Lauren's Home & Turf: Love and Marriage...and a Few Other Life Changes

This year is slowly coming to an end. I cannot believe that it is November already! In 2015 I have graduated from Manchester University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, I started my first day as a case manager at Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana the day after I graduated (I'm not too intelligent, I know. I was way too antsy not working or going to school to wait any longer, however), I turned 23 (Michael Jordan!), I got engaged, and I got married! Here are some of my favorite photos.

ENGAGEMENT SESSION WITH BAMBI GUTHRIE PHOTOGRAPHY

OUR WEDDING DAY: AUGUST 29, 2015

GRADUATION DAY MAY 17, 2015 WITH MY MOM AND AUNT

MY BEAUTIFUL PLANTS IN MY CUBICLE

Whew.

That's a lot to happen in one year. Maybe that's why I got shingles in June.

Anyway, life has been amazing and I am too lucky. Chopper is doing well and he is our annoying, beautiful, intelligent baby. Henley is still a little shit. Fishstick has a bigger house and seems to like it more. I have an amazing group of friends, family, and coworkers who keep me sane. Also, I have an amazing husband who shows that he loves me all of the time. I have a pretty terrible habit of being a whiny baby who says, "You don't love me" when I'm frustrated, self-conscious, or sad, but in reality I know he loves me more than anyone else ever has. He is my person. He makes me laugh and he makes me feel like what I do as a social worker is important. He's the best thing to ever happen to me.

CHOPPER O'HOOLIHAN WALTERS ON AN IRONHEAD CHOPPER

I have been struggling with my weight over the past year. I believe it's a mixture of birth control, a more sedentary/commuter lifestyle, and stress. I've seen my doctor and I've started new fitness goals, so we will see where this goes. I have not been myself, but I know that I need to help myself so that I can help others.

Other than that, life is just beautiful! I am still staying strong with using less paper in the home, making my own toiletries/cleaning products, and supporting local whenever possible. Dave and I have been doing home improvement projects with wedding money (thank you all!) and whatever spare money we can come up with. We're still on the journey of minimalism and purging our home from unnecessary items. I have began Christmas shopping and my mom and I made sure to go to local stores. Tomorrow I'm going to Indianapolis to spend the day/night with my best friend in the entire universe. It will be so nice to catch up and go to the Indy Winter Famer's Market's opening day. Have a great weekend, everybody!