Bridal Shower

On Sunday, March 4, my bridesmaids Brittany, Kylene, and Kristin hosted a bridal shower and it was so amazing! The food and drinks were delicious, including homemade bruschetta, chicken salad, baked brie, fruit, cheese, crackers, cupcakes, sangria, and lemonade, along with many other treats! They decorated the house beautiful with blues, pinks, and many pictures of David and me.  When everyone arrived, we at some food and chatted for a while.  Then, we went into the living room to start playing a few games.  The first game was a questionnaire.  They had previously asked David some questions and I had to answer the same questions about David based on how I thought he would answer them.  For every question that I missed, I had to eat a piece of double bubble gum (my favorite)! I did pretty well, but I also had to have a few pieces of gum...I learned some things that even I did not know even about David, including the fact that his favorite dinner is grilled catfish (Mom knows best)! After the questionnaire, we split up into three groups and the girls had to choose one person to create a wedding dress made out of toilet paper.  Then I had to choose the "best dress."  They were all really creative and good, especially since they were made out of toilet paper! After that game, we opened all the wonderful gifts from my friends.  I am so thankful to have received so many nice things! Thanks everyone! I had such a wonderful time at the shower last weekend, and I am so blessed to have such great friends, family, and bridesmaids! With just about three months until the wedding, this is the beginning of all the spring wedding festivities! It is such an exciting time for us!

Mississippi Girl

On Thursday, March 1, 2012, David found out that he is stationed in Pascagoula, Mississippi on the Coast Guard Cutter Decisive! We are so excited about this! It is just a 7 hour drive from home in Marietta, and it is in a nice area right on the coast.  This station was one of his top picks! He called me around 8 pm on billet night and my heart was pounding.  I had been waiting all day for this phone call.  He tried to trick me by telling me that we were stationed in Michigan, but then he said, "and by Michigan I mean Mississippi!" We are both so happy about this and cannot wait to begin a new chapter in our lives in Mississippi.  We will spend the next two years there, with David on two month tours every couple of months, and me hopefully teaching at an elementary school.  I am going to visit Pascagoula soon, and I am looking forward to checking out the area, looking for schools, and just exploring! This is going to be an adventure and I am so ready for it! Congratulations David!

Happy Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine's Day and although we may be miles apart, I have the best valentine in the world! We got to celebrate with a Skype date, opening the presents that we sent each other last week and just getting a chance to talk.  With June 2, 2012 quickly approaching and our honeymoon to the Bahamas immediately after, we decided that we wanted to get each other bathing suits for the cruise.  David got me a nice teal colored bathing suit as well as a cover up, and I got him a blue suit.  These gifts have gotten us even more excited about the honeymoon! I also sent David some homemade heart shaped cookies, but he did not receive them today so hopefully he will get them tomorrow! 

 This past weekend, we got a lot accomplished as far as wedding plans go.  I went home for the weekend and we printed invitations, bought new shoes for the wedding, and we talked to different hair and makeup artists about getting us ready the day of.  I also met with the deacon to go over anything else that we need to do in preparation for the ceremony, and we will meet with him one more time in May right before the wedding! It is all coming together and I cannot believe that the wedding is less that 4 months away! This is a very exciting time for us and we are so thankful for everyone who has helped us along the way!

              

Student Teaching

I start my first day of student teaching in a Kindergarten classroom at Barrow Elementary School tomorrow and I am really looking forward to it! I met my teacher and the students today and I think it's going to be a great semester! I know that this will be a great opportunity for me to prepare for having my own classroom soon (hopefully!) and it will give me a better idea of what teaching is really like. Of course, I will be getting up at 6 am every morning so that's not going to be easy, but this is what I will be doing for the rest of my career and working with the children is so worth it.  I cannot believe that this is my last semester of college! These past four years have flown by and it is a little bitter sweet now that it is coming to an end, but I am going to enjoy these last few months of college with my friends and look forward to graduating, getting married, and hopefully getting a job this summer!

New Year's Resolutions

As we begin the year of 2012, I have reflected upon the past year and begun to think about the changes and improvements that I want to make in my life in the upcoming year.  This year, I want to work on worrying less and trusting in God more.  This prayer from Francis de Sales really helps me to remember that God is always with me and He will take care of me in any situation. 

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life;

rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise,

God, whose very own you are,

will lead you safely through all things;

and when you cannot stand it,

God will carry you in His arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

the same understanding Father who cares for

you today will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering

or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace,

and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

       -Saint Francis de Sales

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