Happy 26th! (and a Year in Review)

 {we heart it}

Today I am so blessed to be celebrating my 26th birthday!  I am so incredibly blessed, and I am so thankful for all the incredible people who make my life so sweet.  The years seem to be flying by faster and faster, and I can’t believe 25 has come and gone already.  And because I’m a firm believer in reflection and revisiting where I’ve been…I took some time to think about all of the great things I’ve experienced being 25!

I rang in my 25th birthday celebrating with friends in the Texas Hill Country.  We had planned to float the river, but in a freak Texas weather incident, the temps dropped below 60, and we’re entirely too wimpy to float in cold water.  So we enjoyed the wilderness a little more “my style,” in a three bedroom cabin with a gorgeous deck, grill, flat screen tv, firepit, and beautiful views.  It was a great start to what would be a fabulous year for me!

After being engaged for almost a year, Matt and I’s wedding events went into full force this past spring.  My bridesmaids and bridesmen (yes, I had guys in my bridal party) threw me a fabulous bridal shower and my sweet mom flew in all the way from London to be there for it.

We celebrated Matt’s 26th birthday with a little surprise party.  (Surprise for him, sneaky planning for me!)

In May, my bridesmaids and friends headed to Dallas for an insanely fun bachelorette party weekend.  I was pretty firm about not wanting the typical bachelorette party, and my friends were fabulous in giving me exactly what I’d envisioned and more.  I wish I could have that same weekend once a month!

After two years of living in London, my family finally moved back to the States in June, and though I know they were sad to leave their life there, I was SO glad to have them back in Houston and much much closer to me!

The highlight of my 25th year was without a doubt, Matt and I getting married.  My life has changed so much since meeting Matt, and I was so thrilled to become husband and wife on June 26th, 2009.  Here we are on June 25th, at our rehearsal with our dear family friend and pastor (who flew all the way from England to marry us!)

June 26th was magical…

…and I am so very blessed.

The best vacation of my 25th year was definitely our honeymoon.  A few days after the wedding (we lingered in Dallas a few days so we could spend more time with family and rest up a little bit before our trip), we headed to Playa Mujeres, Mexico for a dream vacation.  I can’t even tell you how many times a week I dream to be back at this place (with our friend, Pineapple Man, and the yummy drink he contained.)

In August, we headed to Toronto for a conference.  We were able to venture out from the nerdfest quite a bit and really enjoyed the city, especially the Art Gallery of Ontario (shown above.)

The fall of my 25th year was not the best for me.  I had lots of drama and stress surrounding my degree, and for a moment, my confidence and belief that I could get this dang Ph.D was really shaken.  But with the help of my incredible family and friends, I got through it, learned a ton, and came out a much stronger person.  It was after this, that I started this little blog, I guess as a way to get back in touch with myself.  I got a much needed break from all the stress when my little bro decided he was serious about becoming a Sooner.  We took an official college visit and got the OU VIP treatment.  Boomer!

We spent Thanksgiving in Arizona with Matt’s family and continued the tradition of the early morning Turkey Trot.  (Umm, please notice Matt’s face; he’s on the left.  Hahahha, that is one intense looking trot!)  I adore Matt’s family and could not imagine a more welcoming group of people.  I heart them.

In December, we spent our first Christmas together as married people, and I was giddy over getting (say that five times fast, “giddy over getting”) a Christmas card that started with “To my wife…”  Eeek!

I rang in new years as a 25 year old with my best friend and my boy (and some other people of course.)  Another highlight of my year, my best friend Jordan got engaged.  Hooray!

After traveling all over the freaking country for Matt’s interviews, we fell in love with Chicago and crossed our fingers we’d end up there!  Luckily (and with lots of prayers from lots of people) we found out the Windy City will be our home next year!  We’ve went back to visit a second time and found a precious little home to live in!

I’ve been so blessed this year am continually grateful for the people in my life who make life so meaningful.  I’m also so grateful to this little blog, the joy it has given me, and the wonderful, wonderful people I’ve been able to meet through it.  25 has been absolutely fantastic and I have a feeling 26 is going to be filled with lots of fantastic stuff, and as always, a few surprises!