While I was home for Christmas I was able to help throw a shower for one of my cousins. This is actually her fourth baby, but the first little boy. Our family is pretty heavily saturated with ladies, so it was exciting to venture away from pink and purple!

I'll be honest, my aunt who I threw the shower with did most of the work {it's kind of hard to plan a shower from a different state, especially in the process of moving}, so I can't take much credit for how cute it turned out.

But, I did have a hand in a few of the cutesy details.

My cousin is going with a sailboat theme for the nursery, so we decided to keep that theme for the shower too. I found these cute anchor and sailboat cookie cutters on ebay and knew they would be a perfect addition to the cake!

I unfortunately had to buy a hand mixer while I was there, because even though I lugged my Kitchen Aide mixer allllll the way to Missouri, I somehow forgot to bring any of the attachments that go with it... so that was kind of cool. It made the icing situation a little more complicated, but I think they still turned out cute.

I also made this bunting to hang on and above the table.

Don't you love the name Benjamin? I think it's adorable! {We actually had a bit of a name situation for awhile... they were tossing around a name that Derek and I are pretty sold on, so we had to call dibs! haha It all worked out... after a black eye or two. Juuuuust kidding.}

I had to sew it on the floor since my desk was still in Kansas, but I actually kind of liked it. Maybe I'll sew on the floor more often.

Like I said, I can't take too much credit, but it was still a fun day! And Benjamin made out like a bandit!

Mission accomplished.

Looking back on 2012, I feel that I gained a lot of perspective. 

Learning to find contentment and joy in every circumstance. Choosing to be happy where I am in the moment, rather than waiting for the future to bring bigger and better things. Trusting the Lord's plans and timing rather than my own. 

These haven't been easy lessons, and I certainly haven't mastered them, but they have been so so beneficial for me. Life is what you make it, and 2012 taught me to live in the present rather than always waiting for tomorrow.

Though we usually don't make New Year's Resolutions, Derek said his only goal last year was to find a better job and get out of Garden City. I was in complete agreement because I just had to get out of that place and I wanted to be closer to family and friends.

Like I said though, I slowly became more content over the year and more at peace with our current situation. Realizing and accepting that it was truly where we were supposed to be in the moment. I actually started really loving how things were going, not really worrying about what could make our life better. Life was good.

And then... Derek was offered a "better job that would get him out of Garden City." huh.
God's timing is funny that way. 

It's a bittersweet feeling actually, one I didn't expect. I am so so soooo excited to be closer to "home" and family and friends, but I'm also a little bit sad. I dread leaving my students and the school that "broke me in," saying good bye to my new friends, knowing that facebook will be the only real way to keep in touch, and moving away from our first home together and the community that we've slowly learned to embrace. 

I'm so happy to be wrapping up the year with the feelings of excitement and anticipation that we didn't have last year. I'm also thankful that I have learned to appreciate our first home and will be able to look back on it with positive memories and a grateful heart, rather than with bitterness. 

This year has been better than I expected and exactly what I needed. I hope you can say the same!

Happy 2013!

Oh, November. What am I gonna do with you?! You are so full of bittersweetness I feel like I'm becoming bipolar... and this is just day 1. 

My world is about to be totally turned upside down. I can't decide if I'm beyond ecstatic or totally depressed.  Sooooo many emotions. Seriously!!

One thing I do know is that I'm thankful. Thankful for so many things! 

I've been really trying to live a thankful and content life these past few months, but this stereotypical month to be thankful is really putting me over the edge... happy life changes, fun plans, time with family and friends, early Christmas celebrations. 

And lets not forget happy smells, yummy food, and getting to start Christmas decorating! 

Welcome back November! I think we're gonna be friends.