March Musings: Celebrating Milestones and Embracing New Chapters
Welcome back to another edition of our “Out of the Kitchen” series! This month, we’re pulling back the curtain on the exciting whirlwind that was March, a period packed with significant milestones, heartwarming celebrations, and big steps towards our future. From creative community gatherings to major academic achievements and the beginnings of a cross-state relocation, March truly proved to be a month of transformation and joy.
Sweet Success: A Delightful Cake Decorating Night
One of the highlights of the month was a super fun and incredibly sweet cake decorating night with our bible study group. It was a wonderful opportunity to gather, connect, and unleash our inner pastry artists. The girls were absolutely phenomenal, demonstrating impressive creativity and enthusiasm as they learned various frosting and decorating techniques. Watching their faces light up as they transformed simple cakes into edible masterpieces was truly rewarding. We covered everything from smooth crumb coats to intricate piping designs and festive sprinkles, making sure everyone had the chance to experiment and personalize their creations. The air was filled with laughter, friendly banter, and the delightful aroma of freshly baked goods and sweet icing. These moments of shared joy and skill-building truly strengthen our community bonds, creating cherished memories that go beyond just bible study.
Just look at these incredible cakes! Each one is a unique reflection of the decorator’s personality and imagination. It was fantastic to see the variety of designs, from elegant and understated to vibrant and playful. Everyone left with a beautiful cake and, more importantly, a heart full of joy and a renewed sense of camaraderie. It’s a testament to how simple activities can bring people together and foster a sense of accomplishment and shared delight.
Home Sweet Home: Our IKEA Table Hack & Ryan’s Prep Talk
Our home has always been a canvas for creativity, and this month, we finally put the finishing touches on an IKEA table hack project that had been ongoing for a while. We took a basic black IKEA table and completely transformed it. I spent considerable time antiquing and staining several wood boards, carefully selecting a rich, warm tone that would add character and depth. These meticulously prepared boards were then expertly glued to the tabletop, instantly elevating its aesthetic. To truly give it a polished, custom-built look, we added a decorative casing around the perimeter, creating a seamless and sophisticated finish. The difference is truly remarkable; the table now boasts a distinctive character and warmth that was completely absent from its original all-black, mass-produced form. It’s amazing what a little vision and elbow grease can achieve in home decor! This project wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about creating a functional yet beautiful space, much like the one Ryan was using for his practice defense. In the second photo, you can see Ryan giving me a crucial practice talk for his upcoming PhD defense. Ever the supportive companion, our beloved dog Salsa was sound asleep, completely unfazed, on his lap throughout the entire session. It’s these quiet, supportive moments that make all the hard work worthwhile, showing the comfortable blend of our personal and academic lives.
A Journey Concluded: Celebrating Dr. Ryan’s PhD Defense
The culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and countless hours in the lab arrived this month: Ryan’s PhD defense! It was an incredibly proud moment watching him present. He looked so professional and utterly cute, articulating complex concepts with remarkable clarity and sounding incredibly smart. Despite his brilliance, Ryan later confessed that he noticed me a few times during his presentation, looking “totally glazed over but with a smile on my face.” He wasn’t wrong! My knowledge of polymers is, shall we say, non-existent, so a 60-minute deep dive into the intricacies of his research was definitely way over my head. However, my excitement and pride for him were palpable throughout the entire defense. It was a true honor to witness him achieve such a significant academic milestone. The second photo captures some of the delightful chemistry-themed items I painstakingly gathered for his post-defense celebration. Think miniature beakers, molecular model decorations, and atom-shaped snacks – every detail designed to perfectly encapsulate his incredible journey and passion for science.
The celebration continued with the arrival of both Ryan’s family and my family. Having everyone together to celebrate this monumental achievement was incredibly special. Their presence meant the world to us, and it was truly wonderful spending quality time with our loved ones, basking in the joy of Ryan’s success. These family gatherings are precious, and the opportunity to share such a significant moment with those who have supported us throughout this long journey made the occasion even more memorable. It underscored the importance of family bonds and the collective joy in celebrating individual triumphs.
Just when we thought the celebrations couldn’t get any better, our incredible friends threw another surprise party! This one also had a fantastic chemistry theme, perfectly tailored to Dr. Ryan. But our friends, being the thoughtful and sneaky people they are, ingeniously combined it with a celebratory moving party – which was a complete surprise to me! Imagine my delight when I walked in and saw not only beakers and molecules but also adorable “New Home” banners hanging everywhere! It was an incredibly touching gesture that made both Ryan and me feel so incredibly special and celebrated. The thoughtful details and the combined themes truly captured the essence of this transitional yet exciting period in our lives. It was a perfect blend of honoring Ryan’s academic accomplishment and looking forward to our next adventure, all surrounded by the love and support of our cherished community. These are the moments that truly highlight the richness of our friendships and the joy of shared experiences.
Dr. Ryan and Our Everyday Adventures
With Ryan officially a Doctor of Philosophy (ekkk!!!), there’s a tangible excitement in the air. This new chapter means new adventures, but also a continued commitment to nurturing our connection. One of our favorite ways to unwind and reconnect is through simple pleasures, like our Starbucks dates. The second photo captures one such delightful afternoon, where we challenged each other to a game of Farkle, the classic dice game that always brings out our competitive (but friendly!) spirits. We also indulged in a creative drawing game, where one person starts with a few random scribbles, and the other has to transform them into a recognizable picture. It’s always a source of great amusement and a wonderful way to spark creativity and laughter. These moments, whether a quiet game or a silly drawing challenge, are essential for us to decompress and enjoy each other’s company, reinforcing the bond that strengthens us through all of life’s transitions.
Chipotle Cravings and Canine Capers
As we prepare for our big move, the reality of what we’ll be leaving behind, and what awaits us, starts to sink in. One of the more pressing concerns on my mind? Our new city doesn’t have a Chipotle! I know, it’s a tragedy! So, I’ve been diligently getting my fill while I still can, savoring every last bite. If only I could have their incredible guacamole on tap at my house, life would be complete! On a less delicious note, but certainly a memorable one, we had a little incident with our furry family member, Salsa. While we were out running errands, Salsa managed to knock over a beautiful glass vase filled with fresh flowers. It shattered into many pieces, creating quite the mess. When we returned home, it was clear he knew he was in trouble. Salsa typically greets us at the door with an enthusiastic tail wag and boundless energy, but on that particular day, he was conspicuously absent. He was hiding, looking utterly guilty. It just goes to show that even our beloved pets can have their mischievous moments, reminding us of the unexpected challenges and humor that come with sharing our lives with them. It was a stark reminder that even in the midst of major life changes, the small, everyday moments – both delightful and slightly chaotic – continue to shape our days.
The Reality of Content Creation: Behind the Scenes
For those who follow along with my blog, you know that a lot goes into creating the beautiful, polished images you see. This behind-the-scenes shot offers a glimpse into the reality of content creation. While the shooting surface is meticulously arranged, clean, and perfectly styled, the area just outside the camera’s frame is often a whirlwind of props, equipment, and general creative chaos! It’s a funny juxtaposition, but it perfectly illustrates the effort and dedication required to produce engaging content. It’s about focusing on the small, perfect world within the lens, while embracing the delightful disarray that surrounds the creative process. It’s a testament to how we often curate the moments we share, showing the best version of our work, even if the journey to get there is a bit more unkempt. This candid look offers a nod to the authenticity we strive for, even as we present our best work.
OPENING UP: An Emotional Roller Coaster Towards a New Home
March truly was an incredibly busy and emotionally charged month. Last month, we excitedly shared that we had bought a house! Well, the journey towards homeownership is a marathon, not a sprint. We haven’t officially closed yet, so it still doesn’t quite feel real, but we are happily under contract and anticipating closing in May! This means we are now in the thick of preparing to move out of state in a mere six weeks. Insert all the emotions here – excitement, trepidation, nostalgia, and a touch of overwhelming chaos.
This month also marked the monumental occasion of Ryan’s PhD defense, officially making him a Doctor of Philosophy! I truly don’t think any amount of exclamation points could adequately convey just how incredibly excited and proud we are of him. Celebrating his incredible achievement and showing him how deeply we admire his hard work and perseverance was an absolute joy. We threw a couple of fantastic chemistry-themed parties for him, bringing together both family and friends to honor his journey. Even though the celebrations have been wonderful, it still feels surreal that he is almost done with this chapter. He’s currently wrapping up a few final details, but I think the true sense of accomplishment will fully sink in once he officially graduates. With our move scheduled just three days after his graduation, I am mentally bracing myself for what I anticipate will be semi-chaos. But how does one truly prepare for such a momentous and multi-faceted transition?
We are hitting all these significant life milestones that we’ve talked about, dreamed about, and planned for over a long period. Consequently, I’ve been feeling (and honestly, still feel like) I’m on an emotional roller coaster. Some days, I’m absolutely bursting with excitement about the move, envisioning all the new possibilities and adventures awaiting us. Other days, I’m so swamped with packing, planning, and last-minute arrangements that I barely have a moment to even think about the emotional weight of it all. And then there are those quieter, more reflective days when tears well up because I simply don’t want to leave this place that we have so lovingly made our home. It’s a profound mix of feelings, a testament to the depth of our experiences here.
I find it incredibly ironic that when we first moved to Illinois for Ryan’s PhD program, I didn’t want to come at all. I was resistant to leaving the comfortable familiarity of Minnesota, convinced that I wouldn’t be able to forge new friendships as deep as those I had back home. Yet, God has been incredibly faithful throughout this journey. My heart now feels so deeply attached to a place I initially resisted. Here in Illinois, I’ve developed profound, genuine, and tender friendships that I cherish beyond measure. Ryan and I started our marriage here, building our foundation as a couple. I navigated and overcame paralyzing anxiety, learning so much about myself and my resilience. This is also where I embarked on my blogging journey, finding a creative outlet and a community. And, of course, it’s where we welcomed our beloved Salsa into our lives. How do you possibly say goodbye to a place, and to people, that have been so instrumental and influential in shaping your life?
While I wrestle with the emotional complexities of processing how to say goodbye, I am consistently reminded of God’s unwavering faithfulness. He was faithful when we first moved here, guiding us and providing for us in unexpected ways, and I hold onto the steadfast belief that He will be equally faithful as we transition to our next city. This conviction brings a quiet peace amidst the swirling emotions.
God has deeply impressed upon my heart the importance of praying for our new neighbors, for our future church community, for new friends, for Ryan’s future co-workers, and especially for the family from whom we are purchasing our house. This emphasis on prayer helps shift my focus from the sadness of leaving to the anticipation and hope of what lies ahead, centering our move in faith and community. So, we have officially entered that somewhat awkward but entirely normal “moving phase.” It’s that period where you realize you can’t make any more future commitments in your current location, but you’re simultaneously trying to meticulously plan all your goodbyes. We are diligently figuring out everything we need for our new house, from furniture layouts to utility setups, all while attempting the daunting task of packing up our old one. It’s a delicate balance of trying to finish well where we are, cherishing these last moments, and actively preparing to embrace where God has called us next. It’s a time of both ending and beginning, full of bittersweet moments and exciting prospects.
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For more glimpses into our life beyond the kitchen, be sure to check out our previous “Out of the Kitchen” posts. And don’t miss our February 2017 update to catch up on even more of our adventures!