Unspeakable Joy

"Joy, unspeakable joy, rises in my soul, never lets me go." -Chris Tomlin's "Joy to the World"

When Thomas and I got engaged in April, a 16-month engagement felt like an eternity. He was transitioning to graduate school and I was starting my career. We would be living in two different cities, learning to grow closer as a couple even in a long-distance relationship.

But as I sit here on the couch in my pajamas, sipping tea and munching on Christmas cookies, I'm reflecting on God's goodness, His peace that sustains, and the many blessings He has given us since that April evening.

Last Sunday, December 18, marked the halfway point in our engagement. Eight months have flown by and we now have less than eight to go until our wedding day. I'm filled with such JOY.

That day will be here before we know it, and so much has happened in the past few weeks:

Baylor beat Texas Tech (my little sister's school) on November 26 for the first time since 1995, ending the Red Raider's season. We got to sit on the Baylor side this year and it was an amazing victory!

On December 2nd, our Bears went on to defeat the University of Texas 48-24, making us undefeated at home with our first nine-win season since 1986. It was also the second time we beat the Longhorns in two years, so it was extra sweet.

Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy! It was truly our proudest moment as members of Baylor Nation. And in less than a week, our team takes on Washington in the Alamo Bowl. It may be our last time to see the Heisman winner wearing green and gold, but none of us will ever forget where we were when we heard the award announced!

On December 11th, Thomas and I took our engagement photos with the incredibly talented Rebecca Cash of Captivating Photography. With the busyness of the holidays, we probably won't see the images until after the new year, but we had an absolute blast and can't wait to see them!

Once Sarah finished her final exams, the four of us took off on a four-night cruise to Cozumel. It was most likely our last family vacation before I'm married, and it was so fun to relax and soak up some sun with my parents and little sister.

With that little update, I'm now signing off for three days of Christmas bliss. Three days without work. Three days of family, food and gifts. Three days of sleeping in, cozying up with a good book and watching movies. But once Tuesday comes and I have to return to the office, I'll still be reflecting on God's graciousness to us. And the greatest joy of this season is celebrating the birth of our Savior and the freedom we have in Christ.

Wishing you the merriest of Christmases!!

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15

Baylor Homecoming

"Because of what Baylor has meant to you in the past, because of what she will mean to you in the future, oh, my students, have a care for her. Build upon the foundations here the great school of which I have dreamed, so that she may touch and mold the lives of future generations and help to fit them for life here and hereafter. To you seniors of the past, of the present, of the future I entrust the care of Baylor University. To you I hand the torch. My love be unto you and my blessing be upon you." -Samuel Palmer Brooks, 1931

I love Baylor.

After graduating in May, I've been fortunate to not be "cut off" entirely from college world. I spent two full months in Waco this summer as I searched for my first job, and I've been back to visit at least twice a month for football games and to see that special guy of mine. Even though I've been a Waco regular, my first Homecoming as a Baylor alum was better than I ever dreamed. You think Homecoming is amazing as an undergrad? Just wait until you graduate. The feeling of returning to campus to celebrate your alma mater is magical.

I took Friday off of work to fully embrace the weekend's festivities... breakfast with Kaitlyn at Cafe Cappuccino, surprising Meredith at work, dinner with Thomas, Clara and Laura at Rosati's, the Homecoming bonfire and pep rally, followed by an engagement party for our friends Adrienne and Zach. And that was just one day!

One of our all-time favorite couples, Sterling and Meredith.

The Kriegels

Congratulations Adrienne!

Saturday morning came too early, but after grabbing Starbucks (the line at Common Grounds was wayyyy too long), Thomas and I were ready to go watch the parade. Baylor's Homecoming parade is the largest collegiate parade in the country, and the floats students build are incredible. It was fun to watch this year as a spectator, but to be honest, we were so busy walking through the crowds to visit with friends that before I knew it, the parade was over.

With Thomas and my beautiful future sister-in-law, Clara.

Sisters at the ADPi Breakfast in Burleson Quadrangle.

Thomas and some of his awesome fraternity brothers.

ADPi's adorable float - "See You At the Mad Tea Party." Each chair at the table was a different Big XII school. Note the A&M chair to the left. :)

Before seeing the afternoon performance of Pigskin Revue, after which we raced to Floyd Casey for the football game and another Baylor victory.

I am so very thankful for Baylor University. I've been blessed with irreplaceable friendships, lifelong memories and a many years to come of continuing to love the green and gold.

"... return to campus to renew former associations and friendships, and catch the Baylor spirit again." -First-Ever Homecoming Invitation to Alumni, 1909

Yet Another Waco Weekend

During my years at Baylor, I often made trips to my cousin's house to spend time with her and her husband and kids. It was nice to have family in town, even though I was only 90 miles from home. When I was overwhelmed with the stress of school and internships or when I started freaking out about graduating, hanging out with her kiddos seemed to make everything better. Nothing like a three-year-old to bring you back to earth. Caleb and Bayleigh are such a fun part of our family!

Two Saturdays ago, Thomas and I spent the afternoon at Caleb's soccer game. It was so fun to see him running around the field, and he even scored a time or two. So. Adorable.

With the star player!

What a stud.

In this video clip, Caleb tries his hardest to play defense and turn the ball around. When your legs are that short, it's harder than it looks! You can hear us all saying, "other way, other way!"

After his game, we were on our way to the next - the Baylor game against the Iowa State Cyclones. We hung out at the Phi Chi tailgate for a little bit and then headed inside to watch the Bears secure another win. I just love having season tickets!

Melissa, Alex and me

Sooo windy. Excuse the hair.

Heather came to visit for the day!

After the game, a bunch of us got together for homemade Dr Pepper floats to celebrate the win. It was another wonderful weekend in Waco! And an added bonus? That Friday night, I was reunited with my dear dear friend Jennica who was in town from Thailand. I'm so bummed I didn't get a picture. Follow her blog as she spends 5 more months teaching English in Bangkok! You'll thank me - she's huh-larious.

See Ya, September...

Where did September go? It's hard to believe tomorrow is October 1st. I've started and restarted this blog about seven times, but when you go 18 days without blogging, it's hard to decide where to begin. I'll try my best to sum it up!

Almost three weeks ago, Mom and I went to the Austin Bridal Extravaganza to scope out the last of our wedding vendors. We're feeling great about the progress of wedding plans (I'll save that for another blog post!) and we have many things crossed off our list. Before leaving the event, we snapped a photo in one of the cute vintage cars we're looking at for our getaway. You'll just have to imagine what the rest of it looks like...

During one of my weekend trips to Waco, a bunch of us got together to see The Lion King: 3D. The theater was packed with college kids and 20somethings wanting to relive one of the greatest movies of the 90s. The energy was electric (I'm not kidding), everyone quoted their favorite lines (some followed by sic 'ems), and we sang every word to every song. Who says you have to grow up?

Me and Kelsey - SO excited to see it on opening night!

Ready to go with our snazzy 3D glasses.

Last week I celebrated my 23rd birthday! When I was in high school or college and people asked each year "do you feel any older," I'd usually say no. Sure, there are milestones at 16, 18, and 21, but nothing quite prepared me for what my first birthday post-college would be like. As silly as it sounds, I felt so odd not being at school, surrounded by friends. It was a day like any other in the working world - I had to get up before the sun to shower and drive downtown, and I ended up working until after 6:30. When I got home, Mom and Dad were hosting their weekly Bible study, so after dinner and cake, I spent the rest of the evening in my room, relaxing in front of the TV because I was so exhausted. But I'm thankful that even though we may be in separate cities or too busy to get together because of crazy schedules, my friends and family went out of their way to make my birthday really special.

My sister Sarah had 3 dozen cookies from Tiff's Treats delivered to my office. Everyone in the marketing team was a huge fan of hers that day!

The team took me out for lunch at Home Slice Pizza on South Congress. We were celebrating two birthdays that week, which meant two times the complimentary desserts.

While I had to work late on my actual birthday, I was very fortunate to take that Friday off. I slept in (past 8 a.m., wooo!) and went to the gym with Mom. After getting pedicures, we met up with Dad for lunch at Mighty Fine Burgers, and then went to IKEA to pick up one of my birthday gifts - a reading chair for my bedroom (photos to come). Later that afternoon, I jumped on I35 to go celebrate my birthday in Waco! My birthday weekend entailed a much-needed dinner date with Thomas, quality time with Alex and Brynn & Neil who came to town, and another epic Baylor win.

Roommates under the same roof again, if only for a day.

Tailgating before the game!

We even got to meet Baby Kade! The next day, I got to hang out with Jenni to take newborn photos of this little guy.

This week has been extraordinarily long with a quick business trip to Houston on Tuesday to work an event, quickly followed by two proposal deadlines. I've also been flying solo for the past several days... Mom & Dad are blissfully sailing through the Caribbean, leaving their jealous daughter to fend for herself. They'll be home Sunday, but until then I'm going to enjoy a weekend to myself. Happy Friday!

Tale of Weekends Past

When did September sneak up on us? Last thing I remember, it was 108 degrees and my family was flocking to Lake Travis to escape the early August heat. Now, we're more than a week into my birthday month, football season is underway, and Texas is being teased with slightly cooler weather. Here's a recap of the past several weekends!

With the extreme summer drought, local lakes have been at all-time lows. Our boat is docked at a friend's lake house, and the water is so low that the tram we take down to the dock has reached the end of its track. Sometimes getting down is more trouble than it's worth since it's hard to climb down the rocky banks with ice chests and food. But when my uncle came to town one weekend, we decided to grab Fuzzy's tacos and go out to swim and watch the sunset. I'm hopeful that soon we'll get some major rain and the lake will fill back up!

View from above the dock. See the treeline across from us? That's where the water usually is.

The weekend after that, Thomas came to visit me! He had a break between summer finals and the fall semester starting, and I was able to take a day off of work to go play in Austin! Our weekend together included: tax-free shopping at the outlet malls, Freebirds burritos, the Glee: 3D movie, my favorite Greek restaurant (Zakia's), taking Thomas downtown to see my office, sushi and cupcakes, a BBQ with my extended family, church on Sunday, and brunch with my parents at the amazing Chez Zee. Three days flew by and before I knew it, Thomas had to return to Waco to for school. I absolutely cannot WAIT until he's here in Austin to stay!!

We climbed to the top of Mount Bonnell in the 105+ degree weather so I could show Thomas the beautiful view of downtown.

The last weekend of August, I traveled north to Waco. One of my best friends was in town before leaving for the Kanakuk Institude in Missouri, so we went to Ninfa's for dinner with some ADPi sisters. She and I also had breakfast together the next day, and on Saturday night I went to the Margarita and Salsa Festival with Thomas, Alex and some of their friends from grad school to see Eli Young Band and Gary Allan. It was a million degrees out and the margaritas were no bueno, but the music was awesome and we had a great time!

Kaitlyn's Farewell Dinner

Janie, me and Alex and Marg&Salsa Fest

I was back in Austin for only five days before I found myself back in the 254 for Labor Day. I just can't stay away. I love going to visit Waco for obvious reasons (both my fiancé Thomas and best friend/roommate Alex), but it also helps that I have season tickets for football. Our first game of the season took place on Friday night against the TCU Horned Frogs, and ohmygoodness, what an intense game it was. It was the largest opening game crowd since 1975 and the energy in the stadium was electric. Baylor had a huge lead until the 4th quarter when TCU came back with a vengeance. It was the most nerve-wracking game I've ever attended, but Baylor won the game, 50-48! Everyone rushed the field when the game was over, and the win earned Baylor a #20 ranking in the AP Top 25. Makes me so incredibly proud to be a Baylor bear!!

Right after Baylor scored a field goal to secure the win. Everyone was going nuts!

Saturday was Alex's birthday, and it was so wonderful to spend the day together. We got pedicures, did a little shopping, had dinner at Chuy's and went to see The Help (second time for me). It was just as good the second time around! I gave Alex a cupcake decorating kit for her birthday, so on Sunday night we put it to good use. Thomas, Alex and I cooked dinner, watched a movie, and channeled our inner baker to decorate cupcakes for dessert. Nights like that make me miss them even more, but make me even more grateful that I get to steal away from the real world to be with them.

This weekend I'm thankful for a few relaxing days at home with my mom and dad, and even more thankful that now I'm caught up on blogging. Here's to family, friends and making memories worthy of sharing on the blog. Happy Saturday!