we’ve got a little bit (lot a bit) of catching up to do.
Every time I think to myself my life could not possibly get busier or crazier, life just loves to prove me wrong and say, “oh yes I can…watch me!”
I’ve missed blogging, but between traveling, school, work, a puppy, and moving into our first home (not to mention first year of marriage!) I have not been able to find the time. I mean when I’m not going going going, I am completely exhausted and itching to get in bed and go to sleep.
So John Luke and I finally had something come in and force us to slow down:
STREP
(as in STREP THROAT).
So for the next 24 hours we will be sleeping and mostly watching (me rematching) Downton Abbey.
But before I do anything, I just had to write a blog post and let everyone know what we’ve been up to!
First off:
We ended our first semester at Liberty on a high note…Christmas Convo!
So far Christmas Convo has been my favorite thing at Liberty. I mean what other school basically has a school-wide Christmas party and hits around ginormous snowballs?
JL and I work for convo so we are part of the people that help prepare everything….likeeeee blowing up ginormous snowballs! And playing dodgeball with them. Shhhh.
And if you ever want to be sure to have a great day:
make an Olaf hat and wear it to school…
even it doesn’t help you, others will get a kick out of it!
We made it through finals, packed up, and hit the road. We had to stop in Atlanta on the way home to pick up my passport with my new last name, and came across this little gem of a restaurant.
Bluebirds.
If you’re ever in Atlanta make sure to check them out!
Home for a day and had a breakfast date with dad.
JL third-wheeled hehe.
So 2mama and 2papa (John Luke’s grandparents) decided that instead of presents for Christmas they wanted to take the whole family on a trip to Guatemala. Sadie has a collection in a rain-boot line called Roma boots, so we teamed up with the amazing family of Roma and dropped off boots to school children! We landed in Guatemala City and then drove several hours out of town to different locations.
Boot drop #1
Boot drop #2
These kids, y’all….LOVE.
Then one day we hiked up a volcano.
Yep, you heard me write.
But crazier than that is the fact I actually got on a horse and rode it half that time.
Then the next day we went to the town of Antigua.
And even fit in a viewing of Star Wars in 4D! Who even knew that was a thing?!
We made it back home just in time for Christmas festivities!
And JL gave me a puppy!
Well kinda…hehe
This break was the best break of my life and I think it’s because I got to spend SO much time with all my favorite people.
And we’ve got two more engaged in the family!! That means more wedding and more married couples! YAY!
We went to Passion in Houston and let me tell ya…
If you have not been,
GO.
It’s a conference put on by Passion City Church in Atlanta (pastored by Louie Giglio) for high-school seniors and college students at the beginning of every year. They have some of the best Christian speakers from around the country world.
If you watched our wedding special you may recognize this face. This has been my preacher since I was an itty bitty, and who I’ve learned so much from. He preached his last sermon before retiring while I was home. It was bittersweet, but so neat to see how many people showed up to honor our pastor who’s been at my small-town church for over 50 years!
The Ice Cabin started selling coffee…YUM.
We welcomed in the new year…some of us VERY patriotically.
Oh and I made a mug!
And my daddy turned 60!
Break was so awesome and God was so gracious to us. But before we knew it, it was time to head back north. (John Luke and I just can’t consider Virginia the South…we drive 16 hours north…and mainly because its cold…very cold.)
We finally made it, and guess what was first on our to-do list!?
PICK UP PIPPA MAE ROBERTSON.
our new aussie-doodle baby!
Then what do ya know?
A blizzard hit…well somewhat of a blizzard.
But we got snowed in with friends and I’ll keep those *mems* forever.
Then one Saturday JL said “let’s go on a hike tomorrow and have church on top of a mountain.”
So we texted some friends and it happened.
It was kind of amazing.
We may have not considered the fact there was still snow on the mountains.
We may have hit a few bumps (ice) in the road.
We may have gotten stuck.
We may have had some firefighters happen to be hiking too and offer to pull us out, and give us a lift to the top.
John Luke may be a model.
We may have all worn nikes instead of boots.
We may have had an incredible sermon and worship service.
We may have taken the coolest jumping pic of all time.
That next week I gave mom a call, told her I needed her, and she was there by that night.
Wow. She’s incredible.
So I got some good quality time with her and baby T.
The week went by WAY too fast and before I knew it I had to drive them back to Roanoke to catch their flight.
But Lor and Rach came, and we made what could have been a sad trip into a very fun one…good friends can do that for ya.
John Luke and I are actually starting a whole new adventure. We’ve been married for 7 months now and haven’t had a home. We’ve been bouncing around a lot, but as of last Friday we are moved in. Well, kinda…we at least have a bed. But we love our new little home, and are so excited to be settling in somewhere.
But hey, a bed to wake up in and drink my tea….I’m happy with that.
Loved this post!!! Pippa is ADORABLE! I have a little Shih Ztu named Jingles (she was born on Christmas day) and I love her to death!! How cool that you had a sermon on a mountain! That would be an adventure for sure!!! š
How fun that y'all have your own home! So exciting! We just got a new puppy as well. He's a Goldendoodle and so much fun! Congrats on all the excitement š
I am glad to see you are adjusting well to your first year of marriage and college. Both of those things can be very stressful. The charity work in Guatemala looked amazing. I will remember those little ones (and you) in my prayers.
It's so great to see this update! (Thank you for updating!) You must be having a lot of fun, but also your fair share of struggles, during these beginning months of marriage. Please continue to keep us posted. I know you must be so busy with the move, but it'll be super darn cute to see all the creative ways you transform your home.
Mary Kate, thank you for this little peek into your everyday life! What a beautiful picture of a young married couple living for Jesus through all of the bumps and twists thrown in along the way. Keep posting, please!! š Alyssa // pearlsandpenmanship.blogspot.com
Thanks for allowing us to connect with you this way! Such an encouragement! Praying that God blesses you both in so many ways, and that He allows you to see His love pour into your lives as you start many new adventures together!
With Love Your Sister in Christ, Victoria Instagram: @victoriavezina
Hi MK! I love reading your blog! I'm a college sophomore, originally from Roanoke, so it's really inspiring to read about your and JL's adventures. I especially love how you keep Jesus as the focal point of your lives. You guys rock!
I LOVE you guys! As a young Christian wife, you inspire me and I love your Bible study tips and how you guys are always going and so active in your ministry. I saw you guys at Duck Commander on August 4th, we were in Louisianna for the Dixie Youth World Series and we took a day and drove up to West Monroe. Y'all got in your vehicle and drove past my mom and I and you guys waved and I was SO excited! Haha! I love your blog, thank you so much for doing it. ļæ½ļæ½
We're in Lynchburg too (husband and I met at LU! And became permanent transplants!) and I'm originally from Georgia. I also don't consider Virginia the South…esp when they have the option of unsweet tea at every restaurant! š plus the whole snow thing!
Loved this post!!! Pippa is ADORABLE! I have a little Shih Ztu named Jingles (she was born on Christmas day) and I love her to death!! How cool that you had a sermon on a mountain! That would be an adventure for sure!!! š
xoxo
Amanda
you take stunning photos !!
How fun that y'all have your own home! So exciting! We just got a new puppy as well. He's a Goldendoodle and so much fun! Congrats on all the excitement š
-Rachel at thefashionistahousewife.blogspot.com
I am glad to see you are adjusting well to your first year of marriage and college. Both of those things can be very stressful. The charity work in Guatemala looked amazing. I will remember those little ones (and you) in my prayers.
It's so great to see this update! (Thank you for updating!)
You must be having a lot of fun, but also your fair share of struggles, during these beginning months of marriage.
Please continue to keep us posted. I know you must be so busy with the move, but it'll be super darn cute to see all the creative ways you transform your home.
What camera do you use?? Love reading your posts!
Hey brittney, MK said she uses a Canon Rebel sl1 camera. And she said its reasonably priced for the photos she takes! š Hope that helps!!
Love hearing about y'all's adventures!! God bless you both! ā¤ļø
Mary Kate, thank you for this little peek into your everyday life! What a beautiful picture of a young married couple living for Jesus through all of the bumps and twists thrown in along the way. Keep posting, please!! š
Alyssa // pearlsandpenmanship.blogspot.com
Thanks for allowing us to connect with you this way! Such an encouragement! Praying that God blesses you both in so many ways, and that He allows you to see His love pour into your lives as you start many new adventures together!
With Love Your Sister in Christ,
Victoria
Instagram: @victoriavezina
In Guatemala, did you visit Cerro de Oro?
That "John Luke may be a model" picture!!! The cutest! I would love to meet you guys some day! It's on my bucket list š
Hi MK! I love reading your blog! I'm a college sophomore, originally from Roanoke, so it's really inspiring to read about your and JL's adventures. I especially love how you keep Jesus as the focal point of your lives. You guys rock!
I LOVE you guys! As a young Christian wife, you inspire me and I love your Bible study tips and how you guys are always going and so active in your ministry. I saw you guys at Duck Commander on August 4th, we were in Louisianna for the Dixie Youth World Series and we took a day and drove up to West Monroe. Y'all got in your vehicle and drove past my mom and I and you guys waved and I was SO excited! Haha! I love your blog, thank you so much for doing it. ļæ½ļæ½
So glad you are back! I love this post. You have such a fun and interesting life. Hope you and John Luke feel better š
girl C
https://fromgirlc.wordpress.com/
I love your style! it is so versatile, you should do a like to know it!
We're in Lynchburg too (husband and I met at LU! And became permanent transplants!) and I'm originally from Georgia. I also don't consider Virginia the South…esp when they have the option of unsweet tea at every restaurant! š plus the whole snow thing!