for remembering

my in-loves 30th wedding anniversary

going on less common walks on those "warmer" days - meaning it's above 20 degrees

the Solitude Retreat

sending these out with lots of love

finally discovering a way to make my curls come back in this winter!

going to see our first Bulls game & sitting in $100 seats for $20! shhhhh ;)

visiting churches to call home

reaching a total of 67.4 inches of snow this winter (almost double the norm)

& were officially titled the 3rd coldest winter Chicago has ever experienced (making us true Chicago-ins, I'd say!)

making plans in prayer for the next step in our lives

our last Founder's Week

tangibly seeing the love of God displayed in the lives of our friends

hard but good conversations

witnessing gorgeous sunsets of yellows & pinks

the start of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon 

& getting emotional with Drew (my favorite moment so far!)

my first time making pancakes at home (whole wheat, banana, cinnamon, & pecans included!) & Saturday brunches

Sprinkles, after two months of staying away 

cheers to a life-changing month that can't really be portrayed these pictures, but our hearts know.

Love, t Olive

a poem to my valentine

"Red Ink" 

As I looked through my drawer that's filled with old things
I found my first journal
I've had it since before my teen's

I searched through its pages in hopes I'd find a paper
A list I had made, I suddenly remembered it today
Two-thousand, two-thousand and one, or maybe two?
As I passed through the years this list seemed to just disappear

But wait!
Red Ink
I've found what I had been seeking

It was in two-thousand and five that this list was made
And today I am so thankful for the fact it was still saved
You see, on this paper I wrote many words that felt true
From honest and kind, to unselfish and a sense of humor

Supportive
Caring
Sensitive and affectionate

Forgiving.
Good spiritual relationship with God.

It's a bit overwhelming and unbelievable how true
our hearts desires are actually known by a Person who lives inside of you
You see, at 14 I made a list at the home of a friend
My desires were clear - this is what I wanted in my husband

Now 10 years later, as I hold this paper on this sweet day
My God has not withheld any character trait I penned
On that Saturday

This brings me joy and hope and thankfulness because it reveals
Yes, God is near!
Even when you don't feel it, and even when you are distant
He is there and He will always appear

Jesus, in You I have all that I need
Yet, You still choose to bless me
Thank You Lord for the blessing of marriage with G

He is more than what I asked for
In red ink that day
Your love radiates through him as he graces me everyday

By Tiffany Oliveira

Written on this Valentines Day