Wednesday, April 29, 2009

wow.

Isn't it ironic that I just wrote a blog post on the topic of being positive and supporting Greg? Wow. That's all I can really say at the moment. I don't really want to type a whole blog about it...I'm too upset to even think about it right now and no offense, but I just don't think it needs to be shared with the entire world at this exact moment.
However, Greg and I are in some massive need of prayer. I know God always works everything out to His will...but it's times like this when I really struggle in my faith. To say the least, I'm struggling to find any good in what has happened to Greg and I.
ETA: after re-reading this post, it somewhat sounds like Greg and I are having problems with our relationship. That is not it at all and I do not what anyone to think that please.
One word: Army.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

lame.

I've become a lame blogger. I apologize.
How bout this for some interesting stuff? I realized that I just jumped on this blog and started planning my wedding. I didn't even tell where the wedding was actually taking place at! I'm not going to give away the exact location or name of the Resort, but let's just say that it is in NC...and the pics speak for themselves ;)

Ceremony Site:

Reception Site:


You can't really tell from all the pics, but the Ceremony Site is just below the Reception Site. There is a walkway down to the water where the gazebo is. All the same venue! I LOVE this! Me and my girls as well as Greg and his guys have condos on the Resort for the weekend! It should be a fabulous time! :)
EDIT: My decor WILL NOT look like that in the above pics. Dear goodness, don't judge the venue by the decor of these weddings. haha. When we went to visit, it was a plain slate! :)

I cannot wait to be HIS WIFE! :)


Humm...I must be having a writer's block. I've nothing else to add. :( Dear goodness, please let me get my head out of the clouds long enough to write a decent blog post to keep you beautiful people that I love coming back day after day.
That is all.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

God has BLESSED me.

God has BLESSED me with a..Godly, selfless, hard-working, determined, kind, funny, talented, loving, intelligent, enduring, tough, handy, handsome ;), strong MAN!

honestly...I fall more and more in love with him everytime I see him. THIS BOY is absolutely 150% the GREATEST thing to ever happen to me...

Even if we only get to see each other a few times a month...I would rather spend a lifetime of only seeing him occassionally than a lifetime without him. It sounds so crazy, but I would endure these lonely moments during this training for the rest of my life just to be able to have the weekends like I had this past weekend. He completes me and makes me a better person.

end of story.

It just doesn't get any better than this ;) Is it wrong that I feel as if my Fiance is the closest thing to perfection that ever was?!? {well, minus Jesus of course!} hehe


I love Greg's pink/black Bible in this pic...don't you? ;)

I always leave GA in tears...because I feel as if I am leaving 1/2 of myself behind.
And I AM! I seriously do pray that God will provide each and every one of my girlfriends, and even you bloggy friends, a man that gives you these feelings. And the cool thing about it is...if it is in God's plans for you...He absolutely will! :)
Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! I will be back bright and early Monday with regular scheduled blogging...I've been kinda dull lately! So sorry! Night Night!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

nobody said this was gonna be easy...

On one of my very 1st trips down to visit Greg in Feb. we were shopping around at the PX on base and of course we stopped in the book section {we are constantly buying Christian books to read together about marriage} and I picked up this book:

I started reading through it a little in the store and I told Greg my interest in it...he then purchased it for me! :) Yay! He's just the best man on this Earth..I promise! :) I then began doing the devotional every Monday morning! What a great way to start off the week!

Here's why this devoation is particularly good for me at this point in my life....I'm away from my Fiance. I'm alone....engaged, however, living the "single" life. I attend weddings alone, birthday parties alone, church alone, etc. It.is.HARD. not easy. not one bit. And I do know..that there will more of these circumstances down the road. It will happen. And my goal, is to make the most of it! Yes, it sucks, blows, etc...but there's nothing we can do about it, except just Live! This book has increasingly helped me do so..it discusses each week something in the Bible that we have to be greatful for..and how to look at life with a renewed vision! A POSITIVE vision! To give you a little glimpse, this week it discussed how God gave the ultimate sacrifice...His son's blood..for our sins! How cool is that? I mean, if He can do that, then surely I can survive attending a few get-togethers by myself.

A few more quotes from the book:

"When you have nothing left but God, you become aware that he is enough." - Author Unknown

"Faith puts God between us and our circumstances." - F.B. Meyer

Now, I'm not gonna lie, I'm not the best at remaining postive...{and for us girls, horomones can play a huge role in it all..if you get my drift} but I'm working on it...and at this point, I think that's a very good step! I miss Greg HORRIBLY! Not a single day doesn't go by where my eyes don't fill up with tears..and most of the time they fall and I have to find a tissue real fast. I miss his egg salad sandwichs he used to bring me for lunch, his random texts throughout my day, him coming to watch high school basketball while I coached cheerleading and bringing his cute lil chair for the bleachers like an old man, ordering 1 sweet tea and 1 water to save $ and sharing the sweet tea {lame, I know, but it's cute}, making dinner with him...taco salads especially, shopping with him and hearing him complain b/c I have to touch everything in the store...

those are to just name a few...I.miss.everything.about.him. But I also know that I need to be positive because there are so many awesome things to be thankful for! And there's not a single thing in my life that I can't handle...that I can't get through. As it's put so simply, "If God brings you to it, He'll get you through it". Clearly stated. I know some of you are reading this and thinking, honey, you're just getting started..and you are right! I am..Greg is...We are! But I want to start this entire adventure with the right attitude and faith...

I am so incredibly proud of Greg and for all of his accomplishments! He is not only doing well at his training..but he's excelling in it! I am so lucky to be marrying a man who is so determined and focused! Greg, if you ever get a chance to read this...know that I will stand behind you 120% and continue to work at being positive....For you, for me, for US! :) I love you sweet boy!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

my heart is fluttering...

I do believe dear bloggy friends that I have found the Bridesmaid Shoes! It has been such a long and difficult search..but I think we have found them! Thanks to my bff/cousin Tasha...she found these beauties.
Hello Fabulousness!





From here!

I wanted something that met these qualifications:

{FABULOUS}

{semi-casual}

{zebra print}

{no black}

{wedge or cork}

Ding, Ding, Ding...we have a WINNER! I haven't sent all the info to my girls yet...but my heart is beating out of my chest so I guess that's a good sign! ;) I adore fabulous & different shoes so I knew it was a "must" for my wedding!

ETA: These are the Bridesmaid Dress! :) I think they are going to look sooo hawt with the above shoes! You?

what happened?

to blogger???? I see that I have some new followers, but when I click on their names all I can view are the sites they have joined..not their personal blog. Why?!? I wanna check some of these people out and follow them! Anybody know how I can get to their blog?

p.s. - if you are a new follower, leave me a comment and maybe I can pull it up that way! :)
p.p.s.- I'm soooo excited to have new followers and "meet" all of you! How exciting and fun this bloggy land is! Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Tagged!

So this happened a while back and I'm just now getting around to posting it...
::hangs head in shame::
I was tagged by the ever-so-beauitful Steph @ The Adventures of Jon & Steph. Run over and check her out..she's FABULOUS!! And her hubby just surprised her with a trip to Ireland for her Birthday!! Can't wait to see the gorgeous pics! :) Have a great trip girl!
Here goes nothing...
8 Things I Look Forward To:
1) Seeing my Fiance!!
2) Kissing my Fiance
3) Phonecalls/Emails from my Fiance
4) Zumba Class with my girlfriends every MWF
5) Bed Time
6) American Idol
7) 4:30pm every Mon.-Fri. when I get off work!
8) MY WEDDING!!
8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1) Straightened my hair
2) Overslept by 5 minutes
3) Went to AC Moore on my lunch break
4) Put my PJ's on at 5pm
5) Consumed almost an entire back of Raisens & Nuts for dinner
6) Watched Greek
7) Watched The Hills
8) Was a lazy fool
8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1) Style my hair
2) Fit into my skinny jeans
3) See Greg EVERYDAY!
4) Cook
5) Sew and make things
6) Hire a wedding planner to do this mess for me..I'm over it!
7) Travel to foreign countries
8) Look pretty when I'm pale...pasty white just doesn't work for me
8 Shows I Watch:
1) American Idol
2) The Hills
3) Property Virgins on HGTV
4) What Not To Wear
5) House Hunters
6) Dancing With the Stars
7) Greek
8) Say Yes to the Dress
Now I have to tag 8 bloggers...let's see here:
2) Lea Liz @ The Rolands
4) Bailey @ Champagne Taste
6) Brittany Ann @ Living In The Moment
8) Becca @ Simply Fit
*And if any of you have already been tagged for this game, just ignore* :)
Happy Tuesday Everyone!
Only 3 more days till I get to see my Fiance! I'm soooo in love with him! :)

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Dollywood Recap

I know, I know..I'm a little late with this recap...but I'll spare you with the lame excuses. I've just been plain out BUSY! Here are some pics from the Dollywood Trip with my BFF. We had an absolute BLAST! It wasn't too crowded and the weather was gorgeous! It was the "Festival of Nations" week at Dollywood so we got to see some awesome shows that aren't normally there! :) I love spending time with the BFF..and let's just say, I probably gained 10lbs from all the stupid fair/festival/greasy/sugary food! The real topper of the day was the hugenormous (yes, i just made that a word) funnel cake! It was my very 1st funnel cake ever & let's just say...I'll never be the same! I was waddling out of that place after I ate it! I threw over 1/2 of it away and I still couldn't breathe because I had consumed so much! Not to mention I paid about a million dollars for it...but I would like to tell myself it was worth every penny...and every pound! The whole next day I laid in bed with a tummy ache. :( Dollywood is so much fun to anyone who has never been, or who is thinking of going. It's not your typical "Amusement Park"..everything has it's special Dolly touch. Enjoy the pics :)



"Charleston" Bird Houses as I call them..I want one!

Some Mexican Dancers..they were fabulous!

We got to tour Dolly's Bus :)

Dolly's Wig


I loveeeee me some pickles!


She loves her some potatoes :)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Kid at Heart.

Thursday I will be here...


With...




My BFF/Sister from a Different Mister/Maid of Honor Laura Beth! :)
{perhaps I will start a Friend Friday so I can tell you just how fabulous she is?}

I soooo cannot wait! We had originally planned to go to Carowinds, but they aren't open during the week yet! What kind of amusement park isn't open on Spring Break?? Have no fear, we will have JUST as much, if not more fun at Dollywood! I haven't been in yearssssss..but LOVE it! My fav. part is the shows! I always swore I would be on one someday..what happened to that dream?!? haha. But don't let me fool you, I'm a SUCKER for the roller coasters! I've gotta go get my outfit ready! I'm thinking capris and my Tevas! :)

I know I haven't been such a good blogger lately, but I've been on-the-go this Spring Break! {and I've been sleeping in till 10 everyday} I miss reading! I will be back soon my loves. Have a great day everyone!

Monday, April 13, 2009

...and it was amazing...

I'm backkkkkkk! Not by choice. haha...Greg literally had to put me inside my car. We had SUCH an amazing weekend together! He had Friday-Sunday off work so I drove down on Thursday evening! It was great to see him..spend some time together...and do normal things once again. Friday we got up earllyyy & had to take care of some errands then we enjoyed an awesome lunch at Olive Garden filled with salad & breadsticks! I swear, the way to my heart is through that big bowl of salad! Probably my favorite meal EVER! We shopped till Greg dropped (haha) that evening. On Saturday we were LAZY and it was WONDERFUL! We finally made it out for a late lunch at Steak & Shake and I got the most delicious shake everrrrr...BanannaBerry! It's 1/2 & 1/2..strawberry & bananna. I'm craving one right now! Sunday we had an excellent worship experience at CrossRoads and it made me reallyyy want to live there and go to church there! It seems like everytime I go, it just gets better & better! We enjoyed a yummy Easter lunch outside after church and then laid out in a big field of grass snacking on Jelly Beans (Greg's fav)!

And as if he isn't fabulous enough...he spoils me rotten! Forget the Easter basket filled with candy! :) Here's what I got this year...

This arrived at my house on Thursday! I go through this stuff like it's water..sooo delicious!




A new Vera bag to complete my Easter ensemble...



Along with a matching Clutch Wallet.


And this adorable umbrella! I had been wanting this for a while...

Here are some pics of us from the weekend...

This is me packing my bags to move to a hotel off post..He likes to take random pics of me..

Sightseeing on Good Friday with one of Greg's friends and his g/f



Before Church on Easter!


Being Ridiculous..as always.



We explored downtown after church


I think he is sooo yummy.


And yes, this happened! Tornado while I was visiting! I found this to be insane...trees like this all over post!


Now I have some catching up to do in the blogging world and see how everyone's Easter was! :) Look out..because I'm in "comment mode"!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

::la la la::

pardon me for the lack of posts...I'm on Cloud 9...


As of today, at 4:30 pm I will officially be on SPRING BREAK!!
{there ARE some advantages for working for a school system}
Taking tomorrow off and traveling south to see my fiance! I 100% cannot wait! I'll be there until late Sunday evening...then traveling home through the night to arrive home earllyy Monday morning.
{picture credit: Sarah K Photography}

Here's my agenda for the following week of Spring Break:
-Sleep in
-Tan
-Workout
-Zumba
-Wedding Inviations
-Sleep in some more
-Zumba
-Shopping
-Wedding Stuff
-Sleep in even more
-Workout
-Tan
-CAROWINDS!!
-Sleep in again
-Bro-in-law & sis-in-law's wedding!
-Sleep In EVEN MORE!
I mean, tell me my life isn't exciting?!? haha! It's funny to see how much my Spring Breaks have changed since my high school and college years. I feel OLD! Does anyone else feel this way?!?

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!

& just a lil tid-bit...it's about Way MORE than Easter Bunnies and Colored Eggs...

I'll be back Monday to check up on everyone & post some pics from the weekend!

*xoxo*

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

reality tv junkie. so sad.

Since Greg has been gone and I'm no longer coaching cheerleading, I have become a reality TV junkie...American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, America's Best Dance Crew, So You think You Can Dance, The City..and now, my fav. The Hills is back on!! :) Woohooo..but can I PLEASE just say how freakin' DISGUSTED I am by these two?!?



Absolutely 100% RIDICULOUS! They both are the worse example to others (especially younger girls) who are looking for or who are in a relationship! Now, don't get me wrong, none of the cast members are exactly prime role models..but come on! The mess he pulled in the episodes last night and she's STILL with him and gonna marry him?? Grade A gross-ness! I will forever believe that Heidi is with Spencer because it makes her famous and she is enjoying it. If they were to break-up she would go back to being just "Lauren's Best Friend". The End.

::I am utterly disgusted with myself for being so involved with this show for YEARS on end::

In other news...American Idol! I'm stoked for tonight! Am I the only one who thinks Kris Allen and Danny Gokey are AMAZING role models for young boys and girls?!?


#1) They are Christians!! whoop-whoop!


#2) Kris and his wife are beautiful together and make me SO EXCITED to be a newlywed with GREG!! :)


#3) Danny has such amazing faith and preserverance to make it so far after everything he's gone through...


And lastly..gotta give it up for my Tar Heel bred boy..Mr. Anoop Dawg! :) He's had a few rough weeks and hasn't exactly fought the good fight..but I'm still on his fan bandwagon!


Well, there you have it. My pitiful excuse for living vicariously through others...I need a life!

& Greg, please don't chime-in and agree :(

Monday, April 6, 2009

::sigh::


i miss him...

especially bad today...

I owe you guys an explanation...

First things first...my explanation for the sudden craziness on my blog.


I apologize. Being so young and so crazy at times, I forget how dangereous and unsafe this internet world really is...sooo, I am trying (work with me here) to keep some personal stuff off this blog (ie, location, specific jobs, etc). My fiance brought me back to reality when I spoke with him on Saturday and he was ALL torn up about me displaying our "new home". He's been learning all kinds of stuff down there in his school and I haven't seen him that upset with me, probably ever! So, to make amends, I realized that plastering my personal life all over the world wide web probably wasn't the smartest thing this cum laude college graduate has ever done. Not that I do not trust all of my sweet, sweet faithful readers..but anyone (ewww!) could come across this webpage and find out far more than they would ever need to know about me or my fiance. And that part just freaks me out a lil...ok, a lot.
So that's that! :) Furthermore, let me tell how the story of our finding out what our "new home" (as we shall call it) will be...


On Friday evening I was attending a wedding shower for my future sis-in-law! She is marrying my fiance's brother in 2 weeks. And get this, she has the coolest name on the planet: Shannon! haha! Yes, there will be 2 Shannon Lastname's in one year! She just the sweetest thing and I cannot wait to share in their day! So, while attending the shower, I had told everyone that I was expecting some very big news so I was going to walk around with my phone attached to my hand. (think, those 12 year old teeny-boppers who cannot go ANYWHERE without their cell phone in fear that their shaggy haired crush will call/text or that the world will come to an end and their heart will stop beating) Yes, that was me. I waited and I waited...NOTHING!
Finally...having waited foreverrrrrr..the boy calls his parent's house (where the shower was held) and asks to speak to me. Good grief my cell phone didn't have SERVICE! I only have like the biggest national cell phone service in the world...and didn't have freakin' service on the most important/life-changing day! Where's my people at?!? He then proceeds to tell me that we will only be traveling a short (repeat short) 6 hour move for his next step of schooling. Ahhhhh, my heart started beating again at this exact moment. Let's just say, his other option was only a 27 hour move (gasp!).


I know some of you are reading this and saying, "honey, get used to it." And let me give you some reasoning behind me wanting to stay within a day's drive to start off with. I do realize that it will not be this way forever and we could end up across the globe, and that part doesn't scare me...it was just the first move that terrified me. We will be attempting to tackle this wedding in July, move all of my belongings and get me settled in (without me moving in with him before marriage) and then having report back to work on the Monday after our wedding! Now you try doing all of this within 3 months and being 27 hours away from one another. Talk about stress. I also have some precious lil nephews/neices being born in late October that I will be rushing home to love on!


I do believe that God works everything out to His divine purpose and I have mentioned that in a few posts. He knew what was best for us at the present moment. I have been praying so hard for God to work out the plans for us...not myself, not Greg, not the Army. And I do not believe that anyone else had anything to do with this...except GOD! Yes, Greg's good grades helped, Greg's position in the class helped...but God worked it all out perfectly to His plan! This is the part that just amazes me! Once again...I'm in awe of Him! :) I do not know how a single person can see the events happening in their life and not believe that God had something to do with it? He's so faithful!


Anyways, back to the story, I went straight home and jumped on the computer! I began a long, long evening with my best friend: Mr. Google for some research! :) Hey, a girl's gotta find out where the nearest shopping mall will be?? The End.


Happy Monday lovely ladies!! This is the start to a VERY exciting week for me! 4 days of work here...traveling to see my Fiance on Good Friday! (it's "Good Friday" for a very important reason, not just because I'm seeing my Fiance) hehe. And celebrating Easter with him and attending the most fabulous church ever! Then, guess what?? I WILL BE ON SPRING BREAK! Woohoo! I have some very exciting plans for my week off from work including wedding invitations, wedding STUFF (that includes a lot of items), Carowinds with my BFF, and topped off with my future bro-in-law and future sis-in-law's wedding! I can barely contain my spastic-ness (is that a word?) right now!
::and I just realized that I have typed like a million words, so if you're still reading..bless your heart::


Here's some pics to brighten things up of items I purchased this weekend at the monthly J.Crew "yard sale" as I call it. Don't hate because I live right next to the J.Crew distribution center! :)
Scored this lovely for a mere, $5...I had been eyeing it on the website for a while now...



Purchased these adorable summer pants for $10




Along with These for $5....(except mine have little craps on them, not starfish)




Along with a few other items that I cannot find pics of...receipt total? $50! Amen!