"One does not simply watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy in one day..."

...well, not simply.  This was probably one of the longest days of my life.  I had an entire day off work on November 7 (I know this post is a little late! ;)) I figured I could use the day productively. I woke up around 7am by accident. My goofus wakes up around 4am to go to work and I could never really get back to sleep when he left. 

So 7am came and I got up, started some laundry and skipped over to the television, eager to get the marathon started! The first one was awesome, just as I remembered. A little long, granted, but still really good. I found myself reminiscing back to when the movies first came out and I would oggle over Orlando Bloom. :) He was still just as dreamy as I remembered him being when I was 11. 

3 hours later, it was time to start "The Two Towers".  I hopped up, a little less eager but still excited to watch the movie. Now don't get me wrong, I love these movies but I didn't think about how big of a task this was going to be. 3 hours of walking later and I was finished with two out of three.

By that time, I definitely needed a break. So I ate lunch, started another load of laundry and took a half hour nap. 

Half an hour later, I reluctantly started the last movie. The return of the king is my favorite of the three. I begrudgingly had to finish it this time though. I cried at the end partially because it is a heartwarming ending and partially because I was so glad it was finally over!

I would not suggest to anyone to ever watch these movies all in one day. Not alone at least. I was more tired that day than if I had gone to work and worked all day long. 

"We're having a baby: My baby and me!"

Goal #15

This is one of the most exciting goals I made at the beginning of this year and my husband and I are so blessed. We had been praying for a baby for the better part of the year. We had, unfortunately suffered a miscarriage along the way. But last week, I just had this feeling that something was different with my body. I bought a pregnancy test on September 2 and low and behold, it said yes!

I had all these grand plans of how I was going to tell Brian when the time came. I was going to fill our room with pink and blue balloons, write "guess what?" across my belly, or even have a photographer present to catch his reaction. But all I could think about when I saw that digital reading of "Yes+" was run. I ran to him as fast as I could and just fell into his arms crying. My heart just melted with his response of "I'm going to be a dad?!".

My already extensive "Baby Garner" pinterest board is only going to get bigger and I'm more than positive that my sisters among others (Sara) will have pretty large boards that will be extremely helpful along the way.

We still have a pretty long way to go but we couldn't be any happier with this new phase in our relationship. Of course it is going to be difficult. We are still young, after all. But I believe this experience will only draw us closer to each other and closer to God. 

My due date is May 11, 2013. We get to go back to the doctor in two weeks to hear the heartbeat! I cannot wait to meet our little bundle of joy but for now we must be patient. :)

"I am a Jedi, like my father before me!"

#76

If my geek status hadn't been set in stone before, I think it most definitely has now. I had never gotten around to watching the Star Wars movies. I started out with number 4 and watched the ones with Harrison Ford first. (This, I was assured, was the correct order). I enjoyed these much more than I thought I would, reading each opening sequence in my most dramatic voice. :) I even went so far as to change my text message tone to a lightsaber sound. I think it's pretty awesome.

Ultimately, I am glad that I finally watched this series.

I have many more exciting posts to come soon. Stay tuned!

Bills, bills, bills.

#8, #9, and #23.

These specific goals were some that Brian and I both were seriously looking forward to accomplishing. We made a budget and a brand new financial plan a few months back and we were able to pay off BOTH of my credit cards. We were also able to pay off Brian's 2010 Scion 3 years early! We also had a wedding loan as well as a signature loan we had taken out last year and we were able to completely pay those off as well! 

This is a major accomplishment for Brian and I because we haven't always handled our money the way we know we should. We have also started tithing because we know how important that is. With these monthly expenses out of the way, we hope to be able to be in the process of buying our first home by the end of the year! :)

"But I have promises to keep"

Goal #7

So I've been working SO much at my job these past few weeks, I haven't been able to work on my list but I finally accomplished one that I've really been wanting to do for a while now. I got a new tattoo! I got the quote "And miles to go before I sleep" from Robert Frost's Stopping by woods on a snowy evening. I really love this line because it really hits close to home with me. I feel like God has so much more in store for me on this earth and this is just a reminder to live my life to the fullest and appreciate everything I've been given. Of course it hurt but I feel like it was totally worth it! I cannot wait to get another one! :)

Donation

Number 29. Sort through clothes and get rid of what I do not wear.

This is something that my mom used to require all of us to do at least once a year. I've found that since she passed away, I have neglected this "spring cleaning" ritual. It needed to be done quite desperately, however. My fluctuating weight has given me a multitude of sizes that I simply cannot wear anymore. From my former size 8 up to my heaviest size 14 and everything in between.

All in all, I collected 6 bags of dresses, sweaters, pants, tops, and shoes. They will be going straight to good will the next time I go into town. This means that I have even less to move when we make our way back to Tuscaloosa this summer! :) Oh, did I forget to mention that? My husband got offered a job in our hometown so we will gladly be moving back within the next few months! Now to buy a house... Prayers are appreciated.

Who needs 12 crystal candy dishes?!

Number 88.

All the credit of physically taking back our unused and unwanted wedding gifts goes to my wonderful husband. Anyone who has come into our apartment knows exactly where that stack of gifts was: lying in the dining room floor next to our front door. Thanks to Brian, we have so much more room in our tiny, little apartment. We are now going to be able to start buying our wedding china with the credit that we earned from said gifts as well as gifts cards that have been collecting. yayy.