And just like that...

Well... would you look at that.... its April!

Alas, I've slipped back into my old ways of not making time to post entries ... it's alright, I've come to grips with it this month. I'm not going to be too hard on myself this time. It is April after all... which means EXAMS, studying, & looking longingly out the window at the beauty that is just slightly out of  reach for the moment.

Wedding update: 77 DAYS! Ohhhh boy. No one even KNOWS how excited I truly am. It's hard to contain and not just blurt out everywhere I go, "I'm getting marrrrrriiiieeeeeeeeddd!!!!!"

I can almost feel the sweetness of  the day upon us, but not yet... still some planning and preparation to do... both literally and figuratively, as we prepare or a lifetime together.

Side note: This weekend is Bri's stag weekend. All his favorite men in life are flying down to San Jose for some fun in the sun! I'm so happy for my guy.. he's supported by such amazing, quality-charactered men who are such a fun time to be with. 

Side note #2: I turn 22 this month... this lil lady is growing up! I love birthday's, but I seem to love everyone else's more than my own. There's always so much anticipation that doesn't seem to live up to what you imagined. My family has never been the BIG-birthday-partier-family.. so I've been thinking that I'm going to start going over the top on people's birthdays. It's just more fun that way. 

Well.. that is all the time I have or this post, sadly. I have a whole list full of to-do's this weekend, including my first dress fitting! So excited to see the changes made!

Love & Joy,

M

Simple Saturdays

I love Saturday. Okay... I'm probably not the only one who does, but let's just give it up for Saturdays for a minute okay?! I love sleeping in, letting my body wake up slowly at it's own pace.. this morning we did a work out together with the new weight vest I got Bri (holllyyyy mama jama, so difficult), I made coconut flour banana nut pancakes, topped with berries and some raw honey, then we went to grab a coffee and walked around the neighborhood. I love simple mornings where we find pleasure in doing nothing, really. Just going to be studying for the afternoon... Love M.

Our Valentines Day 2012

This Valentines Day was extra special because we got to spend it together... in California.. engaged.. with only 4 and half months until we're married. 

This is the note that I got to wake up to.. Bri had to go to school early this morn, so a kiss and this note was more than enough to tide me over until he got home. 

It was a gorgeous day today in Campbell. So gorgeous and warm that I wore a dress, with bare legs! I couldn't be more excited to move here after we get married. It's dreamy; not a bad place to start your life as newly weds I'd say. I went for my long run while Bri was at school today, did some grocery shopping, and strolled around downtown Campbell; coffee shops, little clothing stores, book stores, antique stores, bistros & restaurants, people everywhere you look. I love exploring a new place, especially when you will call it home one day. 

After exploring, I came home with my groceries and got a cookin'. I wanted to cook something really yummy for Bri tonight, so I made Maximized Living Caribbean Chicken, lemon and cumin quinoa, and balsamic roasted zucchini, squash, and brussel sprouts. 

Also tried to make banana bread with coconut flour = major fail.

Driest banana bread I've ever seen. Stay tuned for take #2 at that tomorrow. 

Brian gave me this pearl ring tonight..... I was stunned. It's beautiful. So beautiful. And I'm so undeserving of all these gifts.. (I just got a big rock that sits daintily on my left hand 7 months ago)

He said it symbolizes how I'm his "precious pearl".. wow, tears welling up. I'm blessed.

We spent the evening sipping some red wine, sporting our festive colors, nibbling dark chocolate, studying neurobiology, practicing adjusting (well, I practiced getting adjusted), took a few pictures, annnnd, last but not least- we're about to watch last night's episode of the Bachelor. Couldn't forget about that. 

Although the whole Valentine's Day thing is a bit corny and overdone, it is a special day in more ways than one for us. We celebrate the love we have from our Creator today. That unconditional, irreplaceable, undeniable, true and pure love that only God can give. And without His Son's example of love, I would have no idea how to love Brian, or how to love anyone in my life for that matter. Thank you Lord that you are love.. because nothing in this life is so sweet as it, 

or being able to let your love flow out of me. 

Spring time is calling my name

February has been an absolutely beautiful month thus far... and I mean, beautiful. The bluest skies Vancouver has seen in probably a years time have graced our atmosphere. The sunshine is just so inspiring, so uplifting, so rejuvenating... I love my Vitamin D! So without further adieu, here's a picture I took this week of that pretty blue sky...

Also, a fun side note- 

This morning Kate, my sister, and I both showed up in the kitchen at the same time. When we looked at each other we had a good laugh... because we were dressed exactly the same. Same green cargo pants, black tops, flats and cream scarves. I love that we have the same taste and that we have so much fun together. Where would I be in life without my sister? My sister's?!?! :) 

Faith + Hope + Love

I've been so encouraged by Hillsong's album "Faith + Hope + Love" recently. I love praise and worship... this is where my heart just sings out, cries out, and praises my Savior and my Lord. I take so much pleasure in lifting my hands and heart, letting a smile spread across my face as the Spirit touches me. There's nothing like being in the presence of our God, nothing like His sweet embrace that lights up my heart and touches every part of me. His love goes deeper than anything I know and quenches my thirst. Mmmmmm, thank you Lord for that honey-sweet relationship! My strength and hope is in YOU.

Meg's new hobby

My newest goal in 2012 has been to run my first half marathon.. which is May 6th. I've never liked running long distances too much, and it's always been a mental game for me to stay focussed and not convince myself to quit early. Let's just say I'm much more of the intense-sprinter-get-it-done-in-30-minutes-or-less kinda girl. Needless to say, running 22 km/13 miles is a whole new ball game for me. BUT- after one month of training, I'm happy to say that I've been enjoying it. I love having a personal goal to be competing against myself with. I love that I'm getting stronger and stronger every week. I love that there is a bit of fear motivating me to get my buns out there to run 4 times a week, in snow, rain or frost. I'm still doing strength training 5 days a week as well. I'm training with my sister for the most part, it will be her second half-marathon, and my mom, whose done many. My cousin Macki is also training with us too when she can join us. Anyways, I just wanted to track my progress, to read when I've completed the journey. I've lost 6 lbs since Christmas time.. feeling good and learning how to become more and more disciplined in my exercise and nutrition habits! It always comes down to choices for me, and I'm choosing to put an end to my excuses, and just choose health. 

One way, the only way

This photo is from my trip to see Brian in the fall, down in California. It was taken when we were in Monterey for the weekend, a sweet, cozy little beach town with so many nooks and crannies, not to mention some breath-taking views of the raw Pacific Ocean. 
So, back to the photo. As we were walking, I saw this sign and it stopped me. For a few reasons, it became so symbolic to me. 


Firstly, my name, Meghan, means "Pearl". When I first told my mother-in-law that meaning of my name, she was excited to explain how she interpreted it.. the thing with pearls is that they take years and years to form, and after all the extensive amount of time that it takes to form, only one is produced in each shell; different and unique from the rest. No pearl the same as the next. To me, this was symbolic of how God had plans for me long before I was a thought of my mother and father's. Long before I was conceived, my Lord had my days pre-destined. It was such an awakening to know that I am here for a unique purpose and I am not like any other human being on earth, God has plans for me that have taken years and years to come to fruition. This is not intended to sound boastful or arrogant, I believe that we are all 'pearls' of our Lord. However, when the meaning of my name was explained to me this way, it struck a chord deep within my heart. 


So when I saw this sign, it was a moment that I enjoyed with my Lord, thanking Him that I, His 'pearl', was to be led only "ONE WAY". And that way, is His way. It's humoring how one little moment like that can just give you such peace deep down in your soul. I truly believe that God can speak to us, and I know He wants to, but we have to be willing to see the signs. I know He has planted other signs or spoken words to me at other times in my life, where I was just not focussed on Him enough, or not willing to see or hear it. 


I want to let God speak to me, I want to hear His voice in all seasons of my life. I want to go HIS WAY, down that one way street where peace and joy and grace are found. Where I can find shelter from the storms in my life, where I can avoid trouble and please my Father. That is the desire of my heart. I didn't want to forget about this picture and experience, so I wanted to write it down so that I could remember in the future, should I go astray from the "one way " street, I will be able to remind myself that He who is greater than all, mighty to save, wants His 'pearl' on His street.