Engaged!

Well it is about time for an update! I have missed writing this blog for awhile! I had gotten into a good habit of writing, but once school started back up I lost it! Anyway, we're back and hopefully at least a little more consistent. 

Seeing as this is the Jeremiah and Hannah blog, I suppose we should share our biggest news for us as a couple in the history of this blog! We are engaged!! Yep, you read right! 5+ years of dating and we are taking the next big step in our relationship. Needless to say we are both very excited! 

So how did he propose?? Saturday, March 5th was the start of our Spring Break so we had planned a day trip up to Sedona. We have been going hiking more often and really enjoy being outside so I was unsuspecting. We planned to spend the day there, do a couple hikes, and get something to eat in town after. We went on our first hike and found one geocache. In case you don't know what a geocache is, basically it is a box or "treasure" that has coordinates associated with it that you have to enter in your GPS system to find. They're all over the world and have log books in them so you can log that you've been there. Our first hike was beautiful! We circled a big rock formation called Chimney Rock and then reached the top of a plateau with an awesome view. Then we headed over to our second hike called Airport Loop, which literally loops around the  Sedona airport. That was a nice long hike and on our path were a few geocaches that Jeremiah had researched. We couldn't find our first three geocaches which I was getting very annoyed by! So we put in the fourth and it ended up being close by a really nice view point. We climbed around the area and actually weren't able to find this geocache so we took a seat on one of the rocks and we're just enjoying the view. Suddenly Jeremiah pointed to a pile of rocks that was a little out of place and was like, "Do you think that's it over there?" I looked and said I didn't think so! He insisted that we at least look on our way out and it's a good thing we did! Inside the geocache I first pulled out a small puzzle and crossword book and kind of laughed and said, "it's like they know us!" Because those are a couple of things that we enjoy doing together. Then I saw some Disney pins and a music thing and thought it was a little strange... But I went ahead and signed the log book and other people had signed it too, so that wasn't out of the ordinary. But then I found a photo album in there... And that's when I knew! The photo album had pictures with a kind of story along with them. The last picture/part of the story told me he had a question to ask me and to turn around. He was behind me while I was looking through the geocache, so I turned around and he was ready! He said some of the nicest things I've ever heard and then asked me to marry him! Clearly, I said yes with no hesitation!! I was emotional and in shock and excited all at once! It was hard to focus on what he was saying! The ring is absolutely beautiful, he picked out the perfect one for me, honestly. He had an idea of what I liked, but picked it on his own. He asked my dad for permission but no one else in my family knew, though some of them suspected it might be very soon. My dad also helped with the next part of the day too! After we finished our hike out, we got back to his car and in the trunk were outfits for both of us as well as makeup, a brush, a straightener, everything I need for a nice dinner! He had picked out an outfit for me and my dad brought him the outfit from my room without me realizing it! So we got ready and drove back to Scottsdale where we went for a very nice, very delicious dinner at Fleming's Steakhouse! It was the perfect end to the night. On our drive back we FaceTimed all of our families who were all very excited for us. I have been very hopeful that this would happen soon, because I can't wait to get married to Jeremiah! Also, we're both pretty excited about the planning part! 

So... Did I know it was coming? Like I said, I was very hopeful it would be soon. However, I'd written this day off in my mind because of a few things. One, Jeremiah has had his busiest semester yet so I was sure he wouldn't have the amount of time he wanted to plan it. Second, I didn't think he'd ever been to Sedona and knew he wouldn't propose in a place he wasn't certain about. Also, I figured I would be able to tell if he was acting a little off the day he was going to propose, but he was completely normal all day! So I wasn't expecting it and was very surprised and happy when it did happen. He knew what he was going to do since mid-November and has actually had the ring since Thanksgiving! And he has been up to Sedona twice, the first time to plant the geocache with his brother and just the weekend before we went to make sure everything was set. I didn't know because he told me he was doing other things. I knew he wouldn't do it somewhere he wasn't familiar with! Also, it did cross my mind that it was odd that he had our day pretty planned out, but he plans everything so really that wasn't out of the ordinary. Anyway, now you know way more than you probably ever needed/wanted to about how he proposed! 

Lots of emotion and it was very windy!

We always seem to be building to something on this blog, so we will keep that going by keeping readers up with our wedding planning progress. So far, we've just had fun talking about things we'll get to plan for, but haven't made any concrete decisions. Our first big thing is choosing a date, which we have tentatively picked out... But next blog we'll probably know for sure.

In other news, this semester has certainly been a crazy one for Jeremiah. He is in his final semester of undergrad, so that means wrapping up with his thesis and capstone. Those are two very large projects that he can explain more about next time he posts, but the finished products are going to be so worth it. He also has some very challenging classes this semester, including a couple grad level classes to prepare him for his Masters in one extra year next August-May. 

My semester has been very good. I feel like I've got a pretty good balance going, between school, work, and everything else. I've got some challenging classes, work at Gammage, and another new job at Ideal Physical Therapy as a clinic assistant! I started a little over a month ago and it has been a great learning experience. I am so happy I got the position because I think it will really help prepare me for PT school too! 

One thing that has been really great this semester for both Jeremiah and me is our "community group" through our church. It's a small group that meets every Thursday night, and right now we're going through a book called Jesus the King by Timothy Keller. I highly recommend it! It is something we both look forward to and it's been great to establish ourselves more in our church community. A huge thank you to Jeremiah for pushing me to join the small group with him, because I was resistant at first! Another thing that has come out of this group is a housing opportunity. I was originally planning on being a Community Assistant in the dorms again, but it turns out two of the girls in my small group were looking for a third roommate for their townhouse in Tempe. I never imagined myself living off campus so it was a very tough decision, but the opportunity seemed too perfect to pass up. So now I get to live with two awesome, like-minded girls and experience cooking and cleaning for myself before getting married! I move in in April and I can't wait for the new experience! 

My nephew Luke Matthew Lucas was born on February 17th! He's so cute and such a great baby! I am so excited for Heather, George, and Madeline for the newest addition to their family and our whole family! If you want to read even more about him go to thegeorgeandheatherblog.blospot.com

I'm currently in Provo, Utah visiting one of my very good friends Marsie! My friend Morgan and I flew up to visit her for a few days. It is beautiful up here and so great to spend time with two of my best friends! 

I think I've covered most of the big things! Life has been very full and exciting recently, so thanks for your patience in getting this post up! 

-the future Mrs. Dwight (crazy!!)