New Years Eve

Today is New Years Eve and we are bringing in the new year with a relaxing night in.  We just got back from New Years Eve mass and David and I are making a homemade meal together for dinner along with Andrew and his girlfriend Jacki.  We returned from Tennessee for the Brinkmann family reunion last night and we had so much fun! It's weird to think that this time next year, I will call them all family! This is also my last New Years Eve as a McPartlan.  Time really does fly! 2011 was a great year for David and me.  David turned 21 in January, we got engaged in April, we finished up our junior year of college in May, and spent our summers abroad in Europe, David traveling on USCGC Eagle and myself studying abroad in España. We just finished up our first semester of our senior year of college and we are looking forward to the new year.  We have lots of exciting plans for 2012 including student teaching next semester, graduating in May, getting married in June and moving to David's first station, and hopefully finding a job as an elementary school teacher.  I am excited about this new year and all the experiences and opportunities in store for us! So here's to 2012! Happy New Year!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, I often get caught up in all the commotions of everyday life.  This time of year always seems so busy, and now with a wedding to plan, life just gets even crazier.  We have met with the deacon at the church, worked on the guest list, met with florists, taste-tested cakes, figured out the invitation wording, added gifts to the registry, taken engagement pictures, and researched the honeymoon all during Christmas break!  With all of these things to do, it does not leave me with much free time and with the little amount of time that I have to myself, I am usually just trying to catch up on sleep or relax for a minute.  But it is very important that I not only take time for myself this Christmas, but that I also take time to give to others.   Christmas lasts until the Epiphany, so this is still the Christmas season.  During this season, I will strive to take time not only for myself, but also for others.  God gave His only son to die for our sins, so giving Him some of my time is the least that I can do for Him.  


Christmas Mass Gospel: 
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
   - Matthew 1:18-25

Cabin Camping

David flew home from Connecticut on Wednesday night and the next day, we had planned to go on a cabin camping trip.  We packed up and headed to lake Allatoona to the Navy RV campsite on Thursday afternoon to spend two relaxing days in a cabin on the lake.  We spend our time cooking, reading, watching the movies Princess Bride and Black Swan, watching the television show Arrested Development, walking outside, playing frisbee, and just enjoying each other's company.   We had pretty good weather both days that we were there, so that was very nice.  David and I love to go camping and it was nice to just be away from the hustle and bustle of life for a couple of days.  It was a very restful, relaxing, and enjoyable trip and we had a lot of fun!

Winter Formal

This past weekend was the winter formal at the Coast Guard Academy, and the last formal at the Academy! I tried to surprise David this weekend and although that did not work as planned, we still had a great time! I flew into Hartford, CT on Friday night and David picked me up from the airport.  On Saturday, we tried to go to DJ's for breakfast, but it was closed by the time we got there so we went to the Portuguese Fisherman instead.  It was delicious! Then we went back to the Academy and went for a walk around campus for a while.  It was a beautiful day out and it so was nice to be able to spend the day outside.  Then we went to Fred's to hangout with some of the guys where we played chess and watched movies.  Later that afternoon, I had to go back to get ready for the formal to be there by 7 pm for dinner.  We had filet mignon, potatoes, and vegetables for dinner and sat at the table with Sam, Rachel, Will, and Morgan.  After dinner, we headed over to the dance, but the line was really long just to get inside, so we went down to the lounge to play a game of pool.  Will and Morgan won, but David and I were so close! By the time we got up to the dance, everyone was already on the dance floor so we joined right in and danced the rest of the night! The band played a lot of great songs that were fun to dance to and I had such a great time! I did not have to leave until later on Sunday so we were able to go to DJ's for breakfast with Sam and Rachel and then we watched "V for Vendetta" until it was time to go to the airport.  Goodbyes are never easy, but I know that David will be home in 10 days! I am so excited for Christmas break!

We're Engaged

On Friday, April 15, 2011, I flew up to Connecticut to see David for his Ring Dance at the Coast Guard Academy. There were about 10 of us all staying at a house in Old Saybrook, CT with a private beach that weekend. He told me that he wanted to wake up to watch the sunrise on Saturday morning, so we woke up at 5:45 am to see the sunrise at 6:15. It was freezing out but we brought blankets and stuff and we went down by the beach and sat on a bench near the dock.  He brought his guitar out to play too and he played and sang “Enchanted” by Taylor Swift.  Then, he started talking about the future, like where I wanted to live and stuff and since we just celebrated our five-year anniversary, he said how happy he was to have been with me the past five years.  He stood me up from the bench and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!!! The last part of what he was saying was kind of a blur because, when he stood up, I knew what was coming and I couldn’t stop smiling.  I teared up and covered my mouth because I was so excited. I said yes and he put the beautiful ring on my finger! It was perfect!