i've had a lot of things on my mind lately.

that's why i haven't been "around" much...

and we can't seem to stay away from doctors...

remember how i was sick on monday?

went to the doc and i have strep throat.

strep??  i haven't had that since i was a kid.

i got some good ol' antibiotics to karate punch that nasty guy out of my system.

now... i just hope i'm done with all the sick business.

lincoln is having surgery tomorrow.

which always a little nerve racking... especially since he will have to have anesthetic.

let's hope for a speedy recovery!!!

anyway... i may get around to telling you what's been on my mind lately... but i'm still thinking about things... so we'll see.

to cheer yourself up after reading this post, you should head on over to my friend kelli's blog and see her adorable engagement.

i'm pretty sure i cried.

i love love.

and you can see just how happy they are.

it's beautiful.

engaged friends.

last night, lincoln and i were asked to help with a proposal!

this was probably one of the most exciting things ever.

and we felt fairly privileged because we were the only ones who knew about it besides his mom.

we maybe were a little too excited and were running around like weirdos and hoping we wouldn't screw things up.

haha.

so we set it up like we were going to have cafe rio dinner with them in the park.

we acted like we forgot a blanket in the car and let them walk over to where everything was set up.

i had to take pictures, of course.

so we ran our little selves back and hid behind a bush.

we weren't fast enough because all i heard was giggling and a "yes" from lindsey.

but that's the best part anyway, right?

i am kind of surprised i didn't cry.  probably because i was huffing and puffing from the run.

terribly out of shape, i tell you what.

calling their families...

and her GORGEOUS ring!

congrats, lindsey & scott!

we love you!

gosh... i'm just so happy that i might start crying now.

a BLING BLING on the RING FING!

that's right.

we are
ENGAGED!!



affianced
betrothed
gettin' hitched
tying the knot

soon to be:

husby and wifey
mr. and mrs.
man and wife

!!!!!!!

and without further ado,
here's how it all went down:


saturday, i had scheduled to take lincoln's family pictures for their Christmas card at 3:00.
the day before they had bought everyone different color plaid shirts...
including me.
didn't think much of it, really.
we planned to take the photos in their living room with the Christmas tree and decorations.
everyone "decided" to go upstairs and get ready (iron their shirts? i don't know)
and lincoln asked me if we could take a couple photos of just me and him in front of the tree.

i got everything set up.
focus. check.
exposure. check.
timer. check.

i ran into the picture, something i've gotten very good at,
and we took this first photo.



then i walk back to the camera and lincoln asks to see the first picture.
he also asks how long the timer is.
a little weird for him to be inquiring about camera "stuff" but whatever.
i set the timer again and run and we pose.
here's the second photo.



little did i know,
the third time i walked back to the camera he grabbed the ring which was hidden in the tree.
as i looked through the view finder and re-focused
he had this little smile on his face
and for a split second i wondered what the heck he was smiling for.

i set the timer and walked back towards him.

he grabbed both of my hands
pulled out the ring and said,

"hey hun...
(got down on his knee)
(looked up at me)
i love you so much...
i want to be with you forever...
will you marry me?"

meanwhile, the camera timer is still going off and capturing the actual proposal.



he was shaking and his words were choked up in his throat.
and suddenly i was shaking and i'm pretty sure a muffled "yes" escaped my lips.
(this might just be a summary of what was said. it's all i remember. i think i asked him if he had the ring in his pocket. haha. i was so confused.)

he put the ring on my finger and stood up to hug me.
simple.
private.
and so very sweet.



i loved every second of it.

i then started to cry happy tears.
both of us still shaking.

he told me how nervous he was even though he knew i would say yes.
he's so dang cute.

we stood there in front of the tree soaking up the moment
and it felt spiritual.
spiritual, you ask?

it wasn't a pick-her-up-and-spin-her-around-everyone-cheering
kind of blissful moment.

i felt an overwhelming peace
and comfort.
and i felt safe
and secure

and it was the happiest moment of my life.




-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

since then:

-i think my favorite reactions were from my friends.
i laughed endlessly.

-i really, really love my ring.



i kind of can't stop staring at it.
lincoln thinks that is funny.

-i have moments where i think,
"oh my heck!!! we are actually getting MARRIED??!"

-the first time i introduced him as my fiance was super weird.

-i get a WAY easier last name.
i won't ever have to spell or pronounce it ever again!
Bouwhuis---> Taylor
Yesssss!!!


-and the best part about it is i get to be part of this family.



i think they are entirely the most amazing people i've ever met.
they don't know this, but i already love them so much.
sometimes i watch them silently and think how blessed i am to have two wonderful families.





-and i'm so blessed to finally have him.

i love him so, so much.