Happy Birthday Sweet Sister!

Today is my sisters birthday! I cannot explain how truly grateful and blessed I am to have such an incredible, Godly, encouraging woman to call my sister!

Mangs, thank you for being such a wonderful example to me! Thank you for loving to cook and bake with me. Thank you even more for loving to eat with me! :)

Thank you for being the boss of our family! :) haha. Thank you for loving us all so well!

Thank you for being equally excited about my engagement and marriage! :) Thank you for being a far better maid-of-honor than I was... (my bad... :)..haha)

Thank you for encouraging me in everything from my walk with the Lord to running a half marathon!

Thank you for loving Handy Manny (jk...) 

I love you and I am so thankful that you are my sister!! You are truly such a blessing!!

Happy Birthday Mangs!

Virginia's Second Birthday

After weeks of planning it was finally time to head to LaGrange this past weekend to celebrate a very special girl. Birthdays are a big deal in my family most of the time. As we have gotten older, they are not  celebrated with a big bash as much, but with family and are slightly more low key. However, this little girl is one to be celebrated....and that she was this weekend! A few of us headed up on Thursday and the festivities began on her actual birthday which was on Friday!

((Warning....lots of pictures!))

Cheesin' with Aunt Amy

This girl loves to jump and has finally mastered actually getting some air!! :) 

Cookin' in her new kitchen!

We kicked off the day by heading to Monkey Joe's....

Monkey Joe's is an indoor play place full of huge inflatables, slides, etc. Look at this face....she LOVES it!!

Hey mom!

After Virginia was done playing, all the adults were wiped out, we headed to Virginia's favorite restaurant....."Chick Lay"

We went to the Dwarf House which is a Chick-Fil-A where you can sit down and order and you don't have to do the fast food thing. Same thing really but there are more options and you are served...

We actually went on cow appreciation day so this little peanut loved seeing the cow...

Cheeseburger!!!

Enjoying a little birthday ice cweam....

After a little shopping, we headed home to put her down for a nap. When she woke up there was more celebrating!! We ate dinner and she got to have an M&M cookie.

So excited for her "tweat"!

After V went to sleep we began setting up for her Minnie Mouse birthday party! Here are some pictures of the decor....

Pictures of her second year...

And food.....

Cupcakes Aunt Amy and I made....

Mickey Cheese....

Mickey jello jigglers....

Pudge and Mom

Time for a birthday cupcake...

Blowing out her candles....

Present time...

Literally.....18 adults and 2 children.....haha.

Virginia's bestie....HABEN (Haven)! :)

V got a swing! Uncle Brett and Uncle Pudge helping her try it out!!

Party animal!

Two little wiped out girls!

It was definitely a weekend to celebrate! Virginia Louise, you bring so much joy to our lives! I am so thankful for the last two years we have had with you!! We love you so much sweet girl!!

A Week With V

Two weekends ago, Eric and Linds moved into their new house. We got a good bit done that weekend but there was definitely still a good bit of unpacking, cleaning, organizing, etc. to be done. Well, when you have an almost 2 year old, that can be a bit challenging! So, we offered to take V home with us for a week of fun at LiLi and JimPa's house! We swam, shopped, played hard, ate, and had so much fun with this sweet girl! We also decided we would have pictures made of her. That didn't work out so well but Amy and I felt that we might could get at least a few decent ones! Between she and I and about 400 pictures, we came out with plenty of great ones! Here are a few of the pictures we took at Springhill College....

The trees make for a pretty backdrop...

Cheesin....

"CHEESEBURGER!!!" Her favorite thing to say when having a picture taken!

Sweet girl...

Lovin' her LiLi

I know....I know..... :)

Reading her books....

She is just beautiful!

She loves her aunts!!!

And we love you too little peanut!! Cannot believe we will be celebrating your 2nd birthday in just a few days!! Sorry for all of the pictures.....it was tough to choose though! 

Happy Tuesday!

A Vacation With the Kittrell's

Wow. It has been a busy few weeks. I got back home last weekend but didn't stop because we brought sweet V home with us for the week. But, more on that later. The two weeks before I was with my future in-laws. No, we didn't get to go to Costa Rica but we still made the most of our time together. 

We headed to the mountains of north Georgia for a few days and also made a quick stop in Chattanooga and went to the aquarium and walked around. I really loved downtown Chattanooga. It was so pretty and seemed like there was so much to do!

Brett took on the challenge of finding us a cabin in Georgia so that we could get away for a few days. He definitely delivered. It was BEAUTIFUL!! (I didn't take any pictures of it but...so nice.)

While we were there we were able to do a lot. We went on a hike and had a picnic at a beautiful waterfall....I loved it because I got to take pictures which I like to do...just a bit. :) We also stayed in some, grilled out, fished, and went tubing down the river! 

May not be a hiker but I look the part....right?? :)

Drew is pumped.... haha

Around our cabin there were deer EVERYWHERE!! I mean..usually 5 to 10 in our yard. It was crazy. On the last day we were there Brett got a biscuit and the deer came really close. It doesn't take much to excite me so I thought this was great!

The few days to get away were great! It was fun to spend time with family and rest after a stressful couple of days with Brett's grandfather in the hospital!

I will be back soon with more updates! Sorry for the being a blogging slacker! The weeks are flying by and are so busy it seems!

A Selfless Servant

It's true. He would never admit it but he is exactly that.

Dad, thank you for just being there. Thank you for loving mom so well and providing for us. People say that Brett reminds them of you. Well, I am thankful for that and I know that he has a lot to live up to in the years to come!! 

Thank you for showing me what it means to seek the Lord first in every decision. Thanks for instilling in me the importance of having a relationship with Christ. Thank you for modeling that for me. 

I love that you work from sun up to sun down. I love your love for Alabama football. I love your gap. :) I love that you can fix anything and everything. I love that you serve. I love that you love Christ and love and lead your family so well. 

You are the best. There is so much more I could say....even though you wouldn't want me to! I love you dad and I am so excited for you to walk me down the aisle in a few months!! 

I had this picture from a while back and took a similar one recently of dad and V and thought it was so cute. Look how she has changed and dad has lost some hair! :)

Happy Father's Day Daddy! 

Summer....In Full Swing

I was not expecting to update for a bit because I am supposed to be in Costa Rica right now.....However, plans have changed. Brett and I went to LaGrange this past weekend to visit Eric, Linds, and this precious girl you are about to see a million pictures of. I feel like it is okay that I usually post a million pictures in my blog posts because I have been told by some that no one reads the writing anyways....haha. So here is our weekend in LaGrange to start.... Oh, and mom and Mangs, these are for you guys.....

Playing in her pool...

Cheesin' big time!!

Virginia showing us her "cold" face!

Mommy's kitchen toys come in handy!

Sweet little angel

I mean......melt.

AHH!! Time for some Monkey Joe's!!! haha

Silly V..

Jumpin' with Aunt Lou

V looks chill....Daddy looks nervous on this slide...

Her favorite place ever....haha

I have no words....

Don't think she should be going down the slide this way.... haha :)

Blurry but cute.. She is loving it!

After the weekend we headed to Phenix City. We were supposed to be leaving to go to Costa Rica on Wednesday. Brett's grandad was put in the hospital on Sunday so plans changed and we knew we couldn't go. Please keep him in your prayers over the next few days!! I have to say....I cannot complain too much. Although Costa Rica would have been wonderful, we have been enjoying our time here. Swimming, shopping, hanging out, and today we went out on the river.....Hey, when life gives you lemons right?

Hey Drew....

Cute boy...

Besides.....I think, I am more of a river girl anyways. I love to travel, I really do. But, I am such a homebody. Being on the river in a boat just screams summer to me! I love the water so I am completely content to just ride and jump in and swim for hours!

A beautiful day...

Anchoring out to swim....nice Brett...

A storm coming our way....

Yes. I cannot complain at all. It has been a fun couple of days here and I know it is exactly where we are supposed to be! I have loved spending time with Brett and his family!

One last thing....Bayleigh has put up a couple of previews from our engagement shoot with her. She did such a fabulous job! If you need pictures taken....she is WONDERFUL!! I cannot wait to see the rest and will post more as I get them!!

Weekend Recap

We had a busy weekend around here. Eric, Lindsey, and Virginia came into town for Eric's 10 year highs school reunion. I was so happy to see all of them! This little girl is growing up so so fast!! She is so big and talks non stop!!

 Aunt Amy getting some kisses....

 Getting a feel of the pool

Hello pretty girl!!

Another very important event happened this weekend! My sweet fiance graduated from college!! 

Yay Brett!!

Oh hey!!

Thank you and goodbye President Moulton!! haha.

Yay for no tripping!!!

Boo for no dipoloma!! :)

Woo hoo! DONE!

So proud of you sweet boy!! I LOVE YOU!!

On Sunday, we spent the day by the pool..

This little girl loved every second...

She had a sand and water table the LiLi bought for her. She is going to LOVE the beach this summer!!

So focused on that sand....haha

She has some sweet ringlets...

It was such a fun weekend and so great to be with both of my families!! 

Her Children Arise and Call Her Blessed!

 Dear Mom, 

I could never tell you how truly blessed I am to have you. Not a day goes by that I am not thanking the Lord for you and appreciate you, even though I may not show it to you.

You are the most remarkable woman I know. I think back to my childhood and am so grateful for the millions of lunches you packed, being our taxi service, doing our laundry (oh wait...you still do mine!), and getting us an afternoon snack on the way home from school. You loved each of us so well and always made sure that we each felt special.

As I grew up you were constantly there to encourage me and feed me with truth from God's Word. You were never too busy to listen to me. You always had something to say that made me feel better. You were there to call me out when necessary and remind me of God's grace. 

Now I am much older and still constantly turn to you for advice and Godly counsel. You are full of wisdom. I am encouraged by your walk with the Lord and that you are encouraging me in mine. Thank you for instilling in me good morals and  Biblical principles.

 

Now, I am preparing and planning to walk down the aisle. I am not quite sure how I will leave you....that will be a big change. Thank you for being excited for me and helping me plan! Thank you for your constant prayers over Brett and I's relationship and future marriage. I hope that for Brett and our future family's sake that I am half the wife and mother that you are! I am so thankful for you! 

Love,

Laura

Spring Break...Just In Time

I think it is hilarious how different spring break is now that I am out of high school and college. It used to be about the beach, friends, and lots of late nights. Now, it is about rest....that is all. This one will include family, fiance, some wedding plans, and resting. I am thrilled. 

I am glad that Brett and I get to spend some time together. Right now we are in Phenix City visiting his family. Even though it is not the beach, it is wonderful to get away and be with his parents. 

I will get to see my niece this week and will definitely be by the pool some during too. I am so thankful for this time.

While I am thinking about it, please be praying for my sister, brother, brother-in-law, and the rest of their team that is in Uganda this week. They got there on Friday and will be there until Thursday. We have talked to them and I am so encouraged by what they have said. They seem to be doing great and I am confident that the Lord will bless their time!!

The Lord is doing some big things in my heart. I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit who convicts and a Father who forgives and loves me so well. I am learning a lot.

YES.

Let me just say, this blog contains a million pictures...but according to some, no one READS the writing anyways! :) 

For those of you who are unaware, something very exciting happened this weekend! On Sunday, Brett asked me to marry him and I SAID YES!! I cannot even explain how thrilled I am and how ready I am to be his wife!

Now, without further adieu...here are some pictures and our engagement story:

My whole family was in town this past weekend which was wonderful! A couple of weeks ago Brett and I had already planned to go to Fairhope. We have done this before so I obviously thought nothing of it and we hadn't been on a date in a while so that is why we planned! :) We were going to go eat and go by the water to take pictures. I really like to do that in case you didn't know. 

So, after church we head across the bay and eat at California Dreaming. We hung out around and shopped a little and then headed down by the bay! It was kind of a hazy day but we started just taking pictures and walking around...

He doesn't even look NERVOUS..does he?? 

 Little did I know......Brett's roommate who is a far better photographer than I am was there the whole time to capture the event! THANK YOU JUDSON!!!! 

We walked out on this pier and took pictures and talked for a while.....He said some sweet things and before he asked said, "I'm going to need your purity ring to give you some new bling!"

Side note: When I was 12 or 13 (don't exactly remember when) my dad took me out on a very special date. The reason for this date was to explain sex to me. (lower your eyebrows...pick your jaws up off the floor!) My parents knew that it was so important for us to not view sex as this nasty, terrible thing that we should NEVER do! They wanted us to know God's view about sex and what God's Word had to say about it. On this date he gave me a ring that he had special made for me. It had three question marks on it and three hearts surrounding a diamond. The questions are to remind me, "Does it honor God? Does it honor others? Does it honor myself?" I haven't taken it off since that day, until now. I have a replacement!!

 "I have to ask you the most important question of your life....Laura, will you be my wife?"

 Umm....shock. Absolute shock. I had no idea!!! I obviously knew it was coming but had no idea that it was that day!!

SO EXCITED!!!

He did so great and completely surprised me!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Okay...so I love my ring too!! :) 

Are you serious? You've had the ring how long? :)

So happy! So many questions! haha..

Oh....Judson is here.. HEY JUDSON!!

 ENGAGED!!!

 I LOVE YOU BRETT KITTRELL!!!

Then....we headed home....

We had a party waiting for us!!! ((My mom when I called her!!))

I don't know what I thought this get together would be like but with my family......I should have known!!

This is what I see when we pull up.....

We're HERE!!!

So many sweet friends there!!

And then.......the kitchen.. NO DETAIL WAS OVERLOOKED!!

Our beautiful cake! 

There were little diamond rings attached to each balloon!

Amy, Linds, and mom did such a great job!! Actually, I know everyone played a part in making this party so special for us! 

We felt SO LOVED!!

 Our parents gave us a big basket full of books, wedding magazines, kitchen stuff, and some towels with my new monogram!!

LOVE these!!

 Then we headed outside to take some pictures....

Looking a little rough....tired but so happy!!

I am so blessed to have such unbelievable parents!!

My parents and FUTURE INLAWS!! 

SISTER!!

 Brothers and sisters!! (minus Linds and Eric)

And....of course a couple of pictures of the ring......

Isn't it beautiful? I am in love! He picked it out all my himself!!!

Family and friends, THANK YOU all for making this day so amazing!! We both felt so special and so loved!! Each of you that were there Sunday have played such an important role in our lives!! Thank you for praying for us and loving us both so well!!

Brett, thank you for being so thoughtful and making me feel like the most important girl in the world! Sunday was perfect and you definitely surprised me! I love you so much and cannot wait to be your wife!!

((If you stuck with me THANKS! Hope you enjoyed our story!))