The Memories of 2013

It is crazy to come to realization that 2013 is coming to a close.  I keep asking myself, "Where did September go?" 2013 has been filled with ups, and downs, but it has been a wonderful journey of a year.  With the New Year almost here I thought that it was time to reflect upon this past year.

1. Changing my Last Name

I have already blogged about my wedding back in July, and I can't believe that it is already almost 6 months!  But that was definitely a highlight of the year.  It started with a wonderful day and it has been a wonderful journey that is never ending

How can you not smile?

There are always ups and downs when it comes to bringing two lives together, but that is all part of the vocation.  Bring the other closer to God and their faith.  My goal in life it to get Travis to heaven, and I think that in itself is a journey that I am excited to take!

2. Baby H on Board

Last year at New Years I was looking forward to a July wedding and this year I am looking forward to a April Baby!  We got to take first pictures of the baby back around Thanksgiving and that was exciting.  I loved watching Travis' face when he would look at the ultrasound pictures, he smiled like any proud father would. :-)

Baby H with his/her hand by his/her mouth

It has been fun watching Travis talk to the baby (usually at night telling it to kick so he can feel it, thus waking him/her up for awhile, while I am trying to fall asleep...).  I had to pack away all of the regular clothing that I usually wear and trade it in for pants with a high elastic waist (actually comfortable!).  I have finally experienced heartburn (not so fun). But, I have also been able to feel the baby move and kick a bit (exciting).  It has been a new adventure, and I am so excited that I get to take this next journey with Travis by my side!

3. Saying Goodbye

2013 has been the year that I have had to say goodbye to many close people in my life.  I am fortunate enough that this is the first year that anyone close to me has passed away.  First in December and January (2012/2013) we said goodbye to the Overby's (I blogged about it once before - #3).  They were the best neighbors that anyone could ever ask for.

Then in October we had to say goodbye to my Grandmother.  That I think, was one of the hardest things in 2013.  As a Catholic I know that she is in a better place, where there is no more pain and suffering for her.  But, the first Thanksgiving without her there was had.  Celebrating Christmas with the Pohlman side without her there was a challenge.  Getting a card that just had Grandpa's signature was different.

One of the last pictures that I have with Grandma from my wedding in July

This Christmas we got two little books in our stockings that Grandma and Grandpa each filled out awhile ago about them growing up and it was questions and they would answer.  I went home from Christmas celebration and I turned on White Christmas and I started going through the books.  Seeing how they life was growing up, their favorite foods, etc.  But then I came upon the holiday section and they both said that White Christmas was their favorite Christmas movie.  Right then I felt like Grandma was sitting there with me watching her favorite Christmas movie.

Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord, 

and let the Perpetual Light shine upon them.  

May they rest in peace. 

Amen. 

4. Last Family trip

I started 2013 off by flying to Florida on January 1st.  Early morning with Mom, Dad, and Angela we drove to Dayton and then flew to warmer weather.  My Aunt and Uncle have a condo in Venice, FL and we spent almost a week down there.

Me, Dad, Mom and Ang

I always laugh when I think of Dad on the evening of January 1st and we are standing on the beach of the Gulf and Dad was amazed that it was January first and I am in shorts on the beach!  It only got better when we were at Siesta Key and Dad would say: "It's January third and I am on the beach in 80 degree weather!"  Take that outline and every day Dad was amazed at one thing or another!

Ang and I in Florida

It was really the last trip that I took with just Mom, Dad and Ang.  Family vacations were always a wonderful part of growing up and it was like an end of an era for me with family trips that week.  Granted Ang might say that she was happy that it was over because I move around too much at night when we shared the air mattress...

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2013 has been filled with its ups and downs, but it has been a wonderful year of memories.  I am blessed to have such a wonderful family and now a extended family!  Travis and I are excited to start our new family in 2014 along with many other exciting adventures!  I am thankful for my health, and for my ability to have a job.  I am blessed for the friends that I have, and all of the memories that we have made!

2013 was great!  Hears to a even better 2014!

Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb

Growing up I never knew what I wanted to be when I 'grew up'.  While being Catholic I contemplated a religious life, but it never felt right.  I knew that I wanted to be married and have a family.  I knew that if I was called to that vocation God would guide me to the paths that I should take.  The path that got me to this point is one of blessings, and trust in God, like St. Elizabeth did when she found out that she was pregnant with John the baptist, and whose feast day is today.

Graduating from Bishop Dwenger - Spring 2008

When putting my utmost trust in God, I was lead down paths that I never expected to take if it was up to me.  In the winter and spring of my senior year at Bishop Dwenger I was planning on going to Marian University in Indianapolis.  They offered me a great scholarship that was tied to service and I thought that it was a perfect fit. It wasn't until about a month before graduation that I decided to stay in town and go to Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.  

I stayed because they had the major that sounded good at the time.  I was still not totally sure what I wanted to be when I 'grew up' but staying in town sounded like a good fit.  Some of my friends from high school thought I was staying in town because my boyfriend at the time was going to IPFW as well.  While that is what it might have looked like, I never put that relationship into the equation when deciding my school.  I started at IPFW in Speech and Hearing therapy, a major that no other school that I had looked at offered.  

Anne and I reuniting at the March for Life - winter 2012

That fall I was approached by my now dear friend Anne, that was working with Students for Life of America and was trying to help colleges start up pro-life groups.  She had come to a Newman Catholic Fellowship Mass on campus to find people to start this group.  I volunteered to meet up with Anne outside of school and see what I could do to help.  I was planning on helping hanging posters and attending a few meetings, I never thought that I would be the one to write a constitution and start Students for Life of IPFW.  But God had a purpose for me and I was putting my life into his hands.

While most of the classes for Speech and Hearing were interesting, it didn't seem to 'fit' and it never felt right.  Something was missing.  I was finding a new major, business, and it was a major that all of the colleges that I had looked at in the fall of my senior year of college offered.  God led me to IPFW, not for my major, but for bigger plans.  But, if it wasn't for the major I would have gone away for college most likely, it is really hard to tell.

One of the first 'events' Students for Life held' - Fall 2009
(also the first picture I have of Travis and me in the same picture)

By going to IPFW I was blessed to meet great people that I now call friends and my life has forever been changed.  I met my husband at IPFW through Newman Catholic Fellowship and Students for Life of IPFW.  It depends who you ask, I say we met at Newman Group, but Travis insists that we met at Students for Life.  Either way, if it wasn't for mine (and his) involvement in both groups, we wouldn't have become great friends.

IPFW Graduation - Spring 2012

After I graduated from IPFW Travis and I became engaged, and I started a position as a Marketing Coordinator at Redeemer Radio. After Travis graduated the next year we got married.  Somehow I had started living my life of "when-I-grow-up" and I didn't realize it. 

But, today on St. Elizabeth's feast day there is another event that Travis and I celebrate.  It is quite suiting that St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of Expectant Mothers, and now I have a good reason to find a close kinship with this saint today.  Travis and I are excited to tell you that we are expecting our first little blessing in mid April.  It is during these wonderful exciting new times that I remember to be thankful and grateful for the many blessing.

Elizabeth said to Mary "Blessed are you who Believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."  Luke 1:45

Now is time to know that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives.

My 24th Year Retrospective

Here we are, September 18th and I am turning another year older.  My 24th year on earth was one with highs and low but I think that it is one that I will remember for a long time.  So here is 10 of the things that were a part of my life this past year:

1. ARISE Together in Christ Group

In the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese our Bishop started this small faith sharing community group initiative that brings people together in your church and talk about the Faith through scripture, life and challenges.  Travis was the leader for the young adults at St. Aloysius and I joined him.  By the end of the first season we had made this wonderful group of young adults (mostly our friends from IPFW, but not all).

I am so grateful for this small group because after college and leaving the Newman group at IPFW, I missed having that Catholic fellowship.  Sometimes we don't always stay on topic, but it is a wonderful time to grow in friendship and be there for others when needed. Learn more about Arise from an article in Today's Catholic that features yours truly!

2. Engagement / Wedding Planning

Looking on this past year, this was a huge part of it.  While we got engaged in August, the real planning took place this past year.  What a roller coaster of things to do.  Some were great like meeting with Fr. Tom for Marriage prep at St. Jude. But, some of the other things were just crazy (I am not a hugely social person that plans huge parties focused on me and Travis)

While I am glad that the season of engagement is over in my life, I truly took back on that time fondly.  It was a wonderful time where you are preparing yourself for a wonderful and beautiful vocation.

3. Saying goodbye to the Overby's

I think that growing up we had the world's best neighbors!  It is hard for anyone to get close to Marge and Dave.  Marge and I were birthday buddies and growing up we (my sisters and I) would receive a hand drawn birthday card with a Disney character on it.  Marge would 'happen' to make an extra cake and bring it over, or she wanted to try a recipe and Dave couldn't eat it because of his diabetes so she would bring it over.  They were wonderful neighbors that were called away from this earth.

Marge passed away on Christmas Eve and Dave passed away 10 days latter.  That was a bit hard because they were like grandparents to me, but I hold on to the good memories.  I could reflect on these wonderful neighbors for hours, but on a day like today I just say, rest in peace Birthday Buddy!

4. Florida Trip

Mom, Dad, Angela and I took a trip to visit our Aunt and Uncle in Florida on January 1st.  It was crazy to be driving to Dayton in snow and arriving in Tampa in 80 degree weather.  Dad kept on saying: " It is January 1st and I am in shorts!" "It is January Second and I and sitting on the beach!"

Me, Dad, Mom, and Ang

While we were there I believe that it got to about zero Fahrenheit... So it was nice to be warm!  It was a perfect last family trip with us four!  This was a wonderful time to celebrate family!

5.  Two New Nephews

Luke was just making the same face as me!

I was lucky to have Two nephews born this past year! Luke James was born March 29th and Thatcher Dennis was born September 9th.  How can you not be excited about babies in the family!?!

6. Being Brooklynn's Sponsor

Travis' niece (now my niece as well!) asked me to be her sponsor for confirmation.  I was really excited that she asked me and I love being a part of sacraments.  While we were already engaged, I felt even more part of the family after being asked.

Brooklynn, Bishop Rhoades and Me

She really tested me and my memory skills though because she picked a saint that I has never heard of before: St. Marcella patron saint of Nobel women.  But it was wonderful to be a part of this with her!

7. The year of two Popes

It was a crazy beginning of the year with Pope Benedict retiring and Pope Francis becoming Pope.  But is has been exciting to see all of the spirit that seems to have been brought into the church. A renewed sense of Love.

I saw a post ones that Pope John Paul II was all about Hope and what we went through with World War II and the cold war, he showed the church and world love.  Benedict was the scholar that educated us about the faith.  Now, Pope Francis is showing the love the the faith can offer.  It is a trifecta of Popes in my lifetime!

8. Renting House

Travis and I become renters.  He moved into the house in April and I am still working at unpacking boxes...  I will eventually be all moved it... eventually... But it has been a wonderful experience.  We live right across the street from St. Jude so we never have to worry about parking for Mass, we just have to walk!

While we aren't going to be there forever, it is a great first place to make a home!

9.  Changing my last name

Marrying my best friend has been a highlight of this past year.  Changing last name a bit harder and a tedious process.  You don't realize how many places have your information until you see how many places you need to change your address and name (still an ongoing process).  But I love the Day I become a Mrs.  it is crazy to think that it has been 2 months already!

But Becoming Mrs. has been wonderful and sometimes I still look around and ask if it is real, because it just seems so natural now.  I love coming home to Travis (well, I usually beat him home...)  but it has all been a blessing!

10.  Starting a new Life 

While this past year has been filled with its ups and downs it is always wonderful to look back ans see how blessed I truly am.  I have a wonderful husband, family, and friends! I couldn't ask for more!  Thank you all for what you have done to my life and I am forever grateful!  Please continue to keep Travis and I in your prayers as we begin this new journey of life together.

Now onto being 24!!

Two Years Ago and Just a Blink

How has these past two years just flown by?  Two years ago I was blessed to start dating the man that became my best friend, and in 18 days I will be blessed and honored to call him my husband.

Travis and I even before we started dating

Two years ago Travis and I went on our first date :-)  We went bowling with Angela, and she was the one that had to convince me that it was actually a date.  I think that I was either in shock that it happened or that I was in denial and I never thought that it would happen.  I didn't realize then that I went on my last first date.  On that Saturday in 2011, I thought that I just went bowling with one of my friends from Newman Group and Students for Life. I was trying to make decisions, and decided to make the leap of faith.

Travis Proposing at Notre Dame 

 In two years we have gone from Friendship to Love, to Engagement, and now to (almost) married. Never did I think that I would be in this position two year ago.  But as always God has a better life story for us than what we could ever dream for.

Travis and I at a friends wedding

Our Journey has had its ups and downs, but I am a better person having Travis by my side.  Please keep us in your prayers as we get closer to our wedding date.  Because together with God we are going to start our life together and begin a new chapter of our lives :-)

One Year Ago

One year ago.... well one year ago I decided to take a jump off of the Grand Canyon of my life and I am so glad that i chose and followed that path.  Because my life now would not be the same if I didn't jump.

One year ago I went on my first date with Travis :-)  Leading up to that I had to make some choices, and I had to let go of some things that were holding me back.  But I jumped and my parachute opened. One year ago I thought that I was just lucky enough to go an a date with a great guy from school. Well, granted I didn't believe that it was a date and it took my younger sister to convince me that it was a date.

I became open to the possibility that God was going to work through me life, and He was going to lead me down the path that I should take.  Every day I feel so blessed that I am traveling this path in my life!  This past year wouldn't have been the same if it wasn't for the friendship and love Travis has shown me.

I thank God for every moment, and while the past is a great story.  I will always look forward to tomorrow!

Loving Life

Psalms 27:14  says: " Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!"

This time in my life has been trying, it isn't like I have to jump through hoops and go through really rough times. But, it has been a time where I really need to tell myself that I need to be strong and wait for the Lord to work in my life.  I don't know how many times that I have had to have someone tell me that.  But it has been often.  Sometimes it is easy to lose sight in the end when you are near sighted and only see a few inches in front of your face.  That is when you need to trust in God and let others help you.  

It has been through that, which I think, has made me stronger.  I think that now I pray and tell myself more often that I need to trust in God.  But I think that through that I see God working in my life more and more.  Life is going great and I never could have done it myself!

I have a second job interview this week with a great company.  I am getting my ducks in a row when it comes to moving on from College (which is hard, but I think that it is something that needs to be done).  I finally have time to catch up with friends and hang out.  Travis has been great, he's become my best friend and I don't know how I would go through all of this without him :-)  My family is amazing as we prepare for another sisters' wedding.

If I was told to dream up my future four years ago, I don't think that I would have dreamed up something even this great.  Life is a blessing, and I am just glad to be given each day!

Learning from my Past to Improve the Future

So it has almost been a yer already that I traveled across the pond and went to Spain. But I still find myself reflecting upon that trip every once in awhile.  I think that I have taken more from that trip since I have been back than I really did while I was there.  Sometimes I have to remind myself that I was actually in Spain, and France.

Lourdes, France

But thinking about where I have been, makes me realize how much has really changed in the past few years.  I wouldn't change anything really because even though there have been lows, I have also found that it was through those lows that I have gone to different heights from those lows.

So I guess what I want to say is that: If you have been a part of my past, thank you for being a part of my life.  I would not be the person that I am today without you.  If you are a part of my present thanks for sticking with me through the ups and downs (or you have to because we are related by blood.... ;-).....) and to those who are going to be a part of my future, I'm praying that God will use me to help you and that you will help me.

Blessings :-)

Being thankful for blessings

how often do we just rush through the day and not think about all that we have been given in life? I know that I should take more time in the day and think about those things.  Life isn't frolicking through daisy fields all of the time.  Life isn't perfect, but every day there are moments in our lives that are blessings.

We are each given gifts and talents that are unique to us and us alone.  That is what makes each of us different.  What we need to do is embrace those blessings that we have each been given and do something with it.  We can't just dig a hole and place those talents and gifts that we have been given.  We need to share those with others and let out talents and blessings grow.

I don't know a time in my life where I have used my talents and given to others, and God hasn't given me blessings right back to me.  We don't need to make banners and wave flags and show off what we have, but we just need to learn how to be humble with those gifts that we have been given.  Let us be the hands and feet of Jesus on this Earth.