1 year anniversary

1 year of marriage. Wow. It feels like yesterday when I was putting on my white lace dress. But when I think about all that has happened this year, I am overwhelmed. So much growth, change, and learning has taken place in such a short amount of time. What I feel today is gratitude for the blessings I have been given this year. I have never been happier. I am taking this time to reflect on our beautiful and perfect wedding day.

Thank you Jordan Shepherd for loving me fiercely, leading our marriage with strength, and always putting Christ at the center. You are more than I could have ever asked for.

(and thank you for taking me to Cirque Du Soleil and the fanciest hotel, Conrad Hilton. You sure do know how to make a girl feel special.)

Happy anniversary, I can't believe I get to spend every year with you for the rest of my life!

Update

My apologies for my lack of blogging lately. Life has been so busy in recent weeks. 

Lets get you caught up. 

I started my summer job as....basically a gardener. I mulch, plant, weed, and water the plants on the IWU campus. I also drive cool little vehicles like Kubotas and gators. I honestly love getting up and getting in the dirt everyday while scoring bronze skin and arm muscle. therapeutic.  

I concluded my 4-Hour Body experience. It was a great and successful time of discipline, and it served its purpose. After hours of food documentaries and research, I have now moved to a whole foods plant based diet. And I can finally eat fruit!

went on a shopping trip to this place and got some new gear for Colorado. Mountains here we come. 

girls camping trip (yes we did put the tent up all by ourselves). 

community garen plot, weeded and tilled. SO excited to grow my own veggies and herbs :)

new Trek road bikes as a graduation gift from our parents. It took a total of five hours in the bike shop including test riding and bike fitting. Afterward we went on a fifteen mile ride with my Dad, the triathlon man. 

witnessed the marriage of our close friends, Marie and Cory. One of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen. 

(photo by George Flattery)

reunited with my bests from Michigan. Thank you Lord for these beautiful people. 

So far, May has been a great kickoff to a fun packed and carefree summer. We will spend the rest of it in the outdoors with friends and family and food from the ground and bike rides and road trips with a little bit of sleeping in. Just a little. 

And then... 

off to Colorado :) 

[Bridal Shower for Beth]

I hosted my first bridal shower yesterday!

 It was simple really. With a little planning, decorating, and crafting, I managed to get the whole thing together in just one week. I reserved a room with a giant table for twelve at Midwest Coffee Company. Naturally, the theme was coffee. We nibbled on homemade muffins, we played Staches and Tiaras, and we talked all things wedding and relationships. It was a lovely time with a small group of IWU girls who all adore Miss Bethany Ezawa. 

(photography by Alicia Wines)

{Cory and Marie}

Our friends Marie and Cory are engaged! They are two of the most beautiful, creative, and godly people I know. Marie has been my friend since High School, and she was a bridesmaid in my wedding. Marie is one of those truly unforgettable people. She challenges, inspires, and loves people in ways no one else does. Marie and Cory together are a couple seeking the Lord above all else. I cherish them, I look up to them, and I am so excited for what they will do together through their marriage. 

If you want to see what I'm talking about, just watch this video. It's probably the cutest thing I have ever seen. If you want to support them or learn more about their story or hear more of their music, go HERE.  If you want to see more of cory's awesome videography, you can watch our wedding videos, or visit his website. 

{Weekend Away}

listening to: Chopin – Fantasie Impromptu #4 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 66

reading: The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards

reading (with husband): Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

sipping: Seattles Best Level 3 brew

smelling: Autumn Festival Yankee Candle 

touching: fluffy white Down pillow

feeling: happy.

It has been a quiet and relaxing evening at the Race Street house. We had a great weekend trip to Chicago with Mark and Lauren to celebrate the marriage of our friends, Steph and Alex Mrakovich. The wedding was tasteful, the Bride was stunning, and the groom never looked happier. I think Jordan and I were so excited to get out of Marion for a few days and enjoy time with family and friends in a new setting. We shopped, ate a homemade meal, went on a hay ride, danced until we sweat through our clothes, and created numerous inside jokes with our brother and sis. Let me just say that road tripping through the middle of the night is one of the more entertaining and hilarious things I have participated in.

And now it's time for a new week. Fall break will be here before we know it.

{our wedding video}

We are so thankful for our talented videographer Cory Hiemann. Cory is a friend of ours who knew exactly what we wanted and also understands our taste and personality. This video couldn't be any better. I trusted that he would make something that would capture the day beautifully, and he did just that and more. 

{wedding photos}

We have our wedding photos! I was so happy to have beautiful photography by Casper Hamlet and his wife Jess. Out of 1,500 photos, I was finally able to narrow them down to my favorites. It took me an entire afternoon, but I did it. Here are just a few of them...

 

 

 

 

 To see the rest, you can check out my facebook albums!