our story | part 1

we truly "met" over a coffee date. it was a long coffee date, that included a long walk, and many shared interests that were developing months before we even knew we were interested in each other. greatest coffee date ever. But a friendship starts before that. Some of you are very familiar with our story. Some of you aren't. Some know all the details, some only a few. So let me fill in the gaps, and remember some of the greatest months of my life. If you're up for it, read on....
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My freshman year of college at Northwestern was marked by being busy. I was playing volleyball, spending more time at the gym or on a bus than anything else, and when I wasn't doing that, I was managing about 3 separate friend groups... each semester. Trying to find my place. 

At that time a friendship was being formed. One that I didn't know about yet. It's Fall of my freshman year, 2006. My very good friend (since kindergarten!), Nick, had taken a work study job within the athletic department at NWC doing some broadcasting and statistics for the volleyball games. His desk mate was this guy named Jared Johnson - and these two were a bit intimidated by each other at first... each thinking the other was this hot-shot on campus, both trying to impress their boss, and not really knowing how to act together. After a few games, it was made obvious that Nick knew me. He talked about me, he greeted my parents, and from what I hear, this made Jared even more intimidated, as he had noticed me. As they worked more and more together, (and Nick continued to try and correct Jared on how to pronounce my last name...)friendship began to form.
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Volleyball takes up a large part of the "pie graph" of my life. It was a passion. A lifestyle for me. An emotional feeling every time I stepped onto the court. Heck, every time I even look at at a net I get a surge of memories and emotion. Jared says that in those games and moments he watched me play while he was broadcasting, he was drawn to me. My passion for my game, my joy when I was playing, my joy when I was cheering on the sideline, my competitiveness... he says there was something about the way in which he was "introduced" to me (watching me live my passion) that made him know he wanted to get to know me. All of this he thought silently...
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Months went by. About 6 to be exact. I continued to float around friend groups, be busy, and have no clue who Jared was. Around March, I met this girl named Toni - who had an established mixed friend group - and we hit it off fast and furious. I melded into this group like it was my job. I was with these friends 18 hours a day, practically. Toni, Skyler, Sydney & Ashley. And the guys? Well, their names were Nick, Jared, and Ryan. :) God knew.

But let's backtrack first. One day, I walked into the dorm building to see my new best friend studying with this guy. And he was..... bald. Completely bald. Yep, freshly shaved head shinin' in the light of day. Of course I went over to talk to Toni, and she introduced me to Jared. A friend from one of her classes that also "..was, like, best friends, with Nick, Sky! You know Nick, right?!?" Nick. Of course I did, and anyone that is friends with Nick, I can be friends with. Now, from what I hear, this was thee moment Jared had been waiting for for like, 6 months. To be introduced to me. And we later laughed over how ironic it was that God chose that moment - right after Jared had, on a whim with some guys, bicked his head. Makes you chuckle a little bit over God having some fun with teenage relationships. :)

My memory is a bit foggy over the details of this interaction, but I do remember one thing. One thing Jared probably wishes I didn't remember. I got a pickup line. Toni laughed, Jared tensely laughed, I laughed - probably only because I thought it was unbelievable he just did that, and he was cute, even with with a shaved head... and as funny as it is to say; that's how I first was introduced to my husband. With a bald head and a pickup line. 

This group continued to grow... we spent as much time as we could all together, and my memories of my spring semester of my freshman year of college go untouched in my mind as some of the happiest days of my life. Big statement, but it's true. And within that bigger group, a more intentional relationship began to form.....
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part II coming soon.

his birthday.

this year was a fun birthday. jared turned 25! a quarter of a century old, as he told himself all day. 

so handsome. :)we had a pretty stacked weekend which included celebrations at two new restaurants, (both scored big!)time with both friends and our families, which we felt very blessed by, and  some much needed alone time. the weather was gorgeous over his special weekend, so we made a point to break out our skates, and we weren't sorry!

my husband is the special-est thing in my life. this being the 5th birthday we celebrated together, and it only reminded me of how much more i love him every. single. year. 

enter some (sappy - be warned) reasons... 

- he makes a mean egg sandwich (don't judge me for that being #1, we like our eggs :)
- i know i always come before his work, even though he has to work a lot
- i know he works a lot because he is committed to his job and our family
- seeing him back in school reminds me just how hard of a worker he is
- he makes me laugh. plain and simple.
- he had tried many new foods for me over the past couple years - and is such a sport about it
- he warms up my freezing toes without complaining
- he doesn't complain
- i see him studying his Bible daily. he inspires me.
-  he kills spiders for me. and doesn't look down on me for leaving them under cups until he comes home.
- he does the dishes. and not just when he feels sorry for something. daily.
- he makes me smile when i think about him. that's new and i love it.
- i see him growing. and maturing. himself alone and with me - it's a wildly beautiful process that is drawing me to him even more.

HAPPY (belated) 25th BIRTHDAY TO MY BEST FRIEND. you are the sweetest, most genuine man i have ever known. i'm so blessed to be yours. :) here's to another growing year!

I love him

Despite the buysness that has been our life lately.... when I step back, I am reminded at how wonderful it is to go through all that busyness with a rock solid best friend.

This is "Fat Patty's." A hole in the wall - college town hangout - that probably lives up to it's name health standards wise - but was (literally) the single best burger I have ever eaten in my life. What the Cheesecake Factory is to cheesecake, Fat Patty's is to burgers. Never seen so many styles! My burger happened to be called the Vampire Slayer. Oh yes, it was infused in every way, shape and form with garlic. I don't know that my husband would have called ME his best friend that night. ;) But it was worth it....

*We were blessed to have a visitor with us this night as well! My best friend Jena was in town!!! She will be making her east coast trip route back our way this next week so a blog on our adventures will come then. We will definitely be having some.

So, on a much lighter note than last time, I am SO rejuvinated when I can spend time with my man. :) He is everything I need (in this earthly life), at times when I can't be it myself. We have grown so much in these past weeks, and I am truly blessed to have a husband like him. Truly. Blessed.

First day

I'll probably get a "huuuuun!" for this, but I wanted you to see hubs on his first day of grad school (yesterday)! It did end up feeling a bit "kindergartenerish" with me snapping pics.... but eh, I just don't care. I am so proud of him

No matter where this road ends up, I am proud of his desire, his comittment, and hard work ethic. He's pretty much a stud. :)

Dinner's in the oven, about ready to sound the alarm at me that its done, and Jared should be home in 10! I think we have some skype dates tonight with the fam... all in all a good evening. Maybe throw in an episode or two of "Glee." It'll be a great evening then!

Love from west virginia....

We're here!

Short and sweet - a one picture blog. There is still quite a bit going on here, and I PROMISE you that there will be more to come on Monday. It's Jared's first day on the job (monday), so I'm starting my alone time on a good foot I decided. :)

Touring Marshall was awesome. Seeing Jared's office, the historical buildings, and experiencing life on the other side of the country. So far so good. Until Monday!!!

Take me home... country roads

So this might be old news to most of you.... but I will share the details none the less of Jared and I taking a leap of faith, stepping out and moving to West Virginia! Huntington, to be exact, home of Marshall University and the "thundering herd." After a few long years of waiting, it is finally the right time for us to move.

Jared will be going to work for Marshall Unviersity in their athletic department as a Graduate Assistant. This means that he will be a full time staff doing everything media related for 1 or 2 sports a season. Media guides, website design and updating, press releases, game day program design, etc. The difference however, is that he will also be getting his masters through the university in sports administration. This is his form of salary. It's a pretty ingenious set up, actually. In the collegiate sports world, having your masters as well as having experience at a credible location is vital. So this is a really great step for us!

God's fingerprints were all over this move. As some of you know, prior to Marshall (and by prior I mean like all of this happened in a span of 3 weeks) we had accepted a position in Georgia. Through a long stream of events, we went down there to look at apartments, God moved in our hearts and we decided it wasn't the place for us. Happening at the same time, Marshall U called Jared. One door closed, another opened. That's the short version. ;)

Once we accepted this position at Marshall, we still ran into some hiccups, but as ALWAYS, God's faithfullness abounded. Because we were doing all of this online, and choosing not to visit, our apartment search was interesting. We found 3 wonderful, nice, apartments from the staff at Marshall's recommendations. About a week ago, we found out one didn't have avaliability (our fave), one had given us mis-information and really didn't have an apartment for us (our backup), and one we realistically couldn't swing price wise. Talk about taking the wind out of us. So we prayed, and we trusted.

We had decided we were going to have to take a 3 bedroom at our favorite place and just bite the money until we could move down to a 1 bedroom... it was the ONLY apartment we could even find avaliable! The Lord worked. He got us a 2 bedroom there. Great! Even cheaper! But of course, us in our unbelieving/stressed ways, were worried about moving twice, changing our address twice, etc. Oh, us of little faith.

Sunday, as in 2 days ago, our apartment called. They have a 1 bedroom for us. :) Why do we ever doubt that the Lord will take care of us? He has NEVER failed us yet! And although the road might not always fall perfectly before us as we are ready to step, I believe he is present and attentive, and always has our best interest in mind. Even if that best interest doesn't make itself clear until farther down that road.

So, long story, but I can't keep quiet God's faithfullness. We are very excited about this move, and strongly feel that this is the place he is leading us. Oh, and it is only a 2 year comittment. :) Our desire is to come back to the Twin Cities, but where He leads us, we will follow.

There are a few things we would SO appreciate your prayers  on as we move cross country:

- we are still trying to find the most affordable way to move down. Rental trucks are so expensive. We are looking for a truck and trailer.
- A job for myself (Skyler) as it will be my income we rely on while Jared gets his degree
- Jared will be traveling quite a bit with his team(s): SAFETY for him as well as lonliness not to set in while I am home in a brand new state.
- That we would find a great church family and some great friends!
- That our hearts would remain open to Huntington - not just waiting for the end of 2 years.

We start driving on August 1st! Both of our wonderful parents will be moving us down. Thank you so much for all your prayers, and there will be much more to come!!

ps. just in case you care this much....  if you want to remember more about Marshall's story Click here for info on the plane crash, or click here to view MU's official athletic website (Jared's territory).

One Year

July 10th was a great day. Hard to believe that it was already one year ago Jared and I stood before a few hundred of you and promised to love each other un-conditionally. I'll give you an update: we love each other MORE! This year flew by, and definitely brough with it it's fair share of challenges and upcoming changes, but I couldn't be more thankful for the spouse God has blessed me with!

We spent the day in many wonderful ways. A new favorite restaraunt of mine called Crave, in downtown Minneapolis pamered us with the (BEST) salmon I have ever had, a (HUGE) steak for Jared, and (FREE) blueberry and peach crumble for dessert. (It never hurts to ask...) We had a nice leisurely 2-or-so hour dinner and just enjoyed talking about last year. So fun to remember!

It was a gorgeous evening out.... we strolled around downtown and ended at the Hilton where we were going to stay for the evening. I love hotels downtown. It's almost enchanting to see the tall buildings all lit up from your window. Definitely doesn't happen everyday! And I'll say it again, it NEVER hurts to ask. We recieved so many upgrades just by telling them it was our 1 year wedding anniversary. As we did on our wedding night. :) Not cheating the system... just asking. :)

A huge breakfast awaited us the next morning. And we ate up because we spent the day at Valleyfair! I had been asking/telling Jared that I wanted to go with him sometime for the past year or so. So a day of fun awaited us for our anniversary! We picked one of the hottest days, conveniently, and although we practically scorched ourselves, there was hardly anyone there! And that means NO lines. But they knew what was good for them... we drank tons of water, applied tons of sunscreen, spent tons of time at the waterpark, and rode one ride too many. Finishing with  "Steel Venom" pushed us over the edge. We were both walking wobbley after that long day!

Unfortunately, we walked into the park to discover the camera battery dead. :( So no pics of our dizzy eyes and sunned faces. But we had such a fun weekend of relaxing and celebrating each other. The Lord has blessed us so significantly with each other, and for all that's to come, I know that He will continue to help us grow even closer together.  

To the next year!

Happy Birthday Jared!

Well, as you already saw, Jared's birthday started out in the morning with some really scrumptious muffins! His grandma Barb sent me the recipe after finding out for herself how "truly glorious" they just were, and we had to agree! They definitely get you started to a healthy and tasty day. My favorite ingredient was the shaved apple. I will adding more of its goodness next time I make them!

Glorious Morning Muffins

2 eggs                                        2 tsps cinnamon

3/4 c. veg. oil                            1 1/2 c. shredded carrots

1/4 c. milk                                 1 c. shredded apple (peeled)

2 tsps vanilla                             1/2 c. coconut

2 c. flour                                    1/2 raisins

1 c. packed br. sugar               3/4 c. sliced almonds

2 tsps. baking soda

Heat oven to 350 and spray muffin pan with cooking spray (Pam)

In large bowl beat eggs, oil, milk, & vanilla until well blended.  Add flour, br. sugar, baking soda & cinnamon.

Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in carrots, apple, coconut, & raisins, and 1/2 c. almonds.

Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full.  (use all the batter if I’m using the jumbo muffin cups)

Sprinkle remaining 1/4 c. nuts over batter.

Bake 20 - 25 min. 

Delightful with a ice cold glass of milk

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Jared and I spent the rest of the day just doing things we love. "Plans" didn't come until the evening, and sometimes, the best fun comes when you don't have a plan at all. That's how we went about our afternoon and it proved to be one of the funnest yet! And we can't forget about the free Caribou Coffee on your birthday! While we were out and about (on a whim) we decided to head into DSW to "just wander." Mistake. We definitely both walked out with a new pair of kicks. Cute though, huh?

After a tasty dinner at Ruby Tuesdays (my favorite location for a burger), we nixed our previous plans and decided to spend the evening in... together. Add in the cake, a movie, some homeade popcorn and it's a wrap! I had been busting at the seams to give Jared his present this year. For the record, keeping secrets isn't my "strongest suit" to put it nicely... so this was a huge accomplishment for me! And I think I can safely say... we are BOTH absolutely pumped! It might be just as much a present for me! (But of course I kept that to myself...) ;)

And yes, I have a 23 year old boy who still likes funfetti cake. And I love that about him.

We brought in the closer for the night! Homeade popcorn and a movie. (2 T olive oil to 1/2 cup corn - try it!) Yum! It was, as the whole day proved to be... truly glorious! Happy 23rd birthday sweetheart!!!

A birthday morning!

Today is going to be a great day! It's my hubby's birthday! And he stayed home from work! As such, we have started it out wonderfully. More to come later, but just a quick glimpse of what we indulged on for breakfast! Glorious Birthday Morning muffins... filled with shaved apples, carrots, cinnamon, and other yummy things! Recipie courtesty of Jared's Grandma Barb! But more on that later...

Happy 23rd birthday sweetheart! I am so thankful for everything about you and we are going to have a great great day!!!

Pinstripes With The Boys

For the last two weeks Tuesday night has been "Guy's Night," as we found a fantastic location to enjoy good food and quality time together. Thanks to GroupOn and some friendly gifts, we have been introduced to Pinstripes. Pinstripes is a unique dining and entertainment venue that has unbelievable food and exceptional activities.

Let's start with the food. :) I mentioned earlier that this is a Tuesday tradition. There is a reason for that. You may ask why? Great question. Reason being: $2 Tuesday night burger. This isn't any regular burger either. Its a real thick burger, with all the fixings, and a side of fries that has delicious toppings on it. Pair that with half-off desserts and you come home filled to the brim (most often too full).

Next is the entertainment (or what we like to call the fun). The venue has bowling and bocce ball inside...on three different levels! So after you are done chowing down on cheeseburgers, you can put some english on your next bowl or bocce throw. I am a sucker for both competitions, however, with these men we have stuck to bocce ball. This is, in part, due to a legendary bocce ball match that some of us shared on a camping trip last June.

I would strongly encourage you to check this venue out. However, if you are looking to save some money and still enjoy the facility you can go after 9 p.m. on weeknights. I know its late, but bocce ball and bowling is $1 per hour/per person, opposed to $10 per hour/per person regularly. Also, I would definitely recommend the $2 Tuesday burger. It really is fantastic. :)

Jared

How we did Valentine's

It was the best love day we have ever had! On top of it being all nice and spring-like outside, both Jared and I were really excited to spend a special day set apart for the specific purpose of celebrating each other and how much we love each other! And I think we would both agree, the day was definitely set apart! You know how sometimes everything you want/had planned to happen just kind of falls into place perfectly, (even though you were preparing for it not to) and at the end of the day you reflect and think, "wow, that all couldn't have gone better!" Well, that's how our Valentine's day was for us. I know it won't always happen, and I'd be foolish to live under that high standard mindset, but for one day, I am so thankful it happened.

We had decided to spend the first part of the evening in. Both of us simply love our "home time" together, and I wanted to do some cooking for my husband on our first Valentine's day! I spent the day in the kitchen, loving every minute of it! That joy just encompassed our whole day - even in the preparation time for me. I kept thinking about how thankful I am for Jared and how much I wanted to celebrate that. When that kind of JOY really hits you - you take it all in. Our menu for the night was a baked chicken penne in a tomato cream sauce, fresh roasted asparagus, and a new decadent favorite... jumbo chocolate caramel salted cupcakes! Say that 5 times fast! The cupcakes took up a good chunk of my morning, but they were SO worth it. Jared and I have never tasted homeade frosting like this before. It was the softest, fluffiest, melt in your mouth, goodness ever. One of those "never lose" recipies!

Did I lick every beater and spatula I used? Yes. Was it a good idea? Not really. Was it totally worth it? Heck Yes.

Add a pastry bag...



Then a little caramel & sea salt and.......
Taaadaaa! I made these!

When Jared got home, dinner was ready to roll, it all smelled marvelous, and I had another beautiful decoration to add to the table! There is just something about red roses on Valentines day, istn't there?

And our dinner was absolutely delicious! Both Jared and I are Italian fanatics, so a classic cheese chicken pasta made us both happy! It's comfort food. :) We added some healthy sides and a small dose of champagne, and celebrated!

And... the gift I wasn't sure when it would happen.... CAME TONIGHT! Probably the cutest, most thoughtful present I've received. (no, it's not a dog. hehe) This takes the (cup)cake!! Check out my  husband - before and after!

So, why did we break his "streak" you ask? (In case you weren't aware, this is the first - yes, first - time Jared has ever gotten his hair cut at a salon. I felt like a mom of a 1 year old at their first hair cut taking all these cute pictures of him!! :) Before I came into the picture, Chris (his mom) would cut his hair, and now I do.) So breaking the streak - Since his hair was so long, he figured it would be a much cleaner affair to have someone else do all the cleanup rather than us in our kitchen. A-GREED. It was such a fun, spontaneous trip, and a huge treat! I did like his long hair, but it was just time. A truly sacrificial Valentine's day gift, and one that created such a fun memory for us!!

Post-haircut, we decided to drive as far north as it would take to look at the stars outside the city lights. It was a clear night, and so fun to just spend time in the car driving, talking, driving, just the two of us, to cap off our night. A very late night picture was in order when we got home - I wish we would have taken one earlier when we were both more awake/looked more awake(!), but I guess we were just having too much fun! I hope you had a blessed Valentines Day! We are so fortunate to love - and only because HE first loved us!

Celebrating.

Yesterday, Jared and I joyfully celebrated our 6 month anniversary! Neither of us can believe it has already been half a year that we've been husband and wife. Everyone tells you time only goes faster once you're married.... and so far we believe them! We celebrated with a quiet (favorite) dinner at home - turkey burgers and greek salad - then went skating at Centennial Lakes, capping it off with scrumptious dessert at Maceroni Grill!

I love ice skating with Jared. He continues to get better every time we go :) and I love watching him! Thankfully it was a really pleasant evening. It was lightly snowing and there was no wind, so it made for a very fun night. On top of that, there were hardly any other people there, so we got a chance to have it almost all to ourselves, goof around, and enjoy each other!

We are excitedly looking forward to many more months of the Lord's faithfullness to us, the JOY of marriage together, and the fun fun times that we have. (Laughing definitely brings us closer... even if it does involve my adorable  husband on ice skates.)

My #2 Man

Well, a much needed study break it is. My fingernails are tired of having clay stuck under them and my cuticles don't like being stained terracotta anymore. I've been working hard on this guy for my 3D Anatomy class and I'm almost done! I have about 7 more big muscles to go - which will unfortunately cover up all this fine detail so I'm showing it off now! I built him from the bone up! You wouldn't believe me if I told you all the detail of the muscles in our body. Trust me, after joining each individual vertebrae in our spine by 3 differerent muscles alone... it's detail! Unbelievable to me that some don't see the divine creation we are. Every ounce in me marvels at how the Lord created us! I go through my classes with students and instructors who teach this information and learn this information and then go, "huh... well I'm glad everything worked out when I evolved!"
I am thankful, Lord. Thankful for the intricateness of my body and how I function. All glory to You!

In other news, Jared and I survived the blizzard! :) We stayed on top of shoveling the driveway so once it was all said and done, we only had very sore backs to show for it! But what a beautiful blizzard it was. I love driving around and seeing 2.5 feet of snow framing the sidewalks and the monstrous piles it creates, even on the major highways! The -15 temps we have had have helped it stay too. :) Although, sometimes it's hard to be thankful for -15 temps....

Until next time... stay warm!
Skyler

P.S. And for the sake of my husband... I don't have any other man than you. :) Love you sweetie!

Target Field Tour

On December 3rd I was able to enjoy a tour of Minnesota's own Target Field. Thanks to a social media sweepstakes, myself along with eight others (randomly chosen) were led by a team of Twins employees around several destinations within the new stadium.

Some of the most notable locations were the Budweiser Roof Deck, main offices, suite level with dozens of large wall photos and artwork, the Harmon Killebrew and Kirby Puckett dining areas, clubhouse, press box, and dugout. It was incredibly captivating to see Target Field in the winter with snow, as well as what it looked like on the inside. I assure you it is just as crisp and classy on the inside as it is on the out.

Probably the highlight of the tour was meeting Bill Smith and David St. Peter, who are the Minnesota Twins General Manager and President. Interesting enough, Smith has one wall in his office dedicated to all 30 MLB teams with each individual player under every team, color-coded according to what side of the plate they bat from or what arm they pitch with. The other wall is dedicated to free agents. I asked Bill, "Where do you keep the Japanese free agents?" He chuckled and noted, "That's a pretty short list."

The tour was capped off with my first steps on Target Field. It was quite ironic that my first steps onto the field were not in the summer, but rather when there was six inches of snow and more flurries were falling. Additionally, even though it was not summer and there was not 70 degree weather, I was still incredibly excited!

This activity was certainly a highlight for me, and I felt very fortunate to experience Target Field! Maybe you will be lucky enough to take a tour at some point, but if not, just being able to be in the seats at a game will certainly be sufficient. As always, GO TWINS!

Jared