2008: Another Year


Just thinking about 2008.....wasn't it great?


January

A certain someone wasn't even a twinkle in my eye. I was still dilly dallying with great friends and loving my life!



February

My Grandpa Z passed away. It was sad and we'll miss him, but it was a great opportunity for our family to all get together and commemorate a wonderful man and express our love for one another.


February 2nd to be exact....my 1st date with a Mr. Brandon Harmon. I thought it would be an awkward night of high school reminiscing, but I was surprisingly shocked to find it to be much much more! Knew by the 3rd date that this was not just any other guy. By February 14th I had my first valentine....by the 19th, he had told me that he loved me. Things were looking good!


March

People were starting to warm up to the idea of how fast things were going, and were beginning to accept Brandon as the man of my dreams. I also wrote in my journal this month,

"I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how lucky I have been blessed to have such great dear friends. People that have been little pieces of my soul, that have gotten me, loved me unconditionally, and will always share a piece of my heart. Such friends as Amie, Megan , Desi, Heidi, Patty, Emily, Trisha, Jill, Lacie, Kate, Amanda, Erin, Mika, Haylee, and of course, my two sisters who are my very best friends, Rebecca and Heidi. I just wanted to say how thankful I am for their role in my life."

April

The love flourishes, the fun continues....and we welcome my first favorite baby to the world, Mr. Thomas Stoker! Well done Kate & Rob!


May

May 2nd to be exact...I'm an egaged woman! Love is in the air! The wedding planning begins, Engagment Pictures and spring is in full bloom!


June

More fun wedding planning - talking to my mom almost every day on the phone - who can think of anything else at a time like this?! Oh ya, and a trip to Lagoon (ending with a scary ride!) and free concerts at the Gallivan Center downtown! LOVE 'EM!


July

More Wedding Planning - the countdown begins, it is just weeks and days until I am sealed together forever with the man of my dreams....


August

A WEDDING! THE MOST WONDERFUL DAY OF MY LIFE! And sunny Florida for a Honeymoon to top it all off!



September:

I headed out for my first time in Seattle for my dear friend Lacie's beautiful wedding!


October:

Learning how to love and take care of my husband to the best of my ability, helping him have the best birthday ever!


November:

My first married birthday! It was a blast! and a wonderful Thanksgiving with family (minus 2 very important people who currently reside in Scotland) - also, I heard rumors there was a new President of the country elected that was a really big deal, but I had not yet surfaced from my self-absorbed married Never-Never land to pay too much attention to it.


December:

A fabulous Christmas and low and behold....another wedding in the air! Heidi gets engaged Christmas Eve to the fabulous Mr. Jim! A happy and wonderful Christmas at home with all of my favorite people (minus 2 very important people in Scotland!)


A few other fun tidbits of the year...

New Music I loved:

William Fitzsimmons, Bon Iver: Skinny Love, Amelie Soundtrack, Robert Plant/Alison Krauss Album; Rising Sand, Radiohead album; In Rainbows, Philip Glass; Metamorphosis, Horse Feathers, and Beirut.


Books I Read:

Sadly, I didn’t read very many books this year, although I was a bit pre-occupied! But I did manage to read a few: Breaking Dawn, by Stephanie Meyers, Enders Shadow, by Orson Scott Card, Angels & Demons by Dan Brown, The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright, and The Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci



All in all, I'd say this has pretty much been the happiest, most love-filled and eventful year of my life thus far! And it has FLOWN by like nobodies business. I never knew love could be as wonderful and fulfilling and beautiful and uplifting as it has been for me. I'm so grateful God sent this man into my life, and has blessed me with such wonderful family and friends, and has seen fit to bless us with so much joy and happiness! Thank you 2008!


9 comments:

Amanda P said...

Oh Arianney! I remember when you came to stay with me at my hotel in March and spilled your guts about Brandon...I knew this was the real deal. You are the best and deserve the best. You are one of the sweetest and greatest people I know.
P.S. I thought of you when I started playing the guitar again the other day! ;)

Heidi said...

Here's to a fantastic year! It really was so great, for all the reasons you listed. Beautiful post Oreo...

Rebecca said...

I love when you post.....2008 was a wonderful year, oh so wonderful!

Em and Ty said...

Aww...what a wonderful 2008 recap, Brandon of course being the most wonderful part. I was excited to have made the first rockin' picture!

The Evers said...

I like how you blog! That is the way to go! Glad things are going well and you look great! If you are ever out this way I would love to get together sometime! I had a blast at the wedding-what a fun beautiful day!

Rebecca said...

OOoo, I love the new look....pretty.

Maegan said...

Sounds like 2008 was one of the best years of your life so far. I am glad that you are so happy!

Kate and Robbie said...

YES...WE MADE THE BLOG!!!! Go April 14th!

Kate and Robbie said...

Oh, and you getting married, that wonderful too~