It's A Wonderful Life

     I can't even believe how much time has passed since my last post. Furthermore, I can't believe how much has happened since then. I am finally catching a moment to myself tonight. Lately, I have just been so overwhelmed by the wonders of life. And life, sure is wonderful....

     Now that graduation has finally come and gone, I cannot believe how much easier life is when you don't add school into the mix! It feels so wonderful to have such an accomplishment behind me. I am so excited to be celebrating with Ryne in about 3 months as he finishes up school. Graduation was wonderful and filled with so many surprises. My parents, Ryne's parents, and Ryne and the kids, all chipped in to get me a new computer! Ryne also got be a new "graduation ring" that has a blue sapphire and diamonds. It makes me happy every time I look down on my finger and think about the past 4 1/2 years at LeTourneau. The day was a celebration and I was so happy to enjoy it with friends and family. 

     After graduation celebrations, I went back to work for one more week. Then the Christmas vacation began. The Bergren's, Nate, Ryne, the kids, and I, all headed up to Colorado! I was SO excited about this trip. I had been asking to go to Colorado for Christmas since we got married. This Texas girl was hoping for a white Christmas. Monarch did not disappoint, and we had a wonderful time. I have never seen snow so powdery and soft. To make things even better, Ryne had a surprise in store for me...

A second proposal.

    I have had a variety of comments regarding the proposal. I know that some people don't understand why it was so significant, but I have come to realize, that it doesn't matter. It was very romantic and extremely sentimental to us both. 

     

     Next up over the break: my trip to Israel. I have no idea when I am going to have the time to sift through the photos and try to organize my thoughts. The trip was more than I could have ever imagined and I am determined to go back again one day. (hopefully with Ryne and the kids that time) The trip has definately made me want to travel even more. This is a picture of me in front of the Sea of Galilee. I will have to post about each day later. 

    And last up... I can't believe that this week my Sammy boy will be turning 3. We have been getting ready for his party this next weekend and he is SO excited. This is the first year that he really gets it. He is having a "cowboy" party and he is so excited. (as you can see)

    We have been enjoying birthday parties with friends, sunny afternoons, and lots of snuggle times during the past few weeks and I am finally ready to start blogging and keeping track again :) 

Colorado 2011

 These next few pictures are very special to me. Ryne had been planning for a very long time, a surprise second proposal. He took me to the top of a mountain and asked me if I would marry him, again. Ryne and I knew we wanted to marry each other, but it is no secret that we ended up getting married quicker, and sooner than we had "planned." It was incredibly romantic, thoughtful, and sweet. I am super excited to renew the commitment that we made to one another. I have the sweetest husband!

 I just love our little family SO much! This picture makes me SO happy!

 This is Sam's "it's not fair" face. He was not very happy about coming in from the snow. (even though he was SO cold and red.)

And this was Riley's "it's not fair" face

Caiter, Hannah, and Me!

I loved this picture with Ryne and the kids.

The following are of Riley at Ski School. She was making me laugh constantly. She LOVED talking to the instructor and was telling him what to do. She did a really good job and I was proud of her. When we asked her if she wanted to go to Ski School again, she said "Um... I don't want to go. That man, kept trying to tell me what to do, and I already know how to ski!" Oh Lordy...

I was equally impressed with Sammy. He can be a little whiny at times, so I didn't know how he would do in the cold, but he did great! I got a great video of Sammy skiing and he did really well too. I was impressed with the instructors and thought they did a really good job. 

Here we are in the car, showing off my new ring :)

Tuesday was a rough day for all of us, after receiving news that a grandparent had a stroke. No one hit the slopes that day but we did venture out to a nearby town. I was so glad that we did too! We loved this little cafe in Salida Colorado. The food was good, the coffee was wonderful, and the company was fantastic!

Here are some misc pics from playing outside in the snow:

     We are so glad that we had a chance to have a family vacation. Apparently Ryne had been planning on my "proposal" for a while, which made the trip even more special. The snow was wonderful and the views were so breathtaking! I hope we get a chance to go back again.
      Today we are enjoying celebrating Christmas with my family. I can hardly believe that Leah and I will be leaving for Israel in just a few days. I am loving this Christmas break!!

Graduation

       The wonderful weekend started out with graduation banquet on Friday night. I was very excited because I had been asked to speak! I had been very emotional the week leading up to graduation. The past few weeks have just been very overwhelming as I have started a new full time job and tried to finish up going to school. It was so wonderful to celebrate over a meal with my family. In addition to a great night, I was surprised to hear my name called when they were handing out honor medals. There were many times when my only goal was just to pass! So I was quite pleased when I discovered that I would be graduating Cum Laude!

I don't know what I would have done without my mom at graduation. She is an amazing women and she went above and beyond to make sure that I felt special.

 I am so glad that Grandmother Anne could make the trip as well! She is so special to me. Having her there was wonderful!

 HANNAH!! Oh how I love my Hannah! I have missed her so much these past few months since Leah has been here. I was so excited to see her and Ty for a few hours!

Me and my sweet fam

 I am so thankful for my father and the man that he is. I am glad I have another teacher in the family to chat with :)  (and Hannah too) I love you so much dad!

 The Bergren's!! I have the best in-laws in the entire world. I am so glad we were all together this past weekend to celebrate together.

 Me and my grandmother "at-the-lake." I thought she looked so beautiful in her blue for graduation! I am so glad that she was able to make it. I am very fortunate to have so many people who love me...

 Aunt Debbie! I am continuously amazed at how much we are alike. I love being with Aunt Debbie (and so do my kids) I am so glad that she could make it!

 Our friends Stephen and Rhea! Ryne and I are so blessed to call these two friends. Thanks for driving out guys! We really appreciate it!

And the lovely lady behind the lens... Caiter! I am so glad that Caitlin was able to come this past weekend. This time of the year is so busy for college students. I loved having you here and getting to spend some time with you. Love you!!












    This past weekend was pretty much a whirlwind of everything! I was overwhelmed by the amount of love that I received in person, on the phone, through cards, and on Facebook. It feels so nice to be done. I am thankful that I have not had any lag time between graduation and a job. I was recently hired at a middle school in town and I am a new 6th grade science teacher! I am really loving it too! We celebrated Riley's birthday along with graduation this past weekend. And in a couple of days we will be celebrating our Christmas by hitting the slopes in Colorado! I am so excited!!! After that we will have some down time before heading out to Israel. I can't wait to share with everyone about that!

Thanks to everyone who has loved on, prayed for, or thought of Ryne and I as we have tried to finish up our goal of receiving a degree! Ryne will graduate next semester and then is when the real adventure of "life after college" will begin. We are so thankful for the people that God has placed in our lives, especially during this difficult journey. Thank you for all the love and support!