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!!

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!

he & she (may 2011)

:..he and she..:

They celebrated three years of dating!

And are excited about having a new anniversary to celebrate in a few months...

He graduated.....

And didn't trip and fall!

She finished up her interim position

They are looking for jobs.....

So spread the word! :)

They booked their honeymoon....

Woo hoo! St. Thomas!

They took engagement pictures...

They are ready to enjoy their final summer before they become Mr. and Mrs. 

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!! 

More Than Ready

Hope your weekend was a fun one!! 

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!! 

In 6 Months.....

I will have planned a wonderful wedding!

I will have walked down the aisle!

I will have danced the night away!

But most importantly......

I will be married to this guy!!!!!!!!

And we will be heading here....

Oh St. Thomas......I will be so excited to see you :) 

In other news.....this precious thing is on her way to see us this weekend! 

And I included this cause I found it and  it is just so darn cute!!

Happy Weekend Friends!!

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