JANUARY
- i started my new job! It was a crazy transition, but has been such a blessing. not only am i now making an income, but this position has taught me so much about myself and other people. grateful.
- R got some shiny new wheels! (see blog post below.)
- we went on a sweet date night into downtown grapevine to celebrate a month of work. at the risk of sounding like a broken record, i married the best.
FEBRUARY
- Uncommon marriage conference at Watermark. y'all. i cannot say enough about this conference. it was SUCH a sweet weekend with lots of knowledge, LOTS of laughter and sweet fellowship with friends. we were surrounded by speakers who were real, honest and full of so much wisdom that has helped us conquer or avoid so many speed bumps in our marriage. the conference even began with a "surprise" (to the attendees) real wedding to remind us all about the vows we took and the picture of Jesus that marriage is. we were blessed with a hotel room right next the church (as a result of having the ugliest sweaters at our FG christmas party-- mom's 90's closet FTW!!) and finished the weekend with dinner date and homework.
- i also traveled for work in february and had my first experience with a chicago blizzard and jerk-y taxi driver. let's just say i'm a texas girl for life now.
MARCH
- we got our wedding album in the mail! LOVE. and sweet hub even brought it to me at lunch on a workday just becuase he knew how much i was dying to see it.
- march is also the month with sista's birthday, so we celebrated her crazy life cajun style at Pappadeaux's. yum.
- next up in march was the ever-famous mansfield Pickle Parade! betcha wish you could have been to that!! Klein marched in the parade and even had a "pickle queen". i didn't march with them, but we did go watch which was a ton of fun!
- we rounded the month of march out by celebrating our risen savior on Easter Sunday. R's grandpa was in the hospital during this season so we spent the afternoon fellowshipping with his family at the hospital. thankfully, the Lord poured out blessings and he's doing well.
APRIL
- opening day at the Ballpark in Arlington. need i say more? R pulled another all-nighter this year, but it was totally worth it because he put together the opening video for the entire season and it was awesome!! (yes, i'm bragging.)
- we spent an afternoon at the ft. worth food truck park with friends and beautiful weather-- hello, spring!! R and i also discovered tennis and played regularly.
- momma fran had a birthday!! what a joy to celebrate someone who celebrates others so stinkin' well. in true connell fashion, pappdeaux's was the restaurant of choice.
- R and i hosted a wedding shower for his brother + fiancee. their families hadn't yet met, so they came to my parent's house and I made dinner for everyone! exhausting... but worth it.
- we also took a mini-vacation this month and went to atx for a long weekend. so.much.fun. i love this guy and i love the time we spend together, and there was just something so special about traveling together for the first time since our honeymoon.
MAY
- R's brother matt married sara this month! it was such a sweet wedding and such a sweet time to celebrate both the bride & groom and the union of marriage. plus i had my permanent wedding date by my side so how can i complain?
JUNE
- we celebrated another couple's marriage in june when R's cousin got married. (yes, if you've been counting that FIVE mclaughlin cousin/sibling wedding in 12 months. insanity!). Their wedding was in graham, texas and was absolutely beautiful!
JULY
- july was full of sunny mornings, rangers baseball and sweet dates! we explored the farmer's market and new restaurants in dallas.
- my sweet friend from college also married her guy this month-- such a joy-filled day!
AUGUST
- VACATION! we joined my sweet family on a trip to sanibel island. i mean really, this place.. it's just the slowest, cutest little island off of the coast. we had a great time-- beaching, reading books, kayaking, playing football in the ocean, domino playing and eating delicious food with my fam + hub. everything on that list ranks on my "favorite things in life list" so how do you go wrong?! hoping to get a separate post written about this trip....
SEPTEMBER
- we celebrated one year of marriage! with a fantastic dinner date at Perry's steakhouse. oh goodness-- so good! {on a sappy note, it truly is a joy to be married to my guy. i could not even have imagined marrying a man who takes better care of me or loves me better. marriage is one of the quickest ways i know to show you how self-centered and sinful you are, but i'm insanely grateful for the grace i've been shown from both my creator and my husband. life is more fun with him and i can't wait for all of the adventures ahead. end sappiness.}
- we visited the state fair of texas this month, too. another one of my very favorite things! between brand new Big Tex and the ostrich races, this was a trip to remember.
OCTOBER
- i took another work trip to chicago. spent a couple days at a conference and then a couple of minutes playing tourist. i saw the chicago bean -- #bucketlist!
- some big news in our household happened this month- R changed jobs! he's now the associate media director at a church and we are so thankful. this job was absolutely the lord answering prayers and opening doors. plus i get to see him during daylight hours and that's pretty awesome.
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
another post coming soon....
there are a ton of highs and lows that i forgot in this post, but these are some of my favorite memories from this year.
that's all for now,
kate
