I’m going to warn you: this post is mostly for our families. If you are not my mother or Peter’s mother, then you may gag. You’ve been warned.
A couple weeks before the holidays I was in a bad mood (probably because it wasn’t Christmas yet–kidding), so Peter decided to go out and decorate what I’m calling our couch mantle. He bought fresh garland that made the whole whole room smell like Christmas and a few peonies. In combination with a package of my favorite tea, it was just the right thing to put me in a better mood. Peter told his sisters and apparently they wanted to see pictures. So here’s one. I should’ve taken better pictures in the moment. Sorry guys!

Oh, and then he made me a really sweet breakfast of lemon ricotta pancakes. My husband is pretty amazing. I’m a lucky girl.

Have a good weekend!
Us being married may seem like old news but yesterday Peter finally got his wedding ring!!! That’s right, more than three weeks after our wedding my husband’s wedding ring came in. We ordered it months before the ceremony from Kruger’s Jewelers in Austin. Peter and I were happy to support a local business and Larry, the man helping us assured us that it would only take two days for his ring to come in. And sure enough that’s about what happened. I think it took more than two days but it arrived pretty quickly. Except Larry measured Peter’s finger incorrectly and so the ring didn’t fit. So, he ordered the next size up and we were all confident that the ring would arrive in time. That is until time started ticking down and down. Peter and I started calling every single day and then finally the day before the wedding we showed up at the store. Larry was unapologetic that the ring hadn’t arrived, and quite frankly I was furious because of Kruger’s lack of customer service. So, after Larry suggested spitting on the ring that didn’t fit during the ceremony, I did the only thing I could think of and insisted that they lend us something that could work. In all of our photos Peter donned the substitute.

But now he has this!!

The ring is made of titanium. Peter likes the comfortable fit, light weight, and inexpensive price tage that comes along with titanium. There’s something about seeing him wear a wedding ring that strangely makes us both feel more married.
Here’s an action shot of him and the ring feeling frustrated while on the phone with Priceline.

Yes, I realize we should clean and pick up that tissue paper behind the couch. Actually, I think I’ll go do that right now!
I finally picked a wedding ring. I agonized over it here and I really thought that I would get this one, but in the end I chose something different.

That photo is a tad bit hard to analyze, so let’s zoom in on my hand today. You’ll notice that I’ve nixed the bridal pink polish and went for something a little more Halloween-y.

I picked an eternity band that accentuated the circular shape of each diamond. On my engagement ring, all of the diamonds line up in such a way that it looks like each side is flat. This ring forms a sort of wave. Together they compliment one another but they look different.

I liked the differentiation because it reminded me of the difference between each the engagement and the marriage. The two promises compliment each other, but still mean something different. Today I received the last of my rings.

Before we left for the honeymoon I wanted to get a travel ring. I picked the silver ring above, but unfortunately the first one I received didn’t fit. I needed something that was appropriate to wear for traveling, thrifting, volunteering, or jury duty. This plain tiny band is just a single silver stacking ring from the Etsy seller Proteales. I think it’s perfect.
And just for fun, here’s one more ring picture.

I’ll tell you all about Peter’s ring when he eventually gets it. The ring he wore in all of the photos was jus a stand in. The vendor apparently got really backed up with orders and two weeks after the fact we still haven’t received it. It’s a bit of a sore spot around here.
Months ago Peter defended his dissertation but this weekend he officially graduated with his PhD. His whole family came down from Illinois and both of my parents drove up for the occasion. It was so wonderful to have everyone there. Peter looked oh-so-serious as he was hooded.

Then we all went to our favorite restaurant in Austin and enjoyed great food and drinks.

We took some more pictures to remember the fabulous outfit that Peter wore. Don’t you love how Peter’s dad is teasing him in the picture?

And then I found Peter a wand and forced him to take action shots because we felt his doctoral gown was very Harry Potter-esque.

I am so proud of Peter and this momentous accomplishment. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to go through the process of getting a PhD. I can’t wait to see what the future will bring us.
Special thanks to my brother, David, for taking all of these wonderful photographs.
Hi Friends!
The past few weeks have been so unbelievably busy. I’m sorry to say that it’s one of those super annoying situations where I will tell you that we’re busy, but won’t say why. I’ve been trying to follow along with everyone else’s blogs. I’m sorry that I’ve been a little MIA when it comes to commenting. Anyway, I want you all to know that I’ve been trying to keep up and that I have tons to post whenever I get a free moment, which will hopefully be soon. In the meantime, here’s a picture of Peter and me that my brother took when we were headed out to a BBQ restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Aren’t Texas wildflowers beautiful?!
