long weekend.

Woohoo!! I have several reasons to shout with excitement right now!!

• I just completed my final (HUGE) project for my Administration Class! I will present it tomorrow and basically be done with the course! Praise the Lord!
• Tomorrow is our last day for the school week! Bring on Easter break!
• I get to see my fiance tomorrow night. We get to spend basically three days together (minus the time he's at work and class)! Wow! It may be the longest yet! :)
• Future hubby and I are taking engagement pictures with my great friend Danielle on Thursday! Eek! I'm excited, for the pictures and to see my beautiful friend!!
• I'm hoping to see my beautiful cousin Lesley (check out her blog, she's fantastic and inspires me!) and hopefully my good friends Jamie and Jamie! 
• My sister is going to be home when I get back from Springfield! Ah!! Then I'll have a few days with her! And she's bringing home our dear Sarah! YAY!
• Easter! 

 "When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." Mark 16:1-8 ESV

Ok, this a short and simple post jam packed with lots of excitement but I have a lot to do still! I continue to pray for anyone that comes across this simple little blog, I hope it has been a blessing to you and that God continues to bless you in many ways! 


More wedding talk to come soon! You can count on that!

ideas. ideas. ideas.

I'm not wasting any time on planning this wedding! It's just so fun! Chris and I quickly picked colors and a fun idea for the reception. I've been surfing online like crazy for ideas and have had awesome ideas from friends and family too (keep 'em coming guys!). Here is a fun little sign that I made this morning, not exactly sure where it'll go or what we'll do with it but I like the feel of it!

gonna be a "Mrs"

Wahoo!! I'm getting married! :) I still love saying those simple three words! I have tried to write about this for days but have been keeping pretty busy! But yep, its true, Chris and I are getting hitched! Gawh!! I wish I could show my excitement better through typing but it just doesn't seem possible!


So ya wanna hear how he did it! :) I'd better happy to tell our story!


Friday was Chris's 25th birthday! I took the day off and went to Springfield and surprised him just a bit before he got off work. We had already made dinner plans with some great friends. Dinner was wonderful, basically the guys talked about what ever they talk about and us girls had fun talking about apartments, clothes, jobs, and weddings... little did I know! :) After dinner Chris offered to drive and we were on our way. It wasn't a big shock to me at all when Chris pulled in to Bass Pro Shop (aka The Promised Land) and we went in to look around. As strange as it may sound I really do like walking around there. Chris was in an awesome mood, we had a blast walking around, enjoying each other and being a bit silly. 


After walking around for a little while we made our way to Uncle Buck's Auditorium because Chris had to use the restroom. When Chris joined me down by the aquarium we started playing my favorite game "What kind of fish is that..."which I happen to be awful at! I noticed that Chris was still in such a good mood and asked him if he was just happy because he was at BPS on his birthday. He replied telling me, "Of course I'm happy, we are at the Promised Land and its my birthday" or something of the sort. He then pulled me in close for a hug and a little smooch on the cheek and told me that he found something that I might like. It wasn't until that second when he reached in to his pocket that the extra good mood and extra sweet gestures made sense. At this point, my heart started pounding a tad bit and I couldn't look Chris in the eye. I did, however, catch a glimpse of the beautiful diamond ring he was now holding out to me. 


My mind went a bit crazy at this point and I started asking "Are you serious?!" and "Really?!" He just looked at me with a sweet smile and said, "Yes, will you marry me?" Which I quickly responded with a quiet "yes." Quiet because I was hoping not to cry. (Which I didn't, and still haven't!) I was in absolute shock and oh so excited! My next question was "Wait! Have you talked to my parents?" He enjoyed telling me that the "meeting" they had the evening before was actually with him! Those sneaky people... 


We continued walking around BPS for a while and although I'm fairly certain we were talking about things we looked at I really don't remember anything that was said. I was either looking up at my fiance with a goofy grin or smiling in to space in a shocked daze. 


What a fun and romantic (yes, I just used romantic and bass pro in the same story) night! It was all so perfect and so unexpected. I keep getting asked "Were you really that surprised?" Heck yes, I was! I wasn't expecting it for a few months! He did absolutely amazing on my beautiful ring and the whole night was just perfect! 


I'll save the wedding details for a later date! There will be plenty to blog about now! 


I pray that God is blessing you as much as He is me! Seriously, how blessed am I to be marrying an amazing guy like Chris!? 

Modeling his birthday present!
You look so handsome! I love you!

See, isn't it beautiful!!

nerdiness.

I often tell Chris that I am lame, its because quite often I am. I enjoy crocheting, going to bed early, playing games on my phone, and reading. When separate, those things may not seem very lame or nerdy but when they're all combined I think it could be true.. :) Another nerdy thing I have been come a bit addicted to is playing angry birds on my phone. Seriously, how can I enjoy one silly little game so much. [Thanks Masha for introducing me to this addicting little game!] When Chris went to Florida a couple weeks ago he brought me back the cutest gift. Yep, a St. Louis Cardinals Angry Bird! He knows how to make me smile! :) 

Seriously, how cute is he!?

So, the cuteness of this and how much I adore this little guy reminded me of my nerdiness and I'm completely ok with it. I think I'll embrace it! :) In the midst of all of this I found these cute little cupcakes. First of all, I love this blog, there are always cute things but these might be a top fav. :)

I am absolutely going to make these!


Have a fantastic weekend embrace your nerdiness, I know I will!!

weekend and life.

I am so ready for this weekend! Tomorrow we get to see my awesome brother and sisters. We're meeting them halfway for dinner and I can't wait! We all had such a good time over Spring break but it was much to short so this will a nice! We're also going hiking with wonderful friends at my aunt and uncles ranch on Saturday. I'm excited to get out there in the (hopefully) beautiful weather! I am really hoping to get out there and put good use to my camera as well! Sunday brings great joy as well! I have absolutely fallen in love with children's church! It has been so great to get to know these children and learning about another aspect of children's ministry has been a huge blessing too! I've never really been a part of children's church or seen it run so it's all new to me but going really well! Sunday afternoon I am meeting Chris to go fishing and then head to Bolivar to celebrate a wonderful man! One of the ministers at FBC is retiring and I can't wait to catch up with all of the dear people that I miss! Spending the afternoon and evening with Chris is going to be fabulous, we don't even have to wait 2 weeks this time! :) Wahoo! I cant wait! Hopefully, there will be lots of pictures taken on Sunday too! (Chris, I'm sorry in advance but I really want pictures of us)


I feel like I've really grown up over the last few months and definitely over the last year. Maybe that sounds silly to say but I believe its true. I'm not sure when I went from feeling like a college student to a somewhat adult but it's kinda nice and a bit strange all at once. I've gone through a lot of different situations, been through/going through different relationship, and making decisions that can change my future. But guess what, I have such a peace about it all. I was just reminded that worry is a sin and I'm so thankful for the comfort I have in my Savior! I want to make the right choices in life to be pleasing to Him but how great is it that even when I mess up (because "life happens" remember?), He is there to get me back on track. 


~~Thank you Lord for your constant comfort. No matter what comes my way I can turn to you, my friend, my Wonderful Counselor. Thank you for Your guidance through scripture and the ease we have to talk to You through prayer. 

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:2-3 ESV

boyfriend :)

I have wanted to write a post about my sweet, boyfriend for a while and well, now I am. I could tell you "our story" but its taken almost four years to get where we are today and I'm not a good enough writer to keep you interested for that long. Isn't it really great to know that God's timing is perfect and no matter how much we may want something to happen in our own time frame, His plan is so much better. 

I have to admit, when he and I first started talking again I even told him that I wasn't interested in a relationship and especially not a serious one but I'm so glad my mind and heart can think two different things and come back together to work as one. I remember asking him one night why it would be different this time, I didn't want to fall for something that wasn't real. Luckily, his response of "let me prove it to you" has completely come true. Have I mentioned I'm thankful for God's plan and timing in our relationship and our lives? ;)

Chris and I have started this fun journey through dating again and how wonderful it is! From the time I first went to hang out with him in January to now I have been so happy to have him back in my life in this way. Chris is an absolutely great guy. He's so handsome, makes me laugh (a lot), treats me like a lady, encourages me, stays positive when I'm a grouch, and the list goes on... 

Chris and I always have a great time together. Seriously, all the time. We both enjoy going fishing and I'm hoping that Spring and Summer will be filled with afternoons by a lake, any lake will do. When I say we both enjoy it I really mean that he really enjoys it and I do until I get bored. :) He's also a serious Cardinals fan so I'm sure we'll go see a few games too. I never really mind what we do as long as I'm near him its typically okay by me!

I'm so ready to spend the weekend with him! It cannot get here soon enough!

So to sum it all up...

I'm very happy.

I'm very thankful.

Chris is awesome.

:)

Heres a few photos of us all but the last one were taken the summer of 2008. Enjoy!

At the Sports Crusader day at the Cardinals Stadium

I've always kinda loved this picture

On the tram at Grant's Farm with his nephew Sammy.
(On a completely different note.. I can't wait to be tan again!)

Hanging out when he came to visit last week :)

beautiful weekend

My weekend was truly beautiful! It was beautiful weather and filled with beautiful people. It was Boonville's Spring Break so I had lots of time off. Alayna was home all week and it was great to spend time with her! It started out just getting stuff done around the house. Friday afternoon we got to meet up with a friend of my mom's, he was her youth pastor growing up, and his wife. After hearing stories about "John Bush" all my life it was nice to get to know him. He and his wife are an absolutely amazing couple!  Then my wonderful brother and sister-in-law came in to town. We had so much fun just sitting around laughing with them! On Saturday, we all got up and went to my Aunt and Uncle's to go for a hike on their land and spend some much needed time with them! Saturday afternoon, Heather had a skating birthday party for a boy in her class so I took her and we had fun! She was a trooper on the skates and really picked it up by the time we were done! Then Chris came! <3 We had such a good time together! My family kinda picked on him with a revamped version of "Boxers and Briefs" but thankfully he didn't seem to mind to much! We all went to church in Sedalia on Sunday! I am loving Kids Worship more and more each time I'm there! The kids are so great! Leading them in songs like "God of Wonders" is such a blessing to me! That afternoon Chris and I laid around for a while and then went fishing, well he did, it was to cold for me! I wrapped up in a towel (over my clothes, I forgot my jacket) and walked around with him. Then we came home ordered a pizza and cuddled up while watching Star Wars (ok, so the Star Wars part wasn't so exciting but Chris's arm was around me so I didn't exactly care). Doesn't all of it just sound like a beautiful weekend!  Here are a few of my favorite photos:

Click to enlarge

What'd you do this weekend? Did you get any of that crazy snow? 6 inches in Boonville! Looking forward to the warm weather later this week! :)