Time flies when you're having a blast!

Here we are.... months later! Ahhhh!! 

Thanks for bearing with us family.. or me, rather. 

Well, a catch up is needed to say the least! With all of you. I guess this is the time to tell you that we booked our tickets home for Christmas- and boy, are we ever excited!! December 19th till the 26th we will be in Langley, then head to Kelowna from the 26th to Jan 3rd. So that will give us lots of time with  everyone hopefully. We can't wait to have the Canadian winter experience again that we love. California is not living up to our Fall standards so far, with temperatures like 30˙C today, it still feels like summer and is seriously messing with this Vancouverite girl's wardrobe. (I thought I could put my shorts away by now?!) 

Life has been fairly busy for us down here. Last weekend we moved to our new apartment and we la-la-la-lovvvee it. It's wonderful, newer, cleaner, and finally, it's just us. It's a one bedroom apartment that is a 10 minute walk from B's school. We are really so thankful that the opportunity opened up for us to move here, it really was a God-send. Normally the price to live here is $2200/month [SO far out of our price range], and we're paying $1000/month! So, things are good in our new place. We're settling in, all unpacked and organized, walls fully decorated with lovely pictures, mirrors and clocks much to Brian's dismay. 

Our trip to Israel! Yikes, that seems light-years ago! It was an incredible trip. One we never forget, that's for sure. I think I will leave all the story-telling/pictures of the trip to Christmas time. There was just SO much that we saw, SO much we did, so much to take in, in a short 12 days that I don't want to cheapen it by trying to summarize it quickly. We did have a wonderful time though, we were safe the entire time, got to see amazing things, felt like we got a deeper understanding of the atmosphere in that part of the world, and experience the culture first hand! 

Brian is well into his 5th quarter now, in the thick of midterms again. The cyclical nature of each quarter is starting to become anticipated now [midterms, exams, studying, conferences, club meetings etc.] We have a better rhythm together and are learning how to balance our time.  Bri is doing so well in classes. I'm so proud of how hard he works. 

I'm busy nannying during the weekdays, and working on my courses online, and of course doing what wife's do. Holy moly me oh my... I have some serious respect for all the wive's in my life (aunties, sisters, my own mother!). There is so much that goes into keeping a house tidy, fridge stocked, food on the table, laundry clean.. etc etc. The list goes on! It's a full time job just being a wife, let alone having kids in the mix! I don't think you can really appreciate the work it takes until it becomes your responsibility!

Anyways, we would love to hear form all of YOU guys! Give us an update on your family's life and the happenings, whether big or small. Send us an email at brimegbanman@gmail.com.

We are reeeeallly looking forward to seeing everyone over Christmas. We love you deeply and are praying for each and every one of you!

Love always, 

from sunny & hot California, 

Meg & Bri

XOXO

California "staycation" honeymoon

After we arrived back in SJ and had a day to rest and relax, we headed an hour and a bit south to Carmel and Big Sur for a couple days. It's an absolutely stunning & quaint beach town, with the most gorgeous $5 million you've ever seen! Here's some pictures from our time there. 

 So many of these with the freshest organic fruits and veggies! 

  Picnicking at Pebble Beach 

 The Cobblestone Inn

 Wine and Cheese hour 

Walking around town after dinner

 Big Sur  -- ahhhmazzzingggg!!!

Oh man, I love that he is MY hubby!! 

Our truest smiles, we couldn't be happier!

MR & MRS BANMAN

Can I believe it?! Not really... it's hard to fully grasp reality right now. I'm a married woman. I LIVE with my husband (It's hilarious how particular that 29 year old man is). I also live in California. Away from family, away from friends. We are doing life together here, and it's already been challenging. Was I advised about the things to come by my sweet sisters? Yes. Could I fully anticipate what it really looked like and felt like? No. 

It's true what they say about your wedding day, it flies by. Having tie to reflect over the past week, and a long car ride down to San Jose, Bri and I talked and talked about every little thing that occurred all throughout our wedding. We loved it. It was an amazing day. One of those days and moments that for me especially, was hard to process as it was happening. It was one of those days that far exceeded our expectations. It was a day that wasn't perfect, but perfectly full of Christ's love and showed evidence of His spirit through every person that was there. 

So here we are, in our new home in San Jose.. Apartment #19. We're fairly content here for now. It's a lovely area; a lively neighborhood with lots of children running around, a pool outside our doorstep, and sunshine honestly every day. We have our sights set on a new home soon, something bigger that can accommodate our visitors hopefully (that means YOU!!). Still waiting to see what's in the cards. 

Anyways, as we get settled, and unpack (yep, boxes still all over the place here), I will upload photos of our recent happenings so our loved ones can stay involved in our life! 

We love you all.. and are so thankful for all the effort, time, thought, and love that went into our wedding day. We were blown away by everyone's generosity, support and kind words. 

Love always,

M & B

And just like that...

Well... would you look at that.... its April!

Alas, I've slipped back into my old ways of not making time to post entries ... it's alright, I've come to grips with it this month. I'm not going to be too hard on myself this time. It is April after all... which means EXAMS, studying, & looking longingly out the window at the beauty that is just slightly out of  reach for the moment.

Wedding update: 77 DAYS! Ohhhh boy. No one even KNOWS how excited I truly am. It's hard to contain and not just blurt out everywhere I go, "I'm getting marrrrrriiiieeeeeeeeddd!!!!!"

I can almost feel the sweetness of  the day upon us, but not yet... still some planning and preparation to do... both literally and figuratively, as we prepare or a lifetime together.

Side note: This weekend is Bri's stag weekend. All his favorite men in life are flying down to San Jose for some fun in the sun! I'm so happy for my guy.. he's supported by such amazing, quality-charactered men who are such a fun time to be with. 

Side note #2: I turn 22 this month... this lil lady is growing up! I love birthday's, but I seem to love everyone else's more than my own. There's always so much anticipation that doesn't seem to live up to what you imagined. My family has never been the BIG-birthday-partier-family.. so I've been thinking that I'm going to start going over the top on people's birthdays. It's just more fun that way. 

Well.. that is all the time I have or this post, sadly. I have a whole list full of to-do's this weekend, including my first dress fitting! So excited to see the changes made!

Love & Joy,

M

Simple Saturdays

I love Saturday. Okay... I'm probably not the only one who does, but let's just give it up for Saturdays for a minute okay?! I love sleeping in, letting my body wake up slowly at it's own pace.. this morning we did a work out together with the new weight vest I got Bri (holllyyyy mama jama, so difficult), I made coconut flour banana nut pancakes, topped with berries and some raw honey, then we went to grab a coffee and walked around the neighborhood. I love simple mornings where we find pleasure in doing nothing, really. Just going to be studying for the afternoon... Love M.

Our Valentines Day 2012

This Valentines Day was extra special because we got to spend it together... in California.. engaged.. with only 4 and half months until we're married. 

This is the note that I got to wake up to.. Bri had to go to school early this morn, so a kiss and this note was more than enough to tide me over until he got home. 

It was a gorgeous day today in Campbell. So gorgeous and warm that I wore a dress, with bare legs! I couldn't be more excited to move here after we get married. It's dreamy; not a bad place to start your life as newly weds I'd say. I went for my long run while Bri was at school today, did some grocery shopping, and strolled around downtown Campbell; coffee shops, little clothing stores, book stores, antique stores, bistros & restaurants, people everywhere you look. I love exploring a new place, especially when you will call it home one day. 

After exploring, I came home with my groceries and got a cookin'. I wanted to cook something really yummy for Bri tonight, so I made Maximized Living Caribbean Chicken, lemon and cumin quinoa, and balsamic roasted zucchini, squash, and brussel sprouts. 

Also tried to make banana bread with coconut flour = major fail.

Driest banana bread I've ever seen. Stay tuned for take #2 at that tomorrow. 

Brian gave me this pearl ring tonight..... I was stunned. It's beautiful. So beautiful. And I'm so undeserving of all these gifts.. (I just got a big rock that sits daintily on my left hand 7 months ago)

He said it symbolizes how I'm his "precious pearl".. wow, tears welling up. I'm blessed.

We spent the evening sipping some red wine, sporting our festive colors, nibbling dark chocolate, studying neurobiology, practicing adjusting (well, I practiced getting adjusted), took a few pictures, annnnd, last but not least- we're about to watch last night's episode of the Bachelor. Couldn't forget about that. 

Although the whole Valentine's Day thing is a bit corny and overdone, it is a special day in more ways than one for us. We celebrate the love we have from our Creator today. That unconditional, irreplaceable, undeniable, true and pure love that only God can give. And without His Son's example of love, I would have no idea how to love Brian, or how to love anyone in my life for that matter. Thank you Lord that you are love.. because nothing in this life is so sweet as it, 

or being able to let your love flow out of me. 

Spring time is calling my name

February has been an absolutely beautiful month thus far... and I mean, beautiful. The bluest skies Vancouver has seen in probably a years time have graced our atmosphere. The sunshine is just so inspiring, so uplifting, so rejuvenating... I love my Vitamin D! So without further adieu, here's a picture I took this week of that pretty blue sky...

Also, a fun side note- 

This morning Kate, my sister, and I both showed up in the kitchen at the same time. When we looked at each other we had a good laugh... because we were dressed exactly the same. Same green cargo pants, black tops, flats and cream scarves. I love that we have the same taste and that we have so much fun together. Where would I be in life without my sister? My sister's?!?! :)