GEORGIA ON MY MIND

The first thing I did after I left the airport was find the nearest place to get a sweet tea! I love that when you ask for tea in the south you don't have to say sweet tea or ask for sugar. I also love that chicken and waffles are on just about every menu. That dish may not sound very good, but y'all have GOT to try it. The Black Cow served up the best I have ever had. If you are ever near Columbus, Georgia please do yourself a favor and eat there. 11th and Bay Southern Table was great also. In fact, this is where our family ate the first two nights it was so good!

Cheddar waffle topped with fried chicken and their house made bacon jam.

Now for the real reason Georgia is on my mind.

"...I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier."

Hearing my cousin Danny speak these words at his graduation as a part of The Soldier's Creed, gave me the chills. I have many family members who have served and are currently serving as a part of our U.S. Army, but something about my little (yes, he will always be considered little) cousin continuing what seems to be the family business is bittersweet.

As an American, you should feel thankful you have someone like Danny helping protect our country. The word PROUD feels like an understatement as to how I feel about this boy.

Follow me.

Like father, like son.

Danny almost has his 1st week of Airborne school complete and in 2 more weeks he will graduate from Airborne and hopefully continue on to Ranger school. 

"God is my strength and my power, and he makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze."

2 Samuel 22:33-35

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Valentine's day is in less than a month so I decided I better start figuring out what I am going to do for Ryan. We have never really gave extravagant gifts to one another, but instead we have done something that makes each other feel special. Our very first Valentine's together I made Ryan a home cooked meal complete with his favorite food, ham. If you know me, you know how extremely difficult this was! Luckily, it all came together. Another year Ryan "hired" his roommate at the time to serve us dinner for two. It was so sweet. I am sure our love holiday will go somewhere along those lines.

Planning this years festivities for the national day of love really got me thinking about our wedding and everything that made it special to us. Our family surrounding us, the snow falling, the food prepared by our friends, and so much more that could never be put into words. Which got me also thinking...I never shared pictures or our beautiful video! It has been a little over a year since the big day and I could still watch it every day. I loved every minute second of that day from the moment I woke up next to my "baby" cousin Madison and running outside to a surprise snowfall to falling asleep next to my handsome husband in our first home together.

Our videographer, Brooke, also did a Save the Date video for us to tell our love story.

 

Save the Date Video 

 

Studebaker Wedding Video 

Our photographers also did a beautiful job with our book! Only a few of my favorites...

The boys really did clean up nice...and then there is C.J.

Ryan's grandpa Studebaker drove us away from our wedding in his 1923 Studebaker.

Fun Fact: 23 is our favorite number and our age in this photo.

How can you not absolutely adore this photo of Ryan's grandparents giving us marital advice?!

COFFEE & JESUS

...both are needed to make it through most days. Especially if you are a teacher. An elementary teacher. An elementary teacher returning from a two week break. Luckily for me, my cousin shared with me a Starbucks copy cat drink recipe over break. This drink also happens to be one of my favorites.

Iced White Chocolate Mocha with one pump of caramel, please!

                    Folgers Classic Roast (medium) - Starbucks Espresso Roast (dark) - White Chocolate chips - Caramel (optional)
                                                                     Not pictured- milk and optional whipped cream
For this particular recipe I use my reusable K-cup in my Keurig. I filled the first half of the K-cup with espresso and then the top half with coffee.
Before I brew the espresso/coffee mixture, I put one or two scoops of white chocolate chips in the coffee cup and pour in milk where it just tops the chips.

I melt this white chocolate chip/milk mixture in the microwave and stir. Once the chips are melted, I brew 8 oz. of the espresso/coffee mixture on top and stir. At this point, your drink is ready.

The next few steps are optional.

At this time I stir in caramel and then pour the drink over ice. Top with whipped cream and TA-DA.

ICED WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA with one pump of CARAMEL

Enjoy!

TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN

Last year through the holidays I remember singing, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas, may your heart be light. Next year all your troubles will be out of sight," and praying it would be true. I'm so happy with how this year turned out. God has truly worked in my life this year. There may not have been what most would consider GREAT things that happened, but I accomplished what I hoped to do. Stay happy without stress and worry controlling my life. I can't wait to build on that and see what God has in store for us in 2016!!

2015 gave us so many memories.

January- We moved into to our first home together after we returned from our honeymoon. My great grandmother Mosler passed away the day after we returned. Ryan took me to see Garth Brooks in concert.

February- My dad's cancer scans were ALL CLEAR. Ryan and I's first holiday as husband and wife. It was very punny. >Here are our favorite puns< Our dog, Abby, at nearly 3 POUNDS OF CHOCOLATE and survived. 

April- We bought 10 acres on the pit I grew up on (Mosler's Resort) in hopes to build on it someday soon. 

May- Ryan's sister got married and my cousin Madi graduated high school. We attended several Blaster's baseball games. Ryan's grandpa lost his sweet wife.

June- We attended our first ever Chingawasa Days with my Aunt and Uncle and saw Casey Donahew for the billionth time. My cousin Danny graduated high school in North Carolina and was then sworn into the Army. We made it through another family campout, Great Gatsby style.

July- Our good friends Taylor and Alex were married. We started attending a new church in hopes of finding a fitting church home.

November- Spent the month being thankful for health. It has been about a year since our parents were dismissed from hospitals for health concerns.

December- My cousin Madi got engaged during Christmas dinner. Celebrated our FIRST Christmas as a married couple and then our FIRST anniversary by ice skating at Crown Center in Kansas City. It rained-no surprise.

This is the first weekend in 4 or 5 weeks we have been Ryan and I have been home. It was so nice to start this 1st Sunday morning of 2016 in church again. It has only been 3 days into the new year and so much is starting to play out already. We are seeing excitement and challenges in our coming future, but with my amazing husband by my side and God guiding us we can not fail.

"God will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. He will guide me with His eye."
Psalm 32:8