The Craziest (BEST) Year of My Life (SO FAR)

***I actually wrote 75% of this blog post YESTERDAY, Janurary 21st which was the anniversary of our engagement.   Why did I  not finish and post it then? Because at about 2:00pm we had a hailstorm and then our power was out until 10:30pm.  No internet = no posting!

Exactly one year ago I was in room 332 at Shepard H.S. teaching my chemistry class how to name organic compounds (e.g. CH4: carbon tetrahydride a.k.a. methane).  I was unaware that my my boyfriend was minutes away from giving me the surprise of my life: a combination of coming home a week sooner than I expected from Iraq, as well as a proposal complete with the most gorgeous ring I could ever imagine.

What a whirlwind Friday that was for me, and what a whirlwind YEAR 2011 was!  In spirit of this special anniversary, and the new year we have just begun, I would like to recap on the great things that have happened in my life since January 21st, 2011.

I guess I'd like to begin with the only "bad" part of my year...the fact that after our engagement and 2 weeks spent in Chicago, Mike had to return to Iraq for another 6 months.  I cannot say whether the last 6 months was easier or harder than the first. On the one hand I had a ring on my finger (literally), a wedding date set, and plenty of wedding planning to keep my busy. On the other hand Mike was going through some very dangerous times in Iraq, and I could only listen and be supportive on the other end of a computer thousands of miles away from my fiance.  It would come as no surprise to anyone that I am thankful EVERY DAY that Mike made it back safely to me.

On to more warm and fuzzy things.  While waiting for Mike's return to the US I got to spend time with my friends and family during my last months at home before moving to Texas.

My coworkers at Shepard (whom I miss very much) threw me a fabulous impromptu little bachelorette party:

Mike's Aunts threw me a beautiful bridal shower where gifts for the home were so generously given:

I spent an awesome weekend in Chicago seeing DMB perform with my favorite girls:

My mom and godmother, Laura, gave me another incredible bridal shower:

And then it was time for the move to Texas.  While sad to be leaving everyone behind, I was more excited and anxious to finally see my fiance again.  Once again he came earlier than expected :o)

 

The months before our wedding were busy as anyone could imagine. We made it home to Chicago for a weekend (For Fox's wedding in South Bend) and we were able to take care of some wedding details, including our engagement photos:

Fox's wedding:

We managed to take a little weekend vacation just the two of us in New Orleans:

We headed back to Chicago for Jen and JJ's wedding:

We bought our first new car as a couple:

Celebrated halloween with some friends:

And before we knew it, it was time to make the car ride back to Chicago for our wedding!!

My bridesmaids threw me an amazing bachelorette party in Chicago (for some reason I don't have pics on my computer...refer to facebook!)

We had a successful rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at Moe's Cantina:

We said "I Do" in front of friends and family:

Took some amazing photos in Chicago at night:

And celebrated our marriage with a beautiful reception:

Phew, I told you a lot happened this year! Let's not forget the relaxing Jamaican honeymoon:

Had a great time celebrating the marriage of Jim and Jackie:

Our first Christmas as a married couple:

A new years Eve celebration with our favorite family members:

And FINALLY, we successfully moved to Columbus, GA with Jesse James the cat!

Thank you to all who made it through that recap of my year! Like I said, it has been such an amazing year, one of the best years of my life (so far).  It's all thanks to my husband, my family, and my friends for giving me so much love and support!

Love,
Christine