...And A HAPPY New Year!

Reflecting back on 2013, I have come to the conclusion it was probably the most stressful, difficult year of my life. I tried to chalk it up to something else, a year of growth and overcoming hardships, but let's be real, 2013 was not kind to us.  Starting the year with a debilitating hip surgery, having James get laid off not once but twice, having my 21-year old brother-in-law diagnosed with cancer among so many other serious family illnesses, not to mention the financial hardships we have had to endure from existing on my [small] income alone, 2013 kicked our butts.  Maybe the '13 should have given it away, an ominous number looming on the end of every date, or maybe it was the work of God trying to teach us each something greater. It wasn't what I expected for our first year of marriage and it wasn't a year I ever want to repeat.

As we look to 2014 we have great hope that it will be so much better.  Some huge changes are already in the works and I am already learning that sometimes you have to sacrifice the things you want to get the things you need. As I look back on 2013 there are so many things I know I could have done better, so many selfish decisions I made that should have gone another way, and by the end of 2014 I don't want to have those same regrets.

As I packed up our Christmas decor and boxed it up for next year I added a special touch--I wrote 2014 Amanda a note from current 2013 Amanda, describing our present situations and struggles and our hopes for the future. I wrote about the person I hope to become in the next 366 days and I even included a checklist of small but reasonable goals. I encouraged my future-self and even added in a few jokes. I'm already excited to open it next Christmas.

As I put away all our Christmas cards from friends and family I also found our Christmas card from last year. I put them side by side and I was amazed to see how much we have changed even on the outside. You can see this year all over our faces. Our first Christmas we were still so bright and shiny, never really having to put our marriage to the test or endure anything too difficult. This year I feel more like a wife than ever before--I honestly don't know how I could have endured any of it without my partner and best friend and I am even more thankful for him and this union than ever before.

 

So here's to 2014, may it bring good tidings and growth to you and your kin!

Anniversary Celebratin'

Originally for our first anniversary we wanted to do something awesome, like go out of town and spend the night in a beach city, or even hop on a plane up to San Francisco, but 3 weeks before our big day James got laid off and money got a lot tighter.  Some friends of ours also happened to be getting married the day after our anniversary so we knew that meant we weren't going anywhere for the weekend (not that we minded! I love weddings!).

Instead we merely drove out to Lake Forest, had a wonnnderful dinner out there at a fancy restaurant called the Bru, then headed to 1,000 Steps beach and watched the sunset before returning home.  In the morning we ate our One-Year-Cake, and not that it tasted bad or anything, but that tradition is just bizarre.  Who wants to eat cake that is one year old just for the heck of it?

It was a lovely little day, one that we joked could easily be topped in the future, but one which was perfect for us right now.  I can't believe a year has already FLOWN by, and that we are no longer newlyweds...

Here are some pictures from the day!

Delicious food!

They gave us this free dessert and decorated it for our anniversary, but it was possibly the best dessert we've ever had.  On our honeymoon cruise I used to order this dessert every night--the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake--and without even knowing it this dessert was just like eating it again! It was half baked, half melted brownies with vanilla gelato and a shot of hot whiskey poured in the bottom, topped with whipped cream.  IT. WAS. SO. GOOD!

A year ago we took this photo on our honeymoon when we were in St. Maarten, so this year we decided to continue the trend:

A beautiful night.

We were only able to eat about 1/16 of what was on this plate... it was so rich! Especially after a huge dinner the night before!

Until next year!

xoxo, the Doskocils

The First Year

A year ago today was honestly the best day of my life.  I have had many great days since then, but there is no comparison to our wedding day when everything was perfect, I felt like an absolute princess, and I got to marry my best friend.  

I am so thankful for James and his optimism, and more importantly his love for God.  He is truly a great partner, someone who can always lift me up and encourage me even in my lowest lows, and can remind me of what's really important at the end of each day.  It's a remarkable thing to have a friend like that.  Marriage has been such a humbling experience, and one that has taught me more about myself than anything else I've ever experienced.  Im so glad I have a patient and understanding husband who is willing to put up with me through the learning process, someone who I can be totally weird and silly around and who loves me for all of it.  I don't know what I possibly could have done to deserve a guy like you. 

One down, many, many more to go--there's no one else I'd rather do this with, I love you James!

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Jesse and Kelly and a Weekend Away

This past weekend we had the opportunity to watch two dear friends fulfill their dream of marrying each other in the Julian woods, and what a sweet occasion it was.  I loved everything about the day, but most notably I was just so happy to see friends so in love, sharing the best day of their lives.  I've been to a lot of weddings recently but this time I couldn't help but notice their love practically radiating out of their faces.  It was awesome.

I also enjoyed sneaking away for the weekend to have a quick father's day celebration at home in San Diego, and then visiting Julian, part of my old stomping grounds.  Growing up, Julian was the town nearest to my own where we could see the remnants of a light snowfall, or else just enjoy some amazing apple pie.  It's always nice to visit, and on the way home from the wedding, driving through the golden hills, James and I couldn't help but fantasize about living somewhere as rural and home-y as Julian.  

After this we enjoyed a lazy Sunday and some time spent with James' side of the family; a restful day was something much needed by this point!

Wedding emotions wear us out!

(PS- This is probably my favorite thing about being married right now.. Lazy mornings just talking and laughing until we're forced out of bed to face the day.)

Congrats, Kelly and Jesse!

A Time for Everything

Yesterday marked one of my larger recent milestones, my college graduation!  Even though I finished my classes and received my diploma in December, it was a joy to officialize it by walking in the ceremony along with my fellow Human Development colleagues.  It was an incredibly fun and enjoyable day despite the anticipated sunburns and wait times; I was able to spend the day with the ones who love me most, at an unusually relaxing pace.  In the morning we slept in and then James ran out to grab coffee while I ironed my dress and got ready for the day.  He returned with my parents, up from San Diego, and we hopped in the car and drove to school.  Thanks to my almost-expired handicap parking pass we were able to find parking quickly and walk right in, and before I knew it the precessional was going and I was ushered into confetti and cheers as 1,092 of us took our seats.  The ceremony dragged along as they read thousands of names but oddly enough I didn't mind it at all.  Afterwards I reunited with my family, including my older sister Heather and her kids, and then it was off to dinner at Red Lobster where we met up with James' family too.  Dinner was full of laughter, and GOOD FOOD (for me hehe), and then James and I headed home for a quiet movie night in.  Truly a great day!

A few weeks ago my friend Danielle asked if she could take some graduation-esque photos of me for her website, which I gladly agreed to.  I never imagined my last few moments on campus would be spent limping around, but I did, and ended up getting a couple great shots in the process.  This school holds so many memories for me, from each stage of my short life, and graduation seems to mark so much more than just a scholastic achievement.  I'm happy to close this chapter in my life and move on to the next!

March; hellogoodbye.

The last month has seriously flown by, but I feel like everyone says that about February because it's a shorter month and all.  But we're in mid-MARCH! How does that happen?! I wish I could say some interesting things have been happening over here in the Doskocil home but sadly that isn't so, time has just been slipping on by.

Since I last wrote I have been to 2 more weddings (#yearofweddings!), one for my friend Melissa (my first black wedding! it was a whole new experience!) and also my friend Allison.  Allison got married at a barn in Huntington Beach that I had considered having as our venue, and it was gorgeous as expected..leaving me a taaaad jealous ;}

February - Melissa & Trent

 

Brides trading places!

March - Allison & Dave

Speaking of weddings and such... February marked our 6 months! Wow! 6 months of being married and also 1 year since James proposed.  Been looking at some photos, taking trips down memory lane- it's our favorite thing to do.

The best day, ever.  I wish I could do it over and over (kind of).

Feels like yesterday :]

This month I also got to take my niece Julianna out on a date to paint some ceramics and have some sushi (a girl after my own heart!).

 

Before, after painting, and a week later after firing it in the kiln... 

 

Her first time at Sushi Studio...

I also got new glasses because we discovered I have latent hyperopia, meaning my vision switched from entirely near-sighted to entirely far-sighted. I didn't know that was possible, but of course if indeed it were, it would happen to me.  I don't know how I feel about the new frames though, they're kind of dark against my fair complexion! We'll see...

Not too many other happenings going on over here. I think one of my favorite things about being married is the time we have in the morning to chat and prepare for the day.  And to take pictures (that's his least favorite thing about marriage...maybe ;}). 

My sweetheart <3 p="">

See you in 4 weeks, Stacked!

I suppose I will leave you with this picture I might have snapped while driving.... I had to! I guess there is a school for everything nowadays???