Oh... isn't he sweet.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I figured now would be a good time to explain further my reasons for saying yes to Evan.

Hear me out. I promise it's not completely obnoxious.

Of course, there's the obvious list: he's funny, he's smart, he's good-looking. 'Cause who really falls in love with someone they find boring, dumb, and ugly?

So I've compiled a list, for your reading pleasure. These are the unconventional ways I love my fiance.

1.) Evan has seen, and accepts, my ridiculous behavior that comes after the sight of blood. He always takes care of me, especially when I induce my own blood using various devices, i.e. kitchen knives, a razor, or a cheese grater. Simply put, that stuff makes me gag and my palms itch. I'm not sure how to explain the palms itching but I swear it happens.

2.) Evan usually makes the coffee every morning. Even further, he usually cleans the French press after every use! This means a lot to me because, well... morning's aren't my thing. And he's really good at this -- we're talking grinding the beans, boiling the filtered water, then setting the timer to allow just the right amount of brewing. I say he "usually" does these things because sometimes I help out, just to remind him that I'm not completely worthless in the java department.

3.) When we eat at restaurants, I usually try and order something healthy. This means I usually pick off his plate 'cause he always orders really delicious things. He lets me. I love that.

4.) Evan plays a lot of Call of Duty. But he always at least pretends that he'd stop playing at a moment's notice and hang out with me, or listen to me talk about -- oh, I don't know -- what I pinned on Pinterest. I appreciate this, but also kinda like that "away" time every night. After all, it gives me more time on Pinterest.

5.) He loves HGTV and Food Network just as much as I do. Those shows are both way more fun when you can make fun of the homeowners, lust after properties we'll never afford, or bet on who's dish reigns supreme.

6.) Evan is oddly picky about things I never even considered: Turkey meat, salsa, creamer. However, this means he always picks out really awesome options. Our sandwiches have never been more delicious, our Mexican food never more authentic! Wee!

7.) He is SUCH a nerd. But, he's a nerd about things I can (sometimes) get into. Aside from pointing out Jupiter to strange college kids in our front yard, I (sometimes) enjoy hearing his random knowledge. Our DVR is often full of science shows... (sometimes) it's interesting. Okay, often it's interesting. Don't tell him I said that.

I could go on, but let's be real -- y'all don't care. But I have just one more.

8.) Evan is just as good to our dog, as he is to his parents, as he his to my parents, as he his to our friends, as he his to me. He amazes me with constant kindness, respect, and love -- every day. Those things, of course, are the most important.

Overall, it's been a pretty awesome Valentine's Day. Nothing extravagant -- but I did get breakfast in bed. And when I say breakfast -- I mean handmade chocolate-covered strawberries.

AND it's our second to last Valentine's before we are Mr. and Mrs.! What... a sad realization.

Happy Valentine's Day ! Now, go tell someone you love them to avoid getting annoyed with me for this cheesy, lame post. xoxo

Rough Week, Full of Promise

Evan and I started jotting down names for our guest list a few weeks ago... and it's honestly been one of the hardest conversations we've had so far in our relationship. The obvious family and mutual friends are easy -- but it's those people we have yet to meet from each other's early lives that make it tough. Just trying to explain to each other how certain people fit, and why -- even if their name's never been mentioned before -- it's still important that they're included. Then trying to narrow down the massive list to fit within our venue's size, and most importantly -- our budget. It's a wonderful problem to have. We have such wonderful friends and family.

But today it dawned on me that one of those names will no longer be on the guest list. Our dear friend Todd Reno will not be there next April. He took his own life last Friday, at the age of 34.

I like to think Todd is one of the reasons Evan and I even met. Yes, it's a stretch -- but stick with me here. Evan met Todd way back when, when Todd hired Evan straight out of college to be a main anchor in Billings, MT. Soon after, the company that owned the station laid everyone off, and folded the news department. Todd went to Lubbock to be the Assistant News Director at KAMC, and somehow convinced Evan to come along. And here we are today.

We celebrated Todd's life in a beautiful ceremony on Tuesday. It breaks my heart to think about all the love present in that church, alongside all the grief. We miss him so much.

But you know that saying -- when one door closes, another one opens. That became evident when we got a phone call from our friends Brett and Beth earlier this week. Within one day, we said Goodbye to Todd... only to celebrate Brett and Beth's brand new beautiful baby girl! She was born happy and healthy on February 6, 2012.

That's new dad Brett and Grandaddy Davidson. Do they share genes, or what?!

Now, as I write this post... she does not have a name. This is her yelling at her parents for that.

Evan's a natural with baby girls. Look at that little smile! I can't wait until we have one. After the wedding, of course. Mom, I can feel you gritting your teeth from here.

In the end, this week has been rough... yet full of promise. We hate to say goodbye to those we love, but the timing of Baby Davidson gave us a wonderful reminder that life goes on. We grow, we build, we learn... and of course, we remember.

And now to that whole, "naming the baby" project. Brett & Beth, our readers are anxiously awaiting an update. ;)

No Turning Back Now

We did it. We picked the venue -- and a date! And for all my friends already living in wedded bliss, I know you know this must be one of the toughest parts.

Ever since Evan and I started talking that we actually liked each other enough to tell the government, there were a few things we knew about our wedding. We wanted to get married in Austin, under a big tree, in the fall.

Well, one of those things is happening. We're getting married in Austin. Under a chandelier. On April 6, 2013. Oops.

How quickly minds change when it's all actually happening. Evan's proposal, however perfect, was a little late in terms of securing a venue in Austin in the fall. There is certainly no shortage of places down there, but apparently Austin is the new "it" location in "destination" weddings. Consider us trendsetters. Of course, this is no surprise to us. We are so "it!"

So, with our October hopes dashed -- we replaced them with the realization that we don't care when we get married... we just care that we do. And we are, so problem solved. My parents must be paying Evan a fortune to do that!

After much deliberation (and I mean MUCH) we decided on Kindred Oaks in Georgetown. It's absolutely perfect and I can't wait for everyone to come to Texas and see exactly why we loved it so much. I think you'll find the dance floor up to standard to showcase your amazing moves, and there's a bar -- so, if you don't like it... just keep drinking. You'll like it eventually.

Now, much to Evan's friends chagrin, our date may or may not fall on the same day when Mizzou makes it to the Final Four. Yes, Evan is concerned that the wedding interferes with March Madness. And with a basketball season that has not happened yet. But after dealing with conflicts for ACL, SXSW, UT Football, the Austin Rodeo, Governor Perry's haircut... I kind of put my foot down. I like 4/6. I like that they're even numbers, and I like that it's far enough ahead in April to not cut sweeps too close. (TV News friends, you know what I mean.)

So, Grizzled men, please direct your complaints to me. I welcome your whines and cries now, because -- as Evan says -- the surest way to get Mizzou to the Final Four is to have our wedding the day of the games. You'll thank me later! I am SUCH a good fiancee!

In all seriousness... I cannot wait until April 2013. Now comes all the fun parts -- dress, cake, weight loss, crying -- and we have plenty of time to get it all done.

Until the next decision... here's to counting the days! We're stuck with each other. Oy.

UPDATE: Evan wants me to make clear, that there was no scheduling conflict the week following Final Four. The date would've been 4/13/13. I nixed that. Two 13's!!! He thinks I'm being ridiculous. I probably am.

Bear's New Bed

It's been brought to my attention that we haven't posted in an appropriate amount of time to keep up with our fan base... (Rachel.)

I'm so glad I have (a) loyal follower! I wonder who will play me in the movie they'll make surrounding the success of this blog?!

Well, you're in luck today. Because I have a very important update!!!

Bear got a new bed, and he LOVES it! It's also a very chic gray, which makes his mom happy. Doesn't he look regal?

However, we still haven't trained the parents to keep their rules. Exhibit A... what happens when mom spends Sundays in bed watching a marathon of Biography TV.

You're welcome!

Good Dogs Don't Get Caught.

Saw that saying at PetSmart the other day while shopping for Bear. You see, we're on a mission these days to find him a new bed. Something fluffy, cushiony, and something that will remind him that we have rules around here -- one being, Bear isn't allowed up on the couch.

Bear seems to have forgotten this rule. He turned 8 on Christmas. And as a senior citizen, I feel he's trying out some early bird specials (if you will) on his parents.

Recently, we've caught this dog up on the couch. Repeatedly. He, of course, thinks we have no idea. One night, not three minutes after turning out the lights for bed... I hear him sneak out of the bedroom to go take post on his new throne. So I grabbed the flashlight next to our bed, snuck out, and surprised him with a spotlight discovery. He knew he was busted.

But did he learn? Of course not.

Next day -- not two minutes after leaving the house, I came back inside because I forgot something. There he was, finding the perfect spot to shed all over.

Oy.

My point here is, our sweet 8-year-old is being bad. But it also makes us laugh. So it's really hard to punish him and truly enforce the rules. (Like all good parents should.)

So what do we do? We punish him by buying him something luxurious. I mean, how can you not when looking at this face?

I worry about when we have kids. Real, human kids. At least they don't shed.

Happy New Year!

We had a fun New Year's Eve here in Lubbock-- so much fun, Bear and Julie are just POOPED on New Year's Day.

Hi Julie!

Christmas Joys

Evan's talents at blog-posting are temporarily suspended. (See blackmail from below post.)

In the meantime, we're both recovering from a busy but fantastic holiday season. It was one of many firsts. Most importantly, it was our first time to spend it 'physically' together. We also shared our first tree, our families, and Bear got to wear his new Christmas bow-tie.

My family visited a few weeks before Christmas, since we would be spending it in Denver with the Onstots. It was Parker's first plane ride, and my brother's family's first trip to Lubbock.

We took Parker and Meaghan to Santaland. The line to see Santa was way too long, so Parker snuck a peek through the door. We told him he had already put in his request in Dallas -- and Santa never forgets!

This little dish was personally, one of my favorite gifts of the season. (Besides my ring, of course!)

In Denver, it snowed 13 inches the day we arrived. Perfect for this Texas girl. I went sledding for the first time! (We were the only adults without children there.)

What a natural.

I also enjoyed seeing my Denver boy in his natural habitat.

On Christmas Eve-Eve, we celebrated Evan's brother Colin and his future wife Christy, by each hosting their respective Bachelor/Bachelorette parties. The girls spent dinner in bed. Sort of.

On Christmas Eve, we walked through the Denver Botanical Gardens to look at all the lights. I know next time I need thicker socks. Fortunately, my frost-bitten feet are not visible in this photo. This is the Onstot family and their future daughter-in-laws. (Two weddings in one year? Oy.)

I'm feeling so ever grateful for all of those in our life. And so excited for the many years to come. Now if only we can get Evan to post more flattering pictures of his sleeping beauty.

Merry Christmas from the future Mr. and Mrs. Onstot!