my guy

last night after posting about 2009.2010, i was thinking about preston and all that we did this past year.

preston is such a great guy.  i sometimes get tongue tied thinking of how to describe him.

We went through so much when we first started dating. Although it was mainly friendship spats with people we don't really hang out with now we are in college... then it seemed like my world had crashed around me.  The past two and a half years have really brought me to reality about living a life that has meaning.

-Here is a little tid bit about my guy-

he is shy.

until you get to know him.

then he frequently acts like a 5 year old on a sugar high.

he's extremely strong and makes me feel safe no matter where we are.

he is huge into working out, but whenever we go together he seems to motivate me more than work out himself.

he puts up with my N.C. State antics, even though he is a UNC fan.

he loves to teach me.

he teaches me how to play video games the "right" way.  How to golf, although I'm pretty much a professional (just kidding).

  he is extremely selfless.

he always thinks about me, and my concerns.

he puts up with my wedding craze, and baby name lists.

sometimes he even reads my blog!

he gets annoyed at how much I apologize for little things that don't matter.

he has taught me to love more deeply than I ever have before.

2010

Dear 2009,

How did you come and go so quickly? I hardly even remember last new years! I also apologize for not making any new years resolutions at the birth of 2009.  Hopefully 2010 will be more goal oriented!

With hopes for the new year,

Dear 2010,

Thank you for coming! I have a few goals this year. I would greatly appreciate the much needed motivation so that I can accomplish my goals for more than a few weeks.

• I want to stay in shape. This may be hard due to the fact that walking to class has been eliminated from my daily schedule, and going to the gym requires an extra 2-3 hours out of my day!
• I want to get organized.  But for real organized.  It needs to be functional.  I tend to put things in groups, but they aren't functional groups...usually they are hard to get to and annoying to take the time and put them away.
• I would love to stay on top of my grades, and keep them up, BUT without the loss of enjoying time with friends, family and of course preston!
• I want to get inspired.  Recently I have been in to attempting to dig up my "artsy" and "creative" self from deep beneath the paper writing machine I have become. Maybe taking pictures and scrapbooking will help!
• I would also like to stay on budget this year! I know, it seems awful 2010 that I have never been on an actual budget, but this year I'm determined.  I need to learn how to not just save for my next purchase, but save for my future! (you know, that wedding in a few years--fingers crossed!)
• I want to spend more time for myself. Being a coffee lover I would love to spend mornings sipping and reading and thinking....and what ever else I can force my body to do that early.
• I also do not want to give up.  Never give up.  Make each moment worth while. If one cliche explains my goals the best it is Live, Laugh, Love.  So what cliche, you describe who I want to be in 2010.

Thanks 2010 for listening to my goals.... I will probably write them down somewhere on my wall so I don't forget them.  Hopefully you will be proud as 2011 rolls around.

fingers crossed,

bring it on 2010

over, already? or just beginning...

wow, it's hard to believe Christmas has come and gone, and 2010 is right around the corner!

although my trip to Sanibel was wonderful,

being home and seeing my friends and preston has been amazing as well.

school is right around the corner again, so i'm trying to muster up the courage to keep it going for another semester!

with friends going out of the country, mhhhmmm natalie,  it may be a bit of a difficult semester!

but i am so happy for lovely nicole, who is engaged to such a great guy (preston's brother, josh).

recently i have been extremely marriage and baby crazy.

i know of seven ladies who got engaged over this holiday season, making me only the tiniest bit jealous.

and i know of quite a few ladies who had precious children within the last few months...

then i have to smack myself and remember that God has a plan for each of us!

and... i'm only 20, with 3 more semesters of school.

my boyfriend is fabulous i know this, and that is one reason why i want to have "proof" that we will be together forever...

so here's to all those who have wishes beyond their control this new year,

be grateful for what you have,

be patient while you wait

it will all come in good time.

love where you are and who you are with 

*

12 hours later...Sanibel

we finally arrived in florida this morning at 3:00 am... yes we drove ALL night!

this is the sunset in from I-40 last night!

i'm glad we are here though, it is about 70 out! and beautiful! i can't wait to share all my pictures with everyone! I forgot to take my camera to the beach, and of course there were things everywhere to take pictures of! but here are a few!

we had a model, while we were out fishing! my grandma said that the yellow on his head means that he is a young pelican.

i love being at the beach, like i said in earlier posts, i couldn't choose between the mountains and the beach.

it is absolutely breathtaking here.

i woke up to coffee on the back porch over looking the marina from my grandparents new home. 

we walked to breakfast, walked on the beach and i have loved every second of it.

Sanibel gives the word relaxing a new meaning.  if you have never been here before, you should come.

although, having Christmas in 70 degree weather... as nice as it is, seems slightly off!

i saw this coffee mug at the Grove Park Inn on my trip to the mountains, and i love the quote!

we should all live by it

what is everyone doing for the holidays?*

colors of Christmas!

Kattrina tagged me! i feel so loved in the blog world already by all you lovely ladies!

anyways, my color was BURNT ORANGE (: so beautiful

last night was our Christmas dinner with my mom's side of the family because we are hopefully leaving for florida within the next 12 hours!

so here are a few pictures of Christmas-y things that are orange-ish (:

 {a}

{b}

{c}

{a- is a gold star fish ornament (it is more gold, but who cares it is beautiful) since we are going to Sanibel today, at some point}

{b- one of my favorite decorations in the house, a burnt orange/brass colored angel}

{c- brass snowman cookie cutter, who doesn't love cookies during the holidays!}

my next post will hopefully be from the beach in florida--happy holidays*

it doesn't show signs of stopping.

Thursday my friend natalie and i drove the 4 hours to her house in hendersonville, nc

that night we went to the beautiful grove park inn

and we woke up to 2 inches of snow on the ground and a snow storm all day

the white is beautiful

although our plans of going to main street and walking around town have been postponed, it is still beautiful to look at.

i love the snow.

we don't get much of it where i live

but being able to be in the mountains like this

with Christmas just around the corner

makes me love the idea of a white Christmas

then i remember that on monday i will be in Sanibel, Florida

no snow there!

but the snow is beautiful and i am loving days in front of the fire watching tv 

its days like these 

that make me want to move to the mountains of colorado 

 so i can enjoy the snow and fireplaces roaring with hot chocolate in my hands more often!

today we went to main street and ate at a small irish pub... so fun! then went shopping

although the snow is piled up, we still hiked about a mile to a place called "jump off rock" which had beautiful views! 

i am sad to say that tomorrow morning i will be leaving and heading home saying goodbye to the snow and hello to the open, and most likely crowded highways of north carolina.

but i am excited to see my wonderful boyfriend and family!

enjoy the holiday season*

id be lost without you.

friends.

i love them.

there is something about seeing one on campus,

or randomly during the day that brings me complete comfort.

 i love seeing and hear from friends that you haven't seen in a while

and it clicks again like you haven't missed a beat.

those are some of my favorite friendships.

i love getting coffee with friends.

when you sit together and talk about the past months of your life that have flown by

or how this person did that, and that guy caught your eye

but no matter what is going on around, you have each other

each other's attention.

ears.

and most of all,

hearts.

on top of it all--

i love how my boyfriend is my bestfriend and that he is the best listener i know

when i may be the worst.

i love how we curl up together and we fit like puzzle pieces and just talk.

it is days like today,

friendships like these 

and a love like his

that make my life like a comfy pair of jeans.

complete comfort and secure.

deep meaningful friendships full of abundant love*