what's going on

life sure is quick. ten days feel like one to me and so i end up behind. but there are crazy awesome things that have happened and i can't wait for what's coming in the future.

Hawaii for one was amazing. it was a wonderful trip filled with so many new and life changing experiences. i saw the beauty of this world is so many ways. a breaching whale, a sea turtle, a kayak trip to a bird sanctuary off shore were just some of the magnificent things i was blessed to be a part of. But beyond all of that physical beauty there was an overwhelming feeling of family. i was with my future in-laws and i have never felt so blessed to have them in my life. It was a real family vacation and I didn't feel like a visitor at all. It was my family too. I can't wait to share so many more memories with them!

my YAY IM GETTING MARRIED party in Grand Rapids was the most fun i have with these Hope College women. we stayed in a hotel downtown gr and went out on the town. we ended up at TGI Fridays because Taylor was with us and we weren't able to get into most of the clubs. BUT that was the best part of the night. we were literally thrown into a romantic comedy and couldn't get out. we laughed and we met people and we had some drinks and i was forced to drink out of a "bride" goblet while wearing a bachelorette sash and a crown with a veil. it was amazing. we told everyone that i was getting married the next day and so had so many drinks bought for us over the night. we swam and ordered pizza at 230 in the morning. it was the best night of college and i have all my ladies to thank.

May Day and Graduation were so fun. May "West" Day as we lovingly called it within our group of friends was a day that could not be topped. if my bachelorette party was the best night of college this was certainly one of the best days! not only was it a beautiful day complete with grilling in the creek and some game including drinking beer from a baseball bat but there were people everywhere. the last friday before exams tends to bring people out of the woodwork. the men of 306 e 13th were awesome hosts and grenade launchers. good work boys. a week later we graduated. walked across the stage. received our diplomas. and shook the president's hand. it was a great feeling and although i had technically graduated in december, walking across the stage made it all real. a launch into the real world surrounded by family and friends that would soon be spread out all over the world. good luck everyone.

well then tuliptime happened. my life for a long long week and it ended with a bang. well more of a pop, a scream and a trip to the emergency room in an ambulance. i dislocated by knee cap on saturday afternoon - the last day of my job. cool. well that ended everything very abruptly. i was at the hospital for about two hours and leah s. was the coolest and hung out with me the whole time. thank you thank you leah. i went home that day, two days earlier than i thought i would be and had to just ask rob and my dad to throw everything into bags and get me home. i was couch ridden for a couple of days and on monday by other two livesavers - taylor and rob - went to holland to move me out of my house. i wasn't there and i still don't know where half of my stuff ended up haha. oh well, i can't thank them enough!

now life is a little more calm. rob and taylor and mr. r and i all went up north to have some hang time up at the cottage in TC. it was such a blast and so so relaxing. mrs. r was in Chile for two weeks and we missed her a ton but she had lots of fun pictures to show us when she returned!

now we are just working on wedding planning and i am working at Papa Vino's. it isn't the ideal plan but we are still looking for full time work and for right now we are able to make money waitressing and rob is reffing soccer.

life is great and the time is flying so quickly but i am so thankful for all the fun that i have had in the past couple of months. i have the best friends in the world and the best family and i have the absolute beyond best fiance on the planet. thank you to all of you who have made the past couple of months so exciting and who will continue to make the future months a blast as well!

love. linds

new things.

11 new things in the new year.

1. marriage
2. commencement
3. co-ed living
4. Laura in my town
5. bridal
6. paying bills on my own
7. wedding planning
8. last summer at home
9. Hawaii with the in-laws
10. in-laws and a sister
11. new last name

I love 2011. I love my future husband.
I feel very blessed and contented with my life.

well well well

I have learned a lot this year
some of this year has been fabulous
and some of it has been absolutely terrible and heartbreaking.

i think i am ready to move on.

getting married. wow. yes please.
let's get married now.

oh. p.s. i am engaged now :)

Senior Year

the time has come. all i have to say is that this year is going to be a good one.

nervous and exciting and full of so much love.

future

the future is a scary place.
wait. is that what we are supposed to think? or is it just me? are we to prepare for it in advance or live our lives for the present? i dont know. i cant seem to make sense of all the cliches i hear around me each and every day. there has to be an answer. i know that we are to trust in the Lord no matter what our dilemma and the future is not ours to uncover. those things i know. but i dont know so many other things. maybe i never will. but is that ok... is that acceptable? because lately i have been feeling behind. like so many people know so many things that i dont know. like maybe just maybe i skipped something. i have dreams and wants and ambitions but i dont know exactly how to achieve them or if there is really any possibility of achieving them. the one thing i know is that i have a love to share this uncertain future with. at least that is comforting. we can be confused and lost together. yes. that is comforting.

maybe this is the key. there is a future full of excitement.

insanity

today was day three of a change in life.
i am working out daily and it feels like HELL
then i finish and i feel awesome!

it is so refreshing to know that i can accomplish something.
things are changing and i can (literally) feel it.

new things

here are a few of the things i have learned recently.

1. God can do anything. He can give and take away and through it all was are called to praise Him!
2. Friends are God's gift to us and I believe wholeheartedly that we are to care deeply for each one!
3. Summer truly is the best time of the year. People come out of hibernation and live again!
4. Changing some things in life is good but not always necessary for everyone.
5. There is never ever a reason to hold a grudge in your heart.
6. Having no regrets seems nearly impossible but I am trying my best!
7. Pulling off a new look only happens when someone you don't know well tells you you're pretty :)
8. Having things go your way (my way) is not always what is best.
9. I will sing praise, I will sing praise, no weapon formed against me shall remain!
10. I truly serve an Awesome and Holy God and without him our days are meaningless!
11. Eating healthy makes you feel soooo good!