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!!

Good Word and Goodbye

God is teaching me a lot about my faith. That may sound strange.... I guess I should say, God is showing me a lot about my LACK of faith. It is amazing actually. I can feel like the strongest person in the world.  There are times when I know that I know that I know, that God is holding me in the palm of His hands and I trust that He is in control. These are the times when life is seemingly perfect. I have a job, wedding plans are good, there are no arguments with my friends or family. While God asks that I trust Him in those times.....it is mainly the times when life seems to be crashing down that He longs for me to trust Him. 

I struggle.

Thankfully, He knows me, forgives me, and I do my best to trust Him the next time. I am thankful that my Lord forgives and loves me no matter what.

This summer I am studying about the life of Daniel. It is a Beth Moore study that I am so enjoying.

I ran across something she said and while it is not at all the focus of my study, it really hit me. She says: 

"Without stealing away time with God, we won't just grow carnal. We'll grow cold and callous. Whether or not you realize it, these frequent times with God become a healing agent against the world's harsh winds and a healthy defense to still allow you to feel."

I do not want to become cold and callous. I need time with Him and on the days when it is a literal battle, that is when I need Him the most. He longs to meet with me and already has my appointment booked. All I have to do is come. I know that my time with Him or at times, my lack of time with Him directly relates to whether or not I choose to trust Him when my world seems to be spinning out of control. 

May I always choose time with Him because He is the best choice!

"Our God will dwell with us until we dwell with Him."

Changing the subject...... I am leaving tomorrow for a two week vacation. I will be in LaGrange visiting Eric, Linds, and V this weekend and then on Wednesday Brett and I are going with his family  to..........

So excited! I am looking forward to hikes, volcanoes, zip lines, animals, fun, waterfalls, and BEAUTIFUL pictures (I hope!) 

Cannot wait to share my trip when I get back! 

Adios!

May, Where Have You Gone?

I cannot believe that May is just about over! This month has flown by! I am actually fine with this. I am so excited to be off for summer and don't want to wish it away but the faster it goes.....the sooner the wedding will be here!! Ah..yes. 

I have become a once a week blogger lately. Hopefully that will change this summer, although June looks busy. Brett and I will be heading to Costa Rica in a little over a week with his family! I am so excited about going but things will be crazy for the next few weeks!

 My first weekend of freedom was spent with my future in-laws and by the pool. I also made these...

image via Pinterest

Strawberries filled with homemade whipped cream. Such a perfect summer treat! Mine didn't turn out quite as pretty as these but they were still very good! 

I promise to be back soon with something more exciting!

I hope that your Memorial Day was a relaxing one!! 

The Princess of Quite A Lot

That is what my mom has always called me...It's a Mary Engelbreit thing. Amy was always the "Queen of Everything," I was the "Princess of Quite A Lot," and Sam was the "Prince of Whatever's Left!"

This morning, I woke up at 4:30 to watch the royal event take place. Honestly, I haven't been counting down the days or anything and it was pretty much a last minute decision but I am glad that I did. Brett even came over early to watch it with me! How sweet is he? I mean....he watched like 45 minutes and then fell asleep but....at least he came! :)

I mean....she was beautiful. I have to say, I don't think that Prince William is that good looking (sorry ladies!) but Kate, she is stunning, elegant, and so classy. It was a beautiful wedding! 

Her dress....oh her dress. I LOVED it! I mean....I don't know what I expected but it would have been so easy for her to go SUPER modern but I thought it was just the right balance of tradtional and modern for this future queen! 

In a little over 6 months....this will be me! I might be partial but I am thinking mine will be better than Will and Kate's! :) It will be perfect and I can't wait...

I'll leave you with this.....Here is another princess who was excited for the royal wedding as well!

Happy Weekend!!

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.

Weekends....I Love You!

This weekend was so great! They always fly by so quickly but this weekend, we soaked up every minute. We rested and relaxed, stayed out late, and spent time with great friends. We actually acted like we were still young and not the old, do homework, lay on the couch and go to bed early folks!

On Friday night Brett had to work but afterwards we went to a late movie. We went to see Soul Surfer. It was so good and I highly recommend it! Saturday, we rested and then had plans to go and have lunch with my dear friend Katherine and her husband Blake. We never get to see them so it was so great to hang out and catch up on life and wedding plans!! After about three hours we headed home! I told you...we had lots of talking to do! :)

Love you sweet friend!

Last night, we went and spent time with some friends who we have just gotten to know this year. Corey and Maggie are new to Mobile since the fall. They invited us over to their beautiful home and cooked us a wonderful dinner! It was such a fun time of fellowship and we cannot wait to do it again! Thanks Corey and Maggie!

As for today, we didn't have church this morning. We are having a church service/picnic tonight at Camp Grace! It has been a relaxing day so far! Brett and I are ready to embrace this work week because as of Friday we begin SPRING BREAK! We cannot wait!! 

Hope you have soaked up your weekend just as we did!

A Perfect Day

Today was absolutely fabulous. Eric and Lindsey came into town which means.......

Yes, more pictures of this child that I obsess over. I'm sorry but...I like to take pictures and she is good practice...Plus, her parents love that I document her life. :)

Here are some pictures of our lovely little Saturday.

We started off the day with a little sidewalk chalk.....

 Aunt Amy helping her blow some bubbles....

Catching them with Uncle Pudge

 Sweet little family...

Giving some kisses....

 Then...we headed to the park for a picnic....it was a BEAUTIFUL DAY!!

 Hey Linds!

The boys played a little baseball...

 Funny story....they start throwing the football and it somehow gets stuck in a tall tree. So, they try using the softball to get it out...Wouldn't you know that the softball got stuck too. Whoops! Finally after many, many, many, many, many attempts we retrieved both the softball and the football. Only us.

This little lady was able to experience her first Pollman's cookie...

I'd say she liked it.... :)

It was such a fun day with family and we all loved that we got to love on this precious girl all day!! 

Hope your Saturday was as beautiful as ours! :)

Monday Ramblings

Hello and Happy Monday! It was a dark and gloomy day in these parts and I hear many of my friends up north got a good bit of snow! Crazy Alabama weather!!

 So with this cold and gloomy day it called for a cup of hot chocolate this morning and some time with the Lord...perfect morning.

As I spent time with the Lord this morning I was reminded, as I am so often, of His faithfulness. Seriously, the Lord kept bringing to mind the hymn, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." For Christmas, Brett's mom got me this devotional, Jesus Calling. It is just a daily devotional that I have been reading before I spend time with the Lord. There is one a read a few days ago that has stayed with me. It is short so I am going to write it out. It has been so encouraging. This book is presented as if God is speaking to you. 

"Relax in My healing presence. As you spend time with Me, your thoughts tend to jump ahead to today's plans and problems. Bring your mind back to Me for refreshment and renewal. Let the Light of My Presence soak into you, as you focus your thoughts on Me. Thus I equip you to face whatever the day brings. This sacrifice of time pleases Me and strengthens you. Do not skimp on our time together. Resist the clamor of tasks waiting to be done. You have chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from you."

I love this because I am so guilty of letting my thoughts wander or "skimping" on my time with the Lord. I am realizing more and more the importance of my time with Him. I thought it was so encouraging.

And....off the subject....but, check out this adorable mug from Anthropologie. 

Sweet Julie got me this mug for Christmas. I have always liked Anthropologie but NEVER bought anything from there. It is a bit pricey most of the time and although I LOVE the bright colors I see when I peruse their website.....not everything is practical. As I was looking around today, here are a few things I LOVED! Looking at these different things makes me excited to get married and have my own house!

I love this couch....but again...not terribly practical! :)

Cute vases...

Love these bowls!

And these too!!

Sorry, I know that is random but I was just looking around the website that I cannot afford and dreaming.... :) 

Other than wandering around and wasting time browsing the Anthropologie website I was actually productive today too. I have been in an organizing mood these past couple of weeks. It started with my closet, then all of my "teacher" stuff that I have been collecting for the past few years, and today it was my linen closet. Let me tell you it was a wreck. See, my mom shops at T.J. Maxx and stuff there is cheap so we used to buy towel sets often. That closet hasn't been cleaned out since I don't know when...it was definitely time. Everything was so crowded. I didn't really get a before picture but I did get a picture of EVERYTHING that was in the closet before...

I mean...who needs that many towels, hand towels, rags, and sheets? :) haha.

Here is the empty closet......

 And.....afterwards.....

Any of you girls who read this blog and have seen this closet know that this is looking so much better! :)

And tonight.....well, it is Brett's Christmas. Auburn is playing in the National Championship. 

And because I remember so many Auburn fans screaming, "Hook 'em Horns" last year......

I have one word: Quack!

Whip It!

It is over. College, student teaching, the whole deal and one thing sums up how I'm feeling right now. I'll let Willow do the talking....

Whip your hurr this weekend! 

Christmas Break is Calling My Name...

Well, the deed is done. On Monday I turned in my student teaching portfolio and it happened to feel great. I have been doing observations at different schools this week and tomorrow I will go back to my 16 beautiful first graders. Friday I will celebrate with them, give them their presents, and say goodbye. Bittersweet....but I am loving having nothing to do. Loving it. Also, I am hating that everyone else has finals. Their noses are stuffed in books and I am ready to celebrate.

Oh well....I will this weekend and I will for the next three weeks.

Sorry so short and sorry so dull. I will hopefully be back with more to say soon.

Happy Hump Day!