As 2015 begins to kick off I have spent some time this week reflecting on how thankful I am for the many, many blessings of 2014. It was quite a year for Garrett and I and I still can't believe how truly blessed we are. Looking back on it, I'm overwhelmed with how much happened in just ONE year. The Lord has been so good, and that makes me so hopeful for next year, and all of the years to come!
Here's a look at our year and what's next!
2014- Our Wedding Year! January kicked off with an amazing Engagement Party hosted by Garrett's parents and our dearest friends, the Tabrizi's. It was extra special for me because my parents & closest friends traveled the miles from Lousiana to Texas and got to meet Garrett's crew. It was the start of our two worlds coming together.
In February I was a wedding planning goo-roo and had spreadsheets galore made for EVERYTHING you can think of wedding related. Invitation lists, Budget, Showers, even to-do lists for the week of the wedding (Yes- I'm OCD when it comes to organization and spreadsheets :) **Side note- If you are in need of a wedding planner- I'm up for hire! Planning my wedding had to be the greatest "job" of my life. I enjoyed every tiny detail and would do it all over again if I could**
March through May we were showered with love and presents :) My best gals through me a beautiful shower in Ruston to kick things off. I can't imagine life without these girls- they make life so joyful. Our couples shower followed in April, hosted by the sweetest ladies in Baton Rouge. Another shower, hosted by another group of great ladies, was soon to follow and again, I was showered with more love than I ever expected. Garrett and I are so honored and so thankful for all that everyone did to make this time so special for us.
The traveling every weekend became a bit tiresome but in the end it was all worth it- You only get married once, right!?
May was a whirlwind but the entire month was over loaded with FUN. I got to get all dressed up and have a camera follow me around, spend 5 days on the beach with my closest gal pals, and spend a weekend celebrating a dear friend welcoming her first baby in to the world. Bridal Portraits- Check. Best Bachelorette Beach Bash Ever- Check. Hosting a Baby Shower for Caty & the cutest baby Simmons in the world- CHECK, CHECK!
Before I knew it June was here- with one more outstanding wedding shower in Shreveport, followed by my 29th birthday & New Orleans Wedding festivities with friends. In the blink of an eye OUR wedding was here! Then it was over, we were married and off to Jamaica for 7 days of complete laziness! Our wedding day was perfection (in my opinion that is) and everything I hoped it would be. I made the greatest man on earth my husband and I would do it 100 times again if I could- to him of course. The 9 months of travel, and planning, and sleepless weekends was totally worth it and we are beyond grateful for every person that made it so memorable.
Then we began our life as married people! In July we joined the Newly Wed Bible study class we had been talking about for months and met some incredible people within our COR group in the class.. I also started taking golf lessons!
August was a big month for my dear friend Lindsay who had also been planning her BIG DAY! We threw her shower in Ruston, then weeks later went on Bachelorette Beach Bash # 2 and made many more memories :) Then in September we celebrated the greatest day of her life- her wedding day! Her wedding was perfect, she was absolutely beautiful, and I couldn't have been happier to have been a part of it.
October brought on cooler weather and a NEW CAR! No better way to test her out but on a road trip to Ruston spending a weekend with some of our favorites.
November was another especially special month for Garrett and I. After many months of prayer I made the decision to be baptized (not to take away from my baptism as a child). This was such a great time for Garrett and I as our families came together, once again, to celebrate a milestone in our life together. Not to mention the family we have gained through our COR group and church have been such a gift. My walk with God has not been a perfect one, as no ones is, but it's my walk and it has been such an amazing journey to grow closer to Him on my own, as well as with my husband. Putting God first in our marriage has been one of the greatest promises we could have ever made.
We finished off the month spending the holidays with family & starting our 1st Traditions as The Speeds. Finishing off the year, December was a month for parties, toasting, and marshmallow roasting!
To say that we had a good year is an understatement! There are no words to describe how blessed we are to have so many wonderful people in our lives that support and celebrate all that life throws at us. I without a doubt know that 2015 will be an even better year for us, with greater adventures, and more new beginnings. And boy oh boy are things really kicking in to gear.....
The Speed's first adventure of the new year is a BIG one. We are moving to SOUTH KOREA!!! Garrett's job has given us the chance of a lifetime- to move , temporarily of course, to another country!! The idea has been talked about for several months and for those of you that know me can imagine my dramatic reaction to the first conversation about even the slightest possibility of this happening. So after many long talks, deep thought, and heavy prayer I had to let it go and give it to God. What is His plan for us? Where does He want us to be?
You guessed it- He said South Korea and we are both certain that He has great plans for us- far greater than I can imagine. Although being so far away from our family and friends will be tough, and being in an unfamiliar place will have it's challenges, God has provided us both with the greatest gift of all to get through it- each other. We have one another to lean on for support and encouragement every day, as well as the love, support, and encouragement from our friends and family here at home.
A door is opening for us and I look forward to seeing what else is to come in this new year. With all of the free time I will have I definitely see a lot more blogging in my future :)
Until next time,
Happy New Year :)
