It's been a while since I've blogged, and I apologize! It's been a whirlwind of a few weeks with vacation, engagement, and wedding planning, but it's been awesome. This blog is more of a "catch up on lost time" before I start back in on regular blogging. Despite the business, I've been able to have some adventurous workouts, a new diet, and some helpful books that have lifted my spirit through this stressful (albeit exciting) time...
Costa Rica
I was very fortunate to go back to Costa Rica this past week with my parents, brother, aunt, uncle and cousins for Christmas! Kyle and I had studied abroad there 2 summers ago, so it was nice to get back and be reminded of such great memories. We did everything from beach, mountains, volcanos, and big city living to get the true Costa Rican feel. One of my favorite moments though, was going back to Heredia where Kyle and I studied, and visit my host mom, Lucy, on Christmas Eve. It made her day, and definitely made my Christmas break. She was so excited, and although there was a language barrier between her and my parents, you could tell that sometimes moments like those don't require words.
Through all the adventure, and necessary family time, getting a workout in was surprisingly never an issue - it was just the nature of the vacation. We hiked the Continental Divide (an even split between the Atlantic and Pacific that runs from Canada to Argentina) in Monteverde, ziplined through the cloud forest (lots of upper body strength, and emotional strength required!), hiked the beaches and national park at Manuel Antonio on the Pacific, white water rafting on the Reventazon River on the Carribean, and ended with a relaxing trip to the thermal hot springs!!! All-in-all it was an amazing vacation, and I am truly blessed to be given such wonderful opportunities to share these moments with my family. It makes me excited for future vacations with Kyle, and even more so for when we have a family of our own to see where the world and God takes us.
Engagement Party
Not much wedding planning has happened since my last post - I took the Costa Rica trip to just relax and enjoy being engaged, without the stresses of planning. I've been given so much advice on how to make the day just about Kyle and I and not on the little details of whether we use cream or ivory, the different shades of navy, the shape of the wedding cake, and what favors would be the most creative or most exciting...instead, we've been focusing on how this is a day about us and our commitment to each other.
We've been blessed with two wonderful families and friends, and have been able to enjoy them in our first engagement party (this morning!!) in Kyle's hometown, Peoria. It was put on by his parents and included Kyle's high school friends and family friends as a chance for me to meet many of them and share in our happiness.
2 Helpful Books
Last night, Kyle and I were given our first book on preparing for marriage. His mom thought it'd be a great way to prepare our hearts for such a big life transition, so we read the introduction last night (Kyle likes to take things in small doses...). The book is called "Inviting God to Your Wedding" by Martha Williamson. It looks like there will be a lot of good discussion points and things to consider, but more importantly, it's supposed to be a way to wind down after stressful days of planning to remember what's really important - and the vows we will be making for God. If anyone reading this is engaged or knows a couple who is engaged and are looking for a good present - I recommend this book!!
The other book I'm reading is not about fitness, it's not about marriage, it's just a fun book. And it's helping me to enjoy the things I've always enjoyed doing before all of this and remember to slow down. I'm reading "The Help" (again, I strongly recommend this) by Kathryn Stockett and it's about women in 1962 during the civil rights movements and how people came together through different races and backgrounds to change something that needed changing. It reminds me again how lucky it is for us to be in 2011 and having the luxury to work, stay at home, whatever we want!!
Wrapping up 2010 - Beginning 2011
This was a long blog post - but considering it's been over a week, I thought it was necessary :) Hopefully everyone had a wonderful new year and Christmas...so I thought I'd leave with 2 of my New Year's Resolutions (I tend to make like 100...and hope 20 or so come true!)
1. Learn how to paint
2. Read the Bible everyday
Look forward to more blogging in the next few days - and enjoy the rest of the holiday season!!
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