dwelling on some fun

Caleb and I have been together since August of 2009, and I gotta say...its been a pretty darn great journey so far. I was just thinking about what to do for our next upcoming date night... and my mind went to all of the random/fun/hilarious date nights we've pulled together in our past. Which one of these few was my favorite??

 

Like the time we drove around at college and found a random apple tree field with one lone horse who felt like a photoshoot as much as we did?

 

 

Or like the time we drove around with friends and stumbled upon a random corn field made of stone?

 

 

 

Or the time we scored free popcorn vouchers at the showing of a SWEET movie?!

 

 

But I couldn't forget about that amazing carnival. That night was amazing. I mean, we blew our money on silly games, bought insanely deep fried food (which is the best kind, in my opinion), and caleb overcame his fear of ferris wheels. Seriously...?

 

Truth is; I don't really have a favorite. They all make me happy. I just really like to reminisce on all of these! We really do the most random things together, and somehow manage to have the best time of our lives.... everytime. Don't get me wrong... every relationship has its bumps, BUT... I'm so glad we have a God that we try to center our relationship around DAILY. Its not always easy, but oh, its worth it!

 

Kickin it old school. Look at our crazy hair.

 



& thank goodness

...that thing we called an election is OVER. I just am so happy I can watch TV now, without wanting to slap myself in the face.

Where were we!?

Oh yeah, nowehere... yet. I just have to say... today Caleb and I are OFFICIALLY in the 100's! We have 199 days 'till our BIG DAY! Woo.

This seems unreal. I promise one day I will write a post about how we met... but I just don't have the energy for that right now. Its late, and this girl is catchin up on some X Factor. & poor Khloe Kardashian definitely forgot to cover the ladies up tonight. Ouch..

On another note... Caleb and I started our "low-carb" kick this week, and you know what I find in the break room at work today?! A GIANT chocolate cake... a vanilla cheesecake and cookies galore. Seriously?! This new eating habit of ours has become a good way for me to say "NO" in lots of areas of life. Especially to sweet treats. Because thats exactly what they are... treats. I am learning to treat my body much better, instead of like garbage. Diabetes runs in my family; and I am determined to stay away from it. I will keep both my body and my mind healthy. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Happy wednesday, all.

'MERICA

Yes, another election post. But guess what? I DON'T CARE. I freaking voted today! Know why its so cool to me (not only because I'm making a difference in this country, duh!)?! BUT because it was my first time voting!

I never knew how good it could feel to be a part of something so big. I mean, I am able to have a voice in this country. I'm saddened when I think about other countries where women are either used or ignored. They have no rights. But here? Here I have a voice, and my opinion matters. I am able to be a small part of something huge... and that matters to me. It made me feel so great to exercise my right to vote.

Wanna know what else was awesome about today? I got to leave work early to vote, AND I didn't have to wait in one single line. WOO!

Go America!!! :) 

Oh, college.

Oh, college. I kind of miss you.

This was taken my junior year of college. I haven't gotten crazy personal with this blog yet, but... its about to go there...I went to a private christian school up in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and as you can imagine... it got pretty darn pricey. I've learned now that its nothing to be ashamed of... but I just couldn't afford it anymore. I went for half a semester my junior year and was forced to pack up and leave because I couldn't get a loan to cover my tuition. I was embarrassed, and felt stupid. I had to tell all of my professors, roommates, and friends that I had to leave. For some reason, it made me feel like I just wasn't good enough. I was bitter and didn't understand why this would happen to me.

My amazing roommates (pictured above), threw me a goodbye dinner and we had SUCH a fun time. They made me feel loved and like everything would be just fine. So, a few short days later.. I came home... and Caleb really played a huge part in this. I was confused on the person I wanted to be, where my attitude was heading, and I was scared. How was I going to manage?! School was all I had ever known.

I got back in touch with a good friend, Marie, who was the one that brought me to God in the first place so many years ago. I truly don't think my life would be the same without her. I seeked a lot of advice from her, and along with her and the help of my friends and Caleb who prayed with me and for me... I got through it. I prayed for God to make me feel like I had a purpose, even when it was hard to believe I had one.

A few months down the road, I landed a great job at a financial firm where I could analyze finance and work on retirement planning. I know, it doesn't sound all that great... but I TRULY feel like I am helping people, and I've learned that I am of value. I DO have worth. God DOES love me and wants me to succeed. Now that Caleb and I are engaged to be married, I realize... God knew JUST what He was doing when he let that heartache into my life. He used it to mold me into the person I am supposed to be.

Now, I have joy.

I don't always know why we go through things we don't understand... but I can assure you, God does. Take comfort in that, friends.

I'd love to get to know ALL of you on a more personal level, so feel free to leave a link to a post you've written that can inspire others. YOU are an example of those around you, and you DO matter.

Happy weekend :)

BLOG MAKEOVER, thanks to...

MY GIRL ERIN!!!! What do you ladies think?? :)

Let me rewind-- Erin is my soon to be SIL. Ever since Caleb and I started to date, Erin and I became very close! We have this soulmate connection going on...I just love this girl. So, long story short-- one day, each individually slaving away at our offices.. she sent me an e-mail out of the blue... & ever since... we pretty much email every single day. oops!

We were discussing some serious matters, you know... food, our men, game nights, our favorite TV show ;) ... and we mutually decided she should make me a new blog design for fun and we'd see what came out of it. This girl is so creative so I knew I was in good hands. She showed me multiple amazing designs and this is what we came up with.

Let me tell you, this was her FIRST blog design.... what's that you're saying? There is NO way, right?! I know... but trust me... I tell you the truth. She is just that awesome. You can find her quickly growing blog over HERE!!

Be sure to stop by and tell her how great she is... take my word for it ;)

Its pretty cool when you get along with your man's family as much as your own! I am very blessed :)

Happy Friday all!

PS- We got our engagement pics back last night... oh you want a sneak peek? Okaaaay ;)

My first award!

YAY! The lovely Jessica (which you can find here!) awarded me the Liebster Award! Its for bloggers who have under 200 followers that really love being a part of this awesome blog world! I really am loving it, and although I haven't done much for myself (putting myself out there), I have made some fun friends along the way so far.

Rules:

-You post 11 random facts about yourself

-You answer 11 questions from your nominator

-You pass the award onto 11 other blogs with less than 200 followers and ask them 11 questions.

-You are not allowed to nominate the blogger who nominated you.

1. Photography is my main passion in life, aside from my wonderful God.

2. I'll be married next May, to a super handsome stud.

3. I LOVE to read. Some of my favorites include The Hunger Games trilogy, Nights in Rodanthe, Les Miserables, & The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

4. I hate hearing myself on tape.

5. Without my contacts in, I'm basically blind.

6. I never do anything cute with my hair.

7. Yellow is my favorite color of all time, if you couldn't tell ;)

8. I drink about 8 glasses of water every day. My grandma calls me a water bug.

9. I'm obsessed with stationary, calendars, journals and planners...nerd alert.

10. Receiving a package or a beautifully hand written letter makes me as happy as a high school girl getting her braces off (yes, I know how this feels!).

11. I have a girl crush on both Jennifer Aniston and Katy Perry (...and Zooey Deschanel, oops!).

The following questions are what I've been asked:

1. Who is your idol and why?

I wouldn't say I have an "idol" exactly, I just strive daily to be a better person. I live for making people happy, and learn with each new experience how to be a happier me.

2. Do you dress up for Halloween? If so, what is your favorite costume you've ever been?

Heck yes I do. Every year since I was born, BAM! I'd probably have to say when I was Wendy (like the rag doll) from '09. Don't worry- I'll probably do a Halloween post shortly.

3. What is your favorite blog post you've ever written? Leave me the link!

My favorite post I've written so far (and it hasn't been TOO many) was this! It  was so much fun to re-tell our engagement story. We even have it on video. YAY. & yes, one day I'll post that too.

4. How did you meet your significant other? Leave me the link if you've blogged about it.

I haven't yet blogged about this, but its a great topic for a blog post someday. Its funny, my best friend Lyndsie knew him through her church's youth group, and he had a crush on me from 7th grade (when we first met) until he was a sophomore in college. Thats when we finally started really hanging out. I knew he was "the one" --awww.

5. What did you want to be when you were little? Did you become that? Why or why not?

A chef. No joke, I thought I'd be better than Emeril. I probably would've been if I'd kept up with it. I even got the spatulas/chef hats for Christmas every year. 

6. Are you superstitious?

Nope, not really. Nothings coincidence, I think everything happens for some kind of reason!

7. Who is your favorite author and why?

I'd have to say Nicholas Sparks, cliche' right?!

8. Do you have any siblings? Are they full-, half-, or step-siblings?

I do. One younger brother, who is 14. He is my full, and only brother.

9. Did you have braces? When and how long did you have them?

Gross. I sure did. I got them put on and back off several times. Basically 4 years on and off from 7th grade until sophomore year of High School. I even had the glasses to rock with them. Yes, if you're wondering.. I was smokin' hot.

10. What is your favorite quote?

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ, that a man must first seek Him in order to find her."

11. Are you happy with your life as it is right now?

Happiest I've ever been. I am planning a fun spring wedding with my best friend! Of course I am ;)

 

My questions for my nominees:

1. If you could only have one fruit the rest of your life, what would it be?

2. Sweet or salty?

3. Are you married? If yes, how did you meet your man?

4. Describe yourself in 4 words.

5. Who do you strive to be like?

6. What is your passion in life?

7. What is one song you could hear at any point in your life and never get sick of?

8. Hot date night out, or comfy movie night in?

9. What is one thing you never leave the house without?

10. Are you on twitter? If yes, what name can I follow you under?

11. Did you do any extra curricular activities in high school?

As for my nominees *drumroll pleeeeaase*:

Jillian -- Faith that Laughs

Ali -- Life & Us

Ashley -- Ashley Riah

Meg -- Life A True Story

Catriona -- Cats Impressions

Abi -- A Saturday Morning

Erica -- Caught on a Whim

...okay, so its not 11 bloggers, I know...but hey- what do you expect?! I am not a huge blogger yet, baby steps. This is so exciting. Make sure to stop by all of these blogs and say HI :) they are all wonderful ladies and I'm excited to keep getting to know them.

Favorite things!

Today, I decided to link up with miss Ashley over here!! I love her blog, so why not join her for the first time?


Some of my favorite things include;

#1.

cake batter ice cream with sprinkles. Seriously my favorite.

#2.

Nobody actually forgot about Razzles, right?!

#3.

Finding pictures from old photo-shoots I've done.

#4.

being fun with my amazing grandma (I call her nanny, always have, always will)!

#5.

celebrating my friends :)

#6.

uh.. YELLOW. hello ;)

I love thinking about my favorite things... makes me happy. What are some of your favorite things?? Be sure to stop by Ashley's blog & link up with her today!