Days Twelve & Eleven...

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Just before starting this post, I got a call from my Love. Mid-conversation, he told me he had a question for me. It completely altered the direction I had planned for this post.

"How are you doing in your relationship with God?"

Two different things about this question touched my heart.
First, I didn't realize that such a simple question would stir up so many emotions. It's so easy to let things slip in this area. I don't understand why, but that is usually the first thing in my life to take a back burner. I realized that I've let myself get so caught up in planning our wedding and working, that I have ended up putting my prayer life and pursuing my personal relationship with Christ last.

Austin's deep love for God and his active pursuit of a Godly life has attracted me to him from day 1. He is never afraid to ask for accountability in areas he might be struggling in, and take responsibility to make changes for the better.  He is so strong, and has so much courage to take on the role of being a leader for me, and I admire him and am so excited to lean on him as my husband.

When he asked me this, I realized that it's not very easy to open up and just start listing your flaws, especially when it comes to spiritual things. It's easy to be embarrassed or become ashamed. But when Austin asked me that question, it was probably the sweetest moment I can remember between the two of us. Austin has such a soft way of getting behind my walls and encouraging vulnurability. This is the second part of that question that grabbed my heart. He isn't afraid to reach deeper and pursue knowing me better. I never have to be afraid to show him my flaws and faults. He tenderly lifts me up and stands beside me when I crumble in my weaknesses.

There's no doubt about it, no one else has come closer to my heart and who I really am. He holds my heart in his hands, and he nurtures and cherishes it.

Austin, I look forward to being your wife, knowing that you know me better than any other soul on this earth. I look forward to seeing all the ways God continues to push us to better ourselves together. But most importantly, I look forward to allowing God to lead us into the next chapter of our life together and seeing where that chapter takes us.

Day Thirteen of Austin...



I am not a very daring or adventurous soul. In fact, the very moment I feel any bit of change or that something is different from what I am used to or comfotable with, I just want to stop. I don't like change! It's like going into a restaurant and ordering something new off the menu (You all know exactly what I'm talking about... Don't try to pretend you don't order the same bean and cheese burrito every time you go to El Gitano)! The only thing I'm ok with changing is my clothes and the arrangement of my furniture :)

For a man who likes adventure and "fun things" like fishing and mudding in his truck, I know I can be boring. I don't like driving too fast or too close to the car in front of us, I don't like cutting my hair different because I might not like it, and I epecially don't do anything that would spike an adrenaline rush (except in sports... that's my one exception). I could never paint my walls lime green or buy a beautiful berry colored sofa. I always am afraid I won't like something once I do it. But Austin knows how many things I miss out on. He has really pushed me to open up and broaden my horizons. Sometimes when I'm with him I just have to accept that a little adventure may happen, and I'm learning to be okay with that :)

Austin has shown me that sometimes, you have to go outside of your comfort zone! Sometimes it's just small things in life like food or fashion, and other times it's big things like living out my faith. Regardless, he has always supported me when I'm afraid to do something I might not like. His wonderful arms hold me close and his eyes tell me everything will be okay no matter what. I love his support and his ability to encourage me.

Thanks for supporting me, love. You're the best shoulder to lean on and have new adventures with :)

Day 14 of Austin...

This is my camera. And as anyone who knows me knows, it comes with me nearly everywhere. I spend a considerable amount of time messing with techniques and fiddling with settings, and an even longer amount of time on my computer editing the results of my "play time". Creativity, art and photography are incredibly important parts of my world.

And so is my love.

In a long distance relationship, it's so important to spend your time together focusing on each other! But every time we are together, I always find reasons to pull him into my world of photography (what can I say? He's smokin hott and makes a fantastic model!). I always end up somewhat addicted to the project, and end up spending a lot of time working on it. I know if it was me, it would be difficult to just sit and watch me edit photos! But rather than get upset about "precious time together being wasted", he always sits by my side, puts his arm around me, and gives me his support. Austin realizes the value of his actions. He knows that being beside me and simply enjoying what I enjoy means more to me than most words ever could. I don't think he is as interested in how to add soft light or filters to a photo as I am... But the way he acts would tell me he's just as excited to be sitting there as I am over the cool effects. Ausin has chosen to make me important to him, so the things I love become important to him too. There couldn't be a more supportive and encouraging man in all of creation. 

Austin is so wonderful at showing me his support, his affection, his patience and appreciation. If the saying "actions speak louder than words" is true, then I'd have to conclude with this:

Austin loves me with every bit of his being.



Thank you for showing me, Austin. I love you too :)

Fourteen Days of Austin



Today is the officical two week mark until my wedding day, and I couldn't be more excited! Normally, my evenings are spent on the phone with my handsome fiance, discussing song choices, what beverages we will have, and making sure all the little details are falling into place. But not tonight. Tonight is Austin's bachelor party! I truly am excited for him to have a night free of all my gabbing on and on, making lists of things I'm forgetting, and him trying to help me understand it's a whole lot of hulabaloo for just one day. Whew... he must feel some sort of relief!

While he is out relaxing with his man friends, I am home still working on plans. I have emailed the florist, finished the "Just" part of our "Just Married" sign, and updated my linen order (Secretly, I also enjoyed an episode of "sTORIbook weddings" and gleaned much wisdom from Tori and Dean). And now I get to write a post about all my hard work!

Actually, my intentions with this post are very different from that of most of my others. Tonight I want to start the 14 days of Austin. This is a pretty big committment for me- I usually have a hard time keeping my posts updated! Originally I wanted to start this on the first day of the official countdown at 10 days... But I'm just too excited to wait! :)

Here's what's going to happen. the 14 Days of Austin are all about... Austin! Everyday I will share a reason I love him or how he is special to me (maybe even both!). Because this is not pre-planned out, don't take them as being in any sort of order or levels of importance.

I invite you to share with me now in the sweet, sweet love of almost-marriage!

Day 14 of Austin shall follow...

Biceps, Boxes, and 8 More Paychecks :)

Wedding planning has definitely taken a back burner as I've been working like a mule lately... Boy howdy, wedding dresses sure do get heavy!
Hauling dresses around all day, shoving them in the racks, putting them on brides, and trying to control the madness of mothers wanting to try every dress in the store on their daughters, has definintely left it's impact- on my biceps! Definition and form are abounding as my sweet little guns gain strength! I may not have any leg strength left after quitting track, but I sure can carry around 50lb dresses ;)

In my free time (from about 9:30pm- 11pm) is my "wedding planning" and preping time. This is my time to work on our marriage counseling book, pack my things, finish my invitations, and work on all my other wedding plans! So from now I have about 3 mos. to plan the rest of my wedding. Crazy!!

I've started sorting through my things- tossing out the old to make room for storing the new! I just finished going through my closet and organizing my clothes so that when moving time comes, I'll be prepared and know exactly what clothes go where. I even packed up my shoes that I won't be needing between now and the wedding! I have so many boxes in my room its overwhelming... Boxes of wedding decor and such, boxes of old stuff to throw out, boxes of things for our new house, and even more boxes of just memories and the stuff I know I'll find use for later in my own house. So much stuff!

So now that I'm really in "bride" mode, I've begun to count in different ways. I've learned tricks to come up with the smallest sounding amount of time possible, or, if I'm stressed out, to come up with the largest sounding number possible. Right now though, I'm liking smaller numbers... Like the fact that I will be standing at the alter in only 8 more paychecks. Did you read that?! 8 MORE PAYCHECKS!!

Ahh... So excited :D

1+1= You & I

We got to take a little time in our busy weekend full of starting wedding registries, making wedding plans, visiting our venue, and budgeting money, just to take a few "engagement pictures" with my mom. It was so nice to have the chance to relax and laugh a little! I never realized how intense wedding planning can be until I was thrust into the thick of it! But visiting my favorite coffee shop and having a grande decaf, hazelnut/vanilla, soy latte really hit the spot! Here are a few of our pictures :) Thanks mom!

Gone Fishin'?? Cause Every Girl Loves A Diamond!

As I'm sure every girl does, I have spent much time looking at wedding dresses for the past several years. What can I say? I'm a hopeless romantic, just waiting for my own fairytale to unravel.

Thursday, December 16th I drove down to spend the weekend with Austin and his family. I got there in time to pick up his sister from the airport with them. I hadn't seen her since she left for London in September, so it was a very exciting night for us! Since we were up so late, I was looking forward to sleeping in until my tired body woke itself up :)

Around 11:15 a.m. Friday morning, Austin came and woke me up.
"Come on, babes! Time to get up!" I dragged myself out of bed and got ready. Austin wanted to show me something. When I got in the truck, he had a cooler, rubber boots and a shovel in the back.

Oh no... we're going fishing... I was dead set that he was taking me fishing up in the mountains, and he was going to make me hit them on the head with the shovel. Needless to say, I was not exceptionally ecstatic about the trip. Of course I LOVE spending time with my boy, but I didn't know exactly what to expect- he offered NO details for me!

After about an hour of driving (half of it beinging up windy, bumpy, make-you-carsick kind of roads), we stopped at the top of the mountain. He pulled out a blindfold, put it on me, and asked me to wait in the car for a few minutes. At this point, I knew we weren't fishing...

When he came back and got me, he lead me down a trail, over a stream, and to the edge of the woods.

"Scan this in front of us. What stands out?" It took me a few minutes, but I finally saw a red ribbon on one of the tree branches. We followed the ribbons until I saw big tree set apart from the others. I could see a bouquet of red roses on the other side.

Inside, I had butterflies and adrenaline. I knew what was coming, but in the moments before it happens, what do you do?! You can't just shout, "YES! Of course!" You have to wait for your nervous boyfriend to say everything on his mind and ask you the question you've waited your whole life to hear!

Austin walked me around the tree, and that's when I saw he had carved out a heart in it.

"I need to show you something..." he told me. He pulled out his knife and carved an 'A' in the tree. "Now I need you to carve yours." It took a while, but I finally got a 'J'.

He turned me around started pouring out his heart to me. He told me he loves me, and he couldn't imagine his life without me. To be perfectly honest, I can't remember what exactly he said... It was all so surreal and happened so fast. Not to mention my mind was flying a thousand miles a second!

He got down on one knee, and told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life loving me, growing with me, and taking care of me. Austin teared up a little bit, so as you can imagine, I started bawling. He pulled the ring out and asked me to marry him. I couldn't bear it any more so while he was taking it out, I got down level with him on his knees (he was on TWO knees now because his one knee was "hurting" haha :p), wrapped my arms around his neck, and just held him close.

So, now begins all of the crazy, stressful planning. But my fairytale is finally beginning to unravel :) This boy absolutely stole my heart, and I love him so incredibly much. He brings me closer to God every day, and always reminds me and encourages me to stay close to Him. I am a very lucky girl. I can't wait to marry my love!