Weekend, lets do this!

If you read my post yesterday, you know we have a crazy weekend ahead of us. It started last night when I met an adorable couple downtown for their engagement session. Not only do they share in our love of Mexican food, they also share our initials and they really, really like to laugh ;)

....those little dots are gnats. Cute, right? ;)

I was really tired when I got home, but perked up when I walked in the door. WHY? Oh, my freaking amazing husband just surprised me with a filet mignon dinner. No big deal.

Today, we're about to shoot another gorgeous wedding, then have one tomorrow as well, then an engagement session Sunday night. If you're bored, try crossing your fingers all day for me? Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow and as cute as dancing-in-the-rain photos can be, we'd like to enjoy some sunshine with the newlyweds we're photographing! ;) thanks! Happy weekend!

Welcome to the best month ever.

HAPPY AUGUST, EVERYONE! Oh, am I the only one that excited about this month!?! It's always been my favorite (hellooo, birthday month), but in the last few years its become my favorite for a few other reasons!!

It was August 18th, 2012 when Caleb and I arrived in Hilton Head with my family and he asked me to take a quick bike ride down to the beach to finally get a few minutes of alone time (we were in separate cars the whole drive down with the kiddos), so I hadn't thought much of it. I changed into a less sweaty shirt and we hit the trail for the beach. I was so pumped. Right when we get on the beach we just started jumping around in the sand...we were made to live at the beach, fyi ;) anyway! He tells me we should make a silly video to send to his brother (and Erin) so they can be jealous we're on the beach. If you guessed that he tricked me into video taping my own wedding proposal, you'd be right. Our engagement is something I'll always remember with some really awesome memories (including the engagement photo session: photo below).

It's also the month of my 24th birthday. Woop woop!

OH and its the month Caleb and I officially began dating. August 24th, to be exact. Man, we were babies.

It's also still summer, plenty of pool time, and lots of time with family. I'm excited to get started with this month.

I took July off from posting about my goals, I honestly felt like that helped take some of the pressure off and I got a lot accomplished. I feel like August is a great time to get back in the swing of things though, so here are my August goals!

WORK OUT! I know, such a specific goal ;) but I kind of  like the idea of leaving it open ended. No specific number of trips to the gym or anything like that this month, as I'd rather focus on the quality of my workouts. It felt so good to finally find my groove again in July, so I'm ready to keep at it and impress myself! The weight room is addictive, friends.

Continue reading my Bible every day. Once we returned from Tennessee with the teens, I've been so inspired. I've done a great job at studying my Bible daily and it gives me a much better perspective  on life and my daily attitude in general.

Get to the pool more. Caleb and I were really good about making trips to the pool in early summer, but now that our tans have faded, we're missing it. We were able to make  trip up there yesterday and Caleb's brother even stopped by so we played some "pool football" for a while. It felt nice to be out in the sun while being somewhat active, too!

Make new meals for dinner. This is huge for me. Caleb and I are so good at just laying out meat and cooking it as is with a can of veggies on the side (so blah), I want to utilize my crock pot more and make a few new meals for our post-gym evenings!

Make a huge dent in our debt payoff. We're currently working on loan #3 (now that our car is paid off, holllaaa!) and we're hoping to cut it nearly in half this moth. That would be a huge step for us and I know we can do it!!!

All in all, I think I can accomplish this list of goals for myself. I'm excited for the challenge! If you wrote about some goals today, I'd love to hear some!! Happy August, friends!!

A few squares for Friday.

All those in favor of 3 day work-weeks and 4 day weekends sayyyy "I"... 

I'm currently trying to decide when I can wear this amazing anniversary dress Caleb got for me. I know I said it yesterday in our trip recap but guys, he knocked this years gift outta the park. How in the world did he find the cutest dress in the mall AND it fit perfect?! I can't wait to plan a fun date night out with that stud!

Although its Friday...I'm absolutely exhausted because last night Caleb had another full (late) night of softball, and right before THAT I had an engagement shoot Downtown, which was right after a full day of work. We didn't get home until nearly midnight and I'm BEAT today. However, I've also said before that I truly wouldn't trade these fun moments for anything. It can be a hassle getting to the fields, but watching him do something he loves brings me a whole lot of joy...and that'll never get old.

This is an extremely old but extremely awesome picture with my favorite people. Yesterday was E&J's 4th wedding anniversary and I just love the crap out of them. They are equally as weird as us, share a love for all things Disney, and are completely content (and even excited) by game nights in with us instead of crazy nights out. #mykindofpeople.

Here's a (totally unedited) little sneak peek from last nights Eden Park shoot!

That actually brings me to my next question...has anyone else using blogger noticed a significant decrease in quality of photos that you're uploading? These files are HUGE and at such high resolution, but I felt like some of my Pittsburgh recap photos looked grainy? Any ideas??

We've got a wedding to shoot tomorrow and we can't wait! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

{so in love}

My old college roommate got engaged over the holiday season and her fiance' was returning to basic for the US Marine Corps that following weekend...so she needed pictures, and fast.

So how did I spend the very first morning of 2014?!

Shooting people, what else?!

I've been doing photo shoots like crazy lately...and it stinks that we're budgeting so hard because I've got the itch to buy a ridiculously priced lens (not good for the ole wallet)! Here's to working my tail off in photography so I can afford my dream lens and not pull from our normal income!

Tonight I'm heading to a friends bridal shower! Her wedding is in two weeks!! Cannot believe it! I'm so excited to be a part of her big day, along with a few other best friends of mine! This will be the first wedding I'll ever be in (aside from my own, hehe)!

PS - ITS ALMOST FRIDAY! Have a dance party.

It's Christmas Eve!

Can we talk about what a great Christmas present my friend Olivia got last night!?

A few months ago I reached out to her to see if she'd let me do a fun photo shoot of her and her boyfriend over Christmas. Well, the weather this weekend kind of put a damper on that plan...so I figured we'd reschedule for the Spring time. That was until, Sunday evening when her boyfriend messaged me privately on Facebook and asked me if there was ANY way we could still do the photo shoot, just the very next afternoon...because get this...

HE HAD PLANS TO PROPOSE!

Of COURSE I said yes. We are super slow at work this time of year so I had no problem heading out a bit early and meeting this adorable couple downtown (ironically, where Caleb and I had our engagement pictures done). We hung out for a while, started shooting, and before I know it...45 minutes had gone by. My toes and fingers were frozen, but I couldn't complain...I was too giddy knowing he had a ring in his pocket for her.

Finally, Sean mustered up the courage to get down on one knee, and after she screamed YES, she couldn't wipe that ear-to-ear grin off her beautiful face! Seriously, how adorable are they?!

I hope that all of you are as happy as this couple is this Christmas season!!
Merry Christmas Eve!!

Dear wedding...

Dear wedding...

I have been dreaming of you literally since I was a little girl. The planning may have been a little stressful, but its also been one of the best times of my life. Seeing how involved Caleb has been with you (unlike most men), makes my heart swell. Yes, sometimes it caused problems, but we always ended up agreeing in the end. This day is going to be amazing, and I cannot wait to see Caleb's face when he finally sees me walk down that aisle with my dad. All the paranoia that he might see a picture of my dress will fade, and we can just enjoy the moment for what it is. 

Dear Caleb...

We are getting married. We are getting MARRIED! WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!!!!!

Where did time go? These 9 months seriously FLEW. Thank you for letting me get giddy over silly centerpieces, thank you for holding me in my closet as I cried that one time, and thank you most of all for being the God-loving man I need. You're my everything.

Dear bridesmaids...

You all have been amazing. Showered me with love, support, encouragement, and so much more. Your fun weekly countdown messages made me smile, and your presents along the way made me giddy. Thanks for being the BEST friends I could ever ask for. I truly don't know what I would have done without all of you.

Dear Nanny...

You have been SUCH a blessing during this time. Your prayers and support have made a huge difference in this planning stage... and now the hard work has paid off. Thank you for EVERYTHING. All those hours spent helping with centerpieces, your financial support, and random trips to Sam's Club when I needed them. You're amazing and I'm so thankful for you.

Dear parents...

Thanks for loving me, even when I'm crazy. Dad, I can't wait to walk down the aisle with you, and listen to your toast at our reception. Open the floodgates...

Dear dance floor... get ready to be TO' UP! ;)

_______________________________________________________

I WILL BE MARRIED TOMORROW. Thank you ALL sooo much for the support, kind words, tweets, snap-chats, texts, random gifts and love. I literally never thought blogging could make someone so happy...how wrong I was ;) you all are the best readers I could ask for.

But for real... I'm getting married tomorrow?!?! WOOOO!!!!!

Friends that make my week.

Well I officially have THREE days until I'm a married woman and I think my brain is turning to mush...
so, there's that.

But really...how am I supposed to focus right now? Work is not exciting, all I can focus on is dancing all night after saying my vows...and spending 7 whole nights in Mexico on the amazing beach eating my body weight in food with my HUSBAND.
Sorry, I'm totally going to love... "oh, have you met my husband??!"

Last night...we went to my brother's awesome high school band concert. They did something similar to what Nick Cannon and his boys did in the movie Drumline. VERY cool.
Anyway!
Caleb left around 9:30, and no more than 3 minutes later... there is a knock at the front door. It was my Maid of Honor with a small gift to say happy wedding week!!

"4 mo' days!"

She stayed for about half an hour and we discussed random wedding stuff, she had to calm me down and remind me that everything will be perfect like 97 times. Thank goodness.
It got me thinking about all the sweet things my friends do for me, just because.

Like the fact that Erin made our wedding programs on a whim and they look INCREDIBLE. Could she get any more talented? She not only saved us tons of money, but they make me happier knowing they are so personal and made from her heart.

Or that sweet moment I get a text from Caleb when I'm about to fall asleep that says; "We are getting MARRIED! Can you believe it?!!?"

& how about when two sweet co-workers take me out to lunch back to back days to treat me and give me pre-wedding presents?

I can't forget my sweet daily emails with Ashley & Anna, their love and encouragement has been such a blessing during this time of my life. I can't wait to meet BOTH of my closest blogging pals (this year!?)!!

Seriously though... I don't know what I'd do without any of my friends or family. They have gotten me through this engagement and then some. I think I owe them all big time when we arrive back from our honeymoon...except I don't want to think about that yet, that whole having-to-come-back-from-Mexico thing. Uh uh.
________________________________________________

Multiple times in this wedding planning stage, I've been worried... worried about how the food will taste, how the decorations will turn out, or who may or may not make it out.  I've learned that these things don't matter. What matters is to turn to God when I feel the anxiety, jealousy, or worry rooting its ugly head.

Because God is always constant...and He is always good. Even in the silence...

Today is my last day of work before the wedding craziness kicks in and I'll be back once (maybe twice) before the wedding. Don't worry though, there will be 4 amaaaaazing women posting while I'm gone. They are some of my closest friends and cannot wait for you to read about THEIR honeymoons/etc.

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 3 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caleb.

As I sit here in my bedroom, writing another blog post... I'm just thinking about life. Has it really hit me yet? That I get married in 4 tiny days. My life is about to change dramatically...

but I can't help but smile about that. God has done so much in my life, to prepare me for this huge moment. The past 9 months have been spent prepping every little detail for this one single day.

Last night, I was put into a new perspective. It's not about what my hair looks like, or if the bustle on my dress doesn't turn out just right, or even if I can't find the perfect 3 tiered cupcake holder...

What does matter, is that at the end of the day, I will be Caleb's wife. I will be his everything, for the rest of forever. To some people, the thought of marriage is scary... committing yourself to one person, and one person alone, for the rest of your lives together. For me?

It's exciting, and I'm ready.

As I sit here to finish writing my vows to Caleb, I can't help but get emotional. I know, I know...I'm not typically all mushy gushy on my blog....but all I can feel right now is this lump in my throat.
Not a bad one.
But a good lump, full of joy...happy tears, giddiness. I truly feel that I'm waiting to begin the rest of my life. I'm just so lucky I get to spend it with him.
______________________________________________________

So, Caleb...if you're reading this. Get ready.
You get to live with me in just a few days...and then you'll find out just how weird I am.

You might come home & hear the stereo blaring Thriller throughout the house...
we might have cereal for dinner every night for the first year...
I'll eat entirely too much Skyline Chili and not be sorry about it...
my socks will never match...
I steal the covers...
& sometimes talk in my sleep.
I probably won't apologize about the amounts of shoes I own...
or lotions... or the fact that I always have at least 3 shower gels in use all year round...

...but...
You will receive encouragement when you need it...
and silence where appropriate...
Patience through the rough days
and joy where celebration is due.
Prayer for any anxieties, and comfort for your heartaches.
Most of all...you will never have to doubt my love.
It's always there.
Thanks for being my man... you rock ;)

Now lets get married, already.

Single. Freaking. Digits.

I don't really know where the time has gone. One day, a long time ago... we had 9 whole months of engagement-ism (is that a word!?) ahead of us... and now... we have 9 TINY DAYS!!!

I truly don't know where the time has gone. Looking back over this engagement... it has been one heck of a journey. So I thought I'd share some fun moments from it, with you guys today.

-Getting fun, unexpected cards from people you love!

-Right after I asked my (future) sister to be in my wedding as a bridesmaid. She was so shocked. I would show you the picture of her face, but she'd probably kill me ;) so this will have to suffice.

-My silly, (un)creative ways of asking my ladies to be in my wedding. This was Erin's!

-Asking my MOH and another bridesmaid to be in the wedding.

-Showing off the ring every chance I got.

-Surviving the freezing winter with my fiance!

-Dress shopping with my flower girl.

-Getting the keys to our new apartment!!!

-Celebrating my first bridal shower.

-& trying not to die of embarrassment at my second one... ;)

-Receiving some fun RSVP's back!

-Dress shopping with some of my bridesmaids

-That feeling of being freshly engaged...ah, it's one I'll NEVER forget.

Overall....this engagement has been amazing. There were a few bumps in the planning, but that is what makes it memorable. All that truly matters is that at the end of this 9 day countdown... I will be a wife to the man of my dreams. Seriously, he cooks... cleans... and (sometimes) does laundry. What more could a gal want? ;)

I've LOVED getting to know my newer followers and I'm sooo thrilled you all find my "journey" to the altar an interesting one. This blog wouldn't be near as fun without you guys.

Guess what? Tomorrow is FRIDAY!

TWENTY. FOUR. DAYS.

Today is May.
Which means I can officially say I'm getting married this month.
Which means, crap I still have a lot to do.
Which really means I better kick my butt into gear,
so that I can marry that hunk already.
Fly off to Mexico, have the time of my life...
eat whatever I want...then start the rest of forever with my Mr.

Today's post is perfectly random, in all the right ways.
So, I give you....

24 facts about our engagement/wedding:

(1) Caleb proposed to me on the beach in Hilton Head Island, SC, as the sun went down. I cried like a baby, sheer joy, of course!
(2) He tricked me into video taping my own proposal...sneaky one, he is.

(3) We rode adorable bikes with baskets on them to that very beach (there's a hint on our cake topper!)
(4) The original date we wanted for our wedding was May 18th.
(5) Our favors involve something sweet.
(6) Caleb pulled the grey tux inspiration from his fav man; Robert Downey Jr, at the end of Avengers.

(7) None of my bridesmaid's dresses are the same, they are all unique to them!

(8) My wedding shoes are yellow. Woo!

(9) We almost got really daring and decided to scratch the tent rental all together for the reception, but then we thought if it DID rain, we'd be in real trouble. So...a beautifully lit white tent it shall be.

(10) The top layer of our cake will be red velvet, covered in butter-cream icing. Mmmmm!

(11) The rest of our guests will be getting cupcakes in a flavor of their choice!

(12) My flower girl is the cutest, ever.

(13) My bouquet will have a touch of garden roses (like peonies, except on a budget!)

(14) Caleb absolutely does NOT want to see me until I walk down the aisle. I am kind of in love with that idea, too. He's kinda romantic ;)

(15) Our first experience with a wedding vendor (some "professional" photographers) was absolutely AWFUL. I cried on the car ride home... thank GOODNESS for our amazing photographers we have now. I don't know what I'd do without them.

credit: Innovatory Photography

(16) My nails have probably been painted 3 times our whole engagement. You'd think having a shiny rock on your hand would be motivation to keep the hands lookin good?

(17) Caleb originally wanted our centerpieces to be various action figures....you know, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor... no thank you. I respectfully negotiated that one, HA!

(18) Our wedding invitations -- I'm slightly obsessed with. We ordered them from Magnet Street and our design was called watercolor ombre'!

(19) This is what our save the date's looked like (also ordered from Magnet Street!)

(20) Caleb and I each have 6 people standing next to us.

(21) There were 9 of us that went dress shopping the day I found "the dress". Most called me crazy, but I knew none of those ladies would cause drama...and the day was AMAZING.

(22) I have an unhealthy obsession with mason jars...so you know I've already spent countless hours with my grandma making centerpieces/etc.

(23) We will not be having a seating plan at either the ceremony or reception. No sides in the church, no assigned seating at the tables...guests can sit wherever they'd like.

(24) Last but certainly not least...Caleb has decided to have a little scruff on his face for the day of. Can't say I'm mad about it ;)

So there you have it... 24 random facts about our journey leading up to the big day... I cannot believe its almost here. Someone pinch me.

Honestly though... this journey has flown by before my eyes. I can't even thank everyone enough for all the sweet emails, tweets, texts, and random words of encouragement and advice. I sure picked a great time to start blogging. This community is SO supportive and uplifting and I have made quite a few genuine friendships out of this experience. Can't wait to share more info on our big day.

Linking up with the ever gorgeous, Shanna!