Lots to share!

When you have a blog, and don’t blog, and get married, and go on a honeymoon, there is a lot to share. I’m not really certain about where to begin my sharing. But, I miss sharing. This summer, I took a break from graduate school (which is going to kick me in the butt in less than a month). We had an awesome wedding, and an awesome honeymoon. The last few weeks, I’ve been trying to work on changing my name everywhere, writing thank you notes, and organizing our little apartment.

I’m going to start working on some posts. Honestly, this will probably be a sharing spurt. Then, work begins again and graduate school starts back. The blog break cycle probably will continue on, but luckily, pickmeg.com is still here when I’m ready!

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Emily Graduates

Isn’t she lovely? Last week my baby sister graduated high school. When I was in fourth grade, Emily entered our lives. She was my human baby doll. It was hard to see her as a real person, she was just this thing that entered our world. The thing grew and developed a unique personality. Emily has always been someone who does things the way she wishes to do them.

The morning of her graduation, I went to the grocery store to get a few things. I saw giant balloons and teared up. My baby sister needed a giant balloon. My baby sister wasn’t a baby anymore. When I graduated high school and went off to college, Emily was eight. Emily is a wonderfully creative young woman now. While Michael and I grew up together, we watched Emily grow up. When I watched that girl cross the stage, I shot up and screamed with pride and joy. I am so proud of the person she has become. I love her lots.

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Engagement Photos

A few weeks ago, we took engagement pictures. At first it felt awkward to appear loving, happy, and carefree in front of Caren’s camera. Then, it felt like we were just enjoying each other’s company while our pictures were being taken. It turned out to be a lot of fun and the pictures turned out lovely. I can’t decide which are my favorites. If you click any of them, it will take you to the Flickr photostream of the set.

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Typical Encounter

This was JMO’s idea for a picture. He is often on his iPad, and I am often competing for his attention.

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We put this one on our save the dates. I think it is lovely. I almost skipped this part of the “wedding process” and I am so very pleased that I didn’t!

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Houston Life List

I was searching Trip Advisor and took a look at Houston. It turns out, there are lots of things I haven’t explored here. So, I’m adding a section to my list for home. I can’t let the great things here get by me!

  • Buffalo Soldiers National Museum – not even a block from my house and I haven’t been!
  • Houston Bicycle Museum – I pass this on my runs!
  • Houston Fire Museum – I didn’t know this existed…
  • Holocaust Museum Houston – Again, just a few blocks away from me, but I’ve got to be prepared to deal with sadness.
  • Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden – never heard of this, but it sounds cool!
  • Art Car Museum

I went through and added a little section to the bottom of my life list. When the intense busyness passes, I will not be short on activities. 

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Life is Grand

I miss my blog. It is fun to share life. Life has been a crazy whirlwind this year. I could not have anticipated how busy things can actually get. Graduate school has been much more work than I anticipated. The world of fourth grade has been particularly demanding this year. AND I am attempting to plan a wedding. Wedding planning does not fall naturally into my skill set. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have so many people in my life who are good at event planning, and who are willing to help me.

Despite being busy, I am constantly trying to remind myself of all the good I have in my life. This seems to be the only way for me to keep my head above water.

  • I am marrying a man I love
  • I have a job
  • I was able to get in and am so far surviving graduate school
  • My family and my future family are some of the most loving people I know
  • I have great friends

Life is grand. I can’t let things slip by because I am too busy to appreciate.

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2012: Year End Review

2012 was an amazing year. It has been crazy busy, it held some surprises, and some adventures. Life has treated me well, and for this I am grateful. In fact, life just keeps getting better and better. 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008 were all wonderful.  I have blogged less and less over the past four years, but I am so glad to have the last few years’ memories right here.

2012 highlights:

  • JMO and I got engaged! We are ecstatic about getting married and enjoying this special time in our relationship. JMO even made us a website (www.jmoandmeg.com).
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  • I started graduate school. One day I will be a librarian, and it will be worth it. Right now it has been an absolute roller coaster. The program is more work than I could have expected, but it also more challenging and satisfying that I imagined. Roll Tide. 
  • We went with JMO’s family to New Mexico for his cousin’s wedding. It was lovely and such a good time.
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  • I took my second mission trip to Honduras. Mission Lazarus does such a great job of structuring these trips and planning them out. It is a gorgeous country and they match people up with jobs that need to be done. Construction work makes me feel like superwoman. Hikes into villages make me feel like Outdoor Barbie. The entire country and the people remind me that the life we lead is very different, and it is not to be take for granted.
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  • Guatemala. I went to Spanish school for three weeks in June and it was magnificent. School was a challenge, and I grew from that experience. Hiking a volcano was a giant obstacle, but one of the most amazing things I have ever done. I went to the rain forest, saw Mayan ruins, and got way outside my comfort zone. I truly love Central America.

On top of a temple overlooking the courtyard.

  • My family and all my relatives spent a week at the beach with all the Pickerts. It was such a relaxing time. It was the 29th yearof the beach house!
Family June 2012

  • JMO and I went to Vegas in April for a wedding. It was one of the best trips we have been on together. We just had an amazing time from plane ride to plane ride.

  • This is my third year teaching fourth grade. Ashley, my partner teacher, and I are like a well oiled machine. We’ve come to a place where we work very well together and we’ve learned how to tackle anything that can be thrown our way.
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This year has provided many challenges and many times for reflection. I am so proud of the direction my life has taken. I learned great challenges come with great rewards in 2012. Everything that has come my way has done so for a reason, let’s see what 2013 throws at me!

2013 Goals and Guesses:

  • Get married! This will be a huge change. Twenty-eight years of Pickert, traded in for Oswalt in one day. Crazy!
  • This year I hope to truly enjoying the process of planning a wedding and becoming a new family. It is a special time with those I love, I do not want worry to mess with it!
  • Get in shape. Every year I plan to be better. This year is no different, I want to feel strong and capable in 2012.
  • Continue to grow professionally and in my own education. The more I know, the more I can use what I know!

Each year gets bigger and better, 2013 will be amazing. Happy New Year!

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