17 out of 22 years

That is how long I've been in school. And at 8:34 this morning, it was over [at least for now]. Surreal, exciting, and a little bittersweet.. that's exactly what this is.

a big thanks to you!

Do you remember voting for my brother-in-law and good friend to open for Dave Barnes? Well, guess what.. THEY WON!! Husband and I are just beyond excited for the concert on Friday night. Such a perfect way to celebrate the end of finals, which means the end of undergraduate school foreverrrrr!

.

PS: This post would not be complete without giving credit to this guy for the video in its entirety. Mad props, friend. Mad.

Send something (oh so) good!

Dear secret Send Something Good friend 

(and all other friends who may be interested in a few of my favorite things),

Before I begin, please play the song below. I'm convinced that it is not just appropriate, but completely necessary to enjoy favorite things list reading to its fullest capacity. And I mean really.. Julie Andrews. Such a classic. 

And so, as Julie so eloquently puts it, these are a few of my favorite things..

[1]
Mountains.
Especially the snowy kind.

[2]
The color green.
Because it reminds me of the woods.

[3]

Dark chocolate.

YUM. No other explanation necessary.  

[4]
Vintage lace.
There's just something so inherently delicate and beautiful..

[5]
Saint Francis.
A seriously cool dude. And he wrote the song that I walked down the aisle to.

[6]
Switzerland.
The land of mountains and chocolate. I mean, it's basically perfection in a country.

[7]
Music.
I love all kinds, but especially the folky variety.

[8]

Wild flowers.

One day I'll have a garden overflowing with them. Especially these ones.

[9]
Funky socks.
My current favorite pair is lime green with an abundance of tiny sushi images.. love. them.

[10]
White wine.
To be enjoyed with good friends and a warm summer night.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Here I am

Soup and tea.. my new best friends.

Friends, this has been the longest and hardest week of the entire semester.

No, my entire college career. But here I am in all my sickly and exhausted glory. And even still, I'm filled with happiness. There's only one more day of classes left [ONE. DAY.], I'm drinking my mom's happy tea [it really does bring instant happiness with every sip], one of my favorite people is sitting on the couch with me, and there is only fourteen days until graduation. This week may have left me feverish and sleep deprived, but here I am. And here is a pretty wonderful place to be.

How not to picnic

Husband and I decided to celebrate all the delightful spring weather we've been experiencing with a picnic. So, we made our way to one of our favorite spots and what a celebration indeed. There were flowers everywhere, my ChikFilA sandwich had extra pickles [this alone is YAY! worthy], and we were just basking in all of spring's glory.. when it happened. 

The breeze picked up and within 1.739 seconds the scent of rotting animal decay [even typing this just gives me the no feeling] joined our little picnic. Our response? Something along the lines of ohh, we don't want to let a silly breeze end our date.. I'm sure it will pass soon. Well friends, it did not pass.. it just got worse, and worse, and worse. After failed attempts to eat while we each tried to breathe through our mouth and block the horrific scent by covering our nose with napkins and/or our shirt collar [not. even. kidding.], we realized that a silly breeze is actually worthy reason to end a picnicking date. And so, we ran away. Far, far away.

Decaying animal scented breeze, I'd like to thank you for the reminder that the circle of life is not just a song. But in the future, I ask that you please keep to yourself because the words picnic and death should just never be associated.

That feeling you get when you realize that you're graduating in 22 days...

•

It kind of makes me want to climb to the top of all of those mountaintops and exclaim YIPPEEEE!!! while throwing confetti and doing a crazy happy dance.

When your grandma sends you on a hot date...

[one][three][six][seven][eight]

My lovely grandma recently asked husband and me to collect 28 of our favorite pictures [the ones above are my favorites of the favorites]. We had so much fun looking through the archives and reminiscing on life together. And what a beautiful life it has been. Thanks grandma for unintentionally sending us on a date.. we had a blast!

Three totally random pictures that are also not totally random

[Friday]

Stormy clouds rolling in to make for a rather cozy evening.

[Saturday]

Doing what is necessary to survive writing a paper.

[Sunday]

An Easter dress and basking in glorious [glorious] sunshine.

So, what's not random about these completely random pictures? Ohh, I knoww.. you guys are such smarties and already figured it out. Indeed, they're all from over the weekend. And what an awesome weekend it was.

A rather significant contribution to all the awesomeness was my willful/shameless consumption of Peeps, Resee's Eggs, and Startbust Jelly Beans all weekend long [these candies are all now on sale.. let the mayhem continue]. But I mean really, what's not awesome about Easter candy coma that lasts well beyond Easter? The answer is nothing, my friends. Absolutely nothing.

3 minutes and 15 seconds that rocked my world

When I came across these videos I couldn't help but think to myself.. 

This is it. I've discovered the epitome of awesome.

I mean 11 countries in 44 days.

Ohh, be still my wanderlusty heart.

Boat launch

Remember that boat husband was building? Well, it has been officially launched. So much fun, my friends. SO MUCH. Want to know my favorite part [aside from all of the exploring by sunset]? Loading the boat back onto the trailer. You see, this is what happened. Husband backs trailer down boat ramp and I maneuver boat onto trailer. At this point, there is a rather large audience on shore [I didn't really understand how this happened, but it did] and I'm rather proud of myself for maneuvering my way onto trailer without any major difficulties [how this happened.. I also don't understand]. Anyway, husband begins to pull trailer up boat ramp and then..

Boat begins slipping off trailer.

I begin yelling Davidddddddddd..

[Why could I not get something more intelligent out of my mouth? You know like, hey the boat is about to fall off the trailer.]

Boat then falls off trailer.

Bystanders are staring without shame.

I am okay.

And also in a boat that is sitting entirely on concrete.

Good samaritan helps husband lift boat back onto trailer [I am no longer in boat at this time].
We explain to good boating samaritan that we are amateurs.

Boat is then secured to trailer and we learn that this should be done before boat is pulled up boat ramp.

Husband has since examined the boat and deemed it still floatable [I'm assuming that it's still intact due to its impeccable craftsmanship]. Either way, I can't wait for next time. YAY for adventures and awkward events that occur in front of large audiences [making for complete hilarity]. They make for the best kinds of memories.

P.S. David, you built a boat. I'm so proud of you. Like so. proud.

Meeting Gentri Lee

[captured by Mason]

During our journey to Las Vegas, we passed through a little town in Utah. What makes this little town special? Well, it's where Kelley and I got to meet our good friend Gentri! 

Cheeseburgers were involved. As were chocolate milkshakes.

And one of the most awesome bloggers I know of. Seriously, this lady rocks.

We talked. We laughed. We took ridiculous pictures.

It was awesome. 

Gentri, you my friend, are awesome. But I already knew that.