Our Story

Three years ago I met the husband on a blind date, and exactly a year later he proposed! 

Obviously this day holds a special place in my heart, but I don't think I've shared either story here on the blog. Y'all hear from me all the time, so I thought it may be more fun for James to share how we met and I'll share our proposal story!

How We Met: July 14, 2011

Erin, a former coworker of mine, had been telling me about this girl she was in bible study with who I "had to meet" for weeks. She said she thought the two of us would be good together which, to this day blows my mind that she was able to see the potential chemistry between a UGA and Georgia Tech grad. I was a pretty shy guy and definitely not the type that would ever be willing to go on a blind date but something about this one made me want to go out on a limb. I also may have gotten a glimpse of her on Facebook and that may or may not have influenced my decision to ask for the 1st date. I spent hours upon hours trying to find the perfect place for the blind date and settled on Nine Street Kitchen. I waited on her in front of the restaurant and when I saw her I remember thinking "she's way out of my league." I could tell she was nervous by the way she made the intro short and sweet and immediately headed inside to find a table (I literally said "hey" and ran inside... NBD I'm just awkward like that).  All nerves seemed to settle very quickly though. We had such a great time that we closed up the restaurant that night and had to be asked to leave as they were mopping the floors. It was a great 1st day especially considering I almost stood him up. 

Our Engagment Story: July 14, 2012

I always thought I would know when the proposal was coming because my mom and sister wouldn't be able to keep the secret. They proved to me that they are much better liars then I thought! Also, my dad was in Argentina on a trip the weekend we went to Highlands, and I figured he would at least want to be in the country when I got engaged. So, with all that said, I was not expecting anything to happen that weekend.

James and I decided to go to Highlands, NC to celebrate one year together. We talked about driving to the top of Sunset Rock to watch the sunset before dinner reservations on Saturday night. This had actually been my idea, so I was never suspicious. I played right into his plan. I'm so predictable. It rained all day Saturday so I was becoming less and less thrilled about our pre-dinner plans, but James really wanted to go, so I wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it.

When you get to the top there are two paths to get onto the rock. I was super focused on one of the paths worrying about what the 20 people who were already there and had hiked up were going to think of us in our nice dinner clothes. James grabbed my hand and spun me around to the other path. In front of me was a path lined with candles. I told James we couldn’t go that way because someone had set it up for something special; he smiled and kept walking. I’ve been told I kept saying, “I’m scared." "What are we doing?" "Is this okay?” Once we followed the path onto the rock there was a small table with flowers and champagne. My first thought was that James was doing something nice since he hadn’t gotten me a card earlier for our 1 year (it was all I asked for). 

James started talking and I remember trying not to laugh because I knew he was saying nice things but I couldn't concentrate on what he was saying (he later told me what he said and it was really sweet). Then he got on one knee and asked me to marry him. I remember nodding my head, and he swears I actually said yes.

After crying and hugging we went over to a bench and he showed me a video he had made with pictures of our first year together and how he asked my parents and sister for permission to marry me! I cried through the whole thing! Then he told me to call my parents. If I wasn't crying hard enough already this really set me off. There was so much crying I could barely get words out. I told my mom we were driving home at midnight to celebrate with them (because obviously that makes sense?). 

Then I called my dad and left a message on his phone. I could barely talk. At this point I got really sad that he wasn't in the country and I couldn't talk to him :(

About five minutes later James told me to turn around and my mom, sister, and his whole family came out! Following them was my dad who had flown home early from his trip (I'm crying even now as I type this)! At the sight of him I totally lost it. I was beyond the point of the “pretty” cry! The whole thing was so much more than I ever could have imagined! 

Impatiently Patient

Not yet...

Hold on...

Just a little bit longer...

I can't stand being told to wait. I'm impatient. When I want something I want it now.

Obviously patience is not a virtue I was blessed with, but I feel like it is something God is challenging me with right now. I have prayed for patience and I feel like He is answering that prayer with a stage in life that is challenging me to be patient and put all my trust in Him and His timing.

I've mentioned before that James and I have started house hunting. Y'all, I want a home something bad.  I'm so ready to be out of an apartment and in a house. I'm ready to decorate and make a space our own.

However, so far the house hunting process just hasn't gone our way. We've really liked a few homes, but for one reason or another things just haven't worked out. It's frustrating, disappointing, and disheartening. My mind immediately goes to the negative. "We'll never find a house" "This isn't going to work out" "We'll be in an apartment forever." Admittedly, that's incredibly dramatic especially considering we haven't been looking very long, but there's an example of that all or nothing thinking for you.

I'm so not perfect and sometimes my human nature takes over and my faith gets shaky. I start to want to take control back and put all my trust in myself. I start to turn my back on what I believe to be truth. It doesn't work and it leaves me feeling anxious and lost, but I'm stubborn. Sometimes I need someone or something to rock my world a little bit and bring me out of that dark place. Sometimes I need to be reminded that God's got this. Sometimes I need to pray for patience and ask for God's help and guidance.

These verses from Psalms 37 have been on my heart a lot lately and I can't help but find comfortable in these words:

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. I don't think that if I pray  God will give me everything I want. However, I do believe that if I place God at the center of my heart and my world He will align my desires with His greater plan. How awesome is that? God can change my heart and my desires. Now, that's something I can rest in.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him Feeling slightly convicted here. Wait patiently. Be still. Four words I don't have mastered. Four words I know I can only do with help. Four words I need to live my life by.

This is another quote that has given me comfort these past few weeks:

His timing. Not my timing. His plan. Not my plan. I can rest in knowing God's in control. I can wait until He deems the time is right. I can wait and I can be happy in the waiting knowing I am growing closer to Him through this.

Oh ya, and remember what I choose to be my word for 2014? Maybe it's time to put that to use!

Today I'm joining Jenni over at Frankly My Dear for Wednesdays in the Word. I love the idea of sharing not only what you're reading, but also how God is using it.

Happy Wednesday! Stay warm!

"You Don't Know Me"

Is it weird that the husband and I jokingly yell this at each other at least once a week? Probably, but I'm betting you do weird things too. Plus, that title sounded better than: "Things you may not know about me just from reading the blog." Plus, I was working on this post when Jenni from Frankly My Dear nominated me for the Liebester Award! I thought I'd combine the two posts and fill y'all in on some things you may not know.

The Liebester Award is a series where bloggers who have under 200 followers are nominated by other bloggers to share more about themselves and meet fellow bloggers.

11 Random Facts About Me

1.  In my "for real life" I'm a counselor. I have my masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. I specialize in working with clients who struggle with eating disorders and addictions. It's no walk in the park, but most days I love my job and the people I work with. 
   
   Source
   This made me laughed out loud. No, my clients don't lay on couches. Through some have tried.
2. I hate bananas. Like deep deep hatred. I can't stand the taste, texture, or smell. I can't even be in the same room as someone who is eating a banana. 
3. I use to be a preschool teacher. For six months in between graduating college and starting grad school I worked as a Pre-K teacher. I loved it! My sweet little babies were adorable and I have some great stories!
4. I can't dance but the husband and I make up dance moves all the time. We have a "happy dance," a "birthday dance," and a "New Years dance." Essentially they are the same dance move with minor modifications. Sometimes we're mean and make people dance with us. 
   
   "Birthday Dance"
5. I don't think it comes across here, but in real life I'm super sassy! The husband will be the first to tell you I've got some serious sass in me :)
6. I could eat tacos every night of the week. We're constantly looking for new fun taco places. If you know of any please share!
7. I still sleep with my childhood safety "blanket." It's actually a pillow and the longest I've ever gone without sleeping with it was when I was in Costa Rica for 6 weeks. 
8. Big groups of people make me uncomfortable. I can be super awkward, so I prefer small groups of people I know. 
9. I'm allergic to pineapple. I ate a ton of it once and my face swelled up and itched like crazy. I was in another country. It was awful!
10. I got made fun of for being "too pale" in 6th grade. I'm still self-conscious about my skin color.
11. I don't really know how to dress myself. More often than not my mom and sister help me pick out clothes. Following fashion bloggers has really helped me learn how to dress.

11 Questions from Jenni at Frankly My Dear

1. What is your dream job & why?

     I love my job, but my dream job would be a photographer. I love love love taking pictures!

2. If you could travel any where in the world where would it be?

     Greece or anywhere in Europe really. I've always wanted to go there!

2. What is one thing you would change about yourself?

     That I didn't care so much what other people think of me.

4. What's your biggest goal in life?

     To be a mom :) Not yet! But hopefully one day.

5. If you could be any character in a book or movie, who would it be?

     Anne from Anne of Green Gables

6. What is your favorite food?

     Mac & Cheese and tacos. I'm 5 years old at heart.

7. Where/What is your "happy place"?

     Beach, river, water fall, or lake. If I'm anywhere near water I'm good!

8. What's your most prized possession?

     Wedding rings. Love everything they symbolize.

9. If you could meet anyone in the world (dead or aline) who would it be?

     My dad's dad. He died when my dad was only 10, and I've always wanted to meet him.

10. What is one thing you cannot leave the house without?

     Cell phone. It's a problem.

11. Top reason for blogging?

     Meeting new people! I initially started blogging to document our new life. Now, my favorite thing is      meeting new people and forming new friendships!

11 Questions from Me to You!

1. What's your favorite favorite quality about yourself?
2. What's your favorite TV show?
3. If you could travel anywhere in the US where would it be?
4. If you could learn one hobby/skill what would be & why?
5. What's your #1 must have makeup product? 
6. What's your go to outfit of choice?
7. What do you keep in your purse? 
8. What would your dream meal consist of?
9. What's your dream job & why?
10. Favorite thing to do for exercise?
11. Favorite thing about blogging?

My Five Nominees Love these girls!

1. Khala at The Birdie Bowl
2. Melissa at Loving Life Moore
3. Julie Joy at Just the Joy's
4. Mary at Eat, Drink, & Be Mary
5. Alyssa at Southern Abundance 

Thanks Jenni for nominating me!

We're Breaking Up

After a 15 year relationship of ups and downs plus plenty of sweat, blood, and tears, we're finally putting a stop to the madness. This wasn't an easy decision. I put in lots of long hours in trying to make it work, but it's time to face the facts, I just can't do it anymore.

So, it's official.

I'm breaking up with running.

This truly is a case of "it's not you it's me." Running didn't do anything wrong exactly. The problems started with how I view running. For you to really understand this decision we've got to back up a bit.

This is from a triathlon a did a few years back

Growing up I was a swimmer. It pretty much took up all of my free time. I was in the pool 6 days a week for 2 to 2 and half hours usually with an extra hour added on for dry land {weights, running, etc} a day. In the summer and even towards the end of my swimming "career" we did two-a-days. Weekends consisted not of parties and hanging out with friends, but traveling to swim meets or extra hard practices. Are you getting the picture that it was my life?

I loved competing and loved being in the pool, but I've just now started to realize how much it influenced how I think about exercise. Even after I quit swimming, going to work out 30 minutes or even a hour a day 3 times a week wasn't enough. In my mind, it had to be 2+ hours everyday or it was none at all. I would get obsessed with working out and then when I couldn't maintain that routine because life got in the way I would quit all together.  When I would try to get back into a working out I would get so overwhelmed and frustrated with my body not being use to handling that kind of stress that I would quit again. It became a vicious cycle. *I am in no way blaming swimming or competitive sports for my way of thinking. I know that I'm naturally prone to that "all or nothing, black and white" thinking,*

Recently I was on a walk, where I was judging myself for walking and not running, when I began to think about the unhealthiness and craziness in how I think about exercise. Then, on July 4th a friend and I were running and we started talking about we really didn't enjoy running at all. It hurts my knees and it gets kinda boring. I got to thinking "if I'm not having fun why the heck am I doing this?!" It had never really occurred to me before that I didn't have to do this.

And so, that's how I decided that I'm breaking up with running.

Obviously, running isn't the problem. The problem is in how I think about exercise. Running just happens to be the one exercise I always thought I had to do.

I'm not saying I'll never run again, but from now on I'll run because I want to and not because I have to.

{Guest Post} Loving Life Moore

Hey sweet friends! 

I'm so excited to be guest posting {for the 1st time ever} over at Melissa's blog, Loving Life Moore, while she is off honeymooning with her sweet new husband! Head on over to check out my post on Marriage and Relationship Advice from the Pros. 

Making Things Happen in 2014

I've told y'all before that I'm a huge fan of setting goals. Big, small, long-term, short-term doesn't matter I love them. 

Random fact: I'm not good at working out unless I have a goal of working toward something specific like a race, but that's a post for another day. 

The husband and I were at church yesterday when the pastor talked about how important it is to set goals and/or resolutions; "having a personal vision is a catalyst for wise decisions." I love that. If Andy Stanley agrees with me about goal setting I think I'll stick to it :)

For the past week or so I've been working through Lara Casey's 5 part series on goal setting for 2014. I'm not being dramatic when I say this stuff is game changing! I've learned so much about myself and so much about where I want to go. I've had to get honest with myself about somethings I didn't want to and open myself up to making some changes. 

I won't bore you will all of the details of all my steps. However, I will share some of the big things, not only to have somewhere to refer back to for myself, but also to maybe encourage y'all to create your own goals for 2014.  

My favorite step was creating a 2014 inspirational board on Pinterest. An excuse to spend hours on pinterest finding quotes and images I like? Sign me up! These are a few of my favorite images:

Now there are a bunch of steps from here, but you can just take me word for that. Let's just get to the good stuff:

1. Spend more time with God: This is pretty self-explanatory. More time with God daily, more time in prayer, and more time with God as a couple. I know, for me, life just works better when I make God a part of it.

2. Love and respect my husband: Truth: over the past 6 months I haven't always been a great wife. I've been selfish, stubborn, and even mean. There are many ways I can work on being a more loving and respectful wife. and I want to challenge myself to really work on this.

3. Take care of myself: Emotionally, physically, and spiritually. This looks like a good year to start working on being less negative and more positive. 

4. Be intentional with others: I want to work on being present when I'm with people I love.

5. Organize my life: I feel better when things are organized. I have organizational work to do in lots of areas.

I know I know these aren't SMART goals. They may be Attainable and Relevant, but they are also super broad and they aren't measured. The monthly goals I make will relate back to these larger goals and will be Specific, Measurable, and Time-bound. I've already got some ideas in mind for monthly goals and I can't wait to get started!

James and I also created 2014 marriage goals. We have some big goals for 2014 and hopefully our smaller monthly goals will help us get there. 

And finally, my word(s) for year:

I didn't realize how much I let fear dictate how I live until recently. So often I don't do things or don't put myself out there because I'm afraid. Afraid of failing, afraid of making a mistakes, and afraid of judgement. What do I get with allowing fear to control me? Absolutely nothing but regret!

 In the spirit of transparency: I also struggle with trusting God. I like control {just ask the husband :}. Problem with that? I want God to live my life for God and in order to do that one of us needs to give up control {hint: that would be me!}. 

This year I want to constantly remind myself to trust God without fear.

Whew! That was a lot of words. If you're still reading along major props to you! 

Here's to making things happen in 2014!

A Look Back on 2013: Part Two

You can find part one here
Beginning a new year is always so exciting time, but I've really enjoyed looking back on 2013. I still can't believe how full of a year it had been. The first half of 2013 was mostly wedding planning and preparation. The second half of the year was focused on learning about marriage and enjoying being newlyweds. I've got to be honest, I'm a little emotional with this year coming to an end. It's been an incredible year. I'll never forget all the good memories we have made in 2013 and I can't wait to see what 2014 will bring.

{JULY}

-I started my job. It's been a huge blessing and I love being able to contribute to our income; however, it's also been incredibly difficult.

-That time we didn't run the Peachtree Road Race because it was suppose to storm, but never did. First time my dad missed running it in 35 years :(

-Our first married date night

{AUGUST}

-Mom, Sis and I went to Hilton Head to celebrate Sis getting married!

{SEPTEMBER}

-This little blog was born

-I completed and documented my first DIY project

{OCTOBER}

-Sis got married!! Prettiest wedding ever!

-James and I went on our annual apple picking trip

-I recapped our wedding and loved reliving all our favorite details

Other posts:

That time doors became headboards

Traveling to Charleston

{NOVEMBER}

-We had the whole family together for Thanksgiving

-James and I survived our first married UGA/GT game. Thankfully, we didn't sit together and thankfully UGA pulled out a win

Other posts:

We went camping
My office got a new look

Thankful for a blessing

Getting real about anxiety 

{DECEMBER}

-We decorated for our first married Christmas

-We celebrated my birthday at The Iberian Pig and had the yummiest dinner

-Our annual picture in our Christmas Jammies

Other posts:

Here's to six months

I shared a little bit about me

Our wedding was featured on Grey Likes Weddings

2013 was such a sweet year. Here's to hoping 2014 is just a wonderful!

Here's to Six Months

Happy Monday sweet friends!!
Christmas is only 2 days away which means today is my birthday! I have a love/hate relationship with being a "Christmas baby," but that's a topic for another day. We have fun things planned for today, so right now I'm a very happy Christmas baby!!

As of yesterday James and I have been married six months!

It's been six months since I woke up and spent sweet morning moments with just my mom and sister before everything got crazy. Six months since I laughed with my closest friends all together in one room. Six months since I rode on a carriage with just my dad talking about football because what else do you talk about when you're about to get married. Six months since I stood behind two big doors shaking uncontrollably with my dad's hand on my arm telling me to just breath. Six months since those doors opened and everything was okay. It's been six months since I made the promise of forever to a man I'm a huge fan of!
Six months ago I had no idea what the next six months would hold. I had no idea how good the good days would be, or how tough a few days would be. I had no idea my husband would sing all the words to my favorite songs wrong. I didn't know he would ask me to dance whenever I'm in the kitchen making dinner. I had no idea how selfish and stubborn I would be, and I didn't know something that would make me cry one minute would make me laugh the next. I didn't know just how important it would be to lean on God.
I'm so very thankful for these last six months. I'm thankful for the silly times and the hard times. I'm thankful for the times we laugh until cry, and even for the times we argue because learn more about ourselves and each other. I'm thankful I know James' "buttons" and even more thankful when I don't push them on purpose! I'm most thankful that God brought this incredible man into my life and that I get to know what this kind of love feels like.

Here's to the next six months!

A Look Back on 2013: Part One

It's hard to believe 2013 is coming to a close. This time last year, I was overwhelmed with anticipation of what the year would bring. I knew 2013 was going to be big! I was sure that the year would last forever and June would never come. Now, here I sit at the end of December wondering how it all went so fast. For obvious reasons, 2013 will always hold a special place in my heart, but it will for not so obvious reasons too. It was a year of firsts and a few "lasts," and I can honestly say I laughed and cried more this year than I ever have.

I apologize for all the instagram photos. Before this little blog was born I took most of my pictures with my phone. I'm annoyingly obsessed with deleting pictures right after I take them, so the only ones I have now come straight from instagram.

{JANUARY}

-Even though I didn't want to {I was afraid I'd ruin them} I took Sis and Micah's engagement pictures. I have lots of critiques about the pictures, but I'm glad I did it. Still waiting to get paid for that one ;)

 -We spent New Year's on Hilton Head Island in matching t-shits...

...and celebrated my sweet momma's birthday with 60 letters written by everyone who loves her.

{FEBRUARY}

-We did a lot of wedding planning

Vanilla cake with raspberry fillings and almond icing was the jam!

{MARCH}

-Sis and I had our first wedding shower. It only made sense that it would be a "sister's shower."
Check out those glasses!

 

{APRIL}

-Celebrated James' birthday with a Braves game and Holman Finch burgers. Seriously, there aren't words for all the wonderfulness in that burger.



- James' parents threw us a couple's shower at their house

-Sis and I {and friends} studied, took, and passed our licensing exam. We never have to open that purple book again!

{MAY}

-After 3 years of classes, studying, and internships we graduated with our Master's!


-My sweet bridesmaids threw me an "around the house" wedding shower

-My sister {and mom} planned an incredible Bachelorette weekend for me and my bridesmaids; complete with surprises from the "Bachelorette Fairies," a sunset dinner, and oh so much fun!

-We took our last "family of four" trip to Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC

{JUNE}

-Oh, I don't know... we just got married!

-Then we spent an incredible week in Mexico on our honeymoon

And there is the first half of the year! Those first six months hold some incredible memories. Looking back on it all I'm overwhelmed with how wonderful our friends and family were during those months of preparation and planning. I leaned pretty heavily on my family and a few very special friends as I got started on my career path and prepared my heart for forever {thank you, you know who you are :) }. The next six months are focused on learning about marriage and beginning our life together, but more on that later :)  

December Goals

In September I made a Fall to-do list. You can check out how we did with it here.
For December I decided to make goals. I like goals; I always have. I think it has something to do with being an athlete and making a list of goals every season. Goals just sit better with me than resolutions, and I think it's more fun to achieve goals that to just cross things off a to-do list {although I do love a good to-do list}.

1. Address, stamp, and send our first Christmas cards

2. Decorate our apartment for our first married Christmas

3. Set our marriage goals for 2013: yup, setting a goal to set goals :)

4. Go look at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas music and drinking hot chocolate

5.  Remember what this season is really about: read through She Reads Truth's Emmanuel

Are you a to-do list maker or a goal setter? Do you make a list of goals or to-do lists each month?

Here's to the greatest month of the year!

Blessed in Costa Rica

I'm crazy behind on this whole Thankful Project, which by the way in an incredible idea. How do people come up with this stuff? I wish I had started from the beginning and challenged myself to participate everyday, but alas I'm joining in on the 14th. While I would love to say I will post everyday for the rest of the month let's be real people, I just can't promise that kind of commitment. I will do my best and pop over a few more times throughout the rest of the month.

Today's topic is: a blessing.

The summer before my last semester at UGA Sis and I did a six-week internship in Costa Rica. It was an awesome experience: eye opening, tough, so much fun, and life changing. On the weekend we traveled to different parts of the country and during the week we volunteered in our home-base town. For the first 3 weeks I taught English to Kindergartens and 6th graders. The next 3 weeks Sis and I volunteered in an orphanage for girls’ ages 12-18 who had been taken out of their homes. We couldn't communicate aside from our super broken Spanish and a whole bunch of nodding and pointing. In spite of that, they changed me. They taught me how strong and resilient a person can be, to laugh at myself, and most importantly, about God's love.

Besides just being an insane blessing that we were able to go to Costa Rica, it was this experience that really solidified what I wanted to do with my life. Up until this time I had considered and pursued being a teacher, a physical therapist, a sports psychologist, and then a school psychologist, but none of those options felt right. Through being around these girls I realized I wanted to work with adolescent girls. I didn't know in what capacity this would end up happening, but I really felt like God was putting this on my heart and preparing me for what I would ultimately end up doing. I'm so thankful for this experience and everything I learned and saw there.