Wondering Thoughts: A Look Back at 2012

2012 is coming to a close and I thought I'd take a look back at what this year has brought before I say goodnight to it.

It has been an amazing year. Lots of changes...and mostly all for good!

The year started with nothing too special. A gathering of friends and some drinks, but otherwise quiet. In mid-January, I had some visitors when Scott's family came up for a hockey game at the Civic Center. I cooked dinner for more people than I'd ever cooked for and I have to say it turned out decent...the timing on some things could have been better, but it tasted good and that is what counts!


The Probst Family at a Rivermen Game

In February, I left my job at Jump Start Gymnastics, where I had worked for the past 6 years and started down a completely new path at Belcan. It was hard to say goodbye to something I had known so long, but it was a necessary change. I started at Belcan at the end of February and while I was a little nervous to begin a new venture, I was really excited about all the new prospects this job would bring.

March started with a wedding and ended with a visit from old friends. Emily flew in to the midwest and we started with a visit to the Chicago 'burbs and then traveled back to Peoria to spend a few days down here. On the last day, our third roommate came into town on a weird coincidence and we were able to spend some time together and visit our old digs. It was a great few days!

The Girls of UHall 1B - 11 Years Later

Mr Big Shot - Chris gave a speech to some Bradley kids while he was in town.

Roommates visiting our old apartment. Bottom Left...yeah we lived underground!

April brought another wedding...my cousin's. Scott and I trekked back to Iowa for a weekend to watch my younger (by one year and one day!) cousin get married. It was great to see all my family together! Unfortunately, Scott got super sick and we ended up staying an extra day and a half and taking him to a prompt care. A nasty cold and some spots on his throat, but some antibiotics and rest cleared him up pretty quickly. I'm not going to lie, it was nice to not have to rush back to Peoria!

The Hamilton Family at Becky's Wedding - Scott's face nearly matches his shirt at various points during the day. :(

Poor Guy. Very Sick! Doesn't even care that BooBoo joined him for a nap.

For Christmas last year, the Probst Family informed everyone that we would all be going on vacation together to Gulf Shores, Alabama at the end of May. It was something I had always dreamed of, sitting on a beach with nothing to do but soak in the sun, have a few drinks and eat good food! My dreams were not disappointed...the beach was out our backdoor and I could sit on our deck and have my morning coffee and listen to the ocean. It was amazing! The weather couldn't have been better while we were there...sun everyday and perfect temps.

My view at breakfast. Life does not get better!

Enjoying some family time in the ocean.

Family photos!

It was the third or fourth day we were there when we went out near sunset to take family photos. More than a ton were taken...different combinations, different poses, different people. It was a beautiful evening for it. Someone suggested we take photos of the couples walking down the water's edge, so Scott and I went first. We walked away from the group and they snapped a few photos and shouted they got it. I turned around to return to the group and Scott grabbed my hand. When I turned around, he was down on one knee and asked me to marry him! My first response was "You told me you weren't going to do it on vacation!" He looked at me. And I said "YES!"

The beach. At sunset. Cliche? Yes. Romantic? Always!

So excited!


The Ring.

Love.

In a lucky coincidence, the weekend after we returned from Gulf Shores, I returned to Council Bluffs for my brother and soon-to-be sister in law's wedding shower. I showed off my ring to all my family and then made sure to focus on the more current bride to be! It was a gorgeous shower that was pulled together by my mom and 2nd mom, Cathy with little to start with. It was held at my parent's house in CB, which is empty more than occupied, but you wouldn't have known that day. It was a beautiful event!