-I-Do list, and he'll need to help with a thing or too (it works best if this "super guy" is also "the groom")
8. DO take extra memory cards when going to Italy, you will fill every.one.you.have.
9. DO have a normal sleep schedule. Don't stay up writing blog posts about being busy / tired
10. DO eat gelato every day while in Italy, because American ice cream is just not the same
11. DO shop for wedding rings before the final month.  oops
12. DO plan some times for rest and friends, you will need it.


Italy was great, but it was the craziest three weeks ever.  Every city in Italy is so different than the others that we went through a small culture shock transition with each move we made (every 2–3 days or so).  I don't mean to sound negative, because I really did love it.  I was a little reluctant to leave at first, but once I was in Italy I was just excited to see more and more; to soak in the culture and the artwork that I was seeing.  However, as ready as I was to explore and see the sights, I was also very ready to return.  Three weeks is a long time, and to be honest, I would rather not leave the country again for the amount of time without Superman.  It was a hard and rather frustrating separation period.

 Me in Assissi—pardon the un-edited photo, I haven't had a spare moment to edit them yet :-/

The view was breathtaking in person—so green!

 In the Vatican <3

Hiking in the Alps :)

Once I was back from Italy, I spent time recovering from the time difference.  I returned at 5:00pm Detroit time, but it was 11:00pm Italy time (and I had been up since 5:00am Italy time!).  I was DEAD TIRED, I can't remember a lot of what actually happened that night—it is all a blur as I struggled to stay awake and soak up as much family, Todd and the English language as I could!

After a day of laundry and catching up on Emails, my mamma finally returned the next evening!  We talked for a little before I had another hang-out night with Todd and my sibs.  The next day brought another whirlwind, this time it was filled with Wedding-To-Dos.  After a moment of panic we got started.  And that's where I've been ever since.  I went today to help the new ADC summer staff figure out what the summer is going to look like for them and hang out with some camp friends for a little while :)  I also got my weekly baby-fix through some time with little Hayleigh!  What a sweetheart :)

Alright, I'm losing it now—my head keeps jerking back up as I recover from a small doze.
More later (hopefully)

John 15:9

So, today is Valentine's day.
Time for the CLASSIC and totally PREDICTABLE post on the annual V-day.
Cue bragging (sorry y'all)
About a week ago, I got a package from my daddy :)  Chocolate covered strawberries!  Yummy :)  I've enjoyed them slowly—sharing... occasionally, lol.  Finished them off today

Today, I completely forgot about Valentine's day, until I stepped out my door on the way to the bathroom (tmi, I know) and sleepily noticed a small note with a chocolate sucker on it from one of my dear housemates :)  very sweet, and the card was darling.
Now, off to class—to find this lovely rose and a note from my forever valentine—I mean JESUS of course ;)  With the help of Melodie, He reminded us how loved we are, making the class period much more enjoyable

 The rest of the day went pretty well—I got a "Happy Valentine's Day" text from my Supermanman after he got out of school :) He later sent me a text to vent about yucky homework, only to call me a few minutes later... to ask where I was...?
"Wait...? Where are YOU?!"
 Yep, Todd came all the way to the Arborshire to see me, and not just that—he brought me an entire vase of CHOCOLATE! And not just any chocolate, Reese chocolate—yummmmmmy

Not at all what I expected to happen today, but it was so great—thank you to everyone who gave me a hug or provided encouragement.
And of course, day was MADE when I got to spend a few hours with my very favorite young man :)  A very, very good day.

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A Day of Days

It's been one of those days.
Those crazy ones.
The ones that make me wonder why I am still up at this hour, writing a blog post when I should be very much in bed.

A Recovery Day:
Mom, Connor and I have been sick this week and we're all finally well enough to move around like normal people!  Which is good :)

A Girly Day:
Today (due to the recent recovery), Mom and I went and bought my wedding dress!  Super exciting? Um, YES! We also set up the date for the fitting, and took care of a few other small wedding-like things :)
The worst part about this fact, is that I can't tell the attractive young man about the dress... which I didn't realize would be this hard!  Though... I confess, I have told him a little (it's white, it will fit after it is taken in, I will wear it at our wedding, ect).
Ah well, at least "Pick and Buy Wedding Dress" can be checked off the daunting list of wedding to-dos.

An Organizing Day:
Now that I am feeling well, I have begun to organize and straighten my own thoughts—make a check list for the wedding, figure out lab aid stuff for the other student workers, and start to organize one for my January jobs at the school, not to mention brainstorm portfolio pieces for the upcoming semester...
Which brings me to the next day within my day:

A STRESSFUL Day:
I realized how much I have to do this month. Wow, I am not sure how it is all going to get done!  And after a last minute turn of events, I am headed back to the Arborshire tomorrow, and have to pack up my stuff, go buy groceries and try not to panic about everything I need to do!
Oye

A Thankful Day:
Despite all of this craziness, both wedding related and non, I have been blessed with some really wonderful people.  I love that my mom will listen and work with me as I plan out my "to-dos" for the next week or so.  I am so thankful for how my siblings can make me LAUGH, and can lighten up my mood after a stressful day/moment.  And I cannot help but love Todd all the more when I can start to explain a "to-do" that is stressing me out (especially wedding wise), and he finishes the sentence and makes it seem so much easier than the entire issue was a few moments before.
He's also great at reminding me that I don't have to make everybody else happy, and in the end, pointing me back to the focus of our lives: God.

It's been a crazy day, but a good day.  Doubtless, more adventures tomorrow—good night!

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SBC Christmas

Photo credit: JenJen

We have some non-costume pictures of us as an engaged couple now!  Our friend Jen took some pictures of us by the tree at the summer staff Christmas party this past weekend (thanks dear).  It was a great time overall.  Some of us came the day before and spent the night—that was a blast!  We ate food (lots and lots), hung out by the fire, swapped stories, laughed (lots and lots), ate more food (seriously, tons of food), stayed up too late, took random naps (just because we could), played games in the gym, and then attended the dinner party on Sunday night.
It was great! And of course, spending time with my special Mr was wonderful.  Even without the snow, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

Photo credit: Emily (?)

Going To The Chapel

My last post (the day I posted about spotted beards and Christmas candy) was the day before one of the very best days in the history of best days...

But I didn't know it at the time.
Or the next morning for that matter.
I had no idea that I was about to become one of the most excited girls ever.

I was volunteering at Somerset Beach Campground's Live Nativity in the evening with some great friends and co-workers—and, of course, my Superman :)  The Live Nativity is great, I look forward to it—but it is COLD!  We bundle up so much that we resemble marshmallows in our lovely Bible-time costumes.  Usually when Todd and I are back at Somerset, we'll go for a walk before actually leaving the Campground.  It's nice, we get a chance to catch up on the week, and remember some of the crazy things that have happened to us at camp.  So we went for our walk, and it was great as always.  After making our loop around the West campground, we walked back to the parking lot—but instead of walking back to the car, we went to the beach instead.  (I am still surprised that I did not catch on to that...)  Anyway, we walked up to the beach and saw a swing hanging from the tree by the boat house!

Now, some background: Before we were dating (and some after), we would talk on the swings a lot—and once we were swinging rather late in the evening and were picked on by the other counselors. And "teenagers staying out late on the swings" were mentioned a few days later in our security meeting (not about us specifically, but I still turned a few shades of pink).  

But because of that, "swings" is one of our little inside jokes, and we had actually just been talking about that meeting and remembered how embarrassed I was.  Thus, a swing that neither of us had ever seen before was kind of a huge deal, and we started taking turns on it.  It was great!
After trying out the swing, Todd gave me a bag of Dove chocolate—similar to the one he gave me before we were dating—the week I had my Senior Teen girls—(that had confused me greatly the whole week, because I already had a huge crush on him, but of course didn't think he was interested).  Then Todd encouraged me to get back onto the swing, and he stood behind me as we talked and I went back and forth.

I distinctly remember noticing that he wasn't saying much anymore.  But apparently I just like the sound of my own voice, because it didn't phase me at all, and I kept talking, assuming that he would pipe in when he was done with his own thoughts.  And he did... kinda.  After a moment, Todd called my name and upon turning around I found my favorite young man on one knee, with a small white ring box in his hand.
I'm not sure how I got off the swing, but the next thing I remember, I was standing in front of him—completely in shock, trying to figure out what was going on.  He asked me to marry him and I clasped my mitten-ed hands over my face and said "ohmygosh" a few dozen times before I was finally able to give him a resounding "yes!" and buried my face in his shoulder.  He laughed at me :)

Best night ever?
Yes

Swing, Chocolate, Superman, Promise.
Yeah, it was perfect :)

But of course, it wouldn't do to have everything happen without a single snag!  That's just not how we do things.  This is the only picture of us that we have from that night, because Todd's camera battery was frozen and I had lent mine out to a friend for the week.
So here we are, just hours before our engagement, in our ridiculous costumes.

I may be a little bias, but I think we make a cute pair, don't you? ;)

You can see pictures of the ring here: RING

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Happy Fall!

Some girls get flowers from their favorite young men,

Some girls get pretty rhymes about violets,

Still other girls get chocolates in a cute little box.

Just getting one of these things from her favorite Mr,
is enough to put a girl on wings!

Some smart men do these things already,

while taking  the opportunity to go a step further once in a while,

(for example:)

To celebrate the first week of fall,

One girl received a bouquet of chocolate awesomeness,

In a vase filled with even more chocolate!

And a cute little note of encouragement

Does he know me or what?

love my Superman :)

Birthday Wishes

My birthday was this week—I turned the "big" 2-1.

It was a very different birthday for me this year—I spent it away from home for the first time, and I found that super weird!  I love camp, and the people I work with / the campers, but it was still really strange!  It didn't feel like my birthday, even though Tyler was yelling "It's Twina's birf-daa" all through lunch, I was sung too, I even got a cake(!) and my Email was so full of well wishes that I was overwhelmed!  But in so many ways, it was a normal camp day—I was usually taken a little by surprise when someone would say "happy birthday" to me! lol  But it was really great, and I felt super loved :)  Mom came out to camp and took me to dinner, which was awesome.  We had a chance to talk just the two of us, and I think I really needed that.

I think my favorite 'gift' was getting to spend the weekend with Todd and my family!  I know, it sounds so "cliche" when I say that was the best gift—but it really was!  I was so upset when I thought I would have to miss out on that because I was so sick, but thankfully I was feeling just fine by Friday and I got to go!  And it was absolutely wonderful!  Just to get away from camp and enjoy the company of my favorite people (and eat lots of fudge of course! lol)

Exactly what I wanted for my birthday.

"I Tan Heer You"

Here are some of the more recent quotes from the delightful (though sometimes tiring) world of Adventure Day Camp:

"My sister puts the arm–pit–stuff on" —small girl in the VBS program

"I tan heer you" —Tyler (Heather and I were changing in the girl's changing room that is right next to the boy's.  We were talking about something funny that Tyler did earlier and he sternly informed us that he could "heer" what we were saying)

"If you see a crocodile, ask him what his name is and then do this: 'woo-woo-woo', and we'll be right over" —Jack  (on the hunt for Nile the Crocodile)

"You know, some guys get tossed into the lake for that" —Jack  (just moments after Todd told another kid that "campers have been thrown into the lake for less than that".  Way to go Superman)

"What are those dots on your face? (acne) Trina has those too!  What are those, Trina?" —Brandon

"Twina and Tacy" —Tyler ("Trina and Stacy")

Doubtless, more quotes will soon be appearing among my other musings.  Also being advertised is a picture of me and Superman, courtesy of Mommy (though, right after I got out of the lake might not have been the best timing... lol)

NEW ADDITIONS! (7/15/2011)

"Can you go blow your nose please?" (—Me after Isaac breathed in really hard and revealed his runny nose)
"No.  I'm taking it in!" —Isaac

"Thwisby" —Tyler (Frisbee)

"Are you ready to go play bowling?" —Stacy (we hang out with little kids too much... or maybe with Tyler too much ;) )

Sick and Random

Really?
It's the end of June and I am stuck in bed with a cold.  Runny nose, congestion and fatigue.
This is not how counseling is supposed to go.

And just as a warning, my thoughts are so scattered right now that I can hardly stick to one topic for very long, so this post is probably going to jump around a whole lot!

Not doing so hot on the sleeping thing.  I've been able to dose quite a bit, but only one real nap.  Although, it was so heavy, that my spinal cord felt fused into place when I woke up.  I just remember laying there wondering if I would be able to move at all.  And realizing how much I had to go to the bathroom!
Wow, you don't realize what a blessing indoor plumbing is until you're sick and have to walk a block in order to use the bathroom or to get a drink of water!  And to top it off, it's a big weekend here at the campground, and there are people EVERYWHERE.  Because, you know, that's what I want to do when I'm sick, walk past tons of people—feeling and looking as bad as I do—trying to get to the bathroom before I a) explode, or b) get too tired and have to sit down and rest.

But during one of my ventures out, my ADC campers went by on their friday hay ride!  I had mixed feelings, because again, I didn't really want to be seen—but they all yelled and waved to me and I felt so loved afterwards!  And they don't care what I look like anyway :)  It was nice to hear the "hello"s and "I love you"s and the screams of "Mother Dearest!"  haha
I just wish I felt well enough to be with them...  I've missed them a lot these past two days!

And I got a text that some of the other counselors had a chance to try out the zip-line today!  I turned green.  It could have been because I'm sick, but I'm pretty sure it was due to some untimely envy.  Not that I would have been able to go anyway—because I would have been with my ADCs—but it's another reminder of what I'm missing today.

Being sick is so not fun.

Later...
You know, it's so great when you have people in your life who will put up with the fact that you're sick, who still like to be around you, will give your germ-y persona a hug, and can really make you laugh.  And laugh hard, despite the fact that you've felt more like crying all day.  And you know you're blessed when one of those people is your handsome boyfriend.
Thanks Superman, I appreciate you more than I can say—now go sanitize! :P

Deja'vu

It has been a funny week—one with a few... repeats, shall we say?

Well I spent Thursday evening with Superman.  We watched "I am Number 4", which was suggested by my family.  As in, every single member (-Father) suggested that we see it.  And they liked it so much, that two of my siblings read the book.  So I was rather interested, and the boyfriend wasn't opposed, so I figured—why not?  So we watched it.

I screamed.

Okay, not really, but kinda, yeah... 

only a little! hah, I get really into movies and tend to root people on and jump at every corner.  So when the bad-guys come, I react accordingly.  Yes, I gave a few little yelps.

Anywho, I wasn't super fond of the 'bad-guys' and their enjoyment of torture.  Other than that, it was a little predictable, and very suspenseful, but not our favorite.

Then yesterday (Fri) I went to see Superman again in order to help him and his parents paint his apartment. And talk to his landlord about paint colors for her bathroom.

Now for the deja'vu part—ready?

I went home after painting yesterday and found my family watching (have you guessed yet?)  "I am Number 4".  Then, mom came in and asked me to help her pick out a paint color the next day (today).

I feel like this happened already...

Deja'vu! haha, though I changed it up a little today and planted flowers after helping mom and Sister pick paint colors — not a bad day :)  

Spoiled

My favorite young man bought me flowers on Friday :} Isn't he fantastic?

Yes, he is. And not just because he brought me flowers and chocolate (he's a keeper!). I am so blessed to have him around—and it was great to spend some time with him and my family on Friday night. He gets along with them—sometimes too well... they are not above getting together in order to prank me. But that's okay :)

God has spoiled me—and I am very okay with that :)

...8 months and counting...

Surprised

This is from earlier in the semester, but I never found time to post it! My favorite young man surprised me with a visit while I was working at the art center and brought me flowers!! Horrid picture because it's from my cell phone... but they were beautiful :}

Together Again — SBC

There are few things more encouraging than getting together with a wonderful group of people who share a solid faith. I love my fellow staff members from Somerset Beach and I did not even realize how much I missed them until we were back together again.

And, of course, I got to see my very favorite young man—which was great :)

Roses are Red...

The day of my birth was celebrated earlier this week and here is a photo my biggest surprise :) A stunningly beautiful bunch of roses from my favorite young man! I'm afraid to imagine how much they must have cost, but I do love them.

They're so beautiful! This photo does such a bad job of showing them off, but it's all I've got