Merry Christmas!

From the soon-to-be Murphy's!! Only 10 more days!!

I also get to spend all my days with this cute face :)

A little bit of life!

It's been forever--per usual. Life is busy and I'll be a married woman in just 4 weeks :) life could not possibly be any better right now! Here are some photos of recent happenings.

Me and my running buddies are taking on a half marathon and 25k this spring/summer! It's been a lot of "fun" training for this event! It really is a nice way to clear my mind as well as reach goals!!

Not to mentioned we gutted and totally redid a house in the past 2 months!! It was so much fun! And we survived it together with minimal argument!

[slow down...]

summer is going by way too fast! Part of me loves it because I am that much closer to being Mrs. Nicole Murphy--part of me wants to enjoy this engagement for as long as I can! Here are some pictures of recent happenings.

Kyle's 10 year highschool reunion

Jake & Megan's wedding

Caleb's first golf lesson with uncle Kyle

Much more fun to be crammed in the next couple months--Wedding's galore!!!

Kyle is headed upnorth this weekend to compete in the Tournament of Champions!! Wish him luck and let's hope he places well!

Have a good week!

[sweet summertime]

Summer is flying by again! I figured I would do an update of the past few weeks!



Pre- dinner

I turned 24 on monday--celebrating with my best friends! Even Jenny from PA Via Skype.

More celebrating :)

I always call Ched "Little Monster" and I love Lady Gaga, so this is her lady gaga -little monster shirt Kyle got for her.

Decorating for the wedding with my wonderful helpers!

That about wraps up what I have been up to latley! almost to the 6 month mark and loving it!!!

[Which is worse...]

As I was going through pictures to put in my facebook album monday night, I was going through and thinking 'Goll, I look fat in this picture"...same thought with the next....at what point do you realize you just don't "look" fat in them, that is just the way you are! AHHH

I joined the YMCA at the new year, went quite religiously at the begining--took a 2 month sabbatical, then got back at it with 6AM Cardio sculpt classes. I find it so hard to get the energy and motivation to keep doing it.

Well, enough talking about it, I better actually just do it.

[7 month mark...]

...Until the big day!!! I felt like just yesterday I was counting down from 1 year. Ekk.

Thanks to hobby lobby & my amazing decorator I feel like most of the stuff is nearly complete! My awesome sister did our save the dates and they turned out AMAZING :)  I would give you a sneak peak, but that would take the fun out of getting it in the mail!

Kyle and I have just been enjoying Golfing, spending time with Chedda, and of course, planning :)
Next weekend starts the whirlwind of weddings that we are attending! I believe we have 7 this year!

Also, my latest phase is trying to accomplish some cooking on from recipes that I find on pinterest! I am obviously needing to improve my domestic abilities, so why not start now! [that was even a new years resolution! go me!]


Now, although it doesnt look very appetizing, it was! Mini avacado salad, roasted cabbage and pesto chicken over rice! nom!

[long awaited]

Here is a sneak preview of some of the like 300+ pictures we took for our engagment!! Enjoy!

Thanks to my wonderful big sister for taking time out of you busy schedule to take these for us!

Taking these is just a step in the progress we had towards our big day! We have most things set in place! we are having our reception at a local country club, we have our decorator, DJ, etc...most things just done! It has been such a fun process! I definitly loved meeting with the decorator! By far best part so far!

[A new chapter]

I put in my two week notice with my current employer and will be starting a new postition with the Porsche dealer here in Grand Rapids. I cannot wait to start my new adventure!

I will be leaving behind all aspects of my accounting/numbers/piles of paperwork lifestyle and going into some a bit more creative and challenging! I get to interact far more with people, and stepping a bit into the marketing/customer service role.  Plus, who doesn't love a fancy car to stare at all day :) I cannot wait to tackle this new job! Bring it on, April 16th.

The next best thing? I get to meet my cute little niece, all the way from Alaska!! Cannot wait to meet Sydney and see Rachel!!

[Newest beeb on the block]

Kyle and I adopted our first 'baby' and a big ole baby she is!

Meet Cheddar! our new 8 month old kitten! Her name is tentative. She came with it and it is kind of growing on me.

She loves her mom & dad and her new house...although she doesn't realize it yet :) She really loves snugglin' on the couch when her dad has the day off work! She will be spoiled and I LOVE it!

[Random Thoughts]

Hello Friends,

What a week! It has been two weeks since Emily's accident and we are so greatful for all of the support and prayers being sent on her behalf :) We have a wonderful community.

Last friday I moved in, by myself of course, into Kyle and I's first home. I cannot WAIT to be married and get him all moved in as well! I am kind of enjoying living alone :) It is directly across the street from his golf course, and about 3 miles down the road from my work!! Location, location.

Time is flying! I will be 24 in June, my good friend Sara is moving home in July, we have tons of weddings to attend this summer, and than my very own dream come true!! I cannot wait!

I have SO many pictures to update, and I promise that I will when I have more time and life calms down a bit!

[The latest]

Once again, long time, no update.

Life has been a whirlwind of wedding planning, working and just busy life.

The wedding planning has been interesting. It's never as fun as you think it is...but it has been somewhat fun!!

Work- not much new per usual. I still enjoy it here! I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary with the company.

And the latest, my sister Emily. As most may know, she was severely injured in a recent car accident (it's actually been 1 week now) She suffered brain and spinal injury as well as multiple broken bones. She remains in ICU at Spectrum, and prayers would be much appreciated for her, as well as my whole family! It's been a rough week!

If you care to keep up with Emily's condition, you may read her carepage at: carepages.com/emilymiedema

Or just search emilymiedema (no space between the name)

[ A new year]

I am 14 day's behind on this one, but better late than never, right?

Every year I make pathetic attempts at making resolutions I know will last for all of 1 second. This year, in effort to maybe accomplish some things that I would like to, I thought I would set some pretty reasonable goals. 10 things I'd like to improive on in 2012.

...take it or leave it.

1. Make time for myself. I always slip into a busy lifestyle and forget to make time for myself, which inevitably leaves less time for others as well. I'd like to prioritize my time with more than just running here, running there quick stopping in to wish my good friend a happy birthday and than be on to the next thing.

2. Read more. enough said. I read so many books this summer, but since working so much I have put that on the back burner. shame on me.

3. As pathetic as this may sound...drink less beer. I go through phases but sometimes i'd like to pass up the wine and go in for a beer. It leaves me feeling like a whale and full. time to cut the carbs. seriously.

4. Be more domestic. I have let that slip away from me as of late. I need to stop relying on Kyle to make meals and do laundry and pick up all the lose ends. It all leads back to making more time for myself...I never am home for more than 10 minutes. (maybe try to blog a little more as well)

5. Loosen up, smile more and go with the flow. The annual "think before I react" could go in here too...I have been working on that for 20+ years and that hasn't improved yet...could this be the year?

6. SPEND LESS MONEY!!! Good grief, I have no clue where all my money goes. I have downsized my closet, stopped eating out as much, and I will be moving home soon, but I seriously may go insane if I keep spending money on pointless stuff.

7. Improve my golf game. I am getting married to the best golfer I know, and brushing up on my skills is probably a big must do. Last summer I managed to actually hit the ball and understand the game better than I ever have...this year I hope to surprise myself!

8. Enjoy the little moments. I enjoy the little moments, but also find myself taking them for granted.

9. Let it go. I should really stop worrying about things, or letting little things bother me. I find it hard to let stuff go. If people wrong me, I am always the first to want to bring it up...when really, I just need to take a deep breath and carry on. More of the " in 5 years is this going to affect me" thinking.

10. ...and this a joke, get in shape. yep, I said it. I tried to avoid it but my children will see my wedding photos and as vain as that may be...I do not want them to think their momma could have tried a little harder before the big day :)

This about all the self improvment things that I have come up with.

Happy Weekend!

[Day 252] and world's longest post.

I am doing this for myself, Kyle, and our future family...and for anyone else who wants to read. [We have a tendency to forget the little details of the best days of our lives so while it's fresh we will write it out!]




Excuse all the grammatical erros…



A week ago today, Friday, December 23rd 2011 is a day I will never forget! It takes the lead for one of the best days of our lives thus far.



I woke up on a Friday morning, dreading my short 3 hour work day, but so anxious to get out and spend the afternoon off with Kyle. I sat at work with what little motivation that I could muster and completed my tasks. 3 hours turned into 4 LONG hours. Kyle and I texted back and forth trying to decide of the plans we wanted to have for the day. I was so excited to give him his Christmas presents 2 days early, so we decided that we would start our afternoon off with.



When I arrived to his house after work, he had decided to have lunch with his parents so I had to wait for awhile so I decided to re-get ready for the day. He got home about an hour after I had been there. He gave me my first present which was a little Christmas tree with two ornament’s both reading 2011 with pictures of the two of us in them! My second gift was my Vera Bradley Large Duffel I had so patiently waited 2 years to obtain!



I wasn’t feeling 100% so I wanted to go get something to eat. We decided to go to Roses on Reeds Lake. It’s one of my favorite places to go, and walking through Collin’s Park is another thing I love to do! We ate a pizza, had some Sangria and Beer and talked about life. After dinner, Kyle asked if I Wanted to take a walk…I wasn’t all that interested in taking a walk in the frigid cold, but why not I guess!!! About 10 feet into our walk I told Kyle I was freezing cold and didn’t know how much longer I could go. He then said “well, I suppose we can stop right here” and as I was on my way to walk back to the car, he got down on one knee. No sooner than seeing him on his knee, I immediately was brought to tears, and said YES! It was one of the best moments of my whole life!



We got into the car and immediately called our parents, family, and friends. We went to the Murphy’s and the Miedema’s to share the news and excitement! My best friend Bethany was next on the list, so we ran over to her house. Later that night we went to the Wood’s with friends to celebrate in our excitement!!! It was such a wonderful, and memorable night!!



I cannot wait to be Mrs. Nicole Murphy!!! Only a little over a year. Stay tuned for the development of wedding planning!!!!