Penguin love

I love penguins and this picture makes me smile.

Mother dear

My mom is an amazing woman.  I feel SO blessed that God chose her to be one of my parents.  Let me tell you a little bit about her.

Ten Terrific Traits of My Mother

1. She is a woman of faith.  She loves the Lord with all her heart and I am so blessed that she taught and showed me his love while raising me. She continues to remind me of His goodness and faithfulness daily.

2. She gives the best hugs.  Sometimes they stop tears with their comfort and sometimes they bring out sobs of sorrow yet relief as her arms show you it is safe to cry. Sometimes they are just a loving reminder that she is there.

3. She is creative.  Grade school wouldn't have been near as fun without her assistance on innumerable class projects.  They made me teacher's pet, and made the other kids swoon over my project's detail and originality. (I'd post pictures, but all the teachers wanted to keep them to use as examples for upcoming classes) ;)

4. She has a heart of gold.  My moms heart is filled with love, mostly for God and her family, but also for people who need a helping hand.  She is a great volunteer, her one fault being that she can't say "no."  This is a trait I did not inherit.  I am fairly good at using the word "no," much like my father. :)

5. My mom values health.  She cooks wonderfully hearty and filling meals, but tries to keep them lower on fat, and higher on veggies and fruit.  I appreciate that she strives to keep her and my dad fit by going for walks (also so good for the spirit!), as we will need them here for many many many more years.

6. My mother has a heart for children.  She loves them.  It is wonderful to see her face light up when they laugh at her funny dancing, or when they sit on her lap for a good snuggling.  It's crazy to me that she once thought she didn't want to have children.  God had much different, and better plans if you ask me!

7.  My mom is generous.  She does not get very attached to things, so she is quick to give things away.  Only compliment things of hers that you truly like, because they may just become yours!

8.  My mom is a good talker! (Yes, I do mean this as a compliment!) I treasure many of the days spent with my mom because of the conversations that we have had.  The way she shares her advice, personal experiences, and asks questions lets you know that you are loved and cared about.

9.  She is a wonderful nurse.  No, she does not have a nursing degree, but there is no one else who I would rather have take care of me when I'm sick.  (I apologize in advance Jake, as I  may plead for you to fly my mom to wherever we are living when I get the flu).  I turn into the biggest baby when I'm not feeling well, and the only thing that seems to help is my mom sitting by me rubbing my arm with flat sprite and saltines nearby.

10. Her love is never-ending.  She is a great example of the kind of love that God has for all of us. I know I have done and said many foolish things that have hurt her, but even if she was angry, I have never doubted her love.  It is a wonderful feeling to know that no matter what, (really, no matter what) my parents will love me for me.

Happy Mothers Day, Mom. I'll love you forever, and I'll like you for always. :) xoxo

My brother and my buddy

My brother has always been one of my best buddies.  He was the best playmate growing up, letting me tag along with him, teaching me how to bat and skate, showing me how to whittle the best walking sticks, and always unhooking the countless slimy sunfish I caught.  

He is without a doubt a great man who I looked up to.  I am so proud that he graduates from college this week with a Biology degree (smarty, I know). 

I know that God has big plans for Brent, with his degree and his yearning for adventure.  

I can't wait to see what is in store for him.  

To Do

My to do list seems to get longer and longer everyday instead of shorter.... hmm.  I think this means I need to get my butt in gear before the wedding! (Which is LESS THAN a month away!) WOOHOOOOO!
I have been a busy girl lately.  Here are a few photos to show you what I've been up to:

I spent Easter weekend in New York with Jake (I love how we unintentionally got the recruiting station behind us).

I've been hanging out with my nephews.
Dexter, Dashiell, Diane and I went to the King Tut Exibit at the Science museum. Very fun and interesting!
Teddy and I went to the Elk River Library for story time, and he happily sat on my lap.  So sweet.
Jack is a baby angel.  He is happy, coos, and lets me hold him a lot (unless his mom is around, then she obviously has the prefered arms!)

I went to South Dakota for my "Nielson family" bridal shower.  It was AWESOME! They totally outdid themselves with the tea party theme.  It was planned down to every detail and the skit was hysterical.    

I've been wedding planning with Jake, daydreaming about the next time I get to see him (which is in 5 days by the way!)

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday!

NYC

I am heading out east tomorrow to visit Jake for Easter weekend.  This will be our last weekend in the city while he is still a West Point Cadet.  Since we may not spend a lot of time in NYC in the future, we are going to hit up some of our favorite places where we have made some very fond memories.  The first is The Heartland Brewery (funny because we will be in the big city, yet hanging out in the most midwestern looking place we can find), and Havana Central which has amazing Cuban food and my favorite, mojitos!  We are also thinking about seeing a show, going to central park, going to the Easter parade, or maybe even hitting up the Manhattan Flea market.  We'll just have to see what time and our wallets allot.

I have never been a big fan of the NYC.  This could be because I picture Jake traveling through it every time he leaves MN and has to return out east :( , but really I think its just the hustle and bustle.  I like things a bit more peaceful and serene.

So you'd think NYC would be the last place we'd end up for our honeymoon, right? Well...wrong. Sort of.
We are going to be flying to New York the morning after our wedding, but we will only be there for a bit until our cruise leaves!  I suppose I can put up with the city one more time if it lands me on a cruise ship with my handsome husband, plenty of pools, and tasty treats. ;)

I hope you all have a lovely weekend! I know I will! I have been missing Jake and can't wait to see him and give him a big hug!
I will leave you with these pictures from the first time I visited Jake at West Point two and a half years ago:

Brides Coffee Invite

Today my formal invite to the Brides Coffee to be held at West Point during Jake's Graduation week came in the mail.

I am so excited for this event.  Jake's mom, LeAnne, and I will attend and meet other brides and Army wives.  I am sure I will learn a ton as they go over policies and etiquette.  

I am already mentally preparing myself as I know they will discuss what happens in the event of an injury or tragic death of one of our loved ones. (Sounds pretty uplifting for a morning brunch, huh?!)

SO... on a lighter note... lets think about the important things... ;)

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR!?

Old Navy

Anthropologie

Maurices

Dog Pile

My dad is getting a much deserved, much anticipated puppy!  He has always had a HUGE heart for animals, and the Alcott residence has been without moving fur-balls for some time now.  It is about time to feel that love of a dog when you walk through the door, or to have a companion to walk by your side on a nice spring day like today. There is nothing that can replace the feeling of a caring animal that lays it's head on your lap when you cry, or who leaps up and down when you pick up the leash, or say the simple word "outside!"  Yes, having a puppy will be a ton of work, and it will be sad when it cries for it's mama and siblings the first few nights in our house, but soon it will be like family.  It wont be a burden or a stressor, but just another great part of the Alcott household.  It will be a dog that I will miss while I'm traveling with my new husband, but with the right persuasion I should be able to get my dad to send me tons of pictures and videos as the puppy grows up.  It is good to know there will be a sweet four-legged girl to take care of my dad when his little girl heads down to the southern border to start a life with the handsome 2LT Howell. God only knows what my dad would do without a little girl to take care of! ;)

Here are some photos of our first time visiting the puppies.  The mama dog had 9 puppies; 4 girls and 5 boys.  My dad will be getting a girl, but we don't know which one yet.  He wants to wait and choose after he can detect more of their personalities. (I'm sure he'll choose the wild one, so she can adequately fill my shoes) ;)

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

I am a huge fan of snail mail, so these wedding RSVP's have got me in high spirits.

10:30, when the mail-carrier comes, is one of my favorite times of the day.

(I know, my days are exciting, huh?)

But really, I love to open up the RSVP's and see who will be attending the wedding.

It's getting so close, and I am so ready.  

50 days, folks! 

I tried Sushi...

Tricia and I getting prepared for our first bite of the "Samurai Tuna Roll."
(with spicy sesame tuna and cucumber)

AND LIKED IT!

To be honest, this was actually the second time I've tried sushi.  The first time I was not a fan - but I was told that I had to give it another try, this time with FRESHLY ROLLED sushi. 

(Not from the refrigerator at the grocery store).

I didn't think it would make that big of a difference, so I went in expecting to gag a little and have to wash it down with my mojito; but to my surprise, I liked it a lot and went in for more!

In summary: If you don't like sushi; Go to Chino Latino in Mpls, MN with some good friends and enjoy! ;)

This is Michelle.  She rocks.  So did her awesome "French Toast of the Dead."
(Better-dipped Mexican Pan de Muerto with sliced banana and Meyer's Rum caramel syrup)

Devin and Steve... being pensive

It was a great night in Minneapolis with some great friends.  It is so nice that spring is in the air!

After our Late Night trip to Chino Latino we went for a walk to Lake Calhoun... 

the location where Jake proposed.  

It brought back the butterflies. :)

Bridal Shower

I love the term bridal shower.  I am a bride who was definitely showered with gifts, love, hugs, and laughter at my bridal shower this weekend (thrown by a family friend, Jan, and my sweet Aunt Dee).  

It was great to have my close family there, and also a few family friends I had not seen in quite in a while.  I was surprised and overjoyed at the great turn out.

Me wearing my kitchen/American themed "corsage"

Delicious marble Byerly's cake brought by my Aunt Dee.

I am surrounded by such creative people.  I was given hand-embroidered towels from my Grandma-to-be, homemade cards by many, and my artistic sister decorated my bridal chair (a kitchen chair that was owned by my late Grandma and Grandpa Alcott).

The unique bridal chair decorated by my sister, Diane. 

Dessert table.

 Everything was themed to match my wedding colors, blue and green.  Everyone went above and beyond to make this a very special and memorable day.  It was fantastic to be surrounded by so many people that love me and like to share their lives with me.  

I feel blessed.